A recantation of Iudge Jenkins, a reverend and learned father of the lawes, delivered at Westminster, the 10. of April 1647. to Mr. Corbet the Chaire-man of the Committee of Examination, with his name subscribed thereunto. Wherein he humbly submitteth himselfe to the power assumed by the two Houses of Parliament, in opposition to the Kings authority; together with a vindication of the negative oath imposed by the power and authority of the two Houses. Published for the satisfaction of tender consciences, who pretend the unlawfulnesse of taking the said negative oath.

Author: Jenkins, David, 1582-1663.1647

A RECANTATION of Iudge JENKINS, A Reverend and learned Father of the Lawes, delivered at Westminster the 10. of April 1647. to Mr. Corbet the Chaire-man of the Committee of Examinaton, with his name subscribed thereunto. Wherein he humbly submitteth himselfe to the power assumed by the two Houses of Parliament, in opposition to the Kings Authority; together with a vindication of the Negative Oath imposed by the power and Authority of the two Houses.
Published for the satisfaction of tender consciences, who pretend the vnlawfulnesse of taking the said negative Oath.

Gentlemen,

J Stand committed by the House of Commons for high Treason, for not acknowledging, nor obeying the power of the two Houses by adhearing to the King in this Warre: I deny this to be Treason: For the supream and only power by the Lawes of the Land is the King, if I should submit to an Examination derived from your power, which by the negative Oath stands in opposition to the Kings power, I should confesse the supream power to be in you, and so condemne my selfe for a Traytor, which I neither ought nor will doe.

I am sworn to obey the King, and the Lawes of the Land, by which Lawes you have no power to examine me, without the Kings Writ, Pattent, or Commission, if you can produce any of these, I will answer the questions you shall propound, otherwise I cannot answer, without the breach of my Oath, and the violation of the Lawes, which I will not doe to save my life.

All the Members of this Parliament have, or ought to have sworn that the King is our only and supream governour; your Protestations, your Vowes & Covenant, your declarations all of them published to the Kingdom, that your scope was the maintenance of the Lawes: those Lawes must be derived to us, and inlivened by the only Supream Governour, the fountain of Justice, and life of the Law, the King.

Parliaments are called by his writs, the Judges sit by his Pattent, so of all other Officers: All Cities and Corporate Townes, are Governed by the Kings Charters, therefore I cannot be examined by you, unlesse your power were derived from his Majesty, neither will I: Nor ought you to examine me upon any question: But if as private Gentlemen you shall be pleased to aske me any question, I shall really and truly answer every such question as you shall demand.

April the 10. Anno. 1647. Vos habetis multos Milites: ego habetos multos Annos; id Est. You have multitudes of Soldiers, and I [...]ave many yeares.

DAVID IENKINS: Prisoner in the Tower of London.

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