THE SUBSTANCE OF Mr. PYMMS SPEECH.  
TO THE LORDS IN PARLIAMENT.  
Novemb. 9 1641.  
LONDON, Imprinted for Richard Lownes.  
MDCXLI.   

Mr. PYMM'S SPEECH TO THE LORDS in PARLIAMENT.  
That which I am to speak is concerning the ill Counsels; to this, I shall lay down these Steps.  
THat the danger that comes to a State by ill Counsels; That they are the most pernicious Dangers that can come to a State. It is usual to compare Politic Bodies with the Natural; the Natural Body is endangered divers ways; either by outward violence, and that may be foreseen and prevented; or by less appearing Maladies which grows upon the Body by the distemper of the Air, immoderate Exercise, Diet, etc. And when the causes of the Disease are clear, the Remedy is easily applied: But Diseases which proceed from the Inward Parts; as the Liver, the Heart, or the Brain, it is a hard thing to apply Cure to such diseases: Ill Counsels they are of that nature, etc. For the Mischiefs that come by evil Counsels corrupts the Vital PARTS, and overthrows the Administration of Public Government, etc.  
The second Step, That there have been lately and still are ill Counsels here in this Kingdom and about the King. That there hath been lately, you will not doubt, when the main Course of Government hath been so employed, as Popery thereby hath been so maintained, the Laws subverted, and no distinction between Justice and injustice, and that there is still reason to doubt is apparent by courses taken to advance mischievous Designs: but that His Majesty's wisdom and Goodness kept them from the Heart, though they were not kept out of the Court; so the principal and most mischievous Designs have been practised by such as have near Access unto His Majesty.  
The Third step, that the ill Counsels of this time are in their own natures more mischievous▪ and more dangerous than the ill Counsels of former times, former Counsels have been to please the King, and Prince, to raise up Prerogative; if it had gone no further, it had brought many miseries, but not to ruin and destruction: But the ill Counsels of this time were to alter Religion and Law, therefore more mischievous in their own nature then the ill Counsels of former times.  
Fourth step, That these ill Counsels have proceeded from a spirit and inclination to Popery, and have had a dependency on Popery. The Religion of the Papists is a Religion incomputable to any other Religion, destructive to all others, and doth not endure any thing that doth oppose it; whosoever doth withstand their Religion, if they have power, they bring them to ruin. There are other Religions but not so destructive as Popery is, for the principles of Popery are destructive to all States, and persons that oppose it: with the progress of this mischievous Council, they provide Councillors that may execute their own designs, and to turn all Counsels to their own ends. And you find that now in Ireland, That those designs that have been upon all ●he three Kingdoms do end in a War, for 〈…〉 of Popery in Ireland.  
Fifth step, That unless these ill Counsels be changed, as long as they continue, it is impossible that any Assistance, Aid, or Advice that the Parliament can take to Reform, willbe effectual for the Public. Those that are the instruments of State they put things into action, in good order, but if acted by evil men, while these Counsels are on foot we can expect no good.  
The Sixth step, That this is the most proper time to desire of his Majesty, the alteration and change of evil Councillors, because the Commonwealth is brought into distempers by them, and so exhausted, that we can endure no longer.  
Next reason why we cannot admit of them, is, to show our love and fidelity to the King in great contributions and adventures: when God doth employ his Servants, he doth give some Promise to rouse up their Spirits. This is the time wherein the Subjects are to save the Kingdom with the hazard of their Lives, and Fortunes; and therefore expect from His Majesty in a more large, and bountiful manner, then at other times. As we have weakness at home, so we ought to discern the Actions abroad, where great provision is made, and a carelessness and improvidence herein; when our neighbours are so provided, and have such great Fleets at Sea, will open a way to sudden ruin and destruction, before we can be prepared; and therefore now the fittest time to move the King.  
The last Step that this Alteration of Counsels, will bring great advantage to the King in his own designs. In all our Actions our Prayers unto God should be, that his Name should be glorified; so our Petitions to His Majesty, should bring on our profit and advantage to him. 1. A discouragement to the Rebels, a great part of their confidence is in the evil Counsels at home, as by the Examinations appeareth. 2. Advantage is great encouragement to the King's good Subjects at home (who hazard their lives, and give Aid and Contribution) to have things governed for the public good. It will make men afraid to prefer Servants to the King, that are ill Counsels, when they shall come to the examination of a Triennial Parliament; for many times Servants are preferred to Princes for advantage of Foreign estates.  
Next, this will put an Answer into the King's mouth against all importunities, that he is to prefer none but such as will be approved on by Parliament; those that are Honourable, and most Ingenious are aptest to be troubled in this kind, and not to deny: therefore the King may Answer he hath promised his Parliament not to admit of any but by advice in Parliament, this will answer them all.  
Next, advantage, it makes us fit to enter into Union with Foreign Nations, and Foreign States; and to be made partaker of the strength and assistance of others: It will fortify us against the designs of Foreign Princes. There hath been cunning Council at Rome, and in Spain to reduce us to Popery; if good Counsels at home, we shall be the better prepared to preserve Peace and Union, and better respect from abroad.  
Lastly, it will make us fit for any noble design abroad.  
FINIS.