[ 1250] Innovations in Church or State, very dangerous.
AMongst the Locrians there was a Statute of that strictnesse, that whoso∣ever desired to bring in a new Law,* 1.1 he should come and declare it pub∣liquely in the Market-place before the People with an halter about his neck; that if his Law was not thought meet to be enacted for the good of the Common∣wealth, he might presently be hang'd for his desire of Innovation. And good reason too; For it is very dangerous to innovate any thing either in Church or Common-wealth; not but that it is in the power of Supream Authority to change and correct such Lawes, as shall seem fit to be changed for the good of the People; yet according to the strict Rules of Policy that is not to be done neither, but upon pure necessity, what apparent profit soever may be pretended to the contrary.