"Besides my innumerable sins, I confess before thee that I am
debtor to thee for the gracious talent of thy gifts and graces,
which I have misspent in things for which I was least fit; so as I
may truly say, my soul hath been a stranger in the course of my
pilgrimage. Be merciful unto me (O Lord) for my Saviour's sake,
and receive me into thy bosom, or guide me in thy ways."
Bacon up to this time strangely, if the Committees were "open Courts,"
was entirely ignorant of the particulars of the charge which was
accumulating against him. He had an interview with the King, which was
duly reported to the House, and he placed his case before James,
distinguishing between the "three cases of bribery supposed in a
judge--a corrupt bargain; carelessness in receiving a gift while the
cause is going on; and, what is innocent, receiving a gift after it is
ended." And he meant in such words as these to place himself at the
King's disposal, and ask his direction:
"For my fortune, _summa summarum_ with me is, that I may not be
made altogether unprofitable to do your Majesty service or honour.
Pages:
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233