Reports of that reverend and learned judge, Sir Humphry Winch Knight sometimes one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas : containing many choice cases, and excellent matters touching declarations, pleadings, demurrers, judgements, and resolutions in points of law, in the foure last years of the raign of King James, faithfully translated out of an exact french copie, with two alphabetical, and necessary table, the one of the names of the cases, the other of the principal matters contained in this book.

COƲRTEOƲS READER,

THe principal end in publishing Books is the profit which redoundeth to o∣thers, and what improvement can there be either more noble in it self, or of greater advantage to the receiver then that of knowledge, and especially of the Lawes of this Nation in which you live, and by which your actions ought to be regulated: the studie of other learning being private, fitter for Ʋniversities, then Common wealths, fuller of contemplation, then experience, and more laudable in Scholers themselves, then beneficial unto others; if there∣fore either benefit will prevail with you, or delight perswade you, then (I beg favour to speak with some confidence) you will finde both those desired motives in this solid Book to Court you: the Au∣thor of the greatest part of them was for many years a grave Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, re∣verend for his learning and integritie, and ho∣nourable for his imployment, of whose death,* 1.1 and great worth you will finde a deserved testimonie near the end of these Collections; some eminent and judicious Pen (unhappily by time buried in oblivion) hath made some addition of Cases to our

great Author no less quaint, then useful, which be∣ing found in one entire exact french copie; you have here with all deligence faithfully rendered in English for publick use: touching the errors which may occur in this Tract, be pleased to distinguish, some being of more consequence then others: the first you will finde particularly corrected in the usu∣al place after the end of this Book, and the rest an easie judgement may in Transitu rectifie which is ho∣ped are not many: this copie comming to some inge∣nuous hands, it was thought fit to expedit the prin∣ting thereof to prevent other spurious Copies in pre∣judice of the publick, especially at this time where∣in the press is prostituted to so much ignorance, and lawless libertie: and now to speak a modest word of the merit of this work, not only as an invitation to the buyer, and for his benefit, but rather with due respect to the memory of our Author, who (is hoped) will live in this posthumous issue, and surely it is no small prejudice to the professors of Law that the rest of his labours are abortively smoothered. The Cases herein you will finde well polished in the sta∣ting, and solidly canvased in the debating; both the Bench, and Bar of that Court (with leave be it spoken) being then as well supplied with deep Sages of the Law, as in divers years either before, or since: expect matter here, not eloquence, and the grateful nutriment of the understanding, rather then the pleasing condiments of Rethorick to tickle the Phantasie. Farewel.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The death of Justice Winch 4. Febr. vide fol. 125.