The Iudges .

Now let vs come to the persons vpon whom it is imposed , Iudges .

From whence obserue , that it is not to breake compasse vpon very Iudges to impose a Charge . For is it impossible for them to haue their checkes in gouernment ? may there not bee even a Reprobate vnder the scarlet Robes ? hath the furnace of hell had neuer a fire-brand from the Tribunall ? doth the Compasser forbeare to tempt where hee sees the ballance of iustice held out ? no , the Serpent hath profestenmity to all the Womans seed , wheresoeuer the Deuill finds concupiscence to lodge , he endeauours to make it his port-hole to enter at . Oh that wee could find men so innocent that wee need not quake over their defections , persons so absolute that wee need not counsell them ; these might bee Mirrours fit for the bright eye of God to take full delight in ; but alas such is our imperfect state that though the guilt of sinne may bee remitted many , yet the inhesion of sinne is in all ; though the dominion of sinne may bee remoued in some , yet in none the pronity vnto sinne . Mat . 5.48 . Demonstrat officium , sed non potentiam . What man hath in him Perfection of degrees ? no , this God requires , Be perfect as your heauenly Father is perfect ; but it shewes our outy to striue for it , not our power to attaine to it ; there may bee in vs righteousnesse which ( they call ) the righteousnesse of the cause , but not of the person ; the exercise of new-obedience may bee in vs , but not the exactnesse ; Optandum est ut fiat , conandum est ut fiat , supplicandum est vt fiat sed quod factum fuerit confidendum non est . Aug. Erigat scalam & solus in coelum ascendat . Zozomen . lib . 1. c . 21. Comparatione non consummatione , Bern . Gratia non immobilitat . Aug. Tho . Aq. no , it is to bee wished it were so , it is to be endeauoured it may bee so , it is to bee prayed it should be so , but that it is so , it is not to bee beleeued . Shew mee that friend of God that dare plead inviolablenesse of affection tewards his Maker , no hee might then goe set vp a ladder and goe alone into heauen , as Constantine told Acesius , the strict Novatian Bishop ; such repurged creatures are not to bee had in this world ; iust men wee may haue , but they are rather just in comparison with others , then in compleatnesse in themselues . Grace doth not stablish men in the seruice of God , neuer to fall ; no , this is a perfection fit for the vpper Court , it is the priuiledge of Angels which are confirmed in grace : wee may bee free from presumptuous sinnes , but not from lapses : our chiefe honour lies not in perfection of goodnesse , but affection to it ; as the purest body hath in it contrary elements , so the most regenerate man hath in him two natures . Iudges then , though neuer so wise , may erre , though neuer so vpright faile . Doe wee neuer read of wicked Iudges ? yes , the sonnes of Samuel , were Iudges , but did they not translate judgement ? or turne the outside of it ? 1. Sam . 1.3 . 1. Kings 21. what should I terme it ? they peruerted it ; the Elders of Iezreel were Iudges , but did they not for a peece of royall paper , for a Court-charme condemne a man of high-treason ? as if in Iezreel to condemne men of high-treason were but the high-triall of a Iudges wit ; and were those Iudges in the 1. of Habbacucke thinke yee in culpable , when the Law was dissolued , and iudgement did not goe forth ? 1 Habbac . 4. the Law dissolued , as if the ioynts of it had beene taken out , and iudgement did not goe forth , as if it had layen bedrid at the Bench . Remember yee not the saying of Solomon ? I saw vnder the Sunne the place of iudgement where was wickednesse , Eccles . 3.16 . and the place of iustice where was iniquity ; the very seats of authority polluted . There was a Iudge in a certaine Citty , Luke 18.2 . that neither feared God , nor reuerenced man ; though a Parable , yet parables speake not of impossibilities . So that the dignity and authority of Iudges doe not priuiledge them from errour , therefore these may bee charged ? I charged the Iudges saith Moses .

This serues to exhort Iudges not to count this worke superfluous , much lesse rash to deliuer a Charge to them . When I looke vpon the dignity of your callings I behold this with an eye of reuerence , when I looke vpon your danger of digressing I behold this with an eye of feare . Caeca pericla . Propert . Caveant crimen magnum enim discrimen Aug. Even in judgement there are priuy perils . Let Iudges looke to their innocency , for their hazard to fall is great . The face of all parts stands in most danger of a skarre , the tops of houses are most subject to gunne shot , the fairest fruit is most likely to bee plucked ; therefore though high and honourable , great men and wise men , yet men , and so subject to Sathans assaults . Oh therefore know your feet to stand but in slippery places , shake your hearts and feele in them the dregs of naturall corruption , looke towards your Tribunals , and behold a multitude of temptations ready to encounter you . Oh therefore let not the blood rise in your faces , much lesse boyle in your hearts , that any expergefactory aduertisements should bee deliuered to you ; no , heare counsell with patience , yea a charge without regrate ; though Iudges yet yee may bee charged , yea because Iudges therefore charged ; wee must not Saint all Iudges , or howsoeuer if Saint you , yet not hold you men of impeccant spirits , though Iudges , yet not Angels ; no , I see in you humane nature , and therefore I know you to bee subject to humane frailties ; yee may erre aswell as others , and therefore yee may be charged aswell as others . I charged the Iudges .

But here let vs make a stand , and aske why Iudges ? 1. Because they must haue judgement . 2. Because they must execute judgement .

First because they must haue Iudgement . But vpon this I need not to insist , for these are knowen to bee no blind Iudges , beyond expectation they haue giuen satisfaction to the Countrey concerning their wisedome ; therefore before such Iudges I should seeme to want judgement to discourse of that judgement that is requisite for Iudges .

Therefore to leaue this Stand , and to come to the executing of Iudgement . Iudges because they must execute iudgement . For knowledge belongs to the vnderstanding , action properly to the will , Aristot . and should the Iudges vnderstanding bee furnished , Actio importat originem motus Aquin . and his will haue no exercise ? Action intimates the beginning of motion ; what therefore should a Iudge neuer moue , but onely grow vp in knowledge ? this were like one that should waxe vp to mans stature , but never stirre foot ; therefore as a Iudge hath gotten the strength of his limmes in knowledge , so hee should moue in correcting those vices that his vnderstanding directs him to take knowledge of ; Correction is the pruning hooke of disorder , the fanne of villany ; many here know the Law , Iudges are chiefely to execute it ; Nigrum prafipere Theta . that Iudge therefore is most conspicuous , who is as resolute in carriage , as absolute , in vnderstanding ; who hath animum & animositatem , knowledge , and courage : A Iudge must not onely bee profound in his owne grounds , nor bee expert onely to deliuer a Charge ( which notwithstanding is a rare ingeny ) but hee must giue Malefactours their deserued doome , draw blood from ranke-spirited liuers , quâ Legistatores dictum Lysiae . Stob . ser . de magistrat . and shew to the world that Iustice hath her edge ; A Iudge must bee endewed with the same affection , that Law-giuers themselues were , that their lawes may not remaine onely in peeces of paper but bee written in capitall Letters vpon offenders backes ; Pro maleficio perpetratonon dare poenam quam pro beneficio non 〈◇〉 dare gratiam Plut. in apotheg . It is as evill ( saith Cato ) not to punish an high offence , as not to requite a great good turne , Lawes not executed are like Lyons chained vp , Canons mounted vpon the walls of a Citie never discharged , potions in the Apothecaries shop neuer administred , Isocrates would teach one learning for a small matter , but the maine schoolefee was to teach that party boldnesse : So boldnesse is as necessary in Magistrates as vnderstanding , and the executing of judgement , as the knowledge of it . Because iudgement is not executed speedily , Eccl. 8.11 . therefore the hearts of the children of men are fully set to doe evill . Wickednesse runs in her full-tide , and sinne comes to the authority of a hellish viceroy vnder heartlesse , and remisse Iudges ; as the chiefe vertue of fire therefore is not in the shining but the burning , so the chiefe vertue of a Iudge is not to haue judgement , but to execute it .

This serues to exhort Iudges to make themselues as much feared for their judgments , as admired for their wisedomes ; for else they shall seeme but Sages to the people , not fully Iudges ; oh therefore let every artery of your hearts , abound with the spirit of magnanimity , and all the sinewes on your armes gather strength to punish offenders ; strike at their estates , let out their blood ; Non homicidsed maleciaa . Bern . Non inquinauit manum sanguine sed purierem reddidit . Chrys . orat 1. in Iudaeot . for such a Iudge is not a Man-slayer , but a mischiefe-slayer , he hath not polluted his hand with blood , but made it the cleaner , as Chrysostome sayd of Phinees ; oh therefore , euen deuote your selues to suppresse wicked liuers , which are nothing else but the scandals of Religion , and the ignominies of all good Lawes ; yea , let the reformation of the corruptions , and the exorbitances of the times bee so deepely fixed in your hearts , that yee count euery enormious incorrigible offender that ye leaue behind you vnpunished , a blemish to your Tribunall . Blessed be the name , and magnified be the vertues of that renowned Iudge once in this circuit . I am speaking of Iudges , and how can I conceale that Iudge ? I am incouraging of Iudges , and how can I better animate them , then in presenting before their eyes that Brest of Courage ? A man worthy to be celebrated . Cantari dignus . Hee was the Oracle of his dayes , the miracle of gouernment ; the honor of vertue , the sting of disobedience ; his worth , as great as his wisedome , yea , we know not which most to commend in him , his discretion or districtnesse ; the very profession of the Lawes , and the name of a Iudge , the more respected amongst vs for his sake . He not onely punished offenders brought before him , but made it his study and care to discouer Latitants , Yea , at his cost and charge searched them out ; Hee neuer feared the power of any offender , but onely desired to lay hold on him , as the auncient Lacedemonians neuer asked the strength of their aduersaries , but onely where they were . As Cassius , when hee was wished by the Caldean Astrologer , Sed Sagitarios . Appian . not to fight whilest the signe was in Scorpio . I feare not ( saith he ) Scorpio , but the Archers , ( Hee meant the Parthians ) So hee feared not the greatest Scorpion in the world , but the Iudgements of God , those Archers ; the very mould of courage seemed to haue beene in his heart , as Pyrrhus sayd of the old Romanes ; Quint Curt . hee burst into the lurking holes of the most desperate offenders , as Perdicas brake into a Lyonnesses den , and tooke away her whelps ; yea the more dangerous the offender was , the greater was his pleasure to encounter him , as when one told Leonides , that he now had enemies indeed to fight with , for the multitude of their arrowes was such , that they would euen darken the light of the Sunne-beames ; So much the better ( said he ) For then wee shall sight in the shade . In that Iudges dayes , wickednesse stroke with a trembling hand , and villany slept with a troubled eye ; himselfe as much feared as the paynes of a convulsion , and his Spies as much feared as himselfe ; his pitched battels in the Tribunall , were memorable , and his stratagems abroad matchlesse ; another , Valerius , Plut. Quasi publica colens . Plut. that might haue beene named Publicola , as if he had wholly studied the publique welfare , and might as deseruedly haue had the firname of Couragious , as euer Aristides had of Iust . The veines of the Country haue stil in them the better blood for that Surgeon , the lights of the Nation yet shine the brightlier for that Golden Snuffer . He lived with affections of thousands , and dyed with the praises of millions ; his name yet precious , and his memory yet scarce thought on without teares . I praise him , I honour him , I magnifie him , because I desire he might be prized , immitated equalled . My honourable Lords , be transformed into your honorable president ; as ye want not his power , so want not his courage ; oh let his heroicall vertues ( as the Morrallists terme them ) liue in you , as ye know Iudgement with hm , so execute Iudgment with him ; suffer not the brow of impudence to out-front civility , nor sinne to put the dare vpon authority ; least people desire a resurrection too soone of this Judge , or digge him out of his graue , as they did Antiochus when his good gouernment was wanted , Antiochum refodio . or they cry Vbi sunt Iudices ? Where are our Judges . Oh therefore stabbe murtherers to the heart , calme the spirits of common Barretours , restraine the licentiousnesse of Ruffians .

First , stabbe murtherers to the heart , Lutum sanguine maceratum . Sucton . which kill men till they seeme not to be men , but as it was sayd of Tiberius Dirt mingled with blood ; yea , spill blood that they might write their selues in redde letters , Valorous . Bloodshed in these dayes being but with many held the cognisance of Noble resolution ; the sight of the Common-wealth stabbed through with so many murthers , is as hideous as the sight of Iulius Caesars Robe was to the Senate-house , Plut in Antonio . stabbed through with so many holes ; these blush to digest an injury , but never to reuenge it with blood ; the price of murther being accounted with these , but the purchasing of a Pardon ( if it could bee gotten ) or a voyage for a while beyond Seas ; the clipping of the Kings coyne seemes more odious and dangerous in the murtherers account , then the destroying of the Image of God ; many a man seemes nobody to himselfe , vnlesse he bee an Hercules furens , and hath given the stabbe , and that perhaps but for taking the right hand , or not pledging a carrouse , or but for requiring of a duedebt , or for the detection of the least error of a monsters life . Oh shall not the Iudges cares tingle at the noise of this crying sinne ? shall such die vpon a pillow , and not goe bleeding to their graves ? No , let neither mediation of friends , nor the sight of a scutchion make the Iudges heart relent from striking the cut-throats sword into his owne bowels . Num 35 33. The land cannot bee cleansed of the blood that is shed therein , but by the blood of him that shed it , therefore stabbe murtherers to the heart .

Secondly , charme the spirits of common Barretours , whose cheefe practise is to runne to the Lawyers anvile for sharpe instruments , and which vse the Kings writs but as Westminster mastiffes , to bait the Country with ; were it not for this franticke rowt , Luke 8.27 . how many busie Attourneys , and extimulating Counsaylers ( for of such only doe I speak ) might walke like the Lunaticke man in the Gospell without clothes : What a Mart of trialls is there at this time like to be ? 300. Nisipriusses and odde , brought down to one Assiset ; and what , all for recouery of due debts , or for dubitable Titles ? no , I doubt if many of them were well searched into , they should be found to bee but for spights and quarrells ; for the will of a common Barretour is as tender vnto him as his inheritance , let such be but touched , and presently the sting is put out ; as no man offended Caligula , but in a most vnseemely manner , he shaved off the hayre of the hinder part of his head , so whosoeuer distast these they set their fowle Law-markes vppon them ; a tryall or else no triall of their magnanimity , euery trifle is made a grand trespasse , writs and Sub-poena's fly abroad , they bite all that come nigh them , and like sparkling coales they scorch the faces of them that doe but blow vpon them ; their displeased affections are so implacable that there is no appeasing of them till they haue made their enemies goe a pilgrimage through all the Courts of Iustice , and by the glisters and potions of costs and fees , they haue fetched them off their leggs , or brought them to their graues . And what now shall a common Barretor be Amicus Curiae , counted a friend to the Court ? a contemptible Court that should entertaine such for friends ; shall litigiousnesse out of audaciousnesse , dare to say that for a judgement-fee it can get any cause to passe ? or that if it be found guilty , it knowes the sorest punishment , Cave in posterum , Take heede for afterwards ? No , though their glozing factours may extoll such spightfull men for men of spirit , and collaud such hellish contenders as iust preseruers of their rights , and reputations ; yet as ye would not suffer all the streynes of our Church-seruice to be turned into the yellings of malice , and as ye would seeme truly sensible of the vexations of a tetricall rowt , and of the out-cryes of quiet men molested in their owne Countries , bring forth some of these Contenders to be made as odious to the world as they haue been grieuous , let the people see that our Land hath Law to punish spleene , calme the spirits of these common Barretours .

Thirdly , restraine the licenciousnesse of Ruffians , Roarers , Swashbucklers , which vndermine the foundations of those houses their Fathers built ; tiplers and harlots challenging their Patrimonies , rather then themselues ; they were borne their Fathers eldest sonnes , but they haue made themselues since younger brethren ; Which were once called Heyres , but the World hath come now and written downe , Spendthrifts : Oh the miserable spoyle of young Gentry in these dayes , insomuch that they which according to their birth and meanes should be adopted to gouerne their Countries , and to doe the best seruice to their Soueraigne , they are fit for nothing almost but to sing Catches , and send challenges ; very vlcers , and sinkes in the Common-wealth ; which make Markets ring , and Cities roare ; which rage as if they had beene brought vp in Bedlam , and sweare as if they newly came out of hell ; which looke like Anticks , and talke like Pandars ; which drinke till their faces sparkle like forges , Sueton . and their stomacks spurge againe , Novum gen●● hoe mensurae , vb● nullus est me●surae uioaus . Bas . Serm . 1 de lu●u & ebriet . in so much that as Tiberius that drunken Emperor , for Tiberius was called Bibe ius , and ●or Nero sirnamed Mero ; so these may rather be called Pottlemen then Gentlemen , and Liberti●es then Christians ; they say they drinke by measure , but that is a new kinde of measure , where no measure is kept ; I will not stand to describe them , I cannot but deplore them ; yea , as Basil saith , We deplore our Country to be the Mother , Deploramus patriam nostram quod talium malorum & mater est , & nutrix . Basil . ad Athanas . cp . 47. and Nource of such mischiefes . Could these euer haue liued without fetters vpon their heeles , scarce with the skinne vpon their backes vnder the lawes of Paynims euen of Solon , Lycurgus , the famous Ephori , or the renowned Areopagites ? and shall the names of Gallants here secure them ? No ( my Lords ) let them not breake all bands of ciuility , as if here were a Theater built for Sensuallists , nor defie God by day-light , as if they liued in a land of Athiests ; but seeing all our Sermons cannot fetch the intemperate humours out of their heads , let the law make them sober ; restraine the licenciousnesse of Ruffians . Thus I might further desire you to crampe the hands of theeues , to worme the tongues of blasphemers , to disquiet them that trouble the Lords Rest , to dispearse the society of Cheaters , to dissolue the brotherhood of Cutpurses , to take away the Charter from that mighty Incorporation of Alehouse-keepers , but I cannot stand to dilate vpon all ; onely thus much I say as there are wholesome lawes , so let there be resolute Iudges ; by exemplary punishments , as by the keene edge of your power , leaue gashes in the sides of all notorious offenders . My Lords , I speake out of enuie against no mans person , but out of zeale enkindled to the glory of God , and an ardent affection to the rectifying of the grosse abuses of the times ; Oh my Lords , let not vs stand here in vaine , stand not ye at a Tribunall in vaine ; there are Wretches , be ye Iudges ; ye haue Iudgement , execute Iudgement .

Heare the controuersies of your brethren , iudge righteously betweene euery man , and his brother , and the stranger that is with him , ye shall haue no respect of persons in iudgement , but shall heare the small as well as the great , ye shall not feare the face of man .

Now let vs come to the substance of the enforcement . In which obserue :

1 A full debating of causes , Heare the controuersies of your brethren . 2 A faire deciding , Iudge righteously . 3 A commendable impartiality , Betweene euery man and his brother , and the stranger that is with him : ye shall haue no respect of persons in iudgement , but shall heare the small as well as the great , ye shall not feare the face of man .

Heare the controuersies of your brethren .

First , for the full debating of causes . Heare the controuersies of your brethren . From whence obserue , that iust iudgement must begin at the eare . Iob 12.11 . Nonne aures verba diiudicant ? Doe not the eares discerne words ? and how can truth euer be discouered , if the words be not discerned ? Nisi agitentur causa , & partes audiantur , inter partes iudicare quis potest Ber. 1. lib . de Cons . ad Eug . c . 10. Iob 34.3 . Vt diligentius seruanda est ea porta quâ via sit Regia , ita auditus , &c. Plut. Pro 18.5 . 1 Reg . 3. from the 16. ver . to the end of the Chapter . Iob 29.6 . Deut 1.17 . Teste non indiget . Bern . Scientiâ visionis Tho . Aqu . If causes be not throughly handled , and parties fully heard , who can passe sentence ? The eare is the taster of iudgement , for the eare trieth words , at the mouth tasteth meat ; that man then can neuer relish the equity of a cause , whose taster is out of course ; if the eare be not open , the dore of Iustice is shut ; yea , Iudges had as good stop their mouthes , as stop their eares ; therefore as that Port is to be well kept by which the Kings way lyes , so the hearing is to be carefully looked vnto , by which the royall path of Iustice lyes . The eare of the wise seeketh information . A wise eare is the most apposite Intelligencer of a Iudge , the Oracle at which hee should first consult , the Spy of truth , the Key of sentence . Salomon though neuer so wise , yet had the harlots cause fully opened , and did not instantly come to sentence ; and Iob when he knew not the cause , he searched it out diligently ; searched it out by due examining ; and Moses for the great cause he commanded it should be brought before him , and he would heare it ; not presently iudge it , but first heare it . God indeede is so absolute a Iudge , that he needs no witnesse , for in the bright Mirrour of his owne wisedome at an instant he knowes all things that are done ; but earthly Iudges are not so exact , but they had neede to search , discusse , to make narrow in spection , strict scrutiny , to haue perspicuous euidence , luculent testimonies deliuered before they can come to the full perception of things . He is one of Philip of Macedons Iudges , that will pronounce sentence before he consider proofes . Sententia , Sentence comes of Sentio . to vnderstand , as if that sentence were senflesse , and that judgement without judgement , where euery thing is not duly and throughly weighed ; if men may not bee heard in their owne causes , they had as good send for a Note vnder the Iudges hand , how he will determine causes , as euer to bring them to triall , therefore controuersies must be heard ; Heare the controuer sies of your brethren .

This serues to counsaile Iudges , to hold that Iudgement most mature , that is vpon full hearing ; not to hold themselues so absolute , that they can judge causes at their pleasure , nor so acute , that they can see the secrets of a cause by a superficiall view , Barbarica veritas . A puleius , lib . 3. de as . aureo . Iudicium tumultuariam . for then there is like to be but an homely truth , and a tumultuary judgement ( as they call it ) a judgement at hazard : Much lesse ought a Judge to debarre a man from speaking in his owne cause , but onely by his Lawyers lips ; he is like to haue but a slender discouery of truth , that must speake all by a borrowed mouth ; he hath not alwayes his minde fully layd open , that must hold him to his Interpreter ; a man can manifest more out of his owne feeling , then his Spokesman can doe out of his Breuiat ; many things may suddainly arise , which the Lawyer hath not beene fully instructed with , or if instructed , perhaps hee is troubled with Demosthenes his disease , the squinsie in the throat ; the groanes of the people are grieuous against the treacherous carriages of these Heteroclites , which vary from the integrity of iust Pleaders , and are become men of another manner of declining ; who if the opposite side can but shew them some golden Record , or pocket Euidence , or with the last nights present put them in minde of a new Bookecase , their opinion then is cleane altered , and their Clients case become desperate ; that Plea that once looked like faire Inachis , — Iuque nitentem Inachidos vultus mutauerat ille tu●encam . is now turned into a Hayfer , and ready to burt : What then if the Lawyer bee struck dumbe with a stratagem , or will suppresse any thing out of corruption , shall not the party himselfe be suffered to raspe in his owne case ? may he not be permitted to be a Consonant with his Lawyerl . Must his doome bee to stand at his Lawyers backe , and there gnash his teeth for his impertinent loquacity , or else shed teares for his perfidious silence ; I know it were a burthen to authority to heare all men in their owne causes ; for what should an eare bee lent to ignorant men whose language is all in solaecismes , or clamorous , who when they haue no right thinke to raise vp one by multitude of words ? No , it is sufficient , if not superaboundant for the Lawyer to plead ( I say not to feigne ) for these ; yet not to heare discreet , or iust men in their owne causes where in pleadings things are but darkely opened , or wretchedly concealed , I thinke were a violence offered to Iustice : for as I take it the Lawyer is but an assistant to his Client , or to put things into due forme , the other is still the Principall ; the principall then must bee the fore finger in his owne cause , not turned off like a scunted finger .

And as it is fit that men sometimes in their owne causes should bee heard , so as requisite is it that witnesses might not be disturbed , for how then can Controversies bee heard ? no , to molest witnesses is even to trouble that Fountaine from whence the cleere vnderstanding of a cause should flow , or to cry downe that voice that should giue sound satisfaction to the Iudge ; Testis quasi tenens statum , say the Critickes , A witnesse is one in whom the state of a case consists ; Witnesses not to be regarded it is even to giue iudgement dimidiis , by the halfes . Plato . Averroes in 2. Rnet . c . 18. Iudgement is a syllogisme ( saith Averroes ) in which that Iudge can never draw out a good conclusion that doth not first consider the premises of Witnesses . When lawyers therfore can say litle for their clients , must their chiefe eloquence ly in casting aspersions vpon witnesses ? or propounding captious questions to confound their memories ? or deriding of them , as if they would turne from graue Pleaders to be of the jocular crew , even Iesters at Assises ? No , I beseech you by that venerable respect yee beare to truth , that yee suffer full , and free testimony to bee deliuered , and that yee restraine such stridulent interpositions , for they tend rather for the subverting , Magis ad subuersionem quam inuenti onem veritatis proficiunt , Bern lib . 1. de consid , c . 10. then the manifesting of the truth .

And that yee may the better heare Controversies , suffer not Pleaders to lead you away in hearing their sarcasmes and bitter invectiues one against another , which are nothing but the theft of time , and the delusion of judgement ; Lawyers then leaue their Clients case , and fall to their owne ; Iudges then heare trying of wits and not trying of causes ; these are insolencies offered to your high authority , and interruptions to your heedy hearing . Oh therefore banish all occasions of disturbance ; wash out the moates , and wring the cloth , that it may ( as the Pythagorean said to his Iudges ) the better take the dye ; bee present with your ripest wits , and grauest attentions , aduisedly consider all passages ; they are Controversies , that is , such things as may bee controverted , argued on either sides , therefore heare them . Heare the controversies of your brethren .