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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Untitled Article
Parliament arid Protector were twins , but the Parliament was the elder brother " I . then said , no one Parliament could limit or impose upon me in any other . This doctrine was not well liked by the Protector . We were all turned out . Such a thing as never was done ! An oath was made without doors , to be taken by us , and was set at the door . Those that would take it came in . Those that would not were kept out by pikes . Knowing the privilege , that no power without doors could make an oath , I went away , and divers more gentlemen .
" Those gentlemen that did sit , after five months were raised without giving any confirmation . It needed not , if other foundation could no man lay . They did nothing . " Then came the last Parliament , in 1656 . I was again chosen , but not for any particular place ; but for the whole county . When we came I found pikes again ; one set to my breast . I could not pass without a ticket from the Council . I found in the hall above fifty of us . We ioined in a letter to
the speaker ; declaring our willingness to serve , and that we were kept out . After two or three days' attendance we were sent to the Council for a ticket . I durst do no such thing . I had lifted up my hands to God for the privilege of Parliament . I could not do it . Two hundred were kept out . Upon this divers that had been admitted left the House . " Then the government fell dangerously sick , and it died . Another foundation was laid ; a Petition and Advice ; and this must be the law and the foundation of all ! And these must be the fruits , all we must enjoy , after the spilling of so much blood and so much treasure I Pardon me if I thus make bare my mind to you .
" This was a forced Parliament , because some of us were forced out ; an imperfect Parliament , a lame Parliament , so much dismembered . We arc here the freest , and clearest , and most undoubted representatives that ever were since the dissolution of the three estates , King , Lords , and Commons . I know not one member kept out : if I did , I would on my knees beg his admittance . I hope God will direct us how to get out of this great darkness , as the minister told us that we have been in since this great desolation . What
was done in the last Parliament is not a sufficient foundation to bring peace , and settlement to this nation The people of England were never more knowing and sensible of their privileges and liberties , nor better prepared to have a settlement from this free representative . We can do here whatsoever is for the good of the people . We have power over their purses and per ^ sons ; can take away whole laws , or part of them , or make new ones . I will tell you what we cannot do . We cannot set up any power equal to the people ; either in one person , or another house . We are trusted with no such , power . 4 f
. God is the King of this great island , as Mr . Calamy told us . I hope he is King of our hearts . God has done this work . King , Lords , and Commons : it was not in our thoughts at first . Let not us set up what God has pulled down j nor plant what God has rooted up , lest we be said to build against God . "—Vol . III . pp . 99—102 . " I shall now come to speak to the bill , whether to be committed or not . 1 confess I do love the person of the Lord Protector . I never saw nor heard
either fraud or guile in him . I wish only continuance of wealth , health , and safety to his family . I wish the greatest of honour and wealth of any man in , this nation to him and his posterity ; but this bill to recognize is a hard word . * I never heard of such a bill but in King James ' s case ; which was to declare him of the undoubted line to the crown , and so having a right to succeed . We must here take for granted the Government , the Petition and Advice ; which was not done in a free Parliament . It may be skinned over for a time , but will break out . The people are not pleased . What foundation soever is built , let it rise from us , that are the clear representatives . For the authority
Untitled Article
Review . ' ~ -Bttrti > ni \ £ Htfrip . 4 f 3
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1828, page 473, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2562/page/41/
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