lay so deep in the bowels o this Common-wealth, and had so long incorporated
it self therein, and compacted so much Malignant humors from the head, and all
other parts of the said body to it self, whereby it became so ill disposed, that if speedy
remedy be not taken therein, it would probably in short time endanger to infect
the whole body: they debate hereupon whether to administer a violent purge,
or a strong Vomit, but finding the operation of all former Purges to prove ineffectual,
either for present ease, or absolute Cure, conclude, that the disease being
desperate and dangerous, ought to have a desperate cure for its abolition, and
therefore Order that a strong Vomit be forthwith applied, but because some were
against this strong Potion, and inclined rather to a purgation, they divide upon
the question, which take here at large.
The question was put, whether that house shall take the advise of the house of
Lords in the exercise of the Legislative power of the Kingdom, in pursuance of
the Votes of this house of the fourth of January last, it past in the negative.
And that this may stand as a Record to all succeeding Generations, as an approved
Medicine for this dangerous malady, They past this ensuing Vote, viz.
Resolved upon the question by the Commons of England assembled in parliament, That
the house of Peers in Parliament is uselesse, and dangerous, and ought to be abolished,
and that an Act be brought in to this purpose. And that no man deceive himself, in
saying, All this is but one Doctors opinion; I can assure the Reader they were the
major part, 80 and odd then present.
And to take away not only the cause it self, but the effects of this disease, they
further Voted, That neither the said lords, nor their immediate of pretended servants
should be priviledged from the Law, and ordinary proceeding thereof, but their Estates
made as much liable thereunto for payment of debts, as any others.
But what if their Lordship have no Estates answerable to their Engagements, or
have conveyed away such Estates in Trust, to avoid the payment of debts, must
the people be without remedy herein? If they be no house of Peers, nor have any
Cozen in the Throne to protect them, how comes it that their persons must not yet
by lyable to Arrests and Imprisonment; They Vote it should be re[nl]ferred to a Committee,
to consider how their Lordships should be elected Commoners, to serve in
Parliament; And indeed its high time, We having found such great benefit by them for
eight years together. That all Commoners committed unjustly by their Lordships,
should be speedily discharged. And shall they not have leave to arrest the Lords
upon false imprisonments? They vote likewise that their own Estates be lyable to
Law for payment of debts; And indeed its high time, unleffe the people should
be utterly ruined by that Monster, called Priviledge.
Wednesday
The Parliament, the better to takes away the very sting of tyranny, and all jealousie
of future oppression, by successive Kings, voted, That it hath been found by
experience and this house doth declare, that the office of a King in this Nation,
and to have the power thereof in any single person, unnecessary, burdensom and
dangerous to the liberty, safety and publique interest of the people of this Nation,
and therefore ought to be abolished, and that an Act be brought in to this purpose.
They elected a Committee of five, to make choyce of a Committee of Estates,
which are not to exceed the number of forty.
The Corpse of the King was sent to Windsor, to be buried in St. George Chappel.