WHen I presented my humble Address to your Ex­cellency, in defence of the Monarchy of Eng­land, Though we had lively hopes, grounded chiefly on the presumption of your Vertue and prudence, yet had we no certain prospect, That your Ex­cellency would so generously promote, or could so fortunately effect, this blessed and wonderfull revolution; It hath since plea­sed God to use you as his glorious Instrument, in redeeming your Country from the Captivity, and Chaos, of a monstrous Oligarchy; and restoring it to the Beauty and Freedome of a lawfull Government; under our naturall, Prince: Wherein, as your Excellency hath the principall merit, the whole Nation the Benefit and Triumph; So have I, my Lord, this satisfaction, that all my assertions are already verified by such publick evi­dence, as malice it self cannot contradict.

My first Position was, That the Laws of England, being of Monarchicall constitution, calculated, as it were, to that meridi­an, would not easily conforme to the manners of Greece; or learne the language of Ʋtopia; and most remarkable, indeed, it is, that whereas the whole body of our Law was lately out of Joynt, like one tormented on the Wrack by Tyrants, to extort from him confessions against himself, and our Apostate Law­yers forced to double their files of Impudence, that, like goodly Oracles, they might pronounce, as they were prompted; our [Page 2]Laws are suddenly in frame, our Lawyers have soon recovered their Mother tougue, and forgotten that beggerly and Gypsy Dialect, which Committees had taught them; Our Juries are res­cued from y^e terrour of those Dilemmas, which daily propound­ed to them ruine, or perjury; our Judges are confident of their Authority, and fear not, least they murther, whom they con­demne; We are entirely possest of our birthrights, not the foot­steps of violence remain amongst us, under a Government so dear, and gentle, as if it were not national but paternall, and our daily amendments are as visible, as those of young men, after the Crisis of a feavour: surely the difference of our tem­per, and complexion, since February last, evinces that the Phy­sick, we took this spring, was very proper, and kindly.

That Providence had singularly adapted our Government to our Genius, was my next assertion; For which I alledged, That English men having naturally an equall sence of honour and freedom, do no lesse contemne the Mechanick policies of a re­publick, then disdain the Insolencies of a Tyrant; and that the late Protectours, (as odious and scandalous, as they were) found entertainment too good for such usurpers, not upon their own account, but for that their Empire was in it self, a kind of Ba­stard Monarchy, and an approach to the legitimate: Let our publick and unaffected Triumphs, the shouts and Ecchoes, which filled the Aire, at his Majesties appearance; let our mu­tuall embraces in the streets, as persons meeting at home, after their long and various exiles; Let the brightnesse of innume­rable saces, which are now come forth their Dongeons, like just and happy souls with their renewed and refined Bodies, proclaime the general resurrection of our State, the re-integra­tion of our being, and consummation of our worldly blisse, and let it be confessed; that our latter motions were as voluntary, and naturall, as the former were violent, and Eccentrick.

I Observed, That our ancient policybest agreed with our sober interest. Now the interest of a people consists in security and prosperity; our security, of late years, hath been no other than theirs, who live in a ruinous house, and an inffected ayre, or [Page 3]border upon the Turks and Tartars; What fatall Comets! What furious changes have we seen! And in how short a time! Wherein the City was manifestly threatned with sacks, the Countrey with Massacres, The Nation tossed like a Tennis-ball, betwixt the mutiny of Souldiers, and spleen of factions; Beside the danger of foraigne enemies, hovering over us, and gather­ing like Clouds, which (as terrible as now they seem,) were the best relief, we could reasonably then expect: How his Majesties peaceable returne hath redeemed and preserved us, (as in rea­son, it only could,) none I trust, wants either sense to discerne or religion to acknowledge: We thrived like Bankrouts, or Prodigals, who having consumed their estates with luxury, seek to repaire them by Projects; our very streets were prisons, and the whole Nation outlaw'd both for debt and felony; our trade, (the Nutriment of the body Politick) scarce yielded us a present subsistence, and that with such a manifest Declination, as ten­ded to speedy famine: What a Jubile to our Captivity! What Alms to our necessity! what omens of future happinesse hath his Majesty already, brought us! It appears, indeed, we were sick of the Kings evill, and he hath cured us, meerly with his touch.

And whereas our late Empyricks have, (with their wonted arrogance, and an imposture answerable to their treachery in all that they undertook) long entertain'd us in fools Paradise, and fed our credulity with mountainous hopes, till even bread be­gan to faile us; Fondly surmising, that our wealth and wellfare consisted in the forme of a Republick; if our late wofull, and former happy experiences did not enough confute them; I would examine First, Whether were likelier to inrich us, that Government, which settled our distractions, diminished our burthens, confirmed our Charters, and established peace with all our neighbours, Especially those, with whom we principally hold commerce, or that, which, to infinite obstractions and discouragements at home, added our perpetual molestation and Ruine abroad by letters of Mart, the just reward of our rebelli­on; Next, Whether (waving projects,) they can reasonably propound to the Merchant, any solid advantage in a Free-state, [Page 4]which may not as well be admitted in our Monarchy, Where the Prince, (besides his security and satisfaction to governe a flourishing people,) hath an immediate dependance on our Trade, in the maine of his revenüe, and may therefore be pre­sumed to advance, but never to obstruct it.

My maine Proposition was; That the English Monarchy did eminently include all the benefits propounded in a Common­wealth, and had the luster of a Diadem with the substance of a Free state; Neither I suppose hath experience herein been wan­ting to my reasons; Already have we seen an Election of our Deputies, as popular, as in the freest of States, (unlesse perhaps, the Royall party should complaine of Qualifications, for cer­tainly none other ought, or can,) by this convention hath our KING been remitted to his Regall power, with such a suffrage That being convinced either in the clearness of his title, the greatnesse of his merit, or necessity of the Act all concurred, like streames to the Ocean; Already have we seen his Majesty, (waving his advantage in a more equall choyce, nay suspen­ding the exercise of all his Prerogatives,) confirme, (or rather constitute) this convention, and make them Arbitratours of his dearest concernments; we have seen him hitherto, I am sure; as little interposing in our Laws, or controuling the Par­liament, in the debate of his interests, as if he had no negative, and were indeed, that Cypher or chief Magistrate, which some have insolently designed him; If by consenting, he wound us not through his owne side, There is little fear, that he will pre­judice us by Refusal.

Nor doth, or ever, I suppose will the upper House obstruct the Passage of any Bill, which may innocently tend to the setle­ment or enlargement of our Liberties. But remembring by whose Writ they were summoned, and withall whose safety they consult as just and wise Mediatours, study to reconcile the service of the King with the good of the People, on both of which their owne wellbeing seems equally to depend, for that they are subjects, as well as, Peers. This doubt­lesse is the happy temperament, which will with Gods blessing [Page 5]intercept discord, and prolong our Peace; their Lordships, serving as a Rampart to the Nation against Arbitrary Power, as a skreene to his Majesty against popular encroachments: Wherein the History of former Errours hath furnished them with such future cautions, as they cannot, methinks again mis­carry without supine default: However we are already (by the restitution of Monarchy, and Peerage,) abundantly secured from those Precipitated Counsells, and abortive Votes, which rendred all our policy fantastick, whilst, being Governed at randome, we were only shuffled from one Anarchy to another. And what the wisdome of many ages had maturely collected, could in one morning, be dissipated with the breath of Factious and Capricious Juntos, who were indeed, too dextrous in de­molishing, but knew not how to build.

The settlement of the Militia in the ancient way of Trayned Bands, under Lords, and Deputy Lieutenants, men of Interest in their Countryes, and without other dependance on his Maje­sty than their Allegiance, how doth it proclaim the innocency of the Kings intentions? How doth it vindicate the present Au­thority, as the gentlest and happiest in the world, which after such accumulation of indignities committs it self (as it were) to popular Protection, & demands no greater security, than it affords the meanest! How doth the equall distribution of his favour, & prudent choyce of his servants, considering the num­ber and variety of pretences, and comparing it with the partia­lity of late usurpers, at once stop the Mouth of Calumny and vest in his Majesty, a peculiar Right to be the sole Judge of Merrit! Those, who professing to tye him up to rigour of Law, grudged him the exercise of his Clemency, how are they en­snared and confounded in their pretences; whilst, from the ver­dicts of enraged Juries, and pursuites of deserved Vengeance, they resort for shelter, to that sanctuary, which they so lately, and spitefully prophaned.

His Majesties frugality, (whose example promises even a re­formation of our manners, as it hath already confuted their en­vious presages, who for want of greater Objections, made use [Page 6]of a scare crow, by suggesting to us (forsooth) the ruinous pomp and expence of a Court; so I hope, it may give us occasion to consider, how chargeable it is to maintain usurpers, and facti­ons, in comparison of a lawfull Prince; Even as Wives are commonly cheaper than Concubines; Neither would his Maje­sty, I presume, complaine, or require our ayd upon any Ordinary account; But alas, we may not in reason look for miracles at his hand, nor in Justice, expect that he should pay our debts: For who doth not see, That in all publick engagements, (but espe­cially the present,) we our selves are Principalls, and the King our surety; he certainly had no part in contracting them, unlesse perhaps, the Phanaticks have taught us to make use of our own wrong, by charging him with the Occasion, because indeed, they were contracted to drive and keep him out: Would he have taken advantage of legall forfeitures and late exam­les, Haberdashers Hall and Drury House might both have satis­fied the Publick debts, and filled his Coffers; If submitting his interests to our wishes, he have no retume, his Clemency is not well requited, and it will behoove us to want it no more: However, not the proudest Champion of freedome, or foulest detractour of Prerogative can deny, That his Majesty hath been truly tender of our concernments, modest in his demands; And his beginnings will at least appear very favourable to our Purse-strings, when we remember, how they were lately worne out with handling.

The Great Charter, and Petition of Right, which were even buried in their own dust, (being supplanted by instruments, and Projects of Goverment, framed to the passion or humour of Intruders,) are now revived and celebrated as a kinde of civill Decalogue for his Majesties practise. Liberty and Freehold, then which nothing hath been rendred cheaper are already so sacred; That in stead of detaining, or seising our persons upon bare and generall surmises, the m [...]st obnoxious are permitted to finde baile; or if the fact be not too notorious, upon examina­tion, without further sute discharged; And in liew of prejudi­cate Committees, we have impartial Juries to decide our pro­perty: [Page 6]We have done, I hope, will that reason of state, which was wont to fill all our prisons, without an impeachment, and professed the punishing of men for their supposed principles, without any thing prooved or alledged against them. Our Laws which like porters or mean Solicitours, were employed and sent on Errands, by every faction, are now grown stately, and will not step aside, for any mans businesse, but their own; nor is any for presumed Guilt, so proscribed, as to forfeit the Interest of his Countrey, without contempt recorded, since by being offen­ders, we cease not to be English men, And for that the Pub­lick is more concerned in the lawfullness then greatnesse of pu­nishments. We have learned, God be thanked, like freemen and our Fathers Children, again to challenge our Birthrights, and think our selves no longer tenants at will of our Estates; Nay Justice is now the least of our demands, it is fauour and bounty which we pretend to.

The Legislative and Ministeriall power are, I suppose, suffi­ciently severed, or if they be not, his Majesty I am sure is not in fault, who referring all things to the determination of the Law, without assuming any cognisance of private Interests, contents himself religiously to provide, That our Courts of Justice be filled with Persons of the greatest honour and ability, and nothing decided by unsworne Jvdges; Nor doth he inter­rupt any legall, or countenance any Illegall course, or to any publick Act, to distinguish his Government from the exactest of Common-Wealths; The Nation (once so happily united,) is now Alas distributed into severall tribes, with names and marks of enmity, and reproach; And though such distinctions are too apt to create a Partiallity in the administration of Justice, (as, to our sorrow, we have lately felt,) yet since our princes re­turn, none, I am confident, will affirme, that his judgment or pri­vate Character hath prejudiced his right, which his Majesty holds himself oblidged, indifferently to extend to all, even as the wisdome of God communicates his daily providences, and Bounties: hitherto tend those pious, and candid purposes and endeavours to abolish (if possible) even the mention of [Page 7]late miscariages, so frequently declared so solemnly recom­mended to us; A fingular Omen of our future satisfaction, For, what soundnesse of health may wee hereafter expect, who are already in so good a temper? And why should wee not, with Gods blessing upon such hopefull overtures of his Majesties Goverment. Promise our selves all the beauties of spotless Justice, All the comforts of flowing equity, All the in­fluences of a benign Constelation?

Neither need we doubt but that our prince will readily com­plie with our requests in whatsoever can modestly be desired of him, either to prevent any just fear, or supply any reall defect being thereunto incited by his goodnesse, his promise, and indeed his Interest: so as, for ought I see, such as are yet dissatisfied, will finde more trouble, in consulting the wanton­nesse of their Appetites, then obtaining what they fancy; where­in, no difficulty can arise, but this, That his Majesty may per­haps, think it more fit and just, to gratify the sobriety of the Major part, in maintaining, then the Curiosity of a few, in al­tering our ancient, and approved establishments; And thus, I fear, he will have frequent occasion to advise; being im­portuned by factious, and unreasonable addresses.

It appears my Lord, I hope to your excellency, How notably you have merrited of your Countrey, by one loyall and memorable expedition which with successe, equall to its desert, hath at once translated us from Egypt to Canaan, without any Wildernesse in our way; hath redressed all our complaints, & answered all our temporall expectations; wherein as men in­deed we are fully satisfied, but as Christians there yet remaines somthing so considerable to us, that neither our blessing nor your Triumph is compleat without it: See my Lord, how Christs Vineyard lies yet uncultivated & unfenced, The Church of England, I mean, once so amiable and glorious, now so des­picable and forlorne, her Alters poluted, her Temples profa­ned, her truth confounded, her priesthood vilified, her posses­sion alienated, and her bread given to the doggs: Your Ex­cellency is sommoned to assist in the reparation of this fatall [Page 8]breach, in the restoration of this goodly fabrick, both piety and charity requires it: The end is Excellent, and the work methinks, not difficult; she hath already the Law for her War­rant, the King for her advocate the Nation for her Witnesse, and no adversary, but devout sacriledge without any coulor of title but the same violence, which excluded Monarchy, peerage, and common right: on your generous Resolutions, My Lord, it depends with that courage of yours, which so lately asserted the freedom of our Parliaments, now to secure, & if need be, so rescue his Majesty from there insolence whose requests are menaces whose very loyalty is seditious, and who appealing still to their own Passions will neither be tied by the duty, nor tried by there Countrey; In a word who are onely modest and just when they are weake with whose vertues wee are not now to be aquainted.

My Lord, If proceeding in your great atchivements, your Excellency shall for the future proove an Equall Champion of the Kings Authority, the Peoples liberty, and consequently, the Churches Rights (for I take it, it is now manifested, that they all hold by one title your name will be great in our stories, and Pretious in our memories, your Garlands will every year bud with fresh flowers and the love and honour of your Con­trey will if Possible) exceed the Rewards conferred on you by his Majesty.

July, 17. 1660.