among Christian sects, one of them must begin, and nothing would be more honourable for England than to have led the way in sentiments so wise and honourable." By this act, which was highly politic, and had its effect, so far as regarded the Court of Spain, James raised the hopes of the English Catholics in the same ratio that he depressed the spirits of the Puritans and lovers of civil liberty, as they were then called, the latter of whom were alarmed at such an overstretch of his prerogative. Independently of

this act, and the public treaty of marriage, James had sworn to the King of Spain that all the penal laws enacted against Catholics should be suspended, and that he would procure their repeal in Parliament, and grant a toleration for the exercise of their religion in private houses. Had these articles been made known, it is impossible to imagine to what lengths popular frenzy might have carried the people; but, fortunately for the sake of public order, the dishonourable conduct of Buckingham put an end to the negotiation upon the treaty of marriage, by a false representation of the insincerity of the Spanish Court, and the want of power in the King of Spain, even if he had the inclination, to cause a restitution of the Palatinate, which was then entirely in the hands of the Emperor

and the Duke of Bavaria. Buckingham, who had no pretensions to the character of a minister, must have practised great deception with the King before he could have gained his consent to a rupture with Spain, and the loss of two millions, the marriage-portion of the Infanta; but he was subtle enough to know that his inclination was backed by the people and Parliament, who had always opposed the match. The King of Spain, foreseeing the consequences of the breaking of the treaties, which he had every reason to believe was brought about by the good offices of Buckingham, ordered preparations for war throughout his dominions.

It was on the 5th of October, 1622, that the Prince, with the universal joy of the people, arrived at Portsmouth; and he was welcomed and received at his arrival in London with such bonfires, and other marks of rejoicings, that the old chroniclers observe, "the city seemed all on flame." Sir Benjamin Rudyerd was not behindhand in paying his respects to the heir-apparent, as his congratulatory verses addressed to the Prince clearly testify.*

Things had now arrived at such a fearful pitch, that the King saw no prospect of relief but

* See Appendix.

by an outward submission to Parliament, which he, for once, correctly imagined he could manage better by seeking their advice, than hitherto by his authoritative dictation.

In the latter end of February 1623, a Parliament was summoned, and his Majesty, in his speech to both Houses, declared that he had assembled them at that time to impart a secret, and matter of great importance, as could be, to his state; wherein, says he, "I crave your best and safest advice and counsel, according as the writ whereby you were assembled imports; 'that the King would advise with you in matters concerning his estate and dignity:"" he then alluded to the affront he had received from Spain, and condescended to ask their advice with regard to the treaty for the marriage of his son.

On the 21st of February, the Commons choose and present Sir Thomas Crew for their Speaker, which choice was approved by the King; and on the 1st of March, Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, who was returned to this Parliament for the borough of Wilton, the property of the Earl of Pembroke, made the following speech, which is copied from the Harleian MSS. This speech was made upon the conclusion of the Duke of Buckingham's narrative to both Houses of Parliament of the journey

into Spain, and the breaking of the treaties, all of which was attested by the Prince, and is headed:

66

Benjamin Rudier's Speech about ties, taken verbatim as he spake it

the Two Treabeing the first speech made touching that great business of the Treaties.-1° Martii, 1623.

"Mr. Speaker,- We are bound to bless God that we are well again in this place; and we ought to acknowledge His Majesty's favour towards us, and his confidence in us, in that he is graciously pleased to trust us with soe great affairs as we are now to handle; for what can be greater in consequence, or greater in consent, then the present treatie of the marriage with Spain, the restitution of the Palatinate, and the consideration of all Christendome as it now stands in reference to this kingdom? It is true we have a hard after-game to play, but that should bind us now, as a spurre, to quicken our industry and dispatch; and seeing the Prince hath made a posting journey into Spain for discovery, let us not be slowpaced in the remedies. In which journey His Highness hath exposed to the world his courage in undertaking it, his wisdome in managing it, and the extreme goodness that actuated and produced the result, prove to the world the talent naturally in him, and how much he is enabled for great councells and resolutions. God be then praised for his happy return.

"For the marriage, it is a saying in state, that a king, as many daughters as he hath, hath so many

waies to deceive his neighbours. This saying the King of Spain hath made good to our apparent prejudice. But now His Majesty is pleased to deliver the business unto us as res integra, and to declare, that he took this oath with this exception, salua Republica. Now, wherefore this matter be for the good of the estate, it were no other than greate to resolve it, than those which are already move to our hand; for since the beginning of this treatie, and most by color of it, we have left the Palatinate altogether, and almost all the party of the religion abroade, besides a great bulk of papistrie growne and knotted within our owne bowells at home; I am sure this is neither pro salute reipublicæ, nor pro salute animæ ; but His Majestie had good endes in it if he had not met with as good men as himself. Let it now be principally our care, Mr. Speaker, to redevise our religion, for whosoever will not endeavour to save that, let him not look to be saved by it. When I come to consider what is to be done in this great business of the marriage, there are certainly but two waies, either to follow our treatie, or to break it off.

*

[Here the MS. is defective.]

*

until the Prince's coming into Spain; and shall we believe the Spaniard to be so volatile and uncertaine in his course as to alter a ground of estate for a compliment? For they interpreted the Prince's journey no otherwise, so that if we go on we shall but make ourselves fitt to be tamely caught in a net, which