ere only my own particular case, I would
have satisfied myself with the protestation I made the last time
I was here against the Legality of this Court, and that a king
cannot be tried by any superior jurisdiction on earth; but it is
not my case alone, it is the Freedom and the Liberty of the
people of England; and do you pretend what you will, I stand
more for their Liberties. For if power without law may make
laws, may alter the fundamental laws of the kingdom, I do not
know what subject he is in England, that can be sure of his
life, or any thing that he calls his own: therefore when that I
came here, I did expect particular reasons to know by what law,
what authority you did proceed against me here. And therefore I
am a little to seek what to say to you in this particular,
because the affirmative is to be proved, the negative often is
very hard to do: but since I cannot persuade you to do it, I
shall tell you my reasons as short as I can--My Reasons why in
conscience and the duty I owe to God first, and my people next,
for the preservation of their lives, liberties, and estates I
conceive I cannot answer this, till I be satisfied of the
legality of it. All proceedings against any man whatsoever----

LORD PRESIDENT--Sir, I must interrupt you, which I would not do,
but that what you do is not agreeable to the proceedings of any
court of justice: You are about to enter into argument, and
dispute concerning the Authority of this Court, before whom you
appear as a Prisoner, and are charged as an high Delinquent: if
you take upon you to dispute the Authority of the Court, we may
not do it, nor will any court give way unto it: you are to
submit unto it, you are to give a punctual and direct Answer,
whether you will answer your charge or no, and what your Answer
is.

KING--Sir, By your favour, I do not know the forms of law: I do
know law and reason, though I am no lawyer professed; but I know
as much law as any gentleman in England; and therefore (under
favour) I do plead for the Liberties of the People of England
more than you do: and therefore if I should impose a belief upon
any man, without reasons given for it, it were unreasonable: but
I must tell you, that that reason that I have, as thus informed,
I cannot yield unto it.

LORD PRESIDENT--Sir, I must interrupt yo