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independence, or to reject the bills sent them by cthe commons ; will they ever be permitted bythe populace, supposing them inclined, to pass asentence, which mull: totally subdue the lowerhouse, and put an end to their ambitious under-takings ? These five members, at least Pym,Hambden , and Hollis, are the very heads ofthe popular party ; and if these be taken off,what fate must be expected by their followers,who are many of them accomplices in the sametreason ? The punishment of leaders is ever thelast triumph over a broken and routed party jbut surely was never before attempted , in op-position to a faction, during the full tide of itspower and success.

But men had not leisure to wonder at the in-discretion of this measure : Their astonishmentwas excited by new attempts, still more preci-pitate and imprudent. A serjeant at arms, inthe king’s name, demanded of the house thefive members ; and was sent back without anypositive answer. Messengers were employed tosearch for them , and arrest them. Their trunks,chambers, and studies, were sealed , and locked.The house voted all these acts of violenceto be breaches of privilege , and commandedevery one to defend the liberty of the members 7 *.The king, irritated by all this opposition, re-solved next day to come in person to the house,with an intention to demand, perhaps seize in

n A p.LV.

1642 .

7X

Whitlocke, p. so. Rufhworth, vol. v. p. 474, 475.