I  desire  to  be  heard  in  this  case  with  great  benignity,  and  with  great
excuse  for  what  I  say,  for  I  take  this  question  to  be  of  so  universal  a
concernment  to  all  men's  rights  and  properties,  in  point  of  disposing  of
their  ^estates,  as  to  most  conveyances,  made  and  settled  in  the  late
times  and  yet  on  foot,  that  being  afraid  I  might  shake  more  settlements
than  I  am  willing  to  do,  I  am  not  disposed  to  keep  so  closely  and
strictly  to  the  rules  of  law  as  the  judges  of  the  common  law  do,  as  not
to  look  to  the  reasons  and  consequences  that  may  follow  upon  the  de-
termination of  this  case.
I  cannot  say  in  this  case,  that  this  limitation  is  void,  and  because  j^
this  is  a  point,  that  in  courts  of  equity  (which  are  not  favored  by  the
judgments  of  the  courts  of  law)  is  seldom  debated  with  any  great  indus-
try at  the  bar;  but  where  they  are  possessed  once  of  the  cause,  they
press  for  a  decree,  according  to  the  usual  and  known  rules  of  law ;  and
think  we  are  not  to  examine  things.  And  because  it  is  probable  this
cause,  be  it  adjudged  one  way  or  other,  may  come  into  the  parliament,  I
will  take  a  littl  pains  to  open  the  case,  the  consequences  that  depend
upon  it,  and  the  reasons  that  lie  upon  me,  as  thus  persuaded,  to  sus-
pend my  opinion.
Whether  this  limitation  to  Charles  be  void  or  no,  is  the  question*
Now,  first,  these  things  are  plain  and  clear,  and  by  taking  notice  of
what  is  plain  and  clear,  we  shall  come  ^o  see  what  is  doubtful.
