Speech for Propositions of Peace
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A92063.0001.001
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
SIR Benjamin Rudyerd HIS SPEECH FOR PROPOSITIONS OF PEACE TO BE SENT TO His Majesty: Spoken in the High Court of PARLIAMENT.
LONDON, Printed by L. N. and R. C. for William Sheares, 1642.
Sir Benjamin Rudyerd his Speech for Propositions of Peace to be sent to His Majesty, spoken in the high Court of Parliament.
M. SPEAKER,
W Ee do all know, but I beseech you Sir let us consider, That we are in a war, That a war doth always carry a sting of God's anger in it, That a Civil war is the height of his fury.
The Romans, a wise People, no Christians were so sadly sensible of a Civil war as they; who did manage it, would never advertise the Senate of any success whatsoever: And although they were exceedingly transported with the glory of a triumph, yet their Laws did not permit any man to enter the City in triumph, for the finishing of a Civil war. One of the wisest of them said, Omnia sunt misera in bello Civili, sed nihil miserius ipsa Victoria; All things are miserable in a Civil war, but nothing more miserable then a Victory it self. A Civil war is a two-edged Sword, it cuts and devours on both sides; if it continne amongst us, we may kill up on another till we make ourselves an easy and scornful Prey to some ambitious Neighbor.
Now we probably fore-see, That there is likely to be a great alteration in the Affaires of Christendom, by the death of Cardinal Richelieu. The King of France had signed under his hand a Treaty of Peace with the King of Spain: But the Cardinal by his power and interest brake that Design; it was his last work. Now, Cardinal Mazarini is admitted into his Employments, an Italian, a stranger, and therefore may prosecute other Ends; Besides, the King himself may relapse into a former Opinion: So that if there should be a Peace between France and Spain, the French will have leisure and opportunity to assist here. And it hath been twice the Fate of this Kingdom to be conquered by Auxiliaries. Jt is frequent in Histories, That many other Nations have been subdued by those whom they called in to help them. If we do not rid ourselves of this War by the Spring, we shall see this Kingdom filled and infested by Forraigne Armies.
Sir, if the King and we were now One, and should join in one way, we should find work more then enough to make up the torn, broken, shatterd Pieces that lie presently before us in two Kingdoms: What then shall we do in greater Distractions, in greater Necessities, in greater Perplexities still growing upon us?
If but Ireland were lost, the Jrish would prove the most dangerous Enemies that ever this Kingdom had. They would soon grow rich, by the opportunity of their situation for Trade, they would soon grow strong in Shipping, having so many good Harbours, and then confederated with other Enemies, what Mischiefe, what Ruin may they not bring upon us? But what may sooner come from thence J will not mention. No man is able to see thorough the miseries that nearly threaten us, even ready to fall upon us.
Wherefore (Master Speaker) let us as wise Men, as charitable Christians, as loving Subjects, send Propositions of Peace to the King. J do verily believe, that God will bless us more in a Treaty, then in more Blood. His will be done.