The Lord Finch his speech in the House of Commons the 21 of December 1641 hee being then lord-keeper.
         Speech in the House of Commons the 21 of December, 1640
         Finch of Fordwich, John Finch, Baron, 1584-1660.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A39967 of text R7418 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing F1551D). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
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         Wing F1551D
         ESTC R7418
         12989351
         ocm 12989351
         96306
         
           
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         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A39967)
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         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 259:E196, no 23)
      
       
         
           
             The Lord Finch his speech in the House of Commons the 21 of December 1641 hee being then lord-keeper.
             Speech in the House of Commons the 21 of December, 1640
             Finch of Fordwich, John Finch, Baron, 1584-1660.
          
           [2], 10 p.
           
             s.n.]
             [London? :
             1641.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Great Britain -- History -- Charles I, 1625-1649.
        
      
    
       A39967  R7418  (Wing F1551D).  civilwar no The Lord Finch his speech in the house of Commons, the 21 of December, 1641. Hee being then Lord-Keeper. Finch of Fordwich, John Finch, Baron 1641    3763 3 0 0 0 0 0 8 B  The  rate of 8 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           THE
           LORD
           FINCH
           HIS
           SPEECH
           in
           the
           house
           of
           
             Commons
             ,
          
           the
           21
           of
           
             December
             ,
          
           1640.
           
        
         
           
             Hee
             being
             then
             Lord-Keeper
             .
          
        
         
           Printed
           in
           the
           Yeere
           ,
           1641.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           THE
           LORD
           FINCH
           HIS
           SPEECH
           in
           the
           house
           of
           
             Commons
             ,
          
           the
           21
           of
           
             December
             ,
          
           1641.
           
           
             Hee
             being
             then
             Lord-Keeper
             .
          
        
         
           
             Master
             Speaker
          
        
         
           I
           Doe
           first
           present
           my
           most
           humble
           thanks
           to
           this
           Honourable
           Assembly
           ,
           for
           this
           favour
           vouchsased
           mee
           in
           granting
           me
           admittance
           to
           their
           presence
           ,
           and
           do
           humbly
           beseech
           them
           to
           believe
           it
           is
           no
           desire
           to
           preserve
           my selfe
           ,
           or
           my
           fortune
           ,
           but
           to
           deserve
           the
           good
           opinion
           of
           those
           that
           have
           drawne
           me
           hither
           .
           I
           doe
           professe
           ,
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           him
           that
           knoweth
           all
           hearts
           ,
           I
           had
           rather
           goe
           from
           dore
           to
           dore
           ,
           and
           crave
           
             Daobulum
             Bellizario
             ,
          
           with
           the
           good
           will
           of
           this
           assembly
           ,
           then
           enjoy
           all
           the
           Honours
           and
           Fortunes
           I
           am
           capable
           of
           .
        
         
           I
           doe
           not
           come
           hither
           with
           an
           intention
           to
           justifie
           my
           words
           ,
           my
           actions
           or
           opinions
           ,
           but
           to
           make
           a
           plaine
           and
           cleare
           narration
           of
           my selfe
           ,
           and
           there
           humbly
           to
           submit
           to
           the
           wisedome
           and
           Justice
           of
           this
           House
           ,
           my selfe
           and
           all
           that
           concernes
           me
           .
        
         
         
           But
           this
           House
           will
           not
           take
           words
           ,
           but
           with
           cleare
           and
           Ingenious
           dealing
           .
        
         
           And
           therfore
           
             I
          
           shall
           beseech
           them
           to
           think
           that
           I
           come
           not
           hither
           with
           a
           set
           or
           studied
           speech
           .
           
             I
          
           come
           to
           speake
           my
           heart
           ,
           and
           to
           speake
           it
           clearely
           ,
           and
           plainly
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           leave
           it
           to
           your
           clemency
           and
           justice
           ,
           and
           I
           hope
           if
           any
           thing
           shall
           slippe
           from
           me
           (
           to
           work
           contrary
           to
           my
           meaning
           ,
           and
           Intention
           disorderly
           or
           ill
           placed
           )
           you
           will
           bee
           pleased
           to
           make
           a
           favourable
           Construction
           ,
           and
           leave
           mee
           the
           liberty
           of
           explanation
           (
           if
           there
           shall
           be
           any
           )
           but
           I
           hope
           there
           shall
           be
           no
           cause
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           hope
           for
           my
           affection
           in
           Religion
           ,
           no
           man
           doubteth
           me
           :
           What
           my
           education
           was
           ,
           and
           under
           whom
           I
           lived
           for
           many
           yeares
           ,
           as
           well
           known
           eI
           lived
           neere
           thirty
           years
           in
           the
           Society
           of
           
             Grayes-Inne
             ;
          
           and
           if
           one
           (
           that
           was
           a
           Reverend
           Preacher
           there
           in
           my
           time
           ,
           
             Doctor
             Sibs
             )
          
           were
           now
           living
           ,
           he
           were
           able
           to
           give
           Testimony
           to
           this
           House
           ,
           that
           when
           a
           party
           ill
           affected
           in
           Religion
           sought
           to
           tyre
           and
           weary
           him
           out
           ,
           he
           had
           his
           chiefest
           encouragement
           ,
           and
           help
           from
           me
           .
           I
           have
           M.
           Speaker
           bin
           now
           15
           yeares
           of
           the
           Kings
           Councell
           ;
           from
           the
           first
           houre
           to
           this
           minute
           ,
           no
           man
           is
           able
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           ever
           I
           was
           either
           Author
           ,
           deviser
           ,
           or
           consenter
           to
           any
           project
           .
        
         
           It
           pleased
           the
           King
           ,
           my
           gracious
           Master
           ,
           after
           I
           had
           served
           him
           divers
           yeares
           ,
           to
           preferre
           me
           to
           two
           places
           ;
           first
           to
           be
           chiefe
           Justice
           of
           the
           Common
           Pleas
           ;
           and
           then
           Lord
           Keeper
           of
           his
           Great
           Seale
           :
           I
           say
           it
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           God
           ,
           I
           was
           so
           farre
           from
           the
           thought
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           the
           ambition
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           that
           if
           my
           Master
           the
           King
           ,
           his
           Grace
           and
           goodnesse
           had
           not
           beene
           ,
           I
           had
           never
           enjoyed
           those
           Honours
           .
        
         
           In
           all
           that
           time
           ,
           I
           may
           speake
           it
           with
           a
           Confidence
           ,
           these
           hands
           never
           touched
           bribe
           nor
           reward
           ,
           these
           eyes
           were
           never
           blinded
           with
           guist
           ,
           I
           took
           heed
           to
           these
           affections
           ,
           common
           
           to
           man
           ,
           which
           are
           aptest
           to
           mislead
           a
           Judge
           ,
           
             Friendship
          
           and
           hatred
           ,
           neither
           in
           the
           owne
           ,
           nor
           the
           other
           have
           I
           adhered
           .
        
         
           Those
           that
           know
           me
           ,
           know
           me
           farre
           from
           a
           vindicative
           nature
           .
        
         
           
             I
          
           cannot
           know
           ,
           M.
           Speaker
           ,
           what
           particulars
           there
           are
           by
           which
           you
           have
           an
           ill
           opinion
           of
           mee
           ,
           and
           therefore
           
             I
          
           shall
           come
           very
           weakely
           armed
           :
           Yet
           these
           ,
           that
           either
           in
           my
           owne
           knowledge
           or
           such
           knowledge
           as
           is
           given
           me
           ,
           and
           not
           from
           any
           of
           this
           house
           ,
           
             I
          
           shall
           speake
           somewhat
           that
           
             I
          
           hope
           ,
           being
           truth
           and
           accompanied
           with
           clearenesse
           and
           ingenuity
           ,
           will
           at
           the
           last
           proceed
           some
           allay
           in
           that
           ill
           opinion
           ,
           which
           may
           perhaps
           be
           conceived
           of
           me
           .
        
         
           M.
           Speaker
           ,
           
             I
          
           had
           once
           the
           honour
           to
           sit
           in
           that
           place
           ,
           from
           the
           first
           time
           
             I
          
           came
           hither
           ,
           to
           the
           unfortunate
           houre
           
             I
          
           went
           out
           ,
           
             I
          
           doe
           appeale
           to
           all
           that
           were
           then
           ;
           if
           
             I
          
           served
           not
           you
           with
           candor
           .
        
         
           Ill
           office
           
             I
          
           never
           did
           to
           either
           of
           the
           Houses
           ,
           but
           did
           ever
           wish
           the
           good
           of
           both
           .
        
         
           For
           that
           last
           unhappy
           day
           ,
           
             I
          
           had
           my
           share
           of
           griefe
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           
             I
          
           hope
           there
           are
           some
           doe
           remember
           ,
           no
           man
           within
           the
           wals
           of
           this
           House
           did
           expresse
           more
           Symptomes
           of
           Sorrow
           then
           
             I
          
           did
           .
        
         
           After
           an
           adjournment
           for
           two
           or
           three
           dayes
           ,
           it
           pleased
           his
           Majesty
           to
           send
           for
           me
           ,
           to
           let
           me
           know
           ,
           hee
           could
           not
           so
           resolve
           of
           things
           as
           he
           desired
           ,
           and
           therefore
           was
           desirous
           there
           might
           be
           an
           adjournement
           for
           some
           few
           dayes
           more
           .
        
         
           
             I
          
           protest
           ,
           
             I
          
           did
           not
           then
           discerne
           in
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           
             I
          
           believe
           it
           was
           not
           in
           his
           thought
           ,
           to
           think
           of
           the
           dissolving
           of
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           but
           was
           pleased
           to
           command
           me
           to
           deliver
           his
           pleasure
           to
           the
           House
           for
           an
           adjournment
           for
           some
           few
           dayes
           ,
           and
           forthwith
           upon
           the
           delivery
           of
           the
           mesuage
           ,
           to
           come
           and
           wait
           upon
           him
           .
        
         
         
           He
           likewise
           commanded
           me
           ,
           if
           questions
           were
           offered
           to
           be
           out
           ,
           upon
           my
           Allegiance
           I
           should
           dare
           to
           doe
           it
           .
        
         
           How
           much
           then
           did
           I
           in
           all
           humblenesse
           reason
           with
           his
           Majestie
           ,
           is
           not
           for
           me
           here
           to
           speake
           ;
           only
           thus
           much
           let
           me
           say
           .
        
         
           I
           was
           no
           Authour
           of
           any
           councell
           in
           it
           ,
           I
           was
           onely
           person
           in
           receiving
           Commission
           .
        
         
           I
           speake
           not
           this
           ,
           as
           any
           thing
           I
           now
           produce
           ,
           or
           doe
           invente
           ,
           or
           take
           up
           for
           mine
           owne
           excuse
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           knowne
           to
           divers
           ,
           and
           some
           Honorable
           persons
           in
           this
           House
           to
           be
           most
           true
           .
        
         
           All
           that
           I
           will
           say
           for
           that
           ,
           is
           humbly
           to
           beseech
           you
           all
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           if
           it
           had
           beene
           any
           mans
           cause
           as
           it
           was
           mine
           ,
           betweene
           the
           displeasure
           of
           a
           gracious
           King
           ,
           and
           the
           ill
           opinion
           of
           an
           Honorable
           Assembly
           .
        
         
           I
           beseech
           you
           lay
           altogether
           ;
           lay
           my
           first
           actions
           and
           behaviour
           with
           the
           last
           ,
           I
           shall
           submit
           with
           your
           honorable
           and
           favourable
           constructions
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           shipping
           businesse
           ,
           my
           opinion
           in
           that
           cause
           hath
           layne
           heavy
           upon
           me
           ;
           and
           I
           shall
           cleerely
           and
           truely
           present
           unto
           you
           what
           every
           thing
           is
           ,
           with
           this
           protestation
           ,
           (
           that
           if
           in
           reckoning
           up
           mine
           owne
           opinion
           ,
           what
           I
           was
           of
           ,
           or
           what
           I
           delivered
           ,
           any
           thing
           of
           it
           he
           displeasing
           ,
           or
           contrary
           to
           the
           opinion
           of
           this
           House
           )
           that
           I
           am
           farre
           from
           justifying
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           submit
           that
           and
           all
           other
           my
           actions
           to
           your
           wisedome
           and
           goodnesse
           :
           
             Master
             Speaker
             ,
          
           the
           first
           Writs
           that
           were
           sent
           out
           about
           shipping
           businesse
           ,
           I
           had
           no
           more
           knowledge
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           was
           as
           ignorant
           as
           any
           one
           member
           of
           this
           House
           ,
           or
           any
           man
           in
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           I
           was
           never
           the
           Authour
           or
           deviser
           of
           it
           ▪
           and
           will
           bouldly
           say
           ,
           from
           the
           first
           houre
           ,
           I
           did
           never
           advise
           or
           councell
           the
           setting
           forth
           of
           any
           ship
           Writs
           in
           my
           life
           .
        
         
         
           
             Master
             Speaker
             ,
          
           it
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           I
           was
           made
           chiefe
           Justice
           of
           the
           common
           Pleas
           some
           foure
           dayes
           before
           the
           Ship-writs
           went
           out
           to
           the
           Ports
           and
           Maritine
           places
           (
           as
           I
           doe
           remember
           )
           the
           13
           of
           
             October
             ,
          
           1634
           ,
           they
           doe
           beare
           test
           :
           And
           I
           was
           sworne
           chiefe
           Justice
           the
           16
           of
           
             October
             ,
          
           so
           as
           they
           went
           out
           in
           that
           time
           ,
           but
           without
           my
           knowledge
           or
           privity
           ,
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           knowes
           this
           to
           be
           true
           .
        
         
           
             Master
             Speaker
             ,
          
           afterwards
           his
           Majesty
           was
           pleased
           to
           command
           my
           Lord
           chiefe
           Justice
           of
           the
           Kings
           Bench
           ,
           that
           then
           was
           (
           Sir
           
             Thomas
             Richardson
             )
          
           and
           chiefe
           Baron
           of
           the
           Exchequer
           that
           now
           is
           ,
           and
           my selfe
           ,
           then
           chiefe
           of
           the
           Common
           Pleas
           ,
           to
           take
           into
           consideration
           the
           president
           then
           brought
           unto
           us
           ,
           which
           we
           did
           ,
           and
           after
           returned
           to
           his
           Majesty
           what
           we
           had
           found
           out
           of
           these
           Presidents
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           afterwards
           his
           Majesty
           did
           take
           into
           consideration
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           were
           concerned
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           not
           reason
           to
           lay
           the
           whole
           burthen
           upon
           the
           Cinque Ports
           and
           Maritine
           Townes
           .
        
         
           Thereupon
           ,
           upon
           what
           ground
           his
           Majesty
           tooke
           that
           into
           his
           consideration
           ,
           I
           do
           confesse
           I
           do
           know
           nothing
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           His
           Majesty
           did
           command
           my
           Lord
           chiefe
           Justice
           that
           now
           is
           ,
           my
           Lord
           chiefe
           Baron
           ,
           and
           my selfe
           ,
           to
           returne
           our
           opinions
           ;
           whether
           ,
           when
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           is
           in
           danger
           ,
           and
           the
           Kingdome
           ingenerall
           is
           concerned
           ,
           it
           be
           not
           according
           to
           Law
           and
           reason
           ,
           that
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           his
           Majesty
           and
           all
           interessed
           therein
           ,
           should
           joyne
           in
           defending
           and
           preserving
           thereof
           .
        
         
           This
           was
           in
           time
           ,
           about
           one
           1634.
           
        
         
         
           In
           Michaelmas
           Terme
           following
           ,
           his
           Majesty
           commanded
           me
           to
           goe
           to
           all
           the
           Judges
           ,
           and
           require
           their
           opinions
           in
           particular
           .
        
         
           He
           commanded
           me
           to
           doe
           it
           to
           every
           one
           ,
           and
           to
           charge
           them
           upon
           their
           duty
           and
           allegiance
           ,
           to
           keepe
           it
           secret
           .
        
         
           
             Master
             Speaker
             ,
          
           it
           was
           never
           intended
           by
           his
           Majesty
           (
           so
           professed
           by
           him
           )
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           and
           so
           declared
           to
           all
           the
           Judges
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           not
           required
           by
           him
           ,
           to
           be
           such
           a
           binding
           opinion
           to
           the
           Subject
           ,
           as
           to
           hinder
           him
           from
           calling
           it
           in
           question
           ,
           nor
           to
           be
           binding
           to
           themselves
           ,
           but
           that
           upon
           better
           reason
           ,
           and
           advise
           they
           may
           alter
           it
           ;
           but
           desired
           their
           opinions
           ,
           for
           his
           owne
           private
           reason
           .
        
         
           I
           know
           very
           well
           ,
           that
           extrajudiciall
           opinion
           of
           Judges
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           binding
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           did
           think
           ,
           and
           speake
           my
           heart
           and
           conscience
           freely
           ;
           my selfe
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Judges
           being
           sworn
           and
           by
           our
           oaths
           tyed
           to
           Counsell
           the
           King
           when
           he
           should
           require
           advise
           of
           us
           ,
           that
           we
           were
           bound
           by
           our
           oaths
           and
           duties
           to
           returne
           our
           opinions
           .
        
         
           I
           did
           obey
           his
           Majesties
           command
           ,
           and
           doe
           here
           before
           the
           God
           of
           heaven
           avow
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           did
           never
           use
           the
           least
           promise
           of
           preferment
           or
           reward
           to
           any
           ,
           nor
           did
           use
           the
           least
           menacy
           ;
           I
           did
           leave
           it
           freely
           to
           their
           owne
           consciences
           and
           liberty
           ;
           for
           I
           was
           left
           the
           liberty
           of
           my
           owne
           by
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           had
           reason
           to
           leave
           them
           the
           liberty
           of
           their
           owne
           consciences
           .
        
         
           And
           I
           beseech
           you
           be
           pleased
           to
           have
           some
           belief
           ,
           that
           I
           would
           not
           say
           this
           ,
           but
           that
           I
           know
           the
           God
           of
           heaven
           will
           make
           it
           appeare
           ,
           and
           I
           beseech
           you
           that
           extravagant
           
           speeches
           may
           not
           move
           against
           that
           which
           is
           a
           positive
           and
           cleere
           truth
           .
        
         
           
             Master
             Speaker
             ,
          
           in
           the
           discourse
           of
           this
           (
           as
           is
           between
           Judges
           ,
           some
           small
           discourses
           sometimes
           )
           yet
           never
           any
           cause
           wherein
           any
           Judges
           conferred
           ,
           that
           were
           so
           little
           conference
           as
           betweene
           me
           and
           them
           .
        
         
           
             Master
             Speaker
             ,
          
           against
           a
           Negative
           ,
           I
           can
           say
           nothing
           ,
           but
           I
           shall
           affirme
           nothing
           unto
           you
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           grace
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           I
           affirme
           it
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           so
           I
           make
           no
           doubt
           of
           making
           it
           appeare
           to
           be
           so
           .
        
         
           This
           opinion
           was
           subscribed
           without
           Solicitation
           ,
           there
           was
           not
           any
           man
           of
           us
           did
           make
           any
           doubt
           of
           subscribing
           our
           opinion
           ,
           but
           two
           ,
           Master
           Justice
           
             Hutton
             ,
          
           and
           Master
           Justice
           
             Crooke
             .
          
        
         
           Master
           Justice
           
             Crooke
          
           made
           not
           a
           scruple
           of
           the
           thing
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           introduction
           ,
           for
           it
           was
           thus
           :
        
         
           That
           whereas
           the
           Ports
           and
           the
           Maritine
           Townes
           were
           concerned
           ;
           there
           according
           to
           the
           Presidents
           in
           former
           times
           ,
           the
           charge
           lay
           on
           them
           .
        
         
           So
           when
           the
           Kingdome
           was
           in
           danger
           ,
           of
           which
           his
           Majesty
           was
           the
           sole
           Judge
           ;
           whether
           it
           was
           not
           agreeable
           to
           Law
           and
           reason
           ,
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           to
           beare
           the
           charge
           ;
        
         
           I
           left
           this
           case
           with
           Judge
           
             Crooke
             .
          
        
         
           The
           next
           Terme
           I
           spake
           with
           him
           ,
           he
           could
           give
           me
           no
           resolution
           ,
           because
           he
           had
           not
           seene
           the
           writs
           in
           former
           times
           ,
           but
           did
           give
           his
           opinion
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           was
           in
           danger
           ,
           they
           of
           the
           defence
           ought
           to
           be
           borne
           by
           all
           .
        
         
           So
           of
           that
           opinion
           of
           his
           ,
           there
           was
           no
           need
           of
           a
           Solicitation
           .
        
         
           I
           speake
           no
           more
           here
           ,
           than
           I
           did
           openly
           in
           my
           argument
           
           in
           the
           Chequer
           Chamber
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           naked
           truth
           :
           for
           Master
           Justice
           
             Hutton
             ,
          
           he
           did
           never
           subscribe
           at
           all
           .
        
         
           I
           will
           onely
           say
           this
           ,
           that
           I
           was
           so
           far
           from
           pressing
           him
           to
           give
           his
           opinion
           ,
           because
           he
           did
           aske
           time
           to
           consider
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           I
           will
           boldly
           say
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           good
           ;
           that
           when
           his
           Majesty
           would
           have
           had
           him
           sometimes
           sent
           for
           ,
           to
           give
           his
           opinion
           ,
           I
           beseeched
           his
           Majesty
           to
           leave
           him
           to
           himselfe
           and
           his
           conscience
           ;
           and
           that
           was
           the
           ill
           office
           I
           did
           .
        
         
           The
           Judges
           did
           subscribe
           in
           
             November
          
           or
           
             December
             ,
          
           1635.
           
        
         
           I
           had
           no
           conference
           (
           nor
           truly
           I
           thinke
           )
           by
           accident
           any
           discourse
           with
           any
           of
           the
           Judges
           touching
           their
           opinions
           ;
           for
           till
           
             February
          
           1636
           ,
           there
           was
           no
           speech
           of
           it
           ,
           for
           when
           they
           had
           delivered
           their
           opinions
           ,
           I
           did
           returne
           (
           according
           to
           my
           duty
           )
           to
           my
           Master
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           delivered
           them
           to
           him
           :
           in
           whose
           custody
           they
           bee
           in
           .
        
         
           In
           
             February
          
           1636
           ,
           upon
           a
           command
           that
           came
           from
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           by
           one
           of
           the
           then
           Secretaries
           of
           State
           ;
           the
           Judges
           all
           assembled
           in
           Grayes-Inne
           ,
           we
           did
           then
           fall
           into
           a
           debate
           of
           the
           case
           then
           sent
           unto
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           did
           then
           returne
           our
           opinion
           unto
           his
           Majesty
           ;
           there
           was
           then
           much
           discourse
           and
           great
           debate
           about
           it
           .
        
         
           Mine
           opinion
           and
           conscience
           at
           that
           time
           was
           agreeable
           to
           that
           opinion
           I
           then
           delivered
           .
        
         
           I
           did
           use
           the
           best
           arguments
           I
           could
           ,
           for
           the
           maintainance
           of
           my
           opinion
           ;
           and
           that
           was
           all
           I
           did
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           that
           then
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           Master
           Justice
           
             Hutton
             ,
          
           and
           Master
           Justice
           
             Crooke
             ,
          
           did
           not
           differ
           in
           the
           meane
           point
           ,
           which
           was
           this
           ;
        
         
         
           When
           the
           Kingdome
           was
           in
           danger
           ,
           the
           chargd
           ought
           to
           be
           borne
           by
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           point
           ,
           whether
           the
           King
           was
           the
           sole
           Judge
           of
           the
           danger
           ?
           they
           differed
           .
        
         
           So
           as
           there
           was
           betweene
           the
           first
           subscription
           ,
           and
           this
           debate
           ,
           and
           consultation
           ,
           some
           15.
           monthes
           differance
           ?
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           all
           of
           them
           did
           then
           subscribe
           ,
           both
           Justice
           
             Hutton
             ,
          
           and
           Justice
           
             Crooke
             ,
          
           which
           was
           returned
           to
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           after
           published
           by
           my
           Lord
           Keeper
           (
           my
           predecessor
           )
           in
           the
           Stat-chamber
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           manner
           of
           publishing
           it
           I
           will
           say
           nothing
           ,
           but
           leave
           it
           to
           those
           ,
           whose
           memories
           will
           call
           to
           mind
           what
           was
           then
           done
           .
        
         
           The
           reason
           of
           the
           subscription
           of
           Justice
           
             Hutton
             ,
          
           and
           Justice
           
             Crooke
             ,
          
           (
           though
           they
           differed
           in
           opinion
           )
           grew
           from
           this
           that
           was
           told
           them
           from
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Judges
           .
        
         
           That
           where
           the
           greater
           number
           did
           agree
           in
           their
           vote
           ,
           the
           rest
           were
           involved
           and
           included
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           I
           have
           faithfully
           delivered
           ,
           what
           I
           did
           in
           that
           businesse
           ,
           till
           I
           came
           (
           which
           was
           afterwards
           )
           to
           my
           argument
           in
           the
           Exchequer
           Chamber
           ,
           for
           the
           question
           was
           ,
           
             Ascire
             facias
          
           issued
           out
           of
           the
           Exchequer
           ,
           in
           that
           case
           of
           Master
           
             Hampdens
             ;
          
           of
           which
           I
           can
           say
           nothing
           ,
           for
           it
           was
           there
           begun
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           rejourned
           ,
           to
           have
           advice
           of
           all
           the
           Judges
           .
        
         
           
             Master
             Speaker
             ,
          
           among
           the
           rest
           (
           according
           to
           my
           duty
           )
           I
           argued
           the
           case
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           not
           trouble
           you
           ,
           to
           tell
           you
           what
           my
           argument
           was
           ,
           I
           presume
           their
           are
           Copies
           enough
           of
           it
           ;
           only
           I
           will
           tell
           you
           there
           are
           foure
           things
           ,
           very
           briefly
           ,
           
           what
           I
           then
           declared
           .
        
         
           First
           concerning
           the
           matter
           of
           danger
           ,
           and
           necessary
           of
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           .
        
         
           I
           professe
           that
           there
           was
           never
           a
           Judge
           in
           the
           Kingdome
           did
           deliver
           an
           opinion
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           must
           be
           in
           a
           case
           of
           apparant
           danger
           .
        
         
           When
           we
           came
           to
           an
           argument
           of
           the
           case
           ,
           it
           was
           not
           upon
           a
           matter
           or
           issue
           ,
           but
           it
           was
           upon
           a
           demurrer
           .
        
         
           Whether
           the
           danger
           was
           sufficiently
           admitted
           in
           pleading
           ,
           and
           therefore
           was
           not
           the
           thing
           that
           was
           in
           dispute
           that
           was
           the
           first
           degree
           and
           step
           that
           led
           unto
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           did
           deliver
           my selfe
           as
           free
           and
           as
           cleare
           as
           any
           man
           did
           ,
           that
           the
           King
           ought
           to
           governe
           by
           the
           positive
           Lawes
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           that
           he
           could
           not
           alter
           nor
           change
           ,
           nor
           innovate
           in
           matters
           of
           Law
           ,
           but
           by
           common
           consent
           in
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           I
           did
           surther
           deliver
           ,
           that
           if
           this
           were
           used
           to
           make
           a
           further
           revenue
           or
           benefit
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           or
           in
           any
           other
           way
           but
           in
           case
           of
           necessity
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           The
           judgement
           did
           warrant
           no
           such
           thing
           :
        
         
           My
           opinion
           in
           this
           busines
           ,
           I
           did
           in
           my
           conclusion
           of
           my
           argument
           submit
           to
           the
           judgement
           of
           this
           House
           .
        
         
           I
           never
           delivered
           my
           opinion
           that
           mony
           ought
           to
           be
           raised
           ,
           but
           Ships
           provided
           for
           the
           defence
           of
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           the
           writ
           was
           performed
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           the
           charge
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           in
           any
           case
           ,
           but
           where
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           was
           in
           danger
           .
        
         
           And
           Master
           Justice
           
             Hutton
             ,
          
           and
           Master
           Justice
           
             Crooke
             ,
          
           were
           of
           the
           same
           opinion
           with
           me
           .
        
         
           I
           doe
           humbly
           submit
           ,
           having
           related
           unto
           you
           my
           whole
           carriage
           in
           this
           businesse
           ,
           humbly
           submitting
           myselfe
           
           to
           your
           grave
           and
           favourable
           consures
           ,
           beseeching
           you
           not
           to
           thinke
           that
           I
           delivered
           these
           things
           with
           the
           least
           intention
           to
           subvert
           or
           subject
           the
           common
           Law
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           or
           to
           bring
           in
           or
           to
           introduce
           any
           new
           way
           of
           government
           ,
           it
           hath
           beene
           farre
           from
           my
           thoughts
           ,
           as
           any
           thing
           under
           the
           heavens
           .
        
         
           
             Master
             Speaker
             ,
          
           I
           have
           heard
           too
           that
           there
           hath
           bin
           some
           ill
           opinion
           conceived
           of
           me
           about
           Forrest
           businesse
           ,
           which
           was
           a
           thing
           far
           out
           of
           the
           way
           of
           my
           study
           ,
           as
           any
           thing
           I
           know
           towards
           the
           Law
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           pleased
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           in
           the
           sicknesse
           of
           Master
           
             Noye
             ,
          
           to
           give
           some
           short
           warning
           to
           prepare
           my selfe
           for
           that
           imployment
           .
        
         
           When
           I
           came
           there
           ,
           I
           did
           both
           the
           King
           and
           Common-wealth
           acceptable
           service
           ,
           for
           I
           did
           and
           dare
           be
           bold
           to
           say
           ,
           with
           extreame
           danger
           to
           my selfe
           and
           fortune
           ,
           (
           some
           doe
           understand
           my
           meaning
           here
           in
           )
           ran
           through
           that
           businesse
           ,
           and
           left
           the
           Forre●●
           as
           much
           as
           was
           there
           .
        
         
           A
           thing
           in
           my
           judgment
           considerable
           for
           the
           advantage
           of
           the
           Common-wealth
           ,
           as
           could
           be
           undertaken
           .
        
         
           When
           I
           went
           downe
           about
           that
           imployment
           ,
           I
           satisfied
           my
           sulfe
           about
           the
           matter
           of
           perambulation
           .
        
         
           There
           were
           great
           difficulty
           of
           opinions
           ,
           what
           perambulation
           was
           .
        
         
           I
           did
           arme
           my
           sulfe
           as
           well
           as
           I
           could
           ,
           before
           I
           did
           any
           thing
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           did
           acquaint
           those
           that
           were
           then
           Judges
           ,
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           noble
           Lords
           ,
           with
           such
           objections
           as
           I
           thought
           it
           my
           duty
           to
           offer
           unto
           them
           .
        
         
           If
           they
           thought
           they
           were
           not
           objections
           of
           such
           waight
           ,
           as
           were
           not
           fit
           to
           stirre
           them
           ,
           I
           would
           not
           doe
           
           the
           King
           that
           disservice
           .
        
         
           They
           thought
           the
           objections
           had
           such
           answers
           as
           might
           well
           induce
           the
           like
           upon
           a
           conference
           with
           the
           whole
           Country
           ,
           admitting
           me
           to
           come
           and
           conferre
           to
           with
           them
           ;
           the
           Country
           did
           unanimously
           subscribe
           .
        
         
           It
           fell
           out
           afterwards
           ,
           that
           the
           King
           commanded
           me
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           before
           
             I
          
           was
           chiefe
           Justice
           ,
           togo
           into
           
             Essex
             ,
          
           and
           did
           ,
           then
           tell
           me
           he
           had
           beene
           enformed
           ,
           that
           the
           bounds
           of
           the
           Forrest
           were
           narrer
           ,
           then
           in
           truth
           ought
           they
           to
           be
           ;
           and
           
             I
          
           did
           according
           to
           his
           command
           .
        
         
           I
           will
           here
           professe
           that
           which
           is
           knowne
           to
           many
           ,
           I
           had
           no
           thought
           or
           intention
           of
           enlarging
           the
           bounds
           of
           the
           Forrest
           ,
           further
           then
           that
           part
           about
           it
           ,
           which
           there
           was
           a
           perambulation
           about
           26
           
             Edward
          
           4.
           
        
         
           I
           desired
           the
           Country
           to
           confer
           with
           me
           about
           it
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           pleased
           to
           doe
           it
           ;
           and
           then
           according
           to
           my
           duty
           ,
           I
           did
           produce
           these
           Records
           which
           I
           thought
           fit
           for
           his
           Majesties
           service
           ,
           knowing
           them
           to
           discharge
           themselves
           as
           by
           Law
           and
           Justice
           they
           might
           doe
           .
        
         
           I
           did
           never
           in
           the
           least
           kind
           ,
           goe
           about
           to
           overthrow
           the
           charter
           of
           the
           Forest
           .
        
         
           And
           did
           publish
           and
           maintaine
           
             Charta
             de
             Forest●
             ,
          
           as
           a
           sacred
           thing
           and
           no
           man
           to
           violate
           it
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           preserved
           for
           the
           King
           and
           Common-wealth
           .
        
         
           I
           doe
           in
           this
           humbly
           submit
           ,
           and
           what
           I
           have
           done
           ,
           to
           the
           goodnesse
           and
           Justice
           of
           this
           House
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .