answer. and pathetic as distress and eloquence could A.D. 1629. make it, and to the remonstrance of the deputies, the king returned an answer to this ef- The king's fect: "That his majesty understands there is an intention, by the mediation of some foreign princes, to propose a peace between the two crowns of England and France, which probably under the strength of our enemies. Your majesty need not search elsewhere but in your own profound wisdom and experience to render your succour redoubtable to those that despise it, and advantageous to those people that expect it. By this means you will gain the greatest glory that can be desired; you will free from fire and sword three hundred thousand families, which pray to God continually for your prosperity; will preserve a people whom God hath purchased by his blood, and that have kept their faith towards God and man amidst the greatest distractions and cruel sufferings; will place the fidelity of your word, the reputation of your state and your armies, in a point worthy of so much grandeur; and, in checking the boldness of those who undertake to blast it daily with unworthy reproaches, will add to your title that of "the restorer of the most innocent people in the world, and the most inhumanly persecuted." As to my own concerns, sir, I make no mention to your majesty of my interests. I might (having the honour to be what I am) do it without blame as to outward appearance; but it is so long since I had consecrated them to the use of the public, that I shall always esteem my condition happy enough, provided the church be not miserable; and that I may have this advantage, to be known by such occasions which your majesty doth not disprove of, that I am Your Majesty's most humble and most obedient servant, HENRY OF ROHAN. At Rohan, the 12th of March, 1628-9. (Rushworth.) A.D. 1629. he may incline unto; and therefore adviseth the Public op pressions said duke, and those of the reformed religion, timely to apply themselves to the French king, and to get as advantageous terms for himself, and those engaged with him, as he could procure: the king further informing the duke, that he was constrained to dissolve the parliament which he had lately reassembled, from whom he expected further supplies of money; but, failing thereof, he was not in a condition to contribute such further aid and assistance, either by money or arms, as the Duke of Rohan, and those that adhered unto him, might expect, and their present necessities require; his majesty expressing his sorrow that the condition of his affairs were such that he could not answer his and their expectation." Lord Clarendon accuses this last parliament of continued. making unhappy assaults upon the prerogative; though, at the same time, he says he does not know any formed act of either house that was not agreeable to the wisdom and justice of great courts upon extraordinary occasions. He says farther, that after some froward and obstinate disturbances in trade, (which were seizing merchants' goods, and imprisoning their persons, for refusing to pay duties not granted by parliament), A.D. 1629. there quickly followed so excellent a composure throughout the whole kingdom, that the like peace, plenty, and universal tranquillity, for ten years, were never enjoyed by any nation. During these years, however, the king governed in an absolute manner, without a parliament. By his own authority, and by numberless obnoxious projects, he raised great sums of money. Not only the council and the star-chamber, but even the courts of justice, were made use of to support the public oppression. Armies were maintained, and soldiers billeted on the people, by order of the privy council; and those who opposed this, on account of its being contrary to law, were committed to prison. The oppres- A.D. 1633. sions of the ecclesiastical courts were likewise very great; and many who had suffered by these courts, together with several ministers who had been ejected from their livings because they would not read the declaration* for sports on a Sunday, were desirous of quitting their native An order of session was made in Somersetshire, when Lord Chief Justice Richardson and Judge Denham were upon that circuit, for suppressing ales and revels on Sundays. A.D. 1633. country. But, in order to block up the passage 23 of these voluntary exiles, a proclamation was published, forbidding any persons, being subsidy men, or of their value, to pass to any of the plantations without a licence. A proclamation was also published, commanding the nobility, gentry, and men of substance, except the privy council, or those who were bound to daily attendance on the king, queen, and their chil commanded to revoke his or- gentlemen of the greatest distinction drew up a petition to the king, showing the great inconveniences that would befall the country, if these meetings, condemned by the law, should be set up again; but before it could be presented, the king published a declaration warranting sports on Sundays.Rushworth. 23 This proclamation is dated May 1, 1638. It is one of the most important in our history. Cromwell, Hampden, Lords Say and Brook, and Sir Arthur Haslerig, were about to seek in America that liberty which they had struggled for in vain at home. In a happy hour for their country this vindictive measure of Laud restrained their departure. The ship was already chartered for the voyage. How little did either the archbishop or his master conceive the expansive force of the spirit thus pent up, or that it would so soon shatter their laboured fabric of absolute power! dren, to keep their residence in their several A.D. 1633. counties, and forbidding them to inhabit in London, Westminster, and the places adjoining; and an information was afterwards lodged in the starchamber against the Earl of Clare, Lord Mohun, and other peers, the Countess of Oxford, and many persons of distinction, by which great fines were exacted for the use of the crown. conduct in The king, as if not satisfied with having irri- The king's tated his English parliament, treated with equal Scotland. haughtiness his parliament in Scotland. He went thither to be crowned in 1633; and when an act was passed at that time in relation to his royal prerogative, and the apparel of kirkmen, several of the barons and burgesses suspected that, under this last part, the surplice was intended to be introduced. The king was asked that question, but he made no answer. At the same time he took a list of the members out of his pocket, saying, Gentlemen, I have all your names here, and I will know the truth this day who will do me service and who will not." In his progress, likewise, through some parts of Scotland, as if studious to be unpopular, he made so great a distinction between churchmen and presbyterians, and did it in such weak and un |