State Trials, Political and Social. Volume 1 (of 2)
History
State Trials, Political and Social. Volume 1 (of 2)
Trials -- Great Britain
LORD CHIEF-BARON--Gentlemen, this humming is not at all becoming
the gravity of this Court. Let there be free speaking by the
prisoner and the Court Counsel. It is more fitting for a
stage-play than for a Court of Justice.
HARRISON--It is now time, my Lords, to offer what I have to say.
Have these learned gentlemen offered what they have to say?
COUNSEL--We have no more till he hath given us occasion, not for
evidence of the fact.
HARRISON--My lords, the matter that hath been offered to you, as
it was touched, was not a thing done in a corner. I believe the
sound of it hath been in most nations. I believe the hearts of
some have felt the terrors of that presence of God that was with
his servants in those days (however it seemeth good to him to
suffer this turn to come on us) and are witnesses that the
things were not done in a corner. I have desired, as in the
sight of him that searcheth all hearts, whilst this hath been
done, to wait, and receive from him convictions upon my own
conscience, though I have sought it with tears many a time, and
prayers over and over, to that God to whom you and all nations
are less than a drop of water in the bucket; and to this moment
I have received rather assurance of it, and that the things that
have been done as astonishing on the one hand, I do believe ere
it be long it will be made known from Heaven, there was more
from God than men are aware of. I do profess that I would not
offer of myself the least injury to the poorest man or woman
that goes upon the earth. That I have humbly to offer is this,
to your Lordships; you know what a contest hath been in these
nations for many years. Divers of those that sit upon the bench
were formerly as active----[38]
COURT--Pray, Mr. Harrison, do not thus reflect on the Court.
This is not the business.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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