Mr. Speakers Speech to the King on Easter Monday.
Most Gracious and Dread Sovereign,
YOur dutiful and loyal Commons here assem∣bled, * 1.1 were lately humble Suitors to your Majesty for access to your Royal presence; the occasion that moved their desires herein, was a particular of importance, worthy your Princely consideration; which as it well deserves, should have been the only Subject of my Speech at this time.
But since your gracious Answer for this access, obtained by a Message from your Majesty, they they have had some cause to doubt, that your Majesty is not so well satisfied with the manner of their proceedings, as their hearty desire is you should be, especially in that part which concerns your Majesties present Supply, as if in the pro∣secution thereof, they had of late used some slack∣ness or delay.
And because no unhappiness of theirs can pa∣rallel with that which may proceed from a mis∣understanding in your Majesty of their clear and loyal intentions, they have commanded me to at∣tend your Majesty with an humble and summa∣ry Declaration of their proceedings since this short time of their sitting, which they hope will give your Majesty abundant satisfaction, that never people did more truly desire to be endear∣ed in the favour and gracious opinion of their Sovereign; and withal to let you see, that as you can have no where more faithful Counsel, so your great designs and occasions can no way be so spec∣dily or heartily supported, as in this old and an∣tient way of Parliament.
For this purpose they humbly beseech your Majesty to take into your Royal consideration, that although by antient Right of Parliament, the matters there debated are to be disposed in their true method and order, and that their con∣stant custom hath been to take into their consi∣derations the common Grievances of the King∣dom, before they enter upon the matter of Sup∣ply; yet to make a full expression of that zeal and affection which they bear to your Royal Ma∣jesty, equalling at least, if not exceeding the best affections of their Predecessors, to the best of your Progenitórs; they have in this Assem∣bly, contrary to the ordinary proceedings of Parliament, given your Majesties Supply prece∣dence before the common Grievance of the Sub∣ject, how pressing so ever, joyning with it only those fundamental and vital Liberties of the Kingdom, which give subsistence and ability to your Subjects.
This was their original order and resolution, and was grounded upon a true discerning, that these two considerations could not be severed, but did both of them entirely concern your Ma∣jesties Service, consisting no less in enabling and encouraging the Subject, than in proportioning a Present suiting to your Majesties occasions and their abilities; nay, so far have they been from using any unnecessary delays, as though, of the two, that of Supply were the later proposition amongst them, the Grand Committee to which both were referred, hath made that of your Ma∣jesties Supply first ready for conclusion.