148 CHAllGE AGAINST MR. OLIVER ST. JOHN. 



the universities, were never more in flower nor 



fruit. 



For the maintaining of the laws, which is the 

 hedge and fence about the liberty of the subject, I 

 may truly affirm it was never in better repair. He 

 doth concur with the votes of the nobles ; &quot; Nolu- 

 &quot; mus leges Anglias mutare.&quot; He is an enemy of 

 innovation. Neither doth the universality of his own 

 knowledge carry him to neglect or pass over the very 

 forms of the laws of the land. Neither was there 

 ever king, I am persuaded, that did consult so oft 

 with his judges, as my lords that sit here know well. 

 The judges are a kind of council -of the king s by 

 oath and ancient institution ; but he useth them so 

 indeed : he confers regularly with them upon their 

 returns from their visitations and circuits : he gives 

 them liberty, both to inform him, and to debate 

 matters with him ; and in the fall and conclusion 

 commonly relies on their opinions. 



As for the use of the prerogative, it runs with 

 in the ancient channels and banks : some things 

 that were conceived to be in some proclamations, 

 commissions, and patents, as overflows, have been 

 by his wisdom and care reduced ; whereby, no doubt, 

 the main channel of his prerogative is so much the 

 stronger. For evermore overflows do hurt the 

 channel. 



As for administration of justice between party 

 and party, I pray observe these points. There is no 

 news of great seal or signet that flies abroad for 

 countenance or delay of causes ; protections rarely 



