His Majesties most gracious speech to both Houses of Parliament, at the opening of the Parliament at Oxford, Monday the 21st of March, 1680/81

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DIEV ET MON DROIT

HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE

His Majesties MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH To both Houses of PARLIAMENT, At the Opening of the PARLIAMENT at Oxford, Monday the 21^st of March, 168••.

Published by His Majesties Command.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

THe unwarrantable Proceedings of the last House of Commons, were the Occasion of My parting with the last Parliament. For I, who will never use Arbitrary Govern∣ment My Self, am resolved not to suffer it in others. I am unwilling to mention Particulars, be∣cause I am desirous to forget Faults: But who-ever shall calmly consider what Offers I have formerly

made, and what Assurances I renewed to the last Parliament, how I recommended nothing so much to them, as the Alliance I had made for Preservation of the general Peace in Christendom, and the further Examination of the Popish Plot, and how I desired their Advice and Assistance concerning the Preservation of Tangi••r; and shall then reflect upon the strange unsuitable Returns made to such Propositions; by Men that were call'd together to Consult, perhaps may wonder more, that I had patience so long, than that at last I grew weary of their Proceedings.

I have thought it necessary to say thus much to you, That I may not have any new Occasion given Me to remember more of the late Miscarriages. It is as much My Interest, and shall be as much My Care as yours, to preserve the Liberty of the Sub∣ject, because the Crown can never be safe when that is in danger. And I would have you like∣wise be convinc'd, that neither your Liberties nor Properties can subsist long, when the just Rights and Prerogatives of the Crown are invaded, or the Honour of the Government brought low, and into Disreputation.

I let you see by My calling this Parliament so soon, that no Irregularities in Parliaments shall make Me out of Love with them; and by this Means offer you another Opportunity of providing for Our Security here, by giving that Counte∣nance and Protection to Our Neighbours and Al∣lies, which you cannot but know they expect from Us, and extremely stand in need of at this instant; and at the same time give one Evi∣dence more, that I have not neglected My part, to give that general Satisfaction and Security,

which, by the Blessing of God, may be attained, if you, on your parts, bring suitable Dispositions to∣wards it: And that the just Care you ought to have of Religion, be not so managed and improv'd into unnecessary Fears, as to be made a pretence for changing the Foundations of the Government.

I hope the Example of the ill Success of former Heats, will dispose you to a better Temper, and not so much to Inveigh against what is past, as to Consider what is best to be done in the present Conjuncture.

The further Prosecution of the Plot, the Tryal of the Lords in the Tower, the Providing a more speedy Conviction for Recusants; and, if it be practicable, the Ridding Our selves quite of all of that Party, that have any considerable Authority and Interest amongst Them, are Things, though of the highest Importance, that hardly need to be recommended to you, they are so obvious to eve∣ry man's Consideration, and so necessary for Our Security. But I must needs desire you not to lay so much weight upon any one Expedient against Popery, as to determine, that all other are ineffe∣ctual: And among all Your Cares for Religion, remember, that without the Safety and Dignity of the Monarchy, neither Religion nor Property can be preserved.

What I have formerly, and so often declared touching the Succession, I cannot depart from. But to remove all reasonable Fears that may arise from the Possibility of a Popish Successor's coming to the Crown, if means can be found, that, in such a Case, the Administration of the Government may remain in Protestant Hands; I shall be ready to hearken to any such Expedient, by which the Re∣ligion

might be preserv'd, and the Monarchy not destroy'd.

I must therefore earnestly recommend to you, to provide for the Religion and the Government to∣gether, with regard to one another, because they support each other: And let Us be united at home, that We may recover the Esteem and Considera∣tion We used to have abroad.

I conclude with this One Advice to you, That the Rules and Measures of all your Votes may be the known and established Laws of the Land, which neither can, nor ought to be departed from, nor chang'd, but by Act of Parliament: And I may tho more reasonably require, That you make the Laws of the Land your Rule, because I am resolved they shall be Mine.