Chapter — Marc, Institutiones Morales
Chapter I: On the Institution of Laws
¶1.
St. Alphonsus, I, n. 104; ed. G., I, p. 83; Wernz, Jus Decret., II, n. 755; Bargilliat, Prael. Juris can., tr. IV.
¶137.
- Laws are instituted in first act, so that they can oblige, when they are established by the legislator himself; in second act and effectively, so that they oblige, when they are promulgated. Here the matter is only of the first institution.
Now, human law, in order that it can oblige, must be made by one having power, upon subjects, concerning possible and fitting matter. Therefore the following must be discussed: 1. concerning legislative power; 2. concerning the matter or object of law. The subject will be treated in chapter IV, where the obligation of law is treated (cf. n. 193 ff.).