them all, and given references to editions easily accessible to modern readers. As a general rule, such verifications may be treated as common property, since any man may easily make them for himself, if he chooses, without help from another. But from the careless manner of citation customary in Hooker's day, besides some difficulties peculiar to himself, the task of tracing his references required considerable labour and skill. It would of course be quixotic to go through the whole again without consulting Mr. Keble's edition, and, on the other hand, the circumstances of the case made it unfair to transfer them. It was therefore the opinion of those more versed in such matters than the editor, that it would be better to leave them as they are found in Hooker's own edition.

The case was somewhat similar with respect to the running titles standing at the head of each page. The Editor has, however, endeavoured, as far as possible, to give the main topic of each paragraph in his own words, and to express clearly the views of his author.

LONDON, January 21st, 1851.

II. Of that Law which God from before the beginning
hath set for Himself to do all things by

III. The Law which Natural Agents observe, and their

necessary manner of keeping it.

IV. The Law which the Angels of God obey

V. The Law whereby Man is in his actions directed to

VII. Of Man's will, which is the first thing that Laws of
Action are made to guide .

1

25

VIII. Of the natural finding out of Laws by the Light of
Reason to guide the will unto that which is good. 30
IX. Of the benefit of keeping that Law which Reason
teacheth.

44
X. How Reason doth lead Men unto the making of
Human Laws, whereby Politic Societies are
governed, and to agreement about Laws, where-
by the fellowship or communion of Independent
Societies standeth

XI. Wherefore God hath by Scripture further made
known such supernatural Laws as do serve for
Men's direction

46

64

viii

CONTENTS.

PAGE

XII. The cause why so many Natural or Rational Laws

are set down in Holy Scripture.

XIII. The benefit of having Divine Laws written

XIV. The sufficiency of Scripture unto the end for which

73

76

it was instituted
XV. Of Laws positive contained in Scripture; the muta-
bility of certain of them, and the general use of

Scripture.

79

XVI. A conclusion, showing how all this belongeth to the

cause in question

90

OF THE

LAWS

OF

ECCLESIASTICAL POLITY.

BOOK I.

CONCERNING LAWS AND THEIR SEVERAL KINDS

IN GENERAL.

The cause of writing this general dis

course,

con

cerning Laws.

HE that goeth about to persuade a multitude that they are not so well governed as they ought to be, shall never want attentive and favourable hearers; because they know the manifold defects whereunto every kind of regiment is subject; but the secret lets and difficulties, which in public proceedings are innumerable and inevitable, they have not ordinarily the judgment to consider. And because such as openly reprove supposed disorders of state are taken for principal friends to the common benefit of all, and for men that carry singular freedom of mind; under this fair and plausible colour, whatsoever they utter passeth for good and current. That which wanteth in the weight of their speech, is supplied by the aptness of men's minds to accept and believe it. Whereas, on the other side, if we maintain things that are established, we have not only to strive with a number of heavy prejudices, deeply rooted in the hearts of men, who think that herein we serve the time, and speak in favour of the present state, because thereby we either hold or seek preferment; but

B

2

The Argument necessarily abstruse.

also to bear such exceptions as minds so averted beforehand usually take against that which they are loth should be poured into them. Albeit, therefore, much of that we are to speak, in this present cause, may seem to a number perhaps tedious, perhaps obscure, dark, and intricate, (for many talk of the truth, which never sounded the depth from whence it springeth; and therefore when they are led thereunto, they are soon weary, as men drawn from those beaten paths wherewith they have been inured :) yet this may not so far prevail as to cut off that which the matter itself requireth, howsoever the nice humour of some be therewith pleased or no. They unto whom we shall seem tedious are in nowise injured by us, because it is in their own hands to spare that labour which they are not willing to endure. And if any complain of obscurity, they must consider, that in these matters it cometh no otherwise to pass, than in sundry the works both of art and also of nature, where that which hath greatest force in the very things we see, is notwithstanding itself oftentimes not seen. The stateliness of houses, the goodliness of trees, when we behold them, delighteth the eye; but that foundation which beareth up the one, that root which ministereth unto the other nourishment and life, is in the bosom of the earth concealed; and if there be at any time occasion to search into it, such labour is then more necessary than pleasant, both to them which undertake it, and for the lookers-on. In like manner, the use and benefit of good laws all that live under them may enjoy with delight and comfort, albeit the grounds and first original causes from whence they have sprung be unknown, as to the greatest part of men they are. But when they who withdraw their obedience pretend that the laws which they should obey are corrupt and vicious; for better examination of their quality, it behoveth the very foundation and root, the highest well-spring and foun