Five Speeches, Speech 3
Concerning Money to the SCOTS.
Maſter Speaker,
IT will become us thankfully to acknowledge, the prudent and painfull endeavours of my Lords the Peeres Comiſſioners, in treating with the Scots, in mediating with the king: whereby (God aſſiſting) we are how probably drawing neare to a bleſſed peace.
His Maieſtie in his wiſdome and goodneſſe, is graciouſly pleaſed to give his Royall Aſſent to their Acts of Parliament, where in the articles of their aſſembly are like wife included. Inſomuch as their Religion, their Lawes, their liberties, are ratified and eſtabliſhed. Beſides, their grievances rehev'd and redreſſ'd; for which we uſe to give the King money, and are ſtill ready to do it. This, although it be a large, yet it is not received as a full ſatisfaction.
Before they came into England, they publiſh'd in a Remonſtrance, that they would take nothing of the Engliſh, but what they would pay for, or give ſecurity: we have deſray'd them hitherto, and are provided to do it longer.
They did well remember, that we aſſiſted them in the time of their Reformation; and it is not to be forgoten, that we did bear our own charges.
Concerning mutuall reſtitution of Ships, and goods, my Lords the Comiſſioners have very fairly and diſcreetly accomodated that parricular already.
As for inferenciall, conſequenciall dammages, ſuch a repreſentation would but miniſter unacceptable matter of difference and conteſtation; which amongſt friends ought to be warily and wiſely avoyded.
We could alleadge, and truly too, that Northumberland, Newcaſtle, and the Biſhoprick, will not recover their former ſtate theſe twenty yeares. We have heard it ſpoken in this Houſe, by an underſtanding knowing member in the particular, that the Coal-mmes of New caſtle will not be ſet right againe for a hundred thouſand pound, beſides the over price of coales, which all the while it hath and will coſt this city, and other parts of the kingdome. A great deale more of this nature might be rehearſed: but I delight not to preſſe ſuch tenter-ſtretch'd arguments. Let us on both ſides rather thank God by proceeding in the way he hath laid before us, and not wry his way to ours: time and his bleſſing will repair all our implicit damages, with many proſperous explicit advantages.
They ſay, that they do not make any formall demand, but they do make a ſum to appeare of five hundred and fourteen thouſand pounds, more then ever we gave the king at once. A portentous apparition! which ſhews it ſelfe in a very dry time, when the Kings revenue is totally exhauſted, his debts exceſſively multiplied, this kingdom generally impoveriſh'd by grievous burdens, and diſordered courts. All this ſupply is to be drawne out of us only, without the leaſt help from any of his Maieſties other dominions; which to my ſeeming, will be an utter drayning of the people, unleſſe England be Ruteus in-exhauſtus, as the Popes were wont to call it.
Notwithſtanding, Sir, now that I have in part opened the ſtate we are in, though nothing ſo exactly as they have done theirs, I ſhall moſt willingly and heartily affoord the Scots, whatſoever is iuſt, equitable, and honourable, even to a convenient, conſiderable, round ſum of money, towards their loſſes and expences, that we may go off with a friendly and a handſome loſſe. If they reiect it, we ſhall improve our cauſe.
It was never yet thought, Maſter Speaker, any great wiſdom, over much to truſt a ſucceſsfull ſword. A man that walkes upon a ryſing ground, the further he goes, the larger is his proſpect. Succeſſe enlarges mens deſires, extends their ambition, it breedes thoughts in them they never thought before. This is naturall, and uſuall.
But the Scots being truly touch't with Religion according to their profeſſion, that only is able to make them keepe their word. For, Religion is ſtronger, and wiſer, then reaſon, or reaſon of ſlate.
Beyond all this Maſter Speaker, the remarkable traces of Gods wonderfull providence in this ſtrange worke, are ſo many, ſo apparant, as I cannot but hope, almoſt to beleeve, that the ſame All governing mercifull … will conduct and leade us to a happy concluſion, will contract a cloſer, firmer union betweene the two nations then any meere humane policy could ever have effected, with ineſtimable benefits to both. In advancing the truth of religion, in exalting the greatneſſe of the King, in ſecuring the peace of his kingdomes, againſt all malitious, envious, ambitious oppoſites, to Religion, to the king, to his kingdomes; wherein, I preſume, all our deſires, and prayers do meete.