^o8 Ofthe Advancement of Learning. Lib. VIII. 



APHORISM LXXVI. 



Digeft thefe Judgtftents according to the order and contimiation 

 of time J not according to Method and Titles : for writings of this 

 Mature are, as it were, the Hijiories and Reports of Laws 5 nor do the 

 Decrees alone, but their times alfo give light to a wife Judge. 



Of Authcntick Writers. 

 ATHORISM LXXVII. 



LEt the ^ody of Law be built only upon the Laws themfelves 3 

 which conftitute the common Law 5 next of Decrees or Statutes 5 

 in the third place o£ Judgements enrolled j befides thefe, either let 

 there be no other AHthentickj at all, or fparingly enterraind. 



AT HORlSM LXX VIII. 



Nothing fb much imports Certainty of Laws (of which we nov^ 

 difcourfe) as that Authentick^ IVritings be confined within moderate 

 bounds j and that the excejjive multitude of Authors and Doftors of 

 the Laws , whereby the mind and fentence of Laws are diftrafted 5 

 the Judge confounded j proceedings are made immortal 3 and the 

 Advocate himfelf, delpairing to read over and conquer fo many 

 Books, betakes himfelf to Abridgements 3 be difcarded. It may be 

 fome good gloft, and fome few of Claflick Writers, or rather (bme 

 fmall parcel of few Writers, may be received for Authentickj. Yet 

 of the reli^ fome ufe may be made in Libraries, where Judges or 

 Advocates, may as occafion is offered read their Difcourfes ; but in 

 caufes to be pleaded, let them not be permitted to be brought and 

 alleaged in the Court, nor grow up into Autority. 



Of Auxiliary Books. 



APHORISM LXXIX. 



Et not the knowledge and praftice of Law be deftituted, but ra- 

 ' ther well provided oi Auxiliary Bookj. They are in general 

 fix forts, Inftitutes ; of the fignification of Words 5 of the Rules of 

 Law 5 Ancient Records ; Abridgements 5 Forms of Pleading. 



APHORISM LXXX. 



Young Students and Novices are to be enter *d by Institutes 5 that 

 they may the more profoundly and orderly draw and take in the 

 knowledge and Difficulties of the Laws. Compofe thefe I»flitutes 

 after a clear and perfpicuous manner. In the(e elementary Bookj run 

 jQVer the vihoXtpivate Law 5 not paffing by fome Titles, and dwelling 

 too long upon others 5 but briefly touching fomething in all 3 that 



coming 



