The next sort of Arguments respect some special Cases, as (1) of the Transplantation, (2) of the Corporation.

Concerning the Transplantation, P. W. peremptorily con­cludes, That it cannot be continued on account of their Crimes since 1648. nor stand with the Articles, or with the equity of the Laws, much less with the Justice of the Prince.

1. This Conclusion without any proof, with the same facili­ty as it is said, may be gainsaid.

2. The Foundation of those Articles, and consequently the Articles themselves are thrown down by the Irish Papists; where­fore it matters not as to his Majesty, what can or cannot stand with them.

3. Many other Countreys and Ages have formerly on lesse grounds used Transplantation, and been justified therein as just and equal, by Lawyers and Casuists.

4. Observe his Sacred Majesties Royal and Fatherly [Page 12] Indulgence even to those Irish Papists, who being Innocent, su­ed out Decrees, and obtained possession of Lands in the Pro­vince of Connaught and County of Clare. First, Positively; for though they had bound themselves up therein by their own Act, in which though his Majesty saith in the 14. page of his Gracious Declaration of the 30. of November 1660. We might without any injustice deny to relieve them; yet his Clemency is so great, That in the same 14. page of his said Declaration, he breaks those Fetters which they had bound themselves in, and orders them to be restored unto their former estates.

Secondly, Comparatively; his Majesty uses those innocent Irish Papists with more tenderness than even those which He ho­nors with the high Title of his Friends in England and Ire­land, as appears in the 18. and 19. pages of the said Declarati­on: For though such are not to expect that his Majesty should pay back to them the Moneys they were compelled in the evil times to disburse for their Compositions, the payment whereof they would have avoiden, had it been in their power, as much as the Irish Papists would have avoided their Transplantation: yet his Majesties Friends are not relieved from their own Act, when the innocent Irish Papists are relieved from theirs.

5. Observe the insolency of P. W. for though his Sacred Ma­jesty in Council, by his said Declaration published to the world in print, declared that some other transplanted Irish are to stand bound by their own Act, and not to be relieved against it; yet P. W. is so far from acknowledging and magnifying his Maje­sties Mercy in using the innocent Irish Papists with more favour, than even those happy persons whom his Majesty honours with the high Title of being his Friends, that P. W. peremptorily sayes, viz. The Transplantation cannot be continued on account of their crimes since 1648. nor can it stand with the Articles, or with the equity of the Lawes, much lesse with the Justice of the Prince.

6. That the Justice of his Sacred Majesty in Council may ap­pear to be such, in not breaking so much of the Transplantation, as is confirmed by the said Declaration, I desire these following particulars may be throughly considered:

(1) If such transplanted Irish Papists into Connaught and Clare should plead that the Force of the late horrid Usurpers constrained them to go thither in person; I answer, yet no Force lay upon them to sue out Decrees, and obtain possessions of Lands there in lieu of their former sorfeited Estates in the other Pro­vinces. And it is onely in point of Land that the said Trans­plantation is continued: so that their doing of what they could not avoid, is not made conclusive to them, but only their doing of that which they could avoid, and yet sollicited and brought to effect, is made binding to some of them. To which I shall adde, that those to whom it is made obliging, are only such as having no title to innocency, (for all Innocents are freed from Transplantation) have no title to any of their former Estates. And therefore this confirming of them in the compensation of that, to which they had no right, should invite them to acknow­led his Majesties Mercy, which yet P. W. in their behalf ex­claims against as injustice.

(2) Though all these guilty Transplanted Irish have forfeit­ed their right to the Articles extorted from his Majesty in 1648. and though by those Articles (had they been as punctually ob­served by them, as they have been generally and often violated by themselves yet) his Majesty was not obliged to hinder them from making an unequal bargain or exchange for those their for­feited Lands, which by his mercy they were restored unto, nor to confirm to them those Lands which they sued for in satisfacti­on of their former Estates; yet his sacred Majesty confirms to them, in confirming their Transplantation, those Lands which they themselves had obtained from the Usurpers, as a compensa­tion for the Lands they left, and to which they had not the least shadow of a Title, because they had broken, yea often, if not al­wayes, the said Articles of peace vouchsaved to, and extorted by them, in the year 1648.

(3) The persons themselves who are transplanted have by their publick Agents, made the continuance and settlement of the Transplantation the subject matter of several Petitions and Addresses to the RƲMP: therefore as for [...]hem to decry it now, argues in them a fuller readinesse to obey Force, than [Page 14] Right: so the continuance of it being in effect but a granting of their own desires and petitions, they can justly blame none but Themselves. To prove the truth of this, I shall set down the Titles and chief Heads of two petitions presented to the RƲMP. The one is in print, and thus addressed: To the Supreme Authority, the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, &c. The humble Petition of Sir Robert Talbot Baro­net, and Garrot Moor Esq; on the behalf of themselves and the distressed Irish, Submittees upon Articles of War, and others who are to have a certain proportion of their estates by the Act for the setling of Ireland, held forth in the year 1652. Where­in, to use their own words, They humbly show, That the Petiti­oners upon confidence of enjoying the Benefit of several Declara­tions and Articles of War held forth unto them by Authority of this Parliament, &c. did readily subject and put their Conscien­sciences, Lives and Fortun [...]s as in a secure Sanctuary under the protection of this Commonwealth, having ever since walked peace­ably and in due conformity to the Government, without the least defection therein; That since the interruption given to the sitting of this Parliament in the year 1653. no Christian Nation can parallel the sufferings of the petitioners, &c. which render the petitioners as fit Objects of your Honours piety, justice and com­passion, as any who may challenge your protection. Notwithstand­ing the Petitioners withered hopes, and former confidence, being a fresh revived by your Honours return to the management of the present Government, and their propensions so great to peace and quietnesse, that rather than ravel into the settlement, They do willingly acquiesce in the Transplantation, albeit it was not exe­cuted by any legal power, as not being derived from your Honours. Soon after in the same Petition follow these words: They do apprehend that contrary to your Honours pious intentions mani­fested in the said Act for settling of Ireland, they may be postponed or neglected, unless provided for in the Act of settle­ment now to be established: And therefore the Petitioners humbly pray, &c. This Petition was delivered by the said two Agents for the Irish Papists at the door of the House of Commons in England, and entered by the Clerk of the Rump.

The other petition was in writing, and subscribed Robert Talbot, Garret Moor: the Title of it is, To the supreme au­thority, the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, &c. Supplications humbly tendered by Sir Robert Talbot Bar. and Garret Moor Esquire, for and on the behalf of themselves and the distressed Roman Catholicks of Ireland, in order to be therein relieved by the Act of Settlement now to be passed. Their second Supplication in this petition is set down in these words, viz. That the Estates assigned unto the Petitioners in the Province of Connaught and Country of Cla [...]e be confirm'd unto them. The third Supplication in the said petition is in these words, viz. That the Decrees obtained by any of the Pe­titioners pursuant to the Articles and Qualifications be put in a way of satisfaction and for the time past put in equal condi­tion with others who have had the benefit of their Decrees. The fourth Supplication of this petition is expressed in these words, viz. That there having been no time limited by this Parliament for the Petitioners to enter and prosecute the claims according to their respective Qualifications, and the interrupti­on given to the sitting thereof soon after the Act of Settlement, having hindred many from doing the same; and that others through absence, poverty, and the short sitting of the Court for the adjudication of Claims, appointed since the said Inter­ruption, could not do it, That a farther time be allowed unto such to enter and prosecute (as aforesaid) their Claims. The fifth Supplication is expressed in these words, viz That se­veral of the Petitioners are able to make appear their constant good affection and adherence to the Common-wealth, for whom a competent time to be allowed to make out the same, is humbly supplicated, and that these and such of the Petitioners as have already done the same, may have the benefit held forth unto them by the Act for settling of Ireland.

These expressions being verbatim in the said two petitions, I shall only observe from thence what follows, 1. The persons who presented these Requests to the RƲMP, did it not on­ly for themselves, but for the Papists of Ireland, in whose behalf they own themselves to be Sollicitors. 2. Those two [Page 16] Gentlemen (their publick Agents) were persons of too much knowledge and discretion to have done any thing, especially of so high a nature as this, for so great a body of people, without sufficient power from themselves so to do. 3. That these their Agents Addresses to the RƲMP were by allow­ance and command from themselves, needs not better to be proved, than by the Irish Papists ever since continuing those their two Agents in publick employment for them, even to this day.

4. To that very RƲMP by whose immediate Commissi­on the horridest of Murthers was acted, they scruple not to make their application, and even by the stile of the supreme authority the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, &c. and that twice. If P. W. should say they were necessi­tated to petition, and that their petition would not be re­ceived without it were so directed, I answer, No consequence of their suffering could be so great, as the guilt of owning the RƲMP by the twice before mentioned Titles. The single Advocate of the Irish Papists, viz. P. W. layes it as a guilt upon all the Protestants of Ireland, that some of them fought under one of the Regicides to recover their own E­states, and punish the guilt of the first Rebellion, and their often violation of their Articles; and yet their publick Agents in behalf of all the Papists of Ireland, own all those Regicides to be that supreme Authority.

5. But if the Consciences of the Irish Papists were harden­ed enough to run into a certain sin, but in the expectancy of an uncertain advantage, why yet in their printed petition did they use these guilty expressions, viz. They did readily sub­ject and put their CONSCIENCES, Lives and Fortunes as in a secure Sanctuary under the protection of that Commonwealth. Though if they would petition, they may say there was a ne­cessity to stile the RUMP, the Supreme authority; yet sure they cannot say there was a necessity in the body of the petition to insert such criminal words: therefore since the Body of the Petition is more than consonant to the Title of it, it is but rea­sonable to believe, the Title they gave the RƲMP, was as [Page 17] voluntary as the expressions with which they treat them. If they would but make his Sacred Majesty, what in print they acknowledged the RƲMP was to them, viz. A secure Sanctu­ary to put their Consciences, Lives and Fortunes in; if what is past could not be remedied, yet the mischiefs to come might perhaps be prevented.

6. But as if the immediate before mentioned respects to the RƲMP had not been sufficient, they pay them others, profes­sing in these words, viz. Their withered hopes and former con­fidences are afresh revived by the RƲMPS return to the ma­nagement of the Government, under which their propensions to peace and quietness are so great, that they willingly ACQƲI­SECE in the TRANSPLANTATION. Would they be but as joyfull for his Sacred Majesties restauration, as they say they were for the RƲMPS, and had they been as willing to express their propensity to the peace and quietness of this King­dom, under his Majesties undoubted authority, as under the RƲMPS usurped power, P. W. had been exempt from the Guilts of writing and printing his Letter, and I from the trou­ble of answering it. The Irish Papists are not only content to declare, They willingly acquiesce in the Transplantation; but to heighten the merit of that performance, they add these words, viz. Albeit it was not executed by any legal power: yet had they stop'd there, those their last words had been true, and sure the RƲMP would have had arrogancy enough to have assumed to themselves without an explanation from the petitioners, that thereby was meant, what their Agents posi­tively say in the immediate next following words, viz As not derived from your Honours. Though the Irish Papists in their ingagements, nay Oaths to others, are not without their Equi­vocations and Mental reservations, &c. yet to the RƲMP; when they might have left themselves, (as to the last expressi­on,) to a fair explanation, they voluntarily cast it behind them, in these clear words, As not derived from your Honors. Those which now pretend to such Loyalty to His Majesty, voluntari­ly confess, No execution was legal that was not derived from the RƲMP, is not this implicitely, if not explicitely, an own­ing [Page 18] in the Irish Papists the legality of the RUMPS power, even in the bloody Murther of his Sacred Majesty, that being derived from those the Irish Papists call Their Honours. But it is no wonder, that those to whom the Irish Papists did readily subject themselves and put their Consciences, lives and fortunes as into a secure Sanctuary, should have so much plainnesse, kindness and obedience for them. May we not too from thence inferr, till they consider his Sacred Majesty, as they profess'd they considered the RUMP, his Majesty may not well expect from them that ready Subjection and propensity to peace, which in their said Addresses they promised to those Usurpers.

7. Observe, all this is said and done since the peace of 1648. yea part of it, and that the most criminal too, but some few moneths before his Majesties blessed Restauration; with what face could the Irish Papists by the same Agents plead for the Articles of peace before his Majesty, as inviolable observers of them; who but a few weeks before owned the RUMP for the Supreme Authority: owned that they readily did subject and put their Consciences, Lives and Fortunes, as in a secure Sanctuary, under their protection: owned their withered hopes and former confidence was afresh reviv'd by the RUMP'S return to the management of the Government: owned their propensions to peace and quietnesse under the RUMP to be so great, that as one evidence thereof, they willingly did acqui­esce in the Transplantation; with these superlative expressions, Albeit it was not executed by any legal power, as not being derived from their Honours. The very Murtherers of his late Majesty of glorious memory are the elected Sanctuary of the Irish Papists, not only for their Lives and Fortunes, but even for their CONSCIENCES also. That bloody power which made the Royal Line of England, and all good Subjects of England, Scotland and Ireland so long wither, is by their return to Go­vernment, that onely which makes the hopes of the Irish Papists to revive and spring. That power is by the Irish Papists owned to be the only Legal one, by which all our Laws and Liberties were cut up even by the very Roots. Were the [...]e noth [...]ng but this to make them forfeit the Articles they so plead for, it were but too [Page 19] much; if this be their observance of their Recognition of his Majesty, though the Pope may absolve them, God will not. Sure P. W. cannot prove any one of the Protestants, whose whole number [...]e so calumniates, to be so criminal, as I have proved even the Generality of the Irish Papists to be, in this one parti­cular; I bate him many others. And doubtless 'twas a less sin the seduced Protestants to submit for a while to him who cast down those English Murtherers, and helped them against these Irish Murtherers, than readily to subject their Consciences, lives and Fortunes to those Parricides, yea to own them as their Secure Sanctuary for All, and so pathetically to exult, in their second usurpation.

8. In the many forementioned passages, both of the written and printed petition, they presse for the Confirmation of the Transplantation, and the benefit of the Rules for adjudging of Qualifications, and make the granting thereof to be e [...]ects of the RUMP'S Piety, Justice and Compassion. The Irish Pa­pists are pleased to beg that Grant, as an act of piety, justice and compassion in the RUMP, which his Sacred Majesty con­firming, (and much more to the advantage of the Irish) P. W. calls an Injustice. And in the 6. and 7. Paragraphs of the said written petition, they set forth that several of the Petitioners are able to make appear their constant good affection and adhe­rence to the Commonwealth, that some have already actually done it: And in effect, That the number of those so adhe­ring and of constant good affection to the Commonwealth was so great, that they sue even for a longer time than had been allowed, for the proving thereof; they being so many, that they were streightned in time to make out that truth.

There are other clear observations and inferences which I could make out of those two petitions, which I decline; e­nough having been said to evince what I promised to prove upon this Head: and I have much behind to answer, to which I hasten.

The Guilt of the Coporations in part instanced.

The 2. special Case concerns the Irish Corporations which [Page 20] P. W. with his usual confidence determines, cannot be excluded on any account that may stand with his Majesties Gracious Conces­sions; nor can there be any reasons of State which may accord with a good Conscience to exclude them; yet he confesseth with a per­adventure, That two or three of them deserved punishment, and Limerick a severe one.

The Corporations of Ireland that P. W. mentions were so notoriously guilty in overthrowing the foundation of that peace wrested from his Majesty, that it seems strange how any one can be found to plead for them, especially to his Grace the Duke of Ormond, who knows their actings. Their Education rendered them most able of any to know their duty; their Incorporation most capable of any to deliberate concerning their duty; their Fortifications and men most secure to discharge their duty; yet these above all other persons and places, put forth with greatest Arguments of Choice and Freedom, the highest acts of Treache­ry and Rebellion. The evidences whereof amount to much more than P. W.'s peradventure, and the Subject reacheth much far­ther than P. W's two or three Corporations, it being the general practise of all such, into which his Majesties L. Lieutenant desi­red admission. P. W. confesseth, That Limerick deserved a severe [...]nishment, and certainly the demerit must be great, which ex­torts this Confession even from their Advocate; nor was their Crime less than laesae Majestatis, for they insolently opposed the admission of his Majesties Viceroy: though 1. their Maior had invited him, 2. Iretons storm threatned their wrack, 3. the L. Lieutenant offered to steer that Vessel, and to adventure his per­son and Fortune in the same bottome with them. But surely if Limerick deserves many stripes, Gallway and Waterford propor­tionally to their crimes deserve more. Gallway after the Ar­ticles of 1648. (so much and groundlesly pleaded) 1. searched (to use his Graces own words) with force and armes for the L. Lievtenant, as if they judged him a Traitor. 2. They treated with the Duke of Lorrain to be Protector of Ireland, as if they judged themselves Lords of all. 3. They refused to admit any Garrison commissionated by his Majestie's authority, and surren­dred that Town (as if they esteem'd themselves a Free State) without consulting the Marquess of Claurickard then L. Deputy, [Page 21] though resident within few miles thereof, and though he were of P. W's own Nation and Religion. But I will not say that even those double Tyes were less powerfull to beget a respect for him, than his representing the Kings person, and his own worth, were incitements to P. W's Countreymen so highly to affront him. Waterford likewise after those Articles of 1648. deny'd a passage to the L. Lieutenant and his Army, though at that time his Lordship was strengthened with the conjunction of the Ʋlster Forces, in pursuit of the Enemy, who were weakned by a long Winter March, Multiplicity of Garrisons, want of ne­cessaries, and sickness of the Souldiers; nay offered himself to become an hostage, and to commit the Army to anothers con­duct; yea so horrid was their perfidie, that when afterwards the L. Lieutenant and seven more were occasionally received into that City, the Citizens combin'd either to take away his life, or deliver him up prisoner to the Usurpers; for the prevention whereof, he was forc'd suddenly and secretly to withdraw thence.

What falsehood will P. W. be affraid to suggest to Strangers, & what wickedness will he be affraid to patronize at home, when he shall dare thus to assert to the L. Lieutenant himself, and pub­lish it in print to the world, That no reasons of State can accord with the dictates of a good Conscience, to exclude these Corporations from the future capacity of repeating such signal acts of Rebelli­on. But P. W. as farther motives of favour to the said Corpo­rations, addes and sayes, 1, The hand of God hath punished them; 2. Some were faithfull among them; 3. The English Protestants are more criminal.

First, The hand of God hath punished them: But that the Magistrate should spare, because God punishes, is a non sequitur. Though the Lord sent Hornets before Israel to drive out the Hivite and the Can [...]a [...]ite and the Hittites; yet he commands Is­rael to destroy those Nations, and their name from under Heaven.

2. P. W. sayes, There have been many faithfull Subjects in those Towns, even in the most criminal of them; and God was so f [...]r from involving the just in the destruction of the wicked Sodo­mites, [Page 22] that if he could find there but ten just men, be would for their sake pardon all the rest.

1. The sin of Apostacy seems worse in some respect than other sins; and therefore on this sin, Lot's Wife, whom God had re­scued from the destruction of Sodom, though but for looking back to it, is immediately turned into a pillar of Salt. I heartily wish the Irish Apostates would remember Lot's Wife.

2. Though God would not involve the righteous in the pu­nishment of the Wicked, but delivered just Lot; yet he transplan­ted him into Zoar, and condemned Sodom and Gom [...]rrae with an overthrow, making them an Example to those that after should live ungodly. Even so his Majesty hath taken care for the Inno­cent, in his Gracious Declaration, without justifying the Wick­ed, and for the Innocent has provided a Zoar, whether their Souls may escape and live.

3. Since P. W. professeth his thoughts to be far from desiring to obstruct the securing the peace of the Countrey; let him consi­der how adviseable it is to put a Sword into a Madmans hand, or to capacitate such rebellious Spirits to hurt themselve [...] and others.

Since Limerick, notwithstanding the hand of God, and mix­ture of good, deserved a severe punishment; and since Gallway and Waterford are not less deserving; ought not those Corpora­tions and their Advocate rather to acknowledge his Majesties gracious indulgence and mercy, in remitting the severity of the Laws: than to exclaim thus insolently against his Royal pro­ceedings as unjust, unequal, and such as cannot accord with a good Conscience.

The Guilt of English Protestants and Irish Papists compared.

Thirdly, P. W. returns to his former Comparison be­tween the Irish Papists and the English Protestants; and in prosecution thereof urgeth, 1. That the worst of the Irish Pa­pists were never Regicides; 2. That they fought against such [Page 23] men, when England, Scotland, and the Protestants of Ireland deserted the Royal Cause.

As to the first, That the Irish Papists are not Regicides; let it be considered, That the Doctrine of Regicide is common in the Romish Schools, and the practise in their Courts.

2. That to touch the Annointing, is virtually to touch the Annointed. Take away the Regalia, and in effect you take away the King. The Irish Papists were so guilty hereof, that they not only usurped all the Royal peculiars, but also set up a Government distinct from, and opposite to his Majestie's in a Ge­neral Assembly; yea therein they Enacted, viz. That no Tempo­ral Government or Jurisdiction should be assumed, kept or exe­cuted in Ireland, or in any Province or County thereof, other than what should be approved or instituted by their General Assembly. Had the Devil had leave to touch Job's per­son, he would not have spared him, when he touched all that was his.

3. Did not the Irish Papists, distrust, disobey, oppose, and ex­communicate the L. Lieutenant, and absolutely disclaim his Majesties Authority in him; did they not conspire to Murther Him, or which is worse (if worse can be) to deliver him to the worst of Murtherers? Surely those who dealt thus with such a Servant, if the Son had been sent to them, would not have scru­pled his Murther, that the Inheritance might wholly be theirs.

As to the 2. That when England, Scotland, and the Prote­stants of Ireland wholly deserted the Royal C [...]use, the Irish Pa­pists fought against the Regicides in defence of his Majesties right.

1. It is no less calumnious than false, to charge England, Scotland & the Protestants of Ireland to have wholly deserted the Royal Cause: and it is amazing to consider how any Irish Pa­pist (I am loath to say Rebel) dare thus by a Letter even to the Duke of Ormond, and printed paper to the whole World, im­peach the Nations of England and Scotland, and all the Prote­stants of Ireland, to have wholly deserted the Royal Cause: what may not Foreigners credit against us abroad, if P. W. dare thus to charge us at home?

But a Narrative of the matter of Fact is the clearest expedi­ent to refute this Slander: wherein let England and Sootland answer for themselves; (if any Answer seem necessary to so pal­pable a falsehood) and let the Protestants of Ireland excuse my zeal, if I urge some clear instances (though I pretermit many) for their vindication.

Those w ^ch P. W. slanders with having deserted the royal Cause, when the Irish Papists fought against the Regicides in defence of his Majesties Rights, were even the very first in Ireland w ^ch pro­claimed his Majesty, my L. Lieutenant also at the head of them; and that duty was performed by the Protestant army in the Pro­vince of Munster, the same year in w ^ch by giving the Irish Papists some considerable defeats, the said Papists were reduced to a real necessity of submitting to his Majesty, which yet they but seeming­ly did. But possibly P. W. was at that time so busie in preparing those Articles of Peace which were to fetter his Majesty, that he had not leasure to hear how his Protestant Subjects freely pro­claim'd him. It is also undenyably true, that a considerable Body of the Protestants of Ireland under the L. Lieutenant, though mingled with the Irish Papists, fought constantly against the Regicides, nay after the said Irish Papists would have been Regicides themselves, at least so far such as conspiring to mur­ther his Majesty in effigie at Waterford, &c. did amount unto, and never declin'd that Quarrell, till by the infidelity of their Accusers, they were not only disabled to prosecute it, but as se­veral of themselves have confest, were reduc'd at last, even for the preservation of their lives, to keep as strict Guards against the Irish Papists as against Cromwell. All which his Grace having found was but too true, he withdrew himself at last out of the Kingdom and permitted those Protestants to withdraw them­selves from the Irish: Therefore let any unbyassed person judge whether the Irish Papists or all the Protestants were wholly the Deserters of the Royal Cause; or which of them fought longest against the Regicides: if the insolence and disloyalty of the Irish Papists were such, even when Cromwell was at their gates, what would it not have been without that Curb. But I see though P. W. remembers wha [...] he should not, ye [...] he can forget what he should remember.

In the years 1641. and 1642. the Protestants in Ireland not onely fought as his Majesties Subjects, but by his Command and with his Commission against the Irish Rebels; in the year 1643. a Cessation was concluded by his Majesties Authoritie, and the Irish engaged by Articles; both English and Irish by duty, to transport their Armies to England for his Majesties ser­vice. The English did it, the Irish only made a show (till the English were gone) of doing of it, and then plotted and at­tempted the destruction of the few English remaining in Mun­ster, whereby the Lord of Inchiquin, who then commanded in that Province by the Kings Commission; and the English with him were necessitated to stand on their own defence, yet this is the first pretence which the Irish Papists make, that the English Protestants deserted the Royal Cause. Can even Malice it self judge, the Protestants designed the deserting of the Kings service, when they sent their Armie to the King, by which onely they were capable of disserving him: nay sent it in that very Jun­cture of time, wherein they had as much cause to fear the ruine of themselves and Families, from the often Violations of the Ces­sation by the Irish Papists, after that Cessation was made, as from their inhumanities before. But yet, when his Majesties Service required it, though the answering thereof, by transport­ing their Armies into England, threatned more than a probable ruine to them at home from the Irish Papists, who then delayed, and indeed never after would send an Army to the King into England; yet the Protestants did not so much as hesitate, but chearfully exposed themselves to the danger, to pay the duty, and receive the honour of their obedience.

The same Infidelity and Treachery which Munster, and the parts more remote first experienced, the L. Lieutenant and the Protestants with him at Dublin at last tasted: and his Grace was thereby compelled in the year 1647. (with his Majesties per­mission, if not Order) to resign Dublin and all the adjoyning Garrisons in [...]o hands of the Parliament, which is the second pre­tension for this slander.

On these occasions the English Protestants of Ireland (not by Choyce but Necessity, (and a necessity onely created by the [Page 26] Irish Papists themselves) not by the Protestants own private acts, but the necessitated Acts of those that were set over them by his Majesties authority) came into the Stream, with the violence whereof they confess themselves afterwards hurried into such miscarriages as made their hearts ake; yet (they hope) less criminal than those in the Irish Rebellion, or to any degree of Apostacy, which deserves the scandal that P. W. layes on them, of wholly deserting the Royal Cause.

For 1. Notwithstanding the violent endeavours of both Pa­pists and Anabaptists, not many of the Protestants of Ireland have declined the Church of England, in her greatest Tryals; whose principles are not only most consonant to Truth, but also most usefull and duti [...]ull to the Royal Cause: and for that rea­son were opposed most by the two Extremes. So that Old Protestants in the Anabaptists Dialect, was the same with Royal­list, and by them the Protestants of Ireland were dealt with ac­cordingly. And 2. as the principles, so the practises of the Prote­stants vindicate their loyalty. 1. They submitted this Kingdom to his Majesty; not as England and Scotland, by the concurrence of the General and General Officers, but without them, nay against them. 2. Though they saw the difficulty of that attempt, and foresaw the hazard from Anabaptists (who then in chief com­manded the Army in Ireland) if they succeeded not; and from Irish Papist pretenders (whose necessities had driven them to serve themselves by his Majesty in Flanders) if they succeeded; yet were they early (if not the first) and free without Articling in the duty of their Submissions. And least P. W. who saye [...] many things that are not true, should deny this, which is so sig­nally true, I will cite the undenyable Testimony of his Sacred Majesty himself, which follows in these words in the 2. page of his Majesties gracious Declaration for the Settlement of Ire­land: We acknowledge that our good Subjects of the Kingdom of Ireland have born a very good part in procuring this happiness, that they were EARLY in their dutifull Addresses to Ʋs, and made the same professions of a resolution to return to their Duty and Obedience to Ʋs, during the time of Our being beyond the Seas, which they have since so EMINENTLY made good and put in practise.

Here is not only a profession of duty, but a making of it good, and putting it in practise. Here is not only an early owning of His Majesties Authority, but an owning it when he was devested from the actual exercise of it, and that too (as to Ireland) by the Irish Papists. And this is also the first fruits of the Protestants having recovered the power of Ireland, and that with no less hazard than loyalty.

3. To make the Discrimination yet clearer: The Irish Pa­pists at first murther'd and fought against his Majesties good Subjects, to take from him his Crown. The Protestants of Ire­land fought against his Enemies to restore him to it. The Papists of Ireland we [...]e seemingly good Subjects, but to become more dangerous Rebels. But the Protestants of Ireland if seemingly Rebels, were such, but to become more useful Subjects. The last action of the Irish Papists, when they had the power, was to expell His Majesties Authority, with circumstances as wicked as the very sin; but the first action of the English Pro­testants, when they were in power, was to restore His Maje­sties Authority, with circumstances almost as dutifull as the Action it self.

Lastly, Not to hold a candle longer to the Sun, I will but instance one other experiment, and against an experiment there is no arguing; and the instance of this experiment is even in the very case now controverted, and in which also my L. Duke of Ormond himself was the Judge. In the year 1650. when [...] came in Question, which were the worst, the Irish Papists, or the seduced Protestants. He permitted all those worthy Prote­stants which till then had served under him, to come off to the rest of the Protestants, though then headed by Ireton himself; e­steeming them safer with that real Regicide so accompanied, than with those pretended Antiregicides, so principled. Certainly he esteems those less ill to whom he sends his Friends, than from whom he sends them. If so wise and so faithfull a Servant to his Majesty, as the L. Lieutenant is, had had any hope that the Irish Papists, would ever have return'd to their Loyalty, doubtless he would never have sent away from them, so many pow­erful helpers of it, and friends unto it: and if his Grace had not [Page 28] had more than hopes that the English Protestants would have return'd to their obedience as soon as they had got the power of doing it, he would never have sent his friends unto them. The Wisdom of his Grace's foresight has been happily justified in the Result. For all the Protestants which then came off, were e­minently instrumental and concurring in the duty of accomplish­ing that blessed Event. I dare as truly as confiden [...]ly say, the most of the Protestants of Ireland only served under the U­sur [...]ers, but to bring the Irish Papists to those terms which with­out the force of English swords they▪ would never have been brought unto. The ancient and modern often breaches o [...] fa [...]th which the Irish Papists were guilty of, made it too evident to many of the Protestants, that nothing could bind them but steel, and iron. The truth of both these po [...]itions is clearly read in that issue which the providence of God has effected. However the once seduced Protestants of Ireland are willing to take shame to themselves, and give glory to God, in con [...]essing their Guilt such, (though not by causing, yet by complying with the late Usurpation, though to a good end) that they readily acknowledg they owe their Lives and Estates wholly to His Majesties Grace and indulgence; and will be more joy­ful to employ both in the honor and duty of his service, than now they are in having received both from his mercy and good­ness. For 'tis fitter to discharge obligations, than to con­tract them. The lively sense the once seduced Protestants of Ireland have of their failings, and of His Majesties Clemency, so justly humbles them, that they can take no pleasure to recriminate others, farther than by shewing the Injustice of P. W's. comparisons; which they are more troubled he gave them a rise to do, than after the rise was given they were troubled to find out what fully has done it. But in regard the Irish Papists in all their Discourses, as well as their papers, pretend to the defence of His Ma­jesties Right; it seems even necessary, by way of answer to the other branch of this proposition, to rub up their memories. 1. Tha [...] in 1641 the Irish Papists unprovoak'd (1) re­belled, (2) robbed the Protestants of more personal estate, than [Page 29] the Fee-simple of all the forfeited Lands in Ireland is worth; (3) in a few Months murthered about two hundred thousand in­nocents; (4) with a sin next to Blasphemy, as now they pretend his Majesties defense, so then they pretended his Authority. The pretending whereof having been so horrid a sin, (for it was no less than to have intitled his then Sacred Majesty to all their un­parallel'd crimes, nay to have made him the Author of them) I think it a duty to the memory of that Glorious MARTYR, to present the Reader in this place with what will clearly e­vince their malice therein to be as great, as his then Majesties Innocence; and nothing can better illustrate the vastnesse of This, but by proving 'tis a parallel to That. I could instance many signal and clear evidences of this Truth, besides that memorable one which follows: But since I have in most part of my Answer made use of their own Writings, and prints to make out their guilt: in this very particular I will pursue that me­thod, and only cite the preamble of their own Remonstrance, delivered by the Lord Viscount Gormanston, Sir Lucas Dillon, and Sir Robert Talbot Baronet, to His Majesties Commissi­oners at the Town of Trim in the County of Meath, on the 17. of March 1642. In which Remonstrance of Grievances (for so they call it) after they have taken notice that his Ma­jesty had authorized Commissioners to hear what they should say, or pr [...]pound, these very words follow, viz. Which your Majesties gracious and Princely Favour we find to be accompa­nied with these words, viz. Albeit we do extremely detest the [...]dious Rebellion which the Recusants of Ireland have, without ground or colour, raised against us, Our Crown and Dignity. Word which deserve to be written with a Beam of the Sun, as eternal mon [...]ments of his Majesties Justice, and their guilt; nor were they spoken [...]n a corner, [...]ut spoken under the Great Seal, and even in that Commission which those False-accusers were to see and hear read, and by those expressions they were sufficiently [...]rovoked to have p [...]eaded that Authority they so fa [...]ely pre [...]ended, had they had the least shadow for that black ca [...]umny. In these Royal expressions also (if at least the Irish Papists have the modesty (I bate them the J [...] ­stice) [Page 30] to acknowledge the King was a fitter Judge of their Crimes, then they themselves were) the actings of the chief Governors of Ireland, when that horrid Rebellion brake out, are fully vindicated: for the said Irish were so far from be­ing provoked unto it by those, that no less a Testimony than the word of that great, just and wise Prince proves, they had no ground, nay not so much as a colour for it.

2. In the year 1646. and after a peace concluded with them, they attempted, by a Treachery not to be parallel'd by any but themselves, to cut off the Lord Lieutenant and Army with him, who marched out of Dublin on security and con­fidence of that peace.

3. The same year, the Council and Congregation of the cou­federate Catholicks of Ireland, obliged their General Preston by a solemn Oath, in these very words, viz. To exercise all acts of Hostility against the L. Marquess of Ormond by name, and his party; and to help, advise with counsel, and assist in that service the L. General of Ulster employed in the same ex­pedition.

This Oath is a fruitful Theme to declaim upon, but I will l [...]mit my observations upon it, only to these following particu­lars. 1. Least any should doubt they are his Majesties Sub­jects; least any of themselves should repent the sin of not having been such, they swear (that they may raise their crimes above pardon) to exercise all acts of Hostility against his Majesty, in the person of that noble Lord who had then, as now, the high honour to represent him; if killing be an act of Hostility, they in this Oath swear to kill him; if this be not actual Regicide, I am sure 'tis not their fault that it is not. This horrid Oath takes off all disguises, and makes their sin as visible as great. And if such a Crime be capable of accession, it did contract it by the same persons engaging private [...]y, about the same time, (as I have been assured by an undeniable Testimony) That he would serve the King, which he afterwards endeavour'd to ex­cuse only by saying, His Army was not Nuntio-proof. By which it appears indisputably whether the Irish Papists are Subject to the King, or to the Pope.

(2) Instead of repenting and making amends for the late violated peace in the year 1646, they swear to destroy him, with whom they had made it.

(3) This Oath reduc'd the taker of it to a sad Dilemma, ei­ther to Rebellion or perjury.

(4) This Oath evidences that nothing is so powerful with the Irish Papists, as to destroy his Majesties Government; since the uniting of the old Irish Papists and the old English Papists, which the Pope himself could not effect: the dethroning of his Sacred Majesty has accomplish'd. They that could never agree in any thing else, agree in this, and it is made the very bond of their iniquity. I will say no more on this subject, but that Herod and Pilate could be friends, when it was to crucify Christ.

4. In the year 1647. from Kilkenny Jan. 18. the Popish Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons of the confede­rate Catholicks of Ireland employ Commissioners to Rome, France and Spain, to invite a forreign power into Ireland, particularly to Rome their titular Bishop of Ferns and Nicholas Plunket Esq; (who was Knighted by the Pope for his good ser­vice therein, and is now one of the confident Advocates for the Irish Papists as defenders of his Majesties Rights, and against the Protestants of Ireland as deserters of the Royal cause) these, I say were authorised to declare, viz. That they raised arms for the freedom of the Catholick Religion; which are their own very words in the third Article of those their Instructions.

In their Remonstrance in the beginning of the Rebellion, whatever they said necessitated some few discontents to take up arms, then they took off the vail, and positively said, That they raised arms for the freedom of the Catholick Religion. Certainly if ever they may be believed to speak true, it is when they speak to the POPE; and if ever any thing may be be­lieved to be the voice of all the Irish Papists, it is when the Popish Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons of the Con [...]ederate Catholicks speak in one Assembly. What is meant by the Freedom of the Catholick Religion has been pra­ctically expounded by the professours of it in Ireland; not on­ly [Page 32] affirmatively, that those which are of it, should enjoy the publick and undisturbed exercise thereof themselves; but Ne­gatively, to be an exclusion of the publick, if not private, exercise of the true Religion. Many instances I could present the Reader of this, but I shall only set down two: The 1. is Dean York a reverend Minister of Gods word, during his re­sidence at Gallway, was not allowed to pay the last duties of Christian burial to those Protestants which died in that Town; but was forced to bury them, nay his own children, privately in his Garden. The 2▪ is, That my L. Duke of Ormond, though owned by the Irish papists to be the Kings L. Lieutenant and consequently representing his Sacred Majesties person, was still denied the use of so much as one Church or Chappel, wherever the said Papists had the power; nay one of the Ge­nerals of the Irish PAPISTS, now living, told my L. Lieu­tenant at Kilkenny, That if the King in person came into Ire­land, he should not be allowed by them One Church to ce­lebrate his Devotions in: to whom his Grace made a return, proportionate to the disloyalty of that Declaration, and part of that return being prophetical, and since fulfilled, I shall here insert the words, viz, I hope to live to see all of that mind to be without one Church in Ireland to say Mass in. By these two instances it is evident, That the direct meaning of those words, The Freedom of the Catholick Religion, is no other than the total banishing out of this Kingdom the exer­cise of the Religion established in it, by truth it self, and by the good and wholsom Laws of the Land.

5. In another part of the third Article of the said Instru­ctions, these [...] very words are inserted, viz. The confederate Catholicks do intend that you let his Holyness know, their re­solution to insist upon such Concessions and Agreements in mat­ters of Religion, and for the security thereof as his Holiness shall approve of, and be satisfied with.

This palpably evinceth, that the Papists of Ireland being Subjects, or Rebels, depends wholly upon the Popes plea­sure: For let his Majesty grant them what he will, yet his pretended Holiness's approbation must be the rule by which [Page 33] only they will be bound. And this is made most evident by the words of the ninth Article in the said Instructions, which follow in these words, viz. In case his Holiness will not be pleased to descend to such Conditions, as might be granted in matters of Religion, then you are to sollicit for considerable aids, whereby to maintain a war, and to ascertain and secure the same, &c. And soon after in the same ninth Article, these words follow; viz. You are to make application to his Holiness for his being Protector of this Kingdom; and by speci­al instance to endeavour his acceptance thereof, &c.

Still the Pope is there King; and that he may be so almost in name as well as in power, they sollicit him by special in­stance to accept that Title, under which he might act that power: so that it is not the Confederate Catholicks fault, if a PROTECTOR were not in Ireland, before the Secta­ries had set up one in England. Nay their Commissioners then sent to France and Spain, were required in case of the Popes refusal of being their Protector, to offer it to either of those Kings, nay to any Popish Prince, from whom (to use their own words) they might have most considerable aids. In effect, they are willing any one should govern them, but he who only had the Right to do it. But yet as becomes obe­dient Sons of the Church of Rome, the Pope has the advan­tage of the preemption.

It appears the Irish Papists hang, as their faith in God, so their Loyalty to their Prince, on the Popes sleeve; and cer­tainly it is not probable that those should defend his Maje­sties Right, over whom (1) a forreign Prince, (2) such a for­reign Prince as considers His Majesty as an Heretick, and con­sequently an Enemy, hath full power; and (3) That power on the strongest account, even that of Conscience of Reli­gion.

In the year 1648. another peace was concluded with the I­rish Papists, but after that, they disowned, disobeyed, opposed, conspired to murther, excommunicated, and banished His Majesties Viceroy, as appears by the former instances.

In sum, when the power of Ireland was in the hands of [Page 34] the Irish Papists, they design'd and endeavour'd to betray it to Forreigners: But when in the hands of the Protestants of Ireland, they absolutely, and without antecedent conditi­ons, submitted it and themselves to His Sacred Majesty.

As to their fighting against the Regicides.

I answer, 1. Vitious extremes are not only opposite to vir­tue, but also one to the other; Papists and Sectaries oppose each other, and both the Protestants.

2. The Spaniard and the Dutch fought against the Regi­cides, yet neither of them in the day of tryal, proved them­selves friends to his Majesties Rights.

3. 'Tis the Cause, not the suffering only, which makes the Martyr; 'tis not the fighting, but the ground and end of the fighting, which proves which is the good Subject, and of that, let even P. W. judge by the former instances.

The last argument pretends to commutative Justice, and is usher'd in by a comparison and preoccupation.

The former thrice pressed way of comparison, is yet pro­pounded here again, but with less injustice here, than before; the comparison before was between Papists and Protestants, here between Papists and Presbyterians, Anabaptists, Qua­kers, Fifth Monarchy men, Independents.

To which I shall only say, Whatever tenents opposit to Regal power may be found among any Sectaries, are, if not learn'd from, I am sure taught by the Romish Schools. Papists and Sectaries like Sampsons Foxes, are tyed by their tails, though their heads be divided; their way may seem contrary, but they all tend to the same end, the ruine of the Corn-field.

As P. W. ushers in his Arguments on one side with a com­parison: so on the othe [...] with a preoccupation, re [...]a [...]ing to the power of those which he calls Adversaries, and declareth it to be no greater than His Majesty is pleased to make it.

To the truth of this Declaration the Protestants of Ireland freely consent; professing to the World, that though their [Page 35] Army is such, as sufficed to subdue the Irish Rebels when uni­versally confederated throughout the Kingdom, and supplyed by Foreigners with Money, Armes and Ammunition, and strengthened with no lesse than the Popes Blessing and Nuntio: yet their power consists not in Armes or Armies, Fortifications or Men; but in Loyalty and Obedience to his Sacred Maje­sties Commission and Authority; and is consequently, as P. W. sayes, no greater than his Majesty is pleased to make it. And since this is the true state of the Protestant, both Principle and In­terest, As in truth it is, even their Adversary being their Judge, 'tis likely therefore that P. W. declares they are his Adversa­ries, (for I believe his Friends are other guess men) But doubt­less those are fittest to be trusted with Power, who are no strong­er by it, even by their Enemies acknowledgements, than He which gives it, is willing to make it; than those who never had power, but what they forc'd from his Majesty; and who never employ'd that Power (the whole stream of their own actions being their Judges) but against that Sacred Majesty from whom they wrested it.

The Arguments following plead Justice, and that Ju­stice grounded on the Articles of 1648. and judged by the sad consequences threatned on the breach thereof, whether we regard men or God.

Though concerning the Arrticles of 1648. enough hath been instanced already, yet to leave P. W. without occasion of Ca­vil, it will not be unfit to adde somewhat more here.

1. The Contents of those Articles are in themselves un­warrantable, except in Case of Necessitie which hath no Law.

2. The Condition of those Articles whereon they were prin­cipally, if not onely founded, hath been often and intirely vio­lated by the Irish Papists.

The Contents of those Articles are unwarrantable, unless in Case of Necessity, because they are contrary to an higher Ob­ligation, [Page 36] according to the Rule both of publick and private Justice.

1. His Majesty at his Coronation, binds himself to God, to govern these Kingdoms according to their respective Laws; and let P. W. himself consider, how agreeable it is to Law or publick Justice, that the Militia, Treasury, an Army of fifteen thousand Foot, two thousand five hundred Horse, of Irish Papists, and e­ven in effect the Legislative power it self, should be in the hand [...] of twelve men to be chosen by Irish Papists; or that there should be no alteration in England of what they in Ireland should think fit to transmit to his Majesty for the settlement of that Kingdom; or even that the Irish Rebels should be pardoned without the consent of Parliament, when his Majesty in Parlia­ment the seventeenth year of his Reign, adjudged such pardon before Conviction to be null and void; hereby even when they treated with his Majesty concerning the Affairs of this King­dom, assuming the Legislative authority of it, by repealing the Statute made the 10. of Henry the VII. (commonly called Poy­nings Law) and the explanatory Law thereof, in 3. & 4. of Phi­lip and Mary.

And though hitherto they chiefly pleaded before his Sacred Majesty in Council, but for so much benefit of the Articles of peace in 1648. as would restore them to their forfeited Estates: yet if they had prevailed therein, upon the score of that plea, it must in consequence have adjudged for them the benefit of all the other Articles as a Right. For if any of those Articles are due to them by an Obligation of Justice, all are then d [...]e to them by the same Obligation; and since, as appears by his Majesties Gracious Declaration in Council, of the 30. of No­vember 1660. that they have no right to any of their forfeited Estate [...], nor any title but what his Majesties mercy and bounty hath vouchsafed to diverse of them; it thence follows, That his Majesty in Council has adjudged, They have no right to those Articles. For as an adjudication of his Sacred Majesty of their Title to any one of the said Articles, had entitled them to All: so an adjudication of his Majesty in Council, That they had not a right to that One they pleaded for, has adjudg'd them to have no right to any.

2. Was not his late Majesty of glorious memory before those Articles; (1) preingaged to the Adventurers for many of the for­feited Lands in Ireland; (2) in the strictest form of Ingagement, even by an Ingagement in Parliament; (3.) on the account of strictest Justice, even by way of sale; (4) on the best account o [...] sale, the end thereof being to reduce the Irish Rebels: there­fore might not these Arguments which P. W. urgeth in this in­stance against the breach of publick Faith, be at least more ap­plyable to this Engagement of his late Majesty, to his now Ma­jesties Declaration at Breda, and his Gracious Declaration of the 30. of November 1660. which were all Acts of Choyce, Pre­meditation and Freedom: than to those Articles of 1648. which was an Act of Necessity and Rebellious force. The Casuists and Schoolmen will easily resolve P. W. that the later and lesser Obligation, ought to give place to the elder and greater. But if P. W. object, That if his Majesty were under an Obligation preceding and opposite to theirs, why did he enter into an Obli­gation unto them? To that I answer, 1. That then it was not Res integr [...]; for his Majesties Rebellious Subjects, even some of the Adventurers themselves had super-induc'd a necessi­ty upon his Majesty, which as he could not foresee when he made his first Contract: so by all the tyes of natural preservation, he was bound to take away, when they were brought upon him; and it could not be a breach of Faith in the King to them, who made it (as things then stood) impossible to perform it. 2. Though Necessity be an unhappy plea, yet when 'tis a true, it is an allowable one. 3. That very Necessity which constrain'd his Majesty to those Articles, had they been observed by those with whom they were made, would have invited all honest Eng­lishmen to have cheerfully waited, till by the expected fruits and effects of that Peace, his Majesty might have been enabled to have satisfied them; nay they would rather have lost their mo­ney, than his Majesty should have broken his Faith with them, that had kept it with him, and would have been so serviceable to him; besides his Majesty might have been so soon reseated in his Throne, that the debts of the Crown would have been so small, and his Subjects ability and affections so great, that he [Page 38] might and would easily have satisfied the Adventurers desires, without forfeited Land in Ireland, even by their own consent. But the breach on the Irish Papists side, has occasion'd so long and chargeable a War, that their forfeitures, together with the vast sums sent out of England into Ireland, and raised in Ireland it self, are scarce able to defray that expence, which their own violation of Faith has engaged the Crown in: so that it is but just, that the Bear-skin (as far as it will go) should contribute to pay for the healing of those Wounds, which the Bear it self had given. His Sacred Majesty in the 3. page of his Declaration, speaking upon these Articles, uses these very words, viz. When they who wickedly usurped the Authority in this King­dom, had erected that odious Court, for the taking away the life of Our dear Father; no body can wonder that we were desirous, though upon DIFFICƲLT CONDITIONS, to get such an united power of Our own Subjects, as might have been able; with Gods blessing, to have prevented that infamous and horrible Parricide.

In these clear and Royal expressions the World may see what was the only incentive to his Majesty, for his granting of that Peace, even no less than the preventing of the Murther of his blessed Father, and the bloody consequences of it: And therefore if That were the hopefull effect of those Concessions, had they been observed on the Irish side; may not we (without too much straining) inferr, that the breach on their side, contributed to, if not acted that unparallel'd Crime. To commit the Sin, and not to prevent the Sin, when men have the preventative power of it, are very near ally'd, if not the same Crimes.

I shall also here again observe, that what P. W. calls Freely putting themselves and their power into my L. Lievtenants hands; his Sacred Majesty justly marks with these observable expressi­on [...], [ upon difficult Conditions;] may I not therefore from thence also well infer, That P. W's. Clients do nothing so freely as when they put difficult Conditions on his Majesty.

Though I have said and prov'd by undeniable evidences, That the Irish Papists have violated and broken the Articles they extorted in 1648. yet becauss P. W's. Tenents obliges [...]