LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 37 



earth, I am persuaded hath been a great cause, that such a 

 sickness hath been portable to such an age, I did not fail 

 in my conjecture th.it this business of the chancery hath 

 stirred him. Hesheweth to despise it, but yet he is full of 

 it, arid aimost like a young duellist that fiodeth himself 

 behind hand. 



I will now (as your majesty requireth) give yon a true 

 relation of that which passed ; neither will I decline your 

 royal commandment, for delivering my opinion also; though 

 it be a tender subject to write on. But I that account my 

 being but an accident to my sen ice, will neglect no duty 

 upon self-safety. First, it is necessary I let your majesty 

 know the ground of the difference between the two courts, 

 that your majesty may the better understand the narrative. 

 27 E 3 ^ nere was a statute made 27 Ed. 3. Cap. 1. which 

 P (no doubt) in the principal intention thereof, was 



ordained against those that sued to Rome, wherein 

 there are words somewhat general, against any that ques- 

 tioneth or impeacheth any judgment given in the king s 

 courts, m any other courts. Upon these doubtful words 

 (other courts) the controversy groweth; for the sounder 

 interpretation taketh them to be meant of those courts 

 which though locally they were not held at Rome, or where 

 the pope s chair was, but here w T ithin the realm, yet in their 

 jurisdiction had their dependency upon the court of Rome; 

 as were the court of the legate here, and the courts of the 

 archbishops and bishops, which were then but subordinate 

 judgment seats, to that high tribunal of Rome. 



And for this construction, the opposition of the words, 

 (if they be well observed) between the king s courts and 

 other courts, maketh very much ; for it importeth as if 

 those other courts were not the king s courts. Also the 

 main scope of the statute fortifieth the same; and lastly, 

 the practice of many a^es. The other interpretation (which 

 cleaveth to the letter, expoundeth the king s courts to be 



