GAROLUS SECUNDUS Dei Gratia Angl Scotice Francice Et Hibernice Rex Fidei Defensor etc. HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT MEMORABILIA Or the most Remarkable Passages and Counsels Collected out of the several DECLARATIONS AND SPEECHES That have been made by the KING HIS L. Chancellors and Keepers AND THE SPEAKERS Of the HONOURABLE House of Commons IN PARLIAMENT Since His Majesty's Happy Restauration Anno 1660. till the End of the last Parliament 1680. Reduced under Four Heads Viz. 1. Of the Protestant Religion 2. Of Popery 3. Of Liberty and Property c. 4. Of Parliaments By Edward Cooke of the Inner Temple Esquire Humbly Dedicated to the GRAND COUNCIL or SENATE of this KINGDOM LONDON Printed for Nevil Simmons Tho. Simmons and Sam. Lee at the Three Cocks at the West End of S. Paul's the Princes Arms in Ludgate-Street and the Princes Arms in Lombard Street MCDLXXXI THE INTRODUCTION SOME Persons there are in the World of a humour not to be pleased with any thing they shall see in Print unless withall the Author puts himself to the trouble of giving them some considerable Reason which induced him to that undertaking now whether or no this that I shall give them will be to their greater satisfaction I am not certain but however I will thus far ingenuously confess my self to them as to declare it was the true and only One that moved me to present the World with these following Sheets HAVING too notoriously observed of late since this licentious Sickness of the Press the many abominable Pamphlets that have come abroad no doubt with Malitious design enough to alienate the Affections of the good people of England and to infuse strange Perplexing Fears and Jealousies into them of the King and the Government as if presently the whole Nation was to be turn'd Topsy Turvy our Laws Cancell'd our Liberties and Properties to be quite taken away from us our Parliaments to be cashiered our Religion changed and our Lives wholly at the Merciless Devotion of Thirsty men of bloud I say having observed with great and sorrowful Resentment these ill and dangerous Books that have with a too open and insolent face appeared to the heinous scandal as well as disturbance of the peace of these Kingdoms This is to prevent His Majesties Declaration to all his loving Subjects Dec. 26. 1662. p. 12. the mischiefs aim'd at by the cager endeavours of rash and unquiet men whom though weak and credulous Persons may be beguiled by them yet I am sure all honest and good men will look upon with detestation as the most dangerous Enemies of the Crown and of the peace and happiness of the Nation AND among the many venemous Insinuations which have been Lord Keepers Speech Jan. 7. 1673. Fol. 18. 19. made use of the Fears and Jealousies of Religion and Liberty are of the worst sort and the most dangerous impressions CERTAINLY Malice was never more buisy than it hath been in these Reports and it hath been assisted by a great deal of invention BUT it is to be hoped that no mans Judgment or Affections will be either misled or disturbed by such reports THIS as nothing is capable of gratifying them more the great Lord Keepers Speech Ap. 13. 75. Fol. 18. Enemies of our security are most industrious to promote as knowing very well that this alone will do them more Service than the best of their Auxiliaries These are they that hope to see and Practise to bring about new Changes and Revolutions in the Government 'T IS almost an irreparable reproach the Protestant Religion hath Lord Chancel Speech Sep. 13. 1660. p. 22. undergone from the divisions and distractions which have been so notorious within this Kingdom This you shall find hereafter I will demonstrate to you in its proper place AND as differences and distempers in Religion have too much disturbed Lord Ch. Sp. Sep. 13. 1660. p. 19 20. the Peace of the Kingdom which is a consideration that must make every Religious heart to bleed to see that Religion which should be the strongest Obligation and Cement of Affection and Brotherly kindness and compassion made now by the perverse wranglings of Passionate and Froward men the ground of all Animosity Hatred Malice and Revenge So no less heaty and distempered have some persons been on the other hand in wickedly labouring to set us altogether by the Ears and to put us into a fatall Combustion by their slanderous Calumnies and Factious reproaches of the State Never was this Spirit of Libelling more Lord Ch. Sp. Monday May 19. 6â— at their Prorog p. 10 11. pregnant than it is now nor King nor Parliament nor Church nor State ever more exposed to those flagella linguae those stroaks of the Tongue from which God Almighty can only preserve the most Innocent and most Excellent Persons as if repining and murmuring reviling and affronting publick Authorities were the peculiar exercises of the Nation to keep it in health as if England had so much of the Merchant Nunquam habendi fructu faelix semper autem quaerendi Cupiditate Miserrima Now does it not His Majesties Speech Mond March 21. 1663. p. 5. behoove us all to be as watchful to prevent as they are to contrive their mischief Should not we make it our business to strengthen the hands of Government and to shame the Enemies of it by bannishing all manner of distrust If we do not we shall be in danger to Lord Ch. Sp. Thurs May 23. 78. p. 18. become not only the most miserable but the most unpittied Nation under heaven Let this then be to restore the whole Nation to its primitive temper Lord Ch. Sp. Thurs Sep. 13. 1660. p. 12. and integrity to its old good manners it 's old good humour and it 's old good nature a Vertue so peculiar so appropriated by God Almighty to this Nation that it can be translated into no other language and hardly practised by any other people His Majesties Speech Tuesday July 30. 1661. The Day of Their Adjurr p. 5. And though there are very many alas too many distempered Spirits which lie in wait to do mischief by laying Reproaches upon the Court upon the Government reproaches upon the King reproaches upon the Parliament yet I hope by our Joynt Unity right understanding our vigilant carefulness and application we may be able to weigh down and prevent any Mischief they intend against us Forreign Nations have laid it down for a Maxime in their Politicks Lord Chancel Speech Thurs March 6. â—â—78 p. 18 that England can never be destroyed but by its self and that 't is in vain to make any attempt upon this Nation until they be in some great disorder and confusion amongst themselves Let us then every one in the way of our several capacities indeavour to make the ambitious despair as soon as we can by establishing so perfect an intelligence
such reproach upon the Protestant Religion in general from the Enemies thereof as if upon obscure notions of faith and fancy it did admit the practice of Christian duties and obedience to be discountenanced and suspended and introduce a Licence in opinions and manners to the prejudice of the Christian Faith And let us all 59. And to strive to advance the Protestant Religion abroad by supporting the Dignity of the be Reformed Church at home endeavour and emulate each other in those endeavours to countenance and advance the Protestant Religion abroad which will be best done by supporting the dignity and Reverence due to the best reformed Protestant Church at home and which being once freed from the Calumnies and reproaches it hath undergone from these late ill times will be the best shelter for those abroad which will by that countenance both be the better protected against their Enemies and be the more easily induced to compose the differences among themselves which give their Enemies more advantage against them 60. No wonder why the â—ing was â—o zealous to Establish the True Protestant Religion before Indulâ—ent Dissenters from it NOW it must not be wondered at that being so zealous as we are saith our Royal Master again to us and by the grace of God shall ever be for the maintenace of the True Protestant His Majesties Declaration to all his loving Subjects Decemb 26. 1662. pag. 7. Religion finding it so shaken not to say overthrown as we did we should give its Establishment the Precedency before Matters of Indulgence to Dissenters from it For it is the great Wall and Bulwark of all the Reformed Churches abroad by this they stand are sheltered and defended and therefore as it were still the better to explain his meaning to us he repeats with enlargement saying We have been zealous to settle the Vniformity of the Church of England in Discipline Ceremony and Government pag. 8. and shall ever constantly maintain it AND whereas according to a former Declaration of the 61. The King Declares Liberty to Tender Consciences King from Breda 14 April 1660. in these words viz. We do declare a Liberty to tender Consciences and that no man shall be disquieted or called in question pag. 3. for differences of Opinion in Matters of Religion which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom and that we shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament as upon mature deliberation shall be offered to us for the full granting that Indulgence SO saith he as for what concerns the Penalties upon those who living peaceably do not conform thereunto i. e. to the Act of Vniformity through scruple and tenderness of misguided conscience but modestly and without scandal perform their Devotions in their own way We shall make it our special care so far forth as in us lies without invading the freedom of Parliament to incline their 62. And Promises to try to incline the Parliament to consent to an Act of Indulgence for that purpose wisdom at this next approaching Sessions to concur with us in the His Majesties Declaration to all his loving Subjects Decemb. 26. 1662. Published by advice of his Privy Council pag. 7. 8. making some such Act for that purpose as may enable us to exercize with a more universal satisfaction for it seems the King did before now remember this Part of his Declaration and was sollicitous for one but he says just before that That Parliament to which those promises were made in relation to an Act never thought fit to offer us any to that purpose I say to exercize with a more universal satisfaction that power of dispencing which we conceive to be inherent in us Nor can we doubt of their chearful cooperating with us in a thing wherein we do conceive our selves so far engaged both in Honour and in what we owe to the Peace of our Dominions which we profess we can never think secure whilst there shall be a colour left to the malicious and disaffected to inflame the minds of so many Multitudes upon the Score of Conscience with despair of ever obtaining any effect of our promises for their ease 63. But the Parliament by no means did think it fit that such persons should have an Iudulgence who would dissent from the Act of Uniformity BUT the Parliament though they did with great joy receive his Majesties Most Gracious Speech wherein they were invited to consider this his above said Declaration did thus humbly give their advice hereupon That it was in no sort advisable that there be any Indulgence to such Persons who presume to Dissent from the Act of Uniformity and the Religion Established for these reasons 64. For several reasons here shewn BECAUSE it is not a Promise in it self but only a Gracious Declaration of your Majesties Intentions to do what in you lay and what a Parliament should advise your Majesty to do and no such advice was ever given or thought fit to be offered nor could it be otherwise understood because there were Laws of Uniformity then in Being which could not be dispensed with but by Act of Parliament THEY who do pretend aright to that supposed Promise put the right into the hands of their Representatives whom they chuse to serve for them in this Parliament who have passed and your Majesty consented unto the Act of Uniformity If any shall presume to say that a Right to the benefit of this Declaration doth still remain after this Act passed IT tends to Dissolve the very Bonds of Government and to suppose a disability in your Majesty and the Houses of Parliament to make a Law contrary to any part of your Majesties Declaration though both Houses should advise your Majesty to it WE have also considered the nature of the Indulgence proposed with reference to those consequences which must necessarily attend it IT will Establish Schism by a Law and make the whole Government of the Church precarious and the censures of it of no moment or consideration at all IT will no way become the Gravity or Wisdom of a Parliament to pass a Law at one Session for Uniformity and at the next Session the reasons of Uniformity continuing still the same to pass another Law to frustrate or weaken the execution of it IT will expose your Majesty to the restless Importunity of every Sect or Opinion and of every single person also who shall presume to Dissent from the Church of England IT will be a Cause of increasing Sects and Sectaries whose Numbers will weaken the True Protestant Profession so far that it will at least be difficult for it to defend it self against them and which is yet further considerable those Numbers vvhich by being troublesom to the Government find they can arrive to an Indulgence vvill as their Numbers encrease be yet more troublesom that so at length they may arrive to a general Tolleration vvhich your Majesty hath declared against
about eight months after you shall see the King keeps close to the same Text as being that which he can never find in his heart to forget and therefore he may very well begin thus I Ihope need not use many words to perswade you that I am steady in maintaining all the professions and promises I have 126. The King steady to all his professions and promises made you concerning Religion King's Speech to both Houses Monday Octob. 27. 73. pag. 4. and I shall be very ready to give you fresh instances of my zeal for 127. Is ready to give fresh inuances of it preserving the Established Religion and Laws as often as any occasion shall require BY this you cannot but take notice that as to Religion 128. His Majesties heart with those of his people His Majesties heart is with the hearts of his people perfectly with their hearts Lord Chancellors Speech to the same pag. 9. 129. If therefore any thing be wanting to secure Religion all reasonable proposals shall be kindly received AND therefore about three months after that says the King again to his Parliament If there be any thing else which you think King's Speech January 7. 73. pag. 4. wanting to secure Religion there is nothing which you shall reasonably propose but I shall be ready to receive it One would wonder with ones self what can be expected more from a Prince to be said than such a hearty and generous Declaration as this It is delivered with so obliging and so satisfactory an Accent that he whose affections are not raised by that discourse he who cannot acquiesce in the fulness of this Lord Keepers Speech to the same pag. 7 130. He who cannot acquiesce in this assurance will never be prevailed upon by any other expedient assurance he whose heart is not Established by it in such a belief as may entirely dispose him to the service of the Crown will hardly be recovered to a better disposition by any other expedient IS not this an ample demonstration of his willingness to repair the Hedge about our Vineyard and to make it a Fence indeed against all those who are Enemies to the planing of it Who would be glad to see it trodden Id pag. 8. down or rooted up and study how to sapp and undermine our very Foundations THE King calls his Parliament to examine and concur with 131. The King calls his Parliament to examine and to concur with him in the best ways to preserve the Protestant Religion him in the best expedients for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion The Lord Keeper's Speech to both Houses April 13. 1675. pag. 8. and for securing the Establishment of it by a due execution of the Laws HE gives them leave to study and contrive their own assurance and if they think they want any further security if any 132. And will be perswaded by them in all reasonable things thing hath escaped his Majesties care who meditates nothing more than The Lord Keeper's Speech to both Houses January 7. 73. pag. 10. our preservation you see they have free leave to make any reasonable proposition 133. This surely should satisfie all our wiâ—â—es and his gracious promise that he will receive it THIS one would think were a satisfaction equal to all our wishes and that there wanted no more to the improvement of this happiness but the wisdom of the Id ibid. Parliament to use these advantages with a due moderation AND still his Majesty seems to be dissatisfied with himself and that he has not yet done enough for the interest of Religion no he must be further solicitous and importunate his chief design of Assembling his Parliament is again to refresh their memories with it and as he thinks it can never be too much in his thoughts so likewise it can never be too often repeated 134. The Kings chief end in calling the Parliament to think what yet may be wanting to secure Religion by him THE principal end saith he of my calling you now is to know what you His Majesties Speech April 13. 1675. pag. 3 4. think may be yet wanting to the security of Religion and to give my self the satisfaction of having used the utmost of my endeavours 135. And will leave nothing undone to shew his Zeal for it to procure and settle a right and lasting understanding between us I will leave nothing undone that may shew the world my zeal to the Protestant Religion as it is established in the Church of England from which I will never depart AND may he not then very justly begin his next Speech to his Parliament after this manner and say I think I have given sufficient evidence to the World that I have not 136. The King not wanting in his endeavours to establish our Religion and our property been wanting on my part in my endeavours to procure the full satisfaction of Kings Speech June 9. 1675. pag. 3. all my Subjects in the matters of both Religion and property I have not only invited you to those considerations at our first meeting but I have been careful through this whole Session that no concern of my own should divert you from it WELL the next Speech of his Majesty to them is still to provide what they shall think fitting to make us all safe in our Religion And particularly saith he 137. 'T is his particular recommendation to his Parliament to secure the Protestant Religion I recommend to you whatever may Wednes Octo. 13. 1675. The Kings Speech p. 4. tend to the security of the Protestant Religion as it is now established in the Church of England TO that you cannot but plainly take notice that his Majesty hath so often recommended to his Parliament the Considerations of Religion so very often desired them to assist him in his care and protection of it Lord Keepers Speech to the same p. 6. that the defender of the Faith is become 138. The Defender of the faith is the Advocate for it the Advocate for it too and hath left all those without excuse who still remain under any kind of doubts or fear AGAIN does that noble and eloquent Lord thus say speaking to both Houses of Parliament in pag. 8. and 9. WOULD you raise the due estimation and reverence of the Church of England to its just height Would you provide for the safety and establishment of it ALL your Petitions of this kind will be grateful to the King and you may with ease effect this and much more which your great wisdomes will suggest to you WHEN the King met his Parliament after as he himself is there pleas'd to call it a long Prorogation he still keeps up the same language to them as you have heard him speak all along 139. The King stil putting Parliament in mind to make his people happy I am now resolved saith he to
let the world see that it shall not be my fault if The Kings Speech to both Houses Feb. 15. 1679. pag. 1 and 2. they be not happy by your Consultations in Parliament AND how shall the world see this why saith he in the 140. By securing the Protestant Religion to them very next words For I declare my self very plainly to you that I come prepared to give you all the satisfaction and security in the great concerns of the Protestant Religion as it is established in the Church of England that shall reasonably be asked or can consist with Christian prudence TO be sure his Majesty when he said this was sufficiently sensible of what the Lord Chancellor at the same time had in command to say viz. that The Peace of the Church is harder to preserve than the 141. For the Peace of the Church is harder to be preserved than that of the State peace of the State for they who desire Innovations in the State most commonly Lord Chancellors Speech to the same p. 6. begin the attempt upon the Church AND by this means it comes to pass that the peace of 142. Hence it is so oft disturbed by two sorts of persons by mistaken souls and by malicious designing men the Church is so often disturbed not only by these poor mistaken souls who deserve to be pittied but by malicious and designing men who deserve to be punisht And while things continue in this State it cannot be avoided but that the Laws which are necessary to restrain the malicious must and will sometimes disquiet and wound those that are weak Yet the Phanaticks Sectaries and Nonconformists as the 143. How Phanaticks no friends to the established Government Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons then said as they differ in their shapes and species accordingly are more or less dangerous but in this they all agree they are no friends to the established Sir Edward Turnors Speech Tuesday May 14. 1664. pag. 9. Government either in Church or State And if the old Rule hold true Qui Ecclesiae contradicit non est pacificus we have great reason to prevent 144. Therefore was the Bill against Conventicles their growth and to punish their practice Therefore was the Bill then prepared against their frequenting of Conventicles the Seed-plots and Nurseries of their Opinions under pretence of Religious Worship BUT yet by such Bill no man is hindered the use of his own Judgement in the exercise of Religion by himself or in his own Family or in the presence of 145. But by it none are hindred the use of their own Judgement in their families four strangers but because the peace Sir Edward Turnors Speech to the King Monday April 11. 1670. Vpon the Parliaments adjournment p. 5. of the Nation may be endangered by more populous meetings contrary to the Liturgy and practice of the Church of England therefore from a prudent prospect of such a destructive inconvenience to the weal of the State did the Parliament prepare such a Cautionary prevention AND yet for all this their great care and wisdom 't is somewhat an unpleasant observation to see how slow many inferiour Magistrates are in the 146. How slow the inferiour Officers are in this to discharge their duty discharge of this part of their duty Lord Keepers Speech to both Houses April 13. 75. p. 11 12. which refers to the safety of the Church against the Enemies on both sides of it the Papists and the Dissenters For this is that which opens men's mouths to object against the Laws themselves This is that which encourages offenders to dispute that 147. This encourages Offenders to dispute Authority and to judg the Laws Authority which they should obey and to judge those Laws by which they ought to be judged They have found a way to make even Justice it self criminal by giving it a hard name and calling it persecution IT is no doubt a duty which we owe to God and to our 148. It is the duty of us all to improve the opportunities God gives us to fence our Vineyard selves to the present Age and to posterity to improve the opportunities God gives us of fencing Lord Chan. Speech Thursd May 23. 1668. p. 13 14. our Vineyard and making the hedge about it as strong as we can And therefore goes the Lord Chancellor on saying The King hath commanded me to tell you i. e the Parliament that he is ready to concur with you in any thing of this kind which shall be found wanting and which the Christian Prudence and Justice of a Parliament can propose as expedient LET not any then give themselves up to complain of the danger 149. Let none complain of the dangers of Religion of Religion for fear lest they should and that too justly too be thought to complain only for complaining sake id ibid. FOR what can possibly be said to satisfie any people as to 150. What more can be said to satisfie the people of the security of the Protestant Religion than what the King hath said to his Parliament the security of the Protestant Religion than what the King said to his Parliament When he gave them all his most hearty thanks for the great and extraordinary care they had already taken and still did continue to shew for the safety and preservation of his Royal Person in these times of danger NOR saith he do I think it enough to give you my thanks only but I hold my self obliged to let you see withall that I do as much study your preservation too as I can possibly and that I am as ready to joyn with you in all the ways and means that 151. Our own hearts can't with for more than what he is ready to do for us that way may establish a firm security of the The Kings Speech to both Houses Nov. 9. 78. p. 3 4. Protestant Religion as your own hearts can wish AND this not only during my time of which I am 152. He would secure it to us for ever sure you have no fear but in all future ages even to the end of the world HE proceeds in the next Speech to give them a further demonstration of his Zeal and he saith I meet you here with the most earnest desire that Man can have to unite the minds of all my Subjects both to me and to one another and I resolve it shall be your faults if the success be not suitable to my desires I have done many great things already in order to that end as the Exclusion of the Popish Lords from their Seats in Parliament 153. He has excluded the Popish Lords the House c. And above all I have commanded His Majesties Speech to both Houses on Thursday March 6. p. 3 4. my Brother to absent himself from me because I would not leave 154. Commanded his Brother to absent
he hath lately received Information of Designes against his own Life by the Jesuites And though he doth in no sort prejudge the Persons accused yet the strict enquiry into 54. This is a Plot of the Jesuits this matter hath been a means to discover so many other unwarrantable practices of theirs that his Majesty hath reason to look 55. But the King will look to them to them NOR are these kinde of men the onely Factors for Rome 56. Lay-persons too are agitators to promote the Interests of a forrein Religion but there are found among the Laity also some who have made themselves Agitators to promote the Interests of a Forreign Religion who meddle with matters of State and Parliament and carry on their designes by a most dangerous Correspondency with Forreign Nations WHAT kinde of Process the Proof will bear and to how high a degree the Extent and Nature of these Crimes will rise is under consideration and will be fully left to the course of Law ALAS it is the professed and avowed principle of these 57. 'T is the principles of such men to kill Kings rather sooner than other men sort of men not to distinguish between the King and another man nay to kill him sooner than any other man and yet the King's Mercy hath been no less obstinate than their Malice and Wickedness few persons have suffered and he hath restrained the Law from being severe to many who at the same time continue their This was spoken by the Lord Chancellor May 8. 1661. of those Traitors that went arm'd through the City but it may justly be applied to these of this damnable Popish Plot. Guilt and undervalue his Compassion There hath not been a Week 58. Scarce since the Plot was first found out a week has been free without some fresh Conspiracies since the first breaking out of this Jesuitical Plot in which there have not been fresh Combinations and Conspiracies formed against his Person and against the Peace of the Kingdom And yet upon all these Alarms and the interception of such Letters as would in all other Countries have 59. Which in other Countries would have produc'd the Rack here the Offenders are tryed by the precise Forms and Rules of Law produced the Rack for further Discoveries he hath left the Offenders to his Judges of the Law and those Judges to the precise Forms and ordinary Rules of the Law HOW hath his Majesty invited all persons even those that are criminal to the highest degree of guilt upon his gracious promises of Pardon nay and of reward too if they would but in the prescribed times lay hold of the Scepter of his Grace to come in and make their ingenuous confessions to him and his Council of this Damnable and Hellish Designe against both his Royal Person and these his Kingdoms yet how obstinately have they withstood all the tenders of his Proclamations that have been so unspeakably to their own benefit and have chosen Death rather than Life as if they were resolutely bent to out-go all his infinite Kindnesses by the most cruel revenge upon themselves So that very well what was said of Caesar might here be spoken of his Majesty that libentius vitam Victor jam daret quà m victi acciperent WELL but to proceed The Parliament having shewed 60. When the Parliament had shewed their great care for the Kings preservation he could not satisfie himself but must heartily thank them their great and extraordinary care for the safety and preservation of his Majesties Person in these times of danger the King as he saith there could not satisfie himself without coming thither on purpose King's Speech to both Houses Saturday Nov. 9. p. 3 4. to give them all his most hearty thanks for it NOR do I think it enough to give you my Thanks onely but I hold my self obliged to let you see withal that I do as much study your preservation too as I can possibly and 61. But not onely so he studies as much our preservation as they did his and will joyn with them in all the ways that may establish the Protestant Religion that I am as ready to joyn with you in all the ways and means that may establish a firm security of the Protestant Religion as your own hearts can wish AND this not onely during my time of which I am sure you have no fear but in all future ages even to the end of the world AND therefore I am come to assure you that whatsoever reasonable Bills you shall present to pass into Laws to make you safe in the Reign of any Successor so as they tend not to impeach the right of Succession nor the descent of the Crown in the true Line and so as they restrain not my Power 62. And that not only now but for future ages nor the just Rights of any Protestant Successor shall finde from me a ready Concurrence AND I desire you withal to think of some more effectual 63. And therefore he tells them all reasonable Bills shall find from him a ready concurrence means for the Conviction of Popish Recusants and to expedite your Councils as fast as you can that the World may see our Vnanimity and that I may have the opportunity of shewing you how ready I am to do any thing that may give comfort and satisfaction to such dutiful and Loyal Subjects 64. And he desires them to think of some more effectual way to convict Popish Recusants c. HE meets his new Parliament in March and then he tells them what he hath been doing since the Dissolution of the other to gain the hearts of all his people saith he My Lords and Gentlemen I meet you here with the most earnest desire that Man can have to unite the minds of all my Subjects both to me and to one another and I resolve it shall be your faults if the success be not suitable 65. He hath excluded the Popish Lords from their Seats in Parliament he hath executed several men and hath not been idle in prosecuting the discovery of the Plot. The Kings Sp. on Thursday 6 March 1678 9. p. 3 4. to my desires I have done many great things already in order to that end as the Exclusion of the Popish Lords from their Seats in Parliament the execution of several men both upon the score of the Plot and of the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey and it is apparent that I have not been idle in prosecuting the discovery of both as much further as hath been possible in so short a time AND above all I have commanded my Brother to absent himself from me because I would not leave the most malitious 66. He also commanded the absence of the D. of York men room to say I had not removed all causes which could be pretended to influence me towards Popish Councels I shall not cease my endeavours daily 67.
distracted with Jealousies incurable gratifie the Papists in the revenge they wish for this Discovery if they could see us distracted with Jealousies incurable and distrusting the Government to such a degree as should weaken all that Reverence by which it stands for then the Plot would not be altogether without effect but those whom they could not destroy by their Conspiracie they should have the satisfaction to see ruining themselves after the Discoverie So 85. This would make them see us ruining our selves that though we had escap'd that Desolation which they intended to have brought upon us nothing could save us from that Destruction which we should bring upon our selves Id. p. 13. BUT their expectations of this are as vain as their other 86. But these their expectations are vain designes were wicked for his Majestie hath already begun to let them see with what severity he intends to proceed against 87. For his Majesty hath let them see with what severity he will proceed against them them he hath passed a Law to disable all the Nobilitie and Gentrie of that Faction ever to sit in Parliament and not content with that he did offer to the last Parliament and doth again renew the same Offer to this Parliament to pass any further Laws against Poperie which shall be desired so 88. And that he will pass any further Laws against Popery so as they do not intrench on Prerogative alter the Descent of the Crown in the right Line nor defeat the Succession as the same extend not to the diminution of his own Prerogative nor to alter the descent of the Crown in the right Line nor to defeat the Succession He hath refused the Petition of the Lords who during the interval of Parliament desired to be brought to their Tryal and after so long an imprisonment might reasonably enough have expected it But his Majestie thought it fitter to reserve them to a more publick and conspicuous Tryal in Parliament Ibid. BUT that which the King hath been pleased to mention to you this morning surpasses all the rest and is sufficient of it self alone to discharge all those Fears of Popish Influences 89. He hath parted with his Brother the D. of Y. which many good men had too far entertained For now You see his Majestie of his own accord hath done that which would have been very difficult for You to ask and hath deprived himself of the Conversation of his Royal Brother by commanding him to depart the Kingdom to which Command his Royal Highness hath paid a most humble and a most entire 90. And he that could do this sure now hath no Favourite but his People submission and obedience This Separation was attended with a more than ordinary Sorrow on both sides But he that for your sakes could part with such a Brother and such a Friend you may be sure hath now no Favourite but his People Since therefore his Majestie hath shewn so much readiness to concur with and in a manner to prevent the desires of his Parliament 't is a miserable Refuge our Enemies trust to when they hope to see our Zeal out-run our Discretion and that we our selves should become the unhappy Occasion of making our own Councels abortive AND now that I may come to the highest step of all and 91. Now 't is not enough that our Religion be safe during onely his Reign but he will so well secure it to us that no after-Succession shall be able in the least to alter it shew you what his Majesty once more had commanded his Chancellor to declare unto his Parliament saith he His Majesty hath considered with himself that 't is not enough that your Religion and Liberty is secure during his own Reign but he thinks he owes it to his People to do all that in him lies that these blessings may be transmitted to your Posterity and so well secured to them that no Succession in after-Ages may be able to work the least Alteration And therefore his Majesty who hath often said in L. Chanc. Speech to both Houses 30 Apr. 79. p. 5 6 7. 92. And therefore that no Papist may make any change either in Church or State 1. a Popish from a Protestant Successor is to be distinguished and then to circumscribe his Authority thus Parliament That he is ready to consent to any Laws of this kind so as the same extend not to alter the descent of the Crown in the right Line nor to defeat the Succession hath now commanded this to be further explained AND to the end it may never be in the power of any Papist if the Crown descend upon him to make any Change either in Church or State his Majesty is willing that provision may be made first to distinguish a Popish from a Protestant Successor then so to limit and to circumscribe the Authority of a Popish Successor in these cases following that he may be 93. No Popish Successor to present to Ecclesiastical Benefices disabled to do any harm First IN reference to the Church his Majesty is content that care be taken that all Ecclesiastical and Spiritual Benefices 94. As already no Papist can sit in Parliament so there shall never want a Parl. when the K. shall happen to die but that then in being shall continue indissoluble for a competent time or if there be no Parl. then the last Parl. to reassemble c. and Promotions in the Gift of the Crown may be conferred in such a manner that we may be sure the Incumbents shall always be of the most pious and learned Protestants and that no Popish Successor while he continues so may have any power to controul such Presentments IN reference to the State and civil part of the Government as it is already provided that no Papist can sit in either House of Parliament so the King is pleased that it be provided too that there may never want a Parliament when the King shall happen to die but that the Parliament then in being may continue Indissoluble for a competent time or if there be no Parliament in being then the last Parliament which was in being before that time may re-assemble and sit a competent time 95. During such a Popish Successor's Reign no Privy Counsellors nor Judges shall be put in or displaced without any new Summons or Elections AND as no Papist can by Law hold any place of Trust so the King is content that it may be further provided that no Lords or others of the Privy Council no Judges of the Common Law or in Chancery shall at any time during the Reign of any Popish Successor be put in or displaced but by Authority of Parliament And that care also be taken that none but sincere Protestants may be Justices of Peace IN reference to the Military part the King is willing that 96. No Lord-Lieutenant or Deputy-Lieutenant nor Officer in the Navy to
Laws in full force and power and hath not 32. Our Safety most consists in being govern'd by Law Justice been equally and impartially administred to all ever since the happy Restoration of the King LET There be then no Complaining in our Streets no Murmurings 33. And if our Civil Rights can be yet made more firm to us the King's Heart is full of gracious Intentions for our general Satisfaction in our Borders if we have not Laws enough to secure and please us if we think our Liberties and Civil Rights can be yet more firmly established to us then let us lay down our just Necessities before him Who saith God knows Our Heart is full of Gracious Intentions The King's Declaration to all his Loving Subjects Dec. 26. 1662. pag. 13. not only for the Plenty and Prosperity but for the Vniversal Satisfaction of the Nation And no doubt but he will concur with us in all things which may advance our Peace and preserve our Just Rights to us THIS We may stedfastly believe when he assures his Parliament 34. For nothing can be reasonably proposed but he will readily receive That If there be any thing you think wanting to secure Property there is nothing The King's speech Jan. 7. 1671 4. pag. 4. which you shall reasonably propose but I shall be ready to receive it THEREFORE Be but pleased your selves 35. Therefore being pleased our selves he is best pleased and perswade others to be so contrive all the ways â—â—e Lord Chanâ—â—llor's Speech â—eptemb 13. â—â—60 pag. 23. imaginable for your own Happiness and you will make him the best pleased and the most happy Prince in the World NOW nothing recommends the present Age 36. Nothing so much recommends the present Age as the good Laws made in it unto Posterity so much as the Wisdom and the The Lord Keepers Speech Apr. 13. 1675. p. 15. Temper of the Laws that are made in it for all succeeding Ages judge of our Laws as we do of our Ancestors by the true and unerring Rule of Experience IN Making of Laws therefore it will import us to consider that too many Laws are a Snare for Id. ibid. 37. But too many Laws are a Snare Mr. Grivel in 35 Eliz. said in Parliament as Sir Robert Filmer reports it in his Freeholders Grand Inquest he wished not the making of many Laws since the more we make the less Liberty we have our selves Her Majesty not being bound by them 38. Too few a Weakness in the Government pag. 49 50. too few are a weakness in the Government too gentle are seldom obeyed too severe are as seldom executed And Sanguinary Laws are for the most part either the Cause 39. And Sanguinary Laws either the Cause or Effect of a Distemper in the State or the Effect of a Distemper in the State TO establish this State there seems not to need Id. ibid. many new Laws some will always be wanting And therefore saith the King to his Parliament in his Speech before this of my Lord Chancellor's The principal End of my Calling you now is to know what The King's Speech Apr. 13. 1675. pag. 3. 40. Some Laws will always be wanting you think may be yet wanting to the Security of Religion and Property THIS Speech of the King 's as my Lord Chancellor says very 41. Therefore the King calls his Parliament to know what is wanting truly Was in order to unite the Hearts of his The Lord Chancellor's Speech Apr. 13. 1675. pag. 8. Parliament and People to himself by all the Emanations of Grace and Goodness that from a great and generous Prince can be expected And here 42. And this in order to unite the Hearts of both Parliament and People to him The King is pleased to add the Consideration of your Id. ibid. Liberties and Properties And while he does so you may be sure that he who is so careful of your Rights will be mindful of his own too for he that does Justice to all can never be wanting to himself AND Saith the King about two Months after I think I 43. And he that is so careful of our Rights sure ought to mind his own have given sufficient Evidence to the World that I have not been wanting on my part The King's Speech to both Houses Jun. 9. 1675. pag. 3. in my Endeavours to procure the full Satisfaction of all my Subjects in the matters 44. The King not wanting in his endeavours to have all his people satisfied in matters both of Religion and Property both of Religion and Property I have not only invited you to those Considerations at our first Meeting but I have been careful through this whole Session that no Concern of my own should divert you from them RELIGION and Liberty stand secured by The Lord Keepers Speech Jan. 7. 1673 4. p. 19. the most Sacred Ties that are Nay the King 45 45 He invited his Parliament to those Considerations not only at first but all along 46 46 Religion and Liberty secured by the most sacred Ties that are 47 47 The King's Interest to prefer both greater than ours hath a greater Interest in the preservation of both than you your selves for as Religion the Protestant Religion commands your indispensable Obedience so it is a just and lawful Liberty which sweetens that Command and endears it to you DOTH not every man see that the King hath 48. The King hath given new life and motion to Laws given new Life and Motion to such Laws as were The Lord Keeper's Speech Jan. 7. 1673 4. pag. 19. long dead or fast asleep HATH he not commanded a rigorous and severe Prosecution at Law of all the Officers and Soldiers in His 49. All Officers and Soldiers severely to be prosecuted when they misbehave themselves Majesty's ordinary Guards when they mis-behave themselves towards the meanest Subject And doth not this secure your Properties ARE not all the Priviledges from Arrests which were claimed by His Majesty's Servants extraordinary Id. ibid. who are very numerous abrogated And doth not this 50. All Priviledges of Arrests claimed by any of the King's Servants abrogated prevent the Delays and Obstructions of Justice THESE are not single and transient Acts but such Acts as flow from Habits These are not Leaves Id. ibid. and Blossoms but true solid and lasting Fruits Long long may that Royal Tree Live and Flourish upon which these Fruits 51. These not single and transient Acts but such as flow from Habits do grow BUT the King doth not think this yet sufficient but he will go further on and give us new Assurances that nothing can be more welcome to him than the receiving of such Bills from his Parliament as may truly tend to the Happiness and Ease of his 52. The King ready to gratifie his People in further securing
wholly employed upon the Publick and not taken up by such Considerations as are less meritorious 68. And a little time serves to make many excellent Laws if that time be wholly employed on the Publick IF therefore there be any without Doors that labour to disunite your Counsels or to render them ineffectual if they can hope that the occasions for this may arise from some difference within your selves or hope by those differences to disguise their own Disaffections to your good Proceedings it is in your power to defeat those hopes to pull off this Disguise and to secure 69. Therefore let none be able to disunite our great Councils a happy Conclusion of this Meeting by studying to preserve a good Correspondence and by a careful avoiding of all such Questions as are apt to engender Strife AND if ever there were a time when the Gravity and the Counsel the Wisdom and the good Temper of a Parliament 70 70 For it is in their power to preserve a good Correspondence 71 71 If ever a Parliament had need to be Grave and Temperate it is now were necessary to support that Government which only can support these Assemblies certainly this is the Hour YOU see with what Zeal the King hath recommended to 72. The King's Zeal to recommend a good Agreement among them you a good Agreement between your selves and that he doth it with all the Care and Compassion all the Earnestness and Importunity fit for so great a Prince to express who would be very sorry that any such misfortune as your Disagreement should either deprive him of your Advice and Assistance or 73. For the contrary would deprive him of their good Advice and Assistance and the people of good Laws his People of those good Laws which he is ready to grant you There is no other way our Enemies can think of by which it is possible for this Session to miscarry for Fears and Jealousies cannot enter here Calumnies and Slanders will find no place amongst wise and good Men. THEY that use these Arts abroad will quickly be discredited when the World shall see the Generous Effects of your Confidence 74. This the only way our Enemies can think of to make us miscarry Men will despair of attempting any Disturbance in the State when they see every step that tends that way serves only to give you fresh occasion to testifie your Loyalty and your Zeal 75. But Men will despair of attempting any disturbance in the State when they see the Parliament united YOU have all the reason in the World to make Men see this for you have the same Monarchy to assert the same Church to defend the same Interests of Nobility and Gentry to maintain the same excellent King to contend for and the same Enemies to contend against AND now you shall hear what my Lord Chancellor had to say to the Parliament concerning this Point He tells them There 76. And they have all the reason in the World to be so is little cause to be jealous of our Liberties and Properties nor do they believe themselves who pretend The Lord Chancellor's Speech Thursd May 23. 1678. pag. 14 15. to be afraid of either Can there be a greater Evidence of the moderation of a Prince and his 77. Little cause to be jealous of our Liberties and Properties tenderness of the Liberty of the Subject than to suffer as he does every day so much Licentious and Malitious Talk to pass unpunished If there be not any one instance to be 78. For who else would suffer such malicious Talkers to go unpunished found in a whole Reign of a Man that hath suffered against Law and but very few Examples of those that have suffered by it shall we endure them that dare say in Coffee-houses and in other publick places that the Nation is enslaved LET it be lawful to provoke and challenge the most discontented and the most unsatisfied Spirit in the Kingdom to shew 79. One may challenge the most discontented Spirits in the Kingdom to shew when there were less Grievances or less cause of Complaint than now that time if he can since the World began and this Nation was first inhabited wherein there were fewer Grievances or less cause of Complaint than there is at this present Nay give him scope enough and let him search all Ages and all places of the World and tell us if he can when and where there was ever found a happier People than we are at this day AND if Malice it self ought to blush when it makes this Comparison what strange Ingratitude both to God and Man are they guilty of who behave themselves so as if they could 80 80 Nay search all Ages and places of the World and none more happy than we are 81 81 Therefore how ungrateful both to God and Man are they who are ill at ease under so temperate a Government be ill at ease under so temperate a Government AND the King as if all he had hitherto spoken did not seem enough to him for the satisfaction of his People makes one apvance 82. The King declares he will with his Life defend the Laws of this Kingdom higher yet and says to his Parliament I do give you this Assurance that I will with my Life defend the Laws of this Kingdom and may The King's Speech Thursd March 6. 1678 9. pag. 7. he not then let us in cool Blood consider justly go on thus to them I do expect from you to be defended from the Calumny as well as danger of those 83. Therefore let us defend him from the Calumny of those who would render him and the Government odious to the People worst of Men who endeavour to render me and my Government odious to my People THAT there are such and especially at this time it is too notorious and if due Care and Circumspection be not taken they will quickly be in no small hopes to raise a Storm that nothing shall be able to allay SUCH are they who are industriously active in improving Fears and Jealousies among the Populace and in nourishing all 84. It is too notorious that there are such the base Suspicions which they can devise THESE should diligently be looked after who with their Ill meant distinctions between the Court and the 85. And they are those that improve Fears and Jealousies Country between the Natural and the Politick Capacity The Lord Chancellor's Speech Feb. 15. 1676 7. pag. 15 16. go about to perswade others that these are two several Interests 86. they have ill meant distinctions between the Court and the Country between the Natural and the Politick Capacity BUT saith the Lord Chancellor immediately after let such Men have a care of that Precipice to which such Principles may lead them for the first Men that ever began to distinguish of their Duty never left off
till they had quite distinguished themselves out of all their Allegiance AND I wish with all my heart that That known Truth of my Lord Keeper's was imprinted into the hearts of all His Majesty's Subjects and which I am sure would keep us then within the 87. But let such have a care of a Precipice decent Bounds of our Loyalty and Obedience to him That there is no distinct Interest between the King and his People but the Good of one is the Good 88. There is no distinct interest between the King and his People The Lord Keeper's Speech Octob. 10. 1667. pag. 8. of both AND for the publick Good the King will give no intermission to his own thoughts Away The Lord Chancellor's Speech Sept. 13. 1660. pag. 18. then with all the vain Imaginations of those who labour 89. For the Publick Good the King will give his thoughts no Intermission to infuse a misbelief of the Government WE that have the happiness to live under so excellent The Lord Chancellor's Speech Feb. 15. 1676 7. pag. 15. a Monarchy so admirable a Constitution and Temper of Government we that remember what the want of this Government cost us and the miserable Desolations which attended it have all 90. We that have the happiness to live under so temperate a Government have all the Motives that can be to secure the Interests of it Id. pag. 14. the Motives and are under all the Obligations that can be to secure and advance the Interest of it THE King on his part as the Lord Chancellor 91. The King meets his Parliament with an open and full heart and is resolved to glad the hearts of his People by all things he is able to do for them admirably well speaks to both Houses of Parliament Id. Ibid. meets you with so open and so full a heart and is so absolutely resolved and determined to do all that in him lies to glad the hearts of his People that it must be the strangest infelicity in the World if either he or his Subjects should meet with any disappointments here FOR the King hath no desires but what are publick no Ends or Aims which terminate in himself Id. pag. 15. all his Endeavours are so entirely bent upon the Welfare of all 92. The King hath no desires but what are publick all his endeavours are for the Welfare of his People his Dominions that he doth not think any Man a good Subject who doth not heartily love his Country and therefore let no Man pass for a good Patriot who doth not as heartily love and serve his Prince PRIVATE Men indeed are subject to be misled by private Interests and may entertain some vain Ibid. and slender hopes of surviving the Misfortunes of the Publick 93. And he thinks none good Subjects who do not heartily love their Country but a Prince is sure to fall with it and therefore can never have any Interests divided from it TO live and die with the King is the highest Profession a Subject can make and sometimes it is Ibid. a Profession only and no more but in a King it is an absolute 94. Private Men may be misled by private Interests Necessity 't is a Fate inevitable that he must live and die with his People To be sure then the King will do any reasonable thing to cherish and maintain the Rights and Interests of his People since by 95. But a Prince is sure to fall with his People that means he knows he does the more firmly establish himself in all their Affections and that he hath always accounted his Best Security He hath said it himself in a Letter to his Parliament in Scotland assembled October 19. 1669. pag. 2. That By the 96. For it is an absolute necessity in a King to live and die with them Vnion of the Hearts and Hands of our People our Throne shall be strengthened and they have Peace and Love setled amongst them for ever AND in his Declaration to all his Loving Subjects two Years after his happy Restoration to us saith he We are very sure 97. By the Union of the People's Hearts and Hands the Throne is strengthened that what Guards soever may be found necessary for us to continue as in former times Decemb. 26. 1662. pag. 6 7. for the Dignity and Honour of our Crown the sole Strength and Security we shall ever conside in shall be the Hearts and Affections of our Subjects 98. Therefore the sole Strength and Security the King shall confide in shall be the hearts of his Subjects endeared and confirmed to him by the steady Government according to Law indeared and confirmed to us by our Gracious and steady manner of Government according to the Antient known Laws of the Land there being not any one of our Subjects who doth more from his Heart abhor than we our selves all sorts of Military and Arbitrary Rules HERE you see is Liberty and Property assured to you upon 99. Here is Liberty and Property assured to us upon the Word of a King the Word of a King for no Government is so dear to him as that which is upheld by the Ancient Laws of his Ancestors And as there is Nothing in the World which ought to be held so Sacred and Inviolable among Kings and Soveraigns as the true and exact Observation of their Words so this His Majesty very well knew and this it was that made him say I do value my 100. Who values himself much on keeping his Word self much upon keeping my Word upon The King's Speech at the Opening of the Parliament May 8. 1661. pag. 1. making good whatsoever I promise to my Subjects WHAT Reason then is there for so strange a 101. What reason then for any distrust Diffidence and Distrust which like a general Infection begins to spread it self into almost all the The Lord Chancellor's Speech Feb. 15. 1676 7. pag. 11. Corners of the Land Arbitrary Rule and Government you find the King can no more endure to think of than you your selves He tells you It is that which his Soul abhors perfectly abhors 102. What the King hath thus freely spoken surely he will as fully maintain and justifie and therefore consequently it must be that which you are never likely to see him take up THIS methinks should confirm our Faith and make us confident that what the King hath freely spoken he will as fully maintain and justifie LET us then readily and unanimously give to the King our 103. Let us then give the King our hearts who is always opening his arms to us Hearts Who is continually opening and stretching his Arms to all who are worthy to be his Subjects The Lord Chancellor's Speech Thurs Sep. 13. 1660. pag. 11. worthy to be thought English Men. How would he extend his Heart with a pious and a grateful Joy
to them You know how our Soveraign Lord 147. How he gave more Money to the People than he hath received from them the King found the Crown at his blessed Return to The Lord Chancellor's Speech to the same p. 12 it You can tell the World that as soon as he came hither besides the infinite that he forgave he gave more Money to the People than he hath since received from them That at least two parts of three that they have since given 148. How the Moneys have been laid out that were given him him have issued for the disbanding Armies never raised by him and for payment of Fleets never sent out by him and of Debts never incurred by him AND after a great deal more of much what to the same purpose 149. The Charge the Crown is at both by Sea and Land for our Peace and Security may he not very well go on and say You may with a very good Conscience assure your selves and your Friends and Neighbours that the charge the Crown Id. pag. 13. is now at by Sea and Land for the Peace and Security and Wealth and Honour of the Nation amounts to no less than eight 150. God in giving us this King hath given us the most chearful Giver that hath given us all we have asked all he hath to give hundred thousand Pounds a Year all which did not cost the Crown before these Troubles fourscore thousand Pounds the Year and therefore they will never blame you for any Supply you have given or Addition you have made to the Revenue of the Crown FOR Besides all other Stupendious Blessings that God Almighty hath conferred upon us he hath Id. pag. 20. in this our King given us the most chearful Giver that ever 151. He only retains what we give him for our sakes that we might be the better by it People have been blessed with A King that hath with all imaginable chearfulness given us all we have asked of him all he hath to give who would not take or retain any thing we give to him but for our own sakes that by receiving and retaining it he may give it to us again in more abundance in abundance of Peace and Plenty and Honour and all the Comforts which 152. The Greatness of the King is the greatness of the People can make a Nation happy THUS spake that Noble Lord and did we not see the Fruits and Effects of it The Greatness of the King is the Greatness and Safety of his People The Springs The Lord Keeper's Speech Octob. 13. 1675. pag. 7. 153. The King's thanks to the Parliament for their Present to him and Rivers which pay Tribute to the Ocean do not lessen but preserve themselves by that Contribution SAITH the King and oh how full upon every Occasion is his heart of Generous Gratitude when the Parliament 154. The Necessities of the Crown not coming by the King's Improvidence or Ill-Husbandry had presented him with a Money-Bill I thank you for the Present you have made me this Day and I hope your Countries will thank you when The King's Speech to both Houses at their Prorogation Mond July 27. 1663. p. 3 4. you come home for having done it I am not Conscious of having brought the Straights and Necessities I am in upon my self by any 155. Nor would the King have had the Supply if it were not necessary for our Peace and Quiet Improvidence or Ill-Husbandry of my own I know the contrary and I do assure you that I would not have desired or received the Supply you have now given me if it were not absolutely necessary for your Peace and Quiet as well as mine And I must tell you it will do me very little good if I do not improve 156. He will rather impose upon himself than upon his Subjects it by very good Husbandry of my own and by retrenching those very Expences which in many respects may be thought necessary enough But you shall see I will much rather impose upon my self than upon my Subjects 157. Nothing more of publick consideration than to support the Dignity of the Crown And if all Men will follow my Example in retrenching their Expences which it may be they may do with much more Convenience than I can do mine the Kingdom will in a very short time gain what you have given me this day NOTHING is or can be of a more publick The Lord Chancellor's Speech to both Houses Octob. 21. 1678. pag. 16. 158. It is unsafe as well as dishonourable for the King's Revenue to fall short of his most necessary â—pences Consideration than to support the Dignity of the Crown which is in truth the Dignity of the Nation Besides it is unsafe as well as dishonourable that the King's Revenue should fall short of his most necessary and most unavoidable Expences 159. It is fit there should be such a constant growing Revenue as may preserve the Crown from scandalous Wants and Necessities as formerly it lay under WHEN the Parliament like the richest and the noblest Soil a Soil manured and enriched by the bountiful Hearts of the best Subjects in the World had yielded the King two full Harvests in one Year Saith the Chancellor to them on the Day of their Prorogagation You have not only supplied the Crown to a good degree for discharging many Debts and The Lord Chancellor's Speech Monday May 19. 166â— pag. 8 9. Pressures under which it even groaned and enabled it to struggle with the present Straits and Necessities Debts not contracted and Necessities not run into by Improvidence and Excess You may when you please 160. Our late Distractions may be imputed much to the Poverty of the Crown receive such an Account as will clear all such Reproaches But you have wisely very wisely provided such a constant growing Revenue as may with God's Blessing preserve the Crown from those scandalous Wants and Necessities as have heretofore exposed it and the Kingdom to those dismal Miseries as he said 161. The want of Power the effect of want of Money then from which they are but even now Buoyed up For whatsoever other Humane Causes may be assigned according to the several Fancies and Inclinations of Men of our late miserable Distractions they cannot be so reasonably imputed to any one 162. The Militia Bill and the Additional Revenue the Foundation of our Peace and Security Cause as to the extream Poverty of the Crown the want of Power could never have appeared if it had not been for the want of Money AND I am confident both the present and succeeding Ages will bless God and celebrate your Memories for those two Bills of putting the Militia into the King's Hands and supplying the 163. Treasures the Sinews of War and the Bonds of Peace Crown by an Additional Revenue as the Foundation of their Peace Quiet and Security
those Moneys to the ends for which they were presented 175. And upon this Supplying him how doth he thank and assure them that he will make it go as far as he can towards the satisfying of his Debts him saith he I heartily thank you for the Supply you have given me and I assure The King's Speech April 11. 1670. p. 9. you I will make it go as far as I can towards the Satisfying of my Debts THE Lord Chancellor most admirably speaks to both the Houses saying His Majesty is resolved to give his People as much respite from Payments and Taxes as The Lord Chancellor's Speech Feb. 5. 1672 3. pag. 5. the necessity of his Business or their Preservation will permit You see it is only absolute Necessity 176. The King resolved to give his People much respite from Payments and Taxes even as much as ever he could and a Paternal Princely Regard to the Security Peace and Quietness of his People that puts the King at any time to ask a Supply of his Parliament WHEN you consider we are an Island it is not Riches nor Greatness we contend for yet those The Lord Chancellor's Speech Octob. 27. 1673. pag. 8 9. must attend the Success but it is our very Beings are in Question We fight pro aris focis in this War We are no longer Free-men being Islanders and Neighbours if they master us at Sea there is not so Lawful or Commendable a Jealousie in the World as an English Man's of the growing Greatness of any Prince or State at Sea If you permit the Sea our British Wife to be ravished an Eternal Mark of Infamy will stick upon us THE King declares and shall we not believe him 177. The King not in love with War for War's sake that He is very far from being in Love with The King's Speech Jan. 7. 1673 4. pag. 4 5. War for War's sake And as that cannot be well made without a Supply so neither can Peace be had without being in a posture of War Therefore the way to a good Peace is to set out a good Fleet and if after a good Peace should follow saith he yet the Supply 178. The Supply well given and the reason why would be well given And why so perhaps some may be apt to say Why the King gives you a very good reason for goeth he on whatever remains of it I am willing should be appropriated for building more Ships No putting into his Coffers no but all should be disbursed the more to secure us and to keep up the Honour Ease and Happiness of the Nation This is the best Account of our Supply 179. Our Enemies cannot be gratified more than by our denying a Supply our Hearts can wish and there cannot be a higher The Lord Keeper's Speech to the same p. 17. Gratification of our Enemies than to be backward in this point which we are sure shall be so well laid out for us THE Safety and Honour of the State are then best provided for when we keep up the Strength and Reputation of our Fleet. SO the Roman State thought when as the Orator tells us they decreed Non solum praesidii sed etiam The Lord Keeper's Speech Apr. 13. 1675. pag. 14. ornandi Imperii causa Navigandum esse AS for his own Debts saith the King to his Parliament 180. The King's Debts great You know me to be under a great burthen of Debts and how hard a shift I The King's Speech Thurs Feb. 15. 1676 7. pag. 3. am making to pay them off as fast as I can NOW as the Lord Chancellor's Words are Justice 181. And Justice and Honour obliges the King not to forsake them who have assisted him with their Estates for the publick Good and Honour oblige the King not to forsake those who have assisted him with their Estates in the The Lord Chancellor's Speech to the same pag. 10. Defence of the Publick And although the necessary Issues of his Revenue in the many new and chargeable Emergencies of State did for a while postpone their Satisfaction yet His Majesty hath now gone very far in it and hath provided for the Security and Payment of an Immense Sum with such difficulties as none but a Just and Generous Prince would ever have undergone WHEN the King came and told his Houses that We cannot 182. We cannot have less than Ninety Sail of Capital Ships constantly maintained nor less than 30 or 40000 Land-Men have less on our parts than ninety Sail of Capital Ships constantly maintained nor The King's Speech Mond Jan. 28. 167â— â— pag. 5 6. less than thirty or forty thousand Land-Men with their Dependencies to be employed upon our Fleets and elsewhere Now mark how he is pleased to go on And because there shall be no fear of mis-employing what you shall give to these Vses I am contented that such Money be appropriated to those ends 183. And therefore what shall be given to these Uses shall be appropriated to those ends as strictly as we can desire as strictly as you can desire I have given testimony enough of my Care in that kind by the Progress I have made in building the new Ships wherein for the making them more useful I have directed such larger Dimensions as will cost me above one hundred thousand Pounds more than the Act allows I have gone as far as I could in repairing the old Fleet and in buying of necessary Stores for the Navy and Ordnance And so he proceeds giving his Parliament an exact Account how just he hath been in laying out all their Moneys and a great deal more of his own for his People's Good and Welfare ALAS Saith His Majesty in another Speech 184. The King's Revenue under great Anticipations My Revenue is under great Anticipations The King's Speech to both Houses Mond Octob. 21. 1678. pag. 5. and indeed all things conâ—â—dered how can it be otherwise Seeing as the King himself protests it was at the best never equal to the constant 185. Never was equal to the constant and necessary Expence of the Government and necessary Expence of the Government whereof I intend to have the whole State laid before you and require you to look into it and consider of it with that Duty and Affection which I am sure I shall always find from you I think now by all this that has been repeated to you it is evident that there is no real Cause why any fears of our Liberties or Properties should disturb us for what hath the King done himself to secure them to us upon the best and most lasting Foundations How often hath he invited and conjured his Parliament if it be possible to find out more ways to satisfie his People that it is only their Good and a firm Establishment of all their Civil 186. Our Kingdom likely to continue a long time safe and happy
she comes to Solomon to commune with him of all that was in her Heart Great Sir whilst this your Native Country was unworthy of you Foreign Nations were made happy in the Knowledge of your Person your Piety and your Wisdom and now the Lord our God hath brought you home and set you on your Throne your Subjects long to see you WHAT Striving and Rejoycing was there at Id. ibid. 19. What rejoycing at the King 's Landing your first Landing to see our Rising Sun WHAT Striving was there at your Coronation to see the Imperial Crown set upon your Royal Head WHAT Striving hath here lately been in all 20. What at his Coronation the Counties Cities and Burroughs of this Nation Id. Ibid. who should be sent up to hear your Wisdom and confer with 21. What Striving to be Parliament-Men to hear his Wisdom and confer with him there you in Parliament ROYAL Sir These Chosen Worthy Messengers are not come Empty Handed they are laden Id. ibid. they are sent up to you heavy-laden from their several Counties Cities and Burroughs IF the Affections of all English Men can make 22. How Happy Great and Considerable the King may be both at home and abroad by his Parliament you happy if the Riches of this Nation can make Id. pag. 12. you Great if the Strength of this Warlike People can make you Considerable at home and abroad be assured you are the greatest Monarch in the World Give me leave I beseech you to double my words and say it again I wish my Voice could reach to Spain and to the Indies too You are the greatest Monarch in the World HAVING thus at large given you the Speaker's Words as it were in Extasie of a Parliament I shall now return to give you the King 's which you will find full of a tender and endeared Affection to them 23. The King's Aims have been such as were most agreeable to the antient Order of Parliament and he hopes they will reduce the Proceedings to those ancient Rules and Orders AND what have the Aims and Endeavours of the King been but such as he hath Thought most agreeable to the ancient Order of Parliaments And The King's Speech Thursd Septemb. 13. 1660. pag. 5. I hope you will all joyn with me saith he in reducing the Proceedings of Parliaments to the Ancient Rules and Orders of Parliaments the Deviation from which hath done us no good And when they desired a Recess though he had then some Inclination to have made a Session yet upon Id. ibid. the desire and Reasons given by the House of Commons for an Adjournment without a Session he did very willingly depart from that Inclination And did not this testifie a very great Kindness BUT you shall hear more Gracious Words from him saith he three Months after this I will tell you that when 24. When God restored the King he brought along with him an extraordinary Affection for Parliaments God brought me hither I brought with me an extraordinary Affection and Esteem for The King's Speech Decem. 29. 1660. at the Dissolution pag. 3 4. Parliaments I need not tell you how much it is improved by your Carriage towards me You have outdone all the good and obliging Acts of your Predecessors towards the Crown and therefore you cannot but believe my Heart is exceedingly enlarged with the Acknowledgment MANY former Parliaments have had particular Denominations from what they 25. Former Parliaments have had particular Denominations let this be called The Healing and the Blessed Parliament Id. ibid. have done They have been styled Learned and Unlearned and sometimes have had worse Epithits I pray let us all resolve that this be for ever called The HEALING and the BLESSED PARLIAMENT AND in the Absence of a Parliament which he promises shall not be long how he will carry and behave himself he hath been pleased to give us a very open and ingenuous Confession in these his following Words AS I thank you though not enough for what you have done so I have not the least doubt by the Blessing of God but when I shall call the next Parliament which I shall do as soon as you can reasonably expect or desire I shall receive your Thanks for what 26. The King will not more propose any Rule to himself in his Actions and Counsels than what the Parliament is like to think of them I have done since I parted with you For I deal truly with you I shall not more propose any one Rule to my self in my Actions and my Counsels than this What is a PARLIAMENT like to think of this ACTION or this COUNSEL And it shall be want of Vnderstanding in me if it will not bear that Test Id. Ibid. A PARLIAMENT is such an Assembly My Lord Chancellor hath said that for which the 27. The King hath a kind of Reverence for a Parliament The Lord Chancellor's Speech Thursd 13. Septem 1660. pag. 6. King him self hath even a kind of Reverence as well as an extraordinary Kindness IT will very easily appear so if you will mind what the King tells you that He hath caused two Bills to be prepared for you i. e. the new Parliament on the 8th of May at their Opening which are pag. 2. for Confirmation of all that was enacted at our last Meeting AND as the Chancellor said he commends the Dispatch of those to you with some earnestness The Lord Chancellor's Speech May 8. 1661. pag. 8 9 10. The Truth is it is a great part of the Business of this Parliament to celebrate the Memory of the last by confirming or re-enacting all that was done by that Parliament which though it was not called 28. The last Parliament though not called by the King 's Writ yet seems to have been called by God himself by the King 's Writ may be reasonably thought to have been called by God himself upon the Supplication and Prayer of the King and the whole Nation as the only means to restore the Nation to its Happiness to its Self to its Honour and even to its Innocence How glad the King was of it appears by what he writ to them from Breda when he referred more to them than ever was referred to Parliament He referred 29. He refers to them more than ever was referred to Parliament in truth upon the matter all that concerned himself all that concerned Religion all that concerned himself all that concerned Religion all that concerned the Peace and Happiness of the Kingdom to them And to their Honour be it spoken and to their Honour be it ever remembred that the King Religion and the Kingdom have no reason to 30. The Kingdom have no reason to be sorry for it be sorry that so much was intrusted to them nor they to be ashamed of the Discharge of their Trust It would have been a very
unseasonable Scruple in any Man who should have refused to bear his part in the excellent Transactions of that Parliament because he was not called thither by the King 's Writ And it would be a more unreasonable Scruple now in any man after we have all received the Fruit and Benefit of their Counsels and Conclusions when in truth we owe our Orderly and Regular Meeting at this time to their extraordinary Meeting then to their Wisdom in laying hold upon the King's Promises and to the King's Justice in performing all he promised and to the Kingdom 's Submission and Acquiescence in 31. A Parliament is that Foundation which supports the whole Fabrick of our Peace and Security those Promises I say it would be very unseasonable and unreasonable now to endeavour to shake that Foundation which if you will take the King's Judgment supports the whole Fabrick of our Peace and Security He tells you what he shall think of any who goes about to undermine that Foundation which is a Zeal no Prince could be transported with but himself WE use to say and say truly that the King when seated in Parliament is then in the fulness The Lord Chancellor's Speech March 6. 167â— â— pag. 18. 32. The King in Parliament is in the Fulness of his Majesty and Power of his Majesty and Power and shines forth with the brightest Lustre Let no Exhalations from beneath darken or obscure it FOREIGN Nations say and say truly that the King of England in Conjunction with his Parliament Id. ibid. 33. And as great and dreadful a Prince as any in Europe is as great and as dreadful a Prince as any in Europe IT was no less a Consideration you may be sure that made the King thus speak to both his Houses I need 34. No King so beholding to Parliaments as he hath been not tell you how much I love Parliaments The King's Speech to both Houses March 21. 166â— 4. pag. 6 7. Never King was to much beholding to Parliaments as I have been nor 35. The Crown cannot be happy without frequent Parliaments do I think the Crown can ever be happy without frequent Parliaments WHEN upon the King 's desiring the House of Commons to give the Triennial Bill a Reading in their House and upon their ready Obedience to that Request both the Houses presented His Majesty with a Bill entituled An Act for the Assembling and Holding of Parliaments once in three Years at the least And for the Repeal of an Act entituled An Act for the preventing of Inconveniences happening by the long Intermission of Parliaments His Majesty saith to them You will easily believe that I have come very willingly to give my The King's Speech Apr. 5. 1664. pag. 3 4. Assent to this Bill I do thank you very heartily for your so Vnanimous Concurrence in it and for desiring me speedily to finish it And if I understand any thing that concerns the Peace and Security of the Kingdom and the Welfare of my Subjects all which I study more than my Prerogative Indeed I consider my Prerogative only in order to preserving the other every good English Man will thank you for it For the Act you have repealed could only serve to discredit Parliaments to make the Crown Iealous of Parliaments and parliaments of the Crown and perswade Neighbour Princes that England was not Governed under a Monarch It could never have been the occasion of Frequent Parliaments I do promise you I will not be one Hour the less without a Parliament for this Act of Repeal For They are the Great Physicians of the Kingdom and as such can best search into the Distempers of the State and by their good and wholesome Prescriptions if they cannot absolutely bring it to its perfect Health they can at least preserve it in some very good degrees of CONVALESCENCE THIS made His Majesty to desire their Concurrence with him 36. A Parliament is the Great Physician of the Kingdom in his Just and Necessary Severity towards those that were resolved yet to keep up their Factious and Turbulent Spirits against the Peace of the State And though saith he I do very willingly pardon all that is pardoned by 37. Though Clemency be most agreeable to the King's Nature yet he will be severe to the editions dislikers of the Government the Act of Iudemnity yet for the time to The King's Speech to both Houses Aug. 29. 1660. p. 4 5. come the same Discretion and Conscience which disposed me to the Clemency I have expressed which is most agreeable to my Nature will oblige me to all Rigour and Severity how contrary soever it be to my Nature towards those who shall not now acquiesce but continue to manifest their Sedition and dislike of the Government either in Actions or Words And I must conjure you all my Lords 38. And desires the Parliament to concur with him in that just and necessary severity towards such and Gentlemen to concur with me in this just and necessary Severity and that you will in your several Stations be so jealous of the publick Peace and of my particular Honour that you will cause Exemplary Iustice to be done upon those who are guilty of Seditious Speeches or Writings as well as those who break out into Seditious Actions and that you will 39. The traducers of the King's Person are not well affected to Parliaments and the Publick Peace believe those who delight in reproaching and traducing my Person not to be well affected to You and the Publick Peace AND here as they found it most absolutely necessary for the good of the Weal-publick so to do they most readily and most religiously obey'd the Commands of their Sovereign Lord the King So that upon the day of their Dissolution he could not forbear in his Speech thus to deliver himself MY Lords and Gentlemen I will not entertain The King's Speech Decem. 29. 1660. p. 3. you with a long Discourse the sum of all I have to say to you being but to give you thanks very hearty thanks And I assure you I find it a very difficult Work to satisfie my self in my own Expressions of those Thanks Perfunctory Thanks Ordinary Thanks for Ordinary Civilities are easily given but when the Heart is as full as mine is it is a Labour to thank you You have taken great pains to oblige me and therefore it cannot be easie for me to express the sense I have of it THERE cannot be a greater manifestation of The Lord Chancellor's Speech to the same p. 6. 40. The greatest Evidence of the harmony of Affections throughout the Nation is when the King and his Parliament meet with the same alacrity at the Dissolution as at the first Convention an excellent Temper and harmony of Affections throughout the Nation than that the King and his two Houses of Parliament meet with the same Affections and Chearfulness the same Alacrity
50. For the King hath set his Royal heart to do his People good Reason why we may expect it For saith he You have set your Royal heart upon it to do your people good WHAT this next Parliament was in the King's thoughts you will quickly find if you have but a due regard to his own words for saith he to them at their opening I think there are not many 51. And he is sure that there will be a mutual concurrence between him and them in all things that may advance the Nations happiness of you who are not particularly known to me there are very few of whom I have not heard so King's Speech to both Houses 8 May 1661. pag. 2. much good that I am as sure as I can be of any thing that is to come that you will all concur with me and that I shall concur with you in all things which may advance the peace plenty and prosperity of the Nation I shall be exceedingly deceived else SAITH my Lord Chancellor to this Parliament The King hath called you hither by his Writ to assist him with your Information and Advice in the greatest and weightiest affairs of the Kingdom By his Writ which is the Lord Chanc. Speech to the same pag. 7. 52. The King 's Writ is the only good and lawful way for the meeting of a Parliament only good and lawful way to the meeting of a Parliament and the pursuing that Writ the remembring how and why they came together is the only way to bring a happy end to Parliaments WHAT the work of this Parliament was you shall hear him in the same Speech tell them thus My Lords and Gentlemen Though the last Parliament did great and wonderful things 53. And a Parliament have very great things to do indeed as much as in that time they could yet they have left very great things for you to do You are to finish the Structure of which they but laid the Foundation indeed Idem pag. 11. 12. they left some things undone which it may be they thought they had finished the inspection into which things will become your wisdoms YOU need not question but this their care to perform and perfect made his Majesty thus say to his House of Commons I do 54. Never a more Loyal Parliament than that elected in 1661. speak my heart to you when I tell you that I do believe that from the first Institutions of Parliaments to this hour there was never a House of Commons fuller King's Speech to the House of Commons Mar. 1. 1661. pag. 4. of affection and duty to their King than you are to me never any that was more desirous and solicitous to gratifie the King than you are to oblige me never a House of Commons in which there were fewer persons without a full measure of zeal for the honour and welfare of the King and Country than there are in this HOW glad was He to hear they had repealed that Act which 55 By repealing the Act which excluded the Bishops from sitting in the House Parliaments are restored to their primitive Institutions excluded the Bishops from sitting in Parliament because saith he You have thereby restored Parliaments to their primitive Institutions THIS was an effect to be sure of his great kindness and affection to them and this doubtless made him go on as he did saying I hope my Lords and Gentlemen you will in a short 96. To restore Parliaments to their primitive order is to restore them to its primitive veneration with the People which the King wishes they may always have time restore them to the primitive order and gravity of debates and determinations which the license of King's Speech 30 July 1661. pag. 2 3. the late distempered times had so much corrupted which is the only way to restore Parliaments to its primitive veneration with the people which I heartily wish they should always have AND how well they acquitted themselves in all things tending to the happiness of both King and Kingdom Sir Edward Turnor tells his Majesty in these words Since your Majesty did convene the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament they have with unwearied Speakers Speech 30 July 1661. pag. 1. 57. And see how they acted labour consulted for the Service of your Majesty and the good of this Nation VERY justly then might the Lord Chancellor begin his Speech as he did with refreshing their memories with what the King first said to them It is now little more than a year that the King first called you to attend him here at the opening of the Parliament then you may remember he told you that he thought 58. The King was not deceived in his confidence of them there were not many of you who were not particularly known to him that there were very few of whom he had not heard so much good that he was he said as Lord Chanc. Speech 19. May 1662. p. 7. 8. sure as he could be of any thing that was to come that you would all concur with him and that he should concur with you in all things which might advance the peace plenty and prosperity of the Nation His Majesty said he should be exceedingly deceived else IT was a Princely declaration and a rare confidence which could flow from no other Fountain but the sincerity and purity of his own Conscience which admitting no other designs or thoughts into his Royal breast but such as must tend to the unquestionable prosperity and greatness of his people could not but be assured of your full concurrence and co-operation with him It was a happy and a blessed Omen which at the instant 59. This was a happy Omen to defeat those that thought to get advantage by their differences struck a terrour into the hearts of those who promised themselves some advantages from the differences and divisions in your Counsels and hoped from thence to create new troubles and molestations in the Kingdom and God be thanked the King hath been so far from being exceedingly deceived that he doth acknowledge He hath been exceedingly complied with exceedingly gratified in all he hath desired and he hopes he hath not in the least degree disappointed your expectation THEY had so exceedingly gratified him and he had such an extraordinary kindness and affection for them that though he had designed to have Prorogued them four days sooner because of the arrival of the Queen yet for the good of his people who 60. And he was so pleased with them that he staid four days longer than he would have done because their Bills should be perfected are always dear to him he was pleased to condescend to tarry so long until they had fully perfected the work they were about and prepared all their Bills for the Royal assent And there cannot be a more transcendent instance of the King's love and passion for his
people as my Lord Chancellor well observed Id. p. 21. than that he hath staid these four days to take his leave of you and that he might give you this days work all these good Laws hath denied himself so long the enjoying the greatest comfort he is assured of in this World 61. That Parliament satisfied in the King's love to them and in his Judgment that the happiness of the Crown consists in the frequency of Parliaments THE Parliament was so very well satisfied with the King's love to them that Mr. Speaker could not forbear using these expressions at their Prorogation May 7. 1664. We are assured not only of your personal affection to Parliaments but of your Judgment also that the happiness of the Crown consists in the frequency of Parliaments HIS Majestie 's love to Parliaments is yet further evidenced by his love to have good appearances when they meet He having as he saith himself most confidence in full Houses 62. His love to Parliaments further shewn in his love to have full Houses where the well-being of the Church and all other King's Speech Mond Feb. 14. 1669 70. p. 3 interests of the Crown and Nation are best secured AND the King can never doubt his Parliament 63. The King could never doubt such a Parliament a Parliament who in their affection and loyalty to Lord Chanc. Speech Feb. 5. 72 3. p. 10. Id. p. 14 15. their Prince have exceeded all their predecessors a Parliament with whom the King hath many years lived with all the caresses of a happy Marriage Has the King had a Concern You have wedded it Has his Majesty wanted Supplies You have readily chearfully and fully provided for them You have relyed upon the Wisdom and Conduct of his Majesty in all his affairs so that you have never 64. Who never exceeded their bounds attempted to exceed your bounds or to impose upon him whilst the King on the other hand hath made your Counsels the foundations of all his proceedings and hath been so tender of you 65. Their Counsels the foundations of the Kings proceedings that he hath upon his own Revenue and Credit endeavoured to support even Forcign Wars that he might be least uneasie to you or burdensome to his people THEREFORE the King may not only assure himself of your 66. And he hopes that his Parliament will do what they can to beget a mutual confidence between him and his People which may extinguish all fears and jealousies affections to him but from such affections so known and so tried as yours he may expect that you Lord Keeper's Speech Jan. 7. 1673 4. p. 18. should do your endeavours to restore and improve the mutual confidence between him and his people and that you should do it to such a degree that it may recover its full strength and quite extinguish all their fears and jealousies FOR he does not only find himself safe but he 67. His safety and defence in them Lord Keeper's Speech 13 Ap. 1675. p. 21. thinks himself armed too whilst he is attended with such a Nobility such a Gentry as this AND who can wonder then that the King resolves to enter 68. He will therefore wholly relie upon his Parliament and give them whatever yet can be wanting for their good into terms of strictest correspondence with his Parliament to take your Counsel in his most weighty affairs to impart all his Cares to you to acquaint you with Lord Keeper's Speech Wednesd 13 Oct. 1675. p. 5. all his Wants and Necessities to offer you all that can yet be wanting to make you enjoy your selves to establish a right understanding between himself and his three Estates and between the Estates themselves to redress all your just complaints and to put all his Subjects at ease as far as in him lies and can consist with the honour and safety of the Government AND having made all these advances towards you he doubts 69. And doubts not but that they will behave themselves accordingly not but you will behave your selves like those that deserve to be called the King's Friends and that you Id pag. 6. will put him at ease too THE King expects your Advice and your Assistance your 70. This makes him to expect their advice and assistance Advice in matters of the highest deliberation your Assistance in matters of extreme and pressing difficulty YOUR deliberations will chiefly be exercised about those 71. Their deliberations will chiefly be exercised about the things which belong to the Kingdoms peace things which do belong unto your peace the peace of the Church and the peace of the State two considerations of so close a connexion between themselves that in the very original Writ of Summons by vertue of which you Chanc. Speech 15 Febr. 76 7. p. 5 6. sit here they are joyntly recommended to your Counsel and your Care AS to the former the peace of the Church I have handled it at large in my Chapter of Religion and shall not trouble you now with any repetition only I will mind you of this one Paragraph which ought never to be out of your consideration and it is That what Remedies are fit for those that disturb its peace whether 72. All things concerning Religious matters are entirely left to their considerations for the peace of the Church the poor mistaken Souls who deserve to be pitied or the malicious and designing men who deserve to be punished whether the fault be in the Laws or in the Id. p. 6 7. men in the men that should obey or in the men that should execute whether the Cure be a work of time and patience or of zeal and diligence or whether any new expedient can be found to secure the Ship from that Storm which the swelling of two contrary Tides seems to threaten is wholly left to your advice the King hath called you for that end and doubts not but your Counsels will be such as shall tend to safety and to establishment THE peace of the State requires as much of your care and vigilance 73. And so likewise the peace of the State is left to their care too our peace at home and our peace abroad AS for that abroad we are at this time blessed be God for 74. The peace abroad his mercy to us and blessed be the King for his care of us in perfect peace with all the Nations upon Earth such a peace as makes us the Envy of the Christian World and hath enabled us to do our selves right against the Infidels such a peace 75. It is now such a peace as brings with it all the fruits of peace as brings with it all the fruits of peace and deserves not Id. ibid. only our prayers for the continuance of it but our best and most watchful care that nothing may be done on our part to give it an interruption BUT
then we must consider again that our peace abroad will 76. Peace at home not subsist any longer than while we do maintain our peace at home for without this no Kingdom can be able to act in its full strength and without that the Friendship or Id. p. 8. Enmity of any Nation ceases to be considerable to its Neighbours Now 't is a great and a dangerous mistake in those who think 77. They are deceived who think it is peace at home because the Sword is not drawn the peace at home is well enough preserved so long as the Sword is not drawn whereas in truth nothing deserves Id. ibid. the name of peace but Unity Such an Unity as flows from an unshaken trust and confidence between the King and 78. Nothing deserves the name of peace but Unity his people from a due reverence and obedience to his Laws and to his Government from a Religious and an awful care not to remove the ancient Landmarks not to disturb those Constitutions which time and publick convenience hath settled from a 79. What Unity that is to be zeal to preserve the whole frame and order of the Government upon the old foundations and from a perfect detestation and abhorrency of all such as are given to change Whatsoever falls short of this falls short of Peace too Id. ibid. WHEN the Parliament met on the 21. October 1678. after several short Prorogations saith the Chancellor to them How much 80. How much the King relies upon accounts of and thinks himself safe in his Parliament is evident in his not letting them be out of his reach the King relies upon the advice and assistance of his Parliament how necessary he accounts it to him and Lord Chanc. Speech 21 Oct. 78. p. 6. how safe he thinks himself in it is evident by this that he hath not suffered you all this year to be out of his reach but hath continued you from time to time by a succession of little and short Prorogations A Parliament is the great the wise and the powerful Counsel 81. A Parliament the great wise and powerful Counsel â—f thâ— Nation of this Nation from the wisdom of this Counsel the King is sure he shall receive the best advice from Lord Chanc. Speech Thurs 6 March 78 9. p. 9 10. the duty and loyalty of this Assembly he can never want a chearful assistance and the King resolves to meet you all with so much grace and goodness that he hopes this Parliament shall end in no disappointment of any but our Enemies IT may seem strange perhaps to some that his Majesty who 82. The dissolution of the late long Parliament had so long and large an experience of the duty of the last Parliament should now and in this present conjuncture think fit to call a New one but the King hath so equal a confidence in the affections of all his good Subjects that he intends to be acquainted with them all and to have many and frequent Consultations with them and hopes by this means to attain first a true and right understanding of his people and next to that to be rightly understood by them AND as he did dissolve that Parliament which as you may see had done both him and the Nation so many good and profitable services so likewise for very great and weighty Reasons he saw it good and necessary to dissolve his numerous Privy-Councel 83. Dissolution of the Privy-Councel and to constitute such a one as may not only by its number be fit for the consultation and digestion of all business both Domestick and Foreign but also by the choice of them out of 84. And the constituting a new one the several parts this State is composed of may be Declaration which the Chancellor read to the Privy-Councel being caused to meet extraordinarily April 20. 79. pag. 2 3. the best informed in the true Constitutions of it and thereby the most able to Counsel him in all 85. And by their constant advice the King to govern his Kingdom together with the frequent use of his Parliament the Affairs and Interests of this Crown and Nation And by the constant advice of such a Councel his Majesty is resolved hereafter to govern his Kingdoms together with the frequent use of his Great Councel of Parliament which he takes to be the true ancient Constitution of this State and Government NOW for the greater Dignity of this Councel his Majesty resolves 86. Their number limited to that of thirty their number shall be limited to that of thirty And for their greater Authority there shall be fifteen of his Chief Officers who shall 87. Who those thirty shall be be Privy-Counsellors by their Places And for the other fifteen he will choose ten out of the several Ranks of the Nobility and five Commoners of the Realm whose known Abilities Interest and Esteem in the Nation shall render them without all Id. ibid. suspicion of either mistaking or betraying the true Interests of the Kingdom and consequently of advising him ill AT the opening of that Parliament 8 th of May 1661. his Majesty then said Without hearing the advice of my 88. Without the advice of his Privy-Councel he will do nothing of publick importance Privy-Councel as I never did so I never will resolve King's Sp. pag. 6. any thing of publick importance And how much he hath made use of them I need not tell you the whole World is sufficiently sensible And what great use he means to make of this his new Councel you cannot but be abundantly satisfied with his own words to his Parliament which tell you I have made 89. And therefore has chosen such as are worthy and able to advise him choice of such persons as are worthy and able to advise me and am resolved in all my weighty and important King's Sp. April 21. 1679. p. 9. affairs next to the advice of my great Councel in Parliament which I shall very often consult with to be 90. Fresh promises of often consulting with his Parliament advised by this Privy-Councel IT is the duty then of all Parliaments and Councels with unwearied labour to consult for the service of his Majesty and the good 91. The Parliaments and Councels duty of this Nation as I before have hinted how that Parliament did so would in a little time our Fields grow white to Harvest THEN let not needless fears and jealousies possess our minds and because immediately we are not as perhaps we would be let us not be rash in drawing any ill consequences of concluding that we never shall be otherwise THE design was mischievous enough no doubt that made some men a good while since talk of Dissolutions and that then Parliaments were even just expiring when the King himself declared it was as distant from his thoughts as it would have been little to his
Interest it should be so but because the King did Prorogue his Parliament from July 1663. to March 1663 4. some ill-affection'd persons to the peace and quiet of the State and Government would fain have had their seditious whispers credited of their never seeing them to meet again but their malice could not be hid for at the stated day the doors were open and the Houses full saith the King to them My Lords and Gentlemen 92 Whatever peoples surmises be of him the King would not have his Parliament think any thing ill of him as to any disaffection for them You see God be thanked you have met together again at the time appointed and I do assure you I have been so far from ever intending it should be otherwise that I do not know one person who ever wished it should be otherwise Think therefore I pray what good meaning those men could have who from the time of the Prorogation to the day of your meeting have continually whispered and industriously infused into the minds of the people that the Parliament should meet no more that it should either be presently dissolved or so continued by Prorogation that they should be kept without a Parliament I pray watch these whisperers all you can as men 93. He would have his Parliament to watch all those who make it their business to sow jealousies between them and him King's Speech to both Houses Mond 21 Mar. 63 4. pag. 3 4. who use their utmost endeavours to sow Iealousies between you and me and I do promise you they shall not prevail with me and I do promise my self they shall not prevail with you and the truth is we are both concerned they should not and we shall then with God's blessing prevent all the mischief they intend NAY so sensible was the King of this same evil Spirit among some at his receiving of the Parliaments Petition concerning Romish 94. The King extremely angry at those who talk of his resolutions to dissolve his Parliament Priests and Jesuits a year before this that saith he then in his Speech to them I confess my Lords and Gentlemen I have heard of one Iealousie which I will never forgive the Authors of that I had a Iealousie of your affections that I was offended with the Parliament to that degree that I intended King's Speech 1 Apr. 1663. pag. 5. 6. to dissolve it They say men are naturally most 95. Which he saith reflects much upon his understanding angry with those reproaches which reflect upon their understanding which makes them thought weak men truly I should appear a very weak man if I should have any such passion any such purpose No my Lords and Gentlemen I will not 96. For none so much obliged to Parliaments as He was and his love to them shall be proportionable part with you upon those terms never King was so much beholding to a Parliament as I am to you and if my kindness to you and my confidence in you be not proportionable I am behind-hand with you which God willing I will not be AND as he hath laid out very great endeavours that there might not be any mis-understanding between him and his people so in a more peculiar manner hath his Majesty shewn himself industrious in his carefulness to preserve a right correspondence between him and his Parliament and hath been continually engaging them by all the earnest expressions of an affectionate and endearing tenderness to preserve the same towards each other as you shall see from these following instances I am sorry to find that the general temper and affections of 97. The King sorry to find the Nation no better composed the Nation are not so well composed as I hoped they would have been after so signal blessings from God Almighty upon us all and after so great indulgence and condescentions from me towards all Interests There are 98. Many ill persons labour night and day to disturb the publick peace King's Speech 20 Nov. 1661. pag. 4 5. many wicked Instruments still as active as ever who labour night and day to disturb the publick peace and to make all people jealous of each other it will be worthy of your care and vigilance to provide proper remedies 99. Find out fit remedies for such and we shall do well enough for the diseases of that kind and if you find new diseases you must study new remedies Let us not be discouraged if we help one another we shall with God's blessing master all our difficulties And a few lines lower saith he I shall not need to recommend 100. A good correspondence necessary for us all or put you in mind of the good correspondence that ought to be kept between you for the good of your selves and Me and the whole Kingdom and I may tell you it is very necessary for us all You will find whoever doth not love me doth not love you and they who have no Reverence for you have little 101. Who have no reverence for Parliaments have no kindness for the King Kindness for me therefore I pray let us adhere fast to each other and then we shall with the help of God in a short time perswade o oblige all men to that submission and obedience to the Law as may constitute a full measure of happiness to Prince and People and perswade our Neighbours to that esteem and value they have formerly had for us THIS Harmony of tempers is certainly the best way in Humane 102. Harmony of affections between the King and his Parliament the best way to make both Church and State happy foresight to bring down blessiings upon us all and to cause both the Church and the Statc to return to that Vnity Lord Chanc. Sp. 13 Sept. 1660. p. 22. and Vnanimity which will make both King and People as happy as they can hope to be in this World 1660. p. 22. THIS his Majesties adopted Parliament very well understood and therefore behaved themselves accordingly for their hearts were set upon it after so long distractions if it were possible to restore the Nation to its former felicity and this could no way be so well done as by the sweet agreement of their Spirits and their mutual kindnesses and respects each to other THIS as they observed it did the King observe too and by his Chancellor renders them very kind acknowledgments for it Saith that Noble Lord in the same Speech at the very beginning of the next page My Lords and Gentlemen I shall conclude 103. And therefore the Chancellor thanks them as from the King for the good correspondence and respect to each other with the King 's hearty thanks to you not only for what you have done towards him which hath been very signal but for what you have done towards each other for the excellent correspondence you have maintained for the very seasonable deference and condescention you have
had for each other which will restore Parliaments to the veneration they ought to have WHEN there is visible such a harmony of affections and a unity in resolutions to advance the publick service then they who look for troubles at home may despair of their wishes and our Neighbours abroad by seeing all is well at home 104. This will make our Enemies at home to despair and those abroad to have a just honour and esteem for us may have that esteem and value of us as may secure King's Speech to the House of Commons Mar 1. 1661. pag. 5. 7. the Interest and Honour of the Nation and make the happiness of this Kingdom and of this City once more the admiration and envy of the World WELL may the King therefore be solicitous to have this maintained since that the peace and security the honour and the happiness of these Nations is concerned in it This was a consideration 105. And this made the King to desire and conjure his Parliament again to keep a good correspondence together prevailing enough with him to desire and conjure both his Houses to keep a very good correspondence King's Speech to both Houses Mond 21 Mar. 1663 4. p. 8. together that it may not be in the power of any seditious or factious Spirits to make you jealous of each other or either of you jealous of Me till you see me pretend one thing and do another which 106. And not to be jealous of him till they see he pretends one thing and does another which shall never be I am sure you have never yet done trust me it shall be in no bodies power to make me jealous of you AND again saith his Majesty My Lords and Gentlemen I did desire and conjure you at the opening of this Session that you would keep a very good correspondence together that it might not be in the power of any seditious or factious Spirits to make you jealous of each other or either of you jealous of me I must confess to you you have 107. And they have done as his Majesty desired viz kept a very good correspondence towards each other and respect towards him King's Speech to both Houses Tuesd May 17. 1664. p. 3 4 complied very fully with me for which I can never thank you enough You have performed those good respects towards me and kept so very good correspondence towards each other that you have exceedingly disappointed those ill men who both at home and abroad had raised great hopes and expectation of neâ— troubles and confusions This harmony will with God's blessing make us all esteem'd abroad and secure at home ABOUT six years afterwards he comes to them and says One thing I must earnestly recommend to the prudence of hath Houses that you will not suffer any 108. Unity of Minds and Counsels brings happiness both to King and Nation King's Speech Mond 14 Feb. 1669 70. p. 4 5. occasion of difference between your selves to be revived since nothing but the unity of your Minds and Counsels can make this meeting happy either to Me or to the Nation AND on Monday the 11th of April 1670. upon the Adjournment of the Parliament the Speaker thus says to his Majesty By the blessing of God all differences are buried in 109. And they follow'd his Majesties wholsome advice oblivion your Majestie 's happy expedient hath Sir Edw. Turnor's Speech pag. 2. like a strong gale of Wind blown up the Rolling-Sands and filled up all Impressions Vestigia nulla Retrorsum and as your People will universally enjoy the fruit of this happy Union so our united prayers to God shall be that your Majesty may be crowned with the promised blessing Beati pacifici AND when about three years and a half after this the King had heard of some differences in Parliament which his Majesty thought fit to come and put a stop to by an immediate Prorogation how kindly and affectionately did he speak to both his Houses and say My Lords and Gentlemen I need not tell you how unwillingly I call you hither at this time being 110. How unwilling the King was to Prorogue his Parliament though it was to put a stop to some differences then risen enough sensible what advantages my Enemies King's Speech Nov. 4. 1673. p. 3. 4. both abroad and at home will reap by the least appearance of a difference nay being assured they expect more success from such a breach could they procure it than from their Arms. This I say shall whilst I live be my chief endeavour to 111. But it was but a short one that good men should recollect themselves prevent and for that reason I think it necessary to make a short Recess that all good men may recollect themselves against the next meeting AND the January following he tells them most affectionately 112. And therefore Enemies could not hope for a breach between the King and his Parliament from that short Recess When I parted with you last it was but for a little time and with a resolution of meeting suddenly again That alone was enough to satisfie my Friends that they need not fear and my Enemies that they could not hope for King's Speech Jan. 7. 1673 4. pag. 3 4. a Breach between us I then told you that the time of this short Recess should be employed in doing such things as might add to your satisfaction I hope I have 113. For in the mean time the King would do that which should be to their satisfaction done my part towards it and I do now expect you should do your parts too for our Enemies chief hopes are to dis-unite us at home 't is their common discourse and they reckon upon it as their best relief 114. All our Enemies aims are to disunite us My Lords and Gentlemen It is not possible for me to doubt your Affections at any time much less at such a time as this when the evidences of your 115. The King can never doubt the affections of his Parliament Affections are become so necessary to us all THE King hath spoken so fully so excellently well and so like himself that it is almost impossible to shew greater demonstrations of an earnest and tender affection and Lord Chanc. Sp. 5 Febr. 72 3. pag. 5. there is not a word in his Speech that hath not its full weight AND saith he in another The principal end of my calling you now 116. The Kings utmost endeavours to settle a right understanding is to give my self the satisfaction of having used the utmost of my endeavours to procure and settle a right and lasting understanding between us for I must tell you I find the contrary so much laboured and that the pernicious King's Speech Apr. 13. 1675. p. 3 4 designs of ill men have taken so much place under 117. For the contrary is much laboured
Specious pretences that it is high time to be watchful in preventing their contrivances of which it is not the least that they would by all the means they can devise make it unpracticable 118. Speeches abroad of dissolving the long Parliament long before it was any longer to continue this present Parliament for that reason I confess I cannot think such have any good meaning to Me and therefore when I consider how much the greatest part of this Parliament has either themselves or Fathers given me testimony of their affections and loyaltie I should be 119. But the King loth to gratifie such Enemies by parting with such Friends extreme loth to oblige those Enemies by parting with such Friends and they may be assured that none shall be able to recommend themselves to me by any other way than their good Services AND because the Season of the year would not permit any long 120. Therefore again he perswades them to be united in Counsel and Affections to disappoint such expectations Session and he did intend to meet them again in Winter therefore saith he in the mean time I earnestly recommend to you all such a temper and moderation in your proceedings Id. pag 5. 6. as may tend to unite us all in Counsel and Affections and disappoint the expectations of those who can hope only by violent and irregular Motions to prevent the bringing of this Session to an happy conclusion WHAT could be more obligingly spoken by any Prince in the 121. And what can be more World hath he not here laid out himself to unite the hearts of his Parliament and People to himself by all the Emanations of grace and goodness that from a great Lord Keepers Speech to the same p. 8. and generous Prince can be expected HIS Majesty said the Lord Chancellor then has not as yet learned to deny you any thing and he believes your wisdom and moderation is such he never shall he asks of 122. Peace in one another is the way never to be deceived you to be at peace in him as he is in you and he Lord Chanc. Sp. 27 Oct. 1673. p. 9. shall never deceive you NO influences of the Stars no consigurations of the Heavens 123. Nothing to be feared so long as these two Houses concur together and both with the King are to be feared so long as these two Houses stand in a good disposition to each other and both of Lord Keepers Sp. 13 April 1675. p. 17 18 19 c. them in a happy conjunction with their Lord and Soveraign WHY should we doubt it never was discord more unseasonable 124. Discord never more unseasonable Id. p. 18. THEY understand well enough that the best health may be 125. The best health may be destroyed by too much care destroyed by too much care of it an Anxious scrupulous care a care that is always tampering a care that labours so long to purge all ill humours out of the Body that at last Id. ibid. it leaves neither good Bloud nor Spirits behind WHO doth not see that there are in all Governments difficulties 126. Difficulties more than enough in all Governments more than enough though they meet with no intestine divisions difficulties of such a Nature that the united endeavours of the State can hardly struggle Id. p. 19. with but after all is done that can be they will still remain insuperable THIS is that which makes the Crowns of Princes when they 127. The Crowns of Princes at the best but glorious Thorns are worn by the clearest and noblest Title and supported by the mightiest Aids yet at the best but wreaths of glorious Thorns he that would go about to add to the cares Id. ibid. sequen and solicitudes of his Prince does what in him lies to make those Thorns pierce deeper and sit closer to the Royal Diadem than ever they did before NO Zeal can excuse it for as there may be a Religious Zeal 128. Religious Zeal and State-Zeal a Zeal for God which is not according to knowledge so there may be a State-Zeal a Zeal for the publick which is not according to prudence at least not according to that Id. ibid. degree of prudence which the same men have when they are not under the transport of such a fervent passion HATH is not been a strange mistake in some General Councils and a mistake which is fatal at this day to the peace of the Christian Church that in most of their Canons and Sanctions they have more considered whom they should oppose than what they should establish Id. p. 20. AND may it not prove a piece of as ill conduct in any Secular 129. 'T is ill to pursue good ends by violent means Assembly to pursue good ends by violent means and in the heat of that pursuit to choose rather to lose that good they might have compassed than to fall short of any of those good ends which they have once proposed unto themselves Ibid. p. 21. My Lords and Gentlemen THE King is far infinitely far from fearing any excess of this 130. The King will not apprehend any kind of error either in the Parliaments Judgments or Affections kind here he knows too well the Wisdom the Honour and the Loyalty of this great Assembly to apprehend any kind of error either in your Judgments or your Affections Id. ibid. YOU that were able to raise the King's affairs when they were 131. For those that raised his affairs when at lowest ebb will surely keep them from relapsing in their lowest and most deplored condition will surely be able to keep them from any relapse Ibid. YOU that were able to make this Government take root again will surely be able to preserve it in a growing and a flourishing Estate Ibid. SUCH Pilots need not fear a Storm Ibid. IF you could this consideration alone were enough to support you that you carry Caesar and his Fortunes you serve a Prince 132. In our King's preservation Miracles are become familiar in whose preservation Miracles are become familiar a Prince in whose stile Dei gratia seems not to be written by a Vulgar Pen but by the arm of Omnipotence it self Ibid. p. 22. RAISE up then by your example the hearts and hopes of all those whom ill men have wrought upon to such a degree as to cast them into a sadness and into a despondency which is most unreasonable Id. p. 22. CONFIRM the Faith of those that are made weak by shewing 133. Give the King all his Subjects hearts in the present of your own them the stedfastness of your belief give the King the hearts of all his Subjects by making him a present of yours Id. p. 23. THEN though this Session should close in a few weeks yet it 134. It would make the Session memorable
provocations and offences and the occasions of the like for the future if there be such divisions Lord Chanc. Speech to the same p. 8 9. as beget great thoughts of heart shall we call this Peace because it is not War or because men do 150. Or otherwise such divisions look rather like War than Peace not yet take the Field as well we may call it health when there is a dangerous fermentation in the Bloud and Spirits because the Patient hath not yet taken his Bed MUCH of this strange diffidence and distrust which like a 151. All this diffidence rises from the artifices of ill men general Infection begins to spread it self into almost all the corners of the Land rises from the Artifice of ill men who create and nourish all the suspicions which they can devise but the Cure of it lies perfectly in your hands for all Id. p. 11. this will presently vanish as soon as men shall see your Acquiescence and the fruits of it in a chearful concurrence with his Majesty to all those good and publick ends which he hath now so earnestly recommended to you IT would be somewhat strange and without all example in 152. It would be strange for a Nation to be twice undone by one and the same way and means story that a Nation should be twice ruined twice undone by the self-same way and means the same Fears and Jealousies Id. ibid. Machiavel who they say is an Author much studied of late 153. Machiavel an Author much studied of late in this Kingdom to extoll his own excellent Judgment and insight in History in which indeed he was a Master would perswade men to believe that the true reason why so many unexpected Accidents and Mischiefs fall out to the destruction of States and Empires is because their Governours 154. By non-observance of former mischiefs to other States we our selves come to fall into the like have not observed the same Mischiefs heretofore in Lord Chanc. Sp. 19 May 1662 p. 17 18 19. story and from whence they proceeded and what progress they made which he said if they had done they might easily have preserved themselves from ruine and prevented the Inconveniences which have fallen out I am sure you are all good Historians and need only to resort to the Records of your own memories Remember how 155. If we will but remember the late ill times and suffer our selxes again to be undone by secret courses of such vile men we shall be held very ill Historians and worse Politicians your peace hath been formerly disturbed by what contrivance and artifices the people have been alarm'd with unreasonable and unnatural Fears and Jealousies and what dismal effects those Fears and Jealousies have produced Remember how near Monarchy hath been dissolved and the Law subverted under pretence of reforming and supporting Government Law and Justice And remember how many honest persons were misled by not discerning Consequences who would as soon have renounced their part in Heaven as have concurred in the first unwarrantable Action if they had suspected what did follow and if we suffer the same Enemy to break in upon us at the same Avenues if we suffer our peace to be blown up by the same Trains and Machinations we shall be held very ill Historians and worse Politicians HOW happy may a Kingdom be in the frequent Assemblies of 156. How happy may the Kingdom be in the frequent assembly of its great Councel if nothing disturbs it their Great Councels where all that is grievous may be redress'd and all that is wanting may be enacted if those Councels Lord Chanc. Sp. 15 Feb. 1976 7. p. 13. are not rendred useless and impracticable by continuing endless distractions IF the presaging malice of our Enemies should pretend to foretell any such Fate as this to befall us the wisdom and the magnanimity of this Great Councel will quickly be too hard for all their Auguries The Honour and the Loyalty of this August and Venerable Assembly will leave no kind of room for any such divinations Id. ibid. My Lords and Gentlemen THE King hath so long had and still retains such honourable 157. The Kings honourable thoughts of his Parliaments thoughts of these Assemblies that we ought to make it one great part of our business to deserve the continuance of his Majesties grace and good opinion Id. p. 16. LET no Contention then come near this place but that of a 158. The contention of a Parliament should be that of Emulation who should best serve his Country Noble Emulation who shall serve his Country best by well serving of the King let no passion enter here but that of a pious zeal to lay hold upon all opportunities of promoting the honour and service of the Crown till our Enemies despair of ever profiting by any disorders amongst us Id. ibid. FOR saith the King I assure you whatsoever some ill men 159. The King never had any intentions but of good to them would have believed I never had any intentions but of good to you and to my people nor ever shall but will do all that I can for your safety and ease as far as you your selves will suffer me And since these are my resolutions I desire you will not drive me into extremities which must end King's Speech Thursd 23 May 1678. pag. 6. ill both for you and me and which is worst of all for the Nation which we ought all to have equal 160. All ought to have an equal care of the Nation care of therefore I desire we may prevent any disorders or mischief that may befall them by our disagreement and in case they do I shall leave it to God Almighty to judge between us who is the occasion of it LET me add this likewise which the King would always have to be remembred and that is saith he To let you know that I 161. The King will never suffer the method of passing Laws to be changed will never more suffer the course and method of passing Laws to be changed and that if several matters shall ever again be tacked together in one Bill that Bill shall certainly be lost let the importance of it be never so great Id. p. 7. THE King will not suffer himself to believe it possible that 162. The tacking of several matters to one Bill will lose that Bill you should ever forsake him when any difficulties or distresses are near him and therefore he doth Lord Chanc Speech to the same p. 15 16 17 18 19 with great assurance expect your care to preserve him in the affections of his People BUT the King hath so far express'd himself this day that 't is evident the manner of your proceedings is to him as considerable as the matter and that he will not accept a good Bill how valuable soever it may be unless it come to
just to such a Party â—nd such a Perswasion as if only Loe here was Christ where they were pleased to have him and not there whereas alass it is not different Forms as to Circumstantials that denominate us Christians but it is the holding of the Truth in the substance of it And is it not too much so now in our dayes what Parties what Factions what Interests and separations are among us and in matters meerly circumstantial how hasty are we in stamping a Jus Divinum on such things as are doubtful dark and disputable among men that perchance are equally wise and pious judicious and learned on both sides We ought to put no more weight nor a greater necessity on those things than the Divine Wisdom hath clearly put upon them in his word nor to Spend more of our Zeal about such things than is proportionable to its weight and measure We should allow for the imperfection of men and the imperfect state of the Church for here we know but in part and therefore we should bear with one another if in any thing we be otherwise minded one to another But we are instead of this pecking one at another How positive are we of our own ways as if we were all infallible stretching our Authority far beyond our just Rule and Line when we have catched up a new Notion strait we lay it upon Conscience as that which must be maintained although to the great prejudice of the whole Interest of Religion and so rend the Church and run away from all those that agree not with us in all things Oh! what peeques and grudgings what heart-burnings and contentions are there between parties that differ What defamatory Speeches what scandalous Reflections and how unbecoming are their heats of language one against another so much that we are in a very fair way of running into the same if not more violent and worse distractions than we were in in the late sad and dismal times if God of his infinite wisdom and mercy heal not these our breaches and compose our differences Quis Talia fando Temperet a Lachrymis THIS disquisition hath cost the King many a sigh many a 8. This division among us hath cost the King many a sigh sad hour when he hath considered as was said before the almost irreparable reproach the Protestant Religion hath undergone from the divisions and distractions which have been so notorious within this Lord Chan. Speech Thursday Sept. 13. 1660. pag. 22. Kingdom What pains he hath taken to compose them after several discourses with learned and pious men of different perswasions you shall see by and by as also his great Indulgence to those who can have any protection from Conscience to differ from their Brethren And he is a most discerning generous and merciful Prince who hath had more experience of the Nature and humour of mankind than any Prince living can best distinguish between the tenderness of Conscience and pride of Conscience between the real effects of Conscience and the wicked pretences to Conscience who having fought with Beasts at Ephesus knows how to guard himself and Lord Chan. Speech Monday May 19. 62. pag. 17. the Kingdome from the assaults and violence of a strong malicious corrupted Understanding and Will and how to secure himself and the Kingdome from the feeble traps and nets of deluded fancies and imaginations In a word He is a Prince of so excellent a Nature 9. Who is a most discerning Prince and of a tender Conscience himself and hath the highest compassion for all Errours of that kind and so tender a Conscience himself that he hath the highest compassion for all Errours of that kind and will never suffer the weak to undergo the punishment ordained for the wicked and knows and understands better than any man that excellent Rule of Quintilian Est aliquid quod non oportet etiam si licet aliud est jura spectare aliud justitiam Therefore let us hold Communion in such things wherein we are agreed and Love and Charity wherein we differ HIS Majesty hath considered Religion first in General as 10. Religion considered 1st generally as opposite to Popery 2 d. as established by Law in the Church of England it is PROTESTANT and stands in Opposition to Popery and Secondly more particularly as it is the Protestant Religion Established by Law Lord Keep Speech Apr. 13. 1675. pag. 9. 10 11. in the Church of England he sees that as such it is not only best suited to the Monarchy and most likely to defend it but most able to defend it self against the Enemies of all Reformation Upon the former account 11. Therefore the Laws against both Papists and Dissenters are now awakened he hath awakened all the Laws against the Papists there is not one Statute extant in all the volume of our Laws but his Majesty hath now put it in a way of taking its full course against them Upon the latter account his Majesty with equal and impartial Justice hath revived all the 12. Not with equal severity against the latter Laws against dissenters and Non-conformists but not with equal severity for the Laws against the Papists are edged and the execution of them quickned by new rewards proposed 13. These and all other Laws subject to the pleasure of a Parliament to the Informers those against Dissenters are left to that strength which they have already Both these and all other Laws whatsoever are always understood to be subject to the pleasure of a Parliament which may alter amend or explain them as they see cause and according unto publick convenience FOR when we consider Religion in Parliament we are supposed 14. Religion how to be consider'd in Parliament to consider it as a Parliament should do and as Parliaments in all Ages have done that is as it is a part of our Laws a part and a necessary part of our Government Of this more hereafter Let us now hear what this our most Excellent Majesty hath declared and said to us concerning it WHEN he was at his Court at Breda a little before his 15. How the King declares for the establishment of the Protestant Religion happy coming over to us and sent his Letter to the Speaker of the then House of Commons Assembled in Parliament he thus Writes to him what he should read to the House If you desire saith he the advancement April 14. 1660. pag. 5. 6. and propagation of the Protestant 16. Nothing could stratle the King or make him in the least degree swerve from the true Protestant Religion Religion we have by our constant profession and practise of it given sufficient testimony to the World that neither the unkindness of those of the same faith towards us nor the civilities and obligations from those of a contrary profession of both which we have had abundant evidence could in the least degree startle us or make us
and in time some prevalent Sect vvill at last contend for an Establishment vvhich for ought can be foreseen may end in Popery IT is a thing altogether vvithout Precedent and vvill take avvay all means of Convicting Recusants and be inconsistent vvith the Method and Proceedings of the Lavvs of England LASTLY it is humbly conceived that the Indulgence proposed vvill be so far from tending to the Peace of the Kingdom that it is rather likely to occasion great disturbance And on the contrary the asserting of the Lavvs and the Religion Established according to the Act of Uniformity is the most probable means to produce a Setled Peace and Obedience throughout your Kingdom because the variety of Professions in Religion vvhen openly indulged doth directly distinguish Men into Parties and vvithall gives them opportunity to count their Numbers vvhich considering the Animosities that out of a Religious Pride vvill be kept on foot by the several Factions doth tend directly and inevitably to open disturbance nor can your Majesty have any security that the Doctrine or Worship of the several Factions vvhich are all governed by a several Rule shall be consistent vvith the Peace of your Kingdom These Reasons vvere too povverful for his Majesty not to be 65. These Reasons o're-powred the King so that He yielded to them and He hoped that the Truly Religious and Peaceable would soon do so too overcome by them and therefore he yielded to their force and prevalency and doubted not but in a little vvhile The Truly Religious and the Peaceable vvould likevvise be brought over to a submissive Acquiescence and a dutiful compliance with them and that their minds would be better composed and the Peace of the Church Established And though he was verily perswaded That the great Piety and Devotion the Moderation Wisdom Charity and Hospitality of the Bishops would in a short time recover the Weak and the Misled to 66. And that by the Bishops Care and Example the Weak would be brought over to their Primitive Temper of Obedience to Laws and Government their Primitive Temper of a chearful Obedience and Submission to Laws and Government and so to be the best Neighbours and the best Friends and the best Subjects of the World yet was he not also insensible that the forwardness and pride of some might not be yet enough subdued The Humours and Spirits of such Men being too rough and boisterous and therefore was willing that there should be prepared sharper Laws and Penalties to contend with those Refractory Persons and to break that stuborness which would not bend to gentler 67. That those who would not must feel the weight of sharper Laws Applications and it is great reason that they upon whom Clemency cannot prevail should feel that severity they have provoked but still the Execution of those sharp Laws depends upon the Wisdome of the King who is the most discerning 68. But yet the Execution of those Laws depended on the King who was merciful and of a tender conscience himself generous and merciful Prince in the world and of so excellent a Nature and so tender a Conscience himself that he hath the highest compassion for all Errours of that kind as before is said But his constant zeal for the Church hath been visible throughout the whole course of his Reign scarce can he admit a Speech to come from him unless it hath in it some 69. His constant zeal the Church went above all things earnest request that his Parliament would take care of the Protestant Religion That they would see to secure the Church of England and to keep that up in all its just and Antient Rights THIS Zeal of his for the Church after the Dreadful Conflagration of his great City of London made the King so earnest with them soon after to get up some of their Churches Reedified that so the Service of God in the publick Worship might be performed and that we might there mourn for those our grievous sins which was the cause of Gods so heavy a judgment upon us These are his words We do heartily recommend it to the Charity and Magnanimity of all well-disposed Persons 70. How instant the King was to have Churches Rebuilt after the Fire of London that some might have publick places to worship and serve God in and we heartily pray unto Almighty God that he would infuse into the hearts of Men speedily to endeavour by degrees to Reedifie some of those many Churches which in this Lamentable Fire have been burnt down and defaced that so men may have those publick places of God's Worship to resort to to humble themselves together before him upon this his heavy dipsleasure and joyn in their Devotion for his future mercy blessing upon us as soon as we shall be informed 71. The King invites his People to it by the promise not only of his assistance and direction but of his Bounty too any readiness to begin such a good work we shall not only give our assistance and direction for the Model of it and freeing it from Buildings at so near a distance but shall encourage it by our own Bounty and all other ways we shall be desired Is not this sufficiently expressive of his zeal for upholding the True Religion What after this astonishing Judgment of Fire upon the Metropolitan City of this Kingdom was the King's first care ought to have been that of us all to endeavour to have God worshipped in his Sanctuary for this makes up the Beauty of Holyness and declares our great desires for what we all do at least outwardly profess to believe the Communion of Saints NOR did his Majesty rest here his zeal for the Church was his zeal for the service of it and he was resolved that nothing justly belonging to it should be lost Says He Our Care and Endeavours for the Preservation 72. His Majesty hath all along shewâ—d his care to preserve the Rights and Interests of the Church of the Rights and Interests His Majesties Declaration to all his Loving Subjects March 15. 1671. pag. 3. 4. of the Church have been sufficiently manifested to the World by the whole course of our Government since our happy Restauration and by the many and frequent ways of Coercion that we have used for reducing all erring or dissenting persons and for composing the unhappy differences in matters of Religion which we found among our Subjects upon our Return but it being evident by the sad experience of twelve years that there is very little 73. By the way the Supream Power in Ecclesiastical Matters is not only inherent in the King but is Recognised so by divers Acts of Parliament Fruit of all those forcible Courses We think our Self obliged to make use of that Supreme Power in Ecclesiastical Matters which is not only inherent in us but hath been declared and recognized to be so by several Statutes and Acts of Parliaments and
me in it I have transmitted the Book of Common Prayer with those Alterations and Additions which have been presented to me by the Convocation to the House of Peers with my approbation that the Act of Vniformity may relate to it so that I presume it will be shortly dispatched there and 89. It requires great prudence and discretion no passion and precipitation when we have done all we can the well-setling that Affair will require great prudence and discretion and the absence of all passion and precipitation You see how his Majesty promised that he would give up all his endeavours to compose the unhappy differences in matters of Religion and to restore the Languishing Church to Peace Vnity and Order Constantine himself hardly spent so much of 90. How mightily his Majesty has laid out himself to restore the Church to peace unity and order his own time in private and publick conferences to that purpose His Majesty Lord Chancellors Speech to both Houses of Parliament on Saturday Decemb. 29 1660. The Day of their Dissolution pag. 8. in private Conferred with the Learned Men and heard all that could be said upon several Opinions and Interests apart and then in the Presence 91. Constantine himself scarce spent so much time about it of both Parties himself moderating in the Debates and less care and diligence and authority would not have done the work And if after all this his Majesty doth not reap 93. If after all some will keep up old Breaches they must be reduced by Law to the obedience of the Law the full Harvest he expected from those Condescentions if some men by their Writing and by their Preachings endeavour to continue the old Breaches c. I shall say no more than that I hope their want of modesty and obedience will cause them to be disclaimed by all pious and peaceable men who cannot but be well contented to see them reduced by Law to the obedience they owe to Law ON Tuesday April 5. 1664. as if his Parliament were somewhat doubtful of it The King when he came then to give his Royal Assent to two Bills breaks out into these words to them I do assure you upon my word and I pray believe 9â— The King has no other thoughts or designs in his heart but to support the Religion Established and make us happy by it me That I have no other thoughts or designs in my heart but to make you all happy in the support of the Religion and Laws Established pag. 4. The Late King lost his Life in the defence of the Reformed Religion and his present Majesty whom God Almighty long continue among us hath manifested his affection to the Church of England as by Law Established in despight of all calumnies and through extream difficulties with the highest acts of Solemnity imaginable WHEN his Majesty met his both Houses of Parliament in 67. how instant was he to have them take it into their considerate thoughts how to settle Religion more to the quieting of his Peoples minds and His Majesties Speech to both Houses Monday 10 Feb. 1667. pag. 4. for the Establishment of Unity and Concord among them Saith he one thing more I hold my self obliged to recommend unto you at this 94. And therefore reminds his Parliament that they would think of some course to beget a better union among his Protestant Subjects as being the best way to support the Government present which is that you would seriously think of some course to beget a better union and composure in the minds of my Protestant Subjects in matters of Religion whereby they may be induced not only to submit quietly to the Government but also chearfully give their assistance to the support of it WHEN the King sent his Grace the then Earl of Lauderdail his Maiesties High Commissioner for the Parliament of Scotland You shall hear what he said to them concerning his Majesties 95. The Kings constant and unalterable zeal to maintain and defend the True Reformed Protestant Religion in Scotland Resolution to maintain the True Protestant Religion there It was by command from his Royal Master to say in his Name at the opening Earl of Lauderdail 's Speech to the Parliament of Scotland Oct. 19. 1669. pag. 3. 4. of that his Parlirment And first saith he I am to assure you of his Majesties constant and unalterable zeal for maintaining and defending the True Reformed Protestant Religion in this 96. That â—e will maintain and defend the autient Government of it being most suitable to Monarchy his Kingdom for which he will constantly lay out his whole power and authority as also for discouraging and punishing all Atheism and Prophanities and all that is contrary to true Religion and Godliness I am further particularly commanded to assure you that with no less zeal and constancy he will maintain and defend the Antient Government by Arch-Bishops 97. Episcopal Government the most Primitive and Apostolick and Bishops as now it is happily setled as a sure Fence for the True Refromed Protestant Religion a Government most suitable to Monarchy and well may I call it Antient for whoever 98. The King will refend the persons of the Archbishops Bishops all the Orthodox Clergy in their Functions will look into Antiquity shall find Episcopal Government hath continued in the whole Catholick Church both East and West even from the most Primitive and Apostolick Times and a little after in the said 4 pag. after he had just touched upon the sad Calamities and Confusions of the Late Times he says farther in his Majesties Name and by his special Command I do assure you he will employ his utmost power in the maintenance 99. Will not endure those numerous Conventicles that tend to Sedition and Schism of that Government and will protect the persons of my Lords the Archbishops and Bishops and of the Loyal Orthodox and Peaceable Clergy in the exercise of their Functions he will not endure those numerous and unlawful Conventicles 100. The King of late hath set up some that were peaceable men in vacant Churches though they came not up to the Rules Established They should therefore carry themselves worthy of that high favour which tend to Sedition and Schism which have been too frequent in some few Shires of this Kingdom Good Laws have been made and in prosecution of those Laws the Lords of his Majesties Privy Council have shewn their care for suppressing those Seditious Assemblies yea and of late his Majesty has graciously indulged the planting of some who were esteened peaceable men in vacant Churches though they came not up to the Rules Established it will be expected that they walk worthy of so great a favour but if after this removal of the very pretence of unlawful Conventicles any Factious People shall in contempt of his Majesties Laws yea 101. But if any factious people in contempt of his
Majesties Laws shall afterwards Assemble They must â—o brought to condign punishment and of his Indulgence also seditiously assemble themselves under pretence of Religious Worship his Majesty doth require his Parliament and all in Authority under him vigorously to suppress such Meetings and to bring the pretended Preachers and Ring-leaders of such unlawful Assemblies to condign and exemplary punishment AGAIN his Majesties Commissioners Speech to the Parliament of Scotland that were met at Edinburgh 102. The King is unalterable in his zeal to maintain the True Reformed Protestant Religion and Government by Arch-Bishops and Bishops mentioning Religion has these words I July 28. 70. p. 5 6 7. need not repeat the assurances of his Majestie 's constant and unalterable zeal for maintaining and defending the true Reformed Protestant Religion in this his Kingdom and that with no less zeal and constancy he will maintain the Antient Government by Arch-Bishops and Bishops now Happily Restored and Established here for in 203. And will not endure those numerous Conventicles that tend to Sedition and Schism all the exercises of his Royal Authority he doth daily give full and undeniable testimonies thereof AT the opening of the first Session of this Parliament I told you in his Majesties Name that he would not endure those numerous and unlawful Conventicles that tend to Sedition 104. But will have them supprest and the most guilty brought to punishment and Schism which had been too frequent in some Shires of this Kingdom and the King did then require you and all in Authority under him vigorously to suppress such Meetings and to bring the most guilty to condign punishment In prosecution of which the Lords of the Privy Council 105. Field Conventicles look more like rendezvouzes for Rebellion than any thing for Religion have done their duty carefully though not with that success which they desired for his Majesty hath been informed that this Summer divers Seditious and numerous Conventicles have been kept even in the open fields which look liker endeavours to rendezvous for Rebellion than any pretence 106. Because it was in contempt of the Kings Authority and of the Parliament which they knew so soon would Assemble of Religious Worship and that in high contempt of his Majesties Authority and of this Parliament which they well-knew was so soon to Assemble Yea such hath been the Insolent Barbarity of that incorrigible sort of Non-Conformists that in some places the Houses of Orthodox and Peaceable Ministers have been Robb'd their persons and Families wounded and they threatned to be murther'd 107. And some of those Non-conformists robb'd the Conformable Ministers houses wounded the Parsons and threatned to kill them if they stai'd in their Churches if they stay at their Churches THEREFORE His Majesty doth most seriously recommend 108. Therefore good reason why the King recommends them to make good Laws and vigorously to prosecute them it to your special care by good Laws and vigorous prosecution of them to curb punish and prevent those Seditious Conventicles to cure the withdrawing of Protestants from their Paroch Churches and the Ordinances there which is the occasion of those Conventicles and cannot 109. For this cannot be conscience but deâ—â—gn to perpetuate Faction and Schism be pretended for conscience but must be esteemed only out of design to perpetuate Faction and Schism seeing the Form of Worship here is the same which hath been since the Reformation as also to punish Exemplarly those Barbarous Robberies and Assassinates committed against honest and peaceable Ministers and generally to provide what you shall think necessary for continuing the peace of the Kingdom The Work will be easie and I doubt not your care in it The Kingdom generally is Loyal Peaceable and Dutiful it is but 110. The Kingdom generally is Loyal Peaceable and Dutiful a small part of it which is tainted with such principles and practices pag. 7. AND again further in the year 1672. His Majestie 's High Commissioner for his Kingdom of Scotland at the opening of that Session of Parliament continues the same Language to them and assures them his Majestie 's Resolution is not in the least altered saith he I am particularly commanded to renew again to you His Grace the Duke of Lauderdail 's Speech June 12. 1672. to the Parliament of Scotland pag. 12. 111. The Kings Resolution continues the same still for the Government of the Church by Archbishops and Bishops and for suppressing of Conventicles preventing the growth of Schism and securing the peace of the Church the assurances of his Majesties most constant continuance in his unalterable resolutions to maintain the True Reformed Protestant Religion and the Government of this Church by Arch-Bishops and Bishops whatever Seditious and Disaffected Persons may suggest to the contrary and I am fully impowred to all such further Acts as you shall judg convenient for the quieting the minds of peaceable people and for curbing and punishing Seditious Conventicles for preventing the increase of Schism and by all good means securing the Peace of the Church BY this you may see that his Majesty was not only resolved to settle Episcopacy in this his Kingdom but his pious intentions were all along visible firmly to Establish it throughout all his Dominions BUT to return to our selves here of England when the House of Commons Presented the Bill to his Majesty to Repeal that Law which was made in 17 Car. whereby the Bishops were Excluded the House how great was the King's joy and thankfulness to them at the Receipt of it You shall hear both their Speeches of this Matter AND first to begin with the Speaker's when he Presented the Bill saith he Your Majestie 's Royal Grandfather was often wont Sir Edward Turner 's Speech delivered on Tuesday July 30. 1661. at their Adjournment pag. 4 5. to say no Bishop no King we found 112. No Bishop no King found true in the late times of confusion his words true for after they were put out the Feaver still encreasing in another Fit The Temporal Lords followed and then the King himself nor did the humour rest there but in the Round The House of Commons was first Garbled and then turn'd out of their doors IT is no wonder when a Sword is put into a mad Man's hand to see him cut off Limb by Limb and then to kill himself WHEN there is a great Breach of the Sea upon the low Grounds by the violence of the Torrent the Rivers of sweet Waters are often turn'd aside and the Salt Waters make themselves a Channel but when the Breach is made up good Husbands drain their Lands again and restore the Antient Sewers THANKS be to God the Floud is gone off the Face of this Island our Turtle Dove hath found good footing Your Majesty is Happily Restored to the Government The Temporal Lords and Commons are restored to sit in Parliament and shall the Church alone
now suffer Sit Ecclesia Anglicana libera habeat libertates suas illaesas Magna Charta IN order to this great work the Commons have prepared 113 A Bill brought by the Commons to Repeal the Act fâ—â— exclusion of the Bishops from sitting in the House a Bill to repeal that Law was made in 17. Car whereby the Bishops were excluded this House These Noble Lords have all agreed and now we beg your Majesty will give it life speak but the word Great Sir and your Servants yet shall live TO which his Majesty presently was pleased to return this 114. The great thanks the King gives them for the Repeal of that Act as being an unhappy Act in an unhappy time most gracious Answer I thank you with all my heart indeed as much as I can The King's Speech to both Houses July 30. 1661. pag. 4 5. do for any thing for the Repeal of that Act which excluded the Bishops from sitting in Parliament it was an unhappy Act in an unhappy time passed with many unhappy circumstances and attended with miserable events and therefore I 115. It has restored Parliaments to their Primitive Institutions do again thank you for repealing it You have thereby restored Parliaments to their Primitive Institutions AND his Majesty was so greatly pleased with this Act of Repeal that he found it as it were impossible for him to forbear coming to his House of Lords even the very first day of their meeting after the Adjournment and what was it for you shall immediately know from his own words I know the Visit saith he I make you this day is not ne necessary is not of course yet if there were no more in 16. How the King visits them the first day of their next Meeting to give them thanks again and how he rejoyces to see the Lords Spiritual and Temporal House of Commons met together c. it it would not be strange that I come to see what You and I have so long desired to see The Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons of England met together to consult for the peace and safety of Church and State by which Parliaments The King's Speech to both Houses on Wednesday Novemb. 20. 1661. pag. 1. are restored to their Primitive Lustre and Integrity I do heartily congratulate with you for this day THIS surely was a signal evidence of his true love to the Church his hearty joy to behold the great Supporters and Pillars of it restored to their rightful Seats in Parliament And this both the King and the Parliament knew was one ready way to restore to them their due honour and reverence from the People If the Authority of the Church should not carefully be upheld how quickly should we come to have no Church at all and into what sad Calamities should we lapse by such an abandonment which in some sense but little differs from a Persecution LET us suppose that possible which the piety and goodness of the Kng hath made next to impossible says the 117. What would become of the Church if her Authority were despiled Lord Keeper in his Speech to both Houses of Parliament but let it be for once supposed Lord Keepers Speech April 13. 1675. pag 12 13. that the Church of England were forsaken her Authority made insignificant her Government precarious suppose her disarmed of all those Laws by which she is guarded denied all Aid from the Civil Magistrate and that none were obliged to obey her commands but those that have a mind to it would not this turn a National Church into nothing else but a Tolerated Sect or Party in the Nation Would it not take away all appearance of Establishment from it would it not drive the Church into the Wilderness again where she should be sure to find her self encompassed with all sorts of Enemies if at least she should find her self at all in the midst of so many Tolerations THEREFORE is it not most fitting that a strict Rule should be observed and that we could have the Law to be that Rule and not to leave every Man to be a Law and Rule unto himself WELL then may the King say to his Parliament what 118. His Majesties assurance that he will preserve the True Reformed Protestant Religion and the Church as now established he has said since in almost every one of his Speeches to them I will conclude with this assurance to you that I will preserve the True His Majesties Speech to both Houses Feb. 5. 16672. pag. 4. Reformed Protestant Religion and the Church as it is now Established in this Kingdom and in the whole course of my indulgence to Dissenters I do not intend that it shall any ways prejudice the Church but I will support its Rights and it in its full power THE Church of England and all good Protestants says 119. The Church and all good Protestants have reason to rejoyce in this their Defendour the Lord Chancellor to this Speech of the King in his own pag. 12 13. have reason to rejoyce in such a Head and such a Defendour His Majesty doth declare his care and concerns for the Church and will maintain them in all their Rights and Priviledges equal if not beyond any of his Predecessours He was born and bred up in it It was that his Father died for 120. Good reasons to induce his Majesty to it We all know how great temptations and offers he resisted abroad when he was in his lowest condition and he thinks it the honour of his Reign that he hath been the Restorer of 121. He hopes to bring it into greater lustre than ever yet it has been the Church 'T is that he will ever maintain and hopes to leave to posterity in greater lustre and upon surer grounds than our Ancestours ever saw it but his Majesty is not convinced That violent ways are the interest of Religion or the Church 122. violent ways not conducing to it AND after his Majestie 's conclusion of his Speech let me 123. Let us then all bless God and the King conclude nay let us all conclude with blessing God and the King Let us bless God that he Idem pag. 14. 15. hath given us such a King to be the Repairer of our Breaches both in Church and State and the Restorer of our paths to dwell in LET us bless the King for taking away all our fears and 124. That God hath given us such a King who makes the Church of England his great care leaving no room for jealousies for those assurances and promises he hath made us Let us bless God and the King that our Religion is safe that the Church of England is the care of our Prince what more hath a good English Man to ask but that this King may long Reign 125. Long therefore should we pray that this King may Reign WHEN He met his Parliament
hath most piously desired may be prevented and so the Peace 2. Because of the Resort of so many Jesuites and Popish Priests both in Church and State may be insensibly disturbed to the great danger of both WHICH was the reason of both the Houses of Parliaments Humble Suit to the King That he would be pleas'd to Issue out his Proclamation to command all Jesuites and Popish 3. Therefore the Parliament desire the King to issue out his Proclamation for their departure Priests c. to depart this Kingdom by a day under the penalties of the Laws to be inflicted on them but saith his Majesty to them presently in his Speech at the reception of that Petition pag. 5. It may be the general jealousie of the Nation hath 4. His Majesties present answer to them made this Address necessary and indeed I believe nothing hath contributed more to that jealousie than my own confidence that it was impossible there should be any such jealousie and the effects of that confidence but saith he in the next words I shall give you satisfaction and then I am sure you will easily satisfie and compose the minds of the Nation Answer to this Representation and Petition he 5. Afterwards his more deliberate return AND in his April 1. 1663. pag. 7. 8. saith having seriously considered it and having made some reflections upon himself and his own actions he is not a little troubled that his Lenity and Condescensions towards many of the Popish Perswasion which were but natural effects of his generositie and good nature c. have been made so ill use of and so ill deserved that the Resort of Jesuites and Priests into this Kingdom hath been thereby encreased with which his Majesty is and hath long been highly offended and therefore his Majesty readily concurs with the Advice of his Two Houses of Parliament and hath given order for the preparing and issuing 6. That he readily concurs with the advice of his Parliament to grant a Proclamation and that to be more effectual than any of that kind have ever been out such a Proclamation as is desired and his Majesty will take farther care that the same shall be effectual at least to a greater degree than any Proclamation of this kind hath ever been AND his Majesty further declares and assures both his Houses of Parliament and all his Loving Subjects of all his Dominions that as his affection and zeal for 7. For nothing is greater than his zeal for the Protestant Religion and to hinder the Growth of Popery the Protestant Religion and the Church of England hath not been concealed or untaken notice of in the world so he is not nor will ever be so sollicitous for the setling his own Revenue or providing any other expedients for the Peace and Tranquillity of the Kingdom as for the advancement and improvement of the Religion Established and for the using and applying all proper and effectual 8. That being the best way to Establish the Peace c. of all his Kingdoms remedies to hinder the Growth of Popery both which he doth in truth look upon as the best expedient to Establish the Peace and Prosperity of all his Kingdoms AND when it was as artificially as the King himself truly phrases it as maliciously divulged throughout the whole Kingdom That at the same time we deny a fitting liberty to those other His Majesties Declaration to all his Loving Subjects December 26. 1662. pag. 3. Sects of our Subjects whose consciences will not allow them to conform 9. The Malicious Scandal of his being more favourabie to Papists than other Dissenters to the Religion Established by Law We are highly indulgent to Papists not only in exempting them from the penalties of the Law but even to such a degree of countenance and encouragement as may even endanger the Protestant Religion As to that most pernicious and injurious scandal so artificially spread fomented of our favour to Papists saith 10. A Repetition of the same detestable Arts of the late Rebellious Times the King as it is but a repetition of the same detestable arts by which all the The same Declaration pag. 9 10 11 12. late calamities have been brought upon this Kingdom in the time of our Royal Father of Blessed Memory who though the most pious and zealous Protestant that ever Reign'd in this Nation could never wash off the stains cast upon him by that malice but by his 11. And therefore we should all be prepared against such poison Martyrdom We conceive our Subjects should be sufficiently prepared against that poison by memory of those disasters especially since nothing is more evident than that the wicked Authors of this scandal are such as seek to involve all good Protestants under the odious name of Papists or Popishly affected yet we cannot but say upon this occasion that our Education and course of Life in the True Protestant Religion hath been such and our constancy in the Profession of it so eminent in our most desperate condition abroad among Roman Catholick Princes 13. Yet the Education of the King in the Protestant Religion hath been such that should any but believe this Scandal it would be a most impardonable offence when as the appearance of receding from it had been the likeliest way in all humane forecast to have procured us the most powerful assistances of our Re-establishment that should any of our Subjects give but the least admission of that scandal into ☞ their beliefs We should look upon it as the most impardonable offence that they can be guilty of towards us 'T is true that as we shall always according to justice retain so we think it may become us to avow to the world a due sense we have of the greatest part of our Roman Catholicks 14. 'T is true the Roman Catholicks did adhere to the King his Father with their Lives and Fortunes against those who employed both against him of this Kingdom having deserved well from our Royal Father of blessed Memory and from us and even from the Protestant Religion it self in adhering to us with their Lives and Fortunes for the maintainance of our Crown in the Religion Established against those who under the name of zealous Protestants employed both fire and Sword to overthrow them both We shall with as much freedom profess unto the world that it is not in our intention to exclude our Roman Catholick Subjects 15. Therefore ought not to be excluded from all share in the benefit of the Act of Indemnity who have demeaned themselves well who have so demeaned themselves from all share in the benefit of such an Act viz. the Act of Indemnity as in pursuance of our promises the wisdom of our Parliament shall think fit to offer unto us for the ease of tender Consciences It might appear no less than injustice that those who deserved well and continued to
England Sir Edward Turner 's Speech to the King Fryday January 13. 1666. pag. 3. But your Majesty by your gracious Answer to the desire of both your Houses your command for all Officers and Souldiers in your Majesties pay to take the Oathes of Allegiance and Supremacy and your Proclamation for the departure of Priests and Jesuits out of this Nation have in a great measure secured us against those fears WHEN his Majesty was pleased to declare his indulgence as 26. If the King allowed Publick places of Worship to all Nonconformists but the Papists to the allowance of publick places of worship and approbation of the Teachers he said it should extend to all sorts of Nonconformists and Recusants His Majesties Declaration to all his Loving Subjects March 15. 1672. p. 7. except the Recusants of the Roman Catholick Religion to whom we 27. They only to have their share in the common exemption from the execution of penal laws shall in no wise allow publick places of Worship but only indulge them their share in the com 〈…〉 exemption from the execution of the penal Laws and the exercise of their worship in their private houses only In the King's Speech to both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday February 5. 1672. He tells them how he had been forced to a most important and necessary war and that some few daies saith he before I declared the War I put forth my Declaration that which is mentioned just above for indulgence to Dissenters and have hitherto found a good effect of it by securing peace at home when I had War abroad There is one part in it that hath been subject to misconstruction which is that concerning the PAPISTS as if more liberty were granted them than to the other Recusants when it is plain there is less 28. They only to have the freedom of their Religion in their own houses without the concourse of others for the others have Publick Places allowed them and I never intended that they should have any but only have the fradom of their Religion in their own Houses without any concourse of others And I could not grant them less than this when I had extended so much more grace to others and in the whole course of this Indulgence I 29. And this no way to prejudice the Church do not intend that it shall any way prejudice the Church but I will support its Rights and it in its full power WHEN he made his Speech to the Parliament at their Prorogation he saith to them In the mean while I will not be wanting to let all my Subjects see that no care can be greater than my own in the The Kings Speech Nov. 4. 1673. p. 4. 30. When he prorogued his Parliament he said No Care shall be greater than mine to suppress Popery do you as much in your own Countries effectual Suppressing of Popery and it shall be your faults if in your several Countries the Laws be not effectually executed against the growth of it A Year and a half after he comes again to them and then he plainly acknowledges that as he had before given them a strong assurance of his care so now he has de facto made it good to them saith he I have done as much as on my part was possible to extinguish the fears and Iealousies of Popery 31 And when he met them again he told them he had done what he could to extinguish the fears of Popery and will leave nothing undone that may shew the World my Zeal to the Protestant The Kings Speech April 1675. pag. 4. and 5. Religion as it is established in the Church of England from which I will never depart SO That you see His Majesty hath so fully vindicated himself from that Calumny concerning the Papists that no reasonable scruple 32. Therefore no reasonable scruple can be made by any good man can be made by any good man saith my Lord Chancellor in his Speech to both the Houses on the 5 Feb. 1672. He hath awakened all the Laws against the Papists there is not one Statute extant in all the Volume of our Laws 33. All the laws are awakened against them but His Majesty hath now put it in a way of The Lord Keep Sp. April 13. 75. p. 9 and 10. taking its full course against them The Laws against the Papists are edged and the execution of them quickened by new rewards proposed to the Informers This was so necessary to be inserted here that I could not forbear repeating it again although I have before mentioned it in another place but to proceed HIS Majesty having on February the Third 1674 5 been pleased to Command an Order made then in Council to be forthwith published that was for the execution of the Laws against Popish Recusants c. he did likewise on the 12th day of the said February publish a Declaration for inforcing that Order and therein saith More particularly we Require and Command 34. The King commands the Convictions of Popish Recusants to be every where incouraged c. that the Convictions of Popish Recusants be every where encouraged quickned and made effectual and that all Convictions as soon as they shall be perfected be forthwith certifyed into the Exchequer and that speedy process do issue upon all such Convictions as are or shall be certifyed and that care be taken that no persons of Quality who shall be suspected to 35. And speedy process to issue thereupon be Popish Recusants be omitted to be presented and that no delay be used nor any practise suffered which may hinder or obstruct the compleating of such Convictions as are now preparing 36. None should be omitted to be presented And we do strictly Charge and Command that no Mass be said in any part of this Kingdom the Chappels of our dearest Consort the Queen and the Chappels of Forreign 37. No Mass to be said in this Kingdom only the Queens and Forreign Ministers Chappels excepted Ministers only excepted And to prevent all extraordinary resort to those Chappels by such who are not menial Servants to the Queen or to Forreign Ministers we declare that every such offendor shall incur the forfeiture of one hundred Marks provided by the Statute made in the twenty third year of Queen Elizabeth whereof one third part shall 38. Whoever not Menial Servants resort to them shall forfeit 100 Marks be given to the Informer for his further reward and encouragement And we require all Officers and Ministers of Iustice to cause diligent search to be made in all other places where they shall hear or suspect that Mass is said and to cause all Offendors in this kind to be apprehended and proceeded 39. All suspected places are to be searched by the Justices c. and where found all Offendors to be apprehended c. with according to Law And we forewarn all our Subiects that they presume
not to send any person to be educated abroad in any Popish Colledge Or Seminary and we command all Parents or Guardians of any Person or Persons now remaining in any such Colledge or Seminary that they cause the said Person or Persons speedily to return home as they will answer the contrary at their peril Moreover we require all 40. None to be brought up in Popish Colledges abroad and where any are there speedily to return home Persons born within any of our Dominions and out of Prison who have taken Orders by any Authority derived from the Church or See of Rome except Mr. John Huddlestone to depart the Kingdom before the twenty fifth day of March next according to the tenor of our late Proclamation and also to depart the Court within the fourteen days appointed by our late Order in Councel And we forbid all Papists or reputed 41. And all born here in any of these Dominions that have taken Orders by any Authority from Rome to depart the Kingdom Papists to come into our Palace at Whitehal or St. James's or into any other place where our Court shall be contrary to our late Prohibition upon pain of Imprisonment in the Tower if he be a Peer of the Realm or in some other Prison if he be of lesser Quality SO that you see if the Conviction of all Recusants bringing them under the penal Laws can suppress Popery If without 42. And no Papist nor reputed Papists to come to Court upon pain of Imprisonment staying for the Forms of the Law in Lord Keepers Speech to both Houses Jan. 7. 1673 4. pag. 8 9. points of Conviction the present forbidding all Papists or reputed Papists to come to Court the extending this Prohibition to his Royal Palace be enough to discountenance them THEN surely His Majesty hath reason to believe that scarce any thing is wanting which can lawfully be done or modestly 43. So that surely now scarce any thing is wanting either for satisfaction or security be wisht either for your satisfaction or your security INDEED I cannot but think and confess that we have good cause to be sollicitous after such security for they are persons whose Doctrines teach them to study how to sap and undermine our very Foundations as I could at large prove were it not improper to my present business and design BUT further It hath been so stale a Project to Undermine 44. A stale Project to undermine the Government by accusing it of indeavouring to bring in Popery the Government by accusing it of endeavouring to introduce Popery and Tyranny that a man would wonder to see it taken up again Chancellors Speech to both Houses 23 May 1678. pag. 12 13 14. HAVE we forgotten that Religion Liberty were never truly lost till they were made a handle and pretence for Sedition Are we so ill 45. Our Religion and Liberty ne'r lost till made a handle and pretence for Sedition Historians as not to remember when Prelacy was called Popery and Monarchy Tyranny When the property of Nobility and Gentry was held to be destructive of Liberty and that it was a dangerous thing for Men to have any sence of their Duty and Allegiance DO we know all this and suffer men without doors to hope 46. Therefore the same Artifices must not prevail now by our Divisions to arrive at the same times again Can we indure to see men break the Act of Oblivion every day by reviving the memory of forgotten Crimes in new practices IF Fears and Jealousies can ever become wise and good men it is only then when there is danger of a relapse No 47. It is wisdom in this respect to fear and to be jealous caution can be too great against the Returns of that fatal Distemper from which we have been so lately recovered especially when some symptoms of it begin again to appear in printed Libels and in several parts of the Nation IT might perhaps be worth our while to consider whether we do not bring some kind of Scandal upon the Protestant 48. But not to doubt the continuance of the Protestant Religion since we have so many Laws to guard it Religion when we seem so far to distrust the truth and power of it that after so many Laws that have been past to guard it after all the Miraculous Deliverances from the Attempts which have been made against it we should still be afraid of its continuance IT is no doubt a duty which we owe to God and to our selves to the present Age and to Posterity to improve the opportunities 49. 'T is our duty to improve all opportunities to fence our Vineyard God gives us of fencing our Vineyard and making the Hedge about as strong as we can And the King hath commanded me to tell you that he is ready to concur with us in any thing of this kind which shall be found wanting and 50. The King ready to concur in any thing which yet is wanting for our Security which the Christian prudence and Justice of a Parliament can propose as expedient HATH not the late Act made it impossible absolutely impossible for the most concealed Papist that is to get into any kind of Imployment and did ever any Law since the Reformation 51. No Papist can get into any Imployment give us so great a security as this THE October after the King comes himself to his Parliament and there saith to them I now intend to acquaint You as I 52. About the Kings acquainting the Parliament with the Plot against his person c. He will leave the matter to the Law and he 'll do all he can to prevent the practices of those who are contriving to bring in Popery shall always do with any thing that concerns me that I have been informed of a Designe against my Person by the JESUITES of which I shall forbear any Opinion lest I may seem to say too much or too little but I will leave the matter to the Law and in King's Speech on Munday 21th Oct. 1678. p. 4 5. the mean time will take as much care as I can to prevent all manner of practices by that sort of Men and of others too who have been tampering in a high degree with Forreigners and contriving how to introduce Popery amongst us NOW that the Fears of Popery may not too much disquiet you be pleased to consider that you have one Security 53. This is one Security more to us for that which was always the interest of the Kings honour and conscience is now the interest of his Person too more since that which was always the Interest of his Majesty's Honour and Conscience is now become the interest of his Person too to protect the Protestant Religion and to prevent the swarming Lord Chancellors Speech to the same p. 13 14. of Seminary Priests For his Majesty hath told you that
by extending Our Mercy where it is wanted and deserved AND When he granted a Free and General Pardon to all his Subjects of what Degree or Quality soever who would not persevere in their Guilt for the future by opposing the Quiet and Happiness of their Country in the Restoration both of King Peers and People to their Just Ancient and Fundamental Rights but would return to the Loyalty and Obedience of good Subjects Saith His Majesty Let all our Subjects how faulty soever 20. By his General Pardon no Crime shall ever rise in Judgment against any eito endammage their Lives Liberties or Estates who will now become obedient to Laws The same Declaration pag. 2. 3. rely upon the Word of a King solemnly given by this present Declaration that no Crime whatsoever committed against Vs or Our Royal Father before the Publication of this shall ever rise in Iudgment or be brought in question against any of them to the least Endamagement of them either in their Lives LIBERTIES or Estates Nay so tender is the King of their Credit that he goeth on or as far forth as lies in Our Power so much as to the prejudice of their Reputations by any Reproach or 21. Nay their Reputations shall not suffer if he can help it Term of Distinction from the rest of Our best Subjects IN The King's Speech to his Parliament April 5. 1664. p. 4. He thus saith to them I do assure you upon my Word and I 22. He has no other thoughts but to make us happy in our Laws and prays so to be believed pray believe me that I have no other Thoughts or Designs in my Heart but to make you all happy in the Support of the Laws established NAY The Speaker of the House of Commons when he addressed himself to His Sacred Majesty in the Name of the whole House who are the Representative Body of all the Commons of England could say Most Gracious and dread Soveraign 23. When any thing of Right or but Conveniency has happened to be a measuring Cast a disputable Case he hath always cast it against himself if it hath been for his People's Good though the Knights Citizens and Burgesses Saturday Decemb 29. 1660. being the day of their Dissolution p. 25 26. now assembled in Parliament have no cause to complain they cannot but take notice of your Partiality for when any thing in point of Right or but Conveniency hath fallen out to be as we use to say a measuring Cast a disputable Case between your Self and your People without any regard or respect had unto your own Right or the Advantage that might accrue to your Self by asserting the same if the Good of your People hath come in Competition with it you have always cast it against your Self and given it in on your People's side 24. The Restoration of the King and the Restoring us to our Magna Charta Liberties AND then a little before he concludes this his Speech he returns his thankful Acknowledgment to God for his Infinite Goodness and Mercy in restoring His Majesty to his Royal and Imperial Crown Throne and Dignity and for making him the Restorer of our Religion as likewise saith he for restoring us to our Magna Charta Liberties having taken The same Speech pag. 31 32. the Charge and Care of them into your own Heart which is our greatest Security and more than a thousand 25. The good old Rules of the Law our best Security Confirmations THE King saith it himself and it is true beyond all Contradiction That the Good old Rules of the Law are the best Security These shall be ever dear His Speech May 19. 1662. pag. 4. 26. No Man's Property or Liberty shall ever be invaded to him these will he command his Learned Judges to cherish with Upright and Impartial Justice And in his Speech to both his Houses he ends thus I will Wednesday Feb. 5. 1672. pag. 4. conclude with this Assurance to you that no 27. The King steady in maintaining all his Promises to us concerning Property and ready to give fresh Instances of his Zeal for preserving the established Laws Mans Property or Liberty shall ever be Invaded What Expressions can go higher And how can the King more expatiate himself to you Is not this Security a Satisfaction equal to all your Wishes BUT To proceed be pleased to hear the words of the King again to his Parliament Saith he I hope I need not use many words to perswade you that I The King's Speech Monday October 27. 1673. pag 4. am steady in maintaining all the Professions and Promises I have made you concerning Property And I shall be very ready to give you 28. For his Heart is perfectly with his Peoples in it fresh Instances of my Zeal for preserving the Established Laws as often as any Occasion shall require AND The Lord Chancellor tells us in his Speech then I 29. Reverence and Obedience will be given to Laws when they are well understood that they conduce to the Peoples Profit can add nothing to what His Majesty hath said For as to Property his Heart is with your Heart pag. 9. perfectly with your Heart IT Was a right Ground of Considence such a The Lord Chancellor's Speech Monday May 19. 1662. pag. 14. 15. one as seldom deceives Men that the great Law-maker the wise Solon had when he concluded that Reverence and Obedience would be yielded to his Laws because he had taken the pains to make his Citizens know and understand that it was more for their profit to obey Law and Justice than to contemn and break it and indeed the Profit Benefit and Ease is very great which always attends a chearful Obedience to Laws and Government NO Wonder then we stand up so vigorously for our Old Laws since in maintaining them consists our Perfect Freedom our greatest Liberty And herein too is the King chiefly solicitous because it tends so much to our real Good and Happiness Therefore saith he to his Parliament I shall consent to any reasonable Bills you shall offer me for the Good 30. His willingness to consent to any reasonable Bills for the Good of the Nation The King's Speech Thursd May 23. 1678. pag. 6. and Safety of the Nation AND He thus continues MY Lords and Gentlemen I shall say no more but only to assure you whatsoever some ill Men would have believed I never had 31. The King never had any Intentions but of Good to his People and will do all things for their Safety any Intentions but of Good to you and to my People nor ever shall but will do all that I can for your Safety and Ease AND Wherein does our Safety and Ease more consist than in an orderly Government by Law which preserves to every Man his true Rights and Interests And is there any Invasion on us here Are not the
their Liberties and Properties by as many good Laws as can be proposed and as may comport with the safety of the Government Kingdoms and People SAITH He I declare my self freely that I am ready to gratifie you in a further The King's Speech Thursd Feb. 15. 1676 7. pag. 2 3. securing of your Liberty and Property if you can think you want it by as many good Laws as you shall propose and as can consist with the Safety of the Government without which there will neither be Liberty nor Property left to any man Having thus plainly told you what I am ready to do for you I shall deal as plainly with you again and tell you what it is I do expect from you I do expect and require from you that all occasions 53. The King being ready to do this for us expects of Difference between the two Houses be carefully avoided For else they who have no hopes to prevent your good Resolutions will hope by this Reserve to hinder them from taking any effect 54. That all occasions of difference between the Houses be taken away AND Let all Men Iudge who is most for Arbitrary Government they that foment such Differences as tend to dissolve all Parliaments or I that would preserve this and all Parliaments from being made useless 55. And let any judge who is most for Arbitrary Government he or others that foment Differences by such Dissentions THE Preserving a State of Peace and Unity The Lord Chancellor's Speech May 23. 1678. pag. 12. 56. Keeping Peace at home now more necessary than ever at home is now more necessary than ever He that foments Divisions now does more mischief to his Country than a Foreign Enemy can do and disarms it in a time when all the hands and all the hearts we have are but enough to defend us NO Fears of Arbitrary Government can justifie no Zeal to Religion can sanctifie such a Proceeding FOR this directly tends to unhinge us all this has nothing but Ruin and Desolation Anarchy and Confusion in the end of it 57. Divisions only tend to Ruin This would the King suppress he would have Right prevail and every man to enjoy all those Civil Priviledges which belong to him as his just due for he would have things to stand upon their Ancient and Sure Foundations Complaints should be heard and Wrongs should be relieved to all alike should Justice be imparted and there should be no respect to persons and this would be the way for the Land to have abundance of Peace For the truth hereof hearken to the words of the King I do not pretend to 58. The Nation never had less cause to complain of Grievances than since the Kings Restoration be without Infirmities but I have never broken my Word with you and if I do not flatter The King's Speech Jan. 18. 1666 pag. 4. my self the Nation never had less cause to complain of Grievances or the least Injustice or Oppression than it hath had in these seven Years it hath pleased God to restore me to you AND when he came to Prorogue his Parliament till towards Winter that so they might in their several places intend the Peace and Security of their several Countries where there were unquiet Spirits enough working I do pray you saith he 59. And he desires his Parliament so to tell the people in their respective Countries for he is sure of it and I do expect it from you that you will use your utmost endeavours to remove all The King's Speech Feb. 8. 1666 pag. 5. those false Imaginations in the hearts of the People which the Malice of ill Men have industriously infused into them of I know not what Iealousies and Grievances for I must tell you again and I am sure I am in the right and it is worthy of the most solemn regard that the People had never so little cause to complain of Oppression and Grievances as they have had since my Return to you THIS is not all The Words of the Lord Keeper who spoke 60. But this is not all the Sense and Mind of the King and which he commanded him to declare to them are more large yet Says he If any just Grievances shall have happened His Majesty will 61. If any just Grievances shall happen he is as ready to redress them as the Parliament to represent them be as willing and ready to Redress them for the future The Lord Keeper's Speech Thursd Octob 10. 1667. pag. 8. Id. pag. 7. as you to have them represented unto him AND therefore although His Majesty hears and has reason to believe that some disaffected persons have spread abroad Discourses and Rumors reflecting upon the Government intending thereby to beget a disaffection in his good Subjects and it is an easie thing to take exceptions Cum neque culpam humana Infirmitas neque Calumniam regnandi difficultas evitet Yet His Majesty promises himself from your good Affections that every one of you in your several places will endeavour to preserve a good Understanding between him and his People Id. pag. 7 8. WELL but the King as if he had not been satisfied in trusting any other to speak his mind comes and tells his Parliament himself I assure you I shall willingly receive 62. And he will willingly receive all Bills of that nature and pass any Bill you shall offer me The King's Speech to both Houses Saturd Mar. 8. 167â— 3. pag. 4. that may tend to the giving you satisfaction in all our just Grievances WHAT is there now that you can complain of 63. we shall be Righted in all our Complaints wherein you shall not be righted DO there want any Laws to secure the Peace and Quiet of the State says my Lord Keeper to The Lord Keeper's Speech Octob. 13. 1675. pag. 8 9 10 11. that Parliament 64. In Laws to secure the Peace of the State WOULD you at once enrich and adorn the Kingdom by providing for the Extent and Improvement of Trade by introducing new and useful Manufactures and by encouraging those we have already 65. In Provisions for the Extent and Improvement of Trade WOULD you prevent all Frauds and Perjuries all Delays and Abuses in the Administration of Justice WOULD you preserve a famous City from being depopulated 66. In preventing all Frauds and Perjuries all Delays and Abuses in the Administring of Justice by the Suburbs Would you restrain the Excess of those new Buildings which begin to swarm with Inhabitants unknown ALL your Petitions of this kind will be Grateful to the King and you may with ease effect all this and much more which your great Wisdoms will suggest to you A little time 67. In restraining the Excess of new Buildings will serve to make many excellent Laws and to give you the honour of being the Repairers of all our Breaches so as that time he
how readily did he pass that Act And Certainly there can be no greater Evidence The Kings Declaration Dec. 26 1662. pag. 4 5. 116. And there can be no greater Evidence that the passing it proceeded from his Clemency than his care to have it confirmed by a new Act. that the Passing it did proceed from the Clemenly of our Nature as he himself hath said it than that we have been pleased to make it our especial care to have it confirmed by a new Act and whereas saith he we not only consented unto but most earnestly desired the passing that Act at first and confirming it since as being no less conformable to our Nature than conducible to a happy Settlement so we do hereby most solemnly renew unto all 117. And it never shall be in the power of any to make him decline the strict Observance of it our Subjects concerned in it this Engagement on the Word of a King that it shall never be in the power of any Person or Interest whatsoever to make us decline from the Religious Observance of it AND what high and losty things doth he speak of it saith he I shall conclude with this which I cannot say too often nor you too often where The King's Speech Decem. 29 1660. p 4 5 you go for it was at the Dissolution of that Parliament that next to the miraculous Blessing of God Almighty 118. He did impute the Security we were all in to that happy Act. and indeed as an immediate Effect of that Blessing I do impute the good Disposition and Security we are all in to the happy Act of Indemnity and Oblivion that is the principal Corner-Stone which supports this excellent Building that creates kindness 119. That the chief Corner-Stone that supports this excellent Building in us to each other and Confidence is our joynt and common Security You may be sure I will not only observe it Religiously and Inviolably my self but also exact the Observation of it from others And if any 120. Confidence our joynt and common Security Person should ever have the boldness to attempt to perswade me to the contrary he will find such an Acceptation from me as he would have who should perswade me to burn MAGNA CHARTA cancel all the old 121. What Acceptation he should find that would go about to divert him from the Observation of it Laws and to erect a new Government after my own Invention and Appetite WHEN His Majesty came to see his new Parliament what was one and a great part of his Speech to them but this Above all I must repeat what I said when I was last here saith he that next to the miraculous Blessing of God Almighty and indeed as an immediate Effect of that 122. Still he calls this Act the chief Corner-Stone that supports this excellent Building Blessing I do impute the good Disposition and Security we are all in to the happy Act of Indemnity and Oblivion that is the principal Corner-Stone which supports this excellent Building that creates Kindness in us to each other and Confidence is our joynt and common Security 123. That Confidence is our joynt and common Security I am sure I am still of the same Opinion The King's Speech May 8. 1661. at the Opening of the Parliament pag. 2 3. and more if it be possible of that Opinion than I was by the Experience I have of the Benefit of it and from the unreasonableness 124. He is of the same Opinion he was by the experience he had of the benefit of it of what some Men say against it though I assure you not in my hearing In God's Name provide full Remedies for any future Mischiefs be as severe as you will against new Offenders especially if they be so upon old Principles and pull up those 125. Therefore when any clamour against it be as severe as possible against such new Offenders upon old Principles Principles by the Roots But I shall never think him a Wise Man who would endeavour to undermine or shake that Foundation of our Publick Peace by Infringing that Act in the least degree or that he can be my Friend or wish me well who would perswade me ever to consent to the Breach of a Promise I so solemnly made when I was abroad and performed with that 126. He is no wise Man who shall go about to infringe that Act in the least degree or can he be the King's Friend who would make him break such a Promise Solemnity because and after I promised it I cannot suspect any Attempts of that kind by any Men of Merit and Vertue AND now it would be very unseasonable and unreasonable to endeavour to shake that Foundation The Lord Chancellor's Speech to the same p. 10 11. which if you will take the King's Judgment supports the whole Fabrick of our Peace and Securirity He tells you what he shall think of any who goes about 127. This is a Zeal no Prince could be transported with but himself to undermine that Foundation which is a Zeal no Prince could be transported with but himself It might have seemed enough for a King who had received so many Injuries so hardly to be forgotten undergone so many Losses so impossible to be repaired to have been willing to confirm and to re-enact the Act of 128. For him after such Indignities c. to prepare such an Act for us and to conjure his Parliament by all their Friendship to him to dispatch it is a piece of Fatherly tenderness indeed Oblivion and Indemnity when you should present it to him But to prepare such an Act for you to conjure you by all that is precious by your Friendship to him to dispatch those Acts with Expedition is such a piece of Fatherly Tenderness and Piety as could proceed from no Heart but such a one in which God hath treasured up a stock of Mercy and Justice and Wisdom to redeem a Nation And truly My Lords and Gentlemen for our selves if we consider how much we owe to those who with all the Faculties of their Souls contributed to and contrived the blessed Change the restoring the King to his People and his People to the King and then how much we owe to those who gave no Opposition to the Vertuous Activity of the other and God knows a little opposition might have done much 129. For there were but few who did not deserve to be forgiven by him harm whether we look upon the Publick or upon our own private Provocations there will remain so few who do not deserve to be forgiven by us that we may very well submit to the King's Advice and his Example of whom we may very justly say as a very good Historian said of a very great Emperor and 130. The only Instances of the King's Greatness and Power over us have been the giving of us Peace Honour and Security
I am sure it could never be so truly said of any Emperor as of ours Facere recte cives suos Princeps Optimus faciendo docet cumque fit imperio Maximus Exemplo Major est Nor indeed hath he yet given us or have we yet felt any other Instances of his Greatness and Power and Superiority and Dominion over us Nisi as he said out levatione periculi aut accessione dignitatis by giving us Peace Honour and Security which we could not have without him by desiring nothing for himself but what is 131. This made the House of Commons unanimously return him their Thanks for his constant Observance of the Act of Oblivion as good for us as for himself AND certainly the Consideration of this made the Honourable House of Commons Resolve upon the Question Nemine contradicente That the Humble Thanks of their House should be returned to the King's Majesty for his Constancy Feb. 25. 1652. pag 3. Of the House of Comâ—â—â— Votes and Oâ—â—ers then in the Observation of the Act of Indemnity AND also it was then Resolved c. Nemine contradicente That the Humble Thanks of their House 132. As also for his professing against introducing a Government by Military Power should be returned to the King's Majesty for his Profession against Introducing a Government by a Military Power in his Declaration to all his Loving Subjects Decemb. 26. 1662. AND in the Speech which their Speaker delivered in the Name of the whole House Feb. 26. 1662. p. 6 7. he saith thus We your Majesty's most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects c. do for our selves and in the Names of all the Commons of England render to your Sacred Majesty the Tribute of our most hearty Thanks for that infinite Grace and Goodness wherewith Your Majesty hath been pleased to publish your Royal Intentions of adhering to your Act of Indemnity and Oblivion by a constant and Religious Observance of it And our Hearts are farther enlarged in these Returns of Thanksgivings when we consider Your Majesty's most Princely and Heroick Professions of relying upon the Affections of your People and abhorring all sort of Military and Arbitrary Rule AS for the several Sums of Money which have been given to 133. As for his laying out the Moneys that have been given him His Majesty have they not been given him upon the Nation 's Account and for its Good Welfare and Security We have had briefly a By-regard to our own selves and it was the sake of our dear Interest and Safety that made us so full of Generous Liberality to him and how all those great Sums have been laid out to those Ends you shall not take my Word for it but as I have done all along hitherto so I will still continue what must needs be your best and fullest satisfaction to repeat to you the King 's own Words WHEN the House of Commons had passed the Bill entituled An Act for a speedy Provision of Money to pay off and disband all the Forces of this Kingdom both by Sea and Aug. 29. 1660. The Speech of the Speaker of the House of Commons to the King in the House of Lords pag. 7. Land Upon which they hoped such a Sum would be advanced and brought in as might be sufficient fully to discharge and dispatch that Work And humbly prayed His Majesty's Gratious Acceptance of and Royal Assent to it The King was pleased to come and tell them That he thanked them for the many good things they had done for The King's Speech to both Houses Septem 13. 1660 p. 4. him and for the Kingdom And saith he In truth I do thank you more for what you have done for the Publick than what you have done for my own particular and yet I do thank you too 134. He promises which is the best way he can take to gratifie his Parliament and People that not one Penny of it shall be laid out to his own particular Occasions till it is evident the Publick will not need it for that with all my heart But I confess to you I do thank you more for the Provision you have made to prevent Free Quarter during the time the Army shall be Disbanding which I take to be given for my Satisfaction than I do for the other Present you have made me for my own particular Occasions And I do promise you which is the best way I can take to gratifie you I will not apply one Penny of that Money to my own particular Occasions what shift soever I make till it is evident to me that the Publick will not stand in need of it and if it do every Penny of it shall be disbursed that way and I dare say I shall not be the poorer for it WHEN the King came to his Parliament the first day of their Meeting after their Adjournemnt he tells them The Occasion of my coming hither is Extraordinary It is to say something to you on my own behalf The King's Speech to both Houses Wednesd Novemb. 20. 1661. pag. 1 2. to ask somewhat of you for my self 135. And when his Majesty came again to ask them for some more Money he tells them if it did most concern himself and his Straits c. and did not manifestly relate to the publick Peace more than to his own particular he would not ask which is more than I have done of you or of those who met here before you since my coming into England I need not do it now They did and you do upon all Occasions express so great an Affection and Care of all that concerns me that I may very well refer both the matter and the manner of your doing any thing for me to your own Wisdoms and Kindness And indeed if I did think that what I am to say to you now did alone or did most concern my self if the uneasie Condition I am in if the Straits and Necessities I am to struggle with did not manifestly relate to the publick Peace and Safety more than to my own particular otherwise 136. For he can bear his own Necessities patiently enough than as I am concerned in the Publick I should not give you this trouble this day I can bear my Necessities which merely relate to my self with patience enough 137. And then after he had laid open the Obligations of the Crown to provide for the Interest Honour and Security of the Nation and declared to them the pressing Occasions that made him so earnest He desires them to examine throughly whether such Necessities were real or not or whether fallen by his fault upon us and give him accordingly AND having in short given them an Account of the Insupportable Weight that the Publick Necessities laid upon the Crown and the Obligations it lieth under to provide for the Interest Honour and Security of the Nation he says These are the pressing Occasions which I am forced to recommend to you with
all possible Earnestness Id. pag. 3 4. and do conjure you to provide for as speedily as is possible and in such a manner as may give us Security at home and some Reputation abroad I make this Discourse to you with some Confidence because I am very willing and desirous that you should throughly examine whether these Necessities I mention be Real or Imaginary or whether they are fallen upon us by my Fault my own ill Managery or Excesses and provide for them accordingly I am very willing that you make a full Inspection into my Revenue as well the Disbursements as Receipts and if you find it hath been ill managed by any Corruption in the Officers I trust or by my own Vnthriftiness I shall take the Information 138. But not to believe any loose discourses of giving away vast sums of Money in a Morning and Advice you shall give me very kindly I say if you find it for I would not have you believe any loose Discourses how confidently soever urged of giving away Fourscore Thousand Pounds in a Morning and many other Extravagancies of that kind 139. For he is sorry he can reward his faithful Servants no better I have much more reason to be sorry that I have not to reward those who have ever faithfully served the King my Father and my self than ashamed of any Bounty I have exercised towards any Man HERE you find is plain dealing The King comes to ask of 140. Thus if the King ask for Money it is to provide for our Safety and Interest his Parliament some Supply but it is to this end that the Nation may be the better by it that some necessary Provisions for the very Safety of the Kingdom may be made without delay that we may have cause to rejoyce in our own Peace and Quietness being under the Covert of his Wings whose Princely Heart and Head cannot no more than it ought to be free from cares and thoughts of our Protection and Happiness NOR unless upon serious Examination these pressing Necessities be found real and that they have not happened by any fault in him who is perfectly willing that they should enter into the strictest Search in the Case does he require any thing And he would take the Information kindly from them if they would be so free as to tell him upon the Enquiry that they do find Corruption in any of the Officers that he trusts WHEN His Majesty met the House of Commons in the Banquetting-House at Whitehall in March and told them That 141. And he is exceedingly deceived if whatever he hath had given him be any otherwise given than to be laid out for the publick use and benefit and so it shall and we shall find we are the richer by our giving in truth he did not know they were any whit nearer setling his Revenue than they were The King's Speech to the House of Commons Mar. 1. 1661 2. pag 5 6. at Christmas Saith he I am sure I have communicated my Condition to you without Reserve what I have coming in and what my necessary Disbursements are and I am exceedingly deceived if whatever you give me be any otherwise given to me than to be issued out for your own use and benefit Trust me it shall be so and if you consider it well you will find that you are the richer by what you give since it is all to be laid out that you may enjoy the rest in Peace and Security GENTLEMEN I need not put you in Id. ibid. pag. sequente 142. Miserable have been the effects that attended the Wants of the Crown mind of the miserable Effects which have attended the Wants and Necessities of the Crown I need not tell you that there is a Republical Party still in the Kingdom which hath the Courage to promise themselves another Revolution and methinks I 143. Therefore to have such Provision made for the Crown as that it might be able to support it self and secure us is all the King desires and that only for our Preservation should as little need to tell you that the only way with God's Blessing to disappoint their hopes and indeed to reduce them from those extravagant Hopes and Desires is to let them see that you have so provided for the Crown that it hath where withal to support it self and to secure you which I am sure is all I desire and desire only for your Preservation Therefore I do conjure you by all the Professions of Affection you have made to me by all the Kindness I know you have for me after all your Deliverations betake your selves to some speedy Resolutions and settle such a real and substantial Revenue upon me as may hold some proportion with the necessary Expences I am at for the Peace and Benefit and Honour of the Kingdom that they who look for Troubles at home may have that Esteem and Value of us as may secure the Interest and Honour of the Nation and make the Happiness of this Kingdom and of this City once more the Admiration and Envy of the World THUS you see the Peace and Benefit the Interest and Honour and Happiness of this Nation the King's Heart is full of Gracious Intentions to procure and support This is it he greatly desires and desires it for our sakes as well as his own Under his 144. Well when the Parliament had given the King Moneys how does he thank them for it and tell them he will apply it all to the greatest advantage for the Peace and Happiness of the Kingdom Protection he would have us to enjoy our Safety not only that our Persons should be safe but that all that belongs or is dear to us should be so likewise our Religion our Liberties and all our Civil Rights And what more is it possible for a King to do to win over all the Hearts of his Subjects to him And shall he so deserve our Affections and we ever grudge him our Purses BUT to return to the King 's own further Words Saith he to his Parliament My Lords and Gentlemen You have so much obliged me not only in the The King's Speech to both Houses at their Prerogation Mond May 19. 1662. pag 4. matter of those Bills which concern my Revenue but in the manner of passing them 145. And with the best Advice and good Husbandry he can he will contract his Expences with so great Affection and Kindness to me that I know not how to thank you enough I do assure you and I pray assure your Friends in the Country that I will apply all you have given me to the utmost Improvement of the Peace and Happiness of the Kingdom and will with the best Advice and 146. How the King found the Crown when he came to it good Husbandry I can bring my Expences within a narrower Compass THE Lord Chancellor in his Speech after this of the King 's said
Rights which he is so sollicitous for SURELY it is enough for any Kingdom and more than most Kingdoms in the World can boast The Lord Chancellor's Speech Thursd Feb. 15. 1676 7. p. 12. of to have their Affairs brought into such a Condition that they may in all Humane Probability 187. Future Contingencies not capable of certain Prospect and unless it be their own default continue for a long time safe and happy FOR Future Contingencies are not capable of any certain Prospect a Security beyond that of Humane Id. ibid. 188. Let us bless the King for taking away our fears and jealousies that our Properties and Liberties are safe Probability no Nation ever did or ever shall attain to LET us therefore bless the King for taking away all our Fears and leaving no Room for Jealousies The Lord Chancellor's Speech Feb. 5. 1672 3. pag. 15 16. Let us bless the King that our Properties and Liberties are safe as well as our Religion What more hath a good English Man to ask but that THIS KING may long Reign and that the Tripple Alliance of King Parliament 189. And may the Tripple Alliance of King Parliament and People never be dissolved and People may never be dissolved AND let all who pray for the long Life and Prosperity of the King add their Endeavours to The Lord Chancellor's Speech Thursd Feb. 15. 1676 7. p. 17. their Prayers and study to prolong his Sacred Life by giving him all the Joys of Heart which can arise 190. And let those who pray for the King's Life and Prosperity add their Endeavours to their Prayers from the Demonstrations of the lively and the warm Affections of his People TO which most excellent Prayer of the Chancellor let all the People joyn with me in this Response of Amen CHAP. IV. Of Parliaments NOTHING conduceth more to the Happiness of a Nation than a right Understanding 1. Nothing tends more to the happiness of the Nation than frequent Meetings in Common Council for the Security of all we have or are is lodged in our English Parliaments Sir Edward Turner 's Speech to the King Friday Feb. 8. 1666. on the Prorogation pag. 1 2. between the Prince and the People and nothing more advanceth this Correspondence than frequent Meetings in Common-Council By the Wisdom of our Fore-Fathers the Security of our Lives our Liberties and our Properties is lodged in our English Parliaments And so Gratious have Your Majesty's Predecessors been that for the satisfaction of their People they have made several Laws some for Triennial some for Annual Parliaments Your Majesty by their Example upon the humble Suit of your Lords and Commons hath in a former Session of this Parliament passed an Act for Triennial Meetings in Parliament But in this Your Majesty hath exceeded all your Predecessors that as your happy Restauration was in a Convention of Parliament so of your own Accord for the Publick Good and as a Demonstration of your extraordinary Love to Parliaments You have vouchsafed ever since Your Return to converse with your People in Parliament this being the Sixth Year and the Sixth Session of this present Parliament I DO chuse to begin with these words of the Speaker as being vere Emphatical in themselves and most convenient and apposite to usher in the several other following Declarations and Speeches to prove this to you that the King's Affection to Parliaments is extraordinary and that it hath been his Delight and wonderful Satisfaction as well as his very often Use and Practice to converse with his People in them AND that you may have no reason why to disbelieve me I shall without any further trouble of my own words straight fall upon what the King himself hath said IN the Letter which His Majesty sent to the Speaker of the Commons assembled in Parliament what Security did he give us of this in saying WE do assure you upon our Royal Word 2. No former Kings have had a greater Esteem of Parliaments than our present King that none of our Predecessors have had a The King's Letter to the Speaker of the Commons from Breda April 4 14. 1660. pag. 4. greater Esteem of Parliaments than we have in our Iudgment as well as from our Obligation We do believe them to be so Vital a Part of the Constitution of the Kingdom and so necessary for the Government of it that we well know neither Prince nor People can be 3. Neither Prince nor People can be happy without them in any tolerable degree happy without them And therefore you may be confident that we shall always look upon their Counsels as the best we can receive and shall be as tender of their Privileges and as careful 4. Their Counsels the best the King can receive to preserve and protect them as of that which is most near to our self and most necessary for our own Preservation AND as this is our Opinion of Parliaments that 5. He will be tender of their Privileges and careful to preserve them their Authority is most necessary for the Government of the Kingdom so we are most confident that you believe and find that the Preservation of the King's Authority is as necessary for the Preservation of Parliaments 6. The Preservation of the King's Authority as necessary for the Preservation of Parliaments as their Authority is necessary for the Government of the Kingdom and that it is not the Name but the right Constitution of them which can prepare and apply proper Remedies for those Evils which are grievous to the People and which can thereby establish their Peace and Security And therefore we have not the least doubt but that you will be as tender in and as jealous of any thing that may infringe our Honour or impair our Authority as of your own Liberty and Property which is best preserved by preserving the other HOW far We have trusted you in this great Affair and how much it is in your 7. It is in their Power to restore a ruined Nation Id. pag. 5. Power to restore the Nation to all that it hath lost and to redeem it from any Infamy it hath undergone and to make King and People as happy as they ought to be you will find by Our inclosed Declaration a Copy of which We have likewise sent to the House of Peers and you will easily belieâ—e that We would not voluntarily and of Our Self have reposed so great a Trust in you but upon an entire Confidence that you will not abuse it and that you will proceed in such a manner and with such due Consideration of Vs who have trusted you that We shall not be ashamed of declining other Assistance which we have Assurance of and repairing to you for more Natural and Proper Remedies for the Evils We would be free from nor sorry that We have bound up Our own Interest so entirely with that of Our
Subjects as that We refer it to the same Persons to take Care of Vs who are trusted to provide for them We look upon you as Wise and Dispassionate 8. As being wise and dispassionate Men and good Patriots Men and good Patriots who will raise up those Banks and Fences which have been cast down and who will most reasonably hope the same Prosperity will again spring from those Roots from which it hath heretofore and always grown nor can We apprehend that you will propose any thing to Vs or expect any thing from Vs but what We are as ready to give as you to receive AND towards the latter end of the same Letter saith he We have thought fit to send you this Declaration 9. The King's Heart is in all this Declaration that you may as much as is possibly Id. pag. 7. at this distance see Our Heart which when God shall bring us nearer together as We hope He will do shortly will appear to you very agreeable to what We have professed IT was much al out that time no doubt that the Speaker of 10. England in the late times but a great Prison the House of Commons meant when he said that England was but a great Prison where the worst of Men were our Governors and their vilest Lusts the Laws by The Speaker's Speech to the King Aug. 29. 1660. pag. 3. which they governed THE Great and most Wise God conveyed Divine 11. The King's Restoration was our Deliverance from Sufferings Intelligence into your Patient and Pious Soul and taught you how by suffering for us to deliver us from our Sufferings to knock off our Shackles and set your People at liberty when neither Power nor Policy could effect it So soon as Your Majesty set your Foot upon your English Shore our Prison was turned into a Paradice of Pleasure and the whole Nation filled with Joy and Love and Peace THIS great Blessing is already registred in your 12. And so the People acknowledged in their Joys People's thankful Hearts and they desire that the Pag. ibid. sequen Memory thereof might be perpetuated and therefore they have laid it up amongst their choicest Jewels and annexed it to their MAGNA CHARTA which they are willing to pawn unto Your Majesty upon Condition when they forget this to forfeit that and all THIS was a most true and noble Saying and worthy such a Speaker And now the King being setled in his Throne and that Parliament having accomplished the Ends for which they had met and we all Received the Fruit and Benefit of their Counsels and Conclusions and they being willing to be 13. The Dissolution of that Parliament was at their own Requests relieved from the extraordinary Fatigue to which The Lord Chancellor's Speech Saturd Dec. 29. 1660. pag. 6 7. they had so long submitted and to return to the Consideration of their own particular Affairs which they had so long sacrificed to the Publick it was no wonder that such a reasonable wish and desire should bring the King to comply with them and he made no doubt but all succeeding Parliaments would pay them their Thanks for all they had done and look upon their Actions and their Example with all possible Approbation and Reverence BUT when His Majesty within a few Months after met his new Parliament and upon their Choice of Sir Edward Turner for their Speaker he was pleased to accept of him what high and lofty thoughts had that brave Man of this August Assembly YOU shall hear his own words and they are these and he had both the Houses within his view when he made his second Speech to the King after the Chancellor had declared the King's Approbation of the Choice of the House of Commons Pray let me beg Your Majesty's Patience for a while and 14. The sight of such an August Assembly is transporting from this place to look about me Sir a weak Sir Edward Turnor 's Speech May 10. 1661. two days after the Opening of the Parliament p. 5 6. Head is soon giddy but the strongest Brain may here be turned the Presence of this Glory and the Glory of this Presence do transport me Whilst I contemplate the Incomparable Beauty of this Body Politick and the goodly Order of this High Court of Parliament where at once I behold all the Glory of this Nation I am almost in the Condition of S. Paul when he was taken up into the Third Heavens all he could say upon his Return was he saw things unutterable AS the last Meeting here in Parliament was happy 15. The last Parliament happy in healing our bleeding Wounds in healing the bleeding Wounds of this Nation Id. pag. 9 10. so they were blessed even for their Works sake Your Sacred Majesty did bless them and therefore they shall be blessed to all Posterity BUT Sir we hope you have a Blessing left for us too That 16. This hopes to be so in an Emulation to exceed the Actions of their Predecessors was your Parliament by Adoption but this is yours by Birth-right This Parliament is Free-born I hope this Honour will beget in us an Emulation to exceed the Actions of our Predecessors and not only to meet Your Majesty as our Sovereign with the Duty of Subjects but with the Love of Sons to a most indulgent Father NEXT to the Glory of Your Majesty's Royal 17. The Glory of the House of Peers Throne I cannot but observe the brightness of this Id. ibid. Second Orb meaning the Noble Lords this Firmament is richly decked with Stars of several Magnitudes each Star appears like the Morning Star and yet each Star differs from another in Glory YOU cannot want Commanders either by Sea or Land to manage your Designs whilst all Id. ibid. these Sons of Mars stand Candidate to serve you in the Wars YOU cannot want Counsellors to advise you in the great Affairs of the Nation whilst all these Id. ibid. Senators each fit to be a Consul contend who shall most ease you in the Thorny Cares of the Government AMIDST these Noble English Barons and at Your Majesty's Feet are placed the Reverend Judges Id. ibid. sequent of the Land the Sages of the Law Men so Learned and expert in the Customs and Statutes of this Land that if Wat Tyler or Jack Cade or the new Fanaticks of this latter Age had burned our Books they were able to restore our Laws in Purity and Perfection AND next to these though in a lower Orb 18. Of the House of Commons appear the Worthy Knights the Prudent Citizens Id. pag. 11. and Burgesses of the House of Commons being the third Estate of Parliament WHEN the Fame of Solomon's Wisdom had filled the Neighbour Nations the Queen of Sheba Id. ibid. could not contain her self at home but with many Camels laden with Spices with Gold and Pretious Stones in Abundance
in their Countenance at the Dissolution as when they met at the Convention of Parliament It is an unquestionable Evidence that they are exceedingly satisfied in what they have done towards each other that they have very well done all the Business they came about This is now your Case You have so well satisfied your own Consciences that you are sure you have satisfied the King's Expectation and his Hope and the Desires and Wishes of the Country 41. They have asked nothing of the King but what he hath readily granted and his Majesty hath scarce wished any thing which they have not done for him It was very justly observed by you Mr. Speaker That you have never asked any one thing of the King which he hath not with all imaginable chearfulness granted and in truth his Majesty doth with great comfort acknowledge That you have been so far from denying him any thing he hath asked that he hath scarce wished any thing that you have not granted The King and you have given such Earnest to each other of your mutual Affection you have been so exact and punctual in your proceedings towards each other that you have made no promise no profession to each other of the making good and performing of which the World is not witness Id. p. 7. AND I cannot here forbear inserting the most admirable words of that Chancellor to the Noble Lords and Honourable Members of the House of Commons then in particular but yet which at all times may be repeated to and it were well if they were duly remembred by any succeeding Parliament They are these Your Lordships will easily recover that Estimation and Reverence 42. By the Lords exercise of that Virtue from whence their Honours sprang they will enflame the peoples hearts and from thence they will make a Judgment of the King himself that is due to your High Condition by the exercise and practice of that Virtue from whence your Honours first sprang the example of your Justice and Piety will enflame the hearts of the people towards you and from your practice they will make a Judgment of the King himself They know very well that you are not only admitted to his Presence but to his Conversation and even in a degree to his Friendship for you are his great Council by your Example they will form their own Manners and by Yours they will make some guess at the Kings Therefore under that obligation you will cause your Piety your Justice your Affability and your Charity Id. p. 15 16 17. to shine as bright as is possible before them They are 43. They are too much in love with England who believe it the best Country in the World but it is but just to say England iâ— an Enclosure of the best People in the World too much in love with England too partial to it who believe it the best Country in the World there is better Earth and a better Air and a better that is a warmer Sun in other Countries but we are no more than just when we say that England is an Enclosure of the best people in the World when they are well informed and instructed a people in Sobriety of conscience the most devoted to God Almighty in the Integrity of their affection the most dutiful to the King in their good Manners and Inclinations most regardful and loving to the Nobility no Nobility in Europe so entirely loved by the people there may 44. No Nobility in Europe so beloved by the People be more awe fear and terrour of them but no such love towards them as in England I beseech your Lordships do not undervalue this Love they have looked upon your Lordships and they will look upon your Lordships again as the greatest examples and patterns of duty to the King as their greatest security and protection from Injury and Injustice and for their enjoying whatever is due to them by the Law and as the most proper Mediators and Interposers to the King if by any failure of Justice they should be exposed to any Oppression and Violence and this exercise of your Justice and Kindness towards them will make them the more abhor and abominate that parity upon which a Commonwealth must be founded because it would extirpate or suppress or deprive them of their beloved Nobility which are such a support and security to their full happiness 45. As the Commons came up the Peoples Deputies to the King so he returns them his Deputies to the People AND you Gentlemen of the House of Commons you are now returning to your Countrey laden with a Trust not inferiour or weighty than that you brought from thence you came up their Deputies to the King and he returns you now his Deputies to them his Plenipotentiaries to inform and assure them that he thinks himself the happiest and the greatest Prince of the World from being possess'd of the affections and hearts of such Subjects And that you may have the more credit in what you say he will not take it unkindly if you publish his Defects and Infirmities You may tell them as a great Infirmity that a troubled 46. A troubled countenance so afflicts the King that he would remove it at his own charge and discontented countenance so afflicts him that he would remove it from them at his own charge as if he himself were in the fault And when he hath been informed of any less kind or jealous thing said amongst you as your Windows are never so close shut but that the sound of your words goes to the several corners of the Town His Majesty hath been heard to say no more but What have I done I wish that Gentleman 47. The King wishes his People knew him better and I were acquainted that he knew me better Id. p. 18. Oh Gentlemen you cannot be your selves nor you cannot make your Friends too zealous or too jealous for such a Prince's safety or too solicitous for such a Prince's satisfaction and content to whom we may very justly say as the King of Tyre writ to Solomon Because that God hath loved his people he hath made 48. Where the King's defects are necessary towards the full measure of our prosperity thee King over them even his Defects and Infirmities are very necessary towards the full measure of our prosperity AND though the Speaker could that day affirm in the Speech he made to his Majesty that No man can say that hath made the 49. As that Parliament was very good so whilst we have this good King we may see such onother most curious search into Books or Records that there ever was such a Parliament as this yet he could add further what since has been sufficiently known And it s our unspeakable joy and comfort that no man can say so long as your Majesty lives but we may have such another And he gives us a very good Id. p. 32.
to posterity may be perpetual for the fruit it shall produce and for the commemoration that will follow it Ibid. THEN will this year be a true year of Jubilee and we shall have nothing left to wish or pray for in this World but the blessed continuance of his Majestie 's long and happy reign over us Ibid. BUT it seems this did not meet with that happy effect the King 135. Yet the ill designs of the Enemy were too prevalent against the good ones the King had proposed to himself in behalf of his People could have wish'd it had as it appears by his own Speech to them two months after which though much against his will caused him to make that Prorogation you shall hear of saith he The ill designs of our Enemies have been too prevalent against those good ones I had proposed to my self in behalf of my people and those unhappy differences between my two Houses are grown to such an height that I find no possible King's Speech 9. June 1675. pag. 4. means to put an end to them but by a Prorogation 136. But still the King is uneasie in making use of the expedient of a Prorogation It is with great unwillingness that I make use of this Expedient having always intended an Adjournment for the preserving of such Bills as were unfinished but my hopes are that by this means the present occasion of differences being 137. But hopes the old differences will be buried by it taken away you will be so careful hereafter of the publick as not to seek new ones nor to revive the old AND therefore when he met them next after this Prorogation with what warm affections for the good of his people doth he speak to them I meet you now with a more than usual concern 138. His warm affections to them at the next meeting for the Event of this Session and I know it is but what may reasonably be expected from that care I owe to the prefervation of the Government The causes of the last Prorogation and 139. He will remember nothing of former businesses himself and hopes his Parliament will follow his example hath he not here set a most generous Example indeed for all good Subjects to imitate as I for my part do not desire to remember so I hope no man else will unless it be to learn from thence how to avoid the like occasions King's Speech to both Houses Wednes 13 Oct. 1675. p. 3. for the future and I pray consider how fatal the consequences may be and how little benefit is like to redound to the people by it However if any 140. Or at least will defer them till publick Bills are perfected thing of that kind shall arise I desire you would defer those debates till you have brought such publick Bills to perfection as may conduce to the good and safety of the Kingdom NO King did ever meet a Parliament with juster cause of confidence 141. No King met a Parliament with more confidence in their affections and therefore relies upon it that they will never forsake him in their Affections AND therefore his Majesty will not suffer himself to doubt but relies firmly upon it that you will never forsake him when he is under any kind of difficulties FOR it is impossible that those Affections which Piety and Allegiance first planted which persecution could not abate 142. For it is impossible those affections of Piety and Allegiance they have ever had should now decay which the gracious influences of his Majestie 's happy Government have hitherto increased should now Lord Keepers Speech to the same p. 7. appear to wither and decay My Lords and Gentlemen THE happiness of this present Age and the fate and fortune 143. The happiness of both the present and next Age is much in the Parliaments hands of the next too is very much in your hands and at this time all that you would desire to settle and improve all that you would wish to secure and transmit to your Posterities Id. p. 8. may now be accomplished AND you see with what Zeal the King hath recommended to 144. The Kings Zeal in recommending to them a good agreement you a good agreement between your selves and that he doth it with all the care and compassion all the earnestness and importunity fit for so great a Prince to express who would be very sorry that any such misfortune as your disagreement should either deprive him of your Advice and Assistance or his People of those good Laws which he is ready to grant you Id. p. 10. WELL his Majesty did not think he had yet done enough or at least if more would rather induce and prevail with them he was resolved to spare no words to forget no arguments that had any cogency and weight in them to bring his Parliament over to that calmness of temper that necessary moderation so much desired by all good and honest men as might settle us upon the sure and lasting foundations of peace and happiness saith he My Lords and Gentlemen 145. His further earnestness after a long Prorogation I have called you together again after a long Prorogation that you might have an opportunity to repair the misfortunes of the last Session and to recover and restore the right use and end of Parliaments The time I have given you to recollect your selves in and to consider whither those differences tend which have been so unhappily managed and improved between you is King's Speech 15 Febr. 1676 7. pag. 1 2. enough to leave you without all excuse if ever you fall into the like again I am now resolved to let the World see that it shall not be 146. The Kings desire to have the People happy by his Parliaments consultations my fault if the people be not made happy by your consultations in Parliament Id. ibid. AND therefore that you may hear the sum of the whole matter and which the King was pleased to refer to his Parliament saith he in page the 4th To conclude I do recommend to you 147. He recommends to them the peace the safety and the prosperity of the Kingdom the peace of the Kingdom in the careful prevention of all differences the safety of the Kingdom in providing for some greater strength at Sea and the prosperity of the Kingdom in assisting the necessary charge and support of the Government And if any of these good ends should happen to be disappointed 148. And would have no disappointment of them if possible I call God and Men to witness this day that the misfortune of that disappointment shall not lie at my door Id. ibid. IF therefore there be any endeavours to renew nay if there 149. But would have all remembrances of former things extinguished be not all the endeavours that can be to extinguish the memory of all former
him in the old and decent method of Parliaments THE late way of tacking together several independant and 163. For it seems to alter the whole frame and constitution of Parliaments incoherent matters in one Bill seems to alter the whole frame and constitution of Parliaments and consequently of the Government it self IT takes away the King 's Negative voice in a manner and 164. It takes away the Kings Negative voice in a manner forces him to take all or none when sometimes one part of the Bill may be as dangerous for the Kingdom as the other is necessary IT takes away the Negative voice of the House of Peers too 165. And that of the House of Peers too by the same consequence and dis-inherits the Lords of that Honour they were born to the liberty of debating and judging what is good for the Kingdom IT looks like a kind of defamation of the Government and 166. It looks like a kind of defamation of the Government seems to suppose the King and House of Lords to be so ill affected to the publick that a good Bill cannot carry it self through by the strength of its own Reason and Justice unless it be helped forward by being tacked to another Bill that will be favoured IT does at last give up the greatest share of Legislature to the 167. And gives up the greatest share of Legislature to the Commons Commons and by consequence the chief power of judging what Laws are best for the Kingdom AND yet it is a priviledge that may be made use of against 168. Yet may be made use of against the Commons the Commons as well as by them for if this method hold what can hinder the Lords at one time or other from taking advantage of a Bill very grateful to the Commons and much desired by them to tack a new clause to it of some Foreign matter which shall not be altogether so grateful nor so much desired and then the Commons must take all or none too THUS every good Bill shall be dearly bought at last and one 169. This is the way for every good Bill to be dearly bought at last chief end of calling Parliaments the making of good Laws shall be wholly frustrated and disappointed and all this by departing from that method which the wisdom of our Ancestors prescribed on purpose to prevent and exclude all such inconveniences THESE Innovations the King resolves to abolish and hath 170. These Innovations the King will abolish commanded me to say to you State super vias Antiquas My Lords and Gentlemen THERE never did there never can again so much depend 171. What great things depended on the success of that Meeting upon the happy success of any one Meeting as there does upon this IF this Session do not repair the misfortunes and amend the faults of the last it will look like a fatality upon the Nation LET not the whispers or Evil surmises of those who lie in 172. Let no evil surmises of base men make any mistrustful wait to deceive make any man the unhappy occasion of endangering the safety of the Government by mistrusting it HE whose House is destroyed by Fire would find but little consolation in saying the Fire did not begin by his means but it will be a matter of perpetual anguish and vexation of heart to remember that it was in his power to have extinguished it EMBELLISH the History of this Parliament by shewing 173. Good Service very acceptable to the King who never forgets any thing but Injuries us the healing vertue of this Session so shall your Service be acceptable to the King who never forgets any thing but Injuries so shall you recommend your selves to posterity by transmitting to them the same peace and happiness you are trusted with LET us then carefully avoid all differences amongst our selves 174. Differences that our Enemies wish for is the best way for us to ruine our selves all manner of clashing about Jurisdictions and all Lord Chanc. Sp Mond 21 Oct. 78. p. 15 17 18 19. disputes of such a nature as can never end in any Accommodation For this is still what our Enemies would wish who would be glad to see us ruin'd without their being at the charge of it 175. Great significations of Loyalty and Duty the only means to discourage our Enemies AND therefore we must now above all other times labour to shew the World the most effectual significations of our Loyalty and Duty that we are able to express for nothing in the World can more discourage our Enemies as on the contrary nothing does or can so ripen a Nation for destruction as to be observed 176. As nothing sooner destroys a Nation then to distrust its own Government to distrust their own Government YOU now find the King to be involved in difficulties as great and without your assistance as insuperable as ever any Government 177. The King involved in great difficulties did labour under AND yet his Majesty doth not think that there need many 178. There needs not many words to bespeak our zeal for the things themselves speak aloud words to bespeak your Zeal and Industry in his Service for the things themselves now speak and speak aloud The publick and the private Interest do both perswade the same things and are and ought to be mighty in perswasion IF the honour and safety of your Country and which is next 179. The honour and safety of our Country the concerns of our Families and Posterities call to us to that the concerns of your own Families and Posterities cannot awaken your utmost care to preserve that Government which only can preserve you and yours all other discourses will be to no purpose THERE can be no difficulties at all to them who take delight 180. No difficulties to them who delight to serve the King and their Country in serving of the King and their Country and love the occasions of shewing it SUCH are all here But though the King have had for many years a large and full experience of your duty yet there never 181. No time like this to try all our affections was a time like this to try your affections THERE is so strange a concurrence of ill accidents at this 182. A strange concurrence of ill accidents time that 't is not to be wondred at if some very honest and good men begin to have troubled and thoughtful hearts Yet that which is infinitely to be lamented is that malicious men too begin to work upon this occasion and are in no small hopes to 183. Malicious men begin to work upon this occasion raise a Storm that nothing shall be able to allay IF you rescue the Kings affairs from such a Tempest as this 184. If the Parliament can weather this Storm they 'l do as good service to the King as ever yet he stood in
need of If you can weather this Storm and steer the Vessel into Harbour If you can find a way to quiet the Apprehensions of those who mean well without being carried away by the passions of others who mean ill If you can prevent the designs of those without doors who study nothing else but how to distract your Councels and to disturb all your Proceedings Then you will have performed as great and as seasonable a piece of Service to the King as ever yet he stood in need of AND when the World shall see that nothing hath been able to disappoint the King of the Assistance he had reason to hope from this Session but that there is a right understanding between the King and his Parliament and that again strengthned and increased by new Evidences of your Duty and Affection and raised above all possibility of being interrupted THEN shall the King be possessed of that true glory which 185. And he will be possest of the true glory which others vainly pursue others vainly pursue the glory of reigning in the hearts of his People Then shall the People be possessed of as much felicity as this World is capable of And you shall have the perpetual Honour and Satisfaction of having been the means to procure to 186. The People of the greatest felicity so much solid and lasting good to your Country as the Establishment of the Peace and Tranquillity of this Kingdom and 187. And themselves of perpetual Honour consequently of all his Majesties Dominions AND now what remains but that the Parliament when e're they sit again should have these most profitable words of the King continually in their Memories which he was pleased to deliver to both his Houses on Thursday 6th March 1678 9. p. 4. and 188. Parliaments to be imployed on the great concerns of the Nation 5. and carefully see that they Imploy their time upon the great concerns of the Nation and be not drawn to promote private Animosities under pretences of the publick So will their proceedings be Calm and Peaceable in order to those good ends the King hath at all times and to be sure will recommend to his 189. And to curbthemotions of unruly Spirits Parliament and that they curb the motions of any unruly Spirits which would endeavour to disturb them For there can be no man that must not see how fatal differences amongst 190. The considerations to be laid before them as urgent and weighty as ever any Parliament had our selves are like to be at this time both at home and abroad FOR the considerations which are now to be laid before them are as urgent and as weighty as were ever yet offered to any Parliament or indeed ever can be so great and so 191. From our dangers at home and a broad surprising have been our dangers at home so formidable Lord Chanc. Speech to the same p. 10. are the appearances of danger from abroad that the most united Councels the most Sedate and 192 Therefore all need of united Councels Calmest temper and zealous Affections the Calmest temper together with the most dutiful and zealous Affections that a Parliament can shew are all become absolutely and indispensably necessary for our preservation AND therefore the King hopes the good understanding 193. And a good understanding between the King and his People between him and his People shall be for ever maintain'd by a perpetual Reciprocation of Grace and Favour on his part and duty and affection on yours Id. pag. 16. YOU will have now an opportunity of doing great things for 194. They have opportunity to do great things both for the King and Kingdom the King and Kingdom and it deserves your utmost care to make a right use of it For it is not in the power of a Parliament to recover a lost opportunity or to restore themselves again to the same Circumstances or the same condition which they had once a power to have improved Id. pag. 17. WOULD you secure Religion at home and strengthen it 195. This is the time to secure Religion at home and to strenghten it from abroad from abroad by uniting the Interests of all the Protestants in Europe This is the time Id. ibid. WOULD you let the Christian World see the King in a condition 196. To put the King in a condition to protect all his Adherents able to protect those who shall adhere to him or depend upon him This is the time Id. ibid. WOULD you extinguish all our Fears and Jealousies Would you lay aside all private Animosities and give them up to the 197. To extinguish all Fears and Jealousies quiet and Repose of the Publick This is the time Id. ibid. WOULD you lay the foundations of a lasting Peace and 198. And to lay the foundations of a lasting Peace secure the Church and State against all the future Machinations of our Enemies This is the time Id. ibid. My Lords and Gentlemen THE present face of things and the State wherein we now are is so well known and understood abroad that the whole 199. All the World in great expectation of the Resolutions of the Parliament World is in great expectation of those Resolutions which shall be taken here the results of this Counsel seem to be decisive of the fate of these Kingdoms for many Ages and are like to determine us either to happiness or misery of a very long duration Id. pag. 18. MAY then your Wisdom and Moderation be such that the King may never deny you any thing AND when ever you meet may you make it your business to 200. May our Parliament make it their business to repair the Hedge about our Vineyard repair the Hedge about our Vineyard and make it a fence indeed against all those who are Enemies to the Planting of it who would be glad to see it trodden Lord Keepers Speech 7. Ja. 73 4. pag. 8. down or rooted up and study how to sap and under-mine our very Foundations THE Heathens were wont to observe and envy the Christians for their Unity and Love of one Sir Ed. Turnor's Sp. to the King May 17. 1664. pag. 12. 201. May a happy Correspondence be kept between the King and both Houses another Ecce ut invicem se diligunt Christiani May this happy Correspondency between his Royal Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament increase and grow to be the Envy of the World till all his Majesties Enemies are forced to cry Ecce ut invicem se diligunt Anglicani THERE wants nothing more to the improvement 202. May their wisdoms use their advantages with a due moderation of our happiness but the wisdom of the Parliament Lord Keepers Speech Jan. 7. 71 4. pag. 10. to use their advantages with a due moderation AND if upon enquiry you shall think it needful to apply any 203. Few