The king, therefore, needed only propose to any one a question with regard to the legality of either of his first marriages: if the person were silent, he was a traitor by law: if he answered either in the negative or in the affirmative, he was no less a traitor.

So monstrous were the inconsistencies which arose from the furious passions of the king and the slavish submission of his parliaments.

It is hard to say whether these contradictions were owing to Henry's precipitancy, or to a formed design of tyranny.
* Le Thou.
** 28 Henry VIII.c.

7.
*** 34, 35 Henry VIII.c.

1.
It may not be improper to recapitulate whatever is memorable in the statutes of this reign, whether with regard to government or commerce: nothing can better show the genius of the age than such a review of the laws.
The abolition of the ancient religion much contributed to the regular execution of justice.