The Bible Has Always Been

Punishments Of Unreasonable Severity, Especially Where Indiscriminately Afflicted, Have Less Effect In Preventing Crimes, And Amending The Manners Of A People, Than Such As Are More Merciful In General, Yet Properly Intermixed With Due Distinctions Of Severity.

Man Must Necessarily Be Subject To The Laws Of His Creator. This Will Of His Maker Is Called The Law Of Nature. This Law Of Nature Is Superior To Any Other. No Human Laws Are Of Any Validity If Contrary To This.

No Outward Doors Of A Man's House Can In General Be Broken Open To Execute Any Civil Process; Though In Criminal Cases The Public Safety Supersedes The Private.

If [the Legislature] Will Positively Enact A Thing To Be Done, The Judges Are Not At Liberty To Reject It, For That Were To Set The Judicial Power Above That Of The Legislature, Which Would Be Subversive Of All Government.

No Enactment Of Man Can Be Considered Law Unless It Conforms To The Law Of God