Page:A History and Defence of Magna Charta.djvu/290

244 ſovereign abuſion, is for the King to be beyond the law, whereas he ought to be ſubject to it, as is contained in his oath: though the ſecond is my buſineſs, which is in theſe words.

“ ſecond abuſion of the law is, that whereas parliaments ought to convene for the ſalvation of the ſouls of treſpaſſers, and this at London, and two times in the year, now a-days they meet but ſeldom, and at the will of the King for aids and gatherings of treaſure: and whereas ordinances ought to be made by the common aſſent of the King and his counties, now they are made by the King and his clerks, and by aliens and others that dare not contradict the King, but deſire to pleaſe him, and to council him for his own profit, though it be not council which is convenient for the