Miphre

¶ Statutes newly enacted by the most illustrious, most reverend prince? in Christ, father and lord, Jo-?

hannes of Savoy, most worthy Bishop and Prince of Geneva.

Iohannes of Savoy, by the grace of God and the Apostolic See, Bishop and Prince of Geneva. Although many statutes and decrees were enacted by our predecessors of good memory—many of which were holy, salutary, and, in accordance with the nature of affairs and persons, suited to the conditions of the times—nevertheless, because with the malice of the times and the growing wickedness of men (who for the most part incline toward evil rather than good), some of the aforementioned ordinances of our predecessors have fallen into desuetude, while others are interpreted and observed differently than they ought to be: Therefore, wishing to fulfill the duty that lies upon us, and to provide for the salvation of our subjects and to counter their malicious acts, we—while confirming and approving as much as we are able the statutes of our predecessors that are good, just, and in every respect reasonable—and desiring to chastise, amend, and restrain the excesses of our subjects which are not curbed by the aforementioned, have proceeded with the consent and mature deliberation of our councilors to the following enactments, which we desire and intend to be observed by our subjects to the letter as useful and salutary. And if this is done, as we hope, they will provide that which they are bound by law to do, and they will perform a most grateful service to us—who, day and night, think of nothing other than their quiet, tranquility, and the salvation of their souls—and they will provide timely counsel for themselves. The matters which we have established for reform are those which follow.

¶ Concerning the manner and place of hearings to be observed by the lords

vicar, official, and our other judges.

¶ We decree first and ordain that the vicar and the official, the judges of excesses, appeals, and temporal matters—or their delegates—must sit at the customary hour in the place appointed for the rendering of justice by us or our predecessors, and this without interval. It shall be lawful, however, for the same to hear and settle certain cases for a reasonable cause in their own houses or elsewhere.