Cabala, mysteries of state,: in letters of the great ministers of K. James and K. Charles. Wherein much of the publique manage of affaires is related. / Faithfully collected by a noble hand.

The Lo. Chancelour Bacon to the Lords.

If it may please your Lordships,

I shall humbly crave at your Lordships hands a benigne interpreta∣tion of that which I shall now write; for words that come from wasted spirits, and an oppressed mind, are more safe in being deposi∣ted in a noble Construction, then in being Circled with any reser∣ved Caution. Having made this as a protection to all, which I shall say, I will go on, but with a very strange entrance (as may seem to your Lordships at the first) for in the midst of a state of as great affliction, as I think a mortal man can endure, (honour being above life) I shall begin with the professing gladnesse in some things.

The first is, that hereafter the greatnesse of a Judge or Magistrates, shall be no Sanctuary, or protection to him against guiltinesse, which in few words is the beginning of a golden world.

The next, that after this example, it is like that Judges will flie from any thing in the likenesse of Corruption (though it were at a great distance) as from a Serpent, which tendeth to the purging of the Courts of Justice, and reducing them to their true honour and splendour. And in these two points God is my witnesse (though it be my fortune to be the anvile upon which these good effects are beaten and wrought) I take no small comfort. But to passe from the motions of my heart, whereof God is onely Judge, to the merits of my Cause, whereof your Lordships are onely Judges, under God, and his Lievtenant; I do understand, there hath been expected from me heretofore some justification, and therefore I have chosen one onely justification instead of all others, out of the justification of Job, for after the clear submission and Confession, which I shall now make unto your Lordships, I hope I may say, and justifie with Job in these words, I have not hid my sin as did Adam, nor concealed my faults in my bosome. This is the only justification I will use. It resteth there∣fore

that without fig-leaves, I do ingenuously confesse and acknow∣ledge, that having understood the particulars of the charge, not formally from the house, but enough to inform my Conscience and memory, I find matter both sufficient and full, to move me to desert the defence, and to move your Lordships to condemn and censure me. Neither will I trouble your Lordships by singling out particu∣lars, which I think may fall off. Quid te exempta juvat spinis de millibus una? Neither will I prompt your Lordships to observe upon the proofes, where they come not home, or the scruples touching the Credit of the Witnesses: Neither will I present unto your Lordships, how far a defence might in divers things extenuate the offence, in respect of the time, or manner of the gift, or the like circumstan∣ces, but onely leave these things to spring out of your own noble thoughts, and observations of the evidence, and examinations them∣selves, and charitably to wind about the particulars of the charge here and there, as God shall put in your minds, and so submit my self wholly to your piety and grace.

And now that I have spoken to your Lordships, as Judges, I shall say a few words unto you, as Peers, and Prelates, humbly commend∣ing my Cause to your noble Minds, and magnanimous affections.

Your Lordships are not onely Judges, but Parliamentary Judges, you have a farther extent of arbitrary power, then other Courts: and if you be not tied to the ordinary course of Courts, or presidents, in point of strictnesse and severity, much more in points of mercy and mitigation. And yet if any thing I should move might be contrary to your honourable and worthy ends to introduce a reformation, I should not seek it. But herein I beseech your Lordships to give me leave to tell you a story. Titus Manlius took his sons life for giving battail against the prohibition of his General. Not many years after the like severity was pursued by Papirius Cursor the Di∣ctator against Quintus Maximus, who being upon the point to be sentenced, was by the intercession of some principal persons of the Senate spared; whereupon Livie maketh this grave and gracious observation, Neque minus firmata est disciplina militaris periculo Quinti Maximi, quam mirabili supplicio Titi Manlii, The discipline of War was no lesse established by the questioning onely of Quintus Ma∣ximus, then by the punishment of Titus Manlius. And the same reason is of the reformation of Justice; for the questioning of men of eminent place hath the same terrour, though not the same rigour with the punishment. But my Case stayeth not there, for my hum∣ble desire is, that his Majestie would take the Seal into his hands,

which is a great downfal, and may serve I hope in it self for an ex∣piation of my faults.

Therefore if mercy and mitigation be in your Lordships power, and do no wayes crosse your ends, why should I not hope of your favours and Commiserations? Your Lordships may be pleased to behold your chief Pattern the King our Soveraign, a King of in∣comparable Clemencie, and whose heart is instructable for wisdom and goodnesse. You well remember, that there sate not these hundred years before in your House a Prince (and never such a Prince) whose presence deserveth to be made memorable by records, and acts, mixt of mercy and justice. Your selves are either Nobles (and Compassion ever beateth in the veins of noble bloud,) or Reve∣rend Prelates, who are the servants of him, that would not break the bruised reed, nor quench smoaking flaxe.

You all sit upon a high Stage, and therefore cannot but be more fensible of the changes of humane Condition, and of the fall of any from high places. Neither will your Lordships forget that there are vitia tomporis, as well as vitia hominis, and that the beginning of reformation, hath a contrary power to the pool of Bethesda; for that had strength onely to cure him, that was first cast in, and this hath strength to hurt him onely, that is first Cast in; and for my part, I wish it may stay there, and go no further.

Lastly, I assure my self, your Lordships have a noble feeling of me, as a member of your own body; and one, that in this very Session, had some taste of your loving affection, which I hope was not a lightning before the death of them, but rather a spark of that grace which now in the Conclusion will more appear. And therefore my humble suit to your Lordships is, that my voluntary Confession be my sentence, and the losse of the Seal my punishment, and that your Lordships will spare any farther sentence, but recommend me to his Majesties grace and pardon for all that is past. And so, &c.

Your Lordships, &c. Francis St. Alban Can.