SIR Benjamin Rudyerd HIS SPEECH FOR PROPOSITIONS OF PEACE TO BE SENT TO His majesty: Spoken in the High Court of PARLIAMENT.  
LONDON, Printed by L. N. and R. C. for William Sheares, 1642.   

Sir Benjamin Rudyerd his Speech for Propositions of Peace to be sent to His majesty, spoken in the high Court of Parliament.  
M. SPEAKER,  
we do all know, but I beseech you Sir let us consider, That we are in a war, That a war doth always carry a sting of God's anger in it, That a civil war is the height of his fury.  
The Romans, a wise People, no Christians were so sadly sensible of a civil war as they; who did manage it, would never advertise the Senate of any success whatsoever: And although they were exceedingly transported with the glory of a triumph, yet their laws did not permit any man to enter the City in triumph, for the finishing of a civil war. One of the wisest of them said, Omnia sunt misera in bello Civili, sed nihil miserius ipsa Victoria; All things are miserable in a civil war, but nothing more miserable than a Victory itself. A civil war is a two-edged Sword, it cuts and devours on both sides; if it continue amongst us, we may kill up on another till we make ourselves an easy and scornful Prey to some ambitious Neighbour.  
Now we probably foresee, That there is likely to be a great alteration in the affairs of Christendom, by the death of Cardinal Richelieu. The King of France had signed under his hand a Treaty of Peace with the King of Spain: But the Cardinal by his power and interest broke that design; it was his last work. Now, Cardinal Mazarini is admitted into his employments, an Italian, a stranger, and therefore may prosecute other Ends; Besides, the King himself may relapse into a former Opinion: So that if there should be a Peace between France and Spain, the French will have leisure and opportunity to assist here. And it hath been twice the Fate of this kingdom to be conquered by Auxiliaries. It is frequent in Histories, That many other Nations have been subdued by those whom they called in to help them. If we do not rid ourselves of this war by the Spring, we shall see this kingdom filled and infested by foreign Armies.  
Sir, if the King and we were now One, and should join in one way, we should find work more then enough to make up the torn, broken, shattered Pieces that lie presently before us in two kingdoms: What then shall we do in greater Distractions, in greater Necessities, in greater Perplexities still growing upon us?  
if but Ireland were lost, the Irish would prove the most dangerous Enemies that ever this kingdom had. They would soon grow rich, by the opportunity of their situation for Trade, they would soon grow strong in Shipping, having so many good Harbours, and then confederated with other Enemies, what mischief, what ruin may they not bring upon us? But what may sooner come from thence i will not mention. No man is able to see thorough the miseries that nearly threaten us, even ready to fall upon us.  
Wherefore (Master Speaker) let us as wise Men, as charitable Christians, as loving Subjects, send Propositions of Peace to the King. I do verily believe, that God will bless us more in a Treaty, then in more blood. His will be done.  
FINIS.