chy downwards English history furnished no fixed
rule of inheritance, but only a series of precedents of uncertainty; and
while at no previous time had the circumstances of the succession been of a
nature so legitimately embarrassing, the relations of England with the pope
and with foreign powers doubly enhanced the danger. But I will not use my
own language on so important a subject. The preamble of the Act of
Succession is the best interpreter of the provisions of that act.

"In their most humble wise show unto your Majesty your most humble and
obedient subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons, in
this present parliament assembled; that since it is the natural inclination
of every man gladly and willingly to provide for the safety of both his
title and succession, although it touch only his private cause; we
therefore, most rightful and dreadful Sovereign Lord, reckon ourselves much
more bounden to beseech and intreat your Highness (although we doubt not of
your princely heart and wisdom, mixed with a natural affection to the same)
to foresee and provide for the most perfect surety of both you and of your
most lawful successors and heirs, upon which dependeth all our joy and
wealth; in whom also is united and knit the only mere true inheritance and
title of this realm without any contradiction. We, your said most humble
and obedient servants, call to our remembrance the great divisions which in
times past hath been in this realm by reason of several titles pretended to
the imperial crown of the same; which some time and for the most part
ensued by occasion of ambiguity, and [by] doubts then not so perfectly
declared but that men might upon froward intents expound them to every
man's sinister appetite and affection after their senses; whereof hath
ensued great destruction and effusion of man's blood, as well of a great
number of the nobles as of other the subjects and specialty inheritors in
the same. The greatest occasion thereof hath been because no perfect and
substantial provision by law hath been made within this realm itself when
doubts and questions have been moved; by reason whereof the Bishops of Rome
and See Apostolic have presumed in times past to invest who should please
them to inherit in other men's kingdoms and dominions, which thing we your
most humble subjects, both spiritual and temporal, do much abhor and
detest. And sometimes other foreign princes and potentates of sundry
degrees, mi