Page:Ruffhead - The Statutes at Large - vol 3.djvu/50

2 with the rarest Gifts of Mind and Body, in such admirable Peace and Quietness, and upon the Knees of our Hearts to agnize our most constant Faith, Obedience and Loyalty to your Majesty and your Royal Progeny, as in this High Court of Parliament, where all the whole Body of the Realm, and every particular Member thereof, either in Person or by Representation (upon their own free Elections) are by the Laws of this Realm deemed to be personally present in.

III. To the Acknowledgment whereof to your Majesty, we are the more deeply bounden and obliged, as well in regard of the extraordinary Care and Pains which with vo great Wisdom, Knowledge, Experience and Dexterity, your Majesty (sithence the Imperial Crown of this Realm descended to you) have taken for the Continuance and Establishment of the blessed Peace both of the Church of England in the true and sincere Religion, and of the Commonwealth by due and speedy Administration of Justice, as in respect of the gracious Care and inward Affection which it pleased you on the first Day of this Parliament so lively to express by your own Words, so full of high Wisdom, Learning and Virtue, and so repleat with Royal and thankful Acceptation of all our faithful and constant Endeavours, which is and ever will be to our inestimable Consolation and Comfort.

IV. We therefore your most humble and Loyal Subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, do from the Bottom of our Hearts, yield to the Divine Majesty all humble Thanks and Praises, not only for the said unspeakable and inestimable Benefits and-Blessings above-mentioned, but also that he hath further enriched your Highness with a most Royal Progeny of most rare and excellent Gifts and Forwardness, and in his Goodness is likely to increase the happy Number of them': (2) And in most humble and lowly Manner do beseech your most excellent Majesty, that (as a Memorial to all Posterities, amongst the Records of your High Court of Parliament for ever to endure, of our Loyalty, Obedience and hearty and humble Affection) (3) it may be published and declared in this High Court of Parliament, and enacted by Authority of the same. That we (being bounden thereunto both by the Laws of God and Man) do recognize and acknowledge (and thereby express our unspeakable Joys) That immediately upon the Dissolution and Decease of Elizabeth late Queen of England, the Imperial Crown of the Realm of England, and of all the Kingdoms, Dominions and Rights belonging to the same, did by inherent Birthright, and lawful and undoubted Succession, descend and come to your most excellent Majesty, as being lineally, justly and lawfully, next and sole Heir of the Blood Royal of this Realm as is aforesaid; and that by the Goodnevs of God Almighty, and; lawful Right of Descent, under one Imperial Crown, your Majesty is of the Realms and Kingdoms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, the most potent and mighty King, and by God's Goodness more able to protest and govern us your loving Subjects in all Peace and Plenty, than any of your noble Progenitors: (5) And thereunto we most humbly and faithfully do submit and oblige ourselves, our Heirs: and Posterities for ever, until the last Drop of our Bloods be spent: And do beseech your Majesty to accept the same, as the First-fruits in this High Court of Parliament, of our Loyalty and Faith to your Majesty, and your Royal Progeny and Posterity for ever: (6) Which if your Majesty shall be pleased (as an Argument of your gracious Acceptation) to adorn with your Majesty's Royal Assent, without which it can neither be compleat and perfect, nor remain to all Posterity, according to our most humble Desire, (as a Memorial of your princely and tender Affection towards us) we shall add this also to the Rest or your Majesty's unspeakable and inestimable Benefits.

HEREAS his most excellent Majestie hath beene pleased, out of his great Wisedome and Judgement, not only to represent unto us by his owne prudent and princely Speech on the first Day of this Parliament, how much he desired, (in regard of his inward, and gracious Affection to both the famous and ancient Realmes of England and Scotland, now united in Allegeance and Loyal subjection in his Royal Person, to his Majestie and his Posterity for ever) that by a speedy, mature and found Deliberation, such a further Union might follow, as should make perfect that mutuall Love and Uniformity of Manners and Customes, which Almighty God in his Providence for the Strength and Sastie of both Realmes hath already so far begun in apparent Sight of all the World, but also hath vouchsafed to expresse many Ways, now farre it is, and ever shall be from his Royall and sincere Care and Affection to the Subjects of England, to alter and innovate the fundamental and ancient Lawes, Priviledges and good Customes of this Kingdome, whereby not onely his Regall Authority, but the People's Security of Lands, Livings and Priviledges (both in generall and particular) are preserved and maintained, and by the Abolishing or Alteration of the which, it is impossible but that present Confusion will fall upon the whole State and Frame of this Kingdome.

II. For asmuch as his Majesties humble, faithful and loving Subjects, have not onely conceived the Weight of his Majesties Reasons, but apprehend to their unspeakable Joy and Comfort, his plaine, cleere and gracious Intention, to seek no other Changes or Alteration, but of such particular, temporary or indifferent Manner of Statutes and Customes, as may both prevent and extinguish all and every future Questions, or unhappy Accidents, by which the present and constant Love and Friendship and Quietnesse between the Subjects of both the Realmes aforesaid, may be compleated and confirmed, and also