SIR Arthur Haselrigg HIS SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT, CONCERNING The Bill Passed against Plurality of Live, That no Clergy man shall have above one Living, except he be servant to the KING.  
February 21. An. Dom. 1641.  
LONDON, Printed by john Hammond. 1641.   

SIR Arthur Haselrig, HIS Speech in Parliament: CONCERNING The Bill passed against plurality of Live; That no Clergy man shall have above one Living, except he be Servant to the King.  
February the 21 An. Dom. 1641. 
 Mr. SPEAKER,  
THIS Bill, which hath been laid aside till now, by reason of the great affairs of State which hath required more speed in the settling thereof, delay and protraction of time therein, might have proved very dangerous and prejudicial to the whole State: for we have had too much experience of what hath followed the practices and plots of the adversaries and enemies of the same; by which means we have not been permitted any time to take into consideration the abuses in the worship of God in our Religion, and the manifold grievances of the Subject, by the oppressions and injuries of persons as well spiritual as temporal in places of authority in Church and Stare; but now many impediments, by the blessing of God, and the wisdom of the King and his high Court of Parliament, are removed and avoided, that did much hinder our proceed therein, by which we have now again some time to recollect what business we had in hand before these distractions and distempers of the State were raised, and to proceed in the same.  
Mr. SPEAKER, 
 This Bill against plurality of Benefices, will be a means to purge the Clergy from much vice and impurity, ease, plenty and satiety bred in many idleness and luxury; men gave themselves over wholly to the world, to mind earthly things, and that which ought to be agreeable to their function, they altogether neglected, nay contemned and despised, as a thing not worthy of their study and pains, the sound and pure preaching of the word of word of God, without mixture or composure of their own or other men's inventions, they held, I say, this as vile and base, but could permit to themselves time sufficient to study to obtain the mystery of the change of the times, to be time-servers; Every day changing if occasion served for their advantage. If they could attain to understand the fashions of the Court, to bow and compliment, to be Parasites and Flatterers, observing the dispositions and inclinations of great personages and great men in places of authority, in the Church and State, but especially could learn to dance after the Bishop's Music, then had they learning enough, and were accounted able Divines, fit to be Masters of two, three, or four Benefices. But as fare unfit to execute his office as a Teacher over those committed to his charge, as almost Ploughmen to be Bishops: This increased vice, impaired virtue; by these was it no hard matter for the superiors to introduce into Church superstitious Ceremonies; these easy to be drawn to preach liberty and vices, rather than teach piety and godliness; no hard matter at least to bring them to that pass they may be at any time ready to choose what religion to be of, according as the times alter.  
Mr. SPEAKER, 
 This Bill will (I hope) prove a great means to restrain their licentious and ambitious spirits, if likewise there might be another Bill for the explanation of this, enacting thereby no person of what degree or dignity soever, may present any Incumbent to any Benefice, till his life and conversation, his learning and ability be well known to himself: That no Popish Lords, or disaffected Prelates may have no longer the presentation to Benefices; but all presentations may be committed to the disposal of such as the Parliament in their wisdom shall think fit to be entrusted with the same: That all such as have Benefices of great value, may allow out of the same to his neighbouring Ministers whose places will not yield them a competent Maintenance for themselves and Families, That such as are in great Benefices, and not able to discharge his duty in his place, may be enjoined to allow a sufficient competency to his hireling or under Curate, whereby the Cure may be faithfully and diligently served, That all men of the Ministry may be preferred to place according to their worth in their Learning and piety, that men of most virtue may be planted in the best Benefices, That by this means, they may strive (as before by vice) so now by virtue, to raise their fortunes by the Ministry.  
And thus much (Mr. Speaker) concerning this Bill, which I humbly leave to the further consideration of this Honourable House, And humbly desire the same may be presented to his Majesty for his royal assent, and passing thereof.  
FINIS.