vertible terms. ' Conjlimtio dicitur jus Hh I 234 ] quod a principe conditure/ Conftitutum^ quod ab imperatoribus relcriptum ftatu- tumve eft. * Statuum^ idem quod lex. Calvini Lexicon juridicum, Conjlitution and Jlatute were originally terms of the civil law, and from thence introduced by eccle- fiaftics into the Englifti law. Thus in the ftatute 25 Hen. VIII. c. 19. §. i. ^Conftitu- tions and ordinances^ are ufed as fynonimous.
The term conjlitution has many other figni- fications in phyfics and in politics; but in jurifprudence, whenever it is applied to any adl of the legiflature, it invariably means a ftatute, law, or ordinance, which is the prefent cafe. No inference then of a different meaning can be drawn from the adoption of this title; on the contrary, we might conclude, that, by their affixing to it a term fynonimous with ordinance or ftatute. But of what confequence is their meaning, where their power is de- nied? If they meant to do more than they had power to do, did this give them power? It is not the name, but the au- * To bid, to fet, was the ancient legiflative word of the Englifh. LI, Hlotharri and Eacrici. LI. Inx. LI. Eadwerdi. LI. Aathelllani.