ON THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF ELIZABETH
General Remarks—Defective Security of the Subject's Liberty—
Trials for Treason and other Political Offences unjustly
conducted—Illegal Commitments—Remonstrance of Judges
against them—Proclamations unwarranted by Law—Restrictions
on Printing—Martial Law—Loans
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of Money not quite voluntary—Character of Lord Burleigh's
Administration—Disposition of the House of Commons—Addresses
concerning the Succession—Difference on this between the Queen
and Commons in 1566—Session of 1571—Influence of the
Puritans in Parliament—Speech of Mr. Wentworth in 1576—The
Commons continue to seek Redress of ecclesiastical Grievances—
Also of Monopolies, especially in the Session of 1601—Influence of
the Crown in Parliament—Debate on Election of non-resident
Burgesses—Assertion of Privileges by Commons—Case of
Ferrers, under Henry VIII.—Other Cases of Privilege—Privilege of
determining Contested Elections claimed by the House—The
English Constitution not admitted to be an absolute Monarchy—
Pretensions of the Crown