Cum voluntas, & consilium, & sententia interdicti, intelligatur, impudentiam sum∣mam, aut stultitiam singularem putabimus in verborum errore versari, rem & causam & utilitatem communem non relinquere solum, sed etiam prodere.—Juris igitur retineri sententiam, & aequitatem pluri∣mum valere, oportere, an verbo ac litera jus omne torqueri, vos statuite utrum uti∣lius esse videatur?

When we once comprehend the Reasons, the Design, and the Intent of a Law, it is either great Impudence, or great Folly, to let our selves be misled by any ambiguity in the words; for this is not only to for sake but to betray the true Ends of the Law, and the good of the Publick—Do you therefore that are the Iudges consider which is best: Whether the Design of the Law ought to be observed, and to be explained according to E∣quity, or whether Iustice it self ought to be per∣verted by adhering to the Words and Letter of the Law.