THat the Scots disallow of the Hierarchie is unknowne to none, their wills stand for reason, and many in England doe heartily wish, that Bishops should be put downe here also, which matter should they have graunted, I feare least that after they have pro­cured the fals of twenty foure Spirituall Lords, they would the next Triennial Parliament strive to sweepe away foure-score Temporall Lords: not will our Booke of Common-Prayer relish well with some, that must be also abolished, for why it had it's first original from the Popish Liturgye, which I will leave to the opinion of the learned.

The Booke of Common Prayer the Scots by no manner of meanes will allow of, I pray that many of their learned men wrong not their owne consciences by it; for Christ hath said himselfe, My house shall be called the house of Prayer.

It was reported in England, that our Royall Soveraigne would reforme the Church of Eng­land, to that of Scotland, and quite to abolish the Hira [...]chie, and the booke of common pray­er, but there is no such matter; for it is our Royall Soveraign's intent to be constant to the Discipline and Doctrine of the Church of Eng­land established by Queene Elizabeth and his Father: Nay more, his Royall Majesty is resolved by the grace of God to dye in the maintainance of the same: Then cease all you cursing Archi­tophells and rayling Rabshakahs, and doe not en­deavour to defeate the house of God, let the sanctum sanctorum alone, neither confine your selves to barnes and stables, for although God hath said, where two or three bee gathered together in my name, there will I be, yet also did hee com­mand a house to bee built, which should bee set apart for his service, and called after his name.

Where danger hangs over head it is time to looke about; certaine suspicions are conjectured concerning men of no meane qua­lity and Traitors wee are tearmed all, to destroy diverse Noble men (as it is supposed) was our intents, and I amongst the number am accoun­ted, as one licence hath beene given unto us to make answere for ourselves, for my part I am but one, and let the matter fall out as it can, I have but one life to loose. The Marques should have beene destroyed as some doe report: if he but live untill I make a plot to take away his life. I dare warrant him a double Methusalah's age. The Earle of Argile (as it is reported) should have beene destroyed, whose actions have been so just, that he were the unjustest man breath­ing that should have the least imagination to destroy him. The Lord Londen also was suppo­sed to have had a plot contrived to take away his life, which me thinks no Scotch-man would be so base, as to have so wicked a meaning against him, who hath beene a chiefe upholder of our peace with the jeopardy of his owne life.

Then for Generall Lesly, it is very well that I was one, which alwayes did wish prosperity to his actions, and that victory might crowne all his designes.

But my Lords, I know there be many, which a long time have beene working my de­struction in a most envious Loome, the thread being spunne by nothing but mallice.

O that my life were sacrificed to doe my Countrey good, and yet would I vvish, that there were an alteration, concerning some chap­ters, let God deale by my soule, as I wish the good of my countrey, not careing whether Life or Death be my portion, a naturall one I meane.

My Lords, I wonder that any of you should have such a concert concerning mee, in so much as my dayly study to my thinking, hath been for nothing more than for the Common wealth. I desire nothing more, that whatsoever becomes of me, that this may prove a most happy Parliament, Miseris succurrere didici, I have succoured others, for which many strive to reward mee with pouerty, to make long Harvest of a little Corne is not proper, where­fore I now am prepared to answere whatsoever at this time, shall or can be objected against mee.

Vincenti praemia soli.