The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 25
one, as I can never deserve the other. And so, his lieutenant, I do understand, there hath been
in all humbleness kissing your majesty's sacred expected from me, heretofore, some justification,
hands, I remain -- and therefore I have chosen one only 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,
SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE EARL OF SALISBURY, I hope I may say, and justify with Job, in these
UPON SENDING HIM ONE OF IlIS BOOKS OF AD- words, 1" I have not hid my sin, as did Adam, nor
VANCEMAENT OF LEARNING. concealed my faults in my bosom." This is the
Iv MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP, only justification I will use: it resteth, therefore,
I present your lordship with a work of my that, without fig-leaves, I do ingenuously confess
vacant time, which if it had been more, the work and acknowledge, that having understood the
had been better. It appertaineth to your lordship particulars of the charge, not formally from the
had been better. It appertaineth to -your lordship
(besides my particular respects) in some propriety, -ouse, but enough to inform my conscience and
in regard you are a great governor in a province memory, I find matter both sufficient and full, to
of learning, and (that which is more) you have move me to desert the defence, and to move your
added to your place affection towards learning, lordships to condemn and censure me. Neither
and to your affection judgment, of which the last will I trouble your lordships by singling out partiI could be content were (for the time) less, that culars, which I think may fall off: 6 "Quid te exyou might the less exquisitely censure that which empta juvat spinis do millibus una'" Neither
I offer to you. But sure I am, the argument is will I prompt your lordships to observe upon the
good, if it had lighted upon a good author; but I proofs, where they come not home, or the scruples
shall content myself to awake better spirits, like touching the credit of the witnesses: Neither
a bellringer which is first up, to call others to will I present unto your lordships, how far a
church. So, with my humble desire of your defence might in divers things extenuate the
lordship's good acceptation, I remain of- fence, in respect of the time, or manner of the
gift, or the like circumstances; but only leave
these things to spring out of your own noble
thoughts, and observations of the evidence, and
THE LORD CHANCELLOR BACON TO THE LORDS. examinations themselves, and charitably to wind
about the particulars of the charge here and there,
IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LoRDSHIPS, as God shall put in your minds; and so submit
I shall humbly crave at your lordships' hands myself wholly to your piety and grace.
a benign interpretation of that which I shall now And now that I have spoken to your lordships
write; for words that come from wasted spirits, as judges, I shall say a few words unto you as
and an oppressed mind, are more safe in being peers and prelates, humbly commending my cause
deposited in a noble construction, than in being to your noble minds, and magnanimous affections.
circled with any reserved caution. Having:made Your lordships are not only judges, but parliathis as a protection to all which I shall say, I will mentary judges; you have a farther extent of
go on, but with a very strange entrance, (as may arbitrary power than other courts: and if you be
seemn to your lordships at the first;) for in the not tied to the ordinary course of courts or precemidst of a state of as great affliction as I think dents, in point of strictness and severity, much
a mortal man can endure, (honour being above more in points of mercy and mitigation. And
life,) I shall begin with the professing gladness yet, if pxi thing I should move might be contrary
in some things. to your henourable and worthy ends to introduce
The first is, that hereafter the greatness of a a reformatica, I should not seek it, but herein I
judge or magistrate shall be no sanctuary, or beseech your lordships to give me leave to tell
protection to him against guiltiness; which, in you a story. Titus Manlius took his son's life
few words, is the beginning of a golden world. for giving -.tIe against the prohibition of his
The next, that after this example, it is like that general. Not m'any years after, the like severity
judges will fly from any thing in the likeness of was pursued by Papirius Cursur, the dictator,
corruption, (though it were at a great distance,) as against Quintus Meximus, who, being upon
from a serpent; which tendeth to the purging of the the point to be sentenced, was, by the intercescourts of justice, and reducing them to their true sion of some principal persons of the senate,
honour and splendour. And in these two points, spared; whereupon Livy m1, eth this grave and
God is my witness, (though it be my fortune to be gracious observation: " Neque~ minus firmata
the anvil, upon which these good effects are beaten est disciplina militaris periculo Quinti Maximi,
and wrought,) I take no small comfort. But to quam miserabili supplicio Titi Manlii." The
pass from the motions of my heart, whereof God discipline of war was no less establit4hed by the
is only judge, to the merits of my cause, whereof questioning only of Quintus Maximus. than by
your lordships are only judges, under God, and the punishment of Titus Manlius. Anu -,le same
VoL. III.-4 C