252 SPEECH ON TAKING 



of fines, or exemplary punishment in the star-chamber, 

 or some other natures ; I shall by the grace of God 

 stay them until his Majesty, who is the fountain of 

 grace, may resolve between God and him, how far 

 grace shall abound or super-abound. 



And if it be of persons attainted and convicted of 

 robbery, burglary, etc. then will I examine whether 

 the pardons passed the hand of any justice of assize, 

 or other commissioners, before whom the trial was 

 made ; and if not, I think it my duty also to stay them. 

 And your lordships see in this matter of the seal, 

 and his Majesty s royal commandment concerning the 

 same, I mean to walk in the light ; so that men may 

 know where to find me : and this publishing thereof 

 plainly, I hope, will save the king from a great deal 

 of abuse, arid me from a great deal of envy ; when 

 men shall see that no particular turn or end leads 

 me, but a general rule. 



For the third general head of his Majesty s pre 

 cepts concerning speedy justice, it rests much upon 

 myself, and much upon others : yet so, as my pro 

 curation may give some remedy and order to it. For 

 myself, I am resolved that my decree shall come 

 speedily, if not instantly, after the hearing, and my 

 signed decree speedily upon my decree pronounced. 

 For it hath been a manner much used of late in my 

 last lord s time, of whom I learn much to imitate, 

 and somewhat to avoid; that upon the solemn and 

 full hearing of a cause no thing is pronounced in court, 

 but breviates are required to be made ; which I do 

 not dislike in itself in causes perplexed. For I con- 



