The sovereigns prerogative and the subjects priviledge discussed betwixt courtiers and patriots in Parliament, the third and fourth yeares of the reign of King Charles : together with the grand mysteries of state then in agitation.

THE PREFACE.

ONe of the most lawfull wayes where∣by man in some sort may be said to re∣venge himself of the shortnesse of his life, and extend the measure thereof to a larger proportion then nature allows him, is by the studie of Historie. For Historie is the re∣membrancer of the time past, it is the monument generall erected over actions long since dead and interred, acquainting such as read the Epitaph thereon with the most remarkable passages of the ages past: so that a Dwarf by the advantage of the ascent of Hi∣story, may suddenly start up (if not a Giant) one of competent stature to oversee all transactions long be∣fore him.

But of all Histories none more pleasant or profita∣ble then those of our Native Countrey, which, as it is an Island, and so a little entire world in it self, hath in all ages afforded as many signall observables as any content of ground of the same proportion, nei∣ther Greece nor Italie it self excepted, which indeed overmatch us not in Histories, but Historians. O∣therwise if workmen might be had, as fair an Edifice

might be erected of English affaires, such the plenty, variety, and curiosity of materials concurring thereunto.

And truly I cannot but accuse the blame-worthy negligence of many able men, who under the pre∣tended plea of modesty, and humble distrust of their own sufficiency, preferre rather to moulder away in obscuritie, then industriously to preserve both their own memory and the honour of their nation. And those also seem to me equally worthy of reproof, who sharp-sighted abroad, are little better then blinded at home; know the way from Paris to Lions better then from London to York; can give a better account from Pharamond to the last French Lewis, then from our Lucius to King Charles. A very preposterous knowledge, seeing Historie (like unto good mens charitie) is though not to end, yet to be∣gin at home, and thence to make its methodicall progresse into Forreign parts.

Now of all English Historie, the greatest shame is to be ignorant in the Accidents of our own Age of nearest concernment unto our selves. Those starres which are lowest seem lightest unto us; yea a candle at hand illuminates more then a torch at distance. A man is most (as I may say) morally edified by reading such men and matters as are his own contemporaries. Chiefly, because therein not so subject to be decei∣ved by partiallity of reports, because not taking up so much upon trust, as conducted to his belief by his own eyes and eares witnesses of all transactions.

The consideration of the premises hath principally moved me to the setting forth of this work: wherein I confesse rather fidelitie then industry, yet rather in∣dustrie then any wit or learning hath been required. Some works resent too much of their Authour, fre∣quently infusing his own judgement and affections clean through the contexture of his writings, to the great prejudicing of the truth and misguiding of his Reader. And this is likely to be the Epidemicall disease of the books in our Age, wherein all are so en∣gaged in parties, that their writings will rather appear pleadings then reports. VVhat by generall errour is falsely told of the Iews, that they are alwayes crook-backed, will be found most true of Authours of this age, that they are crook-sided, warped and bowed to the right or to the left; so hard it will be to find a streight, upright, and unbiassed Historian.

For mine own part, I can professe integrity herein, the only thing I can assume to my self in this work. And indeed I have had no occasion nor opportuni∣tie to expresse my own inclinations, who have no commission to be an Authour, but a Transcriber.

There is an Officer in the Exchequer, who though sitting with the Barons on the Bench, hath no power to vote with them, nor interposeth his judgement as decisive in any cause, but observing silence in plead∣ing, speaketh sometimes as to the regulation of the time how it passeth away. Such and no other my employment in this Book, being a true tell-time (and no more) to marshall the speeches in due order, and to

acquaint the Reader with the day of the moneth when they were spoken; which done, my task is performed.

The Book containeth the transactions of the Par∣liament tertio & quarto Caroli. A distance of time of fit proportion for the Presse, not too late nor too soon: not so farre off as that the footsteps of truth are worn out, as in some ancient stories, where the most cunning Hunters are at a losse; nor yet so near that the heels of truth ought to be feared; though he hath but a servile soul who overvalueth his own safety in such cases to the poysoning of posterity with a falshood.

Here may one behold the severall traverses of State betwixt the upholders of the Royall Prerogative & the Asserters of the Subjects Liberties. The former endeavoured to support (and perchance to enlarge) the Kings Prerogative, how in some cases it is too high to come under the roof of the Law; and the discretion of the Sceptre as Guardian for the generall good of the Commonwealth, must be intrusted on some emergencies with the managing of its own might. And seeing Crownes commonly keep what they once catch, loath to abate a whit of that power invested in them, at leastwise exercised by them; no wonder if the Courtiers stickled for their Master his right, and as the appurtenances, were zealous for that Power and Honour on whom they depended.

On the other side the Asserters of the Subjects Li∣berties, Trustees for the Countreys good, engage ear∣nestly

to retrench the Prerogative within the known limits of Law, that so Subjects may be at a certainty how to square their loyalty and obedience. For Alle∣giance is willingly and cheerfully paid, where there is a sure and standing Rule whereto Sovereigns com∣mands and Subjects duty is to be conformed. O∣therwise their loyalty flatteth and deadeth by de∣grees, when exposed to an unbounded Arbitrary power, so that they never know an end of their own obeying, but are in daily fear of new pressures from a lawlesse power, whose pleasure is all the reason of imposing them. Besides, unlimited power in a Prince carrieth in it self a strong temptation to Ty∣ranny, and mortall man his corruption is scarce to be trusted with so great a command for fear of abusing thereof.

Now although in this Parliament these two Par∣ties are plainly to be discovered, yet the judicious reader will observe that there was as yet lesse eager∣ness & more moderation in either party, matters not being then heightened with such mutuall animosi∣ties as since we have beheld. Yea it seems that the sins of our Nation began even then to cry so loud, that the two Parties in Parliament could not di∣stinctly hear each other so as effectually to under∣stand one another, disturbed by the clamorous and obstreperous noise of English wickednesse, which began to cry aloud for vengeance on a wanton nation, even to the abrupt breaking off of the Parliament.

VVe have had no other design in the edition

hereof then the generall good, hoping that Readers of all sorts may gain benefit thereby. Yea such young folk whose short capacities as yet are unable to reach the policie and State part in these pieces, may better themselves by the very language and ex∣pressions therein. Here may they observe the variety of eloquence in severall persons, some large, copi∣ous and exuberant; yet not flashy, empty and di∣lute: some concise, piccant and sententious; yet not involved, dark and obscure: some participating of both, which in my apprehension is the best kind of Orations.

However, let not any think that all the Gentlemen of able parts assembled in the Parliament are regi∣stred in this book by their particular service to their Countrey, seeing only such are entred herein, who made set, studied, and premeditated Orations. Many Worthies there were in that place who only were dexterous at short and quick returnes, and which retrieved long debates with some short and com∣pendious answer very effectuall to the purpose. For sometimes a Stilletto blow may give a more deep and deadly wound then the point and edge of the sharp∣est Sword, which requireth more time and room for the managing thereof. Yea many a discreet gentle∣man, who, after long traversing of matters, judici∣ously bestowed his Yea or Nay in the right scale thereof to weigh the balance down when in AE∣quilibrio of matters of high importance (though o∣therwise not haranguing it in large discourses)

might return to his countrey with satisfaction to his conscience that he had well deserved thereof.

VVe are confident also that the Students of the Law may advantage themselves by severall Cases here largely reported. And here all care hath been used in comparing Records herein cited with the Originalls; though we dare not avouch it clear from all mistakes, the greatest industry and exactnesse be∣ing subject to fallibilitie herein. VVe have seen the Reports of late Iudges in print, and could point at Er∣ratas therein: which we speak not to accuse them, but excuse our selves if some faults be found in our quotations.

As for the Gentlemen whose speeches are herein related, they are either dead or still surviving. For the former we hope we have no cause to ask par∣don of their memories, and fear not their ghosts dis∣quieting us for offering any injury unto them, or that we shall fall into the disfavour of their Heires for misrepresenting any thing for their fathers dis∣advantage.

As for such who are still alive, we appeal unto them, making them the Judges of our integrity herein. True it is that the dragge-net of no diligence can be of that capacity, nor can it be so advanta∣giously cast, as to catch and hold all particulars ut∣tered in a long speech; Minums will get through the holes thereof: and there be those minutiae in a speech which will escape the attention of the quick∣est eare, and transcription of the speediest hand. But

such things are lost without any losse as to the essen∣tials of the matter: and here all things of concern∣ment are faithfully represented.

And may the Reader be pleased to take notice that this Book is no Monochord, or Instrument of a single string, no nor is it a single Instrument; but the exact re∣sult of many collections. We have compared varias lectiones, or rather varias auditiones, the copies as they have been taken by severall Auditours. Sometimes one copie charitably relieved another, nor was it long before the defects of the same copie were supplied out of that other transcription. Thus neither is there be∣ing for Books, nor living for men in this world, without being mutually beholding one to another; & he who lends to day, may be glad to borrow to morrow.

One thing let me mind the Reader, that it may move him to a publick and communicative Spirit, not enviously to engrosse to himself what may do good to others. Some Gentlemen, Speakers in this Par∣liament, imparted their Speeches to their intimate Friends; the transcripts whereof were multiplied a∣mongst others (the penne being very procreative of issue in this nature:) and since it hath happened that the Gentlemens Originalls have in these trouble∣some times miscarried, yet so that the fountain (as I may say) being dried up, hath fetch't this water from the channell, & they have again supplied their losses from those to whom they civilly communicated a copy of their paines. Thus none are loosers in fine, by making others sharers in their endeavours.

And now give me leave to say, that the History of the Parliament represented in this Book is funda∣mentall to the History of our Times, and what valiant penne soever dare undertake the writing thereof, it must lay its ground-work, and take its rise from this Parliament. Herein were vertually contained the seeds of all those troubles which since the heat of an∣ger hath ripened to the full height and breadth thereof. For what is said of Rebeckah, that Twinnes were in her bowels, which made their Mothers wombe the field of their fight, wherein their unborn Infancy gave an Essay of that Antipathy which would be con∣tinued betwixt them when arrived at riper yeares: the same was true here, where the opposition be∣twixt two parties was begun with much violence and impetuousnesse.

Yet let not the similitude be uncharitably impro∣ved beyond my intent, as fixing the odious character of Esau on either of them, who hope and believe that both of them might be Iacobs, at the first pro∣pounding plain, pious, and peaceable ends unto themselves. Yea this may say to ensuing Parliaments, as AEneas in the Poet to his sonne,

Disce puer virtutem ex me verumque laborem, Fortunam ex aliis —

Nor can any true Patriot ever desire that men more honourable, more knowing, and able in all faculties of policie, law, and generall learning,

I may adde also more loving to, or beloved of their Countreys, ever should meet in Parliament; who hence may take their pattern of many worthy and excellent vertues in Statists. But oh, let them farre exceed this in happinesse; the abrupt end whereof was the beginning of all our miseries.

T. F.