A SPEECH Delivered in PARLIAMENT, BY Sir Benjamin Rudyard. Being none of those already in print.  
Printed, 1641. July 2.   

A SPEECH delivered IN PARLIAMENT, BY Sir Benjamin RUDYARD.  
M. Speaker,  
THere is a great door opened unto us of doing good, if we take advantage thereof: We are here met by the blessing of God and our King, Parliaments of late daie● become unfortunate, it is our duty, by our good temper and carriage to show their ancient lustre. There be some present who can remember the breaking up of the last Parliament, a business certainly from which the Papists are not exempted, who now by the discontinuance of Parliaments, are come to that arrogancy and boldness, that they contend with us who are the better Subjects: their emulation I like, but their presumptuousness is not to be born: I wish them no harm, but good; for I desire conversion, and the way to do it, is to set up better lights, who have warmth in them, and are not luke warm in Religion.  
Surely they that quarrel betwixt preaching and praying, and would have them contend, those never meant well to either, but both must have their due.  
And yet I know not how it comes to pass, but it happeneth to us, which is in no other Religion in the world, that a man may be two Religious; and many one, by that scandal, is frighted into a deep dissimulation.  
Heretofore the distemper of this House hath been imputed to the Papists, but the happy success of this Parliament seems to be in the general power of all, and therefore it is wisdom in us to preserve temper and moderation.  
Breaking of Parliaments, makes dangerous wounds in the Body politic; and if these splinters be not pulled out with a gentle hand, we may hereafter despair of cure.  
In anno 14. E. 3. Subsidies were given to the King for expedition into France, but the ill managing of his Treasure here, he was so low, that he was glad to make Truce with the French King.  
In anno 15 E. 3. he returned, and summoned a Parliament, wherein there were nothing but jealousies and distempers.  
In anno 17 E. 3. he called another Parliament, to procure an atonement with his subjects, which took good success, by their humble carriage to him, and his willingness to ratify their liberties, whereby all breaches were then made up.  
A Parliament is the bed of reconciliation betwixt the King and People, and therefore it is fit for us to lay aside all exasperations, and carry ourselves with humility.  
Howbeit the King's Prerogative may go far, yet if it be swayed with Equanimity, it may be the better born. Princes are, and will be, as jealous of their power, as people can be of their liberties, though both are then best, when they are kept within their own several bounds.  
Levying of moneys are a great disturbance to the Subjects, and so will be the scarcity of the King's Revenues, until they be supplied: And where the power of a King, and necessity, meets in one hand, he will not long be disappointed. But before the ending of this Parliament, the untimely breaking whereof would be the breaking of us. I doubt not but his majesty's revenues may be so settled, that he may live plentifully at home and abroad, and without taking any thing from his Majesty, save that which of itself would fall away, and which we desire to restore.  
Before the Parliament, we thought he would redress our grievances, and should it be otherwise now? shall we think better of an imaginary than of a real Parliament.  
In former Parliaments, the carriage of some hath been so haughty, as though a Parliament should last always; And the carriage of othe●, as if there would never be any again; And therefore a moderation (if we love ourselves) is requisite: The delays where of are so well known, how dangerous they are, both to the Common wealth and Religion, seeing (during this vacation of Parliaments) so many disorders have been committed, both by innovations of Religion, violation of Laws, and entrenching upon our Liberties. But set all these things arigh●, it is now our task. And if in in those tempting provocations we bear temperate moderation, we shall not miss of our ends, but shall vindicate God in his Religion, the King in his Honour, in its gasping extremity, if these things be respected by us, beware of having the race of Parliaments rooted out.  
Men and Brethren; what shall we do? If it were for my life, I would desire nothing more than that we proceed with Moderation, that so we may have many happy Parliaments, and that no dismal events may happen to any: For when Parliaments are gone; then we are lost.  
FINIS.