to the statutes of your Realm, with many other complaints
thereupon:[235] To this we say, that forasmuch as we repute and take our
authority of making of laws to be grounded upon the Scriptures of God and
the determination of Holy Church, which must be the rule and square to try
the justice and righteousness of all laws, as well spiritual as temporal,
we verily trust that in such laws as have been made by us, or by our
predecessors, the same being sincerely interpreted, and after the meaning
of the makers, there shall be found nothing contained in them but such as
may be well justified by the said rule and square. And if it shall
otherwise appear, as it is our duty whereunto we shall always most
diligently apply ourselves to reform our ordinances to God's commission,
and to conform our statutes to the determination of Scripture and Holy
Church; _so we hope in God, and shall daily pray for the same, that your
Highness will, if there appear cause why, with the assent of your people,
temper your Grace's laws accordingly; whereby shall ensue a most sure and
hearty conjunction and agreement; God being lapis angularis_.

"And as concerning the requiring of your Highness's royal assent to the
authorising of such laws as have been made by our predecessors, or shall be
made by us, in such points and articles, as we have authority to rule and
order; we knowing your Highness's wisdom, virtue, and learning, nothing
doubt but that the same perceiveth how the granting thereunto dependeth not
upon our will and liberty, _and that we may not submit the execution of our
charges and duty certainly prescribed to us by God to your Highness's
assent_; although, indeed, the same is most worthy for your most princely
and excellent virtues, not only to give your royal assent, but also to
devise and command what we should for good order or manners by statutes and
laws provide in the church. Nevertheless, we considering we may not so nor
in such sort restrain the doing of our office in the feeding and ruling of
Christ's people, we most humbly desire your Grace (as the same hath done
heretofore) to show your Grace's mind and opinion unto us, which we shall
most gladly hear and follow if it shall please God to inspire us so to do;
and with all humility we therefore beseech your Grace, following the steps
of your most noble progenitors, to maintain and defend such laws and
ordinances as we, according to our calling and by the authority of God,
shall