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NeCede's

Maxim 5.2.1

The law of God and the law of the land are all one, and both preserve and favor the common and public good of the land.

Le ley de Dieu et le ley de terre sont tout un, et l'un et l'autre preferre et savour le common et publique bien del terre.

Source: Keilw. 191; Wharton; Weisman, 70q Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational

Explanation

Divine law and the law of the land share a common purpose — the protection of the public good and the common rights of the people. Neither contradicts the other when rightly understood.

Where this applies

  • A state legislature enacts a law protecting the sanctity of family worship in the home, and the law aligns perfectly with the biblical command to raise children in the nurture of the Lord — divine law and civil law here work together to protect the common good.
  • A court strikes down a regulation that forced churches to violate their religious convictions, recognizing that the law of the land cannot rightly contradict the law of God when both aim to preserve the public good.
  • A community invokes both Scripture and the state constitution to defend parents' right to educate their children at home — the law of God and the law of the land are united in favoring the common good of the people.

Legal domains

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 5.2.1 — The law of God and the law of the land are all one, and both preserve and favor the common and public good of the land. — Keilw. 191; Wharton; Weisman, 70q (Le ley de Dieu et le ley de terre sont tout un, et l'un et l'autre preferre et savour le common et publique bien del terre.)

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