State Trials, Political and Social. Volume 1 (of 2)
History
State Trials, Political and Social. Volume 1 (of 2)
Trials -- Great Britain
LORD PRESIDENT--Sir, you have been already answered to what you
even now moved, being the same you moved before, since the
Resolution and the Judgment of the Court in it; and the Court
now requires to know whether you have any more to say for
yourself than you have said, before they proceed to Sentence?
KING--I say this, Sir, That if you will hear me, if you will
give but this Delay, I doubt not but I shall give some
satisfaction to you all here, and to my People after that; and
therefore I do require you, as you will answer it at the
dreadful Day of Judgment, that you will consider it once again.
LORD PRESIDENT--Sir, I have received direction from the Court.
KING--Well, Sir.
LORD PRESIDENT--If this must be re-enforced, or any thing of
this nature, your Answer must be the same; and they will
proceed to Sentence, if you have nothing more to say.
KING--Sir, I have nothing more to say, but I shall desire, that
this may be entered what I have said.
LORD PRESIDENT--The Court then, Sir, hath something else to say
to you; which, although I know it will be very unacceptable, yet
notwithstanding they are willing, and are resolved to discharge
their duty. Sir, You speak very well of a precious thing, which
you call Peace; and it had been much to be wished that God had
put it into your heart, that you had as effectually and really
endeavoured and studied the Peace of the kingdom, as now in
words you seem to pretend; but, as you were told the other day,
actions must expound intentions; yet actions have been clean
contrary. And truly, Sir, it doth appear plainly enough to them,
that you have gone upon very erroneous principles: The kingdom
hath felt it to their smart; and it will be no case to you to
think of it; for, Sir, you have held yourself, and let fall such
language, as if you had been no way subject to the Law, or that
the law had not been your superior. Sir, the Court is very
sensible of it, and I hope so are all the understanding people
of England, that the law is your superior; that you ought to
have ruled according to the law; you ought to have so. Sir, I
know very well your pretence hath been that you have done so;
but, Sir, the difference hath been who shall be the expositors
of this law: Sir, whether you and your party, out of courts of
justice, shall take upon them to expound law, or the courts of
justice, who are the expounders? Nay, the Sovereign and the High
Court of Justice, the Parliament of England, that are not only
the highest expounders, but the sole makers of the law? Sir, for
you to set yourself with your single judgment, and those that
adhere unto you, to set yourself against the highest Court of
Justice, that is not law. Sir, as the Law is your Superior, so
truly, Sir, there is something that is superior to the Law, and
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