a_o treatise_n of_o the_o true_a and_o ancient_a jurisdiction_n of_o the_o house_n of_o peer_n by_o sir_n robert_n atkyns_n knight_n of_o the_o bath_n state_n super_fw-la semitas_fw-la antiquas_fw-la london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n mdcxcix_o to_o the_o honourable_a the_o knight_n citizens_z and_o burgess_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o in_o parliament_n assemble_v the_o humble_a petition_n of_o sir_n robert_n atkyns_n knight_n of_o the_o bath_n show_v that_o your_o petitioner_n in_o the_o several_a public_a employment_n he_o have_v undergo_v have_v have_v more_o than_o ordinary_a occasion_n of_o observe_v the_o increase_a jurisdiction_n of_o the_o court_n of_o equity_n in_o this_o kingdom_n and_o how_o the_o common-law_n the_o birthright_n of_o every_o englishman_n have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v every_o day_n more_o and_o more_o invade_v by_o it_o he_o have_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o collect_v many_o of_o those_o continual_a complaint_n from_o time_n to_o time_n make_v by_o the_o commons_o of_o england_n in_o parliament_n against_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o new_a jurisdiction_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o it_o and_o your_o petitioner_n have_v great_a reason_n also_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o appeal_n from_o the_o proceed_n of_o those_o court_n and_o humble_o present_v this_o honourable_a house_n with_o what_o he_o have_v collect_v in_o order_n to_o your_o service_n therein_o your_o petitioner_n crave_v leave_v to_o make_v use_n of_o that_o freedom_n which_o belong_v to_o every_o englishman_n to_o tender_v you_o a_o complaint_n against_o so_o public_a â—nd_n spread_v a_o grievance_n he_o do_v not_o appeal_n nor_o complain_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o mere_o concern_v himself_o he_o only_o subjoin_v a_o case_n wherein_o himself_o be_v a_o party_n mere_o as_o a_o instance_n of_o the_o large_a exercise_n of_o a_o power_n against_o the_o know_a and_o fundamental_a rule_n of_o the_o common-law_n as_o he_o conceive_v that_o case_n of_o your_o petitioner_n happen_v very_o late_o in_o the_o chancery_n but_o it_o be_v general_o know_v in_o the_o court_n of_o westminster-hall_n that_o as_o your_o petitioner_n have_v occasion_n he_o have_v for_o many_o year_n frequent_o and_o public_o in_o his_o station_n enveigh_v against_o the_o encroachment_n of_o court_n of_o equity_n and_o that_o late_a course_n of_o appeal_n but_o on_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n he_o humble_o offer_v his_o service_n and_o lay_v before_o you_o what_o he_o have_v observe_v and_o collect_v upon_o this_o subject_a after_o near_o threescore_o year_n experience_n and_o submit_v all_o to_o your_o wisdom_n to_o proceed_v in_o provide_v just_a remedy_n and_o your_o petitioner_n shall_v ever_o pray_v etc._n etc._n robert_n atkyns_n of_o the_o supreme_a jurisdiction_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n the_o house_n of_o lord_n have_v a_o very_a ancient_n and_o transcendent_a jurisdiction_n but_o it_o be_v not_o absolute_a nor_o arbitrary_a in_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o nor_o universal_a and_o in_o all_o case_n it_o be_v a_o power_n limit_v by_o law_n and_o must_v be_v exercise_v according_a to_o the_o know_a rule_n of_o law_n and_o though_o the_o peer_n be_v very_o great_a and_o honourable_a yet_o they_o be_v but_o man_n and_o not_o infallible_a and_o therefore_o a_o writ_n of_o error_n lie_v upon_o their_o judgement_n and_o the_o law_n allow_v that_o liberty_n to_o the_o mean_a subject_n to_o demur_v to_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o any_o court_n whatsoever_o even_o that_o of_o the_o house_n of_o lord_n let_v we_o inquire_v into_o their_o jurisdiction_n when_o it_o begin_v and_o in_o what_o case_n they_o have_v a_o right_a to_o it_o a_o eminent_a author_n suppose_v to_o be_v the_o late_a lord_n hollis_n upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o great_a cause_n between_o skinner_n and_o the_o east-india-company_n so_o much_o dispute_v between_o the_o two_o house_n of_o parliament_n have_v in_o print_n assert_v that_o the_o house_n of_o peer_n have_v their_o right_n of_o judicature_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o nation_n page_n 134._o he_o affirm_v it_o be_v a_o power_n lodge_v in_o they_o by_o the_o very_a frame_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o government_n as_o to_o the_o extent_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n page_n 213._o he_o affirm_v that_o they_o have_v a_o undoubted_a right_n to_o a_o universal_a and_o unlimited_a power_n of_o take_v conusance_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o cause_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o and_o of_o judge_v and_o determine_v of_o they_o if_o no_o particular_a law_n do_v otherwise_o dispose_v of_o they_o nec_fw-la metas_fw-la rerum_fw-la nec_fw-la tempora_fw-la ponit_fw-la the_o first_o of_o these_o seem_v to_o entrench_v very_o far_o upon_o the_o regal_a power_n he_o not_o only_o make_v their_o power_n equal_a in_o time_n to_o it_o own_v no_o derivation_n from_o it_o but_o in_o effect_n claim_v a_o co-ordination_a with_o it_o but_o the_o claim_n of_o such_o a_o independent_a and_o original_a power_n sound_v like_o that_o which_o be_v take_v to_o be_v a_o peculiar_a of_o the_o supreme_a power_n as_o to_o the_o administration_n of_o it_o viz._n in_o all_o cause_n and_o over_o all_o person_n etc._n etc._n nay_o he_o hold_v that_o the_o peerage_n set_v bound_n both_o to_o power_n and_o liberty_n page_n 71._o as_o this_o author_n maintain_v it_o it_o may_v easy_o be_v understand_v by_o what_o follow_v what_o be_v mean_v there_o by_o power_n viz._n the_o regal_a administration_n of_o it_o whereas_o the_o common-law_n of_o england_n and_o all_o the_o author_n and_o writer_n of_o it_o do_v with_o one_o consent_n acknowledge_v jurisdiction_n within_o this_o realm_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o crown_n and_o that_o no_o court_n have_v a_o absolute_a and_o unlimited_a power_n save_o the_o supreme_a court_n of_o the_o nation_n consist_v of_o the_o king_n lord_n and_o commons_o assemble_v in_o parliament_n and_o in_o they_o indeed_o be_v the_o true_a supreme_a power_n under_o god_n but_o that_o according_a to_o the_o different_a nature_n of_o cause_n some_o be_v distribute_v into_o one_o court_n and_o some_o into_o another_o but_o not_o any_o one_o court_n have_v jurisdiction_n in_o all_o cause_n save_v that_o of_o the_o parliament_n and_o that_o all_o court_n must_v proceed_v by_o some_o certain_a know_a rule_n that_o be_v the_o court_n of_o the_o common-law_n secundum_fw-la legem_fw-la &_o consuetudinem_fw-la angliae_fw-la and_o court_n of_o equity_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_a and_o constant_a precedent_n and_o usage_n but_o this_o court_n of_o peer_n for_o i_o confine_v myself_o still_o to_o what_o be_v assert_v by_o this_o noble_a author_n do_v whole_o exclude_v the_o king_n and_o engross_v all_o to_o themselves_o no_o by_o no_o mean_n he_o allow_v the_o king_n a_o single_a voice_n among_o they_o page_z 145._o as_o a_o chief_a justice_n in_o another_o court_n who_o voice_n or_o opinion_n have_v no_o more_o force_n than_o that_o of_o a_o puisny_n judge_n no_o not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o casting-voice_n where_o they_o be_v equal_o divide_v i_o shall_v offer_v to_o consideration_n upon_o what_o ground_n and_o proof_n this_o noble_a author_n do_v entitle_v the_o house_n of_o peer_n to_o this_o unlimited_a jurisdiction_n he_o have_v be_v lead_v into_o these_o opinion_n i_o fear_v by_o some_o late_a overzealous_a and_o injudicious_a writer_n who_o out_o of_o a_o too_o fond_a and_o forward_a zeal_n to_o depress_v the_o house_n of_o commons_o in_o the_o late_a exorbitant_a power_n which_o they_o take_v upon_o they_o in_o the_o late_a time_n in_o order_n i_o say_v to_o the_o decry_v of_o their_o usurp_v power_n those_o writer_n think_v they_o can_v never_o sufficient_o exalt_v the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o overbalance_n that_o of_o the_o commons_o and_o it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v useful_a by_o the_o way_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o strange_a revolution_n that_o in_o the_o late_a time_n happen_v to_o the_o government_n of_o this_o nation_n 1._o our_o king_n begin_v first_o to_o strain_v prerogative_n too_o high_a upon_o the_o subject_a 2._o both_o the_o house_n of_o parliament_n thereupon_o join_v together_o in_o usurp_a upon_o the_o regal_a power_n 3._o after_o some_o short_a time_n the_o late_a house_n of_o commons_o by_o the_o help_n of_o their_o army_n lay_v aside_o the_o house_n of_o lord_n sic_fw-la cum_fw-la sole_a perit_fw-la syderibus_fw-la decor_fw-la 4._o after_o some_o time_n again_o a_o lesser_a part_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o exclude_v the_o great_a part_n 5._o and_o these_o their_o own_o army_n overtop_n as_o be_v but_o the_o fragment_n of_o that_o house_n 1._o sic_fw-la medus_n ademit_fw-la 2._o assyrio_fw-la medóque_fw-la tulit_fw-la moderamina_fw-la perses_n 3_o persen_n subjecit_fw-la macedo_n cessurus_n &_o ipse_fw-la 4._o romano_n these_o modern_a writer_n who_o be_v such_o earnest_a advocate_n for_o the_o house_n of_o peer_n ascribe_v to_o the_o lord_n
rescripto_fw-la ad_fw-la comitia_fw-la parliamentaria_fw-la evocaverit_fw-la here_o we_o have_v plain_o the_o original_a of_o the_o house_n of_o peer_n and_o of_o particular_a and_o special_a rescript_n or_o writ_n of_o summons_n to_o the_o optimacy_n distinct_o and_o by_o themselves_o cambden_n quote_v his_o author_n for_o this_o but_o name_v he_o not_o exit_fw-la satis_fw-la antiquo_fw-la scriptore_fw-la loquor_fw-la say_v he_o it_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o king_n to_o single_a out_o and_o select_v some_o to_o who_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o direct_v his_o special_a writ_n or_o summons_n and_o these_o and_o no_o other_o be_v to_o come_v to_o parliament_n if_o this_o may_v be_v credit_v than_o we_o have_v the_o epoch_n and_o the_o date_n of_o our_o present_a constitution_n and_o the_o original_a of_o the_o division_n of_o that_o very_a ancient_a great_a and_o numerous_a assembly_n and_o it_o make_v a_o mighty_a metamorphosis_n and_o change_n the_o freeholder_n part_v with_o that_o great_a power_n and_o interest_n which_o they_o have_v both_o in_o legislature_n and_o judicature_n from_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o the_o government_n and_o the_o nation_n itself_o even_o from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o ab-origines_a if_o there_o be_v ever_o any_o such_o and_o they_o have_v be_v upon_o the_o losing-hand_n ever_o since_o as_o appear_v by_o what_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v in_o close_v their_o right_n of_o election_n and_o thus_o they_o break_v in_o two_o and_o become_v two_o house_n both_o at_o one_o time_n and_o be_v twin_n in_o their_o birth_n here_o be_v no_o primogeniture_n yet_o the_o one_o go_v away_o with_o a_o double_a portion_n upon_o the_o part_n and_o this_o take_v in_o the_o history_n be_v a_o confutation_n of_o that_o opinion_n that_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o as_o be_v by_o election_n be_v in_o time_n long_o after_o the_o date_n of_o the_o house_n of_o peer_n sure_o they_o start_v both_o together_o great_a selden_n agree_v in_o the_o substance_n with_o mr._n cambden_n but_o differ_v from_o he_o only_o in_o the_o time_n and_o some_o other_o circumstance_n when_o this_o revolution_n happen_v and_o for_o mr._n cambden_n satis_fw-la antiquus_fw-la author_n mr._n selden_n profess_v he_o diligent_o seek_v for_o this_o author_n but_o can_v never_o meet_v with_o he_o nor_o do_v mr._n selden_n give_v any_o credit_n to_o that_o author_n he_o suppose_v the_o distinction_n of_o majores_fw-la and_o minores_fw-la barones_n which_o doubtless_o do_v arise_v upon_o this_o revolution_n pag._n 708._o begin_v not_o long_o before_o the_o great_a charter_n of_o king_n john_n father_n to_o king_n henry_n the_o three_o and_o that_o charter_n be_v make_v in_o the_o seventeen_o and_o last_o year_n of_o king_n john_n this_o division_n of_o barones_n which_o all_o writer_n agree_v in_o and_o which_o appear_v by_o king_n john_n great_a charter_n evident_o show_v that_o the_o two_o house_n begin_v at_o the_o same_o time_n for_o majores_fw-la can_v be_v without_o the_o minores_fw-la but_o mr._n selden_n suppose_v this_o be_v do_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n though_o that_o act_n be_v not_o now_o extant_a nor_o be_v there_o any_o express_a memorial_n of_o it_o and_o he_o suppose_v it_o be_v not_o submit_v to_o the_o king_n to_o choose_v out_o who_o he_o think_v fit_a but_o that_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n do_v mention_v they_o by_o name_n at_o first_o to_o who_o particular_a writ_n be_v to_o be_v direct_v some_o part_n of_o the_o very_a word_n of_o that_o charter_n of_o king_n john_n we_o have_v in_o mr._n selden_n title_n of_o honour_n pag._n 709._o and_o in_o sir_n hen._n spelman_n in_o his_o glossary_n pag._n 83._o faciemus_fw-la say_v that_o great_a charter_n summoneri_fw-la archiepiscopos_fw-la episcopos_fw-la abbates_n comites_fw-la &_o majores_fw-la barones_n regni_fw-la sigillatim_fw-la per_fw-la literas_fw-la nostras_fw-la et_fw-la praetereà _fw-la faciemus_fw-la submoneri_fw-la in_o generali_fw-la per_fw-la vicecomites_a omnes_fw-la alios_fw-la qui_fw-la in_o capite_fw-la tenent_fw-la de_fw-la nobis_fw-la which_o be_v a_o clear_a proof_n that_o till_o about_o this_o time_n there_o be_v no_o distinction_n and_o that_o which_o do_v constitute_v a_o parliamentary_a baron_n be_v his_o tenure_n de_fw-fr rege_fw-la in_o capite_fw-la so_o that_o all_o who_o hold_v in_o capite_fw-la have_v a_o inherent_a right_n to_o sit_v there_o and_o that_o before_o this_o time_n all_o come_v by_o a_o general_a summons_n direct_v to_o the_o sheriff_n what_o have_v be_v hitherto_o say_v serve_v to_o prove_v that_o before_o this_o time_n of_o king_n john_n or_o king_n henry_n the_o 3_o d_o his_o son_n there_o be_v only_o one_o great_a assembly_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v of_o the_o most_o eminent_a and_o all_o the_o considerable_a and_o interest_v person_n of_o the_o nation_n who_o come_v not_o by_o election_n save_o those_o that_o be_v choose_v from_o the_o few_o and_o ancient_a burrough_n nor_o be_v there_o then_o any_o representative_a as_o now_o and_o that_o those_o great_a assembly_n be_v in_o those_o time_n the_o true_a baronage_n of_o england_n and_o that_o the_o word_n baronage_n do_v not_o belong_v only_o to_o such_o as_o the_o king_n by_o special_a writ_n be_v please_v to_o call_v or_o summon_v or_o by_o patent_n to_o confer_v the_o title_n upon_o but_o as_o our_o most_o judicious_a writer_n tell_v we_o the_o word_n baronagium_n do_v extend_v to_o all_o degree_n and_o order_n for_o they_o come_v to_o all_o great_a assembly_n by_o tenure_n till_o the_o aforesaid_a time_n of_o division_n and_o there_o be_v the_o footstep_n of_o this_o ancient_n right_o still_o among_o we_o in_o that_o the_o freeholder_n who_o we_o call_v free-suitor_n be_v still_o the_o judge_n of_o that_o court_n which_o ancient_o be_v the_o great_a and_o buisy_a court_n the_o county_n court._n and_o those_o election_n that_o be_v still_o remain_v of_o trustee_n or_o representative_n in_o parliament_n and_o of_o divers_a legal_a officer_n which_o must_v be_v by_o freeholder_n only_o and_o the_o person_n to_o be_v choose_v aught_o to_o be_v out_o of_o the_o freeholder_n themselves_o and_o so_o much_o of_o the_o ancient_a constitution_n of_o a_o baron_n still_o remain_v as_o that_o in_o his_o creation_n he_o must_v be_v entitle_v of_o some_o place_n that_o it_o may_v favour_v of_o the_o realty_n and_o make_v the_o honour_n and_o title_n inheritable_a and_o the_o baron_n still_o continue_v his_o freedom_n from_o arrest_n as_o have_v by_o presumption_n of_o law_n a_o estate_n in_o land_n which_o will_v make_v he_o liable_a to_o justice_n and_o therefore_o a_o distringas_fw-la shall_v issue_v out_o against_o he_o instead_o of_o a_o capias_fw-la and_o the_o law_n will_v allow_v of_o no_o averment_n against_o a_o peer_n that_o he_o have_v no_o land_n whereby_o to_o distrain_v or_o to_o levy_v issue_n upon_o no_o doubt_n but_o the_o lord_n have_v from_o the_o time_n of_o this_o great_a division_n ever_o since_o a_o very_a large_a though_o not_o a_o universal_a jurisdiction_n nor_o have_v they_o have_v it_o from_o the_o very_a first_o constitution_n of_o the_o government_n as_o be_v by_o some_o pretend_a when_o this_o great_a assembly_n this_o great_a and_o numerous_a body_n be_v divide_v into_o part_n no_o doubt_n but_o the_o several_a part_n do_v as_o the_o four_o great_a captain_n after_o the_o death_n of_o alexander_n the_o great_a do_v assume_v and_o take_v to_o themselves_o by_o agreement_n several_a share_n of_o the_o power_n that_o be_v then_o dissolve_v the_o lord_n take_v a_o large_a share_n and_o the_o commons_o for_o so_o now_o they_o begin_v to_o be_v distinguish_v take_v the_o rest_n and_o we_o may_v reasonable_o suppose_v it_o be_v confirm_v by_o some_o law_n that_o then_o pass_v and_o have_v be_v since_o lose_v and_o the_o like_a presumption_n we_o know_v be_v make_v by_o our_o court_n of_o law_n in_o many_o like_a case_n and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o parliament_n roll_n of_o that_o time_n be_v all_o lose_v and_o the_o best_a rule_n whereby_o to_o judge_v what_o be_v allot_v to_o each_o will_v be_v by_o ancient_a constant_a quiet_a and_o uninterrupted_a usage_n and_o practice_n usus_fw-la &_o consuetudo_fw-la est_fw-la lex_fw-la parliamenti_fw-la the_o house_n of_o lord_n do_v exercise_v a_o jurisdiction_n in_o case_n of_o appeal_n for_o criminal_a cause_n till_o by_o the_o act_n of_o 1_o mo_z of_o henry_n the_o 4_o the_o c._n 14._o they_o be_v restrain_v that_o act_n do_v ordain_v that_o from_o thenceforth_o no_o appeal_n shall_v be_v pursue_v in_o parliament_n the_o exposition_n of_o which_o statute_n must_v be_v make_v by_o observe_v the_o mischief_n that_o occasion_v the_o make_n of_o that_o law_n and_o the_o constant_a practice_n after_o it_o the_o preamble_n recite_v that_o many_o mischief_n do_v often_o arise_v by_o appeal_n and_o the_o history_n of_o the_o time_n of_o king_n richard_n the_o 2_o d._n the_o next_o precede_v
where_o the_o king_n be_v concern_v the_o lord_n have_v no_o jurisdiction_n without_o the_o king_n allowance_n and_o the_o king_n do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o whole_a house_n of_o lord_n yet_o the_o king_n will_v have_v justice_n do_v and_o he_o will_v be_v inform_v if_o the_o outlawry_n be_v due_o sue_v out_o but_o the_o king_n himself_o assign_v the_o person_n that_o shall_v judge_v of_o it_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o be_v sue_v error_n in_o parliament_n for_o when_o the_o parliament_n be_v rise_v it_o be_v hold_v that_o the_o delegate_n appoint_v by_o the_o king_n can_v not_o proceed_v so_o that_o plea_n may_v be_v hold_v in_o parliament_n by_o the_o king_n and_o his_o council_n such_o as_o he_o shall_v special_o appoint_v for_o that_o purpose_n at_o every_o parliament_n and_o yet_o they_o may_v be_v style_v placita_fw-la parliamentaria_fw-la be_v transact_v only_o in_o time_n of_o parliament_n but_o not_o by_o the_o parliament_n this_o case_n of_o edward_n hadelow_n teach_v the_o true_a nature_n and_o course_n of_o a_o writ_n of_o error_n in_o parliament_n and_o the_o right_a method_n of_o proceed_v upon_o it_o and_o the_o king_n prerogative_n in_o it_o and_o how_o that_o case_n wherein_o the_o king_n be_v any_o way_n concern_v in_o interest_n as_o he_o be_v in_o case_n of_o outlawry_n shall_v be_v examine_v by_o none_o but_o such_o as_o be_v special_o assign_v by_o the_o king_n see_v the_o case_n in_o the_o year-book_n of_o 1_o mo_z hen._n the_o 7_o the_o fol._n 19_o flourdew_n case_n by_o advice_n of_o all_o the_o judge_n in_o the_o exchequer-chamber_n which_o be_v a_o case_n report_a in_o latin_a oportet_fw-la partem_fw-la habere_fw-la billam_fw-la de_fw-la rege_fw-la indorsatam_fw-la et_fw-la super_fw-la hoc_fw-la cancellarius_fw-la faciet_fw-la breve_fw-la de_fw-la errore_fw-la et_fw-la tunc_fw-la capitalis_fw-la justiciarius_fw-la de_fw-la banco_n regis_fw-la so_o that_o it_o be_v only_o from_o the_o court_n of_o king's-bench_n but_o no_o other_o court_n secum_fw-la adducet_fw-la in_o parliamento_fw-la breve_fw-la de_fw-la errore_fw-la et_fw-la praedictam_fw-la billam_fw-la sic_fw-la indorsatam_fw-la and_o the_o clerk_n of_o the_o parliament_n be_v to_o have_v the_o keep_n of_o the_o bill_n endors'd_n this_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v their_o commission_n by_o which_o they_o proceed_v and_o it_o must_v remain_v with_o the_o clerk_n of_o the_o parliament_n not_o with_o the_o chancellor_n the_o lord_n dyer_n report_n 23._o eliz._n fol._n 375._o tit_n error_n plac._n 19_o there_o be_v a_o supplication_n sign_v by_o the_o queen_n for_o a_o writ_n of_o error_n we_o have_v another_o precedent_n in_o sir_n more_o be_v report_v fol._n 834._o in_o the_o case_n of_o heydon_n and_o sheppard_n pasc_fw-la 12._o jac._n 1_o mi_fw-mi the_o like_a in_o leornard_n report_n the_o 3_o d._n part_n fol._n 160._o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o queen_n and_o hurlston_n now_o concern_v proceed_n in_o equity_n in_o general_n the_o english_a court_n of_o chancery_n the_o court_n of_o equity_n there_o it_o have_v not_o be_v of_o any_o great_a antiquity_n and_o upon_o what_o legal_a foundation_n it_o stand_v be_v not_o easy_o to_o be_v affirm_v as_o i_o have_v make_v appear_v in_o a_o large_a treatise_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o chancery_n in_o matter_n of_o equity_n to_o which_o i_o refer_v my_o reader_n our_o ancient_a author_n as_o the_o mirror_n of_o justice_n glanvil_n bracton_n briton_n and_o fleta_n although_o they_o treat_v of_o the_o chancery_n as_o it_o proceed_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o common-law_n viz._n in_o repeal_n of_o patent_n and_o in_o case_n privilege_v yet_o none_o of_o they_o do_v once_o mention_v the_o court_n of_o equity_n there_o and_o yet_o their_o undertake_n be_v to_o treat_v of_o all_o the_o several_a court_n then_o in_o be_v which_o prove_v the_o court_n of_o equity_n in_o chancery_n be_v not_o then_o in_o be_v it_o have_v be_v adjudge_v 26._o and_o 27._o eliz._n in_o the_o king's-bench_n in_o perrot_n and_o in_o marmaduke_n langdales_n case_n cok._n 12._o rep._n fol._n 52._o that_o a_o court_n of_o equity_n can_v be_v erect_v by_o patent_n but_o only_o by_o act_n of_o parliament_n or_o by_o prescription_n and_o the_o chancery_n have_v no_o prescription_n for_o a_o court_n of_o equity_n as_o appear_v by_o those_o ancient_a author_n if_o the_o chancery_n itself_o have_v no_o right_n of_o prescription_n than_o there_o be_v no_o foundation_n for_o any_o prescription_n in_o case_n of_o appeal_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o act_n of_o parliament_n that_o give_v it_o the_o first_o decree_n as_o i_o take_v it_o in_o chancery_n be_v but_o of_o the_o time_n of_o king_n richard_n the_o second_o and_o that_o be_v reverse_v for_o that_o it_o be_v in_o a_o matter_n proper_o determinable_a at_o the_o common-law_n the_o best_a proof_n of_o the_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o a_o court_n be_v the_o record_n and_o precedent_n of_o a_o court_n and_o if_o it_o be_v by_o prescription_n it_o must_v appear_v by_o ancient_a and_o frequent_a precedent_n plough_v comment_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o mine_n fol._n 301._o b._n and_o if_o any_o court_n usurp_v a_o jurisdiction_n in_o a_o case_n where_o it_o appear_v in_o their_o very_a proceed_n themselves_o that_o it_o have_v no_o lawful_a jurisdiction_n what_o they_o do_v in_o such_o case_n be_v corà m_fw-la non_fw-la judice_fw-la and_o be_v utter_o void_a now_o concern_v the_o exercise_n of_o a_o jurisdiction_n by_o way_n of_o appeal_n from_o a_o court_n of_o equity_n for_o error_n in_o their_o decree_n i_o shall_v make_v mention_n of_o the_o very_a record_n and_o act_n of_o the_o house_n of_o lord_n i_o have_v search_v into_o the_o journal_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o i_o find_v a_o record_n or_o entry_n there_o of_o the_o parliament_n hold_v 18_o jac._n 1._o anno_fw-la 1621._o and_o we_o need_v search_v no_o high_o for_o that_o give_v a_o full_a account_n of_o all_o the_o time_n then_o pass_v as_o to_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n viz._n of_o the_o supreme_a judicature_n and_o jurisdiction_n 18_o jac._n 1._o fol._n 175._o of_o the_o lord_n journal_n i_o find_v by_o a_o entry_n of_o the_o 30_o the_o of_o november_n in_o that_o year_n that_o a_o committee_n have_v be_v name_v by_o the_o lord_n to_o take_v into_o consideration_n the_o custom_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n and_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o peer_n or_o lord_n of_o parliament_n and_o that_o a_o sub-committee_n have_v be_v name_v who_o have_v express_v power_n to_o reward_v such_o person_n as_o by_o their_o warrant_n shall_v search_v among_o the_o record_n for_o privilege_n and_o custom_n and_o that_o mr._n selden_n have_v be_v appoint_v for_o that_o purpose_n and_o have_v take_v much_o pain_n in_o it_o i_o observe_v by_o the_o way_n that_o the_o house_n of_o lord_n be_v not_o then_o of_o the_o same_o judgement_n with_o the_o noble_a author_n i_o have_v before_o mention_v who_o assert_n the_o right_a of_o judicature_n of_o the_o house_n of_o peer_n to_o be_v by_o the_o very_a first_o constitution_n of_o the_o government_n universal_a and_o in_o all_o cause_n whatsoever_o unless_o restrain_v by_o some_o act_n of_o parliament_n have_v that_o be_v true_a there_o have_v be_v no_o need_n to_o search_v for_o precedent_n to_o warrant_v their_o proceed_n in_o any_o case_n it_o have_v be_v sufficient_a to_o justify_v the_o proceed_n if_o no_o act_n of_o parliament_n can_v be_v find_v to_o restrain_v they_o in_o any_o such_o case_n the_o labour_n of_o which_o will_v have_v be_v proper_o on_o his_o part_n that_o will_v presume_v to_o dispute_v their_o jurisdiction_n no_o the_o lord_n take_v the_o right_a course_n to_o examine_v it_o if_o there_o be_v no_o precedent_n the_o lord_n conclude_v that_o then_o they_o have_v no_o right_n to_o a_o jurisdiction_n and_o no_o person_n nor_o court_n can_v assume_v to_o themselves_o at_o their_o own_o will_n any_o authority_n or_o jurisdiction_n quis_fw-la i_o constituit_fw-la judicem_fw-la say_v our_o bless_a saviour_n there_o must_v be_v a_o constitution_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v proper_o enough_o ask_v by_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o give_v thou_o this_o authority_n i_o will_v observe_v too_o that_o the_o sub-committee_n of_o the_o lord_n employ_v for_o that_o purpose_n of_o search_v for_o precedent_n a_o person_n who_o be_v in_o his_o element_n the_o famous_a selden_n no_o record_n can_v escape_v his_o discovery_n further_o in_o the_o 208_o the_o folio_n of_o that_o journal_n of_o the_o 18_o the_o year_n of_o king_n james_n on_o the_o 14_o the_o of_o december_n the_o then_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n for_o he_o it_o seem_v take_v special_a care_n of_o it_o mention_n in_o his_o report_n to_o the_o lord_n the_o proceed_n of_o that_o committee_n viz._n a_o