The constitution of parliaments in England deduced from the time of King Edward the Second, illustrated by King Charles the Second in his Parliament summon'd the 18 of February 1660/1, and dissolved the 24 of January 1678/9 : with an appendix of its sessions / observed by Sr. John Pettus ... Knight.

The Epistle To the Generous READER.

HAving the Honor of Consanguinity to some of the House of Lords, and free access to most of the Rest who make up the Harmo∣ny of that Noble Judicature, I thought it not convenient (as well to prevent exceptions as dissatis∣factions) to dedicate this to any one of their particular Lordships, well knowing that to offer any addi∣tion to their Universal Intuitions had been needless.

But I devote it in General to such whose Youth, or diversions (by other Imployments) have

made them unknowing, or less knowing in this Subject, which I have brancht out into 16 parts, whereof 12 consist of Precognita or things fit to be known or done after Summons and before the sit∣ting of any Parliament, the 13.14. and 15. are of matters to be known or done only during the sitting of a Parliament, the 16th. hath a relation, and is a Supple∣ment of such matters as could not well be Inserted to the foregoing 15 Parts.

Tis true, this subject of Par∣liaments hath been treated on by many Learned writers, but be∣cause none of them have proceed∣ed in such a due Series as they might have done (for they were more for the Modus tenendi, than Inchoandi) I have partly from them, and partly from my own observations (having been a mem∣ber of the House of Commons a∣bout

12 years, and thereby had intercourse with the House of Lords) and partly by the help of some worthy Friends) digested this Constitution into as clear a Method as my lesser abilities could perform.

First I shew the Gradations and Progresses to a Parliament, from the Fountain. viz. the Kings War∣rant to the Lord Chancellor Im∣powering him to Summon it in Generals by Writs.

Next I shew his Lordships Warrant to the Clerks of the Pet∣tibag, for framing (according to former Precedents) Writs of Sum∣mons in Particulars.

Thirdly, I shew that these Clerks did Anciently and do still use a Method therein, which Method (being fairly ingrost on one large Parchment) is called a Parliament Pawn.

I doe not find that any writers

before me have made any mention of these Pawns (nor doe I put any weight on them, but in their Me∣thod whereby they are compos'd) because I find that the Clerks not conferring with the Heraulds have committed many mistakes in Christian and Surnames, in Titles and Orthography.

However the Method therein hath continued for many Ages, as will be shewn, and though I have tried many ways to frame this Treatise, yet none pleased me so well as the Method used in the framing of a Pawn, which I have herein pursued.

The Writs which are contain'd and Methodiz'd in all Pawns have two Appellations viz. Exemplars and Consimilars, and from those do arise the Method of this Trea∣tise. But as the Pawn doth only recite one Writ of one sort, (as an Example for Consimilar Writs of

the same sort to be issued, yet are not therein mentioned;) So I by that Method do take occasion on∣ly to Treat of the Exemplars (ex∣cept in some few places (for to Treat of all the Consimilars had been too great a task) by which means I have here only five Writs, which gives me opportunity to treat of the Blood Royal, of the Lords Spiritual, of the State Offi∣cers, of the Lords Temporal, and of the most Eminent Togati as the Assistants in that noble House, the other seven concerning the House of Commons I shall treat of in a distinct Part.

And though my design is whol∣ly to treat of what concerns that noble House in this part, yet I could not avoid the Intermix∣tures of some necessary hints of what properly concerns the House of Commons, which I intend (af∣vente Deo) to publish by it self.

It was scarce possible that a Sub∣ject, which spreads it self into such varieties, should be so collect∣ed as not to have Omissions, some of which were purposely done, First, that I might not injure the Reader nor my Method by two long diversions, and yet satisfy him in conclusion. 2ly. I have been as careful as I could to prevent mistakes, but some will be, yet those which are necessary to be corrected (viz. my own over∣sights, or the Printers) I have ad∣ded them to the end of this Epistle, but as for the Printers Omissions of Marginal Authorities, and di∣stinctions of Sections, and obser∣vations (which were in my Co∣py) and for his not putting some words into Italick Letters, and for want of Comma's, Points &c. the In∣genious Reader, may Easily par∣don them.

I have so order'd this Impres∣sion,

that you have a System or the Contents of an Introduction and of 20 subsequent Chapters, Sections and Observations which I thought fit to exhibit, that those who have not the Leisure to read all the Chapters, may turn to such parts as most suit with their Genius.

I begin the proper matter of this Treatise with the Kings War∣rant in Feb. 1660/1 for Summoning that Parliament, and I shall End all with His Proclamation for its Dis∣solution in 1678/9.

In these discourses I take the liberty to look back into former Ages, but not forward beyond the Dissolution of that Parliament; Only as an Appendix, I shall speak of some things that are to be done with Records, Leidger Books &c. and Allowances to Knights, Citi∣zens and Burgesses after any one Parliament is ended.