House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 29 December 1694

Sabbati, 29 die Decembris;

Sexto Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Call of the House.

ORDERED, That the House be called over upon Thursday next come Sevennight.

Members summoned.

Ordered, That all the Members of this House do then attend their Service in Parliament; notwithstanding any former Leave given to be absent.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do write his Letters to the Sheriffs of the respective Counties in England and Wales, to summon the Members of this House, now in the Country, to attend their Service in Parliament upon Thursday next come Sevennight, being the 10th Day of January next; notwithstanding any Leave for Absence.

Ordered, That the Form of the Letter be the same as that wrote by Mr. Speaker the last Session.

Address of Condolence.

Mr. Comptroller reported from the Committee appointed to prepare an Address, to be presented to his Majesty, That they had accordingly prepared an Address; which they had directed him to report to the House; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was twice read; and agreed unto, Nemine contradicente; and is as followeth; viz.

Most gracious and dread Sovereign,

WE, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Commons in Parliament assembled, being deeply sensible of the great Misfortune which hath befallen your Majesty, and this Kingdom, by the Death of our most gracious Queen, do, with unspeakable Grief of Heart, humbly beg Leave to condole the irreparable Loss of that most excellent Princess, the best of Women; to enumerate whose Virtues were to aggravate our Sorrow.

We cannot, at the same time, but bless God for the Preservation of your Majesty to us, on whose Life . . . Welfare and Happiness of this Kingdom, and the Liberties of Europe, do, in so great a measure, depend; humbly beseeching your Majesty, so to moderate your Grief, under this Affliction, as not to prejudice or endanger your Health: And that your Majesty would please to take such further Care of your Royal Person, that we may all enjoy the Blessing of your Majesty's long Life, and happy Reign.

We do also look upon it as a Duty we owe to your Majesty, to ourselves, and to those we represent, to take this Occasion of assuring your Majesty, That we, your faithful Commons, will always, to the utmost of our Power, stand by, support, and defend, your Majesty, and your Government, against all your Enemies, both at home and abroad.

Resolved, That the said Address be presented to his Majesty by Mr. Speaker, and the whole House.

Ordered, That such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy-Council, do attend his Majesty, to know his Majesty's Pleasure when he will be attended by this House.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning, Nine a Clock.