the expiration of the former Assessment, to be granted to his majesty, with a desire to his inajesty to dispose of it to h. r. h. the duke of York.

Excellentibus ingeniis citiùs defuit ars, quâ civem regant, quàm quà hostem perdant.' Let not those scorpions be kept warm in our bosoms till they sting us to death: let not those who hate the government, would destroy the The famous Five Mile Act passed.] Durgovernment be sheltered under the shadow and ing this short Session the famous Five Mile protection of the government.—It is possible, Act was passed, which gave occasion to such and God knows it is but possible, that some grievous complaints. By this Act it was enactmen, who are not friends to this or that part of ed, "That no Non-conforming Teacher, unthe government (for you are not to believe that der what denomination soever, shall dwell, or they always discover what in truth they are most come, unless upon the road, within five miles angry with), who would not buy those altera- of any corporation, or any other place where tions they most desire at the price of a civil they had been Ministers, or had preached after war they would bring it fairly about, wait for a the Act of Oblivion, unless they first took the godly parliament, and do all by their consent: following Non-resisting Oath: I, A. B. do yet those persons must not take it ill that we I swear, that it is not lawful, under any precannot desire they should ever have it in their 'tence whatever, to take up Arms against the power to bring those alterations to pass, byking, and that I do abhor the traiterous posithese means they now seem to abhor: and Ition of taking Arms by his authority against do heartily wish, I am sure they will not be his person, or against those that are commisthe worse men nor the worse subjects for it,sioned by him, in pursuance of such commisthat they would a little reflect upon what issions; and that I will not at any time endeapast, remember how much they have outdone, more than they intended to have done; nay, what they heartily abhorred the thought of doing; and they will then find the only way to preserve themselves innocent is to keep their minds from being vitiated by the first impressions, by jealousies, murmurings, and repinings, and above all, by their conversations with those men, or indulgence towards them, who would sacrifice the peace of the kingdom to their own ambition, pride, and even to their humour. If you carefully provide for the suppressing your enemies at home, which will put you to little other expence than of courage, constancy, and circumspection, you will find your enemies abroad less exalted, and in a short time more inclined to live in amity with you than to make war upon you, especially when they see you doin bello pacis gerere negotium; and that you take the carrying on the war to heart, as the best and the only expedient to produce a happy and an honest peace."

vour any Alteration of government either in 'Church or State.' The penalty was 40l. and 6 months imprisonment, unless they took the said Oath before their commitment.-The reason of this severity given in the Act is, That these Teachers had settled themselves in divers Corporations, sometimes three or more in a place, and took opportunity to distil the poisoned principles of schism and rebellion, to the great danger of the church and kingdom.

An Attempt to impose the Non-Resisting Oaths on the whole Nation, frustrated.] In the house of peers, however, the above Act met with some opposition; and that not only from the lords Ashley and Wharton, who were more than half Non-conformists themselves; but even from the lord treasurer Southampton. But neither the authority of the one, nor the arguments of the other, had any weight: on the contrary, a hint was taken, from those very arguments, to bring in another Bill in the house of commons, by which the said Oath, and Declaration, were to have been imposed A Supply of 1,250,000l. voted.] In conse- on the whole nation. But, on the question, quence of the above Speeches, the commons it was rejected by 3 voices; "who had the mewith great unanimity came to these two Reso-rit," says Mr. Ralph, "of saving their country lutions: 1. "That the humble and hearty from the greatest ignominy which could have Thanks of this house be returned to his majesty befallen it; that of riveting as well as forging for his care and conduct in the preservation of its own chains." his people, and the honour of this nation: and that this house will assist his majesty with their Lives and Fortunes against the Dutch, or any other that shall assist them in opposition to his majesty. 2. That the humble Thanks of this house be returned to his majesty for the care he hath had of the person of h. r. h. the duke of York." To both which Votes the lords gave their chearful concurrence.-The commons, to make good their promise, voted a new Supply of 1,250,000l. to be raised by a proportionable Addition to the Monthly Assessment to begin at Christmas next; all which they soon turned into a Bill. After which they brought in another Bill for a Month's further Assessment of 120,000l. to commence from

Thanks of the Commons to the University.] Oct. 31. The Commons resolved, "That the Thanks of this house be given to the Chancellor,

"The providence by which it was thrown out was very remarkable: for Mr. Peregrine Bertie, being newly chosen, was that morning introduced into the house by his brother, the now earl of Lindsey, and sir Thomas Osborne, now lord treasurer, who all three gave their votes against the Bill; and the numbers were so even upon that division, that their three voices carried the question against it." See Mr. Locke's Letter from a Person of Quality, in the Appendix to the present Volume. No. V. p. xl.

Scholars, and Fellows of the famous University | to whom vengeance belongs, hath eminently of Oxford, for their eminent loyalty to his maj. and his father of ever-blessed memory during the late Rebellion; especially for their unparalleled zeal and courage in refusing to submit to be visited by the usurped powers, and to subscribe the Solemn League and Covenant, and for those excellent Reasons they published to the world to justify their refusal, and to assert his majesty's righteous cause."

the expiration of the former Assessment, to be granted to his majesty, with a desire to his majesty to dispose of it to h. r. h. the duke of York.

Excellentibus ingeniis citiùs defuit ars, quâ 'civem regant, quàm quà hostem perdant.' Let not those scorpions be kept warm in our bosoms till they sting us to death: let not those who hate the government, would destroy the The famous Five Mile Act passed.] Durgovernment be sheltered under the shadow and ing this short Session the famous Five Mile protection of the government.It is possible, Act was passed, which gave occasion to such and God knows it is but possible, that some grievous complaints. By this Act it was enactmen, who are not friends to this or that part of ed, "That no Non-conforming Teacher, unthe government (for you are not to believe that der what denomination soever, shall dwell, or they always discover what in truth they are most come, unless upon the road, within five miles angry with), who would not buy those altera- of any corporation, or any other place where tions they most desire at the price of a civil they had been Ministers, or had preached after war they would bring it fairly about, wait for a the Act of Oblivion, unless they first took the godly parliament, and do all by their consent: following Non-resisting Oath: I, A. B. do yet those persons must not take it ill that we swear, that it is not lawful, under any precannot desire they should ever have it in their tence whatever, to take up Arms against the power to bring those alterations to pass, by king, and that I do abhor the traiterous posi these means they now seem to abhor: and Ition of taking Arms by his authority against do heartily wish, I am sure they will not be his person, or against those that are commisthe worse men nor the worse subjects for it,sioned by him, in pursuance of such commisthat they would a little reflect upon what issions; aud that I will not at any time endeapast, remember how much they have outdone, more than they intended to have done; nay, what they heartily abhorred the thought of doing; and they will then find the only way to preserve themselves innocent is to keep their minds from being vitiated by the first impressions, by jealousies, murmurings, and repinings, and above all, by their conversations with those men, or indulgence towards them, who would sacrifice the peace of the kingdom to their own ambition, pride, and even to their humour. If you carefully provide for the suppressing your enemies at home, which will put you to little other expence than of courage, constancy, and circumspection, you will find your enemies abroad less exalted, and in a short time more inclined to live in amity with you than to make war upon you, especially when they see you doin bello pacis gerere negotium; and that you take the carrying on the war to heart, as the best and the only expedient to produce a happy and an honest peace."

['vour any Alteration of government either in 'Church or State.' The penalty was 401. and 6 months imprisonment, unless they took the said Oath before their commitment.-The reason of this severity given in the Act is, That these Teachers had settled themselves in divers Corporations, sometimes three or more in a place, and took opportunity to distil the poisoned principles of schism and rebellion, to the great danger of the church and kingdom.

An Attempt to impose the Non-Resisting Oaths on the whole Nation, frustrated.] In the house of peers, however, the above Act met with some opposition; and that not only from the lords Ashley and Wharton, who were more than half Non-conformists themselves; but even from the lord treasurer Southampton. But neither the authority of the one, nor the arguments of the other, had any weight: on the contrary, a hint was taken, from those very arguments, to bring in another Bill in the house of commons, by which the said Oath, and Declaration, were to have been imposed A Supply of 1,250,000l. voted.] In conse- on the whole nation. But, on the question, quence of the above Speeches, the commons it was rejected by 3 voices; "who had the mewith great unanimity came to these two Reso-rit," says Mr. Ralph, “of saving their country lutions: 1. "That the humble and hearty from the greatest ignominy which could have Thanks of this house be returned to his majesty betallen it; that of riveting as well as forging for his care and conduct in the preservation of its own chains." his people, and the honour of this nation: and that this house will assist his majesty with their Lives and Fortunes against the Dutch, or any other that shall assist them in opposition to his majesty. 2. That the humble Thanks of this house be returned to his majesty for the care he hath had of the person of h. r. h. the duke of York." To both which Votes the lords gave their chearful concurrence.-The commons, to make good their promise, voted a new Supply of 1,250,000l. to be raised by a proportionable Addition to the Monthly Assessment to begin at Christmas next; all which they soon turned into a Bill. After which they brought in another Bill for a Month's further Assessment of 120,000l. to commence from

Thanks of the Commons to the University.] Oct. 31. The Commons resolved, "That the Thanks of this house be given to the Chancellor,

"The providence by which it was thrown out was very remarkable: for 'Mr. Peregrine Bertie, being newly chosen, was that morning introduced into the house by his brother, the now earl of Lindsey, and sir Thomas Osborne, now lord treasurer, who all three gave their votes against the Bill; and the numbers were so even upon that division, that their three voices carried the question against it." See Mr. Locke's Letter from a Person of Quality, in the Appendix to the present Volume. No. V. p. xl.

cause."

The Speaker's Speech to the King, at the Prorogation.] This day, the king came to the house of peers, in order to pass the several Bills, and to make a prorogation: at which time, the commons being sent for, their Speaker, in presenting the Bills, delivered himself thus:

Scholars, and Fellows of the famous University | to whom vengeance belongs, bath eminently of Oxford, for their eminent loyalty to his maj. appeared in your majesty's quarrel, and sharpand his father of ever-blessed memory duringly rebuked the insolence of that proud people, the late Rebellion; especially for their un- whose heart is hardened, even to destruction. paralleled zeal and courage in refusing to sub-'Tis true, our sins do cry aloud, as well as mit to be visited by the usurped powers, and theirs; but God is pleased in mercy to correct to subscribe the Solemn League and Cove- us himself, whilst by our hands he doth punish nant, and for those excellent Reasons they them, and make them fly before us. I hope published to the world to justify their refu- this mercy will invite us to a national repensal, and to assert his majesty's righteous tance: and if God be with us, who then can be against us?'-We cannot but take notice of the sordid defection of some English Fugitives, who have, traiterously joined with the Dutch, both in their councils and actions, against your majesty and this their native country. We therefore have prepared a Bill, whereby they are enjoined to return by a day, and answer to the law; or else they shall be attainted and be subject to the pains and penalties of condemned traitors.-It hath been an old observation, "That scandalous Livings make scandalous Ministers;" and this most frequently falls out in cities and corporate towns, where are little or no predial tythes; and therefore the preachers, for mere want, are forced to chant such tunes as may best please the rich men in their parishes: for prevention of this for the future, there is a Bill prepared, for the uniting of small Churches and Chapels in cities and towns corporate by the consent of the patron, reserving all other parochial rites distinct as they were before.This being a time wherein your maj. needs great Supplies, we held it our duty to ease the people in some unnecessary expences; and therefore we have prepared a Bill for the more effectual procceding upon Distresses and Avowries for Rents; another to avoid Circuity of Actions; and a third to lessen the Charge of unnecessary Suits in Law: there is an ancient Fee received in your majesty's courts of law, called Damage Clear, or Damna Clericorum, which is the tenth penny of such damages as are there recovered in many actions. This was first introduced for the encouragement of clerks, to employ themselves to the study of drawing special pleadings, which are grown so familiar by the disuse of real actions, that the fee now is looked upon as a grievance, especially when the plaintiff is forced to pay it upon the signing of his judgment, and perhaps the defendant is not able to answer any part of the execution: therefore we have prepared a Bill for the regulating of this for the present, and after 7 years to take it quite away.Tacitus hath a saying,Such as are false in their love, are true in their hate' and this rule we find verified in our Non-conformists. Whilst they were in the bosom of the Church of England, they were like inward vapours and inward bleedings, always oppressing and strangling the body of the Church; and now they are ejected and excluded from their ministerial function, they have more malice, and no less opportunity to propagate their principles, than they had before. Some of them are objects of pity. They submitted their reason to their

May it please your most excellent majesty; The knights, citizens, and burgesses of the commons house of parliament, in obedience to your majesty's writ of adjournment, came chearfully to this city of Oxford, to receive your royal commands. And when your maj. was pleased to speak to them, and acquaint them with your great Expences this summer, and the continuing insolencies of the Dutch, they were so inflamed with an affection and zeal for your majesty's service, that they could not suffer the least puncto of time to pass, before they had made a return suitable to their engagements, that they would assist Your majesty with their lives and fortunes against the Dutch, or any others that should assist them, in opposition of your maiesty, Tibi nos, tibi nostra supellex, ruraque servierint.-The Englishman useth to speak as he writes, and the English parliament to speak as they think. No security upon earth can be greater than the engagement of your two houses of parliament. Sed quid verba audiain, dum lacta videam? As a demonstration of their fidelity, I am commanded to present unto your najesty this Bill, whereby they have given you, for a present Supply, 1,250,000l. to be levied in 2 years, to begin from Christmas next, by quarterly payments, added to the former royal aid. And, to the end your majesty's occasious may be supplied with ready money before this additional aid can be raised, we have by this Bill prepared an undoubted security for all such persons as shall bring their money into the pubLe Bank of your exchequer : as the rivers do naturally empty themselves into the sea, so we hope the veins of gold and silver in this nation will plentifully run into this ocean, for the maintenance of your majesty's just Sovereignty on the Seas-Great Sir; When first we besought Your maj. to correct the insolencics, and to repair your subjects against the rapines of the Dutch, we did reasonably suppose, that the justice of your majesty's demands, would at least have had a fair and ingenuous reception: but the Dutch resolved, with Machiavil, to keep by force what they had got by wrong, and to return their answer by the thundering voice of their cannon. The Great God of Hosts,

when he should tell them, that they had done for him all that he could wish they should have done; and therefore thanked them beartily. His maj. further said, That he believed that no one there would imagine that he would have called them hither at this time, if there had not been an absolute necessity for it. He thanked them with all his heart for their affections shewed to him in this present Supply; which though it is not to be supposed that it can last till the end of the time in which it is to be raised (if the war should so long continue), yet his maj. said, He could not expect that his two houses should do more than they had done at this meeting, considering the deadness of trade through the whole nation, by reason of the Contagion, which addeth to the many streights they have to struggle with. And his .naj. said, That for their kindness to his Brother, he thanked them no less than if what they had done for his brother had been done for himself; he having deserved so well of himself and the whole nation.His maj. told them, that it is probable they should not meet till April next; but yet, lest he might have occasion for their assistance sooner, he had given order for the proroguing this parliament but till Feb. next; and if there should be no occasion of coming together then, he would. by a proclamation, give timely notice thereof." SIXTH SESSION OF THE SECOND PARLIAMENT. The King's Speech on opening the Session.] September 21, 1666. This day, the parliament, after several prorogations, and a long recess of ten months and three weeks, met again at Westminster, where his majesty from the throne thus declared himself to both houses:

leaders of a higher classis, who failed them in their hopes, and left them to the rigour of the law. These poor creatures have seen their error, and feel the smart, and would live peaceably; but their Jesuitical leaders keep up their spirits, and herd with them in cities and corporate towns, where, by pretence of persecution and self-denial, they move the pity of good-natured people, and with their charity keep up their party, lessen the maintenance of conforming ministers, and spread their contagion amongst the youth of the nation: for the prevention of this growing mischief, we have prepared a Shiboleth, a Test to distinguish amongst them, who will be peaceable and give hopes of future Conformity, and who of malice and evil disposition remain obdurate. The one we shall keep amongst us with all love and charity; the other we shall exclude from cities and corporate towns, like those that have an infectious disease upon them.-It is not unusual for the commons, at the close of a session of parliament, by their Speaker, to present a Petition to their sovereign; and, with your majesty's leave, I am now commanded that service. We do, with all humble thankfulness to God, acknowledge our great happiness, that we are governed by a prince, whose prudence in counsel, whose valour in action, and whose fatherly care in protection of his people, is eminent through all the world and it is not the least mercy, both to your maj. and your people, that God hath blessed you with a Brother so like yourself.-The name of his royal highness is already enrolled amongst the heroes of other nations: but this his native country had not so great experience of him, till your maj. was pleased in this summer's Expedition to trust him with the conduct of "My Lords and Gentlemen; I am very the most royal fleet that ever sailed upon the glad to meet so many of you together again; British seas, wherein he shewed that prowess, and God be thanked for our meeting together and that prudence, and, by the blessing of in this place! Little time hath passed, since Almighty God, was crowned with that success we were almost in despair of having this place against the Dutch, that we cannot pass it by in left us to meet in: you see the dismal ruins silence; and yet we are at a loss how to the Fire hath made; and nothing but a miracle express our thanks both to your maj. and to of God's mercy could have preserved what is him. I am commanded, therefore, to beseech left from the same destruction. I need make your maj. that you will vouchsafe to let us no excuse to you for dispensing with your make a present to you, of a Month's Tax, to attendance in April. I am confident you all come in the rear, after the 24 months of your thanked me for it. The truth is, I desire to majesty's royal aid; and that your maj. will put you to as little trouble as I can; and I can be pleased to bestow it upon his royal high-tell you truly, I desire to put you to as little ness. And now, Great Sir, I have no more, but to beseech Almighty God, who hath so miraculously preserved your royal person and your two houses of parliament from all sickness and contagion, during this session, that he will be pleased to send health throughout the nation; that he will crown all your designs against your enemies with victory and success, and give your majesty a long and happy reign

over us."

The King's Speech at the Prorogation.] After passing the Bilis, the King made a short Speech to this effect:

"His majesty told his two houses of parliament, That he did not compliment with them,

cost as is possible. I wish with all my heart, that I could bear the whole charge of this war myself, and that my subjects should reap the benefit of it to themselves. But we have two very great and powerful enemies, who use alf the means they can, fair and foul, to make all the world to concur with them; and the war is more chargeable (by that conjunction) than any body thought it would have been. I need not tell you the success of this Summer, in which God hath given us great success, and no question the enemy hath undergone great losses. And if it had pleased God to have withheld his late judgment by Fire, we had been in no ill condition.-You have given me