Henry Fitz-Simon

the most noted Jesuit of his time, was ((a))((a)) Reg. Matric. P. pag. 555. matriculated as a member of Hart Hall 26 Apr. 1583, and in that of his age 14, said then and there in the matricula to be an Irishman born, and the son of a Merchant in Dublin. In Decemb. following I ((b))((b)) Reg. prim. Act. & electionum Aed. Chr. sub an. 1583. find one Henry Fitz-Simons to be elected Student of Ch. Ch. but whether he be the same with the former, I dare not say it. How long he continued in the University, or whether he took a degree, it no where appears. Sure it is, that he being in his mind then, if not before, a Rom. Catholick, he went beyond the seas, entred himself into the Society of Jesus, and made so great a proficiency under the instruction of Leonard Lessius, that he, in short time, became so eminent, that he taught publickly among them Philosophy for several years. At length retiring to his native Country, he endeavoured to reconcile as many persons as he could to his Religion, either by private conference, or publick disputes with protestant Ministers. In which work he persisted for two years without disturbance, being esteem’d the chief Disputant among those of his party, and so ready and quick that few or none would undertake to deal with him. In fine, he being apprehended for a dangerous person, was committed to safe custody in Dublin Castle in the year 1599, where he continued about 5 years. As soon as he was setled there, which, as ’tis said, he desired before, that it might be so, was several times heard to say, That he being a Prisoner, was like a beare tyed to a stake, and wanted some to bait him; which expressions being looked upon as a challenge, Mr. Jam. Usher, then 19 years of age, did undertake, and did dispute with, him once, or twice, or more concerning Antichrist, and was ready to have proceeded farther, but our Author was, as ’tis ((c))((c)) Nich. Bernard in The life and death of Dr. Jam. Ʋsher—Lond. 1656. oct. p. 32. said, weary of it and him. Afterwards, at the term of the said five years, being freed from prison, upon condition that he would carry himself quietly and without disturbance to the K. and the Realm, he went forthwith into voluntary exile into the Low Countries, where he spent his time in performing Offices requisite to his Function, and in writing books; some of which have these titles.

A catholick confutation of Mr. Joh. Riders clayme of antiquity; and a caulming comfort against his caveat. Roan 1608. qu.

Reply to Mr. Riders postscript, and a discovery of puritan partiality in his behalf—printed with the former book.

Answer to certain complaintive letters of afflicted Catholicks for Religion &c.—printed with the former also.

Justification and exposition of the sacrifice of the Mass, in 2 books or more—printed 1611. qu.

Britannomachia Ministrorum in plerisque & fidei fundamentis, & fidei articulis dissidentium. Duac. 1614. qu. See before in Franc. Mason, p. 393, 394.

Catalogue of the Irish Saints—This I have not yet seen, and therefore cannot tell whether it be in Latine or in another Language. In the year 1608 he went according to summons to Rome, where being appointed for the mission of Ireland, he published his profession of the four vows; and then being sent back to the Low Countries, he went again into Ireland, where he spent many years in confirming the Rom. Catholicks in their antient Religion and in gaining proselytes to his opinion. At length the Rebellion breaking out there in 1641, of which he was a great Abettor and Encourager, was, after the Rebels began to be subdued, forced to fly for shelter into Woods and on Mountains, and to creep and sculk into every place for fear of being taken and hanged by the English Soldiers. In the beginning of the year 1643 he was forced to change his place, and retire for safety to a moorish and boggy ground, where sheltring himself under a Shepherds cote (no better than a hovel) which could not keep out the wind and rain, lived there in a very sorry condition, and had for his bedding a pad of straw, which would be often wet by the rising, and coming in of the water. Notwithstanding all this misery, he seemed to be very cheerful, and was ready to instruct the young ones about him, and comfort others. But being in a manner spent, and his age not able to bear such misery long, was with much ado taken away: And being conveyed to some of the brethren into a better place, expired among them on the Calends of Febr. the same year; but where, or in what place buried,1643/4. my informer tells me not. By his death the R. Catholicks lost a pillar of their Church, being esteem’d in the better part of his life a great ornament among them, and the greatest defender for their Religion in his time.