THere is no doubt but the sense of what this Nation hath suffered from the pre­sent Bishops, hath produced these com­plaints, and the apprehension Men have of suffering the like in time to come, make so ma­ny desire the taking away of Episcopacy. But I conceive it is possible that we may now not take a right measure of the mindes of the peo­ple by these petitions, for when they subscri­bed them, the Bishops were armed with a dan­gerous Commission, of making new Canons, imposing new oathes, and the like, but now we have disarmed them of that power: these Petitioners lately; did look upon Episcopacy, as a Beast armed with Hornes and Clawes, but now that we have cut and pared them, (and [Page 4] may if we see cause, yet reduce it into nar­rower bounds) it may perhaps be more agree­able; Howsoever if they be still in passion, it becomes us soberly to consider the right use and antiquity thereof, and not to comply fur­ther with a generall desire, then may stand with a generall good, We have already show­ed, that Episcopacy, and the evils thereof, are mingled like water and oyle; We have also in part severed them.

But I beleeve you will finde that our Lawes and the present Government of the Church are mingled like Wine and Water, so insepa­rable, that the Abrogation of at least a hun­dred of our Lawes is desired in this Petition. I have often heard a Noble answer of the Lords commended in this House, to a proposition of like nature, but of lesse consequence, they gave no other reason of their refusall but this, Nolumus mutare leges Angliae: It was the Bishops, was so answered then, and it would become the dignitie and wisedome of this House, to answer the people now with a Nolumus mutare. I see some are moved with a number of hands against the Bishops, which I confesse, rather inclines Me to their defence, for I look upon Episcopacy, as a Counter-scarf, or outwork, which if it be taken by this assault of the peo­ple, and withall this Mysterie once revealed, that we must deny them nothing when they aske it thus in troopes, we may in the next [Page] place, have as hard a taske to defend our pro­priety, as we have lately had to recover it from the prerogative. If by multiplying hands, and petitions, they prevail for an equality in things Ecclesiasticall, this next demand perhaps may be Leaegraria, the like equality in things Tem­porall.

The Roman Story tels us, that when the peo­ple began to flock about the Senate, and were more curious to direct and know what was done, then to obey, that Common-wealth soon came to ruine. Their Legem rogare grew quickly to be a Legem ferre, and after, when their Legions had found that they could make a Dictator, they never suffered the Senate to have a voyce any more in such Election. If this great Innovation proceed, I shall expect a flat and levell in learing too, as well as in Church preferments. Horos alit artes, for though it be true, that grave and pious Men do study for learning sake, and imbrace vertue for it self, yet it is as true, that youth (which is the season when learning is gotten) is not without ambition, nor will ever take paines to excell in any thing, when there is not some hope of excelling others in reward and dignity. There are two reasons chiefly alleadged against our Church Government. First Scripture, which (as some Men thinks) points out another form. Secondly, the Abuses of the present Superiors. For Scripture I will not dispute it in this place, [Page 6] but am confident that when ever an equ all di­vision of Lands and Goods shall be desired, there will be as many places in Scripture found out, which seem to favour that, as there are now alleadged against the Prelacy or pre­ferment in the Church, And as for abuses where you are now in the Remonstrance told, what this and that poore man hath suffered by the Bishops, you may be presented with a thousand Instances of poor Men, that have re­ceived hard measure from their Land-Lords, and of worldly Goods abused, to the injury of others, and disadvantage of the Owners, And therefore M^r Speaker my humble Motion is, that we may settle Mens' mindes herein, and by a question declare our Reso­lution to reform, that is, not to abolish Episcopacy.