Mr. White's SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT On Monday, the 17th. of January. CONCERNING THE trial OF THE XII. BISHOPS, An. Dom. 1641.  
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LONDON, Printed for F. Coules & T. Banks.   

Mr. WHITE His Speech IN PARLIAMENT JANVAR. 17.  
Master SPEAKER,  
BY woeful experience we have been sensible of the great evils committed by ill affected persons to the peace and security of the kingdom, producing thereby these dangerous and troublesome times; even such are the troubles that this whole Nation and the other his majesty's kingdoms is fallen into, and lies groaning under, that we have not felt the like in this Land never since the civil divisions between the two Houses of York and Lancaster, or Barons wars were on foot in the same; nay, let these troubles of our times be compared with them, they are of far more dangerous consequence; there was in those days only the sword to decide the controversies, no other place chosen for that purpose but the field, in a warlike and courageous manner. In these our divisions we have adversaries of no courage or magnanimity that riseth against us, only subtle and treacherous spirits lying in their cabinets, and keeping themselves close in their stately buildings, their devising on devilish and hellish stratagems to be put secretly in execution for our destruction; as powder-plots, firing privately of towns, nay, Cities, if their endeavours might have success according to their desires, which strikes us with amazement and continual fear of our safety in our own habitations and places of livelihood; we cannot discern, so corrupt are the hearts of most men, who scarce to converse, inhabit or eat withal, so malicious is Satan, (working in his instruments) in whom he dwells, and over whom he altogether reigns and rules, to bring to pass his own ends, that he works by no ways, but by practising of unheard or unconceived of plots amongst Christians, as by Sorcery, Witchcraft, poisoning, and the like, these inventions can we not be aware of: A man seeing his enemy, and knowing him to be so, may use means either to resist or fly from him, thereby to save himself, but being in place unsuspected to meet an enemy, pretending himself a friend, or at least not knowing or conceiving him to be his enemy, how can he be secure, how can he defend himself, or preserve himself from his malice or destruction? These times are now filled with such malignant spirits devoted altogether to the service of the devil, labouring by all means to bring to confusion and desolation all the opposers, or not complyants' to their wicked designs.  
Mrs. SPEAKER, having presented to your considerations the manifold dangers and troubles we sustain by these practices of malignant persons, I presume humbly to present to your view the Authors of the same, their practices to compass their desires, and the means to avert and remedy the same, which I desire you to consider of, and apply the same as to your judgements and wisdoms shall seem requisite. The greatest and chiefest Authors of our miseries is the Bishops and their adherents, favourers of the Romish and Arminian faction, that have with a high hand and stretched out arm in their several places of Power and Jurisdiction, both spiritual and temporal exercised cruelty and tyranny over the Children and Saints of God, binding the Consciences of free Subjects only to their opinions and commands in the exercise of their Religion, with extremity and greatest severity, inflicting punishment upon those of tender Consciences that shall refuse the same, enjoining all of the clergy under their authority, to teach only such things as may serve only to the defence and maintetenance of their demised doctrines and tenants of their superiors, preaching the same out of fear, not conscience; these corrupt Bishops Lords over their brethren and fellow servants in the administration of the mysteries of salvation, have been the prime Authors of all the troubles we are now encumbered withal, I speak not, Master SPEAKER, altogether against their persons, but even their offices and places of authority as now they are used, contrary to the true iatent of the Apostles in the first admitting of the ordination of Bishops, in these particulars, as I under favour conceive.  
First their denomination and stile, Lord Bishops, we find not anywhere allowed, nay, not named in Scripture.  
Secondly, they join not with their authority teaching and constant preaching of the word of GOD warranted by the same, but separated contrary thereto.  
Thirdly, joining with their spiritual power, temporal Jurisdiction, usurping to themselves, the only Office of the Magistrate.  
Fourthly, procuring to themselves places of Judicature, chief judges in great Courts, as their High Commission, late Star-Chamber, and the like, which are all contrary to the rules and ordinances of Divine-writ. We cannot otherwise conceive or expect, as long as their Offices thus corrupted remains without limitation or correction, that ever there will be true Religion settled in this Land, or any peace or unity of hearts and affections in this kingdom, being too apparent to all the world, that from age to age, since the Prelates have had such power and command in the Common wealth, they have been either the roots and founders, or Actors and Competitors with others, of all the divisions and dissensions that have ever been in this kingdom, either between the Prince and his people, or between the Prince and his Parliaments, and still such persons of perverse Spirits, possess such Offices.  
Secondly, I come to show you these their practices, how they have, and still endeavour to bring to pass their wicked designs, they are known already I verily believe, both to you and almost all men, that is, by Innova●ing Religion, joining with the Church of Rome, approving as well of the Doctrine as Ceremonies thereof, endeavouring to bring all others into the same opinion with them, especially the Lords and Grandees of this kingdom: to perfect this, they raise divisions between the King and his Subjects, between King and Parliament, between Lords and Commons, and between the Commons themselves; to raise mutinies, Insurrections, Rebellions amongst his majesty's good Subjects, open Wars between his majesty's kingdoms one against another, and all under pretence of the Religion, to defend the Office, power and Jurisdiction of Bishops above all others, yea that their spiritual power, is above the Kings in ecclesiastical causes, and the like, all which we have had woeful experience of.  
Thirdly, (and lastly) the means whereby we may remedy these evils is. First to regulate and rectify their unlawful and usurped power and jurisdiction, and settle such a form of government in Religion, as shall seem to the wisdom of this House, to come nearest the word of God: And Secondly, with all speed as we possibly can, upon trial, bring to deserved punishment, these Prelates and Bishops, that have been the only Authors of all our miseries.  
FINIS.