Mr. Speakers speech before His Majestie and both Houses of Parliament, after his returne from Scotland, upon passing the Bill for Tunnage and Poundage, on Thursday the 2. of December, relating the present distempers of England and Ireland also, the King's most excellent Majestie's speech to the honourable House of Parliament the same Thursday Deceb. 2, 1641.

Most Dread Soveraign••,

THe observation taken from the unlike Compositions, and various motions of the world, made the Philosopher con∣clude, Tota hujus mun∣di concordia ex dis∣cordibus constat.

The happy conjun∣cture of both these Nations in the Triumph and Ioy of your Sacred presence, extracted from the different and divided dispositions and opinions, gives us c••use to observe and to admire these blessed effects from such con∣trary causes. We may without flattery commend your Sacred Majesty, the glorious Instrument of this happy change, whose piety and prudence, di∣rected by the hand of God, hath contracted this u¦nion from these various discord.

The Story of these times will seeme paradox•••• in following generations, when they shall he••re of Peace sprung from the Root of dissention, of uni∣on planted upon the Stocke of divisio••s, two Ar∣mies in the field both ready to strike the first blow, and both united without a stroke.

Nothing can reduce these truths into a beliefe,

but the knowledge of your piety and justice, who hath accomplisht these acts of wonder by good∣nesse, and gentlenesse, without force and violence.

This way of conquest, this bellum in cruentum, hath been the Rule of the most valiant and puissant Mo∣narchs, advancing your glory, in safe guard of one Subject, more in the death of a thousand enemies.

Thus have you erected a Monument of glory to your Sacred memory for all generations.

And as your care and piety for the welfare of your Northerne Kingdome called you to that worke for the great comfort of your people which your wisnome hath so happily consummated: So now the distemper of your other Kingdome (Fo∣mented by the same spirits, whose presence admits no peace in Israel) Calls on your providence to h••ale the diseases of that Nation.

The one from whence you returned, hath with Abell (though the elder brother) offered an accep∣table Sacrifice: The other with Cam hath erected altars of blood and revenge (the old Jmmolations of ••esuiticall Priesthood) which invokes the ne∣cessity of your Justice.

The one to a naturall, hath added a politieke brotherhood.

The other of brothers (J am sorry to say it) are become strangers.

The fidelity of the one hath written a Story of admiration to the world.

The disloyaltie of the other hath paralell'd that horrid Designe (matchlesse before amongst all ge∣nerations) First in their intention, the destructi∣on

of a Kingdome, even then when Unity and Peace was tying the knot of Religion and safety.

In the Discoverie a moment of time prevented the execution.

In the actors (Jesuites and Priests) without whom the malice of the Devill could not have found a party in the world fitted to act over the like bloudy tragedy.

But this amongst our many Joyes we receive by Your happie returne is not the least, nay the grea∣test, That that providence which protected that gracious King, your most religious Father, from that bloudy Attempt, and increased the bles∣sing of a long and happie Raigne, hath also de∣fended your Sacred throne from all their Machi∣nations.

Thus we see Religion is the greatest policie, the never-failing support of King and King∣dome, that which Firmes your and your Po∣sterity to your Throne, and our duty and obe∣dience to it.

Give me leave here most gracious Soveraigne, to summe up the sense of eleven Moneths ob∣servation without intermission (scarce) of a day, nay an houre in that day, to the hazzard of life and fortune, and to reduce all into this Conclusion, The Endeavours of your Commons assembled, guided by Your pious and religious example, is to preserve Religion in its purity without mix∣ture or composition, against these subtile inva∣dors; and with our lives and fortunes to establish these Thrones to your Sacred person, and those

beames of Majestie, your Royall Progeny, against treason and rebellion.

The wayes that conduce to this end are the de∣fence of the Land and Sea, for the one, we have al∣ready voted to raise monies, for the other, this Bill in some measure will accomplish for a little time, and to that end J by the Command of the Commons) humbly beseech your Royall assent.