The speech of His Grace, James Duke of Ormond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, to both Houses of Parliament, on Saturday the 27 of September, 1662. Upon His Graces giving the royal assent to several Acts of Parliament.

THE SPEECH Of his GRACE James Duke of Ormond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. My Lords and Gentlemen,

THere is no duty incident to the Place I have the Honour to ſerve the KING in, to which I come with leſs willingneſs, or confidence, than to this of ſpeaking to ſuch an Aſſembly: And by that time I have done, you will acknowledge I have reaſon to be unſatisfied with the neceſſity impoſed by cuſtom upon all that ſit in this Place, to make ſpeeches; a Cuſtom perhaps reaſonably introduced by thoſe that did, or at leaſt thought they did it well; but ſomewhat hardly continued upon thoſe that were ſure they did it ill. And yet though I am in the Number of the laſt, I will rather obey the Neceſſity, than hazard the Imputation of Sullenneſs or Singularity. Beſides, I do not know, but that to be ſilent at this time, and in this place, may be a greater Fault than any I hope I ſhall commit in ſpeaking; for we are taught by Infallible Authority, and enjoyned by Indiſpenſable Precept, and it ſeems to be agreeable to the Dictates of Nature and Reaſon, as well as of Religion and Piety, that for all the Bleſſings we receive from the Divine Majeſtie, we ſhould make as proportionable Returns as • e within our Power: And therefore Publique and National Bleſſings, do require Publique and Solemn Celebrations. This was it that induced the Tranſmiſſion of that Act for an Anniverſary Thanksgiving for His Majeſties moſt Happy Reſtitution; and this is it, which if it be duly, that is, ſincerely performed, is moſt like to perpetuate to us, and to our Poſterity, all the Happineſſes conſequent to that Bleſſing.

What theſe Happineſſes are, or at leaſt may be, if we Our ſelves obſtruct not the courſe of them, would be beſt diſcerned, and ſet off, by a Retroſpect into the ſtate of things for above twenty years paſt; and by oppoſing to that diſmal Object of Our remembrance, the cheerfulneſs and Serenity of the Proſpect forwards.

If the Miſeries and Deſolations of thoſe years could be enumerated in the time I mean to allow this Diſcourſe; or if they could be deſcribed to the life, by ſo ill an Orator as I am, they would be fewer, and more ſupportable than I doubt the ſad experience of too many have found them to be.

I ſhall therefore onely put you in minde of ſome more Remarkable and Fundamental deliverances and Reſtitutions, wrought by moſt wonderful Providence, as a thankful acknowledgement fit, as I conceive, to be the ſubject of the firſt diſcourſe from this place, where I have the Honor, how unworthily, and how unreſemblingly ſoever, to repreſent the Majeſtie of my Great Maſter.

This very Seat of Royalty is delivered from ſome neglected corner, or contemptible uſe, or from a Prophanation worſe than either from the Uſurpation of mean and low Aſpirers, who having no ſhadow of right to it, had no other way to aſcend it, than by treading down and deſtroying what ever was ordained by God or man, to fence and guard it; their extravagant Ambition tranſporting them, and darkening their underſtanding to that degree, as not to conſider how ſhort their poſſeſſion of that Throne muſt be, to the diſarming and violation of which, they themſelves had but newly ſhewn the way.

We ſee this Throne now reſtored to its proper place, and Natural uſe, ſurrounded and ſupported by Peers and Prelates, by Officers, Magiſtrates and Judges, the Outworks, as well as Ornaments of Majeſtie.

We ſee it reſtored to the approach, and I doubt not to the delight of the meaneſt of the Commons, whom you Gentlemen do, nor ought not diſdain to repreſent; for they are the Foundation upon which Monarchy is built, the ſtrength wherewith it is guarded, and the wealth whereby it is ſuſtained, inriched and beautified.

It is reſtored to the undoubted Lawful Poſſeſſor, the Ofspring of a long continued Race of Princes; in whom all the Conteſted Titles of former Ages are met, without the pretence of a Competitor, and in whom all the Virtues of the Princes of thoſe Ages are united, without the ſeverity (to ſay no worſe) of ſome of the Great and Warlike; & without the as harmful weakneſſes of others of more devout and peaceable diſpoſitions: A PRINCE that hath given frequent proof that though he loves and ſeeke peace for his Subjects ſakes, he fears not war for his own.

This Sword▪ the Inſtrument of conferring Military Honor, and the Emblem of inflicting Puniſhment, is delivered from the ridiculous Stage-like Pageantry of later times, and from a more execrable and Tragical Abuſe, from • utting off the moſt Innocent, and defending the moſt guilty.

We ſee it now by the viſible, immediate hand of God reſtored, and put into that Hand that onely had His Commiſsion to bear and uſe it; and let it be Our Prayer. That he bear it long, and that he may bear it long, that he bear it not in vain, but to the terror and extermination if evil Doers, and to the ſupport and Protection of thoſe that do well.

The King himſelf, whoſe Throne and Sword theſe are, is accountable to God, and We to God for him, for many and great deliverances: He is delivered from the Murtherers of his Father, and the Uſurpers of his Inheritance; from their reſtleſs endeavours to deſtroy his Perſon, and to blaſt his Fame; from their open violence, and ſecret contrivements againſt both from Exile, and all the Afflicting conſequences of that miſerable ſtate of a King; from comfortleſs wandrings for Protection; from cold Receptions; from narrow ſupports, and from ſuch applications for them, as were more unſupportable, than the want of them could be to him that was born, and delights to give, rather than receive them. He is delivered from a continual tormenting Anxiety for the danger of his Friends, and the oppreſſion and ſlavery of his Countrey; from the importunity of impertinent Arguments, drawn from his misfortunes, to draw him from his Religion, and from a neceſſity of hearing, and bearing with the Reproaches and Revilings caſt upon our then Deſolate Church, onely becauſe ſhe was deſolate, & made ſo by her own unnatural Children.

From this dejected, deſpiſed, and in all humane appearance, deſperate condition, he is raiſed and reſtored to the Throne of his Fathers, to his Native Countrey, become more dear and valuable to him, by his experience of others, to the free and uncontrol'd exerciſe of the Religion he was bred in, to a capacity of making Royal Retribution for any kindneſs he hath received abroad or from home: And which is the greateſt earthly Felicity, ſo good a KING as he could wiſh, he is not onely reſtored to, but by the love of his People, without the chargeable, and many times dangerous aſſiſtance, of Strangers, who are not over tender, not much diſtinguiſhing betwixt the party they come to aſſiſt, and that they come to ſubdue, when they are made Umpires in ſuch Quarrels; for they rarely imploy their Auxiliary Treaſure and blood, purely out of Generoſity and Juſtice, which may in Romance be found the ultimate end of ſuch Aſſiſtance, but ſeldom in the truth of Hiſtory.

Here it may be obſerved, that if the revolt and deviation of our Nations from their KING, and from Monarchy it ſelf, was the moſt unreaſonable and prodigious that any age hath known, their voluntarie uncompelled Return to both, is as much without example; nor indeed could the Return have been ſo miraculous, if the Revolt had not been ſo prodigious: And it may alſo be worth the obſerving, that as the firſt moſt bloodie Eruption from Peace to Rebellion, took birth in this Kingdom, ſo from hence came the firſt Overtures to Peace and Submiſſion.

By, and with the Kings deliverance and Reſtitution, our Church is delivered from Contempt, Sacriledge and Deſolation, and reſtored to a due veneration, a competent improving ſupport, and to fair beginnings of Decencie and Order.

Our Laws are delivered from corrupt, incompetent Interpreters, from monſtrous, unnatural expoſitions and applications, and Juſtice is reſtored to the diſtribution of upright, learned, lawfullie ſworn and authorized Judges.

The nobleſt acts of Loyalty ſhall now no more receive the judgement due to the fowleſt Treaſon, due to the unrighteous Judges, that pronounced it without Authoritie in the Perſons, or Juſtice in the Sentence. High Courts of Juſtice ſhall no more uſurp that name, nor our Benches be crouded or oppreſſed with the throng and wicked weight of thoſe that ought rather to have ſtood manacled at the Bar. A happie change to thoſe for whoſe deſtruction thoſe extravagant Tribunals were erected, and a ſecure change to all; for it hath been often an obſerved method in Gods never failing Juſtice, to catch Cruelty and Oppreſsion in thoſe very ſnares they had prepared for others.

All men are delivered from the intanglements of two-edged Oathes; from the conflicts raiſed by them in mens breſts, betwixt Conſcience and conveniencie, betwixt the proſtitution of Conſcience, and the ruine of their Fortunes; than which a harder, a more Tyrannical choice cannot be obtruded upon Chriſtians: For here the election was not, Swear thus againſt your Conſcience, or you ſhall have no part in the Civil Government, no Office in the Army, no Benefice in the Church; but, Swear thus, or you ſhall have no houſe to put your head in, no bread to ſuſtain your ſelves, your wives and children.

To conclude theſe Obſervations, Who is not delivered from ſome Oppreſſion, and reſtored to ſome Advantage; even thoſe that ſhall loſe the wages of iniquity, their ill got poſſeſſions, ſhall be delivered from the oppreſsion of a bad, and if they have any, ſhall be reſtored to a good Conſcience; if they have none, they were not in the Kings, and I hope will not be in Your care.

Thoſe that ſhall be kept out of their ancient Eſtates, the Inheritance of their Fathers, through defect of their Qualifications, and by the All-diſpoſing Providence of God, who was not pleaſed to make them active Inſtruments in this Happy Change, are delivered from Tyrannous Confinements, cauſeleſs Impriſonments, and a continual fear of their lives: The good Land lies afore them, their induſtry is at Liberty, and they are reſtored to the freedom of Subjects, and protection of the Laws: If an Iriſh Papiſt be oppreſt, they ſhall relieve him; if the blood of the meaneſt of them be ſhed, it ſhall be ſtrictlie enquired after; Let this ſtate be compared with that they were in before the Kings Reſtitution, and it will be found the greateſt looſer has got ſomething by it.

As it is our duty thus thankfully to commemorate theſe great things done for us; ſo it is our duty to endeavour in our ſeveral Stations, to improve and ſecure them to Our ſelves, and Our Poſterity: And ſure the moſt Natural way to that end, is to call to minde, and avoid thoſe Errours that brought us into thoſe miſeries from which we are redeemed.

Many are the cauſes too boldly aſſigned, for the Calamities theſe Nations ſo long laboured under: But in ſuch Inquiſitions the verdict is ſeldom impartially brought in, the Jury are too often the Criminals: But I think I may ſafely ſay, that one, and that a fundamental cauſe, was, that the late King was malitiouſly repreſented to the People; I am ſure the Freedom, Peace, Plenty, and Happineſſes they were told they ſhould enjoy without him, proved miſerable and fatal deluſions.

Let us miſtruſt thoſe that ſhall uſe the ſame Arts, leſt they involve us in the ſame miſerie; and let us judge of the Kings intentions to his people, by his Publique Acts of grace and bounty; by his mild and eaſie Government; by his deſire and endeavours to make his Subjects happy at home, and renowned abroad; and by the reluctancy of his Nature to juſt ſeverity, when the wickedneſs or frenzy of the worſt Offendors extort it from him.

That ſomething will be amiſs in the Adminiſtration of the moſt perfect Government in this world, muſt be expected; but whoever ſhall think that thoſe things are to be rectified by force upon the Government, and than effected, propoſes to acquieſce, and return to Obedience, cannot know himſelf ſo well, as to be ſure, that Opportunity and ſucceſs may not ſuggeſt more inordinate Appetites to him; And there are thoſe alive that know, how far further than their firſt intention, the Reformers of our times were led on, til the unwarrantable force they had raiſed, grow too ſtrong for their Management flew in their faces, and in concluſion jucted thoſe villanies, that I dare ſay their Souls abhorred; but neither their Policy or Power could reſtrain.

We have had ſad experience, and let as be the wiſer for it, in how ſhort a time, in how few days, the induſtry of many years, nay, of an Age, may be deſtroyed and laid waſte, when Rage and Rapine are let looſe. If once Sedition grow too ſtrong for the Law, and Rebellion for the Magiſtrate, ſo that the Law is ſilenced, or the language of it corrupted, or inverted, and the Magiſtrate removed as burthenſome and unneceſſary, let us remember what variety of miſery and miſchief is brought upon the people, how unſupportable their ſufferings are, and how intolerable their fears of ſuffering they know not what more, by whom, or how long. Let the people remember how many, and how chargeable their Maſters, nay how many and chargeable the changes of their Maſters were, when once they fooliſhly affected the miſery, indeed the impoſſibility of having none,

When Miſrepreſentations had taken place and root in the mindes of the people, their hearts grew narrow and barren, towards the King; thoſe that ſoon after rob'd them both perſwading them to keep their purſes full for them to empty.

This cloſe Oratory is ſeldom unſucceſsful, but what the people got by following this thrifty counſel, ſome have taken the pains to compute, and it is found, that the Impoſitions laid and levied upon the people, to ſupport Ʋſurpation and Tyrannie, in a few bad years came to more, than the moſt chargeable Princes had raiſed in ſome Ages to conquer Enemies and Infidels abroad, whileſt this was employed to make Enemies of Friends, and little better than Infidels of Chriſtians at home.

I confeſs, this Animadverſion is not ſo ſeaſonable now, or proper to be applied to you, who in your Liberalities, have out gone all Example, and prevented even the Kings wiſhes; nor are thoſe Liberalities the leſs, but the more valued by Him, that he intends to apply them intirely to the ſecurity and improvement of a true Proteſtant, and a right Engliſh Intereſt in this Kingdom.

There is nothing that declares, indeed that conſtitutes perfect union, and a happy Harmony, ſo much as mutual truſts and confidences, and the interchange of gifts and benefits; it is ſo in private Friendſhip, and it is much more ſo, in that good Intelligence which muſt make a King and his people happy.

The King has truſted you as far as even King truſted Subjects, and He has given you more than ever any King or Lord of Ireland had to give.

You have truſted the King with all you had, and all you had to pretend to; and you have given Him more than he thought of to deſire; Let it not therefore be apprehended, that this Commerce muſt ceaſe by the Prodigality on both ſides, as if there were no more to be given or received▪ No, my Lords and Gentlemen, protection from Foreign Invaſion and Rebellion at home, the due and uncorrupt adminiſtration of Government, and of the Laws, and under them the advancement and encouragement of Piety and Learning, Trade, and all ſorts of Induſtry and Improvements, are benefits that may to the end of time, deſcend from the Throne to you and yours: And a due ſubjection to that Government, and obedience to thoſe Laws, and application to that Piety and Learning, to that Trade and Induſtry, and to thoſe Improvements, may be as laſting Retributions from the People to the Throne.

I ſhould here end this unuſual Exerciſe, but that I am commanded by the King to let you know; that as he is abundantly ſatisfied with thoſe demonſtrations of Duty, Loyalty and Affection you have given him, during the whole time of your ſitting, ſo he looks with great Pleaſure & Delight upon thoſe Acts of Grace and Bounty that have paſt from him to you; and he commands me to be ſure not to forget to aſſure you, upon all Proper Occaſions that all his Promiſes ſhall be inviolably obſerved; and that the will conſent to whatever elſe may make this Kingdom flouriſhing and happy, whether it ſhall be the Enacting of new and profitable, or the repeal of old, unuſeful, or burthen ſome Laws.

To ſay any thing of, or from my Self in this place, may be Preſumption; but to ſay nothing to you, my Lords and Gentlemen, to whom I owe ſo much muſt be Ingratitude. You have before and ſince my Arrival, been pleaſed to make many and obliging Expreſſions of your Approbation of the Kings choice of Me for this Government: I have great reaſon to fear, both the King and you conſulted your Indulgence to Me, more than your judgement of Me.

Yet without much preſumption or vanity, I think I may ſay, thus far the King and you may be excuſable, that He choſe, and You approved a Perſon, whoſe Fortune and Familie muſt proſper or decay, muſt ruine or ſubſiſt by and with this Kingdom. This has not perhaps alwaies been 〈◊〉 caſe, and it is poſſible mean Abilities thus ſtimulates, 〈◊〉 be more profitably induſtrious than greater, actuated, 〈◊〉 leſs, or by contrary Incentives. There are upon me all ••• ginable Obligations to applie all that is in me, to the 〈◊〉 and proſperity of this Kingdom: Thoſe of duty, fidelity and thankefulneſs to the beſt, and moſt bountiful Maſter in the world; thoſe of Retribution and Gratitude to you, for extraordinary and liberal manifeſtations of kindeneſs and affection, and thoſe of ſelf-preſervation and happineſs Hence it may be concluded reaſonablie and naturallie, that my endeavours will be hearty and faithful and my failin • which ſhall be as few as I can unvoluntary, and therefo •• the more pardonable.

You will preſently, when I am retired, be at liberty at •• journ your ſelves to the time you deſired.

FINIS.