The third speech of the Lord George Digby to the House of Commons concerning bishops and the citie petition the 9th of Febr. 1640

The Lord Digbies Speech to the House of COMMONS, concerning Bishops, and the Citie Petition the ninth of Febr. 1640.

Mr. SPEAKER,

I Know it is a tender subject I am to speake of, wherein I beleeve some within these walls are en∣gaged with earnestnesse in con∣trary opinions to mine; and therefore it will bee necessary, that in the first place I beseech the patience of this House, that they will bee pleased to heare mee without interruption, though somewhat I say should chance to bee displeasing, I hope there will bee somewhat from mee ere I con∣clude, that may bee of service to this House.

Sir, if I thought there were no further de∣signe in the desires of some, that this London Petition should bee committed, then merely to make use of it, as an Index of grievance: I should winke at the faults of it, and not much oppose it.

There is no man within these walls, more sensible of the heavy grievance of Church go∣vernment, then my selfe; nor whose affections are keene to the clipping of those wings of the Prelates, whereby they have mounted to such insolencies, nor whose zeale is more ar∣dent to the searing them, as that they may ne∣ver spring againe.

But having reason to beleeve, that some ayme at a totall extirpation of Bishops, which is against my heart, and that the committing of this Petition, may give countenance to that designe, I cannot restraine my selfe from la∣bouring to divert it, or at least to set such notes upon it, as may make it ineffectuall to that end.

Truly Sir, when this Petition was first brought into the House, I considered it in its nature, in the manner of the delivery in the pre∣sent conjuncture of affaires, both Ecclesiasti∣call and Civill, to be a thing of the highest consequence that any age hath presented to a Parliament; and the same thoughts I have of it stil.

I professe, I looked upon it then with ter∣rour, as upon a Commet a blasing starre, raised and kindled out of the stench, out of the poy∣sonous exhalation of a corrupted Hierarchy: Me thought the Commet had a terrible tayle with it, Sir, and pointed to the North, the same feares dwell with mee still concerning it, and I beseech God they may not prove Pro∣pheticall: I feare all the Prudence, all the Fore-cast, all the Vertue of this House, how unitedly soever collected, how vigorously applyed, will have a hard worke of it. Yet to hinder this meteor, from causing such distem∣pers and Combustions by its influence, as it then portended by its appearance, what ever the event be, I shall discharge my conscience concerning it freely, and uprightly, as unbyast by popularity, as by any Court re∣spects. Sir, I could never flatter, the sense of this House, which I reverence so much, as to suppresse a single no, that my heart dictated, though I knew the venting of it might cast prejudices upon mee, had my fortune plac't mee neere a King, I could not have flattered a King. And I doe not intend now to flatter a multitude.

I shall desire those worthy Aldermen, and the rest here of the Citie of London, not to take any thing I shall say in the least way of dispa∣ragement, or reflection on the Citie, I looke

not upon this Petition, as a Petition from the Citie of London, but from I know not what, 15000. Londoners, all that could bee got to subscribe.

When this Petition was first presented, there might bee more reason for the Commitment of it, as being then the most comprehensive Catalogue wee had of Church grievance, but now that the Ministers by their remonstrance, have given us so faire, and full an Index of them without those mixtures of things contempti∣ble, irrationall, and presumptuous, where∣with this Petition abounds, I doe not know I professe to what good end it can bee committed, being full of contemptible things, but first let me recall to your mind the manner of its deli∣verie: And I am confident, there is no man of judgement, that will thinke it fit for a Parlia∣ment, under a Monarchie, to give countenance to irregular, and tumultuous assemblies of people, bee it for never so good an end: Be∣sides, there is no man of the least insight into nature, or Historie, but knowes the danger, when either true or pretended stimulation, of conscience, hath once given a multitude agita∣tion.

Contemptible things (Sir) swarme in the 8. 13. 14. 15. 16. ••7. Articles of this Petition. Did ever any body think, that the gaites of O∣vid, or Tom. Caryes muse, should by 15000. have

beene presented to a Parliament, as a motive for the extirpation of Bishops, the scandall of the Rochet, the Lawne sleeves, the foure corner Cap, the Cope, the Surplesse, the Tippet, the Hood, the Canonicall Coat; &c. may passe with arguments of the same weight, onely thus much let me observe upon it (Mr. Speaker) that one would sweare the Penners of the Ar∣ticle had the pluming of some Bishops already, they are so acquainted with every feather of them. In a word, I know not whether bee more preposterous to inferre the extirpation of Bishops from such weake Arguments, or to at∣tribute as they doe to Church government all the civill grievance not a patent, not a Mono∣polie, not the price of a commodity raised, but these men make Bishops the cause of it.

For the irrationall part (Mr. Speaker) first they petition us in a Method onely allowa∣ble with those, whose Iudgement or Iustice is suspected, that is Inquum petere, ut aequum feras; There is no Logick, no reasoning in their de∣mands: It were want of Logick in mee to ex∣pect it from a multitude, but I consider the mul∣titude in this is led by implicite faith, to that which hath beene digested, and contrived but by a few, and in them truly I cannot but wonder at the want of Reconciliation here.

A Petition, Mr. Speaker, ought in this to be a kind of Silogisme, that the Conclusion, the

prayer ought to hold proportion with the pre∣misses, that is with the Allegations, and Com∣plaints, and to bee reasonably deduc't from them.

But what have wee here a multitude of Alle∣gations, a multitude of Instances, of abuses, and depravations of Church government: And what inferred from thence, let the use bee utterly abolisht for the abuses sake: As if they should say, that because Drunkennesse and Adultery are growne so epidemicall, as is al∣leadged in the Petition. Let there bee no more use of Wine, nor of Women in the Land.

Christs discipline hath beene adulterated, 'tis true, the whole Church inebriated by the Prelates, therefore inferre our Petitioners, let not so much as the chaste, the sober use of them bee suffered.

Give mee leave to continue one of the Com∣parisons a little further, should it be demonstra∣ted unto us, that Wine could not be made use of without drunkennesse, and withall some such liquor presented, as healthy, and as nourishing, from which no distemper could arise; I should not blame any man for desiring to pluck up the Vine by the roots. But for the moveable ills∣sake, to take away the solid good of a thing, is just as reasonable in this, as to root up a good tree, because there is a Canker in the branches.

For the bold part of this Petition, Sir, what

can there bee of greater presumption, then for Petitioners, not only to prescribe to a Parlia∣ment, what, and how it shall doe; but for a mul∣titude to teach a Parliament, what, and what is not, the government according to Gods Word.

Besides, what is the Petition against, is it not against the government of the Church of Eng∣land, established by Acts of Parliament? Is it not against the Liturgie, against severall formes of Divine Service, ratified by the same Authority?

'Tis true, Mr. Speaker, the Parliament may mend, may alter, may repeale Lawes, may make new, and I hope in due season wee shall doe so in point of Church-government: but in the meanetime let mee tell you, Sir, I cannot but esteeme it an irreverence, an high presumption in any to petition point blanck against a Law, or Government in force.

Representment of inconvenience may bee made, (as the Ministers have done) such as may endure the wisdome of a Parliament, to advise Lawes, to rectifie, to repeale them; but it im∣ports the very essence of Parliaments, to keepe up the honour of its former Acts, and not to suffer them to bee further blasted from abroad.

Beleeve me, Mr. Speaker, all the reverence and authority, which wee expect from future times to our owne Acts, hereafter depends upon our upholding the dignity of what for∣mer

Parliaments have done, even in those things which in their due time wee may desire, and in∣tend to reverse.

Mr. Speaker, you see in what plaine language I have set forth unto you the faults of this Petition, notwithstanding as great as they are, so they may not obtaine any seeming counte∣nance from us; I find my selfe willing to have them past by, especially when I consider how naturally prone all mankind is, when it finds it selfe opprest beyond patience, to fly unto ex∣treames for ease. And indeed, I doe not think, that any people hath beene evermore provoked, then the generality of England, of late yeares, by the insolencies, and exorbitances of the Prelates.

I protest sincerely, Mr. Speaker, I cannot cast mine eye upon this Petition, nor my thoughts on the practises of the Church-men, that have governed it of late; but they appear'd to mee as a scourge employed by God upon us for the sinnes of the Nation; I cannot thinke of that passage in the Booke of Kings, Hee that escapes the Sword of Hazael, shall Iehu slay, and he that escapes Iehu, shall Elisha slay.

Mee thinkes, the vengeance of the Prelates hath beene so laid, as if 'twere meant no gene∣ration, no Degree, no Complexion of Man∣kind should escape it.

Was there a man of a nice and tender consci∣ence?

him have they afflicted with scandall in Adiaphoris, imposing on him those things, as necessary, which hee thinkes unlawfull, and they themselves knew to be but indifferent.

Was there a man of a legall conscience, that made the establishments by Law, the measure of his Religion? him have they netled with innovations with fresh introductions to Po∣pery.

Was there a man of a meeke and humble spi∣rit, him have they trampled to dirt in their pride.

Was there a man of a proud, and arrogant na∣ture, him have they bereft with indignation at their superlative insolence about him.

Was there a man peaceably affected, studious of the quiet, and tranquillity of his countrey? their incendiariship hath plagued him.

Was there a man faithfully addicted to the Right of the Crowne, loyally affected to the Kings Supremacy, how hath hee beene galled by their new Oath? a direct Covenant a∣gainst it.

Was there a man tenatious of the liberty, and propriety of the subject, have they not set forth Bookes, or Sermons, or Canons distructive to them all.

Was there a man of a pretty sturdy consci∣ence, that would not blanch for a little. Their pernicious Oath hath made him sensible, and

wounded, or I feare prepared him for the Di∣vell.

Was there a man that durst mutter against their Insolencies? he may inquire for his Luggs, they have beene within the Bishops visitation; as if they would not onely derive their Bran∣disment of the spirituall sword from S. Peter, but of the materiall one too, and the Right to cut off Eares.

M^r. Speaker, as dully, as faintly, as unlively, as in Language these Actions of the Prelates have beene expressed unto you, I am confi∣dent there is no man heares mee but is brimfull of Indignation.

For my part I professe I am so enflamed with the sense of them, that I finde my self rea∣dy to cry out with the lowdest of the 15000 downe with them, downe with them, even to the ground.

But M. Speaker, when I cast mine Eye round upon this great and wise Assembly, and find my self a part too (though the most unworthy and Inconsiderable) of that Senate, from whose dispassionate and equall Constitutions, present and future times must Expect their happinesse or Infelicity.

It obliges mee to the utmost of my power to divest my self and others of all those distur∣bances of Judgement which arise ever from great provocations, and to settle my thoughts

in that temper which I thinke necessary to all those that would judge cleerely of such things as have incenst them.

I beseech you gentlemen let us not be led on by passion to popular and vulgar Errors, it is naturall (as I tould you before) to the multitude to fly unto Extremes, that seemes ever the best to them, that is most opposite to the presentest object of their hate.

Wise Councells (M. Speaker) must square their resolutions by another measure, by what's most just, most honourable, most convenient: Beleeve mee, Sir, great alterations of Govern∣ment are rarely accompanied with any of these.

M. Speaker, wee all agree upon this; that a Reformation of Church Government is most necessary, and our happy unity of opinions herein should be one Argument unto us to stay there, but Sir, to strike at the Roote, to attempt a totall Alteration, before ever I can give my vote unto that, three things must be made ma∣nifest unto mee.

First, that the mischiefes which wee have felt under Episcopall Government flow from the nature of the function, not from the abuses of it only, that is, that no Rules, no Bamda∣ryes can be set to Bishops able to Restraine them from such Exorbitances.

Secondly, such a frame of Government must

be layde before us, as no time, no Corruption can make lyable to proportionable inconve∣niences with that which wee abolish.

And thirdly, it must be made to appeare that this Utopia is Practicable.

For the first, Sir, that Episcopacy a function deduced through all ages of Christs Church, from the Apostles times and continued by the most venerable and sacred order Ecclesiasticall; a function dignified by the learning and Piety of so many Fathers of the Church, glorified by so many Martyrdomes in the Primitive times, and some since our owne blessed Refor∣mation, a government admired (I speake it knowingly) by the learnedst of the Reformed Churches abroad, and lastly a Government un∣der which (till these late yeares) this Church hath so flourished, so fructified, that such a go∣vernment, such a function, should at the faggend of 1640 yeares be found to have such a Close Devill in it, as no power can Exercise, no Law restrayne appeares (Sir) to me a thing very im∣probable: I professe I am deceived Sir if Tri∣enniall Parliaments will not be a Circle able to keepe many a worse Devill in order.

For the second, I know not the strength of other mens fancies, but I will confesse unto you ingenuously the weaknesse of my faith in the poynt, that I do not beleeve there can any other Government bee proposed but

will in time be subject to as great or greater in∣conveniences then Episcopacy, I meane Epis∣copacy so ordered, reduct and limitted as I sup∣pose it may be by firme and sollid boundaryes.

Tis true Sir, wee cannot so well judge before hand of future inconveniences, for the know∣ledge of the faults and mischiefes of Episcopall government resulting from fresh and bleeding Experience.

And the insight into dangers of any new way that shall be proposed being to rise only from speculation, the apprehension of the one is likely to be much more operative then of the other, though perhaps in just reason it ought to be the weaker with us, it is hard in such cases for us to preserve an equall and unpropense judgment; since being in things of this world so much too hard for faith and contemplation: yet as Divine as our inspection is into things not experimented, if we harken to those that would quite extirpate Episcopacy, I am confident that insteed of every Bishop wee put downe in a Diocesse, wee shall set up a Pope in every Parish.

Lastly M. Speaker, whether the subversion of Episcopacy, and the introducing of another kind of Government bee practiceable, I leave it to those to judge who have considered the connexion and interweaving of the Church Government with the Common Law, to those

who heard the Kings Speech to us the other Day, or who have looked into reason of state.

For my part (though no Statesman I will speake my mind freely in this) I doe not thinke a King can put downe Bishopps totally with safety to Monarchy; not that there is any such Allyance as men talke of twixt the Myter and the Crowne, but from this reason; that upon the putting downe of Bishopps, the Govern∣ment of Assemblies is likely to succeed it. That (to be effectuall) must draw to it selfe the supre∣macy of Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction that (conse∣quently) the power of Excommunicating Kings as well as any other Brother in Christ, and if a King chance to be delivered over to Sathan, Judge whether men are likely to care much what becomes of him next.

These things considered M. Speaker, let us lay aside all thoughts of such dangerous, such fun∣damentall, such unaccomplished Alterations: & all thought of countenancing those thoughts in others; let us all resolve upon that course wherein (with union) wee may probably pro∣mise our selves, successe, happines, and secu∣rity, that is in a through Reformation.

To that, no mans vote shall be given with more zeale, with more heartines then mine. Let us not destroy Bishopps, but make Bishopps such as they were in the Primitive times.

Doe their large Territories, their large Reve∣nues

offend? let them be retrencht, the good Bishop of Lippo had but a narrow Diocesse.

Doe their Courts and subordinates offend? let them be brought to Governe, as in the Pri∣mitive times, by Assemblies of their Clergie.

Doth their intermedling in secular affaires offend? exclude them from the capacity, it is no more then what reason and all Antiquity hath interdicted them.

That all this may be the better effected, M. Speaker my motion is that: First, wee may ap∣point a Committee to collect all greevances springing from the misgovernment of the Church (to which the Ministers head of Go∣vernment will be sufficient without counte∣nancing this Petition by a Comitment) and to represent it to this house in a Body.

And in the next place that we may (if it stand with the order of Parliaments) desire that there may be a standing Comittee of certaine mem∣bers of both Houses who (with a number of such learned Ministers as the Houses shall no∣minate for Assistants) may take into considera∣tion all these greevances, and advise of the best way to settle peace and satifaction in the Go∣vernment of the Church, to the comfort of all good Christians and all good Common∣wealths men.

FINIS.