THE LAWS OF ENGLAND. 345 



the realm ; and the same was revived in the fourth 

 year of Edward VI. though neither took effect. 



For the laws of Lycurgus, Solon, Minos, and 

 others of ancient time, they are not the worse, be 

 cause grammar scholars speak of them : but things 

 too ancient wax children with us again. 



Edgar, the Saxon king, collected the laws of 

 this kingdom, and gave them the strength of a faggot 

 bound, which formerly were dispersed. 



The statutes of king Edward the first were 

 fundamental. But, I doubt, I err in producing so 

 many examples : for, as Cicero saith to Cassar, so 

 may I say to your majesty ; &quot; Nil vulgare te dignum 

 &amp;lt;f videri possit.&quot; 



Obj. III. In this purging of the course of the 

 common laws and statutes, much good may be taken 

 away. 



Resp. In all purging, some good humours may 

 pass away ; but that is largely recompensed by 

 lightening the body of much bad. 



Obj. IV. Labour were better bestowed, in bring 

 ing the common laws of England to a text law, as 

 the statutes are, and setting both of them down in 

 method and by titles. 



Resp. It is too long a business to debate, whether 

 &quot; lex scripta, aut non scripta,&quot; a text law, or customs 

 well registered, with received and approved grounds 

 and maxims, and acts and resolutions judicial, from 

 time to time duly entered and reported, be the better 

 form of declaring and authorising laws. It was the 

 principal reason or oracle of Lycurgus, that none of 



