It hath endeavoured to Reform the Laws, and for that end hath joyned persons (without reflection upon any) of as great ability and integrity as any other, to consider how the Laws might be made plain, short, and easie, which may in due time be tendered.
It hath taken care to put into seats of Justice, men of the most known Integrity and Ability.
The Chancery hath been reformed, and (he hoped) to the just satisfaction of all good men.
It hath put a stop to that heady way, for every man that will, to make himself a Preacher, having endeavoured to settle a way for approbation of men of Piety and fitnesse for the Work, and the businesse committed to trusty persons both of the Presbyterian and Independent judgement, men of as known ability and integrity, as (he supposeth) any the Nation hath, and who (he believes) have laboured to approve themselves to God and their own Consciences, in approving men to that great Function.
It hath taken care to expunge men unfit for that work, who have been the common scorn and reproach of that administration.
One thing more, It hath been Instrumentall to call a free Parliament; blessed be God we see here this day a free Parlia∣ment, and that it may continue so, he hopes is in the heart of every good man of England; and he added, That for his own part, as he had desired it above his life, so to keep it free, he should value it above his life.
Having thus instanced in the Wars wherein we were plun∣ged, and the little assurance from Neighbours abroad, he pro∣ceeded to shew that a Peace is made with Sweden (wherein an honourable person was instrumentall) it being of much importance to have a good understanding with our Protestan•• Neighbours; A Peace is also made with the Dane; and a Peac•• there that is honourable, and to the satisfaction of the Mer¦chants. The Sound is open to us, from whence as fro•• Fountain, our Navall provisions are supplyed. That a Peace