His Maiesties speach in the vpper house of Parliament, on Munday the 26. of March, 1621

HIS MAIESTIES Speach in Parliament . MY Lords :

the last time I came hither , my errand was to informe you ( as well as my memory could serue mee , of things so long passed ) of the verity of my proceedings , and the cautions vsed by me in the passing of those Patents , which are now in question before you ; to the effect , that they might not bee abused in the execution : and this I did by way of declaration . But now I am come ( vnderstanding the time of your censure to draw neere ) to expresse my readinesse to put in execution ( which is the life of the Law ) those things , which yee are to sentence ( for euen the Law it selfe is a dead letter without execution ) for which office God hath appointed me in these Kingdomes . And though I assure my selfe , that my former behauiour , in all the course of my life , hath made mee well knowne for a iust King ; yet in this speciall case I thought fit to expresse my owne intentions , out of my owne mouth , for punishment of things complained of . The first proofe whereof I haue giuen by the diligent search I caused to bee made after the person of Sr. Giles Mompesson , who though hee were fled , yet my Proclamation pursued him instantly : and as I was earnest in that , so will I be , to see your Sentence against him put in execution .

Two reasons mooue mee to bee earnest in the execution of what yee are to Sentence at this time : First , that dutie I owe to God , who hath made me a King , and tyed mee to the care of gouernement , by that politike mariage betwixt me and my people . For I doe assure you in the heart of an honest man , and by the faith of a Christian King ( which both ye and all the world know me to be ) had these things beene complained of to me before the Parliament , I would haue done the office of a iust King , and out of Parliament haue punished them as seuerely , and peraduenture more , then ye now intend to doe .

But now that they are discouered to me in Parliament , I shall be as ready in this way , as I should haue beene in the other . For ( I confesse ) I am ashamed ( these things prouing so , as they are generally reported to bee ) that it was not my good fortune to be the only Author of the reformation and punishment of them , by some ordinary Courts of Iustice . Neuerthelesse , since these things are now discouered by Parliament , which before I knew not of , nor could so well be discouered otherwise , in regard of that representatiue body of the Kingdome , which comes from all parts of the Countrey : I will be neuer a whit the slower to doe my part for the execution . For , as many of you that are heere haue heard me often say , so I will still say : So precious vnto me is the publike good , that no priuate person whatsoeuer , were he neuer so deere vnto me , shall be so respected by me , by many degrees , as the publike good , not onely of the whole Common-wealth , but euen of any particular Corporation that is a member of it : and I hope , that ye , my Lords , will doe me that right , to publish to my people this my heart and purpose .

The second reason is , that I intend not to derogate or infringe any of the Liberties or Priuiledges of this House , but rather to fortifie and strengthen them . For neuer any King hath done so much for the Nobilitie of England , as I haue done , and will euer bee ready to doe . And whatsoeuer I shall now say or deliuer vnto you as my thought , yet when I haue sayd what I thinke , I will afterwards freely leaue the iudgement wholly to your House . I know ye will doe nothing , but what the like hath beene done before : and I pray you be not iealous , that I will abridge you in any thing that hath beene vsed . For whatsoeuer the precedents in times of good gouernement can warrant , I will allow . For I acknowledge this to bee the supreame Court of Iustice , wherein I am euer present by representation . And in this yee may bee the better satisfied by my owne presence comming diuers times amongst you : neither can I giue you any greater assurance or better pledge of this my purpose , then that are now discouered by Parliament , which before I knew not of , nor could so well be discouered otherwise , in regard of that representatiue body of the Kingdome , which comes from all parts of the Countrey : I will be neuer a whit the slower to doe my part for the execution . For , as many of you that are heere haue heard me often say , so I will still say : So precious vnto me is the publike good , that no priuate person whatsoeuer , were he neuer so deere vnto me , shall be so respected by me , by many degrees , as the publike good , not onely of the whole Common-wealth , but euen of any particular Corporation that is a member of it : and I hope , that ye , my Lords , will doe me that right , to publish to my people this my heart and purpose .

This I professe , and take comfort in , that the House of Commons at this time haue shewed greater loue , and vsed me with more respect in all their proceedings , then euer any House of Commons haue heeretofore done to mee , or ( I thinke ) to any of my Predecessors . As for this House of yours , I haue alwayes found it respectiue to me , and accordingly doe I , and euer did fauour you , as yee well deserued . And I hope , it will bee accounted a happinesse for you , that my Sonne doeth now sit amongst you , who when it shall please God , to set him in my place , will then remember , that he was once a Member of your House , and so bee bound to maintaine all your lawfull priuiledges , and like the better of you all the dayes of his life . But because the world at this time talkes so much of bribes , I haue iust cause to feare , the whole body of this House hath bribed him to bee a good instrument for you vpon all occasions : hee doeth so good offices in all his reports to me , both for the House in generall , and euery one of you in particular .

And the like I may say of one that sittes there ( Buckingham ) he hath beene so ready vpon all occasions to do good offices , both for the House in generall , and euery member thereof in particular . One proofe thereof , I hope my Lo . of Arundell hath alreadie witnessed vnto you , in his report made vnto you of my answer , touching the priuiledges of the Nobilitie , how earnestly he spake vnto me in that matter .

Now , my Lords , the time drawes neere of your recesse : whether formalitie will leaue you time for proceeding now to Sentence against all , or any of the persons now in question , I know not . But for my part , since both Houses haue dealt so louingly and freelie with me , in giuing me , as a free gift , two Subsidies , in a more louing maner , then hath beene giuen to any King before , and so accepted by mee ; and since I cannot yet retribute by a generall Pardon , which hath by forme vsually beene reserued to the end of a Parliament : the least I can doe ( which I can forbeare no longer ) is to do something in present , for the ease and good of my people .

Three Patents at this time haue bene complained of , and thought great grieuances : 1. That of the Innes , and hosteries . 2. That of the Alehouses . 3. That of gold and siluer thread .

My purpose is to strike them all dead , and ( that time may not bee lost ) I will haue it done presently .

That concerning the Alehouses , I would haue to be left to the managing of the Iustices of peace , as before .

That of gold and siluer thread was most vilely executed , both for wrongs done to mens persons , as also for abuse in the stuffe ; for it was a kinde of false coyne . I haue already freed the persons that were in prison : I will now also damne the Patent : And this may seeme in stead of a Pardon . All these three I will haue recalled by Proclamation , and wish you to aduise of the fittest forme for that purpose .

I heare also , that there is another Bill amongst you against Informers : I desire you , my Lords , that as ye tender my honour , and the good of my people , yee will put that Bill to an end so soone as ye can , and at your next meeting to make it one of your first works . For I haue already shewed my dislike of that kinde of people openly in Starchamber , and it will bee the greatest ease both to mee , and all those that are neere about me at Court , that may be . For I remember , that since the beginning of this Parliament , Buckingham hath told me , he neuer found such quiet and rest , as in this time of Parliament , from Proiectors and Informers , who at other times miserably vexed him at all houres .

And now I confesse , that when I looked before vpon the face of the gouernment , I thought ( as euery man would haue done ) that the people were neuer so happie as in my time . For euen as at diuers times I haue looked vpon many of my Coppices , riding about them , and they appeared on the outside very thicke , and well growen vnto me : but when I entred into the midst of them , I found them all bitten within , and full of plaines and bare spots , like an apple or peare , faire and smoothe without , but when ye cleaue it asunder , yee finde it rotten at the heart : euen so this Kingdome , the externall gouernment being as good as euer it was , and I am sure as learned Iudges as euer it had ( and I hope , as honest ) administring iustice within it ; and for peace , both at home and abroade , I may truely say , more setled , and longer lasting , then euer any before , together with as great plenty as euer : so as it was to bee thought , that euery man might sit in safety vnder his owne vine , and his own figge-tree : Yet I am ashamed , and it makes my haire stand vpright , to consider , how in this time my people haue beene vexed , and polled by the vile execution of Proiects , Patents , Billes of Conformity , and such like , which , besides the trouble of my people , haue more exhausted their purses , then Subsidies would haue done .

Now , my Lords , before I go hence , since God hath made mee the great Iudge of this Land vnder him : and that I must answer for the iustice of the same : I will therefore ( according to my place ) remember you of some things , though I would not teach you . For no mans knowledge can bee so good , but their memories will bee the better to be refreshed . And now because yee are comming to giue Iudgement , all which mooues from the King , that you may the better proceed , take into your care two things : First , to doe Bonum , Secondly , next to doe it Benè . I call Bonum , when all is well prooued , whereupon ye iudge , for then ye builde vpon a sure foundation ; And by Benè I vnderstand , that ye proceed with all formalitie and legalitie : wherein you haue fit occasion to aduise with the Iudges , who are to assist you with their opinions in cases of that nature , and woe be to them , if they aduise you not well . So the ground being good , and the forme orderly , it will prooue a course , fitting this high Court of Parliament .

In Sentence ye are to obserue two parts : First , to recollect that which is worthy of iudging and censuring : And secondly to proceed against these , as against such like crimes properlie . Wee doubt there will bee many matters before you , some complained of out of passion , and some out of iust cause of grieuance . Weigh both ; but bee not caried away with the impertinent discourses of them , that name aswell innocent men , as guiltie . Let your Iudgements onely take hold of the guiltie : proceede iudiciallie , and spare none where yee finde iust cause to punish . But let your proceedings be according to law : and remember , that lawes haue not their eies in their neckes , but in their foreheads . For the morall reason of the punishment of vices in all kingdomes and common-wealthes is , because of the breach of lawes standing in force , for none can bee punished for breach of Lawes by predestination , before they be made .

There is yet one particular , which I am to remember you of . I heare that Sir Henry Yeluerton ( who is now in the Tower , vpon a Sentence giuen in the Starchamber against him , for deceiuing my trust ) is touched concerning a warrant dormant , which he made while he was my Atturney : the which my Lo . Treasurer heere , refused to set his hand vnto , like an honest man , when it was brought vnto him . I protest , I neuer heard of this warrant dormant before , and I hold it as odious a matter , as any is before you : and if , for respect to me , ye haue forborne to meddle with him in examination , because hee is my prisoner , I doe now heere freely remit him vnto you , and put him into your hands .

And this is all I haue to say vnto you , at this time ; wishing you to proceede iustly and noblie , according to the orders of your House : and I pray God to blesse you : and yee may assure your selues of my assistance ; wishing that what I haue said this day amongst you , may bee entred into the Records of this House .