acts of justice and favour they have received trance into those courses, which, through Gad from him this parliament, by their hopes of blessing, shall be effectual for the removing a future happiness in his majesty, and in one diffidence and misapprehension betwixt me another, by their love of religion and the peace majesty and your people, and for estabil of this kingdom, in which that of Ireland can- and enlarging the honour, greatness, and powe not be forgotten, that they will not be trans- of your majesty and royal posterity, and for the ported, by jealousies and apprehensions of pos- restoring and confirming the peace and happ sible dangers, to put themselves or his maj. ness of your loyal subjects in all your da into real and present inconveniences; but that ions. And to this our most neecssary Pet they will speedily pursue the way proposed by tion, we, in all humility, expect your majesti his majesty's former Message, which, in human speedy and gracious Answer, the great distr reason, is the only way to compose the distractions and distempers of the kingdom not adm tions of the kingdom, and, with God's blessing, ting any delay.” will restore a great measure of felicity to king and people." " Both Houses declare the Advisers of the said Answer to be Enemies to the Kingdom, and petition the King again.] This Answer being read, the lords took it into consideration, and then resolved, first to join with the commons in voting, That whosoever advised the king to give this Answer, is of the malignant party, and an enemy to the public peace and safety of the kingdom. Likewise to join with them in the Petition, as desired; and these votes being communicated to the other house, they returned for Answer, That they received them with a great deal of joy, and that they hope it would be for the good of the king and of the whole kingdom. Feb. 2. A draught of the above-mentioned Petition was read in the house of lords, agreed to, and presented to the king this day by 2 lords and 4 commoners, and was in hæc verba: Sir E. Dering expelled, &c. for printing i Speeches.] This day the house of commons f into a debate and consideration of a Bek composed and printed by sir Edward Dering and observed unto him divers passages er it, which were laid to his charge: and after made his several and respective Answers un these Charges, he was commanded to w draw: then it was resolved, 1. “That a book Sir Edward Dering's, intituled, A Collect of Speeches made by sir Edward Deni knight and baronet, in Matter of Religion, against the honour and privilege of this lo and scandalous to this house; and shal burned, by the hands of the common hangu in Westminster, Cheapside, and Smithfie!4. That the said sir E. Dering shall be dis to sit as a member of this house, during parliament; and that a new writ shall for electing a knight to serve for the countr Kent, in the room and place of sir E. Deri thus disabled; and that he be sent to Tower, there to remain during the pleasure the house *."---Sir Edward being called in kneeling at the bar, Mr. Speaker prono this sentence, against his book and him. cordingly. "To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. The Humble PETITION of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament. "Most Gracious Sovereign, The present evils and calamities wherewith your kingdoms are most miserably intangled, the imminent The Trial of the 12 Bishops was, once dangers which threaten your royal person and put off to the 8th instant; after which b all your people, have caused us your most faith-houses adjourned to the 4th, and orend ful and obedient subjects, the lords and com- in the mean time, that committees d mons in this present parliament, with thank sit on Irish Affairs at Merchant Ta fulness to entertain, and with all earnest-Hall. ness of affection and endeavour to pursue, the gracious proposition and direction which, not long since, we have received from your majesty: and we have thereupon taken into our most serious consideration the ways and means of securing the safety of your royal person; preserving the honour and authority of your crown; removing all jealousies betwixt your majesty and your people; suppressing the rebellion in Ireland; preventing the fears and dangers in this kingdom; and the mischievous designs of those who are enemies to the peace of it. And that we may, with more comfort and security, accomplish our duties hercip, we most humbly beseech your majesty, That you will be pleased forthwith to put the Tower of London, and all other Forts, and the whole Militia of the kingdom, into the hands of such persons as shall be recommended unto your majesty by both houses of parliament; which, they assure theinselves, will be a hopeful en Petition to the Commons from the T men's Wives, &c. for Redress of Grie February 4. A very singular Petition was th day presented to the commons from ser gentlewomen, and tradesmen's wives, it city. On the last day of sitting these fem zealots had been observed to crowd about the door of the commons, † and serjean major Skippon, the commander of the gu had applied to the house, to know what to with them; they telling him, That whe there was one now there would be 500 Upon this last question the house divid Yeas 85, Noes 61. But he was discharged few days after.-Commons Journals. + Butler alludes, most probably, to this e cumstance, in the following couplet: "The Oyster-women lock'd their fish up, 'And trudg'd away to cry 'No Bishop. Hudibras, Part I. Canto 2. To the Honourable Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the House of Commons as- army. next day; and that it was as good for them to find the same gracious acceptance with you, for te here, as at home.' The house advised him easing of those Grievances, which, in regard of our speech them fair, and send them home again: frail condition, do more nearly concern us, and ut this day they were as good their words: do deeply terrify our souls; our domestic danLey came down in great numbers and pre-gers, with which this kingdom is so much disented a Petition to the commons, which was tracted, especially growing on us from those eceived and read. This Petition is mentioned treacherous and wicked attempts which, ala their Journals; and as it is preserved in our ready, are such as we find ourselves to have as Collections, we think it proper to give it here, deep a share in as any others.-We cannot but ith the Answer to it, as it was printed in tremble at the very thoughts of the horrid and hese times: hideous facts, which modesty forbids us now to name, occasioned by the bloody wars in Germany and by his majesty's late Northern How often did it affright our hearts, whilst their violence began to break out so furiously upon the persons of those whose husbands or parents were not able to rescue them: We wish we had no cause to speak of those insolencies, savage usage and unheard-of rapes, exercised upon our sex in Ireland: And have we not just cause to fear they will prove the forc-runners of our ruin, except Almighty God, by the wisdom and care of this parliament, he pleased to succour us, our husbands and children, which are as dear and tender to us as the lives and blood of our hearts; to see them murdered and mangled and cut in pieces before our eyes; to see our children dashed against the stones, and the mother's milk, mingled with the infant's blood, running down the streets; to see our houses on flaming fire over our heads: Oh, how dreadful would this be! We thought it misery enough, though nothing to that we have just cause to fear, but few years since, for some of our sex, by unjust divisions from their bosom comforts, to be rendered, in a manner, widows, and their from the society of their wives, even against the laws of God and nature; and little infants suffered in their fathers' banishments: thousands of our dearest friends have been compelled to fly, from episcopal persecutions, into of, With the lowest submission shewing; "That we, with all thankful bumility, acowledging the unwearied pains, care, and cat charge, besides hazard of health and life, hich you the noble worthics of this honourable d renowned assembly, have undergone, for e safety both of church and common-wealth, r a long time already past; for which not ly we, your humble petitioners, and all wellfected in this kingdom, but also all other good bristians are bound now, and at all times, to knowledge; yet notwithstanding that many arthy deeds have been done by you, great inger and fear do sti'l attend us, and will, as ng as Popish Lords, and superstitious Bishops e suffered to have their voice in the house of zers; that accursed and abominable Idol of e mass suffered in the kingdom; and that arch-children fatherless; husbands were imprisoned emy of our prosperity and reforma ion, (abp. and lieth in the Tower, yet not receiving his eserved punishment. All mese, under cofreeon, gives us great cause to suspect that God angry with us, and to be the chief causes hy your pious endeavours for a further reform-desert places amongst wild beasts, there finding tion proceedeth not with that success as an desire, and is most earnestly prayed for, fall that wish well to true religion, and the urishing estate both of king and kingdom: he insolencies of the Papists and their abettors seth a just fear and suspicion of sowing sediun, and breaking out into bloody persecution * this kingdom, as they bave done in Ireland; be thoughts of which sad and barbarous vents maketh our tender hearts to melt within s, forcing us humbly to petition this hon. asembly, to make safe provision for yourselves, nd us, before it be too late.-Aud whereas e, whose hearts have joined chearfully with All those Petitions which have been exhibited into you, in the behalf of the purity of religion, And the liberty of our husbands persons and states; recounting ourselves to have an inerest in the common privileges with them, do, with the same confidence, assure ourselves to more favour than in their native soil: and, in the midst of all their sorrows, such hath the pity of the Prelates heen, that our cries could never enter into their cars or hearts; nor yet, through multitude of their obstructions, could ever have access or come nigh to those roval mercies of our most gracious sovereign, which we considently hope would have relieved us.After all these pressures ended, we humbly signify that our present fears are, that unless the blood-thirsty faction of the Papists and Prelates be hindered in their designs, ourselves in England, as well as they in Ireland, shall be exposed to that misery which is more intolerable than that which is already past; as, namely, to the rage, not of men alone, but of devils incarnate, as we may so say, besides the thraldom of our souls and consciences concerning God, which, of all things, are most dear unto us. Now the remembrance or all these fearfull accidents aforementioned, do strongly * Printed by John Wright, at the King's Head move us, from the example of the Woman of n the Old Bailey. VOL. II. Tekoah, to fall submissively at the feer of his $ Z majesty, our dread sovereign, and cry, Help, own life, being contrary to the law to appear O King! Help ye the noble worthies now sit- before the king before she were sent for; yet ting in parliament! And we humbly beseech her love of the church carried her through al you, that you will be a means to his majesty dificulties, to the performance of that dư. and the house of peers, that they will be pleased On which grounds we are emboldened to preto take our heart-breaking Grievances into sent our humble Petition unto this honourable timely consideration, and add strength and assembly, not regarding the reproaches which encouragement to your noble endeavours; and may and are, by many, cast upon us; who ớc, further, that you would move his ma-esty with not well weighing the promises, scoff and deour humble requests, that he would be gracious-ride our good intent. We do it not out of any ly pleased, according to the example of the self-conceit, or pride of heart, as seeking to good king Asa, to purge both the court and | equal ourselves with men, either in authoray kingdom of that great idolatrous service of the or wisdom: But according to our places, t Mass, which is tolerated in the Queen's Court; ¦ di-charge that duty we owe to God, and the this sin, as we conceive, is able to draw down a cause of the church, as far as lyeth in us; greater curse upon the whole kingdow, than ali following herein the example of those guy your noble and pious endeavours can prevent: women, which have gone, in this duty, before the good and pious king Asa would not suffer us." Idolatry in his own mother, whose example it it shall please his majesty's gracious goodness to follow, in putting down Popery and Idolatry both in great and small, in the court and in the kingdom throughout; to subdue the Papists and their abettors; and by taking away the power of the prelates; (whose government, by long and woful experience, we have found to be against the liberty of our conscience, the freedom of the gospel, and the sincere profession and practice thereof) then shall our fears be removed: and we may expect that God will pour down his blessings, in abundance, both upon his majesty and upon this honourable assembly, and upon the whole land: for which your new Petitioners shall pray affectionately, &c " The Reasons of this Petition follow: Mr. Pym's Answer to them in the Name the House. The editor of this Petition tem us, "That it was presented by Mrs. Aubs Stage, a gentlewoman, and brewer's wife, a many others with her of like rank and quality, i and that, after some time spent in reading e it, the house sent then an answer by Mr. P which was performed in this manner: Mr Pym came to the commons door, a called for the Women, and spake unto the in these words :- Good Women; Your Ped tion, with the Reasons, hath been read in the bouse, and is thankfully accepted of, and come in a seasonable time. You shall, G willing, receive from us all the satisfacti a which we can possibly give to your just ali lawful desires. "We intreat you, therefore, repair to your houses, and turn your Petite. which you have delivered here, into prayers a home for us; for we have been, arc, and st.. your husbands, and children; and to perture the trust committed unto us, towards God, or king and country, as becometh faithful Chis tians and loyal subjects.” About this time, also, a Petition from 14 Young Men, Apprentices, and Seamen; a ther from the poor Tradesmen and Mausia turers; and a third from the very porters London, to the same ficct, were presented the house of commons, who received them very graciously.* "It may be thought strange, and unbesceming our sex, to shew ourselves by way of Petition to this honourable assembly: but the mat-be, to our utmost power, ready to relieve yo ter being rightly considered of, the right and interest we have in the common and public cause of the church, it will, as we conceive, under correction, be found a duty commanded and required: 1. Because Christ hath purchased us at as dear a rate as he hath done men, and therefore requireth the like obedience for the same mercy, as of men. 2. Because in the free enjoying of Christ in his own laws, and a flourishing estate of the church and commonwealth, consisteth the happiness of women as well as men. 3. Because women are sharers in the common calamities, that accompany both church and common-wealth, when op pression is exercised over the church or king dom wherein they live; and unlimited power given to the Prelates, to exercise authority over the consciences of women as well as men'; witness Newgate, Smithfield, and other places of persecution, wherein women as well as men have felt the smart of their fury. Neither are we left without example in Scripture; for when the state of the church, in the time of king Ahasuerus, was, by the bloody enemies thereof, sought to be utterly destroyed, we find that Hester the queen and her maids fasted and praved; and that Hester petitioned to the king, in the behalf of the Church; and though she Enterprized this duty with the hazard of her | It is fresh in memory," says the auth of a tract, entitled, “Lex Talionis,” “ how the city sent forth its spurious scum in multitudes to cry down Bishops, root and branch; wi like shoals of herrings, or swarms of hornets, lay hovering about the court with lying par phlets and scandalous pasquils, until they force. the king from his throne, and banished the queen from his bed, and afterwards out of the kingdom." "Good Lord!" says the 'True Inforter,' Oxford, 1643, p. 12, "what a dea of dirt was thrown in the Bishops' faces! what infamous ballads were sang! what a thick cloud of epidemical hatred hung suddenly ove: them! so far, that a dog with a black and white face was called a Bishop!"-See Grey's Hudibras, London, 1799. Vol. I. p. 149. The Lords pass the Bill for taking away the Bishops Fotes.] Feb. 5. A bill, which had laid long in the house of lords, “For taking away the Bishops Votes in Parliament,' was read a third time; when, after a long debate, the question being put, Whether it should pass into a law? it was resolved in the affirmative; the Bishops of Winchester, Rochester, and Worcester only dissenting. testimony of his majesty's real intention towards all his loving subjects, some of whom hiply may be involved in some unknown or unwilling errors; for the better composing and settling of fears and jealousies, of what kind soever; his majesty is ready to grant as free and general a pardon, for the full contentment of all his loving subjects as shall, by the approbation of both houses of parliament, be Feb. 7. The passing this bill being com- thought convenient for that purpose." municated to the commons, a message was sent His majesty added, "That being very much up the next day of meeting, by sir Robert Har-pressed by the States Ambassador, to send the ley, importing, "That the commons did muc princess his daughter immediately into Holrejoice in that clear concurrence and cor-land; and being likewise earnestly desired by respondency between both houses; and they desired their lordships would send some lords to the king, hunnbiy to request, That he would be pleased to crown this bill with his royal asscat, as one of the chiefest means of giving satisfaction to men's minds, and exceedingly conducing towards settling the distractions of the kingdom; which was the rat'er desired as soon as possible, because the bill was to commence and be of force on the 15th of this instant February."The lords agreed also to this proposal, and ordered two of their body to attend the king for that purpose. The King's second Answer relating to the Forts and Militia.] This day the lord keeper produced a Letter from the King, in which was inclosed his majesty's Answer to the two late Petitions from parliament, which the lords ordered to be read, and was as follows: | his royal consort, the queen, to give her majesty leave to accompany her daughter thither; he hath thought fit to consent to both desires; and to make this his majesty's consent, and her majesty's resolutions, known to his parliament." swers; Feb. 7. p. m. The commons desired a conference with the lords, about the aforesaid Anof which was, the report "That they presented to their lordships an Ordinance of parliament, concerning the Militia, with some Resolutions of their house, about the continuance of power to be put to it; which was voted to continue until it was altered by the advice and desires of both houses: and that the power of recommending or altering such persons, as shall be trusted with the Militia, be on the same footing as in the former." Debate in the Commons concerning the Militiu.] There had been many debates in the commons concerning the Militia: in which some members declared their opinions, That the power of the Militia was solely in the king, and ought to be left to him, and that the par|liament never did, nor ought to meddle with the same. Others were of opinion, that the king had not this power in him, but that it was solely in the parliament; and that if the king refused to order the same according to the ad'vice of the parliament, that then they, by the law, might do it without him. In one of these days debate, "His majesty having well considered of the two several Petitions, presented unto him the 2nd intant, from both houses of parliament; and being des rous to express how willing he is to apply a remedy, not only to your digers, but even to your doubts and fears; he therefore, to that Petition which concerns the Forts and Militia of this kingdom, returns this Answer, That when he shall know the extent of power, which is in tended to be established in those persons you desire to be the commanders of the Militia in the several counties; and likewise to what time it shall be limited, that no power shall be executed by his majesty alone Mr. Whitlocke spoke as follows:* Mr. without the advice of parliament.--Then be Speaker; I have often heard it said in former will declare, That (for the securing you from debates, in other matters, in this house, that all dangers, or jealousies of any) his majesty such and such a thing was of as great concernwill be content to put in all the places both of, ment as ever came within these walls. I am Forts and Militia in the several count es, such persons as both the houses of parliament shall either approve, or recommend unto him; so that you declare before unto his majesty, the names of the persons whom you approve or re-, commend; unless such persons shall be named against whom he shall have just and unquestionable exceptions." sure it may be said so of the matter of your present debate: it is truly of the greatest concernment that ever came within these walls. It highly concerns us all, and our posterity after us, where this power of the Militia shall be placed. This great power, which indeed commands all men, and all things, cannot be too warily lodged, nor too seriously considered; and I do heartily wish that this great word, this new word, this hard word, the Militia, might never have come within these walls; but that this house may be, as the Temple of "That as he once conceived that he had Janus, ever shut against it. I take the meanground enough to accuse them, so now his ma-ing of those gentlemen who introduced this jesty finds as good cause wholly to desert any further prosecution of them: and, for a further The King's Answer concerning the accused Members.] To the other Petition, concerning the accused Members of either house, his majesty returns this Answer: * Memorials, p. 53. forces, when every man will be ready to defend The King delays his Assent to the Bill agcint the Bishops Votes.] Feb. 8. This day the lords agreed to the Resolutions of the commons about the Militia. The earl of Monmouth reported what the king said concerning the mes sage of both houses, to him, for passing the bill to take away the Bishops Votes, “That it was a matter of weight, which his majesty would take into consideration, and send an Answer in convenient time." word to be, the power of the sword, potestas | his assistance; there will be little need to raise gladii, which is a great and necessary power, and properly belonging to the magistrate; potestas gladii in facinerosos, without which our peace and property cannot be maintained. But potestas gladii in inanibus facinerosorum, in the hands of soldiers, is that whereof you now debate and it is best out of their hands; I hope it will never come there. Some worthy gentlemen have declared their opinions, that this power of the Militia is, by right and law, in the king only: others affirm it to be in the parliament only. I crave leave to differ from both these opinions. I humbly apprehend that this power of the Militia, is neither in the king only, nor in the parliament only; and if the law hath placed it any where, it is both in the king and parliament, when they join together. And it is a wise institution of our law, not to settle this power any where; but rather to leave it in dubio, or in nubibus, that the people might be kept in ignorance thereof, as a thing not fit to be known, nor to be pried into. It is the great arcanum imperii, and the less it is meddled with, the less acquaintance we have with it, the better it will be for all sorts of persons, both for king and people.-That this power of the Militia is not in the king only, appears in this, that the power of money is not in the king; but it will be granted here, that the power of money is solely in this house; and without the power of money to pay the soldiers, the power of the Militia will be of little force. But if the power of the Militia should be in the king, yet the power of money being in the parliament, they must both agree, The Commons' Reasons for hastening it.] la or else keep the sword in the scabbard, which the afternoon, the common desired anotis is the best place for it. It is true that the conference with the lords, which was report king, by his tenures, may require the service, back to that house, That the commotis say in war, of those that hold of him; but if they they could not receive the king's Answer stay above 40 days with him, unless he give them about the Bishops bill, but with great sorrow, pay, they will stay no longer. And it is also little hope arising that it would pass. They true, that our law looks upon the king, as the say, they hold a delay to be as bad as a de Jewish law did upon theirs, that, by his kingly mal; and seeing the passing of this bill is a office, he is to go in and out before the peo- matter of that great importance, the vote of ple,' and to lead them in battle against their the whole kingdom being for it, as may appear enemies; but, by the laws of the Jews, their by daily petitions from several parts, the con king could not undertake a war abroad with- mons desire the lords to join with them in layout the consent of the great Sanhedrima. And, ing the three following Reasons for it befor by our law, as is declared by the statute the king: "1. The great and general suffer 1 Edw. 3. and by divers subsequent statutes, ings of the kingdom, by the clergy's exercisin the king can compel no man to go out of his of secular jurisdictions, and the Bishops ma country, but upon the sudden coming of ing a party in the house of lords, as has been strange enemies into the realm; and how many of late expressed from several parts; it is the of our parliament rolls do record that the king opinion of parliament that there cannot be advised with his parliament about his foreign satisfaction given, either to the people's just wars, and could not undertake them without desires, or the heavy grievances they suffer uts the advice and supplies of the parliament? All der, without the speedy passing of this bill. 2. the power of the Militia is exercised either in The great content which the bill's passing in offence or defence; defence is either against both houses, hath given to all sorts of people; the invasion of enemies from abroad, or against the delay whereof by his majesty will exceed insurrections at home. Against insurrections ingly lessen that satisfaction, and turn it into at home, the sheriff of every county hath the great discouragement. 3. The speedy passing power of the Militia in him, and if he be neg-of this bill, of such importance, would be, to ligent to suppress them with the Posse Comitatus, he is fineable for it. Against invasions from abroad, every man will be forward to give the lords and commons, a comfortable pledge of his inajesty's gracious intentions to concur with them in their subsequent desires; which |