hat
have been done as astonishing on the one hand, I do believe ere
it be long it will be made known from Heaven, there was more
from God than men are aware of. I do profess that I would not
offer of myself the least injury to the poorest man or woman
that goes upon the earth. That I have humbly to offer is this,
to your Lordships; you know what a contest hath been in these
nations for many years. Divers of those that sit upon the bench
were formerly as active----[38]

COURT--Pray, Mr. Harrison, do not thus reflect on the Court.
This is not the business.

HARRISON--I followed not my own judgment; I did what I did, as
out of conscience to the Lord; for when I found those that were
as the apple of mine eye to turn aside, I did loath them, and
suffered imprisonment many years. Rather than to turn as many
did, that did put their hands to this plough, I chose rather to
be separated from wife and family than to have compliance with
them, though it was said, 'Sit thou at my right hand,' and such
kind expressions. Thus I have given a little poor testimony that
I have not been doing things in a corner, or from myself. May be
I might be a little mistaken; but I did it all according to the
best of my understanding, desiring to make the revealed will of
God in his Holy Scriptures as a guide to me. I humbly conceive
that what was done, was done in the name of the Parliament of
England, that what was done, was done by their power and
authority; and I do humbly conceive it is my duty to offer unto
you in the beginning that this Court, or any Court below the
High Court of Parliament, hath no jurisdiction of their actions.
Here are many learned in the law, and to shorten the work, I
desire I may have the help of counsel learned in the laws, that
may in this matter give me a little assistance to offer those
grounds that the law of the land doth offer. I say, what was
done, was done by the authority of the Parliament, which was
then the Supreme Authority, and that those that have acted under
them are not to be questioned by any power less than them. And
for that I conceive there is much out of the laws to be shewed
to you and many Precedents also in the case. Much is to be
offered to you in that; according to the laws of the nations,
that was a due Parliament. Those Commissions were iss