THis is a Businesse of great Consequence, and there­fore requires a wel-ad­vised Resolution. I will put France and Spaine to­gether, take them both before mee, because the Reasons will serve one another, as they stand in Relation to us.

Wee are, Master Speaker, so bounded by the nature of our Situation, as wee are not so proper to extend our selves upon the firme Land of our Neighbours; Our Apti­tude is rather to Ballance, which being rightly used may make the King the great Arbiter of all the Affairs of Christendome, by Assisting, With-holding, or Opposing.

Henrie the Eighth is an Example of This; He was sometimes of the side of the Empe­rour, [Page 2]other times of the French Partie, ac­cording as hee faw either side of the Scales to weigh heavier or lighter; Some might think this to be Inconstancie in him, but it was certainly out of a true and peculiar un­derstanding his Power.

The present State of Christendome is apparant, That the House of Austria begins to diminish, as in Spain, so consequently in Germanie. That the French doe swell and en­large themselves: if they Grow and Hold, They will be to us but Spaine neerer hand.

Alliances do serve well To make up a present Breach, or mutually To strengthen those States who have the same Ends; but Politike Bodies have no Naturall Affecti­ons, they are Guided by particular Interest, and beyond That are not to be trusted.

Although it may be good Policy to breed a Militia at the charg of other States abroad for our own use and occasions at home, yet That ought rather to bee done amongst Friends of the same way, and so the Low Countries have been an Academie to us.

His Majestie hath now an Embassador [Page 3]treating with the Emperour about the Pa­latinate, If we send away our Men, it will so damp and discountenance the Affaires of the Prince Elector, as the World will be­lieve, we never had, nor ever shall have any Intentions, to Assist him at all.

I have observed for divers yeers, That England is not so well Peopled, but wee do want Work-folks to bring in Harvest, Our disbanded Souldiers will least dislike that kinde of work, and if they be speedily dis­solved, That Employment will entertain them for the present, and inure them to la­bour for hereafter.

Vpon these Considerations, Mr. Speaker, I cannot give my advice to adde more strength to France, by weakning both our selves and our Friends.

As for sending the Irish into Spain, Truly, Sir, I have beene long of Opinion, That it was never fit to suffer the Irish to be pro­miscuously made Souldiers abroad, because it may make Them abler to trouble the State when they come home. Their Intel­ligence, and practice with the Princes [Page 4]whom they shall serve, may prove dange­rous to that Kingdome; They may more profitably be employed upon Husbandry, whereof that Countrey hath great need.

Besides, it will be exceeding prejudiciall to us, and to our Religion, If the Spaniard should prevail against the Portuguez.

It were better for us Hee should be bro­ken into lesser pieces, his Power shivered.

If the King of Portugall had desired these Irish, I should rather have given my vote for Him, then for the King of Spaine, be­cause it would keepe the Ballance more e­ven; Spain hath had too much of our As­sistance, and connivence heretofore; I am sure it lost us the Palatinate. Now that it is come to our Turne to advise, I hope wee shall not Do-over other mens faults again.

If the present Government of Ireland be not able to restrain their disordered People, there is a Noble Lord already designed to that Charge, who by his knowledge in Martiall Affaires, and other his great Abili­ties, will be, no doubt, abundantly capa­ble, to reduce them to a due obedience.

[Page 5] Wherefore, Mr. Speaker, upon the whole Matter, My Opinion is, That wee should not be forward to spend our Men, but rather to Preserve and husband them for our own use and Employ­ments, for our Friends, for our Reli­gion.