The consideration of the premises hath principally moved me to the setting forth of this work : wherein I confesse rather fidelitie then industry , yet rather industrie then any wit or learning hath been required . Some works resent too much of their Authour , frequently infusing his own judgement and affections clean through the contexture of his writings , to the great prejudicing of the truth and misguiding of his Reader . And this is likely to be the Epidemicall disease of the books in our Age , wherein all are so engaged in parties , that their writings will rather appear pleadings then reports . What by generall errour is falsely told of the Iews , that they are alwayes crook-backed , will be found most true of Authours of this age , that they are crook-sided , warped and bowed to the right or to the left ; so hard it will be to find a streight , upright , and unbiassed Historian .

For mine own part , I can professe integrity herein , the only thing I can assume to my self in this work . And indeed I have had no occasion nor opportunitie to expresse my own inclinations , who have no commission to be an Authour , but a Transcriber .

There is an Officer in the Exchequer , who though sitting with the Barons on the Bench , hath no power to vote with them , nor interposeth his judgement as decisive in any cause , but observing silence in pleading , speaketh sometimes as to the regulation of the time how it passeth away . Such and no other my employment in this Book , being a true tell-time ( and no more ) to marshall the speeches in due order , and to acquaint the Reader with the day of the moneth when they were spoken ; which done , my task is performed .

The Book containeth the transactions of the Parliament tertio & quarto Caroli . A distance of time of fit proportion for the Presse , not too late nor too soon : not so farre off as that the footsteps of truth are worn out , as in some ancient stories , where the most cunning Hunters are at a losse ; nor yet so near that the heels of truth ought to be feared ; though he hath but a servile soul who overvalueth his own safety in such cases to the poysoning of posterity with a falshood .

Here may one behold the severall traverses of State betwixt the upholders of the Royall Prerogative & the Asserters of the Subjects Liberties . The former endeavoured to support ( and perchance to enlarge ) the Kings Prerogative , how in some cases it is too high to come under the roof of the Law ; and the discretion of the Sceptre as Guardian for the generall good of the Commonwealth , must be intrusted on some emergencies with the managing of its own might . And seeing Crownes commonly keep what they once catch , loath to abate a whit of that power invested in them , at leastwise exercised by them ; no wonder if the Courtiers stickled for their Master his right , and as the appurtenances , were zealous for that Power and Honour on whom they depended .

On the other side the Asserters of the Subjects Liberties , Trustees for the Countreys good , engage earnestly to retrench the Prerogative within the known limits of Law , that so Subjects may be at a certainty how to square their loyalty and obedience . For Allegiance is willingly and cheerfully paid , where there is a sure and standing Rule whereto Sovereigns commands and Subjects duty is to be conformed . Otherwise their loyalty flatteth and deadeth by degrees , when exposed to an unbounded Arbitrary power , so that they never know an end of their own obeying , but are in daily fear of new pressures from a lawlesse power , whose pleasure is all the reason of imposing them . Besides , unlimited power in a Prince carrieth in it self a strong temptation to Tyranny , and mortall man his corruption is scarce to be trusted with so great a command for fear of abusing thereof .

Now although in this Parliament these two Parties are plainly to be discovered , yet the judicious reader will observe that there was as yet lesse eagerness & more moderation in either party , matters not being then heightened with such mutuall animosities as since we have beheld . Yea it seems that the sins of our Nation began even then to cry so loud , that the two Parties in Parliament could not distinctly hear each other so as effectually to understand one another , disturbed by the clamorous and obstreperous noise of English wickednesse , which began to cry aloud for vengeance on a wanton nation , even to the abrupt breaking off of the Parliament .

We have had no other design in the edition hereof then the generall good , hoping that Readers of all sorts may gain benefit thereby . Yea such young folk whose short capacities as yet are unable to reach the policie and State part in these pieces , may better themselves by the very language and expressions therein . Here may they observe the variety of eloquence in severall persons , some large , copious and exuberant ; yet not flashy , empty and dilute : some concise , piccant and sententious ; yet not involved , dark and obscure : some participating of both , which in my apprehension is the best kind of Orations .

However , let not any think that all the Gentlemen of able parts assembled in the Parliament are registred in this book by their particular service to their Countrey , seeing only such are entred herein , who made set , studied , and premeditated Orations . Many Worthies there were in that place who only were dexterous at short and quick returnes , and which retrieved long debates with some short and compendious answer very effectuall to the purpose . For sometimes a Stilletto blow may give a more deep and deadly wound then the point and edge of the sharpest Sword , which requireth more time and room for the managing thereof . Yea many a discreet gentleman , who , after long traversing of matters , judiciously bestowed his Yea or Nay in the right scale thereof to weigh the balance down when in AEquilibrio of matters of high importance ( though otherwise not haranguing it in large discourses ) might return to his countrey with satisfaction to his conscience that he had well deserved thereof .

We are confident also that the Students of the Law may advantage themselves by severall Cases here largely reported . And here all care hath been used in comparing Records herein cited with the Originalls ; though we dare not avouch it clear from all mistakes , the greatest industry and exactnesse being subject to fallibilitie herein . We have seen the Reports of late Iudges in print , and could point at Erratas therein : which we speak not to accuse them , but excuse our selves if some faults be found in our quotations .

As for the Gentlemen whose speeches are herein related , they are either dead or still surviving . For the former we hope we have no cause to ask pardon of their memories , and fear not their ghosts disquieting us for offering any injury unto them , or that we shall fall into the disfavour of their Heires for misrepresenting any thing for their fathers disadvantage .

As for such who are still alive , we appeal unto them , making them the Judges of our integrity herein . True it is that the dragge-net of no diligence can be of that capacity , nor can it be so advantagiously cast , as to catch and hold all particulars uttered in a long speech ; Minums will get through the holes thereof : and there be those minutiae in a speech which will escape the attention of the quickest eare , and transcription of the speediest hand . But such things are lost without any losse as to the essentials of the matter : and here all things of concernment are faithfully represented .

And may the Reader be pleased to take notice that this Book is no Monochord , or Instrument of a single string , no nor is it a single Instrument ; but the exact result of many collections . We have compared varias lectiones , or rather varias auditiones , the copies as they have been taken by severall Auditours . Sometimes one copie charitably relieved another , nor was it long before the defects of the same copie were supplied out of that other transcription . Thus neither is there being for Books , nor living for men in this world , without being mutually beholding one to another ; & he who lends to day , may be glad to borrow to morrow .

One thing let me mind the Reader , that it may move him to a publick and communicative Spirit , not enviously to engrosse to himself what may do good to others . Some Gentlemen , Speakers in this Parliament , imparted their Speeches to their intimate Friends ; the transcripts whereof were multiplied amongst others ( the penne being very procreative of issue in this nature : ) and since it hath happened that the Gentlemens Originalls have in these troublesome times miscarried , yet so that the fountain ( as I may say ) being dried up , hath fetch 't this water from the channell , & they have again supplied their losses from those to whom they civilly communicated a copy of their paines . Thus none are loosers in fine , by making others sharers in their endeavours .