Post by Admin on Oct 9, 2016 12:58:21 GMT
CHAP. XCIII.
Of Advocates.
THere is another Practice of the Law, which they call the Art of Pleading, of which they would pretend a very great Necessity: an ancient, but most deceitful Calling, onely set out with the gaudy Trim∣ming of Perswasion, which is nothing else, but to know how by Perswasion to over-rule the Judge, and to turn him and winde him at pleasure; to know how by false Interpretations and Comments, to wrest or a∣void the Law, or prolong the Suit; so to cite and re∣peat Decrees, to pervert Equity, and alter the sence of the Law, and the intention of the Legislator: in which Art there is nothing sooner prevails than Bauling and Confidence: and he is accounted the best Advocate, who intices most the people to go to Law, putting um in hopes of recovering great matters; and stirs them up by wicked and mischievous advice; who hunts out for Causes, and who is the greatest Scolder and Brauler, to make the things which are just and true, seem doubt∣ful and unjust; and by such Weapons as those, to chase and overthrow Justice: with whom Justice is nothing else but publike Gain; and the Judge that sits upon the Bench is forc'd to confirm, what Money makes appear just. Nay, they expose those things which are not, even privations of things, and Silence it self; seeing
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that as none will speak but for Gain, there's none will hold his tongue but for Reward: after the example of Demosthenes, who when he askt Aristodemus, a Compi∣piler of Fables, what Fees he had got for Pleading, an∣swered, A Talent. But I (replyed Demosthenes.) have got more to hold my tongue. So that the tongue of a Law∣yer, unless fast bound in Silver chains, is very mischie∣vous and pernicious.
Of Advocates.
THere is another Practice of the Law, which they call the Art of Pleading, of which they would pretend a very great Necessity: an ancient, but most deceitful Calling, onely set out with the gaudy Trim∣ming of Perswasion, which is nothing else, but to know how by Perswasion to over-rule the Judge, and to turn him and winde him at pleasure; to know how by false Interpretations and Comments, to wrest or a∣void the Law, or prolong the Suit; so to cite and re∣peat Decrees, to pervert Equity, and alter the sence of the Law, and the intention of the Legislator: in which Art there is nothing sooner prevails than Bauling and Confidence: and he is accounted the best Advocate, who intices most the people to go to Law, putting um in hopes of recovering great matters; and stirs them up by wicked and mischievous advice; who hunts out for Causes, and who is the greatest Scolder and Brauler, to make the things which are just and true, seem doubt∣ful and unjust; and by such Weapons as those, to chase and overthrow Justice: with whom Justice is nothing else but publike Gain; and the Judge that sits upon the Bench is forc'd to confirm, what Money makes appear just. Nay, they expose those things which are not, even privations of things, and Silence it self; seeing
Page 325
that as none will speak but for Gain, there's none will hold his tongue but for Reward: after the example of Demosthenes, who when he askt Aristodemus, a Compi∣piler of Fables, what Fees he had got for Pleading, an∣swered, A Talent. But I (replyed Demosthenes.) have got more to hold my tongue. So that the tongue of a Law∣yer, unless fast bound in Silver chains, is very mischie∣vous and pernicious.