A collection of speeches made by Sir Edward Dering Knight and Baronet, in matter of religion. Some formerly printed, and divers more now added: all of them revised, for the vindication of his name, from weake and wilfull calumnie: and by the same Sir Edward Dering now subjected to publike view and censure, upon the urgent importunity of many, both gentlemen and divines.

Section VIII. (Book 8)

UPon thursday May 21. I subjected my selfe to the obloquy I suffer. The Bill for Aboli¦tion of our present Episcopacy was pressed into my hand by S. A. H. (being then brought unto him by S. H. V. and O. C.)

He told me he was resolved that it should goe in, but was earnestly urgent that I would pre∣sent it. The Bill did hardly stay in my hand so long as to make a hasty perusall. Whilst I was overviewing it, Sir Edward Aiscough delivered in a Petition out of Lincolnshire, which was seconded by M. Strode in such a sort as that I had a faire in∣vitement to issue forth the Bill then in my hand. Hereupon I stood up and said this, which imme∣diately after I reduced into writing.

Mr. Speaker,

THe Gentleman that spake last taking notice of the multitude of complaints and complaynants against the present govern∣ment of the Church, doth somewhat seeme to wonder that we have no more pursuit ready against the persons offending. Sir, the time is present, and the work is ready, perhaps beyond his expectation.

Sir, I am now the instrument, to present unto you, a very short (but a very sharpe) Bill: such as these times and their sad necessities have brought forth. It speakes a free language, and makes a bold request. It is a purging Bill.

I give it you, as I take Physick, not for delight, but for a cure. A cure now, the last and onely

cure, if (as I hope) all other remedies have first been tried. Then—Immedicabile vulnus, &c. But Cuncta prius tentanda—

I never was for Ruine, so long as I could hold any hope of Reforming. My hopes that way, are even almost withered.

This Bill is entituled: An Act for the utter abolishing and taking away of all Archbishops, Bi∣shops, their Chancellors, and Commissaries, Deanes, Deans and Chapters, Arch-deacons, Prebendaries, Chanters, and Chanons, and all other their under-Officers.

Sir, you see, their demerits have exposed them Publici odii piaculares victimas. I am sorry they are so ill, I am more sorry that they will not be content to be bettered, which I did hope would have beene effected by our last Bill.

When this Bill is perfected, I shall give a sad I unto it. And at the delivery in thereof, I doe now professe before hand, that if my former hopes of a full Reformation may yet revive and prosper; I will againe divide my sence upon this Bill, and yeeld my shoulders to underprop the primitive, lawfull, and just Episcopacy: yet so, as that I will never be wanting with my utmost paines and prayers to Roote out all the

undue adjuncts to it, and superstructures on it.

I beseech you read the Bill, and weigh well the worke.

This is the neerest Act that ever I have done for Abolition: and if I suffer for this, it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 alto∣gether undeservedly: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my profession here is to Root out all undue adjuncts and superstructures, but to underprop the Primitive Episcopacy. And (as before I said) a little addition to this Bill might have given us a good Reformation: Take away the present Dioceses, but state forth the future, in the same Bill. The heads of which forme shall anon be presented to you.