COMMENDAMS. 323 



present case mentioned in this letter. What infor 

 mation hath been made unto you, whereupon Mr. 

 Attorney doth ground his letter, from the report of 

 the bishop of Winton, we know not ; this we know, 

 that the true substance of the cause summarily is 

 thus ; it consisteth principally upon the construction 

 of two acts of parliament, the one of the twenty-fifth 

 year of King Edward III. and the other of the twenty- 

 fifth year of King Henry VIII. whereof your majesty s 

 judges upon their oaths, and according to their best 

 knowledge and learning, are bound to deliver their 

 true understanding faithfully and uprightly ; and 

 the case between two for private interest and inheri 

 tance earnestly called on for justice and expedition. 

 We hold it our duty to inform your majesty, that our 

 oath is in these express words : That in case any let 

 ters come unto us contrary to law, that we do nothing 

 by such letters but certify your majesty thereof, and 

 go forth to do the law, notwithstanding the same 

 letters. We have advisedly considered of the said 

 letter of Mr. Attorney, and with one consent do hold 

 the same to be contrary to law, and such as we could 

 not yield to the same by our oath, assuredly per 

 suading ourselves that your majesty being truly in 

 formed, that it standeth not with your royal and just 

 pleasure to give way to them : and knowing your 

 majesty s zeal to justice to be most renowned, there- 

 fore we have, according to our oaths and duties, at 

 the very day prefixed the last term, proceeded, and 

 thereof certified your majesty ; and shall ever pray 



