Of the iournying of the Israelites from the Red Sea, to the place where the Law was giuen them: with a discourse of Lawes

Abstract

The word Lex, or Law, is not alwaies taken alike, but is diuersly, and in an indifferent sense vsed. For if we consider it at large, it may be vnderstood for any rule prescribing a necessarie meane, order, and methode, for the attaining of an end. And so the rules of Grammer, or other Arts, are called Lawes. Or it is taken for any priuate ordinance of Superiours to Inferiours: for the commandements of Tyrants, which they cause to be obserued by force, for their decrees doe also vsurpe that title, according to the generali acceptation of the word Law: of which Esay, Woe vnto them that decree wicked decrees, and write grieuous things. Likewise, the word is vsed for the tumultuarie resolutions of the people. For such constitutions doth Aristotle also call lawes, though euill and vnsufficient. Mala lex est, qua tumultuarié posita est; It is an ill law that is made tumultuously. So as all ordinances, good or euill, are called by the name of lawes.