A Golden Chain

Neither must this seem strange. For as there is a keeping of a law, and a breaking of the same; so there is a middle or mean action between them both, which is, to do a thing ^abeside the law, and that without sin.

Neither must this seeme straunge. For as there is a keeping of a law, and a breaking of the same; so there is a middle or meane action betweene them both, which is, to doe a thing ^abeside the law, and that without sinne.

1. aFacere aliquid praeter legem, non contratamē.Facere aliquid praeter legem, non contratamē.

To proceed further, mens laws be either Civill or Ecclesiastical. Civill laws are for their substance determinations of necessary and profitable circumstances, tending to uphold and maintain the commandments of the second table. More specially they prescribe what is to be done, and what is to be left undone, touching actions both civill and criminal, touching offices and bargains of all sorts, &c. yea they conclude, enjoin, and command not only such affairs as be of small importance; but also things and actions of great weight, tending to maintain common peace, civill society, and the very state of the common wealth. Now such laws bind so far forth, that, albeit they be omitted without any apparent scandal or contempt, yet the breach of them is a sin before God. Take this example. A subject in this land upon poverty, or upon a covetous mind, against the good law of the land, coins money, which afterward by a sleight of his wit, is cunningly conveyed abroad into the hands of men, and is not espied. Here is no evident offence given to any man, nor open contempt showed to the lawgiver: and yet in this action he hath sinned, in that closely otherwise then he ought to have done, he hath hindered the good of the commonwealth; and robbed the sovereign Prince of her right.