Speech in Parliament Clearing Himself of High Treason, Oration 2
Maſter Pymme his Speech in Parliament on Wedneſday the 5. of January, 1641.
Concerning the Vote of the Houſe of Commons, for his Diſcharge upon the Accuſation of High Treaſon, exhibited againſt himſelfe, and others, &c.
Maſter Speaker,
THeſe Articles of High Treaſon exhibited by his Majeſtie againſt me and the other Gentlemen in the accuſation charged with the ſame Crime, are of great conſequence, and much danger to the State: The Articles in themſelves, if proved are according to the Lawes of this Land High Treaſon.
Firſt, to endeavour to ſubvert the Fundamentall Lawes of the Land, is by this preſent Parliament in the Earle of Stafords Caſe adjudged High Treaſon.
Secondly, to endavour to introduce into this Kingdome an Arbytrarie and tyrannicall forme of Government, is likewiſe Voted High Treaſon.
Thirdly, to raiſe an Army to compell the Parliament to make and enact Lawes without their free Votes, and willing proceedings in the ſame is High Treaſon.
Fourthly, to invite a forraigne force to invade this Land, to favour our deſignes agitated againſt the King and State, is High Treaſon.
Fiftly, to animate and encourage riotous Aſſemblies and tumults about the Parliament to compell the King to aſſent to the Votes of the Houſe is Treaſon.
Sixtly, to caſt aſperſions upon his Majeſty and his Government, to alienate the affections of His people, and to make his Majeſty odious unto them is Treaſon.
Seventhly, to endeavour to draw his Majeſties Army into diſobedience, and to ſide with us in our deſignes, if againſt the King, is Treaſon.
I deſire, Maſter Speaker, the favour of this Houſe to declare my ſelfe, concerning this Charge, ſhall onelyonly parrallell and ſimilize my actions ſince the ſitting of this Parliament with theſe Articles.
Firſt, Maſter Speaker, if to Vote with the Parliament, as a Member of the Houſe, wherein all our Votes ought to be free: it being one of the greateſt privledges thereof to have our debates, diſputes, & arguments in the ſame unqueſtinable, be to endeavour to ſubvert the Fundamentall Lawes, then am I guilty of the firſt Article.
Secondly, If to agree and conſent with the whole State of the Kingdome by Vote to ordaine and make Lawes for the good government of his Majeſties Subjects in peace and dutifull obedience to their lawfull Soveraigne bee to introduce an Arbitrary and tyrannicall forme of government in the ſtate, then am I guilty of this Article.
Thirdly, If to conſent by Vote with the Parliament, to raiſe a Guard, or Traine-Band to ſecure and defend the perſons or the Members thereof, being invironed and beſet with many dangers in the abſence of the King, and by Vote with the Houſe, in willing obedience to the Royall command of his ſacred Majeſty, at his returne, be actually to levie Armes againſt the King: then am I guilty of this Article.
Fourthly, If to joyne with the Parliament, by free Vote to crave brotherly aſſiſtance from Scotland, Kingdomes both under obedience to one Soveraigne, both his loyall and dutifull Subjects, to ſuppreſſe the Rebellion in Ireland which lyes gaſping every day in danger to be loſt from his Majeſties ſubjection, be to invite and incourage a forraigne power to invade this Kingdome: then am I guilty of High Treaſon.
Fiftly, If to agree with the greateſt and wiſeſt Councell of State, to ſuppreſſe unlawfull tumults and riotous aſſemblies, to agree with the Houſe by Vote to all Orders, Edicts, and Declarations for their repelling, bee to raiſe and countenance them in their unlawfull actions, then am I guilty of this Article.
Sixtly, If by free Vote to joyne with the Parliament in publiſhing of a Remonſtrance in ſetting forth Declarations againſt Delinquents, in the State againſt Incendiaries betweene his Majeſties Kingdome, againſt ill Counſellors which labour to avert his Majeſties affection from Parliaments againſt thoſe ill affected Biſhops that have innovated our Religion, oppreſſing painefull, learned and godly Miniſters with vexatious, ſuites and moleſtations in their unjuſt Courts, by cruell ſentences of Pillory, and cutting off their eares, greatiſines, Baniſhment, and perpetuall Impriſonment, If this Mr. Speaker be to caſt aſperſions on his Majeſty and his governement, and to alienate the hearts of his Loyall Subjects good Proteſtants, and well affected in Religion, from their due obedience to his Royall Majeſty, then am I guilty of this Article.
Seventhly, If to conſent by Vote with the Parliament to put forth Proclamations, to ſend Declarations to his Majeſties Army, to annimate and encourage the ſame to his Loyall obedience, to give ſo many Subſidies, raiſed ſo many great ſummes of mony willingly for their keeping on foote to ſerve his Majeſty upon his Royall command on any occaſion, to apprehend and attach as Delinquents, ſuch perſons in the ſame as are diſaffected both to his ſacred Perſon, his Crowne and Dignity, to the wiſe and great Counſell of Parliament to the true and Orthodox Doctrine of the Church of England, and the true Religion grounded on the Doctrine of Chriſt himſelfe, and eſtabliſhed, and confirmed by many Acts of Parliament in the Reigne of Hon. 8. E. 6. Queene Elizab. and King Iames of bleſſed memory, if this Mr. Speaker be to draw his Majeſties Army into diſobedience, and to ſide with us in our Deſignes, then I am guilty of this Article.
Now, Maſter Speaker, Having given you a touch concerning theſe Articles, comparing them with my Actions, ever ſince I have had the Honour to ſit in this Houſe as a Member thereof: I humbly crave your conſideration, and favourable judgement of them, not doubting, they being weighed in the even ſcales of your Wiſedomes, I ſhall bee found innocent and cleare from theſe Crimes laid to my charge.
Maſter Speaker. I humbly crave your further patience to ſpeake ſomewhat concerning the exhibiting of this Charge which is to propoſe to your Conſiderations theſe propoſitions, viz.
Firſt, whether to exhibit Articles of High Treaſon by his Majeſties owne hands in this Houſe agrees with the rights and priviledges thereof.
Secondly, Whether for a guard armed to come into the Parliament to accuſe any of the Members thereof, bee not a breach of the priviledge of Parliament.
Thirdly, Whether any of the Members of Parliament being ſo accuſed may be committed upon ſuch accuſation, without the whole conſent thereof.
Fourthly, Whether a Parliament hath not priviledge to bayle any Member ſo accuſed.
Fiftly and laſtly, Whether if any of the Members of a Parliament ſo charged, and by the Houſe diſcharged without releaſe from his Majeſty may ſtill ſit in the Houſe as members of the ſame. And thus Maſter Speaker, I humbly crave pardon for my preſumption in ſo farre troubling this Honourable Houſe, deſiring their favourable conſideration of all my Actions, and that I may have ſuch a tryall as to this wiſe Counſell ſhall thinke meete, cheerefully ſubmitting my ſelfe and actions to the righteous judgements of the ſame.
FINIS.
End of the text · Arthur Hesilrige, Speech in Parliament Clearing Himself of High Treason (1641)