But with what justice is it condemned?
Now, the ground of defence was not to abjure the doctrine itself, but to maintain its truth.

On this subject, however, not a word is allowed to be uttered.
Wherefore I beseech you, Sire,--and surely it is not an unreasonable request,--to take upon yourself the entire cognizance of this cause, which has hitherto been confusedly and carelessly agitated, without any order of law, and with outrageous passion rather than judicial gravity.

Think not that I am now meditating my own individual defence, in order to effect a safe return to my native country; for, though I feel the affection which every man ought to feel for it, yet, under the existing circumstances, I regret not my removal from it.

But I plead the cause of all the godly, and consequently of Christ himself, which, having been in these times persecuted and trampled on in all ways in your kingdom, now lies in a most deplorable state; and this indeed rather through the tyranny of certain Pharisees, than with your knowledge.

How this comes to pass is foreign to my present purpose to say; but it certainly lies in a most afflicted state.