22. The opening of Parliament 1614; Wentworth to his father (SC, xxi/7).
After my humble duty remembred, desiring your blessing &c, Sir, this day was the first of the Parlament, whear after the oath of supremecy and allegeance administred to the lower house, wee went to hear the king's maiesty's speach which was diuided into three parts: bona animae, bona corporis, bona fortunae. In the first part he spoke sumthings touching the increase of Papists, his maiesties care and watchfullnes to preuent ther increase, but rather by the clearing of sum points as yeat obsqure and the exeqution of that which hath allready been inacted then by more strikter order, bycause that seuerity is soe far from altering men's consciences that itt doth rather confirme them in thear opinions, with the particulars whearof he would lett the house haue notice att more leisure. Under the head of bona corporis he spoke of his royall issue and among the rest, of the prince Palitine his many vertues and the reasons whie his maiesty affected that mache before any other, to witt in regard of his religion; lastly that the electore Palatine and his issue might be made free dinozens.