Hepieíkeia: or, a treatise of Christian equity and moderation. Delivered publicly in lecturesHepieíkeia: or, a treatise of Christian equitie and moderation. Deliuered publikely in lectures

The third duty and degree of Private Equity is, In sundry cases to depart from a mans own right: that is to yield oftentimes in such things, wherein by law he might stand; and oftentimes to forgo such things, which by law he might require. Without this Equity, Justice and peace cannot stand. Christ our saviour, gave a notable example hereof in paying toll: Math. 17. 27. Christ needed not to have done it, nor could any law have compelled him to it, yet because he would not trouble the public peace, nor give them occasion of contention, he yields from his right and pays them toll: all Christian men must learn by his example, not to stand always upon their right, if they will continue peace in the Church of God. It is ⟨p. 50⟩not sufficient in Christianity, nay it is a very wicked speech, which we often hear men speak. It is my right and therefore I will not loose it: so might Christ have said, and if you look the place, you shall find, that he first of all argueth the case, and concludes that he is free, and not bound to pay, and yet saith Christ, rather then I will offend them, or give them cause to think worse of me, or my doctrine I will pay it. Even so must a Christian man, in many cases go from his right, and that for the maintenance of public peace in the common wealth, and of private peace one man with another.

The third dutie and degree of Priuate Equitie is, In sundry cases to depart from a mans owne right: that is to yeild oftentimes in such things, wherein by lawe he might stand; and oftentimes to forgoe such things, which by law he might require. Without this Equitie, Iustice and peace cannot stand. Christ our sauiour, gaue a notable example hereof in paying toll: Math. 17. 27. Christ needed not to haue done it, nor could any lawe haue compelled him to it, yet because he would not trouble the publick peace, nor giue them occasion of contention, he yeilds from his right and paies them toll: al Christian men must learne by his example, not to stand alwaies vpon their right, if they will continue peace in the Church of God. It is ⟨p. 50⟩not sufficient in Christianitie, nay it is a very wicked speach, which we often heare men speake. It is my right and therefore I will not loose it: so might Christ haue said, and if you looke the place, you shall find, that he first of all argueth the case, and concludes that he is free, and not bound to paie, and yet saith Christ, rather then I will offend them, or giue them cause to thinck worse of me, or my doctrine I will paie it. Euen so must a Christan man, in many cases go from his right, and that for the maintenance of publick peace in the common wealth, and of priuat peace one man with another.