[8] He attended Bishop John Atherton, executed in 1640, in his last days, and wrote an account.,[9] which became a popular chap-book.
Atherton was convicted of sexual offences; there was a background in church politics, and historians believe that Bernard's writing points to the context behind the scandal, as well as being a tract on repentance.
[10] In connection with the rebellion he wrote pamphlets, about the events in Drogheda and County Louth, and at Derry.
He left Ireland around 1649, was appointed preacher of Gray's Inn in 1651, and became chaplain and almoner to Oliver Cromwell.
[13] In 1660 John Egerton, 2nd Earl of Bridgewater as patron appointed Bernard rector of Whitchurch,[12] and he declined to return to Ardagh.