A true Copy of a Speech delivered in the Parliament in Scotland, by the Earle of Argile, concerning the Government of the Church.
Together with the Kings going to Parliament August 19. 1641.
London, printed. 164 [...].
THE EARLE OF ARGILE His Speech to the PARLIAMENT IN SCOTLAND.
GEntlemen, and you the Burgesses of the House of COMMONS; I am commanded by the Lords to let you know, that they have taken serious deliberation of the Propositions made by you [Page 2] the other day at a Conference concerning the Church-government in this Kingdom.
First, I am commanded to put you in minde what have passed already upon this Occasion before in the maintenance of the Church-government of this Kingdom, wherein the House of Commons have shewed such great affections to the good of the Church and of the State therein for the maintenance of it.
First, that the Church-government in both Kingdomes, is that which were so be vvished, but no alteration or innovation msust be of that vvhich is setled by the Lavves of each Kingdom, and enacted by them.
Secondly, that the Government of the Church of England is setled and established by the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdom to the uniting of a brotherly love and [Page 3] Government in both Kingdomes under his Majesties Dominion.
Secondly, I am commanded to let you know their Lordships pleasure in this, or in any thing else that may conduce to the honour of Almighty God, the service of our King, and the good of our Kingdom, and will be very ready to give such assistance as you shall propound, or upon debate with them, thinke fit to advance the worke you were pleased to deliver unto them.
And finding also that there have been, and having great cause to suspect that there still are, even during this present sitting in Parliament, endeavours to subvert the fundamentall Lawes of this Kingdom and of England, whereby they may introduce the exercise of a tyrannicall Government by most pernicious and wicked Counsels, Plots, and Conspiracies, that hath been taught against this Kingdom, and the Kingdom [Page 4] of England, with divers innovations and superstitions, that have been brought into this Church, multitudes driven out of his Majesties Dominions, with the great suppressing of them by the Bishops and their tyrannicall Government over the Church, and the good religious Ministers therein.
And therefore because the Government of the Church doth remain as properly to proceed from you, as from us, therefore if you shall thinke fit that any thing else shall be propounded by you, that may be effected for the Government of the Church and Kingdom, or if you do not propound, their Lordships will then let you know their Propositions; if you be not now provided to confer about it, we shall when you please debate the same, and give you such reasons for it, as you shall thinke fit of, to the honour and praise of God, and the good of our King and Kingdom.
The Kings arrivall in Edinborough, with the manner of his going to Parliament.
THere was one appointed to go before him to make room, for the multitude came in throngs to see his Majestie, all crying, as he passed by them, in their owne language, God save King Charles, God save our King. Next to him which made room came our King, my Lord Humes going on his right hand, and my Lord of Argile on his left hand, the rest of the Nobility, and those which were of the Parliament-House, followed according to their degrees, but much ado they had to go to the House, the desire of the People was so great to see their Soveraigne.
When they were come to the Parliament House, there stood a Noble-mans Son, who as yet goes to school, and saluted his Majesty with a Latine Oration, which he took most graciously, and thanked them all for their kindnesse, and goodwill; then they entered into the Parliament-House, and when they were seated, the Earle of Argile made a Speech unto him.