"Page 14. Secondly, The Act (meaning the Act of Parliament to which the Title of the Pamphlet refers) is herein express, That by no other Way or means, but by an Act of Parliament, it shall be dissolved: Which, being it cannot be done by the dead King, but may be done by the Successor, it ought to be so dissolved; or else it must and doth, by virtue of this Act, still remain legally in full Being and Authority.
"Page 17. Thirdly, How much it were to be wished, that the Legislative Authority might revert into that Channel, meaning the Long Parliament aforesaid; by which the Peace and Settlement of the Nation, through his Majesty's most gracious Influence, might durably, and without Question, be provided for and preserved.
"Page 21. Fourthly, If That be a lawful Parliament, (speaking of the long Parliament aforesaid, which he elsewhere affirmed to be in being) then this can be none, nor no other, till this be legally dissolved.
"All which practices for stirring up of sedition, the Commons are ready to prove, not only by the general Scope of the said Book, but likewise by several Clauses therein contained, besides these before mentioned, and such other Proofs as the Cause, according to the course of Parliament, shall require;
"And do pray, that the said William Drake may be put to answer all and every of the Premises; and that such Proceeding, Examination, Trial, Judgment, and exemplary Punishment, may be thereupon had and executed, as is agreeable to Law and Justice."
A copy of this book is in the British Museum Library.
219.
Mirabilis Annus, or the year of Prodigies and Wonders, being a faithful and impartial collection of several signs that have been seen in the Heavens, in the Earth, and in the Waters; together with many remarkable accidents and judgments befalling divers persons, according as they have been testified by very credible hands; all which have happened within the space of one year last past, and are now made publick for a seasonable warning to the people of these three kingdoms speedily to repent and turn to the Lord, whose hand is lifted up amongst us. 1661.
Francis Smith, in his account of the injurious proceedings of Sir George Jeffreys before referred to, gives the following piteous account of the way he was treated for the publication of this book:—