Second Apology for the Protestants of Ireland

THE Second Apology FOR THE PROTESTANTS OF IRELAND, By the Author of the First. SHEWING The Necessity of their Flight and Desertion; And that the present Destruction of Ireland hath conduced to the Safety and Preservation of England.

In a Letter to Sir O. S.

YOU have done me that Injury which you never intended me; you have deprived me of a Nightssleep. For while I revolved in my mind your Discourse concerning the Protestants of Ireland; the most uncharitable judgment past upon their Afflictions; and the too visible disregard of their Persons, and slight esteem of their service; I could gain no rest to my thoughts, nor slumber to my eyes.

That the Protestants of Ireland prompted by an ill-tim'd aversion to the Popish Religion, and precipitated by an over-hasty zeal for their own, have abandoned their Habitations and Properties, and become Sojourners in other Lands; and thereby are exposed to the charity and compassion of some, and to the scorn and contempt of others; is so notoriously evident, that it needs no Arguments to enforce the proof of it; but that their Retreat into England and Scotland, and a prudential Endeavor for self-preservation, should be so unkindly interpreted, and their Behaviour subjected to a Censure so groundless, and so unequal; is no way consonant to the calm dictates of Reason, nor reconcilable to the common sentiments of Humanity. To hear them stigmatized by their Enemies with the ugly Character of Rebels and Traitors; proscribed by Proclamation, their Estates confiscated, their Goods plundered, and their Houses and Plantations burnt and destroyed, is supportable from the Glory and Satisfaction of suffering in a good Cause; to hear them condemned and cursed by their implacable Enemies the Papists; • r lamented by the invidious pity of lukewarm and male-contented Protestants (who under a pretence of a nice, and undispensible Allegiance, do grumble at the present Government, yet from their Hearts dare not wish it in the hands of another) is neither the subject of their wonder nor trouble. But that any Protestants of England (whom the Ligaments of the same Religion and Blood have inseparably conjoin'd in one Interest) should discover not only an insensibility of our miseries; but aggravate them by Misprision and contempt; not only arraign our Actions, but mis-judge our Sufferings; is a contemplation so abstruse, and so grievous, that it would require the wisdom of Solomon to understand it, and the Patience of Job to bear it. Yet all this is out done by a mere sensible stroke of misfortune; we are upbraided with the King's Indifferency toward us (to give it no worse a name). And because for Reasons and Considerations best known to himself, he hath thought it fit to command the Service of Strangers and Foreigners, while the Gentlemen of Ireland walk the Streets neglected, and unimploy'd; it is maliciously imputed to his dislike of their Proceedings; as if unconstrain'd, and out of pure wantonness they had left their own Country, to take the Air in this; deserted the conveniency of a cheap dwelling at Home; to pay dear for Lodgings in London; given up their Stock and Wealth to the lust of their Enemies, only to make Experiment of the mercy of their Friends; cast off the Homage of their Tenants, and trifled away their own Revenue, only to become Pensioners to the Poor-man's Box, and the Brief-money.

To undeceive that sort of men, who are misled by Information, and whose judgments are not distorted by prejudice, design or passion, I offer the merit of the following Considerations.

First, That Ireland was actually under the Dominion and Exercise of Popery, when England was only perplexed with the prospect and apprehension of it.

2ly, That there lay a necessity upon the Protestants of Ireland to relinquish and fly, or to comply and submit.

3ly, That the Submission and Compliance of the Protestants in Ireland, had unavoidably tended to the ruin of England.

4ly, That the Ruin and Destruction of Ireland has proved the means, and occasion of saving and preserving England.

5ly, That the Protestants of Ireland had begun later, or persevere'd longer in their Opposition to the Popish Government, if they had not been assured of Succours and Supplies from England, and disappointed in their expectation.

6ly, That the general adherence of the Protestants in England to King William at his Landing, was not so important in the Enterprize, nor so advantageous in the Event, as the Universal Defection of the Protestants in Ireland from King James, before and after his Arrival there.

But that I may not proceed Dogmatically, or be suspected of so much Arrogance, as to look for an implicit Assent to these Assertions, without a more satisfactory Explication of them: I shall endeavor to illustrate the Particulars very faithfully, and very briefly.

1. To demonstrate the first, there needs little pains to be taken; he that will read the Apology for the Protestants of Ireland, and that exquisite Treatise called Mephiboseth and Ziba, and other Papers written since the late Revolution, will easily be convinced of the Truth of one part of that Proposition, the other part is so fresh in every man's memory, that it were a vanity to insist upon the proof of it. The Protestants in Ireland were not only disarmed, and their Arms put into the hands of the Papists; the Military and Civil List compounded of furious and inveterate Bigots; the Act of Settlement eluded, and the Corporations poison'd with a Crew of Landless, Lawless, senseless Intruders; but in despite and scorn of the Law, the Fopperies of the Mass were openly represented, the Properties of the Church invaded, and the Land infested with Swarms of Jesuits, Friers, and all sorts and Orders of Regulars; while England was only alarmed with the humming noise of the approaching danger, and awakened to a timely Preparation against the secret Mines to overthrow her Charters, and the frequent Attacks made upon the Test and Penal Laws.

2. Now when by the permission of Divine Providence, and the subtle contrivance of those in Authority, the poor Protestants of Ireland were rendered defenceless, and utterly uncapable to make Resistance; they must indubitably be reduced to that fatal Dilemma of complying with the Government, or withdrawing from the malevolent influence and tyranny of it.

3. But had they been besotted with a supine submission to such exorbitant Incroachments; had they continued in their Possessions, and truckled to the Arbitrary Commands of those insolent Popish Bashaws; how had the Hands of the late King been strengthened? his Army readily maintained by plentiful Contributions, and continually supported by fresh Recruits? nay had they been indulged to remain in a cold Neutrality, and permitted only to be Lookers on (as in all probability the dread of their Number and Strength, would have induced the other cheerfully and gladly to consent) what visible Impediment can there appear to have hindered the Invasion of England by a numerous and potent Army? the success whereof though it had not terminated in a plenary Conquest (which God grant may never be the fate of that renowned and happy Country) yet the ruin and desolation that would have attended the Impressions of a rejected Prince, seconded by the remorseless Troops of barbarous Irish and French (who have sufficiently testified the delight they take in Burning and Devastation) is not liable to the description of any Pen. If the obstinate standing out of that single City of London Derry gave so wonderful a Diversion to the Enemies Progress; how swiftly had he moved, and without control, to the reinstating himself in the Thrones of Scotland and England; if the Gates of that place had not been shut, and the Irish Garrison had been admitted in it? If the Courage of those gallant Refugees in Eniskillin had been allayed by a Compliance and Submission on Terms of the greatest Advantage; the forlorn party that invaded Scotland had swelled to a vast Army, miserably embroil'd that Kingdom, and done irreparable damage to this.

4. The Proof and Confirmation of the next Assertion is couched and comprehended in the former. If some of the Protestants of Ireland had not considerately removed themselves with their Plate, Money and Effects, by a lucky foresight of the Tragical Consequences of their stay. If others (out of an abhorrence of Popery, and concurring with the Resolutions of England ) had not voluntatily renounced their Allegiance to a deposed King, broken up House, retrenched their Families, disbanded their Followers, and with much difficulty and hazard transplanted their Persons into England and Scotland; it is apparent how considerable an Accession this had brought to the present Possessor; whereas by the subtraction of their wealth, and the withdrawing their Persons, the Irish Interest has been in a great measure impaired, though to the unspeakable detriment of them that escaped. To this let me add, that if the confident assurance of the entire possession of Ireland, and thereby securing a Retreat, and Harbor for the French Fleet, had not amused that unfortunate Prince, and prorogued the Invasion of England (which beyond doubt can never be safe while Ireland is subjected to its Enemy) he had long since disputed his Title upon the spot, and endeavored to retaliate that vengeance upon the English, which has been entailed on the Irish Families, and transmitted from one Generation to another since the time of their Conquest.

5. To evince the Truth of what is next asserted, I must appeal to the Gentlemen of the several Provinces in Ireland, whether they were not continually flattered with promises of Commissions, Men, Money and Arms from England; whether every puff of wind that arose from any point of the East or South, did not infuse fresh life into their drooping Spirits? Whether they did not hourly expect the Landing of some English or Dutch Forces to cover and conduct them, while the same methods practiced in England for the restitution and establishment of Religion, might be reacted there? It was this that animated and inspired the Inhabitants of London-Derry (the last stake and pledge of the Protestant Interest in Ireland ) with so much precipitation to shut their Gates, and keep out a Popish Regiment just approaching to enter the City, upon the seventh day of December 1688, and stoutly to maintain it, till by Capitulation it was made a Proetstant Garrison. This encouraged the People of Eniskillin, in imitation of them, to shut their Gates on the 11th. of December following, and to refuse the Entrance of two Irish Companies, appointed to have their Quarters there. This made the Protestants in Munster assemble with what Horse and Foot they could call together, to avoid a Massacre, and to join with such Forces from England, as might rescue them from the Tyranny and Slavery under which they lay prostrate. This occasioned the Association published in Conaght by the Lord Kingston and the Protestants who had been plundered of their Goods and Stock, and were forced for safety of their Lives, to retreat to Sligo, no way doubting of immediate succor and relief from England. This brought forth that Declaration of the Gentlemen in the Counties of Down, and Antrim, who having employ'd Agents into England, and received repeated Assurances of a speedy and vigorous Assistance, began to form themselves into Regiments, and to prepare for their Defense against a vast Irish Army then formed, and threatening to break in upon them. Thus in all Parts the Protestants stood upon their Guard, longing, and languishing for Help and Relief from England: but miserably failing in their expectation, and the Irish Army pressing into their Frontiers, while they were utterly destitute of Arms and Ammunition, the Men raw and undisciplin'd, and no experienced Commanders among them; they were constrained to fly before their bloody and enraged Enemies, leaving their Houses furnished, and their Goods and Stock as a Prey to them: which in all human Probability had easily been prevented, if they had not depended on the promised Aid from England.

6. I have no intent to lessen or extenuate the noble Undertaking, and prudent Conduct of the Lord's and Gentlemen of England, in their Invitation, and Conjunction with the Prince of Orange, to redeem the Nation from the Tyranny of Pope • y, Slavery, and Arbitrary Government; and placing the present King in the vacant Throne of Him, who spontaneously Abdicated the Government. It was a glorious, and a grateful Action; all the Protestants in Europe rejoice at it; and Posterity will praise their Doings. Nevertheless I am bold to say, that the public appearance of the Protestants in England, to abet the Design of King William, and to follow His Fortune, was neither so important at the Time of acting, nor of such Advantage in the Consequences, to encourage the Protestant Party, and to dis-animate the Popish: as the early and universal Defection of the Protestants in Ireland from the Command and Government of the late King James. This will appear evidently, if we consider the State and Circumstances of the two Kingdoms, and, setting both in a true Light, pass an impartial Judgment on each of them. When the Prince of Orange arrived in England, He came into a Country, where Popery was an uneasy Nusance, obtruded by Craft, and diffused in Corners; where there was a Royal Army on Foot of Principles quite contrary to it; and the Number of Protestants exceeded that of the Papists, in the Proportion of Two hundred to one: Whereas, when King James Landed in Ireland, He found Popery predominant, and established by Force, though' against Law; an Army of Forty thousand desperate Papists, under the Command of bigotted and inexorable Leaders, with a Rabble of as many, armed (though' not for Fighting, yet) for Rapine and Plunder, and which served as a Seminary for the furnishing of Recruits; the Papists exceeding the Protestants in Number, more than three to one. In England, though' the Militia was discountenanced, and disused from Exercise, yet they retained their Arms; and the Protestants through the Kingdom kept what they had, without Inspection, or Prohibition; and they continued Masters of their own Horses: whereas in Ireland the Protestants were utterly disarmed, (those of the Church of England by a strict Proclamation requiring all Officers of the Militia to deliver in the Arms of their Troops and Companies into the next Store, under a severe Penalty; and the Dissenters by a positive Order from the Government to take away all Arms from such as did not go to Church) their Horses taken from them, not leaving a pad Nag to ride on, and prosecuted as Rebels, upon Refusal. It is true, in England there was an Invasion made upon their Charters, and Men were here and there thrust in of loose and Atheistical Principles; some injurious and illegal Attempts were made on the Universities; and the Reverend Bishops (the Pillars of the Church, and Champions of our Religion) were affronted, and impeached; the Magistracy was closetted, threatened, and some arbitrarily superseded; at the Helm of Government some were pricked in, who being actuated by no Instinct of Conscience, or Honor, join'd in a Conspiracy against the Laws and Liberty of the Country, and, like inanimate Tools, were employ'd in the Propagation of the Catholic Cause: but in Ireland the Corporations were stuff'd with Irish Papists, with Rebels, and the Sons of those Murdering Rebels in 1641; though' Priests were not actually instituted and inducted into the Church Livings, yet they were placed in every Parish, and the Mass-House confronted the Church; though' Popish Bishops were not actually inaugurated in the Sees, yet they received the Profits of vacant Bishoprics; the Revenue was managed by Papists; the Commission of the Peace entrusted to them, and generally to them only; the Sword of State placed in the hands of the Earl of Tyrconnel; and the Majority of the Privy-Council made up of sworn Enemies to the Protestant Religion: So that to work a Change in England, was neither so difficult nor hazardous in the Attempt, nor so remarkable in the Revolution; as the bold Adventure of the Protestants in Ireland under all Moral and Political Disabilities to capacitate them for such an Undertaking. And whereas the Acclamations of the People in England, the Desertion of the Army, and the general adherence of the Nobility and Gentry to the Prince of Orange at His Landing, prevented a Civil War, and the Effusion of Blood, and the present King became quietly vested in the Throne, and Government; the universal Defection of the Protestants in Ireland assured and established Him in the Possession; since by these means King James was not only deprived of the Aid and Strength of Two hundred thousand Men, but by the stout opposition made in London-Derry, Eniskillin, and other Places, His Affairs were wholly embroyl'd, His Designs frustrated, and his determined Invasion of Scotland, and an uninterrupted Progress into England, absolutely prevented, and defeated.

It is altogether superfluous in me to offer these Things to your Consideration, who have so great a Sense and Knowledge of Affairs, and are better furnished with useful Notions and Remarks upon all Public Transactions. But I have done it to comply with your Commands: and if you will give your Self the Trouble to supervise and correct this hasty and imperfect Essay, and render it fit for the View of others; possibly they may be convinced, that the Protestants in Ireland have super-errogated in their Zeal to Religion and the present Government, though' they have been Self Homicides of their own Fortunes and Estates; and that they do unquestionably deserve rather to be reputed Living Martyrs for their Religion and their King, than to be traduced with a needless Removal of their Persons hither, and an unaccountable Reason of their stay here. And I am no less confident, that when it shall please His Majesty to suffer Himself to be undeceived, He will find it requisite to countenance and smile upon a great Number of Men, who to their own certain Ruin, and without the least prospect of future Advantage, have abandoned all, and run into a voluntary Exile, to serve Him, or to avoid the Necessity of serving His Enemy; and that he will judge it expedient, if not necessary, to put Armies into their Hands, (who best know how to deal with the Irish ) whom Self-Interest corroborated by immovable Fidelity and Loyalty, will inspire with an Opportunity to promote the speedy and effectual Reduction of the miserably harassed Kingdom. I am,

Licens'd, Jan. 27. 1689/90. J. F.

LONDON: Printed for Tim. Goodwin at the Maiden-head in Fleet-street. 1690.