to the advancement of the
Christian Church, and to the good and prosperity of our most dear
country and of all her inhabitants."

[SN: The Archbishop's speech.]

After the Queen had spoken she sat down again, and after a little pause
the Archbishop of Upsal went out of his place into the open passage, and
making his obeisance to the Queen, he, as Marshal of the Clergy and in
their name, made an oration to her Majesty, which was somewhat long; but
the effect thereof was interpreted to Whitelocke to be an acknowledgment
of the happy reign of her Majesty, whereby her subjects had enjoyed all
good, peace, and justice and liberty, and whatsoever were the products of
a blessed government. He then recited the great affections of this people
to the King her father, and to her Majesty his only child; their duty and
obedience to her in all her commands; that no prince could be more happy
than her Majesty was in the affections and duty of her subjects, nor
could any people be more contented in the rule of their sovereign than
her people were; he therefore used all arguments and humble entreaties to
her Majesty to desist from her intention of resigning the government, and
to continue to sway the sceptre of this kingdom, wherein he did not doubt
but that the blessing of God would be with her as it had been, and that
it would be to His honour and to the good of this kingdom if her Majesty
would hearken to the humble desires of the clergy in this particular.
Then he acknowledged the virtues and admirable abilities of the Prince,
whose succession would come in due time; that, her Majesty reigning at
present with so much satisfaction both to this Church and State, he
humbly desired, in the name of the clergy, that she would be pleased,
though to her own trouble, yet for her subjects' good, to continue still
to be Queen over them. After he had ended his speech, making three
congees, he went up to the Queen and kissed her hand, and with three more
congees returned to his place.

Then the Marshal of the Nobility, going forth into the open place
between the forms, made his oration in the name of the nobility, much to
the same purpose as the Archbishop had done, and, after his oration
ended, with the like ceremony kissed her Majesty's hand, and returned to
his place. Then the like was done by the Marshal of the Burgesses, and
all to the same effect.

[SN: The Boor's speech.]

In the last place stepped forth the Marshal of the Bo