England; I was interrupted. I desire to know yet whether I may speak
freely or not? L.P. Sir, You have had the resolution of the Court up
on the like question the last day, and you were told, that having such
a charge of so high a nature against you, and your work was, that you
ought to acknowledge the Jurisdiction of this Court, and to answer
to your Charge.
King. For the Charge I value it not a rush, it is the liberty of the
people of England that I stand for, for mee to acknowledge a new
Court I never heard of before, I that am your King, that should be an
example to all the people of England for to uphold Justice to maintain
the old Laws, indeed I do not know how to doe it; you spoke
very well the best day that I came here, of the obligations that I had
laid upon me by God, to the maintenance of the liberties of my people:
the same Obligation that you spake of, I doe acknowledge to
God that] owe to him, and to my people, to defend as much as in me
lies the ancient Laws of the Kingdom; therefore, untill I may know
that this is not against the fundamentall laws of the Kingdom, by your
favour, I can put in no particular Answer, if you will give me time, I
will shew you my reasons why I cannot do it, and thus ...
Here being interrupted, he said, By your favour, you ought not to
interrupt me: how I came here I know not there is no Law for it to
make your King your prisoner: I was in a Treaty upon the publike
Faith of the Kingdom, that was the known _____ two House of
Parl. that was the Representative of the Kingdome, and when that I
had almost made an end of the Treaty, then I was hurried away, and
brought hither, and therefore ______
Here the Lord president said, Sir, you must know the pleasure
of the Court.
King. By your favour sir:
L, President. Nay sir, by your favour, you may not be permitted to
fall into these discourses: you appear as a Delinquent, you have not
acknowledged the Authority of the Court, the Court craves it not
of you but once more they command you to give you positive Answer. _______
Clarke. Do your Duty.
King. Duty sir!
The Clerk reads a paper, requiring the King to give a positive
and sinall Answer by wa yof confession, or deniall of the Charge.