The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…

¹1. It is true, that as the immediate sense of the Precept (e.g. Thou shalt do no murder) is not de eventu, [it shall not come to pass] but de debito, [Thy duty is to forbear it]; So also the immediate sense of the Penal part is not de eventu, (e. g I thou murder thou shalt be put to death) but de debito, death shall be thy due, thou shalt be Reus mortis: So that if it do non evenire, it is not presently a falsehood. But its as true,² that when the Sovereign makes a Law, he thereby declareth that this Law is a Rule of Righteousness, that it is Norma officii & judicii: that the Subject must do according to it,³ and expect to be done by according to it: that it is the Instrument of Government. Therefore these two things are declared by it. 1. That ordinarily Judgment and execution shall pass according to it. 2. That it shall never be extraordinarily dispensed with, by Sovereignty, but upon terms which as well declare the Justice of the Governor, and discourage offenders from contempt, and are as fit to preserve the common good, and the honour of the Sovereign. So that thus far a Law doth assert also the event; which I put to prevent objections, and to show that truth and justice require the ordinary execution of just and necessary Laws.

¹1. It is true, that as the immediate sense of the Precept (e.g. Thou shalt do no murder) is not de eventu, [it shall not come to pass] but de debito, [Thy duty is to forbear it]; So also the immediate sense of the Penal part is not de eventu, (e. g I thou murder thou shalt be put to death) but de debito, death shall be thy due, thou shalt be Reus mortis: So that if it do non evenire, it is not presently a falshood. But its as true,² that when the Sovereign makes a Law, he thereby declareth that this Law is a Rule of Righteousness, that it is Norma officii & judicii: that the Subject must do according to it,³ and expect to be done by according to it: that it is the Instrument of Government. Therefore these two things are declared by it. 1. That ordinarily Judgment and execution shall pass according to it. 2. That it shall never be extraordinarily dispensed with, by Sovereignty, but upon terms which as well declare the Justice of the Governour, and discourage offendors from contempt, and are as fit to preserve the common good, and the honour of the Sovereign. So that thus far a Law doth assert also the event; which I put to prevent objections, and to shew that truth and justice require the ordinary execution of just and necessary Laws.