A RECORD OF SOME WORTHY PROCEEDINGS: IN THE HONOURABLE, WISE, AND FAITHFUL HOUSE OF COMMONS IN THE LATE Parliament. justitiae est suum cuique tribuere. 1611. Contents. 1. A Preface to true English men. 2. A memorable speech in Parliament. 3. A Petition for the Parliaments liberty. 4. Particulars of the great contract. 5. Petitions for grace in ecclesiastical causes. 6. Grievances in temporal matters. To all true hearted English men dwelling in their native soil. HOwsoever (my dear countrymen) it is mine hap to abide on this side the seas; yet I cannot but hearken after the prosperity of my gracious Sovereign, & natural country, especially in the Parliament time. I am not (indeed) in any such eminent place▪ as where I may be sure to have a perfect relation of all remarkable affairs: yet by my diligent endeavour, I obtain (in time) more probable intelligence, than many of you do. Of which the love of my country compelleth to make some present use, occasioned by a Publication (for not one word thereof is in the King's name) dated 31. December last. Wherein the worthiest house of Commons that ever was, is covertly traduced for spending long time, and great charges, and yet failing an earnest expectation of a good conclusion for the Ease, and Freedom of his majesties subjects. I could not therefore but endeavour to prevent (as I may) the heartburning which (I fear) that publication may occasion between the King and his Commons, and 2. to make it appear that no house of Commons had ever a greater zeal for the ease & freedom of the subjects than the late house had. The former, by demonstrating that the said covert imputation is not the Kings, but the penman's. For whereas Proclamations (in deed) speak in the first person, as thus, Our subjects; &, We are resolved, that publication speaketh in the third person thus, His majesties subjects; &, His Majesty is resolved. Therefore it was not penned by his Majesty. Again, How can close suggesting the said imputation to be cause of dissolving the Parliament agree with that which is expresley said, That his Majesty, for many good considerations known to himself determined to dissolve, & c? Doth not this show, that the over large preamble of that publication is the penman's, & only the body thereof was by the King's direction? Moreover, In a Proclamation dated 24. September last, his Majesty findeth fault with former proclamations, in regard of their penning. Which showeth, that, when his Majesty hath signified his mind touching the substance of a proclamation; he doth not always review the penning thereof. Therefore it may be supposed, that he did not peruse the penning of the publication. So that I think it may be well concluded, that the said imputation is not the Kings, but the penman's. As for the Zeal of the commons in parliament for the ease, & freedom of the subjects, let that appear by that which is here published. Only I suppose it not amiss to remember, that in the second session of the late parliament, there passed these bills in the house of commons. 1. An act for the better observing and keeping holy the Sabbath day, or Sunday. 2. An act against such, as coming to church, do refuse to receive the sacrament of the Lords supper. 3. An act for the providing of a learned, & godly Ministry. and 4. An act to enable suspended, and deprived Ministers to sue, & prosecute their appeals. I remember these, because that worthy Knight, or burgisse (whose speech is here recorded) doth not speak of them; Intending (belike) to mention no other bills, but such as passed in the house of commons, in the fourth, that is, the last session of parliament. I say, The last, because the fifth cannot be accounted a session, seeing nothing was concluded therein, the Speaker, sundry mornings before the house met together adjourning the same from day to day, till the parliament was prorogued, & there dissolved. Well, I pray God; that, whensoever we shall have an other parliament, Counties, cities and burroughes may not be moved by letters from such common-wealth-men, as the penman of the said publication is feared to be, to choose such Knights and burgisses, as will have less Zeal for the ease and freedom of the subjects, than had the Knights, and burgisses of the late parliament. A memorable speech in the house of Commons. MR. Speaker, I perceive we are all much troubled by the evil success which we have had in the great contract concerning tenors and purveiance, after our long travel and much time spent therein, and in other causes of good importance: so as many have taken occasion thereby to say of us, that although there was never a more honourable assembly, in the Commons house of Parliament, of godly, wise, and learned men, then at this time, that yet there did never less fruit appear of their labour to the world, at any time before, then now: which fruitless labour if it might be truly imputed unto us, it might worthily grieve us all. but I hope that in seeking out means of redress, or relief in this case, I shall make it appear to all, that will rightly weigh of the things, that if furtherance had been given by others, whom it concerns, to our labours and good endeavours, many abuses had been reform, & much good done to the common wealth of England. But as it is true, which that great wise Lord, who hath the chief charge of the treasure of the Realm; said unto us at our last meeting with the honourable Lords of the upper house of Parliament, in the painted chamber at Westin: touching the great contract, viz. that he did well perceive, that we had a great desire to have effected that great contract, that the King's majesty had willingly given his assent to the same, & that yet neverrhelesse it proceeded not, wherein he could not find the impediment, but that God did not bless it: so is it likewise true of the rest of our proceeding in Parliament, that God hath nor blessed the same with good success, which troubled me at the first, until I did further consider of many other parties of the Realm, and many other callings, and societies of the Realm, to whom God hath given as little blessing, as to the Parliament house. For it did appear plainly to us in this house, upon the treaty and examinations of the grievances of the Church and common wealth, that the Merchants of England who were a calling of very great use in this Realm, for the wealth, strength, and credit thereof, and as it were the legs of the common wealth, whereon it goeth, had not received such blessing of late, yea in their merchandizing, as in former times, although they labour as much, and adventure as much, as in former times they did. And that likewise the clothiers being a trade whereby many thousands subjects are maintained, although they labour in their calling as much at this time, as ever before they did; do of late find so little fruit of their labour, as that many of them are decayed, and many of them have given over that trade to the hindrance of the Realm. And also the like is fallen to the Mariners, and Shipwrights of this Realm, which number is greatly decayed, and with them the serviceable ship: and shipping very much weakened, which threateneth a decay of the walls, and strength of the Realm, which by good shipping, and good Mariners, is well defended. And I find also, that God hath not blessed the treasure of the Realm, for it is gone from us, as if God had blown upon it, to turn it out of the land, so as Prince & people want. And I find also in the calling of lawyers that there is not the like increase of their labours, as in times past, except it be some few favourites; and I think that diverse Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses now here present about me, could say the like of diverse sorts of men in their countries, cities, and Burroughes, if they list to speak: whereupon I do assuredly think, that for some public sins of the land, God hath a quarrel to the land, whereby he doth withdraw his ordinary blessings; which public sins this great Council of the Realm ought first to seek out, and as much as in our power to redress the same, that God being thereby reconciled unto the land, an happy blessing might ensue to all the estates thereof: which to effect you shall see what we for our parts have done to obtain God's loving countenance to the land, as a shield, by removing the public sins thereof, which as a thick cloud doth keep from us Gods sunshining grace. First we did see, and consider, that the precious name of God, which we ought to regard more than our lives, is not by the laws of England, so tenderly regarded, & preserved, as the name of all sorts of people in the land: For if some evil words be used against the King it is high treason, for which the offender shall die. And if some evil words be used against noble men, it is publishable by the statute de Scandalun magnatum. And that for some evil words used by any private person against another, an action of the case doth lie, at the common law, to punish the offender, and to recompense the party wronged▪ But for abusing the holy name of God, and tearing him in pieces by wicked oaths, there is no punishment by the laws of the Realm, whereby both men, women, and children increase in that sin grievously, every day, without punishment or check: wherefore to prevent that sin, we did, at two several sessions of Parliament, make two several bills, which did pass our house of Commons, to be made laws for punishment of such Offenders. And to take away that crying sin which doth most provoke God, & most grieve the subjects, viz, the depriving, priving, disgracing, silencing, disgrading, and imprisoning, such of God's Messengers (being learned and godly preachers) as he hath furnished with most heavenly graces to call us to true repentance, for no other cause, but for not conforming themselves otherwise than by subscription limited in the statutes made in the 14. year of the late Queen Elizabeth of famous memory, thereby making the laws of the Church, and common wealth to jar: which to reform we made a law for subscription agreeing to the intent of the foresaid statute, which every wise man will approve, & willingly subscribe unto, whereby much peace, & unity would grow in the church & common wealth, & be an occasion that many subjects might be well taught the means of their salvation, who now want sufficient knowledge of the word of God to ground their faith upon. And to take away another gross sin, which is made lawful by act of Parliament, whereby the land is made guilty thereof, viz. concerning non residents, and plurality of benefices, we did pass a bill in the last Sessions of Parliament, & have another bill concerning that offence ready to pass being twice read, and agreed upon at the Committees, whereby we abrogate so much of the statute of the 21 year of K. Hen. the 8. as did enable non residents, or the taking of more benefices than one with cure of souls, for by the provisoes in that Statute, the Kings Chapleines may have as many benefices, as they can get, without stint, & some others may have 4. benefices with cure at one time, in several counties, & some two benefices, & yet be resident upon none of them, so long as he attendeth upon his Lord, or Mr. which is a thing intolerable in a Christian common wealth. And for that some scandalous Ministers of evil life do bring a great slander to all the rest, being many godly & learned preachers, we did make a good law to remove such scandalous Ministers from their place. And where by the laws of God, and the laws of this Realm the ecclesiastical persons should, in their government, use only the spiritual sword by exhortation, admonition, and excommunication, which are the keys of the Church to exclude impenitent sinners, & to receive into the Church, the penitent and faithful persons, and to leave the temporal sword, to the temporal Magistrate, which was always so used in England until the second year of King Hen. 4. at which time the popish Prelates, following the example of the man of sin at Rome, obtained a statute without the free consent of the subjects (as is set forth by Mr. Fox, and in some sort, appeareth by the record of the Tower) by which statute they got the temporal sword into their hands, which statute was since, by several acts of Parliament, made void with great disgrace, and yet by colour of that temporal authority once, by a short space by them used, some ecclesiastical persons do use both swords, to the great grief, and trouble of the subjects, and with those two sword, they do also use the oath ex officio, which began first in England, by that statute of the 2. year of K. Henry the 4. being contrary to the laws of England, & (as I verily think) contrary to the laws of God. Wherefore we to reform those great abuses, made 2. good laws, the one to abridge the force of the ecclesiastical commission in many points: tother to abrogate, and take away the power of ecclesiastical persons to minister the oath ex officio being a very hateful thing, and unlawful. Andi for that among the Canons, late made by the clergy of England in their Convocation, it was thought, that some of their canons did extend to charge the bodies, lands, and goods of the subjects of the Realm, further than was lawful, and meet, we therefore made a good law to make void such Canons, as do charge the bodies, lands and goods of the subjects, unless that the same Canons were confirmed by Parliament. And as we had care of the Church, so had we care of the common wealth, touching impositions laid upon the subjects goods, and merchandise, and other things, & therefore, after long travel taken by us in searching ancient Records in the Tower of London, & in other places, & after great dispute made hereupon, in open house, by many learned Lawyers, we found it clear in our opinion, that impositions laid upon merchandise, or other goods of the subjects of this Realm, by the King's Majesty, with out the free consent of the subjects in Parliament was not lawful, and therefore we did make and pass a bill, by the general consent of the house of Commons, intended by us all to be a law, thereby to declare, that by the laws of England, no imposition could be lawfully laid upon goods, or merchandise of the subjects of England, without consent of the subjects in Parliament. And because that many subjects were greatly troubled by purveyance, and cartaking, notwithstanding the good laws in that behalf made to restrain the same, a bill was preferred by some member of the house, for reformation of that abuse, at the beginning of the last Sessions of Parliament; which bill, by all likelihood, had long since passed this house of commons, if the matter of purveyance had not been comprehended in the great contract, which matter of great contract being now ended, a new bill concerning purveyance, and cartaking is in my hands, now presently to be delivered into the house to receive such proceeding therein, as shallbe thought meet. And touching wardship & tenors, because it is thought a heavy law, and grievous to the subjects, after the death of the father to have the son, & heir within age; taken from the mother and kindred, to be bought and sold, & with the heir also to take all the lands and tenements of the father, that should many times maintain both the heir, & the rest of the children, for the only benefit of the guardian: therefore we made a very large offer to free the land thereof, which we laboured earnestly to effect, but God hath not blessed it, nor brought to good effect any of those good intended laws above by me mentioned, although we much desired the same, and had done therein as much as pertained to us to do, which if they had been well effected, and passed as laws and statutes, and that all such grievances, concerning the Church and common wealth, as we carefully commended unto his Ma: in writing (whereof the copies do remain in this house) had procured such amendment of things, as we expected, it had made England so honourable and happy in the government thereof, as ever was kingdom in this world (as I think). And which when the same shallbe well effected, will (as I think) make both King, and subjects more happy, then ever they were. For if all these things had so concurred together, as we wished, and laboured for, what would we not give to supply the King's wants, and to support him in a most Royal, & princely estate. But rebus sic stantibus, as is before declared, without reformation of those things, which were by us so earnestly sought, we cannot give much to supply the King's wants, because we know no certainty of that which should remain to us after our gift, so as, in mine opinion, the good proceeding of this Parliament hath not been hindered by us, which is all I meant to say at this time. The particulars to be contracted for, in consideration of two hundred thousand pounds, per annum to be paid unto his Majesty. 1. Wardshippes, and tenors, with their particular dependences, shallbe utterly taken away. 2. The maxim, Nullum tempus occurrit regi, shallbe no longer of any effect. 3. All the King's patents shallbe expounded for the good of the patentee, & according to the true meaning. 4. No forfeiture shallbe taken by the King, or his patentee, for non payment of rent. 5. Any subject shall plead the general issue (Not guilty) upon information of intrusion. 6. All penal laws, and informations shallbe ordered for the best ease of the subject. 7. All manner purveyance taken by prerogative, cart taking, compositions, & commissions therefore, & Praeemption (except of time) shallbe utterly taken away, & no clerk of the market shall set price on any victual, nor any other shall do the same. 8. All prefines, and post fines to be due upon alienation by fine and recovery, shallbe taken away. 9 Debts shallbe paid to the subjects before any advantage be taken, by the King, of forfeitures upon outlawries, or attainders of felons, or traitors. 10. That clause in the statutes of 34. & 35. of Hen. 8. touching alteration of laws in Wales shallbe repealed. 11. Every subject that hath possessed land by the space of 60. years, where the King, in that time, hath not had the possession, or profit thereof, by the space of one year, shallbe free from the King's claim. And, if the King, within that space, hath been seized of any rent, out of the same lands, than that rent only shall remain to the King. 12. Old debts due to the King before ten years last passed shallbe forgiven. 13. The King shall express the cause of demurrer in pleading against any of his subjects. 14. Fees of all courts to be paid by the subjects shallbe expressed in a book in print. 15. All laws absolute, that are penal, shallbe repeaied, and all penal laws of one nature shallbe reduced to one law. 16. No protection against law shallbe granted by the King. 17. Any thing doubtful in any of these articles shallbe explained by ourselves. 18. Any other matter, which at our next meeting, we shall conceive to be for ease of the subjects, & shall not detract from the King, in point of sovereignty, or profit shallbe essential in this contract. To the Kings most excellent Majesty. MOst gracious sovereign, whereas we your Majesty's most humble subjects the commons assembled in Parliament, have received first by message, & since by speech, from your Majesty a commandment of restraint from debating, in Parliament, your Majesty's right of imposing upon your subjects goods exported, or imported out of, or into this Realm, yet allowing us to examine the grievances of these impositions in regard of the quantity, time, and other circumstances of disproportion thereto incident: we your said humble subjects nothing doubting, but that your Majesty had no intent, by that commandment, to infringe the ancient, and fundamental right of the liberty of Parliament, in point of exact discussing of all matters concerning them, and their possessions, goods, and rights whatsoever: which yet we cannot but conceive to be done, in effect, by this commandment, do with all humble duty make this remonstrance to your Majesty. First we hold it an ancient, general, and undoubted right of Parliament to debate freely all matters, which do properly concern the subject, and his right, or state: which freedom of debate being once foreclosed, the essence of the liberty of Parliamet is with all dissolved. And whereas, in this case, the subjects right on the one side, and your Majesty's prerogative on the other cannot possibly be severed in debate of either, we allege, that your Majesty's prerogatives of that kind concerning directly the subjects right, and interest, we daily handled and discussed in all courts at Westminster, and have been ever freely debated, upon all fit occasions, but in this, & all former Parliaments without restraint. Which being forbidden, it is impossible for the subject either to know, or maintain his right, & property to his own lands, and goods though never so just, and manifest. It may further please your Most excellent Majesty to understand that we have no mind to impugn, but a desire to inform ourselves of your highness prerogative in that point: which if ever, is now most necessary to be known. And though it were to no other purpose, yet to satisfy the generality of your Majesty's subjects, who finding themselves much grieved by these new Imdositions, do languish in much sorrow, and discomfort. These reasons (dread sovereign) being the proper reasons of Parliament) do plead for the upholding of this our ancient right and liberty. Howbeit, seeing it hath pleased your Majesty to insist upon that judgement in the Exchequer, as being direction sufficient for us, without further examination, upon great desire of leaving your Ma, unsatisfied in no one point of our intents, and proceedings, w● profess touching that judgement, That we neither do nor will take upon us to reverse it: but our desire is to know the reasons whereupon the same was grounded. And the rather, for that a general conceit is had, that the reasons of that judgement may be extended much further, even to the utter ruin of the ancient liberty of this kingdom, and of the subjects right of property to have lands, and goods. Therefore the judgement itself, being the first and the last that ever was given in that kind, for aught appearing unto us, and being only in one case, and against one man; it can bind in law no other than that person, and is also reversable by writ of error granted heretofore by act of Parliament. And neither he, nor any other subject is debarred, by it, from trying his right in the same, or like case, in any of your Majesty's Courts of record at Westminster. Lastly we nothing doubt, but your intended proceeding, in a full examination of the right, nature, & measure of these new impositions (if this restraint had not come between) should have been so orderly, and moderately carried, & so applied to the manifold necessity of these times, and given your Majesty so true a view of the state, and right of your subjects, that it would have been much to your Majesty's content, and satisfaction (which we most desire) & removed all cause of fears, and jealousies from the loyal hearts of your subjects, which is (as it ought to be) our careful endeavour. Whereas contrariwise, in that other way directed by your Majesty, we cannot safely proceed, without concluding, for ever, the right of the subject: which, without due examination thereof, we may not do. We therefore, your highness loyal and dutiful commons, not swerving from the approved steps of our ancestors, most humbly and instantly beseech your gracious Majesty, that without offence to the same we may (according to the undoubted right, and liberty of Parliament) proceed in our intended course of a full examination of these new impositions, that so we may cheerfully pass on to your Majesty's business, from which this st●p hath, by diversion, so long with held us. And we your Majesty's most humble, faithful, and loyal subjects, shall ever, according to our bounden duty, pray for your Majesty's long and happy reign over us. Delivered by 20. of the lower house of Parliament the 24. of May 1610, Petitions. MOst gracious and dread sovereign, Sith it hath pleased Almighty God, of his unspeakable goodness & mercy towards us, to call your Majesty to the government of this kingdom, and hath crowned you with supreme power, aswell in the Church, as in the common wealth, for the advancement of his glory, & the general benefit of all the subjects of this land, Weo do with all humility present, at the feet of your excellent Ma: ourselves, and our desires full of confidence in the assurance, of your religious mind, and princely disposition, That you willbe graciously pleased to give life, and effect to these our petitions greatly tending (as undoubtedly we conceive) to the glory of God, the good of his Church, & safety of your most royal person, wherein we acknowledge our greatest happiness to consist. 1. Whereas good and provident laws have been made for the maintenance of God's true religion & safety of your Majesty's most royal person, issue, and estate, against Jesuits, seminary Priests, and popish recusants. And although your Majesty by your godly learned, and judicious writings have declared your princely, & christian zeal in the defence of the religion established, & have very lately (to the comfort of your best affected subjects) published to both houses of Parliament your princely will and pleasure, that recusants should not be concealed, but directed and convicted: yet for that the laws are not executed against the Priests, who are the corrupters of the people in religion, and loyalty, and many Recusants have already compounded, and (as it is to be feared) more and more (except your Ma: in your great wisdom, prevent the same) will compound with those beg their penalties, which maketh the laws altogether fruitless, or of little or none effect, & the offenders to become bold, obdurate, and unconformable: Your Majesty therefore would be pleased, at the humble suit of your commons in this present Parliament assembled, in the causes so highly concerning the glory of God, the preservation of true religion, of your Majesty and state, to suffer your highness natural clemency to retire itself and to give place unto justice, and to lay your royal command upon all your ministers of justice both ecclesiastical, & civil, to see the laws made against jesuits seminary Priests and Recusants (of what kind and sect soever) to be duly, and exactly executed, without dread, or delay. And that your Majesty would be pleased likewise to take into your own hands, the penalties due for recusancy, and that the same be not converted to the private gain of some, to your infinite loss, the imboldning of the Papists, and decay of true religion. 2. Whereas also diverse painful, and learned Pastors, that have long traveiled in the work of the ministery, with good fruit and blessing of their labours, who were ever ready to perform the legal Subscription appointed by the Statute of 13. Elizab: which only concerneth the confession of the true Christian faith and doctrine of the Sacraments, yet for not conforming in some points of ceremonies, and refusing the subscription directed by the late Canons, have been removed from their ecclesiastical livings, being their freehold, and debarred from all means of maintenance, to the great grief of sundry your Majesties well affected subjects; seeing the whole people, that want instruction, are by this means punished, and through ignorance, lie open to the seducements of popish, and ill affected persons; We therefore most humbly beseech, your Majesty would be graciously pleased, that such deprived, and silenced ministers may by licence, or permission of the reverend fathers, in their several dioceses, instruct, and preach unto their people in such parishes, and places, where they may be employed: so as they apply themselves, in their Ministry, to wholesome doctrine, and exhortation, and live quietly, and peaceably in their callings, and shall not by writing, or preaching, impugn things established by public authority. 3. Whereas likewise through plurality of benefices, & toleration of non recidencie in many, who possess not the meanest livings with cure of souls, the people in divers places want instruction, and are ignorant, & easy to be seduced, whereby the adversaries of out religion gain great advantage, and although the pluralists, and non-resident do frame excuse of the smallness of some livings, and pretend the maintenance of learning, yet we find by experience that they, coupling many of the greatest livings, do leave the least helpless, & the best as ill served, & supplied with preachers, as the meanest. And where pluralists heaping up many livings into one hand, do by that means keep diverse learned men from maintenance to the discouragement of Students, & the hindrance of learning & the non-resident (for seeking, or absenting themselves from their pastoral charges) do leave the people, as a prey, unto the popish Seducers. It might therefore please your most excellent Majesty for remedy of these evils in the Church to provide, that dispensations for plurality of benefices with cure of souls may be prohibited, & that toleration of non-residency may be restrained. So shall true religion be better upheld, and the people more instructed in divine, and civil duties: 4. And for as much as excommunication is the heaviest censure for the most grievous offences which the Church doth retain, yet exercised and inflicted upon an incredible number of the common people by the subordinate officers of the jurisdiction ecclesiastical, most commonly for very small causes grounded upon the sole information of a base apparitor, in which case the parties, before they can be discharged, are driven to excessive expense for matters of very small moment, so that the richer break through more heinous offences, and escape that censure, by commutation of penance to the great scandal of the Church government, in the abuse of so high a censure, the contempt of the censure itself; and grievance of your Majesty's poor subjects. Wherefore your Majesty's dutiful commons most humbly beseech your highness that some due, and fit reformation may be had in the premises. Grievances. To the Kings most excellent Majesty. Most gracious Sovereign, your Majesty's most humble commons assembled in Parliament being moved, aswell out of their duty and zeal to your Majesty; as out of the sense of just grief wherewith your loving subjects are generally through the whole Realm at this time possessed, because they perceive their common & ancient right & liberty to be much declined, & infringed in these late years, Do with all duty & humility present these our just complaints thereof to your gracious view, most instantly craving justice therein and due redress. And although it be true, that many of the particulars, whereof we now complain, were in some use in the late Queen's time, & then not much impugned, because the usage of them, being then more moderate, gave not so great occasion of offence, and consequently not so much cause to inquire into the right and validity of them. Yet the right being now more thoroughly scanned, by reason of the great mischiefs, and inconveniences which the subjects have thereby sustained, we are very confident, that your Majesty willbe so far from thinking it a point of honour, or greatness to continue any grievance upon your people, because you found them begun in some of your Predecessors times, as you will rather hold it a work of great glory to reform them, since your Majesty knoweth well, that neither continuance of time, nor errors of men, can or ought to prejudice truth of justice; and that nothing can be more worthy of so worthy a King, nor more answerable to the great wisdom, and goodness which abound in you, then to understand the griefs, & redress the wrongs of so loyal, and well deserving a people. In this confidence (dread sovereign) we offer these grievances (the particulars whereof are hereunder set down) to your gracious consideration, and we offer them out of the greatest loyalty, and duty that subjects can bear to their Prince. Most humbly and instantly beseeching your Majesty, aswell for justice sake (more than which (as we conceive) in these Petitions we do not seek) as also for the better assurance of the state, and general repose of your faithful & loving subjects, and for testimony of your gracious acceptation of their full affections, declared aswell by their joyful receiving of your Majesty, at your happy entrance into this kingdom, which you have been often pleased, with favour, to remember; as also by their extraordinary contributions granted since unto you, such as have been never yielded to any former Prince, upon the like terms, and occasions, that we may receive to these our complaints your most gracious answer: which we cannot doubt but willbe such, as may be worthy of your princely self, and will give satisfaction, & great comfort to all your loyal, and most dutiful loving subjects; who do, and will ever pray for the happy preservation of your most royal Majesty. New Impositions. THe policy and constitution of this your kingdom appropriates unto the Kings of this Realm, with the assent of the Parliament, as well the sovereign power of making laws, as that of taxing, or imposing upon the subject's goods, or merchandizes. Wherein they have justly such a propriety, as may not, without their consent, be altered, or changed. This is the cause, that the people of this Kingdom, as they ever showed themselves faithful, and loving to their Kings, and ready to aid them in all their just occasions, with voluntary contributions, so have they been ever careful to preserve their own liberties and rights, when any thing hath been done to prejudice or impeach the same. And therefore when their Princes occasioned either by their wars or their over great bounty, or by any other necessity, have, without consent of Parliament, set impositions, either within the land, or upon commodities either exported, or imported by the Merchants, they have, in open Parliament, complained of it, in that it was done without their consents. And thereupon never failed to obtain a speedy, and full redress without any claim, made by the Kings of any power, or prerogative in that point. And though the law of propriety be original, and carefully preserved by the common laws of this Realm, which are as ancient as the kingdom itself; yet these famous Kings? for the better contentment, and assurance of their loving subjects, agreed, that this old fundamental right should be further declared, and established by act of Parliament. Wherein it is provided, that no such charges should ever be laid upon the people, without their common consent, as may appear by sundry records of former times. We therefore your Majesty's most humble commons assembled in Parliament following the example of this worthy care of our ancestors, and out of a duty of those for whom we serve, finding that your Majesty without advice or consent of Parliament, hath lately, in time of peace, set both greater impositions, and far more in number, than any your noble ancestors did ever, in time of war, have with all humility presumed to present this most just, and necessary Petition unto your Ma: That all impositions set without the assent of Parliament may be quite abolished, and taken away, and that your Majesty in imitation likewise of your noble Progenetors, willbe pleased, that a law may be made during this session of Parliament, to declare that all Impositions set, or to be set upon your people their goods or merchandizes, save only by common consent in Parliament, are, and shallbe voided. Wherein your Ma: shall not only give your subjects good satisfaction in point of their right, but also bring exceeding joy, and comfort to them which now suffer, partly through the abating of the price of native commodities, & partly through the raising of all foreign, to the overthrow of Merchants and shipping, the causing of a general dearth, & decay of wealth among your people, who willbe thereby no less discouraged, then disabled to supply your Ma: when occasion shall require it. Commission ecclesiastical. WHereas by the statute 1. Eliz cap. 1. entitled an Act restoring to the crown the ancient jurisdiction over the state ecclesiastical, etc. power was given to the Queen, and her successors to constitute, and make a Commission in cause ecclesiastical, the said Act is found to be inconvenient, of dangerous extent in d●vers respects. First, for that it enableth the making of such a commission as well to any one subject borne, as to more. Secondly, for that whereas by the intention, and words of the said statute, ecclesiastical jurisdiction is restored to the crown, and highness, by that statute enabled to give only such power ecclesiastical to the said commissioners, yet under colour of some words in that statute, whereby the Commissioners are authorized to execute their Commission according to the tenor, and effect of your highness letters patents. And by letters patents grounded thereupon, the said Commissioners do fine, and imprison, and exercise other authority not belonging to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction restored by that statute, which we conceive to be a great wrong to the subject; And that those Commissioners might as well by colour of those words, if they were so authorized by your highness letters patents, fine without stint, and imprison without limitation of time, as also according to will, and discretion, without any rules of law, spiritual or temporal, adjudge and impose utter confiscation of goods, forfeiture of lands, yea, and the taking away of limb and of life itself; & this for any matter whatsoever pertaining to spiritual jurisdiction. Which never was, nor could be meant by the makers of that law. Thirdly for that by the said statute the King, and his successors may (howsoever your Majesty hath been pleased out of your gracious disposition otherwise to order) make, and direct such Commission into all the Counties, and Dioceses, yea into every parish of England, and thereby all causes may be taken from ordinary jurisdiction of Bishops, Chancellors, and Arch deacons, and lay men solely be enabled to excommunicate, & exercise all other censures spiritual. Fourthly for that every petty offence pertaining to spiritual jurisdiction, is, by colour of the said words, and letters Patents grounded thereupon, made subject to excommunication and punishment by that strange and exorbitant power, and commission, whereby the least offenders, not committing any thing of any enormous, or high nature may be drawn from the most remote places of the kingdom to London; or York, which, is very grievous, and inconvenient. Fifthly for that limit, touching causes subject to this commission, being only with these words, viz. Such as pertain to spiritual or ecclesiastical jurisdiction; it is very hard to know, what matters, or offences are included in that number. And the rather because it is unknown, what ancient canons, or laws spiritual are in force, & what not: from whence ariseth great incertainty, and occasion of contention. And whereas upon the same statute a commission ecclesiastical is made; Therein is grievance apprehended thus. First for that thereby the same men have both spiritual and temporal jurisdiction, and may both force the party by oath to accuse himself of an offence, & also inquire thereof by a jury, and lastly may inflict for the same offence, at the same time, and by one and the same sentence, both a spiritual and temporal punishment. Secondly whereas, upon sentences of deprivation, or other spiritual censures given by force of ordinary jurisdiction, an appeal lieth for the party grieved; that is here excluded by express words of the commission. Also here is to be a trial by jury, yet no remedy by traverse, nor attaint. Neither can a man have any writ of error, though a judgement or sentence be given against him, amounting to the taking away of all his goods, & imprisoning him during life, yea to the adjudging him in the case of Praemunire, whereby his lands are forseyted, and he out of the protection of the law. Thirdly, that whereas penal laws, and offences against the same cannot be determined in other courts, or by other persons, then by those trusted by Parliament with the execution thereof, yet the execution of many such statutes (divers whereof were made since 1. Eliz.) are commended and committed to these Commissioners ecclesiastical, who are either to inflict the punishment contained in the statutes being praemunire, and of other high nature, and so to enforce a man upon his own oath to accuse, & expose himself to these punishments, or else to inflict other temporal punishment at their pleasure. And yet beside, and after that done, the party shallbe subject in the Courts mentioned in the Acts, to punishments by the same acts appointed and inflicted: which we think very unreasonable. Fourthly, that the commission giveth authority to enforce men called into question to enter into recognizance not only for appearance from time, to time, but also for performance of whatsoever shallbe, by the commissioners ordered. And also that it giveth power to enjoin parties defendant, or accused, to pay such fees to ministers of the court, as by the commissioners shall be thought fit. And touching the execution of the commission, it is found grievous these ways among other. First for that lay-men are by the Commissioners punished for speaking (otherwise then in judicial places, and courses) of the simony and other misdemeanours of spiritual men, though the thing spoken be true, & the speech tending to the inducing of some condign punishment. Secondly in that these commissioners usually appoint and allot to women discontented at, and unwilling to live with their husbands such portions, & allowances for present maintenance, as to them shall seem fit: to the great encouragement of wives to be disobedient, and contemptuous against their husbands. Thirdly, in that their pursuivantes, or other ministers employed in the apprehension of suspected offenders in any things spiritual, & in the searching for any supposed scandalous books▪ use to break open men's houses, closerts, & desks, rifling all corners, and secret custodies, as in cases of high treason, or suspicion thereof. All which premises among other things considered, your Majesty's most loyal, and dutiful commons, in all humbleness, beseech you, that for the easing of them, aswell from the present grievance, as from the fear, and possibility of greater in times future; your highness would vouchsafe your royal assent, and allowance to, and for the ratifying of the said Statute and the reducing thereof, and consequently of the said commission to reasonable, and convenient limits, by some act to be passed in this present session of Parliament. Proclamations. Amongst many other points of happiness, & freedom which your Majesty's subjects of this kingdom have enjoyed under your royal Progenitors, Kings and Queens of this Realm, there is none which they have accounted more dear, and precious than this, to be guided, and governed by the certain rule of the law (which giveth both to the head, and members, that which of right belongeth unto them) and not by any uncertain or arbitrary form of government. Which, as it hath proceeded from the original good constitution, and temperature of this estate: so hath it been the principal means of upholding the same in such sort, as that their Kings have been just, beloved, happy & glorious, and the kingdom itself peaceable, flourishing and durable so many ages. And the effect, aswell of the contentment that the subjects of this kingdom have taken in this form of government, as also of the love, respect, and duty which they have, by reason of the same, rendered unto their Princes, may appear in this, That they have, as occasion hath required, yielded more extraordinary and voluntary contributions to assist their Kings, than the subjects of any other known kingdom whatsoever. Out of this root hath grown the indubitable right of the people of this kingdom: not to be made subject to any punishment, that shall extend to their lives, lands, bodies, or goods, other than such, as are ordained by the common laws of this land, or the statutes made by their common consent in Parliament. Nevertheless it is apparent both that proclamations have been, of late years, much more frequent, then heretofore, and that they are extended, not only to the liberty, but also to the goods, inheritances, and livelihood of men, some of them tending to alter some points of the law, and make anew. Other some made, shortly after a session of Parliament, for matter directly rejected in the same session; other appointing punishments to be inflicted before lawful trial, and conviction; Some containing penalties in form of penal statutes: Some referring the punishment of offenders to the courts of arbitrary discretion, which have laid heavy and grievous censures upon the delinquents: Some, as the Proclamation for starch, accompanied with Letters commanding inquiry to be made against the transgressors, at the quarter sessions: and some vouching former proclamations to countenance, and warrant the later, as by a catalogue here under written more particularly appeareth. By reason whereof there is a general fear conceived, and spread amongst your majesties people, that proclamations will, by degrees, grow up, and increase to the strength, and nature of laws. Whereby, not only that ancient happiness, freedom willbe much blemished (if not quite taken away) which their ancestors have so long enjoyed: but the same may also (in process of time) bring a new form of arbytrary government upon the Realm. And this their fear is the more increased by occasion aswell of certain books lately published, which ascribe a greater power to Proclamations then heretofore hath been conceived to belong unto them; as also of the care taken to reduce all the proclamations, made since your majesties reign, into one volume; and to print them in such form as Acts of Parliament formerly have been, & still are used to be: which seemeth to imply a purpose to give them more reputation and more establishment, than heretofore they have had. We therefore your majesties humble subjects the commons in this Parliament assembled, taking these matters into our considerations, and weighing how much it doth concern your Majesty, both in honour and safety, that such impressions should not be suffered to settle in your subjects minds, have thought it to appertain to our duties, as well towards your Majesty; and to those that have trusted, and sent us to this service, to present unto your majesties view these fears, and griefs of your people & to become humble suitors unto your Majesty, that hence forth no fine, or forfeiture of goods, or other pecuniary, or corporal punishment may be inflicted upon your subjects (other than restraint of liberty, which we also humbly beseech may be, but upon urgent necessity, and to continue but till other order may be taken by course of law) unless they shall offend against some law or statute of this realm in force, at the time of their offence committed. And for the greater assurance, & comfort of your people, That it will please your Majesty to declare your royal pleasure to that purpose, either by some law to be made in this session of Parliament: or by some such other course (whereof your people may take knowledge) as to your Princely wisdom shall seem most convenient. Proclamations importing alterations of some points of the law, and making new. 11. jan. 1. jac f. 17. forbiddeth choosing of Knights, & burgesses bankrupt, or outlawed: and commandeth choice of such, as are not only taxed to subsidies, but also have ordinarily paid, and satisfied the same. f. 59 If returns be made contrary to the proclamation, they are to be rejected, as unlawful, and insufficient. f: 60. 25. Aug. 5. ja. f. 151. That the proclamation shallbe a warrant to any officer, or subject to seize starch, and to dispose, or destroy any stuff etc. and restraineth all men not licensed to make starch. f. 154. 2. A Proclamation made shortly after Parliament for matter directly rejected the precedent session. 1. Mar. 2. I. f. 102. A proclamation for building with brick after a bill to that and rejected▪ 3. Proclamations touching the freehold, and livelihood of men. 16. Septemb. 1. ja. f. 41. Raising and pulling down houses authorized, and prohibition to build them again at any tyme. f. 42. 12. Oct. 5. ja. f. 160. forbidding building and taking away the materials; and appointing the owner's land to be let by other men, at what price they please. f. 161. 4. Proclamations referring punishment to be done by justices of peace, Majors, Bailives, Constables, & other Officers; or seizure by persons who have no authority to require, hear, and determine of those offences. So it is to be inflicted before lawful trial & conviction. 8. jan. 2. ja f. 72. A Proclamation for folding wools. 23. Aug. 5. ja. f. 151. seizure of starch, etc. f. 154. 5. Proclamations penned with penalties in form of penal Statutes. 4. No. 1. ja. f. Pain of confiscation of goods, f. 56. 18. jan. 2. ja. f. 72. Ten days imprisonment & standing in the pillory, f. 72. justices of peace to forfeit 20. pounds if they see not the Proclamation of folding wools executed, f. 75. 23. Aug. 5. ja. f 151. forfeiture of one moiety of starch etc. seized etc. 154. 6 Punishment of offenders in courts of arbitrary discretion, as star chamber. 1. Mar. 2. ja. f. 102. Proclamation for building. f. 103. 12. Oct. 5. In. 159. Proclam. for building, f. 160. 5. jul. 6. ja. f. 177. Procl. for starch. f. 180. 25. jul. 6. ja. f. 180. Procl for building, f. 181. 7. Proclam former become Precedents, and vouched in later Proclam. 18. jun. 2. ja. f. 75. avoucheth 5. E. 6. & 4. Eliz. f. 73. 25. jul. 6. ja. f. 180. mentioneth former Proclam. against buildings, & explaineth, and qualifieth them. f. 180. Stay of writes of prohibition, etc. Your Majesty's commons in this session of Parliament assembled, do cheerfully acknowledge the spring and fountain of the public justice of this state, to be originally in your Ma: from the benefit thereof is conveyed, and derived into every member of this politic body by your highness writs. Amongst which none are more honourable for the support of the common justice of the realm, than the writes of prohibition, habe as corpus, & de homine replegiando: writs have been ever held, and found to be a chief means of relief unto the poor distressed, and oppressed subjects of this kingdom, and can be no inconvenience at all. Seing they are no way conclusive against any man, and do draw no benefit to the procurers, but rather a fruitless charge, if they be obtained upon any unjust ground, or pretence. In the free granting of, & proceccing upon some of which writes, especially that of prohibition; there hath of late, been observed to be some obstruction: by reason, that upon the complaints and the importunity of some, who desire the support of inferior courts, against the principal courts of the common law (wherewith your Majesty hath been greatly troubled) you have taken into your royal consideration the several extents of the jurisdiction of the said several courts. Since which time the said writes have been more sparingly, graunced, and with stricter cautions then anciently hath been accustomed. It is therefore most humbly desired, that it may please your Majesty (whose glory is never more conspicuous, then when the poorest of the commonalty are blessed with the influence of the ancient beams of justice) to require your judges, in the courts of Westminster, to grant the said writes, in cases wherein such writes do lie, and by law are grantable: And in such sort, as that such persons, whose bodies being either committed to prison, or their causes like to receive great prejudice by proceedings against them, in times of vacation, may not be debarred nor deferred from having the speedy relief & benefit of those writes, more than in former times. 4. Shires. For as much as the exercise of authority over the counties of Gloucester Hereford Wigorne and Salope. by the precedent, & council of Wales by way of instructions, upon pretext of a statute made in the 34. year of the reign of King Henry the 8. is conceived not to be warranted by that or any other law of this Realm of England. And for that in the 2. session of this present parliament, there did a bill pass the house of the Commons, whereby it was declared that the true intent, and meaning of that before mentioned statute, was not thereby to subject these countries to that kind of government by instructions. And yet notwithstanding the inhabitants of those Counties are since utterly discouraged, and in effect, debarred from trial of the right of that kind of jurisdiction over those countries, by the ordinary course of the common laws of this land; by reason of Prohibitions, which were heretofore frequently granted (upon suggestion, that those countries are not part of Wales or of the marches of the same (which is the very point in question) are now become very hard to be obtained, except in cases, where those of that council do exceed the instructions set down to them by your Majesty. As also for that, in cases, where actions have been brought at the common law, whereby that question might have come to dicision, the plaintiffs have been stopped, sometimes by injunctions out of your Majesty's court of Chancery, from their proceedings sometime before, sometime after judgements, and some time also by imprisonment. The precedent of which proceedings doth concern all your Majesty's loyal and dutiful subjects of this kingdom, aswell in respect of the stopping of the free course of justice: as also, by reason that if that kind of jurisdiction were at first extended over those 4. counties, and be now still continued without warrant of law: then consequence of this example may, in future times, give countenance to the erecting of like jurisdictions in other places of this Realm. And for as much as your Majesty was pleased to command all the judges to consider of this question, and that they thereupon bestowed very many days in hearing the cause argued by learned counsel on both sides. And in viewing and considering of great numbers of records produced before them, concerning that cause: whereby, they have (no doubt) thoroughly informed themselves of the right. It is therefore the most humble petition of the commons in this present Parliament assembled, that your most excellent Majesty will also be pleased to command, that the judges may deliver their opinion upon that so exact, and deliberate hearing, which was had before them, concerning the right of the foresaid jurisdiction over those 4. Counties by force of that statute. And that the opinion which they shall deliver therein, may be in such sort published, as that all your Majesty's subjects whom it may concern may have means to take knowledge thereof. And that your Ma: will vouchsafe to declare it by your most princely pleasure, that any of your majesties subjects who may have occasion thereof may try his, or their right in that point by due, and ordinary course of the common law, either by suing out of prohibitions, or any other your majesties writs without restraint. And that if the said jurisdiction over those 4. Counties shall appear to your Majesty, by the opinion of the judges, or otherwise, not to be warranted by law, that then your Majesty be pleased out of your most princely and gracious favour towards all your loyal, and dutiful subjects, to order the ceasing of the said jurisdiction over those counties, to the great comfort of the inhabitants of those counties, and the rest of your majesties subjects of all the kingdom. New drapery. Complaint was made, in all humble manner, the second session of this present Parliament, of many disorders, outrages, & oppressions committed upon occasion of letters patents granted to the Duke of Lenox, for the searching, and sealing of stufs, and manufactures, called by the name of new drapery: which patent we held in all, or the most parts of it, to be questionable, and in many apparently unlawful: and the execution thereof we found stretched by the farmers, and deputies beyond the extent of the said letters patents, as appears in the particulars set down in the said grievance. To which it pleased your Majesty to give this gracious answer, that the validity of the said patent should be left to be judged by the law. And whensoever any abuse arising in the execution thereof should appear, it should be severely punished. Which was, for that time, to our good satisfaction yet finding, by diverse complaints made now in Parliament, that not only the said letters patents are still in force, and the validity of them undecided by judgement: but disorders in the execution of them are so far off from being reform, that they multiply every day to the grievance of your majesties subjects. And those of the poorer sort, who exercising these manufactures are subject to much oppression, to the great hindrance of some, & utter undoing of many as hath appeared in the particularities of the complaints presented unto us. Our humble desire is, that your Ma: willbe pleased, according to your former resolution, to give order, that this cause, which hath thus long hung in suspense, be speedily brought to judgement: and that before all the judges, because it concerns all the subjects of the land. And, in the mean time, that the execution of the said letters patents, so far forth as they concern the said new draperies, may be suspended till judgement be given: whereby your subjects, who do in all humility present this grievance unto your Majesty may be relieved, & have no occasion to reiterate their complaints. Licence of Wines. Whereas by ancient, and late statutes it hath been enacted, that wines should be retailed at such low rates, and prices, as for these 50 years last passed they could not be afforded. And for redress thereof it was ordained by a statute, in the 5. year of the late Queen Elizabeth, that (those former laws notwithstanding) wines might be sold at such prices, as by Proclamation from time to time to be made by consent of diverse great officers, should be published, and set down: which proclamation nevertheless, the late Queen, & your most excellent Ma: have been drawn to forbear, upon the earnest suit of certain persons, therein only intended their private gain▪ By reason whereof, both great sums of money in fines, rents, and annual payments have been gotten, and raised unto the said persons, and their assigns, and great damage and prejudice hath likewise fallen, and light upon your people, not only by enhancing the prices of wines, licensing over many Taverns, and appointing of unmeet persons, in unfit places, to keep the same: But also by reason that corrupt, mingled, evil, and unwholesome wines have been uttered, and sold to the great hurt of the health of your highness people, One man sometimes engrossing all the Licences designed for that place: Whereupon complaint being made to your Majesty, amongst other grievances of your people, in the second session of this present Parliament, your Highness was pleased to answer, that your grants in that behalf were no other, than such as were warrantable by the law. Whereas the grievance was the greater, for that all laws, concerning the sale of wines, being intended, and conceived to stand, & be reptaled, there were nevertheless, by the overfight of them which were trusted in that business, casually omitted, and left vnrepealed certain absolute laws impossible to be observed: as namely one made in the time of K. Edward the first, commanding wines to be sold at 12. pence the sexterne, and one other made in the 28. of K. Henry the eight prohibiting all persons, under penalty, to sell any french wines above 8. pence the gallon, and other wines, as secks, and sweet wines above 12. pence the gallon: and one branch of a statute made in the 7. year of K. Edward the 6. prohibiting men to sell any wines by retail in their houses. Whereupon your Majesty hath been induced and drawn to ground new patents of dispensation, and to grant the benefit thereof unto the Lord Admiral: whereby the like discommodities and inconveniences have sithence ensued unto the commonwealth as formerly did arise and grow upon the other repealed laws, whereof, in the former petitions of your subjects exhibited unto your Majesty in the said second session, your highness never had any direct, and clear information. May it therefore please your most excellent Majesty at the humble request of your commons (who have taken into consideration the great charges, and expenses, which the said L. Admiral hath been at, in your majesties service, and have considered likewise the present licences, and grants for valuable consideration unto many hundredth of your highness subjects, which without great loss to the said grantees, cannot be so suddenly made void) out of your Princely wisdom, and goodness, wherein you have professed not to extend, & strain your prerogative royal against the public good of your people, for the particular gain of any private persons, To vouchsafe, that from hench forwards, there may no more grant▪ of that nature, be made unto any of your subjects whomsoever. But that the said statute of 5. Elizabeth, for the apprising of wines, to be published by proclamation, a● time, and occasion shall require, may be put in execution. And that your Majesty will likewise vouchsafe to grant your royal assent to a bill of repeal of the said obsolete statutes, and all other, whereupon any such, Non obstantes, & dispensations might be grounded upon. In which statute of repeal proviso shallbe made for the indemnity of all such, as under your majesties great seal have already procured licence for such sale of wines. Alehouses Whereas, by the laws of this your majesties realm of England no taxes, aids, or impositions of any kind whatsoever, ought or can be laid, and imposed upon your people, or upon any of their goods, or commodities, but only by authority and consent of Parliament. Which being undoubtedly the ancient, and fundamental law of th●● land, is yet, for more abundant clearness expressly declared in sundry acts of Parliament made and enacted in the time of sundry your majesties Progenitors, the noblest, & most prudent Kings of this Realm. Y●●r commons with just grief do complain unto your Majesty of the late tax, and imposition laid, and imposed yearly upon such, as are allowed to keep victualling houses, or sell ale, and beer be retail. Which imposition not being taxed by assent of parliament, but commanded, and directed only by letters, and instructions, your commons are persuaded that the same proceeded rather upon misinformation, then by the direction, and judgement of your own most noble & royal heart. Wherefore your said commons knowing the grief of your people in this behalf, do (according to their duties) in all humility inform, and signify unto your Majesty: first, that the said taxation being singular, and without example, is in itself a Precedent of dangerous consequence, and (as your people fear) may easily (in time) be extended further, as to badgers of corn, makers of mal●, drovers of cattle, and such like, who, in such sort, are to be licensed by justices of peace, as those persons are, upon whom, at this time, this present charge and tax is laid. Secondly such houses, being often times at (the best) the harbours of idleness, drunkenness, whoredom, & all manner of felonies, the licences are now (the honester sort, in most places, refusing to undergo the new charge) rent, & taken by the loser, and base sort of people, who have no conscience how they gain, By reason whereof all manner of vice, and evil behaviour is likely every day to increase: neither can the justices of peace conveniently prevent the same: for that the persons licensed under the late contribution, affirm, with clamour, that they have a toleration for a year, and that such persons are not friends unto the crown, that seek to suppress them, and thereby to diminish your highness revenues. Thirdly many justices of peace, (being sworn to execute their office) which for this particular they conceive to be, that alehouse keepers formerly licenced, are not to be suppressed without just, and reasonable cause, cannot be satisfied touching their said oath, but are much distracted, and perplexed what to do (the late instructions notwithstanding) against such persons, a● otherwise being not known to be of evi● behaviour, only refuse to pay this late taxed and imposed some of money. In consideration whereof, your humble commons most instantly beseech your most excellent Majesty that the former letters, and instructions may be countermanded, or stayed, and all further directions, and proceedings in that kind forborn. sea-coal. Among many resemblances, which are observed to be between natural and politic bodies, there is none more apt, and natural than this, That the diseases of both do not, at one instant, commonly seize upon all parts: but beginning in some one part, do, by tract of time, and by degrees, get possession of the whole, unless by applying of wholesome and proper remedies, in due time, they be prevented. Which as it is in many things very visible▪ so it is in nothing more apparent, then in this matter of impositions: which beginning at the first either with foreign commodities brought in, or such of our own, as were transported, is now extended to those commodities, which growing in this kingdom, are not transported, but uttered to the subjects of the same: for proof whereof, we do, with all humility present unto your Ma: view the late imposition of 12. pence the chalder of sea-coal rising in Blithe & Sunderland, not by virtue of any contract, or grant (as in the coals of New castle) but under a mere pretext of your Majesty's most royal prerogative: which imposition is not only grievous for the present (especially to those of the poorer sort, the price of whose only, and most necessary fuel is thereby, to their great grief, enhanced) but dangerous also for the future; considering that the reason of this precedent may be extended to all the commodities of this kingdom. May it therefore please your most excellent Majesty, who is the great, and sovereign physician of this estate, to apply such a remedy as this disease may be presently cured, and all diseases for time to come, of like nature, prevented. These grievances were Presented to his Majesty with a speech of Sir Fr. Bacon, by 12. of the lower house. 7. July 1610. in the 4. session of Parliament; Because the King commanded 12. and no more, etc.