MASTER HOLLIS HIS SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT, Concerning the Articles of high Treason against himself, the Lord Kymbolton, Sir Arthur Haslerig, Mast. Pym, Master Hampden, Master Strowd, Exhibited by his Majesty, on Wednesday the fift of Jannary 1641.  
LONDON printed for Francis Coules and Thomas Banks, 1641.   

Master Hollis his Speech.  
Master Speaker,  
THat Man is no true Christian, nor legal Subject that cannot willingly submit himself, to undergo either the displeasure of his sovereign, or any other trouble or affliction imposed upon him in the defence of true Religion and the laws of this country.  
Master Speaker, myself with the rest of those Gentlemen accused, desires under favour of this Honourable House, to speak something concerning these Articles of our accusation; Master Speaker, Treason is the heinousest crime, that can be alleged against any Subject; The name of a Traitor must needs be odious to all true Protestants and obedient Subjects; you know the sentence Master Speaker, of sacred writ Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft, and obedience is better than sacrifice, what can be more acceptable to God then real performance of his Precepts and commandments, What can be a truer sign of faithful and willing subjection to a Prince then cheerful submitting to His royal commands; Ever by suffering punishment for refusing the same, if against our Religion and country, or performance of the same, although to the hazarding of our lives and fortunes, Give me leave, I beseech you, to add something in my defence in clearing of myself touching those Articles exhibited against me, to those learned Speeches of the other Gentlemen already made concerning the same, which I hope is sufficient to clear us all; yet notwithstanding I desire to speak something only touching myself.  
I hope this Honourable House hath taken sufficient notice of the manner of my carriage in all businesses whatsoever the which I have had the honour to be one employed in the same. It is a strange thing as I conceive under favour that any member elected and admitted in a free Parliament, and in the same altogether agreeing, both in debates and votes with the whole counsels of State should be accused, not only as an ill-affected person to his King and country, but as a Traitor to the same.  
If Members of a Parliament freely called by His majesty's royal power and Authority, freely chosen by the several Counties, Cities and boroughs of His majesty's kingdom; and met together only to consult, and consider of such things that have been disordered in the commonwealth, as well in Church as State, to rectify and set in a right frame the distempers of the same; To redress and relieve the manifold pressions and tyrannies exercised in this Kingdom, by wicked and pernicious persons, To bring to deserved punishment, such Miscreants and caitiffs, troublers of the Israel of God, procurers of discontent and disaffection between a King and His Liege-people, innovators of true Religion. If these Members, Master Speaker, may be reputed and taken, nay charged and affirmed to be the betrayers of their King and native country, Then can I not discern that there can be any safety or security in Parliamentary proceedings, which concern Master Speaker, is not agreeable to the tenant and rules of Divine Scripture which positively concludeth, that in the multitude of Counsellors there is peace, If peace may be expected from a multitude of Senators, wise and learned men; Then I must conclude peace and security is to be hoped for, from the proceeding Counsels and Consultations of this great and Numerous Assembly of judicious and learned persons, contracted from all parts of His majesty's kingdom into one entire body.  
Master Speaker, Can treachery or disloyalty be once thought or conceived to be in the hearts of any of these, who are entrusted by their whole country, who have put themselves and all theirs, their judgements and wisdom, who are resolved even with the loss of their lives and fortunes, to defend and maintain such Statutes and laws, as by them shall be enacted and made, with the royal assent and confirmation of their sovereign; for their good & tranquillity in the common affairs of the State, for the defence and maintemance of the true Religion; and their just rights and privileges; can these I say Master Speaker, be suspected to be the betrayers and destroyers of the laws of the kingdom, of the liberties of the Subjects, of Religion and the true doctrine and discipline thereof.  
Master Speaker, I do verily believe that his sacred Majesty of himself hath no thought or any way conceves any such opinion of any of the Members of this house, I rather think it is only through the informations of ill minded persons, buzzing in his majesty's ears our secret aims and evil intentions against his Majesty, and his kingdom; but rather (as it hath been made apparent to all men, (to prevent dangers, and the malicious designs, of the adversaries, enemies of the State, that have set themselves withal the force and power that might be, to bring to confusion and utter destruction his Majesty and all his Realms, on which he hath right full dominions to place themselves in power and authority, in the same to make such Constitutions and Ordinances, as to themselves shall seem meet; to establish and set up such false and erroneous worshipping of Almighty God in his Church, as they according to their own inventions, think most sutables to their own fancies and desires, because we endeavour Master Speaker, to nullify and bring to nought these their malignant and unlawful practices against God and his Christ, against his sacred Majesty and the whole State, against all the wholesome laws made by the same for the government thereof in righteousness and holy obedience to God their Prince and their country, therefore do they work and endeavour what in them lies to cast aspersions upon our good proceedings against themselves and other evil and perverse spirits leaning on them, and altogether devoted to their cause, to incense and provoke as much as they can his royal Majesty against us & our endeavours, so that I confidently believe unless we proceed with speed unannimously with one consent as well of the Lords as ourselves, to bring to trial, and judgement, these evil doers, these molesters, troublers, and hinderours of our happy prosecution in finishing and bringing to a blessed end our good designs, we must not expect any conclusion or confirmation of any law or Act, tending to the perpetual settlement of true Religion, or of this kingdom in that blessed State of peace and unity amongst ourselves; traffic and society with foreign Princes and States; that fame honour and glory of the King of this land, and all those dominions under his Jurisdiction and royal subjection, as formerly we have enjoyed.  
And thus much Master Speaker, of that which I had to say concerning these Articles, humbly desiring I may have speedy trial upon the same, and as I shall be found guilty or innocent, I willingly shall submit myself and Actions to the sentence and judgement of this great and High Court of Parliament.  
FINIS.