"He might add to these many thousands more: but the diary which he, the deponent, wrote among the rebels, being burned with his house, books, and all his papers, he referreth himself to the number in gross, which the rebels themselves have upon inquiry found out and acknowledged, which notwithstanding will come short of all that have been murdered in Ireland, there being above one hundred fifty and four thousand now wanting of the British within the very precinct of Ulster. And the deponent further saith, that it was common table-talk amongst the rebels, that the ghosts of Mr. William Fullerton, Timothy Jephes, and the most of those who were thrown over Portnedown bridge, were daily and nightly seen to walk upon the river, sometimes singing of psalms, sometimes brandishing of naked swords, and sometimes screeching in the most hideous and fearful manner. The deponent did not believe the same at first, and yet is doubtful whether to believe it or not; but saith that divers of the rebels assured him, that they themselves did dwell near to the said river, and being daily frighted with these apparitions (but especially with their horrible screeching) were in conclusion forced to remove further into the country. Their own priests and friars could not deny the truth thereof; but as oft as it was by deponent objected unto them, they said, that it was but a cunning slight of the devil to hinder this great work of propagating the catholic religion, and killing of heretics; or that it was wrought by witchcraft. The deponent himself lived within thirteen miles of the bridge, and never heard any man so much as doubt of the truth thereof; howsoever the deponent obligeth no man's faith, in regard he saw it not with his own eyes; otherwise he had as much certainty as morally could be required of such a matter."" Deposed to August 22, 1642. JOHN WATSON, WILLIAM ALDRICK. ROBERT MAXWELL. 19 Borlase, App. 136. Could there be a more extravagant idea held out, than the reason assigned for keeping an account of the murders, lest the murderers should be charged with a greater number than they actually killed? Some reason was necessary: but he who could not invent a more plausible pretext was ill calculated for his trade of king's evidence. No man, whose grade of intellect ranks beyond that of an ideot, can give credit to such a ridicu lous story. Yet on such authority most of the writers on Irish affairs, and among the rest, as we have seen, Milton himself, gave countenance to the precise number of one hundred and fifty-four thousand persons murdered in Ulster alone. On the trial of lord Macguire, the same legend, "with variations" in point of number, was sworn to by Sir Charles Coote. Sir Charles Coote's Testimony concerning the generality of the Rebellion. "Sir Phelim O'Neile and Roger Moore were the actors in the massacres ; and by public directions of some in place, and of the titulary bishops, for sending an exact account of what persons were murdered throughout all Ulster, a fourth part of the kingdom of Ireland, to the parish priests of every parish. And they sent in a particular account of it, and the account was one hundred and four thousand seven hundred in one province, in the first three months of the rebellion."20 20 Trial of Lord Macguire, 227. NOTE I. ON CHAPTER II. AP. 35. Bigotry.] Thank Heaven, we live in an enlightened age, whose liberality on the subject of differences in religious opinions, renders it difficult to conceive the deplorable bigotry and rancorous spirit of intolerance, that prevailed in that dark and persecuting era. Each denomination of Christians regarded its own opinions as infallible, and all others as heretical and damnable and, next to the right of worshipping God as they thought proper, they prized the right to control, restrain, and persecute all who dared to differ from them; and instances are to be found, of their exculpating themselves from the charge of being friendly to toleration, as from some foul crime. All abhorred it, as the greatest abomination. The solemn league and covenant, which was most tyrannically enforced on all classes, expressly avowed its object to be the EXTIRPATION of "Popery, prelacy, superstition, heresy, schism, and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound doctrine and the power of Godliness." Popery had originally an exclusive monopoly of the detestation of the Puritans; but when they had succeeded in suppressing it, the established religion, from its supposed affinity to Popery, became almost equally odious to them; and, whenever they had the power, was prohibited under heavy penalties, not quite so severe; however, as those against Popery. "Heresy, schism, and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound doctrine and the power of Godliness,”* embraced every religious opinion or practice, which in the slightest degree varied from the Westminster Confession of Faith.† This was the standard of perfection, by which the ruling powers measured *“1647, November 23. Debate upon the ordinance against blasphemies and heresies, and the punishment voted to be 1647, October 13. The Commons voted, that "The liberty of conscience granted shall extend to none that shall preach, print, or publish any thing contrary to the first fifteen of the thirty-nine articles, except the eighth."23 "1644, August 9. Ordered, That Mr. White do give order for the public burning of one Williams his books, intituled, &c. concerning the tolerating of all sects of Christians."24 "Concerning religion, we have expressed the desires of the kingdom of Scotland, and given a testimony against toleration."' 1925 "1643, Oct. 16. Ordered, That such members of the House, as have not yet taken the Solemn League and Covenant, do take and subscribe the same on Thursday next, which day is appointed a peremptory day for the taking and subscribing the same by such members."26 1645, May 8. Order, That the company of merchant adventurers do send the Covenant to all of their company, at home and abroad, and return the names of such as shall refuse to take it." 1127 1645-6, January 15. A petition from the lord mayor, aldermen, and common council of London, to the House of 22 Whitelock, 232. 23 Idem, 276. 25 Thurloe, I. 111. 26 Journals, III. 318 24 Journals, III. 585. 27 Whitelock, 140. the rectitude or depravity of faith or conduct. It was the true theological and intellectual bed of Procrustes, whereby redundancies of opinion were to be lopped off, and deficiencies to be supplied. He who could not command or feign assent to the most minute particulars of this confession, was branded as a "delinquent" no matter how orthodox he might be in general. The solemnization of Christmas, and various ceremonies, wholly indifferent in themselves, were interdicted, and made punishable. The use of the book of common prayer was likewise forbidden, under heavy penalties.* Peers, desiring the speedy settling of church government, according to the Covenant; and "That no toleration be granted of Popery, prelacy, superstition, heresy, schism, profaneness, or any thing contrary to sound doctrine, and that all private meetings, contrary to the Covenant, may be restrained."28 *"1647, December 20. Referred to a committee, to examine what delinquent ministers did preach, or read the book of common prayer, and to silence them.”29 1646, March 1. Both Houses gave an allowance to the earl of Chesterfield, with an intimation that he do not entertain malignant preachers in his house, nor use the book of common prayer. 1930 "1647, October 16. Debate touching religion, and voted, That the indulgence as to tender consciences shall not extend to tolerate the common prayer.' 9931 “This indulgence shall not extend to tolerate the use of the book of common prayer, in any place whatsoever."32 29 Whitelock, 285. 31 Idem, 276. 32 Thurloe, I. 47. 28 Parl. Hist. XII. 194. |