President. And this that you have said, is a further declining of the Jurisdiction of this Court, which was the thing wherein you were limited before.
King. Pray excuse me, Sir, for my interruption, because you mistake me. It is not a declining of it; you do judg me before you hear me speak. I say it will not, I do not decline it: tho I cannot acknowledg the Jurisdiction of the Court, yet, Sir. in this give me leave to say I would do it, tho I did not acknowledg it In this I do protest, it is not the declining of it, since I say, if that I do say any thing but that that is for the Peace of the Kingdom and Liberty of the Subject, then the Shame is mine. Now I desire that you will take this into your consideration: if you will I will withdraw.
President. Sir, this is not altogether new that you have moved to us, not altogether new to us, tho the first time in Person you have offered it to the Court. Sir, you say you do not decline the Jurisdiction of the Court.
King. Not in this that I have said.
President. I understand you well, Sir; but nevertheless that which you have offered, seems to be contrary to that Saying of yours, for the Court are ready to give a Sentence. It is not, as you say, That they will not hear the King, for they have been ready to hear you; they have patiently waited your Pleasure for three Courts together to hear what you would say to the Peoples Charge against you: To which you have not vouchsafed to give any Answer at all. Sir, this tends to a further delay. Truly Sir, such delays as these, neither may the Kingdom nor Justice well bear. You have had three several days to have offered in this kind what you would have pleased. This Court is founded upon that Authority of the Commons of England, in whom rests the Supreme Jurisdiction. That which you now tender, is to have another Jurisdiction, and a co-ordinate Jurisdiction. I know very well you express your self, Sir, that notwithstanding that you would offer to the Lords and Commons in the Painted Chamber, yet nevertheless you would proceed on here; I did hear you say so. But, Sir, that you would offer there, whatever it is, must needs be in delay of the Justice here; so that if this Court be resolved and prepared for the Sentence, this that you offer, they are not bound to grant. But, Sir, according to that you seem to desire, and because you shall know the further pleasure of the Court upon that which you have moved, the Court will withdraw for a time.
This he did to prevent disturbance.
King. Shall I withdraw?
President. Sir, you shall know the pleasure of the Court presently.
The Court withdraws for half an hour into the Court of Wards.
Serjeant at Arms. The Court gives command that the Prisoner be withdrawn; and they give order for his return again.