His Majesties GRACIOUS SPEECH To both Houses of PARLIAMENT, AT THEIR Prorogation, November 4. 1673.
By His Majesties special Command.
LONDON, Printed by the Assigns of John Bill and Christopher Barker, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, 1673.
CƲM PRIVILEGIO.
His Majesties GRACIOUS SPEECH To both Houses of PARLIAMENT, At their Prorogation.
I Need not tell you, how unwillingly I call you hither at this time, being enough sensible what advantages My Enemies both abroad and at home will reap by the least appearance of a difference betwixt Me and My Parliament; nay, being assured, they expect more success from such a Breach (could they procure it) then from their Arms.
This, I say, shall (whilest I live) be My chief endeavour to prevent, and for that reason I think it necessary to make a short Recess, that all Good Men may recollect themselves against the next Meeting, and consider, Whether the present posture of Affairs will not rather require their applications to matters of Religion, and Support against Our onely Competitors at Sea, then to things of less importance; and in the mean while, I will not be wanting to let all My Subjects see, that no care can be greater then My Own, in the effectual suppressing of Popery: And it shall be your faults, if in your several Countries, the Lawes be not effectually executed against the Growth of it.
I will not be idle neither in some other things which may add to your Satisfaction, and then I shall expect a suitable Return from you.