Lib. VIll. Of the Advancement of Learnincr. 002 



they called Anti-nomies , and fuch as could not be reconciled, were 

 propounded to the people , that fome certainty might be defined 

 touching them. After this example, let fuch in every State, as have 

 the Power of making Laws, review Anti-nomies every third or fifth 

 year, or as they fee caufe. And thefe may be firfl: fearcht into, and 

 prepar'd by Committees aflign'd thereto, and after that exhibited to 

 Aflemblies 5 that fo what (hall beapprov'd, may by fuffi:ages be efta- 

 blilht and fetled. 



ATHORISM LVr. 



And let there not betoo (crupulous and anxious pains taken in re- 

 conciling Contrary Titles of Law, and of Salving (as they termit) all 

 points by fubtil and ftudied Diftindtions. For this is the Web of 

 Wit ; and however it may carry a (hew of Modefty and ReverencCj 

 yet it is to be reckoned in the number of things Prejudicial 5 as be- 

 ing that which makes the whole body of Law ill-forted, and inco« 

 herent. It were far better that the worft Titles were cancel'dj and the 

 reft ftand in force. 



APHORISM LVU. 



Obfokte Laws, and fuch as are grown out of u(e, as well as Anti- 

 nomies^ (hould be propounded by delegateSjas a part of their charge 

 ,tp be reptal'd : for (eeing exprefs Statute cannot regularly be void- 

 .ed by Dtfufe 5 it falls out that through a Difeftimation of Obfolete 

 Laws, the authority of the reft is fomewhat erabafed 5 and Mezenti- 

 us Torture enfues , that Laws alive are kjlled with the embraccments of 

 Laws dead : hut above all beware of a Gangreen in Laws. 



APHORISM LVm. 



So likewife for Obfolete Laws and Statutes, and fuch as are not late- 

 ly publi(ht 3 let the Pretorian Courts have power ; in the mean (pace, 

 to define contrary to them : for although it hath been faid not im- 

 pertinently, no man ought to make himfclf wifer than the Laws 5 yet 

 this may be underftood of Laws, when they are awake, not when 

 they are afleep. On the other fide, let not the more recent Statutes^ 

 which are found prejudicial to the Law-piblickj, be in the Power of 

 the Judges 3 but in the Power of Kings and Counfellors of Eftate, 

 and ftipreme Authorities for Redrels, by (ufpending their execution 

 through Edifts and Afts ; until Parliamentary Courts, and fuch High 

 Aflemblies meet again, which have power to abrogate them ; left 

 the (afety of the Common- wealth (hould in the mean while be en- 

 dangered. 



