Sir William Parkins speech to the Hovse of Commons in Parliament concerning the present establishment of church-government, Iuly 5th, 1641.

SIR VVILLIAM PARKINS SPEECH to the House of COMMONS, CONCERNING The establishment of Church-Government, Iuly the 5th. 1641.

Mr. Speaker,

I Stand not up in my own particu∣lar behalfe, but in the universall and generall name of the whole King∣dome; Alas, Mr. Speaker, they depend all upon our exemplary Iustice, which if we doe fully execute, will not onely give great and plenary satisfaction to our Nation,

but will likwise cause the Land to smile here∣after with the blessed beames of prosperous felicitie: but if the least errour and smalest deliration be over-seene by us (oh! it strikes my trembling minde with horrour to thinke on it) how will all things precipitate them∣selves into ruine most irrevocable, but I speake not this as if any here would omit or extenu∣ate the supremacy of Iustice in the least thought: to admonish you of that point, were to bid the Moone keepe her monethly course, the Spheares to reduce themselves in their cir∣cumference, Or the Sunne to shine upon the earth: but I speake this onely to adde a spurre unto you, least we should at any time languish in our heav'n-proceeding Iurney. The cries of the people have come up unto me, the voyce of the whole Nation tingles in my eares; and me thinkes I heare each subject wish that wee would briefely establish the Church Covern∣ment with all expidition. Let us first begin to confirme our Religion, and God will blesse our other proceedings the better: that was al∣wayes my opinion, and I am sure the expecta∣tion of the whole kingdome; How long have we set here, and how little have wee ef∣fected?

How much time have we consumed, and what little have wee performed herein: How long have we laboured in this our dayly travell, and as yet have brought forth but an Embryo, in what we did intend? Tis true, I confesse, we have fomented our selves with dayly troubles & vexations, and bin very solici∣tous for the welfare of the Common-wealth, but what have we performed? or what have we perfected. I will once more relate what my former opinion was, let us (I say) begin in the reall establishment of our Religion, and (as I said) all our other determinations will succeede with a better Omen; for indeede most of our Delinquents are linkt to this chaine, they de∣pend most on this point, therefore we should doe well to enter speedily upon the Work. Mr. Speaker, excuse my zeale in this case; for my mouth cannot imprison what my minde intends to let out, neether can my tongue con∣ceale that which my heart desires to pro∣mulge. Behold, the Arch-Bishop (that great Incendiary, of this Kingdome) lyes now like a fire-brand rak'd up in the Embers, but if he ever chance to blaze againe, I am afraid, what heretofore he had but in a sparke, he will ••ul∣ly

burne downe to the ground in a full flame. Wherefore Mr. Sheaker, let us begin, for the Kingdome is pregnant with expectation in this point. I confesse there are many more Delin∣quents, for the Iudges and other Knights walke in Quirpo, but they, are but thunder∣bolts forg'd in Canterburies fire: Looke upon them all with an impartiall eye, and you will finde them all but as poluted rivers flowing from that corrupt fountaine. Well? is it so then, that all depend on Religion? why are we then so backward in not Reforming the Church? why do we stike in this point, and not rather proceede in it with all expedition? For indeede, according to the Lawes of this Kingdome, as it hath the dignity of preemi∣nence, so let us give it the priority in our de∣terminations.

Mr. Speaker, thinke with your selfe, I pray, in what faction the Church is now, in what Schisme, in what confusion of distracted Sectaries it is promiscuously shaken: Behold the Papists will have their way the Brownists will have their way, the Anabaptists their way, the Puritan (as some call them) their way, the Iesuiticall Priests their way; and

in these various wayes they make such a laba∣rynth of Religion, that few or none scarce can finde out the right way. It behoves us there∣fore, and is expedient that we should adde a period to these irregular wayes, that the vul∣gar may no longer wander ill in these destra∣cted parts. Mr. Speaker, I have now unloa∣ded my mind of her weary burthen, and I be∣seech you digest my words with your serious considerations in this respect of establishing the Church-Government, in true, sinceere, perfect, and unpoluted Religion; which if we doe performe, and fully effect, wee shall doe great Honour to God, get great credit to our selves, and give great satisfaction to the whole Kingdome.

This is my Opinion, this is my Expectati∣on, this is my Prayer; and lastly, this is my Hope.

FINIS.