XXII. To the Lords and Commons, at the Opening of His Fifth Parliament, at WESTMINSTER, November 3. MDCXL.
MY Lords, The knowledge that I had of the Designs of My Scotish Subjects was the cause of My calling the last Assembly of Parliament; wherein had I been be∣lieved, I sincerely think that things had not fallen out as now we see. But it is no won∣der that men are so slow to believe that so great a Sedition should be raised on so little ground.
But now, My Lords and Gentlemen, the Honour and Safety of this Kingdom lying so nearly at stake, I am resolved to put My self freely and clearly on the love and affections of My English Subjects, as those of My Lords that did wait on Me at York very well re∣member I there declared. Therefore, My Lords, I shall not mention Mine own Interest, or that Support I might justly expect from you, till the Common Safety be secured: Though I must tell you, I am not ashamed to say, those charges I have been at have been meerly for the securing and good of this Kingdom, though the success hath not been an∣swerable to My desires.
Therefore I shall only desire you to consider the best way both for the safety and secu∣rity of this Kingdom; wherein are two things chiefly considerable: First, the chasing out of the Rebels; and secondly, that other in satisfying your just Grievances; wherein I shall promise you to concur so heartily and clearly with you, that all the world may see, My intentions have ever been, and shall be, to make this a glorious and flourishing Kingdom.
There are only Two things more that I shall mention to you.
The one is, to tell you, that the lone of Money which I lately had from the City of London, wherein the Lords that waited on Me at York assisted Me, will only maintain My Army for two months, from the beginning of that time it was granted. Now, My Lords and Gentlemen, I leave it to your considerations, what dishonour and mischief it might be, in case for want of Money My Army be disbanded before the Rebels be put out of this Kingdom.
Secondly, the securing the Calamities the Northern People endure at this time, and so long as the Treaty is on foot: And in this I may say, not only they, but all this Kingdom will suffer the harm. Therefore I leave this also to your Consideration.
For the ordering of these Great Affairs whereof you are to treat at this time, I am so confident of your love to Me, and that your care is such for the Honour and Safety of the Kingdom, that I shall freely and willingly leave to you where to begin: Only this, that you may the better know the state of all the Affairs, I have commanded My Lord Keeper to give you a short and free account of those things that have happened in this in∣terim; with this Protestation, that if his account be not satisfactory as it ought to be, I shall, whensoever you desire it, give you a full and perfect account of every particular.
One thing more I desire of you, as one of the greatest means to make this an happy Parliament, That you on your parts, as I on Mine, lay aside all suspicion one of ano∣ther. As I promised My Lords at York, it shall not be My fault, if this be not a happy and good Parliament.