Mr. Denzell Hollis, HIS SPEECH TO THE LORDS, Concerning the settling of the Queen of BOHEMIA, and her electoral Family, in their Right and Inheritance, with Restitution for their Sufferings.  
July 9 1641.  
LONDON.   

Mr. Denzell Hollis HIS SPEECH TO THE LORDS, Concerning the settling of the Queen of Bohemia, and her electoral Family, to their Right and Inheritance, with restitution for their sufferings. July 9 1641.  
My Lords,  
THe Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the House of Commons, have commanded me to let your Lordships know, that they have taken into their serious consideration, his majesty's proposal unto them of the Manifest, in which he is graciously pleased to declare his pious intentions concerning his royal Sister, the Prince Palatine her Son, and the rest of the electoral Family.  
They do with all humbleness acknowledge his majesty's favour, in communicating unto them any part of his royal thoughts, and asking their advice and counsel, in a business that doth so nearly concern him; as needs must the happiness, nay the subsistence of these distressed Princes, of so glorious an extraction, their veins being enriched with the same blood, (that is) from so royal ancestors, derived with glory into his Sacred Person.  
And in that relation, the House of Commons looks upon them with an eye of tenderness, wishing that every drop of that Princely blood, may ever be Illustrated with Honour and happiness: That his Majesty may be Crowned with this blessing, To see nothing but Glory in himself, and in all that bow unto him.  
To hear then, that these Princes, so nearly allied unto the King, should suffer that which is so unworthy of them, instead of Honour, of greatness, to find Oppression, instead of a fortune answerable to their Birth and Relation, to have their ancient Patrimony torn from them, and detained by a hand of Violence, is a thing which makes our ears to tingle, and our hearts to rise within us.  
My Lords, The loyal Subject of England is so well tuned in a sweet agreeing harmony to the Person of his Prince, that he is affected with the least touch upon any part of the Princely string, and answers it instantly with a sound proportionable; if it be good and pleasant, with joy and exultation; if harsh and displeasant, with sorrow and lamentation; but a sorrow not womanish, and fatuant, but accompanied with indignation, and vigorous magnanimous resolution, to be avenged upon whosoever dare give offence to our royal sovereign.  
This then is enough to make us zealous for the redress of the Prince Electors wrongs, to desire (with impatience) to see him reinvested in his rightful possessions, were there nothing else to move us to it, but our love and affection, and our duty to the King.  
But my Lords, There is yet another motive, which hath a strong irresistible operation with us; and it is the consideration, how much this is of importance to the good of Religion, the advancement of the Protestant party, and the redeeming many souls from their Antichristian bondage; which hath a double aspect; and relates to us, not only as we are fellow-members with them of the true Church, which obliges us to a care and defence of them, and gives us an assurance of a reward in heaven: But doth more particularly concern us in point of Policy and Reason of State, by supporting our allies, to advance this Kingdom to the highest pitch of greatness and Reputation, to make us formidable abroad to the enemies of our Church and State, and so enjoy Peace, and Safety, and tranquillity at home.  
For my Lords, the Protestant Religion, and this kingdom, are like Hippocrates Twins, that must both live and die together.  
It is madness to think this State can subsist, if Religion be subverted; and as great a madness to think our Religion can continue here, if we suffer it to be destroyed and eradicated out of our neighbour countries; which can no more be, (that is our Religion and this kingdom be preserved) when our neighbours of the same Religion and belief with us be consumed, than a Fort can hold out, when all the outworks be taken; or the heart preserved, when a Gangrene hath seized on the outward parts of the body.  
My Lords, as the true Religion is in the truth, the heart of England, which gives it life, and makes it flourish with strength and power▪ so is England, (in politic respect) the heart of the Protestant Religion in all the other parts of Christendom; and upon occasion, must send out supply into all the neighbouring countries, professing the same Religion with it; which (to be themselves in safety) must be under the Protection of this Fort, under Contribution to this Garrison.  
And on the other side, if these countries be one after another invaded and possessed by the enemies of our Religion, that great Tie of Religion between us, and those Bonds be dissolved, which only can unite and strengthen our mutual affections and relations; as if they got one part, their appetite will increase soon to swallow up another.  
First, the Palatinate; then the other parts of Germany; afterwards the Low Countries; and than let us think in what condition England will stand? It will be left as a Cottage in a Vine-yard; as a Lodge in a Garden of cucumbers; as a besieged City, when all the Defences are gone; it will soon fall to be a prey to the enemy.  
My Lords, This consideration likewise works with the Commons of England; and as the Wiseman is to have his eyes in his head, and look before him; so they do look before them, and had rather see this evil met half way, than stay till it come to them; rather see the eating Gangrene of the Austrian ambition in Germany, than tarry till it seize upon the vital parts of this Island, and the death of Religion inevitably follow.  
This business took up a serious debate, and after much time, and many Arguments spent upon the Subject, the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses assembled in Parliament, came to this Resolution which was here read. This they have commanded me to represent unto your Lordships, and desire your Lordships will join with them in a tender of the like advice unto his Majesty, and approbation of his royal Intendments.  
And likewise, that his Majesty may be moved in the name of both houses, to recommend this business unto his Parliament of Scotland, to have the consent and furtherance of that kingdom, that as we be brethren in mutual affection, in an equal tie of duty and allegiance unto the King our sovereign; so we may be brethren also in the same tender care, and loving zeal, for the good and support of his majesty's kindred, and their restitution, with their ancient Inheritance, and the safety of the reformed Churches.  
FINIS.