[1] [2] But now to returne vnto the doings in the parle|ment holden at Oxford. It was ordeined (as some write) that the king should choose twelue persons of the realme, Matt. VVest. and the communaltie of the land should choose other twelue, the which hauing regall authori|tie in their hands,Foure and twentie go|uernours. might take in charge the gouer|nance of the realme vpon them, & should from yeare to yeare prouide for the due election of iustices, chan|cellors, treasurors, and other officers, and see for the safe keeping of the castels which belonged to the crowne. These foure and twentie gouernours appoin|ted as prouiders for the good gouernement of the realme, began to order all things at their pleasure, in the meane time not forgetting to vse things chéeflie to their owne aduantages, as well in prouiding es|chets and wards for their sonnes and kinsfolks, as also in bestowing patronages of churches (belonging to the kings gift) at their pleasures, so that these pro|uiders séemed to prouide all for themselues, in so much that neither king nor Christ could receiue ought amongst them:The abuses of those go|uernours. and as for iustice they regarded no|thing lesse, their minds were so rauished with desire of priuat wealth; which who so hunteth after, being in place of magistracie, he must néeds neglect the law and course of equitie, and therefore this counsell is good which a good writer giueth in this behalfe, saieng;

Si iustus vult esse aliquis non vtile quaerat,

M. Pal. in Virg.Iusticia est multis laudata, domestica paucis.