That which I am to speake is concerning the ill Councells; to this, I shall lay downe these Steppes.

THat the danger that comes to a State by ill Councells; That they are the 1 most pernicious Dangers that can come to a State. It is usuall to com­pare Politique Bodies with the Natu­rall; the Naturall Body is endangered divers wayes; either by outward violence, and that may be fore­seene and prevented; or by lesse appearing Mala­dies which growes upon the Body by the distem­per of the Ayre, immoderate Exercise, Diet, &c. And when the causes of the Disease are cleare, the Remedie is easily applyed: But Diseases which [Page 2] proceed fom the Inward Parts; as the Liver, the Heart, or the Braine, it is a hard thing to apply Cure to such diseases: Ill Councells they are of that nature, &c. For the Mischiefs that come by evill Councells corrupts the Vitall PARTS, and over­throwes the Administration of Publique Govern­ment, &c.

The second Step, That there have beene lately and still are ill Councells heere in this Kingdome and about the King. That there hath beene lately, you will not doubt, when the maine Course of Goverment hath beene so imployed, as Popery thereby hath beene so maintained, the Lawes sub­verted, and no distinction betweene Justice and injustice, and that there is still reason to doubt is apparent by courses taken to advance mischievous Designes: but that His Majesties wisedome and Goodnesse kept them from the Heart, though they were not kept out of the Court; so the principall and most mischievous Designes have beene pra­ctised by such as have neere Accesse unto His Majestie.

The Third steppe, that the ill Councells of this time are in their own natures more mischievous▪ and more dangerous then the ill Councells of for­mer times, former Councells have been to please the King, and Prince, to raise up Prerogative; if it had gone no further, it had brought many mi­series, but not to ruine and destruction: But the ill Councells of this time were to alter Religion and Law, therefore more mischievous in their [Page 3] owne nature then the ill Councells of former times.

Fourth steppe, That these ill Councells have proceeded from a spirit and inclination to Pope­ry, and have had a dependencie on Popery. The Religion of the Papists is a Religion incomputa­ble to any other Religion, destructive to all others, and doth not indure any thing that doth oppose it; whosoever doth withstand their Reli­gion, if they have power, they bring them to ruine. There are other Religions but not so destructive as Popery is, for the principles of Popery are de­structive to all States, and persons that oppose it: with the progresse of this mischievous Councell, they provide Councellors that may execute their own designes, and to turn all Councells to their own ends. And you find that now in Ireland, That those designes that have been upon all [...]he three Kingdomes doe end in a Warre, for [...] of Popery in Ireland.

Fifth steppe, That unlesse these ill Councells be changed, as long as they continue, it is impossible that any Assistance, Ayd, or Advice that the Par­liament can take to Reforme, wilbe effectuall for the Publique. Those that are the instruments of State they put things into action, in good order, but if acted by evill men, while these Councells are on foot we can expect no good.

The Sixth steppe, That this is the most proper time to desire of his Majestie, the alteration and change of evill Councellors, because the Com­mon-wealth is brought into distempers by them, [Page 4] and so exhausted, that we can endure no longer.

Next reason why we cannot admit of them, is, to shew our love and fidelity to the King in great contributions and adventures: when God doth imploy his Servants, hee doth give some Pro­mise to rowse up their Spirits. This is the time wherin the Subjects are to save the Kingdome with the hazard of their Lives, and Fortunes; and ther­fore expect from His Majesty in a more large, and bountifull manner, then at other times. As we have weaknesse at home, so we ought to discerne the Actions abroad, where great provision is made, and a carelessenesse and improvidence herein; when our neighbours are so provided, and have such great Fleets at Sea, will open a way to sud­daine ruine and destruction, before we can be pre­pared; and therfore now the fittest time to move the King.

The last Steppe that this Alteration of Coun­cells, will bring great advantage to the King in his own designes. In all our Actions our Prayers unto God should be, that his Name should be glorified; so our Petitions to His Majesty, should bring on our profit and advantage to him. 1. A discouragement to the Rebels, a great part of their confidence is in the evill Councels at home, as by the Examinations appeareth. 2. Advantage is great incouragement to the Kings good Subjects at home (who hazard their lives, and give Ayd and Contribution) to have things governed for the publique good. It will make men affraid to preferre Servants to the King, that are ill Councells, when they shall come [Page 5] to the examination of a Trienniall Parliament; for many times Servants are preferred to Princes for advantage of Forraigne estates.

Next, this will put an Answer into the Kings mouth against all importunities, that he is to pre­ferre none but such as will be approved on by Parliament; those that are Honourable, and most Ingenious are aptest to be troubled in this kind, and not to deny: therfore the King may Answere he hath promised his Parliament not to admit of any but by advice in Parliament, this will answere them all.

Next, advantage, it makes us fitter to enter into Union with Forraigne Nations, and Forraigne States; and to be made partaker of the strength and assistance of others: It will fortifie us against the designes of Forraigne Princes. There hath bin cunning Councell at Rome, and in Spaine to reduce us to Popery; if good Councells at home, we shall be the better prepared to preserve Peace and Uni­on, and better respect from abroad.

Lastly, it will make us fit for any noble designe abroad.