MASTER BAGSHAW HIS WORTHY SPEECH In Parliament, Febr. 18. 1641.  
Concerning the passing of a Bill, for the disarming of the Papists within this Kingdom.  
LONDON, Printed by T. F. for J. Thomas, 1641.   

A Speech made in Parliament by Mr. Bagshaw, Concerning the Bill passed for the disarming of Papists the 17. of February, 1641.  
Mr. Speaker,  
THis Bill was Voted and passed by this Honourable house for the disarming of Papists, and confining them to several places of safe custody distant from their several places of habitation, I conceive will prove to be the determination of all Plots and Conspiracies privately or publicly in agitation by those of that Faction cofavourers thereof, that notwithstanding their malice and malignant endeavours be not by the same extinguished and diverted, yet thereby the opportunity of putting in execution their designs, is quite taken away.  
Mr. Speaker.  
The distractions and Troubles raised in this State by that party, hath necessitated this Bill for their disarming and confinement; There is no force so weak but upon advantage and sit opportunity it may do mischief to its adversaries, no man so cowardly, but fit his disposition according to his mind, whereof he may conceive himself out of danger in acting any design, but he will be as ready as the most valiantest to put the same in Execution; There is no man what ever he be if of an Evil and disaffected Spirit either to his King or Country, although to the outward view never so cautious of offence, never so conformable to the Laws and Statutes of the Kingdom, but if an opportunity at any time be obtained, will show what in him lies by his outward Actions the secret intentions of his heart formerly harboured privately in his breast,  
Mr. Speaker,  
All men know, or at least may know if they will, that are of any judgement, or have but reasonable understanding, the good Laws and Ordinances of this Kingdom that have been made and enacted against Papists Recusants, And that during the time of their due Execution in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth; and King. James of blessed Memory. The evil Spirits of that Faction that were always plotting and devising mischief against the State and the very persons of the godly and wise Princes thereof, but by the same they have been prevented & all these practices brought to nought, And that since the remissness of Evil Officers to whom the Execution of these Laws was entrusted in Executing the same to what a head and impudent boldness that faction is increased; Is it not then time to beware of them, and by confirmation of the Ancient Laws of this Kingdom, by this present and more than needful Parliament, and such Order taken that they may be duly Executed, that such Officers and Ministers of State may be chosen for that purpose as may faithfully discharge their Duties therein, in conscience towards God, whose cause they have undertaken, to defend in dutiful obedience to their undoubted and lawful Sovereign, and integrity and duty to their Country, of which they are Members.  
Mr. Speaker,  
We see to what height that party is grown in Ireland for want of timely prevention, by putting the Laws in execution against them in that Kingdom, while they were but weak in strength and power, we see the daily cruelties by them exercised against the Protestants that they overcome. Their impudent and altogether unreasonable Demands to the State and Council there, And can it otherwise be conceived, that if they be not here in this Kingdom timely prevented that they will not grow to the like height, do the like actions, and work the like destruction to this State as of that, And surely their Spirits are all alike, and when opportunity fits the same, there is no trusting that Faction nor any adherents thereunto.  
Mr. Speaker.  
Is it likely, so long as the Grand Authors of all mischief, the Priests and jesuits, resident in any parts of this Kingdom be not searched out, and executed according to the Laws, or banished for ever, that this State can be safe or secure from their wicked Stratagems and devilish practices, not surely; Therefore let not time be protracted in expediting this Bill, by consent of both Houses, and presented to his Majesty, for his Royal assent thereunto, and that the Laws we now make and confirm may be speedily with severity put in Execution; Their practices with foreign States is not likely to be wanting whole Eyes have ever been watching to destroy this our little Jsrael, The Pope we may have just cause to suspect will now bend all his wits and policy to defend his own cause which his servants have undertaken, and woeful experience hath made it too manifest, what bloody and cruel Wars hath by their means beeone raised in former times, not only in the King of England's Dominions, but even over the whole Christian World, and I believe? Nay it is too apparent, his malice still remains against Christ and his true Religion, which God in his good time restore in all his Majesty's Kingdoms to its ancient height and glory.  
FINIS.