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That the Kings of England have not duely nor constant∣ly observed those Statutes ever since their making, doth not render them of the less Force; because 'tis an Offence in the King not to fulfil a Law.
ANIMADVERSION.
Here he is pleased to acknowledge what cannot be de∣nied, that the Kings of England have not observed those Statutes ever since their making: which shews, that our succeeding Kings never thought themselves obliged by them, or that King Edward intended it so, unless they should see need, or at any time judge it necessary to call a Parliament. Besides, we do not read of any Parlia∣mentary Complaint about the omitting of YEERLY Par∣liaments, till our Presbyterian Masters of the Faction in their Grand Remonstrance 1641. charged it as a fault upon his Majesties Father, under pretence of those Statutes. And doubtless some of the foregoing Parliaments would have made complaint about Yeerly Omission, had they believed Kings bound to Yeerly Parliaments: But that King Ed∣ward and his Parliament which passed the Law, never in∣tended or understood it in the Considerator's sence, is to be concluded from this most undeniably; That from the Fifth yeer of the said King to the Eighth yeer, no Parliament was called; the reason was, because he judged there was no need. Nor doth it appear that he did afterward ob∣serve any such certain Puncto of time in calling his Parlia∣ments: but doubtless 'tis in reason to be thought he would have been so tender of his own Law as to have observed it within the fifth or sixth yeer, and not so soon have broken