HIs HIGHNES took notice, that the Parla­ment then met, was such a Congregation as England never saw, having on their shoul­ders the Interest of the three great Nati­ons; and, which is more, the Interest of all the Christian People in the World.

He promised in what he should say, plainness and truth; taking notice, That after so many changes and turnings as this Nation hath laboured under, to have such day of hope, and such a door of hope opened as this, was some moneths since above all our thoughts.

That it might have been a matter worthy such a Meeting, [...]o have remembred them what occasioned the rise and first be­ginning [Page 2] of all the tossings that have been upon these Nations, and to have give a f [...]r [...]s not [...] of the Providence of God in [...] to these [...] Grounds of the first under-taking to oppose that usurpation and tyrannie which was upon us in our Civils and Spirituals: but some reasons diverted him from that, as first, To have pro­ceeded after that manner, would have taken up the whole day for Gods dispensations have been such, that as [...]avi [...] sayes i [...] another case, If I should sit to coun [...] th [...]m, t [...]ey [...]re more t [...]e [...] can be numbred. 2. Because the recapitulation of his Pro­viden [...]es h [...] been largely and w [...]sely held [...]orth [...]n t [...]e Sermo [...] that [...]ay, [...] an allusion to the [...]te of [...]d di [...]pen [...]tions [...] ward the [...]sraelites (the only parallel t [...] Gods de [...]ings wit [...] us, that he knew in the World) in bringing them out of Egyp [...] through a Wildernesse, towards their place of rest. 3. Because the end of that Mee [...]ing was [...]ealing, and the remembring of former transactio [...]s particu [...]arly, might set [...]he wound fresh a-bleeding; and if this day proves not a day of healing what shall we do? But if it be the mind of God (which alone must make it healing) to put it into their hearts, then i [...] would be such a day, as generations to come would bless the [...] for it.

That it was necessary rather to let them know in what condition these Nations were, when this Government was erected, what were the breaches in our Civils and Spirituals, whe [...] every mans hand (at least his heart) was against another, litt [...] appeared tending to cementing. All Gods dispensations, ne [...] ther his terrible ones when he met us in a way of Judgment a ten years Civill War, and a sharp one, nor his mercifull di [...] pensations did work upon us. That we had our Humours an [...] Interests, and (as he feared) our humours were more the [...] our interests, our passions more then our Judgments. Was n [...] every thing almost grown arbitrary? What face was up [...] [...] Affairs a [...] to the Interest and Authority of the Magistra [...] [...] to the ri [...]hts [...]d [...]ders of men, whereby distinctions ha [...] [...]n ma [...] [...] of a Nobleman, a Gentlem [...] [Page 3] Yeoman; it being a good interest of the Nation, and a great [...]ne? Every mans hand was upon his loins, and said, We see [...]othing that bears sway or rule. And that spirit that brought [...]t under that contempt, though it may be comprehended in a [...]ery short expression of Men of Levelling, Principles, yet the [...]hing had a vast extention, tending to reduce all the orders and [...]anks of men to an equality, to make the Tenant of as liberall fortune as his Landlord.

His Highnesse took notice in the next place, of the prodigi­ [...]us contempt upon God and Christ, and his Ordinances; a spi­ [...]it visibly act [...]ng those things which were foretold by Peter, [...]nd Jude, and Timothy, as the lot and portion of the last [...]imes, and something worse then the Antichristian state; that [...]here should be perilous dayes, and therefore perilous, because [...]hey should break all rules, and labour to root out that remain­ [...]er of the Image of God which was left in the nature of fal­ [...]en man: And this by men that should have a form of godli­ [...]esse, denying, the power of it. And indeed the character [...]hereby that spirit and principle is described, is so legible and [...]isible, that he that runs may read it. And he wished that it [...]ere not to be read, or seen, and that the grace of God might [...]ot be turned into wantonnes, and Christ and the Spirit of God [...]ade a cloak of vile practices.

He observed, That many would not own these things, yet [...]hey could tell you, The Magistrate hath nothing to do with [...]atters of Conscience or Religion, That he is to look to the [...]uter-man, not to meddle with the inner. And such pretensi­ [...]ns (he said) there were of liberty of the Subject and of Con­ [...]cience (two as glorious things, and as much to be contended [...]or, as any gift God hath given us) That both these were [...]rought in to patronize those evils; insomuch that it was af­ [...]rm'd, not to be in the power of the Magistrate so much as to [...]rint Bibles, lest it should seem an imposition on the Consci­ [...]nces of men, to receive them from the Magis [...]rate, as true [...] [...]hese abominations swell'd to that [...] [...]id to the root of the M [...] [...] [...] lonish. [Page 4] And as the extremity was great before, that no man though well approved, and having a good testimony, migh [...] preach, if not ordained; so now on the other hand, they woul [...] have Ordination put a nullity upon the Calling. He took notice of another evill that had more refinednesse in it, more colour for it, and had deceived more people of integrity then t [...] former; for few were catcht with the former mistakes, b [...] such as apostatized from their holy profession, such as hav [...] been corrupted in their Consciences, have been forsaken b [...] God, and left to noysome opinions. But there was anothe [...] thing that deceived many well meaning people, whose hear [...] are sincere, and such as (he was perswaded) belong to Go [...] and that is, the Fift Monarchy mens pretending to more spir [...] tuality then any other. It is a Notion, which (as he hoped we all honor and wait for, That Jesus Christ will have his ti [...] to set up his Reign in our hearts, and to subdue that corrup [...] on and lust which reigns more in the world now then ever, a [...] he hoped in due time it shall be: But for men to entitle the [...] selves to be the onely men to govern Nations, and rule Kin [...] doms, and give Laws to the World, to determine of Prope [...] and Liberty, and every thing else, needs a great manifestation Gods presence, before wise men will submit to it.

Many of those he conceived in his very soul had good me [...] ings, and he hoped this Parlament would (as Jude says, reck [...] ing up the abominable Apostacies of the last times) pluck s [...] out of the fire, and save others with fear, making those peaceable spirits, the subject of their encouragement, and s [...] ing others by that discipline, that God hath ordained to refo [...] miscarriages. The danger of that Spirit being not in the not i [...] but in its proceeding to a civill transgression. When men s [...] come into such a practice, as to tell us, That liberty and Pro [...] ty are not the badges of that Kingdom, and that in stead of [...] gulating Laws, Laws must be subverted, and perhaps the J [...] cial Law imposed, or some fancy in stead of it (for that [...] [...]ood and honorable in the Institution, though now by [...] app [...]d specially when every stone is turned to bri [...] [Page 5] Confusion. This will be a consideration worthy of the Magi­strate.

His Highnesse proceeded to shew, That while these things were in the midst of us, and the Nation rent and torn from one end to the other, Family against Family, Parent against Child, & nothing in the hearts & minds of men, but Overturn, overturn, overturn, a Scripture very much abused, & challenged by all men of discontented spirits. The common Enemy in the mean time sleeps not; swarms of Jesuits coming over, having their Consi­stories abroad, to rule all the Affairs of England, and the De­pendencies thereof. In the mean time visible endeavours are used to hinder the Work in Ireland, to obstruct the Work in Scotland; Correspondencies and Intelligences are held to en­courage and foment the War in these places. And withall we were deeply engaged in a War with Portugal, whereby our Trade ceased, and not only so, but a War with Holland, which consumed our Treasure as much as the Assessment came to. At the same time we fell into a War with France, or rather we were in it, and all this fomented by the divisions amongst us, which begat a confidence we could not hold out long; and the calculation had not been ill, if the Lord had not been gracious to us.

Besides, strangers encreased in the Manufacture, the great staple Commodity of this Nation. In such a heap of confusion was this poor Nation, and that it might not sink into a confu­sion, from these premises a Remedy must be applyed.

A Remedy hath been applyed; This Government, a thing that is seen and read of all, and which, let men say what they will (he could speak with comfort before a Greater then they all, as to his own intention, and let men judge out of the thing it self) is calculated for the Interest of the People; for their Interest alone, and for their good, without respect had to any other Interest.

He added, That he might with humblenesse towards G [...] and modestie before them, say something in the [...] of it.

It hath endeavoured to Reform the Laws, and for that end hath joyned persons (without reflection upon any) of as great ability and integrity as any other, to consider how the Laws might be made plain, short, and easie, which may in due time be tendered.

It hath taken care to put into seats of Justice, men of the most known Integrity and Ability.

The Chancery hath been reformed, and (he hoped) to the just satisfaction of all good men.

It hath put a stop to that heady way, for every man that will, to make himself a Preacher, having endeavoured to settle a way for approbation of men of Piety and fitnesse for the Work, and the businesse committed to trusty persons both of the Presbyterian and Independent judgement, men of as known ability and integrity, as (he supposeth) any the Nation hath, and who (he believes) have laboured to approve themselves to God and their own Consciences, in approving men to that great Function.

It hath taken care to expunge men unfit for that work, who have been the common scorn and reproach of that administration.

One thing more, It hath been Instrumentall to call a free Parliament; blessed be God we see here this day a free Parlia­ment, and that it may continue so, he hopes is in the heart of every good man of England; and he added, That for his own part, as he had desired it above his life, so to keep it free, he should value it above his life.

Having thus instanced in the Wars wherein we were plun­ged, and the little assurance from Neighbours abroad, he pro­ceeded to shew that a Peace is made with Sweden (wherein an honourable person was instrumentall) it being of much importance to have a good understanding with our Protestan [...] Neighbours; A Peace is also made with the Dane; and a Peac [...] there that is honourable, and to the satisfaction of the Merchants. The Sound is open to us, from whence as fro [...] Fountain, our Navall provisions are supplyed. That a Peace [Page 7] made with the Dutch (which is so with known in the conse­quences of it.) He set forth the advantage of a good under­standing with Protestant States. And he begged that it might be in the Parliaments hearts to be [...]ealous of the Protestant [...]nterest abroad, which if ever it be h [...] to come under a con­ [...]tion of suffering, it is now, many of them being banished [...]d driven to seek refuge among strangers. That a Peace is made with Portugal (though it [...]ng long of great come [...] ­ment to Trade; and the people that Trade [...]hi [...]he I, [...]ve f [...]ee­dom to enjoy their consciences without being subject to the bloudy Inquisition. That a Treaty with [...]e [...]ce i [...] no [...] depending.

His Highness added, That it might be necessary for them to hear a little of the Sea-Affairs, and here took notice of the great expence of the Forces and Fleet; and yet 30000 l. is [...]ow abated of the next three months Assessment.

And so drawing towards a conclusion, he observed, That [...]he things before mentioned are but entrances and doors of [...]ope; That they are brought to the edge of Canaan (into [...]hich many that have gone before could not enter.) That if [...]he blessing and presence of God go along with them in ma­ [...]agement of their Affairs, he makes no question but he will [...]nable them to lay the top-stone of this work.

But this is a maxime not to be despised; Though Peace be [...]ade, yet it is Interest that keeps Peace; and further then that, [...]eace is not to be trusted.

He shewed the great end of the calling this Parliament [...]as, That the Work of God may go on. That the Ship [...]f this Commonwealth may be brought into a safe Har­ [...]our.

He remembred them that they have a great work upon [...]em; Ireland to look to; that the beginnings of that Go­ [...]rnment may be setled in terms of Honour, That they had [...]fore them the consideration of those Forreign States which yet Peace is not made with, who if they shall see we man­ [...]ge not our Affairs with prudence as becomes men, will re­tain [Page 8] hopes that we may sink under the disadvantages thereof and break into confusion.

He perswaded them to have a sweet and gracious, and [...] ly understanding one of another, and put them in minde [...] the councell heard that day in order thereunto.

And desired them for a Conclusion, to believe that spake not to them as one that would be a Lord over the [...] but as one that was resolved to be a fellow-servant w [...] them to the Interest of this great Affair; and so wished the [...] to repair to their House, and exercise their own Liberty the choice of their Speaker.