CHAP. III.1 CAUSES OF UNCERTAIN JUDGMENTS. 365 



Prelections. 



XCIII. Let the readings upon the law, and the exercises 

 of such as study it, be so instituted and ordered, that all 

 things may tend to the resolving and putting an end, and 

 not to the raising and maintaining of questions and contro 

 versies in the law. But at present a school seems everywhere 

 opened for multiplying disputes, wranglings, and altercations 

 about the laws, in the way of showing the wit of the dis 

 putants ; though this is also an ancient evil, for it was 

 esteemed a piece of glory of old to support numerous questions 

 of la.w, as it were by sects and fashions, rather than to end 

 them. But this ought to be prevented. 



Instability of judgments. 



XCIV. Judgments prove uncertain, either 1. through an 

 untimely and hasty passing of sentence j 2. the emulation of 

 courts ; 3. a wrong and unskilful recording of judgments ; 

 or, 4. through a too easy and ready way opened for their 

 reversion. Therefore let care be taken, 1. that judgments 

 proceed upon mature deliberation ; 2. that courts preserve a 

 due reverence for each other ; 3. that judgments be faithfully 

 and prudently recorded ; and 4. that the way for reversing 

 of judgments be made narrow, craggy, and thorny. 



XCV. If judgment be given upon a case in any principal 

 court, and a like case come into another court, proceed not 

 to judgment before a consultation be held in some considerable 

 assembly of the judges. For if decrees are of necessity to be 

 cut off, at least let them be honourably interred. 



XCVI. For courts to quarrel and contend about jurisdic 

 tion is a piece of human frailty, and the more, because of a 

 childish opinion, that it is the duty of a good and able judge 

 to enlarge the jurisdiction of his court ; whence this dis 

 order is increased, and the spur made use of instead of the 

 bridle. But that courts, through this heat of contention 

 should on all sides uncontrollably reverse each other s decrees 

 which belong not to jurisdiction, is an intolerable evil, and 

 by all means to be suppressed by kings, the senate, or the 

 government. For it is a most pernicious example that courts, 

 which make peace among the subjects, should quarrel among 

 themselves. 



XOVII. Let not too easy a passage be opened for the TO* 



