A discourse occasioned vpon the late defeat, giuen to the arch-rebels, Tyrone and Odonnell, by the right Honourable the Lord Mountioy, Lord Deputie of Ireland, the 24. of December, 1601. being Christmas Eaue and the yeelding vp of Kinsale shortly after by Don Iohn to his Lordshippe: by Raph Byrchensha Esquire, Controller Generall of the musters in Ireland. Seene and allowed.

A DISCOVRSE occasioned vpon the late defeat , giuen to the Arch-rebels , Tyrone and Odonnell , by the right Honourable the Lord Mountioy , Lord Deputie of Ireland , the 24. of December , 1601. being Christmas Eaue :

And the yeelding vp of Kinsale shortly after by Don Iohn to his Lordshippe :

By RAPH BYRCHENSHA Esquire , Controller Generall of the musters in Ireland .

Si Deus nobiscum , quis contra nos ?

Seene and allowed .

LONDON ¶ Printed for M. L. and are to be sould in Saint Dunstans Church-yarde . 1602.

¶ To the Right Honourable L. Charles Blunt , Baron of Mountioy , Captaine of the Castles and Forts of Porchmouth , L. Deputie of Ireland , and knight of the most Honourable order of the Garter .

BY your Lordships and the rest of the Councels Letters at Kinsale , bearing date the 27. of Decemb. last , 1601. directed to the right H. the Lord Chauncelour , and the rest of the priuie Councel here your Lordshippe aduertised your happy and blessed successe ( by Gods most gracious prouidence ) obtained ouer the Arch-rebels Tyrone , Oddonell , and the rest of the rebels and Spanish inuadours , vpon Christmas Eaue , being the 24. of December : which most famous victorie and great hand of the Almightie , I had aduertisement the sixt of this present , that 14. Priests of the rebels were dispersed abroad , to perswade and incense the vulgar and common sort , that the rebels & Spanyards receiued no such losse or damage as your Lordships said Letter deliuered : nor as the common brute most confidently conceiued and knew to be : by which practise they meant the more soundly to holde in and continue their faction . Whereupon I thought it both reasonable , and discourse agreeing to the nature of trueth , to make knowne to the world , that the rebels losse & damage was not lesse then your Lordships said Letter mentioned , but in higher measure and greater preiudice to them then that Letter expressed : wherby the world may see the falshood and deceipt of these beastly Priests , & the drift of these rebels and traitours to drawe vnconstant men and wauering subiectes to their cursed purposes : I confesse I haue very coldly & barely handled this subiect , and rather dimmed and diminished the worth & dignitie thereof , then beautified and adorned the same with matter or method : wherein I humbly beseech your Lordshippes pardon , as also in my boldnes in presuming vpon so nice an argument . But pearles and precious stones require no ornaments to set them forth : neither doth the originall cause of my writing , neede or aske any florish my selfe or any other mortall man can make in the same , being a worke directed and purposed by the power & strength of Iehoua , the great God of heauen and earth : and effected & performed by your Lordships valour and worthinesse , being Gods instrument appointed for the accomplishment thereof : which are matters more then sufficient in themselues to recommend the cause to the world . And so in all humble manner I wil leaue my poore labour to your Lordships Honourable liking and fauourable censure , and your Lordships person to be protected vnder the blessed wings of the Almighty . From my house in Dublin the 30. of Ianuary . 1601.

Your Lordships most humble in all duty and seruice , Raph Birchensha

¶ To the Reader , whether counterfeit or dissembling Papists : open or publike Recusants : or what kinde of Papists soeuer .

BEcause the Subiect , whereupon I chiefly haue framed this discourse , aimeth only to lay open the mercifull hand of God lately shewed to the Queenes most excellent Maiestie , and performed by her loyall and faithfull Subiect the L. MOVNTIOYE , L. Deputy of this Land , against the insolent , traiterous , and rebellious vsurpation of Tyrone , Odonnell , and all other open and discouered rebels : And that among other his coloured and shadowed courses for his rebellion , this principally was one : namely , to reforme religion , and for his and their conscience sake . Whose religion ( if he haue any at all , as I assure my selfe he hath none ) is but meere Athisme , and himselfe a damned slaue in hell , without harty repentance and speedy conuersion . And for that the religion whereof he makes outward shew & profession , is according to the Romish ▪ Church , taught , deliuered , and brought hither into this Realme of Ireland from the shambles & slaughter-house of soules , I meane the Church of Rome : and maintained , defended , and earnestly vrged by Antichrist the Pope of Rome , that man of sinne : and by his fugitiues , runnagates , and traiterous male-contented subiects of all Princes in Christendom flocking still thither : I meane his Seminaries , Iesuits , Priests , and Fryers : Who closely creepe and steale into this Land in disguised and counterfeited manner : and by whom infinite soules of men haue beene and are seduced and drawne away from the true worship of God , and obedience of his will , to follow tradition , superstition , and mans inuention , to the great danger of their soules , without speedy amendment . In regard whereof , it may please you with patience and in brotherly loue and affection : which euery faithfull and true Christian ought to haue , the one with the other , but with a single eye and well disposed hart , consider of these speciall points insuing : by which the Church of Rome is made so glorious , and which heads are also so stifly and stoutly maintained and taught by that side : and then to iudge and censure whither the Church of Rome be the true spouse of Christ or no : or whether on the contrarie , it be not the false Church , and the apparant sinke and synagogue of Sathan .

First then , whereas the Church of Rome will haue their Church to be knowne to be the true Church , by the visibilitie , antiquity , and multitude thereof , and so to be seene with the outward eye , and pointed at with the finger : yet you shall finde that visibilitie , antiquitie , and multitude are not the markes of the true Church : but a little flocke few in number , and yet of greatest antiquitie : as by these places foorth of Gods word may appeare . For I pray tell me where the Church was visible , when being assembled at Ierusalem , there arose Act. 8. 1. a great persecution against it , insomuch as they were all dispearsed and scattered ? And let them tell me , where , or how the Church was visible when Christ was smitten , and all the rest was scattered and Matth. 12. 17. hid , and concealed themselues . Doth not S. Iohn in his Reuelation Reuel. 12. 6. 7. testifie expresly , That the Church of Christ , signified there by a woman , fled into a desert or wildernesse , where she had a place prepared for her of God , and where she could not for a certaine season be found of the persecutors ? Where was the Church in the time of Elias the Prophet ? When he said , They haue forsaken thy couenant , 1 Kings . 19. &c. they haue destroyed thine Altar , and slaine thy Prophets with the sword , and I am left alone . Againe , it is written in the 2. of 2. Kings . 16. Kings the 16. that vnder the raigne of Achas , there was taken a patterne of the Altar of the Idolaters of Damascus , and Vrias the High Priest remooued the Altar of the Lord . Whereby it appeareth that the Priesthood was corrupted , the Altar remooued , and consequently the sacrifice ceased . Now I trust there is no Papist so impudent to say , that either the true Church was in the Scribes and Pharisies , or in the time of Achas , Manasses , and many other Kings of Israell , so visible and populous as they would haue it : but that the Church of Christ were in that small number , wheresoeuer dispersed .

Secondly , the Church of Rome holdes that ignorance is the mother of deuotion : but Christ saith ignorance is the mother of error : saying , You erre not knowing the Scriptures : and Christ biddeth the Matth. 22. 29. Ioh. 5. 39. Coloss. 3. 16. Acts. ●7 . people to search the Scripture . Paul commaunded that the word of God should dwell plentiously in the people , whereby they might teach themselues : and the Berenas examined the Scriptures .

Thirdly , the Church of Rome teacheth , that the Scriptures ought to be taught in a strange tongue . Saint Paul saith : He that 1. Cor. 14. speaketh in a strange tongue ; speaketh not vnto men , but vnto God , for no man heareth him , howbeit in the spirit he speaketh secret things . He that speaketh in a strange language edifieth himselfe . I would that you all spake strange languages , but rather that you prophecied . For greater is he that prophecieth , then he that speaketh diuers tongues , except he expound it , that the Church may receiue edification . And now brethren , if I come vnto you speaking diuers tongues , what shall it profit you , &c. Moreouer , things without life which giue a sound , whether it be a Harpe or a Pipe , except they make a distinction in the sound , how shall it be knowne what is piped or harped ? So likewise yee by the tongue , except you vtter words which haue signification , how shall it be vnderstood what is spoken , for you shall speake in the ayre .

Fourthly , the Church of Rome doth teach there is a Purgatorie . Christ in the Gospell sheweth onely two places , namely heauen and hell : Christ said to the theefe , This day shalt thou be with me in Luk. 16. Luke . 23. 43. Paradise . Christ saith , Verily , verily , I say vnto you , he that heareth my words and beleeueth him that sent me , hath eternall life , Ioh. 5. 25. Phil. 1. 2. 3. and commeth not into condemnation , but passeth from death to life . Saint Paul saith , I couet to be dissolued and to be with Christ . Againe , For we know , that when this earthly tabernacle of ours is dissolued , we haue a building of God not made with hands , but 2. Cor. 5. 1. Reuel. 14. 13. eternall in the heauens . Againe , Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord , from hencefoorth they rest from their labours , and their workes follow them . And Saint Peter telleth the Saints and children 1. Pet. 1. 9. of God , and assureth them of it , That the end of their faith is the saluation of their soules .

Fiftly , the Church of Rome teacheth , that since the fall of Adam man hath free-will : Whereas God saith , After that time that the Gen. 6. imaginations of mens harts are onely euill euery day . Christ saith , Iere. 7. No man can come vnto me , except the father draw him . Againe , Rom. 3. 10. Conuert thou me and I shall be conuerted . Also , There is not one Heb. 11. 6. that doth good , no not one . Againe , Without faith it is vnpossible Rom. 14. 23. to please God : And againe , Whatsoeuer is not of faith , is sinne : Ioh. 15. 1 , 2. Also , Except men be ingrafted into him , they can bring foorth no fruits : besides many places to like effect .

Sixtly , the Church of Rome deliuereth the Sacrament but in one kinde , namely bread : Christ saith , Drinke yee all of this cup. Paul Matth. 26. 27. 1. Cor. 11. 23. 28. 1. Corinthians 11. 23. 28. saith , Let a man examine himselfe , and so let him eate of this bread , and drinke of this cup.

Seuenthly , the Church of Rome holdeth transubstantiation in the Sacrament , and this they would seeme to ground vpon these words : This is my body , which they will haue to be expounded literally : but why then doe they not expound the other words of Christ literally also concerning the cup ? For the text saith in the 27. and 28. verses , that He tooke the cup and said , This is my bloud : I am sure they will not say that the cup was the bloud of Christ , ( as the words be , ) but they will graunt a figure in those words : namely , that by the cup is meant the wine in it : if then they will admit a figure in this , why may there not be a figure in the other : namely , This is my body , should be vnderstood thus : This bread is a figure of my body , ( which was broken for you . ) Circumcision was called the Lords couenant , when indeed it was not the couenant : So likewise the Paschall Lambe is called the Passeouer , when indeed it was but a signe of the Passeouer . Christ saith , Doe this in remembrance of me . And Saint Paul saith plainely and expresly , 1. Cor. 11. 26. 28. that the communicants doe eate bread : and therefore it remaineth bread after the words of consecration . For if it were transubstantiated into the body of Christ , then were there no bread to eate , but the body of Christ is the thing that should be eaten : but none doth eate the very body of Christ . For if euery communicant did eate the very body of Christ naturally , carnally , and really ( as they grosly suppose , ) Christ should haue a number of bodies , which is palpably absurd and monstrous to thinke . Besides , if Christ gaue his body to be eaten really by his Disciples , at the time of the institution of this Sacrament , what was it that did hang vpon the crosse on the morrow . Moreouer , S. Peter saith , Acts 3. 21 , that as touching the body of Christ , The heauens must containe him to the end of the world .

Eightly , the Church of Rome holdeth the Pope hath authority to depose Kings and Princes . God deposeth the mightie from their seates , and exalteth them of low degree . It is God that testifieth of Luke . 1. Dan. 2. 20. & 4. 14. & 21. 2. Cor. 10. 4. Rom. 13. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. Pet. 2. 13. Tit. 3. 1. himselfe ; By me Kings raigne , and Princes haue dominion . Paul confesseth plainely , that the weapons of their warfare are not carnall , but mightie through God , that is spirituall . And it is manifest by the practise of the Apostles and all their precepts , ( commaunding all Christians to obey their rulers , their Kings & Princes , yea though they were persecutors : ) & the Apostles neuer had any such authority commited to them . Christ himselfe saith , his kingdome was not of Ioh. 18. 36. Ioh. 6. 15. Math. 22. 21. this world : and Christ himselfe refused to be made a King : Christ himselfe also paid tribute vnto Caesar , and commaunded others to giue the same , and all other dueties of subiection and obedience to Caesar . And Christ hath expresly forbidden his Apostles , & in them all the Ministers of his Gospell , all such dominion & ciuill iurisdiction , saying thus vnto them : The Kings of the nations raigne ouer Mat. 20. 25. 26 Mar. 10. 42. 43. them , and they that be great among them beare rule or dominion , but it shall not be so with you .

Ninthly , the Pope of Rome holds that he hath power to forgiue sinners . But the Scribes , in the Gospell could say , none can forgiue Mar. 2. 7. Iob. 14. 4. Esay . 45. 11. sinnes but God . Iob saith , Who can bring a cleane thing out of filthinesse , there is not one . And Esay saith , speaking , in the person of God : I euen I am he that putteth away thine iniquities for mine owne sake , and will not remember thy sinnes . And Paul confidently affirmeth , when he saith , Who shall lay any thing to the charge Rom. 8. 33. 34. of Gods chosen : it is God that iustifieth , who shall condemne : it is Christ which is dead , yea ▪ or rather which is risen againe , who is also at the right hand of God , and maketh request also for vs . Againe , The Lord is slow to anger , and of great mercy , and forgiuing Num. 14. 18. Exod. 34. 7. iniquitie : And in Exod. 34. God speaking in his owne person , said : that he reserueth mercie for thousands , forgiuing iniquity and transgression and sinne : besides infinite places to like purpose .

Tenthly , the Church of Rome doth teach that the Scriptures containe not all things necessary to saluation : but their vnwritten traditions 10 must ( as they say ) be all receiued with equall and like authoritie , for so hath the Councell of Trent determined . But S. Iohn saith , that These things are written that yee may beleeue , and that in beleeuing yee may haue life eternall : And S. Paul saith , that The Scriptures are profitable to reprooue , to teach and correct , to instruct 2. Tim. 3. 15. and perfect the man of God : and further , that The Scriptures are able to make men wise vnto saluation : and God himselfe doth say , Yee shall put nothing to the word which I command you , Deut. 4. neither take ought there-from : Againe , Whatsoeuer I command Deut. 12. you , that take heed you doe , put nothing thereto , nor take ought there-from . And S. Iohn in his Reuelation saith , that If any man shal Reuel. 22. adde to this thing , God shall adde vnto him the plagues which are written in this booke , and shall take away his part out of the booke of life . I might yet adde further touching the offices of Christ . for that the Church of Rome will yeeld that the office of Christ consisteth in these three points : namely that he is both a Prophet , a Priest , and a King : which in words they will acknowledge , but in deeds and veritie they doe not . For how miserably and wickedly the Church of Rome hath mangled and defaced the reuealed will of this sacred Prophet , their vnwritten traditions , popish canons , and their owne deuises makes too apparant . Touching his Priesthood , which consisteth in two things , namely , the offering vp of himselfe once , for a full , perfect , and sufficient sacrifice : and his intercession to his Father , which remayneth to the worlds end , is so pitifully defrauded , abused , and dishonoured by them , as no pen with any modestie can set downe : as by their Purgatorie pickepurse , their propitiatorie masses for the quicke and the dead , the blasphemous titles attributed to the Virgin Mary : namely , they call her the Queene of heauen , the gate of Paradise , their life & sweetnes , the treasure of grace , the refuge of sinners , & the mediatrix of men : and not onely to her , but to saints departed they intreat with like intercession , and holde them their mediators . Touching how they deale with Christ in his rule and gouernement , the Pope he will raigne in mens consciences , & he will be tituled with Holy , vniuersal mother Church which cannot erre , Holy father the Pope : Bishop vniuersall : Prince of Priests ▪ Supreame head of the Church : Vicar of Christ : & The admiration of the world , &c. Touching his iurisdiction , he chalengeth to himselfe both the swords : that is , both the keyes of the spiritualtie : and the Scepter of the laitie , not onely subduing all Bishops vnder him , aduancing himsefe aboue kings and Emperours , causing some of them to lie vnder his feet , some to hold the stirrop : kings to lead his horse by the bridle : some to kisse his feet : placing and displacing all degrees of people : pretending power and authoritie to inuest Bishops , to giue benefices , to spoyle Churches , to giue authoritie to binde & lose : to call generall Councels : to set vp religions , to canonize Saints , to take appeals , to binde consciences , to make lawes , to dispense with the law & word of God , to deliuer from purgatory , and to command Angels , &c. Whereby appeares , as he presumeth to go beyond Christ in this world , so would he if he knew how also expulse him from heauen . And now gentle Reader , in equall ballance , single eye , and honest heart ▪ censure whether the Church of Rome be the spouse of Christ or no : & whether the word of God allow & warrant his doings . I cannot stand longer to inlarge of his doctrine ( which is most iniurious to Christ & his Church : nor lay downe his life , which is most detestable to all men that hath any sparke of the true knowledge of Gods word : ) but abruptly hasten to an end , because you may perceiue I haue but in briefe past ouer the particulars : for to discourse of these points would aske large volumes , not doubting but all indifferent men , may hereby behold vpon what rocke these Arch-rebels build their rebellion : if it be true as they say , that it is vndertaken in regard of religion & their conscience : also that all men , of what condition soeuer , who hath ben & is lead still on to dance after the pipe of priests , Iesuits , and Seminaries , who outwardly carry a shew of godlinesse , but inwardly are rauening and deuouring Wolues , may see what ground and warrant they find in Gods word , to approoue and allow their actions and liues , in defending , maintaining , and setting foorth the kingdome of their master Antichrist the Pope , the diuels sworne champion : whose creeping in corners , whose oyled mouthes , whose outward holines , whose monstrous hypocrisie , whose masses , whose dirges , whose beades , whose crucifixes , whose prayers , whose vowes , whose whippings , whose crosses , Agnus deis , and perswasions , hath but hitherto brought foorth rebellion , disobedience to Prince , breach of Lawes and gouernment , burning , wasting , spoyling , robbing , and in generall almost an vtter ruine and waste of Ireland . Therefore in the feare of God , now come from them , and while it is yet day walke as it becommeth the Children of light , turne from these seducers , their cursed doctrine and superstitious ceremonies , and imbrace the pure milke of Gods most blessed word , and willingly , readily , and thankefully come to heare the same preached and taught , which will be the perfect path for to lead you , the strong sterne to guide you , the lanterne to light you , and the meane by the mercy of God to saue your soules . For which euery faithfull Christian doth dayly pray .

Yours in the Lord , if you be the Lords . Ralph Birchensha .

A ¶ DISCOVRSE OCCASIONED VPON THE LATE DEFEAT GIVEN to the Arch-rebels TYRONE and ODONNEL , by the right Honourable the Lord MOVNTIOY , L. Deputy of Ireland . And the yeelding of the Spaniards to his Lordship . WOnder to men , worlds glorie , mightie Lord , Earths monarch , Prince of thrones & powers all , Peerlesse for praise , famous in factes and deedes , Guider of Angels , aide of mortall men : Whose little finger swayes both sea and lande , And turnes the globe of heauen with his hand . To gloomie earth all darke and voide of forme , His blessed breath did giue a happie shape : His onely word made Sunne , the Moone and Starres , And at his will , beasts , fish , and foule tooke life : Nothing there was , or is , or that shall bee , But his strong hand doth guide and rule wee see . When Lucifer great Prince of hell had falne , And mad in malice , wrought mans ouerthrow , Iehouas hand the instrument did frame , To vanquish Sathan through the womans seed : Sweet Christ : Christ Iesus was the onely meane , That bruis'd his head , his heele , and kingdome cleane . Great was the iudgement this immortall God , Vnto the first age for their sinnes did shewe : Most fearefull floods from heauen windowes fell , That fifteene cubits mounted bouethe earth : All drowned were , from death not one could part , But eight , which were inclosed in the Arke . When Amrophell , Aroch , and Tydall kings , With Chedor , Laomer king of Elam too , Made bloodie warre gainst Bera Sodom king , And other Peeres that rulde Gomorah then : In that same valley which men Siddim call , King Bera and his Peeres were vanquisht all . These fierce inuaders hauing conquest got , In triumph beares the spoile and prey away : But loe , beholde , the Lord did raise vp strength , Old Abraham , who with three hundred men , Fought with these kings , and made them fly amaine , And so brought backe their wiues and goods againe . When cursed Pharaoh would not giue consent , The Israelites from Egypt should depart , Though God by Moyses mightie wonders wrought , To cause him yeeld and giue them leaue to passe : Yet stubbornly proud Pharaoh would assay , To crosse Gods will and bring them to decay . But loe beholde , when Israels hope was gone , And sawe no meane to scape or life to saue , And bloudie Pharaoh bent to take reuenge ▪ Then would the Lord make knowne he was a God : At his commaund the sea was made dry land , To saue his people from inuaders hand . But bloudie Pharaoh would not yet relent , Although he saw a miracle so strange , But boldly ventred with his horse and foote , Supposing that that way was made for him : But when in midst thereof his forces came , The seas made way , and fiercely on them ranne . When Korah , Dathan , and bolde Abiram , Rigdvp the furrowes of rebelling harts , And had two hundred fiftie captaines stout , To ioyne with them gainst Moyses Gods chiefe friend : Loe what insued , God hating rebels all , The ground doth open , they therein doe fall . When Arad , Syhon , Og , three mightie Kings , Opposde themselues gainst Moyses in like case : And ramd their gates , and shut vp all the waies , And with fierce fight the Israelites did charge : Yet God who alwaies for his people stands , In battaile gaue these Kings to Moyses hands . When Eui , Reken , Zur , Hur , and Reba , Fiue potent Kings of Medianits they were , Attempting boldly Phinehas to charge , And rankt their forces gainst the Lords elect : But God that neuer failes to aide the right , Gaue these fiue Kings to him in the same fight . When Moyses had nigh space of fortie yeares , Through wildernesse , hils , dales , and mountaines wide , Gods people guided towards Canaan land , Moyses departed , Ioshua tooke the charge : And first of all his valour for to show , He gaue attempt to stately Ierycho . But what the Lord appoints must needes be done . For whome God fights , they sure are to preuaile . Mans arme and strength is but too weake a stay , Small is the meanes by which God winnes the field : The voice of trumpets shouting therewithall , Made stony walles , and yron gates to fall . When great Goliah prest to plague Gods Church , Whose height a cubit fully did containe , Of brasse his helmet cunningly was made , His brigandine fiue thousand shickels weigh'd : His speare and shield were all of pure brasse , His speare in bignes Weauers beames did passe . Then high Iehouah little Dauid brought , All naked in compare of his strong foe , Who in the sight of all the standers by , Into his forehead sent so sound a stroke , As downe the monster fell vpon the earth , And Dauid there depriu'd him of his breath . Far more then these Gods register doth yeeld , That shews his loue and aid to mortall men , That hath regard vnto his lawes and heast , And for his right will wrastle with the proud : For God regards ne horse , nor speare , nor shield , For without meanes he makes the stout to yeeld . Most wicked then are Irish rebels breed , Whose lawlesse liues weaues on their web of woe , Whose wicked facts Moab and Ammon passe , Farre worse then heathen Pagans of the earth , The onely monsters that the world containes , And cursed crue whome all good men refraines . Rebels to God , despisers of his lawes , Traitors to Christ , depriuers of his right , Refusing still the gifts of holie Ghost : Breakers of peace , reiecters of the truth , Contemners of Gods word and holy writ , That guides mens liues the perfect path to hit . Rebels to Prince , rebels to natiue home , Traitors to Prince , traitors to countries due , Supplanters of all rule and gouernment , Infringing lawes , the waste of Common-weale : The brood of wolues , the elder sonnes of Cain , The impes of hell , and very markes of shame . Champions of hell , borne with bloodie hand , Haters of truth , sworne slaues to rape and spoyle , Authors of mischiefe : all on murther set , Masking with faces like strong plates of brasse : Furies of hell , shaking their dog-eard locks , Like damned slaues sprung from most cursed stocks . Breakers of wedlocke , wantons in their liues , Most bred vp bastards from their very birth : Louers of theft , liuing by theeuing trade , Idle in life , like beasts fed in the stall : False lying mates , deceitfull and vniust , Whom God nor man , nor diuell cannot trust . Idolators , superstitious men , False worshippers , sworne slaues vnto the Pope , Trusting to dreames and fained prophecies , Obseruers of old writs that haue no ground : More ignorant then beasts are in their kinde , Willing to lose what chiefe they ought to finde . Open mainitainers of all runnagates , As peeuish priests and filthie begging Friers , Sold Seminaries to the Romish Church , False traitors to their soueraigne Prince and Queene : Vilde lothsome locusts crawld from yond the seas , Whose stinking breaths ingenders sore disease . That this is true , view Irelands present state , Which whilome sate in faire and rich attire , Which whilome flow'd in plentie of the earth , But now growne naked , feeble , weake and bare : Who lately held sweete peace both neere and farre , But now in euery place at deadly iarre . View now their houses wasted as they lie , View now their fields all barren round about , View now their medowes ouergrowne with weedes , View their high waies vntroden as they are : All honest trades are ceased very nie , And plague on plague you perfectly may spie . The old men wander like as men forlorne , And women faint for want of some reliefe ; Yong children starue and pine for bread we see , Most of the poore resemble death in shew : In stinking holes and vilde vnseemly place , Are Cels for such in this their dolefull case . View well their bogs furd all with bloodie hew , View well their fastnes of the selfe same stampe , View well their hedges sprinkled all with red , View well their brookes how bloodie they doe looke : The blood that Ireland sheds from day to day , For vengeance cries to God without delay . What is the cause this land in such termes stands ? But only that the people fell from God , And brake Gods Sabboths with a mightie hand , Forsooke the Preachers of his blessed word : Apostates the most of them haue plaid , And will not turne for ought that may be said . Seminarie priests and lying Friers , First sware them , that Gods word they shall not heare , And teach them their oth vnto their Prince May lawfully be broken when they will : And sweares them , that deuoutly they shall keepe , What so the Pope of Rome and themselues like . These are the grounds from whence all mischiefe spring , These are the causes that rebellion is : These are the reasons Spaniards inuade , This is the matter no amendment comes : For why , the diuell now is busie still , To draw all men to chuse what best he will . O famous Queene , who holds this land by right , Whose care hath been and is , to cure their sore : What louing fauours hath her Grace bestowd , On mightie men , and subiects of this land ? Whose wise foresights in time might stop full well , The streames from whence these mischiefes so do swel . But well her Highnesse hath from time to time , Obserued still this nations wandring thoughts , And seene into their natures and their liues , Who like yong colts and heifers loue to fling , That without bits , and bridles , and strong hand , Will not be held in peace or rest to stand . The better therefore to instruct their liues , As louing fathers vse vnto their sonnes , To keepe them in a liking of good lawes , And to prouide them tutors of good life : So did her Grace from time to time elect , Graue and wise men this land for to direct . Sussex was one worthie of such a charge , Sidney another held of good account , Fitz Williams had the like authoritie , Lord Gray did also rule by like commaund : Parret was chosen to the selfesame place , And Russell held the sword another space . Lord Burrowes had the soueraigne seate also , Essex was placed in the chaire of state : Besides all these Lord Iustices bare sway , And vnto them graue Counsellors were ioynd : By whose aduice and gouernment was thought , Vnto good life that Ireland would be brought . Besides the charge for these same chosen men , What summes of gold and siluer hath been spent ? What maste of victuals forth of England come ? What store of powder and munition ? What English blood in Ireland hath been shed , Since first these Rebels grew vnto a head ? Besides all this , what Irish euer was , Vpon complaint vnto his soueraigne Queene , Of wrongs , of losse , of iniurie sustaind , But in good measure he hath iustice found ? Iustice and mercie , bountie , loue and all , Her princely breast hath in this land let fall . Then come all Irish borne of honest birth , In equall ballance lay thy present cause : Did euer subiects dealt withall as these , In such vngratefull sort reward their Prince ? No , no , it s hard like president to finde , Subiects to Prince were neuer so vnkinde . In lieu of all that hath been said before , Which were sufficient motiues to preuaile , In any heart where feare of God did rest : What hope is yet in this rebellious man ? No hope at all , for why his peacocks plume Is spread abroad the land for to consume . This rauening kite , this carren crow by kinde , These seauen long winters with his bloodie hands Haue wasted , spoild , and robd from friend and foe , And fild vp holes , and dennes , and caues therewith : In trust that men and meanes the way would worke , To make him king by others harme and hurt . And not content mischiefe at home to warpe , In forraine parts like rancor he did plot , To ioyne with him he drew the Spaniards in , For men , for money , and what els he could : Supposing by that meanes about to bring , To dispossesse the Queene and make him king . More firme to purchase his aspiring thoughts , In priuate corners all about the land , In secret manner he had drawne to him , All hollow hearts and those of Popish marke : This monster thus his poison forth had blowne , And hop'd at last to reape what he had sowne . But the proud Hamon when he thought all sure , Was farthest off his purpose and intent : God sits on high , and sees mens acts on earth , And topsie turuie throwes the wicked downe : All ages tels , experience proues it plaine , In most extreames God raiseth helpe againe . To buckle with this Archrebell Tyrone , God mou'd the Queene and Nobles of her land , To mount to state Mountioy faithfull Peere , That by his hight might Tyrone trample downe : And by the Sun-beames spreading from his crest , The Rebels heart teare from his traitors breast . And blessed beames , since first they gaue their light , How hath the streames which faire Mountioy spreads , Dazled the eyes of Tyrone and his traine , And dimbd their sight like men that s blindfold led ? For oft we see darke clowdes and foggie mist , When Sun once shines , it driues them where it list . Witnesse the Moyrie where Mountioy lay , In fogs , in winds , in stormes and powring raine : Not for a night , a day , a weeke , or month , But more then fiftie daies and winter nights : When tents , when cabbins , cels , and shelters all , By whirling winds and stormes were forst to fall . Close by his side this subtile Serpent lay , And all the rabble of his rebell slaues , Like leering foxes in their hatefull dennes , All furnisht well for to maintaine their broile : But when as once Mountioy came in sight , The snailes drew in their heads and durst not fight . There did Mountioy tyre this Tyrone well ; There did his beames his darkest trench make shine , There did Mountioy traine him to the field ; There was Tyrone beat from his strongest hold , And in the end a cowards part did play , For like false Rebels there they stole away . But like himselfe Mountioy mounted yet , And with the brightnes of his flying beames , Found out the Rebell and his damned crue , Who in Armah were close and slylie laid : For why the Moyrie had so curbd the cur , That he and whelps were glad to run so fur . There did these snakes roule round their tailes a while , Yet at the last were forst to cast their skinnes , Like coward cocks that thinkes their dunghils best , Durst not abide Armah , where they were in : For why Mountioy hurld bullets in so fast , As to Blackwater they were forst at last . There in their fastnes closely they were laid , Like hogs in sties , or dogs in kinnels vile , Like priuie theeues that best loues darksome night , And hates the Sunne for feare of being seene : So they in bogs and bushes secret lay , To kill and murther all that past that way . But still Mountioy sent forth his brightsome beames , To let these vipers know he was not farre , And speedily Blackwater ouer went , In spite of Tyrone and his boggie crue : Moyrie , Mountnorris , and Blackwater fort , Shewes our Mountioy holds Tyrone but a sport . And well it seemes he found his combe neere cut , Which made him send post vpon post in speed , His priests and Friers flocked fast to Spaine , Well loden all with packs and sacks of lyes : His blessed father now the Pope must helpe , Or els is like to lose his chiefest whelpe . And as in fine it proued to be true , His plots and letters tooke impression there , His holy father thought it now high time , To helpe his grandchild to darke Mountioyes light : And for his aide the Pope did so preuaile , As Don Iohn landed shortly at Kinsale . There did he seate and trench himselfe full fast , And mand such Castles as he found stood nigh , Foure thousand strong he found himselfe to be , And made no doubt but to obtaine the game : For looke what art or policie could doe , To make all sure Don Iohn did shifts pursue . Nothing was wanting but the Rebels aide , Which when they heard that Don Iohn was so nigh , Their fainting heart began to come againe , And with strong vowes protesteth straight to come : And with such speede as Rebels well could make , To aide the Spaniard they doe vndertake . Odonnell with three thousand horse and foote , Set forward first , like furies come from hell , Tyrone the traitor hasted with his strength , Most vgly slaues like to the former sort , Well furnished , as is their beastly guise , With armes and victuals to obtaine the prize . But happie Mountioy hauing heard these newes , Drew downe his forces towards Kinsale straight , And nigh Don Iohn began for to approch , To know the cause and busines he had there : And as the beast that 's pind vp in the stye , He keepes Don Iohn that out he could not flye . There did he campe stoutly with all his force , There made he trenches fit for souldiers vse , There made he mounts to batter downe the walles , There made he forts for to offend the foe : There from such Castles that the Spaniard held , By force of armes perforce he was expeld . Here who had seene for more then fifteene weekes , The lying of our armie at Kinsale , In open aire , no shelter for reliefe , Beaten still with winde , haile , snow , raine , and frost , With thunderclaps and fearfull flames of fire , Their fairest footing was but durt and mire . In all which time ranke Rebels held aloofe , Beating their braines and plotting all they could , Choaking the aire with their infectious breath , Fearing the beames would burne from Mountioy cames For oft before they triall good had made , To meete them boldly Mountioy was not fraid . At last a remnant sent from out of Spaine , Who winds and seas kept houering vp and downe , Arriued where Tyrone might aide them well , In number full a thousand fighting men : Whereby the Rebels better courage tooke , Being then in strength sixe thousand horse and foote . Oh , who had seene these black bands come from Spaine . With Antichrist their masters banner spred , Stoutly aduanced , spreading in the aire , Richly set out with Christs fiue bleeding wounds : And quartred with supposed Peters keyes , With other tricks which might well babies please . What deadly curses were there thundred out , Gainst those that to this standerd beare disdaine ? How deepe to Limbo were all good men throwne ? Booke , bell , and candle curst them all to hell : Their Agnus deis , Crucifix , and Beades , Were roundly dealt by those this black gard leades . But who had seene how Tyrone and the rest , Had shar'd the bootie fore the field was won , And with black pennes did dawbe their bloodie books , Of those whose heads in triumph they would beare ; Would muse to heare , and wonder at the slaue , That should to Prince and countrie such spite haue . Now gan the diuell laugh and smile a pace , To see his imps bent to their cursed wils : For now it was concluded without let , The Spaniards should relieued present be : And to that end a messenger was sent , To tell Don Iohn their purpose and intent . On Christmas eue hard at the breake of day , Appointed was that they would certaine come ; And while on one side they would freshly charge , Don Iohn by force should issue from the towne : By which attempt they thought by force and might , To win the field and darke Mountioyes light . But our great God whose seate is heauens throne , And for his footstoole hath the massie earth , Who rules and guides the hearts of mortall men , Without whose will a sillie bird fals not : Who lets men plot and hammer what they will , Yet as he please it is effected still . He held proud Pharaoh from his cursed will ; He curbed Korah , Dathan , and the rest ; He hang'd fiue Kings that Israels peace disturb'd ; Oreb and Zeb he threw downe to the ground : He caused Hamon trie the gibbet furst , And stout Goliahs forehead to be burst . He neuer leaues those that put trust in him ; His workes are great , his mercie farre exceeds ; He still rewards all men as they deserue ; He puls downe proud men , and sets vp the weake : Tyrons false heart the Lord full well hath seene , And will defend a true and lawfull Queene . For all the secret working of these imps , He soone can bring their counsels vnto naught ; He findes the meanes Mountioy shall preuent , Their purposes and enterprises all : And in his hand holds fast the turning wheele , That lifts some vp , some backward makes to reele . As well appeares by this which doth insue : For Mountioy hauing knowledge of their plot , Drew forth not past one thousand of his foote , Three hundred horse was all he tooke along : And easily he led them on the way , With purpose full to keepe the Rebels play . Quickly he might the enemies behold , All marshalled with drums and colours spread , Guided by Leaders of their best commaund , In battailes plac'd , with wings laid for the time : With Lions lookes they made a staring stand , With good aduice to take the fight in hand . Now doth Mountioyes beames begin to spread , His presence dims these Rebels sights forthwith , And gallantly his horse doth giue the charge , And drawes his foote to offer them the like : They charge againe , Mountioyes horse then flie out , And rushed in amidst the strongest rout . Iehoua now gaue courage to our men , And in the Rebels strike a slauish feare : For in a minuit of a time , they gan To breake their rankes and throw their armes away : And well was he that best could run or ride , To trie their valour none durst there abide . They being broke , God so did strength Mountioy , And blest the labour of his worthie men , That they with speed pursu'd the Rebell slaues , And in a moment had twelue hundred kild : Nine Colours won , and many captiues tane , Two thousand armes they lost vnto their shame . In their pursute the riuers plaid their part , And rising vp against such wicked imps , Their mounting waues did sinke them to the deepe , As most vnworthie to enioy the land : Happie was he could shun that bloodie day , And stoutest man that made most haste away . There might you see a iust reuenge for blood , Blood cries for blood , for in each dike and gap , They groueling lay besprinkled all with blood : One leglesse lay , another wants his arme : Some all to cut and mangled back and face , That streames of blood were shed in euery place . There might you see from East , West , North and South , The Rauens , Crowes , and foules in flocks to come : There might you see from euery den and bush , The greedie wolues and rauening beasts make haste : As welcome guests vnto so fat a feast , They cheer'd themselues as well the most as least . Besides all this , aboue seauen hundred men , Were wounded sore and hurt in grieuous wise ; There might you heare them howling with loude cries ; There might you see them stampe and stare apace ; There might you see them languish and make mone , Yet little helpe or succour to them showne . Thus by Gods helpe Mountioy was the meane , To daunt the pride of those Arch-rebels all ; And that same pit which they for others made , Their cursed feete lay caught in the same gin . And as this fell , so Lord let be thy will , When next they meete like hap send Rebels still . Thus are these men who vnderhand before , Had cast their cards with trust to get the game , All male content raging in great extreames , Cursing their chance , returne with all the losse ; Railing the Spanish , saying this and that , To be the cause of this their hard mishap . But had you seene these Rebels in their flight , When as our forces neuer made pursute , Tweene Cork and Mallo as they past along , What fearfull fits amazed all their thoughts ? Each bush and blast , each shadow made them say , Here comes Mountioy , therefore make haste away . For some of his that were falne in the reare , Strooke such a terror in his formost men , That downe goes armes and weapons in great haste , Doubting our forces had been at their heeles : But loe Gods hand the wicked to confound , In Mallow foord two hundred there lay drown'd . There who had seene the Irish loue to Spaine , For whose defence the Spaniard thither came , And for their sakes left children , wife and friends , What crueltie to them these Rebels shew'd : They murthred some , some strip'd vnto their skin , And let them lie to sinke or else to swim . Thus were these traitors all disperst abroad , Tyrone himselfe came home not with eight men : His heart was faint , for Aquavite cals , His welcome home was sad and heauie lookes : Wishing they had the Spanish left alone , And like false Rebels still haue staid at home . Odonnell hatefull traitor to the world , With Mustion too , sail'd are into Spaine ; Tyrrill the Rebell tarries still behinde , With new start Rebels sprung vp very late : Whose cursed ends no doubt will shortly show , God hates the works which from such wretches flow . Now Rebels all and Papists of this land , You head-shorne Friers , and you lying Priests , See what vaine hope is in your popish trash , Your popish standerd was not worth a straw : Runne therefore headlong , howle , crie and mone , Throughout the world your shame & losse is blowne . Mountioy he returnes back to Kinsale , With praise to God for such a blessed day , Attributing the glorie to the Lord , In all which fight he lost not full three men : And souldiers loden were with booties good , As iust rewards for ventring of their blood . Here must I marshall in their iust desert , Sir George Carew of Munster President , Whose cost , whose care , and trauell in these broiles , Liuely laies downe his loue to Prince and state : Thomond , Clenrickerd , and Lord Awdley eke , Like to themselues true honour there did seeke . Sir Richard Wingfield , Marshall of the field , With Sir George Bourchier well deserueth praise ; Dauers , and Lambert , Power , Barley too , Saint Laurence , Bagnall , Folliot , and Rush : Godolphin , Greame , with Taaffe , and Captaines all , Honour haue got by Rebels losse and fall . All this same while Don Iohn lay very close , Expecting still when Rebels promise held : At last got knowledge of the traitors chance , Which made him hang his head like Spanish vse : He bit his nailes , he leerd vp to the skie , He stampt the ground , and musing long did lie . Hope in Tyrone , that course he thought was vaine ; Hope in himselfe , he saw small comfort there ; Hope out of Spaine , he knew that would be long ; Hope for to fight , he found lesse ioy in that . At last he started from his doubtfull muse , To call a parley he thought best to chuse . Forthwith his Drum was sent to shew his minde : But happie Mountioy had no like thereof , Whose purpose was to starue and beate him out , As fittest guerdon for his bold attempt : Yet still to call for parley he was bold , And marshall men must marshall orders hold . Parley obtaind , conditions were agreed , Good quarter held according to contract , Mountioy pleasde , Don Iohn was well content , Of deadly hate more quiet did insue : Where otherwise , if both had still held out , Much losse of blood had brought Kinsale about . By which contract and composition made , Perforce must make all Spaniards English loue : And graunt that English thirst not after blood , But mercie , loue , peace , and all charitie : Which ornaments both God and man doth like , And oft preuailes more then doth bloodie fight . Besides , this course in reason needs must moue , The Spanish nation Irish Rebels hate , By whose presumes and vile inticing traines , Were hither drawne into so hard extreames : And make them graunt while life they doe endure , A Rebels word and strength is most vnsure . And eke the course Mountioy tooke therein , May draw the Spanish hate to English loue , Their Irish loue vnto a mortall iarre , And Irish trust no more to Spanish arme : England and Spaine by this may quiet bee , And Spaine no more the Irish loue to see . By this the world , the Pope , and King of Spaine , May iudge the conquest that Don Iohn hath got , Who blustred out halfe Ireland he had won , And at whose fortune they did so admire , May now perceiue that Rebels , Priests , and Friers , Coine naught but lies to fit their owne desires . And hereby may the King of Spaine obserue , How God abhors and hates vniust attempts , And leaue his hate gainst faire ELIZABETH , Virgin Queene , famous for vertuous life : And blot no more his honour with disgrace , To backe base Rebels in so bad a case . Vnto which end , marke but Gods hand herein , The Spanish present gins to shew their loue , Hard by Kinsale some bands of English lay , After the armie was dissolu'd and gon : Whom Tyrril and new Rebels did deuise , By strength and force these bands for to surprise . Whereof the Spanish hauing notice got , Drew forth their men to ioyne with ours straight , With solemne vowes , there for to liue and die In English right , and Rebels for to foile : Thus those which lately sought for English blood , Will shed their owne to doe our countrie good . Now sith Iehoua of his mercie great , Wonderously hath fought in his owne cause , And giuen now Mountioy for to see , That counsell , horse , and men get not the field : But whom God loues , and those who serue him still , Are sure to conquer as their owne selues will . Then let ELIZA rest still on Gods strong hand , Obey his lawes , aduance his Gospell pure , Roote out blind Papists , Priests , and filthie Friers , Bring all degrees to heare Gods holy word : Cherish the good , snub such as wicked are , And then ELIZA shall prosper in the war . Laus Deo .