A SPEECH Made By Master WALLER Esquire, IN THE honourable HOUSE OF COMMONS, Concerning episcopacy, Whether it should be committed or rejected. 〈…〉   

A Speech made by Mr Waller Esquire, in the Honourable of House of Commons, concerning Episcopacy, whether it should be committed or rejected.  
Mr Speaker,  
THere is no doubt but the sense of what this Nation hath suffered from the present Bishops, hath produced these complaints, and the apprehension Men have of suffering the like in time to come, make so many desire the taking away of Episcopacy. But I conceive it is possible that we may now not take a right measure of the minds of the people by these petitions, for when they subscribed them, the Bishops were armed with a dangerous Commission, of making new Canons, imposing new oaths, and the like, but now we have disarmed them of that power: these Petitioners lately; did look upon Episcopacy, as a Beast armed with horns and claws, but now that we have cut and pared them, (and may if we see cause, yet reduce it into narrower bounds) it may perhaps be more agreeable; Howsoever if they be still in passion, it becomes us soberly to consider the right use and antiquity thereof, and not to comply further with a general desire, then may stand with a general good, We have already showed, that Episcopacy, and the evils thereof, are mingled like water and oil; We have also in part severed them.  
But I believe you will find that our laws and the present Government of the Church are mingled like Wine and Water, so inseparable, that the Abrogation of at least a hundred of our laws is desired in this Petition. I have often heard a Noble answer of the Lords commended in this House, to a proposition of like nature, but of less consequence, they gave no other reason of their refusal but this, Nolumus mutare leges Angliae: It was the Bishops, was so answered then, and it would become the dignity and wisdom of this House, to answer the people now with a Nolumus mutare. I see some are moved with a number of hands against the Bishops, which I confess, rather inclines Me to their defence, for I look upon Episcopacy, as a Counter-scarf, or outwork, which if it be taken by this assault of the people, and withal this mystery once revealed, that we must deny them nothing when they ask it thus in troops, we may in the next place, have as hard a task to defend our propriety, as we have lately had to recover it from the prerogative. If by multiplying hands, and petitions, they prevail for an equality in things ecclesiastical, this next demand perhaps may be Leaegraria, the like equality in things temporal.  
The Roman Story tells us, that when the people began to flock about the Senate, and were more curious to direct and know what was done, then to obey, that commonwealth soon came to ruin. Their Legem rogare grew quickly to be a Legem ferre, and after, when their Legions had found that they could make a Dictator, they never suffered the Senate to have a voice any more in such Election. If this great Innovation proceed, I shall expect a flat and level in learing too, as well as in Church preferments. Horos alit arts, for though it be true, that grave and pious Men do study for learning sake, and embrace virtue for itself, yet it is as true, that youth (which is the season when learning is gotten) is not without ambition, nor will ever take pains to excel in any thing, when there is not some hope of excelling others in reward and dignity. There are two reasons chiefly alleged against our Church Government. First Scripture, which (as some Men thinks) points out another form. Secondly, the Abuses of the present Superiors. For Scripture I will not dispute it in this place, but am confident that when ever an equ all division of Lands and Goods shall be desired, there will be as many places in Scripture found out, which seem to favour that, as there are now alleged against the Prelacy or preferment in the Church, And as for abuses where you are now in the Remonstrance told, what this and that poor man hath suffered by the Bishops, you may be presented with a thousand Instances of poor Men, that have received hard measure from their landlords, and of worldly Goods abused, to the injury of others, and disadvantage of the Owners, And therefore Mr Speaker my humble Motion is, that we may settle men's' Minds herein, and by a question declare our Resolution to reform, that is, not to abolish Episcopacy.  
FINIS.