s tumultuously voted, at a late hour, and in a thin house; and it
was expressed in such general and ambiguous terms,[*] as might serve for
a foundation to the most enormous claims, and to the most unwarrantable
usurpations upon his prerogative.[**]

The meeting of the house might have proved dangerous after so violent a
breach. It was no longer possible, while men were in such a temper, to
finish any business. The king, therefore, prorogued the parliament,
and soon after dissolved it by proclamation; in which he also made an
apology to the public for his whole conduct.

The leading members of the house, Sir Edward Coke and Sir Robert
Philips, were committed to the Tower; Selden Pym, and Mallory, to other
prisons. As a lighter punishment, Sir Dudley Digges, Sir Thomas Crew,
Sir Nathaniel Rich, Sir James Perrot, joined in commission with others,
were sent to Ireland, in order to execute some business.[***] The king
at that time enjoyed, at least exercised, the prerogative of employing
any man, even without his consent, in any branch of public service.

Sir John Savile, a powerful man in the house of commons, and a zealous
opponent of the court, was made comptroller of the household, a privy
counsellor, and soon after a baron.[****] This event is memorable, as
being the first instance, perhaps, in the whole history of England, of
any king's advancing a man on account of parliamentary interest, and of
opposition to his measures. However irregular this practice, it will
be regarded by political reasoners as one of the most early and most
infallible symptoms of a regular, established liberty.

The king having thus, with so rash and indiscreet a hand, torn off that
sacred veil which had hitherto covered the English constitution, and
which threw an obscurity upon it so advantageous to royal prerogative,
every man began to indulge himself in political reasonings and
inquiries; and the same factions which commenced in parliament, were
propagated throughout the nation. In vain did James, by reiterated
proclamations, forbid the discoursing of state affairs.[v] Such
proclamations, if they had any effect, served rather to inflame the
curiosity of the public. And in every company or society, the late
transactions became the subject of argument and debate.

* Franklyn, p. 65.

** Franklyn, p. 66. Rushworth, vol. i. p. 55.

*** Franklyn, p. 66. Rushworth, vol. i. p. 55.

**** Kennet, p. 749.

v Fran