A Golden Chain

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.

To proceede further, mens lawes be either Ciuill or Ecclesiasticall. Ciuill laws are for their substance determinations of necessarie and profitable circumstances, tending to vphold and maintaine the commandements of the second table. More specially they prescribe what is to be done, and what is to be left vndone, touching actions both ciuill and criminall, touching offices and bargaines of all sorts, &c. yea they conclude, inioyne, and command not onely such affaires as be of small importance; but also things and actions of great waight, tending to maintaine common peace, ciuill societie, and the very state of the common wealth. Now such lawes bind so farre forth, that, albeit they be omitted without any apparant scandall or contempt, yet the breach of them is a sinne before God. Take this example. A subiect in this land vpon pouertie, or vpon a couetous minde, against the good law of the land, coynes money, which afterward by a sleight of his witte, is cunningly conueied abroad into the hands of men, and is not espied. Here is no euident offence giuen to any man, nor open contempt shewed to the lawgiuer: and yet in this action he hath sinned, in that closely otherwise then he ought to haue done, he hath hindred the good of the commonwealth; and robbed the soueraigne Prince of her right.