His Majesties DECLARATION To all His loving Subjects: Of the causes which moved him to dissolve the last Parliament.
THE KINGS most Excellent Majestie well knoweth, That the Calling, Adjourning, Proroguing, and Dissolving of Parliaments, are undoubted Prerogatives inseparably annexed to his Imperiall Crown, of which he is not bound to render any account [Page 2] but to God alone, no more then of his other Regall actions.
Neverthelesse his Majestie, whose Piety and Goodnesse have made him ever so order and govern all things, That the cleernesse and candor of his Royall heart may appear to all his Subjects, especially in those great and publike Matters of State, that have relation to the weal and safetie of his People, and the honour of his Royall person and government: Hath thought fit, for avoiding and preventing all sinister constructions and misinterpretations, which the malice of some persons ill-affected to his Crown and Soveraignty, hath, or may practise to infuse into the mindes and ears of his good and faithfull Subjects, to set down by way of Declaration, the true causes aswell of his Assembling, as of his Dissolving the late Parliament.
[Page 3]IT is not unknown to most of his Majesties loving Subjects, what discouragements he hath formerly had by the undutifull and seditious carriage of divers of the lower house in preceding Assemblies of Parliament, enough to have made him averse to those ancient and accustomed wayes of calling his people together, when in stead of dutifull expressions towards his Person and Government, they vented their own malice and disaffections to the State, and by their subtile and malignant courses, endeavoured nothing more then to bring into contempt and disorder all Government and Magistracy.
Yet his Majestie well considering that but few were guilty of that seditious and undutifull behaviour, and hoping that time and experience had made [Page 4] his loving Subjects sensible of the distemper the whole Kingdom was in danger to be put into by the ill govern'd actions of those men, And his Majestie being ever desirous to tread in the steps of his most noble Progenitors, was pleased to issue forth his Writs under the great Seal of England, for a Parliament to be holden on the thirteenth day of April last.
At which day, his Majestie by the Lord Keeper of His great Seal was graciously pleased to let both houses of Parliament know, how desirous he was, That all his people would unite their hearts and affections in the execution of those Councels that might tend to the Honour of his Majestie, the safety of his Kingdoms, and the good and preservation of all his people. And withall how confident he [Page 13] was that they would not be failing in their duties and affections to him and to the publique.
He laid open to them the manifest and apparant mischiefs threatned to this and all his other Kingdoms, by the mutinous and rebellious behaviour of divers of the Scottish nation, who had by their examples drawn many of his Subjects there into a course of disloyalty and disobedience not fit for his Majestie in honour, safety, or wisdom to endure.
How to strengthen themselves in their disloyall courses, they had addrest themselves to forraign States, and treated with them to deliver themselves up to their protection and defence, as was made apparant under the proper hands of the prime Ring-leaders of that Rebellious faction.
[Page 6]These courses of theirs, tending so much to the ruine and overthrow of this famous Monarchy, united by the descent of the Crown of England upon his Majestie, and his Father of blessed memory; his Majestie (in his great wisdom, and in discharge of the trust reposed in him by God, and by the fundamentall laws of both Kingdoms, for the protection and government of them) resolved to suppresse, and thereby to vindicate that soveraigne power entrusted to him. He had by the last Summers triall found, that his grace and goodnesse was abused, and that contrary to his expectation and their faithfull promises, they had, since his being at Barwick, and the Pacification there made, pursued their former rebellious designes, and therefore it was necessary now for [Page 7] his Majestie by Power to reduce them to the just and modest condition of their obedience and subjection, which when ever they should be brought unto, or seeing their own errours, should put themselves into a way of humility and obedience becoming them, his Majestie should need no other Mediatours for Clemency and Mercy to them, then his own Piety and Goodnesse, and the tender affection he hath ever born to that his native Kingdom.
This being of so great weight and consequence to the whole Kingdom, and the charge of an Army, fit to master such a businesse, amounting to so great a sum as his Majestie had no means to raise, having not onely emptied his own coffers, but issued between three and four hundred thousand pounds which he borrowed [Page 16] of his servants, upon security out of his own estate, to provide such things as were necessary to begin such an action with; his Majestie after the example of his Predecessors, resorted to his people in their representative body the Parliament, whom he desired (with all the expressions of grace and goodnesse which could possibly come from him) That taking into serious and dutifull consideration the nature of these bleeding evils, and how dangerous it was to lose the least minute of time, lest thereby those of Scotland should gain opportunity to frame their parties with forraign States, that they would for a while lay aside all other debates, and passe an Act for the speedie payment of so many Subsidies as might enable his Majestie to put in readinesse for this Summer those things [Page 17] which were to be prepared before so great an Army could be brought into the field.
For further supply necessary for so great an undertaking, his Majestie declared that he expected it not till there might be a happy conclusion of that Session, and till their just grievances might be first graciously heard and relieved.
Wherein, as his Majestie would most willingly have given them the precedence before matter of supply, if the great necessity of his occasions could have permitted, so he was graciously pleased for their full assurance and satisfaction therein to give them his Royall word, That without determining the Session upon granting of the Subsidies, he would give them before they parted, as much time as the season of the yeer, and the [Page 10] great affairs in hand would permit, for considering all such Petitions as they should conceive to be good for the Common-wealth, and what they could not now finish, they should have full time to perfect towards Winter; his Majesty graciously assuring them, that he would go along with them for their advantage through all the expressions of a gracious and pious King, to the end there might be such a happy conclusion of that as might be the cause of many more meetings with them in Parliament. From their first assembling untill the 21. of April, the house of Commons did nothing that could give his Majestie any content or confidence in their speedy supplying of him: Whereupon he commanded both the houses to attend him in the Banquetting house at Whitehall in [Page 11] the afternoon of that 21. day of April. Where by the Lord Keeper his Majestie put them in minde of the end for which they were assembled, which was for his Majesties supply, That if it were not speedy, it would be of no use unto him; Part of the Army then marching at the charge of above a hundred thousand pounds a moneth, which would all be lost if his Majestie were not presently supplied, so as it was not possible to be longer forborn. Yet his Majestie then exprest that the supply he for the present desired, was onely to enable him to go on with his designes for three or four moneths, and that he expected no further supply till all their just grievances were relieved.
And because his Majestie had taken notice of some misapprehensions [Page 20] about the levying of the Shipping-money, his Majestie commanded the Lord Keeper to let them know, That he never had any intention to make any Revenue of it, nor had ever made any; but that all the money Collected had been paid to the Treasurer of the Navie, and by him expended, besides great sums of money every yeer out of his Majesties own purse.
That his Majestie had once resolved this yeer to have levied none, but that he was forced to alter his resolution, in regard he was of necessity to send an Army for reducing those of Scotland, during which time it was requisite the Seas should be well guarded: And besides his Majestie had knowledge of the great Fleets prepared by all neighbouring Princes this yeer, and of the insolencies [Page 13] committed by those of Algiers, with the store of Ships which they had in readinesse.
And therefore though his Majestie for this present yeer could not forbear it, but expected their concurrence in the levying of it, yet for the future to give all his Subjects assurance how just and Royall his intentions were, and that all his aime was but to live like their King, able to defend himself and them, to be usefull to his friends and considerable to his enemies, to maintain the Soveraigntie of the Seas, and so make the Kingdom flourish in trade and commerce, he was graciously pleased to let them know, That the ordinary Revenue now taken by the Crown could not serve the turn, and therefore that it must be by Shipping-money or some other way, [Page 14] wherein he was willing to leave it to their considerations what better course to finde out, and to settle it how they would, so the thing were done which so much imported the honour and safety of the Kingdom; and his Majestie for his part would most readily and cheerfully grant any thing they could desire for securing them in the propriety of their goods and estates, and in the liberty of their persons.
His Majestie telling them it was in their power to make this as happy a Parliament as ever was, and to be the cause of the Kings delighting to meet with his people, and his people with him.
That there was no such way to effect this as by putting obligations to trust and confidence upon him, which as it was the way of good manners with a King, so it [Page 15] was a surer and safer course for themselves, then any that their own jealousies and feares could invent, his Majestie being a Prince that deserved their trust, and would not lose the honour of it, and a Prince of such a gracious nature that disdained his people should overcome him by kindnesse.
He had made this good to some other Subjects of his, and if they followed his counsell, they should be sure not to repent it, being the people that were neerest and deerest to him, and Subjects whom he did and had reason to value more then the Subjects of any his other Kingdoms.
His Majestie having thus graciously expressed himself unto them, he expected the House of Commons would have the next day taken into consideration the matter of Supply, and laid aside all [Page 16] other debates till that were resolved of according to his desire.
But instead of giving an answer therein, such as the pressing and urgent occasions required, they fell into Discourses and Debates about their pretended Grievances, and raised up so many, and of so severall natures, that in a Parliamentary way they could not but spend more time then his Majesties great and weighty affaires could possibly afford.
His Majestie foreseeing in his great wisdom that they were not in the way to make this a happy Parliament, which he so much desired and hoped, That nothing might be wanting on his part to bring them into the right way for his honour, the safety of the Kingdom, and their own good, he resolved to desire the [Page 17] assistance of the Lords of the higher house, as persons in rank and degree neerest to the Royall Throne, and who having received honour from him and his Royall Progenitors, he doubted not would for those and many other reasons be moved in honour and dutifull affection to his Person and Crown, to dispose the house of Commons to expresse their duties to his Majestie, in expediting the matter of Supply, for which they were called together, and which required so present a dispatch.
For this purpose, his Majestie in his Royall Person came again to the Lords house on Wednesday the 24. day of April, where himself declared to the Lords the cause of his coming, which was, to put them in minde of what had been by the Lord Keeper in his [Page 18] name delivered unto both houses the first day of the Parliament, and after at Whitehall, how contrary to his expectation the house of Commons having held consultation of Matter of Religion, Property of goods, and Liberty of Parliament; and voted some things concerning those three heads, had thereby given them the precedence before the matter of his supply, That his necessities were such, they could not bear delay, That what ever he had by the Lord Keeper promised he would perform, if the house of Commons would trust him. For Religion, that his heart and conscience went together with the Religion established in the Church of England, and he would give order to his Archbishops and Bishops, that no innovation in matter of Religion should [Page 19] creep in. For the Ship-money, that he never made or intended to make any profit to himself of it, but onely to preserve the Dominion of the Seas, which was so necessary, that without it the Kingdom could not subsist; but for the way and means by Ship-money, or otherwise he left it to them. For property of goods, and liberty of Parliament, he ever intended his people should enjoy them, holding no King so great as he that was King of a rich and free people, and if they had not property of goods, and liberty of persons, they could be neither rich nor free. That if the house of Commons would not first trust him, all his affairs would be disordered, and his businesse lost. That though they trusted him in part at first, yet before the Parliament ended he must totally [Page 20] trust them, and in conclusion they must for execution of all things wholly trust him. Therefore since the matter was no more then who should be first trusted, and that the trust of him first was but a trust in part, his Majestie desired the Lords to take into their considerations his and their own Honour, the safety and welfare of this Kingdom, with the great danger it was in, and that they would by their advice dispose the house of Commons to give his supply the precedence before the grievances.
His Majestie being departed, the Lords took into serious consideration what his Majestie had commended to their care, and forthwith laying aside all other debates, such was their Lordships dutifull and affectionate carriage, they remembring well what had been [Page 21] formerly declared in his Majesties name to both houses, his Majesties gracious promises and expressions then and at this time, with the pressing and urgent occasions which so much imported the honour of his Majestie and the good of this Kingdom, their Lordships delivered their votes in these words, ‘We are of opinion that the matter of his Majesties supply should have precedence, and be resolved of before any other matter whatsoever; And we think fit there shall be a conference desired with the house of Commons to dispose them thereunto.’
Accordingly the next day being Saterday the 25. day of April, a Conference was had in the Painted Chamber by a Committee of both Houses, where the Lord [Page 22] Keeper, by the Lords command, told the House of Commons of his Majesties being the day before in person in the higher House, how graciously he had expressed himself, in matter of Religion, Propertie of Goods, and Liberty of Parliament; and that he would therein graciously hear and relieve them, and give them what in reason could be desired, with the effect of what else had bin graciously delivered unto them by his Majestie, as well touching his constant Zeal and affection to the Religion established in the Church of England, as touching the Ship-money, and the necessity of his affairs, which was such, that delay was as prejudiciall as denyall, and that if time were lost, both Houses could not recover it; and therefore their Lordships, though they would move nothing, [Page 23] nor give any advice concerning Subsidies, but decline it, as that which naturally was to begin with the House of Commons, yet being alike interessed and concerned in the honour and safety of the Kingdom, they held it fit to let them know their opinions and desires, which was, That they should go first on with the matter of his Majesties supply, as that which was most necessary and fit to have precedence; And that being done, they would cheerfully joyn with them in the presenting of their Grievances.
The House of Commons having heard their Lordships opinion and desire, instead of concurring with their Lordships in preferring the consideration of his Majesties supply before their Grievances, they spent the whole day [Page 24] on Munday following being the 27. of April, in taking causelesse exceptions to what had been at the Conference related to them; And the next day being Tuesday the 28. of April, they desired a Conference with the Lords, and their Lordships meeting them presently in the Painted Chamber, they were so far from their expressing of any willingnesse to joyn with their Lordships in what had been upon so weighty reasons recommended unto them, that on the contrary they challenged the Lords for invading the Priviledges of the House of Commons, Alleadging, That the Lords having in the former Conference acknowledged that the matter of Subsidie and Supply ought to begin in the House of Commons, had in their voting that it was fit and most necessary that matter of Supply [Page 25] should have precedence before all other businesse, not onely been transported beyond the bounds which their Lordships had formerly set to themselves, but by medling with matter of Supply, had as far as in them lay, concluded both the matter and order of proceeding, which the House of Commons took to be a breach of their Priviledge, and for it desired reparation of their Lordships.
And because the Lords had in the first Conference enumerated those three particulars, of Religion, Propriety of Goods, and Priviledge of Parliament, the House of Commons collected they had taken notice of some proceedings in their House concerning those particulars, and thereby broken another great Priviledge of the House of Commons established [Page 26] in Parliament, and called, The Indempnity of the Commons.
This how strange and unexpected soever, the Lords heard with patience, and being desirous to remove all impediments, and clear any mistakings that might retard or avert the resolutions of supplying his Majestie, they seriously debated in the higher house what had been objected by the house of Commons, and resolved, first, That their Lordships former voting, That in their opinions his Majesties supply should have precedence before all other matters, was no breach of the Priviledges of the House of Commons. And secondly, That it was no breach of the Priviledges of the house of Commons for their Lordships to hear what his Majestie declared to them, [Page 27] and thereupon to report the same to the House of Commons.
And to the end the house of Commons might have a right understanding of their Lordships proceedings, their Lordships desired another Conference with them, which was accordingly had on Fryday the first of May in the painted Chamber, where by the command of the Lords, the Lord Keeper declared to the house of Commons, That the Lords of the higher house had, as in duty and affection to his Majesties Crown and government they were bound, taken into serious consideration the great and weighty motives of his Majesties calling this Parliament, The great evils and calamities that hung over their heads, and the apparent danger the Kingdom was like to run into, if by [Page 28] speedy and fitting supply his Majestie were not enabled to prevent it. How insupportable delay and protraction was, and how impossible for both houses to recover the losse of time in a matter of so pressing and urgent necessity. That his Majestie had both in the higher house, and in the Banquetting house at Whitehall, expressed his gracious and Princely desire to do all that from a just and gracious King might be expected, whereby this Parliament might have a happy conclusion. How his Majestie had promised all their just grievances should be graciously heard and relieved. That their Lordships were witnesses his Majestie had given his Royall word herein, which their Lordships for their parts did as much trust and confide in as ever Subjects did.
[Page 29]It was also then further declared unto them, That his Majestie had lately honoured their house with his presence again, and had there renued the remembrance of what had before been delivered to both Houses, with the impossibility of admitting delay, & the clearnes of his Majesties intentions and resolutions, to give all just satisfaction to what with reason could be desired of him.
That his Majestie had taken notice of somewhat voted in the House of Commons concerning Religion, propriety of Goods, and liberty of Parliament, by which his Majestie conceived the matter of his supply set aside, which he had so often and with such weight of reason desired might have precedence.
That his Majestie after very gracious assurances of his constant affection [Page 30] and zeal for true Religion, and for preventing all Innovations therein, reiterating his often promises for relieving all their just grievances, with his Royall intentions in that particular of Ship-money which he found much stood upon, was pleased to desire their Lordships (as Persons in rank and degree neerest him, in Honour as much or more concern'd then other, and in the safety and prosperity of the Kingdom at least equally interessed with others) That in a case of this great and important weight, their Lordships would by their counsell and perswasion encline the House of Commons to give his Majestie a speedy answer and resolution in the matter of Supply. That their Lordships had taken his Majesties desire into serious and dutifull consideration, and [Page 31] upon great and solemn debate had, only voted in these words, ‘We are of opinion that the matter of His Majesties supply should have precedence, and be resolved of before any other matter whatsoever. And that they did think fit there shold be a Conference desired with the house of Commons to dispose them thereunto;’ which as it was just and honourable for their Lordships to do, so it was no breach of any priviledge of the house of Commons.
For though their Lordships did admit, That the Bill of Subsidies ought to begin in the House of Commons, and when it is agreed unto by the Lords, must be returned back, and be by their Speaker presented, and therefore their Lordships disclaimed to meddle with Subsidy or Supply, by such beginning in [Page 32] the higher House, or by naming the number of Subsidies, times of payment, or any such circumstances incident to a Bill; Yet their Lordships might confer and talk about Supplies in generall, and give their advice therein, that being no whit derogatory to the Priviledges of the House of Commons, their Lordships in all reason being likelier to communicate in the Councels and secrets of State, as those that were neerer to the Royall Throne, and having just cause therein to impart their fears and foresight of dangers to the House of Commons.
That such proceedings of their Lordships, as they were grounded upon just and weighty reason, so they were agreeable to ancient usage and custome, and were fully justified by that establishment in Parliament mentioned by the House [Page 33] of Commons at the last Conference, being made at Gloucester, in the 9. yeer of Henry the fourth, and stiled not the Indempnity of the Commons (as had been said) but the Indempnity of Lords and Commons.
And for the other breach of Priviledge which had been objected, their Lordships declared, That his Majestie had told them the House of Commons had resolved something concerning those three heads, Of Religion, Propriety of goods, and Priviledge of Parliament.
How his Majestie knew of this resolution belonged not to their Lordships to enquire into, their Lordships not medling with any thing that others said to the King, but what the King said to them.
[Page 34]And that their Lordships were so far from holding it any violation of the Priviledges of the House of Commons for their Lordships to hear what the King declared to them, and for them thereupon to report the same to the House of Commons, that on the contrary in dutie to his Majestie, their Lordships could do no other; and the communicating of it was an argument of affection and desire of good correspondence with the House of Commons, and merited no such misconstruction as had been made of it; neither did that establishment in Parliament 9. H. 4. contain any words that could be construed to make their Lordships proceedings in this behalf any breach of the Priviledges of the house of Commons.
Their Lordships proceedings and intentions [Page 35] being thus cleared, the Lord Keeper by their Lordships command added further, That their Lordships could not but return to their first grounds and resolutions, which were in all fair and affectionate manner to stir up in those of the House of Commons the just consideration of those great and imminent dangers that threatned the Kingdom at this time, and how dangerous and irrecoverable delay was, and withall to dispose them to take into their first and best thoughts the matter of his Majesties supply, and give him a speedie answer therein.
Which their Lordships were confident would be the means to make this a happy Parliament, and to avert the publike calamities that menaced the ruine and overthrow of this famous Monarchie.
[Page 36]This having been delivered at that Conference in their Lordships names, was by his Majestie most graciously interpreted as the noble testimony of their Lordships affections to his person and government, for which his Majestie by the Lord Keeper the next day gave their Lordships hearty thanks.
And withall that nothing on his part might be left undone, his Majestie that morning also being Saterday the second of May, sent a message to the House of Commons, which was delivered to them in these words;
That his Majestie hath divers times, and by sundry wayes acquainted this House with the urgent necessity of supply, and with the great danger inevitably to fall upon the whole State, upon his own [Page 37] honour, and the honour of this Nation if more time shall be lost therein. That neverthelesse his Majestie hitherto hath received no answer at all. And therefore considering that as heretofore his Majestie hath told this House, that a delay of his supply is as destructive as a deniall, his Majestie doth again desire them to give him a present answer concerning his Supply, his Majestie being still resolved on his part to make good whatsoever he hath promised by himself or the Lord Keeper.
After which Message delivered unto them, they spent from nine in the morning till six a clock at night, in many discourses and debates touching their pretended Grievances, but never came to any resolution what Supply they would [Page 38] give his Majestie, or whether they would give him any at all, but adjourned the farther debate till Munday following.
At which time, because his Majestie had understood, the matter of Shipping-money was that which was most insisted upon, and that the taking away of that not onely for the present but for the future, would be pleasing and acceptable unto them, his Majestie sent another Message unto them, which was before they entred into any debate delivered unto them in these words.
Whereas upon Saterday last his Majestie was pleased to send a Message to this House, desiring you to give a present answer concerning his Supply, to which as yet his Majestie hath had no other, but that upon this [Page 39] day you will take it into further consideration, Therefore his Majestie the better to facilitate your resolutions this day, hath thought fit to let you know, That of his grace and favour he is pleased, upon your granting of twelve Subsidies, to be presently passed, and to be paid in three yeers, with a Proviso that it shall not determine the Session, his Majestie will not onely for the present forbear the levying of any Shipping money, but will give way to the utter abolishing of it by any course that your selves shall like best. And for your Grievances his Majestie will according to his Royall promise, give you as much time as may be now, and the rest at Michaelmas next. And his Majestie expects a [Page 40] present and positive answer upon which he may rely, his affairs being in such condition as can endure no longer delay.
Notwithstanding this gracious message, and all other his Majesties former Desires and Promises, and the Lords earnest perswasions, the House of Commons spent eight or nine houres more in debating the matter of Supply, without coming to any resolution at all, and so mixed the consideration of that with other matters impertinent, and trenching highly to the diminution of his Majesties Royal Prerogative, That his Majestie plainly discerned they went about to weary & tire him with delayes, And though in words some did not deny to supply him, yet in that also most moved to clog the Bill of Subsidies in such sort, [Page 41] that his Majestie could not have accepted it without great prejudice to his Prerogative; And they were so far from declaring what they would do, That they entertained themselves with discourses tending to render odious to his people that gracious government of his, under which all his people have, during his happy reign, lived in such peace and felicitie, when all the neighbouring Kingdoms and States were in troubles and combustions.
His Majestie was hereupon enforced by the advice of His Privie Councell to resolve to break up and dissolve the Parliament, from which he could hope for no other fruit then the hindring of His great affairs, and disordering His happy Government.
[Page 42]And therefore on Tuesday the fifth of May, His Majestie came again in person to the Lords House, and sending for the Speaker, and the House of Commons, when they were come up, said thus;
THere can no occasion of my comming to this House be so unpleasing to me, as this is, at this time: The fear of doing that, which I am to do this day, made me not long ago come to this House, where I expressed, as well my Feares, as the Remedies I thought necessary for the eschewing of it; Unto which, I must confesse, and acknowledge that you, (My Lords of the Higher House) did give me so vvilling an [Page 43] Eare, and vvith such affection, did shevv your selves thereafter, that certainly, I may say, If there had bin any means to have given an happy end to this Parliament, you took it; So, that it vvas neither your Lordships fault, nor mine, that it is not so: Therefore in the first place, I must give your Lordships thanks for your good Endeavours.
I hope you remember vvhat my Lord Keeper said to you, the first day of the Parliament, in my Name; VVhat likevvise he said in the Banquetting-House in VVhite-hall, and vvhat I lately said to you in this place my self. I name all this unto you, not in doubt that you do not vvell remember it, but to shevv you, that I never said any thing, in vvay [Page 44] of favour to my people, but that by the grace of God, I vvill punctually, and really perform it.
I know that they have insisted very much on Grievances, and I vvill not say, but that there may be some (though I vvill confidently affirm, that there are not by many degrees so many, as the publique voice doth make them.) VVherefore I desire you to take notice, now especially at this time, that out of Parliament, I shall be as readie, (if not more vvilling) to hear, and redresse, any just Grievances, as in Parliament. There is one thing, that is much spoken of, though not so much insisted on as others, and that is Religion; Concerning which, albeit I expressed my self fully the last day in this [Page 45] place to your Lordships, yet, I think it fit again, on this occasion, to tell you, that, (as I am most concerned, so) I shall be most carefull, to preserve, that purity of Religion, which, I thank God, is so well established in the Church of England, and that, as well out, as in Parliament.
My Lords, I shall not trouble you long vvith vvords, it being not my fashion; vvherefore to conclude, vvhat I offered, the last day, to the House of Commons, I think is well knovvn to you all, as likevvise hovv they accepted it, vvhich I desire not to remember, but vvish that they had remembred, hovv, at first, they vvere told, in my Name, by my Lord Keeper, That delay vvas the vvorst kinde of deniall; yet I vvill [Page 46] not lay this fault on the vvhole House (for I vvill not judge so uncharitably of those, vvho, for the most part, I take to be Loyall, and vvell-affected Subjects) but, that it hath been the malicious cunning, of some fevv sediciously-affected men, that hath been the cause of this misunderstanding.
I shall novv end, as I began, in giving your Lordships thanks, for your affection shevvn to me at this time; desiring you, to go on to assist me, in the maintaining of that Regall povver, that is truly mine, and, as for the Libertie of the people, that they novv so much seem to startle at; Knovv, (my Lords) that no King in the vvorld shall be more carefull to maintain them in, The propertie [Page 47] of their Goods, Libertie of their Persons, and true Religion, then I shall be.
And novv, my Lord Keeper, do vvhat I have commanded you.
Then the Lord Keeper added.
MY Lords, and you Gentlemen of the House of Commons, The Kings Majestie doth dissolve this Parliament.
BY all the proceedings herein declared, it is evident to all men, how willing and desirous his Majestie hath been to make use of [Page 48] the ancient and Noble way of Parliament, used and instituted by his Royall Predecessours, for the preservation and honour of this famous Monarchie; and that on his Majesties part, nothing was wanting that could be expected from a King, whereby this Parliament might have had an happy conclusion, for the comfort and content of all his Majesties Subjects, and for the good and safetie of this Kingdom. On the contrary, it is apparant how those of the House of Commons (whose sinister and malicious courses inforced his Majestie to dissolve this Parliament) have vitiated and abused that ancient and Noble way of Parliament, perverting the same to their own unworthy ends, and forgetting the true use and institution of Parliaments. [Page 49] For whereas these meetings and assemblies of his Majestie with the Peeres and Commons of this Realm, were in their first originall, and in the practice of all succeeding ages, ordained and held as Pledges and Testimonies of affection between the King and his People, the King for his part graciously hearing and redressing such Grievances as his People in humble and dutifull manner should represent unto him, and the Subjects on their part, as Testimonies of their dutie, supplying his Majestie upon all extraordinary occasions, for the support of his Honour and Soveraigntie, and for preserving the Kingdom in glory and safetie; Those ill-affected members of the House of Commons, in stead of an humble and dutifull way of presenting their Grievances [Page 50] to his Majestie, have taken upon them, to be the Guiders and Directors, in all matters that concern his Majesties Government both Temporall and Ecclesiasticall, and (as if Kings were bound to give an account of their Regall actions, and of their manner of Government, to their Subjects assembled in Parliament) they have in a very audacious and insolent way entred into examination and censuring of the present Government, traduced his Majesties administration of Iustice, rendred (as much as in them lay) odious to the rest of his Majesties Subjects, not onely the Officers and Ministers of State, but even his Majesties very Government; which hath been so just and gracious, that never did this or any other Nation enjoy more blessings [Page 51] and happinesse, then hath been by all his Majesties Subjects enjoyed ever since his Majesties accesse to the Crown, nor did this Kingdom ever so flourish in Trade and Commerce, as at this present, or partake of more peace and plentie in all kindes whatsoever.
And whereas the ordinary Revenues of the Crown not sufficing to defray extraordinary charges, it hath ever been the usage in all Parliaments to aid and assist the Kings of this Realm with free and fitting Supply towards the maintenance of their Wars and for making good their Royall undertakings, whereby the Kingdome entrusted to their protection, might be held up in splendor and greatnes, Those ill-affected persons of the House of Commons have been so far from treading [Page 52] in the steps of their Ancestours, by their dutifull expressions in this kinde, that contrarily they have introduced a way of bargaining and contracting with the King, as if nothing ought to be given him by them, but what he should buy and purchase of them, either by quitting somewhat of his Royall Prerogative, or by diminishing and lessening his Revenues. Which courses of theirs, how repugnant they are to the duty of Subjects, how unfit for his Majestie in Honour to permit and suffer, and what hazard and dishonour they subject this Kingdome to, all men may easily judge, that will but equally and impartially weigh them.
His Majestie hath been by this means reduced to such straights and extremities, that were not his care of the publique [Page 53] good and safety the greater, these men (as much as in them lies) would quickly bring ruine and confusion to the State, and render contemptible this glorious Monarchy.
But this frowardnesse and undutifull behaviour of theirs, cannot lessen his Majesties care of preserving the Kingdomes entrusted to his Protection and Government, nor his gracious and tender affection to his people; for whose good and comfort his Majestie by Gods gracious assistance will so provide, that all his loving Subjects may still enjoy the happinesse of living under the blessed shade and protection of his Royall Scepter.
In the mean time, to the end all his Majesties loving Subjects may know, [Page 54] how graciously his Majestie is enclined to hear and redresse all the just Grievances of his people, as well out of Parliament as in Parliament, his Majestie doth hereby further declare his Royall will and pleasure, that all his loving Subjects, who have any just Cause to present, or complain of any Grievances or oppressions, may freely addresse themselves, by their humble Petitions to his Sacred Majestie, who will graciously hear their complaints, and give such fitting redresse therein, that all his people shall have just cause to acknowledge his grace and goodnesse towards them, and to be fully satisfied, that no persons or assemblies can more prevail with his Majestie, then the [Page 55] Pietie and Iustice of his own Royall nature, and the tender affection he doth and shall ever bear to all his people and loving Subjects.