28 WARDS AND TENURES. 



science ; because we know we are not capable to dis 

 cern of them otherwise, than as men use sometimes 

 to see the image of the sun in a pail of water. But 

 this we say for ourselves, God forbid that we, know 

 ingly, should have propounded any thing, that might 

 in our sense and persuasion touch either or both ; 

 and therefore herein we desire to be heard, not to 

 inform or persuade his majesty, but to free and ex 

 cuse ourselves. 



And first, in general, we acknowledge, that this 

 tree of tenures was planted into the prerogative by 

 the ancient common law of this land : that it hath 

 been fenced in and preserved by many statutes, and 

 that it yieldeth at this day to the king the fruit of a 

 great revenue. But yet, notwithstanding, if upon 

 the stem of this tree may be raised a pillar of sup 

 port to the crown permanent and durable as the 

 marble, by investing the crown with a more ample, 

 more certain, and more loving dowry, than this pf 

 tenures ; we hope we propound no matter of dis 

 service. 



But to speak distinctly of both, and first of ho 

 nour : wherein I pray your lordships, give me leave, 

 in a subject that may seern &quot; supra nos,&quot; to handle 

 it rather as we are capable, than as the matter per 

 haps may require. Your lordships well know the 

 various mixture and composition of our house. We 

 have in our house learned civilians that profess a law, 

 that we reverence and sometimes consult with : they 

 can tell us, that all the laws &quot; de feodis&quot; are but ad- 

 ditionals to the ancient civil law ; and that the Ro- 



