The Practice of Piety

Thirdly, in hearing both parts, incline not to the right hand of affection, or to the left of hatred: as to believe arguments of persuasion for a friend, before arguments concluding for a foe.

Thirdly, in hearing both parts, incline not to the right hand of affection, or to the left of hatred: as to beleeue arguments of perswasion for a friend, before arguments concluding for a foe.

Fourthly, deny not Justice, which is Regia mensura, to the meanest Subject: but let the cause of the poor and needy come in equal balance with the rich and mighty. If thou perceivest on the one side in a cause, the high hills of cunning advantages, powerful combination, and violent prosecution:¹ and on the other side, the low valleys of poverty, simplicity, and desolation: prepare thy way (as GOD doth) to judgement, by ^*raising valleys, and taking down ⟨p. 392⟩hills, equalling in equality: that so thou mayest lay the foundation of thy sentence upon an •even ground. In matters of right and wrong twixt party and party, let thy conscience be careful rather Jus ³dicere to pronounce the Law that is made, secundum allegata & probata, rather then Jus dare, to make a Law of thine own, upon the authority of sic volo, sic jubeo, fearing that fearful malediction:⁴ Cursed be he that removeth his neighbours land-mark. In trials of life and death, let Judges like Elohim, ⁵in Justice, remember mercy, and so cast the severe eye of Justice upon the fact, as that they look with the pitiful eye of Mercy