Against this background the Rev. Livingston had meanwhile been exploring the possibilities of going to the Massachusetts colony and had set in train the building of the ship, the "Eaglewing". But even here they were thwarted in 1636 by bad weather and the migrants had to return to Ireland and a growing persecution.

The people themselves began to be persecuted for simply being Presbyterian - a Mrs. Pont, a ministers wife, was sent to prison for three years. Lady Clotworthy was summoned before a court to explain herself; Sir Robert Adair was indicted for treason, lost all his property and had to flee to Scotland; Henry Stewart, a wealthy landowner, was fined a total of £16,000 - a huge amount of money at that time.

The Presbyterians were then subjected to the "Black Oath" - requiring a declaration of loyalty to the King and denouncing all covenants including the National Covenant. This was followed up by Episcopalian ministers and church wardens having to produce a return of all Presbyterians in their vicinity and whether they had taken the Oath.

There followed many imprisonments and people began seeking refuge in the forests and caves and fleeing to Scotland. Wentworth, now Earl of Strafford and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, began his plan to banish all Presbyterians from the country. Providence intervened, as King Charles had been defeated in a battle by the Scots in the North-east of England and had to call a meeting of Parliament to obtain funds to continue the war.

This "Long Parliament", as it was to be called, impeached Wentworth for his misdeeds and consigned him to the headsmans axe in May 1641.