L I B.VIII. Of the Advancement of Learning: ■ ^09 



coming to read through the rvhole body ofLarvt^ nothing may be pre- 

 fented altogether ftrange ; but what hath been tafted , and pre- 

 conceiv'dby fbme flight notion. Touch not the rublick^Lavp in /«- 

 JiitHtes, but let that be deduced from the Fountains ofthcnifehes. 



A? HORISM LXXXf. 



Compile a Commentary upon the Tertfn of Law .* Be not too cu- 

 riousand tedious in the explication thereof j and of rendring their 

 (enfe 5 for the fcope here, is not exaftly to feek out the Definition of 

 IVords^ but fuch explications only , as may clear the pafiage to the 

 reading of the Bookj of Law. Digeft not this Treatife by the letters 

 of the Alphabet : leave that to Come Index 5 but let fuch words as im- 

 port the fame thing be forted together ; that in the comprehenlton of 

 the fenle, one may adminifter help upon the other. 



APHORISM Lxxxrr. 



A (bund and well-labour'd Treatife of the divers Rules of Law . 

 conduceth (if any thing doth J to xhe certainty of Laws. A work 

 worthy the Pen of the greateft WitS5arid wiJeft Jurifts. Nor do we 

 approve what is extant in this kind. And not only noted and com- 

 mon Rules^ are to be coUefted, but alfb others more fubtil and ab- 

 ftrufe, which may be abftradled out of the Harmony of Laws , and 

 Judged Cafes :y fuch as are (bmetimes found in the beji Rubrics ^ and^ 

 theie are the general Dilates of Reafon^ and the Ballajl, as it were 

 of Law. # 



APHORISM LXXXIII. 



But all Decrees and Placits of Law, rauft not be taken for Rules , 

 as is wont to be, ablurdly enough ; for if this Ihould be admittedj, 

 then (o many Laws^ Co many Rules 5 for a Law is nothing elle, than a 

 commanding Rule. But accept thofe for Rules which cleave to the 

 very Form of Jujiice, from whence for moft part the fame Rules are 

 commonly found through the Civil Laws of Different States f unlels 

 perhaps they vary for the reference to the Forms of pthlick, Govern^ 

 iftents, 



APHORISM LXXXIV. 



After theifa/c is divided in a brief and fubftantial comprehenfiocr 

 of words 5 let there be, /<7r explication, annext examples, and moft 

 clear and luculent Decifions of Cafes -, DijlinUions and exceptions Cot 

 limitations 3 Points concurrent in fence , for Amplification of the 

 fame Rule, 



AP HOR ISM LXXXV. 



It is well given in Precept, that a Law fiould not be drawn from 

 Rules 5 but the Rule from the Law in force. Neither is a Proof to be 

 taken from the words of a Rule, as if it were a Text of Law ; for a 

 Rule (as the fea-man's needle doth the Poles) indicates only, not De- 

 termines Laws. 



APHO* 



