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andoubted sovereign; and, following the wick- | fessed and promised, that they will be ready ed counsels of some Achitophels, they have with their persons and estates, to the uttermost seized on the trophies of honour, and invested of their ability, for his majesty's future Supply; themselves with regal power and authority: as his great occasions, by the continuance of such and so many acts of disloyalty and diso- his forces against that distemper, shall require; bedience, as (let their pretences be what they so that the hopes of hurting England that way will) no true English or Christian heart but are quite extinct. Scotland then, only, remust acknowledge them to be the effects of mains; whither, as to a weak and distempered foul and horrid trenson.-The last summer his part of the body, all the rheumes and fluxes maj. at his own charge, aud at the vast expence of factions and seditious humours make their of many of his faithful and loving subjects of way. His maj. hath taken all these and much England, went with an army: then they took more into his princely consideration; and to upon them the boldness to outface and brave avoid so manifest and apparent a mischief, his royal army, with another of their own rais-threatened to this and his other kingdoms, hath ing: yet, for all this, his maj.'s goodness was not lessened by that; nor could his gracious nature forget what he was to them, nor what they were to him; but considering with himself they were such, quos nec vincere, nec vinci gloriosum fuerit,' out of his piety and clemency he chose rather to pass by their former miscarriages, upon their humble protestations of future loyalty and obedience, than by just vengeance to punish their rebellion.-But his maj. who is ever awake for the good and safety of all his subjects, hath since too plainly discovered, that they did but prevaricate with him to divert the storm which hung over their heads; and, by gaining time to purchase to themselves more advantage, for pursuing their rebellious purposes.--For, since his maj. came from Berwick, it is come to his certain knowledge, that instead of performing that loyalty and obedience, which by the laws of God, of nature, and nations, they owe unto him; they have addressed them- | selves to foreign states, and treated with them | to deliver themselves up to their protection and power (as by God's great providence and goodness, his gracious majesty is able to shew under the hands of the prime ring-leaders of that faction) than which nothing could be of more dangerous consequence to this and his majesty's other kingdoms. Whosoever they be that do or shall wish England ill, they may know it to be of too tough a complexion and courage, to be assailed in the face, or to be set upon at the fore-door; and therefore it is not unlikely, but they may, as in former times, find out a postern-gate. There were heretofore two of them, Scotland and Ireland, and both of them had their several defences. Ireland, through his majesty's just and prudent government, is not only reduced from the distemper of former times, but settled in such a condition of peace; and during his majesty's happy reign, so altered and civilized, that instead of being a charge to him, as it was to his predecessors, it hath yielded to him some revenue; and his subjects there do daily give very acceptable testimonies Counsels and deliberations that tend to bencof their loyal and dutiful affection, both to his fit or profit may endure disputes and debates, person and government. And now lately, at because they seem only accompanied with perthe parliament assembled, they have not only, suasions: but deliberations that tend to preserwith full and free consent, made his maj. a vation are waited upon by necessity, and cannot cheerful aid towards his present preparations endure either debate or delay; of such nature to reduce his disaffected subjects in Scotland are the bleeding evils that are now to, he proto their due obedience; but they have also provided against. This summer must not be lost,

resolved, by the means of a powerful army, to reduce them to the just and modest conditions of obedience and subjection.--It is a course his maj. takes no delight in, but is forced unto it; for such is his majesty's grace and goodness to all his subjects, and such it is and will be to them, how undutiful and rebellious soever they now are; that, if they put themselves into a way of humility becoming them, his majesty's piety and clemency will soon appear to all the world: but his maj. will not endure to have his honour weighed at the common beam; nor admit any to step between him and his virtue; and therefore as he will, upon no terms, admit the mediation of any person whatsoever; so he shall judge it as high presumption in any person to offer it; and as that which he must account most dangerous to his honour, to have any conceit that the solicitation of others can, by any possibility, better incline him to his people than he is, and ever will be, out of his own grace and goodness.—The charge of such an army hath been thoroughly advised, and must needs amount to a very great sum, such as cannot be imagined to be found in his majesty's coffers; which, how empty soever, have neither yet been exhausted by unnecessary triumphs or sumptuous buildings, or other magnificence whatsoever; but most of his own revenue, and whatsoever hath come from his subjects, bath been by him employed for the common good and preservation of the kingdom, and, like vapours arising out of the earth and gathered into a cloud, are fallen in sweet and refreshing showers upon the same ground, Wherefore his maj. hath now, at this time, called this parliament; the second means, under God's blessing, to avert these publick calamities threatened to all his kingdoms, by the mutinous behaviour of the Scots.-And as his majesty's predecessors have accustomed to do with your fore-fathers, so his maj. now offers you the honour of working together with himself, for the good of him and his, and for the common preservation of yourselves and your posterity.

vances be heard and redressed.—And his maj. assures you, that he will go along with you for your advantage, through all the gracious expressions of a just, a pious, and gracious king; to the end there may be such a happy conclusion of this parliament, that it may be a cause of many more meetings with you. I have now delivered what I had in command from his majesty."

The King produces a Letter from several Scots Lords to the French King.] After this the king further expressed himself and said;

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My Lords, You shall see he hath spoken nothing hyperbolically, nor nothing but what I shall make good one way or other. And be cause he did mention a Letter, by which my subjects in Scotland did seek to draw in foreign power for aid, here is the original letter, which I shall command him to read unto you. And because it may touch a neighbour of mine, whom I will say nothing of but that which is just, God forbid I should; for my part, I think it was never accepted of by him; indeed it was a Letter to the French King, but I know not that ever he had it; for by chance, I intercepted it as it was going unto him; and therefore I hope you will understand ine right in that."

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nor any minute of time unbestowed, to re- | way of parliaments, to stay till your just Grieduce those of Scotland; lest by protraction here they gain time and advantage to frame their parties with foreign states.-His maj. doth therefore desire, upon these pressing and urgent occasions, that you will for a while lay aside all other debates; and that you would pass an act for such and so many Subsidies, as you, in your hearty affection to him and to your common good, shall think fit and convenient for so great an action; and withal that you would hasten the payment of it, as soon as may be with a proviso in the act, that his majesty's royal assent shall not determine this session. And his maj. assures you all, that he would not have proposed any thing out of the ordinary way; but that such is the straitness of time, that unless the Subsidies be forthwith passed, it is not possible for him to put in order such things as must be prepared before 80 great an army can be brought into the field. -And indeed, had not his maj. upon the credit of his servants, and security out of his own estate, taken up and issued between 3 and 400,000l. it had not been possible for his maj. to have provided those things to begin with, which were necessary for so great an enterprize; and, without which we could not have secured Berwick and Carlisle; or avoided those affronts which the insolency of that faction might have put upon us, by injuring the persons and fortunes of his loyal subjects, in the Northern parts. -To avoid all question and dispute that may arise touching his najesty's taking of Tonnage and Poundage, his maj. hath commanded me to declare unto you, that he hath taken it only de facto; according to the example of former kings, from the death of their predecessors, until the parliament had passed an act for it themselves. That, in like manner, his maj. desires not to claim it but by grant of parli ment; for this purpose his maj. hath caused a bill to be prepared in the same form as it passed to his royal father, adding only words to give it him, from the first of his majesty's reign. This and the bill of Subsidies his maj. expects, for the pressing reasons before delivered unto you, may be dispatched with all speed; which his maj. commanded me to tell you he shall graciously accept, as the welcome pledges of your loving, happy, and dutiful affection to him, his person, and government. And his maj. is most graciously pleased to give you his Royal Word, that afterwards he will give you time for considering of such petitions as you shall conceive to be for the good of the common-wealth; even now before you part, according as the season of the year, and the great affairs in hand will permit; and what is now omitted, his maj, will give you time to perfect towards winter, when your own leisure and conveniency may better attend it; he knowing well that these Subsidies can be of little use, without that more ample Supply which his maj. expects upon the happy conclusion of this session; and therein his inaj. is graciously pleased, according to the antient

His maj, delivering the Letter to the lord keeper, his lordship began to read it, and observed as followeth : The superscription of the Letter is this, du Roy. For the nature of this superscription, it is well known to all that know the stile of France, that it is never written by any Frenchman to any but their own king; and therefore, being directed Au Roy, it is to their own king; for so in effect they do, by that superscription, acknowledge.”

Then his lordship read the Letter in French, which done, he added; "His majesty commanded me to read it in English to you, as it is translated from the original in French under

their own hands: viz.

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"Sir; Your majesty being the refuge and sanctuary of afflicted princes and states, we have found it necessary to send this gentleman, Mr. Colvil, by him to represent unto your maj. the candor and ingenuity as weil of our actions and proceedings, as of our intentions; which we desire should be engraven and written to the whole world, with a beam of the sun, as well as to your maj. We most humbly bescech you therefore, to give faith and credit to him, and all he shall say on our part concerning us, and our affairs; being most assured of an assistance equal to your accustomed clemency heretofore, and so often shewed to this nation, which will not yield to any other whatsoever, the glory to be, eternally, Your majesty's most humble, obedient and affectionate Servants. Rothes, Montross, Lesley, Marre, Montgomery, Lowdon, Forester."

Then the King added; " Of these gentlemen that have set their hands to this Letter, here. is one, and I believe you would think it very strange if I should not lay him fast; and there

fore I have signed a warrant to lay him close | lustre, and with full advantage, to your most prisoner in the Tower. My lords, I think (but | excellent maj. With what judgment, what that I will not say positively, because I will not say any thing here but what I am sure of) I have the gentleman, that should have carried the letter, fast enough; but I know not, I may be mistaken."

And then the Lord Keeper concluded: "Gentlemen, You of the house of commons, his majesty's pleasure is, That you do now repair to your own house, there to make choice of your Speaker; whom his maj, will expect to be presented to him on Wednesday next, at 2 in the afternoon."

John Glanville, Esq. elected Speaker.] The commons, being returned to their house, made choice of John Glanville, esq. serjeant at law, for their Speaker; of whom lord Clarendon gives this character. "That he was a man very equal to the work, very well acquainted with the proceedings in parliament, of a quick conception, and of a ready and voluble expression, dextrous in disposing the house, and very acceptable to them."

The Speaker's Speech to the King to be ex cused.] April 15. About 2 in the afternoon, the king came by water, and landed at Parliament-Stairs. About half an hour after, a inessenger, who, by some of the privy-council, was said to be a quarter-waiter on his majesty, came and told the Speaker elect, that the king was set and staid for him. It is remarkable that the last session of parliament, Mr. Maxwell, gentleman.usher of the house of lords, omitted also to come; and it was then taken ill, being thought an undervaluing and dishonour to the house, as it appears by the Journal-Book of that session. Ilowever, upon this occasion, the Speaker commanded the waiter to tell Mr. Maswell, That it was his duty to have come and brought the Message himself; but because they would not, by any disturbance, make the king wait, the Speaker, accompanied by the house, went up at this summons. On his coming to the bar of the house of lords the Speaker made three obeysauces, and then spoke as follows;

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temper, what spirit, what elocution he ought to be endowed and qualified, that, with any hope of good success, should undergo any such employment, your maj. in your great wisdom, is best able to discern and judge; both as it may relate to your own peculiar and most important affairs of state and government, and as it must relate to the proper business of your house of commons; which was never small nor mean, and is like, at this time, to be exceeding weighty-Had your house of commons been as happy in their choice (as they were regular, well-warranted, and dutiful) of myself, who stand elected yet to be their Speaker; and am now presented by them to your maj. for your gracious and royal approbation; I should not have needed to become troublesome to your maj. in this suit, for my releasement and discharge; which, now, in duty to your maj, and care for the good, prosperity, and success of your affairs, I hold my self obliged to make. My imperfections and disabilities are best known to myself; and to your maj. I suppose, not altogether unknown; before whom, in the course of my practice and profession, it hath been your goodness towards the meanest of your subjects, divers times to do me the honour and favour to appear and bear a part, as an ordinary pleader.

"It is a learned age wherein we live, under your majesty's most peaceful and flourishing government and your house of commons, as it is now composed, is not only the represen tative body, but the abstracted quintessence of the whole commonalty, of this your noble realm of England: there be very many amongst them, nuch fitter for this place than I am; few or none, in my opinion, so unfit as myself.

I most humbly beseech your maj. (as you are the father of the commonwealth and head of the whole parliament, to whom the care of all our welfare chiefly appertains) have respect to your own ends; have regard to your house of commons; have compassion upon me, the most unworthy member of that body, ready to May it please your majesty; The knights, faint with fears, before the burthen light upon citizens, and burgesses of your commons house me: let not your maj. through my defect, of parliament, in conformity to most antient stand exposed to any hazard of disservice : and most constant usage, the best guide in have only a hearty desire to serve you; very great solemnities; according to their well-little abilities for performance.-In the fulknown privileges, a sure warrant for their proceedings; and in obedience to your majesty's most gracious counsel and command, a duty well becoming loyal subjects; have met together in their house, and chosen a Speaker; one of themselves to be the mouth, indeed the servant, of all the rest; to steer, watchfully and prudently, in all their weighty consultations and debates; to collect, faithfully and readily, the genuine sense of a numerous assembly; to propound the same seasonably, and to mould it into apt questions, for final resolutions; and so represent them and their conclusions, their Declarations and Petitions, upon all urgent ●ccasions, with truth, with right, with life, with

ness, therefore, of your kingly power, your piety and your goodness, be graciously pleased to command your house of commons, ance more to nicct together, to consult and deliberate better, about their choice of a meet Speaker; till they can agree of some such person, as may be worthy of their choosing, and of your majesty's acceptation."

The Speaker's Election confirmed by the King.] The Lord-Keeper, after directions received from his majesty, answered:

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His majesty, with a gracious ear and a princely attention, hath listened to your huinble and modest excuse, full of flowers of wit, of flowers of cloquence, and flowers of judgment.

Many reasons from yourself he hath taken, undertake the service might add a further disto approve and agree to the choice and election, advantage to my performance, than peradvenmade by the house of commous; but finds ture would arise out of my other imperfec none, from any thing that you have said, to tions.-Two enemies I might fear, the common dissent or disagree from it; since you have set enemies of such services, Expectation and forth your inabilities with so much ability; Jealousy: I am not worthy of the former, and you have so well decyphered and delineated I contemn the latter. Tine that trieth truth, the parts, duties, and office of a good Speaker; shall let the whole world see and know, that I which is to collect the sense of the house judi- am, and will be found, an equal freeman ; ciously, to render it with fidelity, to sum it up zealous to serve my gracious king, and zealous with dexterity, and to mould it into fit and apt to serve my dearest country.-Monarchy, questions for resolutions; and those, as occa- royal and hereditary, is of all sorts of governsion shall serve, to present with vigour, advan- ment the most compleat and excellent; whe tage, and humility, to his maj. He doubts not, ther we regard the glory, the wealth, or the but you, that are so perfect in the theorick, safety of the governor or of the people, or of will, with great ease, perform the practick part, both. And I hope there are not of this nation and with no less commendation.-His maj. any that are of antimonarchial spirits or rehath taken notice, and well remembers, your solutions, no, nor dispositions, nor friends to often waiting on him in private causes; wherein such as are so; if there be, I wish no greater you have always so carried yourself, and won honour to this parliament, than to discover so much good opinion from his maj. as he them; and by all means possible to assist doubteth not but that now, when you are your gracious maj. to suppress them, or to called forth to serve him and the public, your confound them.-You are a great king at all affections and the powers of your soul will be times, but, sitting now attended by your preset on work with more zeal and more alacrity. lates, your lords, and people in free parliament, It's that for which the philosophers call a man are in the highest state of majesty and glory. happy, when men, that have ability and good--I remember well, I heard your majesty's ness, do meet with an object fit to bring it into act; and such, at this time, is your good fortune, an occasion being ministered unto you, to shew your ability and goodness, your fidelity to his majesty's service, and the candor and clearness of your heart towards those of the house of commons: in all which his maj. nothing doubteth, but you will so discharge yourself, as he may, to his former favours, find occasion and reason to add more unto you; that the house of commons may rejoice in this election of theirs; and that the whole kingdom, by your good, clear, and candid service, may receive fruits that may be comfortable unto all. His maj. therefore, doth approve and confirm the choice of the house of commons, and ratifies you for their Speaker."

The Speaker's Reply to the King's Confirmation.] Then the Speaker addressed himself again to his majesty:

most royal and learned father, our late dear sovereign king James of sacred memory, speak to that purpose of himself and of kings in general; his maj. sitting then in parliament, upon that throne which, by descent from him, and from innumerable royal ancestors, is now become your majesty's lawful seat and rightful inheritance.-To behold you thus in peace and safety, upon this great and good occasion, after full 15 years experience of your most peaceful government, yields most compleat joy to all your majesty's loyal and well-affected subjects; who cannot but concur with me in this desire,

"Serus in cœlum redcas, diuque "Lætus intersis populo Brittanno.” England is your seat of residence, not made province, nor governed by a vice-roy. God open all our eyes and understandings, to discern and value the great blessings and benefits "Most Gracious Sovereign; My profession we enjoy, by your majesty's gracious presence hath taught me, that from the highest judge and iminediate influence of life and chearfuland highest seat of justice, there lycth no Writ ness to all the parts of these your noblest of Error, no appeal. Your maj. in full parlia- kingdoms !—Scotland is your birth place, and ment, hath been pleased, by the mouth of the therein hath advantage of your other realms; lord-keeper, to declare your royal judgment in God make them, and keep them, ever sensible affirmation of the election of your house of and worthy of that_honour.-Ireland begins commons, whereby I am become their Speaker, a-pace to imitate England, in a great and and their servant. What is there therefore quick progression in civility of manners and left unto me? But in the first place devoutly conversation; by many sedulous plantations to beseech Almighty God, the Author and and improvements of the soil; by their receiv Finisher of all good works, to enable me, by ing and enacting of the more wholesome laws his blessing, to discharge, honestly and effec- and statutes of this kingdom; and by many tually, so great a task, so great a trust.-And, other good effects and fruits of peace and in the next place, humbly to acknowledge, as blessed government.-France is still an at1 do, the great grace and favour, that is done tendant to your royal stile and title. The prcunto me by your maj.; and readily to conform rogative of a king is as necessary as it is great; myself to your good pleasure and command, without it, he would want that power and mato which I now subunit with all possible chear-jesty which is, and ought to be, inseparable fuluess; lest else my too much diffidence to from the crown and scepter. Nor can there

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any danger result, from such prerogative in prudence in this one act expressed, exten
the king, to the liberty of the subject; so long itself not only to the present time, but to
as both of them adroit the temperament of law good of succession in all after-ages!-Touc
and justice: especially under such a king as Justice, there is not any more certain sig
your maj. who, to your immortal glory, among discern an equal judge, than by his pati
your printed laws, have published this to the to be well informed before he give his
whole world for your maxim, The Liberty of tence; and I may boldly say all your jud
the people strengthens the king's prerogative, throughout all your kingdoms, may take ex
and the king's prerogative is to defend the ple by your majesty, and learn their duty i
people's liberty,' (p. 409). A maxim like Ap- your practice in this kind. I myself have o
ples of gold in pictures of silver!-Kings, as been witness of it to my no little admira
they are kings, are never said to err, only the and content. From your patient hearing,
best may be abused by misinformation. The me pass on to your righteous judgment;
highest point of prerogative is, The King can therein bring but one instance, but it sha
do no wrong.' If therefore, by the subtilty of a great one. When your lords and your
misinformers, by the specious false pretences ple, in your last parliament, presented to
of public good, by cunning and close con- majesty a Petition, concerning divers Ri
trivance of their ways to seduce; the sacred and Liberties of your subjects; the Peti
royal person shall, at any time, he circum- being of no small weight and importance
vented or surprized, or over-wrought and drawn by the same may well appear, your maj. a
to command things contrary to law, and that meet deliberation, in few but effectual wo
the same be done accordingly: these com- (soit droit fait comme il est desiré) made t
mands will be void, and the king innocent, such an Answer, as shall renown you for
even in his very person, being defended by his judgment, in this age and to all posterit
prerogative: nevertheless the authors of such I make haste to come to your Mercy, whe
misinformations, and actors in those abuses, will I cannot but have need again and again,
stand liable and exposed to strict examination fore I have finished that service to which I
and just censure; as having nothing to defend enjoined; and am not, altogether, in des
themselves but the colour of a void command, of obtaining it: nevertheless the Mercy, wi
made void by just prerogative, and by the fun- I mean to celebrate, is not only concern
damental and true reason of state and mo- single or particular persons, but whole natio
narchy and what difference is there, or can that unexampled mercy and clemency, wh
be in law, between a void command, and no (in your royal wisdom and abundant goodn
command at all?--If Religion, Justice, and happily met together) your maj. vouchsafe
Mercy, all happily assembled and graciously shew to us and all your kingdom; in not dr
lodged together in your royal breast, may give to ing your sword of justice, the last summ
your well-affected subjects a good hope of the against your people of Scotland, though y
good success of this parl.; I know not why we armies were much the better and the strong
should not,
all of us, expect it with much con-It seems your majesty remembered, w
fidence. Some few particulars, pertaining to more tenderness of heart than they do, t
these general heads, I humbly beg of your they were christians and your subjects, a
maj. that, without offence to your sacred ears, that your power was posse & nolle nob
I may have leave to mention and observe, for Whatsoever might be the rule that inclined y
the further comfort of myself and all that hear to mercy, I am sure the benefit redounds to
me. What prince of this land was ever known and ours; who, by this means, are still
to keep the hours and times set for prayer, and peace and tranquility, not without good ho
for the service of Almighty God, with that re- of long continuance: a blessing peradvent
gularity and constancy as your majesty? Nay undervalued by us, we have had so much
more, have you not ever since your access to it, under your majesty's most gracious fathe
the crown, had one day in every week, besides royal government.-I have yet no instructio
the Lord's day, dedicated and applied to from your house of commons, therefore c
preaching and devotion? I may not stay here, propound nothing as by warrant from then
there is another particular equalling, nay much but, if I may have leave to present to yo
excelling both the former: and that is your majesty my own most humble and most hear
majesty's great care to educate those pledges wishes and desires, they be directed to Re
of conjugal and most abundant mutual love, gion, and Chivalry, Commerce, Justice, a
that is between your majesty and your most Unity.-That this parliament may be famo
gracious consort, the best queen and woman, for the care and contentment of God's tr
and the foundation of our future hopes, the Religion in this world and that to come; a
most illustrious prince Charles, and the rest of to that purpose, that the most reverend pr
your royal progeny, in the true religion of Al- lates, your majesty's archbishops and bishop
mighty God, publickly professed and by law sitting on the right hand of your throne, w
established in this kingdom: what tongue is be therein most forward, to whom it is mo
able to express the great joy and comfort, proper.-That the lords temporal, girt wi
which all your majesty's most loyal and loving their swords in their creation, as more
especiall
subjects do derive unto themselves, in con- rewarded, or designed for actions military
templation of your majesty's great piety and would call to mind the most noble and mes

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