The government had wished to secure the services of Maynard: but he had plainly declared that he could not in conscience do what was asked of him.

[395] On the other side were arrayed almost all the eminent forensic talents of the age.

Sawyer and Finch, who, at the time of the accession of James, had been Attorney and Solicitor General, and who, during the persecution of the Whigs in the late reign, had served the crown with but too much vehemence and success, were of counsel for the defendants.
With them were joined two persons who, since age had diminished the activity of Maynard, were reputed the two best lawyers that could be found in the Inns of Court: Pemberton, who had, in the time of Charles the Second, been Chief justice of the King's Bench, who had been removed from his high place on account of his humanity and moderation, and who had resumed his practice at the bar; and Pollexfen, who had long been at the head of the Western circuit, and who, though he had incurred much unpopularity by holding briefs for the crown at the Bloody Assizes, and particularly by appearing against Alice Lisle, was known to be at heart a Whig, if not a republican.

Sir Creswell Levinz was also there, a man of great knowledge and experience, but of singularly timid nature.

He had been removed from the bench some years before, because he was afraid to serve the purposes of the government.