The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

CHARGES.
THE JUDICIAL CHARGE
OF
SIR FRANCIS BACON, KNIGHT,
THE KING'S SOLICITOR,
UPON THE COMMISSION OF OYER AND TERMINER HELD FOR THE
VERGE OF THE COURT.
"Lex vitiorum emendatrix, virtutum commendatrix est."
You are to know, and consider well the duty word, if you shall not present unto the court all
ind service to which you are called, and where- such offences, as shall appear unto you either by
apon you are by your oath charged. It is the evidence given in, or otherwise, mark what I say,
happy estate and condition of the subject of this of your own knowledge, which have been cornrealm of England, that he is not to be impeached mitted within the verge, which is as it were the
in his life, lands, or goods, by flying rumours, or limits of your survey, but shall smother and conwandering fames and reports, or secret and privy ceal any offence willingly, then the guiltiness of
inquisitions; but by the oath and presentment of others will cleave to your consciences before God;
men of honest condition, in the face of justice. and, besides, you are answerable in some degree
But this happy estate of the subject will turn to to the king and his law for such your default and
hurt and inconvenience, if those that hold that suppression; and therefore take good regard unto
part which you are now to perform shall be neg- it, you are to serve the king and his people, you
ligent and remiss in doing their duty; for as of are to keep and observe your oath, you are to actwo evils it were better men's doings were looked quit yourselves.
into over-strictly and severely, than that there But there is yet more cause why you should
should be a notorious impunity of malefactors; take more special regard to your presentments,
as was well and wisely said of ancient time, ", a than any other grand juries within the counties
man were better live where nothing is lawful, of this kingdom at large: for as it is a nearer dethan where all things are lawful." This, there- gree and approach unto the king, which is the
fore, rests in your care and conscience, forasmuch fountain of justice and government, to be the
as at you justice begins, and the law cannot pur- king's servant, than to be the king's subject; so
sue and chase offenders to their deserved fall, ex- this commission, ordained for the king's servants
cept you first put them up and discover them, and household, ought in the execution of justice
whereby they may be brought to answer; for to be exemplary unto other places. David said,
your verdict is not concluding to condemn, but it who was a king, " The wicked man shall not
is necessary to charge, and without it the court abide in my house;" as taking knowledge that it
cannot proceed to condemn. was impossible for kings to extend their care, to
Considering, therefore, that ye are the eye of banish wickedness over all their land or empire;
justice, ye ought to be single, without partial af- but yet at least they ought to undertake to God
fection; watchful, not asleep, or false asleep in for their house.
winking at offenders, and sharp-cighted to pro- We see further, that the law doth so esteem
ceed with understanding and discretion: for, in a the dignity of the king's settled mansion-houso
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