HIS LORDSHIP S SPEECH IN 



THE PARLIAMENT, BEING LORD CHANCELLOR, 

 TO THE SPEAKER S EXCUSE. 



MR. SERJEANT RICHARDSON, 



THE king hath heard and observed your grave and 

 decent speech, tending to the excuse and disable 

 ment of yourself for the place of Speaker. In 

 answer whereof, his majesty hath commanded me to 

 say to you, that he doth in no sort admit of the 

 same. 



First, Because if the party s own judgment 

 should be admitted in case of elections, touching 

 himself, it would follow, that the most confident and 

 over-weening persons would be received; and the 

 most considerate men, and those that understand 

 themselves best, would be rejected. 



Secondly, His majesty doth so much rely upon 

 the wisdoms and discretions of those of the house of 

 commons, that have chosen you with an unanimous 

 consent, that his majesty thinks not good to swerve 

 from their opinion in that wherein themselves are 

 principally interested. 



Thirdly, You have disabled yourself in so good 

 and decent a fashion, as the manner of your speech 

 hath destroyed the matter of it. 



VOL. VI. P 



