The Journals of Parliaments, Journal 7

The Journals of Parliaments · Journal 7

p. 136THE JOURNAL OF THE House of LORDS.

The Journal of the Proceedings of the House of Lords, in the Parliament holden at Westminster, An. 13 Reg. Eliz. A. D. 1571, which began there on Monday the 2^d day of April, and then and there continued until the Dissolution thereof on Tuesday the 29^th day of May ensuing.

THIS Journal of the Upper House continuing about the space of two Months, was very carelesly entred in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, by the Clerk thereof, who (as it seems) was Anthony Mason Esq, succeeding about this time in the said Office of Clerk of the Upper House, unto Francis Spilman Esq, who had formerly supplied that place. But yet by means of a Copious Journal I had by me, of the Passages of the House of Commons in this Parliament, taken by some Anonymous Member thereof, and also of some Copies I had of the Speeches of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper, at the beginning and conclusion of this said Parliament, this ensuing Journal is much enlarged. And therefore to avoid confusion, whatsoever is here inserted out of the said private Journal, is particularly distinguished from that which is taken out of the above-mentioned Journal-Book of the Upper House, by some Animadversions or Expression thereof, both before and after the inserting of it. Neither doth the Original Journal-Book it self of the Upper House, want some matter of variety, besides the ordinary Reading, Committing and passing of Bills, in respect that Sir Robert Catlyn Knight, Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench, was appointed by her Majesties Commission, under the Great Seal, to supply the Lord Keepers place (upon occasion of his sickness during some part of this said Parliament) in the first entry whereof is set down out of the foresaid Anonymous Journal of the House of Commons, her Majesties coming to the Upper House, with the Order and manner of it, the substance also of which is found, though somewhat more briefly set down, in the Original Journal-Book of the same House.

On Monday the second day of April, the Parliament beginning (according to the Writs of Summons sent forth) her Majesty about eleven of the Clock came towards Westminster, in the antient accustomed most honourable Passage, having first riding before her the Gentlemen Sworn to attend her Person, the Batchellors Knights, after them the Knights of the Bath, then the Barons of the Exchequer, and Judges of either Bench, with the Master of the Rolls, her Majesties Attorney General, and Sollicitor General; whom followed in Order, the Bishops, and after them the Earls, then the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Hat of Maintenance was Carried by the Marquess of Northampton, and the Sword by the Earl of Sussex. The place of the Lord Steward for that day, was supplied by the Lord Clinton, Lord Admiral of England; the Lord Great Chamberlain was the Earl of Oxenford. And the Earl Marshal, by Deputation from the Duke of Norfolk, was the Earl of Worcester.

Her Majesty sate in her Coach in her Imperial Robes, and a Wreath or Coronet of Gold, set with rich Pearl and Stones, over her Head; her Coach drawn by two Palfries, covered with Crimson Velvet, drawn out, imbossed and imbroidered very richly. Next after her Chariot followed the Earl of Leicester, in respect of his Office of the Master of the Horse, leading her Majesties spare Horse. And then forty seven Ladies and Women of Honour; The Guard in their rich Coats going on every side of them. p. 137The Trumpeters before the first, sounding; and the Heralds riding, and keeping their rooms and places Orderly. In Westminster Church, the Bishop of Lincoln Preached before her Majesty, whose Sermon-being done, her Majesty came from the Church, the Lords all on foot, in order as afore; and over her Head a rich Canopy was carried all the way. She being entred into the Upper House of Parliament, and there sate in Princely and seemly sort, under a high and rich Cloth of Estate; her Robe was supported by the Earl of Oxenford, the Earl of Sussex kneeling, holding the Sword on the left hand, and the Earl of Huntingdon holding the Hat of Estate, and the Lords all in their Rooms on each side of the Chamber; that is to say, the Lords Spiritual on the right hand, and the Lords Temporal on the left.

Nota, That whereas the presence of these Lords ought here, according to the usual course, to have been inserted out of the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, it must of necessity be omitted, in respect that through the great negligence of Anthony Mason Esq, at this time (as it should seem) Clerk of the said House, there are none of the said Lords noted to have been present; yet it may be probably guessed who they were, by those who attended on Wednesday of this instant April ensuing. Quod vide.

The Judges and her Learned Councel, being at the Woollsacks in the midst of the Chamber, and at her Highness Feet, at each side of her kneeling one of the Grooms, or Gentlemen of the Chamber, their Faces towards her, the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses all standing below the Bar, her Majesty then stood up in her Regal Seat, and with a Princely Grace, and singular good Countenance, after a long stay, spake a few words to this effect, or thus.

Mr right Loving Lords, and you our right faithful, and Obedient Subjects, we in the name of God, for his Service, and for the safety of this State, are now here Assembled, to his Glory I hope, and pray that it may be to your Comfort, and the common quiet of our, yours, and all ours for ever. And then looking on the right side of her, towards Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, standing a little beside the Cloth of Estate, and somewhat back and lower from the same, she willed him to shew the cause of the Parliament, who thereupon spake, as followeth.

THE Queens most Excellent Majesty, our most Dread and Gracious Soveraign, hath Commanded me to declare unto you, the Causes of your Calling and Assembly at this time, which I mean to do as briefly as I can, led thereunto as one very loth to be tedious to her Majesty, and also because to wise men, and well-disposed (as I judge you be) a few words do suffice. The Causes be chiefly two, The one to establish or dissolve Laws, as best shall serve for the Governance of the Realm. The other, so to consider of the Crown and State, as it may be best preserved in time of Peace, and best defended in the time of War, according to the Honour due unto it. And because in all Councils and Conferences first and chiefly there should be sought the Advancement of Gods Honor and Glory, as the sure and infallible Foundation, whereupon the Policy of every good Publick Weal is to be Erected and built; and as the streight line, whereby it is principally to be directed and governed, and as the chief Pillar and Buttress, wherewith it is continually to be sustained and maintained; Therefore, for the well-performing of the former touching Laws, you are to consider; first, whether the Ecclesiastical Laws concerning the Discipline of the Church, be sufficient or no? and if any want shall be found, to supply the same; and thereof the greatest care ought to depend upon my Lords the Bishops, to whom the Execution thereof especially pertains, and to whom the imperfections of the same be best known.

And as to the Temporal Laws, you are to Examine whether any of them already made, be too sharp or too sore, or over-burthenous to the Subject; or whether any of them be too loose or too soft, and so over-perillous to the State. For like as the former may put in danger many an Innocent, without cause, particularly; so the second may put in peril both the Nocent and Innocent, and the whole State universally. You are also to examine the want and superfluity of Laws: you are to look whether there be too many Laws for any thing, which breedeth so many doubts, that the Subject sometimes is to seek how to observe them, and the Councellor how to give advice concerning them.

Now the second, which concerns a sufficient provision for the Crown and State; herein you are to call to remembrance, how the Crown of this Realm hath been many ways charged extraordinarily of late; not possibly to be born by the ordinary Revenues of the same, and therefore of necessity to be relieved otherwise; as heretofore it hath commonly, and necessarily been. For like as the ordinary charge hath been always born by ordinary Revenues, so the extraordinary charge hath always been sustained by an extraordinary relief. This to those that be of understanding is known, not only to be proper to Kingdoms and Empires, but also is, hath been, and ever will be a necessary peculiar pertaining to all Common-Wealths, and private States of men, from the highest to the lowest; the rules of reason hath ordained it so to be.

But here I rest greatly perplexed, whether I ought to open and remember unto you, such reasons as may be easily produced, to move you thankfully and readily to grant this extraordinary relief or no: I know the Queens Majesty conceiveth so great hope of your prudent foreseeing what is to be done, and of your good wills and readiness to perform that, which by Prudence you foresec, that few or no perswasions p. 138at all are needful for the bringing this to pass. Nevertheless, because by the antient order heretofore used, it is my Office and Duty somewhat to say in this Case, and likewise all men also that be present, neither understand alike, nor remember alike; Therefore I mean, with your favour and patience, to trouble you with a few words, touching this point. True it is, that there be two things that ought vehemently to move us, frankly, bountifully, and readily to deal in this matter. The former is the great benefits, that we have received; the second is the necessity of the Cause. If we should forget the former, we are to be charged as most ungrate and unthankful; and the forgetfulness of the second doth charge us, as uncareful of our own Livings and Liberties, and of our Lives; the former moveth by Reason, and the second urgeth by Necessity. And here, to begin with the former, albeit that the benefits that the Realm hath received by Gods Grace, and the Queens Majesties Goodness, both for the number and greatness, are such as may be more easily marvelled at, than worthily weighed and considered; Yet mean I to remember briefly three of them, whereof the first and chief is restoring and setting at Liberty Gods holy Word amongst us; the greatest and most precious Treasure that can be in this World: for that either doth, or should benefit us in the best degree; to wit, our Minds and Souls; and look how much our Souls excel our Bodies, so much must needs the benefits of our Souls excel the benefits of our Bodies; whereby also, as by a necessary consequent, we are delivered, and made free from the Bondage of the Roman Tyranny; therefore this is to be thought of us the most principal benefit.

The second is the inestimable benefit of Peace during the time of ten whole years together, and more; and what is Peace? is it not the richest and most wished for Ornament that pertains to any publick Weal? Is not Peace the mark and end that all good Governments direct their actions unto? Nay, is there any benefit, be it never so great, that a man may take the whole Commodity of, without the benefit of Peace? Is there any so little Commodity, but through Peace a man may have the full fruition of it? By this we generally and joyfully possess all; and without this generally and joyfully we possess nothing. A man that would sufficiently consider all the Commodities of Peace, ought to call to remembrance all the miseries of War; for in reason it seems as great a benefit in being delivered of the one, as in the possessing of the other. Yet if there were nothing, the common and lamentable Calamities and Miseries of our Neighbours round about us, for want of Peace, may give us to understand what blessedness we be in that possess it. There be that never acknowledge benefits to their value, whilst they possess them, but when they be taken from them, and so find their want; marry such be not worthy of them. Now is it possible, trow you, that this blessed benefit of Peace could have been from time to time thus long conserved and conferred upon us, had not the mind, affection and love, that our Soveraign bears towards us her Subjects, bred such care over us in her Breast, as for the well bringing of this to pass, she hath for born no care of Mind, no travel of Body, nor expence of her Treasure, nor sale of her Lands; no adventuring of her Credit, either at home or abroad? a plain and manifest Argument, how dear and pretious the safety and quiet of us her Subjects be to her Majesty. And can there be a greater perswasion to move us to our power to tender the like?

The third is the great benefit of Clemency and Mercy. I pray you, hath it been seen or read, that any Prince of this Realm, during whole ten years Reign, and more, hath had his hands so clean from Blood? If no offence were, her Majesties Wisdom in Governing was the more to be wondred at; and if offences were, then her Majesties Clemency and Mercy the more to be commended. Misericordia ejus super omnia opera ejus. Besides, like as it hath pleased God ten years and more, by the Ministry of our said Soveraign, to bless this Realm with those two inestimable benefits of Peace and Clemency, so there is no cause but the same might by Gods Grace have continued twenty Years longer, without intermission, had not the Raging Romanist Rebels entertained the matter. And here it is to be noted, that this Merciful and Peaceful Reign of ten Years and more, hath hapned in the time of Christs Religion now established. I cannot think that any man can follow me in this, in the time of the Romish Religion since the Conquest. Nay a man might affirm, that this is an Example for times to come, without any like in times past; comparing Singula singulis, what should I say? these be the true Fruits of true Religion. I could further remember you of the Fruits of Justice, the benefit of restoring your Money to Finess; yea, I could put you in mind, but I think it needs not, it happened so late, of a Subsidy granted, whereof the Queens Majesty of her own bountifulness, remitted the one half; was the like here in England ever seen or heard of? But being out of doubt, that these benefits already remembred be sufficient of themselves to move you to be thankful to your Power, I leave any longer to detain you in this point.

And albeit a Subject cannot yield any benefit to his Soveraign in the same nature that he receiveth it; because every benefit is more than Duty, and more than Duty a Subject cannot yield to his Soveraign: Yet can it not be denied, but a Subjects acknowledging of benefits received, joined with good will to yield as far as Liberty will reach, doth sufficiently satisfie for the Subject, for ultra posse non est esse. To your best actions therefore address ye. And thus much concerning benefits.

Now to the second part, concerning urging by Necessity, true it is, that the extraordinary p. 139matters of Charge, happened since the last Assembly here, urging to have by necessity a relief granted, amongst many others be these. First, The great Charge in suppressing the late Northern Rebellion, with Charges also in reforming those the Queens Majesties Enemies in Scotland, that assisted the Rebels, and made Rodes into England. The continual growing Expences, by reason of Ireland, as in subduing the Rebels within that Realm, and withstanding the Scots Northward, and other Foreign Forces, intending Invasion Southward. To these three Charges by Land, you may add a fourth by Sea; as the preparation and setting forth of Ships, partly for the defence against all Foreign Forces, suspected and intended, partly for the safe conducting of the Wares and Merchandizes in greater strength and longer cut than heretofore hath been used. These and such like extraordinary Charges, whereof there be sundry, with the remains of old Charges not possible to be born by the ordinary Revenue, and yet of necessity to be expended, do greatly exceed any extraordinary aid therefore commonly granted. Again, the great decay of the Queens Majesties Customs, by reason of stay and alteration of Traffick (albeit upon just occasion) hath bred no small want; for although in time it is not to be doubted, but that will grow again to his old course, and continue with great Surety; Yet in the mean time, this want must some way be supplied; for you know the Horse must be provided for, whilst the Grass is in growing. At the least let us do so much for our selves, as we do for our Horses. For our selves it is that are to be relieved in this Case. This I must needs say, that if the Queens Majesty did use in matters of Expence, to do as commonly Princes heretofore have used to do, then with the more difficulty might such extraordinary aid be assented unto, and yet of necessity to be had, to withstand a greater necessity. It hath been used in times past, that Princes pleasures and delights have been commonly followed in matters of Charge, as things of necessity. And now, because, God be praised, the relieving of the Realms necessity is become the Princes Pleasure and Delight, a noble Conversion (God continue it, and make us as we ought to be, earnestly thankful for it!) A Princely Example shewed by a Soveraign for Subjects to follow. To descend in some particulars: What need I to remember unto you, how the gorgeous, sumptuous, superfluous Buildings of time past be for the Realms good, by her Majesty in this time turned into necessary Buildings, and upholdings? The chargeable, glittering, glorious Triumphs, into delectable Pastimes and Shows? Embassadors of Charge into such as be void of excess, and yet honourable and comely? These and such like are dangerous dams, able to dry up the flowing Fountains of any Treasure; and yet these imperfections have been commonly Princes Peculiars, especially young. One free from these was accounted Rara avis, &c. and yet (God be thanked) a Phoenix, a Blessed Bird of this kind God hath blessed us with. I think it may be affirmed, and that truly, that there hath not been any matter of great Charge taken in hand by her Majesty in this happy Reign of twelve Years and more, that hath not been thought before convenient to be done for the Weal and profit of the Realm; so far her Highness is from spending of Treasure in vain matters, and therefore the rather how can a man make any difficulty to contribute according to his Power? specially, in maintaining of his Sovereign, his Country, his Self, his Wife and Children, and what not? having so long a proof by experience, of such an imployment? Here I would put you in mind of extraordinary Charges to come, which in reason seems evident, but so I should be over tedious unto you, and frustra sit per plura quod sieri potest per pauciora. And therefore here I make an end, doubting that I have tarried you longer than I promised or meant, or perchance needed, your wisdoms and good inclinations considered. But you know things are to be done both in form and matter. And my trust is, that if I had stayed, I may be warranted by either, or by both, that you will take it in good part. Thus far out of the Copy of this foregoing Speech.

As soon as the Lord Keepers Speech was ended, then the Clerk of the Upper House, read the names of Receivers and Tryers of Petitions in French (whose names are transcribed out of the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House) and were as followeth.

Sir Robert Catlin Knight, Chief Justice of the Kings Bench, Sir William Cordell Knight, Master of the Rolls, Sir John Widden Knight, one of the Justices of Sir Richard Read Knight, and D^r Huick, who were Receivers of Petitions for England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

Receivers of Petitions for Gascoigne, and the parts beyond the Seas, and the Isles:

Sir James Dyer Knight, Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas, Sir Edward Saunders Knight, Lord Chief Baron, Richard Weston one of the Justices of Welsh one of the Justices of D^r Lewis, D^r Yale, and D^r Vaughan.

Triers of Petitions for England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl of Arundel, the Earl of Sussex, the Earl of Huntington, the Earl of Bedford, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Durham, the Bishop of Salisbury, the Lord Clinton, the Lord Admiral of England, the Lord Cobham, the Lord Wentworth, and the Lord North.

Triers of Petitions for Gascoigne, and for other parts beyond the Seas, and the Isles, The Archbishop of York, the Marquess of Northampton, the Earl of Shrewsbury, the Earl of Leicester, the Bishop of Winchester, the Bishop of Worcester, the Bishop of Lincoln, the Lord Howard of Esfingham, Chamberlain of the Queen, the Lord p. 140Windsor, the Lord Hastings of Loughborough, and the Lord Carie of Hùnsdon.

Hodiè retornatum breve quo Edwardus Comes Oxon. praesenti huic Parliamento summonitus fuit, qui admissus fuit ad suum in sedendo praeheminentiae locum, salvo cui que jure suo.

The like Writs returned for Henry Earl of Pembroke, and William Lord Sands.

Hodiè retornatum fuit breve, quo Richardus Episcopus Carliolen. praesenti buic Parliamento summonebatur, qui admissus fuit ad suum in sedendo praeheminentiae locum, salvo jure alieno.

On Wednesday the 4^th day of April in the Afternoon, but at or about what hour appeareth not, although it may probably be guessed, that it was about three of the Clock, her Majesty with divers Lords Spiritual and Temporal, Assembled in the Upper House, whose names are marked to have been present this day in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, being as followeth.

Regina.

Archiepiscopus Cantuarien.

Episcopus London.

Episcopus Dunelmen.

Episcopus Winton.

Episcopus Hereforden.

Episcopus Wigorn.

Episcopus Lincolnien.

Episcopus Sarisburien.

Episcopus Meneven.

Episcopus Roffen.

Episcopus Norwicen.

Episcopus Carliolen.

Episcopus Cestren.

Episcopus Assaven.

Episcopus Glocestren.

Episcopus Bangoren.

Episcopus Landaven.

Nicolaus Bacon Miles, Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli.

Marchio Northampton.

Comes Arundell.

Comes Oxon.

Comes Wigorn.

Comes Sussex.

Comes Southampton.

Comes Bedford.

Comes Pembroke.

Comes Leicester.

Vice-Comes Hereford.

Vice-Comes Mountague.

Which are all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal sitting on the two Upper Forms, noted to be present this day.

Nota, That the Spiritual Lords are always thus placed in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, on the dexter side, not in respect of their precedency, but (as it should seem) because the Archbishop of Canterbury the chief of them is the first Peer of England, and so the residue of the Clergy are placed next after him, in respect of their Ecclesiastical Dignities. The next that follow are the Barons, who are placed in the said Journal-Book in respect of their several places and precedencies, as followeth.

Barones.

Dominus Clinton Admirallus Angliae.

Dominus Howard Camerarius.

Dominus Burgavenny.

Dominus Strainge.

Dominus Dacres de Souch.

Dominus Cobham.

Dominus Stafford.

Dominus Gray de Wilton.

Dominus Dudley.

Dominus Lumley.

Dominus Darcie.

Dominus Mountegle.

Dominus Vauxes.

Dominus Windesor.

Dominus Wentworth.

Dominus Burgh.

Dominus Crumwell.

Dominus Evers.

Dominus Wharton.

Dominus Rich.

Dominus Willoughby.

Dominus Paget.

Dominus Darcie de Chich.

Dominus North.

Dominus Shandois.

Dominus Haistings de Loughborough.

Dominus Hunsdon.

Dominus S^t John de Bletsoe.

Dominus Buckhurst.

Dominus De la Ware.

Her Majesty and the Lords being thus set, the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons, had notice thereof, and thereupon repaired to the Upper House, with Christopher Wray Serjeant at Law, their lately Elected Speaker, whose presentation to her Majesty, and allowance by her, being not mentioned in the Original Journal-Book of the said House, are therefore wholly transcribed out of that before-cited Anonymous Journal, more particularly mentioned at the beginning of this present Journal, the same also in effect being contained in the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, fol. 10. a.

The said Speaker being led up to the Rail or Bar, at the lower end of the Upper House, by two of the most Honourable Personages of the House of Commons, did there, after three Reverences made, humbly beseech her Majesty, according to the usual course, that albeit he could not obtain of the Commons (who had Elected him to be their Speaker) for such causes, as he had alledged, to be disbunthened of that place, that so some other more fit and able might be chosen, that yet her Highness would vouchsafe p. 141to have consideration of the greatness of the Service, and therefore to require them eftsoons to return to the House, and to make a new Choice. To which his Petition, the Lord Keeper, by her Majesties Commandment, Answered and said.

That as well for that her Highness had understood of him, as for that the Commons had chosen him, his Request could not be granted.

Whereupon the said Speaker being allowed, he desired to be heard to say somewhat concerning the orderly Government of a Common-Weal, which to be duly done, he said, there were three things requisite, Religion, Authority, and Laws. By Religion, he said, we do not only know God aright, but also how to Obey the King or Queen, whom God shall assign to Reign over us; and that, not in Temporal Causes, but in Spiritual or Ecclesiastical; in which wholly her Majesties Power is absolute. And leaving all proofs of Divinity to the Bishops, and Fathers (as he said he would) he prov'd the same by the practice of Princes within this Realm; and first, made remembrance of Lucius the first Christian King, who having written to Elut herius the Pope, 1300. Years past for the Roman Laws, he was Answered, that he had the Holy Scriptures, out of the which he might draw to himself, and for his Subjects, Laws by his own good discretion; for that he was the Vicar of Christ over the People of Brittain. The Conqueror (he said) in the Erection of Battell-Abby, granted that the Church should be free from all Episcopal Jurisdiction.

Henry the Third gave to Ranulph Bishop of London, the Archbishoprick of Canterbury, by these words, Rex, &c. Sciatis quod dedimus Dilect. nostro Ranulpho Archiepiscop. Cantuarien. quem instituimus Anulo & Baculo. The Ring, he said, was the sign of perfection; The Staff the sign of Pastoral Rule, which he could not do, if these Kings had not had and used the Ecclesiastical Powers. In the Reports of the Law, we find that an Excommunication of a certain person came from the Pope under his Leaden Bull; and was shewed in abatement of an Action brought at the Common Law; which, besides that it was of no force, the King and Judges were of Mind, that he who brought it, had deserved Death, so to presume on any Foreign Authority; which Authority being now by Gods Grace, and her Highness means, abolished, and the freedom of Consciences, and the truth of Gods word established; we therefore ought greatly to thank God and her.

For Authority, or the Sword, whereby the Common-Wealth is stayed, three things he said are requisite; Men, Armour and Money. For Men, their good wills he said were most, being of it self a strong Fortress. For Armor, the necessity he shewed in part, and how requisite Treasure was, he a little declared. And concluded, that all three must be conjoined, Men, Armour and Mony.

Lastly for Laws, the third stay of the Common-Wealth; he said there must be consideration in making them, and care in Executing of them; in making such, as by the providing for one part of the Common-Wealth, the rest should not be hindred, which were indeed a matter most pernicious; and this he vouched out of Plato de legibus. For Execution, he said, that since the Law of it self is but Mute, set in Paper, not able to do ought, the Magistrate (except he will be also Mute) must be the Doer, and then is a good Law said to be well made, when it is well Executed; for anima legis est executio.

Hereupon he said something in commendation of her Majesty, who had given free course to her Laws, not sending or requiring the stay of Justice, by her Letters or Privy-Seals, as heretofore sometime hath been by her Progenitors used. Neither hath she pardoned any, without the advice of such, before whom the Offendors have been Arraigned, and the Cause heard.

His Oration being ended, he then made four Petitions; the first, that the Persons, Servants and Goods of all coming to that Assembly, might be free from all Arrests. Secondly, That for Cause of Conference, they might have access to her Majesty. Thirdly, If any sent should not truly report, or in part mistake the meaning of the House, that the same should be by her Highness favourably heard. And lastly, That in the House all men might have free Speech.

This Oration being ended, by direction from her Majesty, and instructions given what should be said, The Lord Keeper Answered thus; dividing his Speech into three parts, the first, where he had sometimes inserted commendations of her Majesty, he said, her Highness would not acknowledge so great perfections to be in her; but said, that they should be instructions for her better proceedings in time to come. The second part of his Oration, he said, concerning the Rule, for ordering of the Common-Wealth, she well liked of, and wished, that as he had well conceived of it, and well uttered the same, so he and others would endeavour the Execution thereof.

For his Petitions, he said, her Majesties Pleasure was, that the first should be granted, with this caution, that no man should under their shadows, untruly protect any others. For the second, he said, at time convenient, her Pleasure was, they should come freely. Touching the third part, he said, she could not imagine that among so many wise men it could happen; but if it should, her Grace would be content to remit it. The fourth was such, that her Majesty having Experience of late of some disorder, and certain Offences, which though they were not punished, yet were they Offences still, and so must be accompted; therefore said, they should do well to meddle with no matters of p. 142State, but such as should be propounded unto them, and to occupy themselves in other matters, concerning the Common-Wealth.

The Presentment and Allowance of the Speaker being thus transcribed, out of that often before vouched Anonymous Journal of the House of Commons in this Parliament, Now follow the residue of this days passages, with those also of other days ensuing, out of the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House.

Hodiè returnatum est breve, &c. by which the Bishop of Exeter was Summoned to this Parliament, who was thereupon admitted to his accustomed place.

The like Writs were returned, whereby the Lord Paget, and the Lord De la Ware, were Summoned to the said Parliament, who were thereupon admitted.

There is no entrance of the Adjournment, or continuance of this Parliament, which happened doubtless through the great negligence of the Clerk of the Upper House; although it is most casy to conjecture, that the Lord Keeper did continue the same, by her Majesties Commandment, unto some hour of the Afternoon following, being Thursday the 5^th day of this instant April.

This day finally (but whether before or after the rising of the Lords of the Upper House, doth not appear) were divers Proxies returned, and delivered in unto the Clerk of the said Upper House, or to some other belonging unto him; of which the unusual or extraordinary Proxies, were only three, and those also all from Spiritual Lords, which are entred in the Original Journal-Book of the said Upper House, in manner and form following.

4 die April. Introductae sunt Litterae Procuratoriae Hugonis Episcopi Landaven. in quibus Procuratores suos constituit Nicolaum Wigorn. Richard. Meneven. & Nicolaum Bangor. Episcopos, conjunctim & divisim.

Eodem die Introductae sunt Litterae Procuratoriae Thom. Episcopi Coventr. & Litchf. in quibus Procuratores suos constituit Nicol. Wigorn. Johannem Salisburien. & Richardum Meneven. Episcopos, conjunctim & divisim.

Eodem die Introductae sunt Literae Procuratoriae Richardi Episcopi Gloucestr. in quibus Procuratores suos constituit Nicol. Wigorn. Johan. Norwicen. & Willielmum Exonien. Episcopos.

Nota, That I call an extraordinary Proxy, when a Bishop Constitutes one Proctor, or more than two, and when a Temporal Lord Constitutes more than one; for of ten Temporal Lords, who sent Proxies this Parliament, none appointed more than a single Proctor, and of seven Spiritual Lords, four Constituted but two Proctors apiece.

Note also, That the Earl of Leicester had this Parliament seven Proxies sent unto him, all Entred in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, to have been returned on the said 4^th day of April; viz. from William Marquess of Winchester, Edward Earl of Derby, Henry Lord Berkely, Henry Lord Scroope, George Earl of Shrewsbury, Edward Lord Dudley, and Ambrose Earl of Warwick: Vide a like President on Tuesday the 22^th day of October, An. 8 Reg. Eliz. anteá.

On Thursday the 5^th day of April, to which day the Parliament had been doubtless continued or Adjourned Yesterday, although through the Clerks negligence it be not at all mentioned in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House,

Two Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for the punishment of Collectors, Receivers, &c. for their fraudulent and unjust deceiving of the Queens Majesty in their Offices, was read primâ vice.

The Bill for the reviving and continuance of certain Statutes, was read the first time, and commissa Vice-Comiti Mountague, Episcopo London, Episcopo Hereford, Episcopo Elien. Episcopo Wigorn. Domino Wentworth, Domino Shandois, Domino S^t John de Bletsoe, Domino Primario Justiciario Banci Regis, Justiciario Welch, & Justic. Southcot.

Nota, That here a Bill was committed upon the first reading, of which although it be not very usual, yet there want not divers Presidents. Vide April the 20^th Friday postea.

Nota also, That here the Judges, being but Assistants unto the Upper House, are made joint Committees with the Lords, which is usually found in all these Parliaments of her Majesties Reign, until the thirty ninth of the same.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli adjournavit praesens Parliamentum, until to Morrow at eight of the Clock.

On Friday the 6^th day of April, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third touching Receivers, &c. deceiving the Queen of her Treasure, was read secundâ vice, & commissa to the Earl of Hunt. the Earl of Bedford, the Earl of Leicester, the Bishop of Rochester, the Bishop of Salisbury, the Bishop of Lincoln, the Lord Hastings of Loughborough, the Lord North, the Lord Hunsdon, and to the Queens Attorney, and M^r Sollicitor.

Nota, That here the Queens Attorney and Sollicitor, who are but meer Attendants upon the Upper House, are made joint Committees with the Lords.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli adjournavit praesens Parliamentum in diem Crastinum hora nona.

On Saturday the 7^th day of April, the Lords Assembled according to the last Adjournment, and the Lord Keeper being absent, Dominus Clinton vicem gerens Senescalli, ex mandato Dominae Reginae, continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Lunae proximum hora nona.

April the 8^th Sunday.

On Monday the 9^th day of April, Two Bills p. 143had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill against such as shall bring in any Bulls, &c. was read prima vice, and committed unto the Earl of Sussex, the Earl of Huntington, the Earl of Pembroke and others; and to the Chief Justices of the Common-Pleas, Justice Southcot, and Justice Carus.

Nota, That the Judges, who were but meer Assistants unto the Upper House, are here made joint Committees with the Lords. Vide consimise Apr. 5. Thursday.

And the second touching Receivers, Collectors, &c. was read the second time, & eisdem Dominis quibus primò commissa fuit, denuò committitur.

Nota, That this Bill was read before, the second time, on Friday the 6^th day of this instant April foregoing, and committed, and therefore it should seem that this Bill was not now read again the second time, but only some additions or amendments thereunto annexed by the Committees, and thereupon the Bill was again referred unto them, to be further considered of.

For that Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, was sick, her Majesties Letters Patents were read, Authorizing Sir Robert Catlin, Chief Justice of England, to supply the place of the said Lord Keeper, at all times, when the Lord Keeper, during this present Parliament, shall be absent: The tenor of which here followeth verbatim.

ELizabeth by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland. Defender of the Faith, &c. To our Trusty and Right Well-beloved Sir Robert Catlin Knight, Chief Justice of our Common-Pleas, before us to be holden, Greeting.

Where our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Councellor, Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight, Lord Keeper of our Great Seal of England, is at this time so visited with Sickness, that he is not able to travel to the Upper House of this our present Parliament, holden at Westminster, nor there to supply the room and place in the said Upper House, amongst the Lord Spiritual and Temporal there Assembled, as to the Office of the Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England hath been accustomed; We therefore minding the same place and room to be supplied, in all things as appertaineth, for and during every time of his absence, have named and appointed you, and by these Presents, do Constitute, name, appoint and authorize you, from day to day, and time to time, when and so often as the said Lord Keeper shall happen at any time or times, during this present Parliament to be absent from his accustomed place in the Upper House, to occupy, use and supply the room and place of the said Lord Keeper, in the said Upper House, amongst the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal there Assembled, at every such day and time of his absence, and then and there at every such time, to do and execute all such things, as the said Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, should or might do, if he were there personally present, using and supplying the same room. Wherefore we will and Command you the said Sir Robert Catlin, to attend to the doing and Execution of the Premises with effect. And these our Letters Patents shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge for the same, in every behalf. In witness whereof, we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents.

Witness our selves at Westminster, the 9^th day of April, in the Thirteenth Year of our Reign. Powle.

Nota, That this Commission is in one respect very exotick, and unusual, because it doth not only give Authority to the Lord Chief Justice to supply the Lord Keepers place, until his recovery and return to Parliament, as is ordinary in other Commissions; but it doth further authorize him to supply the said Lord Keepers place, at any time during this Parliament, when he shall be absent, as well as at this present; whence in this ensuing Journal it is frequent, that sometimes the Lord Keeper, and sometimes the Lord Chief Justice, though seldomer, without any new Commission, do in their several turns continue the Parliament.

Robertus Catlin Miles, Dominus Capital. Justiciarius Banci Regis, continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Crastinum hora nona.

On Tuesday the 10^th day of April, Billa de novo reformata per Dominos, quibus pridie committebatur, touching the bringing in of any Bulls, or other Writings from the Bishop of Rome, was read the first time.

The new Bill touching Receivers, Treasurers, Collectors, &c. defrauding the Queens Majesty of her Treasure, was read the first time.

The Bill touching the Confirmation of the Attainder of Charles Earl of Westmerland, Thomas Earl of Northumberland, and others, was read the first time.

The Lords requested to have Conference with certain of the House of Commons, touching a Bill brought to them, concerning matters of Religion, whereupon Committees were appointed; viz. the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Marquess of Northampton, and others.

The Lord Keeper continued the Parliament, usque in diem Crastinum horâ Octavâ.

On Wednesday the 11^th day of April, it was Ordered by the House, that the Lords Committees for the Bill of Bankrupts, may call unto them such of the House of Commons, and others, as they shall think good, which may best inform touching any doubt, or other matter, that may rise upon the said Bill.

Two Bills also had each of them their second reading, of which the second being the new Bill against the bringing in of Bulls, was read the second time, & commissa Justiciario Southcot.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius, &c. continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Crastinum hora nona.

On Thursday the 12^th day of April, the Bill against Receivers, Treasurers, &c. was read p. 144tertiâ vice, & conclusa, and sent to the House of Commons, by D^r Lewis, and D^r Huick.

Two Bills also had each of them one reading, of which the first being the Bill for the avoiding of frudulent Deeds, and Gifts, &c. was read primâ vice.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum in diem Sabbathi hora Octavâ.

On Saturday the 14^th day of April, a Bill concerning the Commission of Sewers, was brought from the House of Commons, and read primâ vice.

Then the Parliament was continued by the Lord Chief Justice, &c. unto Thursday next horâ nonâ.

On Thursday the 19^th day of April, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Saturday foregoing, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill that the consent and Exemplification of Letters Patents, shall be as good and available as the Letters Patents themselves, was read primâ vice, & commissa Domino Dier Justiciario, & Justiciario Southcot.

Then the Parliament was continued in ordinary form by the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, unto to Morrow horâ nonâ.

On Friday the 20^th day of April, Five Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill against bringing in of Bulls from the See of Rome, was read the second time, & commissa ad ingrossandum, it was read secundâ vice antea, and it seems now some Additions were only read.

The Bill against fraudulent Gifts, Alienations, &c. was read the first time, and thereupon committed unto the Earl of Sussex, Viscount Hereford, and other Lords, and to the Lord Chief Justice Dier, and Justice Southcot. Vide Apr. 5^th antea. Another Bill committed upon the first reading.

The Parliament was continued in ordinary form by the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, unto to Morrow horâ nonâ.

On Saturday the 21^th day of April, Two Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill against the bringing in and putting in Execution of Bulls, Writings, or Instruments, and other superstitious things, from the See of Rome, was read tertiâ vice, & Communi omnium procerum assensu conclusa, and sent to the House of Commons by Sir Richard Read Knight, and D^r Yale.

The Bill against fraudulent Gifts, Alienations, &c. was read primâ vice, but it should rather seem, That this Bill was read secundâ vice, in respect that it had its first reading before on Friday the 20^th day of this instant April; and being then committed, was either now upon the bringing in of it again by the Committees, read the second time; or else some Additions or Amendments thereof annexed unto it, by the said Committees, were now read the first time, and not the Bill it self; but whether it were th'one or the other, it may easily be conjectured, that this Bill was dashed in the House, upon the said reading this Forenoon; for on Wednesday the 25^th day of this instant April ensuing, a new Bill (as is very probable) with this very Title, had its first reading.

The Bill for Commissions of Sewers, was committed unto the Earl of Bedford, the Bishop of Worcester, the Bishop of Ely, the Lord Admiral, the Lord Burleigh, the Lord Rich, the Lord ..... the Lord Darcie, de Dethick, and unto Justice Southcot.

Nota, That the Bill here committed, is not mentioned to have had any reading at this time, although it were most probable, that this commitment had reference to the second reading of the Bill in the Morning Yesterday, notwithstanding that the second reading thereof be there omitted, as a matter of no great moment, which is a thing both likely and usual; neither do there want Presidents of this nature in the very next Session of Parliament ensuing, in An. 14 Reg. Eliz. where divers Bills are referred to Committees, although there be no mention made of any reading they had: Ut vide on Wednesday the 28^th day of May, on Wednesday the 4^th day, on Tuesday the 9^th day of June, in anno Praedicto.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Mercurii prox. horâ Octavâ.

On Wednesday the 25^th day of April, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for the Confirmation of the Attainder of Charles Earl of Westmerland, Thomas Earl of Northumberland, and others, was read secundâ vice, & commissa ad ingrossandum.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Crast. horâ nonâ.

On Thursday the 26^th day of April, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill for avoiding of fraudulent Gifts, was read secundà vice, and committed to the Earl of Sussex, Viscount Hereford, and others, and to Serjeant Barham, and the Queens Sollicitor.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentium us que in diem Sabbathi prox. horâ nonâ.

On Saturday the 28^th day of April, Five Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the fourth being the Bill for the Confirmation of the Attainder of Charles Earl of Westmerland, Thomas Earl of Northumberland, and others, was read tertiâ vice, & conclusa. And the fifth and last, being the Bill for the reviving and continuance of certain Statutes, was read tertiâ vice, & conclusa, and sent to the House of Commons by Serjeant Barham, and the Queens Sollicitor.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Lunae prox. horâ nonâ.

April the 29^th Sunday.

On Monday the 30^th day of April, Four Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill against Usury, was read the second time, and committed p. 145unto the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl of Sussex, the Earl of Huntington, the Earl of Leicester, the Bishop of Winchester, the Bishop of Worcester, the Bishop of Chichester, the Bishop of Lincoln, and others; and to Serjeant Barham, and the Sollicitor General.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Crastinum horâ Octavâ.

On Tuesday the first day of May, the Bill to make a free Denizen Peregrine Barty, Son of Richard Barty Esq, and Katherine Dutchess of Suffolk his Wife, was read primâ vice.

Four Bills were brought from the House of Commons, of which one was the Bill against Fugitives over the Sea. Another was the Bill for the Town of Shrewsbury.

Three Bills also had each of them one reading, of which the second being the Bill against fraudulent Deeds, Gifts, Alienations, &c. was read tertiâ vice & conclusa, & commissa Sollicitatori Dominae Reginae, & Doctori Lewis, in Domum Communem deferend.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Crastinum horâ Octavâ.

On Wednesday the second day of May, Five Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill touching William Skeffington, was read primâ vice, and the third against Fugitives over the Seas, was read primâ vice & commissa unto divers Lords Spiritual and Temporal, of which the Lord Hastings of Loughborough, a Grand Papist, was one.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem proximum horâ nonâ.

On Thursday the 3^d day of May, Five Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the fourth being the Bill touching Dilapidations by Ecclesiastical persons, was read primâ vice, and committed unto Viscount Hereford, Viscount Mountague, the Bishop of Winchester, the Bishop of Worcester, the Bishop of Ely, the Bishop of Rochester, the Bishop of Carlisle, the Bishop of Lincoln, the Lord Grey, the Lord Cobham, Doctor Lewes, and Doctor Yale.

Nota, Though it be very usual in most of the Journals of her Majesties Reign, for the Judges and sometimes for the Queens Learned Councel to be nominated joint Committees with the Lords, this present commitment foregoing is a very rare and unusual President, in respect that two Doctors only (as I conceive) of the Civil Law, are made joint Committees as aforesaid. But the reasons of this here may well be, in respect that this Bill concerned Dilapidations, properly belonging to the Ecclesiastical Courts, in which they are for the most part best Experienced. And this may be a cause also, that the Spiritual Lords in this Committee are more than the Temporal, which is very seldom or rarely seen, but in some such like Case.

Two Bills were brought from the House of Commons, of which the second was the Bill for the Ministers of the Church to be of sound Religion.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Sabbati proximum horâ nonâ.

A Release at large, and ad verbum, by Henry Sacheverill of Risby, in the County of Leicester, Gent., unto William Skeffington, and his Heirs, of all the right, which the said Henry Sacheverill had by Feoffment of William Skessington Esq, and Ralph Sarheverill, and their Cofeoffees, Dated 30 die Januarii, anno 22 Regin. Eliz. in the Mannors, Lands, &c. of and in Kersby, Trussington, Thriamoston, Humberston, Silby, Burton super Molez, & in Queenborough in Com. Leicester, which the said William Skeffington and Ralph Sacheverill had from George clemand, and in all other Mannors, Lands, &c. lying in the Towns and Fields of Skevington in the County of Leicester, and Stock in the County of Lincoln, or elsewhere in England, cognit. usitat. locat. reputat. seu accept. ut possessiones & haereditamenta praedicti Willielmi Skeffington, Licet tamen re verâ iidem Willielmus & Rudolphus nec corum alter eadem maneria, terras, Tenementa & Haereditamenta in illo scripto ultimo nominato mihi praefato Henrico tradere, dimittere, feoffare, concedere, deliberare seu confirmarè niminè intenderint, seu voluerint, sed tantummodo idem scriptum taliter continens eadem Maneria, terras, tenementa & haereditamenta, per frandem & deceptionem mei praefati Henrici indebitè obtentum suit.

Then the same Deed of Release containeth Warranty of all the Premises unto William Skeffington, and his Heirs, against the said Henry Sacheverill his Heirs and Assigns for ever: In cujus rei testimonium huic praesenti scripto meo sigillum meum apposui. Dat. quinto die Martii, Anno Regni illustrissimae Dominae nostrae Elizabethae, Dei Gratia Angliae, Franciae & Hiberniae Reginae, Fidei Defensor. &c. Decimo tertio.

Nota, That Robert Bowyer Esq, who succeeded Sir Thomas Smith Knight, in the place of Clerk of the Upper House, in An. 6 Jacobi Regis, in his Abridgment of the Journal of the Queens time, hath at the end of this business touching Henry Sacheverill, inserted this Note ensuing.

Upon what occasion or how this matter between Skeffington and Sacheverill came in Question in the Parliament, or why other than that a Bill touching William Skeffington was brought from the House of Commons on Tuesday the first day of this instant May preceeding, and had its first reading on Wednesday the 2^d day, and its second reading on Thursday the 3^d day of the same Month foregoing, and was also read the third time and concluded, on this present 5^th day of May, on which the said Release was Entred in the Parliament Book, appeareth not in the Journal so much as by circumstance, which p. 146seemeth to have happened through the negligence of the Clerk of the Parliament, who was either M^r Spilman, or M^r Anthony Mason alias Weeks.

On Saturday the 5^th day of May, to which, it should seem, the preceeding Release is to be referred, Four Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill whereby certain offences be made Treason, was read secundâ vice, and committed unto the Archbishop of Canterbury, and others.

Two Bills also were brought to the Lords from the House of Commons, of which the first was the Bill for the coming to Church, and receiving the Communion.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Lunae prox. hora Octavâ.

May the 6^th Sunday.

On Monday the 7^th day of May, Eight Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill touching Dilapidations by Ecclesiastical Persons, was read primâ vice, and committed unto the Lords, that were before in that Bill appointed; whose names see on Thursday the third day of this instant May foregoing; and the Earl of Leicester and the Lord of Loughborough were added unto them.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Crastinum horâ nonâ.

On Tuesday the 8^th day of May, Four Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill for respite of Homage, was read secundâ vice, & commissa Attornato & Sollicitatori Dominae Reginae.

The fourth lastly, being the Bill whereby certain offences be made Treasons, was read tertiâ vice, & conclusa, with a new Proviso added thereunto by the Lords, and certain Amendments, and committed to M^r Attorney, and M^r Sollicitor, to be carried to the House of Commons.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Crastinum horâ Octavâ.

On Wednesday the 9^th day of May, the Bill for coming to Church and receiving the Communion, was read secundâ vice, and committed to the Earl of Sussex, the Earl of Huntingdon, the Earl of Bedford, Viscount Mountague, the Bishop of Winchester, the Bishop of Hereford, the Bishop of Salisbury, the Bishop of Lincoln, the Lord Burleigh, the Lord Cobham, the Lord Lumley, the Lord Hastings of Loughborough, and Serjeant Barham.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Crastinum horâ Octavâ.

On Thursday the 10^th day of May, Four Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for the appointing of two several Sheriffs for the Counties of Cambridge and Huntington, was read secundâ vice, & commissa ad ingrossandum.

And the last, that no Purveyors shall take any Corn, Grain or Victuals, within five Miles of Cambridge and Oxford, was read primâ vice.

Nota, That Cambridge is here ranked before Oxford in the title of this Bill.

Nine Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the third being the Bill against the bringing in and putting in Execution of Bulls, &c. from the See of Rome, was returned (as it seemeth) not expedited; for the Journal-Book doth not set it down conclus., as in like Cases is usual.

The Earl of Sussex, the Earl of Bedford, the Earl of Winchester, the Bishop of Ely, the Lord Burleigh, and the Lord Wentworth, were appointed to confer with certain of the House of Commons about the Bill of Tellors, &c.

The Bill for increase of Tillage, and maintenance of the Navy, was referred to Committees; of which two were Viscount Hereford, and Viscount Mountague, but no mention is made of the reading of it; of which nature see a like President on Saturday the 21^th day of April foregoing.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Sabbati horâ Octavâ.

On Saturday the 12^th day of May, the Bill for two Fifteenths and Tenths, and one Subsidy granted by the Laity, was read primâ vice.

Seven Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which one was the Bill to restrain the Oppression of Common Promoters; and another for the maintenance of Navigation.

Four Bills also had each of them one reading, of which the third being the Bill for Restitution in Bloud of the Children of Sir Thomas Wyatt Knight, was read tertiâ vice, & conclusa.

The Bill lastly, against the bringing in of Bulls, &c. was committed to the Lords, that were in the Committee for the Bill of Treasons; who were appointed on Saturday the 5^th day of this instant May foregoing, to confer therein in certain points, with certain of the House of Commons.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Lunae prox. horâ Octavâ.

May the 13^th Sunday.

On Monday the 14^th day of May, Nine Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for one Subsidy and two Fifteenths and Tenths, granted by the Laity, was read secundâ vice. Vide May 16. postea, The reason why no Commitment. And the last for Orders for Bankrupts, was read secundâ vice & commissa ad ingrossandum.

Three Bills which passed this day with the Bill for Restitution in Bloud of the Children of Sir Thomas Wyatt Knight, were sent to the House p. 147of Commons by M^r Sollicitor, and Doctor Lewis.

The Bill for respite of Homage, was referred to Committees, but no mention made of the reading of it; of which see a like President on Saturday the 21^th day of April foregoing.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum usque in diem Crastinum horâ Octavâ.

On Tuesday the 15^th day of May, Five Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for one Subsidy and two Fifteenths and Tenths, granted by the Laity, was read secundâ vice, & conclusa.

Five Bills were brought to the Lords from the House of Commons, of which one was for the Confirmation of the Attainder of Charles Earl of Westmerland, and Thomas Earl of Northumberland and others, with a Proviso and Amendments. And another was the Bill for the Town of Lestwithiell in the County of Cornwall.

The Bill lastly against Simony was read secundâ vice, and committed to the Earl of Huntington, the Earl of Bedford, the Bishop of Winchester, the Bishop of Ely, the Bishop of Salisbury, the Bishop of Lincoln, the Lord Burleigh, the Lord Shandois, the Lord Hastings, and the Lord Hunsdon: And to the same Committees was likewise committed the Bill against corrupt Presentations.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum usque in diem Crastinum horâ Octavâ.

On Wednesday the 16^th day of May, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill touching Orders for Bankrupts, was read tertiâ vice, & conclusa, and sent to the House of Commons, by Doctor Yale, and Doctor Huick.

The Proviso and Amendments required by the House of Commons, to be put in the Bill for Confirmation of the Attainder of the Earls of Westmerland and Northumberland, &c. were thrice read, and the Lords gave their Assent thereunto.

The Amendments likewise in the Bill for Constats and Exemplifications of Letters Patents, being thrice read, the Lords also gave their Assents.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in horam secundam post Meridiem.

About which hour the Lord Keeper and divers other Lords, both Spiritual and Temporal, meeting, thirteen Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third touching Dilapidations, the fifth for Confirmation of a Subsidy granted by the Clergy, and the twelfth that no Hay or Plate shall cross the Seas, were each of them read the second time, and ordered to be ingrossed.

And of the said Bills the second being to License the Earl of Leicester to Erect an Hospital, the fourth for the making of the River of Welland Navigable, the eighth for the maintenance of Navigation, and the tenth for the continuance of making of Caps, were each of them read secundâ vice; but no mention is made, that they were either ordered to be ingrossed, or referred to Committees, of which there can be but two Reasons; the first, that the Lords deferred the committing or ingrossing thereof until some other time, as fell out before in the Bill touching the Commission of Sewers; which being read secundâ vice, on Friday the 2^d day of April foregoing, was referred to a Committee the day following (although sometimes it may be omitted likewise through the negligence of the Clerk of the Upper House) or else another reason there may be, that such Bills having passed the House of Commons, and being sent up to the Lords fairly ingrossed in Parchment, can be no more ingrossed, neither do the Lords ordinarily refer such Bills to Committees, unless there be very great Cause, in respect that each House holding correspondency with other, they do not willingly submit that to the agitation of a private Committee, which hath been allowed and approved by the wisdom of a whole House.

There may also lastly a third reason be assigned, in some extraordinary Cases, as this; where Bills of Grace, viz. for the Restitution in Blood of any, and such like, were sent to the House from her Majesty fairly ingrossed in Parchment, and Signed with her Hand, which for the most part do pass the House, without any stop or question.

On Thursday the 17^th day of May, to which day the Parliament had been last continued by the Lord Keeper on the day foregoing, Six Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first touching Morrice Rodney Esq, the second for the Town of Lestwithiell in the County of Cornwall, and the last to discharge Sheriffs of the Dyets of the Justices of Assize, were each of them read the second time; but no mention was made, that they were either Ordered to be ingrossed, or referred to Committees; of which see the reason at large discussed on the day foregoing, fitly suiting to this present occasion.

Three Bills also of the aforesaid six, had each of them their third reading, and passed the House; of which the first was the Bill for Restitution in Blood of Henry Brercton Esquire, and the second to License the Earl of Leicester to found an Hospital.

Seven Bills of no great moment, were brought from the House of Commons; of which the first being the Bill whereby certain offences are made Treason, was returned conclusa, with requests that it might be fair written again, which the Lords performed accordingly on Tuesday the 21^th day of this instant May ensuing.

Three Bills also had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill for coming to Church, and receiving the Communion, was read tertiâ vice, & conclusa, dissentientibus Comitibus p. 148Wigorn. & Southampton., & Dominis Windsor & Vaux.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in horam secundam post meridiem.

About which hour the Lord Keeper and divers other Lords, both Spiritual and Temporal, meeting, six Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for the increase of Tillage, and maintenance of the Navy, was read the second time, and referred to the Committees; of which two were Viscount Hereford, and Viscount Mountague.

The Bill also for the Town of Bristol, was read the second time; but there is no mention made, that it was referred to Committees, or ordered to be ingrossed, because it had been sent up to the Lords, from the House of Commons, on Tuesday the first day of this instant May foregoing; of which see a like President on Wednesday the 16^th day of the same Month, immediately preceeding.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Sabbati hora nona.

On Saturday the 19^th day of May, Eight Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the fourth being the Bill for avoiding of delays upon Vouchers in real actions, was read primâ vice, and was thereupon committed to the Lord Dier, Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas, and other the Justices, to consider thereof; and the fifth being the Bill touching the Town of Southampton, was read tertiâ vice, & conclusa, with certain Corrections and Amendments thereunto added by the Lords.

Two Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first being the Bill for the preservation of Timber and Wood, was read primâ vice.

The Bill for Southampton, the Bill for the Subsidy of the Clergy, and Fugitives over the Seas, were delivered to Doctor Lewis, and Doctor Yale, to be carried to the House of Commons.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in horam secundam post Meridiem.

About which hour the Lord Keeper and divers other Lords meeting, Six Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill to restrain the oppression of common Promoters; and the last for the avoiding of Perjury in Clerks Convict, were each of them read secundâ vice; but no mention is made, that they were ordered to be ingrossed, or referred to the Committees, because they had been formerly sent unto the Lords from the House of Commons, on Saturday the 12^th day, and on Tuesday the 15^th day of this instant May foregoing; of which see a like President on Wednesday the 16^th day of the said Month of May preceeding.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Lunae prox. horâ nonâ.

May the 20^th Sunday.

On Monday the 21^th day of May, Eight Bills had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill against Vagabonds, and for relief of the Poor, was read secundâ vice; but no mention is made, that it was either ordered to be ingrossed, or referred to Committees, because it had been sent up unto the Lords from the House of Commons, on Saturday the 19^th day of this instant Month of May preceeding; although it be there omitted.

The second of the said eight Bills, being for the preservation of Wood, was read the second time, and committed unto divers Lords, and unto the Queens Sollicitor.

The Bill for Confirmation of a Subsidy granted by the Clergy, was returned by the Lords from the House of Commons conclusa.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in horam secundam post Meridiem.

About which hour the Lord Keeper and divers other Lords, both Spiritual and Temporal meeting; Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for the Commutation of Penance in Clerks Convict, was read secundâ vice, & commissa unto the Earl of Hereford, Viscount Hereford, the Bishop of Winchester, and the Bishop of Worcester.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem proximum horâ Octavâ.

On Tuesday the 22^th day of May, the Bill to make the Lands and Tenements of Tellors, &c. liable to the payment of their Debts, was read tertiâ vice & conclusa & missa in Domum Communem by Doctor Lewis and Doctor Yale, together with the Bill of Treasons, newly written out and examined by six of the Lords, according to the request of the House of Commons on Thursday the 17^th day of this instant May foregoing; viz. the Earl of Huntington, the Earl of Bedford, Viscount Mountague, the Bishop of Worcester, the Bishop of Salisbury, and the Bishop of S^t Davids.

Two Bills also of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill to restrain the oppression of common Promoters, was read tertiâ vice, & conclusa, with certain Amendments added thereunto.

Five Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first was the Bill to make the River of Welland Navigable, the second against Simony; the third for the severance of Sheriffs in the Counties of Bedford and Buckingham; the fourth for the erection of a Grammar-School and writing-School in the Borough of Southwark; and the last for the making of William Watson a free Denizen.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens p. 149Parliamentum us que in horam secundam post Meridiem.

About which hour the Lord Keeper and divers other Lords both Spiritual and Temporal, meeting, Two Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for the Erection of a Grammar-School and Writing-School in the Borough of Southwark, was read primâ vice.

The Bill to restrain the Oppression of common Promoters, was sent to the House of Commons, by M^r Attorney and Doctor Huick.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem proximum horâ Octavâ.

On Wednesday the 23^th day of May, Two Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill touching Priests disguising themselves, was read the first time.

Ten Bills were brought from the House of Commons, the first to License the Earl of Leicester to found an Hospital; the second whereby certain offences be made Treasons; the third against fraudulent gifts to the intent to defeat Dilapidations; the fourth for the paving of the Town of Ipswich; the fifth whereby the Queens Majesties Servants in Ordinary of her Houshold and Chamber, shall not be returned on Juries; the sixth against the bringing in of Foreign Wares forbidden; the seventh for the continuance of Sheriffs of sundry Counties; the eighth for the bringing in of Bow-staves into the Realm; the ninth for Ministers of the Church to be sound in Religion; and the tenth for paving of a street without Aldgate.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in horam secundam post Meridiem.

Nota, That here the Lord Chief Justice did continue the Parliament unto the Afternoon, by Virtue of that Authority which was given unto him by her Majesties Commission, under the Great Seal of England, and set down at large on Monday the 9^th day of April foregoing.

On the said 23^th day of May, in the Afternoon, Seven Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill for the paving of a Street without Aldgate; the fourth for the bringing in of Bowes-staves into the Realm; and the sixth for the paving of the Town of Ipswich; were each of them read the second time; but no mention is made, that they were either referred to the Committees, or ordered to be ingrossed, in respect that they had been sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons, this present Wednesday in the Forenoon; of which see a like President on Wednesday the 16^th day of this instant May foregoing.

The last also of the said seven Bills, touching Priests disguising themselves in strange Apparel, was read the second time, & commissa ad ingrossandum.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem proximum horâ Octavâ.

On Thursday the 24^th day of May, Five Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for the maintenance of the Navy, and for encrease of Tillage; and the second for incorporating and uniting of Weymouth, and Melcomb-Regis in Com. Dorset, were each of them read secundâ vice, & commissae ad ingrossand.

Eight Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; the first being the Bill for coming to Church, and receiving the Communion; the second touching order for Bankrupts; the third for the Commission of Sewers; the fourth for the appointing of two Sheriffs for the two Counties of Huntington and Cambridge; the fifth for the restitution in Blood of Sir Thomas Wyat's Children; the sixth, that no Hay or Plate shall cross the Seas; the seventh for speedy Tryal to be had upon Issues in the Counties of Salop. and Hereford; and the last was the Bill for the Tryal of Felons in the twelve Shires of Wales.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in horam secundam post Meridiem.

About which hour the Lord Keeper and divers other Lords, both Spiritual and Temporal, being Assembled, Two Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for the Incorporation of both Universities, and the second for the Tryal of Felons in the twelve Counties of Wales, were each of them read primâ vice.

The Bill for coming to Church, and the Bill for severance of Sheriffs in the Counties of Bucks and Bedford, were delivered to Doctor Yale and Doctor Vaughan, to be carried to the House of Commons.

Two Bills also had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for the speedy Tryal to be had upon Issues in the Counties of Salop and Hereford, was read prima vice & commissa Justiciario Harper.

Three Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; the first to restrain the oppression of common Promoters; the second for the restitution in Blood of Henry Brereton Esquire; and the third for John Tirrell Esq.

The Bill for the paving of the Town of Ipswich, was read tertiâ vice, & conclusa.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum usque in diem Crastinum horâ Octavâ.

On Friday the 25^th day of May, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first was for the Incorporation of both Universities; the second for the Incorporation and uniting of Weymouth and Melcomb-Regis, in Com. Dorset; and the third for increase of Tillage, and maintenance of the Navy; they had each of them their third reading; and passed upon the question. p. 150And were sent to the Commons by M^r Attorney, and Doctor Vaughan.

Five Bills also of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill whereby the Queens Majesties Ordinary Servants of Houshold and Chamber, shall not be returned on Juries, was read tertiâ vice & reject.

Two Bills were brought up to the Lords, from the House of Commons; of which the first being the Bill for coming to Church, and receiving the Communion, was returned conclusa.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in horam secundam post Meridiem.

About which hour the Lords met, but nothing was done save only the continuance of the Parliament by the Lord Keeper, us que in diem proximum horâ Octavâ.

On Saturday the 26^th day of May, Three Bills were sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first being the Bill that no Purveyor shall take Grain, Corn or Victual, within five Miles of Cambridge and Oxford, was returned with certain Amendments, and so the Bill was concluded.

Two Bill also were brought from the House of Commons; of which the first was the Bill for the Incorporation and uniting of Weymouth, and Melcomb-Regis in Com. Dorset; and the second for the Town of Southampton.

The Bill touching Licences and Dispensations, was committed to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and others, and to Doctor Lewis, and Doctor Huick.

The Bill lastly for limitation of the Fees of Councellors, and others, towards the Law, was read secundâ vice, & commissa ad ingrossandum.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in horam secundam post Meridiem.

About which hour the Lord Keeper and divers other Lords Assembling, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the second touching the Limitation of Fees of Councellors, and others towards the Law, was read tertiâ vice & conclusa, and sent to the House of Commons, by Doctor Lewis, and Doctor Vaughan.

Four Bills were brought from the House of Commons, of which the first was the Bill against Fugitives over the Seas; the second for Incorporation of both Universities; with a new Proviso added by the House of Commons, and certain Amendments, which were thrice read and assented unto; the third for reviving and continuance of Statutes; and the last touching corrupt Presentations.

The Bill touching severance of Sheriffs of sundry Counties, was read the second time; but no mention is made, that it was either referred to Committees, or ordered to be ingrossed, in regard it had been sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons, on Wednesday the 23^th day of this instant Month of May preceeding: of which see a like President on Wednesday the 16^th day of the same Month foregoing.

The Bill against Fugitives, was sent to the House of Commons by Doctor Lewis and Doctor Yale, with the latter Proviso put out, and all other Amendments.

Three Bills were brought from the House of Commons, the first against Fugitives over the Seas, and the second for the increase of Tillage, and maintenance of the Navy.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Lunae prox. horâ nonâ.

May the 27^th Sunday.

On Monday the 28^th day of May, Four Bills of no great moment, had each of them their third reading, and passed the House; of which the first was the Bill for John Tirrell Esq; and the second for the increase of Tillage, and maintenance of the Navy.

Two Bills were sent at several times unto the Lords from the House of Commons, of which the first being for the bringing in of the River of Lee to the North-side of the City of London, was returned with a new Proviso, and certain Amendments added by them of the House of Commons. And the second also for the assurance of certain Lands to the Lord Berkeley, and the Lady Katherine his Wife, was returned with certain Amendments and a Proviso added thereunto.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in horam secundam post Meridiem.

About which hour the Lord Keeper, and divers Lords meeting, the Bill for the bringing in of the River of Lee, to the North-side of the City of London, was read tertiâ vice, with certain Provisoes and Amendments added thereunto by the House of Commons, and Assented unto by the Lords.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum usque in diem Crastinum horâ Octavâ.

On Tuesday the 29^th day of May, the Bill touching the Queens Majesties most Gracious, General and free Pardon, was read primâ vice, & conclusa.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in horam secundam post Meridiem.

About which hour the Lord Keeper, and divers other Lords Assembling, Six Bills were brought from the House of Commons; of which the first being for the continuance of the severance of Sheriffs in sundry Counties, and the second to make the Lands, Goods and Chattels of Tellors, &c. liable to the payment of their Debts, were each of them returned conclusae.

The Bill of the Queens Majesties general and free Pardon, was returned conclusa.

Note that Robert Bowyer Esq, who succeeded Sir Thomas Smith in the place of Clerk of the Upper House, in An. 6 Jacobi Regis, in his Abridgment of the Journals of the said House, during p. 151the Queens Reign, hath in this place upon the sending up of the aforesaid Bill of Pardon, left this Animadversion following; viz.

It seemeth the Clerks negligence that the sending of this Bill to the Lower House, is not set down in the Journal-Book: also by entrance of the returning thereof, it seemeth that the same was sent single, alone by special Messengers, and not with the other six Bills.

Nota also, That all the following passages of this Afternoon, excepting the entrance only of the Dissolution of the Parliament, are all transcribed out of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, and the Speech of Sir Nicholas Bacon the Lord Keeper, was transcribed out of a Copy thereof which I had by me; as was also the manner of her Majesties passing the several Acts supplied by my self, according to the ordinary use of a former President thereof. None of all which passages (excepting that only touching the entrance of the Dissolution of the said Parliament) are at all found in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House: But do now come to be supplied out of those other abovementioned Manuscript Monuments; and in the first place out of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, in manner and form following.

About four of the Clock in the Afternoon, the Queens Majestie being sat in her Royal Seat, in the Upper House, M^r Speaker made his Oration, presented unto her Majesty the Book of the Subsidy, and in the name of the whole House, gave her Majesty most humble thanks for her Highness general and free Pardon, and prayed her Majesties Royal Assent unto such Acts and Laws, as had passed both the Houses in this Session.

This being thus transcribed out of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, fol. 39. a. now follows the Answer of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, at large, which he made unto the Speakers Speech, being transcribed out of a Copy I had by me.

M^r Speaker, The Queens Majesty hath heard, and doth very well understand, how discreetly and wisely you have declared the Proceedings of this Session in the Nether House; for Answer whereof, and for the better signification of what her Majesties opinion is, both of Parliament men and Parliament matters; this is to let you understand, her Majesty hath Commanded me to say unto you, that, like as the greatest number of them of the Lower House, have in the proceedings of this Sessions shewed themselves modest, discreet and dutiful, as becomes good and loving Subjects, and meet for the places that they be called unto: So there be certain of them, although not many in number, who in the proceeding of this Session, have shewed themselves audacious, arrogant and presumptuous, calling her Majesties Grants and Prerogatives also in question, contrary to their Duty and place that they be called unto; And contrary to the express Admonition given in her Majesties name, in the beginning of this Parliament; which it might very well have become them to have had more regard unto. But her Majesty saith, that seeing they will thus wilfully forget themselves, they are otherwise to be remembred: and like as her Majesty allows and much commends the former sort, for the respects aforesaid, so doth her Highness utterly disallow, and condemn the second sort, for their audacious, arrogant and presumptuous folly, thus by superfluous Speech spending much time in medling with matters neither pertaining to them, nor within the capacity of their understanding.

And thus much concerning the Parliament of the Lower House.

And as to the Lords here of the Upper House, her Majesty hath Commanded me to let you know, that her Highness taketh their diligence, discretion and orderly Proceedings, to be such, as redoundeth much to their Honour and Commendations, and much to her Comfort and Consolation. And here an end touching Parliament men.

Now as to the Parliament matters, her Majesty hath Commanded me to open and declare unto you, her Opinion conceived therein, touching two things; the one is concerning the Subsidy and benevolence, the other is concerning the Execution of the Laws. As to the former, which concerneth the Subsidy and benevolence, her Pleasure is, that I shall say unto you, that in your dealings in that matter, she hath noted three things principally; every of them tending much to the setting forth of your benevolences, and good wills; The first is, who it was that granted, the second the manner of the granting, the third what it was that was granted. As to the first, her Majesty forgetteth not, that it is a grant made proceeding from the earnest affections, and hearty good wills of her good, dutiful and obedient Subjects, for the greatest part. And therefore hath Commanded me to say unto you, that she maketh a greater accompt of the great good wills and benevolent minds of her good and loving Subjects, than she doth of ten Subsidies; which as it ought to bring and breed in us great comfort and delight, so in reason it ought to move us (as I doubt not but it doth) to be and continue such as be worthy such an estimation and accompt. Again, her Majesty forgetteth not, that besides this is not a Grant by good and loving Subjects, that never made like Grant heretofore; but by such as have contributed from time to time, as the necessary Charges of the Realm, and their own Sureties have required; which doth much commend and set forth this benevolence of yours. And thus much concerning the persons that have granted.

And as to the second, which is the manner of granting, her Highness knoweth very well, that before her time these manner of Grants have sundry times past, not without difficulties, with p. 152long perswasions, and sometimes not without sharp Speeches, but this contrariwise without any such Speeches or other difficulty hath been freely and frankly offered and presented; and like as the former did much extenuate their benevolence, so is this of yours greatly extended. It is written and very truly, concerning Benevolences, Qui diu distulit diu noluit, and therefore justly concluded, Bis dat qui citò dat; which sayings she cannot but apply to you, in the proceedings of your Grant.

Again, Universality in consent doth greatly commend also your dealings in this matter; for a more universal consent than was in this, will hardly be had in any; and therefore much the more commendable. And thus much touching the manner of the Gift.

And as to the third, which concerneth the thing given, her Majesty saith, that she thinketh it to be as great as any heretofore hath been granted, and therefore you are to receive condign thanks for it. And hath further willed me to say, that if the Service of the Realm and your Sureties would so permit and suffer, her Majesty would as gladly, as readily, and as frankly remit this Grant, as you have freely and liberally granted it. Thus I have remembred unto you the three Princely Observations, that her Majesty hath conceived of this benevolence of yours, much to your Comfort, and greatly to her Majesties Honour; to your Commendation for granting, and to her Highness for this honourable accepting; for her Majesty shall by this Grant receive no Commodity or benefit, but rather a continual care in dispending and imploying of it, about the necessary Affairs and Service of the Realm, and your Sureties; and yet it is a great Comfort to her Majesty, to see you thus frankly and freely join with her Self, the Realm, and You.

Now to the second and last part, which concerneth the Execution of Laws, which I mean to divide into two parts; the first is the Execution of your Grant, the second is the Execution of Laws, now made by you, and of the rest made before of others. As to the former, I am to remember you, that like as it hath pleased the Queens Majesty thus Princely, Honourably and thankfully, to think of and accept this free and liberal Grant of yours; so certainly, if the like diligence and endeavour be not used, by such of you as Choice shall be made of by her Majesty for the due putting in Execution of this Grant, then surely those that shall be thus remiss, or negligent, as by that means her Majesty and the Realm shall be defrauded of any part of that which hath been thus freely granted, shall thereby minister just occasion to her Highness to have their fidelity and truth towards her Majesty, much to be suspected and charged; which would touch them very near. Neither is it an offence that would be pretermitted, but severely punished. Why, if the Case were between common persons, can there be a greater untruth and unthankfulness, than for a man to make a grant in appearance willingly and readily, and then to seek wilily and craftily to defraud the same Grant? This amongst honest persons, is utterly detested, and if so, how then might it be thought of between the Prince and his Subjects? where for divers respects this bond is thrice as great; for as the Subject by the Duty of his Allegiance, is to serve the Prince truly, even so is he by his Oath, and so is he by the great trust, that by the Princes Choice is committed unto him, as a Commissioner in this matter, above others. Plainly to speak, it may be affirmed, and that justly, that such as be in Commission for the Execution of this Grant, and shall deal partially, either for favour, or for fear, or for love to themselves, or their Friends, or negligently or remisly, of purpose whereby her Majesty shall not be Answered of that that is due unto her, such I say, may justly be charged as men forgetting their Duty towards God, and their Soveraign, and to their Country. It cannot be denied, that numbers respect only their private profit, and not the universal profit of the Realm, which is their surety and defence; they respect themselves, as private persons, and not as Members of the Universal Body; but their imperfection would be supplied by the wisdom and perswasion of such, as the Queens Majesty shall commit trust unto by her Commission, to see this Subsidy well and truly levied.

And thus much for the Execution of the Grant; Now to the Execution of Laws, made by you, and the rest made heretofore by others. I am to remember you, that all these labours, travels and pains taken about the Laws now made, and before time taken about the rest heretofore made, and all the Charge sustained by the Realm about the making of them, is all in vain, and labour lost, without the due Execution of them. For, as it hath been said, a Law without Execution, is but a Body without Life, a Cause without an Effect, a Countenance of a thing, and indeed nothing; Pen, Ink, and Paper, are as much towards the Governance of the Common-Wealth, as the Rudder or Helm of a Ship serveth to the Governance of it without a Governour, and as Rods serve for Correction without hands. Were it not a meer madness for a man to provide fair Torches to guide his going by Night, and when he should use them in the dark, to carry them unlight? or for one to provide fair and handsome Tools to prune or reform his Orchard, or Garden, and to lay them up without use? And what thing else is it to make wholesome and provident Laws in fair Books, and to lay them up safe, without seeing them Executed? Surely in reason there is no difference between the Examples, saving that the making of Laws, without Execution, is in much worse Case, than those vain provisions before remembred; for those, albeit they do no good, yet they do no hurt; but the making of Laws without Execution, does very much harm; for that breeds and brings forth contempt of Laws, and Law-makers, and of all Magistrates; which p. 153is the very foundation of all misgovernance, and therefore must needs be great and hainous in those, that are the Causers of this; indeed they are the very occasions of all injuries and injustice, and of all disorders and unquietness in the Common-Wealth. For certain and evident it is, that the Queens Majesty, that is Head of the Law doth all meet for her Majesty to do, for the due Execution of them. First, She giveth her Royal Assent to the making of them, the most material of them she Commandeth to be Proclaimed, and published; and yet ceaseth not there, but she granteth out her Commission into every of her Shires, to men which are or should be of greatest consideration within the limits of their Charge, which for the better Executing of them are Sworn to see the Execution of her Laws to them Committed, within the Limits of their Commissions: and yet besides all this, by her Majesties Commandment, a number of these Justices are Yearly once at the least called into her Highnesses Star-Chamber, and there in her Majesties Name, Exhorted, Admonished and Commanded, to see the due Execution of their Charges.

And thus you see her Majesty Enacteth, Proclaimeth, Committeth, Exhorteth, Admonisheth and Commandeth from time to time; yea, what can be devised meet for her Majesty to do, for help if this, that is left undone? Surely nothing, to her Majesties Honour and Renown. Whereupon it followeth necessarily and consequently, that the whole burthen of the offence and enormity must light upon us, that are put in trust by her Majesty, to see those Laws Executed; and certainly this offence groweth great or little, as the trust Committed for the Execution of Laws, is great or little; and therefore it standeth us greatly upon, to use our whole Cares and Endeavours, for the help of this hereafter. Were it possible, trow you, that if Justices being dispersed through the whole Realm, as they be, did carefully and diligently endeavour themselves, according to the Trust committed unto them, by their Soveraign, duly and truly to Execute their Charge, as they be bound by their Oath to God, and by their Allegiance to their Soveraign, and by Duty to their natural Country, and rightly considered, by the love they should bear to themselves and their Posterity (for if their Country do not well, they shall fare but illfavouredly) were it possible, I say, if this were so done, that Laws should be thus remisly and negligently Executed? No, doubtless. Is it not (trow you) a monstrous disguising, to have a Justice a Maintainer; to have him that should by his Oath and Duty set forth Justice and Right, against his Oath offer Injury and Wrong; to have him that is specially Chosen amongst a number by a Prince to appease all Brawlings and Controversies, to be a Sower and Maintainer of Strife and Sedition, by swaying and leading of Juries according to his will; acquitting some for gain, Indicting others for Malice, bearing with them, as his Servant or Friend, over-throwing others as his Enemy; procuring the Questmonger to be of his Livery, or otherwise in his danger; that his winks, frownings, and Countenances may direct all Inquests? Surely, surely, these be they that be Subverters of all good Laws and Orders; yea, that make daily the Laws, which of their nature be good, to become Instruments of all Injuries and Mischief; these be they indeed of whom such Examples would be made, as of the Founders and Maintainers of all Enormities; and these be those whom, if you cannot reform for their greatness, you ought to complain of them; and like as this is not said of those that be Good, so is this and much more to be said and done against those that be Evil.

But here it may be said, The mischief appears; what is the remedy? to make all Laws presently Executed? I can hardly hope to make them in better Case, than now they be, and although I had such hopes, I could find no more helps but these.

The first is having great Care in the choice of the Officers. The second by sharp Corrections imposed upon such Offenders. There should be throughout the Realm a Triennial or Biennial Visitation in this nature, made of all Temporal Officers, and Ministers, that by Vertue of their Office have in Charge to see Execution of Laws. By this, I mean, that the Queens Majesty should make choice every second or third year, of certain expert and approved persons, to whom Commission should be granted, to try out and examine by all good means and ways the offences of all such as have not seen to the due Execution of the Laws, and according to the offences so found and certified, to be sharply punished without Omission or Redemption.

Of effect like unto this, and to the like end, was the Visitation of the Church first devised, whereof came in the beginning great good doubtless; and reason I see none, but that a like good ought to follow upon a like Visitation made amongst Temporal Officers. Now to find out the faults seemeth not hard, for amongst many other ways, there is one plain, evident and easie; and that is where offences do abound in any Country, contrary to the Laws, which the Justices should so reform, and there be nothing done by them for the Reformation of those offences; I do not see but this makes a full charge of their uncarefulness and negligence, whereby they are well worthy, upon Certificate made, as is aforesaid, to be removed of all Governance, to their perpetual ignominy, and to the Commendation of all those that remain as good Officers.

And besides, to set forth other pains upon them, as by Law may be justified; if this were once or twice done, I doubt not but the Examples following of the doing of it would cause greater diligence to be used in the Execution of Laws, than now there is. And the better to understand which be those Justices that do offend, p. 154why might there not be order taken, that the name of every Justice that hath not prosecuted any Offender, for any offence committed contrary to any Law, which by the Commission that he is in, he is authorized to see punished, might be entred into some Rolls; and also how often, and how many of those kind of offences he hath also prosecuted for a declaration of his diligence, whereby it might appear when such Visitation should come, who hath been careful, and who hath been negligent, to the end that the slothful, drowzy Drones, might be severed from the diligent and careful Bees. And like as I could wish this to be done concerning Offices of mean degree; so do I desire that the same course might be taken with the great and greatest; for so it should be Equable. But if there be nothing done therein, but things left as they have been, then must you look to have your Laws Executed as they have been, if not worse; for words will not reform these matters, as I have seen by proof. And this is the sum of what I have to say at this time, concerning the Execution of Laws.

This Speech of the Lord Keepers being thus transcribed out of the before-mentioned Copy thereof, now follows the manner of her Majesties giving her Royal Assent to such Acts as passed, as it is set down in the end of the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, in an. 39 Reg. Eliz. although it be omitted in that of this present Parliament.

The Title of the Bill of Subsidy being read after the publick and private Acts; the Clerk of the said House standing up, did read the Queens Answer in manner and form following.

La Roigne remercie ses Loyaulx subjects, accepte lour benevolence, & ainst le veult.

The said Clerk having read the Queens acceptance, and thanks for the Subsidy given as aforesaid, did then upon the reading of the Title of her Majesties Pardon, pronounce in these French words following, the thanks of the Lords and Commons for the same.

Les Prelats, Seigneurs & Communes, en ce present Parliament Assembles, au nom de touts vos autres subjects, remercient tres humblement vostre Majesty, & prient à Dieu qu' il vous done & santé, bone vie & longe.

To every one of the publick Acts allowed by the Queen, the Clerk of the Parliament read these French words following.

La Roigne le veult.

To every private Act that passed, the said Clerk read the Queens Answer, in these French words following:

Soit fait come il est desiré.

These two last Answers to the publick and private Acts, that passed, are to be written by the said Clerk, at the end of every Act.

To such Acts, as her Majesty doth forbear to allow, the Clerk of the Parliament reads these French words following; viz.

La Roigne s' advisera.

Her Majesty finally having given her Royal Assent to twenty eight publick Acts, and thirteen private, Dissolved the Parliament, which is Entred in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper-House, in manner and form following; viz.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli ex mandato Dominae Reginae Dissolvit praesens Parliamentum.