96 JUDICIAL CHARGE UPON THE 



terms offences against the crown, in respect of the 

 protection that the king hath of his people, and the 

 interest he hath in them and their welfare ; for touch 

 them, touch the king. These offences are of three 

 natures : the first concerneth the conservation of 

 their lives ; the second, of honour and honesty of 

 their persons and families ; and the third, of their 

 substance. 



First for life. I must say unto you in general, 

 that life is grown too cheap in these times, it is set 

 at the price of words, and every petty scorn and 

 disgrace can have no other reparation ; nay so 

 many men s lives are taken away with impunity, 

 that the very life of the law is almost taken 

 away, which is the execution ; and therefore though 

 we cannot restore the life of those men that are 

 slain, yet I pray let us restore the law to her life, by 

 proceeding with due severity against the offenders ; 

 and most especially this plot of ground, which, as I 

 said, is the king s carpet, ought not to be stained 

 with blood, crying in the ears of God and the king. 

 It is true nevertheless, that the law doth make 

 divers just differences of life taken away ; but yet no 

 such differences as the wanton humours and braveries 

 of men have under a reverend name of honour and 

 reputation invented. 



The highest degree is where such a one is killed, 

 unto whom the offender did bear faith and obe 

 dience ; as the servant to the master, the wife to the 

 husband, the clerk to the prelate ; and I shall ever 



