King is as an Angel of God of a quick of a noble and just apprehension he straines not at gnats he will easily distinguish between a vapour and a fogg between a mist of errour and a cloud of evill right he knowes if the heart be right Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speakes You proceed to a survey of the lustre of this great and glorious Assemblie and in that as in a curious Crystall you observe the true happinesse which we all here enjoy You have distributed and divided aright and whosoever sees it otherwise hath an evill eye or a false glasse We have enjoyed it long through the happy meanes of gracious and good Princes and the way to enjoy it still is to know and heartily to acknowledge it and that God hath not done so to any other Nation It is a prime cause or meanes of this our happinesse You mention the forme of Government under which we live a Monarchie and the best of Monarchies where Sovereignty is hereditarie no Inter-Regnum nor competition for a Crown Descent and Succession are all one The Spirit of God by the mouth of the wisest of Kings long since proclaimed this happinesse Blessed art thou O Land where thy King is the son of Nobles The frames of other States are subject some to inconstant Levitie some to Faction some to Emulation and Ambition and all to manifold Distempers in which the People go to wrack The Monarchie is most naturall and in it Unity is the best cement of all government principally in respect of the unity of the Head which commands the rest And therefore other States when they have tryed a while doe for the most part resolve into this as into the best for Peace for Strength and for Continuance But formes of other governments though never so exact move not of themselves but are moved of their governours And therefore our Monarchie as you have truly said this glorious Assemblie the lively image and representation of our Monarchie is made happy and perfect by the Royall Presence that sits here in his highest Royal Throne the Throne of the Law-giver glorious in it selfe glorious by those happy Lawes and Oracles which have issued from it and most glorious by them that sit on it his Majestie and his Royall Progenitours incomparable Kings that with so much honour have swayed the Sceptre of this Kingdome so many successions of Ages In the next place after the Throne of Majestie you look into the Chaire of Doctrine the reverend Prelates and upon the state of Religion their proper charge This is the blessing of all blessings the priviledge and assurance that secures us of all the rest that as our Religion is most sincere and orthodoxe so our Clergie is eminent both for purity of Doctrine and integritie of Life our Priests are clothed with righteousnesse and their lips preserve knowledge and therefore God's Saints may and doe sing with joyfulnesse I must joyn with you in attributing this transcendent blessing to us as in the first place to God's goodnesse so in the second to his Majestie 's piety who following the steps of his ever-blessed Father is carefull that all the Lamps of the Church may be furnished with Oyle and especially those which are set on golden Candle-sticks with the purest and best oyle The Schools also and nurceries of Learning never so replenished especially with Divinity as in this last Age as they all shew his Majestie 's Piety so are they infallible Arguments of his Constancy The triall which you call the fierie triall undergone by his Majestie in the place of danger and again the power and policie of Rome and Spaine hath approved his resolution inimitable and his own remarkable example in his closet and his chamber his strict over-sight of and command to his Houshold servants and his charge to his Bishops and Judges his Edicts his Proclamations and Commissions and the like for the execution of the Lawes and his general care to preserve the fountain pure both from Schisme and Superstition are faire fruits and effects of a pious and zealous resolution From the chaire of Doctrine you turn to the state of Honour unto the Nobles and Barons of England These are Robâ—r belli who for the service of the King and Kingdome are to make good with their Swords what the Church-men must hallow and blesse by their Prayers And therefore as the Prelates are the great Lights of the Church so the Nobility are the Starres of the State and you know that the starres have fought and fought powerfully against the enemies of God From the state of Honour you come to the state of Justice and to the twelve Lyons under Solomon's Throne the Iudges and Sages of the Law and as their peculiar charge intrusted to them by our Sovereigne the Lawes of the Kingdome Lawes undoubtedly fitted to the constitution of this people for Leges Angliae and Consuetudines Angliae are Synonyma and Consuetudo est altera natura so as besides the justnesse and rightnesse of the Lawes they are become naturall to our people and that is one of the powerfullest meanes which begetteth obedience and such Lawes in the mouthes of learned and upright Judges are like waters in a pure chanel which the fairer it runs the clearer they run and produce that whereof Solomon speaks Prov. 29.2 When the righteous are in authority the People rejoyce From the Law you passe to the Knights Citizens and Burgesses and the third Estate who represent the Commons of England in whom the Scripture is verified In the multitude of People is the Kings honour and therefore you may be sure that distance of place and order breeds no distance in affection for wise Kings ever lay their honour next to their hearts Kings are Pastores populi and the Shepherds care is nothing lesse to the furthest then to the next part of his Flock and it is asmuch towards the least of his Lambs as towards the greatest Cattel And as in the Natural bodie no member is so remote but it is still within the care of the head so in this great Politick bodie of the Kingdome no ranck or order of People so low is at such distance from the Throne but it dayly feeles the influence and benefit of the Kings care and protection And to say the truth in a well-governed Kingdome the superiour rancks of Nobles of Judges and of Magistrates are not ordained for themselves but as conduits for the Kings justice protection and goodnesse to the lower rancks of his People And as the People are so its just cause they should be constant to the Poles of Love and Loyalty And thus having perused both Houses by divided parts joyn them together and in that juncture you believe truly and materially that the greatest denyal of their joynt requests is The King will advise A note very remarkable It shewes the indulgence of Kings it shews also the wisdom and judgement of the Houses the
as I cannot without Scandall apprehend it I cannot without some Character or exception passe it And therefore I desire that such interposition may be left and that all other **** respects and goodnesses of his Majesty in the confidence of our own loyaltie and affections Now let us proceed to those services that concern him which I doubt not in the end will render us so reall unto him that we shall not need more help to endear us to his favour A Message by Secretary Coke from the King to the Lower House April 7. 1628. HIs Majesty hath again commanded me to put you in mind how the eyes and interest of the Christian World are cast upon the good or ill successe of this Assemblie He also graciously taketh notice of that which is in agitation amongst us touching the freedome of our Persons and propriety of our Goods And that this particular care which he in no way misliketh may not retract our resolution for the generall good he willeth us cheerfully to proceed in both and to expresse our readinesse to supply his great Occasions upon assurance that we shall enjoy all our Rights and Liberties with as much freedome and security in his time as in any age heretofore under the best of our Kings And whether you shall think fit to secure our selves herein by way of Bill or otherwise so as it be provided for with due respect to his Honour and the publick good whereof he doubteth not but you will be carefull he promiseth and assureth you that he will give way unto it and the more confidence you shall shew to his Grace and Goodnesse the more you shall prevaile to obtain your desires Sir Benjamin Ruddier's Speech upon the receipt of his Majestie 's Answer to the Petition against Recusants M r Speaker THe best thanks we can return his Majesty for his gracious and religious answer he hath given to our Petition is to move towards that which will both please him and secure our selves The dangers and necessities of the present state M r Speaker are so obvious to every mans eye and understanding and therefore so well known as to make a large and particular rehearsall of them would rather astonish our iudgements then refresh our memorie Wherefore in short and in grosse I will but only reflect upon the desperate condition of the Kings Vncle the King of Denmarke engaged from hence even to the hazzard of his own Kingdome in the quarrell of that royall and victorious Lady his Majesties Sister for the recovery of her and her childrens patrimony the preservation and reestablishment of the Religion in those Countreys so that the King is bound in nature in policie and in religion to relieve and assist both the persons and the cause to the utmost of his power Believe it M r Speaker the hindge of the many businesses mov'd in Germany doth not a little presse us to look about us at this time for if that great bodie were once united under one head it would crush all the rest with the weight of it Next let us a little look over into France there shall we find the poor men of our Religion exposed to the furie of an enraged King with a juster pretence against them then hath been at any time heretofore besides which is worse the Kings of Spain and France are united against them and us and made better friends then ever they meant to have been So that not to succour and support the Professours of our Religion will not only be infidelity and cruelty but improvidence and folly for their ill is ours If Rochel should be lost which is now in loosing and his Majesty not able to set out one ship to help it if it should be lost it would hazzard the totall extirpation of the Religion besides it would be an extraordinarie advantage to the King of France for shipping and as great a disadvantage to us in respect of the neighbourhood and if the Sound should be lost too whereby should we escape from being swallowed up by a Spanish invasion this Island would be more like to a prison then a Kingdome for we were not able to walke abroad These are dangers too many yet have I willingly abridged them for I had rather come to the remedy so should we all which consists only in money plentifully and speedily brought in wisely and judiciously laid out I doubt not but wee are all resolved to give wherefore Mr Speaker let us prepare our selves to give plentifully to satisfie the publick occasions to heave his Majesty out of necessity for necessity is the worst Counseller and I shall be verie sorry that we of all others should be guilty of placing ill Counsell about the King and now to think of sparing when all lies at the stake were the most undoing kind of prodigality Let us give speedily for delaie is the greatest danger of all dangers it will not only loose that which we give but that also which we would give And this I propound not as the Kings businesse but our way wherein every man in this house hath particular interest if his fortune his life his religion be any thing unto him Neither speak I this to divert the great businesse in hand but to hasten it for I love as well Mr Speaker to tread upon English ground as any man here doth The King's Message to the House of Commons by M r Speaker 12 April 1628. HIs Majesty having given timely notice to this House as well of the pressing of the time as of the necessity of supply hath long since expected some fruit of that which was so happily begun but finding an unexpected stop almost beyond all expectation after so good a beginning hath commanded me to tell you that without any further unnecessary delay you proceed with his businesses for however he hath been willing and consenting his affaires and ours should concurre and proceed together yet his meaning was not that one should give interruption to another nor the time to be spunne out upon any pretence upon which the common cause of Christendome doth so much depend He bids us therefore to take heed and force not him to make an unpleasing end of that which hath been so well begun The Petition concerning the billetting of Souldiers 14 April 1628. To the Kings most Excellent Majesty IN all humility complaining shew unto your most excellent Majesty your loyall and dutifull Commons now in Parliament assembled That whereas by the fundamentall Lawes of this your Realme every free-man hath and of right ought to have a full and absolute propriety in his goods and estate and that therefore the billetting and placing of Souldiers in the houses of any such free-man against his will is directly contrarie to the said Lawes under which we and our Ancestours have been so long and happily governed yet in apparent violation of the said ancient and undoubted right of all your Majesties most loyall Subjects of this your Kingdome
of other wayes of raising of monies so particularlie by imposition gave us just cause to suspect that what ever was your Majesties own gratious intention yet there wanted not those that under some colourable pretence might secretlie by this as by other wayes contrive to change the frame both of Religion and Government and thereby undermine the safetie of your Majestie and your Kingdoms these men could not be ignorant that the bringing in of strangers for aid hath been pernitious to most States where they have been admitted but to England fatall We do bless God that hath given your Majestie a wise and understanding heart to discern of the mischief of such courses and that such power produceth nothing but weakness and calamitie And we beseech your Majestie to pardon the vehemencie of our expressions if in the loyall and zealous affections we bear to your Majestie and your service we are bould to declare to your Majestie and the whole world that we hold it far beneath the heart of any free English man to think that this victorious Nation should now stand in need of Germaine Souldiers to defend their own King and Kingdom But when we consider the courses formerlie mentioned concerning the undermining of Religion and these things tending to an apparant change of government the often breach of Parliaments where by your Majestie hath been deprived of the faithful Councels and free aids of your people The taking of tonnage and pondage without any grant thereof by Act of Parliament ever since the beginning of your Majesties raign to this present The standing commission granted to the Duke of Buckingham to be General of an Army within the land in the time of peace The displaceing of faithfull and sufficient Officers and Ministers some from Judicial places and others from the Offices and Authorities which formerly they held in the Common-Wealth we cannot but at the sight of such an approaching desolation as must necessarilie follow these courses out of the depth of sorrow lift up our cries to Heaven for help and next under God humbly applie our selves to your sacred Majestie and falling down at your feet do beseech you to harken to the voice of all your people who if you could hear so many thousands speaking altogether would all joyntly implore speedy help and reformation And if yet your Majestie will be pleased to take a further view of the present estate of your Realm we do humblie pray you to consider whether the miserable disasters and ill success that hath accompanied all your late designes and actions particularly those of Cales the Isle of Rhee and the last expedition to Rochel have not extreamlie wasted that stock of honour that was left unto this Kingdom sometimes terrible to all other Nations and now declining to contempt beneath the meanest together with our honour we there lost those and that not a few who had they lived we might have had some better hope of recovering it again Our valiant Collonels Captains and Commanders and many thousand common Souldiers and Marriners though we have some cause to think that your Majestie is not as yet rightlie enformed thereof and that of six or seaven thousand of your Subjects lost at the Isle of Rhee your Majesty received information but of a few hundreds And that all this dishonour and loss hath been purchased with the Consumption of above a million of Treasure many of your Forts are exceeding weak and decayed and want both men and munition And here we cannot but with grief consider and complain of a strange improvidence we think your Majestie will call it treacherie That your store of powder which by order of your privy Councel dated the tenth day of December 1626. should be constantly three hundred last besides a continual supplie of Twentie last a moneth for ordinarie expences and were now fit as we conceive to be double That proportion is at this time in the Tower the present warrants being served but nine last and forty pound in all which we tremble to think of And that notwithdanding this extream scarcitie of powder great quatities have been permitted to be sould out of your Majesties store to particular persons for private gain whereof we have seen a certificate of fortie six last sould since the fourteenth of Ianuary last And your Majesties store being unfurnished of powder which by a contract made with Mr. Evelin by the advise of the Lords in Parliament ought to be supplied monthly with twentie last at the rate of 3 l. 10. s. 10. d. the barrel Your Majestie hath been forced to pay above 7. l. a barrel for powder to be brought from beyond the Seas for which purpose 12400. l. hath been imprest to Mr. Burlamacho the last year and that powder not so good as that which by contract your Majestie should have of your own by one third part All which are most fearfull and dangerous abuses But what the poverty weakness and miserie your Kingdom is now grown unto by decay of trade by destruction and loss of ships and Marriners within these three last years we are almost afraid to declare And could we have been assured that your Majesty should any other way have had a true information thereof we should have been doubtfull to have made our weakness and extreamity of misfortune in this kinde to appear But the importunate and most pittifull complaints from all the parts of your Kingdom near adjoyning to the sea in this kinde would rend we think the strongest heart in the world with sorrow And the sence we have of the miserable condition your Kingdoms is in by reason thereof especially for that we see no present possible means being now shortly to end this session how to help the same adds such a weight of grief unto our sadd thoughts as we have no words to express it But for your Majesties more exact reformation herein we beseech you be pleased to peruse the Kallandar of particulars which with this our Remonstrance we most humbly present unto your Majestie One reason amongst many others of this decay of trade and loss of ships Marriners is the not guarding seas the Regalitie whereof your Majesty hath now in a manner wholly lost and that wherein a principal part of the honour and safetie of this Kingdom heretofore consisted in having the absolute command of the seas is now so neglected that the Town of Dunkerk doth so continuallie beat robb and spoil your Subjects that we can assure your Majestie if some present and effectual remedie be not forthwith provided the whole trade of this Kingdom the shipping and Marriners belonging thereunto will be utterly lost and consumed The principal cause of these Evils and Dangers we conceive to be the excessive power of the Duke of Buckingham and the abuse of that power And we humbly submit it to your Majesties Excellent wisdom whether it can be either safe for your self or your Kingdom that so great power as rests in him both by
judging of a Parliament to be the antient speediest best way in this time of common Danger to give such supply as to secure our selves and to save our Friends from imminent ruine have called you together Every man must do according to his conscience Wherefore if you which God forbid should not doe your duties in contributing what the State at this time needs I must in discharge of my conscience use those other meanes which God hath put into my hands to save that which the follies of particular men may hazard to loose Take not this as a threatning for I scorn to threaten any but my equals but an admonition from him that both out of nature and dutie have most care of your preservations and prosperities and though I thus speak I hope that your endeavours at this time will be such as shall not onely make me approve your former Counsels but lay on me such obligations as shall binde me by way of thankfulness to meet often for be assured that nothing can be more pleasing to me then to keep a good correspondence with you I will onely adde one thing more and then leave my Lord Keeper to make a short paraphrase upon the Text I have delivered you which is to remember a thing to the end we may forget it You may imagine that I came here with a doubt of success of what I desire remembring the distractions at the last meeting but I assure you that I shall very easily and gladly forget and forgive what is past so that you will at this present time leave the former waies of distractions and follow the counsell late given you to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace The Lord Keeper Coventry's Speech 17. March 1627. My Lords and you the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons IF I had been delighted in long speaking yet the example and commandment of his Majestie hath been more then enough to refraine the superfluitie of that humour but here is yet more For that short and excellent compacted Speech which you have heard from his Majestie begins with a reason It is a time for action and not for speech Examples and Command master the VVill and Reason the Understanding and therefore you may expect nothing from me but brevity You have heard the matter already and I doubt not but with reverence as the weight and authority requires you have imprinted it in your mindes and the matter being known long speeches from me were but babling to beat the aire Yee are here in Parliament by his Majesties writ and royall command to consult and conclude of the weightie and urgent businesse of this Kingdome VVeighty it is and great as great as the honour safety and protection of Religion King and Country and what can be greater Urgent it is It is little pleasure to tell or think how urgent and to tell it with circumstances were a long work I will but touch the summe of it in few words The Pope and House of Austria have long affected the one a Spiritual the other a Temporal Monarchie and to effect their ends to serve each others turn the House of Austria besides the rich and vast Territories of both the Indies and in Africa joined together are become Masters of Spain and Italy and the great country of Germany And although France be not under their subjection yet they have endeavoured all about him the very bowells of the Kingdome swaied by the Popish faction they have gotten such a part and such interest in the Government that under pretence of Religion to root out the Protestants and our Religion they have drawn the King to their adherence so farre that albeit upon his Majesties interposition by his Ambassadours and his engagement of his royall word there was between the King and his Subjects Articles of agreement and the Subjects were quiet whereby his Majestie interessed in that great Treaty was bound to see a true accomplishment yet against that strict alliance that Treaty hath been broken and those of the Religion have been put to all extremity and undoubtedly will be ruinated without present help so as that King is not onely diverted from assisting the common Cause but hath been misled to engage himself in hostile acts against our King or other Princes making way thereby for the House of Austria to the ruine of his own and other Kingdomes Other Potentates that in former times did ballance and interrupt the growing greatnesse of the House of Austria are now removed and diverted The Turk hath made peace with the Emperour and turned himself wholly into warrs with Asia the King of Sweden is embroiled in a warre with Poland which is invented by Spanish practices to keep that King from succouring our part the King of Denmark is chased out of his Kingdome on this and on that side the Sound so as the house of Austria is on the point to command all the Sea-coasts from Danâ—zick to Emden and all the Rivers falling into the Sea in that great extent so as besides their power by Land they beginne to threaten our part by Sea to the subversion of all our State In the Baltique Sea they are providing and arming all the ships they can build or hire and have at this time their Ambassadours threatning at Lubeck to draw into their service the Hans-Townes whereby taking from us and our neighbours the East-land trade by which our Shipping is supplied they expect without any blow given to make themselves masters of the Sea In those Western parts by the Dunkerkers and by the now French and Spanish Admirall to the ruine of Fishing of infinite consequence both to us and the Low Countries they infest all our coast so as wee passe not safely from port to port And that Fleet which lately assisted the French at the Isle of Ree is now preparing at St. Andrea with other ships built in the coast of Biscai to re-inforce it and a greater Fleet is making ready at Lisbon where besides their own they do serve themselves upon all strangers bottoms coming to that coast for trade And these great preparations are no doubt to assault us in England or Ireland as they shall finde advantage and a place fit for their turn Our friends of the Netherlands besides the feare that justly troubles them lest the whole force of the Emperour may fall down upon them are distracted by their Voyages into the East which hath carried both men and money into another world and almost divided them at home Thus are we even ready on all sides to be swallowed up the Emperour France and Spain being in open warr against us Germany over-run the King of Denmark distressed the King of Sweden diverted and the Low-Countrey-men disabled to give us assistance I speak not this to increase fear unworthy of English courages but to presse to provision worthy the wisdome of a Parliament And for that cause his Majestie hath called you
King not willing to deny his People People not willing to presse their King to a deniall the one wise and modest in their requests and the other moderate and sweet in the answer This is the ancient and right way of union in Parliament The God of unity keep it in this and all insuing Parliaments This union you rightly call the union of Hearts and a greatnesse beyond the Kingdomes which the King inherits so then its a present fit for a wise people to offer to their gracious King Wise and magnanimous Kings are a speciall gift from God having hearts capable of greatnesse union of hearts is greatest and greatnesse was never unwelcome to Kings and therefore present and offer it to your King you cannot doubt of acceptance Having spoken of union you fall presently into a memoriall of the great and glorious actions of his Majestie 's Predecessours and into the height and contemplation of greater that remain If I mistake not your meaning you would have it understood that the union of Prince and people make way to those remarkable acts of former times and that we that wish the like successe in our time should look back upon our Forefathers Wisdome requires it Honour and the Time requires it that we should shew our selves the sonnes of our Auncestours at least in holding that which they left us The pride of Rome abated as you say by England now lifts up her horns against Religion Gods vine planted and deeply rooted here overspread into our neighbour Countreys hath of late lost many of her goodly branches The Austrian Eagle that wanted feathers till of late now soares and preys at will over all Spain so often foiled by us hath by disguised treaties dispoiled of their patrimonie those princely Branches of our royall Cedar and posts apace to his universall Monarchy to the ruine of us our Friends and Religion God hath his time and I trust a time to stop thier course I know not but we may expect it as well now as ever There is a resolution in our King and there is I trust for I am sure there was a resolution in our Parliament for great actions Our king as he hath a Solomon so hath he many Davids in the glorious catalogue of his royall Descent and hath linked himself in the House of Henry the Great and he bears a glorious and auspicious name sutable to his thoughts and desires and therefore since Honour and Religion call for it and since you have incouraged him to fight Iehovah's battels let all put to their hands that our King and Nation may have the honour to set Christendome in her right Balance And now to come to the petitions you have made for the House his Majestie most graciously and readily grants them all according to your true and ancient Rights and Priviledges of Parliament which his Majestie trusts you will have care not to exceed or transgresse and therefore you may go chearfully together and speedily settle about the publick affairs And the almighty God prosper the works of your hands I say the almighty God prosper your handy-work M r. Goodwin's Speech March 22. 1627. Mr. Speaker IT hath pleased his Majestie in his last Speech to intimate unto us the cause of our meeting which is supply against the great and common dangers that threaten the ruine of this Kingdome and the time of our sitting cannot be long and therefore he wisheth to avoid tedious resolutions In conformity whereunto I propound that laying aside all other matters we addresse our selves to that for which we were called hither wherein as in the first place we have well begun in our pious humiliation towards almighty God so let us now proceed to serve and to supply the king yet so as we satisfie our Countrey that sent us hither and preserve our Rights and Priviledges which have as surely been broken and infringed as undoubtedly they belong to us S r. Francis Seymour's Speech March 22. 1627. THis is the great Councel of the Kingdome and here if not here alone his Majestie may see as in a true glasse the state of the Kingdome We are all called hither by his Majestie 's writs to give him faithfull counsel such as may stand with his honour but that we must do without flatterie and chosen by the Commons to deliver up their just grievances and this we must do without fear Let us not be like Cambyses Judges who being demanded of him concerning something unlawfull said Though there were no written Law the Persian Kings might do what they list This was base flatterie fitter for reproof then imitation and as flatterie so fear taketh away the judgement For mine own part I shall shun both these and speak my conscience with as much duty to his Majestie as any man not neglecting the Publick But how can we speak our affections while we retein our fears or speak of giving till we know whether we have any thing to give or not For if his Majestie shall be perswaded to take what he will what need we to give That this hath been done appeareth by the billetting of Souldiers a thing no way advantageous to his service and a burthen to the Common-wealth the imprisonment of Gentlemen for the Loane who if they had done the contrary for fear their faults had been as great as theirs who were Projectours in it To countenance these proceedings hath it not been preached in the pulpit or rather prated All we have is the Kings But when they forsake their own calling and turn ignorant States-men we see how willing they will be to change a good conscience for a Bishoprick It is too apparent the people suffer more now then ever will you know the true reason we shall find those Princes have been in greatest wants and necessities that have exacted most from their Subjects The reason is plain A Prince is strongest by faithful and wise Counsel I would I could truly say such had been imployed abroad I speak this to this end to shew the defect proceeded not from this House I must confesse he is no good Subject that would not willingly and freely lay down his life when the End may be the service of his Majestie and the good of the Common-wealth But he is no good Subject but a slave that will have his goods taken from him against his will and his Liberty against the Laws of the Kingdome In doing this we shall but tread the steps of our Fore-fathers who still preferred the publick interest before their own rights nay before their own lives It will be a wrong to Us to our Posterities to our Consciences if we shall forgo this This we shall do well to present to his Majestie I offer this in the generall thinking the particulars fitting for Committees What I may now say or shall then I submit to better Judgements S r. Thomas VVentworth's Speech March 22. 1627. MAy this dayes resolution be as happy as I conceive the Proposition
no meaning of barring you from what hath been your Right but in the manner to avoid all scandals on his Councel and actions past his Ministers might not be nor himself under their names taxed for their Councels and that no such particulers should be taken in hand as would ask a longer time of consideration then what he hath already prefixed and still resolves to hold that so for this time Christendom might have notice of a sweet parting between him and his people which if it falls out his Majesty will not be long from another meeting when such grievances if there be any at their leasure and convenience may be considered The KINGS speech 7 June THe answer I have already given you was made with so good deliberation and approved by the judgement of so many wise men that I could not have imagined but it should have given you full satisfaction But to avoid all ambiguous interpretations and to shew you that there is no doubleness in my meaning I am willing to please you in words as well as in substance Read your Petition and you shall have an answer I am sure will please you Then the Petition of Right was read and again the whole PARLIAMENT spake MAy it please your most Excellent Majesty The Lords spiritual and temporal and Commons in Parliament Assembled taking into their considerations that the good intelligence between your Majesty and your people doth much depend upon your Majesties answer unto their Petition of Right formerly presented with an unanimous consent unto your Majesty Do most humbly beseech your Majesty that you will be gratiously pleased to give a satisfactory answer thereunto in full Parliament Soit droit fait come est desire par le Petition Let right be done as is desired by the Petition The KING again THis I am sure is full yet no more then I granted you in my first answer for the meaning of that was to confirm all your Liberties knowing according to your own protestations that you neither mean nor can hurt my Prerogative And I assure you my Maxim is that the peoples Liberties strengthen the Kings Prerogative and the Kings Prerogative is to defend the peoples Liberties You see now how ready I have shewn my self to satisfie your demands so that I have done my part wherefore if this Parliament hath not a happy conclusion the sin is yours I am free of it The Motions of the Lower-house to the Higher 7. June 1628. THat the new granted subsedies might be expended especially upon three or four of the most necessary of those Propositions propounded by his Majesty That they thought the most necessary imployments for the subsedies were first the repairing of our new impaired Navy Royal and the decayed Sea munition Secondly the re-edifying of the breaches made in our Forts and Haven Towns Thirdly by a supply and speedy aid and assistance for Denmark And whether in these they have judged rightly or not the eminent and incroaching dangers of the present times might be a guide Also they made Declaration of the late Suits and Petitions of our Marriners having lately received from them a Bill of grievances against the Duke for defect of payment and that not of some few but the whole Company And that if herein they had not sudden redress they must be forced to right themselves upon him as they shall finde opportunity Herein the Commons did declare that they thought themselves bound in Conscience as helping the oppressed and in pollicie in preventing all such combustions to patronize and cherish them Also they thought it expedient that all such books as have been questioned in Parliament and since tollerated might after the dissolving thereof by the virtue of the former Protection pass uncontroulable and the Authors thereof without molestation In the interim that this latter Proposition was debating upon just occasion being offered S r. THOMAS WENTVVORTH delivered himself thus RIght wise Right worthy how many instigations importune the sequel of my words 1. The equity of your proceedings 2. The honnesty of my request for I behold all your intendments grounded upon discretion and goodness and your constitutions steered as well by charity as the extreamity of Justice This order I say and method of your proceedings together with the opportunity offered of the subject in hand have imboldned me to sollicit for an extention of the late granted Protections in general The Lawfulness and honnesty of the Proposition depends upon these particulers 1. The present troubles of the parties protected having run themselves into further and almost irrecoverable hazard by presuming upon and feeding themselves with the hopes of a long continuing Parliament let the second be this consequence That which is prejudicial to the most ought to administer matter of advantage to the rest Sith then our interpellations and disturbations amongst our selves are unpleasing to all most all if any benefit may be collected let it fall upon these for I think the breach of our Sessions can befriend none but such nor such neither but by means of this grant before hand And because it is profitable that his Majesty may cause a remeeting the next Michalmass let thither also reach there prescribed time for Liberty and that till then there protections shall remain in as full virtue and Authority as if the Parliament were actually sitting This Speech at the first bred some distaste but afterwards seriously weighing the premises they easily and at last generally condiscended and so it is this day preferred to the Higher House The KINGS Message to the Lower House by S r. HUMFREY MAY 10. of June 1628. HIs Majesty is well pleased that your return of Right and his answer be not onely recorded in both Houses of Parliament but also in all the Courts of Westminster And that his pleasure is it be put in print for his Honour and the content and satisfaction of his people and that you proceed cheerfully to settle businesses for the good and reformation of the Common-wealth Eeight particulars all voted in the House of Commons 11. June 1628. THe excessive power of the Duke of Buckingham and the abuse thereof is the chief and principal Cause of all the mischiefs that have happened to the King and Kingdom 1. Innovation of Religion 2. Innovation of Government 3. Disasters of designs abroad 4. Not guarding of the Narrow Seas 5. Not guarding the Forts 6. The decay of Trade 7. The decay of Shipping 8. The want of Munition The first Remonstrance Most dread Soveraign AS with all Humble thankfulness we your dutifull Commons now in Parliament Assembled do acknowledge the great comfort we have had in the assurance of your Majesties pious and gracious disposition So we think it our most necessary duty being called by your Majesty to consult and advise of the great and urgent affairs of this Church and Common-wealth And findeing them at this time in apparent danger of ruine and destruction faithfully and dutifully to enform your
good Subjects no less perplexed when with sorrow they behold a dayly growth and spreading of the faction of the Arminians that being as your Majestie well knows but a cunning way to bring in Popery and the professors of those opinions the common disturbers of the Protestant Churches and Incendiaries in those States wherein they have gotten any head being Protestants in shew but Jesuits in opinion and practise which caused your royall Father with so much pious wisedom and ardent zeal to endeavour the suppressing of them as well at home as in the neighbour Countries And your gratious Majestie imitating his most worthy example hath openly and by your proclamation declared your mislike of those persons and of their opinions who notwithstanding are much favoured and advanced not wanting friends even of the Clergy near to your Majestie namely Doctor Neal Bishop of Winchester and Doctor Lawd Bishop of Bath and Wells who are justly suspected to be unsound in their opinions that way And it being now generally held the way to preferment and promotion in the Church many Scholars do bend the course of their studies to maintain those Errors Their books and opinions are suffered to be printed and published and on the otherside the impression of such as are written against them and in defence of the Orthodoxall Religion is hindered and prohibited And which is a boldness almost incredible this restraint of Orthodox books is made under colour of your Majesties formerly mentioned proclamation the intent and meaning whereof we know was quite contrary And further to increase our fears concerning Innovation in Religion we finde that there hath been no small labouring to remove that which is the most powerfull means to strengthen and increase our own Religion and to oppose both these which is the diligent teaching and instructing the people in the true knowledge and worship of Almighty God and therefore means have been sought out to depress and discountenance pious painfull and Orthodox preachers and how conformable soever and peacefull in their disposition and carriage they be yet the preferment of such is opposed and insteed of being incourraged they are molested by vexatious courses and pursuites and hardly permitted to lecture even in those places where are no constant preaching Ministers whereby many of your good people whose souls in this case we beseech your Majestie to comiserate are kept in ignorance and are apt to be easily seduced to error and superstition It doth not a little also increase our dangers and fears this way to understand the miserable condition of your Kingdom of Ireland where without controul the Popish Religion is openly professed and practised in every part thereof Popish Jurisdiction being there generally exercised and avowed Monastries Numeries and other superstitious houses newly erected redified and replenished with men and women of several orders and in a plentifull manner maintained in Dublin and most of the great Towns and divers other places of the Kingdom which of what ill consequence it may prove if not seasonably exprest we leave to your Majesties wisedom to judge But most humblie beseech you as we assure our selves you will to lay the serious consideration thereof to your royal and pious heart and that some timelie course may be taked for redress therein And now if to all these your Majestie will be pleased to add the consideration of the circumstance of time wherein these courses tending to the destruction of true Religion within these your Kingdoms have been taken here even then when the same is with open force and violence prosecuted in other countries and all the reformed Churches of Christendom either depressed or miserably distressed we humblie appeal unto your Majesties Princely Judgment whether there be not just ground of fear that there is some secret and strong cooperating here with the enemies of our Religion abroad for the utter extirpation thereof And whether of these courses be not speedily redrest and the profession of true Religion more encouraged we can expect any other then misery and ruine speedily to fall upon us especially if besides the visible and apparant dangers wherewith we are compast round about you would be pleased piously to remember the dispeasure of Almightie God alwaies bent against the neglect of his holie Religion the stroak of whose divine Justice we have alreadie felt and do still feel in great measure And besides this fear of Innovation in Religion we do in like faithful discharge of our duties most humbly declare to your Majestie that the hearts of your people are full of fear of Innovation and change of government and accordingly possest with extream grief and sorrow yet in this point by your Majesties late answer to our Petition of right touching our libertie much comforted and raised again out of that sadness and discontent which they generallie had conceived throughout your whole Kingdom at the undue courses which were the last year taken for raising of money by loans then which what ever your Majestie hath been enformed to the contrarie there was never mony demanded or paid with greater grief and general dislike of all your faithfull Subjects though manie partly out of fear and partlie out of other respects yet most unwillinglie were drawn to yield to what was then required The billiting of souldiers did much augment both their fears and griefs wherein likewise they finde much comfort upon your late gratious Answer to our Petition of right and to that we presented to your Majestie concerning this particular yet we humblie beseech your Majestie that we may inform you that the still continuance and late re-enforcing of the numbers of those Souldiers the conditions of their Persons many of them being not Natives of this Kingdom nor of the same but of an opposite Religion the placing of them upon the Sea coast where making head among themseves they may unite with a Popish partie at home if occasion serve or joyn with an envading Enemy to do extream mischief and that they are not dismissed doth still minister cause of jelousie to your loving Sujects for that these Souldiers cannot be continued without exceeding great danger of the peace and safetie of your Kingdom The report of the strange and dangerous purpose of bringing in of Germain horses and Riders would have turned our doubts into dispair and our fears into a certainty of confusion had not your Majesties gratious Message for which we give you humble thanks comforted us by the assurance of your Royal word that they neither are nor were intended by your Majestie for any service in England but that they were designed for some forraign imployment yet the sight of the privie seal by which seemeth they were to be levied for this place the great some of money which upon examination we found had been made ever for that purpose That much about the same time there was a commission under the great Seal granted to the Lords and others of your privie Councel to consider as
happy conclusion and to the King's honour and our own safety Great and weighty things wound deep Cast your eyes which way you please and you shall see violations on all sides look at the liberty of the subject look on the priviledge of this House let any say if ever he saw the like violation by inferiour Ministers that over-do their command nay they say if all the Parliament were in you this would we do and justifie If we suffer the liberty of this House to wither out of fear or complement we give a wound to the happiness of this Kingdom Here the course of justice was interrupted and order in the Exchequer was made for stay of the goods since here is a seizure upon the approach of Parliament of goods amounting to 5000. l. for a pretended duty of 200 l. In the sight of King Iames by reason of the sickness that then was the Parliament was prorogued and then there was some boldness to take this Tonnage and Poundage for there was no right to demaund it Let us proceed with affection of duty to make up breaches let a Committee consider of these proceedings Mr. Littleton HEre Mr. Littleton made a short speech to second him and all to the same purpose but for brevity sake I omit it M. Littleton we have had good admonitions and have followed them we have moderation preached unto us in Parliament and we follow I would others did the like out of Parliament Let the parties be sent for that violated the liberties of the Parliament and have their doom This Speech was occasioned by Setretary Cook who in his Speech desired moderation might be used Sir Iohn Elliot I See by this Relation what cause we have to be tender of the liberty of the Kingdom and this House and yet withall to return that moderation as to give satisfaction to the world that our hearts are fixed to serve his Majesty and to free us from ofter of jealousie 3 Things are involved in this complaint First the Right of particular Gentlemen Secondly the Right of the Subject Thirdly the Right and priviledge of this House Let the Committee consider of the 2 former but for the violation of the liberty of this House let us not do less than our fathers Was ever the information of a Member committed to a Committee Let us send for the parties Is there here a bare denial of the restistution of the goods was it not also said that if all the Parliament were contained in him they would do as they did Let them be sent for It was ordered that the Officers of the Custome-house should be sent for Mr. Selden REported from the Committee concerning the printing of the Petition of Right that there were printed 1500 without any addition at all which were published in the time of the last Parliament but since the Parliament other Copies have been printed and these supprest and made waste paper which the Printer did as he said by command from Mr. Attorny which he received from his Majesty and the Printer further said that the Attorney was with the Lord Privy Seal at White-Hall and there delivered unto the Printer sundry papers with diverse hands to them and on the backside was endorsed thus We will command you that these copies be printed Friday 23. HIs Majesty sent the House a Message to this effect That he willed them to cease from the former debate of Tonnage and Poundage till the next day in the after-noone and that he would speak with them the next day in the after-noone at White-Hall in the Banqueting-house Saturday 24. THe King made a Speech to that purpose Munday 26. MR. Walter did inform the House that diverse ships were laden with corn for Spain whereupon a Committee was appointed to inquire of the trading into Spain and to other enemies transporting corn and other Munition thither it is also ordered that some of the prime Councel should presently move the King about stay of the ships MR. Secretay Cook then moved that the Bill of Tonnage and Poundage might be read and after some debate it was diverted and they fell upon points of Religion the which Mr. Rowse did first mention See his former Speech at large Sir Francis Beamor IF Religion be not a Rule to all our actions what pollicy can we have If God fight not our battailes the help of man is in vain In our defect the cause thereof is our defect in religion and the sin is Idolatry and Popery Papists encrease now more than ever they did neither do they want their Priests and Masses nay his Majesties name is used to stop proceedings against Papists and that since the Parliament contrary to his Majesties goodness and publick profession and contrary to his many proclamations and many instructions to the Judges and whatsoever is done in the country is undone above Mr. Kirton IF ever now it is time to speak We see what men are raised to preferment if we look not to it I shall more fear it than the Spanish Armado or the loss of the Sound Mountague was here questioned We see the King to all our comforts is right it comes not from him but some that are too near him are too busie in this The ambition of the Clergy brought these stories We see pulpits are full of them we see some that wear white and black 't is more than Mountague let us bend our wits to reforme them Mr. Sherland WE have a Religion that is worth the loving with all our hearts it was setled by the bloud of Martyrs and kept by miracles To have our noses wiped of this would grieve any heart more to see our Religion go away and designes made of it and Arminianism still to encrease as it doth If do admi I do perswade my self the greater part of the Clergy Nobility and Gentry are firm but it is the desire of some to labour to bring in a new faction of their own and so to drop into the ears of his Majesty that those that oppose them oppose his Majesty and so they put him upon designes that stand not with publick liberty that he commands what he lists with Lives Goods and Religion and doth as he pleaseth and so they involve all true hearted English-men and Christians under the name of Puritans and so make their quarrel to be his Majesties which is treason of the highest quality Tuesday 27. A Petition was exhibited concerning one Lewis that said about the 25 of December The Devill take the Parliament which was avowed by 2 witnesses It was resolved to be an offence to the Parliament and it was ordered he should be sent for SIr Nathaniel Rich tendered a Petition touching the Fast which was agreed to be preferred to the King It was ordered that a conference should be desired with the Lords about this Petition who were desired to joyn with the lower House which was done accordingly THe King sent a Message by Secretary Cooke to this effect
viz. That his Majesty understanding that the Remonstrance was called for to take away all question commanded me to deliver it to you but hopeth that you proceed with the Bill of Tonnage and Poundage and give precedence to that business and to give an end to further dispute between some of his Subjects or else he shall think his Speech that was with a good applause accepted had not that good effect which he expected But before his Messege there was a report made by Mr. Pym for a Committee for Religion where a motion was made about the Remonstrance the last Session concerning that part which toucheth Religion and the Clark answered that by command from the King he delivered it to the Lord Privy Seal and so the Committee proceeded no farther SIr Walter Earl replied to the Message The last part of the Message calls me up For point of precedency Religion challengeth the precedence and the right of our best endeavors Vbi dolor ibi digitus I know justice and liberty is Gods cause but what will justice and liberty do when Popery and Arminianisme joyn hand in hand together to bring in a Spanish Tyranny under which those Laws and liberties must cease What hath been done for Religion since the last Session We know what declarations have been made what persons have been advanced what truthes confirmed by all Authority of Church Councels and King For my part I will forgo my life and estate and liberty rather than my Religion And I dare boldly affirm that never was more corruption between Religion and matters of state than is at this present time Humana consilia castigantur ubi coelestibus se praeferunt Let us hold our selves to method and that God that carried us through so many difficulties the last Parliament Session will not be wanting to us now Mr. Corrington LEt us not do Gods work negligently We receive his Majesties Message withall duty for our proceedings let us so proceed as it may soonest conduce to his Majesties desire Unity concerns all of us the unity of this house is sweet especially in Gods cause let us cry and cry again for this let us be resolved into a Committee and presently fall to debate thereof UPon Mr. Pyms motion It was ordered that Religion should have the precedency and that the particulars before named should be taken into consideration by a Committee of the whole House Wensday 28. Secretary COOKE delivered another Message from his Majesty HIs Majesty upon occasion of dispute in this House about Tonnage and Poundage was pleased to make a gracious declaration wherein he commended unto us the speedy finishing thereof and to give precedency thereto and since his Majesty understanding the preferring the Cause of Religion his Majesty expected rather thanks than a Remonstrance yet he doth not interrupt you so you do not intrench upon that which doth not belong unto you But his Majesty still commanded me to tell you that he expects precedency in Tonnage and Poundage assuring himself he hath given no occasion to put it back and so you will not put it off To this Mr. Long replied I Cannot see but with much sorrow how we are still pressed to this point I hoped those near the Chair would have truly informed his Majesty of our good intentions but we see how unhappy we are still some about his Majesty makes him diffident of us Sir Thomas Edmonds I am sorry this House hath given occasion of so many Messages about Tonnage and Poundage after his Majesty hath given us a full satisfaction You may perceive his Majesty is sensible of the neglect of his business we that know this should not discharge our duties to you if we should not perswade you to that course which should procure his Majesties good opinion of you Your selves are witnesses how industrious his Majesty was to procure you gracious Laws in his Fathers time and since that what enlargement he hath made of our liberties and yet still we give him cause to repent him of the good he hath done Consider how dangerous it is to Alienate his Majesties heart from Parliamens Mr. Corington When men speak here of neglect of duty to his Majesty let them know we know no such thing nor what they mean I see not how we do neglect the same I see it is all our hearts to expedite the Bill of Tonnage and Poundage in due time our business is still put back by these Messages and the business in hand is of God and his Majesty Things are certainly amiss and every one sees it and wo be to us if we present them not to his Majesty Sir Iohn Elliot His Speech to the same effect IT was ordered that a Committee should be appointed to pen an Answer to his Majesties Message and shew that it is their resolution to give him all expeditions in his service and that they hold it fit not onely to give him thanks but further to shew what perill we are in and that Tonnage is their own gift and it is to arise from themselves and that they intend not to enter into any thing that belongs not unto themselves Thursday 29. THe former part of the day was spent in dilating of the transportation of corn and victuals into Spain and it was ordered that Message should be sent to his Majesty that it is now evident that diverse ships are bound for Spain and to desire a stay of them After the House sat at a Committee about Religion after long debate it was resolved by the Commons-House as before Friday 30. THe House received an answer from his Majesty touching the Ships which was that he would consider of it and send them an answer in due time Also this day a Committee of the Lower-House went to the King in the Privy-Chamber with the Petition for the Fast and the Arch-Bishop of York after he had made a short Speech presented it to his Majesty in the name of both Houses To which the King answered Munday Febr. 2. THe Lower-House presented a declaration to his Majesty in answer to two Messages sent by him Tuesday 3. SEcretary Cook reported that himself and the rest of the Committees attended his Majesty upon Munday and he said For my part I have used all diligence to do all the commands of my Master and this House and I find that some exceptions have been taken at some words by me used when I delivered the Bill of Tonnage and Poundage Indeed I used many Arguments in speaking of his Majesty I said it much concerned him and that his Majesty much desired it and I required it in his name which I did not intend but to avoide dispute and I said not this was an ordinary revenue but this Tonnage was the means to inable his Majesty to set his Fleet to sea After this Apology he read his Majesties answer to the Petition of the Lower-House Sir Iohn Elliot Mr. Speaker I confess this hath given great satisfaction for present
desires and future hopes and howsoever I find the misinterpretation of some and the danger of Religion yet I find his Majesties ears open and if these things be thus as we see that then he is not rightly counselled I am confident we shall render his Majesty an account of what he expecteth but Sir I apprehend a difference between his Majesties expression and the expression of his Ministers First Sir that Bill was here tendered in his Majesties name and now we find his Majesty disavows it that he did it not What wrong is this done to his Majesty and to this House to press things in his Soveraigns name to the prejudice and distraction of us all I think him not worthy to sit in this House Mr. Speaker THis Honorable person did explain himself that he did not press it in his Majesties name but onely did commend it to your considerations Secretary Cook I Said that in regard of the difference between his Majestie and his Subjects my desire was to accommodate it Sir Humfrey May IF ye be too quick to except against the ministers of his Majestie that serve his Majestie and this House it will discourage and stop our mouthes whose service ye dayly commend At the Committee for Religion Sir Iohn Elliot FOr the way of our proceedings to shew the weight and unitie thereof to all the world we have laid a good foundation I collect out of the particulars about the Article of Lambeth that the difference was in the manner of the use of them but all did profess the truth and worth of them at which unitie in all our hearts we may all rejoyce whereas the enemie abroad gives out that we are at faction amongst our selves whereas all of us took them granted not onely to make use of them to oppose our adversaries but also for the worth of them Let us boldly relie on the ground alreadie laid let us look to them that offended us in this our truth which I hope we shall live and die in if there be cause Are there Arminians for so they are called look to this see what degree they creep let us observe their Books and Sermons let us strike at them and make our charge at them and vindicate our truth that seems yet obscure and if any justifie themselves in their new opinions let us deal with them and then testimonie will be needfull our truth is clear our proofs will be many and if these parties will dare to defend themselves then seek for proof The Remonstrance of the last Parliament was read in part about Arminians and also his Majesties Declaration printed with the book of Articles and the Proclamation against Mountagne Wednesday Febr. 4. A Bill preferred that no Clergie-man shall be in Commission for Peace except Bishops Deans Vice-Chancellors of both Universities c. within their severall jurisdictions Doctor Reeves which sat as Judge upon the Conservation of Mr. Mountague called in and examined saith That Objections were offered Ore tenus and after offered in writing but he rejected the same because they had not an advocates hand and upon the whole saith he durst neither admit of any objections for the present nor give time for the same upon pain of premunire by the Statute Doctor Talbot and Doctor Steward are assigned for Councel with Mr. Iones the Printer in his Cause Mr. Selden THe point considerable is not whether Doctor Reeves hath done well or ill for he did but as any discreet man would have done but the point is now whether Mr. Mountague be a lawfull Bishop or no. Neither is the question to be debated whether the exceptions be lawfull or no but being legal of what force they be to hinder the confirmation of the Bishop All which is agreed and Doctor Reeves for the present discharged A Petition is preferred by Thomas Ogle against Doctor Cosens with Articles annexed thereunto tending to the introducing of Popish Doctrine and Popish Ceremonies into the Cathedral Church at Durham Sir Euball Thelwall THere were two affidavits that Cosens should say That the King had no more to do with Religion than his Horse-keeper and that by the appointment of Mr. Attorney these affidavits were taken and he said to the end a Bill in Star-chamber might be filed against him But since Cosens hath his pardon and the King was told it was onely raised by the spleen of some Puritane Mr. Shervile DEsired that search might be made for the pardons There were four pardons under the Great Seal granted to Mountague Sibthorpe Cosens and Manwering it pardons all Treasons Premunires Errors erronious Opinions and all false Doctrines scandalous Speeches or Books and all offences by word and deed all corrupt contracts c. Treason to the person of the King and Witchcraft onely excepted Mr. Rousse HEre are four persons that have made the Common-wealth sick thus by the Phisick you see the Diseases but I conceive there is other physick to be ministered to those rotten Members for questionless this is not to be cured but by cutting off those Members Mr. Kirton MAster Kirton moved that the procurers of these Pardons might be enquired after that it might be seen who gave order to the Signet for the going forth of those Pardons for questionless there are Cosens at Court too Sir Robert Philips IF ever any was abused it was our King in granting those pardons we would save the time of doing any thing if this be not searched to the bottom The goodness of our King is much abused I desire the Attorney may give account by what Warrant he drew these pardons so shall we find out those that misled the King to the heart-grief of us all It is high time to find out all these things A Committee was hereupon named to enquire who have been the Solicitors and Procurers of these pardons Sir Edward Giles I Know not what prevention may happen in these for questionless the devil of hell hath his hand in it Therefore presently let us send for Mr. Attorney Which was Ordered Sir Iames Perotte SIr Iames Perotte complaineth further of some instruments of the Bishop of London and Doctor Turner who denied the License of printing the Articles of Ireland That diverse books have been licensed by the Bishop of Londons Chapplains and then refuse the same declaring they are of a contrary opinion and haven given license to Mr. Chomley and Mr. Butterfield and therefore would not give license to these Mr. Pym MAster Pym doth make a full Report of all the proceedings against Mr. Mountague since the last Parliament of King Iames. Sir Robert Phillips REported from Mr. Attorney that my Lord of Dorset spoke to him to hasten the Pardons and that he received a Warrant from the King for drawing them that my Lord Carleton brought another Warrant from the King for drawing these pardons telling him that he must make expedition therein and he must draw the same as the Councel of the parties did direct the same
the Communion Tables stood as Tables in Ale-houses but he would have them to be set as High Altars Dr. Moor is to deliver these things in writing to Morrow morning At the Committee for Religion SIr William Bawstrod If we now speak not we may for ever hold our peace when besides the Queens Mass there are two other Masses dayly so that it is grown ordinarie with the out-facing Iesuits and common in discourse Will you go to Mass or have you been at Mass at Somerset-house there coming 500 at a time from Mass. Desires to know by what authoritie the Iesuits lately in Newgate were released Mr. Corington Doubts not but his Majesties intention was good in the Declaration lately published but I conceive it will be made use of onely to our disadvantage that therefore the Declaration made be taken into consideration Sir Richard Gravenor REports the proceedings of this House against Poperie the last Session and what fruits have been thereon Sir Rober Phillips If ever there were a necessitie of dealing plainly and freely this is the time There is an Admission of Priests and Iesuits as if it were in Spain or France this increase of Papists is by connivance of persons in Authoritie Nine hundred and fourtie persons in houses of Religion being English Irish and Scots in the Netherlands maintained by the Papists of England and of this I shall deliver the particulars that we may frame a Remonstrance to the King that unless there be some better performance of his Majesties late answers to so many Petitions our Religion will be past recoverie Mr. Corington That the Papists by Act of Parliament or Laws of State may be removed from their offices which we have just cause to suspect Mr. Selden moveth that these things may be debated in order and first for releasing the Iesuits that were arraigned at Newgate whereof one was condemned they were 10 in number which were Priests who had begun a Colledge here in London about Clarkenwell and these men could not attempt these acts of boldness but they must have great countenancers Secretarie Cook THat a Minister who is said to be himself having notice of these 10 and this Colledge intended to be kept at Clarkenwell That it is plain there was a place appointed for this Colledge and Orders and Relicts prepared This Minister made the King acquainted with it and I should not do my dutie if I should not declare how much his Majestie was affected with it His Majestie refers it to the special care of the Lords of the Councell who examining the same sent these ten persons to Newgate and gave order to Mr. Attorney to prosecute the Law against them That this Colledge was first at Edmonton removed from thence to Camerwell and thence to Clerkenwell Ordered That all the Knights and Burgesses of the House shall to Morrow morning declare their knowledge what Letters or other hinderances have been for the staying of proceedings against Recusants Mr. Long a Justice of Peace who is said to understand much in the business of the Colledge of Iesuits at Clarkenwell is sent for and examined saith by the appointment of Mr. Secretarie Cook he apprehended these persons and took their Examinations and saith further he heard they were delivered out of Newgate by order from Mr. Attorney That Mr. Middlemore or General Soliciter for the Papists hired this house for the Lord of Shrewsburie a Papist and that there are diverse books of account of payments and disbursments to the value of 300 pounds per Annum with diverse Recusants names who allowed towards the maitenance of this Colledge and these books and papers are in the hand of Mr. Secretary Cook Secretarie Cook saith he cannot so amply declare the truth of the proceedings herein untill he have leave from his Majestie One Cross a Pursevant is to be examined upon oath who declareth he could discover diverse stoppages of the execution of the Laws against Recusants Saturday 14. A Complaint against the Lord Lambert a Baron of Ireland and a Member of this House who being a Colonel of Souldiers in Midd. hath imposed Four pence upon every Souldier towards his Officers Charges and the Petitioner for refusing to pay was first set in the Stocks and after by the Lord Lambert committed to a Publick prison It is Ordered that the Lord Lambert shall be sent for to answer this Sir Iohn Epsley desireth leave to answer a Complaint that is in the Lords house of Parliament against him Mr Selden That the use was and citeth Presidents that no Commander could be called to the Lords House but it will trench much to the disadvantage of the Priviledge of this House and untill 18. Iac. there was never President to the contrarie That therefore this may be considered of by a select Committee Ordered that Sir Iohn Epsley shall not have leave Mr. Chancellor of the Dutchie stifly secondeth Mr. Seldens Motion Mr. Secretarie Cook I am as carefull to maintain a good correspondencie with the Lords as any man but connivances in this kind may overthrow the fundamental Rights and Liberties of this House Let it therefore seriously be considered of for this not onely concerneth the Right of this House but the Libertie of the Common-wealth Ordered a select Committee shall be appointed to consider this Mr. Chancellor of the Dutchie delivereth an answer in writing from the Lord Chancellor Trer. and Barons to the Message sent to them Mr. Kirton WE looked for Satisfaction but now you see a Justification of their actions I therefore desire now we may proceed to consider of their proceedings and whether ever the Court of Exchequer held this course before for staying of Replevies and whether these have been done by the Regal Prerogative of the King in his Court of Exchequer It is Ordered that a select Committee of Lawyers Chequer-men shall take this into consideration Mr. Selden We have delayed the proceeding with the Customers expecting some good success from the Chequer but finding it otherwise I desire the Customers may be called to the Barre on Munday next Which is Ordered At the Committee for Religion SIr Thomas Hobbie from the Committee reported for the examination of the Keeper and Clerk of Newgate concerning the Priests there being a Warrant under the Attorneys hand for the deliverie of the Persons a Warrant under the Lord Chief Justices hand according to a Letter which he received from the Lord of Dorset signifying that it was his Majesties pleasure that the Priest condemned should be reprived Another Warrant under the Attorneys hand that the Priests condemned should be reprived and also in the Kings name to release those other nine persons Sir Nathaniel Ritch I am confident the Grace of the King hath been abused in this that therefore the privie Counsellers of this House may know whether it were his Majesties direction It is moved that Mr. Secretarie Cook may first declare his knowledge in this One Cross gave intimation of these persons First
or advantage to them For impeditioris linguae sum and the poore experience I have of that royall Assembly is so ill ballanced with true judgement that every gust and wave hath power on me whereby I shall not onely suffer in my own particular but which I apprehend with much more care and sorrow prejudice their common Interest Wherefore dread and dear Sovereign as low as the lowest step of your royal throne I humbly bend appealing to your great sovereign judgement for my discharge from this so unequall a burthen imposed on me most humbly and earnestly beseeching your most excellent Majestie for the honour of that great Councell and the better digestion of publick Services there and withall to avert so ill an Omen as the choice of Me in the beginning of a Parliament ordained I hope for the joy of our own and the envy of other Nations that by your gracious Command the House may re-consult and settle their better thoughts on some more worthy their election and your Majestie 's approbation The Lord Keeper Coventry's Reply M r. Speaker HIs Majestie with a most gracious care and princely attendance hath heard your humble excuse he knowes well the importance of your place but your ability to discharge it he approves and commends the election of the House of Commons and therein receives the more content because they have followed the light taken from himself who formerly made choice of you to serve in a place of Trust both about himself and his royall Consort The Omen cannot be ill and the People so readily follow him whom God hath ordained to go in and out before them And therefore knowing your tackling to be strong and finding your saile moderate and not over-born his Majestie doth doubt neither gust nor wave to endanger your passage But since you are duely chosen his Majestie counsells and commands that unto your humility you adde resolution and courage they stand well together and being well joyned they will arme all your abilities to that great Imployment of service to your King and Countrie which as the Commons by their uniforme voice have put upon you so his Majestie by his royall approbation doth girt unto you and settle you Speaker The Speaker Sir John Finches Reply IT is now no time nor manners longer to dispute with my Lord the King but with all joy of heart and alacrity humbly and thankfully to meet so great a favour from the best of Masters and the best of Men. Therefore first I lift up my heart to him that sits on the Throne of heaven per quem Principes imperant Potentes decernunt justitiam humbly begging at his hands that made the tongue to give me speech and that framed the heart of man to give me understanding for I am but as Clay in the hands of the Potter and he will mould me for honour or dishonour as best seemes good unto him Next I bow my knees unto your most excellent Majestie in all humble and hearty acknowledgement of this and many other your great and gracious Favours The truth of mine heart full of zeale and duty to your Majestie and the publike as any mans quits me from all feare of running into wilfull and pregnant errours and your Majestie 's great goodnesse of which I have been so large a partaker gives me strong assurance that having by your gracious beames drawn me up from earth and obscurity you will so uphold me by a benigne and gracious interpretation of all my words and actions that I fall not down again like a crude and imperfect vapour but consome the remainder of my dayes in the zeal of your Majestie 's service This great and glorious Assembly made perfect by your royall presence like a curious Perspective the more I behold it with the more joy and comfort I finde a lively representation of that true happinesse which under your Majestie 's gracious government we all enjoy A better tongue were fitter to expresse it but a rich Stone retaines his value though ill set Here in the fulnesse and height of your Glorie like the Sun in the exaltation of his Orbe sits your most excellent Majestie the sovereigne Monarch of this famous Isle in a Throne made glorious by a long succession of many and great Princes A meditation worthy our better thoughts that we live neither enthralled to the fury of the giddy-headed multitude nor yet to the distracted wills of many Masters but under the command of a King the stay and strength of a People one as Homer saith well of a King 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not to be laid in common ballance with other men for Kings know no other Tenure but God's service and their value it is onely tried at his Beam whence the Poets said the Parents of the first Kings were Coelum Terra Divine institution and Humane approbation Besides that it is a Sovereigntie also hereditarie which makes the Common-wealth the King's care as that which is the King 's own Patrimony and the inheritance of his Children when elective Monarchies quickly runne to ruine and are commonly made poor by the enriching of several Families On your right hand are the reverend religious and learned Prelates the Lights of the Church fit to be set in golden Candlesticks and not made contemptible by Paritie or Povertie lively Idea's of that blessing above the rest which by God's great goodnesse and your Majestie 's great pietie this Realme enjoyes the libertie of the Gospell and the free profession of God's true Religion Your Majestie passed the fierie tryall in Spaine and gave us then assurance that your faith was built on that rock against which the gates of hell shall never prevaile Since your coming to the Crowne by your royall Edict you have banished those Incendiaries of Rome the Priests and Iesuites enemies to our Church and State so as now they are either gone or lurk in corners like the sonnes of darknesse You have given life to the Lawes against Recusants and by your own exemplarie pietie have drawn more then you have compelled to come to Church Euge ingredi ut impleatur domus mea was his command that made the great Feast and is the duty of Magistrates And certainly dread Sovereigne true Religion will ever be a target to them that are a buckler to it No cement so strong to hold your Subjects hearts together in their true obedience Our Religion never bred a Clement or a Ravillack and that execrable Villany never to be forgotten here when all of us horresco referens in an instant should have been turned into ashes and those scattered in the winde was a Monster could never have been ingendred but by the Divel or the Iesuites On your left hand sit your Nobles the Lights of Honour full of courage and magnanimitie yet in right distance between Crown and People neither over-shadowing the one or oppressing the other Before your Throne like the twelve Lyons under Solomon's
Throne sit the Lights of Justice your grave Iudges and Sages of the Law learned and just as many Ages have known and learning justice by your example Our Lawes as excellent as they are I am sure no humane Lawes excell them nor could so well suite with the constitution of this People were they in the power of corrupt or ignorant men I know not which were worse for one will perhaps oftner erre then the other bribe Justice could never keep her right chanel nor runne cleare as in your Majestie 's reigne it ever hath I must not forget the other Lights the Knights Citizens and Burgesses the Representative of their Estate who although they move lower and at more distance from your royall Person yet I am confident will ever be found constant to the Poles of Love and Loyaltie 'T is a gracious Favour of your Majestie and our former Kings I have often thought on that when both these Houses are humble suitors for any thing they are never denyed Le Roy s'aviserà The King will advise of it is the greatest denyall And I assure my self your Majestie shall finde all your Subjects so full of dutie to your Crown and of true and loyall affection to your royall Person that you shall never have cause to think your gracious Favours ill bestowed on them The Union of Hearts Sir is a greatnesse beyond that of the Kingdome to which you are Heire Et penitus toto divisos orbe Britannos it is a Name of advantage to this Island if the Division be not amongst our selves which the God of Unitie for his mercies sake forbid and so knit our Hearts in love one to another and all of us in duty and loyalty to your most excellent Majestie that this renowned Island perish not by our Distractions but may ever flourish and be like Ierusalem the Citie of God where his Name may be for ever honoured Great and glorious have been the Actions of your royal Predecessours yet greater remaine for your Majestie and most of theirs attend you for their perfection The first Christian King of Europe the first that abated the swelling pride of Rome by banishing his usurped power and God's true Vice-gerent the first that established the true Religion now profest were all Kings of England and the last a young one Queen Elizabeth was a woman yet Spaine hath cause to remember her the Protestants of France and the Low-Countries will never forget her And were Henry the Great alive he would say That in requitall of the love of this Kingdome shewed him he hath sent us one of his owne Loynes your royall Consort our most gracious Queen to propagate these blessings to us and our posteritie for ever Your royall Father of ever blessed and famous memorie had a Reigne like Solomon's for Religion no man knew more a lustre or advantage to him this Age shall deliver it to the next and all Ages shall see it in his Kingly Workes But while under his glorious Reigne we abode in peace and plenty our hands had forgot to warre and our fingers to fight till at last by your Princely mediation upon the humble suite of both these Houses the two Treaties were dissolved and a foundation laid for your Majestie to restore us to our antient and Military honour which I doubt not will quickly be Eritis sicut Dii was the Serpent's Counsell and ruined Mankinde nor is it fit for private men much lesse for me to search into the Counsells or Actions of Kings Onely Sir give me leave from an heart full of zeale to your glorie and greatnesse to say to your Majestie the Times require you Religion calls upon you to goe on with that Kingly Courage you have begune till the state of Christendome be settled in the right Balance again We see how the Eagle spreads his wings in Germany reaching with his talons as farre as the Sound and Baltick sea Denmark and Sweden in danger of utter ruine by seizing the Electorates the choice of the Empire invested in a manner solely in the House of Austria Our Religion in France and every where never so neare a period And we know who it is for whom all this works he of whom the boast is made Allà qui Monarqui nasciendo d'el monendo who by the ruine of us and our Religion will make a new Zodiack and draw an Ecliptick line through the East and West Indies But he that sits on high will in his good time laugh them to scorne and as that wife Woman said to King David God will make to my Lord the King a sure house if my Lord shall continue to fight the battels of Iehovah and let all England say Amen I have presumed too farre upon your royall Patience and therefore I will conclude with a few words for them that sent me who are humble suitours to your excellent Majestie First for our better attending the publick and important services that our selves and our necessary Attendants may be free both in our persons and goods from all arrests and troubles according to our ancient priviledge and immunities Next that since that in all great Councells where difference of opinion is truth is best discovered by free debates your Majestie according to our like ancient use and priviledge will be graciously pleased to allow us liberty and freedome of speech and I assure my self we shall not passe the latitude of duty and discretion That upon all occurrences of moment fit for resort to your owne person your Majestie upon humble suit at your best leisure will vouchsafe us accesse to your royall person And lastly that all our proceedings being lodged in your royall heart with belief of our zeal and loyalty we may reap the fruits of it by your Majestie 's gracious and favourable interpretation One word more I humbly begg for myself That though it be the beginning of a Parliament I may now and ever enjoy your Majestie 's most gracious and generall free Pardon The Lord Keeper Coventry's second Reply M r. Speaker HIs Majestie with no lesse content then attention hath heard your learned Discourse he observes your beginning with his gracious incouragement and advice not forsaking your humble modestie but adding to it thankfulnesse alacrity and joy of heart a just and right temper He observes you derive these aright first from the Throne in heaven he lookes thither with you and joynes in prayer that both you and all this Assemblie by that Divine hand and power be moulded and procured for the honour safety and good of the Church and Kingdome Next you apply your self to the Throne on earth his Majestie doth graciously accept your protestations of the truth of your heart the fulnesse of your zeale and duty to his Majestie and the Publick he believes it and that not in you alone but in all this Assembly so that you are secure not onely from wilfull and pregnant errours but from doubt of sinister interpretation My Lord the
or otherwise restrained though it be by the command of the King Privy Councel or any other he praying the same 3. If a Free-man be committed or detained in prison or otherwise restrained by the command of the King Privy Councel or any other unlesse the cause of the commitment detainment or restraint be expressed for which by Law he ought to be committed detained or restrained and the same be returned upon habeas corpus granted for the said party that then he ought to be delivered or bailed Sir John Coke his Speech at a Conference between the Lords and Commons about the Petition to the King against Recusants My Lords WE are sent to attend this Conference from the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons And first we acknowledge all due honour both unto the reverend Fathers of the Church and to you noble Lords in that ye have shined before us as worthy lights in the encouragement and maintainance of true Religion It is the true support of all your dignities and honours And this forwardnesse of yours is the more remarkable when that viperous generation as your Lordships justly stile them doe at ease with tooth and nail assay to rend the bowels of their Mother For give me leave to tell you what I know that they now both vaunt at home and write to their friends abroad they hope all will be well and doubt not to prevail and to win ground upon us And a little to awake the zeal and care of our learned and grave Fathers it is fit that they take notice of that Hierarchie which is already established in competition with their Lordships for they have a Bishop consecrated by the Pope this Bishop hath his subalternate Officers of all kinds as Vicars-generall Arch-deacons rurall Deans Apparatours and such like Neither are those nominall or titular Officers alone but they all execute their Jurisdictions and make their ordinary Visitations through the Kingdome keep Courts and determine Ecclesiasticall causes and which is an argument of more consequence they keep ordinary intelligence by their Agents in Rome and hold correspondence with the Nuntioes and Cardinalls both at Bruxells and in France Neither are the Seculars alone grown to this height but the Regulars are more active and dangerous and have taken deep root they have already planted their Societies and Colledges of both Sexes they have setled Revenues Houses Libraries Vestments and all other necessary provisions to travell or stay at home nay even at this time they intend to hold a concurrent Assembly with this Parliament But now since his sacred Majesty hath extended his royall arm and since the Lords of his Councell have by their authority caused this nest of Wasps to be digged out of the earth and their Convocations to be scattered and since your Lordships joyn in courage and resolution at least to reduce this People to their lawfull restraint that they may doe no more hurt we conceive great hope and comfort that the almighty God will from henceforth prosper our endeavours both at home and abroad But now my Lords to come to the chief errand of this our meeting which is to make known to you the approbation of our House of that Petition to his Majesty wherein you were pleased to request our concurrence The House hath taken it into serious consideration and from the beginning to the end approve of every word and much commend your happy pen onely we are required to present unto you a few additions whereby we conceive the Petition may be made more agreable to the Statutes which are desired to be put in execution and to a former Petition granted by his Majesty recorded in both Houses confirmed under the Broad Seal of England and published in all the Courts of our ordinary Justice But these things we propound not as our Resolutions or as matters to raise debate or dispute but commend them only as our Advise and desire being ready notwithstanding to joyn with your Lordships in the Petition as now it is if your Lordships shall not find this reason to be of weight These additions were but few and were approved of by the Lords and inserted in the Petition the 29. March 1628. The Petition of both Houses to his Majesty concerning Recusants March 31. 1628. VVE your Majesties most loyall and obedient Subjects the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and Commons in Parliament assembled having to our singular comfort obtained your Majesties pious and gracious assent for a publick Fast to appease the wrath of almighty God kindled against us and to prevent those grievous Judgements which doe apparently presse upon us doe in all humility present unto your Sacred Majesty all possible thanks for the same And because the publick and visible Sins of the Kingdome are the undoubted Causes of those visible Evils that are fallen upon us amongst which sins as is apparent by the Word of God Idolatry and Superstition are the most hainous and crying sins to the end that we may constantly hope for the blessing of God to descend upon this our publick Humiliation by abandoning those sins which doe make a wall of separation betwixt God and us 1. We most humbly and ardently beg at the hands of your Sacred Majesty that your Majesty will be pleased to give continuall life and motion to all those Laws that stand in force against Iesuites Seminary Priests and all that have taken Orders by authority of the Sea of Rome by exacting a more due and serious execution of the same amongst which number those that have highly abused your Majesties Clemency by returning into the Kingdome after their Banishment contrary to your Highnesse expresse Proclamation we humbly desire may be left to the severity of your Laws without admitting any mediation or intercession for them and that such of your Majesties unsound and ill-affected Subjects as doe receive harbour or conceal any of that viperous generation may without delaies suffer such penalties and punishments as the Laws most justly impose upon them 2. That your Majesty would be pleased to command a secure and streight watch to be kept in and over your Majesties Ports and Havens and to commit the care and charge of searching of ships for this discovery and apprehension as well of Iesuits and Seminary Priests brought in as of children and young Students sent over beyond the Seas to suck in the poison of Rebellion and Superstition unto men of approved Fidelity and Religion and such as shall be convicted to have connived or combined in the bringing in of the one or conveying out of the other that the Lawes may passe upon them with speedy execution 3. That considering those dreadfull dangers never to be forgotten which did involve your Majesties Sacred Person and the whole representative Body of your Majesties Kingdome plotted and framed by the free and common accesse of Popish Recusants to the city of London and to your Majesties Court your Majesty would be graciously pleased to
give speedy command for the present putting in practice those Laws that prohibite all Popish Recusants to come to the Court or within ten miles of the City of London as also those Law that confine them to the distance of five miles from their dwelling houses and that such by-past licenses not warranted by law as have been granted unto them for their repair to the city of London may be discharged and annulled 4. That whereas it is more then probably conceived that infinite summes of money have within these two or three yeares last past been exacted out of the Recusants within the Kingdome by colour of Composition and small proportion of the same returned into your Majesties Coffers not onely to the suddain inriching of private persons but also to the imboldning of the Romish Recusants to entertain Massing Priests into their private houses and to exercise all the mimick Rites of their grosse Superstition without fear of controll amounting as by their daily practice and ostentation we may conceive to the nature of a concealed Toleration your Majesty would be graciously pleased to receive this particular more nearly into your Princely wisdome and consideration to dissolve this Mystery of Iniquity patch't up of colourable Licenses Contracts or Preconveyances being but masks on the one part of fraud to deceive your Majesty and stales on the other side for private men to accomplish their corrupt ends 5. That as the persons of Ambassadours from forraigne Princes their houses be free for exercise of their own Religion so their houses may not be made free Chappell 's and Sanctuaries for your Majesties Subjects Popishly affected to heare Masse and to participate in all other Rites and Ceremonies of that Superstition to the great offence of almighty God and scandall of your Majesties people loyally and religiously affected That either the concourse of Recusants to such places may be restrained or at least such a vigilant watch set upon them at their returne from those places as they may be apprehended and severely proceeded withall ut qui palaâ— in luce peccant in luce puniantur 6. That no place of authority or command within any the Counties of this your Majesties Kingdome or in any ships of your Majesties or which shall be imployed in your service be committed to Popish Recusants or to Non-communicants by the space of a year past or to any such persons as according to direction of former Acts of State are justly to be suspected as the place and authority of Lords Lieutenants Deputy Lieutenants Justices of Peace of Captains or other Officers or Ministers mentioned in the Statute made in the third year of the reign of your Father of blessed memory and that such as by connivance have crept into such places may by your Majesties royall Command be discharged of the same 7. That all your Majesties Justices Judges and Ministers of Justice unto whose care and trust Execution which is the life of your Majesties Laws is committed may by your Majesties Proclamation not only be commanded to put in speedy execution those Laws that stand in force against Jesuits Priests Seminaries and Popish Recusants but that your Majesty would be further pleased to command the said Judges and Justices of Assize to give a true and strict accompt of their proceedings at their return out of their Circuits to the Lord Keeper and by the Lord Keeper to be presented to your Majesty 8 And for a fair and clear eradication of all Popery for the future and for the breeding and nursing up of an holy generation and a peculiar people sanctified to the true worship of almighty God That untill a provisionall Law may be made for the trayning and educating of the Children of Popish Recusants in the grounds and principles of our holy Religion which we conceive will be of more power and force to unite your people unto your Majesty in fastnesse of Love Religion and loyall Obedience then all pecuniary mulcts and penalties that can possibly be devised your Majesty will be pleased to take it into your Princely care and consideration These our humble Petitions proceeding from hearts and affections loyally and religiously devoted to God and your Majesties service and to the safety of your Majesties Sacred Person we most zealously present to your Princely Wisdome craving your Majesties chearful and gracious approbation The King's Answer to the Petition against Recusants March 31. 1628. My Lords and Gentlemen I Do very well approve the method of your proceeding à Jove principium hoping that the rest of your Consultations will succeed the happier And I like the preamble of my Lord Keeper otherwise I should a little have suspected that you thought me not so carefull of Religion as I have been and ever shall be wherein I am as forward as you can desire As for the Petition I answere first in generall that I like it well and will use those as well as all other means for the maintenance and propagation of that Religion wherein I have lived and doe resolve to die But for the particulars you shall receive a more full answer hereafter And now I will only add this that as we pray to God to help us so we must help our selves for we can have no assurance of his assistance if we do ly in bed and only pray without using other means And therefore I must remember you that if we do not make provision speedily we shall not be able to put one Ship to sea this year Verbum sapienti satis est The Answer to the same Petition by the Lord Keeper Coventrey TO the first point his Majesty answereth That he will accorâ—ding to your desire give both life and motion to the Laws thaâ— stand in force against Iesuits Seminary Priests and all that havâ— taken Orders by authority of the Sea of Rome and to that end his Maâ—jesty will give strict order to all his Ministers for the discovering and apprehending of them and so leave them being apprehended to the triall of the Law and in case after tryall there shall be cause to respite the execution of any of them yet they shall be committed according to the example of best times to the Castle of Westbitch and there be safely kept from exercising their functions or spreading their Superstitious and dangerous Doctrine and for the receivers and abettors they shall be left to the Law To the second His Majesty granteth all that is desired in this Article and to this end will give order to the Lord Treasurer Lord high Admirall and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports that in their severall places they be carefull to see this Article fully executed giving strict charge to all such as have place or authority under them to use all diligence herein and his Majesty requireth them and all other his Officers and Ministers to have a vigilant eye upon such as dwell in dangerous places of advantage or opportunity for receiving or transporting any such as are here
mentioned and his Majesty will take it for good service if any will give knowledge of such as have connived or combined or shall connive or combine as is mentioned in this Article that Justice may be strictly done upon them To the third His Majesty will take order to restrain the recourse of Recusants to the Court and also for the other points of this Article his Majesty is well pleased that the Laws be duly executed and that all unlawfull Licenses be annulled and discharged To the fourth His Majesty is most willing to punish for the time past and prevent for the future any the deceits and abuses mentioned in this Article and will account it a good service in any that will inform himself his Privy Councell Officers of his Revenue Judges or Councell learned of any thing that may reveal this Mystery of Iniquity and his Majesty doth strictly charge and command every of them to whom such information is made that they suffer not the same to die but do their utmost endeavour to effect a clear discovery and bring the Offenders to punishment and to the intent that no concealed toleration may be effected his Majesty leaveth the Lawes to their course To the fifth His Majesty is pleased to prohibite and restrain the coming and resort to the house of Ambassadours and will command a vigilant watch to be set for their taking and punishing as is desired To the sixth He is perswaded that this Article is already observed with good care neverthelesse for the avoyding as much as may be errours and escapes in that kind his Majesty will give order to the Lord Keeper that the next Terme he call unto him all the Judges and take information from them of the state of their severall Circuits if any such as are mentioned in this Article be in the Commission for Peace that reformation may be made thereof and will likewise give order to the Lord Admirall and to such persons to whom it shall appertain to make diligent enquiry and certifie to his Majesty if any such be in place of authority and command in his ships or service To the seventh His Majesty doth fully grant it To the eighth His Majesty doth well approve it as a matter of necessary consideration and the Parliament now sitting he recommendeth to both Houses the preparation of a fitting Law to that effect and his Majesty doth further declare that the mildnesse that hath been used towards them of the Popish Religion hath been upon hope that forraign Princes thereby might be induced to use moderation towards their Subjects of the Reformed Religion but not finding that good effect which was expected his Majesty resolveth unlesse he shall very speedily see better fruit to adde a further degree of severity to that which is in this Petition desired Sir Edward Coke's Speech March 25. upon a Question of Law in point of the Iudgement given in the Kings Bench Mich. 3. Caroli Viz. That a Prisoner detained by Committment per special mandat Regis without expressing a Cause is not bailable wherein he held negatively and spake as followeth IT is true that the Kings Prerogative is a part of the Law of this Kingdome and a supream part for the Prerogative is highly tendred and respected of the Law yet it hath bounds set unto it by the Laws of England But some worthy Members of this House have spoken of forraign States which I conceive to be a forraign Speech and not able to weaken the Side I shall maintain That Master Attorney may have something to answer unto I will speak without taking another day to the body of the Cause yet keeping something in store for another time I have not my Vade mecum here yet I will endeavour to recite my Ancestours truly I shall begin with old Authority for Errorem ad sua principia referre est refellere The ground of this Errour was the Statute of Westm. 1 cap. 15. which saith that those are not repleviable who are committed for the death of a man or by the commandment of the King or his Justices for the Forrest for so it was cited and Stamford 72. expounding hereof the commandment of the King to be the commandment of the Kings mouth or of his Councell But it is clear that by praeceptum is understood the commandment of the Justices of the Kings Bench and Common Pleas and this is contemporanea expositio quae est fortissima in lege To this purpose vide Westm. 1. cap. 9. the book of 2. R. 2. item cap. 20. de malefactoribus in parc the book of 8 Hen. 4.5 item 25.26.29 cap. ejusdem statuti whereby it may appear that the commandment here spoken of to be the commandment of the King is his commandment by his Judges Praeceptum Domini Regis in Curia non in Camera So it is likewise taken 1. R. 2. cap. 12. in a Statute made in the next Kings reign and expresly in Dyer fol. 162. § 50. fol. 192. § 24. Shall I further prove it by matter of record Fac hoc vives it is 18. E. 3. Rot. 33. coram Rege Iohn Bilston's Case who being committed and detained in prison by commandment of the King was discharged by Habeas corpus eo quod Breve Domini Regis non fuit sufficiens causa All the Acts of Parliament in title of accusation are direct to the point and also the 16. Hen. 6. Brooke and Littleton 2.1 monstrans de fait 182 per Cur. The King cannot command a man to be arrested in his presence the King can arrest no man because there is no remedy against him 1. Hen. 7.4 likewise praedict stat cap. 18. the Kings pleasure is not binding without the assent of the Realm I never read any opinion against what I have said but that of Stamford mistaken as you see in the ground yet I say not that a man may not be committed without precise shewing the cause in particular for it is sufficient if the cause in generall be shewed as for Treason c. 1. E. 2. stat de frangend prison nullus habeat judicium c. there the cause of imprisonment must be known else the Statute will be of little force the words thereof doe plainly demonstrate the intent of the Statute to be accordingly I will conclude with the highest authority that is 25. chap. of the Acts of the Apostles the last verse where Saint Paul saith It is against reason to send a man to prison without shewing a Cause Thus Master Attorney according to the rules of Physick I have given you a Preparative which doth precede a Purge I have much more in store The substance of the King's Speech upon the relating of the proceedings of the Parliament to him by the Counsellers of the Commons House of Parliament 4. April 1628. HIs Majestie upon the Report made expressed great contentment that it gave him not valuing the money given comparable to the hearts shewed in the way
in generall and to the grievous and insupportable vexation and detriment of many Countreys and persons in particular a new and heretofore almost unheard of way hath been invented and put in practise to lay Souldiers upon them scattered in Companies here and there even in the heart and bowels of this Kingdome and to compell many of your Majesties Subjects to receive and lodge them in their own houses and both themselves and others to contribute towards the maintenance of them to the exceeding great disservice of your Majesty to the generall terrour of all and utter undoing of many of your poor people Insomuch that we cannot sufficiently nor in any sort proportionable to the lively sense that we have of our miserie herein are we able to represent unto your Majesty the innumerable mischiefs and continuall vexations that by this meanes alone we do now suffer whereof we will not presume to trouble your sacred eares with particular instances Only most gracious Sovereign we beg leave to offer unto your gracious view and compassionate Consideration a few of them in generall First The service of almighty God is hereby greatly hindred the people in many places not daring to repair to the Churches least the Souldiers in the mean time should rifle their houses 2. The ancient and good government of the Countrey is hereby neglected and contemned 3. Your Officers of Justice in performance of their duties have been resisted and indangered 4. The rents and revenues of your Gentrie greatly and generally diminished Farmers to secure themselves from the Souldiers insolencie being by the clamours and solicitation of their fearfull and injured wives and children inforced to give up their wonted dwellings and to retire themselves into places of more secure habitation 5. Husbandmen that are as it were the hands of the Countrey corrupted by ill example of the Souldiers and incouraged to idle life give over work and rather seek to live idly at another mans charge then by their own labours 6. Tradesmen and Artificers almost discouraged being inforced to leave their trades and to imploy their time in preserving themselves and their families from violence and cruelty 7. Markets unfrequented and our wayes grown so dangerous that your people dare not passe to and fro upon their usuall occasions 8. Frequent robberies assaults batteries burglaries rapes rapines murthers barbarous cruelties and other most abominable vices and outrages are generally complained of from all parts where these Companies have been and had their abode few of which insolencies have been so much as questioned and fewer according to their demerits punished These and many other lamentable effects most dread and dear Sovereign have by this billetting of Souldiers fallen upon your loyall Subjects tending no lesse to the disservice of your Majesty then to their own impoverishing and destruction so that they are thereby exceedingly disabled to yield your Majesty those supplies for your urgent occasions which they heartily desire And yet they are further perplexed with apprehension of more approching dangers one in regard of your Subjects at home and the other from Enemies abroad In both which respects it seems to threaten no small Calamitie For the first the meaner sort of your people being exceeding poor whereof in many places be great multitudes and therefore in times of most settled and constant administration of Justice not easily ruled are most apt upon this occasion to cast off the reines of government and by joyning themselves with these disordred Souldiers are very likely to fall into mutinie and rebellion which in faithfull discharge of our duties we cannot forbear most humblie to present to your high and excellent Wisdome being prest with probable feares that some such mischief will shortly ensue if an effectuall and speedie course be not taken to remove out of the land or else otherwise to disband those unruly Companies For the second we do most humbly beseech your Majesty to take into your Princely consideration that many of these Companies besides their dissolute dispositions and carriages are such as do openly professe themselves to be Papists and therefore to be suspected that if occasion serve they will rather adhere to a forreign Enemy of that Religion then to your Majestie their liege Lord and Sovereign especially some of their Captaines and Commanders being as Popishlie affected as themselves and having served in the warres in the behalf of the King of Spain and the Arch-Dutchesse against your Majesties Allyes which of what pernicious consequence it may prove and how prejudiciall to the safety of all your Kingdome we humblie leave to your Majesties high and Princely Wisdome And now upon this and many more which might be alledged most weightie and important reasons grounded upon the maintenance of the worship and service of almightie God the continuance and advancement of your Majesties high honour and profit the preservation of the ancient and undoubted Liberties of your people and therein of Justice and Industrie and Valour which clearly concernes the glorie and happinesse of your Majestie and all your Subjects and the preventing of imminent calamities and ruine both of Church and Common-wealth we your Majesties most humble and loyall Subjects the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of your House of Commons in the name of all the Commonaltie of the Kingdome who are upon this occasion most miserable disconsolate and afflicted prostrate at the throne of your Grace and Justice do most humbly and ardently beg a present remove of this insupportable burthen and that your Majesty would be graciously pleased to secure us from the like pressure for time to come The nine Heads of the House of Commons to the Speaker 1. THat it is the ancient right of Parliament to dispose of matters there debated in their own method 2. That it is their ancient custome to consider of Grievances before matters of Supplie 3. That yet neverthelesse in this Parliament to expresse our affection to his Majesty contrarie to ordinarie proceedings we have proceeded in the Supply as farre as we could in that Committee 4. That we have been so farre from delaying that post-posing the common and pressing grievances we have given precedencie to the supply joyning with it only the fundamentall and vitall Liberties of the Kingdome that give substance to the Subjects 5. Further to expresse the fulnesse of our affections we have exceeded our order in that particular concerning the supplie which though later in proposition yet hath been first made readie for conclusion in the Committee 6. No person or Councell can be greater lovers of or more carefull to maintain the sacred Rights and Prerogatives of the Crown then we and we do conceive that the maintaining of the fundamentall Rights and Liberties of the Subject is an especiall meanes to establish the glory of a Monarch and that by it his Subjects are the better enabled to do him service which hath been the cause of many glorious victories wone by this Nation above other Kingdomes of larger
territories and greater number of people 7. What information is given to his Majesty contrary to this doth proceed from such persons as to serve their own ends under colour of advancing his Majesties Prerogative do weaken Royall power 8. We trust to be cleared in his Majesties judgement that there hath been no unnecessary stop but a most cheerfull proceeding in the matter of Supply and therefore we do humbly desire that his Majesty will take no information in this or any other businesse from private relations but to judge of our proceedings by the resolution that shall be presented to his Majestie from the House 9. Being thus rightly and graciously understood we assure our selves that the end of this Parliament shall be more happy then the beginning The Speaker Sir John Finche's Speech upon the 9 Heads 14. April 1628. Most Gracious and dread Sovereign YOur dutifull and loyall Commons here assembled were lately humble Suitours for accesse to your Royall presence The occasion that moved their desires herein was a particle of importance worthy your Princely Consideration and which as it well deserves should have been the only subject of my Speech at this time But since your gracious answer for this accesse obtained by a Message from your Majestie they have had some cause to doubt that your Majestie is not so well satisfied with the manner of their proceedings as their heartie desire is you should be especially in that part which concernes your Majesties present Supply as if in the prosecution thereof they had of late used some slacknesse or delay And because no unhappinesse of theirs can parallell with that which may proceed from a misunderstanding in your Majestie of their cleer and loyall intentions they have commanded me to attend your Majestie with an humble and summarie declaration of their proceedings since this short time of their sitting which they hope will give your Majestie abundant satisfaction that never people did more truly desire to be endeared in the favour and gracious opinion of their Sovereign And withall to let your Majestie see that as you can no where have a more faithfull Councell so your great designes and occasions can no way be so speedily or heartily supported as in this old and ancient way of Parliament For this purpose they humbly beseech your Majestie to take into your Royall Consideration that although by ancient right of Parliament the matters there debated are to be disposed in their true method and order and that their constant custome hath been to take into their consideration the common Grievances of the Kingdome before they enter upon matter of Supplie yet to make a full expression of that zeal and affection which they beare to your Royall Person equalling at least if not exceeding the best affections of their predecessours to the best of your Progenitours they have in this Assemblie contrary to ordinary proceeding in Parliament given your Majesties supply precedency before the common Grievances of the Subject how pressing soever joyning only with it those fundamentall and vitall Liberties of the Kingdome which give subsistence and ability to your Subjects This was their originall order and resolution and was grounded upon a true discerning that these two considerations could not be severed but did both of them intirely concern your Majesties service consisting no lesse in encouraging and inabling your Subjects then in proportioning a Present suting to your Majesties occasions and their own abilities Nay so farre have they been from using any unnecessary delaies as that though of the two that of Supply were later in proposition amongst them yet the Grand Committee to which both were referred have made that of your Majesties Supply first ready for conclusion And to be sure your Majesties Supply might receive no interruption they differing from custome and usage in cases of this nature sent up of those that concern the Subject by parcels some to your Majestie and some to the Lords to the end your Majestie may receive such speedy content as sutes with the largest and best extent of their first order Sir you are the breath of our nostrils and the light of our eyes and besides the many Comforts which under you and your Royall Progenitours in this frame of Government this Nation hath enjoyed the Religion we professe hath taught us whose Image you are And we do all most humbly declare to your Majestie that nothing is or can be more deare unto us then the sacred Rights and Prerogatives of your Crown no Person or Councell can be greater lovers of them nor more truly carefull to maintain them And the fundamentall Liberties which concern the freedome of our persons and propriety of our goods and estates are an essentiall meanes to establish the true glorie of a Monarch for rich and free Subjects as they are best governed so they are most able to do your Majestie service either in peace or warre which under God hath been the cause of the happie victories of this Nation beyond other Kingdomes of larger Territories and greater numbers of people What information soever contrarie to this shall be brought to your Majestie can come from no other then such as for their own ends under colour of advancing the Prerogative do in truth undermine and weaken Royall Power and by impoverishing the Subject render this Monarchie lesse glorious and the people lesse able to serve your Majestie Having by this which hath been said cleared our hearts and proceedings to your Majesty our trust is that in your Royall Judgement we shall be free from the least opinion of giving any unnecessary shop to our proceeding in the matter of Supply and that your Majestie will be pleased to entertain belief of our alacritie and cheerfulnesse in your service and that hereafter no such misfortune shall befall us to be misunderstood by your Majestie in any thing We all most humblie beseech your Majestie to receive no information either in this or any other businesse from private relations but to weigh and judge of our proceedings by those resolutions of the House which shall be presented from our selves This rightly and graciously understood we are confident from the knowledge of your goodnesse and our own hearts that the ending of this Parliament shall be much more happy then the beginning and that it shall be stiled to all ages The Blessed Parliament which making perfect union betwixt the best people your Majestie may ever delight in calling us together and we in the Comforts of your Gracious Favour towards us In this hope I return to my first errand which will best appear by that which I shall humbly desire your Majesty to hear read being an humble Petition from the House of Commons for redresse of those many inconveniences and distractions that have befallen your Subjects by the billetting of Souldiers Your Royall Progenitours have ever held their Subjects hearts the best Garrison of this Kingdome And our humble suit to your Majesty is that our Faith and
April 1628. Mr. Speaker WE are now upon a great business and the manner of handling it may be as great as the business it self I need not tell you that Liberty is a pretious thing for every man may set his own price upon it and he that doth not value it deserves to be valued accordingly for my own part I am clear without scruple that what we have resolved it according to Law and if any Judge in England were of a contrary opinion I am sure we should have heard of him before now Out of all question the very point the scope and drift of Magna Charta was to reduce the Regal to a Legal power in matters of imprisonment or else it had not been worth so much contending for But there have been Presidents brought to prove the practise and interpretation of the Law I confess I have heard many Presidents of utillity and respect but none at all of truth or of Law Certainly there is no Court of Justice in England that will discharge a Prisoner committed by the King Rege inconsulto without acquainting the King yet this good manners was never made or mentioned as a legal part of the delivery It is Objected that the King ought to have a trust left and deposited in him God forbid but he should And I say that it is impossible to take it from him for it lies not in the wit of man to devise such a Law as should be able to comprehend all particulers all accidents but that extraordinary cases must happen which when they come If they be disposed of for the Common good there will be no Law against them yet must the Law be general for otherwise admissions and exceptions will fret and eat out the Law to nothing God himself hath constituted a general Law of nature to govern the ordinary course of things he hath made no Laws for miracles Yet there is this observation of them that they are rather praeter naturam then contra naturam and alwayes propter bonos fines for Kings Prerogatives are rather besides the Law then against it and when they are directed to right ends for the publick good they are not onely concurring Laws but even Laws in singularity and excelling But to come nearer M r. Speaker let us consider where we are now what steps we have gone and gained the Kings learned Councel have acknowledged all the Laws to have been still in force the Judges have disallowed any Judgement against these Laws the Lords also have confessed that the Laws are in full strength they have further retained our resolution intire and without prejudice All this hitherto is for our advantage but above all his Majesty himself being publickly present declared by the mouth of my Lord Keeper before both the Houses that Magna Charta and the other six Statutes are in force that he will maintain his Subjects in the liberty of their Persons and the propriety of their goods that he will govern according to the Laws of the Kingdom this is a solemne and bindeing satisfaction expressing his gracious readiness to comply with his People in all their reasonable and just desires The King is a good man and it is no diminution to be called so for whosoever is a good man shall be greater then a King that is not so The King certainly is exceeding tender of his present Honour and of his same hereafter he will think it hard to have a worse mark set upon him and his Government then any of his Ancestors by extraordinary restraints his Majesty hath already intimated unto us by a message that he doth willingly give way to have the abuse of power reformed by which I do verily believe that he doth very well understand what a miserable power it is which hath produced so much weakness to himself and to the Kingdom and it is our happiness that he is so foreward to redress it For my own part I shall be very glad to see that good old decrepit Law of Magna Charta which hath so long kept in and lain as it were bedrid I should be glad I say to see it walk abroad again with new vigour and lustre attended by the other six Statutes questionless it will be a general hartning to all the People I doubt not but by a debating conference with the Lords we shall happily fall upon a fair and fit accommodation concerning the Liberty of our Persons and propriety of our goods I hope we have a Bill to agree in the point against imprisonment for Loanes or privy Seals as for intrincical power and reason of State they are matters in the clouds where I desire we may leave them and not meddle in them at all least by way of admittance we may loose somewhat of that which is our own already Yet this by the way I will say of reason of State that in the latitude as it is used it hath eaten out almost not onely all the Laws but all the Religion of Christendom Now M r. Speaker I will onely remember you of one precept and that of the wisest Man Be not overwise be not over just and he cited his reason for why wilt thou be desolate Sir if Justice and Wisedom may be stretcht to desolation let us thereby learn that moderation is the virtue of virtues and the wisedom of wisedomes Let it be our Master-piece so to carry our business as we may keep Parliaments on foot for as long as they are frequent there will be no irregular power which though it cannot be broken at once yet in short time it will fade and moulter away there can be no total and final loss of Liberty but by loss of Parliaments as long as they last what we cannot get at one time we may have at another Let no man think that what I have said is the language of a private end my aim is upon the good success of the whole for I thank God my minde stands above any fortune that is to be gotten by base and unworthy means No man is bound to be rich or great no nor to be wise but every man is bound to be honnest out of which heart I have spoken The Lord KEEPERS speech 28. April 1628. MY Lords Knights and Burgesses of the House of Commons I cannot but remember the great and important affairs concerning the safety both of State and Religion declared at first from his own mouth to be the cause of assembling this Parliament the fear whereof as it doth dayly increase with his Majesty so it ought to do and his Majesty doubts not but it doth so with you since the danger encreaseth every day both by effluction of time and preparation of the enemy Yet his Majesty doth well weigh that this expence of time hath been occasion by the debate that hath risen in both Houses touching the Liberty of both Subjects in which as his Majesty takes in good part the purpose and intent of the Houses so clearly and
so glorious within the outward poverty will bring contempt upon them especially amongst those who measure men by the ounce and weigh them by the pound which indeed is the greatest part of men Mr. Pym I cannot but testifie how being in Germany I was exceedingly scandalized to see the poor stipendarie Ministers of the Reformed Churches there dispised and neglected by reason of their poverty being otherwayes very grave and learned men I am afraid this is a part of the burthen of Germany which ought to be a warning to us I have heard many Objections and difficulties even to impossibilities against this Bill to him that is unwilling to go there is even a Bear or Lion in the way First let us make our selves willing then will the way be easie and safe enough I have observed that we are alwayes very eager and fierce against Papistry against scandalous Ministers and against things which are not so much in our power I should be glad to see that we did delight as well in rewarding as in punishing and in undertaking matters within our own reach as this is absolutely within our power Our own duties are next us other mens further of I do not speak this that I do mislike the destroying or pulling down of that which is ill but then let us be as earnest to plant and build up that which is good in the room of it for why should we be desolate The best and the greatest way to dispell darkness and the deeds thereof is to let in light we say that day breaks but no man can ever hear the noise of it God comes in the still voice let us quickly mend our Candlesticks and we cannot want lights I am afraid this backwardness of ours will give the adversary occasion to say that we chuse our Religion because it is the cheaper of the two that we would willingly serve God with somewhat that cost us naught Believe it M r. Pym he that thinks to save any thing by his Religion but his Soul will be a terrible looser in the end we sow so sparingly and that is the reason we reap so sparingly and have no more fruit Me thinks whosoever hates Papistry should by the same rule hate covetousness for that 's Idolatry too I never liked hot professions and cold actions such a heat is rather the heat of a distemper and disease then of life and saving health For scandalous Ministers there is no man shall be more foreward to have them sincerely punnished then I will be when Salt hath lost its savour fit it is to be cast on the unsavory place the dunghill But Sr. let us deal with them as God hath dealt with us God before he made man he made the World a handsome place for him to dwell in so let us provide them convenient livings and then punish them on Gods name but till then scandalous livings cannot but have scandalous Ministers It shall ever be a rule to me that where the Church and Common-wealth are both of one Religion it is comely and decent that the outward splendor of the Church should hold a proportion and participate with the prosperity of the temporal State for why should we dwell in houses of Cedar and suffer God to dwell in Tin It was a Glorious and Religious work of King Iames and I speak it to his unspeakable Honour and to the praise of that Nation who though that Countrey be not so rich as ours yet are they Richer in their affections to Religion within the space of one year he caused to be planted Churches through all Scotland the Highlands and the Boarders worth 30. l. a year a piece with a house and some gleab belonging to them which 30. l. a year considering the cheapness of the Countrey and the modest fashion of Ministers living there is worth double as much as any where within a 100. miles of London the printed Act and Commission whereby it may be executed I have here in my hand delivered unto me by a Noble Gentleman of that Nation and a worthy Member of this House Sir Francis Stuart To conclude although Christianity and Religion be established generally throughout this Kingdom yet untill it be planted more particularly I shall scarce think this a Christian Common-wealth seeing it hath been moved and stirred in Parliament it will lye heavy upon Parliaments untill it be effected Let us do something for God here of our own and no doubt God will bless our proceedings in this place the better for ever hereafter And for my own part I will never give over solliciting this cause as long as Parliaments and I shall live together CHARLES REX To our trusty and well-beloved the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of the Higher House of PARLIAMENT WE being desirous of nothing more then the advancement of the good peace and prosperity of our people have given leave to free debates of highest points of our Prerogative Royal which in times of our Predecessors Kings and Queens of this Realm were ever restrained as Matters they would not have disputed and in other things we have been willing fairly to condiscend to the desires of our loving Subjects as might fully satisfie all moderate mindes and free them from all just fears and jealousies with those Messages which heretofore we have sent to the Commons House will well demonstrate to the World and yet we finde it still insisted on that in no case whatsoever should it never so nearly concern Matters of State and government we nor our privy Councel have power to commit any man without the cause shewed whereas it often happens that should the cause be shewed the service thereby would be destroyed and defeated and the cause alleadged must be such as may be determined by our Judges of our Courts at Westminster in a Legal and Ordinary way of Justice whereas the cause may be such whereof the Judges have no capacity of Judicature or rules of Law to direct or guide their Judgements in cases of that transcendent nature which hapning so often the very intermitting of the constant rules of government for many ages within this Kingdom practised would soon dissolve the very frame and foundation of our Monarchy wherefore as to our Commons we have made propositions which might equally preserve the just Liberty of the Subject So my Lords we have thought good to let you know that without overthrow of our Soveraignty we cannot suffer this power to be impeached But notwithstanding to clear our conscience and just intentions this we publish that it is not in our hearts nor ever will we extend our royal power lent unto us from God beyond the just rule of moderation in any thing which shall be contrary to our Laws and Customes where the safety of our people shall be our onely aim And we do hereby declare our royal pleasure and resolution to be which God willing we shall ever constantly continue and maintain that neither we nor our privy Councel
Majestie thereof and with bleeding hearts and bended knees to crave such speedy redress therein as to your own wisdom unto which we humbly submit our selves and our desires shall seem most meet and convenient what the multitude and potency of your Majesties Enemies are abroad what be their malitious and ambitious ends and how vigilant and constantly industrious they are in pursuing the same is well known to your Majesty Together with the dangers threatned thereby to your sacred Person and your Kingdoms and the calamity which hath already fallen and doth dayly increase upon your Friends and Allies of which we are all well assured your Majesty is most sensible and will accordingly in your own great wisdom and with the gravest and most mature Councel according to the exigency of the times and occasions provide by all means to prevent and help the same To which end we most humbly intreat your Majesty first and especially to cast your eyes upon the miserable condition of this your own Kingdom of late so strangely weakned impoverished dishonoured and dejected That unless through your Majesties most gracious wisdom goodness and Justice it be speedily raised to a better condition it is in no little danger to become a sudden prey to the Enemies thereof And of the most happy and flourishing to be the most miserable and contemptible Nation in the World In the discovery of which dangers mischiefs and inconveniences lying upon us we do freely protest that it is far from our thoughts to lay the least aspercion upon your Majesties sacred Person or the least scandal upon your Government for we do in all sincerity and with all joyfulness of heart not onely for our selves but in the name of the whole Commons of England whom we represent ascribe as much honour to your Majesty and acknowledge as much duty as a most loyal and affectionate people can do unto the best King for so you are and so you have been pleased abundantly to express your self this present Parliament by your Majesties clear and satisfactory answer to our Petition of Right for which both we our selves and our posterities shall bless God for you and ever preserve a thankfull memory of your great goodness and Justice therein and we do verily believe that all or most of those things which we shall now present unto your Majesty are either unknown unto your Majesty or else by some of your Majesties Ministers offered under such specious pretences as may hide their own bad intentions ill consequence of them from your Majesty But we assure our selves that according to the good example of your most noble Predecessors nothing can make your Majesty being a Wise and Judicious Prince and above all things desirous of the welfare of your people more in love with Parliaments then this which is one of the principal ends of calling them that therein you may be truely informed of the State of all the several parts of your Kingdom and how your Officers and Ministers do behave themselves in discharge of the trust reposed in them by your Majesty which is scarce possible to be made known unto you but in Parliament as was declared by your blessed Father when he was pleased to put the Commons in Parliament assembled in minde that it would be the greatest unfaithfulness and breach of duty to his Majesty and of the trust committed to them by their Countrey that could be if in setting forth the grievances of the people and the condition of all the parts of this Kingdom from whence they came they did not deal clearly with him without sparing any how near and deer soever they were unto him if they were hurtfull or dangerous to the Common-wealth In confidence therefore of your Majesties gracious acceptation in a matter of so high importance and in faithfull discharge of our duties we do first of all most humbly beseech your Majesty to take notice that howsoever we know your Majesty doth with your Soul abhor that any such thing should be imagined or attempted yet there is a general fear conceived in your people of some secret working and combination to introduce into this your Kingdom innovacion and change of our holy Religion more precious to us then our lives and what ever this World can affoard Our fears and jealousies herein are not meerly conjectural but arising out of such certain and visible effects as may demonstrate a true and real cause For notwithstanding the many good and wholsom Laws and provisions made to prevent the increase of Popery within this Kingdom and notwithstanding your Majesties gracious and satisfactorie answer to the Petition of both Houses in that behalf presented unto your Majestie at Oxford we finde there hath followed no good execution or effect but on the contrary at which your Majestie out of the quick sence of your own Religious heart cannot but be in the highest measure displeased those of that Religion do finde extraordinarie favours and respects in Court from Persons of great quality and power there unto whom they continually resort and in particuler to the Countess of Buckingham who her self openly professing that Religion is a known favourer and supporter of them that do the same which we well hoped upon your Majesties answer to the aforesaid Petition of Oxford should not have been permitted nor that any of your Majesties Subjects of that Religion or justly to be suspected should be entertained in the service of your Majesty or of your Royal consort the Queen some likewise of that Religion have had Honours Offices and places of Command and Authority lately conferred upon them But that which striketh the greatest terrour into the hearts of your Loyal Subjects concerning this point is That Letters of stay of Legal proceedings against them have been procured from your Majesty by what indirect means we know not and Commissions under the great Seal granted and executed for compositions to be made with Popish Recusants with inhibitions and restraints both to the Ecclesiastical and Temporal Courts and Officers to intermeddle with them which is conceived to amount to no less then a toleration odious to God full of dishonour and extream disprofit to your Majestie of great scandal and grief to your good people and of apparent danger to the present estate of your Majestie and of this Kingdom their numbers power and insolencies dayly increasing in all parts of your Kingdom and in special about London and the Suburbs thereof where exceeding many families of them do make their aboad and publickly frequent Mass at Denmark House and other places and by their often meetings and conferences have opportunities of combining their counsels and strength together to the hazard of your Majesties safety and the State and especially in these doubtfull and calamitous times And as our fear concerning change or subversion of Religion is grounded upon the dayly increase of Papists the open and professed enemies thereof for the reasons formerly mentioned so are the hearts of your
sea and land should be in the hands of any one Subject whatsoever And as it is not safe so sure we are it cannot be for your service it being impossible for any one man to mannage so many and so weightie affairs of the Kingdom as he hath undertaken besides the ordinary duties of those great offices which he holds some of which well performed would require the time and industrie of the ablest man both for Councel and action that your whole Kingdom could afford especially in these times of common danger And our humble desire further is that your most Excellent Majestie would be pleased to take it into your Princely consideration whether in respect the same Duke hath so abused his power it be safe for your Majestie and your Kingdoms to continue him either in his great offices of trust or in his place of nearness and Councel about your sacred person And thus in all humility aiming at nothing but the honour of Almightie God the maintenance of his true Religion the safetie and happiness of your most Excellent Majestie and the preservation and prosperitie of this Church and Common-Wealth we have endeavoured with faithfull hearts and intentions and in discharge of the dutie we owe to your Majestie and our Countrey to give your Majestie a true representation of our present dangers and pressing calamities which we humbly beseech your Majestie gratiously to accept and to take the same to heart acccompting the safety and prosperity of your people your greatest happiness and their love your richest treasure A rufull and lamentable spectacle we confess it must needs be to behold these ruines in so fair a house so many diseases and almost every one of them deadly in so strong and well tempered a bodie as this Kingdom latelie was yet we will not doubt but that God hath reserved this honour for your Majestie to restore the safety and happiness thereof again as a work worthy so Excellent a Prince For whose long life and true felicity we dayly pray and that your fame and never dying glory may be continued to all succeeding generations A Kallender or Schedule of the shipping of this Kingdom which have been taken by the enemy and lost at sea within the space of three years last past Taken by the Enemy Ships of the burthen of 100. Tun and upwards belonging to London The ships 77 and furniture vallued at 62000. l. Ipswich The ships 77 and furniture vallued at 62000. l. Newcastle The ships 77 and furniture vallued at 62000. l. Hull The ships 77 and furniture vallued at 62000. l. Yarmouth The ships 77 and furniture vallued at 62000. l. Aldborough The ships 77 and furniture vallued at 62000. l. Cast away Ships of the same burthen belonging to the same places 133 The ships and furniture vallued at 100000. l. Taken and cast away Ships of the like burthen belonging to Lynne 50 The ships and furniture vallued at 35000. l. Bristol 50 The ships and furniture vallued at 35000. l. Dartmouth 50 The ships and furniture vallued at 35000. l. Portsmouth 50 The ships and furniture vallued at 35000. l. Southampton 50 The ships and furniture vallued at 35000. l. Waymouth 50 The ships and furniture vallued at 35000. l. Exceter 50 The ships and furniture vallued at 35000. l. Shoram 50 The ships and furniture vallued at 35000. l. Harwich 50 The ships and furniture vallued at 35000. l. Dover 50 The ships and furniture vallued at 35000. l. Woodbridge 50 The ships and furniture vallued at 35000. l. Sandwich 50 The ships and furniture vallued at 35000. l. Some 260 ships vallued at 197000. l. Taken by the Enemy Ships of 100 Tonne belonging to London 130 The vallued not certified Newcastle 130 The vallued not certified Hull 130 The vallued not certified Boston 130 The vallued not certified Yarmouth 130 The vallued not certified Lynne 130 The vallued not certified Aldborough 130 The vallued not certified Dover 130 The vallued not certified The County of Sussex 130 The vallued not certified Pool 130 The vallued not certified Southampton 130 The vallued not certified Weymouth 130 The vallued not certified Exceter 130 The vallued not certified Dartmouth 130 The vallued not certified Bristol 130 The vallued not certified Iersey 130 The vallued not certified Scarbrough 130 The vallued not certified Soul and 130 The vallued not certified Dunwich 130 The vallued not certified Touching the Ports and Towns of Portsmouth great losses whereof no particular is given Westchester great losses whereof no particular is given Milfordhaven great losses whereof no particular is given Bridgwater great losses whereof no particular is given Bastable great losses whereof no particular is given Faymouth great losses whereof no particular is given Foy. great losses whereof no particular is given Lynne Regis great losses whereof no particular is given Isle of Whight great losses whereof no particular is given Colchester great losses whereof no particular is given Iersey great losses whereof no particular is given Low great losses whereof no particular is given Whitby great losses whereof no particular is given Bridlington great losses whereof no particular is given Blackney great losses whereof no particular is given Wels. great losses whereof no particular is given Orford great losses whereof no particular is given Brightling-sea great losses whereof no particular is given Rochester great losses whereof no particular is given and divers other small Ports great losses whereof no particular is given The goods and Merchandizes lost in the shipping aforesaid and in Flemish bottoms fraighted by English Merchants to be imported into this Kingdom are of exceeding great vallue the certainty whereof cannot now be expressed Onely one company of Merchants Trading to the Eastwards from London Ipswich Hull and New-castle in half this space of time have lost one hundred thousand pounds taken by the Enemy A Great Number of Marriners also proportionable to this loss of shipping have been taken and destroyed by the Enemy and cast away through disorderly pressing and forcing upon Winter voyages besides many more by reason of their discouragements and want of pay have either run away to the Enemy or betaken themselves to forraign service or to any other Trade rather then to lead a Sea-mans life to the inestimable loss and danger of the Kingdom The Kings Answer to the Remonstrance the 17 of June 1626. Gentlemen UPon my Answer to your Petition of Right I expected no such declaration from you which conteineth divers points of State touching the Church and Common-Wealth And I do conceive you do believe that I understood them better then your selves but since the reading thereof I perceive you understand these things less then I imagined notwithstanding I will take them into my consideration as they deserve The Kings Speech at the end of the Session June 26. IT may seem strange that I came so suddenly to end this Session therefore before I give any assent to the Bills I will tell you the cause though I must avow that I owe
That Mr. Attorney having made a rough Draught being often urged to expedition by the Bishop of Winchester he sent the same to the Bishop who inter-lined and corrected the same adding the names of Cosens Manwering and Sibthorp to the pardon That Mr. Attorney may be asked whether any of these Lords were made acquainted with the affidavit about Cosens A Messenger is sent to the Lord Keeper to know the reason wherefore he made stop of the Great Seal and by what solicitations he was prest thereunto Thursday 5. A Petition in complaint of an imposition upon Mault by the Citie of London was this day preferred to the House which is prefered to the Committee for Grievances Some differences being observed in the Articles as in the twentieth Article c. a Committee is to Compare the old and new Articles with the Records at Lambeth and consider how all those differences come in Mr. Long COmplaineth that a Prosecution hath been against him in the Star-chamber for sitting in this House the last Session he being High Sheriff of Wiltshire and chosen Burgess of Bath in Somersetshire The Preachers are to be chosen to morrow at the Committee for Religion Mr. Ogle IS called who averreth his Petition and will prove the same by witnesses It is Ordered that Cosens shall have intimation to attend to answer here if he will on Munday come fortnight to be sent for by a Serjeant at Arms and if he be not of the Convocation but if he be then to have notice by the Speakers letters and if thereupon he appear not then to proceed with him as is usuall in like Cases If Witnesses be sent for to this House in any Publick business they are to pay their own Charges Secretarie Gook SAith He hath very now received from a Noble person this Message from his Majestie That he hath appointed the eighteenth of this Moneth for the Fast for this place and the twentieth of the next Moneth for the whole kingdom Sir Robert Phillips MOveth in the behalf of the Lord Peircie that having a Cause in dispute in the Lords House and three Members of this House being of his Counsel desires they may have leave to plead his Cause Which being conceived to be a Cause that is not to receive any Judgement here it is granted Friday A Petition exhibited against one Wittington a Papist in Northumberland Ordered to be sent for by a Serjeant at Arms. Mr. Harris of St. Margarets Westminster Mr. Harris of Hanwell in Oxfordshire Mr. William Fitz-Ieofferies of Cornwall are chosen for three Preachers for the day of the Fast and for the precedence is referred to the Preachers themselves Mr. Shervill REported one Parson Scall procured the Pardon for Mountague one Bartholomew Baldwin solicited the Pardon for Manwering There is also another Pardon found to be granted to Manwering pardoning the Judgement late he had given by the High Court of Parliament and all sums due to the King thereby Sir Nathaniel Ritch THat we may do somewhat which may give content to those who sent us hither and make expedition to the business of his Majestie and the Common-wealth That therefore the business of Mr. Mountague may be expedited to the Lords that they may enter into these things as well as we The Councel of Mr. Iones the Printer are to be heard upon Munday next Sir O. Roberts REporteth from the Committee sent to Mr. Attorney that Mr. Attorney staid for the Affidavits taken by Sir Euball Thelwall That one Heath a Gentleman of Grays-Inne told Mr. Attorney that Cosens should say that the King was not supream of the Church and that he had no more to do with Religion than he that rubs his horse heels Mr. Attorney acquainted the King whereupon the King charged him to make a strict Inquisition herein but the King would not believe the same to be true Mr. Attorney sent for his Kinsman again and being examined he said so as affidavits were made thereon There was further certificate from the Dean and others at Durham so that the business was much lessened thereby but Mr. Attorney pressing the business further casually met with the Bishop of Winchester who said to Mr. Attorney that this business will come to nothing and King that made the affidavit was but a vain fellow The Affidavit of Thomas King was read which verifieth the same Mr. Selden made the rest of this Report and delivered the Warrant by which Mr. Attorney drew the Pardons for the Bishop of Winchester The effect was that what Mr. Mountague had done or writ was not out of any ill meaning such a Pardon should be drawn as Mr. Mountagues Councel should direct This Warrant was under the Lord Dorchester being the Lord Carleton Mr. Selden delivereth likewise the Copie of the Pardon interlined and razed by the Lord Bishop of Winchester Sir Iohn Elliot HEre is high Treason upon oath a Deposition upon oath an opposition is not in Law to be admitted for here is not onely an Admission but an Invitation of Certificates for defence and allowed to sway the case of so high a nature that therefore the parties that made the Affidavits and Mr. Attorney may be examined to make a better disquisition in this for I fear the intimation of the Bishop of Winchester swayed too far with Mr. Attorney Be matter true or false the neglect of the dutie of the Attorney is not to be excused I am much grieved to see his Majesties mercie run so readily to these kind of persons and his justice so readily upon others trifling occasions nay upon no occasions nay upon no occasion onely the misinformation of some Minister Mr. Attorney being by Writ to attend the Lords House cannot be injoyned to attend this House or to appear upon Warrant wherefore Mr. Littleton and Mr. Selden being of the same Inne of Court have undertaken to give notice to Mr. Attorney that there being as accusation here against him he may here answer and satisfie the House on Munday next Saturday A Bill against Spirituall Symonie and a Bill against buying or selling of places of Judicature Mr. Kirton moved That a time may be appointed to take into consideration the business of Tonnage and Poundage Sir Walter Earl secondeth his motion that all the world may know that we will give to God that which is Gods and to Cesar that which is Cesars and to our Countrey that which is theirs Sir Walter moveth That the Merchants may have their goods and that his Majestie may be moved therein It is Ordered That the House on Tuesday next in a Committee shall take into consideration the business of Tonnage Poundage and all things incident thereto Mr. Shervill is nominated to take the Chair of the Committee Sir Rober Phillips REported from the Committee for Course of Justice A Petition of Complaints was exhibited by Mr. Noell a Member of this House against Sir Ed. Moseley Attorney of the Dutchie Court and his man in point of injustice That
Moseley covenanteth that his man Brograve should have 80 pounds and then he should have an Injunction but the Chancellor having Intimation thereof prevented the same yet after by Covenant Moseley procured his man 50 pounds That this was an ordinarie course cited many particulars that Moseley would in his private Chamber adde to Orders or detract from them or that was for the King or against the King as men would come off to him This is referred to a Committee to be examined Mr. Selden REported from the examination of Allen for so much as concerneth the Priviledge of this House by the first and third Article against him This justified by a Letter written by Allen to Mr. Barton the Puritan faction denied supply like Water-men provoked to War rowed another way for his Author of this he produceth a book set forth by King Iames in the 19 year of his Reign pag. 13. to shew how the Puritan faction be clear by mentioning the particular Members of the Commons House and pag. 5. in the same pag. all which they cloke with Religion and when he had boldly insisted on these he said I pray note it It is not this Parliament I speak of it was another Sir Robert Phillips THat he may be sent to the Tower and that he may stand in some publick place with a Paper declaring the cause or such other punishment as the House shall think fit Mr. Pym THat other matter of greater importance being under examination he may for the present rest in custodie and I doubt not but there is matter sufficient to inflict further punishment Ordered that Allen shall first answer his contempt at the Committee for Religion on Munday next Mr. Shervile THat the Committee for Pardons is sine die therefore he moveth for another day whereupon there is order to meet this afternoon Mr. Selden reported the draught of Mr. Mountagues interlined Pardon concerning the Additions more than an ordinarie Coronation Pardon except sundrie causes depending in the three Courts in Westminster-hall and the High Commission Court For Manwering all offences for time past and for time to come Sir Iohn Stanhope MOveth That one Lynne a Member of this House and Secretary to the Bishop of Winchester may look on the Pardon and be injoyned to declare whether he know the hand or no. Mr. Lynne declareth the interlined particulars to be part his Lords hand and part his own hand by his Lords command yet some of the interlined particulars he knew not the hand Sir Nathaniel Ritch thanked this Gentleman for dealing clearly with the House and saith for his encouragement he deserveth thanks from the whole House Sir Iohn Elliot moveth That a select Committee may extract a charge against the Bishop of Winchester that we may have judgement against him Sir Daniel Norton THat a Doctor of Divinitie in the Bishop of Winchesters Diocess a very grave Divine Doctor Moor the Bishop of Winchester said to him he had heard him often preach against Poperie before the Kings Majestie which was very pleasing to the King but now he must not The Doctor answers he must if it comes in his way said the Bishop you must not and further your Tables in the Quier stand as in an ale-house The Doctor replied they stood according to Law sayes the the Bishop there be Articles to controove said the Doctor the Register found it contrary saying Your Tables at Winchester stood as Altars Sir Robert Phillips THus you see how truth in the discoverie doth grow upon us And now you see how the introducing Ceremonies at Durham doth arise and now you see the greatest aspersion laid on his Majestie that ever I heard of and now I am confident the Bishop of Durham procured the Kings hand to the Pardons Chancellor of the Dutchie THis trencheth high to the person of the King and I am glad to hear it and shall be more glad to see it proved Sir Thomas Heale SAith he heard these words from Doctor Moores own mouth and asking if he would prove this in Parliament he said he would maintain it with his life Mr. Valentine SAith That this Bishop hath a Chaplain in Grantham that preached they were all damned that refused the Loan and that he hath made a great combustion in placing the Communion Table there The Speakers Letter is to go for Doctor Moore Munday 9. A Petition in complaint of the Post-Masters Patent of London which is referred to a Committee Mr. Speaker delivered from Mr. Attorney a Warrant in writing of his proceedings in Cosens business Mr. Iohn Elliot reported from the Committee for examination of the Merchants business that the Committee finding Sheriff Acton in prevarications and contradictions in his examinations which is conceived to be a contempt of this House desires he may be sent for to answer his contempt Mr. Godwin saith the Sheriff acknowledgeth his error and humbly desireth so much favour that he may once again be called before the Committee and if then he give not full contentment by his answer he will refer himself to the wisdome and justice of the House Mr. Walter secondeth this Motion so did Alderman Molson Secretarie Cook Chancellor of the Dutchie c. but his abuse being declared to be so great and so gross and that he had so many times given him to recollect himself and that he being so great an Officer of so great a Citie had had all the favour that he might be and yet rejected the same and carried himself in a very scornfull manner wherefore it is Ordered that he shall be sent for to the House as a Delinquent to Morrow morning Iones the Printer and his Councel are called in to argue the business of Mr. Mountagues Episcopal Confirmation First Quere Whether the exceptions be legal Secondly whether the Confirmation be good The last is the point now in hand to which the House enjoyned the Councel to speak The Councel proposed a Third Quere What will be the fruit or effect of it if in Law the Confirmation prove void In this the Councel said it will not extend to make him a Bishop upon the point of Election but upon the point of Confirmation onely which maketh him punishable if he execute any thing concerning the Bishoprick Sir Hen. Martin saith The exception making void the Confirmation doth in Law work also upon the Election Doctor Steward saith The point of setting to of the Advocates hand is but matter of Form in the Court no matter of Law Sir Henry Martin saith he will endeavour himself to give the House as full satisfaction and he will speak without relation to the Kings Right and Laws of the Realm The Proclamation by the Common Law should not be at Bow Church but at the Cathedral Church of the Diocess where the Bishop is to be elected and the Dean and Charter of that Diocess is to except and not every one that will The Argument is endless and to alter a course so long settled
the Secretarie Super totam maternam It is evident that the Colledge at Clarkenwell is a Colledge of Iesuits holden under a Forreign Supream power Sir Francis Seymour taxeth Mr. Attorneys affection and judgement in this and also declareth continual Letters from Mr. Attorney in stay of proceedings against Recusants You see in this how slightly Mr. Attorney hath put over a business of this weight to Mr. Long. Cross the Pursevant saith there was an Eleventh man in the New Prison and the Keeper of that Prison said he was delivered by Warrant from the Councel-board Sir Iohn Elliot No man could find a way on which to vent his malice so much to this Church and State as by protecting these men That this may be fixed home on that great Lord of Dorset that I fear hath defiled his fingers too far in this business and on Mr. Attorney whom I am sorrie I have occasion to nominate so often in this matter of Religion in stopping of proceedings against Recusants Mr. Recorder is ordered to be sent for and to be examined in this rather than to be sent for having had the Honor formerly to sit in the Chair Secretarie Cook saith we shall find that the King being mercifull in case of shedding bloud gave direction for the repriving of those Priests Sir Iohn Elliot I doubt not when we shall declare the depth of this to his Majestie but he will render them to judgement that gave him advice herein Sir Nath. Ritch These Iesuits are bound by Sureties to answer further at the Councel-board I wish these Bonds would produce these Men that by examination of them we may find out the whole pack of their Benefactors and Countenancers Mr. Long saith that he offering at Session the Evidence by order from M. Attorney the Lord Chief Justice Richardson interrupted him and told him he must speak to the point in issue whether Priests or no Priests and hereupon the Judges consulted amongst themselves Mr. Selden saith he was present at the Sessions and plain Treason was proved and nothing done in it The further examination of this is referred to a select Committee Munday 16. A Petition of Complaint against Sir Henry Martin for disposing of the goods of one Brown who died intestate to his own private use Sir Henry Martin If I prove not my self as clear of this as St. Iohn Baptist let me be reckoned to be a Jew Referred to the Committee for course of Justice At the Committee for Religion MAster Stroud That the Lord Chief Justice may be called to give an account of his stay of Justice in the execution of the condemned Priests which he ought not to have done though his Majestie signified his pleasure to the contrarie Chancellor of the Dutchie That was a thing ordinarie for a Chief Justice to do in Queen Elisabeths and King Iames times as also a Declaration in the Star-chamber that all condemned Priests should be sent to the Castle of Wisbitch and from hence though the King had given no order for the replevie he might have taken his Warrant for his proceedings Mr. Selden reporteth from the Committee for the further examination of Mr. Long concerning the proceeding at Newgate against the Iesuits whereby plainly appeareth that the evidence tendered in the Court at Newgate did plainly testifie these men to be Priests yet the Lord Chief Justice Richardson did reject the same against the sence of the rest of the Judges and Justices present whereby it is plain he dealt under-hand to some of the Iesuites Ordered That two Members shall be sent to each Judge that were present at the Sessions at Newgate who were said to be the Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench the Chief Justice of the Common-pleas Justice Whitlock Justice Iones and Justice Crook Tuseday 17. MAster Chambers preferreth another Petition in complaint of a Warrant newly proceeding from the Councel-board for the stay of the Merchants goods unless they payed the duties that were due in King Iames his time Sir Iohn Elliot You see as by the last answer from the Exchequer the Merchants were bounded within the Court to sue for their own so they are now debarred from all means of coming by their own It is Ordered that the Customers shall attend the House on Thurseday next In the mean time it is referred to the former Committee Ordered a Committee of six to Collect and take all the names at the Fast and to meet at eight of the Clock in the Morning Ordered That a Committee shall consider of a speedie way to put the Merchants in Possession of their goods without which it is warned we sit here in vain Sir Thomas Hobbie Reported from my Lord Chief Justice Hide that he doth not remember any Papers tendred by Mr. Long were rejected or that he affirmed they were dangerous persons and a Colledge of Iesuits but howsoever Mr. Long tendred nothing to prove them so but that he had diverse papers in his hand Mr. Wansford Reported from the Lord Chief Justice Richardson who saith that Mr. Long did discourse of the place and house but did not press the reading of any papers neither doth he know what was in the papers neither knew he any thing to prove the persons Priests Sir Thomas Barrington delivereth the answer of Justice Iones who saith the same papers were offered by Mr. Long but he knoweth not the Contents thereof nor the reason why they were refused but he came late for want of his health and the second day was not there at all The like was Reported by Sir Will. Constable from Justice Crook Sir Thomas Barrington saith Although that Justice Iones did not write the name of my Lord Chief Justice Richardson yet in discourse named him to be the man that said The point in proof is not whether they be Priests or no Priests Sir Nath. Ritch Here is a charge of a high nature on the Judges by Mr. Long. That Mr. Long now may make good his Charge or suffer for it for there were witnesses enough in the Court. Ordered Mr. Long to be here on Thurseday Morning Ordered That the Justices about this time shall be required to deliver in the names of all Recusants remaining about the Town and their conditions and what Countrey they be It is Moved That the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court and of the Chancerie may give in their knowledge what Recusants are there Sir Iohn Stanhope That the Court may give in the names of Recusants there likewise by what Warrant these be about the Town and what publick charge of Office any of these persons have also what Priests and Iesuites are in any prison in London for they have libertie sometimes to go five miles to say Mass. Wednesday 18. A Publick Fast was kept by this House in Westminster where were three Sermons Thursday 19. MAster Dawes one of the Customers called in to answer the point of Priviledge in taking Mr. Rolles his goods being a Member of this