332 READING ON THE STATUTE OF USES. 



science, is by common law ; and therefore that it had or 

 hath in law, is only by statute. 



Of uses since Now followeth in course both of time and matter, the 

 ute consideration of this statute, our principal labour; and 

 whereunto this former consideration which we have handled 

 serve but for introduction. 



This statute, as it is the statute which of all others hath 

 the greatest power and operation over the inheritance of 

 the realm, so howsoever it hath been by the humour of the 

 time perverted in exposition, yet itself is the most perfect 

 and exactly conceived and penned of any law in the book. 

 It is induced with the most declaring and understanding- 

 preamble, consisting and standing upon the wisest and 

 fittest ordinances, and qualified with the most foreseeing 

 and circumspect savings and provisoes : and lastly, the best 

 pondered of all the words and clauses of it of any statute 



stances atteml that * ^^ But bef re I C0me } the statute itself &amp;gt; I wil1 

 LiMhTstatute &quot; no ^ e un ^ J ou three matters of circumstance. 



1. The time of the statute. 2. The title of it. 3. The pre 

 cedent or pattern of it. 



1. The time of For the time it was made in 27 H. VIIL when the king- 

 2 statute. ( j om wag - n f u jj p eace? an( j i n a wealthy and in a flourishing 



time, in which nature of time men are most careful of the 

 assurance of their possessions ; as well because purchasers 

 are most stirring, as again, because the purchaser, when he 

 is full, is no less careful of his assurance to his children, 

 and of disposing that which he hath gotten, than he was of 

 his bargain and compassing thereof. 



About that time the realm began to be enfranchised from 

 the tributes to Rome, and the possessions that had been in 

 mortmain began to stir abroad ; for this year was the sup 

 pression of the smaller houses, all tending to plenty, and 

 purchasing : and this statute came in consort with divers 

 excellent statutes, made for the kingdom in the same par 

 liament ; as the reduction of Wales to a more civil govern 

 ment, the reedifying of divers cities and towns, the sup 

 pressing of depopulation and inclosures, all badges of a time 

 that did extraordinarily flourish. 



2. The title. For the title, it hath one title in the roll, and another in 



course of pleading. The title in the roll is no solemn title, 

 but an apt title, viz. An act expressing an order for uses and 

 wills ; it was time, for they were out of order. The title in 

 course of pleading is, Statutum de usibus in possessionem 

 transferendis : wherein Walmsly, justice, noted well, 40 Re- 

 ginre, that if a man look to the working of the statute, he 



