The Treachery and Disloyalty of Papists, Text (1 of 3)

The Treachery and Disloyalty of Papists · Text (1 of 3)

p. 1The Treachery and Diſloyalty of Papiſts to their Soveraignes, both in Doctrine and Practiſe.

WHen I ſeriouſly conſider the memorable Preamble of 3 Jac. ch. 4. That it is found by daily experience, that many of his Majeſties Subjects who adhere in their hearts to the Popiſh Religion, by the infection drawne from thence, and by the wicked and divelliſh counſell of Jeſuites, Seminaries, and other perſons dangerous to the Church and State, are ſo farre perverted in the point of their loyalties and due obedience unto the Kings Majeſty, and the Crowne of England, as they are ready to entertaine and execute any Treaſonable Conſpiracies and Practiſes, as evidently appeares by that more then barbarous and horrible attempt to have blowne up with Gunpowder, the King, Queene, Prince, …ords and Commons in the Houſe of Parliament aſſembled, tending to the utter ſubverſion of the whole State, lately …dertaken by the inſtigation of Jeſuites and Seminaries, and in advancement of their Religion by their Schollars …ught and inſtructed by them for that purpoſe. With the Statutes of 35. Eliz. ch. 2. and 3 Jacobi ch. 5. which …act: That all Popiſh Recuſants ſhall be reſtrained to ſome certaine places of abode, and confined to their private …uſes in the Country, and not at any time after to paſſe or remove above five miles from thence, under paine of forfeiting … their Lands, Goods, and Chattels, during life. That none of them ſhall remaine within ten miles of the City of …ondon, nor come into the Court or houſe where his Majeſty, or Heire apparent to th… Crowne of England ſhall be; nor …ave in their owne houſes, or in the hands or poſſeſſion of any other at their diſpoſition, any Armour, Gunpowder, or Mu…tion, of what kind ſoever, And all this, for the better diſcovering and avoiding of ſuch Trayterous, and moſt dan…rous Conſpiracies, Treaſo… ▪ Practiſes, and attempts, as are daily deviſed, and practiſed againſt our moſt gracious …overaignes Perſon, and … Commonweale, by rebellious and trayterous Papiſts. And when I read in **Dated January 10. 1606. and Februa. 22. 1603.two of King …mes his Proclamations: That thoſe adhering to the profeſſion of the Church of Rome, are blindly led (together …ith the ſuperſtition of their Religion) both unto ſome points of Doctrine which **Note this.cannot conſiſt with the loyalty of Sub…cts towards their Prince, and oft times unto direct actions of conſpiracies, and conjurations againſt the State wherin …ey live, as hath moſt notoriouſly appeared by the late moſt horrible and almoſt incredible conjuration (grounded up… points of Doctrine in that Church held and maintained, and contrived, and practiſed with the privity and warrant of …any of the principall Prieſts of that profeſſion) to blow up our children and all the three Eſtates in Parliament aſſem…ed. And when we conſider the courſe and claime of the Sea of Rome, we have no reaſon to imagine, that Princes of …r Religion and profeſſion can expect any aſſurance long to continue, unleſſe it might be aſſented by the meditation of other …rinces Chriſtian, that ſome good courſe might be taken (by a generall Councell free, and lawfully called) to plucke up …oſe rootes of dangers and jealouſies which ariſe for cauſe of Religion, as well betweene Princes and Princes, as be…eene them and their Subjects; and to make it manifeſt, that no State or Potentate, either doth or can challenge pow… to diſpoſe of earthly Kingdomes, or Monarchies, or to diſpenſe with Subjects obedience to their naturall Soveraignes; Which was never yet attempted, much leſſe effected.) And in the Booke of Thankeſgiving appointed for the …h of November, (ſet forth by King James, and the Parliaments ſpeciall direction) this obſervable Prayer …omewhat altered by the now aaWho confeſſeth & Juſtifieth it, in his Speech in Star-chamber, June 14. 1637.Arch-prelate of Canterbury in the latter Editions to pleaſure his Friends the …piſts) To that end ſtrengthen the hand of our gracious King, the Nobles and Magiſtrates of the Land, with Judge…ent and Juſtice, to cut off theſe workers of iniquity (the Papiſts) whoſe R…ligion is rebellion, whoſe faith is facti…, whoſe practiſe is murthering of Soules and Bodies, and to roote them out of he confines of this Kingdome. I can…ot but ſtar damazed, yea utterly confounded in my ſelfe, at the Impudency and Treachery ofthoſe pernicious …ounſellors, who in affront of all theſe Lawes and premiſes, have iſſued out ſundry bbSee the Parliaments late Declaration.Commiſſions, under …s Majeſties hand and ſeale, to divers notorious Papiſts, not onelyonly to furniſh themſelves with all ſorts of …mes and Munition; but likewiſe to meet together armed, and raiſe Forces in the Field, to fight againſt the …rliament, Kingdome and Proteſtant Religion, (even contrary to divers his Majeſties late Printed Declara…ns, and Proteſtations, to all his loving Subjects) advanced them to places of great truſt and command in his …ajeſties ſeverall Armies; and procured them free acceſſe unto, if not places of truſt about his ſacred perſon, … if they were his loyalleſt Subjects, his ſureſt guard (as many now boldly ſtile them,) and more to be confi…ed in, then his beſt and greateſt Councell, the Parliament; whom they moſt execrably revile, as Rebels, …d Traytors, the more colourably to raiſe an Army of Papiſts to cut their throats, and the throat of our Pro…ſtant Religion firſt (as they have already done in Ireland,) and then laſt of all his Majeſties, in caſe he refuſe p. 2to become the Popes ſworne vaſſall or alter his Religion, which he hath oſt proteſted (and we beleeve) he will never doe.

But I deſire theſe ill Counſellours of the worſt Edition, to informe his Majeſty, or any rationall creature, how it is either probable or poſſible, that an Army of Papiſts ſhould ſecure his Majeſties perſon, Crowne, Dignity, or protect the Proteſtant Religion, the Parliament, or its priviledges; to all which they have ſhewed themſelves moſt proſeſſed enemies. We all know that Popiſh Recuſants ccSee King James his Apology againſt Bellarmin, Laurentius Byerlincke, Opus Chronogr. p. 319. Deus et Rex: The Lord William Howards Sonnes late Booke in Defence of Papiſts taking the Oath of Allegiance.obſtinately refuſe to take the Oath of Supremacy, or Allegiance (ſome of them that tooke it, having beene excommunicated by their Prieſts for a reward) The… ſumme of which Oath is, **3 Jac. c. 4.Jas 4That they doe truely and ſincerely acknowledge and profeſſe; That the Pope hath … authority to depoſe the King, or to diſpoſe of any his Kingdomes, or to authorize any foraine Prince to invade his Countries, or to diſcharge any his Subjects from their Allegiance to his Majeſty, or to licenſe any of them to beare armes, o… raiſe tumults againſt him, or to offer any violence or hurt to his royall Perſon, Government, Subjects. That notwithſtanding any Declaration, Excommunication, or deprivation made or granted by the Pope, or any Authority derived from him, againſt the King, his Heires, and Succeſſors, or any abſolution from their obedience, they will beare… faith and true allegiance to them, and them protect to the uttermoſt of their power againſt all conſpiracies and attempts whatſoever againſt their Perſons, Crowne, and Dignity, by reaſon of any ſuch ſentence or Declaration, or otherwiſe. And that they doe from their hearts, abhorre, deteſt, and abjure as impi…us and hereticall, this damnable… Doctrine and poſition: (proſeſſedly maintained by Engliſh Papiſts, elſe why ſhould the Parliament preſcribe and they abſolutely refuſe to take this Oath?) that Princes excommunicated or deprived by the Pope, may be depoſed or murdered by their Subjects, or any other whatſoever. Willthoſe then who refuſe to take this Oath, or abjure this King depoſing, King-killing Doctrine; harbouring a Seminary Prieſt in their Tents, and a Pope in their▪hearts, prove a faithfull guard to his Majeſties Perſon, Crowne or Kingdomes: Will thoſe who ſo o… conſpired the death, and attempted the murthers of Queene Elizabeth, and King James, onelyonly becauſe they were Proteſtants, and Defenders of the Proteſtant Faith, now cordially protect and aſſiſt King Charles, without attempting any thing againſt his Crowne or Perſon, who hath lately made and publiſhed ſo many Proteſtations, and Declarations, that he will never embrace, nor countenance Popery, but moſt reſolutely Defend, and Advance the Proteſtant Religion; and makes this one principall motive (how truely, he taketh Heaven and Earth to witneſſe) of his preſent taking up of Armes: Will they (thinke you) ſpend their lives for King and Parliament, who but few yeares ſince) lost their lives for attempting by a traine of Gunpowder to blow up both King and Parliament? Will thoſe ſecure his Majeſty in his Throne, now he is actually King of England, who would have murthered him in his Cradle, ere he was Prince, to foreſtall him of the Crowne of England: ca… thoſe prove really loyall to his Majeſty and his Royall Poſterity, who would have blowne up him▪and all royall Houſe at once, even long before he had poſterity? In a word (if ancient preſidents will not convince us) are thoſe who for ddSee Dr. Jones his Booke of Examinations.two yeares laſt paſt or more, have beene labouring with might and maine to uncrowne his Majeſty, and utterly extirpate the Proteſtant Religion by horrid conſpiracies and force of Armes, in Ireland and are now there acting the laſt Scene of this moſt barbarous bloudy Tragedy, now likely to ſpend their deareſt blood in fighting for the preſervation of his Majeſties Crowne and the Proteſtant cauſe in England, if thi… onelyonly be the reall quarrell, as is ſpecioully pretended? Or will any of that Religion, who within theſe thre… yeares, have by force of Armes, both in Catalonia, Portugall, and elſewhere, revolted from, and caſt off thei… allegiance to their owne moſt Catholicke King; to ſetup others of the ſame Religion in his Tribunall; put t… their helping hands to eſtabliſh his Majeſty (the moſt Proteſtant King) in his regall Throne, admit it were really, not fictitiouſly indangered to be ſhaken: Certainely, if the ground of this unnaturall warre be ſuch a… theſe ill Conſellors pretend, they would never be ſo farre beſotted as to make choyce of ſuch unfitting Champions as Papiſts, for ſuch a deſigne, who are very well knowne to be the greateſt enemies and malignants o… all others, both to King, Kingdome, Religion, and Parliament, whoſe joynt deſtructions (what ever theſ… ill Counſellors pretend) is queſtionleſſe the onelyonly thing really intended, by the Popiſh party in this warre, a… the proceedings in Ireland, the introducing of ſoraine, the raiſing of domeſticke popiſh Forces, the diſarmin… of Proteſtants, and Arming Papiſts with their Harneſſe, clearely demonſtrate to all whom prejudice hath no… blinded.

Now that I may evidence to theſe pernicious Counſellours, and all the world, how dangerous and unſa… it is for his Majeſty and the Kingdome to put Armes into Papiſts hands, and make uſe of them to protect th… Kings Perſon, or Crown; I ſhall deſire them to take notice both of the Papiſts traiterous Doctrine, and Practiſe in theſe three particulars they maintaine.

Firſt, That the Pope by a meere divine right, is the ſole and ſupreme Monarch of the whole world, and all … Kingdomes in it, to diſpoſe of them at his pleaſure, to whom and when he will, without giving any account of his actions. That all Emperours and Kings are but his vaſſals, deriving, and holding their Crownes from him by baſe u… worthy ſervices, worſe then villenage; that they call, and repute them their Popes vaſſals, curs, packe aſſes wi… Bels about their neckes, and uſe them like ſuch, if they offend the Pope. For full proofe whereof out of their ow… Authors and practiſe, I ſhall referre them to Doctor eeDedicated to King Iames, printed at London 1621.Richard Crakenthorps Booke, Of the Popes Tempore… Monarchy, chap. 1. p. 1. to 27. worthy any mans reading, to John Bodins Commonwealth, Lib. 1. cap. 9. a… Doctor John Whites Defence of the way to the true Church, chap. 10. p. 43.

p. 3Secondly, That the Pope alone without a Councell, may lawfully excommunicate, cenſure, depoſe both Emperours, Kings, and Princes; and diſpoſe of their Crownes and Kingdomes unto others; That it is meet and neceſſary hee ſhould …xcommunicate and deprive all Kings, who are either Heretickes or Apoſtates (as they repute all Proteſtant Princes) …r oppreſſers of the Common wealth: That as ſoone as ſuch Princes are actually excommunicated, or notoriouſly knowne to …e Heretickes or Apoſtates, their Subjects are ipſo fact… abſolved from their government, and Oathes of Allegiance whereby they were bound unto them; and may, yea ought to take up armes againſt them to deprive them of their kingdomes.

Thirdly, That ſuch tyranicall and oppreſſing Kings may be killed, poyſoned, or ſlaine by open force of Armes, not onelyonly lawfully, but with glory and commendations; That this is to be executed by Catholikes; and that it is not onelyonly an heroi…all, but meritorious act, worthy the higheſt Encomiums.

Theſe two laſt pro poſitions you may read abundantly proved by the words of Popiſh writers, and 40. examples of ſeveral Emperours, Kings and Princes, which Popes & Papiſts have excommunicated, deprived, violent…y aſſaulted and murthered, in eeDedicated to King Iames, and printed at London, 1624.Doctor John Whites defence of the way to the true Church, chap. 6. pag. 14. to 22. and chap. 10. pag. 43. 44. in his Sermon at Pauls Croſſe, March 24. 1615. pag. 11. 12. in Biſhop Bilſons true difference of Chriſtian Subjection, and unchriſtian rebellion, part 3: throughout. Aphoriſmi doctrinae Jeſuitarum: King James his Apologie againſt Bellarmine, with his Anſwer to Cardinall Perron; and ſundry printed Sermons, preached on the fiſt of November, to which I ſhall referre the Reader; What ſecurity or protection then of his Majeſties royall Perſon, Crowne, or Kingdomes, can now be expected from our Popiſh Recuſants, (infected with theſe traytorous Principles, and branded with ſo many ancient, moderne, nay preſent treaſons and Rebellions againſt their Soveraignes) let the world and all wiſe men ſeriouſly judge; What faire quarter and brotherly aſſiſtance the Parliament, Proteſtants, Proteſtant Religion, Lawes and Liberties of the Subject are like …o receive from this Popiſh Army, the late Gunpouder Treaſon, the Spaniſh Armado, the Engliſh and French booke of Martyrs, the preſent proceedings in Ireland, Yorkeſhire, and elſewhere will reſolve without diſpute: And what peace and ſafetiè the Kingdome may expect in Church or State, whiles Popery and Papiſts have any armed power or being among us, ffIn his Sermon there, Mar. 24. 1615. p. 43, 44.Doctor John White hath long ſince proclaymed at Pauls Croſſe (and now we feele it by experience) in theſe words; Papiſtry can ſtand neither with peace nor piety; the State therefore that would have theſe things, hath juſt cauſe to ſuppreſſe it. Touching our peace, it bath not beene violated in our State theſe many yeares but by them, nor ſcarce in any Chriſtian State, ſince Charles the great his time, but the Pope and his miniſters have had a hand in it.

All that theſe ill adviſers (to colour their cloſe ggSee Plaine Engliſh.deſigne of reeſtabliſhing Popery, principally intended) can alledgeObj. Crimination. 1. for arming Papiſts againſt Law, is; That the Parliament hath traytorouſly invaded the Kings Prerogatives in a high degree; claymed a power and juriſdiction above his Majeſty in ſundry particulars, and …ſurped …o its ſelfe a more exorbitant, unlimited, arbitrary authority in making Lawes, impoſing taxes, &c. then any Parliaments challenged in former ages; to repreſſe which inſolencies, and reduce the Parliament to its due limits, his Majeſtie is now neceſſited to raiſe an Army, and pray in avde of Papiſts, who in former ages have beene more moderate in their Parliaments, and are like to prove moſt cordiall in this ſervice.

To anſwer which pretence more fully, though it be for the maine of it, moſt palpably falſe, yet (by way of admiſſion onelyonly) I ſhall ſuppoſe it true, and with all poſſible brevitie manifeſt; That Parliaments, Prelates, Peeres and Commons in times of Popery, have both claimed and exerciſed farre greater authority over our Kings and their Prerogatives, then this or any other Proteſtant Parliament hath done: Wherefore Papiſts of …ll others, have leaſt cauſe to taxe the Parliaments proceedings, and thoſe ill Counſellors ſmall reaſon to im…loyAnſw. or truſt Papiſts in this ſervice. To deſcend to ſome particular heads of complaint, involved in this generall.

Firſt, it is objected, that the Parliament and ſome of its hhThe obſervations, A ſuller anſwer to Doctor Ferne, with others.Advocates, with its approbation, affirme; that …e Parliament being the repreſentative body of the whole Kingdome, is in ſome reſpects of greater power and authoritie …hen the King; who though he be ſingulis major, yet he is, univerſis minor; which is contrary to the oath of ſupremacy, (wherein every Subject, **1 Eliz. ch. 2.doth utterly teſtifie and declare in his conſcience, that the Kings highneſſe is THE ONELYONLY SVPREAME GOVERNOVR of this Realme, &c. as well in all ſpirituall or Eccleſiaſticall cauſes, as Temporall:) …nd a kind of unkinging his Majeſtie, no wayes to be indured.

To which I anſwer, firſt, that if this Doctrine be either Traytorous or Hereticall, the Papiſts were the firſt broa…hers of it long agoe; For Hen. de Bracton a famous Engliſh Lawyer, who writ in King Henry the third his …eigne, lib. 2. cap. 16. f. 34. a. reſolves thus, iiRex habet ſuperiorem, Deum &c. Item legem per quam factus eſt Rex-Item Curiam ſ…: viz. Comites, et Barones, quia Comites dicuntur quaſi ſocis Regis, & qui habet ſocium habet m…iſtrum: Et ideo ſi Rex fuerit ſine fran… (i) fine lege, DEBENTEI FRAENVM IMTONERE, &c.But the King hath a SVPERIOVR, to wil God: Alſo the Law, by …hich he is made a King: likewiſe his Court; namely the Earles and Barons; becauſe they are called Comites, as being …e Kings fellowes (or companions;) and he who hath a fellow (or aſſociate) hath a Maſter: and therefore if the King ſhall …e without a bridle, that is, without Law, they OVGHT to impoſe a bridle on him, unleſſe they themſelves with the King …all be without bridle; and then the Subjects ſhall ery out and ſay, O Lord Jeſus Chriſt doe thou bind their jawes with it and bridle, &c. A cleare reſolution, That the Law, with the Earles and Barons aſſembled in Parliament, are …bove the King, and ought to bridle him when he exorbitates from the Law: which he alſo ſeconds in ſome ſort, …b. 3. cap. 9. f. 107. This Doctrine was ſo authenticke in thoſe dayes, and after times, that in the great Councell of Baſil. Anno 143…. when this mighty queſtion was debated; whether a Pope were above a generall Councell, or a Councell above him? ſuch a Councell was at laſt reſolved to be above the Pope, upon this reaſon, among p. 4others kkFox Acts & Monume. Edit. 1641. Vol. 2 p. 879, 880. Aeneas Sylvius de geſtis concilii Baſilienſis, & Surius concil▪ Tom. 4.The Pope is in the Church as a King is in his Kingdome, and for a King to be of more authority then his Kingdome, it were too abſurd; Ergo, Neither ought the Pope to be above the Church. In every well ordered Kingdome, it ought ſpecially to be deſired, that the whole Realme ſhould be of more authority then the King; which if it happened contrary, were not to be called a Kingdome, but a Tyranny. And like as oftentimes Kings, which doe wickedly governe the Common-wealth and expreſſe cruelty, are deprived of …heir Kingdomes; even ſo it is not to bee doubted, but that the Biſhop of Rome may be depoſed by the Church, that is to ſay, by the generall Councell. At the beginning (as **Lib. 2.Cicero in his Offices ſaith) it is certaine there was a time when as the people lived without Kings. But afterwards when Lands and poſſeſſions began to be divided according to the Cuſtome of every Nation, then were Kings ordained for no other cauſes but onelyonly to execute juſtice▪ for when at the beginning the common people were oppreſſed by rich and mighty men, they ran by and by to ſome good and vertuous man, which ſhould defend the poore from injury, and ordaine Lawes, whereby the rich and poore might dwell together. But when as yet under the rule of Kings, the poore were oftentime… oppreſſed, Lawes were ordained and inſtituted, the which ſhould judge, neither for hatred nor favour, and give like eare unto the poore as rich: whereby wee underſtand and know, not onelyonly the people, but alſo the King to be ſubject to the Law. For if wee doe ſee a King to contemne and diſpiſe the Lawes, violently rob and ſpoyle his Subjects, d…flower Virgins, diſhoneſt Matrons, and doe all things licentiouſly and temerariouſly, doe not the Nobles of the Kingdome Aſſemble together, depoſing him from his Kingdome, ſet up another in his place, which ſhall ſweare to rule and governe uprightly, and be obedient unto the Lawes. Verily as reaſon doth perſwade, even ſo doth the uſe thereof, alſo teach us: It ſeemeth alſo agreeable unto reaſon, that the ſame ſhould be done in the Church, that is, in the Councell, which is done in any Kingdome. And ſo is this ſufficiently apparent, that the Pope is ſubject unto the Councell; Thus the Biſhop of Burgen▪ Ambaſſadour of Spaine, the Abbot of Scotland, and Thomas de Corcellis, a famous Divine reaſoned in this Councell, which voted with them. Here we have a full reſolution of this great Councell (which the Papiſts call a generall one, being llSurius, Concil. tom. 4. p. 1. &c. And Aeneas Sylvius hiſt. concil. Baſillienſis.approved by the Greeke and Romane Emperours, and moſt Chriſtian Kings, and States, and ours among others:) That the Kingdome in Parliament Aſſembled, is above the King, as … Generall Councell is paramount the Pope: which they manifeſt by five reaſons.

Firſt, becauſe Kings were firſt created and inſtituted by their Kingdomes and people; not their Kingdomes and people by them.

Secondly, Becauſe they were ordained onelyonly for their Kingdomes and peoples ſervice and welfare, not their kingdomes and people for them.

Thirdly, Becauſe their Kingdomes, and people, as they at firſt created, ſo they ſtill limit and confine their royall Juriſdiction by Lawes, to which they are and ought to be ſubject.

Fourthly, Becauſe they oblige them by a ſolemne Oath, to rule according, and to be obedient unto the Lawes.

Fifthly, Becauſe they have power to depoſe them in caſe they contemne the Lawes, and violently rob and ſpoyle their Subjects. This then being the Doctrine of Papiſts concerning the Power and Superiority of Parliaments, Peeres, and Kingdomes over their Kings, they have leaſt ground of all others, to taxe this Parliament or its Advocates, as guilty of Treaſon, and uſurpation upon the Crowne, for a more moderate claime then this amounts to.

Secondly, I anſwer, that Popiſh Parliaments, Peeres, and Prelates have heretofore challenged and exerciſed a greater Juriſdiction over their Kings, then this Parliament, or any other, ſince the embracing of the Proteſtant Religion, ever claimed; and doe in a great meaſure diſclaime▪ For, firſt of all, they have challenged and executed a juſt and legall power (as they deemed it) to depoſe their Kings, for not governing according to Law; for following and protecting evill Counſellours, and Officers; oppreſſing their Subjects, and making warre againſt them. This is evident, not onelyonly by the forementioned paſſages of the Councell of Baſil, with infinite preſidents in foraine Empires and Kingdomes, which I pretermit, b… by ſundry domeſticke examples; of which I ſhall give you a ſhort touch. mmSpeeds Hiſt. p 207. 266, 267. Matth. Weſt▪ An. 445. 454 &c. See Holinſhed, Grafton, & othersAnno Dom. 454. King Vortigern, when he had reigned for yeares ſpace, for his negligence and evill Government (for which Vodine Arch-biſhop of London told him, he had endangered both his Soule and Crowne) was depoſed from his Crowne by (his Subjects) the Britaines generall conſent, impriſoned, and his Son Vortimer choſen and Crowned King in his ſtead; After whoſe untimely death (being poyſoned by Rowe…a) Vortigern was againe reſtored by them to the Crowne, and at laſt for his notorious ſinnes, by the juſt revenging hand of God, conſumed to aſhes by fire, kindled by Aurelius, and V…er, as heavens miniſters to execute its wrath.

Sig…bert nnSpeeds Hiſt. p. 229. Matth. Weſt. an. 756. Holinſh. Graft. in his life.King of the Weſt-Saxons, ſetting aſide all Lawes and rules of true piety, wallowing in all ſe… ſuall pleaſures, and uſing exactions and cruelties upon his Subjects, and …laying the Earle Cumbra, his mo… faithfull Counſellour, for admoniſhing him lovingly of his vicious life: the Peeres and Commons thereupon ſeeing their State and lives in danger, and their Laws thus violated, aſſembled all together; and provida omniu… deliberatione, roſe up in Armes againſt him, depoſed, and would acknowledge him no longer their Soveraigne▪ whereupon flying into the Woods as his onelyonly ſafeguard, and there wandring in the day like a forlo…e perſon, and lodging in dens and caves by night, he was ſlaine by Cumbra his Swin-herd in revenge of his Maſters death, and Kenwolfe made King in his ſtead, Anno Dom. 756. ooSpeeds Hiſt, p. 245. 246. Matth. Weſt. an. 792 See Holinſh. Graf…on, and others.Oſred King of Northumberland, for his i… government was expelled by his Subjects, and deprived of all Kingly Authority, Anno 789. So Ethelred (th… p. 5Sonneof M…llo) his next ſucceſſor, being revoked from exile and reſtored to the Crowne of which he was* Matth. Weſt m. An. 758. p. 275. formerly deprived, thereupon murthering divers of his Nobles and Subjects to ſecure his Crowne, ſo far offended his Subjects thereby, that Anno 794▪ they roſe up in armes againſt him and ſlew him at Cob…e. Thus Anno 758. the people of the kingdome of Mercia riſing up againſt Beornerd their King, becauſe be governed the …eople not by juſt lawes, but tyranny, aſſembled all together, as well Nobles as ignoble; and Offa, a moſt valiant …oung man being their Captaine, they expelled him from the Kingdome: which done, unanimo omnium conſenſu▪ by the unanimous conſent of all, as well Clergy as People, they crowned Offa King. nnMatth. Weſt. An. 821. Speeds Hiſt. p 255.And Ceolwulfe King of Mercia, Anno 820▪ after one yeares reigne was for his miſgovernment expulſed by his people, abando…ing his Crowne and country for the ſa…ery of his life.

Not to mention any more ſuch preſidents before the Conqueſt: We finde the ooMatth. Paris, hiſt. Angl. p. 264 to 280. Speede p. 585, &c. Hollinſhead, Grafton, Stow, Daniel, Walſingham.Popiſh Barons, Prelates, and Commons diſavowing King John, whom they had formerly elected King, for making warre upon them, and …aſting, burning and ſpoyling the kingdom like an enemie, & electing Lewis of France for their King, to whom …hey did homage and fealty: There are none ſo ignorant but know, that the Popiſh Prelates, Lords and Commons in Parliament, ppWalſingham, Hiſt. Angl. p. 398 &c. Fabiun part 7. p. 345. Polychron. l. ult. c. 9. Hollinſhead, Grafton, & Speed p. 758. to 766.An 1327▪ depoſed King Edward the ſecond their naturall King, for his miſgovernement, and following and protecting ill Counſellors, inforcing him by way of complement to reſigne his Crowne, threatning elſe, that they would never endure him, nor any of his Children, as their Soveraigne, but diſclayming all homage and fealtie, would elect ſome other for King not of his (r) blood, whom themſelves ſhould thinke moſt fit and able to defend the kingdome. After which they elected and crowned his ſonne Edward the third for their King: That An 1399▪ qqWalſing. Hol. Fab. Sp. p. 680. to 697.King Richard the ſecond, for ſundry miſdemeanours objected againſt him …n 32. Articles in Parliament, and breach of his Coronation oath, was judicially depoſed by a Popiſh Parliament, by … definitive ſentence of depoſition given againſt him, which you may read at large in our Hiſtorians, and Hen…y the fourth elected and created King in his ſtead: In both which depoſitions the Popiſh Prelares were chiefe …ctors. ſſSpeed, p. 869. 878. 879. 887. Holingſhead Polychronicon, Fabian, Grafton, Hall, Stow, Caxton in their lives.Anno 1462. King Henry the ſixt, Queen Margaret and Prince Edward their Sonne were by a Popiſh Parliament diſinherited of their right to the Crowne; and Edward the fourth made King: after which King Henry was by another Parliament recrowned, and reeſtabliſhed in his Kingdome, and Edward the fourth declared … Traytor and uſurper of the Crowne. And not long after, Edward taking King Henry priſoner, and cauſing him to be murdered in the Tower, another Popiſh Parliament, Anno 1472. abrogated King Henries Lawes, and …eeſtabliſhed King Edward. All this have our Popiſh Parliaments, Prelates, Lords and Commons formerly done, and that rightly and legally, as they then ſuppoſed; which far tranſcends the higheſt ſt…aines of pretended in…roachments on his Majeſties royalties by the preſent Parliament; which deteſts ſuch preſidents.

Secondly, our Popiſh Parliaments, Pecres and Prelates have oft tranſlated the Crowne from the right heires, …nd ſetled it on others who had no lawfull right or title to it, electing and acknowledging them for their one…y Soveraigne Lords; in which actions the Popiſh Prelates and Clergy were commonly the Ring-leaders: witneſſe their ttSpeed, p. 410. 411. 425▪ 426. 404. to 407. 410. 416. 418. 419. 455▪ 456. 466▪ 467. 548▪ 549. 550. 590. 591. See Matthew Paris, Matth. Weſtminſter, Malmesbury, Hunting don, Eadmerus, …bian, Walſingham, Caxton, Polychronicon, Polydo…, Virgil, Hall, Gr…t…n, Stow, How, Hollinſhead, Haywar…, M…tin, Daniel▪ and Sir … their ſeverall lives of theſe Kings.electing and crowning of Edward, who was illegitimate, and putting by Ethelred the right heire after …dgars deceaſe, An. 975. The electing and Crowning Canutus King, a meere forrainer, in oppoſition to Edmund …he right heire to King Ethelred, An. 1016. Of Harold and Hardiknute, both elected and crowned Kings ſucceſſive…y without title, Edmund and Alfred the right heires being diſpoſſeſſed, and the latter impriſoned and tortu…ed to death, An. 1036. and 1040. yet after Hardiknutes deceaſe Edward (ſurnamed the Confeſſor) was choſen King by conſent of Parliament. And the Engliſh Nobilitie, upon the death of King Harold, enacted, That none …f the Daniſh blood ſhould any more reigne over them. After this Kings death, Edgar Etheling who had beſt title was rejected and Harold elected and crowned King; ſo after William the Conquerors deceaſe, Anno 1087. Robert …he elder brother was pretermitted, and William Rufus the younger brother crowned and eſtabliſhed in the Throne: After whoſe death Henry the firſt, his younger brother (though not next heire) was elected King …y the Clergy, Nobles and Commons, (who refuſed to admit of any King but with capitulations and caveats to their …wne liking) upon faire promiſes for reſorming bad and rigorous Lawes, remiſſion of Taxes exacted on the Subjects, and …uniſhment of the chiefe cauſers of them, and a ſolemne oath to frame good Lawes, and ratifie Saint Edwards Lawes; …ll which he really performed. So after the death of Richard the firſt, John Earle of Morton was elected and crowned King, and his Nephew Arthur, the right heire, diſinherited. And he dying, his ſonne Henry the third was …lected and crowned, and Lewis (made King in his fathers life by the Barons) removed. The like we finde in …he caſe of King Henry the fourth, King Edward the fourth, and Richard the third, made Kings by Acts of Par…ament, by our Popiſh Prelates and Nobles with the Commons conſent upon unlawfull or doubtfull Titles, …y way of uſurpation, and the right hereditary line put by. Such a tranſcendent power and …uriſdiction as this … diſinherite the right heire and transferre the Crowne to whom they throught meereſt, neither the preſent nor …ny other Proteſtant Parliament, Peeres or Subjects ever claymed or exerciſed, though Popiſh Parliaments, …relates, Lords, and Commons have thus frequently done it; of which you may reade more in 25. H. 8. c. 22. 26. …. 8. c. 12. 28. H. 8. c. 7. 35. H. 8. c. 5.

Thirdly, the Lords and Commons in times of Popery have ſent our writs and ſummoned a Parliament in the Kings name, and forced the King to call a Parliament without and againſt his full conſent. Thus they ſummoned p. 6and held a Parliament in Ireland, Anno 1341▪ refuſing to come to a Parliament there ſummoned by the Kings officers and authority, as the uuIn Camdens Britania Engliſh, p. 188.Iriſh Annalls doe more at large record. Thus they xxWalſingham, Hist. Ang. p. 107. 398. Speed, p. 681. 757.ſummoned and held two Parliaments here in England to depoſe King Edward the ſecond, and King Richard the ſecond without theſe Kings conſents; and by two ſeverall Acts of Parliament (4. E 3. c. 4. and 36. E. 3. c. 10.) enacted That for the maintenance of the Lawes and Statutes▪ and redreſſe of divers miſchiefes and grievances which daily happe…eth, a Parliament ſhall be holden every yeare once, and more often if need be; whereas this Parliament was … called but by the Kings owne free conſent, and hath moderated theſe former Acts, by changing the annuall into … triennuall Parliament by a ſpeciall Bill, to which his Majeſtie gave his full and free aſſent. yyMyrror. c. 1. ſect. 3. p. 10. Co. inſtit. on Littleton, f. 110. Spelman, Concil. p. 347.Long before which Acts, King Alfred in an aſſembly of Parliament, ordained this for a perpetuall cuſtome; that a Parliament ſhould be called together at London twice every yeare, or oftner in time of peace, to keep the people of God from ſinne, th… they may live in peace, and receive right by certaine uſages and holy judgements.

Fourthly, Our Popiſh Barons, Prelates and Commons, have refuſed to meet in Parliament when the King ha… ſummoned them by his writ. zzMatth. Paris, An. 1233. p. 344 473, &c. Speedes Hi. p. 607. to 613.Anno Dom. 1233. King Henry the third ſummoned his Earles and Barons to appeare at a Parliament at Oxford (where the King now reſides) but they all joyntly ſent him an expreſſe meſſag… that they would not come upon his ſummons; for that the Kings perſon went guarded with Poictovines & othe… ſtrangers, who ſwayed and miſcounſelled him (as ill Counſellors doe now the King) ſo as they could no… there appeare with ſafety: at which meſſage the King grew very angry, reſolving that they ſhould bee on… twice and thrice ſummoned to appeare: Whereupon Roger Bacon who uſually preached before the King freely told him, That if he did not remove from him Peter Biſhop of Wincheſter, and Peter de Rivallis (his malign… Counſellors) he could never be quiet: And Roger Bacon a Clergy man alſo of a pleaſant wit, ſeconding Robert adviſe, told the King, that Peirae and Rupes were moſt dangerous things at Sea, alluding to the Biſhops name Petrus de Rupibus. The King hereupon comming a little to himſelfe, and taking that good advice of **Who now give the King no ſuch advice.Schollers which he would not of his Peeres, ſummons another Parliament to be holden at Weſtminſter, giving th… world to know withall, that his purpoſe was, to amend by their advice whatſoever was to be amended. But the Baro… conſidering, that ſtill there arrived more and more ſtrangers, men of warre, with horſe and armes (as now alas we ſ… they doe) and not truſting the Poictovine Faith (as we have now cauſe to miſtruſt the perfidious Papiſts, and malignant Cavaliers) and ſeeing no footſtep of peace (our preſent condition) refuſed to come at the appointe… day; ſending the King word by ſolemne meſſengers, that he ſhould without any delay remove Peter Biſhop of Wincheſter, and the other Poictovians out of his Court; which if he refuſed, they all of them by the common conſent of t… whole kingdome, would drive him, with his wicked Counſellors, out of the Kingdome, and conſult about creating … new King. Theſethings thus acted, the King was much dejected in mind, and all his Court, hanging down… their heads, and fearing not a little, leſt the errors of the Sonne ſhould become worſe then the fathers errors, whom hi… Subjects indeavouring to depoſe from his royall Throne, almoſt detruded him to that name, which was give… him by a certaine preſage; John the Baniſhed: Whereſore hee could eaſily have beene drawne to redeem… the love of his naturall Liegemen, with the diſgrace of a ſew ſtrangers.

But the Biſhop of Wincheſter, with other his ill Counſellours, and Poictovine Cavalieres, counſelled hi… to take up armes againſt his rebellious Subjects, as they ſtiled them, and to give their Caſtles and Lands to them, w… would defend him and the kingdome of England from theſe Traytors, (The Counſell now given to his Majeſty, … his ill Counſellours and Cavalieres) Hereupon the King inclining to the worſer part, raiſeth an Army of Poictovine, and Foraine Souldiers, which came to him being ſent for out of Flanders, (from whence the King no… hath many old Souldiers, and Commanders ſent him) ſeiſeth a Manour of Guilbert Baſſers, a Noble man, give… him by King John, calling him Traytor▪ when he demanded it; ſets downe a day, wherein all his Lords he ſuſpected ſhould deliver him ſufficient pledges of their loyalty; and being at Gloceſter with his Army, whith… the Lords reſuſed to come, being required, the King thereupon, as if they were Traytors, burnes their Manor… deſtroyes their Parkes and Ponds, beſiegeth their Caſtles, and without the judgement of his Court, and of thei… Peeres, denounceth them exiles and baniſhed men, gives their Lands to the Poictovines, and adding griefe to grie… wound to wound, commanded their bodies to be apprehended where ever they were within the Kingdome he likewiſe ſends a Defiance to the Earle Marſhall, whoſe Lands he had waſted, who thereupon underſtood himſelfe diſcharged of that obligation by which he was iyed to the King, and free to make his defence; Whereupon, h… ſeeing **Note.neither Faith, nor Oath, nor peace to be kept by the King, or his ill Councellours, who contrary to their promiſe and Oath, refuſed to deliver up his Caſtle, which they promiſed to render to him, upon demand; h… raiſeth a grea… Army, and takes his Caſtle. On this the King upon better conſideration, did againe promiſe… and affirme; That by adviſe of his great Councell, all that was amiſſe ſhould be rectified and amended; And at th… day▪ and place appointed, he holds a great conference with the Lords; But the evill Councellors he followed, ſuffered him not to make good his promiſe. For when divers there preſent, greatly in the Kings favour, with ſundry Preachers and Fryers, whom the King was wont to reverence and hearken to, Humbly beſeeched, and earneſtly exhorted the King to make peace with his Barons and Nobles, and to embrace them with due affection, being The Parliments preſent caſe.his naturall Subjects, whom without any judgement by their Peeres he had baniſhed, deſtroying their Manors, Woods, Parkes, Ponds; and being led and ſeduced by evill Councels, leſſe regarded his faithfull Subjects, (whoſe native bloo… would not permit them to bow downe) then Forainers; and which is worſe, called them Traytors by whom …e ought t… p. 7ſettle the peace, order the Councels, and diſpoſe the affaires of his Kingdome: The Biſhop of Wincheſter (of…ended it ſeemes at Peers) takes the word out of the Kings mouth, and anſwers; That there are not Peeres in England, as in the Realme of France; and that therefore the King of England by ſuch Juſticiars as himſelfe pleaſeth …o ordaine, may baniſh any offenders out of the Realme▪ and by judiciall proceſſe condemne them. Which inſolent …peech the Engliſh Biſhops reliſhed ſo harſhly, that they preſently with one voyce threatned to accurſe and excommunicate by name the Kings principall wicked Counſellors; of whom Wincheſter being the foreman, appealed; whereupon they accurſed (and I would our Biſhops would doe ſo now, if the God-dam-me Cavaliers accurſe …ot themſelves ſufficiently) all ſuch as alienated the heart of the King from his Subjects, and all others that per…urbed …he peace of the Realme; and ſo the hoped accommodation vaniſhed into greater diſcontents. Hereupon, the Earle Marſhall and other Lords with their Forces, ſell pell mell upon the Kings Army, ſlew divers of his for…einers; and in concluſion drew him to ſuch ſtraits, that enforced him to be capable of better adviſe: Then Edmund …rchbiſhop of Canterbury elect, with other ſuffragan Biſhops, bewayling the eſtate of the Kingdome, preſented themſelves before the King at Weſtminſter, telling him as his loyall liegemen (and O that ſome Biſhop or faith…ull perſon, if there bee any ſuch about his Majeſtie, would now deale thus clearely with him, touch…ng his evill Counſellors) That the Councell of Peter Biſhop of Wincheſter, and his complices, which now he had and …ſed, was not ſound nor ſafe, but euill and dangerous to himſelfe and his Realme: Firſt, for that they hated and de…iſed the Engliſh, calling them Traytors, turning the Kings heart from the love of the people, and the hearts of the peo…le from him; as in the Earle Marſhall, whom (being one of the wort…ieſt men of the Land) by ſowing falſe tales they …rave into diſcontentment. Secondly, that by the Counſell of the ſaid Peter, his Father King John, firſt loſt the hearts of …is people, then Normandy, then other lands, and finally waſted all his treaſure, and almoſt England alſo, and never af…er had quiet. Thirdly, That if the Subjects had now beene handled according to juſtice and law, and not by their ungod…y Counſels, theſe preſent troubles had not happened, but the Kings lands had remained undeſtroyed, his treaſure unex…auſted. Fourthly, that the Kings Councell is not the Councell of peace but of preturbation, becauſe they that cannot …aiſe themſelves by peace, muſt raiſe themſelves by the troubles and diſinheriſon of others. Fiftly, That they had the Trea…re, Caſtles, Wardſhips, and ſtrength of the kingdome in their hands, which they inſolently abuſed, to the great hazard …f the whole eſtate, for that they made no conſcience of an Oath, Law, Juſtice, or the Churches cenſures. Therefore, we … King, ſpeake theſe things faithfully unto you, in the preſence of God and man, and doe counſell, beſeech and adm…niſh …ou, to remove ſuch a Councell from about you; and (as it is the uſage in other Realmes) governe yours by the faith…ull and ſworne children thereof. To which the King in briefe anſwered▪ That he could not ſuddainely put off h… Councell; and therefore prayed a ſhort reſpite. Nothing …ad hither to preſerved the King more, Then that he could …ithout griefe forgo… any favorities, if he were nearely preſſed; the contrary quality whereof hath beene the cauſe of …i…all deſolation to ſo many Princes. For though choyce of Counſellours ought to be free, yet by common in…endment they ſhould be good; or how ever they are, or are not; it is madneſſe to hazard a Crowne, or loſe the love …f a whole Nation, rather then to relinquiſh or diminiſh a particular dependance, for which the publique muſt not be …azarded, nor ſubverted; The King therefore, in this point not infortunate, commands Biſhop Peter from his Court, to keepe reſidence at his Cure without once medling in State affaires, removes all his evill Counſellors, derives them of their Offices, and puts good men in their places, and commands all Poictovians and Foraine forces to de…art the Realme, receives all his Nobles into favour, reſtoring them to their loſt Offices, Lands, Caſtles, admits them …to his Court and Councell; puts all his ill Counſellours, and Delinquent Officers to their legall trials and fines. And …r Peter Rivales his Treaſurer, he was ſo vehemently inc…nſed againſt him for his ill Counſell, that he ſware … would plucke out his eyes, were it not for reverence of his holy Orders. And at his Arraignment at Weſtminſter …e King ſitting in perſon with his Juſtices, upon the Bench, and ſhooting Rivales through with an angry eye, …ake thus to him. O ihou Traytor by thy wicked adviſe, I was drawne to ſet my Seale to thoſe treacherous Letters, …r the deſtruction of the Earle Marſhall, the contents whereof were to me unknowne; and by thine and ſuch like Coun…ll, I baniſhed my naturall Subjects, and turned their mindes and hearts from me. By thy bad counſell and thy com…lices, I was moved to make warre upon them to my irreparable loſſe, and the diſhonour of my Realme, in which …n…rpriſe I waſted my Treaſ…re, and loſt many worthy perſons, together with much of my Royall reſpect. Therefore I …act of thee an account, and thou ſhall be carryed to the Tower of London to deliberate till I am ſatisfied. And …us were theſe civill warres and differences reconciled, ill Counſellors removed, enormities reformed, De…nquents puniſhed, (not without reducing ſtore of coyne to the King) and peace eſtabliſhed in the King…ome. Which Hiſtory, I have more largely recited, becauſe moſt of its paſſages are Paralell to the Kings, …d his evill Counſellors preſent proccedings, on the one hand, and to the Parliaments in ſome ſort, on the o…er hand in the premiſes; and I doubt not but they will prove parallels in the concluſion, to the terrour of … ill Councellours and Cavalieres, the juſt puniſhment of Delinquents, all good Subjects joy and content…ent, and the reeſtabliſhment of our peace in truth and righteouſneſſe.

To end the point propoſed; **Walſingh. Hiſt…. p. 84. 44. & Ypod. Neuſt. p. 101Anno Dom. 1315. King Edward the ſecond by his Writ ſummoned a Par…ment at London; But many of the Lords refuſed to come, pretending cauſes and impediments, by which their ab…nce might well be excuſed, and ſo this Parliament tooke no effect, and nothing was done therein. In this Parti…lar then Popiſh Prelates, Lords and Commons, have exceeded Proteſtants in this, or any other Parlia…ent.

p. 8Fifthly, Popiſh Parliaments, Prelates, Lords and Subjects have by Force of Armes compelled their Kings to grant and confirme their Lawes, Liberties, Charters, Priviledges, with their Seales, Oathes, Proclamations, the Popes Buls, Prelates Excommunications; and to paſſe, confirme, or repeale Acts of Parliament againſt their wills. Thus the Barons, Prelates, a…d Commons, by open warre and Armes enforced both aaMat. Pa. An. 1214, 1215. p. 240 to 256. Mat. Weſt▪ & Walſingham, Ypodig. Neu. An. 1214, 1215▪ Fabi. Caxton, Hol. Graf. Daniel in the life of K. John & Hen. 3. Sp. Hiſt. p. 578. to 637.King John, and King Henry the third, to confirme Magna Charta, and Charta de Foreſta (both in and out of Parliament) ſundry times with their hands, Seales, Oathes, Proclamations, and their Biſhops Excommunications, taking … ſolemne Oath one after another at Saint Edmonds, upon the High Altar, An. 1214. That if King John ſhould refuſe to grant theſe Lawes and Liberties, they would wage warre againſt him ſo long, and withdraw themſelves fro… their Allegiance to him, untill he ſhould confirme to them by a Charter ratified with his Seale, all things which th… required: And that if the King ſhould afterwards peradventure recede from his owne Oath, as they verily beleev… he would, by reaſon of his double dealing, they would forthwith, by ſeizing on his Caſtles, compell him to give ſatiſfaction; Which they accordingly performed, as our Hiſtories at large relate. Yea, when they had enforce… King bbMatth. Par. p. 252. Sp. Holinſh. accordingly.John thus to ratifie theſe Charters, for the better maintenance of them, they elected 25. Barons … be the Conſervators of their Priviledges, who by the Kings appointment (though much againſt his liking, … afterwards appeared) tooke an Oath upon their Soules, that with all diligence they would obſerve theſ… Charters, & Regem cogerent; and would COMPELL THE KING, if he ſhould chance to repent, to obſerve them; All the reſt of the Lords and Barons, then likewiſe taking another Oath, to obe… the commands of the 25. Barons.

After this ccMatth. Paris. An. 1258. p. 9. 940, 941. Matth. Weſt. 1258. Sp. p. 635. Hol. Graft. Dani. Polychron.An. Dom. 1258. King Henry the third ſummoned a Parliament at Oxford, whither the Lord came armed with great Troopes of men for feare of the Poictovines, to prevent treachery and civill warres, a… the Kings bringing in of Foraine force, againſt his naturall Subjects; to which end they cauſed the Sea Ports … be ſhut up, and guarded. The Parliament being begun, the Lords propounded ſundry Articles to the King which they had immutably reſolved on: to which they required his aſſent. The chiefe points whereof we… theſe: That the King ſhould firmely keepe and conſerve the Charter and Liberties of England, which King John … Father made, granted, and ratified with an Oath, and which himſelfe had ſo often granted, and ſworne to maintai… inviolable, and cauſed all the infringers ofit, to be horribly excommunicated by all the Biſhops of England, in h… owne preſence, and of all his Barons; and himſelfe was one of the Excommunicators. That ſuch a one ſhould be ma… their Chiefe Juſtice, who would judge according to Right, without reſpect to poore or rich. With other things concerning the kingdome, to the common utility, peace, and honor of the King and kingdome. To theſe their neceſſa… Councels and proviſions, they did frequently, and moſt conſtantly, by way of advice, deſire the King to condeſcend, ſwearing and giving their mutuall Faith and hands one to another; That they would not defiſ… … proſecute their purpoſe, neither for loſſe of money or Lands, nor love, nor hare; no nor yet for life or dea… of them or theirs; till they had cleared England (to which they and their forefathers were borne) from up ſtarts and aliens, and procured laudable Lawes. The King hearing this, and that they came exquiſitely arme that ſo he and his aliens might be enforced, if they would not willingly aſſent, tooke his corporall Oath (a… his Sonne Prince Edward alſo) that he would ſubmit …o their Councels, and all thoſe their Ordinances, f… feare of perpetuall impriſonment; The Lords having by an Edict, threatned death to all that reſiſted: Whi… done, all the Peeres and Prelates tooke their Oath; To be faithfull to this their Ordinance; and made all wh… would abide in the Kingdome, to ſweare they would ſtand to the …ryall of their Peeres; the Arch-biſhop… and Biſhops ſolemnely accurſing all that ſhould rebell againſt it. And Richard King of Romans, the Kings younger Brother comming ſoone after into England to viſit the King and his owne Lands, the ddMatth. Par. p. 952, 953. Spe. p. 636.Barons enforce him (according to his promiſe ſent them in writing before his arrivall) to take this Oath, as ſoone as he la… ded, in the Chapter-houſe at Canterbury. Heare all men, that I Richard Earle of Cornewall, ſweare upon … holy Goſpels, to be faithfull and forward to reforme with you the kingdome of England, hithert… by the councell of wic… ed men ſo much deformed. And I will be an effectuall coadjuto… to expell the Rebels and troublers of the Realme f… out of the ſame. This Oath will I obſerve under paine to for feit all my Lands I have in England.

To ſuch a high ſtraine as this, did theſe Popiſh Parliaments, Prelates, Peeres and Commons ſcrue up their … riſdictions, to preſerve themſelves and the Kingdome from ſlavery and deſolation; whom Matthew Paris … continuer, for this ſervice ſtiles, eeHiſtory Angliae, p. 95….Angliae Reipublicae Zelatores: the Zelors of the Engliſh Republicke. Neith… is this their example ſingular, but backed with other preſidents. In the ſecond and third yeares of King E… ward the ſecond, ffWalſing. …p…digma. Neuſt. An. 1309, 1310 Hiſt. Ang. p. 70. to 77. S. p. 608. &c. with Holin. Stow. Graf. How, and others. F…x Act. & Mon. v…l. …. Ed. ult p. 480, 481.Piers Gaveſton his great, proud, inſolent, covetous, unworthy Favorite, miſcounſelling a… ſeducing the young King (from whom he had beene baniſhed by his Father) and ſwaying all things a… … pleaſure: the Pe…res and Nobles of the Real…e, ſeeing themſelves contemned, and that foraine upſtart p… fe…red before them all, came to the King, and humbly entreated him, That he would manage the Affaires of … Kingdome, by the Counſels of his Barons, by whom he might not onelyonly become more cautious, but more ſafe from inc… bent dangers; the King Voce …enus, conſented to them, and at their inſtance ſummoned a Parliament at Lond… to which he commanded all that ought to be preſent, to repaire. Where, upon ſerious debate, they earn… ly demanded of the King, free liberty, for the Barons to compoſe certaine Articles profitable to himſelfe, to his kingdome, and …o the Church of England: The King imagining that they would order Piers to be baniſhed, a lo… time denyed to grant their demand, but at laſt, at the importunate inſtance of them all, he gave his aſſent, a… p. 9ſwore he would ratifie, and obſerve what ever the Nobles ſhould ordaine: The Articles being drawne up, and agreed by common conſent, they propounded them to the King; and by their importunity, much againſt his well-liking, cauſed him to ratifie them with his Seale, and to take his corporall Oath, to obſerve them: Which done, the Archbiſhop of Canterbury with his Suffragans, ſolemnely denounced a ſentence of excommunication againſt all who ſhould contradict theſe Articles; which they cauſed to be openly read in Pauls Church London, in the preſence of the Prelates, Lords and Commons of the whole Kingdome, the King being preſent; Among which Articles they demanded; That Magna Charta, with other proviſions neceſſary to the Church and Realme, ſhould be obſerved, that the King …s his Father had commanded, ſhould thruſt all Strangers out of his Court and kingdome, and remove ill Councellours …om him: That he would thenceforth order all the affaires of the Kingdome by the Counſell of the Clergie and Lords; …nd begin no warre, nor depart any where out of the kingdome without common conſent. The King (notwithſtanding …ll theſe things ſeemed hard and inſupportable to him) conſented to the Articles, and baniſhed Piers into …reland. No **Note the credit of Princes Regall promiſes and Proteſtations.ſooner was the Parliament diſſolved, but the King▪ neglecting his Fathers ſolemne adjurations, …ogether with his owne Oath, never to reduce Piers, ſends for him backe to his Court, marryeth him to the Counteſſe of Gloceſter, his owne ſiſters daughter, ſheweth him more favour then ever; Reſolving with himſelfe …o retaine this Gaveſton, maugre all his Earles, Barons, and for the love of him, to put his Crowne and life in …erill, when time ſhould ſerve: In which, whither the King or his favourite ſhewed leſſe diſcretion, it is not …t the firſt eaſily determined; it being as unſafe for the one with ſo offenſive behaviour to affect immoderate …ew and uſe of grace, as for the other, to the injury of his name and Realme, to beſtow the▪ ſame. But upon …he Queenes complaint to the King of France her Brother, of Piers his inſolence and prodigality, and on the …arons meſſage to the King by common conſent; That he ſhould baniſh Piers from his company, and obſerve the …ffect of the foreſaid Articles, or elſe they would certainely riſe up againſt him as a perjured perſon by a like vow (which …peech ſeemed hard to the King, becauſe he knew not how to want Piers, but yet diſcerned that more danger would ſpring …p if he obeyed not the Lords Petition;) Piers rather by the Kings permiſſion, then good liking, did the third …me abjure the Realme with this proviſo; that if at any time afterward he were taken in England, he ſhould …e forthwith put to death as a perilous enemy to the Kingdome: yet he returning in Chriſtmas to the King at Yorke, the Lords ſpirituall and temporall, to preſerve the Liberties of the Church, the Kingdome, and remove this …iper, elected Thomas Earle of Lancaſter for their Generall, and ſent honourable meſſengers to the King, re…ueſting him, to deliver Piers into their hands, or drive him from his company out of England, as being perſwaded, …hile that King-…ane breathed, peace could never be maintained in the Realme, nor the King abound in treaſure, nor the Queene enjoy his love. But the wilfull King (preferring the deareneſſe of one ſtranger, before the love of the …hole Realme) would no… condiſcend. Whereupon the Lords thus contemned and deluded, preſently raiſe …n Army, and march with all ſpeed towards Newcaſtle, not to offer injury, or moleſta…on to the King (writes …alſingham, the caſe and purpoſe of the preſent Parliaments Army) but that they might apprehend Piers him…elfe, and judge▪ him according to the Lawes enacted. Which when the King heard, he fled together with Piers (like a proſcribed and baniſhed man) to Tynemouth, and from thence to Scarborough Caſtle. Where Piers was forced to yeeld himſelfe, upon condition to ſpeake but once more with the King. And then carryed to Warwicke Caſtle, where he had his head ſtrucke off, at the command, and in the preſence of the Earles of Lan…aſter, Warwicke and Hereford; as one who had beene a ſubverter of the Lawes, and an open Traytor to the Kingdome, and that without any judiciall proceedings or triall of his Peeres, though an Earle, and ſo deare a Favourite of the Kings. Which bred a laſting ha…red betweene the King and his Nobles: Who being afterwards charged by the King in Parliament with their contempt againſt him, in the ſpoiles committed by them at Newcaſtle; and wick…dly killing Piers: They ſtoutly anſwered: That they had not offended in any point, but deſerved his royall favour, …or that they had not gathered force againſt him, but againſt the publike enemy of the Realme: And then obtained an Act …f Pardon, that no man ſhould be queſtioned for Gaveſtons returne or death, printed in old ggT…tles Magn… Charta, part 2. f. 50▪ to 57.Magna Charta. Not long …fter, this unfortunate King doting upon the two hhWal…ing. Hiſt. p. 90. to …10. ypodig. Neuſt. p. 105. to 111▪ Speed▪ Hiſt. p. 674. to 683. See Fabi…n, Holm. Graf. Tho…de … More, Higd… Caxton, in his life.Spencers as much as ever he did on Gaveſton, to whom they …ucceeded, not onelyonly▪in pride, rapine, oppreſſion and intolerable inſolencies, but even in height of familiarity and power with the King. So as they ruled and lead the King as they pleaſed, in ſo much that no Earle, Baron or Biſhop was able to diſpatch any thing in Court without their adviſe and favour, which made them generally envied of all, becauſe they domineered over all: The Lords and Barons hereupon, confederated together to live and die for ju…tice, and to their power to deſtroy the Traytors of the Realme, eſpecially the two Spencers: And meeting together with …heir forces at Sbirborne, Thomas of Lancaſter being their Captain; they took an oath to proſecure their deſigne to …he diviſion of ſoule & body: Then they ſpoyled theſe Spencers & their friends goods, take their Caſtles by vio…ence, waſte their Manors through malice, ſlay their ſervants, utterly omitting the uſuall wayes of Law & equitie, & following the impetuouſnes of their minds they march on to S. Albans with Enſignes diſplayed, & ſent ſolemn meſſengers to the King then at London, commanding him▪ not only to rid his Court, but kingdome too, of the Traytors of …he Realme, the Spencers, condemned in many Articles (which they had framed againſt them) by the commonalty of the Realme, if he loved the peace of the Kingdome. And they further required the King to grant letters Patents of indemnity, to themſelves and all ſuch as had bore armes in their company, that they ſhould not be puniſhed by the King or any other for their for epaſt or preſent trangreſſions. The King denyed both theſe demands at firſt, as unjuſt and illegall; ſwearing, that he would not violate his Coronation Oath, in granting ſuch a pardon to contempiu…us Delinquents. p. 10Whereupon running to their armes, they marched up to London, entred the Citie, and to avoyd dange… ▪ the King (through the Queenes and others mediation) condeſcended to their deſires, paſſing an Act for th… Spenſers baniſhment, and the Barons indemnities; which you may reade in ancient Part 2. …. 50.Magna Chartaes. Upo… this the Barons departed, neither merry nor ſecure, deſpairing of the Kings Benevolence; which made them goe alwayes armed, and to retire to ſafe places. The King ſoone after, recalling the Spenſers, reverſed the ſentence againſt them as erronious, gathers an Army, encounters and defeats the Barons, and puts many of them to deat… by theſe Spencers procurements; who not content with their blood, procured alſo the confiſcation of their goods a… …nheritances: Whereupon getting into greater favour and power then before, puffed up with their good ſucceſſe and new honours, they diſcontented not onelyonly the Nobles, but Queene too; who going over into Fran… with her ſonne, the Prince, (whoſe lives theſe favorites attempted) She rayſed an Army beyond the Seas, and returning with it into England, moſt of the Lords and Commons reſorted to her, and fell off from the King… who being deſtitu…e of friends and meanes, demanded aſſiſtance of the Cirie of London, whoſe anſwer was That they would honour with all dutie the King, the Queene and Prince, but would ſhut their gates againſt Foreine… and Traytors to the Realme, and with all their power withſtand them. And under the name of John of Eltham th… Kings ſecond ſonne, whom they proclaymed Cuſtos of the Citie and of the Land, they got the Tower … London into their poſſeſſion, placing and diſplacing the Garriſon and Officers therein as they pleaſed. Th… King hereupon (after he had commanded all men to deſtroy, and kill the Queenes partakers, none excepted but her ſelf… …er ſonne, and the Earle of Kent, and that none upon paine of death, and loſſe of all that they might loſe, ſhould ayde … aſſiſt them, and that he ſhould have a 1000. l. who did bring the Lord Mortimers head:) flies to Briſtol, in the Caſtle whereof the elder Spenſer was taken, by the Queenes Forces, and without any formall tryall, cruelly cut … alive and quartered; being firſt at the clamours of the people, drawne and hanged in his proper armour upon the common Gallowes without the Citie: After which the King forſaken of all his Subjects flies into Wales for ſhelter, wher… he was taken priſoner, and then by his Lords and Parliament forced to reſigne his Crowne to his ſonne; confeſſing That for his many ſins he was fallen into this calamitie, and therefore had the leſſe cauſe to take it grievouſly: That … much ſorrowed for this; that the people of the kingdome were ſo exaſperated againſt him, that they ſhould utterly abh… his any longer rule and Soveraignty, and therefore be beſought all there preſent to forgive and ſpare him being ſo afflicte… Soone after he was murthered in Barkly Caſtle: And ſo the ſickneſſe, and wounds which the Commonwealth ſuſtaine… by his ill raigne, upon the ch…ge of her Phyſician, recovered not onelyonly health and ſtrength, but beauty alſo and ornamen… ▪ writes John Speed.

After all this iiWalfing. Hiſt. Ang. p. 349. to 400 …podigm. Newſtriae. p. 144. to 158 Speed Hiſt. p. 747. to 762. Holin. Graft. St…w, Fabian, Caxton, and others.King Richard the ſecond in the ninth yeare of his reigne ſummoned a Parliament, where… Michael de la Pole Earle of Suffolke, for cheating the King was put from his Lord Chancellorſhip of England by th… Parliament, and the Seale taken from him againſt the Kings will, and given to Thomas Arundell Biſhop of Ely Whereupon both Houſes gave halfe a tenth and halfe a fifteene, to be diſpoſed of as the Lords thought fit, for th… defence of the Realme. The Parliament was no ſooner diſſolved, but the King recals de la Pole and other ill counſellors to the Court, ſhewing them greater favour then before: In ſo much that at Chriſtmas, the King mad… de la Pole ſit at his owne table, not in the uſuall garment o… a Peere, but of a Prince, out of a ſtomacke and hatred again… the Peeres, whom from thenceforth he never regarded but feinedly: and then fals to plot the death of the Duke of Gl… ceſter and other Nobles, who oppoſed his ill Counſellors; For which purpoſe he appoints a meeting at No…ing ha… Caſtle, with a few perſons generally ill-beloved, ill-adviſed, and ill-provided. The courſe agreed upon by th… King and that ill-choſen Senate was, firſt, to have the opinion of all the chiefe Lawyers; (who ſaith Spe… ſeldome faile Princes in ſuch turnes) concerning certaine Articles of Treaſon, within whoſe nets they preſum… the reforming Lords were; and if the Lawyers concluded thoſe Articles contained Treaſonable matters, th… under a ſhew of juſtice they ſhould be proceeded againſt accordingly. The Lawyers (who were the very me… which in the laſt Parliament, gave advice to the Lords to doe as they did) now meering were demanded: Whether by the Law of the Land, the King might not diſa…ull the Decrees of the laſt Parliament? They joyntly anſwe…ed, he might, becauſe he was above the Lawes; (a moſt apparent errour) confeſſing; that themſelves had in th… Parliament decreed many things, and given their judgement, that all was according to Law, which they acknowledg… to be altogether unlawfull. The King thus informed, appointeth a great Councell at Nottingham, and witha… ſends for the Sheriffs of Shires, to raiſe Forces againſt the Lords; who denyed, ſaying, that they could not raiſ… any competent Forces or Armes againſt them, the whole Counties were ſo addicted to their favours; and being furthe… willed; to ſuffer no Knights to be choſen for their ſhieres, but ſuch as the King and his Counſell ſhould name; they a… ſwered; that the election belonged to the Commons, who favored the Lords in all, and would keepe their uſuall cuſtomes; (a good preſident for our preſent Sheriffes) whereupon they were diſmiſſed. Then were the Lawye… and Judges (Robert Treſilian and his companions) called before the King, to determine the judgements of Treaſon againſt the Lords to be legall and to ſet their Seales thereto, which they did: Meane time the King and Duke of Ireland ſent meſſengers to hire what Forces they could, That they might ſtand with them if neede we… againſt the Lords in the day of battle: **Note this.Many of which anſwered, that they neither could nor would ſtand againſt th… Lords, whom they knew for certaine intimately to love the King, and to endeavour all things, ſtudy all things, doe a… things for his honour: yet many out of ſimplicity, thinking themſelves to be hired, promiſed to be ready upon the King… …o…ce▪ The Lords hearing of theſe proceedings were much ſadded; being conſcious to themſelves … no … p. 11…rthy the Kings ſo great indignation. The Duke of Gloceſter ſent his purgation upon Oath by the Biſhop … London, to the King; w…o inclining to credit the ſame, was in an evill houre diverted by de la Pole▪ …he Duke hereupon makes his and their common danger knowne to the reſt of the Lords: upon which …ey ſeverally gather forces, that they might preſent their griefes to the King; How he favoured Tray…rs, not onelyonly to them, but to the Publique, to the imminent danger of the Realme, unleſſe it were ſpee…ly prevented. The King on the other ſide (by Trayterous Cōunſellours adviſe) ſought how to take …em off ſingle, before they were united: but in vaine, by reaſon their party was ſo great. Meane time, …me peaceable men procured, that the Lords ſhould repaire ſafe to Weſtminſter, and there be heard. Thi…er approaching, they are advertiſed by ſome, (who had ſworne on the Kings behalfe for good dea…g to be uſed during the interim) that in the Mewes by Charing-Croſſe, a thouſand armed men (which …ithout the Kings privity Sir Thomas Trivet, and Sir Nicholas Brambre Knights, were reported to have …d for their deſtruction) attended in ambuſh. The King ſweares his innocency, promiſing ſafe con…ct to the Lords if they would come; who thereupon came ſtrongly guarded, and would truſt no longer▪ …he King ſitting in royall State in Weſtminſter Hall; the Lords preſent themſelves upon their knees before …m: and being required by the Lord Chancellour; Why they were in warlike manner aſſembled at …aring gye Park, contrary to the Lawes? their joynt anſwer was: That they were aſſembled for the good of the …ing and kingdome, and to weed from about him, ſuch Traytors as be continually held with him: The Traytors …ey named to be, Robert de Vere, Duke of Ireland; Alexander Nevill, Archbiſhop of Yorke; Michael de … Pole, Earle of Suffolke; Sir Robert Treſilian, that ſalſe Juſticiar: Sir Nicholas Brambre, that falſe Knight … London, with others: To prove them ſuch, They threw downe their Gloves, as gages of challenge for a tri…l by the Sword. The King hereupon replyed, as knowing they were all hidden out of the way; This …all not be done ſo, but at the next Parliament (which ſhall be the morrow after Candlemas) all parties ſhall …ceive according as they deſerve. And now to you my Lords; How or by what authority durſt you preſume to levy …orces againſt me in this Land? did you thinke to have terrified me by ſuch your preſumption? Have not I men and …mes, who (if it pleaſed me) could environ and kill you like ſheepe? Certainely in this reſpect I eſteeme of …u all no more then of the baſeſt Scullions in my Kitchins. Having uſed theſe, and many like high words, …e tooke up his Unckle the Duke from the ground, where he kneeled, and bade all the other riſe. The …ſt of the conference was calme, and the whole deferred till the next Parliament, then ſhortly to be hol…n at Weſtminſter. In the meane time (that the world might ſee, how little able the King was to equall …s words with deeds) a Proclamation was ſet forth, in which the King (before any tryall) cleareth the …ords of Treaſon, names thoſe perſons for unjuſt accu…ers, whom the Lords had before nominated. The …ords nevertheleſſe thought not good to ſever themſelves, but kept together for feare of the worſt; which …ll out for their advantage: For the Duke of Ireland (with the Kings privity, ſuch was his falſe diſſim… …tion) had gathered a power in Wales, and Cheſhire: which they intercepting neare Burford and Bablecke …ew Sir William Molineux, leader of the Cheſhire men, and made the Duke to flye in great feare. A…ong the Dukes carriages was found (as the devill, or rather God would have it) certaine Letters of the …ings to the ſaid Duke, by which their Counſells were plainely diſcovered. The Lords hereupon …arch with ſpeed up to London, having an Army of forty thouſand men, the Lord Major and City doubt…ll whether to diſpleaſe the King or Lords, upon conſultation receive the Lords into the City, and ſup…y their Army with proviſions in the Suburbs; Which the King hearing of, ſeemed to ſlight them, ſay…g; **Note the perill and policy of protracting.Let them lye here till they have ſpent all their goods, and then they will returne poore and empty to their …uſes, and then I ſhall ſpeake with and judge them one after another. The Lords hearing this, were exceed…gly moved, and ſw…re, They would never remove the…e, till they had ſpoken with him face to face. And …rthwith ſent ſome to guard the Thames, leſt the King ſhould ſlip out of their hands, and then ſco…e at …em. The King being then in the Tower, and ſeeing himſelfe every way encompaſſed, ſent a meſſage … the Lords; that he would treat with them; who thereupon deſired him, That he would come the ne… …y to Weſtminſter, where they would declare their deſire to him: The King replyed, That he would not treat …ith them at Weſtminſter, but in the Tower, To which the Lords anſwered, That it was a ſuſpicious place, …cauſe traines might there be laid for them, and dangers prepared to deſtroy them; Whereupon the King …nt word, They ſh…uld ſend thither two hundred men or more, to ſearch and view all places, leſt any fraud ſhould …e hid. Upon which the Lords repaired to the Tower, and in the Kings Bed-chamber, laid open to …m briefly, all his conſpiracy, in cauſing them indirectly to be indicted; They object to him his mutability, …d underhand working, producing his owne Letters to the Duke of Ireland, to raiſe an Army to deſtroy them; …gether with the French packe…s they had intercepted; whereby it appeared he had ſecretly practiſed to flye with …e Duke of Ireland into France, to deliver up. Callice to the French Kings poſſeſſion, and ſuch pieces as the …rowne of England held in thoſe parts; whereby his honour might diminiſh, his ſtrength decay, and his fame …eriſh. The King ſeeing this, knew no… what to doe, eſpecially becauſe he knew himſelfe notably …e…reſſed. At laſt craving leave, they left him confounded and ſhedding teares, yet upon condition, that …e ſhould come to Weſtminſter the next day, where he ſhould heare more, and trea… of the neceſſary affaires p. 12of the Kingdome: Which he promiſed to doe, retaining the Earle of Darby to ſup with him. … before he went to bed (O the fickleneſſe of weake Princes, and faithleſſeneſſe of their royall words a… Proteſtations!) ſome whiſperers telling him, that it was not decent, ſafe, nor honorable for the King… goe thither, he changed his reſolution. The Nobles hearing this, were very ſad, and diſcontented, a… thereupon ſent him word, That if he came not quickely according to appointment, they would chuſe them anoth… King, who both would and ſhould obey the Counſell of his Peeres. The King ſtrucke with this dart, came t… next day to Weſtminſter, there attending his Nobles pleaſures.

To whom (after few diſcourſes) the Nobles ſaid; That for his honour and the benefit of his kingdome, all T… tors, whiſperers, flat▪terers, evill inſtruments, ſlanderours, and unproſitable perſons ſhould bee baniſhed out of b… Court and company, and others ſubſts…uted in their places, who both knew how, and would ſerve him more honora… and faithfully. Which when the King had granted (though with ſorrow) they thought fit that Al… an…er Nevill Archbiſhop of Yorke, John Fordham, Biſhop of Durham, with ſundry other Lords, Knights a… Clergy men ſhould be removed and kept in ſtrait priſon, to anſwer ſuch accuſations as ſhould bee object… againſt them the next Parlia. Whereupon they were apprehended forthwith and removed from the Co… After the feaſt of Purification, the Parliament (much againſt the Kings will, who would have ſhifted it … at that time) began at London. The firſt day of the Seſſion, Fulthorpe and all the reſt of the Judges w… arreſted,▪ as they ſate in judgement on the Bench; and moſt of them ſent to the Tower: for that having fi… overruled the Lords with their Counſels and direction, which they aſſured them to be according to Law, … afterward at Nottingham, gave contrary judgement to what themſelves had determined formerly. Treſilian t… chiefe Juſtice prevented them by flight, but being apprehended and brought backe to the Parliament… the forenoone, had ſentence to be drawne to Tiburne in the afternoone, and there to have his Thro… cut, which was done accordingly.

The King ſeeing theſe proceedings by adviſe of his ill Counſellors, **Grafton, p. 348, 349. 150, 151.abſented himſelfe from his Parliament, and ſent Michael de la Pole then Lord Chancellor to demand foure fifteenes in his name, …f the Commo… for that without leſſe he could not maintaine his eſtate and outward warre. To which the body of the Parliame… made anſwer; that without the King were preſent, they would make therein no anſwer; and that unleſſe the Ki… would remove him from his Chaneellorſhip, they would no further meddle with any Act this Parliament. Th… King upon this ſent to the Commons, that they ſhould ſend to Eltham, (where he then lay) 40. of the wiſ… and beſt learned of the Commons, who in the name of the whole houſe ſhould declare unto him their minde. Up… which meſſage the Houſe were in more feare then before; for there went a talke, that the King intended … betray divers of them, which followed not his minde, either that way, or at a banquet appointed to be made purpoſ… ly a… ▪ London, if Nicholas Exton the Maior of London would have conſented thereunto; at which time t… Duke of Gloceſter ſhould have beene taken. Wherefore the Lords and Commons aſſembled together, agree… with one aſſent, that the Duke of Gloceſter, and Biſhop of Ely ſhould in the name of the whole Parliament be ſe… to the King to Eltham; which was done, and the King well pleaſed that they ſhould come. When they cam… into his preſence they moſt humbly ſaluted him, and ſaid. Moſt high and redoubted Soveraigne Lord, the Lor… and Commons of this your Parliament aſſembled, with moſt humble ſubjection unto your moſt royall Majeſty, deſi… your moſt gratious favour; ſo that they may live in tranquillitie and peace under you, to the pleaſure of God a… wealth of the Realme. On whoſe behalfe we alſo ſhew unto you, that one old ſtatute and laudable cuſtome is approve… which no man can deny; That the King our Soveraigne Lord may once in the yeare lawfully ſummon his high Cou… of Parliament, and call the Lords and Commons thereunto, as to that which is the higheſt Court of this Real… ▪ In which▪ Court all equity and juſtice muſt ſhine, even as the Sunne when it is at the higheſt, whereof poore and ri… may take refreſhing: where alſo muſt be reformed all the oppreſſious, wrongs, exactions and enormities within t… Realme, and there to conſult with the wiſe men for the maintenance of the Kings eſtate. And if … might bee knowne that any perſons within the Realme or without intended the contrary, there alſo m… bee deviſed how ſuch evill weeds might be deſtroyed. There alſo muſt be ſtudied and foreſeene, that if a… charge doe come upon the King and his Realme, how it may be well and honorably ſupported and ſuſtained; Hither… to it is thought by the whole Realme, that your Subjects have lovingly demeaned themſelves to you in ayding … with ſubſtance to the beſt of their powers; and they deſire to have knowledge, how and by whom theſe goods be ſpe… One thing reſteth, yet to declare in their behalfe unto you: **Not…. The King ſhould be preſent in Parliament once in 40. dayes.how that by an old Ordinance, they have an Act, if t… King abſent himſelfe 40. dayes not being ſicke, but of his owne minde (not heeding the charges of his people, … their great paines) will not reſort to his Parliament; they then may lawfully returne home to their houſes: And … ſir, you have beene abſent a longer time, and yet refuſe to come amongſt us; which greatly is our diſcom… fort. (And our Parliaments preſent caſe:) To this the King anſwered by theſe words. Well we doe con… der that the people and Commons goe to riſe againſt us; wherefore we thinke we can doe no better then to aske a… of our Coſin the French King, and rather ſubmit us to him, then to our owne Subjects. The Lords anſwered: S… that Counſell is not beſt, but a way rather to bring you into danger For it is well knowne, that the French King… your ancient enemy, and your greateſt adverſary: and if he ſet foot once within your Realme, he will rather diſpo… you, invade you, and depoſe you from your eſtate royall, then put any hand to helpe you, &c. And as th… King cannot be poore that hath rich people; ſo cannot he be rich that hath poore Commons. And all theſe inconven… p. 13…es be comne by the evill Counſell which are about you. And if you put not your helping hand to the redreſſe …he premiſes, this Realme of England ſhall be brought to nought and utter ruine, which clearely ſhould be laid … our default, and in your evill Counſell: Seeing that in the time of your Father, this Realme throughout all the …rld was highly eſteemed, and nothing ordered after theſe wayes. Wherefore we be ſent unto you, to exhort you, to …ueſter all ſuch perſons as might be the ▪occaſion of ruine either of you or elſe of your Realme. By theſe good …ſwaſions the King was appeaſed, and promiſed within three dayes after to come to the Parliament, and to …deſcend to their Petitions; And according to his appointment he came. Where ſoone after John Fordham …hop oſ Durham was diſcharged of the Treaſurourſhip and the Biſhop of Hereford ſer in his place; de la …le was put from his Chancellourſhip for divers crimes, frauds, briberies and treaſons, by him com…tted, to the prejudice of the King and his Realme, committed to the Tower, and fined 20. thouſand …rkes to the King, in releeving of the Commons: Divers other Judges, Knights, and Delinquents of all …ts were condemned, and executed, others baniſhed and their ſtates confiſcated; others put out of office … this Parliament, as you may reade in our Hiſtories, and in the kk10. R. c l▪ 11. R. 2. c. l, 29 3, 4, 5, 6. 2▪. R. 2. c. 2. 3. 12.Statutes at large: in which Statutes the …ſchievous effects of theſe evill Counſellors to King, Kingdome and people are at full related, whereby …e King and all his Realme were very nigh to have beene wholly undone and deſtroyed: the Lords …ay…g of Forces againſt them reſolved to be lawfull; and theſe traytorous Delinquents made uncapable of …y pardon; llSee the Records of this Parliament, publiſhed by order of both Houſes, Aug. 27. 1642.and their rayſing of Armes againſt the Parliament and kingdome, (though with the Kings …ne conſent and his command) declared and enacted to bee high Treaſon. Theſe proceedings ratified …d aſſented▪ to in Parliament by the King, much againſt his will, wrought an intolerable ſecret …tred and deſire of revenge in his heart againſt the Lords, which for want of power he concealed neare … yeares ſpace; but in the 20. yeare of his raigne, being ſomewhat elevated in his ſpirit with a rumour …at he ſhould be elected Emperour; he ſuddenly apprehended the Duke of Gloceſter, the Earles of Warwicke …d Arundell (the chiefe ſticklers in the premiſes) committing them to ſeverall priſons: And to blinde the …ples eyes, leſt they ſhould riſeup in Armes to reſcue theſe Lords; the King ſent out a feigned Proclamation, which he cauſed to be proclaymed throughout the Realme) that theſe Lords were apprehended onelyonly for …w Treaſons committed againſt him, for which he would he proſecute them in the next Parliament, and not for the … trepaſſes: After which he proclaimes thoſe Lords Traytors.

Which done he ſummoned a mmGrafion, p. 329. &c. Mr. Saint-Johns Speech, 1640. p. 33. 1. H 4. No. 21. 21. 48.Parliament at Weſtminſter, to this Parliament the King commanded to …me all ſuch as he had beſt confidence in, omitting the reſt; and the Knights were not elected by the Commons, …cuſtome required they ſhould be, but by the Kings pleaſure; yea, he put out divers perſons elected, and put in other …their places to ſerve his turne: which was one Article objected againſt him when he was depoſed. Againſt …e time of this Parliament, the King received a guard of 4000. Archers, all Cheſhire men, as if he would …ve gone in battle againſt enemies, ſo that divers came armed to the Parliament out of feare. Theſe …eſhiere men were rude and beaſtly people, and ſo proud of the Kings favour, nnAs the Cavaliers do now.that they accounted the …ng to be their fellow, and ſet the Lords at nought, though few of them were gentlemen, but taken from the …ough and other trades. After theſe …uſticall people had a while courted, they grew ſo bold, that they …uld not let neither within the Court nor without to beat and ſlay the Kings good Subjects (as the Cavaliers doe …w) and to take from them their victuals at their pleaſure, paying little or nothing for them, and to raviſh their …ves and daughters: And if any man perſumed to complaine to the King of them, he was ſoone rid out of … way, no man knew why, nor by whom: ſo that in effect they did what they liſted. In this Parliament … King having made the Speaker, and a great part of mercinary, proud, ambitious men of the Commons …uſe to be of his ſide, to act what he required them; he then prevayled likewiſe with the upper houſe, … with the Prelates, then with the Lords, more out of feare of him, then any reaſon, by meanes where… the Commiſſion, Charters of pardon, and Acts made in Parliament in the 10. and 11. yeare of his raigne …re quite revoked and declared voyd in Law, as being done without authoritie and againſt the will and …ertie of the King and of his Crowne: And withall they declared the Judges opinions for which they were …demned in that Parliament, to be good and lawfull, and attainted the ſaid impriſoned Lords of high …eaſon, and confiſcated their lands. The two Earles hereupon were beheaded, and the Duke (by reaſon …is p…pulat…tie) ſmothered, onelyonly for their former actions; which done, the King adjourned the Par…ent to Shrew…bury where he ſubrilly procured an oo21. R. c. 12.Act to paſſe by common conſent, that t…e power …he Parliament ſhould remaine in ſeven or eight perſons, who (after the Parliament diſſolved) ſhould deter…e certaine petitions delivered that Parliament; and not diſpatched. By colour whereof, Thoſe Commit… proceeded to other things generally touching the Parliament, and that by the Kings app…ment, in derogatien (p) 21. R. 2. c. 16. Walſing. Hiſt. Aug. Ann… ▪ 1398. p, 394▪…he ſtate of the Parliament, the diſ…ommodity and pernicious example of the whole Realme▪ And by colour … Authority hereof, the King cauſed the Parliament Rols to be altered and defaced, againſt the effect of the …ſaid grant. After which he much vexed and oppreſſed his people with divers forced Loanes, Oathes, …poſitions, and oppreſſing Projects to raiſe money, ſeeking to trample them under his feet▪ and …roy the Realme; and tooke all the Jewels of the Crowne with him into Ireland without the Kingdomes …ſent▪ Which rendered him ſo odious to his people, that Henry Duke of Lancaſter, landing in England, p. 14the whole kingdome came flocking to his ayde, ſo that he had an Army of 60000. men in a ſhort time; who v… ed to proſecute the Kings ill Counſellours. Whereupon King Richard returning out of Ireland, hearing … the Dukes great Army aſſembled againſt him, and knowing that they would rather dye then yeeld, … of their hatred, and ſeare of him, he diſmiſſed his Courtiers, hiding obſcurely in corners till he was a… prehended, and by a Parliament ſummoned in his name (though againſt his will) judicially depoſed … his miſgovernment.