THE SPEECH WHICH WAS USED 

 BY THE LORD KEEPER OF THE GREAT SEAL, 



IN THE STAR-CHAMBER, 



BEFORE THE SUMMER CIRCUITS, THE KING BEING 

 THEN IN SCOTLAND, 1617. 



THE King, by his perfect declaration published in 

 this place concerning judges and justices, hath made 

 the speech of his chancellor, accustomed before the 

 circuits, rather of ceremony than of use. For as in 

 his book to his son he hath set forth a true character 

 and platform of a King ; so in this his speech he 

 hath done the like of a judge and justice : which 

 sheweth, that as his Majesty is excellently able t 

 govern in chief; so he is likewise well seen and 

 skilful in the inferior offices and stages of justice and 

 government ; which is a thing very rare in Kings. 



Yet nevertheless, somewhat must be said to fulfil 

 an old observance ; but yet upon the King s grounds, 

 and very briefly : for, as Solomon saith in another 

 case, &quot; In these things who is he that can come after 

 the King ?&quot; 



First, You that are the judges of circuits are, as 

 it were, the planets of the kingdom, I do you no 

 dishonour in giving you that name, and no doubt 

 you have a great stroke in the frame of this govern 

 ment, as the other have in the great frame of the 



