Gratian, Decretum 14th Century Munich, Staatsbibliothek 23552, fol. 1r

onsent "Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 Gratian, Decretum D.4 dictum after c.3: Laws are instituted when they are promulgated;  they are confirmed when they have been approved by the long standing custom of those who observe them Leges instituuntur, cum promulgantur, firmantur, cum moribus utentium approbantur. Sicut enim moribus utentium in contrarium nonnullae leges hodie abrogatae sunt, ita moribus utentium ipsae leges confirmantur.