MASTER HOLLIS HIS Speech in Parliament, The 21. of March. 1642.  
Wherein is contained his Declaration concerning the King's attorney general, for his abuse given to the House of Commons, in the accusation of High Treason against the six Members of the House.  
As also his advice concerning the last commands, issued from the said House,  
LONDON, Printed for Andrew Coe and Marmaduke Boas. 1642.   

The Speech delivered by Mr Hollis one of the Members of the House of Commons, now conjoined in PARLIAMENT.  
With his Arguments against Master Harbert, His Majestiés attorney general, for drawing the Articles of high Treason against himself, and the other five Members of the said House.  
Master Speaker,  
THe subtlety, policy, and dubious ways, bearing rule in a man corrupted, whose evil actions come within the compass, and justly claim the due reward of exemplary punishment, is always working; although by the destruction and utter delabition of the virtuous, and innocent (whose words and works, actions, and endeavours, can be termed to lay holds on nothing but realties) to clear himself: The actions, conditions, and endeavours of the good man, being always the contrary, there being no vicissitude or coherence with them, in respect they are mere opposites, the one seeking to perform his duty both to God and man, through his true dealing for the truth, the other seeking what in him lieth for the advancing of impiety: The good man joining with his practice, is daily labours for the defence of virtuous and pious designs; thereby seeking with vigilancy to bring the malignant persons to deserved punishments, it being a work, which in conscience is due both to God, his King, and Country.  
First, To God in respect of Religion, and the true and real Faith, we now profess in the Church of England, without which we are nothing, being no less than mere atoms to the World, and the just Antipothes to a ground Faith. No faith can stand without that true Foundation of Christ; no grounds of salvation can be had, but by and through those extraordinary merits and sufferings, which we are partakers of in Christ: If so then does our Saviour daily suffer in the instigations, and quotidial provocations against him; all which are violated by those (who are many) malignant's to the truth.  
Secondly, To the King, what greater abuse can there be to His Sacred Majesty then by the continual sufferance, the Subject endures through the ill counsel administered to our sovereign, being done under the colour of Loyalty; yet in proving in matter no better than flat abuses to this whole Kingdom.  
Thirdly, If that God and the King, so much suffer by the aforesaid means, the poor Subject and Country can do no less; witness the daily disturbances which are now a days, being so many, that there is no County almost within this His majesty's Dominions, but hath delivered their humble petitions to this Honourable Assembly, for removal of the said grievances and the deprieving of the aforesaid perons of their usurped authority.  

Master Speaker,  
It is palpable enough that the wicked man, cares not though he dishonours God in the highest degree may he but defend himself and vices, thought to the utter abolishing of Religion, King, and country, (as aforesaid) if opposite to his designs.  
We have had the experience of the evils and great troubles that have been raised, this State by ill instruments men of power and authority in the same, and not only of public misedoers and open enemies, but also of many private disaffected Spirits, whose outward carriage hath procured to themselves great esteem and respect in their County. Nay so well have they been approved on, that their country hath not misled them, with both their estates and privileges, as electing them Members of this high Court of Parliament; wherein also for a long time, they have discharged their duties to their King and country; nay and attained the general estimation, and respect of all men, as worthy Members of the commonwealth; but their hearts disagreeing with their outward qualities, being not upright and perfect, have at least showed themselves in their perfect colours, and brought themselves to shame and dishonour.   

Master Speaker,  
I Have hitherto spoken of nothing but generals: Now I intend to insist upon a particular, being the Gentleman, who as yet stands accused by this Honourable House, His majesty's attorney general, who hath been a man, upon whom all these Honours aforenamed, have been conferred in the Parliament, and no le sse esteemed by His Majesty; his place therein being sufficiently honourable, he needed not to have proceeded so far as to prive ambitious, or malicious; which of the two I cannot nominate, nor am able to distinguish, was his error, or whether he is guilty of both; how ever, it does appear, his heart was not right in discharging his duty in that great place committed to him; and as he was a Member of the Parliament, had he been faithful to his King and Country, he had never undertaken this enterprise to accuse us of treason, and draw the accusation against us himself; for which we have already, and further are bound to answer.   

Master Speaker,  
HIs offence is of a high nature, of dangerous consequence, a manifest Breach of the privileges of Parliament, an apparent treachery (if found to rely upon him) against those accused Members, of which I am the least, yet moved to speak in the Cause, The offence is generally against the whole State, deserving great punishment for the same.  
By this he hath made himself guilty of those misdemeanours, that other Delinquents have been impeached, and accused for, and nothing inferior to them in their crime. This design was a great offence (if by him advised) against His sacred Majesty himself, in seeking to work an evil opinion in him concerning His Parliament, and their Proceedings in the great Affairs, of both Church and State. This is the matter that discourages this Honourable Assembly in proceeding in such businesses as may be for the honour of their King and Country; when they overthrow that all their endeavours, and dutiful actions, are not well accepted by His Majesty, This and such like ill counsels hath caused all this distraction in the State.   

Master Speaker,  
THe charge is apparent against him, the accusation is apparent before (as though void;) therefore I in behalf of the rest of the Members, most humbly desire you would proceed to voting him upon the same, as he shall be found guilty, and his reward may be contributed for the same: I for my part have performed my promise to those other Members accused, in moving you in the business; To whose consideration I now leave it, as being best able to determine of a matter of so great weight.   
FINIS.