187.

Rushworth, vol.i.

p.
548.
Archbishop Abbot was employed by the lords to recommend, in a conference, this plan of a petition to the house of commons.

The prelate, as was no doubt foreseen, from his known principles, was not extremely urgent in his applications; and the lower house was fully convinced that the general declarations signified nothing, and that the latter clause left their liberties rather in a worse condition than before.

They proceeded, therefore, with great zeal, in framing, the model of a petition which should contain expressions more precise, and more favorable to public freedom.
The king could easily see the consequence of these proceedings.