A REPORT OF THE SPANISH GRIEVANCES. 219 



with both eyes shut, and both ears open ; because 

 she should hear both sides, and respect neither. So 

 that if we should hap to give a right judgment, it 

 might be &quot; justum,&quot; but not &quot;juste,&quot; without hearing 

 both parties. 



For the point of derogation, his lordship said, he 

 knew well we were no less ready to acknowledge 

 than himself, that the crown of England was ever 

 invested, amongst other prerogatives not disputable, 

 of an absolute determination and power of concluding 

 and making war and peace : which that it was no 

 new dotation, but of an ancient foundation in the 

 crown, he would recite unto us a number of prece 

 dents in the reigns of several kings, and chiefly of 

 those kings which come nearest his majesty s own 

 worthiness ; wherein he said, that he would not put 

 his credit upon cyphers and dates ; because it was 

 easy to mistake the year of a reign, or number of a 

 roll, but he would avouch them in substance to be 

 perfect and true, as they are taken out of the records. 

 By which precedents it will appear, that petitions 

 made in parliament to kings of this realm, his 

 majesty s progenitors, intermeddling with matter of 

 war or peace, or inducement thereunto, received 

 small allowance or success, but were always put 

 off with dilatory answers ; sometimes referring the 

 matter to their council, sometimes to their letters, 

 sometimes to their farther pleasure and advice, and 

 such other forms ; expressing plainly, that the kings 

 meant to reserve matter of that nature entirely to 

 their own power and pleasure. 



