THere hath already beene so much spoken by the other Gentlemen, concerning this accusation of high treason, even sufficient, as I con­ceive, to cleare us all that are im­peached, that I know not what to say more touching the same: Onely under favour give me leave, to speake what I conceive of the cause of the procuring of this accusation, the Authors that procured it, and of the effects which I perceive will follow upon the same.

[Page] M. Speaker, It is not long since this Honourable House accused of high Treason the twelve Bishops, for their illegall and trayterous attempt in their petition and protestation against the King and Par­liament. These Gentlemen with my selfe and o­thers, having the prosecution of that businesse, and other charges of great Crimes against them com­mitted to our trust, did unanimously with one con­sent follow the same, bringing to a period our de­bates and disputes concerning their crimes, what we conceived they were guilty of upon their severall charges, & what guilty of for framing & preferring their petition and protestation to his Majesty, that they were guilty of misprision of treason upon their former accusations, and guilty of high treason upon this their last designe: And these our votes and and conclusions (grounded and warranted, not on­ly by the Common lawes of this land, but by divers Acts of Parliament, and presidents) we presented to the whole house for consideration and confirmation of the same by generall vote, with whom wee againe agreed by our publique votes, and thereupon they were impeached and committed; this I conceive provoked their malice against us, and was the prin­cipall cause of this their plot in drawing an Accusa­tion against us for the same crime of treason, there­by to make us seeme as vile as themselves, and to take away our votes at their triall. And thus I have joynd together both the cause and Authors of this accusation.

The effects I conceive will be dangerous, and cause great trouble in these respects.

[Page] 1 In turning the Current of the Parliaments pro­ceedings against them upon us, by which devise they shall have further time to put in practice their plots, and bring to perfection their purposes against the Parliament.

2 That being busily imployed concerning this businesse, in their disputes about breach of privi­ledge of Parliament in illegall accusing the mem­bers thereof, in drawing a declaration to his Maje­stie concerning the same, in appeasing him, by shew­ing the sincerity and integrity of the Parliament to­ward his Majestie and other things pertinent there­unto, this high Court may lay aside their procce­ding, and avert their purposes touching the Irish af­faires, whereby the Rebellion there may increase; and forraigne aide brought to them, to the utter losing of that kingdome.

3 Many feares and troubles will arise in the Ci­tizens concerning this accusation, of desperate and devillish stratagems in agitation, as wel against them as the Parliament by disconsolate & disaffected per­sons, to the safety and security thereof, causing their continuall watching and guarding by their trained bands, which will bee to them a great charge and molestation.

4 It will incourage ill affected and pernitious Cavaliers, and commanders about Court, to attempt any mischeife against both houses of Parliament or particular members thereof upon the Least oppor­tunity, that shall be offered them, thinking thereby they shall doe the King good service, which other­wise they dare not adventure, to put in practise.

[Page] 5 And lastly; It will provoke and stir up a dislike of these designes in the hearts of all his Majesties subjects, and disaffection to his sacred person, cause great uproares, and tumults of the Citizens; yea, and I feare a generall insurrection in the kingdome, if not suddainly prevented, which God forbid.

And thus Master Speaker, having nothing more to say concerning these Articles, I humbly crave of this Honourable house, that I may have expedition in my triall, upon the same; and that all things done by this wise Councell may tend to the Honour and glory of Almighty God, the peace and safety of his sacred Majestie and all his kingdomes.