Page:A Letter from a Person of Quality, to His Friend in the Country (1675).pdf/35

 There was a passage of the very greatest observation in the whole debate, and which with most clearness shewd what the great Men and Bishops aimed at, and should in order have come in before, but that it deserved so particular a consideration, that I thought best to place it here by it self, which was, that upon passing of the Proviso for preserving the Rights, and Priviledges of Parliaments made out of the Previous Votes, It was excellently observ'd by the Earl of Bullingbrook, a Man of great Abilitie, and Learning in the Laws of the Land, and perfectly stedfast in all good English Principles, that though that Proviso did preserve the freedom of Debates and Votes in Parliament, yet the Oath remain'd notwithstanding that Pro­viso upon all Men, that shall take as a prohibition either by Speech, or Writing, or Address, to endeavor any alteration in Religion, Church, or State; nay also upon the Members of both Houses otherwise then as they speak, and vote in open Parliaments or Com­mittees: for this Oath takes away all private Converse upon any such affairs even one with another. This was seconded by the Lord De la mer, whose Name is well known, as also his Worth, Piety, and Learning; I should mention his great Merits too, but I know not whether that be lawful, they lying yet unrewarded. The Lord Shaftsbury presently drew up some words for preserving the same Rights, Priviledges, and Freedoms, which Men now enjoy by the Laws established, that so by a side Wind we might not be deprived of the great Liberty we enjoy as English Men, and desired those words might be inserted in that Proviso before it past. This was seconded by many of the forementioned Lords, and prest up­on those terms, that they desired not to countenance, or make in the least degree any thing lawful, that was not already so, but that they might not be deprived by this dark way of proceeding of that Liberty was necessary to them as Men, and without which Par­liaments would be renderd useless. Upon this all the great Officers showd themselves, nay the D. of Lauderdail himself, though un­der the Load of two Addresses, opened his mouth, and together with the Lord Keeper, and the Lord Treasurer, told the Com­mittee in plain terms, that they intended, and design'd to prevent Caballing, and conspiracies against the Government that they knew no reason why any of the King's Officers should consult Rh