THE marquis HAMILTONS SPEECH Before the Kings most excellent Majesty: CONCERNING His return into England.  
● poken in Parliament in Scotland, Novem. 6. 1641.  
With a brief and exact Commemoration of all the wicked Plots of the Papists, from the first intended malice unto this day against the PROTESTANTS.  
First printed at Edinburgh by James Brison, and now reprinted in London for T.B. 1641.   

marquess HAMILTONS SPEECH.  
Dread sovereign,  
I Stand not up presuming any thing on my audacity, but am respectively suggested by the judicious counsels of most of your loyal and well affected Subjects: It is not unknown unto your Majesty, what devilish machinations of late have been plotted, not only against myself, but likewise against many more pious and Religious members of this honourable House; and God knows, what succeeding danger may now be in agitation. Wherefore I have received letters divers times from that strong pillar of Religion, Mr. ●ym, and many other pious men from England, who have oftentimes seriously requested me to move their quotidian wel-wishes unto your M●j●stie, beseeching you to respect their serviceable prayers: But not to wander in these preliminate Exordiums, or to suspend your divine care any longer in its expectation: I speak it not in my own behalf, but in the general and universal name of the whole kingdom of England. That in respect of these manifold perils, and impendent stratagems in this kingdom, & the late formidible insurrection in Ireland, that mother of dissension, and nurse of rebels, your sacred Majesty would preview your safety, & return into your flourishing paradise England, with all presupposed expedition: Pardon I pray my boldness herein: but I speak not this, as if I or we were weary of the employment of your blessed person: No, God (that knows the secrets of all hearts) knows the intent of my unguilty mind in that regard; for I speak freely, I could both live and die in the happiness of your presence; But I speak it out of my indulgence to your Majesty, who have been always careful in my service for the safety of your royal Person.  
For if the Irish recusants should reduce their treason-growing malice hitherward, our fortifications are not so strong as theirs of England, neither can your Majesty be so secure in this kingdom, as in your own. Alas! England hath grown big in expecttion of your return, and I dare boldly say, your royal Consort the Queen, would esteem that a most happy day wherein your Majesty shall safely return.  
But the chiefest argument that can possibly incite you hereunto, is that, concerning the Prince, whom (as we hear) Philips that father of Papistery, did labour to seduce; but thanks be to God, who did avert his wicked imaginations, and according to the Psalmist, he that digged a pit of Babylonish impiety to entrap that illustruous stem of Honour, is fallen himself therein; and I hope your Majesty will deservedly vindicate his treachery audacity.  
Then a second argument appears from their inconstancy of Religion, which (like a wavering door) hangs upon two hinges; and unless your Majesty do with an exact ratification confirm the settled form of the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England, I fear it will sink as low in heretical opinions, as it swelled before in Popish ceremonies: yet these are but superficial Ambages to the real intent of my heart, which aims only at your security; yet withal, I confess, that if ten thousand enemies should entrench your royal person, they would seem but as a pigmy to Hercules, for the irradiation of your splendent Majesty, would (like the arising sun) dissipate those mists of disloyalty.  
King's are placed on God's own Throne upon earth, therefore whosoever aims at them, aims at the divine nature, and whosoever aims at that, shall receive an irrecoverable precipitation; for God doth give his angel's charge over them, who will pitch their tents of defence about them.  
Yet I ingenuously acknowledge, that your mature return to England with opportune tempestivity, would kindle the flame of their loves, for they wait in expectation of the establishment of a formal reformation.  
One thing especially I beseech your Majesty to take into grave consideration, viz. The manifold plots of the Papists against our Protestant Religion. First, that formidable Armado in eighty eight, which was almost invincible, had not God's all-powerful hand scattered them: Then that hell-begotten plot of Gunpowder-treason, which likewise God of his infinite mercy did prevent: Then lately those stratagems against myself, and many other noble persons in this kingdom, & now last of all, those new sprung up Hidra's in Ireland, who like base caterpillars crawl amongst the fragrant flowers of true Protestants, but I hope God's impartial hand will avert their nefarious intents. I beseech your Majesty to ponder the precedent premises, and you will find, that Conclusio sequitur deteriorem partem.  
First, I entreat your royal mind to ratify the form of Religion in this kingdom, and in respect of these perilous times whether your Majesty can be more secure here, or in England, I leave that to your own judgement: In the mean while, I beseech you accept of my devotion herein, and my prayers both external, internal, and eternal, shall conclude with this inference,  
Vivat in eternum Rex Carolus quem Deus nunc & in secula seculorum defendat, oro.  
FINIS.