The third Session.
On February 18, 1662-3. the Parliament met after a Recess of nine Months; upon which occasion his Majesty
made the ensuing Speech to both Houses, from the Throne.
The King's Speech to both Houses.
'My Lords and Gentlemen,
'I Am very glad to meet you here again, having thought
the time long since we parted, and have often wish'd
you had been together to help me in some Occasions
which have fallen out: I need not repeat them to you,
you have all had the noise of them in your several Counties; and, God be thanked, they were but noise without
any worse Effects. To cure the Distempers, and compose the differing Minds among us, I set forth my Declaration of the 26th of December, in which you may see
I am willing to set bounds to the Hopes of some, and
to the Fears of others; of which when you shall have
examin'd well the grounds, I doubt not but I shall have
your concurrence therein. The truth is, I am in my
nature an Enemy to all Severity for Religion and
Conscience, how mistaken soever it be, when it extends
to capital and sanguinary Punishments, which I am told
were begun in Popish Times: Therefore when I say this,
I hope, I shall not need to warn any here not to infer
from thence, I mean to favour Popery. I must confess to
you, There are many of that Profession, who, having
serv'd my Father and my self very well, may fairly hope
for some part of that Indulgence I would willingly afford
to others who dissent from us: But let me explain my
self, lest some mistake me herein, as I hear they did in
my Declaration: I am far from meaning by this a Toleration, or qualifying them thereby to hold any Offices or
Places in the Government; may further, I desire some
Laws may be made to hinder the Growth and Progress
of their Doctrines. I hope you have all so good an opinion of my Zeal for the Protestant Religion, as I need
not tell you I will not yield to any therein, not to the
Bishops themselves, nor in my liking the Uniformity of
it, as it is now established; which, being the Standard of
our Religion, must be kept pure and uncorrupted, free
from all other Mixtures: And yet if the Diffenters will
demean themselves peaceably and modestly under the Government, I could heartily wish I had such a power of
Indulgence, to use upon occasions, as might not needlesly
force them out of the Kingdom, or staying here, give
them cause to conspire against the Peace of it. My Lords
and Gentlemen, it would look like Flattery in me to tell
you to what degree I am confident of your Wisdom and
Affection in all things that relate to the Greatness and
Prosperity of the Kingdom. If you consider well what is
best for us all, I dare say we shall not disagree. I have
no more to say to you at present, but once again to bid
you heartily welcome.'
The Commons Address in relation to the Indulgence.
After this the Commons being withdrawn, appointed the
25th for taking into consideration, both his Majesty's Speech
and the Declaration mentioned therein: At which time
they unanimously resolved, That the Thanks of the House
should be return'd to the King's Majesty for all that was
contain'd in the Declaration, except what related to the
Indulgence; with regard to which, they appointed a Committee (who chose Sir (fn. *) Heneage Finch the King's Solicitor, for their Chairman) to draw up an Address, that, after several Amendments and Additions, was presented to his
Majesty, by the Speaker on the 27th; and, after the particular Thanks for the several Parts of the Declaration, proceeded thus: 'It is with extreme Unwillingness and Reluctancy of Heart, that we are brought to differ from any
thing which your Majesty has thought fit to propose: And
tho' we do no way doubt, but that the unreasonable Distempers of Mens Spirits, and the many Mutinies and Conspiracies which were carried on, during the late Intervals
of Parliament, did reasonably incline your Majesty to endeavour by your Declaration to give some allay to those
ill Humours, till the Parliament assembled; and the Hopes
of Indulgence, if the Parliament should consent to it; espe
cially seeing the Pretenders to this Indulgence did seem to
make some Titles to it, by virtue of your Majesty's Declaration from Breda: Nevertheless, we your Majesty's
most dutiful and loyal Subjects, who are now return'd to
serve in Parliament, from those several Parts and Places of
your Kingdom, for which we were chosen, do humbly
offer to your Majesty's great Wisdom, That it is in no fort
adviseable that there be any Indulgence to such Persons,
who presume to dissent from the Act of Uniformity, and
the Religion established. For these Reasons, we have considered the Nature of your Majesty's Declaration from
Breda, and are humbly of opinion, That your Majesty ought
not to be press'd with it any further; 1. Because it is not
a Promise in it self, but only a gracious Declaration of
your Majesty's Intentions, to do what in you lay, and
what a Parliament should advise your Majesty to do; and
no such Advice was ever given, or thought fit to be
offered; nor could it be otherwise understood, because
there were Laws of Uniformity then in being, which
could not be dispens'd with, but by Act of Parliament.
2. They who do pretend a Right to that supposed Promise, put the Right into the hands of their Representatives, whom they chose to serve for them in this Parliament, who have pass'd, and your Majesty consented to,
the Act of Uniformity: If any shall presume to say, That
a Right to the Benefit of this Declaration doth still remain after this Act passed; 3. It tends to dissolve the
very Bonds of Government, and to suppose a Disability in your Majesty and the Houses of Parliament, to
make a Law contrary to any Part of your Majesty's Declaration, tho' both Houses should advise your Majesty
to it.
We have also consider'd the Nature of the Indulgence
propos'd, with reference to those Consequences which must
necessarily attend it. 1. It will establish Schism by a Law,
and make the whole Government of the Church precarious,
and the Censures of it of no Moment or Consideration at
all. 2. It will no way become the Gravity or Wisdom of
a Parliament, to pass a Law at one Session for Uniformity,
and at the next Session (the Reasons of Uniformity continuing still the same) to pass another Law to frustrate or
weaken the Execution of it. 3. It will expose your Majesty to the restless Importunity of every Sect or Opinion,
and of every single Person also, who shall presume to dissent
from the Church of England. 4. It will be a cause of increasing Sects and Sectaries, whose Numbers will weaken
the true Protestant Profession so far, that it will at least be
difficult for it to defend it self against them: And which
is yet further considerable, those Numbers, which by being
troublesome to the Government, find they can arrive to an
Indulgence, will, as their Numbers increase, be yet more
troublesome, that so at length they may arrive to general
Toleration, which your Majesty hath declared against; and
in time, some prevalent Sect will at last contend for an
Establishment; which, for ought can be foreseen, may end
in Popery. 5. It is a thing altogether without Precedent,
and it will take away all means of convicting Recusants,
and be inconsistent with the Method and Proceedings of the
Laws of England. Lastly, It is humbly conceiv'd, that
the Indulgence propos'd will be so far from tending to the
Peace of the Kingdom, that it is rather likely to occasion
great Disturbance. And on the contrary, That the asserting
of the Laws, and the Religion established, according to the
Act of Uniformity, is the most probable means to produce a
settled Peace and Obedience throughout your Kingdom:
Because the Variety of Professions in Religion, when openly indulg'd, doth directly distinguish Men into Parties,
and withal gives them opportunity to count their Numbers;
which, considering the Animosities that out of a religious
Pride will be kept on foot by the several Factions, doth
tend directly and inevitably to open Disturbance. Nor
can your Majesty have any Security, that the Doctrine or
Worship of the several Factions, which are all govern'd
by a several Rule, shall be consistent with the Peace of
your Kingdom And if any Persons shall presume to disturb
the Peace of the Kingdom, we do in all humility declare,
That we will for ever, and on all occasions, be ready with our
utmost Endeavours and Assistance to adhere to, and serve your
Majesty, according to our bounden Duty and Allegiance.'
The King's Answer. ; And Message.
To this Address, his Majesty gave this gracious Answer:
That he gave them hearty Thanks for their many Thanks;
that never any King was so happy in a House of Commons, as he in this; that the Paper and Reasons were
long, and therefore he would take time to consider of them,
and send them a Message; that they could never differ
but in Judgment, and that must be when he did not rightly express himself, or they did not rightly understand
him; but their Interest was so far linked together, that
they could never disagree.' According to this Promise, a
little above a Fortnight after, on the 16th of March, he sent
this Message to the House of Commons: 'That he was unwilling to enlarge upon the Address lately made to him
by his House of Commons, or to reply to the Reasons,
tho he found what he said not much understood; but he
renew'd his hearty Thanks to them, for their Expressions
of so great Duty and Affection, and for their free Declaration, That if any Person shall presume to disturb
the Peace of the Kingdom, they will for ever, and upon
all occasions, be ready with their utmost Endeavours and
Assistance, to adhere to, and serve his Majesty; and did
very heartily desire them so to enable him, and to put the
Kingdom into such a posture of Defence, as that if any
Disturbance or seditions Designs arose, they might be easily suppress'd.' To all which the House of Commons
returned their particular Thanks and Promises.
Lords and Commons petition against Papists.
The House having thus manifested their Zeal against
Dissenters, proceeded next, in conjunction with the Lords,
to draw up an humble Representation to the King, concerncerning Romish Priests and Jesuits; which was as follows:
'The humble Representation and Petition of the Lords and
Commons, sheweth, That notwithstanding your Majesty's
unquestionable Affection and Zeal for the true Protestant
Religion, manifested in your constant Profession and Practice, against all Temptations whatsoever; yet, by the great
Resort of Jesuits and Romish Priests into this Kingdom,
your good Subjects are generally much affected with Jealousy and Apprehension, That the Popish Religion may
much increase in this Kingdom, which your Majesty hath
most piously desired may be prevented; and so the Peace
both in Church and State may be insensibly disturb'd, to
the great danger of both. Your two Houses of Parliament are therefore humble Suitors to your Majesty, to issue
out your Proclamation to command all Jesuits, and all
English, Irish and Scottish Popish Priests, and all such other Priests as have taken Orders from the See of Rome,
or by Authority thereof, (except such Foreign Jesuits or
Priests, as by Contract of Marriage are to attend the Persons of either of the Queens, or by the Law of Nations to
attend Foreign Ambassadors) to depart this Kingdom by a
Day, under pain of having the Penalties of the Law inslicted upon them.'
The King's Reply to it.
This Representation having been read to his Majesty,
he immediately made the following Speech to both Houses:
My Lords, and Gentlemen, You do not expect that I
should give you an Answer presently to your Petition, yet
I tell you, that I will speedily send you an Answer, which
I am confident will be to your satisfaction. It may be
the general Jealousy of the Nation hath made this Address necessary; and indeed I believe nothing hath more
contributed to that Jealousy than my own Confidence, That it was impossible there should be any such
Jealousy, and the Effects of that Confidence: But I shall
give you Satisfaction, and then I am sure you will easily
satisfy and compose the Minds of the Nation. I confess,
my Lords and Gentlemen, I have heard of one Jealousy,
which I will never forgive the Authors of, That I had
a Jealousy of your Affections, that I was offended with
the Parliament to that degree that I intended to dissolve it.
They say Men are naturally most angry with those Reports which reflect upon their Understanding, which make
them thought weak Men: Truly, I should appear a very
weak Man, if I should have any such Passion, any such
Purpose. No, my Lords, and Gentlemen, I will not part
with you upon those terms! Never King was so much beholden to a Parliament as I am to you, and if my Kindness
to you and my Confidence in you be not proportionable, I
am behind-hand with you; which, God-willing, I will
not be.
'Mr. Speaker, and you Gentlemen of the House of
Commons, I am willing to take this occasion to give you
my particular Thanks for your great Kindness in taking
hold upon an easy Intimation, rather than an Invitation
from me to enter upon the Consideration of my Revenue:
It was kindly done, and I shall never forget it. I have
given order, that you may be fully inform'd of the true
State of it, and then I know you will do that which is
good for me, and you: And I pray pursue your good
Resolution, in putting the Kingdom into such a posture,
that we may prevent, at least not fear, any desperate Insurrection.
A second Answer.
The King, according to his Promise, the very next day
sent an Answer to the Petition in Writing to the House of
Lords, which, in a Conference between both Houses, was
likewise deliver'd to the Commons, and was as follows:
His Majesty, having seriously consider'd and weigh'd the
humble Representation and Petition of his Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, and the great Affection
and Duty with which the same was presented to him;
and after having made some Reflections on himself and
his own Actions, is not a little troubled, that his Lenity
and Condescensions towards many of the Popish Persuasion (which were but natural Effects of his Generosity and
Good nature, after having lived so many Years in the
Dominions of Roman-Catholic Princes; and out of a
just Memory of what many of them had done and suffered in the Service of his Royal Father of blessed Memory,
and of some eminent Services perform'd by others of
them, towards his Majesty himself in the time of his
greatest Affiction) have been made so ill use of, and so
ill deserv'd, that the Resort of Jesuits and Priests into this
Kingdom hath been thereby increas'd; with which his
Majesty is, and hath long been highly offended. And
therefore his Majesty readily concurs with the Advice of
his two Houses of Parliament, and hath given order for
the preparing and issuing out such a Proclamation as is
desired, with the same Clause referring to the Treaty of
Marriage, as was in the Proclamation; which, upon the
like Occasion, was issu'd out upon the Advice of both Houses
of Parliament in the Year 1640. And his Majesty will
take farther care, that the same shall be effectual, at least
to a greater degree than any Proclamation of this kind
hath ever been. And his Majesty farther declares, and
assures both his Houses of Parliament, and all his loving
Subjects of all his Dominions, that as his Affection and
Zeal for the Protestant Religion and the Church of England' hath not been conceal'd, or untaken notice of in
the World: so he is not, nor ever will be so solicitous for
the settling his own Revenue, or providing any other
Expedients for the Peace and Tranquillity of the Kingdom, as for the Advancement and Improvement of the
Religion establish'd, and for the using and applying all
proper and effectual Remedies to hinder the growth of
Popery; both which he doth in truth look upon as the
best Expedient to establish the Peace and Prosperity of all
his Kingdoms.'
The King's Revenue taken into Consideration.
The House proceeded next, to take the State of the Revenue into Consideration; and found upon Enquiry, according to the Account made by (fn. *) Sir Philip Warwick,
That the Whole did not amount to quite 1,100,000 l. But
while they were thus employ'd, his Majesty, by a Message,
demanded their Attendance at Whitehall, where he received them with the following Speech:
The King's Speech to the Commons alone.
'Mr. Speaker, and you Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
I Have sent for you this Day to communicate with you,
as good Friends ought to do, when they discover the
least Jealousy growing, which may lessen their Confidence
in each other. It is a Freedom very necessary to be used
between me and you: And you may all remember, That
when there was lately a little Jealousy amongst you, upon
somewhat I had said or done, I made all the haste I could
to give you Satisfaction; for which you all return'd me
your hearty Thanks; and were, I think, satisfy'd. Gentlemen, it is in no Man's power, no not in your own power,
to make me suspect, or in the least degree imagine it
possible, That your Affections and Kindness is lessen'd
or diminish'd towards me. I know very well, That the
People did never in any Age use that Vigilance and
Circumspection in the Election of Persons of known and
try'd Affections to the Crown, of your good Principles,
and unquestionable Inclinations to the Peace of the
Church and the State, for their Representatives in Parliament, as they did when they chose you. You are the
very same Men, who at your first coming together, gave
such signal Testimonies of your Affection and Friendship
to my Person, of your Zeal for the Honour and Dignity
of the Crown, and liberal Support of the Government,
and of your Horror and Detestation of those Men, whose
Principles you discern'd keep them awake to take all Occasions to disturb the Peace of the Kingdom, and to embroil us in a new Civil War; which is as much their Endeavour now as ever, and it may be not enough abhorr'd
by others, whose Principles and Ends are very different
from them. You are the same Men, who, at your first
Meeting, by a wonderful and chearful Harmony and
Concurrence in whatsoever I could wish, gave me Reputation abroad and Security at home, made our Neighbours solicitous for our Friendship, and set a just Value
upon it. And, trust me, such a Reputation is of such a
vast Importance, as made my evil Subjects even despair
of bringing their wicked Purposes to pass. And is it
possible that the same Persons can continue the same
together, without the same Affection for Me? I am sure
it is impossible!
'And yet, I must tell you, the Reputation I had from
your Concurrence and Tenderness towards me is not at
all improv'd since the Beginning of this Session: Indeed
it is much lessen'd. And I am sure I never stood in
more need of that Reputation than at present, to carry
me through the many Difficulties, in which the Public
is at least concern'd, as much as myself. Let Me and
You think never so well of ourselves, if all the World
knows or believes that we are poor, that we are in Extremity of Want, if our Friends think we can do them no
Good, or our Enemies believe we can do them no harm,
our Condition is far from being prosperous.' You cannot
take it amiss (you shall use as much Freedom with me)
That I tell you there hath not appeared that Warmth
in you of late in the Consideration of my Revenue,
as I expected, as well from some of your Messages, as
my own Confidence in your Care and Kindness. It hath
been said to myself, That it is usual for the Parliament
to give the Crown extraordinary Supplies upon emergent
Occasions, but not to improve the constant Revenue of
the Crown. I wish, and so do you, that nothing had
lately been done in and by Parliaments but what is usual:
But if ill Parliaments contrive the Ruin and Disinherison
of the Crown, God forbid but good Parliaments should
repair it, how unusual soever it is. If you yourselves
had not in an extraordinary Manner improv'd my Revenne, the Government could not have been supported;
and if it be not yet improv'd to the Proportion you have
design'd, I cannot doubt but you will proceed in it with
your old Alacrity. I am very well contented that you
proceed in your Inspection; I know it will be to my Advantage, and that you will neither find my Receipts so
great, nor my Expences so exorbitant, as you imagine:
And for an Evidence of the last, I will give you an
Account of the Issues of the twelve hundred thousand
Pounds you so liberally gave me; one Penny whereof
was not disposed but upon full Deliberation with myself,
and by my own Order, and I think you will all say for
the public Service. But, Gentlemen, this Inquisition
cannot be finish'd in the short Time we can now conveniently stay together: And yet if you do not provide before we part, for the better Paying and Collecting
what you have already given me, you can hardly presume what it will amount to: and if you do not support
what you have already given me by some Addition, you
will quickly see lawful Ways found to lessen the Revenue
more than you imagine: And therefore I cannot but
expect your Wisdoms will seasonably and speedily provide a Remedy for that growing Mischief. Believe me,
Gentlemen, the most disaffected Subjects in England are
not more unwilling to pay any Tax or Imposition you
lay upon them, than I am to receive it: God knows I
do not long more for any Blessing in this World, than
that I may live to call a Parliament, and not ask or receive any Money from them; I will do all I can to see
that happy Day. I know the vast Burdens the Kingdom
hath borne these last twenty Years and more; that it is exceedingly impoverish'd: But, alas! What will that which
is left do them good, if the Government cannot be supported; if I am not able to defray the Charge that is
necessary for their Peace and Security? I must deal
plainly with you (and I do but discharge my Conscience
in that Plainness) if you do not, besides the improving
my Revenue in the Manner I have recommended to you,
give me some present Supply of Money to enable me to
struggle with those Difficulties I am press'd with, I shall
have a very melancholic Summer, and shall much apprehend the public Quiet.
'You have heard, I presume, of the late Design in Ireland for the Surprize of the Castle of Dublin, which was
spread all over that Kingdom, and many Parliament-Men
were engag'd in it. There is an absolute Necessity that
I forthwith send over a Sum of Money thither, for the
Payment of the Army, and putting the Gartisons there
in good order. You will not doubt but that those seditious Persons there, had a Correspondence with their
Friends here: And I pray let us not be too careless of them.
I assure you, I have so great Occasion for Money here,
which my Revenue cannot supply me with, that I every
day omit the doing somewhat that is very necessary for
the public Benefit. These sure are just Motives to persuade you to give me a Supply, as ever mov'd a House
of Commons. And therefore I conjure you to go chearfully about it, and let me not be disappointed in my Confidence of your Affections: And I pray remember the
Season of the Year; and how necessary it is that we make
a Recess at or about Midsummer. I have enlarg'd much
more to you upon this Occasion than I have used to do;
and you may perceive it hath not been very easy to me:
But I was willing that you should understand from myself
what I desire, and expect from you: and the rather, because I hear some Men have confidently undertaken to
know my Mind, who have had no Authority from me,
and to drive on Designs very contrary to my Desires. I
do pray heartily that the Effect of this Day's Conversation may be the renewing of our Confidence in each other,
and raising our joint Reputation, which will be our
strongest Security, with God's Blessing, the Kingdom can
have for its Peace, Plenty and full Prosperity: And upon
my Word, you shall have great Comfort in what you
shall do for me, upon this very earnest and hearty Recommendation.'
Four Subsidies voted. ; The Speaker's Speech to the King at the Prorogation.
This Speech did not fail of its desir'd Effect: The House
gave way to the King's Rhetoric, and soon after, voted
him four Subsidies. The Business of the Session being now
over, his Majesty repair'd to the House of Peers, and the
Speaker having presented the Bills which were ready for
the royal Assent, accompanied them with the following
Speech: 'The Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the
Commons House of Parliament, have, since their last Meeting, in many weighty and arduous Affairs presented your
Majesty with their humble Advice; which with all Thankfulness they acknowledge, never wanted a most gracious
Reception. Never any Prince did so freely commune with his
People, and never any People did with more Joy and Duty
commemorate their Happiness. The last Session of Parliament our Care was chiefly to secure the Being of this Nation
under our ancient, happy, monarchical Government: This
Session we have endeavour'd to advance the Peace and Wellbeing both of Church and State. Material Structures are
best secured by deep Foundations in the Earth; but the
Foundations of true Happiness are from above: We have
therefore in the first Place perused the Laws, which enjoin
the Observation of the Lord's-Day, and where we found
any Defect either in the Rules or Penalties, we have with
great Care supply'd them; well knowing, That he who
doth not remember on the first Day of the Week to observe
a Christian Sabbath, will hazard, before the Week comes
round, to forget he is a Christian.—At the Opening of
this Session, your Majesty was most graciously pleased to
call upon us to prepare some Laws for the Prevention of
the Growth of Popery; and we have heartily labour'd
therein, both to prevent the Growth of Popery, and all
forts of Sectaries and Nonconformists: But as the rankest
Corn, and the fullest Ears are aptest to be laid; so fares
it in this matter, these Fruits are not yet ready for the
Harvest. But we are confident, by the Wisdom of your
Majesty's Government, and the Readiness of your faithful Subjects to support it, by the just and true Execution
of the Laws, these Persons will either be persuaded to
Conformity, or forc'd into a peaceable and orderly Conversation.' Then, in the Name of the Commons of England, praying for one Proclamation against Papists, Sectaries, and Nonconformists; and another against Profaneness,
Debauchery, and Licentiousness, he proceeded thus: 'And
for the better securing the Peace of the Nation against the
united Counsels of all the Dissenters to our Religion, and
establish'd Discipline, we have prepared an additional Bill
for the ordering the Forces of the Kingdom; whereby
your Majesty's Lieutenants, and the Deputy-Lieutenants,
will be enabled to train, discipline, and keep together such
a Party as will be able to prevent Disorders, and sufficient
to check any Insurrections, till the great Body of the Militia can come in to their Assistance. During the late unhappy Wars in this Nation, our Neighbours Eyes were open
to spy out all Advantages of spoiling our Trade, and to advance their own; but by the several good Bills here made
ready for your Majesty's royal Assent, we hope we shall
restore and encrease the flourishing Trade of this Nation.
Great Sir, I have but one Word more, and that is by
Command from your Majesty's loyal and dutiful Subjects,
the Commons of England: They have duly consider'd the
present unsettled Condition of this Nation, and the great
Expence which must attend such Distractions: and do
humbly beseech your Majesty to accept an Aid from them,
consisting of four entire Subsidies; two of which are to
be paid by the first of November next, and the other two
by the first of May next following.
Upon the finishing of this, and passing some Bills, of
which several were not expresly mentioned by the Speaker,
the King made the following Speech to both Houses:
The King's Speech to both Houses.
'My Lords and Gentlemen,
I Thank you for the Present you have made me this
Day; I hope your Countries will thank you when you
come home for having done it. I am not conscious of
having brought the Streights and Necessities I am in upon
myself, by any Improvidence or Ill-husbandry of my own:
I know the contrary, and I assure you, I would not have
desir'd, or receiv'd the Supply you have given me, if it
were not absolutely necessary for the Peace and Quiet of
the Kingdom, as well as mine: And I must tell you, it
will do me very little Good, if I do not improve it by
very good Husbandry of my own; and by retrenching
those very Expences, (which in many respects may be
thought necessary enough.) But you shall see I will much
rather impose upon myself, than you my Subjects; and if
all Men will follow my Example in retrenching their Expences, (which it may be they may do with much more
Conveniency than I can do mine) the Kingdom will
in a very short time gain what you have given me
this Day. I am very glad you are now going into your
several Countries, where your Presence will do much
Good: And I hope your Vigilance and Authority will
prevent those Disturbances, which the restless Spirits of
ill and unquiet Men will be always contriving, and of
which I assure you they promise themselves some Effects
this Summer. There have been more Pains and unusual
Ways taken to kindle the old fatal Fears and Jealousies,
than I thought I should ever have liv'd to have seen, at least
to have seen so countenanc'd. I do desire you, and conjure you, my Lords and Gentlemen, to watch this evil
Spirit and Temper with your utmost Care and Prudence,
and secure the Persons of those whom you find possess'd
with it, That the Peace of the Kingdom may not be sacrific'd to their Pride, Humour and Madness.
'I did expect to have had some Bills presented unto me
against the several Distempers in Religion, against seditious Conventicles, and against the Growth of Popery: But
it may be you have been in some fear of those Contradictions in Religion in some Conspiracy against the public
Peace, to which I doubt Men of the most contrary Motives in Conscience are inclinable enough. I do promise you to lay this Business, and the Mischiefs which
must flow from these Licences, to heart; and if I live
to meet with you again, as I hope I shall, I will myself
take care to present two Bills to you to that end. And as
I have already given it in charge to the Judges, in their
several Circuits, to use their utmost endeavours to prevent
and punish the scandalous and seditious Meetings of Sectaries, and to convict the Papists; so I will be as watchful,
and take all the pains I can, that neither the one nor the
other shall disturb the Peace of the Kingdom. I shall not
need to desire you to use all diligence in levying and collecting the Subsidies you have given me, and heartily wish
the distribution may be made with all Equality and Justice,
and without any Animosity or Faction, or remembring any
thing that hath been done in the late ill Times; which you
know we are all oblig'd to forget, as well as to forgive.
And indeed till we have dene so, we can never be in perfect Peace; and therefore I can never put you too much
in mind of it. I think it necessary to make this a Session,
that so the Current of Justice may run the next two Terms,
without any obstruction by privilege of Parliament: And
therefore I shall prorogue you till March, when I doubt
not but by God's Blessing we shall meet again, to our joint
Satisfaction; and that you shall have cause to thank me
for what I shall have done in the Interval.'