or altogether, unless he could prove that he had been constantly faithful to the interest of England as represented by the parliament, or by subsequent explanations could plead some special act of favour on his behalf. How utterly impossible it was for almost anyone to comply with this monstrous demand was shortly to appear."[1]
First came five classes of persons exempted from pardon for life and estate—condemned, that is, to lose their lives and forfeit their property.
By the first clause it was enacted that all or every person or persons who, at any time before November 10th, 1642,[2] have contrived, advised, councilled, acted or promoted the rebellion, murders or massacres—or have, at any time before the said 10th of November by bearing arms, or contributing men, arms, horse, plate, money, victual, or other furniture or habiliments of war—aided, assisted, promoted, acted, prosecuted or abetted the said rebellion, murders or massacres be excepted from pardon for life and estate.
The second clause pronounces the same penalty against all and every Jesuit, priest or other persons who have received orders from the See of Rome, if they had been in like manner guilty of contriving, advising, counselling, promoting, continuing, countenancing, aiding, assisting or abetting the rebellion or war in Ireland, or any of the murders or massacres, robberies or violences committed against the Protestants English or other there.
During the war all priests who fell into the
