628 The HISTORY of the PpRITANS. Chap. VT- lcCharles L own names) " that the hearts of the people of England were with 164o. " them; that they were convinced, the liberties of both nations were " at flake, and therefore they might depend upon their affiffance as " foon as a fair opportunity offered." Upon this encouragement the Scots laid afide their defign of applying to France, and refolved to raife another army from among themfelves, and march into England. 7hefhort " The parliament that met at ¡Veflminfter (fáys the noble hiftorian) parliament. " was made up of lober and difpaffionate men, exceedingly difpofed to " do the king fer vice," and yet his majefly would not condefcend to fpeak to them from the throne, ordering the lord keeper Finch to ac- quaint them with the undutiful behaviour of the Scots, who he was determined to reduce, and therefore would not admit of the mediation of the two houles, but expel ed their immediate afíiftance, after which he would give them time to confider of any juft grievances to be re- dreffed. But the commons inftead of beginning with the fnpply, ap- pointed committees for religion and grievances, which difobliged the king fo much, that -after feveral fruitlels attempts to perfuade them to begin with the fubfidy bill, he diffolved them in anger, without palling a fingle a11, after they had fat about three weeks. The blame of this hafty diflolution was by fume cart upon Laud, by others on Sir Harry Vane, while the king laid it upon the mifbehaviour of the houle of commons, who would not take his royal word for redrefs of grievances; after they had voted the neceffary fupplies ; he therefore fent for the leading members of the houle into cuftody, and committed them prï= Toners to the Fleet and other priions. Kinggoeson His majefty having failed of a parliamentary fupply at the time he jorayemoney demanded it, was told by lord Strafórdand others of the council, that by preroga- tive. he was now abfalvedfrom all rules f government, and might take what his necr/Jities required, and his POWER could obtain. This indeed was no more than his majety had been doing for twelve years before; but force people drew an unhappy conclufion from this maxim (viz.) that if king was abfclvedfrom all rules of government, the people were ab,. Jilvedfrom all rules of obedience. However, all the engines of arbitrary power were fet at work to raife money for the war, as loans, benevolences, fhip-money, coat and conduci Money, knighthood, monopolies, and other fprings of the prerogative, tome of which (lays lord Clarendon) were ridiculous, and others lean- dalous, but all' very grievous to the fubjecl. Thofe who refufed payer ment, were fined and imprifoned by the -flar chamber or council table; among whom were force of the aldermen of London, and Sheriffs of feveral: of the counties. The courtiers advanced thaee hundred thou-- fand pounds in three weeks, The clergy in convocation gave fix fubfidies, the
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