Saturday 12 of April.
MR. Secretary Cook delivered another Message from the King, (viz.) His Majesty * 1.1 having given timely notice to this House, as well of the pressure of the time, as of the necessity of Supply, hath long since expected some fruit of that which was so happily begun; but finding a stop beyond all expectation after so good begin∣ning, he hath commanded me to tell you, That without any further or unnecessary delay, he would have you to proceed in this business; for however he hath been willing and consenting, his affairs and ours should concur and proceed to∣gether; yet his meaning was not, that the one should give interruption to the other, nor the time to be spun out upon any pretence, upon which the comm•••• cause of Christendom doth so much depend: he bids us therefore take heed, that we force not him to make an unpleasing end of that which was so well begun.
I will discharge my duty, I shall humbly desire this Honourable House not to undervalue or overstrain this Message; if we conceive any thing in it to tend, as if his Majesty threatened to dissolve this Parliament, we are deceived; his Majesty intends the contrary, and to put us in such a way, that our business may have speedy success. His Majesty takes notice of a peremp∣tory order, whereby he conceived, that his busi∣ness was excluded, at least for a time, that which doth most press his Majesty is Time, believe that the affairs now in hand press his Majesties heart more than us. Let us remove delays that are more than necessary, let us awaken our selves, he intends a speedy dispatch. I must with some grief tell you, that notice is taken, as if this House pressed not upon the abuses of Power, but only upon Power it self; this toucheth the King and us, who are supported by that Power: Let the King hear of any abuses of Power, he will willingly hear us, and let us not bend our selves against the extension of his Royal Power, but