Mr. ROWSE HIS SPEECH Made in the lower House of Parliament the thirtieth of December, 1641. In opposition of the making of Doctor Winniff, Doctor Holsworth, Doctor King, Bishops (lately elected by his Majesty) till a settled Government in Religion be established in this kingdom. LONDON, Printed 1642. Master Rouse his Speech made in the House of Parliament, the 30 of December, 1641. Master Speaker, YOu may remember the report made about seven weeks' since by Master Woodward, of an order from his Majesty sent out of Scotland, for drawing up of certain Congideleers, for the electing of five new Bishops, whereof two are made and consecrated; And that then I moved, for petitioning his Majesty to stay the making of them, but other business of greater consequence for the present hindered my enlarging such Reasons as I conceived of weight to stop the proceedings concerning them. And now, Master Speaker, under favour of this honourable House, I intend to give you some further ground of my opinion then, that it was not neither is it yet convenient, as I under favour conceive, they should be made Bishops. Master Speaker, You know the proceedings against those Bishops which have been great Delinquents in this State, and that we have prosecuted to our Impeachment of them of high Treason, which was a main ground of my opnion for the then averting that intended business in making these new Bishops, till that business was brought to a period. And Master Speaker, I persuade myself that there are as great Delinquents to their power amongst the inferior Clergy, as the Bishops, I speak not with an intent you should conceive that I reflect any ways upon the persons of any of these that are elected or made, but that until the other impeached be proceeded against, either to their condemnation or otherwise, as by the Parliament they shall be found guilty, these new elected may be awhile procrastinated and delayed. Master Speaker, We have (as occasion hath served us) had many debates and arguments about the quite taking away of Bishops, and many divisions in the House have been concerning the same, and although voted for their continuance, yet the manner of their Government not determined of, then as (I conceive) it can neither be requisite nor convenient to make new Bishops till a certain form of their Government be fully concluded and settled by the whole State of this kingdom. 2. Secondly, Mr. Speaker, if we should give way to the making of these Bishops, great prejudice may follow before we can settle them in such a government as may agree most for the security and safety both of this kingdom, and the fundamental points and Principles of the Doctrine of the Church of England. For Mr. Speaker, notwithstanding our proceedings against Delinquents (both in Church and State) how many Petitions and Complaints have we daily received against pernicious, and dangerous tenants in Doctrine, besides scandalous and slanderous aspersions delivered, by divers of the clergy in their Sermons, and otherwise, since the sitting of this present Parliament, which out of doubt are favoured, nay animated and encouraged by the Bishops, which doth much trouble many people, and is a great cause of their continuance in evil, and obstinate maliciousness of a great many of good quality and estimation, and then for new Bishops to be made (although perchance men of great Learning and Judgement) before the Parliament hath fully agreed on the manner of their Government, and proceedings to prosecute and punish such Delinquents as have been perverse instruments in the Church, to withdraw the affections of many, (otherwise perhaps reasonable well affected) from the right settling of true Religion, with such Discipline congruent thereunto, that should be the best means to procure the everlasting peace of King and People, those inconveniencies and dangerous consequents that may happen, may be yet worse than the former we have had too much experience of. 3. Thirdly I conceive, the making of these Bishops, when they shall be admitted to sit in the Lord's house, their Votes there, although voted down in this House, yet not agreed unto by the Lords, may be a great hindrance in our proceedings, to settle such a form of Government in Religion, as shall by the Parliament be thought requisite, they all of them contriving to continue their old form and power of Government, and their Votes you know, Master Speaker, have prevailed much in that House, many of the Lords, (not so many I could wish) being much inclined towards them, & too willing to comply with them in their designs, but I hope by God's blessing, and our endeavours, we shall in time by degrees remove such Impediments both in Church and State as hinder our happy proceedings in redressing such things that are amiss in the same. 4. Fourthly, a fourth ground of my Opinion, that I conceive to be of weight for the staying the making of these Bishops, Mr. Speaker, is the Non-concurrence amongst ourselves concerning their Consecration, which I desire may not be Conclusive, till the other things before mentioned for the settlement of Religion, and punishment of Delinquents be agreed unto; that then such as shall be by this wise council of State thought fit to bear any office in the Church in places of Government, may be (by the same) tried and proved, in their Learning, Judgement, and the holiness of their lives and conversations, that so having not only able, but godly men, set in places of Authority, we may expect the well Government of the inferior clergy. I desire, Mr. Speaker, not to be misconceived in this my speech concerning the stay of making these Bishops yet unconsecrated, I speak not against their uncapableness or unworthiness of such places of Government, but that they are as able and fit for the same as any other; But the intent of my speech and humble motion is, that only for the reasons before specified, they may not yet be made and Consecrated, till such time as all things for the well Government of the Church be fully concluded and settledâ–Ş Which God grant, that having reformed all disorders both in Church and State, we may every one sit securely under his own vine and figtree, and reap and enjoy the fruit of his own labour. FINIS.