Speech in Parliament

MASTER FYNES HIS SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT: Touching the proffer of the City of London by the Lord Major, on Thursday the 17. of February, to disburse 60000l. towards the suppressing the Rebellion in Ireland. Anno Dom. 1641.

THis proposition made by the City of London, for the loan of the sum of money, towards the suppressing of the Rebels in Ireland, is not in my opinion to be rejected: The conditions under which they will disburse the same, is now the thing we have to consider of: viz.

1. That London-Derry in Ireland, now in subjection to the Rebels, when recovered, may be restored to them; and satisfaction made by the Rebels for the damage done thereto.

2. That all that shall be won, both lands and goods, from the Rebels, by the Army paid with their money, may be theirs for the same.

3. That if naught be recovered from them, they are willing to lose their money.

These propositions I conceive (under favor) to be very reasonable, and may without much difficulty be consented unto, and that for these reasons.

1. The rebellion in Ireland is so general, that it is not the force of one Army can suppress them in every place; and if the like proffer were made either by other Cities, or the Merchants join together, or if any great personages in this Kingdom, whereof money or arms, or what force they could raise for other several places in subjection to the Rebels, and upon such propositions to be presented unto the Parliament; I conceive it would be the speediest course to subdue the Rebels, and reduce that Kingdom to the due obedience to His Majesty and the Crown of England, and to the Laws and Ordinances made by His Majesty, and His States of both Kingdoms.

2. By this means the Soldiers will be much animated and encouraged to fight, when they shall fight not only for Religion, their King and Country, but also for their own profits and particular benefit, that what they valiantly win is their own: This will put life and vigor into them, make them cheerful and willing to hazard themselves, not only in their persons, but even their estates and fortunes, if need require, upon such grounds and hopes, conceiving if they lose their lives, or fortunes, or both, yet may they be confident of their reward in the other world, even from God himself, and his Christ, whose cause they have undertaken, whose most holy Word and Doctrine they strive to maintain in its purity and sincerity, his true religion seek to uphold and defend, and his honor and glory endeavor to vindicate. They cannot likewise expect otherwise then reward in their posterity and kindred by their King and Country, whose cause it is also they undertake to defend, and whose honor and ancient fame and glory they endeavor to revive, and vindicate against the open and public enemies and adversaries to the same.

3. By this means many that are revolted from the Protestants to the Rebels may be drawn to return, • nd many that are not yet revolted (although favorers of their cause, and well-wishers to them) nay perchance of their Religion, be dehorted from the same, and merely for hopes of profit and preferment, may remain faithful and steadfast in their service to their lawful King and native Country; What man but desperate will take part in the defense of a cause that no way can be conceived prosperous or profitable; they may increase in strength, and be permitted to do great mischief and damage to the Protestants, but this must have an end, this cannot long continue, blood requires blood, vengeance will be at last repaid by him who hath all power in his hands both of Heaven and Earth, to their shame and utter confusion, and Christ and his servants must have the victory: nay, former times have made this manifest. The troubles in this Kingdom in the reign of King Henry the eighth, by that faction raised after that Prince endeavored to purge the Church and this Land of Idolatry, which continued from the 28. to the 31. year of his reign, yet at last they were subdued both in this Kingdom and the Kingdom of Ireland, and the troubles in the reign of Queen Elizabeth of good memory not much inferior to the present distempers of both States, raised also by the same faction, were at length appeased and brought to true subjection to the Queen and Crown of England: We have had experience as well now of later times as formerly of their devilish practices and stratagems privately agitated when they could not prevail by public insurrection, yet few through the good providence of God have taken effect, but have been avoided and prevented by some means or other. These things considered and joined with future hopes of preferment, may prove a main cause to dehort Soldiers from revolting to the Rebels, and to draw such as are revolted back again to their lawful service and true obedience.

4. Lastly, hereby may foreign States be moved to withdraw their aid and assistance, intended to supply the Rebels withal, when they shall perceive that such force is providing of all sorts of men for supply of the Protestants, and the reasons and grounds which moves them so willingly to take Arms, that it is very improbable and unlikely such success of their enterprises will follow as is desired: And that the Rebels are very inconstant if in danger to be overcome, and considering the unjustnesse of their cause, being only public rebellion against their lawful Sovereign, only cloaked and covered under the bare title of the defense of their Religion, and pretended liberties in the exercise thereof in that Kingdom, they (I conceive) will be the more cautious how they entangle themselves in the defense of their unjust quarrel. And thus much of the reasons why I conceive these propositions of the City of London is convenient and necessary to be consented unto, and confirmed by Parliament: which notwithstanding I humbly leave to the further consideration of this Honorable House.