The speech of Sergeant Glanvill in the vpper Hovse of Parliament for peace and vnitie also shewing that the way to preserve peacc [sic] is to bee well provided for warre.

THE SPEECH OF SERGEANT GLANVILL in the upper House of Parliament, for the Redresse of the present Greevances.

His Majestie being seated on his Throne, Sergeant Glanvill was called to the Barre, be∣ing represented by the House of Commons for their Speaker; who spake as followeth.

May it please your Majestie,

THe Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of your Commons House of Parlia∣ment in conformity to ancient and most constant usage (the best guide in greate solemnities) according to their well known privileges (a sure warrant for their procee∣dings, and in obedience to your Majesties most grati∣ous commands (a duty well becomming Loyall Sub∣iects have met together, and chosen a Speaker, one to be the mouth, indeed the servant of all the rest to steare watchfulie and prudently in all their weighty consulta∣tions

and debates, to collect faithfully and readily the uotes and genuine sense of that numerous assembly, to propound the same seasonablie and in apt questions for their finall resolution, and to present them and their conclusions, their declarations with truth and light, with life and lustre, and with full advantage to your most Excellent Majestie. With what Judgement, with what temper, spirit, and elocution he ought to bee en∣dued, your Majestie in your great wisedome is best able to discerne, both as it may relate to your owne peculi∣ar and important affaires of State to the proper worke and businesse of this House of Commons, which was never small or meane, and now like to bee exceeding weighty.

It is a learned age wherein wee live under your Ma∣jesties most peacefull government and your House of Commons is not onely the representative body, but the abstracted quintessence of the whole Communalty of this your noble Realme.

I most humbly therefore beseech your Majestie as the father of the Commonwealth, and hope of the whole nation, to whom the care of all our welfares ap∣pertaines, to have respect to your owne interest, have regard to your House of Commons, have compassion upon me the unworthiest member of that body, ready to faint with feare, before the burthen lights on me, I have only a hearty affection to serve you and your peo∣ple, little abilities for performance; In the fulnesse therefore of your Royall power, your piety, good∣nesse, be gratiously pleased to command the House of Commons to deliberate, upon a better choise who may be worthy of their choosing, and your Majesties ac∣ceptations.

My Lord Keeper having by his Majesties direction confirmed him as Speaker, hee adrest himselfe to his Majestie as followeth.

Most gratious Soveraigne:

My profession hath taught me, that from the highest Judge there lies no writ of Error, no appeale; what then? remaines, but that I first beseech Almighty God the Authour and finisher of all good works, to enable me to discharge honestly & effectually so great a taske, so great a trust; and in the next place humbly to acknowledge your Majesties favour. Some enemies I might feare, the common enemie of such services, ex∣pectation and jealously; I am unworthy the former, and I contemne the latter. Time the touchstone of truth shall teach the babling world, I am and will bee found an equall freeman, zealous to serve my Sove∣raigne, zealous to serve my dearest Country.

Monarchy Royall of all governments the most illu∣ustrious and excellent, whether wee regard the glory, wealth, or safety of the governours or people; I hope none of this Nation are of Antimonarchicall spirits, nor friends to such, if there bee, I wish no greater ho∣nour to this Parliament, then to discover them and to assist your Majestie to suppresse and confound them.

To behold your Majestie in peace and safety afoards compleat joy to all Loyall Subjects, who cannot but conclude with me in this desire.

Serus in Caelum redeas diuque, Laetus in terris Populo Britanno

England is your seate of residency, Scotland is your native place, and herein hath the advantage Ireland imitates England by a great and quicke progression in civility and conversation, in improovement of the soyle and plantation.

France is still attendant on your Royall style; A Kings Prerogative is as needful as great, without which he should want that Majestie which ought to bee inse∣parable

from his Crowne, nor can any danger result thereby to subjects liberties, so long as both admit the temperament of law and Justice, specially under such a Prince, who to your immortall Honour hath publi∣shed this to the whole world for your maxime, that the peoples liberties strengthens the Kings Prerogative, and the Kings Prerogative is to defend the peoples li∣berties; Apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Kings as Kings are never said to erre, onely the best may bee abused by misinformation; this the highest point of Prerogative that the King can doe no wrong; if then by the subtilty of misinformers▪ by the specious false pretences of publique good, by a running and close contrivance of their waies to seduce the Sacred Royall Person, it bee surprized and over wrought to command contrary to law, and be executed according∣ly; this commands will be void & these King innocent even in his very person, and the authors of such misin∣formations, the actors of such abuses stand exposed to just sensure, having nothing to defend themselves but the colour of a void command, made void by just prerogative, and the fundamentall reasons of state.

Touching justice, there is not a more certaine signe of an upright Judge, then by his patience to bee well informed before sentence given, and I may boldly say, all the Judges in your Kingdome may take example by your Majestie, and learne their duties by your practise, my selfe have often beene a witnesse thereof to my no little admiration.

From your patience, please you give mee leave to presse to your righteous judgement, and exemplifie it but in one instance. When your Lords and people in your last Parliament presented your Majestie a Petiti∣on concerning their rights and liberties, the Petition being of no small weight, your Majestie after mature deliberation, in few but most effectuall words; (soit droict faict co••e est desire) made such an answer, as shall

renowne you for just Judgement to all posterity.

Let us hartily pray that this Parliament may bee fa∣mous for the advancement of Sacred Religion, and to that end that the most Reverend Prelates, sitting on the right hand of your Kingly side, bee most forward therein, to whom it is most proper.

That the Nobles girt with their swords in their creation, and most especially rewarded and hono∣red for Actions military: call to minde the most renowned Acts of their Ancestors, whose lands and honours they inherite, and how renowned this Land hath beene through the whole World for Art and Armes, and labour to restore it to its ancient splendor: The best way to preserve peace, is to bee well fitted for War.

But were this Nation never so valiant or weal∣thy, if unity bee not among us what good will riches doe us, or your Majestie but inrich the conquerour, he that commands all hearts by love, hee onely com∣mands assuredly; greatnesse without goodnesse can at best but commmand bodies.

It shall therefore bee my harty prayer, That such a knot of love may be knit betwixt the Head and mem∣bers that like Gordius knot it never bee loosed: That all Jesuited forraigne states who looke a squint upon our Hierusalem may see themselves defeated of all there subtill plots and combinations of all their wicked hopes and expectations to render us, if their mischiefe might take effect, a people in considerable at home, and contemptible abroad.

Religion hath taught us (Si Deus nobiscum quis con∣tranos,) and experience I trust will teach us (Si sumus inseperabiles sumus insuperabiles.) It was found and I hope it still shall and will bee the Tenet of the House of Commons; That the King and peoples good can∣not bee severed: And cursed be every one that goes a∣bout to divide them.

FINIS.