Densell Hollis Esquire, His worthy and learned SPEECH in Parliament, on Thurfeday the thirtieth of December 1641.  
Upon the Reading of the Petition and Protestation of the twelve Bishops.  
For which they were accused of High Treason, and committed to the Tower.  
Wherein is discovered the danger of this Protestation, that it is both against the King and his royal Prerogatives, the privileges of Parliaments, the Liberties of the Subject, and the subversion of the fundamtall laws of this kingdom.  
London, Printed for John Thomas, and Thomas ●ankes. 1641.   

A SPEECH MADE BY Master HOLLIS in Parliament, upon the reading of the Petition and protestation of the 12. Bishops since Committed to the Tower on Thursday the 30th. of December. 1641.  
Master Speaker,  
THis Petition and Protestation of the Biships presented to his majesty, is the chief subject of our present debate, I desire under the favour of this honourable House, to speak somewhat concerning the same, and in speaking thereof I shall observe the persons that deluded it, the subject and matter contained in the same; the dangerous effects that are likely to follow thereupon if it be not suddenly prevented; And lastly their crime in making and deluding thereof.  
First Master Speaker, concerning the persons Actors of this tragedy, Bishops of a holy function, the dedomination of their stile prescribes them in Scripture to be men of God, Fathers of the Church, stars, (not blazing comets or Meteors (as it is to apparent, many of them have bne;) lights, the salt of the Earth. (That should seasons the hearts lives and conversation of the people of God, with piety and godliness, for these Men.  
Master Speaker, the hinderers of the peace and quiet of the kingdom, is extreme vileness, for Bishops governors (as well as teachers of the people of God) to instruct, admonish, rebuke, reprove, and correct evil doers in the Clergy, for these I say not only to convey, and wink at superstition, Innovations, and ceremonies introduced into the Church, by the inferior and scandalous Ministers, but to Amnimate and encourage them in their evil practices, nay not contented therewith, but themselves to Innovate Religion, corrupt the true and Orthodox doctrine of the Church, to attempt, to entice and draw the minds of peers, Nobles and great officers of State; nay his most sacred Majesty, to favour their endeavours and designs, show them plainly to be the Instruments of the devil, striving to increase and build his kingdom, to the decay of the propagation of the gospel; and the kingdom of Christ, to whom they would seem to be devoted, these corrupt officers and Ministers Master Speaker, both in Church and State, have, produced these corrupt and dangerous times, this it is that makes religion seem vile, and hateful to most men, this it is Master Speaker that stains their function, of itself uncorrupted (sacred) this changes their names of being called men of God, to be men serving only the devil, if Fathers and nurses of the Church, prove the betrayers of the Church, woe to that flock of whom Christ is the shepherd; If stars fall to the earth, we notify thereby great change and alterations in a state to ensue; if the lights of the Church be put out, or put out themselves, or be hid and appear not, how is it likely the Children of God should, see to walk in the right way, If salt be corrupt and putrified and thereby loseth its savour, what profitteth it for the use of man, you know the Phrase well enough. Then Master Speaker to conclude these persons (that have had all these titles) that have (as we have proved by woeful experience, shamed themselves, compliable to all the defects that are thus dishonourable to their denominations) are as I under fav●ur conceive altogether unfit, and unworthy to bear them any longer.  
2 Now Master Speaker I come in the Second place to the subject of their Petition and Protestation, which is of most dangerous Consequence, being altogether treacherous, both against his most sacred majesty his royal Queen and princely Progeny, his rightful throne seated over all his majesty's kingdoms, against the Fun●amentall laws of this kingdom and all other statutes and laws made for the good government thereof by the wisdom of his majesty and his great and wise council of state, against the privileges of Parliament and the free proceedings thereof, And against all his majesty's loyal subjects that are true and good Protestants.  
3 Thirdly the dangerous effects of this their malicious and traitorous actions are easy to be guessed at.  
1 By this means the division between the two houses may be increased, the Lords most of them favouring their cause, thereby keeping them from coming to trial upon our accusations of them for their heinous Crimes committed by them.  
2 If ihey proceed in their intentions, it may prove the main cause of setting an irreconcilable division between the King and his Leig people who desire there grevance may be redressed and all Malefactors delinquents receive condign punishment for their misdeeds both in Church and state, And especially the Bishops accused whom they conceive to have been the principell incendaries between Scotland and us, Great favourers of the dangerous Rebellion in Ireland, chief Actors in Innovating our Religion, & the greatest oppressors of parliamentary proceedings.  
3 By this attempt the Romish faction will be much imbouldened to put in practise their wicked plots privately now in Agitation amongst them.  
4 It may cause great uproars and tumults in the City, and about Westminster, of the Citizens who are altogether set against Bishops.  
5. It will be a great encouragement to foreign Princes that are disaffected, and private enemies to this State, (seeing our divisions between ourselves) to put in practise some dangerous design against the whole kingdom.  
6. Lastly, It will disable us for continual supply of aid into Ireland to app●●se the rebellion there.  
4. I come now (Master Speaker) to the fourth and last thing I intimate to you concerning this Petition, and that is what fault they have committed, in-framing and delivering the same, my opinion is Master Speaker, that they are guilty of high treason; I will give you a few reasons and grounds of this my opinion, and then humbly lean it to the further Consideration of this Honourable house.  
To protect against the proceedings of a free Parliament is adjudged high treason in the tenth year of Edw: the second, by the Parliament holden then at Westminster where the Bishop of York the Duke of Suffolk, and others of that conspiracy, protesting against the proceedings of the parliament for their Appointing and placing the Commicinors about the King for the Government of the kingdom for one year, were adjudged Guilty of high treason and some of them Executed, some banished and the rest fled.  
2. To endeavour to subvert the fundamental laws of the kingdom, was adjudged high treason in the Earl of Straffords case, my example of Strafford take this present Parliament, and to protest or incense the King by petition, or otherwise against the proceedings of Parliament, (which is a constitution of Government, found to be the anninentest of this Nation, and the only means to preserve and defend the fundamental laws of this kingdom; the powerful council of indicacature, to punish all delinquents in the government thereof, and the breakers, and infringers of the laws of this land,) is to subvert the fundamental laws.  
3. To endeavour to bring into this state an Arbitrary way of government was likewise by this Parliament adjudged high treason in the Earl of Straffords case, to protest against Parliamentary proceedings, is to change that form of government and to introduce an Arbitrary and tyrannical form of government, for these reasons I conceive Master Speaker these Bishop that have signed this petition and protestation are guilty of high treason.  
And my humble motion, is we may send up to the Lords to accuse them particularly and with all Convenient speed make ready a Charge or Impeachment of high treason against them.  
FINIS.