HIS majesty's Declaration: TO ALL HIS LOVING SUBJECTS, Of the causes which moved him to dissolve the last Parliament.  
Published by His majesty's special command.  
Dieu. ET. MON. DROIT.  
HONI. SOIT. QVI. MAL. Y. PENSE  
LONDON: Printed by ROBERT BARKER, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty: And by the assigns of JOHN BILL. MDCXL.   


Dieu. ET. MON. DROIT  
HONI. SOIT. QVI. MAL. Y. PENSE.    

His majesty's DECLARATION To all His loving Subjects: Of the causes which moved him to dissolve the last Parliament.  
THE King's most Excellent majesty well knoweth, That the Calling, Adjourning, Proroguing, and Dissolving of Parliaments, are undoubted Prerogatives inseparably annexed to his imperial Crown, of which he is not bound to render any account but to God alone, no more than of his other regal actions.  
nevertheless his majesty, whose Piety and goodness have made him ever so order and govern all things, That the clearness and candour of his royal heart may appear to all his Subjects, especially in those great and public Matters of State, that have relation to the weal and safety of his People, and the honour of his royal person and government: Hath thought fit, for avoiding and preventing all sinister constructions and misinterpretations, which the malice of some persons ill-affected to his Crown and sovereignty, hath, or may practise to infuse into the minds and ears of his good and faithful Subjects, to set down by way of Declaration, the true causes as well of his Assembling, as of his Dissolving the late Parliament.  
IT is not unknown to most of his majesty's loving Subjects, what discouragements he hath formerly had by the undutiful and seditious carriage of divers of the lower house in preceding Assemblies of Parliament, enough to have made him averse to those ancient and accustomed ways of calling his people together, when in stead of dutiful expressions towards his Person and Government, they vented their own malice and disaffections to the State, and by their subtle and malignant courses, endeavoured nothing more than to bring into contempt and disorder all Government and Magistracy.  
Yet his majesty well considering that but few were guilty of that seditious and undutiful behaviour, and hoping that time and experience had made his loving Subjects sensible of the distemper the whole Kingdom was in danger to be put into by the ill governed actions of those men, And his majesty being ever desirous to tread in the steps of his most noble Progenitors, was pleased to issue forth his Writs under the great Seal of England, for a Parliament to be holden on the thirteenth day of April last.  
At which day, his majesty by the Lord Keeper of His great Seal was graciously pleased to let both houses of Parliament know, how desirous he was, That all his people would unite their hearts and affections in the execution of those counsels that might tend to the Honour of his majesty, the safety of his Kingdoms, and the good and preservation of all his people. And withal how confident he was that they would not be failing in their duties and affections to him and to the public.  
He laid open to them the manifest and apparent mischiefs threatened to this and all his other Kingdoms, by the mutinous and rebellious behaviour of divers of the Scottish nation, who had by their examples drawn many of his Subjects there into a course of disloyalty and disobedience not fit for his majesty in honour, safety, or wisdom to endure.  
How to strengthen themselves in their disloyal courses, they had addressed themselves to foreign States, and treated with them to deliver themselves up to their protection and defence, as was made apparent under the proper hands of the prime ringleaders of that Rebellious faction.  
These courses of theirs, tending so much to the ruin and overthrow of this famous Monarchy, united by the descent of the Crown of England upon his majesty, and his Father of blessed memory; his majesty (in his great wisdom, and in discharge of the trust reposed in him by God, and by the fundamental laws of both Kingdoms, for the protection and government of them) resolved to suppress, and thereby to vindicate that sovereign power entrusted to him. He had by the last summer's trial found, that his grace and goodness was abused, and that contrary to his expectation and their faithful promises, they had, since his being at Barwick, and the Pacification there made, pursued their former rebellious designs, and therefore it was necessary now for his majesty by Power to reduce them to the just and modest condition of their obedience and subjection, which when ever they should be brought unto, or seeing their own errors, should put themselves into a way of humility and obedience becoming them, his majesty should need no other mediators for Clemency and Mercy to them, than his own Piety and goodness, and the tender affection he hath ever born to that his native Kingdom.  
This being of so great weight and consequence to the whole Kingdom, and the charge of an Army, fit to master such a business, amounting to so great a sum as his majesty had no means to raise, having not only emptied his own coffers, but issued between three and four hundred thousand pounds which he borrowed of his servants, upon security out of his own estate, to provide such things as were necessary to begin such an action with; his majesty after the example of his Predecessors, resorted to his people in their representative body the Parliament, whom he desired (with all the expressions of grace and goodness which could possibly come from him) That taking into serious and dutiful consideration the nature of these bleeding evils, and how dangerous it was to lose the least minute of time, lest thereby those of Scotland should gain opportunity to frame their parties with foreign States, that they would for a while lay aside all other debates, and pass an Act for the speedy payment of so many Subsidies as might enable his majesty to put in readiness for this Summer those things which were to be prepared before so great an Army could be brought into the field.  
For further supply necessary for so great an undertaking, his majesty declared that he expected it not till there might be a happy conclusion of that Session, and till their just grievances might be first graciously heard and relieved.  
Wherein, as his majesty would most willingly have given them the precedence before matter of supply, if the great necessity of his occasions could have permitted, so he was graciously pleased for their full assurance and satisfaction therein to give them his royal word, That without determining the Session upon granting of the Subsidies, he would give them before they parted, as much time as the season of the year, and the great affairs in hand would permit, for considering all such Petitions as they should conceive to be good for the commonwealth, and what they could not now finish, they should have full time to perfect towards Winter; his Majesty graciously assuring them, that he would go along with them for their advantage through all the expressions of a gracious and pious King, to the end there might be such a happy conclusion of that as might be the cause of many more meetings with them in Parliament. From their first assembling until the 21. of April, the house of Commons did nothing that could give his majesty any content or confidence in their speedy supplying of him: Whereupon he commanded both the houses to attend him in the banqueting house at Whitehall in the afternoon of that 21. day of April. Where by the Lord Keeper his majesty put them in mind of the end for which they were assembled, which was for his majesty's supply, That if it were not speedy, it would be of no use unto him; Part of the Army then marching at the charge of above a hundred thousand pounds a month, which would all be lost if his majesty were not presently supplied, so as it was not possible to be longer forborn. Yet his majesty then expressed that the supply he for the present desired, was only to enable him to go on with his designs for three or four months, and that he expected no further supply till all their just grievances were relieved.  
And because his majesty had taken notice of some misapprehensions about the levying of the Shipping-money, his majesty commanded the Lord Keeper to let them know, That he never had any intention to make any Revenue of it, nor had ever made any; but that all the money Collected had been paid to the Treasurer of the navy, and by him expended, besides great sums of money every year out of his Majesties own purse.  
That his majesty had once resolved this year to have levied none, but that he was forced to alter his resolution, in regard he was of necessity to send an Army for reducing those of Scotland, during which time it was requisite the Seas should be well guarded: And besides his majesty had knowledge of the great Fleets prepared by all neighbouring Princes this year, and of the insolences committed by those of Algiers, with the store of Ships which they had in readiness.  
And therefore though his majesty for this present year could not forbear it, but expected their concurrence in the levying of it, yet for the future to give all his Subjects assurance how just and royal his intentions were, and that all his aim was but to live like their King, able to defend himself and them, to be useful to his friends and considerable to his enemies, to maintain the sovereignty of the Seas, and so make the Kingdom flourish in trade and commerce, he was graciously pleased to let them know, That the ordinary Revenue now taken by the Crown could not serve the turn, and therefore that it must be by Shipping-money or some other way, wherein he was willing to leave it to their considerations what better course to find out, and to settle it how they would, so the thing were done which so much imported the honour and safety of the Kingdom; and his majesty for his part would most readily and cheerfully grant any thing they could desire for securing them in the propriety of their goods and estates, and in the liberty of their persons.  
His majesty telling them it was in their power to make this as happy a Parliament as ever was, and to be the cause of the Kings delighting to meet with his people, and his people with him.  
That there was no such way to effect this as by putting obligations to trust and confidence upon him, which as it was the way of good manners with a King, so it was a surer and safer course for themselves, than any that their own jealousies and fears could invent, his majesty being a Prince that deserved their trust, and would not lose the honour of it, and a Prince of such a gracious nature that disdained his people should overcome him by kindness.  
He had made this good to some other Subjects of his, and if they followed his counsel, they should be sure not to repent it, being the people that were nearest and dearest to him, and Subjects whom he did and had reason to value more than the Subjects of any his other Kingdoms.  
His majesty having thus graciously expressed himself unto them, he expected the House of Commons would have the next day taken into consideration the matter of Supply, and laid aside all other debates till that were resolved of according to his desire.  
But instead of giving an answer therein, such as the pressing and urgent occasions required, they fell into Discourses and Debates about their pretended Grievances, and raised up so many, and of so several natures, that in a Parliamentary way they could not but spend more time than his majesty's great and weighty affairs could possibly afford.  
His majesty foreseeing in his great wisdom that they were not in the way to make this a happy Parliament, which he so much desired and hoped, That nothing might be wanting on his part to bring them into the right way for his honour, the safety of the Kingdom, and their own good, he resolved to desire the assistance of the Lords of the higher house, as persons in rank and degree nearest to the royal Throne, and who having received honour from him and his royal Progenitors, he doubted not would for those and many other reasons be moved in honour and dutiful affection to his Person and Crown, to dispose the house of Commons to express their duties to his majesty, in expediting the matter of Supply, for which they were called together, and which required so present a dispatch.  
For this purpose, his majesty in his royal Person came again to the Lord's house on Wednesday the 24. day of April, where himself declared to the Lords the cause of his coming, which was, to put them in mind of what had been by the Lord Keeper in his name delivered unto both houses the first day of the Parliament, and after at Whitehall, how contrary to his expectation the house of Commons having held consultation of Matter of Religion, Property of goods, and Liberty of Parliament; and voted some things concerning those three heads, had thereby given them the precedence before the matter of his supply, That his necessities were such, they could not bear delay, That what ever he had by the Lord Keeper promised he would perform, if the house of Commons would trust him. For Religion, that his heart and conscience went together with the Religion established in the Church of England, and he would give order to his Archbishops and Bishops, that no innovation in matter of Religion should creep in. For the Ship-money, that he never made or intended to make any profit to himself of it, but only to preserve the Dominion of the Seas, which was so necessary, that without it the Kingdom could not subsist; but for the way and means by Ship-money, or otherwise he left it to them. For property of goods, and liberty of Parliament, he ever intended his people should enjoy them, holding no King so great as he that was King of a rich and free people, and if they had not property of goods, and liberty of persons, they could be neither rich nor free. That if the house of Commons would not first trust him, all his affairs would be disordered, and his business lost. That though they trusted him in part at first, yet before the Parliament ended he must totally trust them, and in conclusion they must for execution of all things wholly trust him. Therefore since the matter was no more than who should be first trusted, and that the trust of him first was but a trust in part, his majesty desired the Lords to take into their considerations his and their own Honour, the safety and welfare of this Kingdom, with the great danger it was in, and that they would by their advice dispose the house of Commons to give his supply the precedence before the grievances.  
His majesty being departed, the Lords took into serious consideration what his majesty had commended to their care, and forthwith laying aside all other debates, such was their lordship's dutiful and affectionate carriage, they remembering well what had been formerly declared in his majesty's name to both houses, his majesty's gracious promises and expressions then and at this time, with the pressing and urgent occasions which so much imported the honour of his majesty and the good of this Kingdom, their Lordships delivered their votes in these words, We are of opinion that the matter of his majesty's supply should have precedence, and be resolved of before any other matter whatsoever; And we think fit there shall be a conference desired with the house of Commons to dispose them thereunto.  
Accordingly the next day being Saturday the 25. day of April, a Conference was had in the Painted Chamber by a Committee of both Houses, where the Lord Keeper, by the Lord's command, told the House of Commons of his majesty's being the day before in person in the higher House, how graciously he had expressed himself, in matter of Religion, property of Goods, and Liberty of Parliament; and that he would therein graciously hear and relieve them, and give them what in reason could be desired, with the effect of what else had been graciously delivered unto them by his majesty, as well touching his constant Zeal and affection to the Religion established in the Church of England, as touching the Ship-money, and the necessity of his affairs, which was such, that delay was as prejudicial as denial, and that if time were lost, both Houses could not recover it; and therefore their Lordships, though they would move nothing, nor give any advice concerning Subsidies, but decline it, as that which naturally was to begin with the House of Commons, yet being alike interessed and concerned in the honour and safety of the Kingdom, they held it fit to let them know their opinions and desires, which was, That they should go first on with the matter of his majesty's supply, as that which was most necessary and fit to have precedence; And that being done, they would cheerfully join with them in the presenting of their Grievances.  
The House of Commons having heard their lordship's opinion and desire, instead of concurring with their Lordships in preferring the consideration of his majesty's supply before their Grievances, they spent the whole day on Monday following being the 27. of April, in taking causeless exceptions to what had been at the Conference related to them; And the next day being Tuesday the 28. of April, they desired a Conference with the Lords, and their lordship's meeting them presently in the Painted Chamber, they were so far from their expressing of any willingness to join with their Lordships in what had been upon so weighty reasons recommended unto them, that on the contrary they challenged the Lords for invading the privileges of the House of Commons, alleging, That the Lords having in the former Conference acknowledged that the matter of subsidy and Supply ought to begin in the House of Commons, had in their voting that it was fit and most necessary that matter of Supply should have precedence before all other business, not only been transported beyond the bounds which their Lordships had formerly set to themselves, but by meddling with matter of Supply, had as far as in them lay, concluded both the matter and order of proceeding, which the House of Commons took to be a breach of their privilege, and for it desired reparation of their Lordships.  
And because the Lords had in the first Conference enumerated those three particulars, of Religion, Propriety of Goods, and privilege of Parliament, the House of Commons collected they had taken notice of some proceedings in their House concerning those particulars, and thereby broken another great privilege of the House of Commons established in Parliament, and called, The indemnity of the Commons.  
This how strange and unexpected soever, the Lords heard with patience, and being desirous to remove all impediments, and clear any mistakings that might retard or avert the resolutions of supplying his majesty, they seriously debated in the higher house what had been objected by the house of Commons, and resolved, first, That their lordship's former voting, That in their opinions his majesty's supply should have precedence before all other matters, was no breach of the privileges of the House of Commons. And secondly, That it was no breach of the privileges of the house of Commons for their Lordships to hear what his majesty declared to them, and thereupon to report the same to the House of Commons.  
And to the end the house of Commons might have a right understanding of their lordship's proceedings, their Lordships desired another Conference with them, which was accordingly had on Friday the first of May in the painted Chamber, where by the command of the Lords, the Lord Keeper declared to the house of Commons, That the Lords of the higher house had, as in duty and affection to his majesty's Crown and government they were bound, taken into serious consideration the great and weighty motives of his majesty's calling this Parliament, The great evils and calamities that hung over their heads, and the apparent danger the Kingdom was like to run into, if by speedy and fitting supply his majesty were not enabled to prevent it. How insupportable delay and protraction was, and how impossible for both houses to recover the loss of time in a matter of so pressing and urgent necessity. That his majesty had both in the higher house, and in the banqueting house at Whitehall, expressed his gracious and Princely desire to do all that from a just and gracious King might be expected, whereby this Parliament might have a happy conclusion. How his majesty had promised all their just grievances should be graciously heard and relieved. That their Lordships were witnesses his majesty had given his royal word herein, which their Lordships for their parts did as much trust and confide in as ever Subjects did.  
It was also then further declared unto them, That his majesty had lately honoured their house with his presence again, and had there renewed the remembrance of what had before been delivered to both Houses, with the impossibility of admitting delay, & the clearness of his majesty's intentions and resolutions, to give all just satisfaction to what with reason could be desired of him.  
That his majesty had taken notice of somewhat voted in the House of Commons concerning Religion, propriety of Goods, and liberty of Parliament, by which his majesty conceived the matter of his supply set aside, which he had so often and with such weight of reason desired might have precedence.  
That his majesty after very gracious assurances of his constant affection and zeal for true Religion, and for preventing all Innovations therein, reiterating his often promises for relieving all their just grievances, with his royal intentions in that particular of Ship-money which he found much stood upon, was pleased to desire their Lordships (as Persons in rank and degree nearest him, in Honour as much or more concerned than other, and in the safety and prosperity of the Kingdom at least equally interessed with others) That in a case of this great and important weight, their Lordships would by their counsel and persuasion incline the House of Commons to give his majesty a speedy answer and resolution in the matter of Supply. That their Lordships had taken his majesty's desire into serious and dutiful consideration, and upon great and solemn debate had, only voted in these words, We are of opinion that the matter of His majesty's supply should have precedence, and be resolved of before any other matter whatsoever. And that they did think fit there should be a Conference desired with the house of Commons to dispose them thereunto; which as it was just and honourable for their Lordships to do, so it was no breach of any privilege of the house of Commons.  
For though their Lordships did admit, That the Bill of Subsidies ought to begin in the House of Commons, and when it is agreed unto by the Lords, must be returned back, and be by their Speaker presented, and therefore their Lordships disclaimed to meddle with Subsidy or Supply, by such beginning in the higher House, or by naming the number of Subsidies, times of payment, or any such circumstances incident to a Bill; Yet their Lordships might confer and talk about Supplies in general, and give their advice therein, that being no whit derogatory to the privileges of the House of Commons, their Lordships in all reason being likelier to communicate in the counsels and secrets of State, as those that were nearer to the royal Throne, and having just cause therein to impart their fears and foresight of dangers to the House of Commons.  
That such proceedings of their Lordships, as they were grounded upon just and weighty reason, so they were agreeable to ancient usage and custom, and were fully justified by that establishment in Parliament mentioned by the House of Commons at the last Conference, being made at Gloucester, in the 9 year of Henry the fourth, and styled not the indemnity of the Commons (as had been said) but the indemnity of Lords and Commons.  
And for the other breach of privilege which had been objected, their Lordships declared, That his majesty had told them the House of Commons had resolved something concerning those three heads, Of Religion, Propriety of goods, and privilege of Parliament.  
How his majesty knew of this resolution belonged not to their Lordships to inquire into, their Lordships not meddling with any thing that others said to the King, but what the King said to them.  
And that their Lordships were so far from holding it any violation of the privileges of the House of Commons for their Lordships to hear what the King declared to them, and for them thereupon to report the same to the House of Commons, that on the contrary in duty to his majesty, their Lordships could do no other; and the communicating of it was an argument of affection and desire of good correspondence with the House of Commons, and merited no such misconstruction as had been made of it; neither did that establishment in Parliament 9 H. 4. contain any words that could be construed to make their lordship's proceedings in this behalf any breach of the privileges of the house of Commons.  
Their lordship's proceedings and intentions being thus cleared, the Lord Keeper by their Lordships command added further, That their Lordships could not but return to their first grounds and resolutions, which were in all fair and affectionate manner to stir up in those of the House of Commons the just consideration of those great and imminent dangers that threatened the Kingdom at this time, and how dangerous and irrecoverable delay was, and withal to dispose them to take into their first and best thoughts the matter of his majesty's supply, and give him a speedy answer therein.  
Which their Lordships were confident would be the means to make this a happy Parliament, and to avert the public calamities that menaced the ruin and overthrow of this famous monarchy.  
This having been delivered at that Conference in their lordship's names, was by his majesty most graciously interpreted as the noble testimony of their lordship's affections to his person and government, for which his majesty by the Lord Keeper the next day gave their lordship's hearty thanks.  
And withal that nothing on his part might be left undone, his majesty that morning also being Saturday the second of May, sent a message to the House of Commons, which was delivered to them in these words;  

That his majesty hath divers times, and by sundry ways acquainted this House with the urgent necessity of supply, and with the great danger inevitably to fall upon the whole State, upon his own honour, and the honour of this Nation if more time shall be lost therein. That nevertheless his majesty hitherto hath received no answer at all. And therefore considering that as heretofore his majesty hath told this House, that a delay of his supply is as destructive as a denial, his majesty doth again desire them to give him a present answer concerning his Supply, his majesty being still resolved on his part to make good whatsoever he hath promised by himself or the Lord Keeper.   
After which Message delivered unto them, they spent from nine in the morning till six a clock at night, in many discourses and debates touching their pretended Grievances, but never came to any resolution what Supply they would give his majesty, or whether they would give him any at all, but adjourned the farther debate till Monday following.  
At which time, because his majesty had understood, the matter of Shipping-money was that which was most insisted upon, and that the taking away of that not only for the present but for the future, would be pleasing and acceptable unto them, his majesty sent another Message unto them, which was before they entered into any debate delivered unto them in these words.  

Whereas upon Saturday last his majesty was pleased to send a Message to this House, desiring you to give a present answer concerning his Supply, to which as yet his majesty hath had no other, but that upon this day you will take it into further consideration, Therefore his majesty the better to facilitate your resolutions this day, hath thought fit to let you know, That of his grace and favour he is pleased, upon your granting of twelve Subsidies, to be presently passed, and to be paid in three years, with a Proviso that it shall not determine the Session, his majesty will not only for the present forbear the levying of any Shipping money, but will give way to the utter abolishing of it by any course that yourselves shall like best. And for your Grievances his majesty will according to his royal promise, give you as much time as may be now, and the rest at Michaelmas next. And his majesty expects a present and positive answer upon which he may rely, his affairs being in such condition as can endure no longer delay.   
Notwithstanding this gracious message, and all other his majesty's former Desires and Promises, and the Lord's earnest persuasions, the House of Commons spent eight or nine hours more in debating the matter of Supply, without coming to any resolution at all, and so mixed the consideration of that with other matters impertinent, and trenching highly to the diminution of his majesty's Royal Prerogative, That his majesty plainly discerned they went about to weary & tire him with delays, And though in words some did not deny to supply him, yet in that also most moved to clog the Bill of Subsidies in such sort, that his majesty could not have accepted it without great prejudice to his Prerogative; And they were so far from declaring what they would do, That they entertained themselves with discourses tending to render odious to his people that gracious government of his, under which all his people have, during his happy reign, lived in such peace and felicity, when all the neighbouring Kingdoms and States were in troubles and combustions.  
His majesty was hereupon enforced by the advice of His privy council to resolve to break up and dissolve the Parliament, from which he could hope for no other fruit then the hindering of His great affairs, and disordering His happy Government.  
And therefore on Tuesday the fifth of May, His majesty came again in person to the Lord's House, and sending for the Speaker, and the House of Commons, when they were come up, said thus;  
MY LORDS, 
THere can no occasion of my coming to this House be so unpleasing to me, as this is, at this time: The fear of doing that, which I am to do this day, made me not long ago come to this House, where I expressed, as well my fears, as the Remedies I thought necessary for the eschewing of it; Unto which, I must confess, and acknowledge that you, (My Lords of the Higher House) did give me so willing an ear, and with such affection, did show yourselves thereafter, that certainly, I may say, If there had been any means to have given an happy end to this Parliament, you took it; So, that it was neither your lordship's fault, nor mine, that it is not so: Therefore in the first place, I must give your lordship's thanks for your good Endeavours.  
I hope you remember what my Lord Keeper said to you, the first day of the Parliament, in my Name; what likewise he said in the banqueting-house in Whitehall, and what I lately said to you in this place myself. I name all this unto you, not in doubt that you do not well remember it, but to show you, that I never said any thing, in way of favour to my people, but that by the grace of God, I will punctually, and really perform it.  
I know that they have insisted very much on Grievances, and I will not say, but that there may be some (though I will confidently affirm, that there are not by many degrees so many, as the public voice doth make them.) wherefore I desire you to take notice, now especially at this time, that out of Parliament, I shall be as ready, (if not more willing) to hear, and redress, any just Grievances, as in Parliament. There is one thing, that is much spoken of, though not so much insisted on as others, and that is Religion; Concerning which, albeit I expressed myself fully the last day in this place to your Lordships, yet, I think it fit again, on this occasion, to tell you, that, (as I am most concerned, so) I shall be most careful, to preserve, that purity of Religion, which, I thank God, is so well established in the Church of England, and that, as well out, as in Parliament.  
My Lords, I shall not trouble you long with words, it being not my fashion; wherefore to conclude, what I offered, the last day, to the House of Commons, I think is well known to you all, as likewise how they accepted it, which I desire not to remember, but wish that they had remembered, how, at first, they were told, in my Name, by my Lord Keeper, That delay was the worst kind of denial; yet I will not lay this fault on the whole House (for I will not judge so uncharitably of those, who, for the most part, I take to be loyal, and well-affected Subjects) but, that it hath been the malicious cunning, of some few seditiously-affected men, that hath been the cause of this misunderstanding.  
I shall now end, as I began, in giving your lordship's thanks, for your affection shown to me at this time; desiring you, to go on to assist me, in the maintaining of that regal power, that is truly mine, and, as for the liberty of the people, that they now so much seem to startle at; know, (my Lords) that no King in the world shall be more careful to maintain them in, The property of their Goods, liberty of their Persons, and true Religion, than I shall be.  
And now, my Lord Keeper, do what I have commanded you.   
Then the Lord Keeper added.  

MY Lords, and you Gentlemen of the House of Commons, The King's majesty doth dissolve this Parliament.   

BY all the proceedings herein declared, it is evident to all men, how willing and desirous his majesty hath been to make use of the ancient and Noble way of Parliament, used and instituted by his royal predecessors, for the preservation and honour of this famous monarchy; and that on his majesty's part, nothing was wanting that could be expected from a King, whereby this Parliament might have had an happy conclusion, for the comfort and content of all his majesty's Subjects, and for the good and safety of this Kingdom. On the contrary, it is apparent how those of the House of Commons (whose sinister and malicious courses enforced his majesty to dissolve this Parliament) have vitiated and abused that ancient and Noble way of Parliament, perverting the same to their own unworthy ends, and forgetting the true use and institution of Parliaments. For whereas these meetings and assemblies of his majesty with the peers and Commons of this Realm, were in their first original, and in the practice of all succeeding ages, ordained and held as Pledges and Testimonies of affection between the King and his People, the King for his part graciously hearing and redressing such Grievances as his People in humble and dutiful manner should represent unto him, and the Subjects on their part, as Testimonies of their duty, supplying his majesty upon all extraordinary occasions, for the support of his Honour and sovereignty, and for preserving the Kingdom in glory and safety; Those ill-affected members of the House of Commons, in stead of an humble and dutiful way of presenting their Grievances to his majesty, have taken upon them, to be the Guiders and Directors, in all matters that concern his majesty's Government both temporal and ecclesiastical, and (as if Kings were bound to give an account of their regal actions, and of their manner of Government, to their Subjects assembled in Parliament) they have in a very audacious and insolent way entered into examination and censuring of the present Government, traduced his majesty's administration of justice, rendered (as much as in them lay) odious to the rest of his majesty's Subjects, not only the Officers and Ministers of State, but even his majesty's very Government; which hath been so just and gracious, that never did this or any other Nation enjoy more blessings and happiness, than hath been by all his majesty's Subjects enjoyed ever since his majesty's access to the Crown, nor did this Kingdom ever so flourish in Trade and Commerce, as at this present, or partake of more peace and plenty in all kinds whatsoever.  
And whereas the ordinary Revenues of the Crown not sufficing to defray extraordinary charges, it hath ever been the usage in all Parliaments to aid and assist the Kings of this Realm with free and fitting Supply towards the maintenance of their Wars and for making good their royal undertakings, whereby the kingdom entrusted to their protection, might be held up in splendour and greatness, Those ill-affected persons of the House of Commons have been so far from treading in the steps of their ancestors, by their dutiful expressions in this kind, that contrarily they have introduced a way of bargaining and contracting with the King, as if nothing ought to be given him by them, but what he should buy and purchase of them, either by quitting somewhat of his royal Prerogative, or by diminishing and lessening his Revenues. Which courses of theirs, how repugnant they are to the duty of Subjects, how unfit for his majesty in Honour to permit and suffer, and what hazard and dishonour they subject this kingdom to, all men may easily judge, that will but equally and impartially weigh them.  
His majesty hath been by this means reduced to such straits and extremities, that were not his care of the public good and safety the greater, these men (as much as in them lies) would quickly bring ruin and confusion to the State, and render contemptible this glorious Monarchy.  
But this frowardness and undutiful behaviour of theirs, cannot lessen his majesty's care of preserving the kingdoms entrusted to his Protection and Government, nor his gracious and tender affection to his people; for whose good and comfort his majesty by God's gracious assistance will so provide, that all his loving Subjects may still enjoy the happiness of living under the blessed shade and protection of his royal sceptre.  
In the mean time, to the end all his majesty's loving Subjects may know, how graciously his majesty is inclined to hear and redress all the just Grievances of his people, as well out of Parliament as in Parliament, his majesty doth hereby further declare his royal will and pleasure, that all his loving Subjects, who have any just Cause to present, or complain of any Grievances or oppressions, may freely address themselves, by their humble Petitions to his Sacred majesty, who will graciously hear their complaints, and give such fitting redress therein, that all his people shall have just cause to acknowledge his grace and goodness towards them, and to be fully satisfied, that no persons or assemblies can more prevail with his majesty, than the piety and justice of his own royal nature, and the tender affection he doth and shall ever bear to all his people and loving Subjects.   
FINIS.   

LONDON, Printed by ROBERT BARKER, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty: And by the assigns of JOHN BILL.  
MDCXL.