THE Earl OF CRAFORD HIS SPEECH Before the PARLIAMENT in Scotland, October the 25. 1641.  
Upon his Examination by the Lords, concerning the late conspiracy Against the marquis Hamilton, Earl of Argile, Lord Lowden, and divers others of the Nobility in SCOTLAND.  
〈…〉   

THE LORD Craford's SPEECH Before the Parliament in Scotland, upon his Examination concerning the late conspiracy, Octob. 25. 1641.  
My Lords,  
IT is the part of him accused so far as conscience shall give leave, and equity permit, to make answer for himself.  
I am arraigned here as a traitor, which title to a noble Spirit▪ i know cannot well be ed, neither is it so to myself, where is that man that striveth to live most uprightly in this world, that hath not many enemies, which i apply to myself, but patience is the commendablest of all the Cardinal virtues, which i freely embrace.  
My Lords, i present myself, nay humble myself to you all, insomuch as humility becomes a Prisoner, but yet no further than i have been criminous, your Clemency i have found by the licence which hath been freely given unto me, now here at this time to scatter some few words, which shall be as brief, as spoken from a loyal Subject.  
Long live King Charles our true and loyal sovereign, Long live Queen Mary our gracious Queen, and his majesty's royal Spouse, Long live Prince Charles, the comfort of Wales, and hope of Scotland, and the like i wish to all the rest of his majesty's royal offspring, and to all which are true and loyal Subjects to our King.  
Hitherto my Lords in Speech I hope I have not been prolixious, nor erroneous, for it shall be my care, as i do my endeavour to defend myself, so that i offend none of this honourable Assembly.  
Now my Lords, i come to my own purgation, that i as a chief Agent in the matter of the marquis Hamilton, and divers others, was committed, your commands I obeyed, and freely yielded up my body, not making of the least disturbance, yet I cannot but admire, why I should be suspected to be a traitor to those from whom i never received the least of wrong or injury, why should the landlord disturb the Tenant, during the time which he hath his Rent duly paid him, why should two kingdoms arise & take up arms one against another, no occasion being given on either side? Why should the Lawyer sue him for Fees, which was never a client unto him? Or why should i plot their deaths, which were never envious to my life, but as i said before, the best man breathing, lives not without his Adversaries, neither do I, not knowing whom they be, or for what cause they should thus persecute me, But the devil hath his wicked instruments, who are th' encendiaries and disturbers of kingdoms and commonwealths, like so many Judases, that studies nothing but how to betray their Masters, these are those wicked Haman's that to advance their own power and greatness, will seek to destroy and root the poor Mordecaies out of the Land.  
It is reported that Caesar being Shipwrackt, was forced to leap out of the Ship into the Sea, where he did swim for his life, and yet managed his Sword in one hand, and kept his book, wherein he writ all his Victories in the other hand, even so my Lords, although my soul be as it were Shipwrackt within my body through too much grief of heart, and vexation of mind, yet before either my honour shall be stained, or my conscience overburdened, i will courageously yield myself to Charon's boat, really to enjoy a happy Elysium.  
It is a common saying, and as true, that ill-will never speaks well, I have been one, which in many affairs, have been very obstinate, not being willing to subscribe to that, which others have agreed unto, (for why) because it could not be Profitable to the common wealth; And for this do i deserve hatred, have i not been vigilant and careful to defend our friends, and offend our foes, and for this do i deserve hatred; Then i, who was more willing to have a peace concluded between this kingdom and England, and for this do i deserve hatred; my Lords i petition that my accusers may be produced, and he which is not found to be more guilty of treachery than myself, let him cast the first stone at me, i am fully persuaded that if they thought themselves as sure to be examined as myself, there would scarce be one of them dare show their heads, Magna vis est conscientia, let them have a care least by their intents to destroy my body, they do not ruin there own souls, as yet my Lords I hope, my words being rightly judg●d off, can give no distaste, for whatsoever i speak is (〈…〉 e defendendo) and for that I was brought at this present time before your Lordships.  
As concerning my Lord Lowden, that I should seek to destroy him, methinks cannot be conceived by any one to be truth, insomuch as he is one, which my very soul hath always affected, for rather than a hair of him should be diminished by my means i would first prove my own destroyer,  
I see my adversaries are at hand, being ready as it were to justify their black accusations, which unjustly they have imposed upon me, but I am prepared for patience, deferring all to your lordship's considerations, I doubt not, but that in this most honourable Senate, Justice shall brightly shine, and I at last shall be found immaculate, in despite of all those which seek my destruction, at first I promised brevity and do so intend, being ready as far as God shall enable me to Answer unto all those particulars which shall be objected against me.  
FINIS.