CONFERENCE WITH JAMES. CCCxlv 



which he says, &quot; The law of nature teaches me to speak in 

 my own defence. With respect to this charge of bribery, 

 I am as innocent as any born upon St. Innocent s day : I 



hands, that, as I wrote to him, I am as clay in his hands, his majesty may 

 make a vessel of honour or dishonour of me, as I find favour in his eyes 

 and that I submit myself wholly to his grace and mercy, and to be governed 

 both in my cause and fortunes by his direction, knowing that his heart is 

 inscrutable for good. Only I may express myself thus far, that my desire 

 is, that the thread, or line, or my life, may be no longer than the thread or 

 line of my service : I mean that I may be of use to your majesty in one 

 kind or other. 



Now for any further speech, I would humbly pray his majesty, that what 

 soever the law of nature shall teach me to speak for my own preservation, 

 your majesty will understand it to be in such sort, as I do nevertheless 

 depend wholly upon your will and pleasure. And under this submission, 

 if your majesty will graciously give me the hearing, I will open my heart 

 unto you, both touching my fault and fortune. 



For the former of these, I shall deal ingenuously with your majesty, 

 without seeking fig-leaves or subterfuges. 



There be three degrees or cases, as I conceive, of gifts and rewards given 

 to a judge. 



The first is of bargain, contract, or promise of reward, pendente lite. 

 And this is properly called venalis sententia, or baratria, or corrupted 

 munerum. And of this my heart tells me I am innocent ; that I had no 

 bribe or reward in my eye or thought when I pronounced any sentence or 

 order. 



The second is a neglect in the judge to inform himself whether the cause 

 be fully at an end, or no, what time he receives the gift ; but takes it upon 

 the credit of the party that all is done, or otherwise omits to inquire. 



And the third is, when it is received sine fraude, after the cause ended, 

 which it seems by the opinion of the civilians is no offence. Look into 

 the case of simony, &c. 



Draught of another paper to the same purpose. 



There be three degrees or cases of bribery charged or supposed in a 

 judge. 



The first, of bargain or contract, for reward to pervert justice. 



The second, where the judge conceives the cause to be at an end, by the 

 information of the party, or otherwise, and useth not such diligence as he 

 ought to inquire of it. And the third, when the case is really ended, and 

 it is sine fraude, without relation to any precedent promise. 



