that I know that they are many there as butiful Subjects as any in the World, it be∣ing but some few Vipers among them that did cast this mist of undutifulness over most of their eyes: Yet to say truth, there was a good number there, that could not be infected with this Contagion; insomuch that some did express their duties in speaking, which was the general fault of the House the last day. To conclude, as those Vipers must look for their reward of punishment, so you, my Lords, must justly expect from me that favour and protection, that a good King oweth to his loving and faithful Nobility.
And now, my Lord Keeper, do what I have commanded you.
Then the Lord Keeper said, My Lords, and Gentlemen of the House of Commons, the Kings Ma∣jesty doth Dissolve this Parliament.
Immediately after the Dissolution of this Par∣liament, his Majesty, to prevent all evil Reports which the discontented Party every where with great industry cast abroad against his Majesties proceeding, issued out his Proclamation, giving his good People to understand the Motives and Reasons that induced his Majesty to it: It follow∣eth in its due order.
And so prevalent was the interest of our De∣magogues, especially in the City of London, that two most eminent Privy Counsellers, the Bishop of London, and the Lord Treasurer Weston, were publickly libelled in the City, and the Libels thrown into the Dean of St. Pauls his Court-yard in London.
His Majesty was resolved not to let go unpu∣nished the exorbitances of these Members of Par∣liament, and therefore proposes to the Judges the Questions following, to which they respectively give Answer.
1.
WHether if any Subject hath received proba∣ble information of any Treason or treache∣rous attempt or intention against the King or State, that Subject ought not to make known to the King, or his Majesties Commissioners, when thereunto he shall be required, what information he hath received, and the grounds thereof; to the end, the King being truly in∣formed, may prevent the danger? And if the said Subject in such case shall refuse to be examined, or to answer the Questions which shall be demanded of him for further inquiry and discovery of the truth, whether it be not a high contempt in him, punishable in the Star-chamber, as an offence against the general Ju∣stice and Government of the Kingdom?
Sol.
The Resolution and Answer of all the Ju∣stices, That it is an offence punishable as afore∣said, so that this do not concern himself, but a∣nother, nor draw him to danger of Treason or Contempt by his Answer.
2.
Whether it be a good answer or excuse, being thus interrogated, and refusing to answer, to say, That he was a Parliament-man when he received this In∣formation, and that he spake thereof in the Par∣liament-house; and therefore the Parliament be∣ing now ended, he refused to answer to any such Questions but in the Parliament-house, and not in any other place?
Sol.
To this the Judges, by advice privately to Mr. Attorney, gave this Answer, That this ex∣cuse being in nature of a Plea, and an errour in judgment, was not punishable, until he were over∣ruled in an orderly manner to make another An∣swer; and whether the Party were brought in Ore¦tenus, or by Information, for this Plea he was not to be punished.
3.
Whether a Parliament-man, committing an of∣fence against the King or Council not in a Parliament way, might, after the Parliament ended, be punished or not?
Sol.
All the Judges, una voce, answered, He might, if he be not punished for it in Parliament; for the Parliament shall not give priviledge to any contra morem Parliamentarium, to exceed the bounds and limits of his place and duty. And all agreed, That regularly he cannot be compelled out of Par∣liament to answer things done in Parliament in a Parliamentary course; but it is otherwise where things are done exorbitantly, for those are not the acts of a Court.
4.
Whether if one Parliament-man alone shall re∣solve, or two or three shall covertly conspire to raise false slanders and rumors against the Lords of the Council and Judges, not with intent to question them in a Legal course, or in a Parliamentary way, but to blast them, and to bring them to hatred of the People, and the Government in contempt, be punishable in the Star-chamber after the Parliament is ended?
Sol.
The Judges resolve, That the same was pu∣nishable out of Parliament, as an offence exorbi∣tant committed in Parliament, beyond the Of∣fice, and besides the duty of a Parliament-man.
Upon the Seventh of May the Attorney General, Sir Robert Heath, by order from his Majesty, exhi∣bites an Information in the Star-chamber against Sir John Elliot, &c.