A SPEECH made by Master BAGSHAWE IN PARLIAMENT Concerning the trial of the Twelve Bishops on Monday the Seventeenth of January, Anno 1641.  
AS ALSO, The Articles, now in agitation, objected against them.  
London, Printed for T. T. 1642.   

A Speech made by Master Bagshawe in Parliament, concerning the trial of the twelve Bishops on Monday the seventeenth of January, Anno 1641.  
M. Speaker,  
WE are now upon the Grand business the Bishop's trial expected of all men, and much desired their▪ crimes for which they are accused are two fold.  
1 The first consisting of misdemeanour and great offences committed by them against their Country, whereof they have been but unprofitable members.  
2 The second consisting of Crymes of the highest nature and most dangerous consequence that can be committed by any subject, and that is Treason in the highest degree, both against their lawful Prince his rightful power and just prerogatives, and against the whole body politic of this kingdom. Upon the first of these we have proceeded against them by legal charge▪ proving them guilty of the same, and by vote of this House, condemned them in a premunite and misprission of Treason. Upon the last we are now in agitation, which is our Accusation and Impeachment of them of high Treason.  

M. Speaker.  
I do verily believe that this is a thing marvelled at and taken notice of even over the Christian World, not their occusation, for it is an ordinary thing in commonwealths to accuse and punish misdoers in the same, but the number of delinquents at one time accused never in myreading can I show precedent of the like of onesocietie linked all together in one Function and Profession joined in one cause bent, and I conceive Covenanted together to work mischief: Bishop that have been heretofore many of them (though one or two perchance have been retrograde▪) have been glorious lamps in the C●urch that have sealed the truth of God with the shedding of their most precious blood in those times, you see there were some good ones, nay of the greater number; but sithence universally corrupted and stained with all manner of pollutions even all of that function and Office books a general falling away from the truth, a general endeavour to seduce others to do the like, It is ordinary for all kingdoms and States whatsoever to have amongst them some wicked and perverse wights, yoa and of the greater account and worth in the same, but for the most part their prophet's Priests and other Religious and holy men that have been as they conceived their spiritual Pastors and Teachers of them in their Religion, have been free and clear from all attempts and enterprices that might prove dangerous and destructive to their several places of nativity wherein they ●r● subjects or inhabitant●, nay shall I bring forth as examples the lives of the very He●then whose wisdom and understanding was merely naturally void of all heavenly and spiritual light, that never heard or believed the word of God concerning Christ and his gospel, only believe a He●ven and a Hell, pl●ce be t●eir interpretation containing everlasting felicity or perpetu●ll misery after the dissolution and ending of their natural lives these men I say which do know nothing but by the instinct of n●ture, yet ever held and taught that piety and virtue in their lives and conversations was the only means to obtain after Death everlasting felicity, and that wickedness impiety and ungodline● produced perpe●u●ll misery: what then shall we s●y M. speaker. of t●ese Prelates that have not only by nature knowledge and understanding as these heat●ens had, but have the knowledge of the truth and pure word of God revealed unto them that have obtained favour of God, to be dispensers and destributers Teachers and Preachers of the same that have turned this truth of God into a lie, the grace of God into wantoures and perverted the ways of godliness by their own viciouss and ungracious live have led in ignorance and blindness the flock of Christ over which they have been placed as shepherds, thereby permitting and suffering them to walk in strange ways, according to their own inventions, how think they that they will answer these things to their Master Christ, when they shall be called to an account for the same, before his tribunal. But to leave this discourse concerning their abuses in Religion, as they ought to have been the only servants and messengers of God, for the building up of his kingdom and the overthrow of the kingdom of Antichrist, and come to their abuses and misdemeanour in this kingdom as they have usurped to themselves temporal power and jurisdiction in offices of civil Judicature for which they stand now accused and charged and proceeded against by vote of this House upon the said accusation and charge, and their desperate and malicious attempt, in presuming to petition his majesty, and protest in the same against our proceedings, to bring them to deserver punishment for their offences, upon which they now stand accused of high Treason: and our charge proving the same now made complete, and exhibited to them for their speedy answer thereto; which is this day's business to consider of.  
M. Speaker, The answer they have put in to our charge, is now to be taken into our considerations whether the some be sufficient, or no, which I conceive is insufficient, for these Reasons.  
First, their Impeachment is for matter of Fact, which cannot be answered, as I conceive by any circumstance whatsoever, though never so pregnant and impertinent.  
Secondly, Although never so clear and perspicuous to answer Treason by way of Plea and demur, I conceive to be contrary to the rules of Parlimentary proceedings.  
Thirdly and lastly, To answer jointly together when their charge is particular and several, is not agreeable to Parliament proceedings.  
And thus much, Master Speaker, concerning this our present business, which I humbly desire may be expedited, and no longer procrastinated by any dilatory plea of the Bishops▪ but that we may proceed with all convenient expedition to their final sentence.   
FINIS.