Ex communi clariss. et consultiss. iuris professorum ordinis, in inclyta Basiliensium Academia decreto, subsequentes (de feudis) theses

A decorative initial letter 'A' features floral and scrollwork motifs.

Civil wisdom is a most sacred matter, noble Lord, though those with profane minds, who disparage it as uncertain due to both the abundance of books and the variety of opinions, feel otherwise. But they are in error. Regarding the former, it is just as if one were to consider all the dishes set upon a table to be either unworthy of tasting or entirely necessary to be devoured at once. Regarding the latter, this wisdom has coalesced from the Keithetois fundamental principles of nature, reason, and logic; therefore, it is certain. Whence, then, comes such a century of opinions? From the variety of affairs and an insufficiently apt interpretation of the law, which is the common fate in all foetentijs fields of study. Is there no dissension among doctors in the medical field? In sacred theology (I am ashamed to say), certain mataeologi vain babblers do not yet cease (to use the words of Plautus) to stage tragedies. Yet who—unless he be some Lucretius—would dare deny that it is the voice of God, the Best and Greatest, that is to say, the most certain of all things? However, as for those who, when they arrive at Tribonian The 6th-century jurist who compiled the Digest of Justinian from the ancient jurists who spoke most excellently, see that this matter is not treated in the way it ought to be, they rush into these sacred texts with claws unclipped, diverging into entirely different paths. Offended by the inelegant style of the interpreters, they dedicate their work to illustrating antiquity or emending good authors, to the great good (by Hercules!) of the literary world. I do not know what to say, other than to celebrate them. Be that as it may, this consoles me: there exist not only the Lamberts of Ramponi and Benedicts of Plumbino, whose discourse they find less delightful, but also Budé, Alciati, Pithou, Cujas, Contius, Hotman, and Wesenbeck, whom one can safely imitate. The goal of this science is gnosis knowledge and allé praxis the other is practice. Since this is handed down for the most part in the commentaries of interpreters, we must—willing or not—postpone the care of words in this philosophy, which is not feigned, for the sake of the subject matter. The words in this feudal law are camp-like, barbaric, and the little adornments original: "toreumata" of that age are scarcely pleasing, as one encounters here and there terms such as capillo foror hair-splitting, hostenditiae a display, breve testatum a short testament, and sacramentales oath-helpers. Yet it concerns kingdoms, empires, and powers. Since it is determined by this law that a client who does not willingly serve his lord falls from his fief, it was necessary to prevent this very thing by this kind of obedience, whatever it may be. May God, the Best and Greatest, govern the titles and their possessors.

A decorative horizontal printer's ornament features floral and scrollwork patterns.