THE 



USE OF THE LAW, 



AND WHEREIN IT PRINCIPALLY CONSISTETH, 



THE use of the law consisteth principally in these three 

 things : 



I. To secure men s persons from death and violence. 



II. To dispose the property of their goods and lands. 

 III. For preservation of their good names from shame 

 and infamy. 



For safety of persons, the law provideth that any man Surety to keep 

 standing in fear of another may take his oath before a jus- the P eace - 

 tice of peace, that he standeth in fear of his life, and the 

 justice shall compel the other to be bound with sureties to 

 keep the peace. 



If any man beat, wound, or maim another, or give false Action of the 

 scandalous words that may touch his credit, the law giveth case &amp;gt; forslan- 

 thereupon an action of the case, for the slander of his good &&quot; b tery 

 name ; and an action of battery, or an appeal of maim, by 

 which recompense shall be recovered, to the value of the 

 hurt, damage, or danger. 



If any man kill another with malice, the law giveth an Appeal of mur- 

 appeal to the wife of the dead, if he had any, or to the next der S iven to the 

 of kin that is heir in default of a wife, by which appeal nextof kin - 

 the defendant convicted is to suffer death, and to lose all 

 his lands and goods. But if the wife or heir will not sue 

 or be compounded withal, yet the king is to punish the 

 offence by indictment or presentment of a lawful inquest 

 and trial of the offenders before competent judges; where- 



