Speeches and passages of this great and happy Parliament: from the third of November, 1640, to this instant June, 1641.: Collected into one volume, and according to the most perfect originalls, exactly published.

The Speech of Sergeant Glanvill in the upper House of Parli∣ament, for the Redresse of the present Grievances.

His Majesty being seated on his Throne, Sergeant Glan∣vill was called to the Barre, being represented by the House of Commons for their Speaker; who spake as fol∣loweth.

May it please your Majesty,

THE Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, of your Commons House of Parliament in conformity to ancient and most constant usage (the best guide in great solemnities) according to their well known priviledges (a sure warrant for their proceedings) and in obedience to your Majesties most gratious commands (a duty well becomming loyall Subjects) have met together, and cho∣sen a speaker, one to be the mouth, indeed the servant of all the rest to steare watchfully and prudently in all their weighty consultations and debates, to collect faith∣fully and readily the Votes and genuine sense of that numerous assembly, to propound the same seasonably & in apt questions for their finall resolution, and to pre∣sent them and their conclusions, their declarations with truth and light, with life and lustre, and with full ad∣vantage to your most Excellent Majesty. With what Judgement, with what temper, spirit, and elocution he ought to be endued, your Majesty in your great wise∣dome is best able to discern, both as it may relate to

your own peculiar and important affairs of State, to the proper work and businesse of this House of Commons, which was never small or mean, and now like to be ex∣ceeding weighty.

It is a learned age wherein we live under your Maje∣sties most peacefull government; and your House of Commons is not only the representative body, but the abstracted quintessence of the whol 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 appertains, to have respect to your own interest, have regard to your House of Commons, have compassion upon me the un∣worthiest member of that body, ready to faint with fear, before the burthen lights on me, I have only a hearty affection to serve you and your people, little abilities for performance; In the fulnesse therefore of your Roy∣all power, your piety, goodnesse, be gratiously pleased to command the House of Commons to deliberate upon a better choice who may be worthy of their choosing, and your Majesties acceptations.

My Lord Keeper having by his Majesties direction confir∣med him as Speaker, he addrest himselfe to his Majesty 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 remains, but that I first beseech Almighty God the au∣thor and finisher of all good works, to enable me to dis∣charge honestly and effectually so great a taske, so great a trust; and in the next place humbly to acknowledge your Majesties favor? Some enemies I might feare, the common enemy of such services, expectation and jea∣lousy;

I am unworthy the former, and I contemn the latter. Time the touchstone of truth shall teach the ba∣bling world, I am and will be found an equall freeman, zealous to serve my Soveraign, zealous to serve my dea∣rest Country.

Monarchy Royall of all governments the most illu∣strious and excellent, whether we 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 be, I wish no greater honour to this Parliament, then to discover them and to assist your Majesty to suppresse and confound them.

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

Serus in caelum redeas, diúque Laetus intersis Populo Britanno.

England is your seat of residency, Scotland is your na∣tive place, and herein hath the advantage; Ireland imi∣tates England by a great and quick progression in civili∣ty and conversation, in improvement of the soile and plantation.

France is still attendant on your Royall stile; A Kings Prerogative is as needfull as great, without which he should want that Majesty which ought to be inseparable from his Crown, 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 Honor hath published this to the whole world for your maxime, that the peoples liberties strengthen the Kings Prerogative, and the Kings Pre∣rogative is to defend the peoples liberties; Apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Kings as Kings are never said to Erre, only the best may be 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 cunning and close con∣trivance of their waies to seduce the Sacred Royall Per∣son, it be surprized and overwrought to command contrary to law, and be executed accordingly; these commands will be void, and this King innocent even in his very person, and the authors of such misinformations, the actors of such abuses stand exposed to just censure, ha∣ving 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 certain signe of an upright Judge, then by his patience to be well infor∣med before sentence given, and I may boldly say, all the Judges in your Kingdome may take example by your Majesty and learn their duties by your practise, my selfe have often been a witnesse thereof to my no little admi∣ration.

From your patience, please you give me 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 Majesty a Petition concerning their rights and liberties, the Petition be∣ing of no small weight, your Majesty after mature deli∣beration, in few but most effectuall words; (soit droict faict come est desire) made such an answer, as shall re∣nown you for just Judgement to all posterity.

Let us heartily pray that this Parliament may be 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, be most forward therein, to whom it is most proper.

That the Nobles girt with their swords in their crea∣tion, and most especially rewarded and honored for acti∣ons military: call to minde the most renowned Acts of their Ancestors, whose lands and honours they inherite,

and how renowned this Land hath been through the whole World for Art and Armes, and labor to restore it to its ancient splendor: The best way to preserve peace, is to be well fitted for War.

But were this Nation never so valiant or wealthy, if Unity be not among us, what good will riches doe us, or your Majesty, but inrich the conqueror? he that com∣mands all hearts by love, he onely commands assuredly; greatnesse without goodnesse can at best but command bodies.

It shall therefore be my hearty prayer, That such a knot of love may be knit betwixt the Head and members that like Gordius knot it never be loosed: That all Je∣suited forrain States who look asquint upon our Hie∣rusalem may see themselves defeated of all their subtill plots and combinations, of all their wicked hopes and expectations, to render us, if their mischiefe might take effect, a people inconsiderable at home, and contemp∣tible abroad.

Religion hath taught us (Si Deus nobiscum, quis con∣tra nos?) and experience I trust will teach us (Si sumus inseparabiles sumus insuperabiles.) It was found, and I hope it still shall and will be the Tenet of the House of Com∣mons; That the King and peoples good cannot be seve∣red: And cursed be every one that goes about to divide them.