unlawfull Authorities in the world, Theeves and Robbers by that
high ways; but I would know by what Authority I was brough
from thence, and carryed from place to place, and I know not what?
and when I know what lawfull Authority, I shall answer, Remember
I am your King, your lawfull King, and what sins you bring upon
your heads, and the judgement of God upon this Land, think well upon
it, I say think well upon it, before you goe further from one sin to
a greater, therefore let me know by what lawfull Authority I am seated
here, and I shall not be unwilling to answer; in the mean time I
shall not betray my Trust; I have a Trust committed to me by God,
by old and lawfull descent, I will not betray it to answer to a new unlawfull
Authority, therefore resolve me that, and you shall heare more
of me.
Lord President. If you had been pleased to have observed what
was hinted to you, by the Court, at your first comming hither, you
would have known by what Authority; which Authority requires you
in the name of the people of England, of which you are Elected King,
to answer them.
Lord President I did at the last Court in the behalfe of the Commons
of England, exhibit and give into this Court a Charge of high
Treason; and other high Crimes against the Prisoner at the Barre,
where of I doe accuse him in the name of the People of England, and
the Charge was read unto him, and his Answer required, My Lord,
Hee was not then pleased to give and Answer. but instead of answering
did there dispute the Authority of this high Court. My humble Motion
to this high Court in behalf of the Kingdome of England is,
That the Prisoner may be directed to make a positive Answer, either
by way of Confession, or Negation; which if hee shall refuse to doe,
That the matter of Charge may be taken proconfesse, and the Court
may proceed according to justice.
The King. When I was here laste *tis very true, I made that question,
and truly if it were onely my owne particular ease, I would have
satisfied my self with the Protestation I made the last time I was here
against the legality of this Court, and that a King cannot be tryed by
any Superiour Jurisdiction on Earth: but it is not my case alone, it is
the freedome and the liberty of the People of England, and doe you
pretend what you will, I stand more for their Liberties.