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 fourth and last degree of Private Equity, is to forbear and to forgive wrongs and injuries done unto us in word or deed. The scripture is plain for this, and so is natural reason, which teacheth, that every one that bears the name of a man, should forgive another, because he being a man, may deserve and stand in need of the same himself, and therefore is to do as he would be done unto: But especially a Christian man, who looks for forgiveness at Gods hand, ⟨p. 55⟩for his own sins, must needs forgive his brother. So that to a Christian man, there is a double bond or reason, to tie him to this duty. One is, as he is a man, therefore must he forgive him that offends him, that so another man may also forgive him, when he offendeth. For there is none, but being a man, and living amongest men, he must needs offend. Another more forcible reason is, as he is Christian, therefore must he forgive, because else, how can he in reason demand or pray for forgiveness at Gods hand for many thousand offences of his own, and those exceeding great, when another man cannot obtain forgiveness at his hands, for a few small offences. This duty is of greater necessity then all the former: for upon the practise of this, depends the preservation of peace: but where this is not practised, there is no religion, no conscience, nor salvation: for where there is no forgiving of another man, that man is not forgiven at Gods hands. And he whose sins are not in Christ forgiven, and taken away, that man is in the state of damnation, and till he be forgiven, he can never ⟨p. 56⟩be saved: but he can never be forgiven, till he forgive his brother: and so it is plain, that even salvation it self, in some sort, depends upon the practise of this duty, yet not as a cause, but as a sign, or an effect of salvation. For this is not true, that every one who forgives is forgiven of God, but this is true, that whosoever is forgiven of God, will forgive his brother. So then, neither in reason, nor in religion, can a man look for forgiveness himself, unless he make conscience to forgive another. Yea God hath made every man a Judge in this case, to condemn himself, if he do it not, when he prayeth every day, that God would forgive him even so, as he doth forgive others.

The fourth and last degree of Priuate Equitie, is to forbeare and to forgiue wrongs and iniuries done vnto vs in word or deed. The scripture is plaine for this, and so is naturall reason, which teacheth, that euery one that beares the name of a man, should forgiue another, because he beeing a man, may deserue and stand in neede of the same himselfe, and therefore is to doe as he would be done vnto: But especially a Christian man, who lookes for forgiuenesse at Gods hand,