I Stand not up with a Pe­tition in my hand, for I have already a Petition in my mouth: Neither doe I annunciate any thing to my owne pro­per gaine, but to the re­all accommodation of this whole Kingdome. For although a particular conspiracy by some confederates was intended against my selfe, and other Noble members of this [Page] House; yet that very thing does not so much exasperate me to speake, as the epidemicall dangers impendent on this Nation. Behold how promiscuously men wander in the di­stracted paths of Religion! Behold how preposterously our mortall enemies the Pa­pists, doe not onely cast their invective asper­sions, but also their intended malice against us! And shall we thus sleepe in vindication? Shall we not exstimulate the height of justice to those that promerit worse?

It strikes a repercussive stupidity into my minde to thinke of those stratagems which they have forged, both for our beloved bre­thren in England, and lately for the perditi­on of some in this illustrious assembly; and yet shall we still permit the Popish recusants to perfect in their former Hel-guided ima­ginations? It is an old saying among the Latinists, but not so old as true, The impuni­ty of a fault does adde more courage to the offender; and I feare if we doe not curbe in time their extended malice, all things will grow to an higher Anarchie: The remission of some faults, are the cause of the commis­sion of others; and if wee connive at their nefarious conspiraces, wee doe in some man­ner encourage them in their wicked procee­dings, [Page] and so by subsequent conclusion, be­come our selves confederates unto them.

I confesse, many of their accursed crew are aggregated in Ireland, and by an irregu­lar insurrection, doe intend the utter demo­lition of Christian Religion. But God fore­sees their erroneous imaginations, and will in due time (as wee trust in his omnipotent justice) precipitate all their Babilonish in­tents. Many may build Castles in the aire but to little effect, & many likewise may aime at the ruine of Protestants, but although they be in strength like Goliah, yet will the little stone of Religious David guided by Gods owne hand, maugre all their Gigantean puissance.

My Lords, if my tongue have committed any error in its prolixity, and longinquity of words, that error shall wait upon your graci­ous pardon: But this I am confident of, nei­ther will I ever desist from my opinion, that unlesse we doe fully vindicate these malici­ous Papists, these two Kingdoms both Scot­land and England, cannot sleepe long in se­curity. If they doe not intend our subversi­on, why did they conspire against us? If they doe not intend our subversion, why have they so oftentimes plotted against Eng­land? [Page] If they doe not intend our subversion why are they now gathered together in Ire­land, dayly studying the demolition of this State and Kingdome?

My Lords, assure your selves that these things cannot proceed from a good intent: And if you annect and consummate all their conspiraces into one bundle, you will finde them so various, and intricately numerous, that I am perswaded that they themselves can expect nothing but justice. Is it so then, that their very own actions do cry out for justice, why are we then so backward in the execu­tion thereof? Is it so then, that revenge her selfe stands idle, why doe we not employ her? Is it so then, that the Kingdome ex­pects a vindication, why doe wee then fru­strate them of their quotidian expectation?

My Lords, I conceive it very expedient, that we should leavy a sufficient army to re­pell them, and if that will not suffice, then utterly to expell them, I am sure and confi­dent thereof, that England will conjoyne with us in munition, therefore let us labour with all expedition to beat downe their aspi­ring malice: Let us not procrastinate this bu­sinesse, [Page] lest in the deferment hereof, God himselfe be angry with us, whose cause wee ought to maintaine: What feare can be con­ceived to oppose us, when the Almighty om­nipotence will fight for us? Therefore let us raise a sufficient Army against them, for no better cause can ever offer it selfe unto us, then the maintenance of true Religion.

My Lords, I beseech you weigh my words with your sage gravity, and entertaine my hearty desire with all your consent here­in; which hoping I shall obtain of you, these are my hopes, these are my wishes, and last­ly these are my praiers.