M r. Jervis Hollis speech the 26 of Aprill 1641.
I have with much difficulty perswaded my selfe to offer any thing, my stockes little to this Reckoning, get since I haue adventured to rise, I shall take the Libertie with your Favours to deliver my selfe freelie; I have a blunt way in speaking my Hearte, it may be peradventure a follie in me, but it is a folly I love so well, I will not part with it:
Sir, we are now vpon the 5 t Article of the Scots, which, as it was Empressed by a Noble L d. at the Conference, is a verie pregnant, and seeming Article, it hath produced manie other, and they such, as I must confesse and affirme, whatsoever Iucus or Artifice they be sleighted over with, I do not like their countenance: They may well be our younger brother Scotland, but like Jacob, they seeme to me, as if they had an aime to supplant vs, and take away our birthrighte.
Sir, There is no man that hath a more charitable construction of Intentions then I had, whilest they made their addresses in humble distance, as befilled Subjects to their Soveraigne; whilest they bounded their desires within the due limits of their Ancient liberties, and seemed to wish nothing but the iust freedome of Subiects and Christians in their lawes and Consciences my heart went along with them, [Page] and I wished them satisfaction; But now S r. when I see them swell in their demands beyond all proportion, when I heard them indeare upon their first propositions, and require things vnfitt for a King to grant, and dishonourable for this Nation to suffer, I cannot but fixe a marke of danger vpon them, I feare we have nourished in our bosomes those that will sting vs to death.
Here being interrupted, yet the House commanding him to goe on he saide as followeth.
Sir, I am sorrie for this Interruption, much more sorry if I haue given a cause for it, for the clearenes of my owne thoughtes acquit me; I brought no Intentions here but such as were full of Fidelity and zeale for the service of this House, and my Countrey, and shall allwaies; And now if you please to command me to expresse my selfe like an Englishman, and an honest man, I shall proceede, otherwise I shall testify my obedience in my silence.
Then he was comanded to proceede, which was as followeth.
The miseries and calamities which this poore Kingdome hath thus long suffered; have hung like weights vpon my soule, and I have groaned vnder the oppression for it was a greate one; But these as they call [Page] them propositions, I must call them Comands and I feare they will prove so: They threaten yet more, it is to vnmam [...]e vs quite and leaue vs in a Condition of all others most despiseable: For these appeare to me like the demands of Naash to the men of Jabesh pulling out our right eyes.
Sir, our Ancestors have not beene acquainted with so much laments as to heare of such demands at distance, and it cannot but trouble me; that we should not onely meete them at the halfe way, but embrace the bearers.
Sir, we are the offspring of those Ancestors, their bloud runnes in our vem [...]s, and I hope as yet is not all turn'd to water, there are the Spirits of life and activity in vs, and these will revive and Speake plaine English to vs what ever Dampe or Apoplexie this Spirit of slumber hath cast vpon vs, and I hope we shall either yet live with Honour, or take our Honourable Farewell, and so be honest and gallant men, betwixt these two there is not much difference. Therefore S r. my humble motion is this, That these Propositions may be committed to a Select Com̄ittee to consider of, which carrie reason and modestie with them that they may be presented here, as filling to be granted, and that those which are of another Insinuation may be rejected: And if our firme peace may be had upon honest and honourable termes, I will cherish the thoughts [Page] of it, if not, there are but two wayes left worthy the Entertainemt of this Nation, that is, to stand or fall with honour.
God I hope and our English vertues will secure the first, if otherwise, he is neither worthy of life, nor memory, that shall not bury himselfe in the ruines of his Countree.
For this Speech by Consent of the House he was expell'd the House for this Session.