Selected quad for the lemma: parliament_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
parliament_n	earl_n	king_n	york_n	3,121	5	9.5804	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A70223	The history of Whiggism, or, The Whiggish-plots, principles, and practices (mining and countermining the Tory-plots and principles) in the reign of King Charles the First, during the conduct of affaires, under the influence of the three great minions and favourites : Buckingham, Laud, and Strafford, and the sad forre-runners and prologues to that fatal-year (to England and Ireland) 41 : wherein (as in a mirrour) is shown the face of the late (we do not say the present) times.	Hickeringill, Edmund, 1631-1708.	1682 (1682)	Wing H1809; Wing H1825C; ESTC R12704	66,369	53

said the Duke in his own Justification and Defence in the Star-Chamber Tory. He denyed it and examined divers Witnesses about the matter Tant And what then Tory. Nothing more the Cause never came to Judicial Hearing in that Court Tant Then let us hear no more of it I am sick of it my self I never heard so much before Go on Tory. After the Parliament was Dissolv'd and things well husht the Privy Council Order'd all Customs to be paid and the Refusers Punisht by Fines Imprisonment this was deem'd one New-council and Loans another Tant Loans prythee Tory what were they Tory. The King sent to the Rich a Letter beginning Trusty and Well-beloved c. under the Privy Seal requiring him or them to send him within twelve dayes so much Money as for Example in the West-riding in York-shire to Sir Thomas Wentworth 20 l Sir Francis Fuljam 20 l Sir Edward Osburn 30 l Godfrey Copley Esquire 15 l promising in the Name of the Kings Majesty his Heirs and Successors to repay the Money so lent Tant Ay when le ts hear that Tory. Within eighteen Months Tant And was the Money Repayed Tory. Pish that 's a silly question then of the City of London the King bid them lend him a hundred thousand pound Tant Well said a few such Summs from Towns or Cities would do the business but did they lend the Money Tory. No the City desir'd to be excused Tant And what then Tory. Then the Privy-Councel required them all excuses set apart to return a Direct and speedy Answer to his Gracious Majesty or in default thereof that his Majesty may frame his Councils as appertaineth to a King in such extream and Important occasions Tant And were they not afraid and apprehensive of the Innuendo Tory. The Commands rested not here for they also commanded the City to Equippe twenty of their best Ships in the River with all manner of Tackle Sea-stores and Ammunition men and Victuals for three Months Tant And did they do it Tory. They grumbled at it saying it was without President as did also the Deputy-Lieutenants and Justices of Peace at Dorset having received the Kings Commands for setting forth Ships from Pool Weymouth and Lime but the Council checkt them for daring to dispute Orders instead of obeying them and whereas they mention presidents they might know that the presidents of former times were Obedience not Direction Whigg It would puzzle a good Historian to find presidents of Obedience in England to Arbitrary-sway and Orders of Privy-Council for Impositions without Law to back them Tory. How Did not stout King Edward 1. Command Roger Bigot Earl of Norfolk and Lord Marshal of England and several other Lords to go to the Wars in Gascoygne in France which they refusing except the King himself went also in Person But the King threatned then to take away their Lands and their Lives saying to the Lord Marshal and Swearing By God Sir Earl you shall either Go or Hang. Whigg Ay but the Earl answered the King at the same moment I Swear by the same Oath I will neither Go nor Hang and so without leave went out of the Room and departed and shortly after he and Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and other Lords and Noble-men Assembled and other their Friends to the number of thirty Bannerets one thousand five hundred men at Arms well appointed and stood upon their Guard but the King Dissembled his Resentments at that time being about to go to Flanders where he spent much Money and for recruit Summons a Parliament to meet at York promising from thenceforth never to charge his Subjects otherwise than by their Consents in Parliament and also to Pardon all such as had denyed to attend him in this Journey Tant And did they trust the Kings word Tory. Yes but he broke it and all his other Oaths and Confirmations of the Peoples Charters made in Parliament two Years after having obtained and bought a Pardon for so doing as aforesaid of his Holiness nay he begun to play his Arbitrary Pranks long before that for in 8 Edw. 1. he sent out his Writ of Quo Warranto a fine Engine to get Money to examine by what Title men held their Lands which upon flaws found in their Charters and pryed into by the Lawyers brought him in much Money 'till John Earl of Warren stopt the Current and stem'd the Tyde for calling upon him to show his Title He drew out an old rusty Sword and said He held his Land by that and by that would hold it to Death and having many Backers it made the King desist from his Project Tant An old rusty Sword dost say that was more than the old Christian Weapons Prayers and Tears Tory. And stopt the Kings Tyranny and lawless Usurpations more than a thousand Petitions Prayers and Tears Tant Still I say Subjects Christian Subjects should use no Weapons but Prayers and Tears Whigg What not against Robbers Thieves and Murderers Tant Not against Magistrates that Rob by Law Whigg Thou talk'st like an Asse every day more than other Rob by Law a Contradiction in terminis if there be Law for it it is not Robery Theft nor Murder and if it be against Law or without Law all violent taking of mens Goods one Subject from another is Theft and Robbery except the Law enjoyn it and may lawfully be Resisted without all doubt in like manner and with such Weapons as the Onset or Assault is made Tant What in an Officer a Commission-Officer Whigg No man can be Authoriz'd to do an ill thing or an illegal thing by any mans Commission much less by the Kings Commission or the Broad-Seal for the King can do no wrong if it be wrong it stands for nothing it is not the Kings act nor the Kings Commission but Surreptitious and punishable Tant And who shall Judge of its Legality or the legality of the Resistance Whigg The Judges and the Law and the Juries Tant Nay then we are well enough yet Whigg If you be well keep you so whil'st you are well but remember Belknap Tresilian c. many Judges have been Hang'd right right and good Reason for corrupt and false Judgment there are they that shall judge the Judges Tant Ay but when at the day of Judgment Whigg Yes yes no more on 't but this Doctrine of resisting with other Weapons than Prayers and Tears Force with Force Violence with Violence in our own just Defence seems so strange to the new Tantivee-men that herein join with the old Error of the Anabaptists condemned in the 37 Article of the Church of England as also the Family of Love who Condemned all Wars as did the Manichees nay the learned Ludovicus Vives saith Arma Christianum Virum tractare nescio an fas sit I know not whether or no it be lawful for a Christian to Fight at all or go to the Wars and wear Weapons Lactantius also was against all Killing right and

from Trent Northwards and also against his Deputy Justice in Oyer from Trent northwards the right Honourable Viscount Dunbar Deputy Lieutenant in the East riding of York-shire his Wife and Mother and the greatest part of his Family being Popish Recusants also against William Lord Eure a convict Popish Recusant and in Commission for the Sewers Henry Lord Abergavenny John Lord Tenham Henry Lord Morley John Lord Mordant John Lord St. John of Basing Captain of Lidley Castle in Com. Southampton Em. Lord Scroop Lord President of his Majesties Council in the North Lord Lieutenant of the County and City of York and of Kingston upon Hull Anthony Viscount Mountague in Commission of the Sewers Sir William Wray Knight Deputy Lieutenant Collonel to a Regiment his Wife a Recusant Sir Edward Musgrave Sir Thomas Lampley Justices of Peace and quorum Sir Thomas Savage Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace his Wife and Children Recusants Sir Richard Egerton a Non-communicant Thomas Savage Esquire a Deputy Lieutenant a Recusant and his Wife Indicted and Presented William Whitmore Sir Hugh Beeston Sir William Massy Sir William Courtn●y Knight Vice-warden of the Stannery and Deputy Lieutenant a Popish Recusant Sir Thomas Ridley Sir Ralph Conyers James Lawson Esquire Sir John Shelley Knight and Baronet a Popish Recusant William Scot Esquire a Recusant John Finch Esquire not convicted but comes not to Church Sir William Mullineux Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace his Wife a Recusant Sir Richard Houghton Knight Deputy Lieutenant Sir William Norris Captain of the General Forces and Justice of Peace a Recusant Sir Gilbert Ireland Justice of Peace a Recusant James Anderton Esquire Justice of Peace and one of his Majesties Receivers Edward Rigby Esquire Clerk of the Crown Justice of Peace himself a good Communicant but his Wife and Daughter Popish Recusants Edward E Robert Warren Clerk a Justice of the Peace justly suspected for five Reasons there mentioned Sir Henry Compton Knight Deputy Lieutenant Justice of the Peace and Commissioner for the Sewers Sir John Shelly Knight and Baronet himself and his Lady Recusants Sir John Gage a Popish Recusant with a vast number more of Justices of Peace and Commissioners of Sewers either Papists or justly suspected Wherefore they humbly beseech your Majesty not to suffer your loving Subjects to continue any longer discouraged by the apparent sence of that Increase both in number and power which by the Favour and Countenance of such like ill affected Governours accreweth to the Popish Party but that according to your own Wisdom Goodness and Piety whereof they rest assured you will be graciously pleased to Command that Answer of your Majesties to be effectually observed and the Parties above named and all such others to be put out of such Commissions and Places of Authority wherein they now are in your Majesties Realm of England Contrary to the Acts and Laws of State in that behalf Tant Those last words were Pungent Tory. Not prevalent surely for the Parliament was soon after Dissolved and the House of Commons having Intimation of their intended Dissolution made what hast they could to perfect a Remonstrance or Declaration against the Duke of Buckingham and concerning Tunnage and Poundage taken by the King since his Fathers death without consent in Parliament and which were never payable they say in their Remonstrance to any of his Majesties Ancestors but only by a special Act of Parliament and ought not to be levyed without such an Act. Tant And did the King go on Collecting and taking Tunnage and Poundage notwithstanding Tory. Yes he said he could not want it and sent them a former Message that if He had not a timely supply He would betake himself to New Councils Tant New Councils what were they Tory. The Commons in their said Remonstrance often with thoughtful Hearts remember the words New-Councils repeating and Repeating them as if they were somewhat against the old Parliamentary Councils and course of this Kingdom and they Order'd every Member of the House to have a Copy of the said Remonstrance for they had not time to Present it to his Gracious Majesty but were Dissolv'd though the Lords also prepared a Petition to stay the Kings purpose in Dissolving the Parliament sending Viscount Mandevil Earl of Manchester Lord President of his Majesties Council the Earls of Pembrook Carlisle and Holland to entreat his Majesty to give Audience to the whole House of Peers But the King returned Answer that his Resolution was to hear no motion for that purpose but He would Dissolve the Parliament and he was then as good as his Word for he immediately Dissolved them by Commission under the great Seal Dated at Westminster June 15.2 R. R. Car. 1. 1626. To that purpose And withall Publishes a Declaration in Print concerning the Grounds and Causes which moved his Majesty to Dissolve this as also the former Parliament Dated June 13. 2 Car. 1. two dayes before the Date of the Commission Tant It was the readyer against the time of using it Coleman was as provident Tory. Right And also a Proclamation was published against the said Remonstrance of the Commons commanding all Persons of what Quality soever who have or shall have hereafter any Copyes or Notes of the said Remonstrance forthwith to Burn the same that the Memory thereof might be utterly abolished upon Pain of his Majesties Indignation and high Displeasure Tant Then the Tide did run very high Tory. The King also Published another Proclamation against Preaching or Disputing the Arminian Controversies Pro or Con but the effects of that Proclamation how equally soever intended became the stopping of the Puritan's Mouths and an uncontroul'd Liberty to the Tongues and Pens of the thriving Divinity-men the rising side Mountagues Party And though the Parliament was Dissolv'd so that the Duke of Buckingham for that nearly-reflecting Article the last against him which the King in Honour and by the Bonds of natural Affection and Piety to the Memory of his Deceased Father thought himself obliged to Call him to a publick account for so Daring an Insolence in applying a Plaister to the Kings breast against his Will and without the Advice and contrary to the Opinion of the Sworn Physitians of King James who attributed the Cause of his trouble unto the said Pla●●●●● and a Drink that Buckingham gave him as was Alledged in the Thirteenth Article of the Dukes Impeachment and the said Drink twice given to the King by Buckingham's own Hands and a third time refused by the King who felt great Impairment of his Life and Health complaining of the Drink that the Duke gave him His Physitians telling him to Please him and Comfort him that His second Impairment was from cold taken or some other ordinary Cause No no said his Majesty It is that which I had from Buckingham as more at large much aggravated and insisted upon by Mr. Wandesford who managed the Thirteenth Article of the Impeachment against Buckingham Tant But what

byas't the wrong way does not call it Rebellion nor is the word Rebellion once mentioned in the late Act of Oblivion after the happy Return of his Gracious Majesty But instead of calling it Rebellion which old Hodge would have Eccho'd and Mouth'd twice in each line Sir Richard Baker's note is That while the King was altogether rul'd by Gaveston and Gaveston himself was altogether irregular the Common-wealth could have but little of Justice but was sure to Suffer as long as Gaveston was Suffered and this may be sufficient to Justifie mark that the Lords that it be not Interpreted to be Rebellion which was indeed but Providence After that the two Spencers were the new Minions that trod in the very steps of Gaveston and Seduc't the easie King Pimps to his Lust for these onely were his Favourites whereupon the People rise as one man with the Earls of Hereford and Lancaster who confederating by a solemn League and Covenant to live and dye together in maintaining the Right of the Kingdom and to procure the Banishment of the two Spencers the great Seducers of the King and the Oppressors of the State and under this pretence they take Arms and coming armed to St. Albans they send to the King then at London requiring him as he lov'd the quiet of the Realm to rid his Court of those two Traitors the Spencers Condemn'd in many Articles of High Treason by the Common-wealth mark that of the Land and withall to grant his Letters Patents of Pardon and Indemnity both to them and such as took part with them Tory. By that desire of Indemnity they tacitly acknowledg Guilt Whigg Yes against the Letter of the Law in strict construction and a Judge and Jury of your Principles Tory it is not safe trusting you when necessity had forc't them to Courses that otherwise were Illegal which yet the Historian calls Providence not Rebellion Tant But did the King Pardon them Whigg Pardon them No I trow that had been too wise an Action for such a weak Prince as was that ill-advis'd King Tant But prythee what Answer did the King give to the bold Covenanters Whigg He Swore he should never Violate the Oath made at his Coronation by granting Letters of Pardon to such notorious Offenders who Contemn'd his Person Disturb'd the Kingdom and Violated the Royal Majesty Tant Well said and how did this Answer work upon the armed Confederates Whigg It exasperated them and presently they March't to London the Citizens being their sure Friends and lodged in the Suburbs 'till they had leive of the King to march into the City where they again more peremptorily urge their demands Tant And what did the King then why did he not Hang them all at Tyburn Whigg He could not find Hangmen that would undertake so great a work besides to Hang them all would be a tedious long work and long a doing Tant What did all People hate him and forsake him Whigg No they all lov'd him so universally and wisht him so well that they also desired he might be quit of his two Diseases the two Spencers that made the Head ake and the whole Body sick and ill at ease and so at last he yields to their Banishment But this Kings Goodness and Truth went and came like Ague-fits by Paroxismes and intermissions no trust in his Word and Promises for he Consents to their Banishment onely to hush the present Commotion Hugh Spencer the Father was then beyond Sea and kept himself there but young Spencer lurk't here and there hiding himself in England expecting the turn of a better Season which soon came about for Fortunes-wheel to the Comfort of the Afflicted and terrour of the Prosperous never stands still but is alwayes in Motion and upon the Turn as in this Kings Reign was frequently demonstrated for the next year Anno 1322. the King defeated the Lords and Beheaded his Unkle the Earl of Lancaster and four years after the Parliament Deposed King Edward or rather forc't him to Depose himself and Invest his Son which if he refused they threatned to Chuse a King of another Race and he was Killed soon after by his Keepers Gourney and Matrevers Tarleton Bishop of Hereford writing to them to that effect in doubtful sence viz. Edvardum occidere nolite timere bonum est but they guess'd at his meaning for that Bishop Adam Tarleton had a little before at Oxford Preach't before the Queen and Roger Mortimer her bosom friend on this Text Caput meum doleo My Head aketh whence he inferred that the Kingdom being now deadly sick of its Head it was fit to remove that Head and put a sounder in his place this was the Loyalty of your Bishop when Interest c. Tant How did the Queen approve that Doctrine Whigg She did not dislike it to be sure but her Minion Roger like't it well enough as appeared afterwards Tant It was an Impudent Whores-trick of her first to make the King a Cuckold preferring the Love of Mortimer and then to Vnking him by Deprivation and then to Vnman him by Murthering him Whigg She did not own the Murtherers that did the Deed. Tant But she did not punish the wicked Bishop that Preach't up the King-killing Doctrine and who did give the Murderers also Commission to do it Whigg No he was her chief Favourite-Bishop and fit for her turn but such was the general Hatred to King Edward 2. that he dyed Vnlamented though perhaps not unpittyed he had so disoblig'd his People by espousing two or three unfortunate Minions and their dependants before and above his peoples welfare that ought to have been his chiefest Care Tant I protest though 't is hard measure first to be made a Cuckold and then by the same Engineers to be Depriv'd and then Kill'd this is worse than what befell the Earl of Essex General of the Parliaments-Forces in 41. First the Duke of Som made him a Cuckold then He and she disparage her Husbands virility then for that reason gets her Divorc't from him as not man sufficient And Lastly to make the Church Father all the escapes he Legitimates them by making her an honest woman and Marrying her Tory. Not Man sufficient sayst thou Parson why what one man is sufficient for a Whore if the Church admit that for a sufficient Plea for Divorce they 'l have as many Customers for that as they have for Licenses for Marriage Tant The better trading for us we are men that know our Interest and Advantage as well as carnal men Tory. Ay Ay who doubts it but say Mr. Whigg did the Earl of Essex put up this affront Whigg No I told you he was the man that first headed the Parliaments forces that afterwards took more than sufficient Vengeance on the Church and all that sided or bandyed with her Manet aliâ mente repostum Evil Actions carry their furies along with them Vengeance attends them For the said Kings unfaithfulness to his

Vnhappy Expeditions and sometimes by Lending them to France in a time when we had more need to Borrow and by such Whimzees but the Parliament gave it a worse name calling them Treasons they reduc'd the King and Kingdom into great Straits weakness and necessities which was the design of the Popish Plot the Favourites were only the Instruments and perhaps saw not what they did But they did so many Irrational Senseless and Destructive Acts that almost all lay at Stake as you have heard and was just upon the go What must be done That was the Question in these Necessities and Straits To call a Parliament was the proper natural true certain and only English Remedy Tory. Ay so it was I must needs say Whig Well and so the King found too late but the Minions had done such unanswerable things that in all their Consultations they did as all Private Councellors do stear their course with an Eye and main respect to their own particular Safeties and welfare and not to the general good welfare and Salvation of the Ship of the Commonwealth that they guided at the Helm and they were so Conscious of their own wickedness that the Earl of Strafford very prudently foreseeing his own destruction when the Parliament was called humbly craves excuse from attending it chusing rather to stay with his Army in the North. Tory. He had nothing else to trust to but an Army and Force for by Force and an Army he Ruled in Ireland and nothing but the same methods could possibly preserve him nor indeed any Tyranny and Oppression Whig True Violence only can justify Violence not could his sins be safe but by attempting greater yet he had something else to Trust to besides an Army Tant What I pray let me hear that Whig The Royal Word and the Promise of a King who to perswade him to come to the Parliament besides the Peremptory Command that would take no denyal or excuse but come he must the King engaging and promising that as he was King of England he was able to secure him from any danger and that the Parliament should not touch one Hair of his Head Tant But they did reach every Hair of his Head and the Head also the King also Passing the Bill But what said the Earl when he first heard that the King had past the Bill against him as in a Complemental Letter he gave him leave Whig He held up his Hands as Coleman did at the Gallows when he saw he must go to it not using the very words that Coleman did There is no Truth in men but to the same Tune lift up his Eyes to Heaven and laying his Hand on his Heart said Put not you Trust in Princes nor in the Sons of men for in them there is no Salvation Tant Ay Coleman indeed was left in the Lurch some thought by his last words And thus the Devil Huggs the Witch But at the Gallows leaves the Wretch To the Embrace of Squire Ketch Laughing when her Neck does Stretch That he her Soul to Hell may Fetch Tory. But what said King Charles in his own excuse For giving up Strafford contrary to Promise Whig He was Sorry for it but it could not be help'd it was so lately done but the King nevertheless sent a Letter by the Prince to the Lords written with his own Hands Intreating them that they would Confer with the House of Commons to spate the Life of the Earl and that it would be a high Contentment to him Tant And what did the Lords thereupon Whig Just nothing at all as to sparing his Life but so confirm'd the King that he said also Fiat Justitia But the King in a Speech a little before he Signed the Bill of Attainder against the Earl told both the Houses of Parliament that in Conscience he could not Condemn the Earl of High Treason that he Answered for as to the most of the main particulars of the Charge against him Tory. Ay ay the Earl did not durst not have attempted such things as he did if some body had not been privy to it besides himself Whig The King also told the two Houses at the same time that neither Fear nor any other respect should make him go against his Conscience Tant But it seems his Royal Resolution was Changeable Whig Yes and yet he was naturally constant to his Opinions and Tenacious of them some thought even to Offence sometimes But the Crimes against the Earl's Arbitrary Government Arbitrary Sway Arbitrary Councels Arbitrary Force Arbitrary Taxes and Ruling by an Army and making his Will his Law was so Apparent that the fault mustly upon some body and upon whom more fit than upon such an evil Instrument and evil Councellor as Strafford was whom the very King himself could not deny to be guilty as he publickly acknowledged to both Houses in his Speech aforesaid of such Misdemeanors that he thought the Earl not fit to serve him or the Commonwealth in any place of Trust no not so much as a Constable and concluded his said Letter with these words If no less than his Life can satisfie my people I must say Fiat Justitia which words he repeated when the Lords in Answer to his Majesties said Letter denyed to spare his Life as unsafe for the King and Royal Family Tory. I am clear too of Opinion that either the King was privy to his Misdemeanors before that time as the King intimated as aforesaid or else he and all other Kings may think the better of Parliaments as long as they live for representing men in their true colours and letting them see that the Persons and chief Favourites Admirals and Generals of their Armies and when they trust as King Charles did Strafford with the management of their chief Affairs are really and truly such wretches that they are not fit for the meanest Trust no not so much as worthy to be Petty Constable Whig That Dilemma is unanswerable Tant But Prythee Whigg what Opinion had men in those days of the Court as to Arbitrary Government Popery or Affection to Popery Whig Men strangely differ'd in Opinion in those days as now which bred that great difference amongst men as it seems was not to be decided without Blood great unnatural and uncivil Bloodshed Tory. We that were Cavaliers believed the King when he took the Sacrament upon it and pass'd so many Acts of Parliaments against Popery and Papists and promis'd to proceed Vigorously against Papists and that he also did abhor the Thoughts of Arbitrary Government Really we believ'd so many Oathes Sacraments Vowes and Royal Words and Promises publick and private Declarations and Proclamations Whig Ay ay so you did we Whiggs too have a great deal of Faith if we let upon a belief we will not to our own Eyes give Credit we are for Implicite Faith sometimes as well as you Tory. Well but Answer to the purpose was not the King counted a Gracious good King Whig Yes

in these words Le Roy Alfred ordcigna pur usage perpetuel que a deur foits per lan on plus sovene pur mistier in temps de Peace le Assembler a Londres put Parliementer surle guidement del People de dieu coment gents soy garderent de Pegers viverent in quiet receiverent droit per certain usages Saints Judgments King Alfred Ordaineth for an usage Perpetual that Twice a Year or oftner if need be in time of Peace they shall Assemble themselves at London to Treat in Parliament of the Government mark that of the People of God how they should keep themselves from Offences should live in quiet and should receive right by certain Laws and Holy Judgments Tory. Right for Standing Privy Councels or long Standing Parliaments may be Pentioners to Foraign States may give Councel for their own ends but a frequent Parliament is uncapable of being Brib'd and most improbable to give any Advice against the Common-weal Common-benefit of King and People Tant In Troth I am at a loss to find out a Reason why any should Address and be Thankful for Dissolving a Parliament Whig And yet your Hand was one of the first to an Address of like nature Heark you you know when and where Tant No more of that I am of another mind now But what says the Lord Coke the Laws Oracle and Apollo concerning the said Statute of King Alfred Whig He saith that the threefold end of this Great and Honourable Assembly of Estates is there declared First That the Subjects might be kept from offending that is that Offences might be prevented both by good and provident Laws and by the due Execution thereof Secondly That men might live safely and in quiet Thirdly That all men might receive Justice by certain Laws and Holy Judgments that is to the end that Justice might be the better Administred that Questions and Defects of Law might by the High-Court of Parliament be planed reduced to certainty and adjudged c. In short Si vetustatem spectes est anquessima si dignitatem est Honoratissima si Jurisdictionem est capacissima If you regard Antiquity the Parliament is the most Ancient Court if Dignity the most Honourable if Jurisdiction the most Soveraign and is a part of the frame of the Common-Law which is called usually Leges Anglicae Tant I thought the Parliament had beginning only since Magna Charta in the Reign of Hen. 3. which is not so very Ancient Whig Some of your Tantivees have said so and writ so but it is your ignorance or worse King Hen. 1. Surnamed Beauclark writ to Pope Pascal saying Notum habeat Sanctitas vestra quod me vivente auxiliante Deo Dignitates usus Regninostri Angliae non imminentur siego quod absit in tanto me dejectione ponerem optimates mei totus Angliae populus id nullo modo pateretur Your Holiness may please to understand that as long as I live by the help of God the Dignities and Customs of our Realm of England shall never be impared or diminished to which if I should which God forbid be so high-base as poorly to condescend my Lords and Commons of England would by no means permit the same Judge then how dangerous it is to change the Ancient Customs and usages of the Common Law much less the greatest and most useful of all the rest frequent and uninterrupted Sessions of Parliament without which the Liberties and Franchises have been and may be taken away remedilesly By the Canon Law Children born before Marriage Solemnized were Legitimate if Matrimony afterwards followed which is contrary to our Common Law This was William the Conqueror's Case who is said to be the Son of a Arlot so notorious that all Whores are since called Harlots for her sake yet William of Malmesbury says that Robert Duke of Normandy his reputed Father did after William was Born Marry his Mother Arlot which did Legitimate William by the Canon Law but it reaches not England For in the like Case when the Bishops would have ruled it according to the Papal Decree Omnes Comites Barones una voce respondement quod nolunt leges Anglicae mutare All the rest of the Lords Earls and Barons with one voice cryed out We will not change the Laws of England accounted the wisest Laws in the World but they must be the weakest and most deficient if it be Arbitrary whether Parliaments a Fundamental Constitution may or may not have a Being or only be born to die namely only to be called together that they may be Dissolv'd Therefore even the late Act for holding Parliaments once in three years or oftner if need be made by that Parliament that from the numerous Pentioners therein is commonly but Improperly called for distinction the Pentioners Parliament amongst the many precious Statutes they made take care and provide that Parliaments shall not only be called but sit and be held or else of what use is this Soveraign Remedy if it be not made use of It would be a Mock-Remedy and Mock-Parliament if it only be call'd together to be Dissolv'd This would defeat the very Letter of the Law as well as the true intent meaning and benefit thereof For if a Gracious and good King as King Charles I. is reported to be had such Horrible Oppressions and Violence committed in his Reign as Loanes Ship-money Illegal Seizures of mens Estates Liberties Free-quarter Coat and Conduct-money and False Imprisonment during his Reign contrary to Law as he acknowledged by after Statutes that condemned them If Papists were prefer'd to Offices of great Trust Military and Civil and if his Favorite the Earl of Strafford raised an Army of Papists 8000. and ruled by them committed such Hainous Enormities and Misdeeds that he was not fit to be a Puny Constable and committed such Tyrannies and Cruelties that no Record can parallel And if no remedy was found to these mischiefs but a Parliament and that not suffered to be for 12 long years together Oh Fruitless Remedy of a Parliament Oh dull and Improvident Ancestors That were wise above all the World to make good Laws for securing our Liberties and Properties of which they were Tenacious to the death And yet that the Law that secures these should not be able to secure it self but to grant a Prerogative to make all null and void at pleasure If such mischiefs happened during the Reign of a Gracious King what may not happen in a Reign less Gracious Penelope's Webb which she weav'd all day and undid all again at night might be a Fable but this the moral of it that our Laws which our wise Ancestors had been long contriving to save us from Arbitrary sway should all be unravell'd again and leave us by a Prerogative of which the Law is the Author to meer good will and pleasure Tory. I must needs say that the Law which should be Wise Holy and Good would be