HIS MAJESTY S FIRST COMING IN. 177 



our commons, and all estates and degrees of that our 

 kingdom of England, for their so acceptable first-fruits 

 of their obedience and loyalties offered and performed 

 in our absence ; much commending the great wisdom, 

 courage, and watchfulness used by the peers of that 

 our kingdom, according to the nobility of their bloods 

 and lineages, many of them mingled with the blood 

 royal ; and therefore in nature affectionate to their 

 rightful king ; and likewise of the counsellors of the 

 late queen, according to their gravity and oath, and 

 the spirit of their good mistress, now a glorious saint 

 in heaven, in carrying and ordering our affairs with 

 that fidelity, moderation, and consent, which in them 

 hath well appeared : and also the great readiness, 

 concord, and cheerfulness in the principal knights 

 and gentlemen of several counties, with the head offi 

 cers of great cities, corporations, and towns: and do 

 take knowledge by name of the readiness and good 

 zeal of that our chiefest and most famous city, the 

 city of London, the chamber of that our kingdom : 

 assuring them, that we will be unto that city, by all 

 means of confirming and increasing their happy and 

 wealthy estate, not only a just and gracious sovereign 

 lord and king, but a special and bountiful patron and 

 benefactor. 



And we on our part, as well in remuneration of all 

 their loyal and loving affections, as in discharge of 

 our princely office, do promise and assure them, that 

 as all manner of estates have concurred and consented 

 in their duty and zeal towards us, so it shall be our 

 continual care and resolution to preserve and main- 



VOL. VII. N 



