pretence of having all things common, did they not fall to spoiling or robbing, and, at last, took the King's person, and carried him about the city, making him obedient to their proclamations?

Did not also the traiterous heretick, Sir John Oldcastle, Lord Cobham, pitch a field with hereticks against King Henry the Fourth, where the King was in person, and fought against them, to whom God gave the victory?

Alas! If these be not plain precedents and sufficient persuasions to admonish a prince: Then God will take away from us our prudent rulers, and leave us to the hands of our enemies. And then will ensue mischief upon mischief, inconveniencies, barrenness and scarcity, for want of good orders, in the common wealth, from which God of his tender mercy defend us.

Master Kingston, farewell; I wish all things may have good success, my time draws on; I may not tarry with you, I

my words.

pray you remember Now began the time to draw near, for he drew his speech at length; his tongue began to fail him, his eyes perfectly set in his head, and his sight failed him. Then we began to put him in mind, of Christ's passion, and caused the yeoman of the guard, to stand by privately, to see him die, and bear witness of his words and departure, who heard all his communications.

And then presently the clock struck eight, at which time he gave up the ghost; and thus departed he this life, one of us looking upon another, supposing he prophesied of his departure.

We sent for the abbot of the house to anoint him, who speedily came as he was ending his life, who said certain prayers before that the life was out of his body.

Here is the end and fall of pride; for, I assure you, he was the proudest man alive, having more regard to the honour of his person, than to his spiritual function, wherein he should have expressed more meekness and humility: For pride and ambition are both linked together; and ambition is like choler, which is an humour that makes men active, earnest, and full of alacrity and stirring, if it be not stopped or hindered in its course ; but, if it be stopped, and cannot have its way, it becometh dust, and thereby malign and venomous. So ambitious and proud men, if they find the way open for their rising and advancement, and still get forwards, they are rather busy than dangerous; but, if they be checked in their desires, they become secretly discontented, and look upon men and matters with an evil eye, and are best pleased when things go backwards: But I forbear to speak any further therein.

The cardinal being departed, Mr. Kingston sent post to London one of the guard; then were Mr. Kingston and the abbot in consultation about the funeral, which was solemnised the day after, for Mr. Kingston would not stay the return of the post.

They thought good, that the mayor of Leicester and his brethren. should see him personally dead, to prevent false reports that he was alive. And, in the interim, whilst the mayor was sent for, his bones were laid in the coffin, and his shirt of hair, and his over-shirt of

fine holland, were taken off, and put into the coffin, together with all such ornaments wherewith he was invested, when he was made archbishop, as mitre, cross, ring, and pall, with all other things due to his orders.

Thus he lay all that day with his coffin open and bare-faced, that all that desired might see him; and about three of the clock he was buried by the abbot with great solemnity. And being in the church, his corpse was set in the Lady's-Chapel with many tapers, and poor men about him, holding torches in their hands, who watched the corpse all that night, whilt the canons sung divers dirges, and other divine orisons.

And, at four of the clock the next morning, the cardinal's servants and Mr. Kingston came to the church to the execution of many ceremonies, in such manner as is usual at bishops burials; and so he went to mass, where the abbot did offer, and divers others; and then went to bury the corpse in the middle of the said chapel; by this time it was six of the clock, being St. Andrew's day.

Then we prepared for our journey to the court, where we attended his Majesty. The next day I was sent for to the King, conducted by Mr. Norris, where the King was in his night-gown of Rochet velvet, furred with sables, before whom I kneeled the space of an hour, during which time his Majesty examined me of divers particulars concerning my lord cardinal, wishing, rather than twenty-thousand pounds, that he had lived.

He asked me concerning the fifteen-hundred pounds, which Mr. Kingston moved to my lord. Quoth I, I think I can perfectly tell your grace where it is, and who hath it. Can you, quoth the King, I pray you tell me, and you shall not be unrewarded?

Sir, quoth I, after the departure of Mr. Vincent from my lord at Scrooby, who had the custody thereof, leaving it with my lord in divers bags, he delivered it to a certain priest, safely to be kept for his use. Is this true, quoth the King? Yea, quoth I, without doubt, the priest will not deny it before me, for I was at the delivery thereof, who hath gotten divers other rich ornaments, which are not registered in the book of myLord's inventory, or other writings, whereby any man is able to charge him therewith, but myself.

Then said the King, let me alone for keeping this secret between me and you. Howbeit, three may keep counsel, if two be away; and, if I knew my cap was privy to my counsel, I would cast it into the fire and burn it; and, for your honesty and truth, you shall be our servant in our chamber, as you were with your master.

Therefore, go you your ways to Sir John Gage, our vice-chamberlain, to whom we have spoken already, to admit you our servant in our chamber, and then go to the Lord of Norfolk, and he shall pay you your whole year's wages, which is ten pounds: Is not it so, quoth the King? Yea, forsooth, and if it please your grace, quoth I: And withal, said the King, you shall receive a reward from the Duke of Norfolk.

So I received ten pounds of the duke for my wages, and twenty pounds for my reward; and his Majesty gave me a cart and six horses, the best that I could chuse out of my lord's horses, to carry my goods, and five marks for my charges homewards.

THE

ORDERS, PROCEEDINGS, PUNISHMENTS, AND PRIVILEGES

OF THE

COMMONS HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT

IN ENGLAND.

Printed Anno Dom. 1641. Quarto, containing thirty pages.

THE

CHAP. I.

What Persons may be Burgesses in Parliament, what not.

HF son and heir of an earl may be; and so was the Lord Russel,
Elis. 6.

He that hath no voice in the higher house; so the son and heir apparent of a baron; and so was Mr. Henry Brooke.

A prebendary may not be; and therefore Alexander Nowel was refused, because he was prebendary of Westminster; whereupon a writ was issued to chuse another for Leo in Cornwall.

Sir Henry Piercy was chosen knight for two several counties; and thereupon it was adjudged by the house, that he should serve for that county which first chose him, 13 Elis.

If a burgess be incurably sick, another may be chosen in his place, by license of the house; but not if he be easily sick, or sent in his Majesty's service, unless the house will allow of a new election, 18 Martii, 23 Elis.

And it was then ordered, that, during the session, no writs should issue to chuse knights or burgesses, but by warrant of the house to the clerk of the crown, according to the ancient usage.

The burgesses of Sandwich were kept out of the house, until the perfect return was known. 15 Edw. VI.

One Cavell was returned for Travayny and Ludders-hall; he appeared for Ludders-hall; and therefore a writ issued to chuse another for Travayny, 11 Mar. 7. Edw. VI.

William Gregham and were returned knights for Nor folk; and the writ, returned by the lord chancellor, suppressed it by great motion, and directed another writ to chuse others.

A burgess, indicted of felony, shall not be removed before conviction, 8 Feb. 23. Elis.

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Walter Vaughan was received, notwithstanding an outlawry, because it appeared that it was for debt, and that he had compounded for it,

A burgess outlawed was denied the privilege of the house; but, upon the question, and upon a division of the house, he was allowed the privilege against an arrest in London, 24 Feb. 5 Elis.

CHAP. II.

The Choice of the Speaker, his Presentment, Placing, and Speech.

HE that shall be speaker, must be a knight, or a burgess returned, and cometh to the house, and taketh the ordinary oath, as others.

The fittest seat for him is the lowest row, and the midst thereof; for so he may be best heard, when he shall speak.

One of his Majesty's council doth use to propound, That it is his Majesty's pleasure, that they shall freely chuse a speaker for them; and yet commendeth, in his opinion, some person by name.

Then he, which is so recommended, standeth up, and prayeth to be heard, before they proceed to the choice of him, and, withal, disableth himself (giving them thanks for their good opinion of him) as being not equally learned in the laws with others, that have had the place.

Not being eloquent by nature, or art; nor experienced in the affairs of the commonwealth, or in the orders of the house, being of mean countenance, wealth, or credit.

Being careful for their credit, more than his own, and therefore bound to shew and discover his wants, which otherwise might be covered by their good opinion.

If they press him, he is to yield, and so is brought to the chair; and then they usually give two or three days respite, before he be presented to the King.

Upon the day of his presentment to the King, he cometh to the bar of the higher house, or other appointed place, where his Majesty shall assign; and, after their solemn courtesies, sheweth how he is elected, reneweth the reasons of his disability, desireth to be discharged, and that they of the commons house may have license to proceed to a new election of another.

Then the lord chancellor, receiving his Majesty's pleasure, enableth him.

Hereupon, the speaker gives thanks for that opinion conceived of him; promiseth to do his dutiful endeavour; and desireth, that his ready good will may be accepted in place of all.

And so, with a low courtesy, beginneth his oration, which com monly standeth upon these parts, viz.

1. Entrance aptly taken from the time or person,

2. The praise of his Majesty's government, or laws of his time. 3. Thanksgiving for summoning the parliament, whereby the sores of the commonwealth may be prevented and remedied,

4. Promise of all diligence and fidelity in them of the lower

house.

5.

Assurance of his own duty, as power will permit.

6. The petitions that be ordinary, &c.

First, For injoining the privilege of the house; then for themselves, their goodness and servants.

CHAP. III.

The first Reading of any Bill.

UPON the first reading of a bill, the speaker, taking the bill in one hand, and his cap in the other hand, may say: you have heard the bill, the contents whereof are these, &c. And, after the rehearsal thereof, may read another, without suffering any man, if he may stay him, to speak unto it, but rather to advise thereof until the next reading; which is a means not only to hear effectual speech, but also to save a great deal of time.

A bill may not be committed upon the first reading, and yet, 27 Jan. 23 Elis. the proviso for the clerk of the market "was, upon the first reading thereof, committed with the bill.

See afterwards, that the subsidy of the clergy passeth at the first reading; and so the pardon.

CHAP. IV.

The second Reading of a Bill.

At the second reading of a bill, it ought to be either ingrossed, committed, or rejected; and if any shall offer to speak thereto, after that three have spoken all on one side, the speaker may say, that the bill is sufficiently spoken unto; What is your pleasure? Will you have it ingrossed, or committed?

And, if the more voices will have it ingrossed, it must be done accordingly.

And, if the more voices will have it committed, then the speaker. intreats them to appoint the committees; and, that done, their names, and the time and place of meeting, and the day of their report shall be indorsed upon it.

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If the more voices be not apparently discerned, then the speaker may put the question again still: As many, as will have this bill ingrossed, say, Ay!' And, after that voice, so many, so will not have it ingrossed, say, No.'

Again, if the sides seem equal, the speaker may pray all those that be on the affirmative, to go down with the bill, and the rest to sit in their places; and the sides shall be numbered by tellers to be appointed