Mr. GRIMSTON HIS SPEECH, At the Committee sitting in Guildhall on Thursday the 6. of january 1641.  
Concerning the breaches of the privileges of Parliament; by breaking open the Chambers, Studies, and Trunks of the Lord Kimbolton, and the rest of the members of the House of Commons, accused by His Majesty of high Treason.  
Whereupon, The same day there was a declaration agreed upon, and published, for the preservation of their privileges, and protection of their Members from the like violence in time to come.  
Printed at London for B. W. 1642.   

Mr. GRIMSTON His Speech, at the Committee sitting in Guildhall on Thursday the sixth of january, 1641.  
M. SPEAKER,  
THere is no Courts of Judicature within this Kingdom of England, but have several rights and privileges appertaining and belonging unto them: and have such power and authority in the several jurisdictions of the same, that they may call to an account, prosecute, and bring to judgement the infringers and breakers of the same. Of all these Courts there is none, yea put them all together, they are not of such power and jurisdiction, but inferior and subject to the Ordinances and Statutes of the high Court of Parliament.  
M. Speaker, Of such awful predominance is the very name of a Parliament to this Nation, that it strikes with terror and despair all such evil doers as are malefactors in the State: on the contrary side, it cheers and comforts the drooping Spirits of men groaning under the burden of tyrannical oppression inflicted on them unjustly and maliciously by unmerciful and wicked men that have usurped to themselves places and offices of power and authority both in Church and State.  
M. Speaker, This great and high Court is not only the powerfullest of all other Courts whatsoever, but the prudentest and wisest, made and compacted not only of men sound in Religion, well learned, but ripe in their judgements, contracted from all parts of this Kingdom, elected and chosen with the free consent of the whole body politic of the Kingdom. This great and high Council is not only of such power and wisdom, but endowed and attended with the most and greatest privileges of all others; yea, so great are the privileges thereof, that not only the meanest of his Majesty's Subjects, but the greatest personages of the Kingdom are in danger, if infringers of the same, to be called in question and by them punished therefore. Give me leave M. Speaker, to speak somewhat of the privileges in particular, incident and appertaining to this wise Senate: and in speaking thereof, I shall observe these three particulars: first, the rights and privileges belonging to the same, in the free votes and judicature thereof. Secondly, the rights and privileges belonging to the power and jurisdiction thereof; and thirdly, the rights and privileges in the continuance thereof, being freely called and assembled by his Majesty's royal authority, not to be dissolved or broken off till all things agitated therein for the good both of Church and Commonwealth, be fully concluded and determined.  
First, M. Speaker, concerning the privileges of a Parliament belonging to the free votes and judicature thereof, I shall observe these particulars: first, to speak freely without interruption or contradiction in any debate, dispute, or argument, upon any business agitated in the same being a member thereof, I conceive to be one privilege of a Parliament.  
Secondly, not to be questioned, for any such free dispute, argument, or debate, to be taxed or accused for the same, either during the free sitting thereof, or after, is another privilege of Parliament.  
Thirdly, freely to give vote, judgement, or sentence, upon the reading of any Bill, to be made a law, or any bill, either of Attainder, or other charge against Delinquents and Criminous persons of the State at their trial upon the same, is a third privilege of Parliament.  
Fourthly, to defend and maintain, the free votes, judgements, and sentences of the whole House, by Protestation, Remonstrance, or other Declaration, if not consented unto or opposed by the House of Lords, is a fourth privilege.  
Fifthly, for any member of the House not to be accused of any crime, or impeached for treason by any person whatsoever, during the continuance of the Parliament for things done in the same, without legal accusation and prosecution of any such member by the whole House, is another privilege of Parliament.  
Sixthly, not to be apprehended upon such impeachment, or arrested by any officer, or to have upon such accusation their Chambers, Trunks, and Studies broken open, their books and writings seized upon, without consent or warrant of the whole Parliament, is another privilege of the same. And thus much Mr. Speaker shall suffice to be spoken concerning the privileges and rites of Parliament, pertinent to the subject, of which I am to speak. I come now to the second thing I proposed to your audience, which was the rites and privileges belonging to the power and jurisdiction of the Parliament: In which I shall observe these particulars. First, to consult and consider of what laws are fit to be made and enacted in this kingdom for the good government thereof, is one privilege belonging to the power and jurisdiction of this High Court.  
Secondly, to nullify and abrogate, repeal, make void, to ratify and confirm, establish, and maintain laws, statutes, and ordinances, made and enacted by precedent Parliament, by Counsels of State, or other Courts of judicature, is a second privilege pertaining to the power and jurisdiction of the Parliament.  
Thirdly, to give subsidies, to raise taxes, to impose loans and other charges upon the subject, is another privilege belonging to the power and jurisdiction of the Parliament.  
Fourthly, to accuse or impeach any Incendiaries or Delinquents in this kingdom of any crime notorious, tending to the prejudice of his Majesty or any of his loyal Subjects, whether it be for treason or otherwise, be they members of the Parliament or no, is another privilege belonging to the power and jurisdiction of the Parliament.  
Fifthly, and lastly, to proceed and bring to judgement such persons so accused or impeached for any crime whatsoever, is another privilege belonging to the power and jurisdiction of this Court, and thus much of the rites and privileges belonging to the power and jurisdiction of a Parliament.  
And now Mr. Speaker, I come to the last things I mentioned to you, concerning the privileges belonging to the continuance and free sitting till all things be concluded of for the good government both of Church and state, in which I shall also observe these particulars. First, that for a Parliament when freely called and assembled by royal authority, not to be tied to debate, or argue any one particular business appointed by any person whatsoever, is one privilege belonging to the free continuance of a Parliament.  
Secondly, not to break off or dissolve a free Parliament, until all the grievances and oppressions of all his Majesty's loyal subjects be fully redressed and remedied, is a second privilege belonging to the continuance of a Parliament.  
Thirdly, not to break off or dissolve a Parliament, till all Incendiaries and Delinquents in the state be brought to condign punishment for their crimes.  
Fourthly and lastly, not to accuse or impeach any member of the Parliament thereby to hinder and interrupt the legal proceed thereof in the weighty affairs of the Commonwealth, is another privilege belonging to the continuance of a Parliament.  
And thus Master Speaker, having briefly declared unto you the power and jurisdiction of a Parliament above all other Courts of judicature in this land, the wisdom and policy of a Parliament above all other Counsels, the rights and privileges of a Parliament, in respect of the free votes and judicature thereof, the power and jurisdiction thereof, and the free continuance thereof; I humbly leave to the consideration of this House, whether the accusation of these Gentlemen accused by his Majesty, and the illegal breaking open upon this their accusation, of their Chambers, Trunks, & studies, be not a breach of some of the Privileges of Parliament which I have mentioned unto you.  
FINIS.