They further declared, that one old statute and laudable custome was
approued, which no man could denie, that the king once in the yeare
might lawfullie summon his high court of parlement, and call the lords
and commons therevnto, as to the highest court of his realme, in which
court all right and equitie ought to shine as the sunne being at
the highest, whereof poore and rich may take refreshing; where also
reformation ought to be had of all oppressions, wrongs, extortions, &
enormities within the realme; and there the king ought to take counsell
with the wise men of his realme, for the maintenance of his estate, and
conseruation of the same. And if it might be knowen that any persons
within the realme or without, intended the contrarie; there must also
be deuised how such euill weeds may be destroied. There must also be
studied and foreséene, that if any charge doo come vpon the king and
realme, how it may be honorablie borne and discharged.
[Sidenote: Absence of the king from the parlement for the space of 40
daies.