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 Speaker Sir John Finche's Speech, upon the 9 Heads, 14. April, 1628.

Most Gracious and dread Sovereign,

YOur dutifull and loyall Commons here assembled were lately humble Suitours for accesse to your Royall presence. The occa∣sion that moved their desires herein was a particle of importance worthy your Princely Consideration, and which (as it well deserves) should have been the only subject of my Speech at this time. But since your gracious answer for this accesse obtained, by a Message from your Majestie, they have had some cause to doubt that your Majestie is not so well satisfied with the manner of their proceedings, as their heartie desire is you should be; especially in that part which concernes your Majesties present Supply; as if in the prosecution thereof they had of late used some slacknesse or delay.

And because no unhappinesse of theirs can parallell with that which may proceed from a misunderstanding in your Majestie of their cleer and loyall intentions, they have commanded me to attend your Maje∣stie with an humble and summarie declaration of their proceedings since this short time of their sitting, which they hope will give your Majestie abundant satisfaction, that never people did more truly desire to be endeared in the favour and gracious opinion of their Sovereign. And withall to let your Majestie see, that as you can no where have a more faithfull Councell, so your great designes and occasions can no way be so speedily or heartily supported as in this old and ancient way of Parliament.

For this purpose they humbly beseech your Majestie to take into your Royall Consideration, that although by ancient right of Parlia∣ment,

the matters there debated are to be disposed in their true method and order, and that their constant custome hath been to take into their consideration the common Grievances of the Kingdome before they enter upon matter of Supplie; yet to make a full expression of that zeal and affection which they beare to your Royall Person, (equalling at least, if not exceeding the best affections of their predecessours to the best of your Progenitours) they have in this Assemblie, contrary to ordinary proceeding in Parliament, given your Majesties supply prece∣dency before the common Grievances of the Subject, how pressing so∣ever; joyning only with it those fundamentall and vitall Liberties of the Kingdome, which give subsistence and ability to your Subjects.

This was their originall order and resolution, and was grounded up∣on a true discerning that these two considerations could not be severed, but did both of them intirely concern your Majesties service, consisting no lesse in encouraging and inabling your Subjects, then in proportion∣ing a Present suting to your Majesties occasions and their own abi∣lities.

Nay, so farre have they been from using any unnecessary delaies, as that though of the two that of Supply were later in proposition amongst them, yet the Grand Committee (to which both were referred) have made that of your Majesties Supply first ready for conclusion. And to be sure your Majesties Supply might receive no interruption, they (dif∣fering from custome and usage in cases of this nature) sent up of those that concern the Subject by parcels, some to your Majestie and some to the Lords, to the end your Majestie may receive such speedy con∣tent, as sutes with the largest and best extent of their first order.

Sir, you are the breath of our nostrils and the light of our eyes; and besides the many Comforts which under you and your Royall Proge∣nitours in this frame of Government this Nation hath enjoyed, the Religion we professe hath taught us whose Image you are. And we do all most humbly declare to your Majestie that nothing is or can be more deare unto us then the sacred Rights and Prerogatives of your Crown, no Person or Councell can be greater lovers of them, nor more truly carefull to maintain them.

And the fundamentall Liberties which concern the freedome of our persons and propriety of our goods and estates, are an essentiall meanes to establish the true glorie of a Monarch: for rich and free Subjects as they are best governed, so they are most able to do your Majestie service, either in peace or warre; which under God hath been the cause of the happie victories of this Nation beyond other Kingdomes of larger Territories and greater numbers of people.

What information soever contrarie to this shall be brought to your Majestie, can come from no other then such as for their own ends, un∣der colour of advancing the Prerogative, do in truth undermine and weaken Royall Power, and by impoverishing the Subject, render this Monarchie lesse glorious, and the people lesse able to serve your Ma∣jestie.

Having by this which hath been said cleared our hearts and proceed∣ings to your Majesty, our trust is that in your Royall Judgement we shall be free from the least opinion of giving any unnecessary shop to our proceeding in the matter of Supply, and that your Majestie will be pleased to entertain belief of our alacritie and cheerfulnesse in your service, and that hereafter no such misfortune shall befall us to be mis∣understood by your Majestie in any thing. We all most humblie be∣seech your Majestie to receive no information, either in this or any other businesse, from private relations, but to weigh and judge of our proceedings by those resolutions of the House, which shall be present∣ed from our selves.

This rightly and graciously understood, we are confident from the knowledge of your goodnesse and our own hearts, that the ending of this Parliament shall be much more happy then the beginning, and that it shall be stiled to all ages The Blessed Parliament, which making per∣fect union betwixt the best people, your Majestie may ever delight in calling us together, and we in the Comforts of your Gracious Favour towards us.

In this hope I return to my first errand, which will best appear by that which I shall humbly desire your Majesty to hear read, being an humble Petition from the House of Commons, for redresse of those many inconveniences and distractions that have befallen your Subjects, by the billetting of Souldiers.

Your Royall Progenitours have ever held their Subjects hearts the best Garrison of this Kingdome. And our humble suit to your Majesty is, that our Faith and Loyalty may have such place in your Royall thoughts, as to rest assured that all your Subjects will be ready to lay down their lives for the defence of your Sacred Person and this King∣dome.

Not going our selves into our Countreys this Easter, we should think it a great happinesse to us, and we know it would be a singular comfort and encouragement to them that sent us hither, if we might but send them the newes of a gracious Answer from your Majesty in this particular; which the reasons of the Petition, we hope, will move your most excellent Majesty graciously to vouchsafe us.