OF THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. 327 



much goodness and majesty. Now, whether my merits 

 have been considerable, I beg leave here to set down 

 not as a trumpet to proclaim them, but narrative-wise, 

 modestly, yet truly, for your Lordships better informa 

 tion, accusing myself in some things with the same 

 candour and freedom as to vindicate myself, in others, 

 desiring to stand or fall by your Lordships just judg 

 ment, and his Majesty s gracious proceeding thereon ; 

 no further relying even upon his Majesty s most gracious 

 act of general pardon, than in compliance with others, 

 his Majesty s subjects, have taken it out, yet with so 

 great a reluctance, through the clearness of my heart, 

 not to have deserved for it, that the Lord upon the 

 Woolsack was forced to chide me to it, through his 

 tenderness of my good, and, as I humbly conceive, a 

 further apprehension than I could have of a necessity 

 thereof; for which his tender care I acknowledge 

 thankfulness, yet, at the same time, I must humbly ask 

 leave to stand upon my justification, humbly praying 

 to be rightly understood, for I do it not out of pride or 

 vain glory, but purely Me defendendo, and if any body 

 Se defendendo, kills another, the law quits him, much 

 more will your Lordships pronounce me not guilty of 

 arrogance, though I should arrogate to myself a praise 

 worthy desert, and not, through too much modesty, be 

 mealy-mouthed, and not discover what of right apper 

 tains to the blessed memory of my dead father, and 

 even my own commendations, crying with Virgil, - 

 Sic vos non vobis nidificatis aves ; sic vos non vobis vel~ 

 lera fertis oves ; sic vos non vobis fertis aratra loves ; 

 sic vos non vobis mellificatis apes. Know, then, my 

 noble Lords, that herein I speak not to derogate from 

 the merit of the Eoman Catholics from their duty and 

 love to their Sovereign, we having all of us, with an 

 unanimous resolution, nemine contra dice nte^ that is 



