ught to be lost. He told them they had yet
an opportunity to secure for themselves and their posterity the quiet
enjoyment of their religion and liberties, if they were not wanting to
themselves, but would exert the ancient vigour of the English nation;
but he declared his opinion was that should they neglect this occasion,
they had no reason to hope for another. He said it would be necessary to
maintain a great strength at sea, and a force on land proportionable
to that of their allies. He pressed the commons to support the public
credit, which could not be preserved without keeping sacred that maxim,
That they shall never be losers who trust to the parliamentary security.
He declared that he never asked aids from his people without regret;
that what he desired was for their own safety and honour at such a
critical time; and that the whole should be appropriated to the purposes
for which it was intended. He expressed his willingness that the
accounts should be yearly submitted to the inspection of parliament. He
again recommended despatch, together with good bills for employing the
poor, encouraging trade, and suppressing vice. He expressed his
hope that they were come together determined to avoid disputes and
differences, and to act with a hearty concurrence for promoting the
common cause. He said he should think it as great a blessing as could
befal England, if they were as much inclined to lay aside those unhappy
fatal animosities which divided and weakened them, as he was disposed
to make all his subjects safe and easy, even as to the highest offences
committed against his person. He conjured them to disappoint the hopes
of their enemies by their unanimity. As he had always shown, and always
would show, how desirous he was to be the common father of all his
people, he desired they would lay aside parties and divisions, so as
that no distinction should be heard of amongst them, but of those who
were friends to the protestant religion and present establishment, and
of those who wished for a popish prince and a French government. He
concluded by affirming, that if they in good earnest desired to see
England hold the balance of Europe, and be indeed at the head of the
protestant interest, it would appear by their improving the present
opportunity, The lords immediately drew up a warm and affectionate
address, in which they expressed their resentment of the proceedings
of the French king in owning the pretended prince of