e
instances of cruelty which occurred would be endless; but it may be
necessary to remark that no historical facts are better ascertained than
the accounts of them which are to be found in Woodrow. In every instance
where there has been an opportunity of comparing these accounts with
records, and other authentic monuments, they appear to be quite correct.

The Scottish parliament having thus set, as they had been required to do,
an eminent example of what was then thought duty to the crown, the king
met his English parliament on the 19th of May, 1685, and opened it with
the following speech:--

"My lords and gentlemen,--After it pleased Almighty God to take to his
mercy the late king, my dearest brother, and to bring me to the
peaceable possession of the throne of my ancestors, I immediately
resolved to call a parliament, as the best means to settle everything
upon these foundations as may make my reign both easy and happy to
you; towards which I am disposed to contribute all that is fit for me
to do.

"What I said to my privy council at my first coming there I am
desirous to renew to you, wherein I fully declare my opinion
concerning the principles of the Church of England, whose members have
showed themselves so eminently loyal in the worst of times in defence
of my father and support of my brother (of blessed memory), that I
will always take care to defend and support it. I will make it my
endeavour to preserve this government, both in Church and State, as it
is by law established: and as I will never depart from the just rights
and prerogatives of the crown, so I will never invade any man's
property; and you may be sure that having heretofore ventured my life
in the defence of this nation, I will still go as far as any man in
preserving it in all its just rights and liberties.

"And having given this assurance concerning the care I will have of
your religion and property, which I have chose to do in the same words
which I used at my first coming to the crown, the better to evidence
to you that I spoke them not by chance, and consequently that you may
firmly rely upon a promise so solemnly made, I cannot doubt that I
shall fail of suitable returns from you, with all imaginable duty and
kindness on your part, and particularly to what relates to the
settling of my revenue, and continuing it during my life, as it was in
the lifetim