HIS PLACE IN CHANCERY. 251 



to examine whether it hath passed by the learned 

 counsel and had their docket ; which is that his 

 majesty reads, and leads him. And if I find it other 

 wise, although the matter were not in itself inconve 

 nient, yet I hold it a just cause of stay, for precedent s 

 sake, to keep men in the right way. 



Thirdly, if it be a grant which I conceive, out of 

 my little knowledge, to be against the law ; of which 

 nature Theodosius was wont to say, when he was 

 pressed, &quot; I spake it, or I wrote it, but I granted it 

 not if it be unjust :&quot; I will call the learned counsel 

 to it, as well him that drew the book as the rest, or 

 some of them : and if we find cause, I will inform his 

 majesty of our opinion, either by myself or some of 

 them. And as for the judges, they are judges of 

 grants past, but not of grants to come, except the 

 king call them. 



Fourthly, if-the grants be against the king s public 

 book of bounty, I am expressly commanded to stay 

 them until the king either revise his book in general, 

 or give direction in particular. 



Fifthly, if, as a counsellor of estate, I do foresee 

 inconvenience to ensue by the grant in reason of 

 estate, in respect of the king s honour, or discontent, 

 and murmur of the people ; I will not trust mine own 

 judgment, but I will either acquaint his majesty with 

 it, or the council table, or some such of my lords as 

 I shall think fit. 



Lastly, for matter of pardons ; if it be for treason, 

 misprision, murder^ either expressed or involute, by 

 a &quot; non-obstante ;&quot; or of piracy, or of &quot; prasmunire,&quot; or 



