the lord coke the preface to his charge give at the assize hold in Norwich the  four of August because I perceive the time have more swift pass then I do  expect my strife and labour with my self have be in my self to abreviate what  I purpose to speak and though my speech shall principal be direct to you of  the jury which be swear yet for that I know the scope and sum of my endeavour  be sole dedicate to God glory and my country public benefit I hope that all my  word shall extend unto the general good of all these here present unto who  they be speak for I do purpose in my course as it be with a finger to point  out those grow and groan evil which do not only for the present time disturb  hurt our public weal but do also strive and that with a most dangerous force  to deface ruin utter subvert the honour of our ancient name our now great  Briton monarchy but before the substance of my intend speech receive his  purpose beginning I think it not amiss first to begin with my self and of my  self to speak thus much there be a certain young Roman who youth so direct his  labour with industrious care to attain to knowledge by the read and study of  good letter as that the senate of Rome among themselves determine to make that  young man a judge thereby with honour reputation to recompense the travel of  his youth to give encouragement unto other Roman citizen by their good  endeavour to attain unto like estate credit in the government of Rome public  weal it happen that short after the determination by the consul senate agree  upon the young man upon who the place of a judge shall be confer come unto the  knowledge thereof fall present into a deep consideration with himself about  the force office of that worthy place whereunto he shall be call and first  consider that in his own opinion he be most unfit sufficient to execute the  substantial and sometime dangerous though most commend duty proper belong to  so great a dignity for this young Roman have many friend kinsfolk alley some  of they of such rank place in the authority of government as that their love  or hate can not apt draw unto it self a light or trivial respect among who  this young man think that come to be a judge time may unhappy produce some  such occasion wherein his sentence in the place of judgement may give distaste  procure enemy lose friend gain suspect of hateful partiality from which  corrupt most empoison evil though this young Roman do never so much desire to  stand clear yet judge among friend kinsfolk he shall assure as he think by  some detractor be thereof suspect the Roman citizen have thus unto himself  present diverse Obsticles and objection which can not in his own sense receive  sufficient contradiction he resolve by no mean to take upon he the place  person of a judge but do use all his friend and great power of mean to  persuade the senate to alter their determination concern he and to bestow so  great a office on some other that may more worthy deserve the same while this  young man continue in a discontent passion with purpose to desire some good  advice he go unto a faithful friend of his who he acquaint with what the  senate purpose and how loath he be to undertake so high a office as to be a  judge his friend upon hear the cause present conclude that he have great  reason to shun the execution of such a office in the discharge where of so  much danger rest for say he cave ne sis judge inter rich in friends because  inter rich in friends to fine among friend to judge be a thing nothing more  dangerous and therefore be constant advice that in any wise he shall refuse  such honour though offer unto he and rather be content with a mean and private  life then in such a place to be employ in which he shall assure lose old  friend and get new enemy this young man though thus by his friend advice and  in himself resolve never to take upon he any such as he account dangerous  dignity yet when he understand that the senate will not be alter in their  purpose but that by they the place be decree unto he he then determine with  himself to try the counsel of some other friend who judgement and experience  may bear some general note in direct the high affair to the state belong and  in this purpose he go unto a certain nobleman who prudent wisdom have oft be  use in business of most weighty consequence unto who when he have lie open his  mind show his grief and signify the senate pleasure the noble gentleman with  pleasant yet grave alacrity of spirit season with the soundness of a learned  and understanding wisdom do most powerful advice that this young man shall  cheerful accept so worthy a office be so free bestow upon he and that he shall  by no mean seem to neglect the gracious clemency of supreme authority nor in  any sort account it dangerous among friend to judge for in the office and  execution of judgement he that be a judge to leave off be friend cease to be a  friend for in the manner of judgement no acquaintance no grief no friend no  remembrance of before pass present or hope of future friendship must direct  the think of he that be a judge all that on judgement seat be do must be  because justice command the do thereof and that with no other affection but  only because it be just and therefore say this noble gentleman unto his friend  arm thy self in the constancy of a constionable uprightness and be no long  loath to execute the honourable office of a judge but in thy love to Rome  common wealth dedicate thy labour to her public benefit by the grave and sage  advice of that honour lord this young man wasperswaded contrary to his former  purpose with humble thankfulness to accept that office which the senate  without any mean of his be please free to bestow upon he and year genrallie  make show as if he mean the contrary and sudden prepare a sumptuous Feast unto  which he envited all his friend kinsfolk and familiar acquaintance seem that  in regard he do rather choose to leave his country then to take upon he the  office of a judge he have provide a banquet or Feast to banquet with his  friend before his departure and in some solemn manner will take leave of they  all who be as they think to this end assemble do sorrowful expect the occasion  of their grief by the departure of their friend which when the young man  perceive he speak thus unto they it be true that I purpose as I must to take  my leave of you all and to be a stranger to my dear friend and near alley I  must forget all former friendship and my most familiar acquaintance I must  account as great stranger unto I thus must I depart from you yet continue  among you for by the love power authority of the senate I be appoint to be a  judge and in the seat of justice I must forget the remembrance of your former  friendship and acquaintance and only in the person of a judge with respect  tokeepemyconscience clear I must with equity uprightness just administer  justice unto you all and this be my cause by the love favour of my great  master king James in who royal and gracious disposition I be without  precationee well prayer without price or request free call unto this great  office by the favour of my king unto who service my life and all I have be  humble bind by he and by his gracious clemency I be thus send to be a judge  among my kinsfolk and familiar friend even in bosom of my native country I  must therefore as the young Roman do take leave of all former acquaintance do  that which be just unto all estate and degree without partiality which duty by  God permission and assistance I will faithful perform so long as God and my  king shall please that in this place I be employ in the uprightness and equity  of judgement shall all my performance entire consist the contrary whereof  shall as I hope neither be desire nor expect and thus much for my self