A CHARGE Given by the most Eminent and Learned Sr. FRANCIS BACON Kt. Late Lord Chancellor of England, at a Sessions holden for the VERGE, in the Reign of the Late King JAMES. DECLARING The Latitude of the Jurisdiction thereof, and the Offences therein inquireable, as well by the Common-Law, as by several STATUTES herein particularly mentioned. Lex vitiorum emendatrix, virtutum commendatrix est. LONDON, Printed for Robert Pawley at the Sign of the Bible in Chancery Lane near the Temple. 1662. Sir FRANCIS BACON'S CHARGE At the SESSIONS of the VERGE. YOU are to know and consider well, the Duty and Service to which you are called, and whereupon you are by your Oath charged. It is the happy estate and condition of the Subject of this Realm of England, that he is not to be impeached in his Life, Lands, or Goods, by flying rumours and wand'ring fames and reports, or secret and private Inquisitions; But by the Oath and Presentment of men of honest condition, in the face of Justice: But this happy estate of the Subject, will turn to hurt and inconvenience, if those that hold that part which you are now to perform, shall be negligent and remiss in doing their duty; for as of two evils it were better men's doings were looked into over strictly and severely, then that there should be a notorious impunity of Malefactors; as was well and wisely said of ancient time, A man were better live where nothing is lawful, then where all things are lawful: This therefore rests in your care and conscience, forasmuch as at you Justice begins, and the Law cannot parsue and choose offenders to their deserved Fall● except you first put then up and dis\cover them, whereby they may be brought to answer; for your Verdict is concluding to condemn. But it is necessary to charge, and without it the Court cannot proceed to condemn. Considering therefore that you are the Eye of Justice, ye ought to be single without partial affection; watchful, not asleep, nor false asleep, winking at Offenders, and sharp sighted to proceed with understanding and discretetion; for in a word, if you shall not present unto the Court all such offences, as shall appear unto you either by evidence given in, or otherwise (mark what I say) of your own knowledge, which have been committed within the Verge, which is as it were the Limits of your Survey, but shall smother and conceal any offence willingly, than the guiltiness of others will cleave to your Consciences, before God; and besides, you are answerable in some degree to the King and his Law, for such your default and Suppression; and therefore take good regard unto it, you are to serve the King and his people, you are to keep and observe your Oath, you are to acquit yourselves: But there is yet more cause why you should take more especial regard to your Presentments, than any other grand Juries, within the Counties of this Kingdom at large, for as it is a nearer degree and approach unto the King, which is the fountain of Justice and Government, to be the King's Servant, then to be the King's Subject: So this Commission ordained for the King's Servants and Household, aught in the execution of Justice to be exemplary unto other places; David saith (who was a King) The wicked man shall not abide in my house; as taking knowledge that it was impossible for Kings to Banish Wickedness, by the extending of all their power and care, over all their Land or Empire; yet at least they ought to undertake to God for their House. We see further that the Law doth so esteem the Dignity of the King's settled Mansion house, as it hath laid unto it a Plot of twelve miles round, which we call the Verge, to be Subject to a special exempted Jurisdiction, depending upon his Person and great Officers; this is as a half pace, or Carpet spread about the King's Chair of Estate, which therefore ought to be cleared and void more than other places of the Kingdom; for if offences shall be shrouded under the King's Wings, what hope is there of Discipline and Justice in more remote parts? We see the Sun, when it is at the Brightest, there may be perhaps a Bank of Clouds in the North or West, or remote regions, but near his Body few or none; for where the King cometh there should come Peace, and Order, and an awe and reverence in men's hearts. Articuli super Chartas c. 3.13. R. 2. c. 3.33. H. 8. c. 12. And this jurisdiction was in ancient time executed, and since by Statute ratified by the Lord Steward, with great Ceremony in the nature of a peculiar King's Bench, for the Verge, for it was thought a kind of Eclipsing to the King's Honour, that where the King was, any Justice should be sought but immediately from his own Officers: But in respect that office was oft void, this Commission hath succeeded, which change I do not dislike, for though it hath less State, yet it hath more strength Legally; Therefore I say, you that are a Jury of the Verge, should leave and give a Pattern unto others in the care and conscience of your Presentments. Concerning the particular points and Articles whereof you shal● inquire, I will help your memory and mine own with order; neither will I lead you or trouble myself with every Branch of several offences, but stand upon those that are principal and most in use: The offences whereof, that you are to present are of four Natures. The first, Such as concern God and his Church. The second, Such as concern the King and His State. The Third, such as concern the King's people, and are capital. The fourth, such as concern the King's People, not Capital. The Service of Almighty God, God & the Church. upon whose Blessing the Peace, Safety, and good estate of King and Kingdom doth depend, may be violated, and God dishonoured in three manners; by Profanation, by contempt, and by division, or breach of Unity. First, Profanations. if any man hath depraved or abused in word or Deed the Blessed Sacrament, 1. E. 6. c. 1, & 1. Eliz. c. 2.1. M. c. 3.5. E. 6. c. 4.13. E. 1. Stat. of Winton. or disturbed the Preacher or Congregation in the time of Divine Service, or if any have maliciously stricken with weapon, or drawn weapon in any Church or Church-yard, or if any Fair or Market have been kept in any Church yard, these are Profanations within the purview of several Statutes, and those you are to present; for Holy things, Actions, Times, and Sacred places, are to be preferred in reverence and Divine respect. For contempts of our Church and Service, they are comprehended in that known name, which too many (if it pleased God) bear Recusancy, which offence hath many Branches and Dependencies, the Wife Recusant, she tempts; the Church-Papist, he feeds and relevies; the corrupt Schoolmaster he soweth ta●es, the Dissembler, he conformeth and doth not communicate. Therefore if any person, Man, or Woman, Profanations. Wife, or Sole, above the age of Sixteen years, not having some lawful excuse, have not repaired to Church according to the several Statutes, the one for the Weekly, the other for the Monthly repair, you are to present both the offence, and the time how long; Again, such as maintain, relieve, keep in Service of Livery, Recusants, though themselves be none, you are likewise to present; for these are like the Roots of Nettles, which sting not themselves, but bear and maintain the stinging Leaves: So if any that keepeth a Schoolmaster that comes not to Church, or is not allowed by the Bishop, for that Infection may spread; for so such Recusants as have been convicted and conformed, and have not received the Sacrament once a year, for that is the Touchstone of their true Conversion; and of these offences of Recusants, take you especial regard. Twelve Miles from Court is no region for such Subjects. In the Name of God, why should not Twelve miles about the King's Chair be as free from Papist Recusants, as twelve Miles from the City of Rome, the Pope's Chair is from Protestants. There are Hypocrites and Atheists, and so I fear there be amongst us: But no open contempt of their Religion is endured. If there must be Recusants, it were better they lurked in the Country, then here in the Bosom of the Kingdom. Breach of Unity. For matter of Division and Breach of unity, it is not without a mystery, that Christ's Coat had no Seam, nor no more should the Church, if it were possible. Therefore if any Minister refuse the Book of Common Prayer, or wilfully swearveth in Divine Service, from that Book, or if any person whatsoever do scandalise that Book, or if any person whatsoever, do and speak openly and maliciously in derogation of it, such men do but make a rent in the Garment, and such are by you to be enquired of. But much more, such as are not only differing, but in a sort opposite unto it, by using a superstitious and corrupt form of Divine Service, I mean such as say or hear Mass. These Offences which I have recited to you, are against the Service and Worship of God, there remain two which likewise pertain to the Dishonour of God; the one, is the abuse of his Name, by Perjury; the other is, the adhering to Gods declared Enemies, evil and out-cast spirits by Conjuration and Witchcraft. For Perjury, Perjury. it is hard to say whether it be more odious to God, or pernicious to man; for an Oath, saith the Apostle, is the end of Controversies; if therefore that Boundary of Suits be taken away or mis-set, where shall be the end? Therefore you are to inquire of wilful and corrupt perjury in any of the King's Courts, yea, of the Court Barons and the like, and that as well of the Actors, as of the Procurers and Subborners. For Witchcraft, Conjuration and Witchcraft. by the former Law it was not Death, except it were actual and gross of invocation of evil Spirits, or making Covenant with them, or taking away Life by Witchcraft: But now by an Act in his Majesty's times, 1. jacob. c. 12. Charms and Sorceries in certain cases of procuring of unlawful love or Bodily hurt, and others, are made Felony, the second offence; the first being Imprisonment and Pillory. Supremacy placed with offences of State. And here I do conclude my first part concerning Religion and Ecclesiastical Causes; wherein it may be thought, that I do forget matters of Supremacy, or of Jesuits, and Seminaries, and the like, which are usually sorted with Causes of Religion: But I must have leave to direct myself according to mine own persuasion, which is, that whatsoever hath been said or written on the other side; All the late Statutes which inflict capital punishment upon Extollers of the Pope's Supremacy; Deniers of the King's Supremacy, Jesuits and Seminaries, and other Offenders of that nature, have for their principal scope, not the punishment of the Error of Conscience, but the repressing of the peril of the estate. This is the true Spirit of the Laws, and therefore I will place them under my second Division, which is of Offences which concern the King and his estate, to which now I come. The King and the State. These Offences therefore respect either the Safety of the King's Person, or the Safety of his Estate and Kingdom, which though they cannot be dissevered in deed, yet they may be distinguished in speech. First then, if any have conspired against the life of the King, The King's person. which God have in his custody, or of the Queen's Majesty, or of the most noble Prince their eldest Son; the very compass and very imagination thereof is High Treason, if it can be proved by any fact that is overt; for in the case of so sudden, dark, and pernicious, and peremptory attempts, it were too late for the Law to take a Blow before it gives, and this High Treason of all other is most heinous of which you shall inquire, though I hope there be no cause. There is another capital offence that hath an affinity with this, Privy Councillor. whereof you here within the Verge are most properly to inquire; the King's Privy Council are as the principal Watch over the Safety of the King, so as their Safety is a portion of his; if therefore any of the King's Servants within his Chequer Roll (for to them only the Law extends) have conspired the death of any the Kings Privy Council; this is Felony, and thereof you shall inquire. And since we are now in that Branch of the King's Person. Representation of person. I will speak also of the King's Person by representation and the Treasons which touch the same. The King's Person and Authority is represented in three things, in his Seals, in his Moneys, and in his principal Magistrates; if therefore any have counterfeited, clipped, or scaled his moneys, or other money's currant, this is high Treason; so to kill certain great Officers or Judges, executing their Office. The state. We will pass now to those Treasons, which concern the safety of the King's State, which are of three kinds answering to three perils which may happen to an estate; these perils are Foreign Invasions, open Rebellion, and Sedition, and privy practice, to alienate and estrange the hearts of the Subject, and to prepare them, either to adhear to enemies, or to burst out into tumults, and commotions of themselves. Invasion and Rebellion. Therefore if any person have solicited or procured any invasion from Foreigners, or if any have combined to raise and stir the People to Rebellion within the Realm, these are high Treasons, tending to the overthrow of the State of this Commonwealth, and to be enquired of. Alienation of hearts. The third part of practice hath divers branches, but one principal root in these our times, which is the vast and overspreading ambition and usurpation of the See of Rome; for the Pope of Rome is, according to his last challenge and pretences, become a Competitor and Corival with the King, for the hearts and allienations of the people, and to make them as Fuel ready to take fire upon any of his Commands. This is that yoke which this Kingdom hath happily cast off, even at such time when the Popish Religion was nevertheless continued, and that divers States which are the Pope's Vassals do begin to shake of. If therefore any person have maintained and extolled the usurped authority of the Bishop of Rome, Supremacy, Treason, etc. 5 Eliz. c. 1. jesuits. within the King's Dominions, by writing, preaching, or deed, advisedly, or directly, and maliciously. 3 jac. c. 4. & 5. Or if any person have withdrawn and reconciled any of the King's Subjects from their obedience, or any withdrawn and reconciled themselves; or if any Subject hath refused and second time, to take the Oath of Supremacy lawfully tendered; 28 El. c. 2. or if any Jesuit or Seminary come and abide within this Realm; these are by several Statutes made in cases of Treason, the Law accounting these things as preparatives, and the secret motions of seditions and revolts, these you are to inquire both of the actors, etc. receivers, maintainers, 13 El. c. 2. 23 El. c. 1. and concealers, &c, Traitors, as well as the principal in some cases; some other, in misprissions of Treason, and in some other, Felony; as namely, that of the relieving of Jesuits and Priests; the bringing in and dispersing of Agnus Dei; Agnus Dei. crosses, pictures, or such trash, is likewise praemunire, and so is the Denial to take the Oath of Supremacy the first time. And because in the Disposition of a State to troubles and perturbations, Military. Military men are most tickle and dangerous; therefore if any of the King's Subjects go over to serve in Foreign parts, and do not first endure the Touch, that is, take the Oath; or if he have born office in any Army, and do not enter into bond with Sureties as is prescribed, this is made Felony, and of such you shall inquire. Prophecies Lastly, because the vulgar people are sometimes led with vain and fond Prophecies, if any such shall be published, to the end to move stirs or tumults, this is not Felony, but punished by a years Imprisonment, and loss of goods; and of this also shall you inquire. You shall likewise understand that the escape of any prisoner committed for treason, is treason; whereof you are likewise to inquire. The people capital. Now come I to the third part of my Division, that is, those offences which concern the King's people, and are capital, which nevertheless, the Law terms offences against the Crown, in respect of the Protection that the King hath of His People, and the interest he hath in them and their welfare; for touch them touch the King; these offences are of three natures: The first concerneth the preservation of their lives; the second of honour and honesty of their persons and Families; and the third of their substance. Life. First for life; I must say unto you in general, that Life is grown so cheap in these times, it is set at the price of words, and every petty scorn and disgrace, can have no other reparation, nay so many men's lives are taken away with impunity, that the very life of the Law is almost taken away with the execution; and therefore though we cannot restore the life of those men that are slain, yet I pray let us restore the Law to her life, by proceeding with due severity against the Offenders; and most specially this plot of ground, which is the King's Carpet, ought not to be stained with blood, crying in the Ears of God and the King; it is true nevertheless, that the Law does make divers just differences of Life taken away; but yet no such differences as the wanton humours and braveries of men, have under a reverend name of honour and reputation invented. The highest degree is where such a one is killed, unto whom the Offender did bear Faith and Obedience; as the Servant to the Master, the Wife to the Husband, the Clerk to the Prelate; and I shall ever add, for so I conceive of the Law, the child to to the Father or Mother, and this the Law termeth petty Treason. The second is, where a man is slain upon forethought Malice, which the Law terms Murder, and it is an offence horrible and odious, and cannot be blanched, nor made fair but foul. The third is, where a man is killed upon a sudden heat or affray, whereunto the Law gives some little favour, because a man in fury is not himself, 1. jac. c. 8. Ira furor brevis, wrath is a short madness; and the Wisdom of Law in His Majesty's time hath made a subdivision of the stab given, where the party stabbed is out of defence, and had not given the first Blow, from other Manslaughters. The fourth degree, is that of killing a man in the parties own defence, or by misadventure, which though they be not Felonies, yet nevertheless the Law doth not suffer them to go unpunished; because it doth kindle sparks of a bloody mind in the one, and defence in the other. And the fifth is, where the Law doth admit Fortification, not by Plea, for a man may not (that sheddeth blood) justify the fact with pleading Non-guilty; the case is found by verdict, being disclosed upon the evidence, as where a man in the King's high way and peace is assailed to be murdered or robbed, or when a man defending his house, which is his Castle, against unlawful violence; or when a Sheriff or Minister of Justice, is resisted in the execution of his office; or when the Patient dyeth in the Chirurgeons hands, upon cutting or otherwise, for these cases the Law doth privilege, because of the necessity, and because of the innocency of the intention. Thus much for the death of man, of which cases you are to inquire, together with the accessories before and after the Fact. For the second kind which concerns the honour and chasteness of persons and families; Honesty of Life. you are to inquire of the ravishment of Women, of the taking of Women out of the possession of their Parents or Guardians against their will, or marrying, 1 jac. c. 11. or abusing them, or double marrying, where there was not first seven years' absence, and no notice that the party so absent was alive, and other Felonies against the honesty of life. For the third kind, which concerneth men's substance, you shall inquire of Burglaries, Robberies, Cutting of Purses, and taking of any thing from the person; and generally all other stealths, aswell such as are plain as those that are disguised, whereof I will by and by speak: But first I must require you to use diligence in presenting specially those purloynings and imbezillments, which are of plate, vessels, or whatsoever within the King's house. The King's House is an open place, it ought to be kept safe by Law, and not by Lock, and therefore needeth the more severity. Now for coloured or disguised robberies, 28 E. 1. Articuli super Chartasc. 2.31 El. c. 4.33 H. 6. c. 1.21 H. 8. c. 7. I will name two or three of them; the Purveyor that takes without warrant, two or three of them is no better than a Thief, and it is Felony; the servant that hath the keeping of His Majesty's Goods, and goeth away with them, though he came to the possession of them lawfully, it is Felony. Of these you shall likewise inquire, principal and accessaries; the voluntary escape of a Felon is also Felony. The people not capital. For the last part, which is of Offences concerning the people not capital, there are many. But I select only such as I think fittest to be remembered unto you, still dividing to give you the better light, they are of three Natures. The first, is matter of force and outrage. The second matter of fraud and deceit. The third, Breach and inobservance of certain wholesome, and politic, Laws, for Government. Force. For the first, you shall inquire of Riots and unlawful Assemblies, of forcible entries, and detainets with force; and properly all assaults of striking, drawing weapon or other violence, within the King's house, and the precincts thereof: for the King's house, from whence examples of peace should flow, in the farthest parts of the Kingdom, as the ointment of Aaron's head to the skirts of his garment, aught to be sacred and inviolate from force and brawls, aswell in respect of reverence to the place, as in respect of danger and greater trouble, and of all example to the whole Kingdom; and therefore in that place all should be full of peace, order, regard, forbearance, and silence. Besides open force, there is a kind of force that cometh with an open and armed hand, but disguised, that is, no less hateful and hurtful, and that is, abuse and oppression by authority. And therefore you shall inquire of all Extortions in Officers, and Ministers; as Sheriffs, Bailiffs of hundred, Escheators, Coroners, Constables, Ordinaries, and other; who by colour of Office do pole the people. For frauds and deceits, I do chiefly commend to your care, the frauds and deceits in that which is the chief means of all just contract and permutation, which is, Weights and Measures, wherein, although God hath pronounced, that a false weight is an abomination, yet the abuse is so common and so general, I mean of Weights, and I speak upon knowledge and late examination, that if one were to build a Church, he should need but false Weights, and not seek them far off, the Bills or Piles of Brass to make the Bells, and the Weight of Lead to make the Battlements: And herein you are to make special enquiry, whether the Clerk of the Market within the Verge, to whom properly it appertains, have done his duty. For Nuisances and Grievances, Nusance. I will for the present only single out one, That you present the decays of Highways and Bridges; for where the Majesty of a King's House draws recourse and access, it is both disgraceful to the King, and also diseaseful to the people, if the ways near about be not fair and good; wherein it is strange to see the chargeable Pavement and Cawseys in the entrances of Towns abroad beyond the Seas, whereas London, the second City, at the least, of Europe, in glory, in greatness, and in wealth, cannot be discerned by the fairness of the ways, though a little perhaps by the broadness of them from a Village. Breach of Statutes. For the last part, because I pass these things over briefly, I will make mention to you of three Laws. The one concerning the King's pleasure. The second, concerning the people's food. And the third, concerning Wares and Manufactures. King's Pleasure. You shall therefore inquire of the unlawful taking of Partridges, and Pheasants, or Fowl, the detraction of the Eggs of the said Wildfowl, the kill of Hares or Deer, and the stealing of Venison, or Hares: for that which is for exercise, and sport, and courtesy, should not be turned to Gluttony and Sale Victual. You shall also inquire whether Bakers, Food. and Brewers keep their Assize, and whether aswell they, as Butchers, Inn-holders', and Victuallers, do sell that which is wholesome, and at reasonable prices; and whether they do link and combine to raise prices. Lastly, you shall inquire whether the good Statute be observed, Manufactures. whereby a man may have that he thinketh he hath, and not be abused or misserved in that he buys: I mean, 5 Eliz. c. 4. the Statute that requireth that none use any mannual occupation, but such as have been seven years' Apprentice to it, which Law being generally transgressed, makes the people buy in effect Chaff for Corn, for that which is miswrought will miswear. There be many more things inquireable by you, throughout all the former parts, which it were overlong in particular to recite; you may be supplied either out of your own experience, or out of such Bills and Informations as shall be brought unto you, or upon any question that you shall demand of the Court, which will be ready to give you any further direction, as far as it is fit: But these which I have gone through are the principal points of your charge, which to present, you have taken the Name of GOD to witness; and in the Name of GOD perform it. Dixi. FINIS.