IN all submissive humblenesse, the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons are here as­sembled, who taking along with them your gracious inclination, have according to their ancient li­berties designed me their Speaker.

Whereas I cannot but lament to think how great a mist may overcast the hopes of this Sessions, yet a note of favour to me, who cannot but judge my self unfit for so great imployment, which so appeares to the whole World.

Many there be of deep Judgment, and sad experi­ence, that might have added lustre to this action, and [Page 4] expedition to the work, if they had pleased to have left me in that mean condition they found me.

And then might your Sacred and pious intentions have had their full advancement.

But is it yet too late? may I not appeal to Caesar?

Yes▪ I may, and in the lowest posture of humility. I humbly beseech your Sacred Majesty to interpose your Royall Authority, to command a review of the house, for there were never more than now fitted for such Im­ployments.

It pleaseth not your Sacred Majesty to vouchsafe a change.

Actions of Kings are not to be by me reasoned.

Therefore being imboldened by this Gracious ap­probation, give me leave a little, Dread Soveraigne, to expresse my own thoughts unto our gracious Lord the King.

I see before my eyes with admiration the Majesty of great Brittaine, the Glory of times, the history of ho­nour, CHARLES the First, in his forefront placed by di­scent of antiquity (Kings) setled by a long succession, and continued to us by a pious and peacefull govern­ment.

[Page 5]On the one side the Monument of Glory, the Proge­ny of valiant and puissant Princes, the Queens most Ex­cellent Majesty.

On the other side, the hopes of posterity, and joy of this Nation, those Olive branches set round your tables, Emblems of peace to posterity.

Here shine those Lights and Lamps placed in a Mount, which attend your sacred Majesty as supreme head, and borrow from you the Splendor of their Govern­ment.

There the true state of Nobility, figures of Prowesse and Magnanimity, fitted by their long contracted ho­nour in their blood, for the Councell of Princes.

In the midst of those the Reverend Judges, whither both parts (as to the Oracles of Judgment and Justice) may resort, Cisterns that hold fair waters, wherein each deviation; each wrinckle is discernable, and from thence (as from the Center) each crooked line ought to be levelled; The footstoole of your Throne is fix­ed there, which renders you glorious to all poste­rity.

Here we the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons house, at your royall feet, contracted from all parts of your Kingdom, Ensignes of obedience and humility, all these united by the law equally distribu­ted, which cements this great body to the obedience of your Sacred Majesty;

And compells as well the hearts as the hands to con­tribute for the preservation of your Majesty, and the Common interest,

Dissipates the Invaders of the Church and Common Wealth, and discovers the Impostures, but (give me [Page 6] leave dread Soveraigne) knits the Crown to the Sacred Temples, and frees Majesty from the Interpretation of mis-doing.

Amongst these this great Councell is most Soveraign against the distempers of this Nation.

Were they infested at Sea, troubled at home, or in­vaded from abroad, here was the Sanctuary of refuge, hither was the resort, and no other way found for a foundation of peace.

It is reported of Constantine the great, that he accoun­ted his Subjects purse his Exchequer, and so it is.

Subtile inventions may pick the purse, but nothing can open it but a free Parliament; which lets in the eye of So­veraignty upon the publique maladies of the state, and vigilancy for the preservation of our ancient liberties; for this we need not search into antiquity, look but a little back, there we shall see our just liberties gratious­ly confirmed by your most sacred Majesty,

And is our happiness shut up in the remembrance of times past only? No.

Those gratious expressions lately fal'n from your sa­cred lips, as hony from the combe, make glad the hearts of your people.

So that now we do more then promise to our selves a large and free consideration of the wayes to compose the distempers of these Kingdomes, and then present them to your royall hand for perfection.

And such shall be our deportment, that as we shall labour the continuance of our liberties, so shall we car­ry a high regard to preserve that Soveraigne power wherewith your Majesty is invested for the preservati­on of your Kingdome, and to render your sacred Ma­jesty [Page 7] terrible to the Nations, and glorious at home▪

Are these the fruits we have enjoyed by Parliaments? we cannot then but wonder at that horrid invention in this place projected, Monstrum horrendum, informe, ingens but the Lord be thanked, Cui lumen ademptum est. Can this receive a Palliation? Men, Fathers, and Brethren, and all at one blast; no reverence to sacred Bones of Princes? were we not all in a lump by them intended to be offer­ed up to Moloch.

Let us never forget this days solemnization (But whither?) It is too much boldness to presume longer on your Majesties grace and goodnesse; and therefore for the better expedition of this service; We humbly de­sire;

1. That our selves and servants may obtain freedome from arrests of their persons and goods.

2. That we may have free liberty of speech without confinement, with a full and free debate.

3. That your Majesty will vouchsafe our repaire to your sacred person upon matters of importance, accor­ding to the ancient priviledges of the house.

That with such alacrity we may now proceed to ma­nifest to the world, that our retirements were to rein­force a greater unity and duty, and to endeavor a sweet violence, which may compell (pardon dread Soveraigne the word Compell) your Majesty to the love of Par­liaments.

[Page 8]And thus God will have the honour, your sacred▪ Majesty splendor, the Kingdome safety, and all our votes shall passe, That your sacred Majesty may long, long, long reigne over us; And let all the peo­ple say, Amen. (*⁎*)