England under Charles II. from the Restoration to the Treaty of Nimeguen, 1660-1678: English History from Contemporary Writers
Taylor, W. F.
1889
Its effect upon Parliament. Address of both Houses against the growth of Popery.
Cobbett: Parl. Hist., vol. iv., col. 559 et seq. | |
. March 7. Both Houses agreed to the following address to his Majesty :-Most gracious sovereign, we your Majesty's most loyal subjects, the Lords spiritual and temporal, and Commons, in this present parliament assembled, being very sensible of the great dangers and mischiefs that may arise within this your Majesty's realm by the increase of Popish recusants amongst us; and considering the great resort of priests and Jesuits into this kingdom who daily endeavour to seduce your Majesty's subjects from their religion and allegiance; and how desirous your loyal subjects are that no Popish recusants be admitted into employments of trust and profit, and especially into military commands over the forces now in your Majesty's service, and having a tender regard to the preservation of your Majesty's person, and the peace and tranquility of this kingdom, do in all humility desire | |
1. That your Majesty would be pleased to issue out your royal proclamation to command all priests and Jesuits (other than such as, not being natural born subjects to your Majesty, are obliged to attend upon your royal consort the queen) to depart within 30 days out of this your Majesty's kingdom; and that if any priest or Jesuit shall happen to be taken in England after the expiration of the said time, that the laws be put in due execution against them; and | |
126 | that your Majesty would please, in the said proclamation, to command all judges, justices of the peace, mayors, bailiffs, and other officers to put the said laws in execution accordingly. |
2. That your Majesty would likewise be pleased that the lord chancellor of England shall, on or before the 25th of March next, issue out commissions of Dedimus potestatem to the judge advocate and commissaries of the musters, and such other persons as he shall think fit (not being officers commanding soldiers) to tender the oath of allegiance and supremacy to all officers and soldiers now in your Majesty's service and pay, and that such as refuse the said oaths may be immediately disbanded, and not allowed or continued to any pay or pension; and that the chancellor shall require due returns to be made thereof within some convenient time after the issuing out of the said commissions. | |
3. That the said commissaries of the musters be commanded and enjoined by your Majesty's warrant, upon penalty of losing their places, not to permit any officer to be mustered in the service and pay of your Majesty till he shall have taken the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, and received the sacrament of the Lord's Supper according to the laws and usage of the Church of England; and that every soldier serving at land shall take the said oaths before his first muster and receive the sacrament in such manner before his second muster.-And this we present in all dutifulness to your Majesty's princely wisdom and consideration as the best means for the | |
127 | satisfying and composing the minds of your loyal subjects; humbly desiring your Majesty graciously to accept of this our petition, as proceeding from hearts and affections entirely devoted to your Majesty's service, and to give it your royal approbation. |