GAROLUS SECUNDUS Dei Gratia, Angl, Scotice, Francice Et Hibernice Rex, Fidei Defensor etc. woodcut frontispiece, protrait of Charles II royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT MEMORABILIA: Or, the most Remarkable Passages and Counsels Collected out of the several DECLARATIONS AND SPEECHES That have been made by the KING, HIS L. Chancellors and Keepers, AND THE SPEAKERS Of the HONOURABLE House of Commons IN PARLIAMENT: Since His Majesty's Happy Restauration, Anno, 1660. till the End of the last Parliament, 1680. Reduced under Four Heads; Viz. 1. Of the Protestant Religion. 2. Of Popery. 3. Of Liberty and Property, etc. 4. Of Parliaments. By Edward Cook, of the Inner Temple, Esquire. Humbly Dedicated to the GRAND COUNCIL, or SENATE of this KINGDOM. LONDON, Printed for Nevil Simmons, Tho. Simmons, and Sam. Lee, at the Three Cocks at the West End of S. Paul's, the Prince's Arms in Ludgate-Street, and the Prince's Arms in Lombard Street. MCDLXXXI. THE INTRODUCTION. SOME Persons there are in the World of a humour, not to be pleased with any thing they shall see in Print, unless withal, the Author puts himself to the trouble of giving them some considerable Reason, which induced him to that undertaking: now whether or no this, that I shall give them, will be to their greater satisfaction, I am not certain; but however I will thus far ingenuously confess myself to them, as to declare it was the true and only One that moved me to present the World with these following Sheets. HAVING too notoriously observed of late, since this licentious Sickness of the Press, the many abominable Pamphlets that have come abroad, no doubt with Malicious design enough to alienate the Affections of the good people of England, and to infuse strange Perplexing Fears and Jealousies into them of the King and the Government, as if presently the whole Nation was to be turned Topsy Turvy, our Laws Cancelled, our Liberties and Properties to be quite taken away from us, our Parliaments to be cashiered, our Religion changed, and our Lives wholly at the Merciless Devotion of Thirsty men of blood; I say, having observed with great and sorrowful Resentment these ill and dangerous Books, that have with a too open and insolent face appeared to the heinous scandal, as well as disturbance of the peace of these Kingdoms; This is to prevent His Majesty's Declaration to all his loving Subjects. Dec. 26. 1662. p. 12. the mischiefs aimed at by the cager endeavours of rash, and unquiet men, whom (though weak and credulous Persons may be beguiled by them, yet I am sure) all honest and good men will look upon with detestation, as the most dangerous Enemies of the Crown, and of the peace and happiness of the Nation. AND among the many venomous Insinuations which have been Lord Keeper's Speech. Jan. 7. 1673. Fol. 18. 19 made use of, the Fears and Jealousies of Religion and Liberty are of the worst sort, and the most dangerous impressions. CERTAINLY Malice was never more buisy, than it hath been in these Reports, and it hath been assisted by a great deal of invention. BUT it is to be hoped that no man's Judgement or Affections will be either misled or disturbed by such reports. THIS, as nothing is capable of gratifying them more, the great Lord Keeper's Speech Ap. 13. 75. Fol. 18. Enemies of our security are most industrious to promote, as knowing very well, that this alone will do them more Service than the best of their Auxiliaries; These are they, that hope to see, and Practise to bring about, new Changes and Revolutions in the Government. 'TIS almost an irreparable reproach the Protestant Religion hath Lord Chancel. Speech Sep. 13. 1660. p. 22. undergone from the divisions and distractions which have been so notorious within this Kingdom. This you shall find hereafter, I will demonstrate to you in its proper place. AND as differences and distempers in Religion have too much disturbed Lord Ch. Sp. Sep. 13. 1660. p. 19, 20. the Peace of the Kingdom, which is a consideration that must make every Religious heart to bleed, to see that Religion, which should be the strongest Obligation and Cement of Affection, and Brotherly kindness and compassion, made now by the perverse wranglings of Passionate and Froward men, the ground of all Animosity, Hatred, Malice, and Revenge: So no less heaty and distempered have some persons been on the other hand, in wickedly labouring to set us altogether by the Ears, and to put us into a fatal Combustion by their slanderous Calumnies, and Factious reproaches of the State: Never was this Spirit of Libelling more Lord Ch. Sp. Monday May 19 6●. at their Prorog. p. 10, 11. pregnant than it is now; nor King, nor Parliament, nor Church, nor State, ever more exposed to those flagella linguae, those strokes of the Tongue, from which God Almighty can only preserve the most Innocent and most Excellent Persons; as if repining and murmuring, reviling and affronting public Authorities, were the peculiar exercises of the Nation, to keep it in health; as if England had so much of the Merchant, Nunquam habendi fructu faelix, semper autem quaerendi Cupiditate Miserrima. Now does it not His Majesty's Speech Mond. March 21. 1663. p. 5. behoove us all to be as watchful to prevent, as they are to contrive their mischief? Should not we make it our business to strengthen the hands of Government, and to shame the Enemies of it, by bannishing all manner of distrust? If we do not, we shall be in danger to Lord Ch. Sp. Thurs. May 23. 78. p. 18. become, not only the most miserable, but the most unpitied Nation under heaven. Let this then be to restore the whole Nation to its primitive temper Lord Ch. Sp. Thurs. Sep. 13. 1660. p. 12. and integrity, to its old good manners, it's old good humour, and it's old good nature; a Virtue so peculiar, so appropriated by God Almighty to this Nation, that it can be translated into no other language, and hardly practised by any other people. His Majesty's Speech Tuesday July 30. 1661. The Day, of Their Adjurr. p. 5. And though there are very many, (alas too many) distempered Spirits, which lie in wait to do mischief, by laying Reproaches upon the Court, upon the Government, reproaches upon the King, & reproaches upon the Parliament; yet I hope by our Joint Unity, & right understanding, our vigilant carefulness, and application, we may be able to weigh down, and prevent any Mischief they intent against us. Foreign Nations have laid it down for a Maxim in their Politics, Lord Chancel Speech Thurs▪ March 6. ●●78. p. 18 that England can never be destroyed but by its self, and that 'tis in vain to make any attempt upon this Nation, until they be in some great disorder and confusion amongst themselves; Let us then, every one in the way of our several capacities, endeavour to make the ambitious despair as soon as we can, by establishing so perfect an intelligence, that there may be but one heart, and one soul among us. He that does not now put his Hand and Heart to support the King Lord C. S. to Si. Job. harleton, than chosen Speaker to the House of Com. Feb. 5. 1672. p. 23. in the Common cause of this Kingdom, can hardly ever hope for such another Opportunity, or find a time to make satisfaction for the Omission of this. Let us tryby our means to raise up the hearts and hopes of all those, whom ill men have wrought upon to such a degree, as to cast them into a sadness, end into a despondency which is most unreasonable. Lord Ch. Sp. Ap. 13. 75. p. 22. What the Romans Scorned to do after the Battle of Cannae, what the Venetians never did when they had lost all their Terra firma, that men are now taught to think a virtue, and the sign of a Wise and Good man, desperare de Republica. And let us try what we can to confirm the faith of those that p. 23. are made weak, and give to the King the present of all our hearts, [and the full assurance of all our Lives and Fortunes, to preserve him in his just Prerogatives, that he may with the Greater confidence, and cheerfulness still secure, and further promote the true protestant Religion, and all due Liberties and Properties to these Kingdoms.] Then will the King esteem himself a Richer Prince, then if he were possessed of all the treasures of the East. And if any man should question or suspect His Majesty's affection towards the Protestant Religion, and his firm resolution still to maintain it, together with all our Civil Rights, let him be pleased to hear him give his own Royal word for't, and as Solomon saith, where the word of a King is, there is Power. And first, to begin with Religion. CHAP. I. Of the Protestant Religion. FOR as his Majesty very wisely hath observed to us; (in his Declaration to all his Loving Subjects, of his Kingdom 1. Of Religion. of England, and Dominion of Wales, concerning Ecclesiastical Affairs, in the very year of His Happy Restauration, 25th day of Oct. 1660. pag. 3.) There is so close a Connexion between the Peace of the Church, and the Peace of the State; That the One cannot be disturbed without the Other: These are his words, how much, saith he, the Peace of the State is concerned in the Peace of the Church: and how difficult a thing it is to preserve Order and Government in Civil, whilst there is no Order or Government in Ecclesiastical Affairs, is evident to the world; and this little Part of the World our own Dominions hath had so late experience of it, that, we may very well acquiesce in the conclusion without enlarging ourselves in discourse upon it; it being a Subject we have had frequent occasion to contemplate upon, and to lament abroad, as well as at home. TRUE Religion has an enlightening Influence 2. What Religion is. over the minds of men; It works upon Lord Keep. Speech April 13. 1675. pag. 11. the Conscience, & is an inward Principle of the divine Life, by which good men do govern all their actions. And if rightly followed and obeyed, how great 3. How sweet and peaceable where it is right. would the harmony of affection be amongst us? The Impressions, which the Law of Religion makes in the hearts of good men, are all healing and Sanatory: There is no divide & Impera within her Districts; no furious Heats and hostile Clashing to be heard, where she has uncontrolled Power and Sovereignty. That unruly and unmanly Passion (which no question the Divine Nature exceedingly abhors) sometimes, and I fear too frequently Transports those who are in the right, as well as those who are in the wrong, and leaves Lord Chan. Speech Thursday Sept. 13. 1660. p. 20. 21, 22. the latter more excusable than the former, when men who find their manners and dispositions very conformable in all the necessary obligations of humane Nature, avoid one another's conversation, and grow first unsociable, and then uncharitable to each other, because one cannot think as the other doth. And from this Separation we Entitle God to the Patronage of, and concernment in our Fancies and Distinction, and purely for his sake, hate 4. An Eminent Instance of Christian Love and Charity. one another hearty. It was not so of Old, when one of the most Ancient Fathers of the Church tells us, that Love and Charity was so signal and eminent in the Primitive Christians, that it even drew admiration and envy from their Adversaries. Vide (inquiunt) ut invicem se diligunt! Their Adversaries in that in which they most agreed, in their very prosecution of them, had their Passions and Animosities amongst themselves; They were only Christians, that loved and cherished, and comforted, and were ready to die for one another: Quid nunc illi dicerent Christiani, si nostra viderunt tempora? Says the Incomparable GROTIUS: how would they look upon our sharp and virulent Contentions in the Debates of Christian Religion, and the bloody Wars that had proceeded from those Contentions, whilst every one pretended to all the Marks which are to attend upon the True Church, except only that which is inseparable from it, Charity to one another. How did These in the Late Distracted Times, who would 5. How different Christians are from the temper and spirit of Christ. needs be called Christians, differ from Christ, the True and Only Head of the Church? How calm and quiet, how sedate and peaceable was he throughout the whole Conduct of his Life? though he walked in the midst of a stubborn and perverse Generation, that despised his Doctrine, reproached him for his Miracles, in saying, That he cast out Devils through Beelzebub the Prince of the Devils; he came to his own, and his own received him not; yet he was sweet and affable in all his Conversation, 6. Christ was meek and Courteous, gentle and affable to all. continually doing good to those who were his Enemies, and the worst of them too: Though he was reviled, yet he reviled not again, and though he was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; when he was wounded for our Transgressions, and bruised for our Iniquities, and the Chastisement of our Peace was upon him; and by his Stripes we are healed; yet he went as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a Sheep before the shearers, he was dumb, and opened not his mouth; but just before his expiration upon the Cross, he mercifully poured out this prayer for those his Enemies, that could not forbear breaking forth into this curse of his Blood be upon us and our Children, that God would freely pardon them in this their sin, Father, says he, forgive them, they know not what they do. But how did these make it their business to rend 7. We are sour and morose, fierce and bitter one against another. and divide the Church, by tying it up just to such a Party ●nd such a Persuasion, as if only, Lo here was Christ, where they were pleased to have him, and not there? whereas (alas!) it is not different Forms, as to Circumstantials, that denominate us Christians, but it is the holding of the Truth in the substance of it. And is it not too much so now in our days? what Parties, what Factions, what Interests, and separations are among us? and in matters merely circumstantial, how hasty are we in stamping a Jus Divinum on such things as are doubtful, dark, and disputable among men, that perchance are equally wise and pious, judicious and learned on both sides. We ought to put no more weight nor a greater necessity on those things than the Divine Wisdom hath clearly put upon them in his word; nor to Spend more of our Zeal about such things than is proportionable to its weight and measure. We should allow for the imperfection of men, and the imperfect state of the Church; for here we know but in part, and therefore we should bear with one another, if in any thing we be otherwise minded one to another: But we are, instead of this, pecking one at another. How positive are we of our own ways, as if we were all infallible, stretching our Authority far beyond our just Rule and Line: when we have catched up a new Notion, straight we lay it upon Conscience, as that which must be maintained, although to the great prejudice of the whole Interest of Religion, and so rend the Church, and run away from all those that agree not with us in all things: Oh! what peeques and grudge, what heart-burnings and contentions are there between parties that differ? What defamatory Speeches, what scandalous Reflections, and how unbecoming are their heats of language one against another? so much, that we are in a very fair way of running into the same, if not more violent, and worse distractions, than we were in, in the late sad and dismal times, if God, of his infinite wisdom and mercy, heal not these our breaches, and compose our differences. — Quis Talia fando Temperet a Lachrymis? THIS disquisition hath cost the King many a sigh, many a 8. This division among us hath cost the King many a sigh— sad hour, when he hath considered (as was said before) the almost irreparable reproach the Protestant Religion, hath undergone, from the divisions and distractions, which have been so notorious within this Lord Chan. Speech. Thursday Sept. 13. 1660. pag. 22. Kingdom. What pains he hath taken to compose them, after several discourses with learned and pious men of different persuasions, you shall see by and by, as also his great Indulgence to those who can have any protection from Conscience to differ from their Brethren. And he is a most discerning, generous, and merciful Prince, who hath had more experience of the Nature, and humour of mankind, than any Prince living; can best distinguish between the tenderness of Conscience, and pride of Conscience, between the real effects of Conscience, and the wicked pretences to Conscience; who having fought with Beasts at Ephesus, knows how to guard himself and Lord Chan. Speech. Monday, May 19 62. pag. 17. the Kingdom from the assaults and violence of a strong, malicious, corrupted Understanding and Will, and how to secure himself and the Kingdom from the feeble traps and nets of deluded fancies, and imaginations: In a word, He is a Prince of so excellent a Nature, 9 Who is a most discerning Prince, and of a tender Conscience himself, and hath the highest compassion for all Errors of that kind. and so tender a Conscience himself, that he hath the highest compassion for all Errors of that kind, and will never suffer the weak to undergo the punishment ordained for the wicked, and knows and understands better than any man that excellent Rule of Quintilian, Est aliquid quod non oportet, etiam si licet, & aliud est jura spectare, aliud justitiam. Therefore let us hold Communion in such things wherein we are agreed, and Love and Charity wherein we differ. HIS Majesty hath considered Religion, first in General; as 10. Religion considered 1st. generally as opposite to Popery. 2 d. as established by Law in the Church of England. it is PROTESTANT, and stands in Opposition to Popery: and Secondly, more particularly, as it is the Protestant Religion, Established by Law Lord Keep. Speech. Apr. 13. 1675. pag. 9 10, 11. in the Church of England; he sees that as such, it is not only best suited to the Monarchy, and most likely to defend it, but most able to defend itself against the Enemies of all Reformation. Upon the former account 11. Therefore the Laws against both Papists and Dissenters are now awakened. he hath awakened all the Laws against the Papists: there is not one Statute extant in all the volume of our Laws, but his Majesty hath now put it in a way of taking its full course against them: Upon the latter account, his Majesty with equal and impartial Justice, hath revived all the 12. Not with equal severity against the latter. Laws against dissenters and Non-conformists, but not with equal severity: for the Laws against the Papists are edged, and the execution of them quickened by new rewards proposed 13. These and all other Laws subject to the pleasure of a Parliament. to the Informers: those against Dissenters are left to that strength which they have already. Both these, and all other Laws whatsoever, are always understood to be subject to the pleasure of a Parliament, which may alter, amend, or explain them as they see cause, and according unto public convenience. FOR when we consider Religion in Parliament, we are supposed 14. Religion how to be considered in Parliament. to consider it as a Parliament should do, and as Parliaments in all Ages have done, that is, as it is a part of our Laws, a part, and a necessary part of our Government. Of this more hereafter: Let us now hear what this our most Excellent Majesty hath declared, and said to us concerning it. WHEN he was at his Court at Breda, a little before his 15. How the King declares for the establishment of the Protestant Religion. happy coming over to us, and sent his Letter to the Speaker of the then House of Commons Assembled in Parliament, he thus Writes to him what he should read to the House; If you desire, saith he, the advancement April 14. 1660. pag. 5. 6. and propagation of the Protestant 16. Nothing could stratle the King, or make him in the least degree swerve from the true Protestant Religion. Religion, we have by our constant profession and practice of it, given sufficient testimony to the World, that neither the unkindness of those of the same faith towards us, nor the civilities and obligations from those of a contrary profession, (of both which we have had abundant evidence) could in the least degree startle us, or make us swerve from it; and nothing can be proposed to manifest our Zeal and Affection for it, to which we will not readily consent. And we hope in due time, ourselves so propose some what to you for the propagation of it, that will satisfy the World, that we have always made it both our care, and our study, and have enough observed what is most like to bring disadvantage to it. HIS Majesty saw that it was the first 17. Religion as it was first in our thoughts: so it was the King's first and principal ca thing in all our thoughts, and we cannot but Lord Keep. Speech. April 13. 1675. pag. 9 see, that it hath been, and still is the first and principal part of his care. AND this Royal declaration of himself, joined to what 18. Therefore we need not doubt. he hath since done, carries in itself so evident an assurance, and is stamped by so sacred an Authority, that there remains no place for doubting, nothing can scarce be added to the efficacy of it. Id. ib. THAN, after a repetition of the same words just above cited, to the Speaker of the House of Commons, in his Majesty's Declaration concerning Ecclesiastical affairs: He proceeds thus. And the truth pag. 4. 5. 19 The King most fit to propose, being the most competent Judge from his experience with the most learned of the reformed Churches abroad. is, we do think ourselves the more competent to propose, and with God's assistance to determine many things now in difference from the time we have spent, and the experience we have had in most of the reformed Churches abroad, in France, in the Low Countries, and in Germany, where we have had frequent Conferences, with the most learned men, who have unanimously lamented the great reproach the Protestant Religion undergoes, from the distempers, and too notorious Schisins in matters of Religion 20. Our Religion suffers from the distempers and schisms that are in the Church. in England: And as the most learned amongst them have always with great submission and reverence acknowledged and magnified the established Government of the Church of England, and the great Countenance and shelter the Protestant Religion received from it before these unhappy times: so many of them have with great ingenuity and sorrow confessed, that they were too easily misled by misinformation and prejudice into some of it, as if it had too much complied with the Church 21. Church of England the best fence against Popery in the World. of Rome; whereas they now acknowledge it to be the best fence God hath yet raised against Popery in the world; and we are persuaded they do with great Zeal wish it restored to its old dignity and Veneration. AND a little after in pag. 8, 9 he further says, We need 22. The King's great esteem for the Church of England. not profess the high Affection and Esteem we have for the Church of England as it is Established by Law; the Reverence to which hath supported us with God's blessing, against many temptations. AS to the Opinion of the Presbyterians concerning Episcopacy, hear how the King declares himself in this point: When we were in Holland, saith he, we were attended by many grave and learned Ministers from hence, who were looked upon as most able and principal assertors of the Presbyterian 23. Presbyterians affectionate to the King, Zealous for the Peace of Church and State, and no Enemies to Episcopacy. Opinions, with whom we had as much conference as the multitude of affairs, which were then upon us, would permit us to have; and to our great satisfaction and comfort found them persons full of Affection to us, of Zeal for the Peace of the Church and State, and neither Enemies (as they Pag. 5. Declar. conc. Eccles. affairs. Octob. 25. 1660. at Whitehall. have been given out to be) to Episcopacy, or Liturgy, but modestly to desire such alalterations in either, as without shaking Foundations, might allay the present distempers, which the indisposition of the time, and the tenderness of some men's consciences had contracted. AND We further find upon the full conference we 24. The Mischiefs the Church labours under as well as the State result from the passions and Interests of private persons. have had with the learned men of several persuasions, that the mischiefs, under which both the Church and State do at present suffer, do not result from any form Doctrine or Conclusion Pag. 7. Of the same. woich either party maintains or avows, but from the passion and appetite and Interest of particular persons, who contract greater prejudice to each other from those affections, than would naturally arise from their Opinions, FOR we must for the honour of all those of either persuasion 25. The professions and desires of both persuasions for the advance of Religion are the same. with whom we have conferred, declare, that the professions and desires of all for the advancement of piety and true godliness, are the same; their professions of Zeal for the Peace of the Church, the same; of affection and duty to us, the same; they all approve Episcopacy; they all approve a set form of Liturgy; and they all disprove and dislike the sin of Sacrilege; and the alienation of the Revenue of the Church; and if upon these excellent foundations, in submission to which there is such a harmony of affections, any superstructures should be raised, to the shaking Pag. 8. Of the same. those foundations, and to the contracting and lessening the blessed gift of Charity, which is a vital part of Christian Religion; we shall think ourselves very unfortunate, and even suspect that we are defective in that administration of Government with which God hath entrusted us. NOW we do not think that Reverence which we have 26. No Reverence for the Church of England lessened by dispensing with some Ceremonies in it for a while. for the Church of England, in the least degree diminished by our condescensions, not peremptorily to insist on some particulars of Ceremony, which, however introduced by the piety and devotion, and order of former times, may not be so agreeable to the (then) present, but may even lessen that piety and devotion, for the improvement whereof they might happily be first introduced, and consequently may well be dispensed with; and we hope this Charitable compliance of ours will dispose the minds of all men to a cheerful submission to that Authority, the preservation whereof is so necessary for the Unity and 27. The support of Episcopacy the best support of Religion. Peace of the Church; and that they will Pag. 9 acknowledge the support of the Episcopal Authority, to be the best support of Religion, by being the means to contain the minds of men within the Rules of Government. IF we had the command of as many tongues, as his Majesty 28. His Majesty cannot be sufficiently thanked for his dispensing with some Ceremonies. hath of hearts, we could not express our great Joy and thankfulness for his Speak of the House of Commons Speech, to the King in the Banquet-House at Whitehal. Nou. 9 1660. p. 3, 4. continual and indefatigable labour and pains in repairing, and making up our sad breaches, and composing our unhappy differences; and in particular, for this his most gracious declaration concerning Ecclesiastical affairs, wherein his Majesty hath provided wholesome food for all clean Stomaches, strong meat for such as are able to bear it, allowing them the use of our Church Liturgy, together with comely vestments, Ornaments, and Ceremonies in the service and worship of God; as likewise Milk for tender Babes, dispensing with their Conformity in such matters and things, as are not so much of the substance and Essence of Faith and Religion, as of Decency and becomingness; which giveth abundant 29. Which will abundantly satisfy all reasonable and sober men, and such as are truly Religious. satisfaction to all peaceable, sober minded men, and such as are truly Religious: for those that are really and truly so, will find themselves bound ever in Conscience, to the observation and practice of that excellent lesson taught us by the Apostle, which is, sap●re ad temperantiam & spartam ornare, with a Vade tu, & fac simile. AND this General Thanks of that whole house was not 30. His Majesty very well deserved that thanks of the House of Commons. presented rashly and precipitately to the King; for if you will please to hear further what he did for the settling of the Church upon firm foundations, you will find they had good reason for their so doing. For, 1. Says he, He do declare our 31. The King's Resolution for promoting the power of Godliness, in having the Lords day duly observed purpose and Resolution is and shall be, to promote the power of Godliness, to encourage the exercises of Religion both public and private, and to take care that the Lord's day be applied to holy exercises, without unnecessary divertisements; and that insufficient, negligent, and scandalous Ministers be not permitted in the Church; 32. In turning insufficient Ministers out of the Church. and that as the present Bishops are known to be men of great and Exemplary Piety in their Lives, which they have manifested in their notorious and exampled sufferings 33. In providing learned and pious Bishops to govern in the Church. during these late distempers; so we shall take special care, by the assistance of God, to prefer no men to that office and charge The King's Declarat. concern. Ecclesiast. Affairs, pag. 10. but men of Learning, Virtue, and Piety, who may be themselves the best Examples to those who are to be governed 34. They shall be frequent Preachers, unless sickness or some notable occasion excuse them. by them. And we shall expect and provide the best we can, that the Bishops be frequent Preachers, and that they do very often Preach themselves in some Church of their Diocese, except they be hindered by sickness, or other bodiln infirmities, or some other justifiable occasion, which shall not be thought justifiable, if it be frequent. AGAIN, it is said in Pag. 12. 13. Fol. 5. We will take care that Confirmation be rightly and solemnly performed, by the Information and with the consent of the Minister of the place; who shall admit none to the Lords 35. Confirmation rightly performed. Supper, till they have made a credible profession of their Faith, and promised Obedience to the will of God; according 36. None to be admitted to the Lords Supper, till they have professed their faith, etc. as is expressed in the considerations of the Rubric before the Catechism; and that all possible diligence be used for the instruction, and reformation of scandalous offenders, whom the Minister shall not suffer to partake of the Lords Table, until they have openly declared them 37. Care taken to instruct and reform all scandalous offenders, and not to let such communicate, etc. selves to have truly repent, and amended their former naughty lives, as is partly expressed in the Rubric, and more fully in the Canons. Moreover the Rural Dean and his Assistants are in their respective divisions to see that the Children and younger sort be carefully instructed by the respective Ministers of every Parish, in the grounds 38. Ministers to see that youth be instructed in the grounds of Christian Religion. of Christian Religion, and be able to give a good account of their Faith and Knowledge, and also of their Christian conversation conformable thereunto, before they be confirmed by the Bishop, or admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. 6. NO Bishopsh all exercise any Arbitrary Power, or do 39 Bishop's only to act according to the law of the Land. or impose any thing upon the Clergy, or the people, but what is according to the known Law of the Land. Pag. 14. 7. WE are very glad to find, that all with whom we 40. A set form of worship held lawful by all. have conferred, do in their judgements approve their Liturgy, or set form of public Worship, to be lawful; which in our judgement, for the preservation of Unity, and Uniformity, we conceive to be very necessary: and though we do esteem the Liturgy of the Church of England, contained in the book of Common Prayer, and by Law established, to be the best we have seen; and We believe that We have seen all that are extant, and used in this part of the world, and well know what reverence most of the Reformed Churches, or at least the most learned men in those Churches, have for it; yet since we find some exceptions 41. Yet since some things in the Liturgy are excepted against, Divines on both sides shall reveiw and alter what is thought most necessary. made against several things therein, we will appoint an equal Number of learned Divines of both persuasions, to review the same, and to make such alterations as shall be thought most necessary; and some additional forms (in the Scripture phrase, as near as may be) suited unto the nature of the several parts of worship, and that it be left to the Minister's choice to use one or other at his discretion. In the mean time, and till this be done, although we do hearty wish and desire, that the Ministers in their several Churches, because they dislike 42. Tho some clauses be disliked, yet let those parts be read, against which there can be no exception. some clauses and expressions, would not totally lay aside the Book of Common Prayer, but read those parts against which there can be no exception; which would be the best instance of declining those marks of distinction, which we so much labour and desire to remove; yet in compassion to divers of our good subjects, who scruple the use of it as now it is, Our will and pleasure is, that none be 43. But if not, none shall be punished or troubled for such omission. punished or troubled for not using it, until it be reviewed and effectually reformed as aforesaid. Pag. 14, 15. 8. LASTLY, concerning Ceremonies, which have administered so much matter of difference and contention, 44. Ceremonies though the occasion of difference, yet were brought into the Church for the improvement of piety. and which have been introduced by the wisdom and authority of the Church for Edification, and the Improvement of Piety: we shall say no more, but that we have the more esteem of all and Reverence for many of them, by having been present in many of those Churches where they are most abolished, or discountenanced; 45. How every National Church may introduce such Ceremonies as may seem most proper to improve piety. and it cannot be doubted, but that, every National Church, with the approbation and consent of the Sovereign Power, may, and hath always introduced such particular Ceremonies, as in that conjuncture of time are thought most proper for Edification, and the necessary improvement of Piety, and devotion in the people, though the necessary practice thereof cannot be deduced 46. That which is in itself indifferent, ceases to be so, when established by Law. from Scripture; and that which before was, and in itself is indifferent, ceaseth Pag. 15. to be indifferent, after it is once established by Law: And therefore our present consideration and work is, to gratify the private Conscience of those who are grieved 47. But yet to indulge tender Consciences. with the use of some Ceremonies, by indulging to, and dispensing with their omitting Pag. 16. those Ceremonies. 48. They shall not be obliged against their wills to kneel at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in the act of receiving. AND though we shall receive the Blessed Sacrament upon our knees, which in our Conscience is the most humble, the most devout, and the most agreeable posture for that holy duty, yet since some other men, upon reasons best, if not only known to themselves, choose rather to do it sitting or standing; none shall be denied the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, though they do not use the gesture of kneeling in the act of receiving. 49. None compelled to use the Cross in Baptism. SO likewise, out of Compassion and compliance towards those who would forbear the Cross in Baptism, we are content that no man shall be compelled to use the same, or suffer for not doing Pag. 17. it: But if any Parent desire to have his Child Christened according to the form used, and the Minister will not use the sign, it shall be lawful for that Parent to procure another Minister to do it: And if the proper Minister shall refuse to omit that Ceremony of the Cross, it shall be lawful for the Parent, who would not have his Child so baptised, to procure another Minister to do it, who will do it according to his desire. 50. None compelled to bow at the name of Jesus. NO man shall be compelled to bow at the Name of JESUS, or suffer in any degree for not doing it, without reproaching those who out of their Devotion continue that Ancient Ceremony of the Church. 51. Or to wear the Surplice. FOR the use of the Surplice, we are contented that all men be left to their liberty to do, as they shall think fit without suffering in the least degree for wearing, or not wearing it; provided that this liberty do not extend to our own Chapel, Cathedral, or Collegiate Churches, or to any College in either of our Universities; but that the several Statutes and Customs for the use thereof in the said places, be there observed as formerly. AND because some men, otherwise pious and learned, 52. None shall be compelled to subscribe, or take the Oath of Canonical Obedience. say, they cannot conform unto the subscription required by the Canon, nor take the Oath of Canonical Obedience; we are content, and it is our will and pleasure, (so they take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy) that they shall receive Ordination, Institution, and Induction, and 53. But shall exercise their function▪ and enjoy their live without it. shall be permitted to exercise their Function, and to enjoy the profits of their Live, without the said subscription, or the Oath of Canonical Pag. 18. Obedience: And moreover, that no persons in the 54. None, by not subscribing▪ hindered taking their degrees. Universities shall for the want of such subscription be hindered in their taking of their degrees; lastly, that none be judged to forfeit his Presentation or Benefice, or be deprived of it, upon the Stat. 13. Eliz. cap. 12. So he read 55. None to forfeit their benefice, etc. that will read and assent to all the Articles. and declare his assent to all the Articles of Religion, which only concern the Confession of the true Christian Faith, and the Doctrine of the Sacraments comprised in the Book of Articles in the said Statute mentioned. In a word, we do again renew what we have formerly said in our declaration from Breda, pag. 3. for the liberty of tender 56. None shall be disturbed for differences of opinion in Religion, who disturb not the public peace. Consciences, that no man shall be disquieted or called in question for differences of Opinion in matters of Religion, which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom. THIS you see was declared and granted within a little time after his Majesty's arrival here, who said then that he would leave all decisions and determinations of this kind, 57 All decisions of this kind to be left to a National Synod. if they shall be thought necessary for a perfect and entire Unity and Uniformity throughout the Nation, to the advice of a National Synod, Pag. 16. Of the same. which he promised should be duly called, after a little time, and a mutual Conversation between persons of different persuasions, hath mollified those distempers, abated those sharpnesses, and extinguished those jealousies, which for a while did then make men unfit for those Consultations: and, saith he, upon such advice we shall use our best endeavour that such laws may be established, as may best provide for the peace of the Church and State. TO conclude, and in this place to explain what we mentioned before, and said in our Letter to the House of Commons from Breda, Pag. 18, 19 that we hoped in due time, ourselves to propose somewhat for the propagation of the Protestant Religion, that will satisfy the world, that we have always made it both 58. The King conjures us all to submit to this his Declaration. our care and our study, and have enough observed what is most like to bring disadvantage to it: We do conjure all our Loving Subjects to acquie see in, and submit to this our Declaration concerning those differences which have so much disquieted the Nation at home, and given such offence to the Protestant Churches abroad, and brought such reproach upon the Protestant Religion in general, from the Enemies thereof; as if upon obscure notions of faith and fancy, it did admit the practice of Christian duties and obedience to be discountenanced and suspended, and introduce a Licence in opinions and manners to the prejudice of the Christian Faith. And let us all 59 And to strive to advance the Protestant Religion abroad, by supporting the Dignity of the be Reform Church at home. endeavour, and emulate each other in those endeavours, to countenance and advance the Protestant Religion abroad, which will be best done by supporting the dignity and Reverence due to the best reformed Protestant Church at home: and which being once freed from the Calumnies and reproaches it hath undergone from these late ill times, will be the best shelter for those abroad, which will by that countenance both be the better protected against their Enemies, and be the more easily induced to compose the differences among themselves, which give their Enemies more advantage against them. 60. No wonder why the ●ing was ●o zealous to Establish the True Protestant Religion before Indulgent Dissenters from it. NOW it must not be wondered at, that being so zealous as we are, saith our Royal Master again to us, (and by the grace of God shall ever be) for the maintenace of the True Protestant His Majesty's Declaration to all his loving Subjects, Decemb. 26. 1662. pag. 7. Religion, finding it so shaken (not to say overthrown) as we did, we should give its Establishment the Precedency before Matters of Indulgence to Dissenters from it. For it is the great Wall and Bulwark of all the Reformed Churches abroad; by this they stand, are sheltered and defended, and therefore, as it were still the better to explain his meaning to us, he repeats with enlargement, saying, We have been zealous to settle the Uniformity of the Church of England, in Discipline, Ceremony and Government, pag. 8. and shall ever constantly maintain it. AND whereas according to a former Declaration of the 61. The King Declares Liberty to Tender Consciences. King from Breda, 14 April 1660. in these words, viz. We do declare a Liberty to tender Consciences, and that no man shall be disquieted, or called in question pag. 3. for differences of Opinion in Matters of Religion, which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom; and that we shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament as upon mature deliberation shall be offered to us for the full granting that Indulgence. SO saith he, as for what concerns the Penalties upon those who (living peaceably) do not conform thereunto (i. e. to the Act of Uniformity) through scruple and tenderness of misguided conscience, but modestly and without scandal perform their Devotions in their own way: We shall make it our special care, so far forth as in us lies, without invading the freedom of Parliament to incline their 62. And Promises to try to incline the Parliament to consent to an Act of Indulgence for that purpose. wisdom at this next approaching Sessions, to concur with us in the His Majesty's Declaration to all his loving Subjects, Decemb. 26. 1662. Published by advice of his Privy Council, pag. 7. 8. making some such Act for that purpose, as may enable us to exercise with a more universal satisfaction, (for it seems the King did before now remember this Part of his Declaration, and was solicitous for one: but he says just before that, That Parliament to which those promises were made in relation to an Act never thought fit to offer us any to that purpose.) I say to exercise with a more universal satisfaction, that power of dispencing which we conceive to be inherent in us: Nor can we doubt of their cheerful cooperating with us in a thing wherein we do conceive ourselves so far engaged, both in Honour, and in what we own to the Peace of our Dominions; which we profess we can never think secure, whilst there shall be a colour left to the malicious and disaffected, to inflame the minds of so many Multitudes upon the Score of Conscience, with despair of ever obtaining any effect of our promises for their ease. 63. But the Parliament by no means did think it fit that such persons should have an judulgence who would descent from the Act of Uniformity. BUT the Parliament, though they did with great joy receive his Majesty's Most Gracious Speech, wherein they were invited to consider this his above said Declaration, did thus humbly give their advice hereupon, That it was in no sort advisable that there be any Indulgence to such Persons who presume to Dissent from the Act of Uniformity, and the Religion Established; for these reasons: 64. For several reasons here shown. BECAUSE it is not a Promise in itself, but only a Gracious Declaration of your Majesty's Intentions, to do what in you lay, and what a Parliament should advise your Majesty to do; and no such advice was ever given, or thought fit to be offered; nor could it be otherwise understood, because there were Laws of Uniformity then in Being, which could not be dispensed with but by Act of Parliament. THEY who do pretend aright to that supposed Promise, put the right into the hands of their Representatives, whom they choose to serve for them in this Parliament, who have passed, and your Majesty consented unto the Act of Uniformity. If any shall presume to say, that a Right to the benefit of this Declaration doth still remain after this Act passed; IT tends to Dissolve the very Bonds of Government, and to suppose a disability in your Majesty, and the Houses of Parliament, to make a Law contrary to any part of your Majesty's Declaration, though both Houses should advise your Majesty to it. WE have also considered the nature of the Indulgence proposed, with reference to those consequences, which must necessarily attend it. IT will Establish Schism by a Law, and make the whole Government of the Church precarious, and the censures of it of no moment, or consideration at all. IT will no way become the Gravity or Wisdom of a Parliament, to pass a Law at one Session for Uniformity, and at the next Session (the reasons of Uniformity continuing still the same) to pass another Law to frustrate, or weaken the execution of it. IT will expose your Majesty to the restless Importunity of every Sect or Opinion, and of every single person also who shall presume to Dissent from the Church of England. IT will be a Cause of increasing Sects and Sectaries, whose Numbers will weaken the True Protestant Profession so far, that it will at least be difficult for it to defend itself against them; and which is yet further considerable, those Numbers which, by being troublesome to the Government find they can arrive to an Indulgence, will, as their Numbers increase, be yet more troublesome, that so at length they may arrive to a general Toleration, which your Majesty hath declared against; and in time, some prevalent Sect, will at last contend for an Establishment, which for aught can be foreseen, may end in Popery. IT is a thing altogether without Precedent; and will take away all means of Convicting Recusants, and be inconsistent with the Method and Proceed of the Laws of England. LASTLY, it is humbly conceived, that the Indulgence proposed, will be so far from tending to the Peace of the Kingdom, that it is rather likely to occasion great disturbance. And, on the contrary, the asserting of the Laws, and the Religion Established, according to the Act of Uniformity, is the most probable means to produce a Settled Peace and Obedience throughout your Kingdom; because the variety of Professions in Religion, when openly indulged, doth directly distinguish Men into Parties, and withal gives them opportunity to count their Numbers; which considering the Animosities, that out of a Religious Pride, will be kept on foot by the several Factions, doth tend directly and inevitably to open disturbance; nor can your Majesty have any security that the Doctrine or Worship of the several Factions, which are all governed by a several Rule, shall be consistent with the Peace of your Kingdom. These Reasons were too powerful for his Majesty not to be 65. These Reason's o're-powred the King so, that He yielded to them, and He hoped that the Truly Religious and Peaceable would soon do so too. overcome by them, and therefore he yielded to their force and prevalency; and doubted not but in a little while, The Truly Religious, and the Peaceable, would likewise be brought over to a submissive Acquiescence, and a dutiful compliance with them; and that their minds would be better composed, and the Peace of the Church Established: And though he was verily persuaded, That the great Piety and Devotion, the Moderation, Wisdom, Charity and Hospitality of the Bishops would in a short time recover the Weak and the Misled to 66. And that by the Bishop's Care and Example the Weak would be brought over to their Primitive Temper of Obedience to Laws and Government. their Primitive Temper of a cheerful Obedience and Submission to Laws and Government; and so to be the best Neighbours, and the best Friends, and the best Subjects of the World; yet was he not also insensible, that the forwardness and pride of some might not be yet enough subdued; The Humours and Spirits of such Men being too rough and boisterous, and therefore was willing that there should be prepared sharper Laws and Penalties, to contend with those Refractory Persons, and to break that stuborness which would not bend to gentler 67. That those who would not, must feel the weight of sharper Laws. Applications; and it is great reason, that they upon whom Clemency cannot prevail, should feel that severity they have provoked: but still the Execution of those sharp Laws depends upon the Wisdom of the King, who is the most discerning, 68 But yet the Execution of those Laws depended on the King who was merciful, and of a tender conscience himself. generous and merciful Prince in the world, and of so excellent a Nature, and so tender a Conscience himself, that he hath the highest compassion for all Errors of that kind, (as before is said) But his constant zeal for the Church hath been visible throughout the whole course of his Reign: scarce can he admit a Speech to come from him, unless it hath in it some 69. His constant zeal the Church went above all things. earnest request that his Parliament would take care of the Protestant Religion; That they would see to secure the Church of England; and to keep that up in all its just and Ancient Rights. THIS Zeal of his for the Church, after the Dreadful Conflagration of his great City of London, made the King so earnest with them soon after to get up some of their Churches Re-edified, that so the Service of God in the public Worship might be performed; and that we might there mourn for those our grievous sins which was the cause of Gods so heavy a judgement upon us; These are his words, We do hearty recommend it to the Charity and Magnanimity of all well-disposed Persons; 70. How instant the King was to have Churches Rebuilt after the Fire of London, that some might have public places to worship and serve God in. and we hearty pray unto Almighty God, that he would infuse into the hearts of Men speedily to endeavour by degrees to Re-edify some of those many Churches which in this Lamentable Fire have been burnt down and defaced, that so men may have those public places of God's Worship to resort to, to humble themselves together before him upon this his heavy dipsleasure; and join in their Devotion for his future mercy & blessing upon us; & as soon as we shall be informed 71. The King invites his People to it by the promise not only of his assistance and direction, but of his Bounty too. any readiness to begin such a good work; we shall not only give our assistance and direction for the Model of it, and freeing it from Buildings at so near a distance, but shall encourage it by our own Bounty, and all other ways we shall be desired. Is not this sufficiently expressive of his zeal for upholding the True Religion? What, after this astonishing Judgement of Fire upon the Metropolitan City of this Kingdom, was the King's first care, aught to have been that of us all, to endeavour to have God worshipped in his Sanctuary; for this makes up the Beauty of Holiness, and declares our great desires for, what we all do at least outwardly profess to believe, the Communion of Saints. NOR did his Majesty rest here; his zeal for the Church, was his zeal for the service of it; and he was resolved that nothing justly belonging to it should be lost: Says He, Our Care and Endeavours for the Preservation 72. His Majesty hath all along shewed his care to preserve the Rights and Interests of the Church. of the Rights and Interests His Majesty's Declaration to all his Loving Subjects, March, 15. 1671. pag. 3. 4. of the Church, have been sufficiently manifested to the World, by the whole course of our Government, since our happy Restauration, and by the many, and frequent ways of Coercion that we have used for reducing all erring or dissenting persons, and for composing the unhappy differences in matters of Religion, which we found among our Subjects upon our Return; but it being evident by the sad experience of twelve years, that there is very little 73. By the way, the Supreme Power in Ecclesiastical Matters, is not only inherent in the King, but is Recognised so by divers Acts of Parliament. Fruit of all those forcible Courses; We think ourselves obliged to make use of that Supreme Power in Ecclesiastical Matters, which is not only inherent in us, but hath been declared and recognized to be so by several Statutes and Acts of Parliaments: and therefore we do now accordingly Isive this our Declaration, as well for the quieting the minds of our good Subjects in these Points, for inviting Srangers in this Conjuncture, to come and 74. Therefore to quietminds, invite strangers to live here, and to encourage Trade; He is now by himself, with the advice of his Privy Council resolved to declare. live under us; and for the better encouragement of all to a cheerful following of their Trade and Callings, from whence we hope by the blessing of God, to have many good and happy advantages to our Government, as also for preventing for the future, the danger that might otherwise arise from private Meetings, and seditious Conventicles. AND In the first place we declare our express resolution, 75. That the Church shall be kept entire in its Doctrine Discipline and Government. meaning and intention, to be, That the Church of England be preserved, and remain entire in its Doctrine, Discipline and Government, as now it stands Established by Law; and that this be taken to be, as it is, the Basis, Rule, and Standard of the general and public worship of God; and that the Orthodox, Conformable Clergy do 76. Clergy to receive their just Revenues. receive and enjoy the Revenues belonging thereunto; and that no person, though of a different Opinion and Persuasion shall be exempt from paying his Tithes, or other Deuce whatsoever. And further we declare, that no person 77. None exempt from paying Tithes shall be capable of holding any Benefice, Living, or Ecclesiastical Dignity or Preferment of any kind in this 78. None capable of any Church Preferments, but those that are exactly conformable. our Kingdom of England, who is not exactly conformable. pag. 5. BUT notwithstanding all this great Reverence to, and Care 79. He has a tender regard likewise of those that descent from the Church, provided they will live peaceably and orderly. of the Church of England, yet you shall see what a tender regard his Majesty hath to those too that cannot come up to a thorough compliance with the Church; for his eyes are over all, and his thoughts and heart extend to all his Subjects, as long as they will keep themselves within the due bounds of an honest peaceableness, and an orderly subjection. WE do in the next place, saith he, declare our will and pleasue to be, that the execution of all, and all manner of penal Laws in Matters Ecclesiastical, against 80. All Penal Laws against all Nonconformists hereby suspended. whatsoever sort of Nonconformists or Recusants, be immediately suspended, and they are hereby suspended. And all judges, judges of Assize, and Gaol-delivery, Sheriffs, justices of the Peace, Mayor, Bailiffs, and other Officers whatsoever, whether Ec-clesiastical or Civil, are to take notice of it, and pay due Obedience thereunto. pag. 6. AND that there may be no pretence for any of our 81. A sufficient number of public places to be allowed for Nonconformists to meet in Subjects to continue their illegal Meetings and Conventicles: We do declare that we shall from time to time allow a sufficient number of places as they shall be desired, in all parts of this our Kingdom, for the use of such as do not conform to the Church of England, to meet and assemble in, inorder to their public worship and devotion; which places shall be open and free to all persons. pag. 6. BUT to prevent such disorders and inconveniences, as 82. But none to meet in any place until such place be allowed, and the Teacher approved of. may happen by this our indulgence, if not duly regulated, and that they may be the better protected by the Civil Magistrate; Our express will and pleasure is, that none of our Subjects do presume to meet in any place, until such place be allowed, and the Teacher of that Congregation be approved by us. pag. 7. AND lest any should apprehend that this Restriction 83. This allowance of places and approbation of Teachers to extend to all sorts of Nonconformists but the Papists should make our said allowance and approbation difficult to be obtained: We do further declare, that this our indulgence as to the allowance of the public places of worship, and approbation of the Teachers, shall extend to all sorts of Nonconformists and Recusants, except the Recusants of the Roman Catholic Religion, etc. of which more an●n in its due place. pag. 7. AND now what methinks every one should readily agree to, and be very careful punctually to observe this injunction with which his Majesty is pleased to conclude; saith He, If after this our Clemency and Indulgence, any of our Subjects shall presume to abuse this Liberty, and shall 84. Now none must abuse this Liberty, by seditiously, or reflectingly preaching against the Eastblished Church. preach seditiously, or to the derogation of the Doctrine, Discipline, or Government of the Established Church, or shall meet in places not allowed by us: We do hereby give them warning, and declare, we will proceed against them with all imaginable severity; and We will let them see we can be as severe to punish such Offenders, when so justly provoked, as we are indulgent to truly tender Consciences. BUT to return, where most the King's heart is set, I mean to the Church of England, you shall hear what he says to his House of Commons of it. Gentlemen, saith he, I hear you are zealous for the Church, and very 85. House of Commons zealous for the Church. solicitous, and even jealous that there His Speech to the House of Commons at the Banqueting House, March 1. 1661. pag. 7, 8. is not expedition enough used in that Affair. I thank you for it, since I presume it proceeds from a good Root of Piety and Devotion; but I must tell you, I have 86. The King suspected to be a Presbyterian. the worst luck in the world, if, after all the Reproaches of being a Papist, whilst I was abroad, I am suspected of being a Presbyterian now I am come 87 The King as zealous for the Church, as any of his House of Commons, and as much in love with the Common Prayer Book. home: I know you will not take it unkindly, if I tell you, that I am as zealous for the Church of England as any of you can be, and am enough acquainted with the Enemies of it, on all sides; that I am as much in love with the Book of Common Prayer as you can wish, and have prejudice enough to those who do not love it; 88 Desires to see an Uniformity settled and they may rely upon it, that he will expedite it with all convenient speed. who, I hope in time, will be better informed and change their minds; and you may be confident, I do as much desire to see an Uniformity settled, as any amongst you. I pray trust me in that Affair, I promise you to hasten the dispatch of it with all convenient speed; you may rely upon me in it. I have transmitted the Book of Common Prayer with those Alterations and Additions, which have been presented to me by the Convocation, to the House of Peers, with my approbation, that the Act of Uniformity may relate to it; so that I presume it will be shortly dispatched there: and 89. It requires great prudence and discretion, no passion and precipitation. when we have done all we can, the well-setling that Affair will require great prudence and discretion, and the absence of all passion and precipitation. You see how his Majesty promised, that he would give up all his endeavours to compose the unhappy differences in matters of Religion, and to restore the Languishing Church to Peace, Unity and Order: Constantine himself hardly spent so much of 90. How mightily his Majesty has laid out himself to restore the Church to peace, unity and order. his own time in private and public conferences to that purpose; His Majesty Lord Chancellor's Speech to both Houses of Parliament, on Saturday Decemb. 29 1660. The Day of their Dissolution, pag. 8. in private Conferred with the Learned Men, and heard all that could be said upon several Opinions and Interests apart; and then in the Presence 91. Constantine himself scarce spent so much time about it. of both Parties, himself moderating in the Debates, (and less care and diligence, and authority would not have done the work.) And if after all this, his Majesty doth not reap 93. If after all some will keep up old Breaches, they must be reduced by Law to the obedience of the Law. the full Harvest he expected from those Condescensions; if some men by their Writing, and by their Preach endeavour to continue the old Breaches, etc. I shall say no more, than that I hope their want of modesty and obedience will cause them to be disclaimed by all pious and peaceable men, who cannot but be well contented to see them reduced by Law, to the obedience they own to Law ON Tuesday, April 5. 1664. as if his Parliament were somewhat doubtful of it; The King when he came then to give his Royal Assent to two Bills, breaks out into these words to them, I do assure you upon my word, and I pray believe 9●. The King has no other thoughts or designs in his heart, but to support the Religion Established, and make us happy by it. me, That I have no other thoughts or designs in my heart, but to make you all happy in the support of the Religion and Laws Established. pag. 4. The Late King lost his Life in the defence of the Reformed Religion; and his present Majesty (whom God Almighty long continue among us) hath manifested his affection to the Church of England, as by Law Established, in despite of all calumnies, and through extreme difficulties, with the highest acts of Solemnity imaginable. WHEN his Majesty met his both Houses of Parliament in 67. how instant was he to have them take it into their considerate thoughts, how to settle Religion more to the quieting of his People's minds, and His Majesty's Speech to both Houses, Monday 10 Feb. 1667. pag. 4. for the Establishment of Unity and Concord among them. Saith he, one thing more I hold myself obliged to recommend unto you at this 94. And therefore reminds his Parliament that they would think of some course to beget a better union among his Protestant Subjects as being the best way to support the Government. present; which is, that you would seriously think of some course to beget a better union and composure in the minds of my Protestant Subjects, in matters of Religion; whereby they may be induced, not only to submit quietly to the Government, but also cheerfully give their assistance to the support of it. WHEN the King sent his Grace the then Earl of Lauderdail, his Majesty's High Commissioner for the Parliament of Scotland: You shall hear what he said to them concerning his Majesty's 95. The King's constant and unalterable zeal to maintain and defend the True Reformed Protestant Religion in Scotland. Resolution to maintain the True Protestant Religion there; It was by command from his Royal Master, to say in his Name at the opening Earl of Lauderdail 's Speech to the Parliament of Scotland, Oct. 19 1669. pag. 3. 4. of that his Parlirment: And first, saith he, I am to assure you of his Majesty's constant and unalterable zeal for maintaining and defending the True Reformed Protestant Religion in this 96. That ●e will maintain and defend the autient Government of it, being most suitable to Monarchy. his Kingdom, for which he will constantly lay out his whole power and authority; as also for discouraging and punishing all Atheism and Prophanities, and all that is contrary to true Religion and Godliness. I am further particularly commanded to assure you, that with no less zeal and constancy he will maintain and defend the Ancient Government by Arch-Bishops 97. Episcopal Government the most Primitive and Apostolic. and Bishops as now it is happily settled as a sure Fence for the True Refromed Protestant Religion, a Government most suitable to Monarchy; and well may I call it Ancient, for whoever 98. The King will refend the persons of the Archbishops, & Bishops, & all the Orthodox Clergy in their Functions. will look into Antiquity, shall find Episcopal Government hath continued in the whole Catholic Church, both East and West, even from the most Primitive and Apostolic Times; and a little after in the said 4 pag. after he had just touched upon the sad Calamities and Confusions of the Late Times, he says farther, in his Majesty's Name, and by his special Command, I do assure you, he will employ his utmost power in the maintenance 99 Will not endure those numerous Conventicles that tend to Sedition and Schism. of that Government, and will protect the persons of my Lords the Archbishops, and Bishops, and of the Loyal Orthodox, and Peaceable Clergy in the exercise of their Functions: he will not endure those numerous and unlawful Conventicles 100 The King of late hath set up some that were peaceable men, in vacant Churches, though they came not up to the Rules Established; They should therefore carry themselves worthy of that high favour. which tend to Sedition and Schism, which have been too frequent in some few Shires of this Kingdom: Good Laws have been made, and in prosecution of those Laws, the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council have shown their care for suppressing those Seditious Assemblies; yea, and of late his Majesty has graciously indulged the planting of some who were esteened peaceable men in vacant Churches (though they came not up to the Rules Established;) it will be expected that they walk worthy of so great a favour; but if after this removal of the very pretence of unlawful Conventicles any Factious People shall in contempt of his Majesty's Laws, yea, 101. But if any factious people in contempt of his Majesty's Laws shall afterwards Assemble; They must ●o brought to condign punishment. and of his Indulgence also, seditiously assemble themselves under pretence of Religious Worship, his Majesty doth require his Parliament, and all in Authority under him, vigorously to suppress such Meetings, and to bring the pretended Preachers, and Ringleaders of such unlawful Assemblies to condign and exemplary punishment. AGAIN his Majesty's Commissioners Speech to the Parliament of Scotland, that were met at Edinburgh, 102. The King is unalterable in his zeal to maintain the True Reformed Protestant Religion, and Government by Arch-Bishops and Bishops. mentioning Religion, has these words, I July 28. 70. p. 5, 6, 7. need not repeat the assurances of his majesty's constant and unalterable zeal, for maintaining and defending the true Reformed Protestant Religion in this his Kingdom, and that with no less zeal and constancy, he will maintain the Ancient Government by Arch-Bishops, and Bishops, now Happily Restored and Established here; for, in 203. And will not endure those numerous Conventicles that tend to Sedition and Schism. all the exercises of his Royal Authority, he doth daily give full and undeniable testimonies thereof. AT the opening of the first Session of this Parliament, I told you in his Majesty's Name, that he would not endure those numerous and unlawful Conventicles, that tend to Sedition 104. But will have them suppressed, and the most guilty brought to punishment. and Schism, which had been too frequent in some Shires of this Kingdom; and the King did then require you, and all in Authority under him, vigorously to suppress such Meetings; and to bring the most guilty to condign punishment. In prosecution of which, the Lords of the Privy Council 105. Field Conventicles look more like rendezvouzes for Rebellion than any thing for Religion. have done their duty carefully, though not with that success which they desired: for his Majesty hath been informed that this Summer, divers Seditious and numerous Conventicles have been kept, even in the open fields which look liker endeavours to rendezvous for Rebellion, than any pretence 106. Because it was in contempt of the King's Authority, and of the Parliament, which they knew so soon would Assemble. of Religious Worship; and that in high contempt of his Majesty's Authority, and of this Parliament, which they well-knew was so soon to Assemble. Yea, such hath been the Insolent Barbarity of that incorrigible sort of Non-Conformists, that in some places the Houses of Orthodox, and Peaceable Ministers have been Robbed, their persons and Families wounded, and they threatened to be murdered, 107. And some of those Non-conformists robbed the Conformable Ministers houses, wounded the Parsons, and threatened to kill them if they stayed in their Churches. if they stay at their Churches. THEREFORE His Majesty doth most seriously recommend 108. Therefore good reason why the King recommends them to make good Laws, and vigorously to prosecute them. it to your special care. by good Laws, and vigorous prosecution of them, to curb, punish and prevent those Seditious Conventicles; to cure the withdrawing of Protestants from their Paroch Churches, and the Ordinances there, which is the occasion of those Conventicles, and cannot 109. For this cannot be conscience, but design to perpetuate Faction and Schism. be pretended for conscience, but must be esteemed only out of design, to perpetuate Faction and Schism, (seeing the Form of Worship here is the same which hath been since the Reformation) as also to punish Exemplarly those Barbarous Robberies and Assassinates, committed against honest and peaceable Ministers; and generally to provide what you shall think necessary for continuing the peace of the Kingdom. The Work will be easy, and I doubt not your care in it. The Kingdom generally is Loyal, Peaceable and Dutiful; it is but 110. The Kingdom generally is Loyal, Peaceable, and Dutiful. a small part of it which is tainted with such principles and practices. pag. 7. AND again, further in the year 1672. His Majestie's High Commissioner for his Kingdom of Scotland, at the opening of that Session of Parliament, continues the same Language to them, and assures them his Majestie's Resolution is not in the least altered; saith he, I am particularly commanded to renew again to you His Grace the Duke of Lauderdail 's Speech, June 12. 1672. to the Parliament of Scotland, pag. 12. 111. The King's Resolution continues the same still for the Government of the Church by Archbishops, and Bishops and for suppressing of Conventicles, preventing the growth of Schism, and securing the peace of the Church. the assurances of his Majesty's most constant continuance in his unalterable resolutions, to maintain the True Reformed Protestant Religion, and the Government of this Church, by Arch-Bishops, and Bishops, whatever Seditious and Disaffected Persons may suggest to the contrary; and I am fully empowered to all such further Acts, as you shall judge convenient, for the quieting the minds of peaceable people, and for curbing and punishing Seditious Conventicles, for preventing the increase of Schism, and by all good means securing the Peace of the Church. BY this you may see, that his Majesty was not only resolved to settle Episcopacy in this his Kingdom, but his pious intentions were all along visible, firmly to Establish it throughout all his Dominions. BUT to return to ourselves here of England; when the House of Commons Presented the Bill to his Majesty, to Repeal that Law, which was made in 17 Car. whereby the Bishops were Excluded the House; how great was the King's joy, and thankfulness to them at the Receipt of it! You shall hear both their Speeches of this Matter. AND first, to begin with the Speaker's when he Presented the Bill, saith he, Your majesty's Royal Grandfather was often wont Sir Edward Turner 's Speech delivered on Tuesday July 30. 1661. at their Adjournment, pag. 4, 5. to say, no Bishop, no King; we found 112. No Bishop, no King, found true in the late times of confusion. his words true, for after they were put out, the Fever still increasing in another Fit; The Temporal Lords followed, and then the King himself: nor did the humour rest there, but in the Round, The House of Commons was first Garbled, and then turned out of their doors. IT is no wonder when a Sword is put into a mad Man's hand, to see him cut off Limb by Limb, and then to kill himself. WHEN there is a great Breach of the Sea upon the low Grounds, by the violence of the Torrent, the Rivers of sweet Waters are often turned aside, and the Salt Waters make themselves a Channel; but when the Breach is made up, good Husbands drain their Lands again, and restore the Ancient Sewers. THANKS be to God the Flood is gone off the Face of this Island; our Turtle Dove hath found good footing; Your Majesty is Happily Restored to the Government; The Temporal Lords and Commons are restored to sit in Parliament, and shall the Church alone now suffer? Sit Ecclesia Anglicana libera, & habeat libertates suas illaesas. Magna Charta. IN order to this great work, the Commons have prepared 113, A Bill brought by the Commons to Repeal the Act f●● exclusion of the Bishops from sitting in the House. a Bill to repeal that Law, was made in 17. Car, whereby the Bishops were excluded this House: These Noble Lords have all agreed; and now we beg your Majesty will give it life; speak but the word, Great Sir, and your Servants yet shall live. TO which his Majesty presently was pleased to return this 114. The great thanks the King gives them for the Repeal of that Act, as being an unhappy Act in an unhappy time. most gracious Answer; I thank you with all my heart, indeed as much as I can The King's Speech to both Houses, July, 30. 1661. pag. 4, 5. do for any thing, for the Repeal of that Act which excluded the Bishops from sitting in Parliament: it was an unhappy Act in an unhappy time, passed with many unhappy circumstances, and attended with miserable events; and therefore I 115. It has restored Parliaments to their Primitive Institutions. do again thank you for repealing it: You have thereby restored Parliaments to their Primitive Institutions. AND his Majesty was so greatly pleased with this Act of Repeal, that he found it, as it were impossible for him to forbear coming to his House of Lords, even the very first day of their meeting after the Adjournment; and what was it for? you shall immediately know from his own words: I know the Visit, saith he, I make you this day, is not ne necessary, is not of course; yet if there were no more in 16. How the King visits them the first day of their next Meeting to give them thanks again, and how he rejoices to see the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, & House of Commons met together, etc. it, it would not be strange, that I come to see what You and I have so long desired to see, The Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons of England met together to consult for the peace and safety of Church and State, by which Parliaments The King's Speech to both Houses, on Wednesday Novemb. 20. 1661. pag. 1. are restored to their Primitive Lustre and Integrity: I do hearty congratulate with you for this day. THIS surely was a signal evidence of his true love to the Church, his hearty joy to behold the great Supporters and Pillars of it, restored to their rightful Seats in Parliament. And this both the King and the Parliament knew was one ready way to restore to them their due honour and reverence from the People. If the Authority of the Church should not carefully be upheld, how quickly should we come to have no Church at all? and into what sad Calamities should we lapse by such an abandonment, which in some sense but little differs from a Persecution. LET us suppose that possible, which the piety and goodness of the Kng hath made next to impossible; says the 117. What would become of the Church if her Authority were despiled? Lord Keeper in his Speech to both Houses of Parliament, but let it be for once supposed, Lord Keeper's Speech April, 13. 1675. pag 12, 13. that the Church of England were forsaken, her Authority made insignificant, her Government precarious; suppose her disarmed of all those Laws by which she is guarded, denied all Aid from the Civil Magistrate, and that none were obliged to obey her commands, but those that have a mind to it; would not this turn a National Church into nothing else but a Tolerated Sect, or Party in the Nation? Would it not take away all appearance of Establishment from it? would it not drive the Church into the Wilderness again, where she should be sure to find herself encompassed with all sorts of Enemies, if at least she should find herself at all in the midst of so many Tolerations.? THEREFORE is it not most fitting, that a strict Rule should be observed, and that we could have the Law to be that Rule, and not to leave every Man to be a Law and Rule unto himself? WELL, then may the King say to his Parliament, (what 118. His Majesty's assurance, that he will preserve the True Reformed Protestant Religion, and the Church as now established. he has said since in almost every one of his Speeches to them;) I will conclude with this assurance to you, that I will preserve the True His Majesty's Speech to both Houses, Feb. 5. 16672. pag. 4. Reformed Protestant Religion, and the Church as it is now Established in this Kingdom; and in the whole course of my indulgence to Dissenters. I do not intent that it shall any ways prejudice the Church, but I will support its Rights, and it in its full power. THE Church of England, and all good Protestants, (says 119. The Church and all good Protestants have reason to rejoice in this their Defendor. the Lord Chancellor to this Speech of the King, in his own, pag. 12, 13.) have reason to rejoice in such a Head, and such a Defendor. His Majesty doth declare his care, and concerns for the Church, and will maintain them in all their Rights and Privileges, equal, if not beyond any of his Predecessors; He was born and bred up in it: It was that his Father died for; 120. Good reasons to induce his Majesty to it. We all know how great temptations and offers he resisted abroad, when he was in his lowest condition: and he thinks it the honour of his Reign, that he hath been the Restorer of 121. He hopes to bring it into greater lustre than ever yet it has been the Church: 'Tis that he will ever maintain, and hopes to leave to posterity in greater lustre, and upon surer grounds than our Ancestors ever saw it; but his Majesty is not convinced, That violent ways are the interest of Religion, or the Church. 122. violent ways not conducing to it. AND after his majesty's conclusion of his Speech, let me 123. Let us then all bless God and the King. conclude, nay, let us all conclude with blessing God and the King. Let us bless God, that he Idem. pag. 14. 15. hath given us such a King to be the Repairer of our Breaches both in Church and State. and the Restorer of our paths to dwell in. LET us bless the King for taking away all our fears, and 124. That God hath given us such a King who makes the Church of England his great care. leaving no room for jealousies: for those assurances and promises he hath made us. Let us bless God and the King, that our Religion is safe; that the Church of England is the care of our Prince. what more hath a good English Man to ask, but that this King may long Reign. 125. Long therefore should we pray that this King may Reign. WHEN He met his Parliament about eight months after: you shall see the King keeps close to the same Text, as being that which he can never find in his heart to forget; and therefore he may very well begin thus, I Ihope need not use many words to persuade you that I am steady in maintaining all the professions and promises I have 126. The King steady to all his professions and promises. made you concerning Religion: King's Speech to both Houses. Monday, Octob. 27. 73. pag. 4. and I shall be very ready to give you fresh instances of my zeal for 127. Is ready to give fresh invances of it. preserving the Established Religion and Laws, as often as any occasion shall require. BY this you cannot but take notice, that, as to Religion, 128. His Majesty's heart, with those of his people. His Majesty's heart is with the hearts of his people, perfectly with their hearts. Lord Chancellor's Speech to the same, pag. 9 129. If therefore any thing be wanting to secure Religion, all reasonable proposals shall be kindly received. AND therefore, about three months after that, says the King again to his Parliament, If there be any thing else which you think King's Speech January 7. 73. pag. 4. wanting to secure Religion; there is nothing which you shall reasonably propose but I shall be ready to receive it. One would wonder with ones self what can be expected more from a Prince to be said, than such a hearty and generous Declaration as this. It is delivered with so obliging, and so satisfactory an Accent, that he whose affections are not raised by that discourse; he who cannot acquiesce in the fullness of this Lord Keeper's Speech to the same, pag. 7 130. He who cannot acquiesce in this assurance, will never be prevailed upon by any other expedient. assurance, he whose heart is not Established by it in such a belief as may entirely dispose him to the service of the Crown, will hardly be recovered to a better disposition by any other expedient. IS not this an ample demonstration of his willingness to repair the Hedge about our Vineyard, and to make it a Fence indeed against all those who are Enemies to the planing of it? Who would be glad to see it trodden Id pag. 8. down, or rooted up; and study how to sapp and undermine our very Foundations? THE King calls his Parliament to examine, and concur with 131. The King calls his Parliament to examine and to concur with him in the best ways to preserve the Protestant Religion. him in the best expedients, for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion, The Lord Keeper's Speech to both Houses, April 13. 1675. pag. 8. and for securing the Establishment of it by a due execution of the Laws. HE gives them leave to study and contrive their own assurance, and if they think they want any further security, if any 132. And will be persuaded by them in all reasonable things. thing hath escaped his Majesty's care, who meditates nothing more than The Lord Keeper's Speech to both Houses, January 7. 73. pag. 10. our preservation: you see they have free leave to make any reasonable proposition, 133. This surely should satisfy all our wi●●es. and his gracious promise that he will receive it. THIS one would think were a satisfaction equal to all our wishes; and that there wanted no more to the improvement of this happiness, but the wisdom of the Id ibid. Parliament to use these advantages with a due moderation. AND still his Majesty seems to be dissatisfied with himself, and that he has not yet done enough for the interest of Religion; no, he must be further solicitous and importunate; his chief design of Assembling his Parliament, is again to refresh their memories with it; and as he thinks it can never be too much in his thoughts, so likewise it can never be too often repeated 134. The King's chief end in calling the Parliament to think what yet may be wanting to secure Religion. by him. THE principal end, saith he, of my calling you now, is to know what you His Majesty's Speech April 13. 1675. pag. 3, 4. think may be yet wanting to the security of Religion, and to give myself the satisfaction of having used the utmost of my endeavours 135. And will leave nothing undone to show his Zeal for it. to procure and settle a right and lasting understanding between us. I will leave nothing undone, that may show the world my zeal to the Protestant Religion, as it is established in the Church of England, from which I will never departed. AND may he not then very justly begin his next Speech to his Parliament after this manner, and say? I think I have given sufficient evidence to the World, that I have not 136. The King not wanting in his endeavours to establish our Religion, and our property. been wanting on my part in my endeavours to procure the full satisfaction of King's Speech. June 9 1675. pag. 3. all my Subjects, in the matters of both Religion and property. I have not only invited you to those considerations at our first meeting, but I have been careful through this whole Session, that not concern of my own should divert you from it. WELL, the next Speech of his Majesty to them, is still to provide what they shall think fitting to make us all safe in our Religion. And particularly, saith he, 137. 'Tis his particular recommendation to his Parliament to secure the Protestant Religion. I recommend to you, whatever may Wednes. Octo. 13. 1675. The King's Speech. p. 4. tend to the security of the Protestant Religion as it is now established in the Church of England. TO that you cannot but plainly take notice, that his Majesty hath so often recommended to his Parliament the Considerations of Religion, so very often desired them to assist him in his care and protection of it, Lord Keeper's Speech to the same. p. 6. that the defender of the Faith is become 138. The Defender of the faith is the Advocate for it. the Advocate for it too, and hath left all those without excuse who still remain under any kind of doubts or fear. AGAIN does that noble and eloquent Lord thus say, speaking to both Houses of Parliament, in pag. 8. and 9 WOULD you raise the due estimation and reverence of the Church of England to its just height? Would you provide for the safety and establishment of it? ALL your Petitions of this kind will be grateful to the King, and you may with ease effect this, and much more which your great wisdoms will suggest to you. WHEN the King met his Parliament after (as he himself is there pleased to call it) a long Prorogation, he still keeps up the same language to them, as you have heard him speak all along. 139. The King still putting Parliament in mind to make his people happy. I am now resolved, saith he, to let the world see that it shall not be my fault, if The King's Speech to both Houses, Feb. 15. 1679. pag. 1, and 2. they be not happy by your Consultations in Parliament. AND how shall the world see this? why, saith he, in the 140. By securing the Protestant Religion to them. very next words, For I declare myself very plainly to you, that I come prepared to give you all the satisfaction and security in the great concerns of the Protestant Religion as it is established in the Church of England, that shall reasonably be asked, or can consist with Christian prudence. TO be sure, his Majesty, when he said this, was sufficiently sensible of what the Lord Chancellor at the same time had in command to say, viz. that The Peace of the Church is harder to preserve than the 141. For the Peace of the Church is harder to be preserved than that of the State. peace of the State; for they who desire Innovations in the State, most commonly Lord Chancellor's Speech to the same. p. 6. begin the attempt upon the Church. AND by this means it comes to pass, that the peace of 142. Hence it is so oft disturbed by two sorts of persons, by mistaken souls, and by malicious designing men. the Church is so often disturbed, not only by these poor mistaken souls, who deserve to be pitied, but by malicious and designing men, who deserve to be punished. And while things continue in this State, it cannot be avoided but that the Laws which are necessary to restrain the malicious, must and will sometimes disquiet and wound those that are weak. Yet the fanatics, Sectaries, and Nonconformists, as the 143. How fanatics no friends to the established Government. Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons then said, as they differ in their shapes and species, accordingly are more or less dangerous; but in this they all agree, they are no friends to the established Sir Edward Turnors Speech Tuesday, May 14. 1664. pag. 9 Government either in Church or State. And if the old Rule hold true, Qui Ecclesiae contradicit, non est pacificus, we have great reason to prevent 144. Therefore was the Bill against Conventicles. their growth, and to punish their practice. Therefore was the Bill then prepared against their frequenting of Conventicles, the Seed-plots and Nurseries of their Opinions, under pretence of Religious Worship. BUT yet by such Bill no man is hindered the use of his own Judgement, in the exercise of Religion, by himself or in his own Family, or in the presence of 145. But by it none are hindered the use of their own Judgement in their families. four strangers; but because the peace Sir Edward Turnors Speech to the King, Monday, April 11. 1670. Upon the Parliaments adjournment. p. 5. of the Nation may be endangered by more populous meetings, contrary to the Liturgy and practice of the Church of England, therefore from a prudent prospect of such a destructive inconvenience to the weal of the State, did the Parliament prepare such a Cautionary prevention. AND yet for all this their great care and wisdom, 'tis somewhat an unpleasant observation, to see how slow many inferior Magistrates are in the 146. How slow the inferior Officers are in this, to discharge their duty. discharge of this part of their duty, Lord Keeper's Speech to both Houses, April 13. 75. p. 11, 12. which refers to the safety of the Church against the Enemies on both sides of it, the Papists and the Dissenters. For this is that which opens men's mouths to object against the Laws themselves: This is that which encourages offenders to dispute that 147. This encourages Offenders to dispute Authority, and to judge the Laws. Authority which they should obey, and to judge those Laws by which they ought to be judged. They have found a way to make, even Justice itself criminal, by giving it a hard name, and calling it persecution. IT is no doubt a duty which we own to God and to our 148. It is the duty of us all to improve the opportunities God gives us to fence our Vineyard. selves, to the present Age, and to posterity, to improve the opportunities God gives us of fencing Lord Chan. Speech Thursd. May 23. 1668. p. 13, 14. our Vineyard, and making the hedge about it as strong as we can. And therefore goes the Lord Chancellor on, saying, The King hath commanded me to tell you (i. e, the Parliament) that he is ready to concur with you in any thing of this kind, which shall be found wanting, and which the Christian Prudence and Justice of a Parliament can propose as expedient. LET not any than give themselves up to complain of the danger 149. Let none complain of the dangers of Religion. of Religion, for fear lest they should, and that too justly too, be thought to complain only for complaining sake. id ibid. FOR what can possibly be said to satisfy any people, as to 150. What more can be said to satisfy the people of the security of the Protestant Religion, than what the King hath said to his Parliament. the security of the Protestant Religion, than what the King said to his Parliament, When he gave them all his most hearty thanks for the great and extraordinary care they had already taken, and still did continue to show, for the safety and preservation of his Royal Person in these times of danger. NOR saith he, do I think it enough to give you my thanks only, but I hold myself obliged to let you see withal, that I do as much study your preservation too, as I can possibly; and that I am as ready to join with you in all the ways and means that 151. Our own hearts can't with for more than what he is ready to do for us that way. may establish a firm security of the The King's Speech to both Houses, Nou. 9 78. p. 3, 4. Protestant Religion, as your own hearts can wish. AND this not only during my time (of which I am 152. He would secure it to us for ever. sure you have no fear) but in all future ages, even to the end of the world. HE proceeds in the next Speech to give them a further demonstration of his Zeal, and he saith, I meet you here with the most earnest desire that Man can have, to unite the minds of all my Subjects, both to me, and to one another, and I resolve it shall be your faults, if the success be not suitable to my desires: I have done many great things already in order to that end; as the Exclusion of the Popish Lords from their Seats in Parliament, 153. He has excluded the Popish Lords the House. etc. And above all, I have commanded His Majesty's Speech to both Houses, on Thursday, March 6. p. 3, 4. my Brother to absent himself from me, because I would not leave 154. Commanded his Brother to absent himself. the most malicious men room to say, I had not removed all causes which could be pretended to influence me towards Popish Counsels. BESIDES that end of Union which I am at (and which I wish could be extended to Protestants abroad as well as at home) I purpose by this last step I have made to discern whether the Protestant Religion, and the peace of the Kingdom be as truly aimed at by others, as they are really intended by me. FOR, as he afterwards brings it in, in the same Speech, 155. He will defend the Protestant Religion with his life. pag. 7. saith he, I do give you this assurance, that I will with my life defend both the Protestant Religion, and the Laws of this Kingdom. NOW with a very easy transposition of the Lord Chancellors own words in his Speech at the same time to both Houses of Parliament, pag. 10. I may with great truth say, that if his 156. Sure then his Majesty wants no evidence of his Zeal for our Religion. Majesty had wanted any evidence of his Zeal for our Religion, surely this testimony from his Enemies, who were about to sacrifice him for it, is sufficient to satisfy the whole World. For as there neither is, nor hath been these fifteen hundred 157. Not a purer Church than ours these 1500 years. years, a purer Church than ours, so 'tis for the sake of this poor Church alone that the State hath been so much disturbed. It is her truth and peace, her decency and order, which Our Enemy's labour to undermine, and pursue with so restless a malice. Id. Pag. 14. WHEN we consider the afflicted condition of the Protestants 158. What the Protestants abroad suffer is in some measure a weakening of the Protestant Interest. abroad, we may be sure that every calamity they suffer, is in some measure a weakening of the Id. p. 15. Protestant Interest, and looks as if it were intended to make way for a general extirpation. HOW watchful therefore does it become us all to be, that the same evil Spirit and temper does not get too much ground 159. Let us watch that no ill men do us harm at home. among us here at home? how ought we all to use our utmost vigilance and activity, care and prudence, to prevent those disturbances, which the restless spirits of ill and unquiet men will be always contriving? THERE are so many things to do, and so little time to 160. No time to be lost. do them in, that there ought not to be one minute lost. Id. p. 16. AND therefore the King makes it his constant care to do 161. The King's constant care to do all things to preserve our Religion, and to secure it for the future. every thing that may preserve Our Religion, and secure it for the future in all events; and he there saith, he hopes the several particulars King's Speech to both Houses, Wednesday, April 30. 1679. p. 4. he hath commanded my Lord Chancellor to mention, will be an evidence that in all things that concern the public security, he shall not follow Our Zeal, but lead it. THAT Royal care which his Majesty hath taken for the general quiet and satisfaction of all his Subjects, is now more evident by this new and fresh instance of it. HIS Majesty hath considered with himself, Lord Chancellor's Speech to the same, pag. 5. that 'tis not enough that your Religion and Liberty is secure during his own reign, but he thinks he owes it to his people to do all that in him lies, that these blessings may be transmitted to your posterity, and so well secured to them, that no succession in after ages may be able to work the least alteration. AND what he there had in command to say to that Parliament, I shall refer you to the Speech itself, it being too tedious here to insert it all, but shall conclude this with my Lords own words, pag. 7. THUS watchful is the King for all your safeties, and if he could think of any thing else that you do either want or wish to make you happy, he would make it his business to effect it for you, and therefore we may tell those who still contrive the ruin of the Church, the best, and the best reformed Church in the Christian world; reform by that Authority, and with those circumstances as a Reformation ought to be made, that God would not so miraculously have snatched this Church as a brand out of the fire; would not have raised it from the 162. And therefore surely God would never have done so much for our Reformed Church as he hath, unless it were a Church very acceptable to him, and which shall continue for ever. grave, after he had suffered it to be buried so many years, by the boisterous hands of profane and sacrilegious persons, under its own rubbish, to expose it again to the same rapine, reproach, and Impiety: Lord Chancellors Speech Dec. 29. 1660. p. 20, 21 That Church which delights its self in being called Catholic, was never so near expiration, never had such a Resurrection; that such a small pittance of Meal and Oil, should be sufficient to preserve and nourish the poor Widow and her family so long, is very little more miraculous, than that such a number of pious, learned, & very aged Bishops should so many years be preserved, in such wonderful straits and oppressions, until they should plentifully provide for their own succession: that after such a deep deluge of sacrilege, profaneness, and impiety, had covered, and to common understanding swallowed it up; that That Church should again appear above the waters, God be again served in that Church and served as he ought to be; and that there should be still some revenue left to support and encourage those who serve him; nay, that many of those who seemed to thirst after that revenue till they had possessed it, should conscientiously restore what they had taken away, and become good Sons, and willing Tenants to that Church they had so lately spoiled, may make us all piously believe, that God Almighty would not have been at the expense and charge of such a Miracle, so manifested himself to us in such a deliverance, but in the behalf of a Church very acceptable to him, and which shall continue to the end of the world, and against which the gates of hell shall not be able to prevail. The End of the first Chapter, concerning Religion. CHAP. II. Of Popery. BUT notwithstanding his Majesty's unquestionable affection 1 But yet notwithstanding the People are mighty jealous of Popery and zeal for the True Protestant Religion manifested in his constant profession and practice against all temptations whatsoever; yet many of his Subjects generally are much affected with jealousy The Parliament Petition to the King concerning Romish Priests and Jesuits, 1663., pag. 3, 4. and apprehension, that the Popish Religion may much increase in this Kingdom; (which yet his Majesty hath most piously desired may be prevented) and so the Peace 2. Because of the Resort of so many Jesuits and Popish Priests. both in Church and State may be insensibly disturbed to the great danger of both; WHICH was the reason of both the Houses of Parliaments Humble Suit to the King, That he would be pleased to Issue out his Proclamation to command all Jesuits and Popish 3. Therefore the Parliament desire the King to issue out his Proclamation for their departure. Priests, etc. to departed this Kingdom by a day, under the penalties of the Laws to be inflicted on them; but saith his Majesty to them presently, in his Speech at the reception of that Petition, pag. 5. It may be the general jealousy of the Nation hath 4. His Majesty's present answer to them. made this Address necessary; and indeed, I believe nothing hath contributed more to that jealousy, than my own confidence that it was impossible there should be any such jealousy, and the effects of that confidence; (but saith he in the next words) I shall give you satisfaction, and then I am sure you will easily satisfy and compose the minds of the Nation. Answer to this Representation and Petition, he 5. Afterwards his more deliberate return AND in his April 1. 1663. pag. 7. 8. saith, having seriously considered it, and having made some reflections upon himself and his own actions; he is not a little troubled, that his Lenity and Condescensions towards many of the Popish Persuasion (which were but natural effects of his generosity, and good nature, etc.) have been made so ill use of, and so ill deserved, that the Resort of Jesuits and Priests into this Kingdom hath been thereby increased, with which his Majesty is, and hath long been highly offended; and therefore his Majesty readily concurs with the Advice of his Two Houses of Parliament, and hath given order for the preparing and issuing 6. That he readily concurs with the advice of his Parliament to grant a Proclamation, and that to be more effectual than any of that kind have ever been. out such a Proclamation as is desired:— and his Majesty will take farther care that the same shall be effectual, at least to a greater degree than any Proclamation of this kind hath ever been. AND his Majesty further declares and assures both his Houses of Parliament, and all his Loving Subjects of all his Dominions; that as his affection and zeal for 7. For nothing is greater than his zeal for the Protestant Religion and to hinder the Growth of Popery. the Protestant Religion, and the Church of England hath not been concealed, or untaken notice of in the world; so he is not, nor will ever be so solicitous for the settling his own Revenue, or providing any other expedients for the Peace and Tranquillity of the Kingdom; as for the advancement and improvement of the Religion Established; and for the using and applying all proper and effectual 8. That being the best way to Establish the Peace, etc. of all his Kingdoms. remedies to hinder the Growth of Popery, both which he doth in truth look upon as the best expedient to Establish the Peace and Prosperity of all his Kingdoms. AND when it was as artificially, as the King himself truly phrases it, as maliciously divulged throughout the whole Kingdom: That at the same time we deny a fitting liberty to those other His Majesty's Declaration to all his Loving Subjects, December 26. 1662. pag. 3. Sects of our Subjects, whose consciences will not allow them to conform 9 The Malicious Scandal of his being more favourabie to Papists than other Dissenters. to the Religion Established by Law: We are highly indulgent to Papists, not only in exempting them from the penalties of the Law, but even to such a degree of countenance and encouragement, as may even endanger the Protestant Religion. As to that most pernicious and injurious scandal, so artificially spread & fomented, of our favour to Papists, saith 10. A Repetition of the same detestable Arts of the late Rebellious Times. the King, as it is but a repetition of the same detestable arts, by which all the The same Declaration, pag. 9, 10, 11, 12. late calamities have been brought upon this Kingdom, in the time of our Royal Father of Blessed Memory, who (though the most pious and zealous Protestant that ever Reigned in this Nation,) could never wash off the stains cast upon him by that malice, but by his 11. And therefore we should all be prepared against such poison. Martyrdom; We conceive our Subjects should be sufficiently prepared against that poison by memory of those disasters; especially, since nothing is more evident, than that the wicked Authors of this scandal are such as seek to involve all good Protestants under the odious name of Papists, or Popishly affected: yet we cannot but say upon this occasion, that our Education and course of Life in the True Protestant Religion, hath been such, and our constancy in the Profession of it so eminent in our most desperate condition abroad among Roman Catholic Princes; 13. Yet the Education of the King in the Protestant Religion hath been such that should any but believe this Scandal, it would be a most impardonable offence. when as the appearance of receding from it had been the likeliest way in all humane forecast, to have procured us the most powerful assistances of our Re-establishment, that should any of our Subjects give but the least admission of that scandal into ☞ their beliefs, We should look upon it as the most impardonable offence that they can be guilty of towards us. 'Tis true, that as we shall always according to justice retain, so we think it may become us to avow to the world a due sense we have of the greatest part of our Roman Catholics 14. 'Tis true the Roman Catholics did adhere to the King his Father with their Lives and Fortunes, against those who employed both against him. of this Kingdom, having deserved well from our Royal Father of blessed Memory, and from us, and even from the Protestant Religion itself, in adhering to us with their Lives and Fortunes for the maintenance of our Crown in the Religion Established against those who under the name of zealous Protestants, employed both fire and Sword to overthrow them both. We shall with as much freedom profess unto the world, that it is not in our intention to exclude our Roman Catholic Subjects, 15. Therefore ought not to be excluded from all share in the benefit of the Act of Indemnity who have demeaned themselves well. who have so demeaned themselves, from all share in the benefit of such an Act, (viz. the Act of Indemnity) as in pursuance of our promises, the wisdom of our Parliament shall think fit to offer unto us for the ease of tender Consciences. It might appear no less than injustice, that those who deserved well, and continued to do so, should be denied some part of that mercy, which we 16. For that would seem unjust. have obliged ourselves to afford to ten times the number of such who have not done so. Besides, such are the Capital 17. It is grievous to put any to death for their Opinions in matters of Religion only. Laws in force against them, as though justified in their vigour by the times in which they were made: We profess it Would be grievous unto us to consent to the execution of them, by putting any of our Subjects to death for their Opinions in matters of Religion only: but at the 18. Yet let them all know if they hope for Toleration of their Profession etc. or that Priests shall appear and avow themselves to the scandal of good Protestants, and of the Laws we will be severe. same time, That we declare our little liking of those Sanguinary Ones, and our Gracious Intentions already expressed to such of our Roman Catholic Subjects, as shall live peaceably, modestly, and without scandal: We would have them all know, that if for doing what their Duties & Loyalties obliged them to, or from our acknowledgement of their well-deserving, they shall have the presumption to hope for a Toleration of their Profession, or a taking away either those marks of distinction, or of our displeasure, which in a well-governed Kingdom ought always to be set upon Dissenters from the Religion of the State, or to obtain the least remission in the strictness of those Laws, which either are, or shall be made to hinder the spreading of their Doctrine, to the prejudice of the True Protestant Religion; or that upon our expressing (according to Christian Charity) our dislike of Bloodshed for Religion only; Priests shall take the boldness to appear, and avow themselves to the offence and scandal of good Protestants, and of the Laws in force against them: They shall quickly find we know as well to be severe, when wisdom requires, as indulgent when charity and sense of Merit challenge it from us. WitH this we have thought fit to arm our good Subjects 19 This is to arm the good Subject's minds against the practices of our ill ones. minds against the practices of our ill ones, by a True Knowledge of our own, of which now rightly persuaded, we make no question, but that whatsoever they be from whom they can derive the spreading or fomenting of 20. That those who foment such suggestions, are the most dangerous Enemies of the Crown and the peace of the Nation. any of those wicked suggestions, they will look upon them with detestation as the most dangerous Enemies of our Crown, and of the Peace and Happiness of the Nation. I thought it could not be too tedious either for me to Recite, or for you to hear thus much of his Majesty's Declaration upon this Head, because he has in it so clearly & fully delivered himself, as one would think it should be to the general, if I may not say, Eternal satisfaction of all his loving and dutiful Subjects. IS it not a superlative expression for the King to say of those 21. What can be higher said than this? that give out that most pernicious, as well as malicious scandal of his favour to Papists, that he looks on it as the most unpardonable offence that any can be guilty of towards him? and that those wicked Aspersers by all his good and Loyal People will (as they deservedly aught to) be looked upon as the most dangerous Enemies both to his Crown, and the Peace and Welfare of the Kingdom? AND whereas still some men would fain possess the people, 22. Never any Prince hath given more convincing proofs to the contrary, of his favouring Papists. that his Majesty is a Favourer of Popery, though never any Prince in Christendom hath given more convincing and irrefragable proofs of the contrary; let them take heed and consider, that by such aspersion they run the hazard of a Praemunire upon the Act for the safety of the King's Person, in scandalising his Majesty for a Favourer of Popery. NOW where the humours and spirits of men are too rough 23. Where men's humours are too rough for soft indulgence; shar Laws must be made to break their Stubborness. and boisterous for the soft remedies of signal indulgence and condescensions of suspension of the rigour of former Laws; there must be prepared sharper Laws and penalties to contend with those refractory Lord Chancellor's Speech to both Houses, May 19 1662. pag. 16. persons, and to break that stubbornness which will not bend to gentler applications: and it is great reason, that they upon whom Clemency cannot prevail, should seel that severity they have prcvoked. I pray hear what the Speaker of the House of Commons could say in his Address to the King, from the whole House, they being there present: Above The Address of the House spoke by Sir Edw. Turner Feb. 28. 1662. pag. 7. all, saith he, we can never enough remember, to 24. The Speaker of the House of Commons acknowledges His Majesty's most solemn invitations of them to make Laws against the growth of Popery. the Honour of Your Majesty's Piety, and our own unspeakable comfort, those solemn and most endearing invitations of us Your Majesty's Subjects, to prepare Laws to be presented to Your Majesty, against the growth and increase of Popery, and withal to provide more Laws against Licentiousness and Impiety, at the same time declaring Your own resolution for maintaining the Act of Uniformity. And when, a little after, both the Lords and Commons Petitioned His Majesty, by his Proclamation to command all Romish Priests and Jesuits, etc. to departed this Kingdom by a day; at the reception of the Petition, His Majesty thus gins his Speech to them. My Lords and Gentlemen, You do not expect that I should give you an Answer presently to your petition, yet I will tell you, that I will speedily send you an Answer, which I am confident will be to your satisfaction: and was it not so, think ye, when he, in his Gracious Answer, on the 1st. of April, 1663. told them, that he did readily concur with their advice, and that he had given order for such a Proclamation as they desired; which you may see more at large a little before? This made the Speaker of the House of Commons, no doubt so sensible, that he could not be kept off from a fresh mention of it, when he spoke to his Majesty, although it was almost four years afterwards. Saith he, We have been alarumed from all parts of the Kingdom 25. His Majesty commands all his Officers and Soldiers to take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy ●d and Priests an▪ Jesuits to the part by a day which much secures us against fears, &c by the insolences of Popish Priests and Jesuits, who by their great numbers, and bold writings declare to all the world, they are in expectation of a plentiful harvest here in England: Sir Edward Turner 's Speech to the King Friday, January 13. 1666. pag. 3. But your Majesty by your gracious Answer to the desire of both your Houses, your command, for all Officers and Soldiers in your Majesty's pay to take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and your Proclamation for the departure of Priests and Jesuits out of this Nation, have in a great measure secured us against those fears. WHEN his Majesty was pleased to declare his indulgence as 26. If the King allowed Public places of Worship to all Nonconformists but the Papists. to the allowance of public places of worship, and approbation of the Teachers, he said, it should extend to all sorts of Nonconformists and Recusants, His Majesty's Declaration to all his Loving Subjects, March 15. 1672. p. 7. except the Recusants of the Roman Catholic Religion, to whom we 27. They only to have their share in the common exemption from the execution of penal laws shall in no wise allow public places of Worship, but only indulge them their share in the come 〈…〉 exemption from the execution of the penal Laws, and the exercise of their worship in their private houses only. In the King's Speech to both Houses of Parliament, on Wednesday, February 5. 1672. He tells them, how he had been forced to a most important and necessary war, and that some few days, (saith he) before I declared the War, I put forth my Declaration (that which is mentioned just above) for indulgence to Dissenters, and have hitherto found a good effect of it, by securing peace at home, when I had War abroad. There is one part in it that hath been subject to misconstruction, which is that concerning the PAPISTS; as if more liberty were granted them, than to the other Recusants; when it is plain there is less: 28. They only to have the freedom of their Religion in their own houses, without the concourse of others. for the others have Public Places allowed them, and I never intended that they should have any, but only have the fradom of their Religion in their own Houses, without any concourse of others. And I could not grant them less than this, when I had extended so much more grace to others; and in the whole course of this Indulgence, I 29. And this no way to prejudice the Church. do not intent that it shall any way prejudice the Church; but I will support its Rights, and it in its full power. WHEN he made his Speech to the Parliament at their Prorogation, he saith to them, In the mean while I will not be wanting to let all my Subjects see, that no care can be greater than my own; in the The King's Speech, Nou. 4. 1673. p. 4. 30. When he prorogued his Parliament he said, No Care shall be greater than mine to suppress Popery: do you as much in your own Countries. effectual Suppressing of Popery; and it shall be your faults, if in your several Countries the Laws be not effectually executed against the growth of it. A Year and a half after he comes again to them, and then he plainly acknowledges, that as he had before given them a strong assurance of his care, so now he has de facto made it good to them: saith he, I have done as much as on my part was possible to extinguish the fears and jealousies of Popery, 31 And when he met them again, he told them, he had done what he could to extinguish the fears of Popery. and will leave nothing undone that may show the World my Zeal to the Protestant The King's Speech April 1675. pag. 4. and 5. Religion, as it is established in the Church of England, from which I will never departed. SO That you see, His Majesty hath so fully vindicated himself from that Calumny, concerning the Papists, that no reasonable scruple 32. Therefore no reasonable scruple can be made by any good man. can be made by any good man, saith my Lord Chancellor, in his Speech to both the Houses on the 5 Feb. 1672. He hath awakened all the Laws against the Papists, there is not one Statute extant in all the Volume of our Laws 33. All the laws are awakened against them. but His Majesty hath now put it in a way of The Lord Keep. Sp. April 13. 75. p. 9 and 10. taking its full course against them. The Laws against the Papists are edged, and the execution of them, quickened by new rewards proposed to the Informers. This was so necessary to be inserted here, that I could not forbear repeating it again; although I have before mentioned it in another place: but to proceed; HIS Majesty having on February the Third, 1674/5 been pleased to Command an Order made then in Council to be forthwith published, that was for the execution of the Laws against Popish Recusants, etc. he did likewise on the 12th day of the said February, publish a Declaration for enforcing that Order, and therein saith, More particularly we Require and Command, 34. The King commands the Convictions of Popish Recusants to be every where encouraged, etc. that the Convictions of Popish Recusants be every where encouraged, quickened, and made effectual; and that all Convictions, as soon as they shall be perfected, be forthwith certified into the Exchequer; and that speedy process do issue upon all such Convictions as are or shall be certified; and that care be taken that no persons of Quality, who shall be suspected to 35. And speedy process to issue thereupon. be Popish Recusants, be omitted to be presented; and that no delay be used, nor any practice suffered, which may hinder or obstruct the completing of such Convictions as are now preparing. 36. None should be omitted to be presented. And we do strictly Charge and Command, that no Mass be said in any part of this Kingdom, the Chapels of our dearest Consort the Queen, and the Chapels of Foreign 37. No Mass to be said in this Kingdom, only the Queens and Foreign Ministers Chapels excepted. Ministers only excepted: And to prevent all extraordinary resort to those Chapels, by such who are not menial Servants to the Queen, or to Foreign Ministers, we declare that every such offendor shall incur the forfeiture of one hundred Marks, provided by the Statute made in the twenty third year of Queen Elizabeth; whereof one third part shall 38. Whoever, not Menial Servants, resort to them, shall forfeit 100 Marks. be given to the Informer for his further reward and encouragement. And we require all Officers and Ministers of justice, to cause diligent search to be made, in all other places where they shall hear, or suspect, that Mass is said, and to cause all Offenders in this kind to be apprehended, and proceeded 39 All suspected places are to be searched by the Justices, etc. and where found, all Offenders to be apprehended, etc. with according to Law. And we forewarn all our Subjects, that they presume not to send any person to be educated abroad in any Popish College Or Seminary; and we command all Parents, or Guardians of any Person or Persons, now remaining in any such College or Seminary, that they cause the said Person or Persons speedily to return home, as they will answer the contrary at their peril. Moreover, we require all 40. None to be brought up in Popish Colleges abroad; and where any are there, speedily to return home. Persons born within any of our Dominions, and out of Prison, who have taken Orders by any Authority derived from the Church or See of Rome (except Mr. John Huddlestone) to departed the Kingdom before the twenty fifth day of March next, according to the tenor of our late Proclamation; and also to departed the Court within the fourteen days appointed by our late Order in Council. And we forbidden all Papists, or reputed 41. And all born here in any of these Dominions, that have taken Orders by any Authority from Rome, to departed the Kingdom. Papists, to come into our Palace at Whitehal, or St. James', or into any other place where our Court shall be, contrary to our late Prohibition, upon pain of Imprisonment in the Tower, if he be a Peer of the Realm; or in some other Prison, if he be of lesser Quality. SO that you see, if the Conviction of all Recusants, & bringing them under the penal Laws, can suppress Popery: If without 42. And no Papist, nor reputed Papists, to come to Court, upon pain of Imprisonment. staying for the Forms of the Law in Lord Keeper's Speech to both Houses, Jan. 7. 1673/ 4. pag. 8, & 9 points of Conviction, the present forbidding all Papists or reputed Papists to come to Court, & the extending this Prohibition to his Royal Palace, be enough to discountenance them; THAN surely His Majesty hath reason to believe, that scarce any thing is wanting, which can lawfully be done, or modestly 43. So that surely now scarce any thing is wanting, either for satisfaction or security. be wished, either for your satisfaction or your security. INDEED I cannot but think, and confess, that we have good cause to be solicitous after such security: for they are persons whose Doctrines teach them to study how to sap and undermine our very Foundations, as I could at large prove, were it not improper to my present business and design. BUT further, It hath been so stolen a Project to Undermine 44. A stolen Project to undermine the Government, by accusing it of endeavouring to bring in Popery. the Government, by accusing it of endeavouring to introduce Popery and Tyranny, that a man would wonder to see it taken up again. Chancellor's Speech to both Houses, 23 May, 1678. pag. 12, 13, 14. HAVE we forgotten that Religion & Liberty were never truly lost, till they were made a handle and pretence for Sedition? Are we so ill 45. Our Religion and Liberty ne'er lost, till made a handle and pretence for Sedition. Historians, as not to remember when Prelacy was called Popery, and Monarchy Tyranny? When the property of Nobility and Gentry was held to be destructive of Liberty, and that it was a dangerous thing for Men to have any sense of their Duty and Allegiance? DO we know all this, and suffer men without doors to hope 46. Therefore the same Artifices must not prevail now. by our Divisions to arrive at the same times again? Can we endure to see men break the Act of Oblivion every day, by reviving the memory of forgotten Crimes in new practices? IF Fears and Jealousies can ever become wise and good men, it is only then when there is danger of a relapse. No 47. It is wisdom in this respect to fear and to be jealous. caution can be too great against the Returns of that fatal Distemper from which we have been so lately recovered, especially when some symptoms of it begin again to appear in printed Libels, and in several parts of the Nation. IT might perhaps be worth our while to consider, whether we do not bring some kind of Scandal upon the Protestant 48. But not to doubt the continuance of the Protestant Religion, since we have so many Laws to guard it. Religion, when we seem so far to distrust the truth and power of it, that after so many Laws that have been past to guard it, after all the Miraculous Deliverances from the Attempts which have been made against it, we should still be afraid of its continuance. IT is no doubt a duty which we own to God, and to ourselves, to the present Age, and to Posterity, to improve the opportunities 49. 'Tis our duty to improve all opportunities to fence our Vineyard. God gives us of fencing our Vineyard, and making the Hedge about as strong as we can. And the King hath commanded me to tell you, that he is ready to concur with us in any thing of this kind, which shall be found wanting, and 50. The King ready to concur in any thing which yet is wanting for our Security. which the Christian prudence and Justice of a Parliament can propose as expedient. HATH not the late Act made it impossible, absolutely impossible, for the most concealed Papist that is, to get into any kind of Employment? and did ever any Law since the Reformation, 51. No Papist can get into any Employment. give us so great a security as this? THE October after, the King comes himself to his Parliament, and there saith to them, I now intent to acquaint You, (as I 52. About the Kings acquainting the Parliament with the Plot against his person, etc. He will leave the matter to the Law, and he'll do all he can to prevent the practices of those who are contriving to bring in Popery. shall always do with any thing that concerns me) that I have been informed of a Design against my Person, by the JESUITS, of which I shall forbear any Opinion, lest I may seem to say too much or too little; but I will leave the matter to the Law, and in King's Speech on Monday 21th Oct. 1678. p. 4, 5. the mean time will take as much care as I can to prevent all manner of practices by that sort of Men, and of others too, who have been tampering in a high degree with Foreigners, and contriving how to introduce Popery amongst us. NOW that the Fears of Popery may not too much disquiet you, be pleased to consider, that you have one Security 53. This is one Security more to us: for that which was always the interest of the King's honour and conscience, is now the interest of his Person too. more; since that which was always the Interest of his Majesty's Honour and Conscience, is now become the interest of his Person too, to protect the Protestant Religion, and to prevent the swarming Lord Chancellor's Speech to the same, p. 13 & 14. of Seminary Priests: For his Majesty hath told you, that he hath lately received Information of Designs against his own Life by the Jesuits. And though he doth in no sort prejudge the Persons accused, yet the strict enquiry into 54. This is a Plot of the Jesuits. this matter hath been a means to discover so many other unwarrantable practices of theirs, that his Majesty hath reason to look 55. But the King will look to them. to them. NOR are these kind of men the only Factors for Rome; 56. Lay-people too are agitators to promote the Interests of a foreign Religion. but there are found among the Laity also some who have made themselves Agitators to promote the Interests of a Foreign Religion, who meddle with matters of State and Parliament, and carry on their designs by a most dangerous Correspondency with Foreign Nations. WHAT kind of Process the Proof will bear, and to how high a degree the Extent and Nature of these Crimes will rise, is under consideration, and will be fully left to the course of Law. ALAS, it is the professed and avowed principle of these 57 'Tis the principles of such men to kill Kings rather sooner than other men. sort of men, not to distinguish between the King and another man; nay, to kill him sooner than any other man; and yet the King's Mercy hath been no less obstinate, than their Malice and Wickedness; few persons have suffered, and he hath restrained the Law from being severe to many, who at the same time continue their This was spoken by the Lord Chancellor, May 8. 1661. of those Traitors that went armed through the City; but it may justly be applied to these of this damnable Popish Plot. Gild, and undervalue his Compassion: There hath not been a Week 58. Scarce, since the Plot was first found out, a week has been free without some fresh Conspiracies. since the first breaking out of this Jesuitical Plot, in which there have not been fresh Combinations and Conspiracies form against his Person, and against the Peace of the Kingdom: And yet upon all these Alarms, and the interception of such Letters, as would in all other Countries have 59 Which in other Countries would have produced the Rack, here the Offenders are tried by the precise Forms and Rules of Law. produced the Rack for further Discoveries, he hath left the Offenders to his Judges of the Law, and those Judges to the precise Forms, and ordinary Rules of the Law. HOW hath his Majesty invited all persons, (even those that are criminal to the highest degree of guilt, upon his gracious promises of Pardon, nay, and of reward too, if they would but in the prescribed times lay hold of the Sceptre of his Grace,) to come in, and make their ingenuous confessions to him and his Council, of this Damnable and Hellish Design against both his Royal Person, and these his Kingdoms! yet how obstinately have they withstood all the tenders of his Proclamations, that have been so unspeakably to their own benefit, and have chosen Death rather than Life; as if they were resolutely bend to outgo all his infinite Kindnesses by the most cruel revenge upon themselves? So that very well what was said of Caesar, might here be spoken of his Majesty, that libentius vitam Victor jam daret, quàm victi acciperent. WELL, but to proceed— The Parliament having showed 60. When the Parliament had showed their great care for the King's preservation, he could not satisfy himself, but must hearty thank them. their great and extraordinary care for the safety and preservation of his Majesty's Person in these times of danger, the King, as he saith there, could not satisfy himself without coming thither on purpose King's Speech to both Houses, Saturday, Nou. 9 p. 3, 4. to give them all his most hearty thanks for it. NOR do I think it enough to give you my Thanks only, but I hold myself obliged to let you see withal, that I do as much study your preservation too, as I can possibly; and 61. But not only so, he studies as much our preservation as they did his, and will join with them in all the ways that may establish the Protestant Religion. that I am as ready to join with you in all the ways and means that may establish a firm security of the Protestant Religion, as your own hearts can wish. AND this not only during my time, (of which I am sure you have no fear) but in all future ages, even to the end of the world. AND therefore I am come to assure you, that whatsoever reasonable Bills you shall present to pass into Laws, to make you safe in the Reign of any Successor, (so as they tend not to impeach the right of Succession, nor the descent of the Crown in the true Line, and so as they restrain not my Power, 62. And that not only now, but for future ages. nor the just Rights of any Protestant Successor) shall find from me a ready Concurrence. AND I desire you withal to think of some more effectual 63. And therefore he tells them, all reasonable Bills shall find from him a ready concurrence. means for the Conviction of Popish Recusants; and to expedite your Councils as fast as you can, that the World may see our Unanimity, and that I may have the opportunity of showing you how ready I am to do any thing that may give comfort and satisfaction to such dutiful and Loyal Subjects. 64. And he desires them to think of some more effectual way to convict Popish Recusants, etc. HE meets his new Parliament in March, and then he tells them what he hath been doing since the Dissolution of the other, to gain the hearts of all his people: saith he, My Lords and Gentlemen, I meet you here with the most earnest desire that Man can have, to unite the minds of all my Subjects, both to me, and to one another; and I resolve it shall be your faults, if the success be not suitable 65. He hath excluded the Popish Lords from their Seats in Parliament, he hath executed several men, and hath not been idle in prosecuting the discovery of the Plot. The Kings Sp. on Thursday 6 March, 1678/9. p. 3, 4. to my desires. I have done many great things already in order to that end; as the Exclusion of the Popish Lords from their Seats in Parliament, the execution of several men, both upon the score of the Plot, and of the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey; and it is apparent that I have not been idle in prosecuting the discovery of both, as much further as hath been possible in so short a time. AND above all, I have commanded my Brother to absent himself from me, because I would not leave the most malicious 66. He also commanded the absence of the D. of York. men room to say, I had not removed all causes, which could be pretended to influence me towards Popish Counsels. I shall not cease my endeavours daily 67. And will daily endeavour to find out what more he can, and desires his two Houses assistance in that work. to find out what more I can, both of the Id. p. 5. Plot, and Murder of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, and shall desire the Assistance of both my Houses in that work. I have not been wanting to give Orders for putting all the present Laws in Execution against Papists, and I am ready to join in the making such further Laws as may be necessary for the securing of the Kingdom against Popery. 68 He hath ordered that the present Laws be put in execution against Papists, and is ready to add such further Laws as may secure the Kingdom against Popery. I will conclude as I begun, with my earnest desires to have this an healing Parliament; and I do give you this assurance, that I will with my Life defend both the Protestant Religion, and the Laws of this Kingdom. AND now my Lord Chancellor coming to speak to them, I pray take notice with what force and Eloquence he delivers himself. The Considerations, saith he, which now are to be laid before you, are as urgent and as weighty as were ever yet offered to any Parliament, or indeed ever can be. So great and so surprising have been our dangers at home, so formidable are the appearances of danger from abroad, that the most united Counsels, the most sedate and the calmest temper, together with the most dutiful and zealous affections that a Parliament can show, are all become absolutely and indispensably necessary for our preservation. Id. p. 10. 69. The Plot industriously carried on by Priests and Jesuits and their Adherents, who, to subvert our true Religion, find the most likely way to be by wounding us in the Head, and by Killing the King. AT home we had need look about us, for his majesty's Royal Person hath been in danger, by a Conspiracy against his Sacred Life, maliciously contrived, and industriously carried on by those Seminary Priests and Jesuits, and their Adherents, who think themselves under some obligation of Conscience to effect it; and having vowed the Subversion of the true Religion amongst us, find no way so likely to compass it, as to wound us in the Head, and to kill the defender of the Faith. Id. Ibid. HIS Majesty wanted not sufficient evidence of his zeal for our Religion, without this Testimony from his Enemies, who 70. His Majesty needed not this Evidence to testify his zeal for our Religion. were about to Sacrifice him for it: but it hath ever been the practice of those Votaries, first to Murder the Fame of Princes, and then their Persons; first to slander them to their people, as if they favoured Papists, and then to Assassinate them 71. What has ever been the practice of the Roman Votaries. for being too zealous Protestants. And thus by all the ways and means which our Law calls Treason, and their Divinity calls Merit and Martyrdom, they are trying to set up the Dominion and Supremacy of the Pope; as if the Dignity of his Triple-Crown could never be sufficiently advanced, unless these Three Kingdoms were added unto him, and all brought 72. The search into this Plot has been closely pursued. back again under that yoke, which neither we nor our Forefathers were able to bear. 73. More Evidence found. Pag. 11. THE Enquiry into this Conspiracy hath been closely pursued, and the Lords of the Council have been careful to prosecute 74. More Malefactors discovered. this Discovery, ever since the Rising of the last Parliament; and the King doth now recommend it to you to perfect: 75. Justices stirred up to perform their duty. More Evidence hath been already found out, and more Malefactors discovered, some in hold, some fled, Justices of Peace have been quickened in the Execution of their duty; the 76. Faithful Messengers sent all over the Kingdom, where any hopes of service was to be done. Negligent have been reproved and punished, the Diligent encouraged and assisted in doubtful cases by the Opinions of the Judges: active and faithful Messengers have been sent into all the corners of the Kingdom, where there was any hope of Service to be done; the very Prisons have been searched, to 77. Prisons have been searched. see whether any had fled thither to hid themselves there, and under pretence of Debt to escape the pursuit: and if any have desired leave to go beyond Sea, they have first given security 78. Persons going beyond sea, first, have given security not to go to Rome, nor send their Children to be bred up in Foreign Seminaries. not to go to Rome, nor send their Children to be bred in any Foreign Seminaries; and then they have been obliged to give in a List of all their Menial Servants, and those Servants too have been examined upon Oath; and order is given that they be again examined at the Ports, and make Oath they are the same persons were examined above: so that all possible care hath been taken that no Malefactors might escape us in 79. Their menial Servants are Listed, and examined upon Oath. Disguise. Ibid. AND though the Priests themselves do not keep the Confessions of their Proselytes more secret than these keep the Injunctions of their Priests, yet enough hath appeared 80. All care taken that no Malefactors should escape in disguise. Pag. 12. to bring some Capital Offenders to public Justice, and to convict them of the Crime: some of the Traitors have been Executed, several Priests have been Arrested and Imprisoned, 81. Some have banished themselves, others Imprisoned for not taking the Oaths. all are hiding themselves and lurking in secret corners like the Sons of darkness. The Murderers of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey have been Condemned, and suffered death; some Papists have banished themselves out of the Kingdom, others are Imprisoned for not taking the Oaths, all are prosecuted towards Conviction; 82. And the shame that attends such practices hath converted several. and the very shame and reproach which attends such abominable practices, hath covered so many faces with new and strange confusions, that it hath proved a powerful argument for their Conversion: nor is it to be wondered at, that they could no longer believe all that to be Gospel which their Priests taught them, when they saw the way and means of introducing it was so far from being Evangelical. Ibid. IN a word, so universal is that Despair to which the Papists 83. Their despair is so universal, that all their hopes now are, that we may our own business. are now reduced, that they have no other hopes left but this, That We may chance to our own business, and by being too far transported with the fears of Popery, neglect the Opportunities we now have of making sober and lasting Provisions against it. Ibid. AND 'tis not to be doubted, but that it would infinitely 84. How pleased they would be, to see us distracted with Jealousies incurable. gratify the Papists in the revenge they wish for this Discovery, if they could see us distracted with Jealousies incurable, and distrusting the Government to such a degree as should weaken all that Reverence by which it stands; for then the Plot would not be altogether without effect, but those whom they could not destroy by their Conspiracy, they should have the satisfaction to see ruining themselves after the Discovery: So 85. This would make them see us ruining ourselves. that though we had escaped that Desolation which they intended to have brought upon us, nothing could save us from that Destruction which we should bring upon ourselves. Id. p. 13. BUT their expectations of this are as vain, as their other 86. But these their expectations are vain. designs were wicked; for his Majesty hath already begun to let them see with what severity he intends to proceed against 87. For his Majesty hath let them see with what severity he will proceed against them. them: he hath passed a Law to disable all the Nobility and Gentry of that Faction ever to sit in Parliament; and not content with that, he did offer to the last Parliament, and doth again renew the same Offer to this Parliament, to pass any further Laws against Popery which shall be desired; so 88 And that he will pass any further Laws against Popery, so as they do not entrench on Prerogative, altar the Descent of the Crown in the right Line, nor defeat the Succession. as the same extend not to the diminution of his own Prerogative, nor to alter the descent of the Crown in the right Line, nor to defeat the Succession. He hath refused the Petition of the Lords, who, during the interval of Parliament, desired to be brought to their Trial; and after so long an imprisonment might reasonably enough have expected it: But his Majesty thought it fit to reserve them to a more public and conspicuous Trial in Parliament. Ibid. BUT that which the King hath been pleased to mention to you this morning, surpasses all the rest, and is sufficient of itself alone to discharge all those Fears of Popish Influences 89. He hath parted with his Brother the D. of Y. which many good men had too far entertained: For now You see his Majesty of his own accord hath done that which would have been very difficult for You to ask, and hath deprived himself of the Conversation of his Royal Brother, by commanding him to departed the Kingdom; to which Command his Royal Highness hath paid a most humble and a most entire 90. And he that could do this, sure now hath no Favourite but his People. submission and obedience. This Separation was attended with a more than ordinary Sorrow on both sides. But he that for your sakes could part with such a Brother and such a Friend, you may be sure hath now no Favourite but his People. Since therefore his Majesty hath shown so much readiness to concur with, and in a manner to prevent the desires of his Parliament, 'tis a miserable Refuge our Enemies trust to, when they hope to see our Zeal outrun our Discretion, and that we ourselves should become the unhappy Occasion of making our own Counsels abortive. AND now, that I may come to the highest step of all, and 91. Now 'tis not enough that our Religion be safe during only his Reign, but he will so well secure it to us, that no after-Succession shall be able in the least to alter it. show you what his Majesty once more had commanded his Chancellor to declare unto his Parliament, saith he, His Majesty hath considered with himself, that 'tis not enough that your Religion and Liberty is secure during his own Reign, but he thinks he owes it to his People to do all that in him lies, that these blessings may be transmitted to your Posterity, and so well secured to them, that no Succession in after-Ages may be able to work the least Alteration. And therefore his Majesty, who hath often said in L. Chanc. Speech to both Houses, 30 Apr. 79. p. 5, 6, & 7. 92. And therefore that no Papist may make any change either in Church or State, 1. a Popish from a Protestant Successor is to be distinguished, and then to circumscribe his Authority thus. Parliament, That he is ready to consent to any Laws of this kind, so as the same extend not to alter the descent of the Crown in the right Line, nor to defeat the Succession, hath now commanded this to be further explained. AND to the end it may never be in the power of any Papist, if the Crown descend upon him, to make any Change either in Church or State, his Majesty is willing that provision may be made, first, to distinguish a Popish from a Protestant Successor; then so to limit and to circumscribe the Authority of a Popish Successor in these cases following, that he may be 93. No Popish Successor to present to Ecclesiastical Benefices. disabled to do any harm. First, IN reference to the Church, his Majesty is content that care be taken that all Ecclesiastical and Spiritual Benefices 94. As already no Papist can sit in Parliament, so there shall never want a Parl. when the K. shall happen to die, but that then in being shall continue indissoluble for a competent time; or if there be no Parl. then the last Parl. to reassemble, etc. and Promotions in the Gift of the Crown, may be conferred in such a manner that we may be sure the Incumbents shall always be of the most pious and learned Protestants; and that no Popish Successor, while he continues so, may have any power to control such Presentments. IN reference to the State and civil part of the Government, as it is already provided that no Papist can sit in either House of Parliament, so the King is pleased that it be provided too, that there may never want a Parliament when the King shall happen to die, but that the Parliament then in being may continue Indissoluble for a competent time; or if there be no Parliament in being, than the last Parliament which was in being before that time, may re-assemble, and sit a competent time 95. During such a Popish Successor's Reign, no Privy Counsellors nor Judges shall be put in or displaced. without any new Summons or Elections. AND as no Papist can by Law hold any place of Trust, so the King is content that it may be further provided, that no Lords or others of the Privy Council, no Judges of the Common Law or in Chancery, shall at any time during the Reign of any Popish Successor, be put in or displaced, but by Authority of Parliament. And that care also be taken, that none but sincere Protestants may be Justices of Peace. IN reference to the Military part, the King is willing that 96. No Lord-Lieutenant or Deputy-Lieutenant, nor Officer in the Navy, to be put in or out but by Authority of Parl. no Lord-Lieutenant, or Deputy-Lieutenant, nor no Officer in the Navy, during the Reign of any Popish Successor, be put in or removed, but either by Authority in Parliament, or of such persons as the Parliament shall intrust with such Authority. 'Tis hard to invent another Restraint to be put upon a Popish Successor, considering how much the Revenue of the Successor 97. And 'tis hard to invent another Restriant upon a Popish Success. will depend upon consent of Parliament, and how impossible it is to raise Money without such Consent. But yet if any thing else can occur to the Wisdom of the Parliament, which may further secure Religion and Liberty against a Popish Successor, 98. And if a Parl. can think of any thing else further to secure Religion, the K. will consent to it. without defeating the Right of Succession itself, his Majesty will most readily consent to it. BEAR with me now in this necessary Repetition which you had at the latter end of the last Chapter: Thus watchful is the 99 Thus watchful is he for all our Safeties. King for all your Safeties; and if he could think of any thing else that you do either want or wish to make you happy, he would make it his business to effect it for you. AND we may tell those desperate wretches, who yet harbour in their thoughts wicked designs against the sacred person of the King in order to the compassing their own Imaginations, That God Almighty would not have led him through 100 And certainly now God would never have done so much, but for a servant whom he will always preserve from the utmost malice of his Enemies. so many Wildernesses of Afflictions of all kinds, conducted him through so many perils by Sea, and perils by Land, snatched him out of the midst of this Kingdom when it was not worthy of him, and when the hands of his Enemies were even upon him, when they thought themselves so sure of him, that they would bid so cheap and so vile a price for him, he would not in that Article have so covered him with a Cloud, that he traveled even with some pleasure and great observation through the midst of his L. Chancellor's Speech, Decemb. 29. 1660. page 21, 22. Enemies; he would not so wonderfully have new-modelled that Army, so inspired their hearts, and the hearts of the whole Nation, with an honest and impatient longing for the Return of their dear Sovereign, and in the mean time have so exercised him (which had little less of providence in it than the other) with those unnatural, or at least unusual Disrespects and Reproaches abroad, that he might have a harmless and an innocent appetite to his own Country, and return to his own People with a full value, and the whole unwasted bulk of his Affections, without being corrupted or by assed by extraordinary foreign Obligations. And let me add, that he would not now have so miraculously (as it were) preserved him from the many late most wicked and hellish Conspiracies of the Papists. God Almighty would not have done all this, but for a Servant whom he will always preserve as the Apple of his own Eye, and always defend from the secret Machinations of his Enemies. 101. Let us to the utmost than labour to improve the confidence between the King and his People. LET us then extinguish our fears and jealousies, and lay out our utmost endeavours to improve the confidence between the King and all his people. He sufficiently takes notice, that the malice of his Enemies hath been very active in sowing so many Tares, as are almost enough to spoil that harvest of Love and Duty which his Majesty 102. He finds he has Enemies enough to grapple with. Lord Keeper's Speech, Jan. 7. 1673/ 4. pag. 18. & 19 may justly expect to reap from all the good seed which he himself hath sown. FOR Calumnies and Slanders of this nature, are like Comets 103. But Calumnies are nothing after a while. in the Air; they may seem perhaps, especially to the fearful, to be ill Prognostics, and the direct forerunners of mischief; but in themselves they are vain Apparitions, and have no kind of solidity, no permanence or duration at all: For after a little while the Vapour spends itself, and then the base Exhalation quickly falls back again into that Earth from whence it came. LET not the whispers or evil surmises of those who lie in 104. Let not ill surmises endanger the state of the Government. wait to deceive, make any man the unhappy occasion of endangering the safety Lord Chancellor's Speech on Thursday, May 23. 1678. page 18. 19 of the Government by mistrusting it. But let the world now see, that our Zeal 105. But let the world see our Zeal to preserve it. to preserve the Government, is the same it was when we were ready to die for its restoration. LET us labour to show the world the most effectual significations 106. And by our Loyalty and Duty let us dsscourage our Enemies. of our Loyalty and Duty, that we are able to express: for nothing in Lord Chancellor's Speech, Oct. 21. 78. page 15. the world can more discourage our Enemies, 107. Then shall the King possess the greatest Glory, that of reigning in our hearts, and we the highest felicity that this world can afford. as on the contrary, nothing does or can so ripen a Nation for destruction, as to be observed to distrust their own Government. THAN shall the King be possessed of that true Glory which others vainly pursue, the Glory of reigning in the hearts of his People; then shall the People be possessed of as much Felicity as this world is capable of. CHAP. III. Of Liberty and Property, etc. AND now having thus at large shown you the Pious 1. The Proem. Zeal of the King, and his firm resolution to maintain and defend the Church of England, as it is now established by Law, in all its Rights and Privileges; as also his great and extraordinary care to suppress the Growth of Popery, by awakening all his Laws against the Papists, and Popish Recusants, and by his frequent Declarations to his Parliaments of his readiness to concur with them still in all further necessary Bills against them, which are fit and reasonable for them to present 2. How affectionate the King is, and how desirous to keep up the just Measures of our Liberties. him with to pass into Laws: I presently imagine that you will in the next place be desirous to hear what he hath said in the behalf of your Liberties and Properties. I am sure, to your Religion, that is the Second thing in all your thoughts, and I wish to God my fears may be groundless, if I should tell you that in truth I am jealous whether your Liberties and Properties are not a great deal dearer to most of you than your Religion, which yet makes 3. His Majesty's Care of them hath been so much, that we are obliged to all Acknowledgements. so loud a noise in the World. GOD knows, these are as the great Diana of the Ephesians to us; of these we are fond, even to Superstition: and you shall find the King as affectionate to you, and as desirous to preserve them all in their just Measures, as you can possibly with any Conscience wish he should be. 4. The Annals of our most happy times scarce have one Year in them but what is more severe, than a whole Reign hath yet produced. NAY, The Care of your Civil Rights and Liberties hath been so much His Majesty's, that the more The Lord Keeper's Speech on the 13th. of October, 1675. pag. 6, & 7. you reslect upon these Concerns, the more you will find yourselves obliged to acknowledge His Majesty's Tenderness of you, and Indulgence to you. SEARCH your own Annals, the Annals of those Times you account most happy, you will scarce find one Year without an Example of something more severe, and more extraordinary, 5. Statues have been erected for those Princes in Foreign Nations, that never had half that Moderation which we have lived to enjoy. than a whole Reign hath yet produced. PERUSE the Histories of Foreign Nations, and you shall find, Statues and Altars too have been erected to the Memories of those Princes, whose best Virtues never arrived to half that Moderation, which we (let me add, for these twenty Years, have) lived to see, and to enjoy. AND Let us all evermore remember this unexceptionable A Letter from His Majesty at Breda, Apr. 4/14 1660. to the Speaker of the House of Commons, pag. 4. Truth, which His Sacred Majesty was pleased 6. This Liberty is best preserved by preserving the King's Honour. himself to lay down to us long ago; that Our Liberty and Property is best preserved by preserving the Honour of the King. FOR the Greatness and Dignity of the King The Lord Keeper's Speech, Wednesd. Oct. 13. 1675. p. 7. The Lord Chancellor's Speech to Baron Thurland at the taking of his Oath, January 24. 1672/ 3. pag. 3 7. The King's Greatness the People's Safety is the Greatness and Safety of his People. Therefore, LET not the King's Prerogative and the Law be 8. Therefore the King's Prerogative and the Law should not be two things with us. two things with you. For the King's Prerogative is Law, and the principal part of the Law; and therefore, in maintaining that, you maintain the Law. The Government of England is so excellently interwoven, that every part of the Prerogative hath a broad mixture of the Interest of the Subject; the Ease and Safety of the People being inseparable from the Greatness and Security of the Grown. THE knowing of our own Interest will secure June 26. 1673. pag. 4. 9 The knowledge of our own Interest secures us to the King's and Nations. us to the King's and the Nation's. I repeat them thus together (saith the Lord Chancellor in his Speech upon the Lord Treasurer 's taking his Oath in the Exchequer,) because none but Mountebanks in State Matters can think of them asunder. 10. Prerogative not extended beyond its due Limits. AND if the not extending his Prerogative beyond The Lord Keeper's Speech to both Houses, January 7. 1673/ 4. pag. 9 its due Limits can secure our Liberties; then surely we have no need to fear the least Diminution of them. For, 11. The King only considers his Prerogative in order to preserve the Peace and Security of the Kingdom. SAITH The King, The Peace and Security The King's Speech, April 5. 1664. pag. 3. of the Kingdom, and the Welfare of my Subjects I study more than my Prerogative: Indeed I consider my Prerogative only in order to preserving the other. DO We not see that the King hath made it his The Lord Keeper's Speech, Jan. 7. 1673/ 4. pag. 8. Care and his Business to do all that is possible to 12. The Laws of the Kingdom the Measures of both his Power and Prudence. preserve us in our Civil Rights, that he makes the Laws of his Kingdom the Measures, not only of his Power, but his Prudence; that he suffers no Man to be wiser than the Law; that he thinks he cannot judge of the Health or Sickness of his State by any better Indication than the Current 13. Their Current gives the best Judgement. either of the Health or Sickness of the State. of his Laws, and suffers nothing to remain that may in the least measure hinder Justice from flowing in its due and proper Channels. NOW The Administration of justice, according His Majesty's Declaration for enforcing a late Order made in Council, Feb. 12 1674/5. pag. 3. to the settled and known Laws of the Land, is, certainly, the most reasonable and 14. Administration of Justice according to the known Laws of the Land. proper Method for attaining and preserving the Peace and Safety both of Church and State. FOR Laws are the Strength of a Kingdom, the Walls and Bulwarks of a Nation; without which, Places are but as the Forests 15. What Laws are to a Kingdom. of Wild Beasts to dwell in: and the Ends of the Law are to bridle Men's wild and lose Exorbitances, and to be instructive, and to direct to Duty. Now you shall hear what His Majesty hath 16. Their end. been pleased to say as to this Point. And first, If you will but look into that Letter which he sent to the Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons, you will find there these words. SAITH He, If you desire that Reverence and Obedience may be paid to the Fundamental April 4/14 1660 pag. 6. 7. 17. Reverence and Obedience to the Fundamental Laws of the Land is that the King desires to be sworn to, and all Persons in Authority. Laws of the Land, and that justice may be equally and impartially Administered to all Men; it is that which we desire to be sworn to Ourselves, and that all Persons in Power and Authority shall be so too. In a word, There is nothing that you can propose, that may make the Kingdom happy, which we will not contend with you to Compass. And upon this Confidence and Assurance, we have thought fit to 18. Nothing can be proposed to make the Kingdom happy, but he will contend with us to compass. send you this Declaration, that you may, as much as is possible, at this Distance, see our Heart. AND In the Declaration that was enclosed therein, His Majesty thus delivers himself: We do not desire more to enjoy what is Ours, than that all Our The Declaration, pag. 2. Subjects may enjoy what by Law is theirs, 19 The King desires no more to enjoy his own, than to have his Subjects enjoy what by Law is theirs. by a full and entire Administration of justice throughout the Land, and by extending Our Mercy where it is wanted and deserved. AND When he granted a Free and General Pardon to all his Subjects, of what Degree or Quality soever, who would not persevere in their Gild for the future, by opposing the Quiet and Happiness of their Country, in the Restoration both of King, Peers and People, to their Just, Ancient and Fundamental Rights, but would return to the Loyalty and Obedience of good Subjects. Saith His Majesty, Let all our Subjects, how faulty soever, 20. By his General Pardon no Crime shall ever rise in Judgement against any, eito endamage their Lives, Liberties or Estates, who will now become obedient to Laws. The same Declaration, pag. 2. & 3. rely upon the Word of a King, solemnly given by this present Declaration, that no Crime whatsoever, committed against Us, or Our Royal Father before the Publication of this, shall ever rise in judgement, or be brought in question against any of them, to the least Endamagement of them, either in their Lives, LIBERTIES, or Estates; (Nay, so tender is the King of their Credit, that he goeth on) or (as far forth as lies in Our Power) so much as to the prejudice of their Reputations, by any Reproach, or 21. Nay, their Reputations shall not suffer, if he can help it. Term of Distinction from the rest of Our best Subjects. IN The King's Speech to his Parliament, April 5. 1664. p. 4. He thus saith to them; I do assure you upon my Word, and I 22. He has no other thoughts but to make us happy in our Laws, and prays so to be believed. pray believe me, that I have no other Thoughts or Designs in my Heart, but to make you all happy in the Support of the Laws established. NAY, The Speaker of the House of Commons, when he addressed himself to His Sacred Majesty, in the Name of the whole House, who are the Representative Body of all the Commons of England, could say: Most Gracious and dread Sovereign, 23. When any thing of Right or but Conveniency has happened to be a measuring Cast, a disputable Case, he hath always cast it against himself, if it hath been for his People's Good. though the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses Saturday, Decemb. 29. 1660. being the day of their Dissolution, p. 25, 26. now assembled in Parliament, have no cause to complain, they cannot but take notice of your Partiality: for when any thing in point of Right, or but Conveniency hath fallen out to be, as we use to say, a measuring Cast, a disputable Case between yourself and your People, without any regard or respect had unto your own Right, or the Advantage that might accrue to yourself by asserting the same, if the Good of your People hath come in Competition with it, you have always cast it against yourself, and given it in on your People's side. 24. The Restoration of the King, and the Restoring us to our Magna Charta Liberties. AND then a little before he concludes this his Speech, he returns his thankful Acknowledgement to God for his Infinite Goodness and Mercy in restoring His Majesty to his Royal and Imperial Crown, Throne and Dignity, and for making him the Restorer of our Religion; as likewise, saith he, for restoring us to our Magna Charta Liberties, having taken The same Speech pag. 31, 32. the Charge and Care of them into your own Heart; which is our greatest Security, and more than a thousand 25. The good old Rules of the Law our best Security. Confirmations. THE King saith it himself, and it is true beyond all Contradiction, That the Good old Rules of the Law are the best Security. These shall be ever dear His Speech, May, 19 1662. pag. 4. 26. No Man's Property or Liberty shall ever be invaded. to him, these will he command his Learned Judges to cherish with Upright and Impartial Justice. And in his Speech to both his Houses, he ends thus: I will Wednesday, Feb. 5. 1672. pag. 4. conclude with this Assurance to you, that no 27. The King steady in maintaining all his Promises to us concerning Property, and ready to give fresh Instances of his Zeal for preserving the established Laws. Man's Property or Liberty shall ever be Invaded. What Expressions can go higher? And how can the King more expatiate himself to you? Is not this Security a Satisfaction equal to all your Wishes? BUT To proceed, be pleased to hear the words of the King again to his Parliament. Saith he, I hope I need not use many words to persuade you, that I The King's Speech Monday October 27. 1673. pag, 4. am steady in maintaining all the Professions and Promises I have made you concerning Property. And I shall be very ready to give you 28. For his Heart is perfectly with his Peoples in it. fresh Instances of my Zeal for preserving the Established Laws, as often as any Occasion shall require. AND The Lord Chancellor tells us in his Speech then, I 29. Reverence and Obedience will be given to Laws when they are well understood that they conduce to the People's Profit. can add nothing to what His Majesty hath said. For as to Property, his Heart is with your Heart, pag. 9 perfectly with your Heart. IT Was a right Ground of Confidence, such a The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Monday, May 19 1662. pag. 14. & 15. one as seldom deceives Men, that the great Lawmaker, the wise Solon had, when he concluded that Reverence and Obedience would be yielded to his Laws, because he had taken the pains to make his Citizens know and understand, that it was more for their profit to obey Law and Justice, than to contemn and break it: and indeed, the Profit, Benefit and Ease is very great, which always attends a cheerful Obedience to Laws and Government. NO Wonder than we stand up so vigorously for our Old Laws, since in maintaining them consists our Perfect Freedom, our greatest Liberty. And herein too is the King chief solicitous, because it tends so much to our real Good and Happiness. Therefore saith he to his Parliament, I shall consent to any reasonable Bills you shall offer me for the Good 30. His willingness to consent to any reasonable Bills for the Good of the Nation. The King's Speech, Thursd. May 23. 1678. pag. 6. and Safety of the Nation. AND He thus continues; MY Lords and Gentlemen, I shall say no more, but only to assure you, whatsoever some ill Men would have believed, I never had 31. The King never had any Intentions but of Good to his People, and will do all things for their Safety. any Intentions but of Good to you, and to my People, nor ever shall; but will do all that I can for your Safety and Ease. AND Wherein does our Safety and Ease more consist, than in an orderly Government by Law, which preserves to every Man his true Rights and Interests? And is there any Invasion on us here? Are not the Laws in full force and power? and hath not 32. Our Safety most consists in being governed by Law Justice been equally and impartially administered to all, ever since the happy Restoration of the King? LET There be then no Complaining in our Streets, no Murmur 33. And if our Civil Rights can be yet made more firm to us, the King's Heart is full of gracious Intentions for our general Satisfaction. in our Borders; if we have not Laws enough to secure, and please us, if we think our Liberties and Civil Rights can be yet more firmly established to us; then let us lay down our just Necessities before him: Who saith, God knows, Our Heart is full of Gracious Intentions; The King's Declaration to all his Loving Subjects, Dec. 26. 1662. pag. 13. not only for the Plenty and Prosperity, but for the Universal Satisfaction of the Nation. And, no doubt but he will concur with us in all things which may advance our Peace, and preserve our Just Rights to us. THIS We may steadfastly believe, when he assures his Parliament, 34. For nothing can be reasonably proposed, but he will readily receive. That If there be any thing you think wanting to secure Property, there is nothing The King's speech, Jan. 7. 1671/ 4. pag. 4. which you shall reasonably propose, but I shall be ready to receive it. THEREFORE, Be but pleased yourselves, 35. Therefore being pleased ourselves he is best pleased. and persuade others to be so, contrive all the ways ●●e Lord Chancellor's Speech, ●eptemb. 13. ●●60. pag. 23. imaginable for your own Happiness, and you will make him the best pleased, and the most happy Prince in the World. NOW nothing recommends the present Age 36. Nothing so much recommends the present Age as the good Laws made in it. unto Posterity so much, as the Wisdom, and the The Lord Keeper's Speech, Apr. 13. 1675. p. 15. Temper of the Laws that are made in it, for all succeeding Ages judge of our Laws, as we do of our Ancestors, by the true and unerring Rule of Experience. IN Making of Laws therefore, it will import us to consider, that too many Laws are a Snare, (for Id. ibid. 37. But too many Laws are a Snare. Mr. Grivel, in 35 Eliz. said in Parliament, (as Sir Robert Filmer reports it in his Freeholders Grand Inquest,) he wished not the making of many Laws; since the more we make, the less Liberty we have ourselves, Her Majesty not being bound by them, 38. Too few a Weakness in the Government. pag. 49, 50.) too few are a weakness in the Government, too gentle are seldom obeyed, too severe are as seldom executed: And Sanguinary Laws are, for the most part, either the Cause 39 And Sanguinary Laws either the Cause or Effect of a Distemper in the State. or the Effect of a Distemper in the State. TO establish this State, there seems not to need Id. ibid. many new Laws, some will always be wanting. And therefore saith the King to his Parliament, in his Speech before this of my Lord Chancellor's; The principal End of my Calling you now, is to know what The King's Speech, Apr. 13. 1675. pag. 3. 40. Some Laws will always be wanting. you think may be yet wanting to the Security of (Religion and) Property. THIS Speech of the King's, as my Lord Chancellor says very 41. Therefore the King calls his Parliament to know what is wanting. truly; Was in order to unite the Hearts of his The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Apr. 13. 1675. pag. 8. Parliament and People to himself, by all the Emanations of Grace and Goodness that from a great and generous Prince can be expected. And here, 42. And this in order to unite the Hearts of both Parliament and People to him. The King is pleased to add the Consideration of your Id. ibid. Liberties and Properties: And while he does so, you may be sure that he who is so careful of your Rights, will be mindful of his own too; for he that does Justice to all, can never be wanting to himself. AND, Saith the King about two Months after; I think I 43. And he that is so careful of our Rights, sure aught to mind his own. have given sufficient Evidence to the World, that I have not been wanting on my part, The King's Speech to both Houses, Jun. 9 1675. pag. 3. in my Endeavours to procure the full Satisfaction of all my Subjects, in the matters 44. The King not wanting in his endeavours to have all his people satisfied in matters both of Religion and Property. both of Religion and Property. I have not only invited you to those Considerations at our first Meeting, but I have been careful, through this whole Session, that not Concern of my own should divert you from them. RELIGION and Liberty stand secured by The Lord Keeper's Speech, Jan. 7. 1673/ 4. p. 19 the most Sacred Ties that are. Nay, the King 45 He invited his Parliament to those Considerations not only at first, but all along. 46 Religion and Liberty secured by the most sacred Ties that are. 47 The King's Interest to prefer both, greater than ours. hath a greater Interest in the preservation of both, than you yourselves: for as Religion, the Protestant Religion, commands your indispensable Obedience, so it is a just and lawful Liberty which sweetens that Command, and endears it to you. DOTH not every man see that the King hath 48. The King hath given new life and motion to Laws. given new Life and Motion to such Laws as were The Lord Keeper's Speech, Jan. 7. 1673/ 4. pag. 19 long dead, or fast asleep? HATH he not commanded a rigorous and severe Prosecution at Law of all the Officers and Soldiers in His 49. All Officers and Soldiers severely to be prosecuted when they misbehave themselves. Majesty's ordinary Guards, when they mis-behave themselves towards the meanest Subject? And doth not this secure your Properties? ARE not all the Privileges from Arrests, which were claimed by His Majesty's Servants extraordinary, Id. ibid. who are very numerous, abrogated? And doth not this 50. All Privileges of Arrests claimed by any of the King's Servants abrogated. prevent the Delays and Obstructions of Justice? THESE are not single and transient Acts, but such Acts as flow from Habits: These are not Leaves Id. ibid. and Blossoms, but true, solid and lasting Fruits. Long! long! may that Royal Tree Live and Flourish upon which these Fruits 51. These not single and transient Acts, but such as flow from Habits▪ do grow. BUT the King doth not think this yet sufficient, but he will go further on, and give us new Assurances, that nothing can be more welcome to him, than the receiving of such Bills from his Parliament, as may truly tend to the Happiness and Ease of his 52. The King ready to gratify his People in further securing their Liberties and Properties, by as many good Laws as can be proposed, and as may comport with the safety of the Government. Kingdoms and People. SAITH He, I declare myself freely, that I am ready to gratify you in a further The King's Speech, Thursd. Feb. 15. 1676/ 7. pag. 2, 3. securing of your Liberty and Property (if you can think you want it) by as many good Laws as you shall propose, and as can consist with the Safety of the Government; without which there will neither be Liberty nor Property left to any man. Having thus plainly told you what I am ready to do for you, I shall deal as plainly with you again, and tell you what it is I do expect from you. I do expect and require from you, that all occasions 53. The King being ready to do this for us, expects of Difference between the two Houses be carefully avoided: For else they, who have no hopes to prevent your good Resolutions, will hope by this Reserve to hinder them from taking any effect. 54. That all occasions of difference between the Houses be taken away. AND Let all Men judge who is most for Arbitrary Government, they that foment such Differences as tend to dissolve all Parliaments; or I that would preserve this and all Parliaments from being made useless 55. And let any judge who is most for Arbitrary Government; he, or others that foment Differences. by such Dissensions. THE Preserving a State of Peace and Unity The Lord Chancellor's Speech, May 23. 1678. pag. 12. 56. Keeping Peace at home now more necessary than ever. at home, is now more necessary than ever. He that foments' Divisions now, does more mischief to his Country than a Foreign Enemy can do: and disarms it in a time, when all the hands, and all the hearts we have, are but enough to defend us. NO Fears of Arbitrary Government can justify, no Zeal to Religion can sanctify such a Proceeding. FOR this directly tends to unhinge us all, this has nothing but Ruin and Desolation, Anarchy and Confusion in the end of it. 57 Divisions only, tend to Ruin. This would the King suppress, he would have Right prevail, and every man to enjoy all those Civil Privileges which belong to him as his just due; for he would have things to stand upon their Ancient and Sure Foundations. Complaints should be heard, and Wrongs should be relieved, to all alike should Justice be imparted, and there should be no respect to persons: and this would be the way for the Land to have abundance of Peace. For the truth hereof, harken to the words of the King: I do not pretend to 58. The Nation never had less cause to complain of Grievances, than since the King's Restoration. be without Infirmities, but I have never broken my Word with you; and if I do not flatter The King's Speech, Jan. 18. 1666, pag. 4. myself, the Nation never had less cause to complain of Grievances, or the least Injustice or Oppression than it hath had in these seven Years it hath pleased God to restore me to you. AND when he came to Prorogue his Parliament till towards Winter; that so they might in their several places intent the Peace and Security of their several Countries, where there were unquiet Spirits enough working. I do pray you, saith he, 59 And he desires his Parliament so to tell the people in their respective Countries, for he is sure of it. and I do expect it from you, that you will use your utmost endeavours to remove all The King's Speech, Feb. 8. 1666, pag. 5. those false Imaginations in the hearts of the People, which the Malice of ill Men have industriously infused into them, of I know not what jealousies and Grievances: for I must tell you again, and I am sure I am in the right, (and it is worthy of the most solemn regard) that the People had never so little cause to complain of Oppression and Grievances as they have had since my Return to you. THIS is not all: The Words of the Lord Keeper, who spoke 60. But this is not all. the Sense and Mind of the King, and which he commanded him to declare to them, are more large yet. Says he, If any just Grievances shall have happened, His Majesty will 61. If any just Grievances shall happen, he is as ready to redress them as the Parliament to represent them. be as willing and ready to Redress them for the future, The Lord Keeper's Speech, Thursd. Octob 10. 1667. pag. 8. Id. pag. 7. as you to have them represented unto him. AND therefore, although His Majesty hears, and has reason to believe, that some disaffected persons have spread abroad Discourses and Rumours, reflecting upon the Government, intending thereby to beget a disaffection in his good Subjects: and it is an easy thing to take exceptions; Cum neque culpam humana Infirmitas neque Calumniam regnandi difficultas evitet. Yet His Majesty promises himself from your good Affections, that every one of you in your several places will endeavour to preserve a good Understanding between him and his People. Id. pag. 7, 8. WELL, but the King, as if he had not been satisfied in trusting any other to speak his mind, comes and tells his Parliament himself. I assure you, I shall willingly receive 62. And he will willingly receive all Bills of that nature. and pass any Bill you shall offer me, The King's Speech to both Houses, Saturd. Mar. 8. 167●/3. pag. 4. that may tend to the giving you satisfaction in all our just Grievances. WHAT is there now that you can complain of, 63. we shall be Righted in all our Complaints. wherein you shall not be righted? DO there want any Laws to secure the Peace and Quiet of the State? says my Lord Keeper to The Lord Keeper's Speech. Octob. 13. 1675. pag. 8, 9, 10, 11. that Parliament. 64. In Laws to secure the Peace of the State. WOULD you at once enrich and adorn the Kingdom, by providing for the Extent and Improvement of Trade, by introducing new and useful Manufactures, and by encouraging those we have already? 65. In Provisions for the Extent and Improvement of Trade WOULD you prevent all Frauds and Perjuries, all Delays, and Abuses in the Administration of Justice? WOULD you preserve a famous City from being depopulated 66. In preventing all Frauds and Perjuries, all Delays and Abuses in the Administering of Justice. by the Suburbs. Would you restrain the Excess of those new Buildings which begin to swarm with Inhabitants unknown? ALL your Petitions of this kind will be Grateful to the King, and you may with ease effect all this, and much more, which your great Wisdoms will suggest to you. A little time 67. In restraining the Excess of new Buildings. will serve to make many excellent Laws, and to give you the honour of being the Repairers of all our Breaches, so as that time he wholly employed upon the Public, and not taken up by such Considerations as are less meritorious. 68 And a little time serves to make many excellent Laws if that time be wholly employed on the Public. IF therefore there be any without Doors, that labour to disunite your Counsels, or to render them ineffectual; if they can hope that the occasions for this may arise from some difference within yourselves, or hope by those differences to disguise their own Disaffections to your good Proceed; it is in your power to defeat those hopes, to pull off this Disguise, and to secure 69. Therefore let none be able to disunite our great Councils. a happy Conclusion of this Meeting, by studying to preserve a good Correspondence, and by a careful avoiding of all such Questions as are apt to engender Strife. AND if ever there were a time, when the Gravity, and the Counsel, the Wisdom, and the good Temper of a Parliament 70 For it is in their power to preserve a good Correspondence. 71 If ever a Parliament had need to be Grave and Temperate, it is now. were necessary to support that Government which only can support these Assemblies, certainly this is the Hour. YOU see with what Zeal the King hath recommended to 72. The King's Zeal to recommend a good Agreement among them. you a good Agreement between yourselves, and that he doth it with all the Care and Compassion, all the Earnestness and Importunity, fit for so great a Prince to express; who would be very sorry that any such misfortune as your Disagreement, should either deprive him of your Advice and Assistance, or 73. For the contrary would deprive him of their good Advice and Assistance, and the people of good Laws. his People of those good Laws which he is ready to grant you. There is no other way our Enemies can think of, by which it is possible for this Session to miscarry; for Fears and Jealousies cannot enter here, Calumnies and Slanders will find no place amongst wise and good Men. THEY that use these Arts abroad will quickly be discredited, when the World shall see the Generous Effects of your Confidence. 74. This the only way our Enemies can think of to make us miscarry. Men will despair of attempting any Disturbance in the State, when they see every step that tends that way, serves only to give you fresh occasion to testify your Loyalty and your Zeal. 75. But Men will despair of attempting any disturbance in the State when they see the Parliament united. YOU have all the reason in the World to make Men see this; for you have the same Monarchy to assert, the same Church to defend, the same Interests of Nobility and Gentry to maintain, the same excellent King to contend for, and the same Enemies to contend against. AND now you shall hear what my Lord Chancellor had to say to the Parliament concerning this Point. He tells them; There 76. And they have all the reason in the World to be so. is little cause to be jealous of our Liberties and Properties; nor do they believe themselves who pretend The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Thursd. May▪ 23. 1678. pag. 14, 15. to be afraid of either. Can there be a greater Evidence of the moderation of a Prince, and his 77. Little cause to be jealous of our Liberties and Properties. tenderness of the Liberty of the Subject, than to suffer, as he does every day, so much Licentious and Malicious Talk to pass unpunished? If there be not any one instance to be 78. For who else would suffer such malicious Talkers to go unpunished. found in a whole Reign, of a Man that hath suffered against Law, and but very few Examples of those that have suffered by it, shall we endure them that dare say in Coffeehouses, and in other public places, that the Nation is enslaved? LET it be lawful to provoke and challenge the most discontented, and the most unsatisfied Spirit in the Kingdom, to show 79. One may challenge the most discontented Spirits in the Kingdom to show when there were less Grievances, or less cause of Complaint than now. that time, if he can, since the World began, and this Nation was first inhabited; wherein there were fewer Grievances, or less cause of Complaint than there is at this present. Nay, give him scope enough, and let him search all Ages, and all places of the World, and tell us, if he can, when and where there was ever found a happier People than we are at this day. AND if Malice itself ought to blush when it makes this Comparison, what strange Ingratitude both to God and Man are they guilty of, who behave themselves so, as if they could 80 Nay, search all Ages and places of the World, and none more happy than we are. 81 Therefore how ungrateful both to God and Man are they who are ill at ease under so temperate a Government? be ill at ease under so temperate a Government. AND the King, as if all he had hitherto spoken did not seem enough to him for the satisfaction of his People, makes one apvance 82. The King declares he will with his Life defend the Laws of this Kingdom. higher yet, and says to his Parliament, I do give you this Assurance, that I will with my Life defend the Laws of this Kingdom; and (may The King's Speech, Thursd. March 6. 1678/ 9 pag. 7. he not then, let us in cool Blood consider, justly go on thus to them?) I do expect from you to be defended from the Calumny, as well as danger of those 83. Therefore let us defend him from the Calumny of those who would render him and the Government odious to the People. worst of Men, who endeavour to render me and my Government odious to my People. THAT there are such, and especially at this time, it is too notorious; and if due Care and Circumspection be not taken, they will quickly be in no small hopes to raise a Storm that nothing shall be able to allay. SUCH are they who are industriously active in improving Fears and Jealousies among the Populace, and in nourishing all 84. It is too notorious that there are such. the base Suspicions which they can devise. THESE should diligently be looked after; who, with their Ill meant distinctions between the Court and the 85. And they are those that improve Fears and Jealousies. Country, between the Natural and the Politic Capacity; The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Feb. 15. 1676/ 7. pag. 15, 16. go about to persuade others that these are two several Interests. 86. they have ill meant distinctions between the Court and the Country, between the Natural and the Politic Capacity. BUT saith the Lord Chancellor immediately after, let such Men have a care of that Precipice to which such Principles may lead them; for the first Men that ever began to distinguish of their Duty, never left off till they had quite distinguished themselves out of all their Allegiance. AND I wish with all my heart that That known Truth of my Lord Keeper's was imprinted into the hearts of all His Majesty's Subjects; and which, I am sure, would keep us then within the 87. But let such have a care of a Precipice. decent Bounds of our Loyalty and Obedience to him, That there is no distinct Interest between the King and his People; but the Good of one is the Good 88 There is no distinct interest between the King and his People. The Lord Keeper's Speech, Octob. 10. 1667. pag. 8. of both. AND, for the public Good, the King will give no intermission to his own thoughts. Away The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Sept. 13. 1660. pag. 18. then with all the vain Imaginations of those who labour 89. For the Public Good the King will give his thoughts no Intermission. to infuse a misbelief of the Government. WE that have the happiness to live under so excellent The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Feb. 15. 1676/ 7. pag. 15. a Monarchy, so admirable a Constitution and Temper of Government, we that remember what the want of this Government cost us, and the miserable Desolations which attended it, have all 90. We that have the happiness to live under so temperate a Government have all the Motives that can be to secure the Interests of it. Id. pag. 14. the Motives, and are under all the Obligations that can be, to secure and advance the Interest of it. THE King on his part, (as the Lord Chancellor 91. The King meets his Parliament with an open and full heart, and is resolved to glad the hearts of his People by all things he is able to do for them. admirably well speaks to both Houses of Parliament,) Id. Ibid. meets you with so open and so full a heart, and is so absolutely resolved and determined to do all that in him lies to glad the hearts of his People, that it must be the strangest infelicity in the World, if either he or his Subjects should meet with any disappointments here. FOR the King hath no desires but what are public, no Ends or Aims which terminate in himself; Id. pag. 15. all his Endeavours are so entirely bend upon the Welfare of all 92. The King hath no desires but what are public: all his endeavours are for the Welfare of his People. his Dominions, that he doth not think any Man a good Subject, who doth not hearty love his Country: and therefore let no Man pass for a good Patriot, who doth not as hearty love and serve his Prince. PRIVATE Men indeed are subject to be misled by private Interests, and may entertain some vain Ibid. and slender hopes of surviving the Misfortunes of the Public: 93. And he thinks none good Subjects who do not hearty love their Country. but a Prince is sure to fall with it, and therefore can never have any Interests divided from it. TO live and die with the King is the highest Profession a Subject can make; and sometimes it is Ibid. a Profession only, and no more; but in a King it is an absolute 94. Private Men may be misled by private Interests. Necessity: 'tis a Fate inevitable, that he must live and die with his People. To be sure than the King will do any reasonable thing to cherish and maintain the Rights and Interests of his People, since by 95. But a Prince is sure to fall with his People. that means he knows he does the more firmly establish himself in all their Affections; and that, he hath always accounted, his Best Security. He hath said it himself in a Letter to his Parliament in Scotland, assembled October 19 1669. pag. 2. That, By the 96. For it is an absolute necessity in a King to live and die with them. Union of the Hearts and Hands of our People, our Throne shall be strengthened, and they have Peace and Love settled amongst them for ever. AND in his Declaration to all his Loving Subjects, two Years after his happy Restoration to us, saith he, We are very sure 97. By the Union of the People's Hearts and Hands the Throne is strengthened. that what Guards soever may be found necessary for us to continue, as in former times, Decemb. 26. 1662. pag. 6, 7. for the Dignity and Honour of our Crown; the sole Strength and Security we shall ever conside in shall be the Hearts and Affections of our Subjects, 98. Therefore the sole Strength and Security the King shall confide in, shall be the hearts of his Subjects, endeared and confirmed to him by the steady Government according to Law. endeared and confirmed to us by our Gracious and steady manner of Government, according to the Ancient known Laws of the Land; there being not any one of our Subjects, who doth more from his Heart abhor, than we ourselves, all sorts of Military and Arbitrary Rules. HERE you see is Liberty and Property assured to you upon 99 Here is Liberty and Property assured to us upon the Word of a King. the Word of a King; for no Government is so dear to him, as that which is upheld by the Ancient Laws of his Ancestors. And as there is Nothing in the World which ought to be held so Sacred and Inviolable among Kings and Sovereigns, as the true and exact Observation of their Words, so this His Majesty very well knew: and this it was that made him say, I do value my 100 Who values himself much on keeping his Word. self much upon keeping my Word, upon The King's Speech at the Opening of the Parliament, May 8. 1661. pag. 1. making good whatsoever I promise to my Subjects. WHAT Reason then is there for so strange a 101. What reason then for any distrust? Diffidence and Distrust? which, like a general Infection, gins to spread itself into almost all the The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Feb. 15. 1676/ 7. pag. 11. Corners of the Land. Arbitrary Rule and Government, you find, the King can no more endure to think of, than you yourselves. He tells you, It is that which his Soul abhors, perfectly abhors: 102. What the King hath thus freely spoken, surely he will as fully maintain and justify. and therefore, consequently, it must be that which you are never likely to see him take up. THIS, methinks, should confirm our Faith, and make us confident, that what the King hath freely spoken, he will as fully maintain and justify. LET us then readily and unanimously give to the King our 103. Let us then give the King our hearts, who is always opening his arms to us. Hearts, Who is continually opening and stretching his Arms to all who are worthy to be his Subjects, The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Thurs. Sep. 13. 1660. pag. 11. worthy to be thought English Men. How would he extend his Heart with a pious and a grateful Joy, to find all his Subjects at once in his Arms, and himself in theirs! SAITH this Gracious Majesty, in his Declaration to all his 104. The King accounts his Dignity and Greatness more happily founded on his Clemency, and his Subjects Loves, than in their Fears, and his Power. Loving Subjects; It hath been always a constant Profession of ours, that we do, and Decemb. 26. pag. 5. shall ever think our Royal Dignity and Greatness more happily and securely founded on our own Clemency, and our Subjects Loves, than in their Fears, and our Power. WHICH most sincere Profession of ours, goeth he on, may suffice also to expose the Id. ibid. Wickedness and Falsehood of that Malice, concerning 105. What malice is that to talk of his Arbitrary Government. the Design of introducing a way of Government by Military Power. NO, He knows a better way of Ruling, than by that of the Sword: it is both more easy, and more suitable, and agreeing with his Nature, his Clemency. He had rather come to you in Love, than in Power. 'Tis in your Hearts he aims to live, for there he finds his Surest Rest. THE King of Spain's Mines will sooner deceive him, than that Revenue will fail him; for his The Speech of the Speaker of the House of Commons to the King, Saturd. Decemb. 29. 1660. at their Dissolution, pag. 31. Mines have Bottoms: but the deeper His Majesty sinks himself into the Hearts and Affections of his People, the greater he will find his Wealth to be, and the more invincible his Strength. THEREFORE did the King ingenuously deal 106. Never any King valued himself more on his People's Love than he doth. with us all, when he said, Never King valued himself more upon the Affections of his People, The King's Speech, Aug. 29. 1660. p. 5. than I do; nor do I know a better way to make myself sure of your Affections, than by being just and kind to you all: and whilst I am so, I pray let the World see, that I am possessed of your 107. And the best way to have their Loves is by being just to them all. Affections. AND saith the Lord Chancellor, The King thinks himself the happiest, and the greatest Prince of the World; not from the Situation of his Dominions, and the The Lord Chanceller's Speech, Decemb. 29. 1660. p. 17, 18. 108. The King thinks himself the happiest Prince of the World, from being possessed of his People's Hearts and Affections. Power of his great Navy, with which he can visit his Neighbours, and keep them from visiting him; or from the Noble Revenue you have settled upon him, which he will improve with all good Husbandry: But from being possessed of the Affections and Hearts of such Subjects, that ☜ he doth so entirely love them, and depend upon them, that all his Actions, and all his Counsels, shall tend to no other end, but to make them happy and prosperous: that he thinks 109. And all his Actions and Counsels shall tend to no other end but to make them happy and prosperous. his Honour and his Interest principally to consist in providing for, and advancing the Honour and Interest of the Nation: that he is so confident in the multitude of his very good and faithful Subjects, that he is very hard to be persuaded, that his few ill and unfaithful Subjects can do him much harm; that he so much depends upon the Affection of honest Men, and their Zeal for his Security, that he is not so solicitous and vigilant for his own Safety as he ought to be, amidst so many Combinations, of which he is so well informed, that his Servants, who with Grief and Anguish importune him not to take so little care of his own safety, can obtain no other Answer from him, than what Caesar heretofore gave to his jealous Friends: Mori see male quam timeri, or timere. He will die any death, rather than live in fear of his own Subjects, or that they should live in fear of him. 110. His Lenity and Mildness is remarkable. HIS Lenity and Mildness, and his great and wonderful Condescensions to his People, do plainly testify, that all his Endeavours have been, and his Resolutions are, to make his Kingdom a 111. Therefore let other Prince's glory in their Subject's Obedience, the King only values himself on his People's Affections. Kingdom of Loves to them. LET other Prince's glory in the most refined The Lord Keeper's Speech, Jan. 7. 167●/4. pag. 19, 20. Obedience of their Vassals, His Majesty values himself upon the Hearts and Affections of his People, and thinks his Throne, when seated there, better established than the most exalted Sovereignty of those who tread upon the Necks of them that rise up against them. SINCE the World stood, never had any King so great a 112. Never had any King such cause to rest on this Security. cause to rest upon this Security. THEY were your Hearts that mourned in secret for the absence of the King: They were your Hearts and Affections to the King which tired out all the late Usurpations, by your invincible Patience and Fortitude: It was you that taught our English 113. For the People's hearts have been seen all along towards him. World to see and know that no Government could be settled here, but upon the true Foundations of Honour and Allegiance. WHAT may not the King now hope for from you? What may not you assure yourselves from him? Can any thing be 114. Therefore what may not the King hope for from them, and what may not they assure themselves of from him? difficult to Hearts so united, to Interests so twisted and interwoven together, as the King's and yours are? BEFORE ever he touched the English Shore, of his own free motion, how graciously was he pleased to declare, that he granted a free and general Pardon to all his Subjects, how heinous soever any of their Offences had been to him (excepting only some few Persons, as should afterwards be excepted by Parliament:) 115. How readily did he pass the Act of Oblivion? so that no Crime should be remembered against them to the prejudice of their Lives, Liberties, Estates or Reputations. and how readily did he pass the Act of Indemnity and Oblivion, when it was presented to him, To the intent (as the Act in the Preamble expresses it) that no Crime whatsoever committed against His Majesty, or his Royal Father, should hereafter rise in Judgement, or be brought in question against any of them, to the least Endamagement of them, either in their LIVES, LIBERTIES or ESTATES; or to the prejudice of their Reputations, by any Reproach, or term of distinction; and to bury all Seeds of future Discords, and remembrance of the former; as well in his own Breast, as in the Breasts of his Subjects one towards another: and that so there should be a firm Resettlement of both his own just Rights, and the Rights of his People. I say, how readily did he pass that Act? And, Certainly there can be no greater Evidence, The King's Declaration, Dec. 26, 1662. pag. 4, 5. 116. And there can be no greater Evidence that the passing it proceeded from his Clemency, than his care to have it confirmed by a new Act. that the Passing it did proceed from the Clemenly of our Nature, (as he himself hath said it) than that we have been pleased to make it our especial care to have it confirmed by a new Act: and whereas, saith he, we not only consented unto, but most earnestly desired the passing that Act at first, and confirming it since, as being no less conformable to our Nature, than conducible to a happy Settlement: so we do hereby most solemnly renew unto all 117. And it never shall be in the power of any to make him decline the strict Observance of it. our Subjects concerned in it, this Engagement, on the Word of a King, that it shall never be in the power of any Person or Interest whatsoever, to make us decline from the Religious Observance of it. AND what high and losty things doth he speak of it? saith he, I shall conclude with this, which I cannot say too often, nor you too often, where The King's Speech, Decem. 29, 1660. p 4, 5 you go, (for it was at the Dissolution of that Parliament) that next to the miraculous Blessing of God Almighty; 118. He did impute the Security we were all in to that happy Act. and indeed, as an immediate Effect of that Blessing, I do impute the good Disposition and Security we are all in, to the happy Act of Indemnity and Oblivion: that is the principal Cornerstone which supports this excellent Building, that creates kindness 119. That the chief Cornerstone that supports this excellent Building. in us to each other; and Confidence is our joint and common Security. You may be sure, I will not only observe it Religiously and Inviolably myself, but also exact the Observation of it from others. And if any 120. Confidence our joint and common Security. Person should ever have the boldness to attempt to persuade me to the contrary, he will find such an Acceptation from me, as he would have, who should persuade me to burn MAGNA CHARTA, cancel all the old 121. What Acceptation he should find, that would go about to divert him from the Observation of it. Laws, and to erect a new Government after my own Invention and Appetite. WHEN His Majesty came to see his new Parliament, what was one (and a great) part of his Speech to them, but this? Above all, I must repeat what I said when I was last here, saith he, that next to the miraculous Blessing of God Almighty; and indeed, as an immediate Effect of that 122. Still he calls this Act the chief Cornerstone that supports this excellent Building. Blessing, I do impute the good Disposition and Security we are all in, to the happy Act of Indemnity and Oblivion: that is the principal Cornerstone which supports this excellent Building, that creates Kindness in us to each other, and Confidence is our joint and common Security. 123. That Confidence is our joint and common Security. I am sure I am still of the same Opinion; The King's Speech, May 8. 1661. at the Opening of the Parliament. pag. 2, 3. and more, if it be possible, of that Opinion, than I was, by the Experience I have of the Benefit of it, and from the unreasonableness 124. He is of the same Opinion he was by the experience he had of the benefit of it. of what some Men say against it; though, I assure you, not in my hearing. In God's Name, provide full Remedies for any future Mischiefs, be as severe as you will against new Offenders; especially if they be so upon old Principles; and pull up those 125. Therefore when any clamour against it, be as severe as possible against such new Offenders upon old Principles. Principles by the Roots. But I shall never think him a Wise Man, who would endeavour to undermine or shake that Foundation of our Public Peace, by Infringing that Act in the least degree: or that he can be my Friend, or wish me well, who would persuade me ever to consent to the Breach of a Promise, I so solemnly made when I was abroad, and performed with that 126. He is no wise Man who shall go about to infringe that Act in the least degree: or can he be the King's Friend, who would make him break such a Promise. Solemnity; because, and after I promised it, I cannot suspect any Attempts of that kind by any Men of Merit and Virtue. AND now it would be very unseasonable and unreasonable to endeavour to shake that Foundation, The Lord Chancellor's Speech to the same, p. 10, 11. which, if you will take the King's Judgement, supports the whole Fabric of our Peace and Securirity. He tells you what he shall think of any who goes about 127. This is a Zeal no Prince could be transported with but himself. to undermine that Foundation; which is a Zeal no Prince could be transported with but himself. It might have seemed enough for a King who had received so many Injuries so hardly to be forgotten, undergone so many Losses so impossible to be repaired? to have been willing to confirm, and to re-enact the Act of 128. For him, after such Indignities, etc. to prepare such an Act for us, and to conjure his Parliament by all their Friendship to him, to dispatch it, is a piece of Fatherly tenderness indeed. Oblivion and Indemnity, when you should present it to him: But to prepare such an Act for you, to conjure you by all that is precious, by your Friendship to him, to dispatch those Acts with Expedition; is such a piece of Fatherly Tenderness and Piety, as could proceed from no Heart, but such a one, in which God hath treasured up a stock of Mercy, and Justice, and Wisdom, to redeem a Nation. And truly, My Lords and Gentlemen, for ourselves; if we consider how much we own to those, who with all the Faculties of their Souls, contributed to, and contrived the blessed Change, the restoring the King to his People, and his People to the King: and then how much we own to those who gave no Opposition to the Virtuous Activity of the other; (and, God knows, a little opposition might have done much 129. For there were but few who did not deserve to be forgiven by him. harm) whether we look upon the Public, or upon our own private Provocations, there will remain so few who do not deserve to be forgiven by us, that we may very well submit to the King's Advice, and his Example: of whom we may very justly say, as a very good Historian said of a very great Emperor; and 130. The only Instances of the King's Greatness and Power over us, have been the giving of us Peace, Honour and Security. I am sure, it could never be so truly said of any Emperor as of ours: Facere recte cives suos, Princeps Optimus faciendo docet; cumque fit imperio Maximus, Exemplo Major est. Nor indeed hath he yet given us, or have we yet felt any other Instances of his Greatness, and Power, and Superiority, and Dominion over us. Nisi (as he said) out levatione periculi, aut accessione dignitatis, by giving us Peace, Honour and Security, which we could not have without him; by desiring nothing for himself, but what is 131. This made the House of Commons unanimously return him their Thanks for his constant Observance of the Act of Oblivion. as good for us, as for himself. AND certainly, the Consideration of this made the Honourable House of Commons Resolve, upon the Question, Nemine contradicente; That the Humble Thanks of their House should be returned to the King's Majesty, for his Constancy Feb. 25. 1652. pag 3. Of the House of Com●●● Votes and O●●ers then. in the Observation of the Act of Indemnity. AND also it was then Resolved, etc. Nemine contradicente; That the Humble Thanks of their House 132. As also for his professing against introducing a Government by Military Power. should be returned to the King's Majesty, for his Profession against Introducing a Government by a Military Power, in his Declaration to all his Loving Subjects, Decemb. 26. 1662. AND in the Speech which their Speaker delivered in the Name of the whole House, Feb. 26. 1662. p. 6, 7. he saith thus: We your Majesty's most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects, etc. do for ourselves, and in the Names of all the Commons of England, render to your Sacred Majesty the Tribute of our most hearty Thanks, for that infinite Grace and Goodness, wherewith Your Majesty hath been pleased to publish your Royal Intentions of adhering to your Act of Indemnity and Oblivion, by a constant and Religious Observance of it. And our Hearts are farther enlarged in these Returns of Thanksgivings, when we consider Your Majesty's most Princely and Heroic Professions of relying upon the Affections of your People, and abhorring all sort of Military and Arbitrary Rule. AS for the several Sums of Money which have been given to 133. As for his laying out the Moneys that have been given him. His Majesty, have they not been given him upon the Nation's Account, and for its Good, Welfare and Security? We have had briefly a By-regard to our own selves, and it was the sake of our dear Interest and Safety that made us so full of Generous Liberality to him: and how all those great Sums have been laid out to those Ends, you shall not take my Word for it; but, as I have done all along hitherto, so I will still continue, what must needs be your best and fullest satisfaction, to repeat to you the King's own Words. WHEN the House of Commons had passed the Bill entitled An Act for a speedy Provision of Money, to pay off and disband all the Forces of this Kingdom, both by Sea and Aug. 29. 1660. The Speech of the Speaker of the House of Commons to the King in the House of Lords, pag. 7. Land: Upon which they hoped such a Sum would be advanced and brought in, as might be sufficient, fully to discharge and dispatch that Work. And humbly prayed His Majesty's Gracious Acceptance of, and Royal Assent to it. The King was pleased to come and tell them; That he thanked them for the many good things they had done for The King's Speech to both Houses, Septem. 13. 1660 p. 4. him, and for the Kingdom. And, saith he, In truth, I do thank you more for what you have done for the Public, than what you have done for my own particular; and yet I do thank you too 134. He promises, which is the best way he can take to gratify his Parliament and People, that not one Penny of it shall be laid out to his own particular Occasions, till it is evident, the Public will not need it. for that with all my heart: But I confess to you, I do thank you more for the Provision you have made to prevent Free Quarter, during the time the Army shall be Disbanding, which I take to be given for my Satisfaction, than I do for the other Present you have made me for my own particular Occasions: And I do promise you, which is the best way I can take to gratify you, I will not apply one Penny of that Money to my own particular Occasions, what shift soever I make, till it is evident to me, that the Public will not stand in need of it: and if it do, every Penny of it shall be disbursed that way; and, I dare say, I shall not be the poorer for it. WHEN the King came to his Parliament, the first day of their Meeting after their Adjournemnt, he tells them; The Occasion of my coming hither is Extraordinary: It is to say something to you on my own behalf, The King's Speech to both Houses, Wednesd. Novemb. 20. 1661. pag. 1, 2. to ask somewhat of you for myself; 135. And when his Majesty came again to ask them for some more Money, he tells them, if it did most concern himself, and his Straits etc. and did not manifestly relate to the public Peace more than to his own particular, he would not ask. which is more than I have done of you, or of those who met here before you, since my coming into England. I need not do it now: They did, and you do, upon all Occasions, express so great an Affection and Care of all that concerns me, that I may very well refer both the matter and the manner of your doing any thing for me, to your own Wisdoms and Kindness. And indeed, if I did think that what I am to say to you now, did alone, or did most concern myself; if the uneasy Condition I am in, if the Straits and Necessities I am to struggle with; did not manifestly relate to the public Peace and Safety, more than to my own particular, otherwise 136. For he can bear his own Necessities patiently enough than as I am concerned in the Public, I should not give you this trouble this day; I can bear my Necessities, which merely relate to myself, with patience enough▪ 137. And then, after he had laid open the Obligations of the Crown to provide for the Interest, Honour and Security of the Nation: and declared to them the pressing Occasions that made him so earnest, He desires them to examine throughly whether such Necessities were real or not, or whether fallen by his fault upon us, and give him accordingly. AND having in short given them an Account of the Insupportable Weight that the Public Necessities laid upon the Crown, and the Obligations it lieth under, to provide for the Interest, Honour and Security of the Nation; he says, These are the pressing Occasions which I am forced to recommend to you with all possible Earnestness, Id. pag. 3, 4. and do conjure you to provide for, as speedily as is possible; and in such a manner as may give us Security at home, and some Reputation abroad. I make this Discourse to you with some Confidence, because I am very willing and desirous that you should throughly examine whether these Necessities I mention be Real or Imaginary, or whether they are fallen upon us by my Fault, my own ill Managery or Excesses; and provide for them accordingly. I am very willing that you make a full Inspection into my Revenue, as well the Disbursements as Receipts; and if you find it hath been ill managed by any Corruption in the Officers I trust or by my own Vnthriftiness, I shall take the Information 138. But not to believe any lose discourses of giving away vast sums of Money in a Morning. and Advice you shall give me very kindly: I say, if you find it: for I would not have you believe any lose Discourses, how confidently soever urged, of giving away Fourscore Thousand Pounds in a Morning, and many other Extravagancies of that kind. 139. For he is sorry he can reward his faithful Servants no better. I have much more reason to be sorry that I have not to reward those who have ever faithfully served the King my Father, and myself, than ashamed of any Bounty I have exercised towards any Man. HERE you find is plain dealing: The King comes to ask of 140. Thus if the King ask for Money, it is to provide for our Safety and Interest. his Parliament some Supply; but it is to this end, that the Nation may be the better by it; that some necessary Provisions for the very Safety of the Kingdom may be made without delay: that we may have cause to rejoice in our own Peace and Quietness, being under the Covert of his Wings, whose Princely Heart and Head cannot (no more than it ought to) be free from cares and thoughts of our Protection and Happiness. NOR unless, upon serious Examination, these pressing Necessities be found real, and that they have not happened by any fault in him, (who is perfectly willing that they should enter into the strictest Search in the Case) does he require any thing. And he would take the Information kindly from them, if they would be so free as to tell him, upon the Enquiry, that they do find Corruption in any of the Officers that he trusts. WHEN His Majesty met the House of Commons in the Banqueting-house at Whitehall, in March, and told them, That, 141. And he is exceedingly deceived, if whatever he hath had given him be any otherwise given, than to be laid out for the public use and benefit, and so it shall, and we shall find we are the richer by our giving. in truth he did not know they were any whit nearer settling his Revenue than they were The King's Speech to the House of Commons, Mar. 1. 1661./ 2. pag 5, 6. at Christmas: Saith he, I am sure I have communicated my Condition to you without Reserve, what I have coming in, and what my necessary Disbursements are; and I am exceedingly deceived, if whatever you give me, be any otherwise given to me, than to be issued out for your own use and benefit. Trust me, it shall be so; and if you consider it well, you will find that you are the richer by what you give, since it is all to be laid out, that you may enjoy the rest in Peace and Security. GENTLEMEN, I need not put you in Id. ibid. & pag. sequente. 142. Miserable have been the effects that attended the Wants of the Crown. mind of the miserable Effects which have attended the Wants and Necessities of the Crown; I need not tell you that there is a Republical Party still in the Kingdom, which hath the Courage to promise themselves another Revolution: and methinks I 143. Therefore to have such Provision made for the Crown, as that it might be able to support itself, and secure us, is all the King desires, and that only for our Preservation. should as little need to tell you that the only way, with God's Blessing, to disappoint their hopes, and indeed, to reduce them from those extravagant Hopes and Desires, is to let them see, that you have so provided for the Crown, that it hath where withal to support itself, and to secure you; which I am sure is all I desire, and desire only for your Preservation. Therefore I do conjure you, by all the Professions of Affection you have made to me, by all the Kindness I know you have for me, after all your Deliverations, betake yourselves to some speedy Resolutions; and settle such a real and substantial Revenue upon me, as may hold some proportion with the necessary Expenses I am at for the Peace, and Benefit, and Honour of the Kingdom: that they who look for Troubles at home may have that Esteem and Value of us, as may secure the Interest and Honour of the Nation, and make the Happiness of this Kingdom, and of this City, once more the Admiration and Envy of the World. THUS you see, the Peace and Benefit, the Interest and Honour, and Happiness of this Nation, the King's Heart is full of Gracious Intentions to procure and support. This is it he greatly desires; and desires it for our sakes, as well as his own. Under his 144. Well, when the Parliament had given the King Moneys, how does he thank them for it, and tell them he will apply it all to the greatest advantage for the Peace and Happiness of the Kingdom. Protection he would have us to enjoy our Safety; not only that our Persons should be safe, but that all that belongs, or is dear to us, should be so likewise; our Religion, our Liberties, and all our Civil Rights. And what more is it possible for a King to do, to win over all the Hearts of his Subjects to him? And shall he so deserve our Affections, and we ever grudge him our Purses? BUT, to return to the King's own further Words: Saith he to his Parliament; My Lords and Gentlemen, You have so much obliged me, not only in the The King's Speech to both Houses at their Prerogation, Mond. May, 19 1662. pag 4. matter of those Bills which concern my Revenue, but in the manner of passing them, 145. And with the best Advice and good Husbandry he can, he will contract his Expenses. with so great Affection and Kindness to me, that I know not how to thank you enough. I do assure you, and I pray assure your Friends in the Country, that I will apply all you have given me to the utmost Improvement of the Peace and Happiness of the Kingdom; and will▪ with the best Advice and 146. How the King found the Crown when he came to it. good Husbandry I can, bring my Expenses within a narrower Compass. THE Lord Chancellor, in his Speech after this of the King's, said to them, You know how our Sovereign Lord 147. How he gave more Money to the People, than he hath received from them. the King found the Crown at his blessed Return to The Lord Chancellor's Speech to the same p. 12 it. You can tell the World, that as soon as he came hither, besides the infinite that he forgave, he gave more Money to the People, than he hath since received from them: That at least two parts of three, that they have since given 148. How the Moneys have been laid out that were given him. him, have issued for the disbanding Armies never raised by him, and for payment of Fleets never sent out by him, and of Debts never incurred by him. AND, after a great deal more of much what to the same purpose, 149. The Charge the Crown is at both by Sea and Land, for our Peace and Security. may he not very well go on and say? You may with a very good Conscience assure yourselves, and your Friends and Neighbours, that the charge the Crown Id. pag. 13. is now at by Sea and Land, for the Peace and Security, and Wealth and Honour of the Nation, amounts to no less than eight 150. God, in giving us this King, hath given us the most cheerful Giver; that hath given us all we have asked, all he hath to give. hundred thousand Pounds a Year: all which did not cost the Crown, before these Troubles, fourscore thousand Pounds the Year; and therefore they will never blame you for any Supply you have given, or Addition you have made to the Revenue of the Crown. FOR, Besides all other Stupendious Blessings that God Almighty hath conferred upon us, he hath, Id. pag. 20. in this our King, given us the most cheerful Giver, that ever 151. He only retains what we give him for our sakes, that we might be the better by it. People have been blessed with: A King that hath, with all imaginable cheerfulness, given us all we have asked of him, all he hath to give; who would not take or retain any thing we give to him, but for our own sakes; that by receiving and retaining it, he may give it to us again in more abundance; in abundance of Peace, and Plenty, and Honour; and all the Comforts which 152. The Greatness of the King is the greatness of the People. can make a Nation happy. THUS spoke that Noble Lord: and did we not see the Fruits and Effects of it? The Greatness of the King, is the Greatness and Safety of his People. The Springs The Lord Keeper's Speech, Octob. 13. 1675. pag. 7. 153. The King's thanks to the Parliament for their Present to him. and Rivers, which pay Tribute to the Ocean, do not lessen, but preserve themselves by that Contribution. SAITH the King, (and, oh! how full, upon every Occasion, is his heart of Generous Gratitude!) when the Parliament 154. The Necessities of the Crown not coming by the King's Improvidence or Ill-Husbandry. had presented him with a Money-Bill; I thank you for the Present you have made me this Day; and I hope your Countries will thank you when The King's Speech to both Houses at their Prorogation, Mond. July 27. 1663. p. 3, 4. you come home for having done it. I am not Conscious of having brought the straits and Necessities I am in upon myself by any 155. Nor would the King have had the Supply, if it were not necessary for our Peace and Quiet. Improvidence or Ill-Husbandry of my own: I know the contrary: and I do assure you, that I would not have desired or received the Supply you have now given me, if it were not absolutely necessary for your Peace and Quiet, as well as mine. And I must tell you, it will do me very little good, if I do not improve 156. He will rather impose upon himself than upon his Subjects. it by very good Husbandry of my own, and by retrenching those very Expenses, which in many respects may be thought necessary enough. But you shall see I will much rather impose upon myself, than upon my Subjects: 157. Nothing more of public consideration than to support the Dignity of the Crown. And if all Men will follow my Example in retrenching their Expenses, which (it may be) they may do with much more Convenience than I can do mine, the Kingdom will in a very short time gain what you have given me this day. NOTHING is, or can be of a more public The Lord Chancellor's Speech to both Houses, Octob. 21. 1678. pag. 16. 158. It is unsafe as well as dishonourable for the King's Revenue to fall short of his most necessary ●pences. Consideration, than to support the Dignity of the Crown; which is, in truth, the Dignity of the Nation. Besides, it is unsafe, as well as dishonourable, that the King's Revenue should fall short of his most necessary, and most unavoidable Expenses. 159. It is fit there should be such a constant growing Revenue as may preserve the Crown from scandalous Wants and Necessities as formerly it lay under. WHEN the Parliament, like the richest and the noblest Soil, a Soil manured and enriched by the bountiful Hearts of the best Subjects in the World, had yielded the King two full Harvests in one Year: Saith the Chancellor to them on the Day of their Prorogagation: You have not only supplied the Crown to a good degree, for discharging many Debts and The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Monday, May 19 166●. pag. 8, 9 Pressures, under which it even groaned, and enabled it to struggle with the present Straits and Necessities; Debts not contracted, and Necessities not run into by Improvidence and Excess. You may, when you please, 160. Our late Distractions may be imputed much to the Poverty of the Crown. receive such an Account as will clear all such Reproaches. But you have wisely, very wisely provided such a constant growing Revenue, as may, with God's Blessing, preserve the Crown from those scandalous Wants and Necessities, as have heretofore exposed it and the Kingdom to those dismal Miseries, (as he said 161. The want of Power the effect of want of Money. then) from which they are but even now Buoyed up: For whatsoever other Humane Causes may be assigned, according to the several Fancies and Inclinations of Men, of our late miserable Distractions, they cannot be so reasonably imputed to any one 162. The Militia Bill and the Additional Revenue, the Foundation of our Peace and Security. Cause, as to the extreme Poverty of the Crown: the want of Power could never have appeared, if it had not been for the want of Money. AND I am confident, both the present and succeeding Ages will bless God, and celebrate your Memories for those two Bills, of putting the Militia into the King's Hands, and supplying the 163. Treasures the Sinews of War and the Bonds of Peace. Crown by an Additional Revenue, as the Foundation of their Peace, Quiet and Security. OUR Treasures are as the Sinews of War, and as the Bonds of Peace; and the great Aids which are 164. Our Aids to the King like the Blood in its Circulation. Sir Edward Turner 's Speech to the King, Frid. 18. Jan. 1666. p. 2. given to the King are but like the Blood in its Circulation, which will return again, and nourish all the Parts. WHEN the Speaker of the House of Commons presented His 165. Upon the Bill of Supply of 180000. l. for the War, the King assures us the Money shall be laid out for the same ends it was given. Majesty with a Bill of Supply, for carrying on the then War, of 1800000 l. The King, in his Speech to both the Houses, thus saith: My Lords and Gentlemen; I thank you for this other Bill of Supply which you have The King's Speech, Feb. 8. 1666. pag. 3. given me; and I assure you, the Money shall be laid out for the Ends it is given. NAY, saith the King to them in another Speech, I can tell you truly, I desire to put you to as little Cost 166. The King desires to put us to as little cost as possible. as is possible: I wish with all my Heart, The King's Speech to both Houses, Sept. 21. 1666. p. 3. that I could bear the whole Charge of this War myself, and that my Subjects should reap the benefit of it to themselves. 167. He wishes he could bear the charge, and his Subjects reap the benefit of the War. AND he told them, Though they had given him very lar●e Supplies for the carrying on the War, yet he was forced to anticipate his own Revenue, Id. pag. 4. and so raise a very great Sum of Money, or he had not been able to set out the Fleet that last Spring; and he had some hopes upon the same Credit, to be able to pay off the great Ships as they came in. AND all this he was very willing and ready to do himself, because he would be as little burdensome and uneasy to his People as possibly he could; having found them so free upon all Occasions, 168. Though Necessities pressed him, yet he was unwilling to ask for further Assistance till he saw he could no longer tarry; and then he assures us that the great Sum that was last given him was wholly applied to the Navy, as it was intended. to give him necessary and large Supplies. THIS, doubtless, made him say to his Parliament, I have had great Experience of your Affection and Loyalty to me, and am very confident of the The King's Speech to both Houses, Tuesd. Octob. 19 1669. pag. 3, 4. Continuance of it. It is now almost a Year and a half since your last Sitting; and though my Debts have pressed me very much, yet I was unwilling to call for your Assistance till this time. What you gave me last was wholly applied to the Navy, and that extraordinary Fleet for which it was intended. AND when he met them the February following, saith he, When we last met, I asked you a Supply, and I ask it now again with greater Instance. The uneasiness 169. His earnestness in ask was only from a Prospect of very ill Effects which would besal the whole Kingdom without a new Supply. The King's Speech, Mond. Feb. 14. 1669/ 70. pag. 4. and Straitness of my Affairs cannot continue without very ill Effects to the whole Kingdom. Consider this seriously and speedily; it is yours and the Kingdom's Interest as well as mine: and the ill Consequence of a Want of an effectual Supply must not lie at my Door. And that no Mis-apprehensions or Mistakes, touching the Expenses of the last War, may remain with you, I think fit to let you know, 170. And he saith again, that no part of the Moneys given him for the War, had been diverted to other Uses. that I have fully informed myself in that matter; and do affirm to you, that no part of those Moneys that you gave me for that War have been diverted to other Uses: but on the contrary, besides all those Supplies, a very great Sum hath been raised out of my standing Revenue and Credit, and a very great Debt contracted; and 171. His Majesty in his own Person hath examined the Accounts, and finds this true, that all the Moneys have been justly laid out on the War. all for the War. HIS Majesty hath not only by his Ministers, but in his own Royal Person examined the Accounts, touching the Expenses of the last War: and hath thought himself The Lord Keeper's Speech to the same, pag. 7, 8. concerned to let you know, that all the Supplies which you gave him for the War, have been by him applied to the War, and no part of them to any other Uses. Nay, so far from it, that if the Preparations towards the 172. Nay, and accounting the Preparations, many hundred thousand pounds of his own Revenue have been employed also. War shall be taken to be for the use of the War, as they must be; a great part of his own Revenue, to many hundred thousands of Pounds, hath been employed also, and swallowed up in the Charges of the War, and what did necessarily relate to it: To which may be added the great Debts contracted by His Majesty in the War. THUS you see, that though your Supplies have been great, yet the Charges occasioned by the Id. pag. 9 War, and the Calamities which accompanied it, have been greater: and that the Debt which is left upon His Majesty, and which he complains of, hath been contracted by the War, and not by the diversion of the Moneys designed for it. HIS Majesty did not enter into this War upon 173. His Majesty entered not upon it upon any private Inclinations, the first step arose from their Advice, and promise of Assistance. any private Inclination or Appetite of his own; the Id. ibid. first step he made towards it did arise from your Advice, and the promises of your Assistance. But if the Charges and Accidents of the War have out gone all your Supplies, and left him under the burden of this Debt; he thinks that, as well the Justice to your Promise, as the Duty and Loyalty you have always shown him, will oblige you to relieve him from it. And the rather, when you shall seriously consider, how uneasy this burden must be to 174. Therefore no more questions your Justice to your Fromise, than your Duty and Loyalty to him. him, and what ill Consequences the Continuance under it must draw upon all his Affairs: In which particular, you, and every Person you represent in this Nation, will be concerned as well as himself. Id. pag. 10. AGAIN, His Majesty, in his Speech, could not leave them without a fresh thanks for their complying with his desires, and their ready helping him in his pressing Necessities; and without giving them still further Assurances, that he would be a very faithful disposer of those Moneys to the ends for which they were presented 175. And upon this Supplying him, how doth he thank and assure them that he will make it go as far as he can towards the satisfying of his Debts. him; saith he, I hearty thank you for the Supply you have given me: and I assure The King's Speech, April 11. 1670. p. 9 you, I will make it go as far as I can towards the Satisfying of my Debts. THE Lord Chancellor most admirably speaks to both the Houses; saying, His Majesty is resolved to give his People as much respite from Payments and Taxes, as The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Feb. 5. 1672/ 3. pag. 5. the necessity of his Business, or their Preservation will permit. You see, it is only absolute Necessity, 176. The King resolved to give his People much respite from Payments and Taxes, even as much as ever he could. and a Paternal Princely Regard to the Security, Peace and Quietness of his People, that puts the King at any time to ask a Supply of his Parliament. WHEN you consider we are an Island, it is not Riches nor Greatness we contend for; yet those The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Octob. 27. 1673. pag. 8, 9 must attend the Success: but it is our very Being's are in Question. We fight pro aris & focis in this War. We are no longer Freemen, being Islanders; and Neighbours, if they master us at Sea: there is not so Lawful or Commendable a Jealousy in the World, as an English Man's, of the growing Greatness of any Prince or State at Sea. If you permit the Sea, our British Wife, to be ravished, an Eternal Mark of Infamy will stick upon us. THE King declares (and shall we not believe him?) 177. The King not in love with War for War's sake. that He is very far from being in Love with The King's Speech, Jan. 7. 1673/ 4. pag. 4, 5. War for War's sake: And as that cannot be well made without a Supply, so neither can Peace be had without being in a posture of War: Therefore the way to a good Peace is to set out a good Fleet; and if after, a good Peace should follow, saith he, yet the Supply 178. The Supply well given, and the reason why? would be well given. And why so, perhaps some may be apt to say. Why? the King gives you a very good reason, for, goeth he on, whatever remains of it, I am willing should be appropriated for building more Ships. No putting into his Coffers, no; but all should be disbursed, the more to secure us, and to keep up the Honour, Ease and Happiness of the Nation. This is the best Account of our Supply 179. Our Enemies cannot be gratified more than by our denying a Supply. our Hearts can wish; and there cannot be a higher The Lord Keeper's Speech to the same, p. 17. Gratification of our Enemies, than to be backward in this point; which we are sure shall be so well laid out for us. THE Safety and Honour of the State are then best provided for, when we keep up the Strength and Reputation of our Fleet. SO the Roman State thought, when (as the Orator tells us) they decreed, Non solum praesidii, sed etiam The Lord Keeper's Speech, Apr. 13. 1675. pag. 14. ornandi Imperii causa, Navigandum esse. AS for his own Debts, saith the King to his Parliament; 180. The King's Debts great. You know me to be under a great burden of Debts, and how hard a shift I The King's Speech, Thurs. Feb. 15. 1676/ 7. pag. 3. am making to pay them off as fast as I can. NOW, as the Lord Chancellor's Words are, Justice 181. And Justice and Honour obliges the King not to forsake them who have assisted him with their Estates for the public Good. and Honour oblige the King not to forsake those who have assisted him with their Estates in the The Lord Chancellor's Speech to the same, pag. 10. Defence of the Public. And although the necessary Issues of his Revenue, in the many new and chargeable Emergencies of State, did for a while postpone their Satisfaction; yet His Majesty hath now gone very far in it, and hath provided for the Security and Payment of an Immense Sum, with such difficulties, as none but a Just and Generous Prince would ever have undergone. WHEN the King came and told his Houses, that We cannot 182. We cannot have less than Ninety Sail of Capital Ships constantly maintained, nor less than 30 or 40000 Land-Men. have less on our parts than ninety Sail of Capital Ships constantly maintained; nor The King's Speech, Mond. Jan. 28. 167●/●. pag. 5, 6. less than thirty or forty thousand Land-Men (with their Dependencies) to be employed upon our Fleets, and elsewhere. Now mark how he is pleased to go on: And because there shall be no fear of mis-employing what you shall give to these Uses, I am contented that such Money be appropriated to those ends, 183. And therefore what shall be given to these Uses shall be appropriated to those ends as strictly as we can desire. as strictly as you can desire. I have given testimony enough of my Care in that kind, by the Progress I have made in building the new Ships: wherein, for the making them more useful, I have directed such larger Dimensions as will cost me above one hundred thousand Pounds more than the Act allows. I have gone as far as I could in repairing the old Fleet, and in buying of necessary Stores for the Navy and Ordnance. And so he proceeds, giving his Parliament an exact Account how just he hath been in laying out all their Moneys, and a great deal more of his own for his People's Good and Welfare. ALAS! Saith His Majesty in another Speech, 184. The King's Revenue under great Anticipations. My Revenue is under great Anticipations, The King's Speech to both Houses, Mond. Octob. 21. 1678. pag.. 5. and (indeed, all things considered, how can it be otherwise? Seeing▪ as the King himself protests▪ it) was, at the best, never equal to the constant 185. Never was equal to the constant and necessary Expense of the Government. and necessary Expense of the Government; whereof I intent to have the whole State laid before you, and require you to look into it, and consider of it, with that Duty and Affection which I am sure I shall always find from you. I think now by all this that has been repeated to you, it is evident, that there is no real Cause why any fears of our Liberties or Properties should disturb us: for what hath the King done himself to secure them to us upon the best and most lasting Foundations? How often hath he invited and conjured his Parliament, if it be possible, to find out more ways to satisfy his People, that it is only their Good, and a firm Establishment of all their Civil 186. Our Kingdom likely to continue a long time safe and happy. Rights, which he is so solicitous for. SURELY it is enough for any Kingdom, and more than most Kingdoms in the World can boast The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Thursd. Feb. 15. 1676/ 7. p. 12. of, to have their Affairs brought into such a Condition, that they may, in all Humane Probability, 187. Future Contingencies not capable of certain Prospect. and unless it be their own default, continue for a long time safe and happy. FOR, Future Contingencies are not capable of any certain Prospect: a Security beyond that of Humane Id. ibid. 188. Let us bless the King for taking away our fears and jealousies; that our Properties and Liberties are safe. Probability; no Nation ever did, or ever shall attain to. LET us therefore bless the King for taking away all our Fears, and leaving no Room for Jealousies: The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Feb. 5. 1672/ 3. pag. 15, 16. Let us bless the King, that our Properties and Liberties are safe, as well as our Religion. What more hath a good English Man to ask, but that THIS KING may long Reign, and that the Triple Alliance of King, Parliament 189. And may the Triple Alliance of King, Parliament, and People never be dissolved. and People may never be dissolved. AND let all who pray for the long Life and Prosperity of the King, add their Endeavours to The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Thursd. Feb. 15. 1676/ 7. p. 17. their Prayers, and study to prolong his Sacred Life, by giving him all the Joys of Heart which can arise 190. And let those who pray for the King's Life and Prosperity add their Endeavours to their Prayers. from the Demonstrations of the lively and the warm Affections of his People. TO which most excellent Prayer of the Chancellor, let all the People join with me in this Response, of Amen. CHAP. IU. Of Parliaments. NOTHING conduceth more to the Happiness of a Nation, than a right Understanding 1. Nothing tends more to the happiness of the Nation than frequent Meetings in Common Council, for the Security of all we have, or are, is lodged in our English Parliaments. Sir Edward Turner 's Speech to the King, Friday, Feb. 8. 1666. on the Prorogation, pag. 1, 2. between the Prince and the People; and nothing more advanceth this Correspondence, than frequent Meetings in Common-Council. By the Wisdom of our Forefathers, the Security of our Lives, our Liberties, and our Properties, is lodged in our English Parliaments: And so Gracious have Your Majesty's Predecessors been, that for the satisfaction of their People, they have made several Laws; some for Triennial, some for Annual Parliaments. Your Majesty, by their Example, upon the humble Suit of your Lords and Commons, hath, in a former Session of this Parliament, passed an Act for Triennial Meetings in Parliament. But in this Your Majesty hath exceeded all your Predecessors; that as your happy Restauration was in a Convention of Parliament, so of your own Accord, for the Public Good, and as a Demonstration of your extraordinary Love to Parliaments, You have vouchsafed, ever since Your Return, to converse with your People in Parliament; this being the Sixth Year, and the Sixth Session of this present Parliament. I DO choose to begin with these words of the Speaker, as being vere Emphatical in themselves, and most convenient and apposite to usher in the several other following Declarations and Speeches to prove this to you; that the King's Affection to Parliaments is extraordinary, and that it hath been his Delight and wonderful Satisfaction, as well as his very often Use and Practice to converse with his People in them. AND that you may have no reason, why to disbelieve me, I shall, without any further trouble of my own words, strait fall upon what the King himself hath said. IN the Letter which His Majesty sent to the Speaker of the Commons assembled in Parliament, what Security did he give us of this? in saying, WE do assure you, upon our Royal Word, 2. No former Kings have had a greater Esteem of Parliaments than our present King. that none of our Predecessors have had a The King's Letter to the Speaker of the Commons from Breda, April 4/14. 1660. pag. 4. greater Esteem of Parliaments, than we have, in our judgement, as well as from our Obligation. We do believe them to be so Vital a Part of the Constitution of the Kingdom, and so necessary for the Government of it, that we well know, neither Prince nor People can be, 3. Neither Prince nor People can be happy without them. in any tolerable degree, happy without them: And therefore you may be confident, that we shall always look upon their Counsels as the best we can receive, and shall be as tender of their Privileges, and as careful 4. Their Counsels the best the King can receive. to preserve and protect them, as of that which is most near to ourselves, and most necessary for our own Preservation. AND, as this is our Opinion of Parliaments, that 5. He will be tender of their Privileges, and careful to preserve them. their Authority is most necessary for the Government of the Kingdom, so we are most confident that you believe, and find, that the Preservation of the King's Authority is as necessary for the Preservation of Parliaments; 6. The Preservation of the King's Authority as necessary for the Preservation of Parliaments as their Authority is necessary for the Government of the Kingdom. and that it is not the Name, but the right Constitution of them, which can prepare and apply proper Remedies for those Evils which are grievous to the People, and which can thereby establish their Peace and Security. And therefore we have not the least doubt, but that you will be as tender in, and as jealous of any thing that may infringe our Honour, or impair our Authority, as of your own Liberty and Property, which is best preserved by preserving the other. HOW far We have trusted you in this great Affair, and how much it is in your 7. It is in their Power to restore a ruined Nation. Id. pag. 5. Power to restore the Nation to all that it hath lost, and to redeem it from any Infamy it hath undergone, and to make King and People as happy as they ought to be, you will find by Our enclosed Declaration (a Copy of which We have likewise sent to the House of Peers;) and you will easily believe that We would not voluntarily, and of Ourselves, have reposed so great a Trust in you, but upon an entire Confidence, that you will not abuse it, and that you will proceed in such a manner, and with such due Consideration of Us, who have trusted you, that We shall not be ashamed of declining other Assistance (which we have Assurance of) and repairing to you for more Natural and Proper Remedies for the Evils We would be free from; nor sorry that We have bound up Our own Interest so entirely with that of Our Subjects, as that We refer it to the same Persons to take Care of Us, who are trusted to provide for them. We look upon you as Wise and Dispassionate 8. As being wise and dispassionate Men, and good Patriots. Men, and good Patriots; who will raise up those Banks and Fences which have been cast down, and who will most reasonably hope, the same Prosperity will again spring from those Roots from which it hath heretofore, and always grown: nor can We apprehend that you will propose any thing to Us, or expect any thing from Us, but what We are as ready to give, as you to receive. AND towards the latter end of the same Letter, saith he, We have thought fit to send you this Declaration, 9 The King's Heart is in all this Declaration. that you may, as much as is possibly Id. pag. 7. at this distance see Our Heart; which when God shall bring us nearer together (as We hope He will do shortly) will appear to you very agreeable to what We have professed. IT was much all out that time, no doubt, that the Speaker of 10. England in the late times but a great Prison. the House of Commons meant, when he said, that England was but a great Prison, where the worst of Men were our Governors, and their vilest Lusts the Laws by The Speaker's Speech to the King, Aug. 29. 1660. pag. 3. which they governed. THE Great and most Wise God conveyed Divine 11. The King's Restoration was our Deliverance from Sufferings. Intelligence into your Patient and Pious Soul; and taught you how, by suffering for us, to deliver us from our Sufferings; to knock off our Shackles, and set your People at liberty; when neither Power nor Policy could effect it. So soon as Your Majesty set your Foot upon your English Shore, our Prison was turned into a Paradise of Pleasure, and the whole Nation filled with Joy, and Love, and Peace. THIS great Blessing is already registered in your 12. And so the People acknowledged in their Joys. People's thankful Hearts; and they desire that the Pag. ibid. & sequen. Memory thereof might be perpetuated: and therefore they have laid it up amongst their choicest Jewels, and annexed it to their MAGNA CHARTA; which they are willing to pawn unto Your Majesty, upon Condition, when they forget this, to forfeit that and all. THIS was a most true, and noble Saying, and worthy such a Speaker. And now, the King being settled in his Throne, and that Parliament having accomplished the Ends for which they had met, and we all Received the Fruit and Benefit of their Counsels and Conclusions: and they being willing to be 13. The Dissolution of that Parliament was at their own Requests. relieved from the extraordinary Fatigue, to which The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Saturd. Dec. 29. 1660. pag. 6, 7. they had so long submitted; and to return to the Consideration of their own particular Affairs, which they had so long sacrificed to the Public; it was no wonder that such a reasonable wish and desire should bring the King to comply with them: and he made no doubt, but all succeeding Parliaments would pay them their Thanks for all they had done, and look upon their Actions and their Example with all possible Approbation and Reverence. BUT when His Majesty, within a few Months after, met his new Parliament, and upon their Choice of Sir Edward Turner for their Speaker, he was pleased to accept of him, what high and lofty thoughts had that brave Man of this August Assembly? YOU shall hear his own words, and they are these; (and he had both the Houses within his view, when he made his second Speech to the King, after the Chancellor had declared the King's Approbation of the Choice of the House of Commons;) Pray, let me beg Your Majesty's Patience for a while, and 14. The sight of such an August Assembly is transporting from this place to look about me. Sir, a weak Sir Edward Turnor 's Speech, May 10. 1661. two days after the Opening of the Parliament, p. 5, 6. Head is soon giddy, but the strongest Brain may here be turned; the Presence of this Glory, and the Glory of this Presence do transport me. Whilst I contemplate the Incomparable Beauty of this Body Politic, and the goodly Order of this High Court of Parliament, where at once I behold all the Glory of this Nation, I am almost in the Condition of S. Paul, when he was taken up into the Third Heavens; all he could say upon his Return was, he saw things unutterable. AS the last Meeting here in Parliament was happy 15. The last Parliament happy in healing our bleeding Wounds. in healing the bleeding Wounds of this Nation; Id. pag. 9, 10. so they were blessed, even for their Works sake: Your Sacred Majesty did bless them, and therefore they shall be blessed to all Posterity. BUT, Sir, we hope you have a Blessing left for us too: That 16. This hopes to be so in an Emulation to exceed the Actions of their Predecessors. was your Parliament by Adoption, but this is yours by Birthright. This Parliament is Freeborn. I hope this Honour will beget in us an Emulation to exceed the Actions of our Predecessors; and not only to meet Your Majesty, as our Sovereign, with the Duty of Subjects, but with the Love of Sons to a most indulgent Father. NEXT to the Glory of Your Majesty's Royal 17. The Glory of the House of Peers. Throne, I cannot but observe the brightness of this Id. ibid. Second Orb; (meaning the Noble Lords) this Firmament is richly decked with Stars of several Magnitudes; each Star appears like the Morning Star, and yet each Star differs from another in Glory. YOU cannot want Commanders, either by Sea or Land, to manage your Designs, whilst all Id. ibid. these Sons of Mars stand Candidate to serve you in the Wars. YOU cannot want Counsellors to advise you in the great Affairs of the Nation, whilst all these Id. ibid. Senators, each fit to be a Consul, contend who shall most ease you in the Thorny Cares of the Government. AMIDST these Noble English Barons, and at Your Majesty's Feet, are placed the Reverend Judges Id. ibid. & sequent. of the Land, the Sages of the Law: Men so Learned, and expert in the Customs, and Statutes of this Land, that if Wat Tyler, or Jack Cade, or the new fanatics of this latter Age, had burned our Books, they were able to restore our Laws in Purity and Perfection. AND next to these, though in a lower Orb, 18. Of the House of Commons. appear the Worthy Knights, the Prudent Citizens Id. pag. 11. and Burgesses of the House of Commons; being the third Estate of Parliament. WHEN the Fame of Solomon's Wisdom had filled the Neighbour Nations, the Queen of Sheba Id. ibid. could not contain herself at home; but with many Camels laden with Spices, with Gold, and Precious Stones in Abundance, she comes to Solomon, to commune with him of all that was in her Heart. Great Sir, whilst this your Native Country was unworthy of you, Foreign Nations were made happy in the Knowledge of your Person, your Piety, and your Wisdom; and now the Lord our God hath brought you home, and set you on your Throne, your Subjects long to see you. WHAT Striving and Rejoicing was there at Id. ibid. 19 What rejoicing at the King's Landing. your first Landing, to see our Rising Sun? WHAT Striving was there at your Coronation, to see the Imperial Crown set upon your Royal Head. WHAT Striving hath here lately been, in all 20. What at his Coronation. the Counties, Cities and Burroughs of this Nation, Id. Ibid. who should be sent up to hear your Wisdom, and confer with 21. What Striving to be Parliament-Men to hear his Wisdom, and confer with him there. you in Parliament? ROYAL Sir, These Chosen Worthy Messengers are not come Empty Handed; they are laden, Id. ibid. they are sent up to you heavyladen, from their several Counties, Cities and Burroughs. IF the Affections of all English Men can make 22. How Happy, Great, and Considerable the King may be both at home and abroad by his Parliament. you happy; if the Riches of this Nation can make Id. pag. 12. you Great; if the Strength of this Warlike People can make you Considerable at home and abroad; be assured, you are the greatest Monarch in the World. Give me leave, I beseech you, to double my words, and say it again; I wish my Voice could reach to Spain, and to the Indies too: You are the greatest Monarch in the World. HAVING thus at large given you the Speaker's Words (as it were) in Ecstasy, of a Parliament, I shall now return to give you the King's; which you will find full of a tender and endeared Affection to them. 23. The King's Aims have been such as were most agreeable to the ancient Order of Parliament, and he hopes they will reduce the Proceed to those ancient Rules and Orders. AND what have the Aims and Endeavours of the King been, but such as he hath Thought most agreeable to the ancient Order of Parliaments? And The King's Speech, Thursd. Septemb. 13. 1660. pag. 5. I hope you will all join with me, saith he, in reducing the Proceed of Parliaments to the Ancient Rules and Orders of Parliaments, the Deviation from which hath done us no good. And when they desired a Recess, though he had then some Inclination to have made a Session; yet, upon Id. ibid. the desire, and Reasons given by the House of Commons for an Adjournment without a Session, he did very willingly departed from that Inclination. And did not this testify a very great Kindness? BUT you shall hear more Gracious Words from him; saith he, three Months after this. I will tell you, that when 24. When God restored the King he brought along with him an extraordinary Affection for Parliaments. God brought me hither, I brought with me an extraordinary Affection and Esteem for The King's Speech, Decem. 29. 1660. at the Dissolution, pag. 3, 4. Parliaments. I need not tell you how much it is improved by your Carriage towards me. You have outdone all the good and obliging Acts of your Predecessors towards the Crown; and therefore, you cannot but believe my Heart is exceedingly enlarged with the Acknowledgement. MANY former Parliaments have had particular Denominations from what they 25. Former Parliaments have had particular Denominations, let this be called The Healing and the Blessed Parliament. Id. ibid. have done: They have been styled Learned and Unlearned; and sometimes have had worse Epithits: I pray, let us all resolve, that this be for ever called, The HEALING and the BLESSED PARLIAMENT. AND in the Absence of a Parliament, which he promises shall not be long, how he will carry and behave himself, he hath been pleased to give us a very open and ingenuous Confession, in these his following Words. AS I thank you, though not enough, for what you have done; so I have not the least doubt, by the Blessing of God, but when I shall call the next Parliament, which I shall do as soon as you can reasonably expect or desire, I shall receive your Thanks for what 26. The King will not more propose any Rule to himself in his Actions and Counsels than what the Parliament is like to think of them. I have done since I parted with you: For, I deal truly with you, I shall not more propose any one Rule to myself in my Actions, and my Counsels, than this; What is a PARLIAMENT like to think of this ACTION, or this COUNSEL? And it shall be want of Understanding in me, if it will not bear that Test. Id. Ibid. A PARLIAMENT, is such an Assembly My Lord Chancellor hath said, that, for which the 27. The King hath a kind of Reverence for a Parliament. The Lord Chancellor's Speech, Thursd. 13. Septem. 1660. pag. 6. King himself hath even a kind of Reverence, as well as an extraordinary Kindness. IT will very easily appear so, if you will mind what the King tells you, that He hath caused two Bills to be prepared for you (i. e. the new Parliament on the 8th. of May, at their Opening,) which are pag. 2. for Confirmation of all that was enacted at our last Meeting. AND, as the Chancellor said, he commends the Dispatch of those to you, with some earnestness. The Lord Chancellor's Speech, May 8. 1661. pag. 8, 9, 10. The Truth is, it is a great part of the Business of this Parliament to celebrate the Memory of the last, by confirming, or re-enacting all that was done by that Parliament: which, though it was not called 28. The last Parliament, though not called by the King's Writ, yet seems to have been called by God himself. by the King's Writ, may be reasonably thought to have been called by God himself, upon the Supplication and Prayer of the King, and the whole Nation, as the only means to restore the Nation to its Happiness, to its Self, to its Honour, and even to its Innocence. How glad the King was of it, appears by what he writ to them from Breda, when he referred more to them, than ever was referred to Parliament: He referred, 29. He refers to them more than ever was referred to Parliament. in truth, (upon the matter) all that concerned himself, all that concerned Religion, all that concerned himself, all that concerned Religion, all that concerned the Peace and Happiness of the Kingdom to them: And to their Honour be it spoken, and to their Honour be it ever remembered, that the King, Religion, and the Kingdom have no reason to 30. The Kingdom have no reason to be sorry for it. be sorry that so much was entrusted to them; nor they to be ashamed of the Discharge of their Trust. It would have been a very unseasonable Scruple in any Man, who should have refused to bear his part in the excellent Transactions of that Parliament, because he was not called thither by the King's Writ. And it would be a more unreasonable Scruple now, in any man, after we have all received the Fruit and Benefit of their Counsels and Conclusions; when, in truth, we own our Orderly and Regular Meeting at this time to their extraordinary Meeting then, to their Wisdom in laying hold upon the King's Promises, and to the King's Justice in performing all he promised, and to the Kingdom's Submission and Acquiescence in 31. A Parliament is that Foundation which supports the whole Fabric of our Peace and Security. those Promises. I say, it would be very unseasonable and unreasonable now to endeavour to shake that Foundation, which, if you will take the King's Judgement, supports the whole Fabric of our Peace and Security. He tells you what he shall think of any who goes about to undermine that Foundation: which is a Zeal no Prince could be transported with but himself. WE use to say, and say truly, that the King, when seated in Parliament, is then in the fullness The Lord Chancellor's Speech, March 6. 167●/●. pag. 18. 32. The King in Parliament is in the Fullness of his Majesty and Power. of his Majesty and Power, and shines forth with the brightest Lustre: Let no Exhalations from beneath darken or obscure it. FOREIGN Nations say, and say truly, that the King of England, in Conjunction with his Parliament, Id. ibid. 33. And as great and dreadful a Prince as any in Europe. is as great, and as dreadful a Prince, as any in Europe. IT was no less a Consideration, you may be sure, that made the King thus speak to both his Houses: I need 34. No King so beholding to Parliaments as he hath been. not tell you how much I love Parliaments: The King's Speech to both Houses, March 21. 166●/4. pag. 6, 7. Never King was to much beholding to Parliaments as I have been, nor 35. The Crown cannot be happy without frequent Parliaments. do I think the Crown can ever be happy without frequent Parliaments. WHEN, upon the King's desiring the House of Commons to give the Triennial Bill a Reading in their House; and upon their ready Obedience to that Request, both the Houses presented His Majesty with a Bill entitled, An Act for the Assembling and Holding of Parliaments once in three Years, at the least: And for the Repeal of an Act entitled, An Act for the preventing of Inconveniences happening by the long Intermission of Parliaments: His Majesty saith to them, You will easily believe that I have come very willingly to give my The King's Speech, Apr. 5. 1664. pag. 3, 4. Assent to this Bill; I do thank you very hearty for your so unanimous Concurrence in it, and for desiring me speedily to finish it: And if I understand any thing that concerns the Peace and Security of the Kingdom, and the Welfare of my Subjects, (all which I study more than my Prerogative: Indeed, I consider my Prerogative, only in order to preserving the other) every good English- Man will thank you for it. For the Act you have repealed could only serve to discredit Parliaments, to make the Crown jealous of Parliaments, and parliaments of the Crown, and persuade Neighbour Princes that England was not Governed under a Monarch: It could never have been the occasion of Frequent Parliaments. I do promise you, I will not be one Hour the less without a Parliament for this Act of Repeal. For, They are the Great Physicians of the Kingdom: and, as such, can best search into the Distempers of the State, and by their good and wholesome Prescriptions, if they cannot absolutely bring it to its perfect Health, they can, at least, preserve it in some very good degrees of CONVALESCENCE. THIS made His Majesty to desire their Concurrence with him 36. A Parliament is the Great Physician of the Kingdom. in his Just and Necessary Severity, towards those that were resolved yet to keep up their Factious and Turbulent Spirits against the Peace of the State. And though, saith he, I do very willingly pardon all that is pardoned by 37. Though Clemency be most agreeable to the King's Nature, yet he will be severe to the editions dislikers of the Government. the Act of judemnity; yet, for the time to The King's Speech to both Houses, Aug. 29. 1660. p. 4, 5. come, the same Discretion and Conscience which disposed me to the Clemency I have expressed, which is most agreeable to my Nature, will oblige me to all Rigour and Severity, how contrary soever it be to my Nature, towards those who shall not now acquiesce, but continue to manifest their Sedition, and dislike of the Government, either in Actions or Words. And I must conjure you all (my Lords 38. And desires the Parliament to concur with him in that just and necessary severity towards such. and Gentlemen) to concur with me in this just and necessary Severity; and that you will, in your several Stations, be so jealous of the public Peace, and of my particular Honour, that you will cause Exemplary justice to be done upon those who are guilty of Seditious Speeches or Writings, as well as those who break out into Seditious Actions; and that you will 39 The traducers of the King's Person are not well affected to Parliaments and the Public Peace. believe those who delight in reproaching and traducing my Person, not to be well affected to You, and the Public Peace. AND here, as they found it most absolutely necessary for the good of the Weal-public so to do, they most readily, and most religiously, obeyed the Commands of their Sovereign Lord the King: So that upon the day of their Dissolution, he could not forbear in his Speech thus to deliver himself. MY Lords and Gentlemen, I will not entertain The King's Speech, Decem. 29. 1660. p. 3. you with a long Discourse; the sum of all I have to say to you, being but to give you thanks, very hearty thanks: And I assure you, I find it a very difficult Work to satisfy myself in my own Expressions of those Thanks. Perfunctory Thanks, Ordinary Thanks for Ordinary Civilities are easily given; but when the Heart is as full as mine is, it is a Labour to thank you: You have taken great pains to oblige me, and therefore it cannot be easy for me to express the sense I have of it. THERE cannot be a greater manifestation of The Lord Chancellor's Speech to the same, p. 6. 40. The greatest Evidence of the harmony of Affections throughout the Nation, is when the King and his Parliament meet with the same alacrity at the Dissolution, as at the first Convention. an excellent Temper and harmony of Affections throughout the Nation, than that the King and his two Houses of Parliament meet with the same Affections and Cheerfulness, the same Alacrity in their Countenance at the Dissolution, as when they met at the Convention of Parliament: It is an unquestionable Evidence, that they are exceedingly satisfied in what they have done towards each other, that they have very well done all the Business they came about: This is now your Case; You have so well satisfied your own Consciences, that you are sure you have satisfied the King's Expectation and his Hope, and the Desires and Wishes of the Country. 41. They have asked nothing of the King, but what he hath readily granted; and his Majesty hath scarce wished any thing which they have not done for him. It was very justly observed by you, Mr. Speaker, That you have never asked any one thing of the King, which he hath not with all imaginable cheerfulness granted; and in truth, his Majesty doth with great comfort acknowledge, That you have been so far from denying him any thing he hath asked, that he hath scarce wished any thing that you have not granted. The King and you have given such Earnest to each other of your mutual Affection, you have been so exact and punctual in your proceed towards each other, that you have made no promise, no profession to each other, of the making good, and performing of which the World is not witness. Id. p. 7. AND I cannot here forbear inserting the most admirable words of that Chancellor to the Noble Lords, and Honourable Members of the House of Commons then in particular, but yet which at all times may be repeated to, (and it were well if they were duly remembered by) any succeeding Parliament: They are these: Your Lordships will easily recover that Estimation and Reverence 42. By the Lord's exercise of that Virtue from whence their Honours sprang, they will inflame the people's hearts, and from thence they will make a Judgement of the King himself. that is due to your High Condition, by the exercise and practice of that Virtue, from whence your Honours first sprang; the example of your Justice and Piety, will inflame the hearts of the people towards you; and from your practice, they will make a Judgement of the King himself: They know very well, that you are not only admitted to his Presence, but to his Conversation, and even in a degree to his Friendship, for you are his great Council; by your Example they will form their own Manners, and by Yours they will make some guess at the Kings. Therefore under that obligation, you will cause your Piety, your Justice, your Affability, and your Charity Id. p. 15, 16, 17. to shine as bright as is possible before them. They are 43. They are too much in love with England, who believe it the best Country in the World; but it is but just to say, England i● an Enclosure of the best People in the World. too much in love with England, too partial to it; who believe it the best Country in the World, there is better Earth, and a better Air, and a better, that is, a warmer Sun in other Countries; but we are no more than just, when we say, that England is an Enclosure of the best people in the World, when they are well informed and instructed; a people, in Sobriety of conscience, the most devoted to God Almighty; in the Integrity of their affection, the most dutiful to the King; in their good Manners and Inclinations, most regardful and loving to the Nobility; no Nobility in Europe so entirely loved by the people; there may 44. No Nobility in Europe so beloved by the People. be more awe, fear, and terror of them, but no such love towards them as in England. I beseech your Lordships, do not undervalue this Love; they have looked upon your Lordships, and they will look upon your Lordships again, as the greatest examples and patterns of duty to the King; as their greatest security and protection from Injury and Injustice, and for their enjoying whatever is due to them by the Law, and as the most proper Mediators and Interposers to the King, if by any failure of Justice they should be exposed to any Oppression and Violence: and this exercise of your Justice and Kindness towards them, will make them the more abhor and abominate that parity, upon which a Commonwealth must be founded, because it would extirpate, or suppress, or deprive them of their beloved Nobility, which are such a support and security to their full happiness. 45. As the Commons came up the People's Deputies to the King, so he returns them his Deputies to the People. AND you Gentlemen of the House of Commons, you are now returning to your Country, laden with a Trust not inferior, or weighty, than that you brought from thence; you came up their Deputies to the King, and he returns you now his Deputies to them, his Plenipotentiaries, to inform and assure them, that he thinks himself the happiest and the greatest Prince of the World, from being possessed of the affections and hearts of such Subjects. And that you may have the more credit in what you say, he will not take it unkindly, if you publish his Defects and Infirmities: You may tell them as a great Infirmity, that a troubled 46. A troubled countenance so afflicts the King, that he would remove it at his own charge. and discontented countenance so afflicts him, that he would remove it from them at his own charge, as if he himself were in the fault: And when he hath been informed of any less kind, or jealous thing said amongst you, as your Windows are never so close shut, but that the sound of your words goes to the several corners of the Town, His Majesty hath been heard to say no more but, What have I done? I wish that Gentleman 47. The King wishes his People knew him better and I were acquainted, that he knew me better. Id. p. 18. Oh, Gentlemen, you cannot be yourselves, nor you cannot make your Friends too zealous, or too jealous for such a Prince's safety, or too solicitous for such a Prince's satisfaction and content, to whom we may very justly say, as the King of Tyre writ to Solomon, Because that God hath loved his people, he hath made 48. Where the King's defects are necessary towards the full measure of our prosperity. thee King over them: even his Defects and Infirmities are very necessary towards the full measure of our prosperity. AND though the Speaker could that day affirm, in the Speech he made to his Majesty, that No man can say, that hath made the 49. As that Parliament was very good, so whilst we have this good King, we may see such another. most curious search into Books or Records, that there ever was such a Parliament as this: yet he could add further, what since has been sufficiently known, And it's our unspeakable joy and comfort that no man can say, so long as your Majesty lives, but we may have such another: And he gives us a very good Id. p. 32. 50. For the King hath set his Royal heart to do his People good. Reason, why we may expect it; For, saith he, You have set your Royal heart upon it, to do your people good. WHAT this next Parliament was in the King's thoughts, you will quickly find, if you have but a due regard to his own words; for, saith he to them at their opening, I think there are not many 51. And he is sure that there will be a mutual concurrence between him and them, in all things that may advance the Nations happiness. of you who are not particularly known to me; there are very few of whom I have not heard so King's Speech to both Houses 8 May 1661. pag. 2. much good, that I am as sure as I can be of any thing that is to come, that you will all concur with me, and that I shall concur with you in all things which may advance the peace, plenty, and prosperity of the Nation, I shall be exceedingly deceived else. SAITH my Lord Chancellor to this Parliament, The King hath called you hither by his Writ, to assist him with your Information and Advice in the greatest and weightiest affairs of the Kingdom: By his Writ, which is the Lord Chanc. Speech to the same, pag. 7. 52. The King's Writ is the only good and lawful way for the meeting of a Parliament. only good and lawful way to the meeting of a Parliament; and the pursuing that Writ, the remembering how and why they came together, is the only way to bring a happy end to Parliaments. WHAT the work of this Parliament was, you shall hear him in the same Speech tell them thus: My Lords and Gentlemen, Though the last Parliament did great and wonderful things 53. And a Parliament have very great things to do. indeed, as much as in that time they could, yet they have left very great things for you to do: You are to finish the Structure, of which they but laid the Foundation; indeed Idem. pag. 11. & 12. they left some things undone, which, it may be, they thought they had finished, the inspection into which things will become your wisdoms. YOU need not question but this their care to perform and perfect, made his Majesty thus say to his House of Commons: I do 54. Never a more Loyal Parliament than that elected in 1661. speak my heart to you, when I tell you, that I do believe, that from the first Institutions of Parliaments, to this hour, there was never a House of Commons fuller King's Speech to the House of Commons, Mar. 1. 1661. pag. 4. of affection and duty to their King, than you are to me; never any that was more desirous and solicitous to gratify the King, than you are to oblige me; never a House of Commons, in which there were fewer persons without a full measure of zeal, for the honour and welfare of the King and Country, than there are in this. HOW glad was He, to hear they had repealed that Act, which 55 By repealing the Act which excluded the Bishops from sitting in the House, Parliaments are restored to their primitive Institutions. excluded the Bishops from sitting in Parliament; because, saith he, You have thereby restored Parliaments to their primitive Institutions. THIS was an effect, to be sure, of his great kindness and affection to them; and this, doubtless, made him go on as he did, saying, I hope, my Lords and Gentlemen, you will in a short 96. To restore Parliaments to their primitive order, is to restore them to its primitive veneration with the People, which the King wishes they may always have. time restore them to the primitive order and gravity of debates and determinations, which the licence of King's Speech 30 July 1661. pag. 2, 3. the late distempered times had so much corrupted, which is the only way to restore Parliaments to its primitive veneration with the people, which I hearty wish they should always have. AND how well they acquitted themselves in all things tending to the happiness of both King and Kingdom, Sir Edward Turnor tells his Majesty in these words: Since your Majesty did convene the Knights, Citizens', and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament, they have with unwearied Speakers Speech 30 July 1661. pag. 1. 57 And see how they acted. labour consulted for the Service of your Majesty, and the good of this Nation. VERY justly then might the Lord Chancellor begin his Speech as he did, with refreshing their memories with what the King first said to them: It is now little more than a year that the King first called you to attend him here, at the opening of the Parliament; than you may remember he told you, that he thought 58. The King was not deceived in his confidence of them. there were not many of you, who were not particularly known to him; that there were very few of whom he had not heard so much good, that he was (he said) as Lord Chanc. Speech, 19 May 1662. p. 7. & 8. sure as he could be of any thing that was to come, that you would all concur with him, and that he should concur with you in all things, which might advance the peace, plenty, and prosperity of the Nation: His Majesty said he should be exceedingly deceived else. IT was a Princely declaration, and a rare confidence, which could flow from no other Fountain, but the sincerity and purity of his own Conscience, which admitting no other designs or thoughts into his Royal breast, but such as must tend to the unquestionable prosperity and greatness of his people, could not but be assured of your full concurrence and co-operation with him. It was a happy, and a blessed Omen, which at the instant 59 This was a happy Omen, to defeat those that thought to get advantage by their differences. struck a terror into the hearts of those, who promised themselves some advantages from the differences and divisions in your Counsels, and hoped from thence to create new troubles, and molestations in the Kingdom; and, God be thanked, the King hath been so far from being exceedingly deceived, that he doth acknowledge, He hath been exceedingly complied with, exceedingly gratified in all he hath desired, and he hopes he hath not in the least degree disappointed your expectation. THEY had so exceedingly gratified him, and he had such an extraordinary kindness and affection for them, that, though he had designed to have Prorogued them four days sooner, because of the arrival of the Queen; yet, for the good of his people, who 60. And he was so pleased with them, that he stayed four days longer than he would have done, because their Bills should be perfected. are always dear to him, he was pleased to condescend to tarry so long, until they had fully perfected the work they were about, and prepared all their Bills for the Royal assent: And there cannot be a more transcendent instance of the King's love and passion for his people, as my Lord Chancellor well observed, Id. p. 21. than that he hath stayed these four days to take his leave of you; and, that he might give you this days work, all these good Laws, hath denied himself so long the enjoying the greatest comfort he is assured of in this World. 61. That Parliament satisfied in the King's love to them, and in his Judgement that the happiness of the Crown consists in the frequency of Parliaments. THE Parliament was so very well satisfied with the King's love to them, that Mr. Speaker could not forbear using these expressions at their Prorogation, May▪ 7. 1664. We are assured not only of your personal affection to Parliaments, but of your Judgement also, that the happiness of the Crown consists in the frequency of Parliaments. HIS Majestie's love to Parliaments is yet further evidenced by his love to have good appearances when they meet; He having, as he saith himself, most confidence in full Houses, 62. His love to Parliaments further shown, in his love to have full Houses. where the well-being of the Church, and all other King's Speech Mond. Feb. 14. 1669/ 70. p. 3: interests of the Crown and Nation are best secured. AND the King can never doubt his Parliament: 63. The King could never doubt such a Parliament. a Parliament, who in their affection and loyalty to Lord Chanc. Speech, Feb. 5. 72/ 3. p. 10. Id. p. 14, 15. their Prince, have exceeded all their predecessors; a Parliament, with whom the King hath many years lived with all the caresses of a happy Marriage. Has the King had a Concern? You have wedded it. Has his Majesty wanted Supplies? You have readily, cheerfully, and fully provided for them. You have relied upon the Wisdom, and Conduct of his Majesty in all his affairs; so that you have never 64. Who never exceeded their bounds. attempted to exceed your bounds, or to impose upon him: whilst the King, on the other hand, hath made your Counsels the foundations of all his proceed; and hath been so tender of you, 65. Their Counsels the foundations of the Kings proceed. that he hath upon his own Revenue and Credit endeavoured to support even Forcign Wars, that he might be least uneasy to you, or burdensome to his people. THEREFORE the King may not only assure himself of your 66. And he hopes that his Parliament will do what they can to beget a mutual confidence between him and his People, which may extinguish all fears and jealousies. affections to him, but from such affections so known and so tried as yours, he may expect that you Lord Keeper's Speech Jan. 7. 1673/ 4. p. 18. should do your endeavours to restore and improve the mutual confidence between him, and his people, and that you should do it to such a degree, that it may recover its full strength, and quite extinguish all their fears and jealousies. FOR he does not only find himself safe, but he 67. His safety and defence in them. Lord Keeper's Speech 13 Ap. 1675. p. 21. thinks himself armed too, whilst he is attended with such a Nobility, such a Gentry as this. AND who can wonder then, that, the King resolves to enter 68 He will therefore wholly rely upon his Parliament, and give them whatever yet can be wanting for their good. into terms of strictest correspondence with his Parliament, to take your Counsel in his most weighty affairs, to impart all his Cares to you, to acquaint you with Lord Keeper's Speech Wednesd. 13 Oct. 1675. p. 5. all his Wants and Necessities, to offer you all that can yet be wanting to make you enjoy yourselves, to establish a right understanding between himself and his three Estates, and between the Estates themselves, to redress all your just complaints, and to put all his Subjects at ease, as far as in him lies, and can consist with the honour and safety of the Government. AND having made all these advances towards you, he doubts 69. And doubts not but that they will behave themselves accordingly. not but you will behave yourselves like those that deserve to be called the King's Friends, and that you Id pag. 6. will put him at ease too. THE King expects your Advice, and your Assistance; your 70. This makes him to expect their advice and assistance. Advice in matters of the highest deliberation, your Assistance in matters of extreme and pressing difficulty. YOUR deliberations will chief be exercised about those 71. Their deliberations will chief be exercised about the things which belong to the Kingdom's peace. things which do belong unto your peace, the peace of the Church, and the peace of the State, two considerations of so close a connexion between themselves, that in the very original Writ of Summons, by virtue of which you Chanc. Speech 15 Febr. 76/7. p. 5, 6. sit here, they are jointly recommended to your Counsel, and your Care. AS to the former, the peace of the Church, I have handled it at large in my Chapter of Religion, and shall not trouble you now with any repetition; only I will mind you of this one Paragraph, which ought never to be out of your consideration, and it is, That what Remedies are fit for those that disturb its peace, whether 72. All things concerning Religious matters are entirely left to their considerations, for the peace of the Church. the poor mistaken Souls, who deserve to be pitied, or the malicious and designing men, who deserve to be punished; whether the fault be in the Laws, or in the Id. p. 6, 7. men, in the men that should obey, or in the men that should execute; whether the Cure be a work of time and patience, or of zeal and diligence; or whether any new expedient can be found to secure the Ship from that Storm, which the swelling of two contrary Tides seems to threaten, is wholly left to your advice, the King hath called you for that end, and doubts not but your Counsels will be such as shall tend to safety and to establishment. THE peace of the State requires as much of your care, and vigilance 73. And so likewise the peace of the State is left to their care. too; our peace at home, and our peace abroad. AS for that abroad, we are at this time, blessed be God for 74. The peace abroad his mercy to us, and blessed be the King for his care of us, in perfect peace with all the Nations upon Earth: such a peace, as makes us the Envy of the Christian World, and hath enabled us to do ourselves right against the Infidels: such a peace, 75. It is now such a peace as brings with it all the fruits of peace. as brings with it all the fruits of peace, and deserves not Id. ibid. only our prayers for the continuance of it, but our best and most watchful care, that nothing may be done on our part to give it an interruption. BUT then we must consider again, that our peace abroad will 76. Peace at home. not subsist any longer, than while we do maintain our peace at home; for, without this, no Kingdom can be able to act in its full strength, and without that, the Friendship or Id. p. 8. Enmity of any Nation ceases to be considerable to its Neighbours. Now 'tis a great and a dangerous mistake in those, who think 77. They are deceived who think it is peace at home, because the Sword is not drawn. the peace at home is well enough preserved, so long as the Sword is not drawn; whereas, in truth, nothing deserves Id. ibid. the name of peace, but Unity: Such an Unity as flows from an unshaken trust and confidence between the King and 78. Nothing deserves the name of peace but Unity. his people, from a due reverence and obedience to his Laws, and to his Government, from a Religious and an awful care, not to remove the ancient Landmarks, not to disturb those Constitutions which time and public convenience hath settled, from a 79. What Unity that is to be. zeal to preserve the whole frame and order of the Government upon the old foundations, and from a perfect detestation and abhorrency of all such as are given to change. Whatsoever falls short of this, falls short of Peace too. Id. ibid. WHEN the Parliament met on the 21. October 1678. after several short Prorogations, saith the Chancellor to them: How much 80. How much the King relies upon, accounts of, and thinks himself safe in his Parliament, is evident in his not letting them be out of his reach. the King relies upon the advice and assistance of his Parliament, how necessary he accounts it to him, and Lord Chanc. Speech, 21 Oct. 78. p. 6. how safe he thinks himself in it, is evident by this, that he hath not suffered you all this year to be out of his reach, but hath continued you from time to time by a succession of little and short Prorogations. A Parliament is the great, the wise, and the powerful Counsel 81. A Parliament the great, wise, and powerful Counsel ●f th● Nation. of this Nation; from the wisdom of this Counsel the King is sure he shall receive the best advice, from Lord Chanc. Speech Thurs'. 6 March 78/9. p. 9, 10. the duty and loyalty of this Assembly he can never want a cheerful assistance, and the King resolves to meet you all with so much grace and goodness, that he hopes this Parliament shall end in no disappointment of any, but our Enemies. IT may seem strange perhaps to some, that his Majesty, who 82. The dissolution of the late long Parliament. had so long and large an experience of the duty of the last Parliament, should now, and in this present conjuncture, think fit to call a New one; but the King hath so equal a confidence in the affections of all his good Subjects, that he intends to be acquainted with them all, and to have many and frequent Consultations with them, and hopes by this means to attain, first a true and right understanding of his people, and next to that, to be rightly understood by them. AND as he did dissolve that Parliament, which (as you may see) had done both him and the Nation so many good and profitable services; so likewise, for very great and weighty Reasons, he saw it good and necessary to dissolve his numerous Privy-Councel, 83. Dissolution of the Privy-Councel. and to constitute such a one, as may not only by its number be fit for the consultation and digestion of all business both Domestic and Foreign, but also by the choice of them out of 84. And the constituting a new one. the several parts this State is composed of, may be Declaration which the Chancellor read to the Privy-Councel, being caused to meet extraordinarily, April 20. 79. pag. 2, 3. the best informed in the true Constitutions of it, and thereby the most able to Counsel him in all 85. And by their constant advice the King to govern his Kingdom, together with the frequent use of his Parliament. the Affairs and Interests of this Crown and Nation. And by the constant advice of such a Council, his Majesty is resolved hereafter to govern his Kingdoms, together with the frequent use of his Great Council of Parliament, which he takes to be the true ancient Constitution of this State and Government. NOW for the greater Dignity of this Council, his Majesty resolves 86. Their number limited to that of thirty. their number shall be limited to that of thirty: And for their greater Authority, there shall be fifteen of his Chief Officers, who shall 87. Who those thirty shall be. be Privy-Counsellors by their Places: And for the other fifteen, he will choose ten out of the several Ranks of the Nobility, and five Commoners of the Realm, whose known Abilities, Interest, and Esteem in the Nation, shall render them without all Id. ibid. suspicion of either mistaking or betraying the true Interests of the Kingdom, and consequently of advising him ill. AT the opening of that Parliament, 8 th'. of May 1661. his Majesty then said, Without hearing the advice of my 88 Without the advice of his Privy-Councel he will do nothing of public importance. Privy-Councel, as I never did, so I never will resolve King's Sp. pag. 6. any thing of public importance. And how much he hath made use of them, I need not tell you; the whole World is sufficiently sensible: And what great use he means to make of this his new Council, you cannot but be abundantly satisfied with his own words to his Parliament, which tell you, I have made 89. And therefore has chosen such as are worthy, and able to advise him. choice of such persons as are worthy and able to advise me, and am resolved in all my weighty and important King's Sp. April 21. 1679. p. 9 affairs, next to the advice of my great Council in Parliament, (which I shall very often consult with) to be 90. Fresh promises of often consulting with his Parliament. advised by this Privy-Councel. IT is the duty then of all Parliaments and Counsels, with unwearied labour to consult for the service of his Majesty, and the good 91. The Parliaments and Counsels duty. of this Nation, (as I before have hinted how that Parliament did) so would in a little time our Fields grow white to Harvest. THAN let not needless fears and jealousies possess our minds, and because immediately we are not as (perhaps) we would be, let us not be rash in drawing any ill consequences, of concluding, that we never shall be otherwise. THE design was mischievous enough, no doubt, that made some men, a good while since, talk of Dissolutions, and that then Parliaments were even just expiring; when the King himself declared, it was as distant from his thoughts, as it would have been little to his Interest, it should be so: but because the King did Prorogue his Parliament from July 1663. to March 1663/4. some ill-affectioned persons to the peace and quiet of the State and Government, would fain have had their seditious whispers credited of their never seeing them to meet again; but their malice could not be hid, for at the stated day the doors were open, and the Houses full: saith the King to them, My Lords and Gentlemen, 92▪ Whatever peoples surmises be of him, the King would not have his Parliament think any thing ill of him, as to any disaffection for them. You see, God be thanked, you have met together again at the time appointed, and I do assure you I have been so far from ever intending it should be otherwise, that I do not know one person who ever wished it should be otherwise. Think therefore, I pray, what good meaning those men could have, who from the time of the Prorogation, to the day of your meeting, have continually whispered, and industriously infused into the minds of the people, that the Parliament should meet no more; that it should either be presently dissolved, or so continued by Prorogation, that they should be kept without a Parliament. I pray watch these whisperers all you can, as men 93. He would have his Parliament to watch all those who make it their business to sow jealousies between them and him. King's Speech to both Houses Mond. 21 Mar. 63/4. pag. 3, 4. who use their utmost endeavours to sow jealousies between you and me: and I do promise you they shall not prevail with me; and I do promise myself they shall not prevail with you: and the truth is, we are both concerned they should not; and we shall then with God's blessing prevent all the mischief they intent. NAY, so sensible was the King of this same evil Spirit among some, at his receiving of the Parliaments Petition concerning Romish 94. The King extremely angry at those who talk of his resolutions to dissolve his Parliament. Priests and Jesuits, a year before this, that, saith he then in his Speech to them, I confess (my Lords and Gentlemen) I have heard of one jealousy, which I will never forgive the Authors of, that I had a jealousy of your affections, that I was offended with the Parliament to that degree, that I intended King's Speech 1 Apr. 1663. pag. 5. & 6. to dissolve it. They say, men are naturally most 95. Which he saith reflects much upon his understanding. angry with those reproaches which reflect upon their understanding, which makes them thought weak men: truly, I should appear a very weak man, if I should have any such passion, any such purpose: No, my Lords and Gentlemen, I will not 96. For none so much obliged to Parliaments as He was, and his love to them shall be proportionable. part with you upon those terms; never King was so much beholding to a Parliament, as I am to you; and if my kindness to you, and my confidence in you, be not proportionable, I am behindhand with you, which, God willing, I will not be. AND as he hath laid out very great endeavours that there might not be any misunderstanding between him and his people, so, in a more peculiar manner, hath his Majesty shown himself industrious in his carefulness to preserve a right correspondence between him and his Parliament, and hath been continually engaging them by all the earnest expressions of an affectionate and endearing tenderness, to preserve the same towards each other, as you shall see from these following instances. I am sorry to find that the general temper and affections of 97. The King sorry to find the Nation no better composed. the Nation are not so well composed, as I hoped they would have been, after so signal blessings from God Almighty upon us all, and after so great indulgence and condescensions from me towards all Interests. There are 98. Many ill persons labour night and day to disturb the public peace. King's Speech 20 Nou. 1661. pag. 4, 5. many wicked Instruments still as active as ever, who labour night and day to disturb the public peace, and to make all people jealous of each other: it will be worthy of your care and vigilance to provide proper remedies 99 Find out fit remedies for such, and we shall do well enough. for the diseases of that kind; and if you find new diseases, you must study new remedies. Let us not be discouraged, if we help one another, we shall with God's blessing master all our difficulties. And, a few lines lower, saith he, I shall not need to recommend, 100 A good correspondence necessary for us all. or put you in mind of the good correspondence that ought to be kept between you, for the good of yourselves and Me, and the whole Kingdom; and I may tell you, it is very necessary for us all. You will find, whoever doth not love me, doth not love you; and they who have no Reverence for you, have little 101. Who have no reverence for Parliaments, have no kindness for the King. Kindness for me: therefore, I pray, let us adhere fast to each other, and then we shall, with the help of God, in a short time persuade, o: oblige all men to that submission and obedience to the Law, as may constitute a full measure of happiness to Prince and People, and persuade our Neighbours to that esteem and value they have formerly had for us. THIS Harmony of tempers is certainly the best way (in Humane 102. Harmony of affections between the King and his Parliament, the best way to make both Church and State happy. foresight) to bring down blessings upon us all, and to cause both the Church and the Statc to return to that Unity Lord Chanc. Sp. 13 Sept. 1660. p. 22. and Unanimity, which will make both King and People as happy as they can hope to be in this World. 1660. p. 22. THIS his Majesty's adopted Parliament very well understood, and therefore behaved themselves accordingly; for their hearts were set upon it, after so long distractions, (if it were possible) to restore the Nation to its former felicity; and this could not way be so well done, as by the sweet agreement of their Spirits, and their mutual kindnesses and respects each to other. THIS, as they observed it, did the King observe too, and by his Chancellor renders them very kind acknowledgements for it: Saith that Noble Lord in the same Speech, at the very beginning of the next page, My Lords and Gentlemen, I shall conclude 103. And therefore the Chancellor thanks them as from the King, for the good correspondence and respect to each other. with the King's hearty thanks to you, not only for what you have done towards him, which hath been very signal, but for what you have done towards each other; for the excellent correspondence you have maintained; for the very seasonable deference and condescension you have had for each other, which will restore Parliaments to the veneration they ought to have. WHEN there is visible such a harmony of affections, and a unity in resolutions to advance the public service, than they who look for troubles at home, may despair of their wishes, and our Neighbours abroad, by seeing all is well at home, 104. This will make our Enemies at home to despair and those abroad to have a just honour and esteem for us. may have that esteem and value of us, as may secure King's Speech to the House of Commons, Mar: 1. 1661. pag. 5. & 7. the Interest and Honour of the Nation, and make the happiness of this Kingdom, and of this City, once more the admiration and envy of the World. WELL may the King therefore be solicitous to have this maintained, since that the peace and security, the honour and the happiness of these Nations is concerned in it. This was a consideration 105. And this made the King to desire and conjure his Parliament again to keep a good correspondence together. prevailing enough with him, to desire and conjure both his Houses to keep a very good correspondence King's Speech to both Houses Mond. 21 Mar. 1663/4. p. 8. together, that it may not be in the power of any seditious or factious Spirits, to make you jealous of each other, or either of you jealous of Me, till you see me pretend one thing and do another, which, 106. And not to be jealous of him, till they see he pretends one thing and does another, which shall never be. I am sure, you have never yet done; trust me it shall be in no bodies power to make me jealous of you. AND again, saith his Majesty, My Lords and Gentlemen, I did desire and conjure you at the opening of this Session, that you would keep a very good correspondence together, that it might not be in the power of any seditious or factious Spirits, to make you jealous of each other, or either of you jealous of me. I must confess to you, you have 107. And they have done as his Majesty desired, viz kept a very good correspondence towards each other, and respect towards him. King's Speech to both Houses Tuesd. May 17. 1664. p. 3, 4: complied very fully with me, for which I can never thank you enough; You have performed those good respects towards me, and kept so very good correspondence towards each other, that you have exceedingly disappointed those ill men, who both at home and abroad had raised great hopes and expectation of ne● troubles and confusions: This harmony will (with God's blessing) make us all esteemed abroad, and secure at home. ABOUT six years afterwards he comes to them, and says, One thing I must earnestly recommend to the prudence of hath Houses, that you will not suffer any 108. Unity of Minds and Counsels, brings happiness both to King and Nation. King's Speech Mond. 14 Feb. 1669/70. p. 4, 5. occasion of difference between yourselves to be revived; since nothing but the unity of your Minds and Counsels, can make this meeting happy either to Me, or to the Nation. AND on Monday the 11th. of April 1670. upon the Adjournment of the Parliament, the Speaker thus says to his Majesty: By the blessing of God, all differences are buried in 109. And they followed his Majesty's wholesome advice. oblivion; your majesty's happy expedient, hath, Sir Edw. Turnor's Speech, pag. 2. like a strong gale of Wind, blown up the Rolling-Sands, and filled up all Impressions. Vestigia nulla Retrorsum: and as your People will universally enjoy the fruit of this happy Union, so our united prayers to God shall be, that your Majesty may be crowned with the promised blessing, Beati pacifici. AND when, about three years and a half after this, the King had heard of some differences in Parliament, which his Majesty thought fit to come and put a stop to by an immediate Prorogation, how kindly and affectionately did he speak to both his Houses, and say, My Lords and Gentlemen, I need not tell you, how unwillingly I call you hither at this time, being 110. How unwilling the King was to Prorogue his Parliament, though it was to put a stop to some differences then risen. enough sensible what advantages my Enemies King's Speech Nou. 4. 1673. p. 3. & 4. both abroad and at home will reap by the least appearance of a difference; nay, being assured, they expect more success from such a breach, (could they procure it) than from their Arms. This, I say, shall (whilst I live) be my chief endeavour to 111. But it was but a short one, that good men should recollect themselves. prevent, and for that reason I think it necessary to make a short Recess, that all good men may recollect themselves against the next meeting. AND the January following he tells them most affectionately, 112. And therefore Enemies could not hope for a breach between the King and his Parliament from that short Recess. When I parted with you last, it was but for a little time, and with a resolution of meeting suddenly again. That alone was enough to satisfy my Friends that they need not fear, and my Enemies that they could not hope for King's Speech Jan. 7. 1673/ 4. pag. 3, 4. a Breach between us. I than told you that the time of this short Recess should be employed in doing such things as might add to your satisfaction. I hope I have 113. For in the mean time the King would do that which should be to their satisfaction. done my part towards it, and I do now expect you should do your parts too: for our Enemies chief hopes are to dis-unite us at home; 'tis their common discourse, and they reckon upon it as their best relief. 114. All our Enemy's aims are to disunite us. My Lords and Gentlemen, It is not possible for me to doubt your Affections at any time, much less at such a time as this, when the evidences of your 115. The King can never doubt the affections of his Parliament. Affections are become so necessary to us all. THE King hath spoken so fully, so excellently well, and so like himself, that it is almost impossible to show greater demonstrations of an earnest and tender affection; and Lord Chanc. Sp. 5 Febr. 72/3. pag. 5. there is not a word in his Speech that hath not its full weight. AND saith he in another, The principal end of my calling you now, 116. The King's utmost endeavours to settle a right understanding. is to give myself the satisfaction of having used the utmost of my endeavours to procure and settle a right and lasting understanding between us: for I must tell you, I find the contrary so much laboured, and that the pernicious King's Speech Apr. 13. 1675. p. 3, 4: designs of ill men have taken so much place under 117. For the contrary is much laboured. Specious pretences, that it is high time to be watchful in preventing their contrivances, of which it is not the least, that they would by all the means they can devise, make it unpracticable 118. Speeches abroad of dissolving the long Parliament, long before it was. any longer to continue this present Parliament: for that reason, I confess, I cannot think such have any good meaning to Me; and therefore when I consider how much the greatest part of this Parliament has either themselves, or Fathers, given me testimony of their affections and loyalty, I should be 119. But the King loath to gratify such Enemies, by parting with such Friends. extreme loath to oblige those Enemies, by parting with such Friends; and they may be assured, that none shall be able to recommend themselves to me by any other way than their good Services. AND because the Season of the year would not permit any long 120. Therefore again he persuades them to be united in Counsel and Affections, to disappoint such expectations. Session, and he did intent to meet them again in Winter, therefore saith he, in the mean time, I earnestly recommend to you all, such a temper and moderation in your proceed, Id. pag: 5. & 6. as may tend to unite us all in Counsel and Affections, and disappoint the expectations of those, who can hope only by violent and irregular Motions, to prevent the bringing of this Session to an happy conclusion. WHAT could be more obligingly spoken by any Prince in the 121. And what can be more? World? hath he not here laid out himself, to unite the hearts of his Parliament and People to himself, by all the Emanations of grace and goodness that from a great Lord Keeper's Speech to the same, p. 8. and generous Prince can be expected? HIS Majesty, said the Lord Chancellor then, has not as yet learned to deny you any thing, and he believes your wisdom and moderation is such, he never shall; he asks of 122. Peace in one another is the way never to be deceived. you to be at peace in him, as he is in you, and he Lord Chanc. Sp. 27 Oct. 1673. p. 9 shall never deceive you. NO influences of the Stars, no consigurations of the Heavens 123. Nothing to be feared so long as these two Houses concur together, and both with the King. are to be feared, so long as these two Houses stand in a good disposition to each other, and both of Lord Keepers Sp. 13 April 1675. p. 17, 18, 19, etc. them in a happy conjunction with their Lord and Sovereign. WHY should we doubt it? never was discord more unseasonable. 124. Discord never more unseasonable. Id. p. 18. THEY understand well enough, that the best health may be 125. The best health may be destroyed by too much care. destroyed by too much care of it, an Anxious scrupulous care, a care that is always tampering, a care that labours so long to purge all ill humours out of the Body, that at last Id. ibid. it leaves neither good Blood nor Spirits behind. WHO doth not see that there are in all Governments difficulties 126. Difficulties more than enough in all Governments more than enough, though they meet with no intestine divisions; difficulties of such a Nature, that the united endeavours of the State can hardly struggle Id. p. 19 with, but after all is done that can be, they will still remain insuperable? THIS is that which makes the Crowns of Princes, when they 127. The Crowns of Princes at the best but glorious Thorns. are worn by the clearest and noblest Title, and supported by the mightiest Aids, yet at the best but wreaths of glorious Thorns; he that would go about to add to the cares Id. ibid. & sequen. and solicitudes of his Prince, does what in him lies to make those Thorns pierce deeper, and sit closer to the Royal Diadem, than ever they did before. NO Zeal can excuse it, for as there may be a Religious Zeal, 128. Religious Zeal, and State-Zeal. a Zeal for God which is not according to knowledge; so there may be a State-Zeal, a Zeal for the public, which is not according to prudence, at least, not according to that Id. ibid. degree of prudence, which the same men have, when they are not under the transport of such a fervent passion. HATH is not been a strange mistake in some General Councils, and a mistake which is fatal at this day to the peace of the Christian Church, that in most of their Canons and Sanctions they have more considered whom they should oppose, than what they should establish. Id. p. 20. AND may it not prove a piece of as ill conduct in any Secular 129. 'Tis ill to pursue good ends by violent means. Assembly, to pursue good ends by violent means, and in the heat of that pursuit to choose rather to lose that good they might have compassed, than to fall short of any of those good ends which they have once proposed unto themselves. Ibid. & p. 21. My Lords and Gentlemen, THE King is far, infinitely far, from fearing any excess of this 130. The King will not apprehend any kind of error either in the Parliaments Judgements or Affections. kind here, he knows too well the Wisdom, the Honour, and the Loyalty of this great Assembly, to apprehend any kind of error, either in your Judgements, or your Affections. Id. ibid. YOU that were able to raise the King's affairs, when they were 131. For those that raised his affairs when at lowest ebb, will surely keep them from relapsing. in their lowest and most deplored condition, will surely be able to keep them from any relapse. Ibid. YOU that were able to make this Government take root again, will surely be able to preserve it in a growing and a flourishing Estate. Ibid. SUCH Pilots need not fear a Storm. Ibid. IF you could, this consideration alone were enough to support you, that you carry Caesar and his Fortunes, you serve a Prince 132. In our King's preservation Miracles are become familiar. in whose preservation Miracles are become familiar, a Prince in whose stile Dei gratia seems not to be written by a Vulgar Pen, but by the arm of Omnipotence itself. Ibid. & p. 22. RAISE up then, by your example, the hearts and hopes of all those, whom ill men have wrought upon to such a degree, as to cast them into a sadness, and into a despondency which is most unreasonable. Id. p. 22. CONFIRM the Faith of those that are made weak, by showing 133. Give the King all his Subjects hearts in the present of your own. them the steadfastness of your belief; give the King the hearts of all his Subjects, by making him a present of yours. Id. p. 23. THAN though this Session should close in a few weeks, yet it 134. It would make the Session memorable to posterity. may be perpetual for the fruit it shall produce, and for the commemoration that will follow it. Ibid. THAN will this year be a true year of Jubilee, and we shall have nothing left to wish, or pray for in this World, but the blessed continuance of his majesty's long and happy reign over us. Ibid. BUT it seems this did not meet with that happy effect the King 135. Yet the ill designs of the Enemy were too prevalent against the good ones the King had proposed to himself in behalf of his People. could have wished it had, as it appears by his own Speech to them two months after, which (though much against his will) caused him to make that Prorogation you shall hear of: saith he, The ill designs of our Enemies have been too prevalent against those good ones I had proposed to myself, in behalf of my people: and those unhappy differences between my two Houses are grown to such an height, that I find no possible King's Speech 9 June 1675. pag. 4. means to put an end to them, but by a Prorogation. 136. But still the King is uneasy, in making use of the expedient of a Prorogation. It is with great unwillingness that I make use of this Expedient, having always intended an Adjournment for the preserving of such Bills as were unfinished: but my hopes are, that, by this means, the present occasion of differences being 137. But hopes the old differences will be buried by it. taken away, you will be so careful hereafter of the public, as not to seek new ones, nor to revive the old. AND therefore when he met them next after this Prorogation, with what warm affections for the good of his people doth he speak to them? I meet you now with a more than usual concern 138. His warm affections to them at the next meeting. for the Event of this Session, and I know it is but what may reasonably be expected from that care I own to the prefervation of the Government. The causes of the last Prorogation, (and 139. He will remember nothing of former businesses himself, and hopes his Parliament will follow his example. hath he not here set a most generous Example indeed for all good Subjects to imitate?) as I for my part do not desire to remember, so I hope no man else will, unless it be to learn from thence, how to avoid the like occasions King's Speech to both House's Wednes. 13 Oct. 1675. p. 3. for the future; and I pray consider how fatal the consequences may be, and how little benefit is like to redound to the people by it: However, if any 140. Or at least will defer them till public Bills are perfected. thing of that kind shall arise, I desire you would defer those debates, till you have brought such public Bills to perfection, as may conduce to the good and safety of the Kingdom. NO King did ever meet a Parliament with juster cause of confidence 141. No King met a Parliament with more confidence in their affections, and therefore relies upon it that they will never forsake him. in their Affections. AND therefore his Majesty will not suffer himself to doubt, but relies firmly upon it that you will never forsake him, when he is under any kind of difficulties. FOR it is impossible that those Affections which Piety and Allegiance first planted, which persecution could not abate, 142. For it is impossible those affections of Piety and Allegiance they have ever had, should now decay. which the gracious influences of his majesty's happy Government have hitherto increased, should now Lord Keeper's Speech to the same, p. 7. appear to whither and decay. My Lords and Gentlemen, THE happiness of this present Age, and the fate and fortune 143. The happiness of both the present and next Age, is much in the Parliaments hands. of the next too, is very much in your hands; and at this time, all that you would desire to settle and improve, all that you would wish to secure and transmit to your Posterities, Id. p. 8. may now be accomplished. AND you see with what Zeal the King hath recommended to 144. The King's Zeal in recommending to them a good agreement. you a good agreement between yourselves, and that he doth it with all the care and compassion, all the earnestness and importunity fit for so great a Prince to express, who would be very sorry that any such misfortune as your disagreement, should either deprive him of your Advice and Assistance, or his People of those good Laws which he is ready to grant you. Id. p. 10. WELL, his Majesty did not think he had yet done enough, or, at least, if more would rather induce and prevail with them, he was resolved to spare no words, to forget no arguments, that had any cogency and weight in them, to bring his Parliament over to that calmness of temper, that necessary moderation, so much desired by all good and honest men, as might settle us upon the sure and lasting foundations of peace and happiness: saith he, My Lords and Gentlemen, 145. His further earnestness after a long Prorogation. I have called you together again after a long Prorogation, that you might have an opportunity to repair the misfortunes of the last Session, and to recover and restore the right use and end of Parliaments. The time I have given you to recollect yourselves in, and to consider whither those differences tend, which have been so unhappily managed and improved between you, is King's Speech 15 Febr. 1676/7. pag. 1, 2. enough to leave you without all excuse, if ever you fall into the like again. I am now resolved to let the World see, that it shall not be 146. The King's desire to have the People happy by his Parliaments consultations. my fault if the people be not made happy by your consultations in Parliament. Id. ibid. AND therefore, that you may hear the sum of the whole matter, and which the King was pleased to refer to his Parliament, saith he, in page the 4th. To conclude, I do recommend to you 147. He recommends to them the peace, the safety, and the prosperity of the Kingdom. the peace of the Kingdom, in the careful prevention of all differences; the safety of the Kingdom, in providing for some greater strength at Sea; and the prosperity of the Kingdom, in assisting the necessary charge and support of the Government. And if any of these good ends should happen to be disappointed, 148. And would have no disappointment of them, if possible. I call God and Men to witness this day, that the misfortune of that disappointment shall not lie at my door. Id. ibid. IF therefore there be any endeavours to renew, nay, if there 149. But would have all remembrances of former things extinguished. be not all the endeavours that can be to extinguish the memory of all former provocations and offences, and the occasions of the like for the future; if there be such divisions Lord Chanc. Speech to the same. p. 8, 9 as beget great thoughts of heart, shall we call this Peace because it is not War, or because men do 150. Or otherwise such divisions look rather like War, than Peace. not yet take the Field? as well we may call it health, when there is a dangerous fermentation in the Blood and Spirits, because the Patient hath not yet taken his Bed. MUCH of this strange diffidence and distrust, which, like a 151. All this diffidence rises from the artifices of ill men. general Infection, gins to spread itself into, almost, all the corners of the Land, rises from the Artifice of ill men, who create and nourish all the suspicions which they can devise; but the Cure of it lies perfectly in your hands, for all Id. p. 11. this will presently vanish, as soon as men shall see your Acquiescence, and the fruits of it in a cheerful concurrence with his Majesty to all those good and public ends which he hath now so earnestly recommended to you. IT would be somewhat strange, and without all example in 152. It would be strange for a Nation to be twice undone by one and the same way and means. story, that a Nation should be twice ruined, twice undone, by the selfsame way and means, the same Fears and Jealousies. Id. ibid. Machiavelli, who, they say, is an Author much studied of late 153. Machiavelli an Author much studied of late. in this Kingdom, to extol his own excellent Judgement and insight in History, in which indeed he was a Master, would persuade men to believe, that the true reason why so many unexpected Accidents and Mischiefs fall out, to the destruction of States and Empires, is, because their Governors 154. By nonobservance of former mischiefs to other States, we ourselves come to fall into the like. have not observed the same Mischiefs heretofore in Lord Chanc. Sp. 19 May 1662. p. 17, 18, & 19 story, and from whence they proceeded, and what progress they made; which, he said, if they had done, they might easily have preserved themselves from ruin, and prevented the Inconveniences which have fallen out. I am sure you are all good Historians, and need only to resort to the Records of your own memories. Remember how 155. If we will but remember the late ill times, and suffer our selxes again to be undone by secret courses of such vile men, we shall be held very ill Historians, and worse Politicians. your peace hath been formerly disturbed, by what contrivance and artifices the people have been alarmed, with unreasonable and unnatural Fears and Jealousies, and what dismal effects those Fears and Jealousies have produced. Remember how near Monarchy hath been dissolved, and the Law subverted under pretence of reforming, and supporting Government, Law, and Justice. And remember how many honest persons were misled by not discerning Consequences, who would as soon have renounced their part in Heaven, as have concurred in the first unwarrantable Action, if they had suspected what did follow: and if we suffer the same Enemy to break in upon us at the same Avenues, if we suffer our peace to be blown up by the same Trains and Machinations, we shall be held very ill Historians, and worse Politicians. HOW happy may a Kingdom be in the frequent Assemblies of 156. How happy may the Kingdom be in the frequent assembly of its great Council, if nothing disturbs it. their Great Counsels, where all that is grievous may be redressed, and all that is wanting may be enacted, if those Counsels Lord Chanc. Sp. 15 Feb. 1976/7. p. 13. are not rendered useless and impracticable, by continuing endless distractions. IF the presaging malice of our Enemies should pretend to foretell any such Fate as this to befall us, the wisdom and the magnanimity of this Great Council will quickly be too hard for all their Auguries. The Honour and the Loyalty of this August and Venerable Assembly, will leave no kind of room for any such divinations. Id. ibid. My Lords and Gentlemen, THE King hath so long had, and still retains such honourable 157. The King's honourable thoughts of his Parliaments. thoughts of these Assemblies, that we ought to make it one great part of our business to deserve the continuance of his Majesty's grace, and good opinion. Id. p. 16. LET no Contention then come near this place, but that of a 158. The contention of a Parliament should be that of Emulation who should best serve his Country. Noble Emulation who shall serve his Country best, by well serving of the King; let no passion enter here, but that of a pious zeal to lay hold upon all opportunities of promoting the honour and service of the Crown, till our Enemy's despair of ever profiting by any disorders amongst us. Id. ibid. FOR saith the King, I assure you, whatsoever some ill men 159. The King never had any intentions but of good to them. would have believed, I never had any intentions but of good to you, and to my people, nor ever shall, but will do all that I can for your safety and ease, as far as you yourselves will suffer me. And since these are my resolutions, I desire you will not drive me into extremities, which must end King's Speech Thursd. 23 May 1678. pag. 6. ill both for you and me, and (which is worst of all) for the Nation, which we ought all to have equal 160. All aught to have an equal care of the Nation. care of: therefore I desire we may prevent any disorders, or mischief that may befall them by our disagreement; and in case they do, I shall leave it to God Almighty to judge between us, who is the occasion of it. LET me add this likewise, which the King would always have to be remembered, and that is, saith he, To let you know, that I 161. The King will never suffer the method of passing Laws to be changed. will never more suffer the course and method of passing Laws to be changed; and that if several matters shall ever again be tacked together in one Bill, that Bill shall certainly be lost, let the importance of it be never so great. Id. p. 7. THE King will not suffer himself to believe it possible, that 162. The tacking of several matters to one Bill, will lose that Bill. you should ever forsake him when any difficulties or distresses are near him; and therefore he doth Lord Chanc Speech to the same, p. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 with great assurance expect your care to preserve him in the affections of his People. BUT the King hath so far expressed himself this day, that 'tis evident the manner of your proceed is to him as considerable as the matter; and that he will not accept a good Bill, how valuable soever it may be, unless it come to him in the old and decent method of Parliaments. THE late way of tacking together several independent and 163. For it seems to alter the whole frame and constitution of Parliaments. incoherent matters in one Bill, seems to alter the whole frame and constitution of Parliaments, and consequently of the Government itself. IT takes away the King 's Negative voice in a manner, and 164. It takes away the Kings Negative voice in a manner. forces him to take all or none, when sometimes one part of the Bill may be as dangerous for the Kingdom, as the other is necessary. IT takes away the Negative voice of the House of Peers too 165. And that of the House of Peers too. by the same consequence, and disinherits the Lords of that Honour they were born to, the liberty of debating and judging what is good for the Kingdom. IT looks like a kind of defamation of the Government, and 166. It looks like a kind of defamation of the Government. seems to suppose the King and House of Lords to be so ill affected to the public, that a good Bill cannot carry itself through by the strength of its own Reason and Justice, unless it be helped forward by being tacked to another Bill that will be favoured. IT does at last give up the greatest share of Legislature to the 167. And gives up the greatest share of Legislature to the Commons. Commons, and by consequence the chief power of judging what Laws are best for the Kingdom. AND yet it is a privilege that may be made use of against 168. Yet may be made use of against the Commons. the Commons, as well as by them: for if this method hold, what can hinder the Lords at one time or other from taking advantage of a Bill very grateful to the Commons, and much desired by them, to tack a new clause to it of some Foreign matter, which shall not be altogether so grateful, nor so much desired, and then the Commons must take all, or none too. THUS every good Bill shall be dearly bought at last, and one 169. This is the way for every good Bill to be dearly bought at last. chief end of calling Parliaments, the making of good Laws, shall be wholly frustrated and disappointed; and all this by departing from that method, which the wisdom of our Ancestors prescribed on purpose to prevent and exclude all such inconveniences. THESE Innovations the King resolves to abolish, and hath 170. These Innovations the King will abolish. commanded me to say to you, State super vias Antiquas. My Lords and Gentlemen, THERE never did, there never can again, so much depend 171. What great things depended on the success of that Meeting. upon the happy success of any one Meeting, as there does upon this. IF this Session do not repair the misfortunes, and amend the faults of the last, it will look like a fatality upon the Nation. LET not the whispers or Evil surmises of those who lie in 172. Let no evil surmises of base men make any mistrustful. wait to deceive, make any man the unhappy occasion of endangering the safety of the Government, by mistrusting it. HE whose House is destroyed by Fire, would find but little consolation, in saying, the Fire did not begin by his means; but it will be a matter of perpetual anguish and vexation of heart, to remember that it was in his power to have extinguished it. EMBELLISH the History of this Parliament, by showing 173. Good Service very acceptable to the King, who never forgets any thing but Injuries. us the healing virtue of this Session; so shall your Service be acceptable to the King, who never forgets any thing but Injuries; so shall you recommend yourselves to posterity, by transmitting to them the same peace and happiness you are trusted with. LET us then carefully avoid all differences amongst ourselves, 174. Differences that our Enemies wish for, is the best way for us to ruin ourselves. all manner of clashing about Jurisdictions, and all Lord Chanc. Sparke Mond. 21 Oct. 78. p. 15, 17, 18, 19 disputes of such a nature as can never end in any Accommodation: For this is still what our Enemies would wish, who would be glad to see us ruined, without their being at the charge of it. 175. Great significations of Loyalty and Duty, the only means to discourage our Enemies. AND therefore we must now above all other times, labour to show the World the most effectual significations of our Loyalty and Duty, that we are able to express: for nothing in the World can more discourage our Enemies, as, on the contrary, nothing does, or can so ripen a Nation for destruction, as to be observed 176. As nothing sooner destroys a Nation, then to distrust its own Government. to distrust their own Government. YOU now find the King to be involved in difficulties as great and, without your assistance, as insuperable, as ever any Government 177. The King involved in great difficulties. did labour under. AND yet his Majesty doth not think that there need many 178. There needs not many words to bespeak our zeal, for the things themselves speak aloud. words to bespeak your Zeal and Industry in his Service: for the things themselves now speak, and speak aloud. The public and the private Interest do both persuade the same things, and are, and aught to be, mighty in persuasion. IF the honour and safety of your Country, and, which is next 179. The honour and safety of our Country, the concerns of our Families and Posterities call to us. to that, the concerns of your own Families and Posterities, cannot awaken your utmost care to preserve that Government, which only can preserve you and yours, all other discourses will be to no purpose. THERE can be no difficulties at all to them who take delight 180. No difficulties to them who delight to serve the King and their Country. in serving of the King and their Country, and love the occasions of showing it. SUCH are all here. But though the King have had for many years a large and full experience of your duty, yet there never 181. No time like this to try all our affections. was a time like this, to try your affections. THERE is so strange a concurrence of ill accidents at this 182. A strange concurrence of ill accidents. time, that 'tis not to be wondered at, if some very honest and good men begin to have troubled and thoughtful hearts. Yet that which is infinitely to be lamented, is, that malicious men too begin to work upon this occasion, and are in no small hopes to 183. Malicious men begin to work upon this occasion. raise a Storm, that nothing shall be able to allay. IF you rescue the King's affairs from such a Tempest as this; 184. If the Parliament can weather this Storm, they'll do as good service to the King as ever yet he stood in need of. If you can weather this Storm, and steer the Vessel into Harbour; If you can find a way to quiet the Apprehensions of those who mean well, without being carried away by the passions of others, who mean ill; If you can prevent the designs of those without doors, who study nothing else, but how to distract your Counsels, and to disturb all your Proceed: Then you will have performed as great and as seasonable a piece of Service to the King, as ever yet he stood in need of. AND when the World shall see, that nothing hath been able to disappoint the King of the Assistance he had reason to hope from this Session, but that there is a right understanding between the King and his Parliament, and that again strengthened and increased by new Evidences of your Duty and Affection, and raised above all possibility of being interrupted. THAN shall the King be possessed of that true glory which 185. And he will be possessed of the true glory which others vainly pursue. others vainly pursue, the glory of reigning in the hearts of his People. Then shall the People be possessed of as much felicity as this World is capable of: And you shall have the perpetual Honour and Satisfaction, of having been the means to procure to 186. The People of the greatest felicity. so much solid and lasting good to your Country, as the Establishment of the Peace and Tranquillity of this Kingdom; and 187. And themselves of perpetual Honour. consequently of all his Majesty's Dominions. AND now what remains, but that the Parliament, when e'er they sit again, should have these most profitable words of the King continually in their Memories, which he was pleased to deliver to both his Houses, on Thursday, 6th. March, 1678/9. p. 4. and 188. Parliaments to be employed on the great concerns of the Nation. 5. and carefully see, that they Employ their time upon the great concerns of the Nation, and be not drawn to promote private Animosities under pretences of the public; So will their proceed be Calm and Peaceable, in order to those good ends the King hath at all times, and to be sure will recommend to his 189. And to curbthemotions of unruly Spirits▪ Parliament; and that they kerb the motions of any unruly Spirits, which would endeavour to disturb them. For there can be no man that must not see how fatal differences amongst 190. The considerations to be laid before them as urgent and weighty as ever any Parliament had. ourselves are like to be at this time, both at home and abroad. FOR the considerations which are now to be laid before them, are as urgent and as weighty, as were ever yet offered to any Parliament, or indeed ever can be; so great, and so 191. From our dangers at home and a broad. surprising have been our dangers at home, so formidable Lord Chanc. Speech to the same, p. 10. are the appearances of danger from abroad, that the most united Counsels, the most Sedate and 192 Therefore all need of united Counsels, Calmest temper, and zealous Affections. the Calmest temper, together with the most dutiful and zealous Affections that a Parliament can show, are all become absolutely and indispensably necessary for our preservation. AND therefore the King hopes, the good understanding 193. And a good understanding between the King and his People. between him and his People shall be for ever maintained by a perpetual Reciprocation of Grace and Favour on his part, and duty and affection on yours. Id. pag. 16. YOU will have now an opportunity of doing great things for 194. They have opportunity to do great things both for the King and Kingdom. the King and Kingdom, and it deserves your utmost care to make a right use of it; For it is not in the power of a Parliament to recover a lost opportunity, or to restore themselves again to the same Circumstances, or the same condition, which they had once a power to have improved. Id. pag. 17. WOULD you secure Religion at home, and strengthen it 195. This is the time to secure Religion at home, and to strengthen it from abroad. from abroad, by uniting the Interests of all the Protestants in Europe? This is the time. Id. ibid. WOULD you let the Christian World see the King in a condition 196. To put the King in a condition to protect all his Adherents. able to protect those who shall adhere to him, or depend upon him? This is the time. Id. ibid. WOULD you extinguish all our Fears and Jealousies? Would you lay aside all private Animosities, and give them up to the 197. To extinguish all Fears and Jealousies. quiet and Repose of the Public? This is the time. Id. ibid. WOULD you lay the foundations of a lasting Peace, and 198. And to lay the foundations of a lasting Peace. secure the Church and State, against all the future Machinations of our Enemies? This is the time. Id. ibid. My Lords and Gentlemen, THE present face of things, and the State wherein we now are, is so well known and understood abroad, that the whole 199. All the World in great expectation of the Resolutions of the Parliament. World is in great expectation of those Resolutions which shall be taken here; the results of this Counsel seem to be decisive of the fate of these Kingdoms for many Ages, and are like to determine us, either to happiness or misery of a very long duration. Id. pag. 18. MAY then your Wisdom and Moderation be such, that the King may never deny you any thing. AND when ever you meet, may you make it your business to 200. May our Parliament make it their business to repair the Hedge about our Vineyard. repair the Hedge about our Vineyard, and make it a fence indeed against all those who are Enemies to the Planting of it; who would be glad to see it trodden Lord Keeper's Speech 7. Ja. 73/4. pag. 8. down, or rooted up, and study how to sap and under-mine our very Foundations. THE Heathens were wont to observe and envy the Christians for their Unity and Love of one Sir Ed. Turnor's Sp. to the King, May 17. 1664. pag. 12. 201. May a happy Correspondence be kept between the King and both Houses. another, Ecce, ut invicem se diligunt Christiani: May this happy Correspondency between his Royal Majesty, and the two Houses of Parliament, increase and grow to be the Envy of the World, till all his Majesty's Enemies are forced to cry, Ecce, ut invicem se diligunt Anglicani. THERE wants nothing more to the improvement 202. May their wisdoms use their advantages with a due moderation. of our happiness, but the wisdom of the Parliament, Lord Keeper's Speech Jan. 7. 71/ 4. pag. 10. to use their advantages with a due moderation. AND if, upon enquiry, you shall think it needful to apply any 203. Few Remedies are extremely to be wished. other [new] Remedies, it is extremely to be wished that those Remedies may be few, and withal, that they may be gentle and easy too. Id. ibid. FOR they that are sick perish as often by too many Remedies, 204. The Sick perish as oft by too many, as by none at all. as by none at all; but none fall so fatally and finally as they who, being entered into some degrees of convalescence, resolve to recover in an instant, and had rather make some great effort, or try some bold experiment upon themselves, than observe the methods, or attend those gradual progressions which are necessary to perfect that health, and complete that recovery. Id. ibid. DOUBTLESS the King will surpass himself at this time, in 205. Doubtless the King will surpass himself in endeavouring the Kingdoms good, may you excel yourselves in enlarged Affections. endeavouring to procure the good of the Kingdom, do but you excel yourselves too in the enlarged evidences of your Affections, and then the glory of reviving this State will be entirely due ●● your happy meeting, as being attended with an unparallelled Unanimity, Constancy, and Resolution, beyond the precedent of former Parliaments. Id. p. 20. THAN they who wait for the languishing and the declination 206. It will strike terror and amazement in all ill persons. of the present Government, will be amazed to see so happy a Crisis, so blessed a Revolution. Ibid. AND Ages to come will find cause to celebrate your memories, 207. And future Ages will celebrate your memories. as the truest Physicians, the wisest Counsellors, the noblest Patriots, and the best Parliament that ever King or Kingdom met with. Ibid. So that it may perfect what the last begun, for the safety of 208 May it perfect what the last begun, for the safety of the King and Kingdom. this King and Kingdom; that it may be ever famous for having established upon a durable foundation, our Religion, Laws, and Properties; that we may not be tossed with boisterous winds, nor overtaken by a sudden dead calm: but that a Lord Chanc. Sp. 27 Oct. 1673. p. 10. gentle fair gale may carry you in a steady, even, and resolved way into the Ports of Wisdom and Security. AND since a whole Session of Parliament is in the Judgement 209. The whole Session of Parliament is but as one day. and Construction of our Law but as one day, may you all endeavour that the morning of it, the first entrance upon it, may be with such fair and such auspicious circumstances, Lord Keepers Sp. Wcdnes. 13 Oct. 75. p. 11, 12. as may give the whole Kingdom an assurance of a bright and a cheerful day. LET no ill humours gather into Clouds to darken or obscure 210 May no ill humours gather into Clouds to darken it. it, for this day is a Critical day, and more depends upon that Judgement of our affairs which will be made by it, than can easily be imagined. IT imports you therefore to take care that no part of this time 211. May no part of this time be lost. be lost; let every precious minute of this day be spent in receiving such Acts of grace and goodness as are ready to flow from the King, and in making such retributions for them, as may become the grateful hearts of the best Subjects, to the best of Kings. SO shall this day become a day of disappointment and discomfort 212. So this will be a day of disappointment to our Enemies, and a joyful day to this and all future generations. to our Enemies, but to us and all good men a glorious day, a day of triumph and deliverance, a memorable and a joyful day to this present, and to all future generations. AND the God of Peace and Unity prosper all your Lord Chanc. Sp. Thursd. 23 May 78. pag. 19 consultations, to the honour and happiness of the 213. And the God of Peace and Unity prosper all your consultations. King, and the joy and comfort of all his good Subjects. AND let us all pray, that He who hath once more miraculously 214. And continue his Divine protection over us. delivered the King, the Church, and the State, would be pleased still to continue his Divine protection, and give us thankful and obedient hearts: And when we have offered up those hearts to God, let us in the next place offer them again to the King, 215. And may you have the honour of making him the greatest King, and he the glory of making us the happiest people. and lay them down at the footstool of his Throne, that so the King may see himself safe in your Counsels, rich in your Affections, victorious by your Arms, and raised to such a Lord Chanc. Sp. Thursd. 6 Mar. 7●/9. p. 18, 19 height by your Loyalty and Courage, that you may have the honour of making him the greatest King, and he the glory of making you the happiest People. Neve major, neve minor cura & opera suscipiatur, quàm causa postulet. Tull. Offic. lib. 1. FINIS. Addenda. THE Title-page having (it seems) promised you the material substance of the several Speeches in Parliament, upon the aforesaid Heads, inclusively till the end of the last, viz. in January 1680/1. I found myself in Duty bound to add these that follow, by way of Appendix, to make good the Promise; because the Title Sheet was all wrought off before ever I had a view of it: And so I hope my Generous Readers will accept of this as a reasonable Excuse in my favour. HIS Majesty being very sensible how much our Divisions at home would be likely to render our Friendship less considerable abroad, saith, To prevent these as much as may be, I think fit to renew His Majesty's Speech to his two Houses, Monday, Octob. 21. 1680. p. 4, 5. to you all the Assurances which can be desired, that nothing shall be wanting on my part to give you the fullest satisfaction your hearts can wish, for the Security of the Protestant Religion, which I am fully resolved to maintain against all the Conspiracies of our Enemies; and to concur with you in any new Remedies which shall be proposed, that may consist with preserving the Succession of the Crown in its due and legal course of Descent. AND in Order to this, I do recommend it to you, to pursue the further Examination of the PLOT, with a strict and an Impartial Enquiry. I do not think myself safe, nor You neither, till that matter he gone through with: and therefore it will be Necessary that the Lords in the Tower be brought to their speedy Trial, that justice may be done. IN his next Speech to his Parliament, the King is pleased to remember the same thing, and saith, I did promise you the fullest satisfaction your hearts could wish, for the Security of the King's Speech, Wednesday December 15. 1680. pag. 4. Protestant Religion, and to concur with you in any Remedies which might consist with preserving the Succession of the Crown in its due and legal course of Descent: I do again, with the same Reservations, renew the same Promises to you. WELL, His Majesty, you see, having thus given us the greatest Assurances that Words are capable of expressing, of his readiness to do any Reasonable thing that shall be proposed and offered to him, for the maintaining and defending the Protestant Religion to us and our Posterities; his next work is to tell us wherein he chief relies, and thinks himself most safe, great, and happy; and that is, in the Hearts and Affections of his Good People, and in their joint union among themselves. Take his own words for your security, in these that follow. THAT which I value above all King's Speech to both Houses, Octob. 21. 1680. pag. 6, & 7. the Treasure in the World, and which I am sure will give me greater Strength and Reputation both at home and abroad, than any Treasure can do, is a perfect union amongst ourselves. NOTHING but this can restore the Kingdom to that strength and vigour which it seems to have lost, and raise us again to that Consideration which ENGLAND hath usually had. ALL Europe have their Eyes upon this Assembly, and think their own happiness or misery, as well as ours, will depend upon it. IF we should be so unhappy as to fall into such misunderstanding amongst ourselves, as would render our friendship unsafe to trust to, it will not be to be wondered at, if our Neighbours should begin to take new Resolutions, and perhaps such as may be fatal to us. LET us therefore take care that we do not gratify our Enemies, and discourage our friends by any unseasonable disputes. IF any such do happen, The world will see it was no fault of mine; for I have done all that was possible for me to do, to keep you in peace while I live, and to leave you so when I die. BUT from so great Prudence, and so good Affections as yours, I can fear Nothing of this kind; but do rely upon you all, that you will use your best Endeavours to bring this Parliament to a good and happy Conclusion. NOW that Gracious and pious disposition which God hath put into Your Royal Heart of doing your Subjects good, (saith the Speaker of the House of Commons to the King in the Banqueting House, November 9 1660, pag. 5, 6.) is the greatest Temporal Blessing we are capable of here in this world. We must confess your Majesty hath not only Jacob's voice, but you have likewise Jacob's hands: You have spoken kindly unto your People, and you have handled them gently; and therefore we must for ever make it our humble Requests in our daily prayers unto his Throne of Grace, to bestow upon your Majesty Jacob's blessing, de Roar Coeli, variaque pinguedine terrae; that you may have for your Portion of the Dew of Heaven, and of the Fatness of the Earth; Serviant tibi populi, & incurvant se tibi Nationes, honorem exhibentes. Let your People serve you, and the Nations of the Earth bow down before you: Those that curse you, let them be cursed; and they that bless you, let them for ever (yea and they shall) be blessed. FINIS. ERRATA. TItle page, l. 24. for Inner r. middle. p. 3. l. 24. blot out the parenthesis. p. 7. l. 42. for so r. to. p. 10. l. 47. r. bodily. l. 50. for fol. r. Num. p. 11. l. 24. for their r. the. p. 12. l. 10. for by r. by. p. 20. l. 9 blot out [what] p. 27. l. 30. for TWO hope, r. I hope I. p. 31. l. 35. for said r. said more. p. 32. l. 22. for am r. aim. in the second Cutting in, add (after March 6.) 1678/9. p. 34. l. 41. for about r. about it. p. 50. l. 12. for grown r. Crown. p. 76. l. 25. for vere r. very. p. 105. l. 22. blot out the last [too.] There are perhaps several other literal mistakes in the printing, which it is hoped the Reader will favourably correct.