I am sure of, my predecessors never did anything like this, to gain the good will of their subjects.  So much for your religion, and now for your property.  My behaviour to the Bankers is a publick instance; and the proceedings between Mrs. Hyde and Mrs. Sutton for private ones, are such convincing evidences, that it will be needless to say any more to ’t.

“I must now acquaint you, that, by my Lord Treasurer’s advice, I have made a considerable retrenchment upon my expenses in candles and charcoal, and do not intend to stop there, but will, with your help, look into the late embezzlements of my dripping-pans and kitchen-stuff; of which, by the way, upon my conscience, neither my Lord Treasurer nor my Lord Lauderdale are guilty.  I tell you my opinion; but if you should find them dabling in that busyness, I tell you plainly, I leave ’em to you; for, I would have the world to know, I am not a man to be cheated.

“My Lords and Gentlemen, I desire you to believe me as you have found me; and I do solemnly promise you, that whatsoever you give me shall be specially managed with the same conduct, trust, sincerity, and prudence, that I have ever practised, since my happy restoration."[202:1]

Mock King’s Speeches have often been made, but this is the first, and I think still the best of them all.

There was no shaking off religion from the debates of those days.  A new Oaths Bill suddenly appeared in the House of Lords, where it gave rise to one of the greatest debates that assembly has ever witnessed, lasting seventeen days.  The bishops were baited by the peers with great spirit, and the report of the proceedings may still be read with gusto.

Marvell, in his Growth of Popery, thus describes what happened:—­

“While these things were upon the anvil, the 10th of November was come for the Parliament’s sitting, but that was put off till the 13th of April 1675.  And in the meantime, which fell out most opportune for the conspirators, these counsels were matured, and something further to be contrived, that was yet wanting; the Parliament accordingly meeting, and the House of Lords, as well as that of the Commons, being in deliberation of several wholesome bills, such as the present state of the nation required, the great design came out in a bill unexpectedly offered one morning in the House of Lords, whereby all such as injoyed any beneficial office, or imployment, ecclesiastical, civil, or military, to which was added privy counsellors, justices of the peace, and members of Parliament, were under a penalty to take the oath, and make the declaration, and abhorrence, insuring:—­

’I A.B. do declare, that it is not lawful upon any pretence
whatsoever to take up arms against the King, and that I do
abhor that traiterous position of taking arms by his authority
against his person, or against those that are commissioned by
him in pursuance of such commission.  And I do swear, that I
will not at any time indeavour the alteration of the government
either in Church or State.  So help me God.’