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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
authority_n court_n king_n law_n 4,550 5 5.2859 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A89519 Amicus reipublicæ. = The Common-Wealths friend or an exact and speedie course to justice and right, and for preventing and determining of tedious law-suits. With many other things very considerable for the good of the publick. All which are fully controverted and debated in law. By John March of Grayes-Inne, barister. March, John, 1612-1657. 1651 (1651) Wing M574; Thomason E1360_1; ESTC R202857 49,863 175

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the_o law_n and_o therefore_o say_v d._n 8._o cap._n 18._o very_o well_o if_o it_o be_v ordain_v by_o statute_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o remedy_n upon_o equity_n in_o chancery_n nor_o elsewhere_o such_o a_o statute_n be_v against_o reason_n and_o conscience_n and_o certain_o so_o it_o be_v he_o approve_v the_o use_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o labour_v to_o take_v away_o the_o abuse_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o the_o king_n of_o this_o nation_n have_v ever_o have_v their_o court_n of_o chancery_n and_o their_o chancellor_n or_o lord_n keeper_n of_o the_o great_a seal_n nor_o be_o i_o whole_o unknowing_a of_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o that_o court_n in_o the_o chancery_n say_v my_o lord_n cook_n in_o his_o jurisdiction_n of_o court_n there_o be_v two_o court_n one_o ordinary_a coram_fw-la domino_fw-la rege_fw-la in_fw-la cancellaria_fw-la in_o which_o the_o lord_n chancellor_n or_o lord_n keeper_n of_o the_o great_a seal_n proceed_v according_a to_o the_o right_a line_n of_o the_o law_n and_o stat._n of_o the_o realm_n secundùm_fw-la legem_fw-la et_fw-la consuetudinem_fw-la angliae_fw-la and_o with_o this_o court_n i_o purpose_v not_o to_o meddle_v as_o be_v not_o within_o the_o limit_n and_o bound_n of_o my_o present_a discourse_n but_o the_o other_o court_n that_o be_v extraordinary_a according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o equity_n secundùm_fw-la aequum_fw-la et_fw-la bonum_fw-la and_o that_o be_v my_o work_n to_o treat_v of_o and_o that_o you_o may_v see_v the_o necessity_n of_o this_o court_n it_o be_v officina_fw-la justitiae_fw-la out_o of_o which_o all_o original_a writ_n and_o all_o commission_n which_o pass_v under_o the_o great_a seal_n go_v forth_o which_o great_a seal_n be_v clavis_fw-la reipublicae_fw-la and_o for_o these_o end_v this_o court_n be_v always_o open_a and_o in_o this_o the_o chancellor_n or_o keeper_n be_v sole_a judge_n but_o he_o have_v power_n if_o he_o please_v to_o assist_v himself_o with_o the_o judge_n and_o now_o i_o shall_v take_v freedom_n to_o let_v you_o know_v what_o the_o ancient_a rule_n be_v for_o this_o court_n of_o equity_n which_o be_v very_o good_a three_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v adjudge_v in_o a_o court_n of_o conscience_n covin_z accident_n and_o breach_n of_o confidence_n all_o covin_n fraud_n and_o deceit_n for_o which_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n by_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o law_n accident_n as_o when_o a_o servant_n of_o a_o obliger_n morgager_n etc._n etc._n be_v send_v to_o pay_v the_o money_n upon_o the_o day_n and_o he_o be_v rob_v etc._n etc._n remedy_n be_v to_o be_v have_v in_o this_o court_n against_o the_o forfeiture_n and_o so_o in_o the_o like_a case_n the_o three_o be_v breach_n of_o trust_n and_o confidence_n of_o which_o you_o have_v plentiful_a authority_n in_o our_o book_n but_o of_o this_o this_o taste_n only_o shall_v suffice_v and_o now_o to_o come_v to_o that_o which_o i_o intend_v which_o be_v the_o present_a practice_n there_o and_o therein_o i_o shall_v not_o meddle_v with_o the_o many_o great_a officer_n and_o their_o fee_n which_o be_v a_o very_a great_a burden_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n because_o that_o i_o do_v believe_v that_o they_o be_v in_o a_o way_n of_o redress_n but_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o i_o shall_v touch_v upon_o be_v the_o multitude_n of_o suit_n that_o be_v there_o pend_v so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a without_o the_o commissioner_n be_v more_o than_o man_n for_o they_o to_o receive_v a_o convenient_a dispatch_v i_o do_v acknowledge_v their_o great_a and_o indefatigable_a pain_n in_o that_o high_a and_o extraordinary_a judicature_n for_o which_o the_o commonwealth_n stand_v very_o much_o oblige_v to_o they_o yet_o i_o know_v as_o man_n they_o can_v exceed_v their_o strength_n and_o ability_n this_o court_n have_v receive_v a_o great_a addition_n not_o of_o jurisdiction_n but_o of_o practice_n by_o take_v away_o of_o the_o court_n of_o ward_n that_o great_a and_o oppressive_a court_n as_o likewise_o by_o the_o fall_n of_o that_o unnecessary_a court_n of_o request_n so_o that_o the_o business_n of_o this_o court_n be_v so_o great_a and_o do_v so_o much_o increase_v daily_o that_o the_o commonwealth_n will_v in_o a_o short_a time_n very_o much_o suffer_v through_o inevitable_a not_o to_o be_v prevent_v delay_n of_o justice_n beside_o it_o be_v not_o unknown_a that_o many_o suit_n be_v commence_v there_o upon_o a_o suggestion_n of_o equity_n mere_o false_a on_o purpose_n only_o to_o hinder_v or_o delay_v the_o execution_n of_o justice_n at_o the_o common-law_n this_o likewise_o much_o advance_v the_o p●●ctice_n there_o and_o be_v a_o very_a great_a prejudice_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n by_o reason_n of_o such_o unjust_a and_o causeless_a vexation_n i_o hope_v no_o man_n will_v be_v so_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o misapprehend_v i_o here_o or_o to_o judge_v that_o in_o any_o thing_n i_o have_v say_v i_o shall_v lay_v the_o least_o imputation_n of_o fault_n upon_o the_o commissioner_n no_o i_o do_v not_o i_o can_v i_o know_v that_o all_o man_n who_o have_v to_o do_v in_o that_o court_n do_v plentiful_o partake_v of_o their_o justice_n yet_o i_o must_v say_v as_o before_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o through_o the_o infinite_a multiplicity_n of_o business_n there_o to_o give_v a_o convenient_a dispatch_n to_o all_o again_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v a_o great_a grievance_n and_o burden_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n to_o have_v a_o resort_n in_o matter_n of_o equity_n from_o a_o court_n of_o law_n to_o chancery_n we_o say_v in_o law_n frustra_fw-la fit_fw-la per_fw-la plura_fw-la quod_fw-la fieri_fw-la potest_fw-la per_fw-la pauciora_fw-la it_o be_v vain_a and_o idle_a for_o a_o man_n to_o go_v about_o when_o he_o may_v find_v a_o near_a way_n home_o the_o law_n love_v not_o circuity_n of_o action_n why_o then_o shall_v man_n be_v force_v to_o a_o court_n of_o equity_n when_o the_o case_n be_v pend_v before_o the_o judge_n at_o law_n and_o why_o may_v not_o the_o matter_n of_o equity_n if_o any_o be_v determine_v by_o they_o without_o such_o further_a trouble_n or_o wheel_v about_o which_o be_v no_o small_a charge_n and_o expense_n to_o the_o people_n i_o know_v not_o but_o that_o they_o be_v in_o such_o case_n the_o most_o proper_a chancellor_n and_o this_o will_v prevent_v a_o very_a great_a mischief_n and_o vexation_n to_o the_o people_n which_o i_o have_v show_v before_o and_o that_o be_v of_o resort_v to_o the_o chancery_n upon_o pretence_n of_o equity_n whereas_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v only_o to_o delay_v justice_n a_o thing_n than_o which_o nothing_o more_o frequent_a and_o usual_a beside_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n for_o the_o judge_n to_o make_v themselves_o chancellor_n too_o for_o i_o have_v know_v this_o case_n frequent_o in_o practice_n that_o the_o judge_n in_o debt_n upon_o a_o penal_a bond_n have_v upon_o a_o motion_n force_v the_o plaintiff_n to_o accept_v of_o the_o principal_a with_o cost_n and_o damage_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o penalty_n in_o strictness_n of_o law_n be_v forfeit_v this_o be_v judge_v and_o determine_v according_a to_o equity_n and_o why_o they_o may_v not_o do_v it_o as_o well_o in_o other_o case_n i_o understand_v not_o further_o as_o i_o have_v say_v before_o the_o chancellor_n may_v call_v the_o judge_n to_o his_o assistance_n and_o peradventure_o he_o will_v call_v those_o as_o be_v most_o proper_a before_o who_o the_o case_n be_v pend_v at_o law_n be_v not_o this_o then_o a_o strange_a circuity_n of_o action_n why_o may_v not_o the_o matter_n of_o equity_n have_v be_v as_o well_o determine_v by_o the_o judge_n and_o so_o this_o great_a vexation_n have_v be_v prevent_v but_o to_o this_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o this_o will_v be_v a_o total_a destruction_n of_o the_o court_n of_o chancery_n and_o a_o gross_a confound_n of_o law_n and_o equity_n to_o make_v the_o judge_n judge_v of_o both_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o we_o be_v whole_o to_o respect_v the_o good_a of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o what_o tend_v most_o that_o way_n certain_o be_v most_o just_a and_o reasonable_a other_o relation_n ought_v to_o be_v subservient_n to_o that_o that_o be_v equal_a and_o good_a ought_v only_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o but_o further_a though_o this_o will_n much_o abridge_v the_o practice_n there_o yet_o it_o will_v not_o take_v it_o away_o and_o i_o be_o certain_a the_o practice_n there_o need_v some_o abatement_n or_o at_o last_o there_o will_v be_v a_o extreme_a failer_z of_o justice_n not_o destroy_v it_o for_o there_o be_v many_o case_n which_o be_v so_o mere_o and_o absolute_o equitable_a that_o they_o have_v not_o the_o least_o relation_n to_o law_n nor_o can_v any_o action_n in_o such_o case_n be_v bring_v at_o law_n as_o in_o all_o your_o case_n of_o discovery_n and_o the_o like_a so_o that_o
do_v take_v away_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o king_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o they_o be_v so_o term_v by_o that_o stat._n not_o in_o relation_n only_o to_o the_o defeat_n of_o the_o king_n intention_n but_o because_o they_o be_v so_o in_o themselves_o feign_v and_o untrue_a beside_o be_v they_o so_o term_v because_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o king_n be_v thereby_o defeat_v why_o where_o there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o same_o law_n and_o in_o this_o case_n be_v not_o the_o apparent_a intention_n of_o the_o donor_n in_o his_o gift_n defeat_v by_o such_o recovery_n contrary_a to_o the_o stat._n which_o say_v that_o the_o will_n of_o the_o donor_n shall_v be_v observe_v but_o it_o be_v further_a say_v in_o that_o case_n that_o confirmat_fw-la usum_fw-la qui_fw-la tollit_fw-la abusum_fw-la and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o bar_n in_o that_o case_n before_o that_o act_n of_o 34._o h._n 8._o make_v to_o the_o contrary_a certain_o if_o it_o be_v a_o abuse_n in_o the_o king_n case_n it_o be_v no_o other_o in_o a_o common_a person_n and_o it_o be_v very_o happy_a if_o a_o act_n be_v likewise_o make_v against_o they_o in_o our_o case_n that_o we_o may_v not_o have_v they_o know_v for_o the_o future_a for_o the_o stat._n of_o 11._o h._n 7._o when_o a_o woman_n advance_v by_o the_o husband_n with_o a_o competent_a jointure_n in_o tail_n suffer_v a_o recovery_n to_o bar_v the_o issue_n this_o may_v well_o be_v say_v to_o be_v by_o covin._n now_o i_o beseech_v you_o weigh_v the_o case_n in_o the_o balance_n of_o reason_n and_o then_o judge_v whether_o they_o differ_v or_o no_o be_v it_o not_o as_o much_o covinous_a for_o any_o tenant_n in_o tail_n who_o take_v such_o estate_n to_o he_o and_o his_o issue_n to_o disherit_v his_o issue_n by_o such_o recovery_n contrary_a to_o the_o say_a stat._n for_o the_o stat._n of_o 32._o h._n 8._o and_o 34._o el._n of_o a_o common_a recovery_n against_o tenant_n for_o life_n it_o may_v well_o be_v term_v covinous_a and_o by_o collusion_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o but_o this_o that_o certain_o in_o our_o case_n there_o be_v as_o much_o of_o injustice_n covin_z and_o collusion_n by_o suffer_v such_o common_a recovery_n as_o in_o any_o of_o the_o former_a further_o it_o be_v say_v by_o those_o that_o argue_v against_o these_o recovery_n that_o that_o opinion_n that_o a_o common_a recovery_n can_v not_o be_v restrain_v by_o condition_n or_o limitation_n be_v new_a and_o of_o late_a invention_n and_o never_o hear_v before_o sir_n anthony_n mildmaye_v case_n 6._o rep._n fol._n 40._o for_o it_o be_v admit_v to_o be_v restrain_v in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o earl_n of_o arundel_n 17._o el._n dyer_n fol._n 342._o 343._o and_o in_o the_o argument_n of_o scholasticas_fw-la case_n 12._o e._n com._n 403._o the_o say_a point_n of_o restraint_n of_o a_o common_a recovery_n be_v never_o move_v here_o observe_v reader_n another_o new_a invention_n that_o these_o recovery_n can_v be_v restrain_v by_o any_o condition_n or_o limitation_n so_o that_o there_o must_v be_v such_o a_o power_n give_v to_o support_v these_o recovery_n though_o against_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o stat._n and_o the_o will_n of_o the_o donor_n that_o no_o human_a invention_n can_v prevent_v as_o to_o the_o earl_n of_o arundel_n case_n it_o be_v say_v that_o nothing_o be_v speak_v to_o it_o by_o those_o who_o argue_v the_o case_n and_o so_o no_o authority_n to_o this_o i_o say_v that_o certain_o have_v the_o law_n be_v conceive_v to_o be_v such_o that_o such_o recovery_n can_v not_o be_v restrain_v by_o condition_n it_o will_v have_v be_v then_o urge_v which_o rather_o conclude_v on_o this_o part_n as_o to_o scholasticas_fw-la case_n all_o that_o my_o lord_n cook_n say_v be_v this_o he_o much_o respect_v the_o reporter_n and_o attribute_n due_a honour_n and_o reverence_n to_o the_o judge_n but_o amicus_fw-la plato_n amicus_fw-la socrates_n sed_fw-la magis_fw-la amica_fw-la veritas_fw-la though_o that_o it_o be_v not_o then_o think_v on_o by_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o that_o time_n yet_o my_o lord_n cook_n will_v have_v it_o to_o be_v law_n and_o prefer_v his_o opinion_n which_o he_o call_v truth_n which_o truth_n so_o call_v appear_v to_o be_v only_o a_o new_a invention_n before_o the_o contrary_a suppose_a law_n of_o that_o time_n and_o it_o be_v further_a say_v in_o portingtons_n case_n that_o none_o ought_v to_o be_v hear_v to_o dispute_v against_o the_o legal_a pillar_n of_o common_a assurance_n of_o land_n and_o inheritance_n of_o the_o subject_n and_o it_o be_v likewise_o say_v that_o at_o a_o parliament_n hold_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o q._n e._n in_o vernon_n and_o herbert_n case_n debate_v before_o the_o lord_n of_o parliament_n hoord_n counsel_n with_o vernon_n invay_v against_o these_o recovery_n who_o be_v then_o reprove_v by_o dyer_n ch._n just_a of_o the_o common_a plea_n who_o say_v that_o he_o be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v of_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o law_n who_o dare_v speak_v against_o common_a recovery_n which_o be_v the_o sinew_n of_o the_o assurance_n of_o inheritance_n and_o found_v upon_o great_a reason_n and_o authority_n sed_fw-la non_fw-la omnis_fw-la capit_fw-la hoc_fw-la verbum_fw-la by_o this_o you_o may_v easy_o judge_v what_o most_o support_v this_o assurance_n for_o if_o lawyer_n must_v be_v silence_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o common_a recovery_n pass_v for_o law_n i_o know_v i_o shall_v not_o pass_v uncensured_a as_o i_o have_v say_v before_o hoard_v case_n will_v be_v i_o with_o advantage_n but_o it_o shall_v not_o at_o all_o disturb_v my_o rest_n for_o have_v truth_n of_o my_o side_n i_o care_v not_o who_o be_v against_o i_o and_o certain_o that_o councillor_n that_o be_v a_o councillor_n of_o the_o law_n deserve_v the_o sharp_a reproof_n and_o since_o non_fw-la omnis_fw-la capit_fw-la hoc_fw-la verbum_fw-la as_o be_v say_v before_o let_v i_o not_o be_v rebuke_v without_o reason_n and_o if_o any_o one_o can_v convince_v i_o in_o that_o i_o shall_v with_o all_o humility_n submit_v to_o his_o judgement_n last_o it_o be_v say_v that_o d._n 8._o lib._n 1._o cap._n 26._o approve_v common_a recovery_n to_o bind_v as_o well_o in_o conscience_n as_o in_o law_n for_o my_o part_n i_o conceive_v that_o the_o better_a opinion_n there_o be_v against_o they_o and_o so_o i_o believe_v any_o man_n will_v judge_v that_o shall_v read_v the_o chapter_n i_o shall_v faithful_o recite_v the_o dispute_n and_o leave_v it_o to_o judgement_n and_o therein_o first_o the_o manner_n and_o practice_n of_o suffer_v such_o recovery_n the_o demandant_n shall_v suppose_v in_o his_o writ_n and_o declaration_n that_o the_o tenant_n in_o tail_n have_v no_o entry_n but_o by_o such_o a_o stranger_n where_o neither_o the_o demandant_n nor_o the_o say_a stranger_n never_o have_v possession_n of_o the_o land_n whereupon_o the_o tenant_n in_o tail_n shall_v appear_v and_o by_o assent_n of_o the_o party_n shall_v vouch_v the_o common_a vouchee_n who_o he_o know_v to_o have_v nothing_o to_o yield_v in_o value_n now_o reader_n judge_v whether_o this_o be_v not_o a_o mere_a fiction_n of_o a_o recompense_n in_o value_n and_o the_o vouchee_n shall_v appear_v and_o the_o demandant_n shall_v declare_v against_o he_o whereupon_o he_o shall_v take_v day_n to_o imparle_v in_o the_o same_o term_n and_o at_o the_o day_n by_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o party_n he_o shall_v make_v default_n upon_o which_o because_o it_o be_v a_o default_n in_o despite_n of_o the_o court_n the_o demandant_n shall_v have_v judgement_n to_o recover_v against_o the_o tenant_n in_o tail_n and_o he_o over_o in_o value_n against_o the_o vouchee_n and_o this_o judgement_n and_o recovery_n in_o value_n be_v take_v for_o a_o bar_n of_o the_o tail_n for_o ever_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o recompense_n for_o by_o presumption_n the_o vouchee_n may_v purchase_v land_n thus_o you_o have_v the_o practice_n of_o a_o common_a recovery_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o invention_n to_o cut_v off_o intail_v which_o have_v be_v the_o ruin_n of_o many_o a_o family_n but_o it_o be_v reason_v that_o although_o such_o recovery_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o multitude_n of_o they_o be_v spare_v that_o they_o stand_v not_o with_o conscience_n fo●_z by_o the_o stat._n of_o 13._o e._n 1._o when_o the_o ancestor_n be_v dead_a entail_a land_n o●_n right_o belong_v to_o the_o heir_n for_o that_o he_o be_v heir_n according_a to_o the_o gift_n if_o the●_z thou_o be_v command_v not_o to_o covet_v 〈◊〉_d fortiori_fw-la that_o thou_o do_v not_o withhold_v thy_o neighbour_n house_n etc._n etc._n and_o although_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o tha●_z which_o be_v ordain_v by_o the_o law_n may_v be_v annul_v by_o the_o law_n there_o be_v not_o here_o like_o authority_n
statute_n of_o merton_n 20._o h._n 3._o cap._n 9_o confirm_v this_o opinion_n have_v there_o be_v a_o reason_n give_v in_o this_o statute_n or_o by_o the_o lord_n to_o make_v good_a the_o use_n and_o approbation_n it_o have_v be_v somewhat_o to_o convince_v a_o man_n of_o the_o justice_n of_o this_o law_n but_o since_o there_o be_v none_o i_o hope_v that_o a_o nolunt_fw-la mutare_fw-la shall_v not_o make_v the_o law_n one_o whit_n the_o more_o reasonable_a it_o be_v not_o what_o we_o will_v not_o do_v but_o what_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v that_o aught_o to_o poise_v in_o judgement_n nevertheless_o i_o submit_v all_o to_o grave_a judgement_n the_o next_o thing_n that_o i_o question_n be_v whether_o trial_n by_o jury_n as_o it_o be_v now_o in_o use_n be_v agreeable_a to_o reason_n and_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o public_a or_o not_o when_o i_o have_v serious_o consider_v with_o myself_o how_o great_a a_o burden_n lie_v upon_o such_o man_n shoulder_n who_o be_v of_o a_o jury_n and_o of_o what_o great_a importance_n this_o way_n of_o trial_n be_v to_o all_o man_n of_o this_o commonwealth_n the_o life_n and_o fortune_n of_o all_o man_n be_v subject_a and_o liable_a to_o their_o verdict_n and_o judgement_n and_o when_o i_o have_v further_o think_v with_o myself_o that_o although_o this_o be_v the_o most_o exact_a and_o equal_a way_n of_o trial_n in_o the_o world_n for_o man_n to_o be_v judge_v by_o their_o peer_n and_o that_o not_o by_o one_o or_o two_o only_a but_o by_o 12_o man_n of_o the_o neighbourhood_n and_o therefore_o say_v my_o lord_n cook_n upon_o litt._n 1._o a_o jurer_n ought_v to_o be_v dwell_v most_o near_o to_o the_o place_n where_o the_o question_n be_v move_v and_o such_o be_v presume_v to_o be_v best_a conusant_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n 2._o he_o ought_v to_o be_v most_o sufficient_a both_o for_o understanding_n that_o his_o ignorance_n may_v not_o mislead_v he_o and_o competency_n of_o estate_n that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v corrupt_v through_o poverty_n or_o necessity_n 3._o he_o ought_v to_o be_v least_o suspicious_a that_o be_v to_o be_v indifferent_a as_o he_o stand_v unsworn_a and_o then_o he_o be_v account_v in_o law_n liber_n and_o legalis_fw-la homo_fw-la otherwise_o he_o may_v be_v challenge_v or_o except_v against_o and_o not_o suffer_v to_o be_v swear_v the_o most_o usual_a way_n of_o trial_n say_v he_o be_v by_o twelve_o such_o man_n it_o be_v well_o if_o they_o be_v for_o ad_fw-la quaestionem_fw-la facti_fw-la non_fw-la respondent_fw-la judices_fw-la and_o matter_n in_o law_n the_o judge_n ought_v to_o decide_v for_o ad_fw-la quaestionem_fw-la juris_fw-la non_fw-la respondent_fw-la juratores_fw-la and_o certain_o this_o be_v the_o most_o equal_a and_o just_a way_n of_o trial._n for_o the_o institution_n and_o right_a use_n of_o this_o trial_n by_o twelve_o man_n and_o wherefore_o other_o country_n have_v they_o not_o and_o how_o this_o trial_n excel_v other_o see_v fortescue_n at_o large_a cap._n 25_o and_o 29._o again_o the_o law_n have_v take_v such_o care_n for_o equality_n and_o right_n in_o such_o trial_n that_o the_o law_n have_v inflict_v a_o most_o heavy_a doom_n and_o judgement_n in_o case_n they_o give_v a_o false_a verdict_n by_o way_n of_o attaint_n against_o the_o jury_n for_o which_o you_o may_v see_v cook_n upon_o litt._n fol._n ●94_n and_o fortescue_n cap._n 26._o yet_o for_o all_o this_o when_o i_o again_o consider_v what_o weak_a and_o ignorant_a jury_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n return_v i_o can_v sufficient_o wonder_v and_o lament_v that_o man_n life_n and_o fortune_n shall_v depend_v upon_o such_o man_n verdict_n that_o such_o man_n as_o many_o of_o they_o be_v who_o have_v not_o have_v so_o much_o good_a literature_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o read_v shall_v be_v judge_n and_o disposer_n as_o upon_o the_o matter_n they_o be_v of_o other_o man_n life_n and_o estate_n but_o here_o it_o may_v be_v object_v by_o some_o that_o the_o trial_n be_v before_o the_o learned_a judge_n of_o the_o law_n who_o may_v direct_v they_o and_o satisfy_v they_o in_o their_o doubt_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o such_o fear_n of_o injustice_n as_o be_v suppose_v this_o i_o conceive_v be_v sufficient_o answer_v before_o in_o that_o the_o law_n be_v that_o the_o jury_n be_v the_o only_a judge_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o in_o that_o they_o may_v judge_v according_a to_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o be_v not_o bind_v in_o such_o case_n to_o ask_v advise_v of_o the_o judge_n or_o if_o they_o do_v they_o be_v not_o tie_v to_o follow_v it_o nor_o in_o truth_n ought_v the_o judge_n in_o such_o case_n to_o direct_v they_o though_o in_o matter_n of_o law_n of_o which_o they_o indeed_o be_v the_o proper_a judge_n they_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o do_v it_o their_o work_n be_v only_o true_o and_o faithful_o to_o repeat_v the_o evidence_n on_o both_o side_n and_o so_o to_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o jury_n my_o lord_n cook_n say_v that_o in_o ancient_a time_n they_o be_v twelve_o knight_n and_o fortescue_n say_v that_o the_o jury_n be_v very_o oft_o make_v special_o in_o great_a matter_n of_o knight_n esquire_n etc._n etc._n cap._n 29._o fol._n 67._o though_o this_o be_v of_o as_o high_a consequence_n and_o concernment_n to_o the_o public_a as_o may_v be_v yet_o i_o shall_v not_o desire_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v twelve_o knight_n or_o twelve_o esquire_n to_o every_o jury_n for_o so_o in_o defect_n of_o they_o there_o will_v be_v often_o a_o failer_z of_o justice_n and_o beside_o some_o case_n be_v so_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a in_o themselves_o that_o a_o mean_a and_o ordinary_a jury_n may_v be_v sufficient_a for_o that_o purpose_n but_o this_o i_o shall_v humble_o desire_v that_o in_o all_o case_n which_o touch_v a_o man_n life_n or_o his_o estate_n to_o any_o considerable_a value_n there_o may_v be_v twelve_o able_a understand_a gentleman_n return_v of_o the_o jury_n such_o as_o be_v know_v in_o their_o country_n to_o be_v man_n of_o competent_a worth_n for_o so_o great_a a_o employment_n this_o will_v very_o much_o advance_v right_a and_o determine_v dispute_n and_o controversy_n which_o now_o frequent_o be_v again_o revive_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o verdict_n of_o weak_a and_o unable_a jury_n and_o it_o be_v happy_a for_o the_o public_a if_o a_o act_n be_v make_v to_o that_o purpose_n the_o next_o thing_n i_o shall_v discuss_v be_v the_o loss_n of_o life_n in_o case_n of_o theft_n and_o the_o forfeiture_n thereupon_o in_o which_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o it_o be_v consonant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o reason_n that_o a_o man_n shall_v lose_v his_o life_n for_o theft_n and_o shall_v incur_v so_o great_a a_o forfeiture_n and_o penalty_n as_o loss_n of_o all_o his_o estate_n and_o corruption_n of_o his_o blood_n it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v a_o commandment_n against_o it_o thou_o shall_v not_o steal_v but_o there_o be_v no_o penalty_n inflict_v upon_o those_o that_o do_v but_o by_o the_o judicial_a law_n exod._n 22._o vers._n 1._o if_o a_o man_n steal_v a_o ox_n or_o a_o sheep_n and_o kill_v it_o or_o sell_v it_o he_o shall_v restore_v five_o ox_n for_o the_o ox_n and_o four_o sheep_n for_o the_o sheep_n and_o vers._n 4._o if_o the_o theft_n be_v find_v with_o he_o alive_a whether_o it_o be_v ox_n or_o ass_n or_o sheep_n he_o shall_v restore_v the_o double_a so_o that_o by_o that_o law_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o restitution_n but_o no_o life_n be_v then_o in_o danger_n but_o to_o this_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o that_o law_n be_v give_v to_o the_o jew_n only_o to_o observe_v and_o do_v not_o extend_v to_o we_o to_o this_o i_o say_v that_o have_v it_o be_v a_o equal_a and_o just_a law_n to_o suffer_v death_n in_o such_o case_n without_o doubt_n it_o have_v be_v impose_v upon_o they_o to_o observe_v for_o in_o the_o chapter_n before_o murder_n be_v make_v death_n life_n for_o life_n that_o be_v equal_a punishment_n but_o life_n for_o any_o worldly_a or_o temporal_a substance_n whatsoever_o hold_v not_o the_o least_o equality_n of_o proportion_n for_o one_o man_n life_n be_v of_o great_a value_n and_o esteem_v than_o all_o the_o treasure_n upon_o the_o earth_n man_n be_v the_o image_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o certain_o we_o ought_v to_o deal_v tender_o with_o his_o image_n and_o if_o god_n who_o have_v the_o sole_a absolute_a power_n and_o dominion_n over_o all_o his_o creature_n think_v not_o fit_a to_o give_v the_o magistrate_n who_o be_v his_o vicegerent_n here_o upon_o earth_n such_o power_n over_o the_o life_n of_o man_n but_o have_v reserve_v it_o to_o himself_o except_o in_o case_n of_o murder_n how_o dare_v then_o any_o power_n or_o authority_n what_o soever_o usurp_v it_o the_o
civil_a law_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v fortescue_n be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o he_o say_v cap._n 49._o that_o the_o civil_a law_n do_v judge_v open_a theft_n to_o be_v satisfy_v by_o the_o recompense_n of_o four_o fold_n and_o private_a theft_n by_o the_o recompense_n of_o double_a so_o not_o to_o suffer_v death_n by_o their_o law_n i_o do_v not_o write_v this_o to_o encourage_v man_n in_o this_o heinous_a crime_n which_o be_v too_o too_o common_a in_o these_o time_n no_o far_o be_v it_o from_o i_o so_o to_o do_v for_o i_o know_v if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o severe_a law_n against_o it_o there_o will_v be_v no_o enjoy_v any_o thing_n that_o a_o man_n have_v the_o law_n of_o property_n will_v be_v of_o little_a force_n but_o that_o there_o may_v be_v some_o other_o way_n of_o punishment_n as_o by_o banishment_n slavery_n or_o the_o like_a which_o may_v be_v as_o effectual_a to_o terrify_v man_n and_o keep_v they_o from_o it_o so_o that_o we_o do_v not_o take_v away_o the_o life_n of_o man_n over_o which_o there_o be_v no_o jurisdiction_n give_v in_o such_o case_n by_o god_n we_o have_v no_o precept_n rule_n or_o warrant_v for_o it_o and_o now_o to_o i_o the_o forfeiture_n and_o penalty_n in_o such_o case_n be_v no_o less_o unreasonable_a be_v it_o not_o too_o much_o to_o lose_v the_o life_n and_o yet_o will_v not_o that_o satisfy_v but_o thereby_o also_o his_o blood_n be_v corrupt_v and_o all_o his_o estate_n forfeit_v so_o that_o his_o issue_n be_v not_o inheritable_a to_o he_o nor_o to_o any_o other_o ancestor_n nor_o can_v this_o corruption_n of_o blood_n it_o be_v so_o high_a be_v restore_v otherwise_o than_o by_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o if_o he_o be_v noble_a or_o gentle_a before_o he_o and_o all_o his_o child_n and_o posterity_n be_v by_o this_o make_v base_a and_o ignoble_a in_o respect_n of_o any_o nobility_n or_o gentry_n which_o they_o have_v by_o their_o birth_n for_o my_o part_n i_o think_v there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o rigid_a and_o tyrannical_a law_n in_o the_o world_n that_o the_o child_n shall_v thus_o extreme_o suffer_v for_o the_o crime_n and_o wickedness_n of_o the_o father_n the_o innocent_a for_o the_o nocent_a it_o be_v true_a that_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v rom._n 5._o that_o by_o one_o man_n sin_n enter_v into_o the_o world_n and_o death_n by_o sin_n but_o he_o go_v further_a and_o so_o death_n go_v over_o all_o man_n in_o who_o all_o man_n have_v sin_v we_o all_o sin_v in_o adam_n therefore_o no_o wonder_n if_o death_n fall_v upon_o all_o god_n have_v the_o supreme_a sovereign_a power_n over_o all_o his_o creature_n and_o so_o may_v inflict_v what_o punishment_n he_o please_v upon_o they_o for_o their_o sin_n and_o who_o dare_v question_v it_o or_o say_v it_o be_v unjust_a and_o yet_o god_n deal_v not_o thus_o severe_o with_o man_n for_o in_o the_o 18._o of_o ezek._n he_o reprove_v the_o israelite_n for_o use_v this_o proverb_n the_o father_n have_v eat_v sour_a grape_n and_o the_o child_n tooth_n be_v set_v on_o edge_n and_o say_v they_o shall_v use_v it_o no_o more_o for_o that_o soul_n that_o sin_v it_o shall_v die_v and_o after_o verse_n the_o 20._o the_o same_o soul_n that_o sin_v shall_v die_v the_o son_n shall_v not_o bear_v the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o father_n etc._n etc._n thus_o you_o may_v see_v the_o great_a mercy_n of_o god_n who_o great_a severity_n be_v but_o justice_n do_v not_o this_o extreme_o condemn_v the_o injustice_n of_o that_o law_n which_o so_o severe_o punish_v the_o child_n for_o the_o transgression_n of_o the_o father_n a_o wicked_a father_n may_v have_v a_o good_a child_n and_o shall_v such_o a_o one_o be_v ruin_v through_o the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o father_n his_o estate_n whole_o lose_v and_o not_o only_o disinherit_v through_o his_o corruption_n of_o blood_n as_o to_o his_o father_n estate_n but_o also_o make_v incapable_a of_o take_v any_o thing_n by_o descent_n from_o any_o other_o ancestor_n a_o more_o rigorous_a law_n certain_o be_v never_o make_v but_o i_o know_v it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o severity_n of_o this_o law_n be_v the_o more_o to_o deter_v and_o affrighten_v man_n from_o this_o sin_n which_o be_v so_o frequent_a among_o we_o ut_fw-la metus_fw-la ad_fw-la ●mnes_fw-la paena_fw-la ad_fw-la paucos_fw-la etc._n etc._n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a nor_o warrantable_a for_o man_n to_o make_v unjust_a and_o tyrannical_a law_n to_o keep_v man_n from_o sin_v and_o to_o put_v they_o in_o execution_n punish_v the_o offend_a father_n but_o not_o the_o innocent_a child_n the_o custom_n of_o gavel-kind_n be_v more_o reasonable_a for_o though_o the_o father_n be_v hang_v the_o son_n shall_v inherit_v for_o the_o custom_n be_v the_o father_n to_o the_o bough_n the_o son_n to_o the_o plough_n i_o shall_v conclude_v it_o with_o this_o that_o i_o hope_v one_o day_n to_o see_v this_o custom_n become_v the_o common-law_n of_o england_n the_o next_o thing_n i_o have_v in_o consideration_n be_v touch_v the_o debt_n of_o infant_n under_o the_o age_n of_o 21_o year_n and_o therein_o i_o propose_v this_o question_n whether_o it_o be_v a_o just_a and_o reasonable_a law_n that_o infant_n under_o the_o age_n of_o 21_o year_n shall_v not_o be_v charge_v with_o their_o debt_n first_o we_o be_v to_o know_v what_o the_o age_n of_o discretion_n be_v for_o man_n or_o woman_n what_o full_a age_n the_o age_n of_o discretion_n for_o a_o woman_n in_o judgement_n of_o our_o law_n be_v 12._o for_o a_o man_n 14._o full_a age_n be_v 21._o and_o under_o that_o age_n they_o be_v say_v to_o be_v infant_n in_o law_n and_o under_o that_o age_n they_o have_v not_o power_n to_o dispose_v of_o their_o estate_n not_o be_v they_o liable_a to_o pay_v their_o own_o debt_n it_o be_v true_a that_o for_o necessary_n as_o clothes_n diet_n school_a and_o the_o like_a they_o be_v liable_a but_o for_o those_o neither_o they_o can_v give_v a_o penal_a bond_n a_o bill_n they_o may_v and_o it_o shall_v bind_v they_o in_o general_a a_o infant_n may_v better_v his_o condition_n he_o can_v not_o make_v it_o worse_o this_o i_o confess_v to_o be_v law_n yet_o it_o seem_v very_o hard_a to_o i_o that_o a_o infant_n shall_v not_o be_v liable_a to_o pay_v such_o debt_n as_o he_o shall_v owe_v for_o any_o thing_n have_v or_o receive_v after_o the_o age_n of_o discretion_n especial_o when_o i_o consider_v what_o the_o law_n be_v in_o other_o case_n of_o infancy_n by_o custom_n he_o may_v make_v a_o lease_n at_o his_o age_n of_o 15._o and_o it_o shall_v bind_v he_o cook_n upon_o littleton_n fol._n 45._o b._n nay_o further_o by_o custom_n he_o may_v make_v a_o feoffment_n at_o 15._o year_n 5._o h._n 7._o 41._o 11._o h._n 4._o 33._o now_o no_o custom_n be_v lawful_a that_o be_v not_o reasonable_a and_o yet_o further_o a_o infant_n of_o the_o age_n of_o discretion_n nay_o under_o may_v suffer_v death_n for_o murder_n or_o theft_n nothing_o more_o common_a 3._o h._n 7._o 12._o a_o infant_n betwixt_o 10._o and_o 12._o give_v a_o man_n several_a wound_n till_o he_o die_v and_o then_o he_o draw_v the_o body_n into_o the_o corn_n for_o which_o he_o be_v convict_v but_o it_o be_v true_a that_o judgement_n in_o that_o case_n be_v respite_v for_o his_o tender_a age_n but_o many_o justice_n that_o he_o be_v worthy_a of_o death_n note_n a_o infant_n of_o 9_o year_n kill_v another_o and_o it_o be_v adjudge_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v hang_v quia_fw-la malitia_fw-la supplet_fw-la aetatem_fw-la but_o execution_n be_v respite_v to_o have_v pardon_n see_v the_o assize_n a_o woman_n infant_n within_o age_n kill_v her_o mistress_n and_o be_v burn_v for_o it_o see_v likewise_o the_o assize_n again_o a_o infant_n shall_v not_o avoid_v a_o marriage_n at_o the_o age_n of_o discretion_n make_v and_o contract_v by_o he_o cook_n upon_o litt._n fol._n 79._o now_o i_o argue_v thus_o if_o a_o infant_n may_v do_v the_o great_a why_o be_v it_o not_o reason_n that_o he_o shall_v do_v the_o less_o if_o he_o may_v be_v chargeable_a for_o thing_n of_o a_o much_o high_a nature_n why_o not_o for_o those_o that_o be_v of_o a_o low_a by_o custom_n he_o may_v sell_v his_o estate_n by_o law_n he_o may_v suffer_v death_n for_o felony_n and_o may_v contract_v matrimony_n thing_n of_o much_o great_a consequence_n to_o himself_o why_o then_o in_o reason_n shall_v he_o not_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o payment_n of_o his_o debt_n my_o lord_n gook_z say_v that_o argumentum_fw-la a_fw-la majori_fw-la ad_fw-la minus_fw-la a_o argument_n from_o the_o great_a to_o the_o less_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n in_o law_n beside_o he_o be_v as_o much_o oblige_v in_o