NOTE GC. G. 



to be levied. And, if this were not effected, then the bishop promised, in 

 sacerdotin, to deliver up the recognizance to be cancelled. 1 he recogm/.:imv is 

 sealed accordingly ; and Randolph Davenport rides to the court, ami inmcd 

 the Lord Admiral for his lordship s letter to the Lord Chancelloi herein ; but 

 his lordship denied to meddle in a cause depending in suit. Then the said 

 Randolph Davenport essayed to get the king s letter, but failed therein also : 

 so that the good they intended to Mr. Egerton was not effected ; and yet the 

 bishop, though required, refused to deliver up the said recognizance, until Air. 

 Egertou threatened to complain thereof to the king. 



He showed also, that the commons do purpose, that, if any more of this kind 

 happen to be complained of before them, they will present the same to your 

 lordships ; wherein they shall follow the ancient precedents, which shew that 

 great personages have been accused for the like in parliament. 



They humbly desire, that, forasmuch as this concerns a person of so great 

 eminency, it may not depend long before your lordships ; that the examination 

 of the proofs may be expedited ; and, if he be found guilty, then to be punished ; 

 if not guilty, the accusers to be punished. 



This report ended, the Lord Admiral declared, that he had been twice with 

 the Lord Chancellor, to visit him, being sent to him by the kins;. The first 

 lime, he found his lordship very sick and heavy ; the second time he found 

 him better, and much comforted, for that he heard that the complaint of the 

 grievances of the commons against him were come into this house ; where he 

 assured himself to find honourable justice ; in confidence whereof, his lordship 

 had written a letter to the house. The which letter the Lord Admiral presented 

 to the house, to be read ; the tenor whereof followeth : 



&quot; To the Right Honourable his very good Lords, the Lords Spiritual and 

 Temporal in the Upper House of Parliament assembled. 



&quot; My very good lords, 



&quot; I humbly pray your lordships all to make a favourable and true construc 

 tion of my absence. It is no feigning, nor fainting, but sickness both of my 

 heart and of my back ; though joined with that comfort of mind, that per- 

 swadeth me, that I am not far from heaven, whereof I feel the first fruits. 

 And because, whether 1 live or die, I would be glad to preserve my honour 

 and fame, as far as 1 am worthy, hearing that some complaints of base bribery 

 are come before your lordships, my requests unto your lordships are : first, that 

 you will maintain me in your good opinion, without prejudice, until my cause 

 be heard ; secondly, that, in regard 1 have sequestred my mind at this time, in 

 great part, from worldly matters, thinking of my account and answer in a higher 

 court, your lordships would give me some convenient time, according to the 

 course of other courts, to advise with my counsel, and to make my answer, 

 wherein nevertheless my counsel s part will be the least ; for 1 shall not, by the 

 grace of God, trick up an innocency with cavillations ; but plainly and ingenu 

 ously (as your lordships know my manner is) declare what I know or remem 

 ber ; thirdly, that, according to the course of justice, I may be allowed to 

 except to the witnesses brought against me, and to move questions to your 

 lordships for their cross examination, and likewise to produce my own witnesses 

 for discovery of the truth : and lastly, if there come any more petitions of like 

 nature, thnt your lordships would be pleased not 1o take any prejudice or appre 

 hension of any number or muster of them, especially against a judge that makes 

 two thousand decrees and orders in a year (not to speak of the courses that 

 have been taken for hunting out complaints against me) ; but that I may 

 answer them, according to the rules of justice, severally and respectively. 

 These requests, I hope, appear to your lordships no other than just. And so, 

 thinking myself happy, to have so noble peers and reverend prelates to discern 

 of my cause, and desiring no privilege of greatness for subterfuge of guiltiness ; 

 but meaning (as I said) to deal fairly and plainly with your lordships, and to 

 put myself upon your honours and favours, I pray God to bless your counsels 

 and your persons ; and rest &quot; Your lordships humble servant, 



19th March, 1620 &quot; FR. ST. ALDAN, Cane.&quot; 



