CCC11 LIFE OF BACON. 



not to intermeddle, by pen or speech, with state concern 

 ments and secrets of empire, at home or abroad, which 

 were not fit themes for common meetings or vulgar per 

 sons ;&quot; but, whatever their secret dissatisfaction might be, 

 the whole body of the nation manifested so much zeal for 

 the recovery of the palatinate, that the juncture was 

 deemed favourable for relieving the King s pecuniary 

 difficulties, who consented with this view to summon a 

 parliament. 



This resolution was no sooner formed, than the Chancellor 

 was instructed to confer with the most proper persons as 

 to the best means of carrying it into effect; and he 

 accordingly availed himself of the assistance of the two 

 Chief Justices, and of Serjeant Crew, who, after mature 

 deliberation, agreed upon four points, which were imme 

 diately communicated to his Majesty and to Buckingham, (a) 



Different days were fixed for the meeting of this eventful 

 parliament, which was called with a full knowledge of the 

 King s motive for summoning them; and that, had not 

 the expedient respecting benevolences wholly failed, this 

 council of the nation would never have been assembled; 

 as the King considered the Commons &quot; daring encroachers 



(a) First, the perusing former grievances. 



Secondly, the consideration of a proclamation rather 

 monitory than exclusive. 



Thirdly, what persons were fit to be of the house, 

 tending to make a sufficient and well composed parliament 

 of the ablest men of the kingdom, fit to be advised with, 

 circa ardua regni. 



Fourthly, the having ready some commonwealth bills, 

 that may add respect and acknowledgement of the King s 

 care. 



See letter, vol. xii. p. 267. 



