THE COMMONS PETITJON TO THE KING In Defence of Mr. PYM. ANSWERING Those Seven Articles whereof he was Impeached. Being a Commendable Vindication of those Seven Articles, wherein Mr. Pym was lately Accused.  
Showing how his good Endeavours for the benefit and safety of this Kingdom, and his affectionate Zeal for the public Prosperity of this Realm have been misconstrued.  
Expressing the great Love, and singular Affection of the Commons to him, who have petitioned to the King, in Answer of those Articles against him, beseeching His Majesty to remit, and excuse him, being not guilty of the same.  
London, Printed for William Bond, 1641.   


An Answer to the 1. Article against Mr. Pym, etc.  
The 1 Article was to this effect, that M. Pym (amongst the other scilicet) hath traitorously endeavoured to subvert the fundamental laws, and government of England: this seems contrary, in regard that he solely did always oppose any man, whom he either found or could suspect guilty of the same crime, and hath laboured rather to ratify, and confirm the fundamental laws, the either subvert or confound the same. For in his Diurnal Speeches in the Parliament was always specified his real intent, in the institution, and not diminution or subversion of any law: which was not detrimental to the safety, and prosperity of this Kingdom, In the same Article it is mentioned, that with all he hath endeavoured to deprive the King of His Royal power, and to place in subjects in arbitrary power over the Lives, Liberties, and Estates of His Majesty's liege people. To this your Petitioners answer, that we have found him so diligent to advance your Majesty's royal Dignity and Crown, that he hath seemed rather to add, then in any wise to deprive your Majesty of any power, appertaining to your royal Self: and for the subsequent conclusion we find, that otherwise; for he hath given his vote in the House of Commons against the same. We proceed now to the 2. Article, viz. that he hath endeavoured to lay many foul aspersions upon His Majesty, and his government to alienate the affections of his people, and to make his Majesty odious unto them.   

The Answer to the second Article.  
To this your Petitioners presume to answer thus: as in the former Article we have specified the integrity of his mind, free from entertaining the least thought of casting aspersions either on your Majesty's person or government: so likewise we do signify his innocuous intent herein, that we could never hear, know, or perceive him at any time minded to alienate the affections of any of his people, & if any person, or persons will maintain, or prove the same against him, or them, that he did endeavour to divert their affections from your Majesty, hewill acknowledge himself guilty thereof, and justly accused for the same. But that he should endeavour to make your Majesty odious unto any, it seems incredible; for your Petitioners know, that the hearts & affectionss of your subjects, are so unitely fixed on you both in their prayers, hopes, and wishes, that we impartially believe, that no man would become so disloyal, as to subtract any respective obedience from your Majesty, much less that your own royal person should become odious unto them.  
We now arrive at the 3. Articles, viz. That he hath endeavoured to draw your Majesty's late Army into disobedience to your Majesty's Commands, and to side with them in their traitorous designs.   

The Answer to the third Article.  
Your Petitioners have found him always very solicitous, and careful of your Majesty's Army, striving rather to bring them unto a regular obedience, then to side with them in any traitorous design.  
And we are confident hereof, that none of your Majesty's Army can prove, that he did ever seduce any of them or suggest them unto any disobedient disorder, or agree to any design whatsoever.   

The Answer to the fourth Article.  
We come now to the 4. Article, wherein is declared, that he hath traitorously invited, & encouraged a foreign power to invade his Majesty's kingdom of England. To this your Petitioners dare boldly say, that this nefarious invitation, and encouragement of a foreign power was never undertook by him; for he hath been very vigilant to preserve, and defend this Kingdom in as great fortification as possibly might be, to the flourishing prosperity of this whole Realm. And therefore he hath oftentimes expressed his affection towards the safety of this Nation, and of stronger forces that should be raised to keep out any foreign enemy or power, lest peradventure they steal upon us unawares.   

In the Fifth Article he is impeached thus: that he hath traitorously endeavoured to subvert the Rights, and very Being of Parliaments. To this we may answer with great facility: he was the chief cause that this Parliament was assembled, & it seems very incongruous, that he should subvert the same. Moreover he is the sole man that stands for the ancient Rights, and Liberties of the Parliaments, and it seems a stupendious thing, that he should confound the same.  
In this respect your Petitioners dare speak with confidence, that there was not one man in the Parliament house, who did stand more strongly for the Rights of Parliaments, than Mr. Pym was. In their Article there is demonstrated his arraignment, that for completing of his treacherous designs, he hath endeavoured as far as in him lay by force, & terror to compel the Parliament, to join with him in his traitorous designs, and to that end hath actually raised, and countenanced tumults against the King, and Parliament. The Answer to the 6. Article. To this it is answered, that no man in the Parliament can by coercion be compelled by any man to join with him in his assertion. And withal we suppose Mr. Pym is more judicious, then to urge and man's vote, or assent unto his design (if I may so speak.) But for the tumultuous up roots made in the City, and Westminster, ●o one particular man can be suspected to have been the Author thereof, for the tumult was promiscuous.  
And moreover Mr. Pym was the sole cause that did suppresse● them, therefore he co●●● in no regard countenance the ●ind ●●●●ult. The 7. and l●●● Article is this, that he hath traitorously conspired to ley●●, and fifth actually levied power against the King. To this we can answer nothing to 〈◊〉 ●●●awl●●● 〈…〉 ●●●ly per●●●● that he was a man of greater fidelity, and greater Loy●●ry to your Majesty. Your Petitioners will not presume to trespass too far on your element lenity: but do with all humility, and respective loyalty present their Petition unto your Majesty, building our hopes on your judicious clemency, that your Majesty hath maturely considered of the perfect integrity of Mr. Pym, you will remit all: which will give great, and plenary satisfaction to the whole Commons.    
And your Petitioners shall be bound for ever to pray.  
FINIS.