A RECANTATION of judge JENKINS, A Reverend and learned Father of the laws, delivered at Westminster the 10. of April 1647. to Mr. Corbet the chairman of the Committee of Examinaton, with his name subscribed thereunto. Wherein he humbly submitteth himself to the power assumed by the two Houses of Parliament, in opposition to the King's Authority; together with a vindication of the Negative Oath imposed by the power and Authority of the two Houses.  
Published for the satisfaction of tender consciences, who pretend the unlawfulness of taking the said negative Oath.  
Gentlemen,  
I Stand committed by the House of Commons for high Treason, for not acknowledging, nor obeying the power of the two Houses by adhering to the King in this war: I deny this to be Treason: For the supreme and only power by the laws of the Land is the King, if I should submit to an Examination derived from your power, which by the negative Oath stands in opposition to the King's power, I should confess the supreme power to be in you, and so condemn myself for a traitor, which I neither ought nor will do.  
I am sworn to obey the King, and the laws of the Land, by which laws you have no power to examine me, without the King's Writ, patent, or Commission, if you can produce any of these, I will answer the questions you shall propound, otherwise I cannot answer, without the breach of my Oath, and the violation of the laws, which I will not do to save my life.  
All the Members of this Parliament have, or aught to have sworn that the King is our only and supreme governor; your Protestations, your vows & Covenant, your declarations all of them published to the Kingdom, that your scope was the maintenance of the laws: those laws must be derived to us, and inlivened by the only supreme governor, the fountain of Justice, and life of the Law, the King.  
Parliaments are called by his writs, the Judges sit by his patent, so of all other Officers: All Cities and Corporate towns, are Governed by the King's Charters, therefore I cannot be examined by you, unless your power were derived from his Majesty, neither will I: Nor ought you to examine me upon any question: But if as private Gentlemen you shall be pleased to ask me any question, I shall really and truly answer every such question as you shall demand.  
April the 10. Anno. 1647. Vos habetis multos Milites: ego habetos multos Annos; id Est. You have multitudes of Soldiers, and I ●ave many years. DAVID jenkin's: Prisoner in the Tower of London.