epistle_n do_v require_v that_o before_o i_o enter_v into_o the_o discourse_n of_o our_o ancient_a britain_n law_n i_o speak_v somewhat_o concern_v the_o roman_a law_n that_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o neither_o the_o reverend_a elutherius_n be_v deceive_v in_o judgement_n nor_o the_o godly_a lucius_n in_o his_o choice_n nor_o the_o learned_a fortescue_n in_o his_o testimony_n but_o that_o our_o say_a ancient_a law_n be_v indeed_o as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o roman_n own_o confession_n in_o that_o they_o do_v not_o change_v they_o better_o than_o their_o own_o i_o speak_v as_o a_o christian_a for_o asmuch_o as_o britain_n receive_v the_o law_n of_o christ_n before_o it_o know_v the_o government_n of_o rome_n but_o because_o i_o will_v be_v loath_a to_o offend_v i_o will_v remit_v the_o reader_n that_o be_v desirous_a to_o know_v what_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o author_n &_o composer_n of_o the_o first_o roman_a law_n justiniano_n aug._n the_o civit_n dei_fw-la l._n 3_o wesembech_n prefat_n in_o isag_n rival_n in_o hist_o jur._n de_fw-fr justiniano_n to_o st._n augustin_n and_o of_o these_o now_o extant_a to_o wesembechius_n rivallius_n procopius_n and_o other_o and_o for_o the_o principle_n and_o ground_n i_o will_v refer_v they_o to_o consider_v the_o particular_n of_o the_o twelve_o table_n yet_o in_o part_n remain_v and_o to_o measure_n and_o examine_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o institutes_n by_o the_o word_n of_o the_o author_n out_o of_o which_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v take_v aristotle_n tully_n isidorus_n etc._n etc._n and_o both_o by_o the_o scripture_n a_o work_n worthy_a the_o vacation_n of_o a_o learned_a man_n but_o for_o the_o law_n of_o britain_n my_o principal_a intention_n before_o i_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o they_o i_o will_v entreat_v a_o little_a leave_n to_o speak_v somewhat_o first_o of_o law_n in_o general_a and_o second_o of_o the_o ancient_a inhabitant_n of_o this_o i_o will_v for_o by_o know_v what_o they_o be_v we_o shall_v the_o better_o know_v their_o law_n and_o manner_n cap._n 3._o the_o law_n by_o aristotle_n be_v call_v a_o covenant_n of_o the_o society_n of_o man_n leg._n polit._n 1_o de_fw-fr leg._n by_o tully_n the_o reason_n and_o mind_n of_o god_n discern_v just_a and_o unjust_a if_o we_o join_v these_o two_o and_o call_v it_o the_o covenant_n make_v by_o god_n with_o the_o society_n of_o man_n according_a to_o his_o own_o reason_n 5.2_o ex._n 34.27_o &_o 20._o v._o 5.6_o deut._n 5.2_o discern_v just_a &_o unjust_a it_o agree_v with_o the_o word_n of_o moses_n and_o will_v be_v as_o i_o take_v it_o a_o perfect_a definition_n the_o end_n as_o tully_n say_v be_v manifest_a ad_fw-la salutem_fw-la civium_fw-la 2._o de_fw-fr leg._n 2._o civitatumque_fw-la incolunnitatem_fw-la vitamque_fw-la omnium_fw-la quietam_fw-la et_fw-la beatam_fw-la agree_v also_o with_o moses_n if_o salus_fw-la et_fw-la incolumitas_fw-la et_fw-la beatitudo_fw-la be_v take_v for_o all_o the_o blessing_n of_o this_o life_n and_o the_o life_n to_o come_v law_n be_v call_v divine_a or_o humane_a the_o divine_a law_n be_v those_o which_o god_n immediate_o make_v first_o write_v in_o nature_n secondlye_o describe_v in_o the_o ten_o commandment_n &_o the_o scripture_n humane_a law_n be_v law_n derive_v out_o of_o the_o divine_a law_n by_o application_n of_o the_o general_a commandment_n first_o to_o the_o principal_a party_n viz._n to_o god_n to_o the_o common_a estate_n and_o to_o private_a man_n according_a to_o the_o division_n of_o the_o twelve_o table_n auson_n auson_n secondlye_o to_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o person_n thing_n action_n time_n place_n penalty_n and_o such_o like_a as_o the_o institutes_n be_v divide_v heerehence_a follow_v a_o conclusion_n observe_v also_o by_o tully_n that_o if_o a_o law_n be_v make_v contain_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v call_v a_o law_n though_o all_o the_o world_n in_o a_o joint_a parliament_n confirm_v it_o for_o neither_o be_v it_o derive_v out_o of_o the_o general_a precept_n nor_o partake_v of_o the_o common_a definition_n see_v it_o be_v not_o a_o covenant_n of_o god_n but_o a_o confederacy_n against_o god_n the_o property_n and_o effect_n of_o the_o law_n be_v first_o to_o make_v a_o distinction_n of_o just_a from_o unjust_a secondlye_o to_o command_v and_o forbid_v thirdlye_o to_o punish_v and_o reward_v these_o thing_n be_v perform_v originallye_o and_o genneral_o by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o secondary_o and_o particular_o by_o the_o law_n of_o man_n the_o quality_n of_o a_o true_a law_n be_v reckon_v up_o by_o isidorus_n and_o other_o esse_fw-la debet_fw-la lex_fw-la honesta_fw-la justa_fw-la possibilis_fw-la wesemb_n decret_n part._n 1_o wesemb_n secundum_fw-la naturam_fw-la et_fw-la consuetudinem_fw-la loco_fw-la et_fw-la tempori_fw-la conveniens_fw-la necessaria_fw-la vel_fw-la utilis_fw-la manifesta_fw-la etc._n etc._n a_o law_n must_v be_v honest_a just_a possible_a agreeable_a to_o nature_n and_o custom_n to_o time_n and_o place_n necessary_a or_o profitable_a and_o manifest_a &_o of_o this_o proceed_v another_o ground_n also_o jus_o nemini_fw-la violare_fw-la vel_fw-la ignorare_fw-la licet_fw-la item_n lex_fw-la obligat_fw-la ad_fw-la scientiam_fw-la ad_fw-la obedientiam_fw-la ad_fw-la paenam_fw-la the_o law_n bind_v to_o knowledge_n obedience_n &_o punishment_n no_o man_n may_v break_v it_o no_o man_n may_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o and_o that_o which_o isidore_n say_v when_o law_n be_v make_v no_o man_n may_v judge_v of_o they_o but_o according_a to_o they_o the_o exact_a performance_n of_o the_o law_n be_v call_v justice_n ethic._n 5_o ethic._n the_o moderation_n of_o the_o law_n upon_o consideration_n of_o circumstance_n be_v call_v equity_n the_o contrary_n to_o the_o law_n be_v injury_n jniustice_n jniquity_n wrong_v force_n fraud_n &_o such_o like_a whatsoever_o be_v say_v of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n absolute_o may_v proportional_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o law_n of_o man_n the_o end_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v all_o happiness_n that_o happiness_n which_o be_v the_o end_n of_o humane_a law_n consist_v chief_o in_o the_o conservation_n of_o religion_n 72.85_o psal_n 72.85_o peace_n and_o justice_n all_o which_o thing_n be_v comprehend_v by_o st._n augustin_n under_o the_o name_n of_o peace_n which_o also_o he_o make_v the_o final_a end_n of_o the_o city_n of_o god_n 19_o de_fw-fr civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la li._n 19_o the_o matter_n which_o the_o law_n do_v handle_v be_v chief_o person_n thing_n place_n time_n contract_n offence_n and_o action_n in_o this_o island_n person_n appoint_v special_o for_o the_o procuration_n of_o religion_n be_v the_o archbishop_n bishop_n &_o minister_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o peace_n be_v the_o nobility_n sheriff_n and_o justice_n of_o peace_n for_o the_o administration_n of_o justice_n the_o judge_n professor_n and_o officer_n of_o law_n and_o the_o king_n have_v from_o god_n supreme_a authority_n over_o all_o according_a to_o the_o sentence_n rex_fw-la est_fw-la vicarius_fw-la dei_fw-la other_o distinction_n there_o be_v of_o person_n but_o it_o be_v not_o my_o intention_n to_o speak_v of_o every_o difference_n but_o only_o so_o much_o as_o may_v serve_v to_o give_v light_n to_o the_o discourse_n intend_v thing_n also_o have_v many_o division_n whereof_o i_o mean_v to_o touch_v but_o one_o which_o be_v that_o some_o may_v pass_v by_o course_n of_o inheritance_n as_o land_n and_o tenement_n some_o can_v as_o chattelle_n of_o place_n some_o have_v sacred_a privilege_n as_o temple_n represent_v god_n by_o his_o word_n the_o king_n presence_n and_o judicial_a court_n represent_v god_n in_o power_n and_o justice_n other_o be_v ordinary_a and_o common_a and_o of_o they_o some_o be_v public_a as_o markette_n way_n some_o private_a as_o house_n shop_n etc._n etc._n time_n be_v likewise_o divide_v into_o sacred_a and_o common_a the_o day_n the_o night_n and_o such_o like_a division_n contract_n have_v manifold_a distinction_n which_o see_v in_o bracton_n 3_o bracto_fw-la l._n 3_o crime_n be_v either_o against_o religion_n peace_n or_o justice_n and_o again_o be_v consider_v as_o public_a offence_n &_o so_o rex_fw-la pro_fw-la pace_fw-la sequi_fw-la debet_fw-la bracton_n bracton_n in_o which_o all_o the_o plea_n of_o the_o crown_n be_v contain_v or_o as_o some_o particular_a person_n be_v interest_v who_o be_v to_o sue_v according_o again_o they_o may_v be_v pursue_v civil_o or_o criminal_o last_o action_n be_v distinguish_v for_o the_o most_o part_n according_a to_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o demand_v or_o the_o person_n plaintiff_n or_o defendant_n or_o the_o court_n wherein_o or_o the_o time_n when_o etc._n etc._n in_o action_n be_v these_o principal_a part_n summons_n or_o citation_n trial_n judgement_n and_o execution_n these_o point_n as_o fit_a to_o be_v seek_v in_o other_o place_n &_o as_o to_o learned_a man_n and_o as_o myself_o not_o half_o learn_v i_o do_v brief_o pass_v
set_v down_o touch_v the_o epistle_n itself_o it_o contain_v a_o answer_n to_o the_o demand_n of_o king_n lucius_n the_o demand_n be_v to_o have_v the_o law_n of_o rome_n and_o caesar_n the_o answer_n consist_v of_o two_o part_n a_o rejection_n we_o may_v say_v he_o always_o reprove_v the_o law_n of_o rome_n &_o caesar_n but_o not_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o a_o exhortation_n to_o take_v a_o law_n for_o his_o kingdom_n out_o of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n this_o he_o enforce_v with_o diverse_a reason_n and_o sentence_n of_o scripture_n which_o with_o a_o admirable_a consent_n do_v every_o one_o prove_v each_o other_o and_o every_o one_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o answer_n first_o you_o be_v god_n vicar_n therefore_o you_o must_v rule_v by_o god_n law_n &_o not_o by_o caesar_n the_o earth_n be_v the_o lord_n therefore_o it_o must_v be_v rule_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o not_o by_o caesar_n god_n have_v anoint_v you_o to_o be_v king_n caesar_n have_v not_o anoint_v you_o therefore_o etc._n etc._n o_o god_n give_v thy_o judgement_n to_o the_o king_n therefore_o not_o caesar_n what_o then_o will_v you_o do_v be_v a_o godly_a christian_a upon_o the_o read_n of_o such_o a_o letter_n let_v our_o most_o christian_a king_n st._n edward_n give_v we_o counsel_n who_o in_o his_o law_n arch._n lamb_n arch._n take_v the_o word_n of_o this_o letter_n for_o his_o groundwork_n say_v thus_o rex_fw-la autem_fw-la quia_fw-la vicarius_fw-la summi_fw-la regis_fw-la est_fw-la ad_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la constitutus_fw-la ut_fw-la regnum_fw-la terrenum_fw-la &_o populum_fw-la domini_fw-la &_o super_fw-la omne_fw-la sanctam_fw-la tucatur_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la eius_fw-la &_o regat_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la iniuriosis_fw-la defendat_fw-la &_o maleficos_fw-la ab_fw-la ea_fw-la evellat_fw-la and_o a_o little_a after_o he_o show_v how_o this_o may_v be_v do_v debet_fw-la vero_fw-la rex_fw-la deum_fw-la timere_fw-la super_fw-la omne_fw-la &_o diligere_fw-la &_o mandata_fw-la eius_fw-la per_fw-la totum_fw-la regnum_n suum_fw-la seruare_fw-la debet_fw-la etiam_fw-la sanctam_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la regni_fw-la svi_fw-la cum_fw-la omni_fw-la integritate_fw-la &_o libertate_fw-la iuxta_fw-la constitutiones_fw-la patrum_fw-la &_o predecessorum_fw-la seruare_fw-la fovere_fw-la manutenere_fw-la regere_fw-la &_o contra_fw-la inimicos_fw-la defendere_fw-la ita_fw-la ut_fw-la deus_fw-la prae_fw-la caeteris_fw-la honoretur_fw-la &_o prae_fw-la oculis_fw-la semper_fw-la habeatur_fw-la debet_fw-la etiam_fw-la bonas_fw-la eges_fw-la &_o consuctu_fw-la dine_v approbatas_fw-la erigere_fw-la pravas_fw-la autem_fw-la delere_fw-la omnes_fw-la &_o a_o regno_fw-la deponere_fw-la debet_fw-la iudicium_fw-la rectum_fw-la in_o regno_fw-la facere_fw-la &_o iustitiam_fw-la per_fw-la consilium_fw-la procerum_fw-la regni_fw-la svi_fw-la tenere_fw-la thus_o say_v st_n edward_n but_o if_o the_o counsel_n of_o so_o excellent_a a_o king_n do_v not_o resolve_v you_o yet_o in_o the_o mouth_n of_o two_o witness_n let_v every_o word_n be_v confirm_v and_o peruse_v the_o word_n of_o a_o most_o excellent_a counsellor_n and_o lawyer_n i_o say_v bracton_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 9_o who_o there_o speak_v to_o the_o same_o effect_n bracton_n bracton_n ground_v likewise_o upon_o the_o same_o golden_a foundation_n rex_fw-la est_fw-la dei_fw-la minister_n &_o vicarius_fw-la potestas_fw-la itaque_fw-la sva_fw-la iuris_fw-la est_fw-la non_fw-la iniuriae_fw-la potestas_fw-la autem_fw-la iniuriae_fw-la diaboli_fw-la est_fw-la non_fw-la dei_fw-la and_o so_o after_o to_o the_o like_a effect_n as_o st._n edward_n have_v speak_v i_o think_v therefore_o there_o be_v no_o man_n but_o will_v say_v that_o king_n lucius_n do_v according_o namely_o that_o according_a to_o the_o content_n and_o direction_n receive_v he_o do_v call_v a_o counsel_n or_o parliament_n a_o thing_n use_v in_o those_o time_n as_o i_o will_v show_v hereaft_a he_o do_v survey_v the_o state_n and_o law_n of_o his_o kingdom_n that_o which_o be_v agreeable_a to_o god_n holy_a word_n he_o do_v confirm_v and_o that_o which_o want_v he_o do_v new_o enact_v reason_n persuade_v i_o to_o think_v that_o king_n lucius_n do_v so_o be_v these_o first_o his_o godly_a zeal_n which_o will_v never_o have_v write_v to_o rome_n for_o law_n without_o a_o great_a desire_n to_o have_v the_o best_a law_n to_o govern_v his_o kingdom_n and_o to_o my_o understanding_n it_o be_v senseless_a and_o absurd_a to_o say_v that_o when_o he_o have_v receive_v a_o answer_n so_o good_a &_o agreeable_a to_o his_o desire_n that_o he_o will_v leave_v it_o unfollowed_a and_o unperformed_a it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o he_o want_v will_n see_v he_o send_v for_o law_n nor_o that_o he_o want_v time_n opportunity_n power_n or_o consent_v of_o his_o noble_n or_o people_n see_v all_o or_o the_o most_o part_n yea_o the_o druidae_n and_o flamny_n embrace_v christian_a religion_n together_o with_o he_o monemuth_n beda_n ponticus_fw-la virum_fw-la polidor_n monemuth_n as_o our_o history_n testify_v and_o he_o rule_v the_o britain_n long_a time_n after_o in_o flourish_a peace_n and_o tranquillity_n again_o that_o he_o retain_v some_o of_o the_o former_a law_n the_o common_a opinion_n of_o those_o ancient_a christian_n of_o the_o primitive_a age_n persuade_v i_o whereof_o i_o will_v speak_v more_o when_o i_o come_v to_o k._n lucius_n his_o law_n yet_o by_o the_o way_n one_o text_n will_v i_o cite_v out_o of_o junius_n mos_fw-la jun._n in_o epistola_fw-la ad_fw-la politiam_fw-la mos_fw-la who_o say_v that_o as_o long_o as_o heathen_a emperor_n &_o king_n hold_v the_o reins_n of_o government_n the_o christian_n give_v not_o their_o mind_n to_o dispute_v the_o question_n of_o the_o use_n and_o authority_n of_o moses_n law_n but_o when_o the_o state_n change_v &_o christian_a emperor_n be_v advance_v than_o those_o most_o sapient_a &_o orthodoxal_a father_n see_v it_o most_o expedient_a to_o turn_v about_o this_o world_n without_o any_o great_a noise_n forbear_v the_o trouble_n of_o secular_a affair_n leave_v the_o authority_n both_o of_o make_v law_n &_o give_v judgement_n to_o the_o ordinary_a magistrate_n but_o if_o any_o be_v institute_v contra_fw-la rectan_n rationem_fw-la quam_fw-la in_o natura_fw-la et_fw-la scriptura_fw-la explicavitus_fw-la de_n against_o right_n &_o good_a reason_n which_o god_n in_o nature_n &_o scripture_n have_v describe_v that_o either_o with_o gentle_a &_o calm_a admonition_n they_o procure_v to_o be_v amend_v or_o patient_o suffer_v if_o it_o be_v incurable_a lest_o the_o whole_a common_a good_a which_o augustin_n before_o call_v peace_n shall_v be_v stir_v in_o hope_n of_o some_o particular_a for_o that_o many_o time_n the_o importunity_n of_o man_n bring_v to_o pass_v while_o they_o seek_v to_o cure_v one_o evil_a they_o shake_v and_o weaken_v the_o public_a estate_n in_o which_o word_n beside_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n be_v much_o to_o be_v observe_v that_o nothing_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o the_o law_n against_o reason_n which_o be_v the_o universal_a maxim_n the_o main_a foundation_n and_o as_o i_o may_v call_v it_o the_o abridgement_n of_o all_o our_o common_a law_n which_o here_o you_o see_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o those_o ancient_a father_n and_o affirm_v to_o have_v be_v express_v by_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o nature_n and_o scripture_n this_o be_v it_o whereby_o all_o our_o question_n and_o controversy_n all_o our_o argument_n and_o judgement_n all_o our_o statute_n and_o custom_n be_v rule_v and_o overrule_v enlarge_v and_o correct_v but_o again_o to_o our_o purpose_n st._n augustin_n speak_v much_o to_o the_o same_o effect_n 17._o de_fw-fr civit._n dei_fw-la lib._n 19_o c._n 17._o haec_fw-la ergo_fw-la caelestis_fw-la civitas_fw-la dum_fw-la peregrinatur_fw-la in_o terra_fw-la etc._n etc._n this_o heavenly_a city_n while_o it_o be_v in_o pilgrimage_n upon_o earth_n call_v citizen_n out_o of_o all_o nation_n and_o in_o all_o tongue_n assemble_v a_o pilgrim_n society_n not_o regard_v the_o manifold_a diversity_n of_o manner_n law_n and_o custom_n not_o repeal_n or_o destroy_v any_o of_o those_o thing_n whereby_o the_o terrene_a peace_n so_o i_o read_v be_v either_o procure_v or_o preserve_v but_o rather_o keep_v and_o follow_v that_o which_o although_o it_o be_v diverse_a in_o diverse_a nation_n yet_o still_o be_v intend_v to_o one_o and_o the_o same_o end_n of_o terrene_a peace_n so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v no_o hindrance_n of_o the_o religion_n whereby_o the_o only_a supreme_a and_o true_a god_n be_v teach_v to_o be_v worship_v to_o the_o same_o effect_n he_o speak_v again_o in_o the_o nineteen_o chapter_n of_o the_o same_o book_n these_o authority_n therefore_o lead_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o king_n lucius_n retain_v such_o of_o the_o ancient_a institution_n as_o be_v not_o contra_fw-la rectam_fw-la rationem_fw-la as_o junius_n say_v quam_fw-la in_fw-la natura_fw-la et_fw-la scriptura_fw-la explicavit_fw-la deus_fw-la and_o that_o he_o do_v take_v some_o part_n of_o his_o law_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n be_v prove_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o our_o chronicle_n compare_v with_o the_o
word_n of_o the_o most_o godly_a &_o religious_a king_n alfred_n in_o his_o law_n mon._n lamb._n arc._n higden_n pontic_a virun_v galf._n mon._n the_o chronicle_n say_v that_o gildas_n the_o ancient_a godly_a britain_n priest_n who_o live_v not_o much_o more_o than_o 500_o year_n after_o christ_n and_o not_o much_o above_o 300._o after_o lucius_n translate_v the_o british_a law_n into_o latin_a &_o afterward_o alfred_n the_o godly_a saxone_n prince_n translate_v the_o same_o into_o saxon_n and_o so_o continue_v they_o to_o posterity_n ar._n lamb._n ar._n alfred_n in_o the_o entrance_n to_o his_o law_n set_v first_o the_o ten_o commandment_n and_o many_o judicial_a law_n of_o moses_n and_o last_v the_o apostolical_a epistle_n direct_v to_o the_o gentile_n mention_v in_o the_o act_n 15_o act_n 15_o which_o he_o conclude_v with_o these_o word_n use_v in_o some_o translation_n that_o you_o will_v not_o have_v do_v yourselves_o do_v not_o unto_o other_o wind_v up_o all_o with_o this_o conclusion_n by_o this_o one_o commandment_n say_v he_o it_o be_v evident_a enough_o that_o law_n and_o right_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o all_o man_n equal_o neither_o shall_v we_o need_v of_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o judicial_a book_n only_o let_v this_o be_v infix_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o he_o that_o sit_v as_o judge_v upon_o other_o that_o he_o give_v no_o other_o sentence_n of_o other_o man_n than_o he_o will_v have_v to_o be_v give_v in_o his_o own_o cause_n but_o in_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n say_v king_n alfred_n when_o many_o man_n believe_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n than_o many_o synod_n be_v gather_v and_o also_o in_o england_n the_o bishop_n &_o other_o the_o wise_a man_n assemble_v who_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o mildness_n of_o christ_n do_v set_v upon_o every_o first_o offender_n a_o pecuniary_a pain_n the_o levy_v whereof_o they_o commit_v to_o the_o magistrate_n etc._n etc._n and_o a_o little_a after_o archaion_n lamb._n archaion_n these_o i_o alfred_n the_o king_n have_v gather_v together_o and_o commit_v to_o writing_n then_o speak_v also_o of_o the_o law_n of_o late_a time_n he_o add_v that_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n also_o which_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o act_n of_o ina_n offa_n &_o ethelbert_n but_o the_o former_a word_n be_v plain_o speak_v of_o the_o law_n here_o establish_v upon_o the_o first_o receive_v of_o the_o gospel_n by_o king_n lucius_n &_o do_v full_o prove_v that_o the_o counsel_n of_o elâ—â—herius_n be_v follow_v but_o with_o the_o mercifulnes_n &_o mildehartenes_n of_o our_o lord_n christ_n after_o the_o saxon_a phrase_n and_o the_o synod_n which_o alfred_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o first_o arrival_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o parliament_n of_o lucius_n who_o course_n that_o it_o be_v such_o as_o i_o have_v say_v i_o pray_v you_o see_v also_o by_o that_o which_o follow_v wherein_o i_o will_v first_o speak_v of_o the_o remnant_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n second_o of_o the_o ancient_a british_a law_n make_v before_o and_o by_o lucius_n and_o last_o of_o those_o that_o follow_v until_o the_o norman_a cap._n 6._o it_o be_v manifest_a in_o history_n both_o sacred_a &_o profane_a that_o the_o most_o ancient_a nation_n have_v their_o king_n or_o prince_n their_o priest_n their_o elder_n or_o senator_n and_o their_o duke_n or_o captain_n 105.21_o cic._n 3._o leg._n gen._n 18._o job._n 12._o psa_fw-la 105.21_o and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n &_o nature_n &_o it_o be_v see_v in_o the_o history_n of_o egypt_n judaea_n madian_n arabia_n greece_n italy_n so_o caesar_n find_v in_o britain_n reges_fw-la druidas_n caesar_n caesar_n principes_fw-la et_fw-la nobiles_fw-la deuce_n for_o it_o be_v to_o be_v note_v that_o where_o he_o name_v the_o four_o king_n of_o kent_n he_o show_v withal_o that_o they_o be_v all_o subject_n to_o câ—…sâ—ibellan_n and_o call_v cingâ—torix_n nobilem_fw-la ducem_fw-la which_o prove_v that_o he_o mean_v by_o reges_fw-la as_o common_o the_o roman_n understand_v man_n of_o nobility_n power_n &_o government_n though_o it_o be_v but_o in_o one_o city_n as_o he_o say_v of_o immanuentius_n in_o london_n who_o perhaps_o may_v then_o be_v a_o lieutenant_n of_o the_o city_n 2_o proaem_n l._n 2_o as_o the_o lord_n maior_n be_v now_o and_o so_o do_v polidor_n take_v it_o say_v that_o they_o be_v four_o prince_n such_o as_o we_o now_o call_v earl_n or_o duke_n it_o be_v prove_v also_o among_o antiquary_n that_o the_o famous_a belinus_n and_o brennus_n &_o it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o be_v prove_v that_o mulmutius_n and_o other_o be_v king_n of_o this_o island_n 1._o bed_n lib._n 1._o and_o beda_n the_o most_o faithful_a historian_n say_v literal_o that_o before_o the_o year_n six_o hundred_o after_o christ_n in_o britain_n seruabant_fw-la ut_fw-la cuuque_fw-la reges_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la privati_fw-la et_fw-la optimates_fw-la suum_fw-la quique_fw-la ordinem_fw-la but_o of_o the_o ancient_a king_n as_o likewise_o of_o their_o elder_n or_o noble_n i_o find_v two_o sort_n the_o one_o fatherly_a and_o the_o other_o tirannical_a the_o first_o have_v and_o maintain_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o first_o age_n 49.10_o aug._n the_o civit_n dei_fw-la lib_fw-la 15._o et_fw-la 19_o arist_n 1._o polit_n gen._n 17.29_o gen._n 27.29_o et_fw-la 49.10_o whereinis_fw-la patres_fw-la familias_fw-la regebant_fw-la the_o father_n of_o the_o great_a family_n which_o contain_v other_o be_v king_n as_o adam_z and_z sem_fw-mi take_v to_o be_v melchisedec_n and_o assur_n his_o son_n the_o father_n of_o inferior_a family_n yet_o populous_a and_o great_a be_v elder_n or_o prince_n as_o abraham_n isaac_n jacob_n and_o job._n such_o there_o be_v in_o britain_n as_o caesar_n &_o gildas_n do_v show_v the_o second_o sort_n obtain_v their_o authority_n by_o war_n violence_n or_o rebellion_n as_o before_o the_o flood_n cain_n and_o afterward_o nimrod_n esau_n and_o the_o like_a and_o of_o this_o sort_n there_o be_v also_o in_o britain_n who_o time_n gildas_n call_v vetustos_fw-la immanium_fw-la tyrannos_fw-la annos_fw-la epistola_fw-la gildas_n in_o epistola_fw-la but_o as_o i_o take_v it_o the_o most_o ancient_a nobility_n of_o britain_n have_v a_o name_n signify_v as_o much_o as_o elder_n or_o senator_n as_o they_o have_v in_o other_o country_n before_o mention_v of_o that_o signification_n there_o be_v a_o name_n in_o many_o ancient_a record_n to_o be_v find_v a_o name_n of_o ancient_a nobility_n which_o import_v in_o signification_n a_o elder_a which_o i_o take_v it_o be_v the_o name_n of_o that_o first_o &_o most_o ancient_a british_a noble_a man_n the_o name_n itself_o be_v thane_n and_o i_o find_v this_o name_n use_v for_o a_o noble_a man_n in_o this_o island_n in_o denmake_v &_o in_o ireland_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o name_n proceed_v from_o some_o of_o the_o nation_n that_o reign_v in_o these_o country_n but_o neither_o the_o roman_n nor_o saxon_n nor_o the_o dane_n nor_o the_o irish_a can_v give_v a_o reason_n whereby_o to_o claim_v it_o as_o a_o word_n of_o they_o only_o the_o britain_n have_v a_o word_n most_o near_o both_o in_o letter_n signification_n &_o use_n for_o where_o the_o dane_n call_v a_o lord_n or_o a_o noble_a man_n thane_n as_o the_o britain_n do_v and_o where_o the_o irish_a call_v he_o take_v which_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o eldership_n be_v next_o to_o succeed_v in_o some_o lordship_n yet_o neither_o of_o they_o give_v a_o reason_n for_o it_o only_o the_o britain_n use_n the_o word_n heane_z or_o hane_n to_o signify_v a_o elder_a which_o answer_v to_o the_o word_n thane_n as_o i_o say_v both_o in_o letter_n signification_n &_o use_n and_o to_o verify_v the_o say_n that_o all_o thing_n make_v a_o harmonious_a consent_n to_o truth_n the_o history_n testify_v that_o the_o saxon_n immediate_o after_o their_o come_n into_o this_o island_n call_v their_o noble_n by_o a_o name_n of_o the_o same_o signification_n viz._n earl_n or_o elderman_n a_o name_n of_o nobility_n unknown_a in_o their_o own_o country_n where_o as_o i_o take_v it_o they_o be_v call_v grave_n or_o greve_v signify_v a_o governor_n which_o name_n also_o they_o bring_v hither_o and_o it_o remain_v in_o some_o use_n to_o this_o day_n but_o the_o name_n of_o elder_n they_o learn_v of_o the_o britain_n and_o hereunto_o agree_v the_o text_n extant_a among_o the_o law_n of_o st._n edward_n sicut_fw-la modo_fw-la vocantur_fw-la greve_n archaion_n lamb._n archaion_n qui_fw-la super_fw-la alios_fw-la perfecturas_fw-la habent_fw-la ita_fw-la apud_fw-la anglos_n antiquitus_fw-la vocabantur_fw-la ealderman_n quasi_fw-la seniores_fw-la non_fw-la propter_fw-la senectutem_fw-la cum_fw-la quidam_fw-la adolescentes_fw-la essent_fw-la sed_fw-la propter_fw-la sapientiam_fw-la et_fw-la similiter_fw-la olim_fw-la apud_fw-la britones_n temporibus_fw-la romanorun_v in_o regno_fw-la isto_fw-la britanniae_fw-la vocabantur_fw-la senatores_fw-la