English Bill of Rights
85
ously considering how it hath pleased Almighty God, in his marvellous
providence, and merciful goodness to this nation, to provide and preserve their said Majesties’ royal persons most happily to reign over us
upon the throne of their ancestors, for which they render unto Him from
the bottom of their hearts their humblest thanks and praises, do truly,
firmly, assuredly, and in the sincerity of their hearts, think, and do hereby
recognize, acknowledge, and declare, that King James II, having abdicated the Government, and their Majesties having accepted the Crown
and royal dignity aforesaid, their said Majesties did become, were, are,
and of right ought to be, by the laws of this realm, our sovereign liege
Lord and Lady, King and Queen of England, France, and Ireland, and the
dominions thereunto belonging, in and to whose princely persons the
royal state, crown, and dignity of the same realms, with all honours,
styles, titles, regalties, prerogatives, powers, jurisdictions, and authorities to the same belonging and appertaining, are most fully, rightfully,
and entirely invested and incorporated, united, and annexed.
VIII. And for preventing all questions and divisions in this realm, by
reason of any pretended titles to the Crown, and for preserving a certainty in the succession thereof, in and upon which the unity, peace, tranquility, and safety of this nation doth, under God, wholly consist and depend, the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, do beseech
their Majesties that it may be enacted, established, and declared, that the
Crown and regal government of the said kingdoms and dominions,
with all and singular the premises thereunto belonging and appertaining, shall be and continue to their said Majesties, and the survivor of
them, during their lives, and the life of the survivor of them. And that
the entire, perfect, and full exercise of the regal power and government
be only in, and executed by, his Majesty, in the names of both their Majesties, during their joint lives; and after their deceases the said Crown
and premises shall be and remain to the heirs of the body of her Majesty:
and for default of such issue, to her Royal Highness the Princess Anne of
Denmark, and the heirs of her body; and for default of such issue, to the
heirs of the body of his said Majesty: And thereunto the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, do, in the name of all the people
aforesaid, most humbly and faithfully submit themselves, their heirs and
posterities, forever: and do faithfully promise, that they will stand to,