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 Lord Keeper Coventry's Speech 17. March 1627.

My Lords, and you the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the House of Commons,

IF I had been delighted in long speaking, yet the example and commandment of his Majestie hath been more then enough to refraine the superfluitie of that humour, but here is yet more; For that short and excellent compacted Speech which you have heard from his Majestie, begins with a reason, It is a time for action and not for speech. Examples and Command master the VVill, and Reason the Understanding: and therefore you may expect nothing from me but brevity.

You have heard the matter already, and I doubt not but with re∣verence, as the weight and authority requires, you have imprinted it in your mindes: and the matter being known, long speeches from me were but babling to beat the aire.

Yee are here in Parliament by his Majesties writ and royall com∣mand, to consult and conclude of the weightie and urgent businesse of this Kingdome. VVeighty it is and great, as great as the honour, safety and protection of Religion, King and Country; and what can be greater? Urgent it is: It is little pleasure to tell or think how urgent, and to tell it with circumstances were a long work; I will but touch the summe of it in few words.

The Pope and House of Austria have long affected, the one a Spiri∣tual, the other a Temporal Monarchie: and to effect their ends, to serve each others turn, the House of Austria, besides the rich and vast Ter∣ritories of both the Indies and in Africa joined together, are become Masters of Spain and Italy, and the great country of Germany. And although France be not under their subjection, yet they have en∣deavoured all about him: the very bowells of the Kingdome swaied by the Popish faction, they have gotten such a part and such interest in the Government, that under pretence of Religion, to root out the Pro∣testants and our Religion, they have drawn the King to their adherence so farre, that albeit upon his Majesties interposition by his Ambassa∣dours, and his engagement of his royall word, there was between the King and his Subjects Articles of agreement, and the Subjects were quiet, whereby his Majestie interessed in that great Treaty, was bound to see a true accomplishment; yet against that strict alliance, that Treaty hath been broken, and those of the Religion have been put to all extre∣mity, and undoubtedly will be ruinated without present help: so as that King is not onely diverted from assisting the common Cause, but hath been misled to engage himself in hostile acts against our King, or other Princes, making way thereby for the House of Austria, to the ruine of his own and other Kingdomes.

Other Potentates that in former times did ballance and interrupt the growing greatnesse of the House of Austria, are now removed and di∣verted. The Turk hath made peace with the Emperour, and turned himself wholly into warrs with Asia; the King of Sweden is embroil∣ed in a warre with Poland, which is invented by Spanish practices, to keep that King from succouring our part; the King of Denmark is chased out of his Kingdome on this and on that side the Sound, so as the house of Austria is on the point to command all the Sea-coasts from Dan••zick to Emden, and all the Rivers falling into the Sea in that great extent, so as besides their power by Land, they beginne to threaten our part by Sea, to the subversion of all our State.

In the Baltique Sea they are providing and arming all the ships they can build or hire, and have at this time their Ambassadours threatning at Lubeck to draw into their service the Hans-Townes; whereby taking from us and our neighbours the East-land trade, by which our Shipping is supplied, they expect without any blow given to make themselves masters of the Sea. In those Western parts by the Dunkerkers, and by the now French and Spanish Admirall, to the ruine of Fishing, of infinite consequence both to us and the Low Countries, they infest all our coast, so as wee passe not safely from port to port. And that Fleet which lately assisted the French at the Isle of Ree, is now preparing at St. Andrea, with other ships built in the coast of Biscai to re-inforce it, and a greater Fleet is making ready at Lisbon, where besides their own, they do serve themselves upon all strangers bottoms coming to that coast for trade. And these great preparations are no doubt to assault us in England or Ireland, as they shall finde advantage, and a place fit for their turn.

Our friends of the Netherlands, besides the feare that justly troubles them lest the whole force of the Emperour may fall down upon them, are distracted by their Voyages into the East, which hath carried both men and money into another world, and almost divided them at home.

Thus are we even ready on all sides to be swallowed up; the Empe∣rour, France, and Spain being in open warr against us, Germany over-run, the King of Denmark distressed, the King of Sweden diverted, and the Low-Countrey-men disabled to give us assistance. I speak not this to increase fear unworthy of English courages, but to presse to provision worthy the wisdome of a Parliament. And for that cause his Majestie hath called you hither, that by a timely provision against those great imminent dangers, our selves may be strengthened at home, our Friends and Allies incouraged abroad, and those great causes of feare scatter∣ed and dispelled.

And because in all warlike preparations Treasure bears the name, and holds the semblance of the nerves and finewes, and if a finew be too short or too weak, if it be either shrunk or strained, the part becomes unusefull: it is needfull that you make a good and timely supply of treasure, without which all counsells will prove fruitlesse. I might

presse many reasons to this end, I will but name few.

First for his Majesties sake, who requires it: great is the duty which we owe him by the law of God, great by the law of Nature and our own Allegeance, great for his own merit, and the memory of his ever blessed Father. I do but point at them, but me thinks our thoughts cannot but recoyle on our consideration, touched by his Majestie, which to me seemes to sound like a Parliamentarie part or Covenant.

A Warre was advised here, Assistance professed, yea and protested here; I do but touch it, I know you will deeply think on it, and the more for the example the King hath set you, his Lands, his Plate, his Jewells he hath not spared to supply the War; what the People hath protested, the King for his part hath willingly performed.

Secondly for the Cause sake: it concernes us in Christian Charity to tender the distresses of our Friends abroad, it concernes us in honour not to abandon them that have stood for us; and if this come not close enough, you shall finde our Interest so woven and involved with theirs, that the Cause is more ours then theirs. If Religion be in perill, wee have the most flourishing and orthodoxe Church; if Honour be in question, the steps and monuments in former ages will shew that our Ancestours have left us as much as any Nation; if Trade & Commerce be in danger, we are Islanders, it is our life: all these at once lye at stake, and so doth our safety and being.

Lastly, in respect of the manner of his Majesties demand, which is in Parliament, the way that hath ever best pleased the subjects of England: and good cause for it; for Aides granted in Parliament work good effects for the People; they be commonly accompanied with wholesome Lawes, gracious Pardons, and the like: Besides, just and good Kings finding the love of their people, and the readi∣nesse of their supplies, may the better forbear the use of their Preroga∣tives, and moderate the rigour of the Lawes towards their Subjects.

This way, as his Majestie hath told you, he hath chosen not as the onely way, but as the fittest; not as destitute of others, but as most a∣greeable to the goodnesse of his own most gracious disposition, and to the desire and weale of his people. If this be deferred, Necessity and the Sword of the Enemy make way to the others. Remember his Maje∣sties admonition, I say, remember it. Let me but adde and observe Gods mercy towards this land above all others: the torrent of Warre hath overwhelmed other Churches and Countries, but God hath hi∣therto restrained it from us, and still gives us warning of every ap∣proaching danger to save us from surprize. And our gracious Sove∣reign in a true sense of it calls together his High Court of Parliament, the lively representation of the wisdome, wealth, and power of the whole Kingdome, to joyn together to repell those hostile attempts, which have distressed our Friends and Allies, and threatned our selves.

And therefore it behoves all to apply their thoughts unto Coun∣sell and Consultations worthy the greatnesse and wisdome of this As∣sembly,

to avoid discontents which may either distemper or delay, and to attend that unum necessarium, the common Cause, propounding for the scope and work of all the debates, the generall good of the King and Kingdome, whom God hath joyned together with an in∣dissoluble knot, which none must attempt to cut or untie. And let all by unity and good accord, endeavour to pattern this Parliament by the best that have been, that it may be a pattern to future Parliaments, and may infuse into Parliaments a kinde of multiplying power and facul∣ty, whereby they may be more frequent, and the King our Sovereign may delight to sit on this Throne, and from hence to distribute his graces and favours amongst his people.

His Majestie hath given you cause to be confident of this you have heard from his royall mouth, which neverthelesse he hath given me expresse command to redouble; If this Parliament by their duti∣full and wise proceedings shall but give this occasion, his Majestie will be ready, not onely to manifest his gracious acceptation, but to put out all memory of those disasters that have troubled former Parliaments.

I have but one thing to adde, and that is, As your consultations be serious, so let them be speedy. The Enemy is beforehand with us, and flies on the wings of Succese: we may dallie and play with the houre-glasse, that is in our powers, but the houre will not stay for us, and an opportunity once lost cannot be regained. And therefore resolve of your Supplies, that they may be timely and sufficient, serving the occa∣sion. Your Counsel, your Aid, all is but lost, if your Aid be either too little or too late: And his Majestie is resolved that his affaires cannot permit him to expect it overlong.

And now having delivered what his Majestie hath commanded me concerning the cause of this Assembly, his Majestie willeth that you of the House of Commons repaire to your owne House, to make choice of a Speaker, whom his Majestie will expect to be presented un∣to him on Wednesday next at two of the clock.