DEFINITION

GOD. From the Saxon god, good. The source of all good; the supreme being. 1. Every man is presumed to believe in God, and he who opposes a witness on the ground of his unbelief is bound to prove it. 3 Bouv. Inst. u. 3180.

• 2. Blasphemy against the Almighty, by denying his being or providence, was an offence punishable at common law by fine and imprisonment, or other infamous corporal punishment. 4 Bl. Corn. 60; 1 East, P. C. 3; 1 Russ. on Crimes, 217. This offence his been enlarged in Pennsylvania, and perhaps most of the states, by statutory provision. Vide Christianity; Blasphemy; 11 Serg. & Rawle, 394.

3. By article 1, of amendments to the Constitution of the United States, it is provided that “Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” In the United States, therefore, every one is allowed to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

MAXIMS

• Accusare nemo debet se, nisi coram Deo. No one ought to accuse himself, unless before

God

• . Hard. 139.

Actus Dei nemini facit injuriam. The act of God does no injury; that is, no one is responsible for inevitable accidents. 2 Blacks. Com. 122. See Act of God.

Haeredem Deus facit, non homo. God and not man, make the heir.

Judici satis paena est quod Deum habet ultorem. It is punishment enough for a judge that he is responsible to God. 1 Leon. 295.

Jurare est Deum in testum vocare, et est actus divini cultus. To swear is to call God to witness, and is an act of religion. 3 Co. Inst. 165. Vide 3 Bouv. Inst. n. 3180, note; 1 Benth. Rat. of Jud. Ev. 376, 371, note.

Solus Deus haeredem facit. God alone makes the heir.