Speech in Parliament
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A57832.0001.001
Project Note
This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
A SPEECH Delivered in PARLIAMENT, BY Sir Benjamin Rudyard. Being none of those already in print.
Printed, 1641. July 2.
A SPEECH delivered IN PARLIAMENT, BY Sir BENIAMIN RUDYARD.
M. Speaker,
T Here is a great door opened unto us of doing good, if we take advantage thereof: We are here met by the blessing of God and our King, Parliaments of late day • become unfortunate, it is our duty, by our good temper and carriage to show their ancient luster. There be some present who can remember the breaking up of the last Parliament, a business certainly from which the Papists are not exempted, who now by the discontinuance of Parliaments, are come to that arrogancy and boldness, that they contend with us who are the better Subjects: their emulation I like, but their presumptuousnesse is not to be born: I wish them no harm, but good; for I desire conversion, and the way to do it, is to set up better lights, who have warmth in them, and are not luke warm in Religion.
Surely they that quarrel betwixt preaching and praying, and would have them contend, those never meant well to either, but both must have their due.
And yet I know not how it comes to pass, but it happeneth to us, which is in no other Religion in the world, that a man may be two Religious; and many one, by that scandal, is frighted into a deep dissimulation.
Heretofore the distemper of this House hath been imputed to the Papists, but the happy success of this Parliament seems to be in the general power of all, and therefore it is wisdom in us to preserve temper and moderation.
Breaking of Parliaments, makes dangerous wounds in the Body politique; and if these splinters be not pulled out with a gentle hand, we may hereafter dispair of cure.
In anno 14. E. 3. Subsidies were given to the King for expedition into France, but the ill managing of his Treasure here, he was so low, that he was glad to make Truce with the French King.
In anno 15 E. 3. he returned, and summoned a Parliament, wherein there were nothing but jealousies and distempers.
In anno 17 E. 3. he called another Parliament, to procure an Atonement with his subjects, which took good success, by their humble carriage to him, and his willingness to ratify their liberties, whereby all breaches were then made up.
A Parliament is the bed of reconciliation betwixt the King and People, and therefore it is fit for us to lay aside all exasperations, and carry ourselves with humility.
Howbeit the Kings Prerogative may go far, yet if it be swayed with Equanimity, it may be the better born. Princes are, and will be, as jealous of their power, as people can be of their liberties, though both are then best, when they are kept within their own several bounds.
Levying of monies are a great disturbance to the Subjects, and so will be the scarcity of the Kings Revenues, until they be supplied: And where the power of a King, and necessity, meets in one hand, he will not long be disappointed. But before the ending of this Parliament, the untimely breaking whereof would be the breaking of us. I doubt not but his Majesty's Revenewes may be so settled, that he may live plentifully at home and abroad, and without taking anything from his Majesty, save that which of itself would fall away, and which we desire to restore.
Before the Parliament, we thought he would redress our grievances, and should it be otherwise now? shall we think better of an imaginary than of a real Parliament.
In former Parliaments, the carriage of some hath been so haughty, as though a Parliament should last always; And the carriage of oath • , as if there would never be any again; And therefore a moderation (if we love ourselves) is requisite: The delays where of are so well known, how dangerous they are, both to the Common wealth and Religion, seeing (during this vacation of Parliaments) so many disorders have been committed, both by innovations of Religion, violation of Laws, and entrenching upon our Liberties. But set all these things arigh • , it is now our task. And if in in those tempting provocations we bear temperate moderation, we shall not miss of our ends, but shall vindicate God in his Religion, the King in his Honor, in its gasping extremity, if these things be respected by us, beware of having the race of Parliaments rooted out.
Men and Brethren; what shall we do? If it were for my life, I would desire nothing more than that we proceed with Moderation, that so we may have many happy Parliaments, and that no dismal events may happen to any: For when Parliaments are gone; then we are lost.