1. MOst Illustrious Lords and Reverend Bishops , the Priests of Dublin make their complaint before you , That the most Illustrious Archbishop of Dublin , Thomas Flemming , of the Order of S. Francis , without alledging any cause against them , onely for his will , and at his pleasure useth to exile and banish Priests out of his Diocese . And they protest that in so doing he exerciseth a tyrannie over the Clergy , contrary unto the Canons of Holy Church , and the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome .

2. Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ , the aforesaid Priests doe make their complaint , that the same most Illustrious Archbishop of Dublin , Thomas Flemming , of the Order of S. Francis , though humbly sought unto , and desired , doth refuse to doe them Iustice in their causes , neither yet will he permit the Cleargy to follow their actions meerely civill before the Magistrate , contrary unto the received custome of this Kingdome , from the first conuersion of the Nation . And they protest that in so doing , he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy , contrary vnto the Canons of the Church , and the Lawes and statutes of this Kingdome .

3. Most Illustrious Lords , and R. Fathers in Christ , the aforesaid Priests doe make their complaint , Tbat the same most Illustrious Archbishop , Thomas Flemming , of the Order of S. Francis , in inflicting his Ecclesiasticall censures , observeth no Canonicall proceeding at all , omitting not onely the solemnities of the Law , but those things also that are necessary and essentiall in all proceedings thereof , namely citations , and proofe of causes . And they protest that in so doing , he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy , contrary unto the Canons of holy Church , and the Lawes and statutes of this Kingdome .

4. Most Illustrious Lords , and R. Fathers in Christ , the aforesaid Priests doe complaine , that the same most Illustrious Archbishop , Thomas Flemming , of the Order of S. Francis , refused to heare all proofes against the Regulars in the matter of the eleven propositions condemned at Paris , which testimonyes or proofes two venerable Priests presented unto him the 15. day of November , in the yeere of our Lord 1631. in Dublin . And moreover the aforesaid Priests doe professe , that the same Illustrious Archbishop is a favourer and a Patron of certaine new , & never heard of Heresies , published by the Fryars of his Order , and others : of the which Heresies , or rather Blasphemies , being advertised by a petition , he utterly refused to heare the Accusers and Witnesses . And they protest that in so doing he exerciseth a tyranny in the Church of God , contrary unto the Canons of holy Church , and the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome .

5. Most Illustrious Lords and Rev. Fathers in Christ , the aforesaid Priests doe complaine , that the same most Illustrious Archbishop Thomas Flemming , of the Order of S. Francis , did not suppresse , extinguish or corrupt ( according as the Canons of the Church and the Lawes of Princes doe commaund ) a certaine infamous Libell , made , printed and published under the false and faigned name of Edmund Utsulan , against the good name , fame and reputation of certaine venerable Priests of the Clergy , who in the same aforesaid Libell are expressely and by name mentioned : but on the contrary the aforesaid Archbishop reades , commends , publisheth , and defends the same , to their irreparable dishonour and infamy , by whose example also others especially of the Regulars of this Kingdome are incited , provoked , and animated to doe the like . And they protest that in so doing , he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy , contrary to the Canons of holy Church , and the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome .

6. Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ , the aforesaid Preists doe complaine , that the same most Illustrious Archbishop of Dublin , Thomas Flemming , of the Order of S. Francis , being given to vnderstand by way of petition , in the behalfe of the Clergy of Dublin , That a certaine Parish Priest by name Patrick Brangan , with his assistant Iames Quin , but a few moneths agoe , thorough extreme negligence had lost the blessed Sacrament consecrated in many hostes , and that without hope of recovery . Our aforesaid Archbishop making small or no account of so great a sacriledge , permit notwithstanding the aforesaid Priests , whereof the one is most unlearned , the other Lunaticke , to execute all Ecclesiasticall functions , by whose ministery he dayly exposeth the Sacraments of the Church to prophanation , and abuse . And in so doing they protest that he offends against the divine Majesty , and the sacred Canons of the Church . They professe also that in these aforesaid excesses he hath the Regulars his Counsellours , ayders and abettours , especially one Iohn Preston , a Friar of his Order , a most seditious and a turbulent fellow , to the ruine of the Clergy , and disturbance of the Christian Common-wealth .

7. Most Illustrious Lords , and R. Fathers in Christ , the aforesaid Priests doe complaine , that the same most Illustrious Archbishop of Dublin , Tho. Flemming , of the Order of S. Francis , doth make Parish Priests , yong men , unlearned , and unbred . Others famous for their learning , gravity and vertue being neglected . And more it is to be lamented for , that such are the times & state of things , as if we had Augustines , Ambrosies , and Hieromes , it were meet to preferre them unto the pastorall office ( others omitted . ) But what may we expect of this our Prelat ? who hath ordinarily in his mouth : To what end should Parish Priests be learned ? or preachers ? forasmuch as these matters belong unto Regulars . Moreover the aforesaid Priests doe complaine , that the most Illustrious Archbishop Thomas Flemming , of the Order of S. Francis , at the comming unto his Prelature , found within the walls of Dublin five Parish Priests , men of learning , ripe yeares , and uncorrupt conversation , in place of whom , either taken away by death or exile , he hath placed onely two , & such as we are not willing to speake of what condition : so as it seemes he desireth nothing more , then by this oppression and extirpation of the Clergy , a more easie and compendious way may be made unto those armies of Monkes , and begging Friars , who in this Kingdome ( observing no Regular discipline ) doe labour to create a Monarchy unto themselves , as already they have done under this Bishop , to the destruction of the Church , the impoverishing of the Inhabitants , and no small detriment to the Common-wealth . And they protest that in so doing , he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy , contrary unto the Canons of holy Church , and the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome .

8. Most Illustrious Lords and R. Fathers in Christ , The aforesaid Priests doe complaine , That the Illustrious Archbishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming , of the Order of S. Francis , is accustomed to answer the Clergy complaining of their grievances unto him : If I doe you wrong , you may goe to Rome to complaine . In the meane time reporting himselfe to be so powerfull in the Court of Rome , that he feares no Adversary . And of this that R. Priest Fa. Patrick Cahil , Doctor of Divinity had experience , who for a yeare treating of his injuries and grievances done unto him by the Archbishop of Dublin , could by no meanes prevaile once to be admitted unto the presence and audience of the most eminent Cardinall Ludovisius , Vice-Chancellour of Rome : which Cardinall notwithstanding is given by his Holinesse unto the Irish as the onely Patron and Protectour of the Irish Nation . These things we may remember with griefe , but amend them we cannot . But wee professe before Almighty God , his Holinesse , and all faithfull people , that this is nothing else but to tyrannize over the Clergy , to the dishonour of the Church , and no smaell contempt of the See Apostolicke .

For which and other causes besides to be alledged , and in their due time and place to be proved against the above-named Archbishop Tho. Flemming , of the Order of S. Francis , we the aforesaid Priests , and hereafter to be named , doe set before your eyes most Illustrious and Reverend Lords these our grievances , as meet & honorable witnesses of this our deed , writing , and publique instrument , and as farre as is possible and lawfull for us by the Canons of holy Church , declining the Iurisdiction of our aforesaid Ordinary by this our present writing : and from this time forth wee appeale unto the See Apostolique , from all Ecclesiasticall censures hereafter to be inflicted upon us by the same Illustrious Archbishop Tho. Flemming , of the order of S. Francis . And in the meane time providing for our innocencie and safety ( to the example of S. Paul , and S. Athanasius ) we doe invocate the aide of the Secular arme for our present remedy , against the aforesaid Illustrious Archbishop Tho. Flemming , of the Order of S. Francis , and all Regulars of what order soever , as well Monks as begging Friars , Abbettours , Counsellors and participants with him in the premisses , as violatours and contemners of all Lawes divine and humane , and men by the law excommunicate . Humbly beseeching your Lordships in the bowels of the Crucified , that you would be pleased to intimate with as much speed as may be , this our protestation and appeale unto the See Apostolicke . And the God of peace and love long preserve your R. Lordships in safety .