THE PREFACE. 



I HOLD every man a debtor to his profession; from the 

 which, as men of course do seek to receive countenance 

 and profit, so ought they of duty to endeavour themselves, 

 by way of amends, to be a help and ornament thereunto. 

 This is performed in some degree by the honest and liberal 

 practice of a profession, when men shall carry a respect not 

 to descend into any course that is corrupt and unworthy 

 thereof, and preserve themselves free from the abuses where 

 with the same profession is noted to be infected ; but much 

 more is this performed if a man be able to visit and strengthen 

 the roots and foundation of the science itself; thereby not 

 only gracing it in reputation and dignity, but also amplify 

 ing it in perfection and substance. Having, therefore, from 

 the beginning, come to the study of the laws of this realm, 

 with a desire no less, if I could attain unto it, that the 

 same laws should be the better for my industry, than that 

 myself should be the better for the knowledge of them ; 

 I do not find that, by mine own travel, without the help 

 of authority, I can in any kind confer so profitable an 

 addition unto that science, as by collecting the rules and 

 grounds dispersed throughout the body of the same laws; for 

 hereby no small light will be given in new cases, wherein 

 the authorities do square and vary, to confirm the law, and 

 to make it received one way ; and in cases wherein the law 

 is cleared by authority, yet nevertheless to see more pro- 



