TWO SPEECHES, MADE BY Sr. THOMAS WENTWORTH: Now Earl of Strafford, in the Parliament holden at West-minster. 1628. The one concerning the liberty of the Subject. The other the Privilege of the Houses of Parliament.  
Printed for John Aston, Anno Dom. 1641.   

SIR THOMAS WENTWORTHS SPEECH, xxijd. Martij, 1627.  
MAy this day's resolution be as happy, as I conceive the proposition (which now moves me to rise) is seasonable and necessary, for whether we shall look upon the King or the people, it did never more behoove this great Physician the Parliament, to effect a true consent towards the parties then now; This debate carries with it, a double aspect, towards the Sovereign, towards the Subject, though both innocent, both injured, both to be cured.  
In the representation of injuries, I shall crave your attention in the Cures; I shall beseech your equal cares, and better judgements (surely in the greatest humility, I speak it) these illegal ways are marks and punishments of indignation.  
The raising of Levies strengthened by Commission, with unheard of instructions, the billeting of Soldiers, by Lieutenants, without leave, have been, as if they could have persuaded Christian Princes (nay Worlds) the right of Empire had been to take away by strong hand; and they have endeavoverd, as fare as was possible for them, to do it.  
This hath not been done by the King (under the pleasing shade of whose Crown I hope we shall ever gather the fruits of justice) but by Projectors. They have extended the prerogative of the King, beyond the just Centre, which was the sweet harmony of the whole.  
They have rend from us, the light of our eyes, enforced a company of Guests, worse than the Ordinaries of France, vitiated our wives & daughters before our faces, brought the Crown to greater want, then ever it was, by anticipating the Revenue, and can the Shepherd be thus smitten, and the flock not scattered?  
They have introduced a Privy Counsel ravishing at once the Spheres of all ancient government, imprisoning us without Bail or Bond. They have taken from us what shall I say (undeed what have they left us) all mean of supplying the King and ingratiating ourselves with him, taking up the roots of all propriety, which if it be not seasonably set into the groundby his Majesty's hand, we shall have instead of beauty baldness.  
To the making of them whole I shall apply myself, and propound a Remedy to all these diseases, by one and the same thing hath the King and People been hurt? and by the same must they be cured, to vindicate what? New things? No. Our ancient, sober, vital liberties by reinforcing of the ancient Laws made by our Ancestors, by setting such a Character upon them, as no licentious Spirit shall dare hereafter to enter upon them. And shall we think this a way to break a Parliament? No. Our desires are modest and just, I speak truly both for the interest of the King and People. If we enjoy not those, it will be impossible to relieve him; Therefore let us never fear that they shall not be accepted by his goodness.  
Wherefore I shall descend to my motions, which consists of four parts, two of which have relation to the parsons, two to the propriety of goods, for the parsons the freedom of them from imprisoning.  
Secondly, from employments abroad, contrary to the ancient Customs for our goods, that no levies may be made but in Parliament. Secondly, no billeting of Soldiers: It is most necessary, that these be resolved, that the Subjects may be secured in both.  
Then for the Manner in the second place, it will be fit to determine it by a Grand Committee.