A.D. 1661. pose of the land forces: a bill for the well governing and regulating corporations: a bill for the uniformity of public prayer: a bill declaring the sole right of the militia to be in the king, and for the present ordering and governing the same; another against the quakers: and, to strike, indeed, at the roots of the principles of liberty, a bill was passed to restrain unlicensed printing." Precipitation of the commons. Согрогаtion bill. 60 These bills went through the house of commons with great precipitation. The corporation bill was carried up to the lords July 6th, and the uniformity bill July 10th; and the commons were so impatient, that, three days afterwards, on the 13th, they sent a message to the lords,* to put them in mind of the despatch of these two bills; and on the 16th another message, for the despatch of the corporation bill: but the lords acted with more coolness and consideration than was agreeable either to the commons or the court. By the corporation bill, the king was enabled to appoint such commissioners as he should think * Lords' Journals. 60 This house of commons began by voting that the solemn league and covenant should be burned by the common hangman, and that all their members should receive the sacrament according to the rites of the Church of England upon a certain day. fit, in all cities, corporations, boroughs, and A.D. 1661. cinque-ports; and it was enacted, that three or more of those commissioners should have proper power to tender to all mayors, aldermen, &c. and other persons, bearing any office, trust, or employment in corporations, the oaths of supremacy; and this following oath, viz. "I, A. B. do declare, and believe, that it is not lawful, upon any pretence whatsoever, to take up arms against the king; and I do also abhor that traitorous position of taking arms by his authority against his person, or against those commissioned by him. So help me God." Opposed in the house The commissioners, any five or more of them, had a power to remove or displace any such persons as the major part did not approve of, notwithstanding they had taken the oath as the law required. This bill met with great opposition in the house of lords; particularly from the Earls of South- of lords. ampton, Manchester, Bedford, Leicester, and Bolingbroke; Lords Holles, Townshend, Delamere, and Ashley; as it was forcing men to swear to a belief of what was repugnant to the constitution and the laws of nature. Lord Ashley set forth the ill consequences of the bill in various instances, viz. the injustice it might do to the wealthiest, A.D. 1661. the most able, and the most conscientious mem adjourned. bers of their respective corporations: the fixing these in the hands of, perhaps, the most profligate persons in them; at least, the dividing of the people into parties: and he showed that, as it would be a restraint upon those who had a regard to their oaths and their country, it was the most effectual method which could be contrived for lodging the executive power of the government in the hands of such persons as would make no difficulty of subjecting the whole nation to an absolute tyranny both of church and state. The great spirit with which some of these bills were opposed by so many of the lords in employment, gave uneasiness to the projectors. The Parliament king, therefore, went to the parliament, on the 30th of July 1661, and told them, that " he knew they had begun many bills which could not be finished till their meeting again; and, that they might be finished then, he forbore to make this a sessions; but was contented they should adjourn to the 20th of November:" a very unusual, if not unprecedented adjournment! During the adjournment, reports were spread of a plot in several counties; and many were A.D.1661. vember 1661, the king told them, that "he Rapin is evidently mistaken here; for he says, that, upon the sole foundation of this plot, (which he proves to be a contrivance of the court,) the corporation act and all the proceedings against the nonconformists were built; and that the project of the act of uniformity was now formed: whereas it appears by the Journals, that both these acts were VOL. I. framed and sent to the lords These were just restored S again. A.D. 1661. Proceed Upon the return of the commons to their house, Sir John Packington opened the scene, parliament. and declared that great numbers were taken up ings of the to inquire into the plot. in his county for the plot. Others supported him, and said, "Some laws must be made, both to bring the nonconformists under strict obedience or due punishment, and to secure the executive power of the government in such persons as should not question or dispute the comCommittee mands of the prince." A committee of both houses was appointed to examine into the plot; and they had power to sit during the adjournments of parliament. They made a strict inquiry, but as there appeared no foundation for the reports, the public were much alarmed at their power; and, therefore, on the 7th of January 1661-2, (the first day of the parliament's meeting after the Christmas holydays,) Lord Clarendon reported to the house of lords,* "that the committee of both houses had met several times during the adjournment, and considered of the business referred to them; but, finding some imaginary jealousies of the end and intent of the committee's meeting, they had come to no resolutions, but thought fit to leave the busi A. D. 1661-2. *Lords' Journals. |