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of Silver,' and actions are more precious than words. Let us hasten our resolutions to supply his majesty.'

April 7. Mr. Secretary Cooke reported to the house the king's acceptance of the Subsidies; and that his maj, was pleased to ask, By how many voices they were gained I said, But by one.' His maj. asked, How many were against him?' I said, none; for they were voted by one voice, and one general consent.' His maj. was much affected therewith, and called the lords in council: and there I gave them an account of what had passed: besides it gave his maj, no small content, that although 5 Subsidies be inferior to his wants, yet it is the greatest gift that ever was given in parliament; and now he sees, that with this he shall have the affections of his people, which will be greater to him than all value. He said, 'Ile liked parliaments at first, yet since, (he knew not how) he was grown to a distaste of them; but was now where he was before; for he loves them; and shall rejoice to meet with his people often. That this day he had gained more reputation in Christendom, than if he had won many battles. And to secure our further fear, and to create further confidence, he assureth us, that we shall enjoy as great immunities in his time, as ever we did possess, or had, under the reign of any the best kings of this realm,'

power. Believe it, the hinge of most of the businesses moved in Christendom turn on the affairs of Germany: for if that great body were once united under one head, it would crush Five Subsidies voted.] Hereupon after some all the rest with the weight of it. Next, let us debate, the commons came to this unanimous look a little over into France: there shall we Resolve, That 5 Subsidies be given to his maj. had the poor men of our religion, exposed to and Mr. Sec. Cooke was appointed to acquaint the fury of an inraged king; with a juster pre-his maj. with the Resolution of the house. tence against them than hath been at any time heretofore: besides, which is worse, the kings of Spain and France are united against thein and us, and made better friends than ever they meant to have been: so that, not to succour and support the professors of our religion, will not only be infidelity and cruelty, but improvidence and folly; for their ill is ours. If Rochelle should be lost, which is now in losing, and his maj. not able to set out one ship to help it; if it should be lost, it would hazard the total extirpation of the religion; besides, it would be an extraordinary advantage to the king of France for shipping, and as great a disadvantage to us in respect of his neighbourhood: and if the Sound should be lost too, how should we escape from being swallowed up by a Spanish invasion? This island would be more like a prison than a kingdom, for we should not then be able to walk abroad. These are dangers too many, yet have I willingly abridged them; for I had rather come to the remedy, and so should we all, this consists only in moHey, plentifully and speedily brought in, wisely and judiciously laid out. I doubt not but we are all resolved to give: wherefore let us prepare ourselves to give plentifully, to satisfy the public occasions, and to heave his maj. out of necessity for necessity is the worst counsellor, and I shall be very sorry that we, of all others, should be guilty of placing such ill counsel about the king and now to think of sparing, when all lies at the stake, were the most undo-council-table, as follows: ing kind of frugality. Let us give speedily; for delay is the greatest danger of all dangers:king; for love is greater than majesty the it will not only lose that which we give, but that also which we would give. And this I propound, not as the king's business, but our own, 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 business in hand, but to hasten it, for I love as well Mr. Speaker, to tread upon English ground, as any

man here doth.'

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Mr. Secretary at the same time acquainted the house, that upon his informing the king of their giving of 5 Subsidies, the duke of Buckingham addressed himself to his majesty at the

"Sir; Methinks I now behold you a great

opinion that the people loved you not, had almost lost you in the opinion of the world; but this day makes you appear as you are, a glori ous king, loved at home, and now to be feared abroad. This falling out so happily, give me leave, I beseech you, to be an humble suitor to your maj. 1st, for myself, that I, who have had the honour to be your favourite, may now give up that title unto them; they to be your favourites, and I to be your servant. My 2nd Mr. Pym. In business of weight, dispatch is suit is, that they having done all so well, you better than discourse: we came not hither with- will account of them all as one; a body of many out all motives, that can be, towards his maj. members, but all of one heart. Opinion might had he never sent in this message: we know have made them differ, but affection did move the danger of our enemies; we must add ex- them all to join with like love in this great gift; pedition to expedition; let us forbear particu- for the proportion, although it be less than your lars. A man in a journey is hindered by asking occasions may ask, yet it is more than ever subtoo many questions. I do believe our peril as jects did give in so short a time: nor, I am pergreat as can be; every man complains of it, suaded, will it rest there; for this is but an and that doth encourage the enemy. Our earnest of their affections, to let you see, and way is to take that which took away our estates; the world know, what subjects you have, that that is, the enemy: to give speedily is that when your honour, and the good of the state is which the king calls for, A word spoken in engaged, and aid asked in the ordinary way of season is like an Apple of Gold set in Pictures, parliament, you cannot want. This is not a VOL. II.

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275] PARL. HISTORY, 4 CHARLES I. 1628.—The King's Message against a Recess, &c. [276

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gift of 5 Subsidies alone, but the opening of a maj.; and from henceforth make him more and mine of subsidies that lieth in their hearts. more in love with parliaments. As thus in geThis good beginning hath wrought already these neral, so in my own particular, I receive so effects; they have taken your heart, and drawn great satisfaction herein, that I have not words from you a declaration that you will love par- enough sufficiently to utter it. And yet, I'conliaments. And again this will meet, I make no fess, that extremity of joy is not without trouquestion, with such respect, that their demands ble, which must likewise be declared; to diswill be just, dutiful, and moderate; for they burden this affection, which cannot, otherwise, that know thus to give, know well what is fit so lively and so faithfully, express my devotion to ask. Then cannot your maj. do less than to the service of this house, as I had resolved. out go their demands, or else you do less than I know not by what fatality or infortunity it yourself or them; for your message begot trust; has crept in; but I observe, in the close of Mr. their truth and your promises must then beget Secretary's relation, mention made of another performances. This being done, then shall I, in addition to his maj.; and that which hath with a glad heart, behold this work as well ended been formerly a matter of complaint, I find as now begun; and then shall I hope that par- here still: a mixture with his maj. not only in liaments shall be made hereafter so frequent, his business but in name. Is it that any man by the effects and good use of them, as they conceives the mention of others, of what quashall have this further benefit, to deter from lity soever, can add encouragement or affection approaching your ears all projectors and intro- to us, in our duties and loyalties towards his ducers of innovations, as disturbers both of maj.; or give them greater latitude or extent church and common-wealth. Now, sir, to open than naturally they hvae? Or is it supposed, my heart, and to ease my grief, please you to that the power or interest of any man can add I must confess I have more readiness to his maj. in his gracious inclipardon me a word more. nation towards us, than his own goodness gives Long lived in pain; sleep hath given me no rest; favours and fortunes no content, such hin? I cannot believe it. And as the sweethave been my secret sorrows, to be thought the ness and piety of his maj. which we have in man of separation, that divided the king from admiration, make me confident in this; so the his people, and them from him; but I hope it expression of our duty, so perspicuous and shall appear they were some mistaken minds, clear as already hath been given, is my assurthat would have made me the evil spirit that ance for the other. But, sir, I am sorry there walketh between a good master and loyal is occasion that these things should be argued; or this mixture, which was formerly condemned, people, by ill offices; whereas, by your majesty's favour, I shall ever endeavour to ap- should appear again. I beseech you, sir, let it prove myself a good spirit, breathing nothing not be hereafter; let no man take this boldbut the best services to them all. Therefore ness within these walls, to introduce it; though, this day I account more blessed to me than my I confess, for my own particular, I shall readily birth, to see myself able to serve them, to see commend, nay, thank that man whose endeavours are applied to such offices as may be adyou brought into love with parliaments, to see a parliament express such love to you; and vantageable for the public; yet in this manner, so contrary to the customs of our fathers and God so love me and mine, as I joy to see the honour of our times, as I cannot, without this day!" scandal, apprehend it; so I cannot, without some character or exception, pass it. And therefore I desire that such interposition may be let alone; and that all his majesty's regards and goodnesses, towards this house, may spring alone from his confidence of our loyalty and affections. Now let us proceed to those services that concern him; which I doubt not, in the end, will render us so real unto him, that we shall need no other help to endear us to his favour.'

Sir J. Elliot resents the D. of Bucks Speech.] Mr. Sec. Cooke also at this time, repeated the substance of the king's Answer to the Petition of both houses concerning Recusants, pursuant to his majesty's order. This being done,

Sir John Elliot stood up and spoke as follows. I presume we have all received great satisfaction from his maj. as at other times, so now in his gracious Answer and Resolution for the business of this house; his Answer to our Although it is expressly said before, in RushPetition for Religion so particularly made; his Resolution in that other consideration concern-worth, that the commons voted a Supply of 5 ing the point, already settled here, in declara- Subsidies on the 4th of April; there is not one tion of our liberties; and for the parliament in word of it mentioned in the Journals, till seve general; that he hath taken so good a lik-ral days after; the house seeming to be busy ing to our manner of proceeding, as it hath in preparing their Petition of Right,' which, gained his promise therein to meet us often; they were resolved, should go hand in hand whereby I am confident, as of his grace to us, with the other. And, it seems very probable, so of our loyalties, that to thus good a beginning that no such vote was yet passed, by what fol we shall add so happy a conclusion, as shall lows in the Collections, which now exactly increase that liking and good opinion in his coincides with the Journals of the com

* From the Ephemeris Parliamentaria,' corrected by the MS.

mons.

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The King's Message desiring the Commons not to make any Recess at Easter.] April

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10, Mr. Sec. Cooke delivered this message from the king, That his maj. desired this house not to make any Recess these Easter holidays, that the world may take notice, how earnest his maj. and we are for the public affairs in Christendom, which, by such a recess, would receive interruption.' This message for non-recess, was not well pleasing to the house.

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Sir Rob. Philips first resented it, and took notice, That in 12th and 18th Jac. upon the like intimation, the house resolved it was in their power to adjourn or sit: hereafter, said he, this may be put upon us by princes of less piety. Let a committee consider hereof, and of our right herein, and make a declaration.' Accordingly this matter, touching his majesty's pleasure about the Recess, was referred to a committee, who were to consider the power of the house to adjourn itself; to the end, that it being now yielded unto in obedience to his maj. it might not turn to prejudice in time to

come.

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Sir Edw. Coke. 'I am as tender of the privileges of this house as my life'; and they are the heart-strings of the common-wealth. The king makes a prorogation, but this house adjourns itself. The commission of adjournment we never read, but say, This house adjourns itself. If the king write to an abbot for a corody, for a valet, if it be ex rogatu, though the abbot yields to it, it binds not. Therefore I desire that it be entered, that this is done ex rogatu regis.'

Hereupon a Message was sent to the king, That the house would give all expedition to his majesty's service, notwithstanding their purpose of recess. To which message, his maj. returned this Answer, that the motion proceeded from himself, in regard of his engagement in the affairs of Christendom; that he wished them all alacrity in their procedings, and that there be no recess at all.

grow cold. Have I not told them I will proceed with as much grace as ever king did? He will settle our properties and goods. Have we not had a gracious answer. Are we hand in hand for his Supply? Shall it be said that this day it was moved, but denied? It may put our whole business back: wherein can this disadvantage us? I dare say, confidently, we shall have as much favour from his maj. as ever any subjects had from their king.'

Sir Tho. Wentworth.] When we set down the time, let us be sure the subjects liberties go hand in hand together; then to resolve of the time; but not report it to the house, till we have a ground, and a bill for our liberties : this is the way to come off fairly, and prevent jealousies.'-Hereupon the committee of the whole house resolved, That Grievances and Supply go hand in hand.

Another Message from the King to hasten the Supply.] April 12. Mr.Sec. Cooke delivered another Message from the king, viz.

His maj. having given timely notice to this house, as well of the pressure of the time, as of the necessity of Supply, hath long since expected some fruit of that which was so happily begun; but finding a stop beyond all expectation, nay beyond all example, after so good beginning, he hath conmanded me to tell you, That, without any further or unnecessary delay, he would have you to proceed in his business; for, however, he hath been willing that his affairs and ours should concur and proceed together; yet his meaning was not, that the one should give interruption to the other; nor the time to be spun out upon any pretence, to hinder that resolution, upon which the common cause of this kingdom, and even, of all Christendom doth so much depend: he bids us, therefore, take heed, that we force not him (by our tedious and unnecessary delays) to make an unpleasing end of that which was so well begun.'-I will discharge my duty. I humbly desire this house, not to undervalue or overstrain this Message; if we conceive any thing in it to tend, as if his maj. threatened to dissolve this parliament, we are deceived; his maj. intends the contrary, and to put us in such a way, that our business may have speedy success. His maj. takes notice of a peremptory order, whereby he conceived, that his business Sir Dudley Diggs. We have freely con- was excluded, at least for a time; and that cluded our liberties; we have offered 5 Subsi- which doth most press his maj. is time: believe dies; his majesty hath given us gracious an- me the affairs now in hand press his majesty's swers; we have had good by our beginnings: heart more than us. Let us remove delays what have we hitherto done for the king? that are more than necessary; let us awaken nothing is done that the king can take notice ourselves; he intends a speedy dispatch. I of. The world thinks that this parliament hath must, with some grief, tell you, that notice is not expressed that resolution that it did at first. taken, as if this house pressed not only upon How much doth it concern the king, that the the abuses of power, but upon power itself; world be satisfied with his honour? Our suc- this toucheth the king, and us who are supportcess and honour is the king's. Princes want noted by that power: let the king hear of any those that may ingratiate themselves with them, abuses of power; he will willingly hear us; by doing ill offices. There is a stop; and and let us not bend ourselves against the exnever did a parliament propound any thing but tention of his royal power, but contain ourit hath been perfected sooner than this is. May not the king say, What have I done? They * From Sir John Napier's MS.

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Further Debate on the Supply.] April 11. Mr. Sec. Cook moved the expediting of Subsidies, and turning of the votes into an act: We have many petitions to the king, said he, and they are petitions of right. We have freely and bountifully given 5 Subsidies, but no time is appointed; and subsidy without time is no subsidy: let us appoint a time.?'

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selves within those bounds, that we meddle only with pressures and abuses of power; and we shall have the best satisfaction that ever king gave. I beseech you all to concur this way, and use that moderation we have not had the honour yet to gain.'

Being moved to explain what he meant by the word ، power, which, he said, we didi oppose; he answered, I cannot descend to particulars, or go from that his maj. gave me warrant or power to deliver.' This Message was very unpleasing to the house, and many debates succceded thereupon.

Sir Rob. Philips said, He hoped their moderation would have given his maj. a right understanding of their loyalty.'

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| and instructions to prosecute the same with a asperity which no times can parallel. Ar hence the other consideration, of the projecto and executioners of it: nay, this was not a but ministers, in their pulpits, have preache it as gospel, and damned the refusers of it: : then we are already doomed to damnation |The second way wherein our estates lin suffered, hath been, and yet is in being, Billeting of Soldiers in most counties in th kingdom. These rough ways lead neither the king's profit, nor the kingdon's salet the former may appear by the emptiness of t exchequer and sale of the antient crown-land the latter by the imuninent and deep dange that are ready to swallow us up: but I ta Mr. Sec. Cooke again. ، All negociations of no pleasure in touching these strings. Ice embassadors are at a stop while the house sits; clude with this motion, That we name a co this stop is as a frost upon the earth, that mittee to consult on these Grievances, and hinders the sweet vapours between his naj. | digest them moderately, discreetly, and tru and his subjects; and as matters stand, the into an humble Petition; and let no in soldiers can neither be disbanded, nor put in distrust his maj. or judge this way a brea service.' neck of parliaments; but a way of honour the king, nay of profit; for besides the Supp which we shall readily give him suitable to occasions, we give him our hearts. Our hear Mr. Speaker, a gift that God calls for, and for a king.'-Hereupon it was ordered, Th a special committee of ten members do p sently withdraw themselves, and consult gether upon some heads, and upon the st stance of a fair Representation to his ma which the speaker shall deliver in his spec to his maj. on Monday next, if the king ple to give access; and at the same time to deli the Petition against Billeting of Soldiers. 1 was done accordingly, and, upon the repo agreed to by the house, as follows:

Mr. Wandesford. This motion comes uvexpectedly, but it is fit to receive some satisfaction: the proceeding now with our Grievances will open the stop that hinders his maj.'s affairs.'

Sir H. May. ، Sweetness, trust, and confidence are the only weapons for us to deal with our king: coldness, inforcement, and constraint will never work our ends: if we compass all we desire, and have not his maj.'s heart, what good will a law or any thing else do us?'

Sir Tho. Wentaorth *. ، I cannot help lamenting the unlawful courses and slights, for which the only excuse is necessity. We are required to give; but before we can resolve to give, it must be determined what we have to give; what heavy fogs have of late darkened our hemisphere, and yet hang over us, portending our ruin, none is so weak as to be ignorant of. What unsteady courses to dispel these mists, have been pursued, and thereby raised near us great storms, I take no pleasure to remember: yet, in all bodies diseased, the knowledge precedes the cure. I will shortly tell the principals; next their remedies. I must reduce them into two heads: One, whereby our persons have been injured; the other whereby, our estates have suffered. Our persons have been injured, both by imprisonment without law; nay against law, boundless and without bank; and by being designed to some office, charge and employment, foreign or domestic, as a brand of infamy and mark of disgrace. Oh! Mr. Speaker, when it may not be safe to deny payments upon unjust exactions, but we must go to prison for it: nor, in this place, to speak our consciences, but we must be stamped to unwilling and unfitting employments! Our estates have been racked two ways; one in the Loan, wherein 5 Subsidies were exacted; and that by commission of men of quality,

"The Instructions of the Commons to th

Speaker, in answer to the king's M sage of the 11th of April, by Secreti Cooke *.

"I. That it is the antient right of parliam to dispose of matters, there debated, in th own unethod. II. That it is their anti custom, to consider of Grievances before m ters of Supply. III. That yet neverthel in this parliament, to express our affection his maj. contrary to our ordinary proceedin we have proceeded in the Supply, as far as could, in that committee. IV. This we ha been so far from delaying, that, postponing common and pressing Grievances of the nati we have given precedency to the Supp joining with it only the fundamental and v liberties of the kingdom, that give subsister to the subject. V. Further to express fulness of our loyalty and affection to king, we have exceeded our order in that p ticlar concerning the Supply; which, thot later in proposition, yet hath been first m ready for conclusion in the committee. 1

* These Instructions are omitted in Ru worth, and in the Journals; but are suppli

No person or council can be greater lovers of, signs and occasions can no way he so speedily or more careful to maintain, the sacred rights or heartily supported, as in this old and antient and prerogatives of the crown, than we: and we way of parliament.-For this purpose they do conceive, that the maintaining of the funda- humbly intreat your maj. to take into your royal mental rights and liberties of the subject is an consideration, that, although by antient right essential means to establish the glory of a mo- of parliament, the matters there debated are narch; and that by it his subjects are the better to be digested in their own method and order, enabled to do him service; which hath been and that their constant custom hath been, to formerly the cause of many glorious victories take into their consideration the common Grievwon by this nation, above other kingdoms of ances of the kingdom, before they enter upon larger territories, and greater number of peo- the matter of Supply; yet to make a full exple. VII. What information is given to his pression of that zeal and affection which they maj. contrary to this, doth proceed from such bear to your royal person, equalling at least, persons as, to serve their own ends, under if not exceeding the best affections of their precolour of advancing his majesty's prerogative, decessors to the best of your progenitors; they do, in fact, weaken the royal power. VIII. have in this assembly, contrary to the ordinary We trust to be cleared in his majesty's judg-proceedings of parliament, given your inaj.'s ment, that there hath been no unnecessary Supply precedence before the common Grievstop, but a most chearful proceeding in the ance of the subject, how pressing soever; joinmatter of Supply: and thereforewe do humbly de-ing with it, only, those fundamental and vital sire that his maj. will take no information, in this, or any other business, from private relations, but to judge of our proceedings by such Resolations as shall be presented to his majesty from this house. IX. Being thus rightly and graciously understood, we assure ourselves that the end of this parliament shall be more happy than the beginning."

The Speaker's Speech to the King, on presenting the Petition against Billetting of Soldiers.] In pursuance of these Instructions the Speaker introduced the Petition of the Commons to the King, relating to the Billetting of Soldiers, with the following speech,* on the 14th of April, being Easter-Monday.

liberties of the kingdom, which give subsistence and ability to your subjects.-This was their original order and resolution; and was grounded upon a true discernment, that these two considerations could not be severed; but did both of them equally concern your maj 's service; consisting no less in enabling and encouraging the subject, than in proportioning a present suiting to your maj.'s occasions and their abilities: nay, so far have they been from using any unnecessary delays, that though, of the two, the Supply were the later proposition amongst them, yet the grand committee to which both were referred, hath made that first ready for conclusion. And to be certain that "Most gracious and dread sovereign; Your your maj.'s Supply might receive no interrupdutiful and loyal commons here assembled, tion by the other, they have, differing from were lately humble suitors to your maj. for ac- usage and custom (in cases of this nature) sent cess to your royal presence: the occasion that up, of those that concern the subjects, by parmoved their desires herein, was a particular of cels, some to your maj, and some to the lords; importance, worthy your princely considera- to the end your maj, might receive such speedy tion; and which, as it well deserves, should content, as suited with the largest and best exhave been the only subject of my speech at tent of their first order.-Sir, you are the breath this time. But since your gracious Answer for of our nostrils, and the light of our eyes; and this access, obtained by a Message from your besides those many comforts, which under you maj.; they have had some cause to doubt, that and your royal progenitors, in this frame of your maj. is not so well satisfied with the man- government, this nation hath enjoyed, the very ner of their proceedings, as their hearty desire religion we profess hath taught us whose image is you should be; especially in that part which you are; and we do all most humbly beseech concerns your maj.'s present Supply, as if, in your maj, to believe, that nothing is or ever can the prosecution thereof, they had used some be more dear unto us than the sacred rights and slackness or delay.-And, because no unhap- prerogatives of your crown: no person or counpiness of theirs can parallel with that which sel can be greater lovers of them, nor be more may proceed from a inisunderstanding in your truly careful to maintain them: and the premaj. of their clear and loyal intentions, they serving those fundamental liberties, which conhave commanded me to attend your maj, with cern the freedom of our persons, and property an humble and summary declaration of their in our goods and estates, is an essential means proceedings, since this short time of their sit- to establish the true glory of a monarch.-For ting; which they hope will give your maj. abun-rich and free subjects, as they are best governdant satisfaction that never people did more ed, so they are most able to do your maj. ser truly desire to be endeared in the favour and vice, either in peace or war; which, next ungracious opinion of their sovereign; and withal der God, hath been the cause of the happy and to let your maj. see, that as you can have no famous victories of this nation, beyond other where more faithful counsel, so your great de-kingdoms of larger territories, and greater uum

* From Rushworth, corrected by the Manuscript.

bers of people.-What information soever contrary to this shall be brought unto your maj. can come from no other than such as for their

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