o have
voices only in that election, and the like; these are busy and curious
frames, which of necessity do presuppose a law precedent, written or
unwritten, to guide and direct them: but in monarchies, especially
hereditary, that is, when several families or lineages of people do
submit themselves to one line, imperial or royal, the submission is more
natural and simple; which afterwards, by law subsequent, is perfected,
and made more formal; but that is grounded upon nature."[*] It would
seem, from this reasoning, that the idea of an hereditary limited
monarchy, though implicitly supposed in many public transactions, had
scarcely ever as yet been expressly formed by any English lawyer or
politician.

Except the obstinacy of the parliament with regard to the union, and
an attempt on the king's ecclesiastical jurisdiction,[*] most of
their measures, during this session, were sufficiently respectful and
obliging; though they still discover a vigilant spirit, and a careful
attention towards national liberty. The votes also of the commons show
that the house contained a mixture of Puritans, who had acquired great
authority among them,[**] and who, together with religious prejudices,
were continually suggesting ideas more suitable to a popular than a
monarchical form of government. The natural appetite for rule made the
commons lend a willing ear to every doctrine which tended to augment
their own power and influence.

{1607.} A petition was moved in the lower house for a more rigorous
execution of the laws against Popish recusants and an abatement towards
Protestant clergymen who scrupled to observe the ceremonies. Both these
points were equally unacceptable to the king; and he sent orders to the
house to proceed no further in that matter. The commons were inclined,
at first, to consider these orders as a breach of privilege; but they
soon acquiesced, when told that this measure of the king's was supported
by many precedents during the reign of Elizabeth.[***] Had they been
always disposed to make the precedents of that reign the rule of their
conduct, they needed never have had any quarrel with any of their
monarchs.

The complaints of Spanish depredations were very loud among the English
merchants.[****] The lower house sent a message to the lords, desiring
a conference with them, in order to their presenting a joint petition to
the king on the subject.

* Bacon's Works, vol. iv. p. 190, 191, edit. 1730.