TWO SPEECHES IN PARLIAMENT: The one Concerning Religion, and fit men to be chosen for the ASSEMBLY. The other Concerning a West Jndie Association at a Committee of the whole House in the Parliament, 21. jacobi.  
By Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Knight, Surveyour of His Majesty's Court of Wards and Liveries.  
LONDON: Printed by B. A. for Henry Seile at the Tiger's Head in Fleetstreet, 1642.   

Mr. SPEAKER:  
GOD hath wonderfully blessed Us this Parliament in Discoveries, and Deliverances, in Prevailing and Successes: what manner of Men therefore ought we to be, in Acknowledgement and Thankfulness? And let us return a Real concreate Thankfulness, expressed in Action.  
We have often said and professed, that Religion, as it is the chief, so it ought to be our first business; yet many other have gotten Precedence of it, we have hitherto made but a small Progression.  
Wherefore M. Speaker, let us not now slack to proceed in it, with Sobriety, Wisdom, Charity, until we have settled it in a solid grounded, peaceable way, suitable to the quality, and importance of the Cause; when That is done, every thing else will be done the better, for it.  

Concerning sit men to be chosen for the Assembly.  
Mr. Speaker, I am glad we are coming towards Religion, to bind up the lose scattered Pieces of it in an Orderly regular Government.  
The Masterpiece of this great work will be the Election of fit Agents; wise, learned, unbyass'd Men, such as have showed themselves desirous of Reformation, in the Government, in the liturgy, willing to remove whatsoever may offend or scruple weak and tender Consciences. Men not hidebound in their opinions, Lovers of Peace, more than of themselves. Peace is Tranquillitatis Ordo, and Order is the soul of outward things, it keeps them quiet and clear from jusling and interfeering one with another.  
A man may be a very good and able Pastor of a Parish, a very learned and painful Lecturer to a great Congregation, and yet not so fit for this active, extensive Employment. For, a man may be Learned with another man's Learning, but he must be wise with his own Wisdom. Therefore, they should not be narrow, shady, speculative men, but rather, men of large, sober practical understanding, prudent men. Prudence is, Rerum Agibilium Ratio, the Reason and Rule of things which are to be Acted.  
Wherefore, M. Speaker, It behoves us to be exactly careful, that we choose such men as may give countenance and authority to the work, else we shall weaken and hazard the whole Frame. For mine own part, I will take no Exceptions against any, but leave them wholly upon the Consciences and Judgements of their Choosers.  
My humble Motion is, that after this long-desired, and long-delayed Reformation, we may now all of us join as one Man, for the Peace of Jerusalem, and the Israel of God; So shall we prosper, because we love it.    

The second Speech, concerning a West-Indy Association, at a Committee of the whole House of Parliament.  
Sir Dudley Digs,  
I Do profess, that as my Affection, my Reason, and my Judgement, go strongly with the scope and drift of this Proposition; so shall a good part of my poor fortune, when it comes to Execution.  
For to my understanding, there was never propounded in Parliament, a design more proper for this Kingdom, nor of more pregnant advantage to it, whether we consider the Nature of our situation, or the quality of our Enemy's Forces.  
As we are an Jland, it concerns our very being to have store of ships to defend us, and also our well-being by their Trade to enrich us.  
This Association for the West Indies, when it shall be regulated and established by Act of Parliament, and thereby secured from the violence and injury of any intruding hand, it will certainly give many men encouragement and confidence, voluntarily to bring in large and liberal contributions, towards so noble, so profitable an Enterprise. So that in short time, we shall see many new ships built, many brave men employed, and enabled for the service of their Country, none of this money shall be carried out of the Kingdom, but laid out for shipping, which is the defence of it, and bestowed upon our own men, who must be fed and maintained, though they stay at home. For this, we shall reap the fruit of whatsoever benefit Plantation, Traffic, or Purchase can procure us, besides honour and security.  
Now, let us a little consider the Enemy we are to encounter, the King of Spain. They are not his great Territories which make him so powerful, and so troublesome to all Christendom. For it is very well known, that Spain itself is but week in men, and barren of Natural Commodities. As for his other Territories, they lie divided and asunder, which is a weakness in its self; besides they are held by force, and maintained at an extraordinary charge insomuch, as although he be a great King, yet is he like the great Giant, who was said to have too hands, but he had 50 bellies to feed, so that ratably, he had no more hands than another man.  
No Sir, they are his Mines in the West Indieses, which minister fuel to feed his vast ambitious desire of universal Monarchy: It is the money he hath from thence, which makes him able to levy, and pay Soldiers in all places; and to keep an Army continually on foot, ready to invade and endanger his Neighbours.  
So that we have no other way, but to endeavour to cut him up at root, and seek to impeach, or to supplant him in the West Indieses. By part of which course, that famous Queen of most glorious memory, had heretofore almost brought him on his knees. And this our undertaking (if it please God to bless it) must needs effect it sooner and quicker: the whole body of the Kingdom being united and concurring in a perpetual supply to this action, so that he will have no free time given him to rest.  
Moreover, this will be a means not only to save but to fill His Majesty's Coffers, enabling the people to give him liberally, and often; the King's ships will have little to do, but to guard the Coasts, for the Sea-war will chief be made at the charge of the subject.  
Thus, (Sir Dudley Digs) I doubt not but that in short time, both King and people shall be safe at home, and feared abroad.  
To conclude, I shall be very glad to hear any man make Objections against this Design, so that he do it with an intention to refine and perfect the work; but if any shall speak against it with a mind to hinder and destroy it, I must entreat him to pardon me, if I do scarce think him to be a good Englishman.  
FJNJS.