MASTER Strewed HIS SPEECH in Parliament, On Tuesday the third of January, in reply to the Articles of High Treason against himself, the Lord Kimbolton, Master Pym, Sir Arthur Haselrigg, Master Hambden, and Master Hollis, Exhibited by his majesty, wherein he cleareth himself concerning the same. 1642.  
LONDON, Printd for PC and, TB 1642.   

Master Strewed his Speech in Parliament on Tuesday the third of January 1642.  
Master Speaker.  
IT is the saying of the Wise man even of a King, Solomon the wisest of all Kings that ever reigned in this earth, that in the countenance of the King is life and death, like to the son which by the sending forth of his glorious beams upon the fruits of the earth nourisheth, and causeth the same to fructify and grow, gives vigour and strength to all the creatures that lives in and upon the same, and by withdrawing his light being over shadowed with clouds keeps back the growing and flourishing of the creature, yea and by continuance in that his hidden motion procureth at last the utter withering and perishing thereof.  
His gracious Majesty, who is our son and comforter at such time as his glorious beams of grace and favour reflect upon his good Subjects, they increase & grow entire & tender affection towards his Majesty, that no distempers or troubles whatsoever can separate between him and them. But this our son being over-shadowed with clouds, and mists of discontent and disfavour towards his People, causeth them to wander in obscurity and darkness, even ready to faint and despair of any design they take in hand, for the safety and security of his Majesty and his kingdoms, yea and strikes them as it were with death and utter destruction.  
Master Speaker.  
I persuade myself our gracious sovereign in his own natural disposition, is altogether bright and comfortable, and that never causeth or retracts to himself any discontent towards his loving Subjects, but by suggestion information, and instigation, of malignant and disaffected spirits, both to the tranquillity and peace of his Majesty and the whole state of this kingdom.  
It is Master Speaker the only policy of desperate and evil minded persons, that have been the only troublers of our Israel finding themselves in danger (by calling of them to an account for their misdeeds and misdemeanours) to be brought to punishment for the same, to cast aspersions upon those faithful counsellors of the King and State, which strive to prevent their malicious and wicked designs, to overthrow and destroy the same.  
It cannot Sir enter into my thoughts that ever his Maiest●e of himself could have gone about to interrupt and hinder, the happy proceedings of th●s his great and wise counsels whose endeaveours are altogether to maintain the honour and, dignity, the peace and safety of his royal majesty and his kingdoms, by removing such impediments and hindrances as have hitherto letted the same and the establishing of true religion in this Church Congruent to the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles set down and manifested in sacred writ, by accuseing and impeaching the members thereof of high treason as if they whose hearts are united to their lawful sovereign, and by nature bound to the defence and security of their country by Covenant with God tied to the maintenance of his true religion should be the betrayers and destroyers of all together.  
These Articles Master Speaker exhibited against myself and the other gentlemen are I conceive not really intended against us as if we were actually guilty of the same but only to procure our absence from this honourable house that we may not have our free votes in the trial of the 12. Bishops accused by whom I verily believe were these articles drawn and only by their advice and such as favour their cause were exhibited and I persuade myself, may we be apprehended and taken from this house upon the same our trial, will be by force immediately, to cut us of although his majesty no otherwise conceives and is really minded we should legally be proceeded against, of such powerfullnes, are those persons that were the Authors of them.  
Master Speaker the Articles if actually guilty of are many of them, I confess ●igh treason as to endeavour to subvert the fundamental laws to introduce an Arbitrary form of government to the state actually to levi war against the King to procure foreign aid to invade this Land and the like is Treason I need not speak much to clear myself of these crimes I hope this honourable house will make such a favourable construction of all my actions since I have had the honour to sit in the same, that it will be manifest to all the world that they have been far with out the compass of treason either against my King or Country.  
And Master Speaker if it shall be conceived by this honourable assembly, as learnedly it hath already been delivered by that w●●thy Gentleman that last spoke, that as members of a Parliament, to agree with the same in all their votes, for the punishment of delinquents, settling of religion, securing of their own persons by a guard desiring assistance of our brethren in Scotland, to suppress the rebellion in Ireland be Treason, than I think we are all guilty of these Articles, otherwise are we cle●re and innocent of the same.  
Master Speaker, I humbly desire of this honourable House, that I may have a speedy trial upon the same, that as I shall be found guilty by the judgement of this high Court, I may know my sentence, which I shall willingly submit unto; be it to my condemnation, or preservation, wishing and praying with all my heart, that none of these evil and malicious designs in agitation against the Parliament, by any malignant persons whatsoever may take effect to hinder the blessed proceedings thereof, but that you may go one with courage and cheerfulness, to settle all things aright, both in Church and State, for the government thereof in perpetual peace & tranquillity.  
FINIS.