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

In the second place, though a man forgive the Injury and wrong done unto him, yet may he safely in some cases, go to law for recompense of that wrong. It is a devilish opinion in the world, that a man cannot go to law, and be in charity: we must know, that a man may go to law, & yet be in charity: for to forgive the malice, and to sue for recompense are things indifferent; It is not so much charity, to forbear the recompense, ⟨p. 58⟩as it is to forgive the malice. If therefore a man forgive not the malice, he is out of charity, but he may sue for satisfaction, and be in charity. The scripture forbids not mens going to law, but tells them how they should do it: law is not evil, though contentious men, and unconscionable lawyers, have vilely abused it: but it Gods ordinance, and may lawfully be used, so it be on this manner.

In the second place, though a man forgiue the Iniurie and wrong done vnto him, yet may he safely in some cases, goe to lawe for recompence of that wrong. It is a deuilish opinion in the world, that a man cannot goe to lawe, and be in charitie: we must knowe, that a man may goe to law, & yet be in charitie: for to forgiue the malice, and to sue for recompence are things indifferent; It is not so much charitie, to forbeare the recompence, ⟨p. 58⟩as it is to forgiue the malice. If therefore a man forgiue not the malice, he is out of charitie, but he may sue for satisfaction, and be in charitie. The scripture forbids not mens going to lawe, but tels them how they should doe it: lawe is not euill, though contentious men, and vnconscionable lawyers, haue vilely abused it: but it Gods ordinance, and may lawefully be vsed, so it be on this manner.

First, it must not be for every trifle, every trespass, every ill word; but in these cases, a man is both to forgive the malice, and to remit the recompense, because he is little or nothing at all hurt by it. For example, A poor man steals a little meat from thee in his hunger, let the law take hold on him, but pursue thou him no more for it, then by the law thou needs must Again thy neighbours cattle doth trespass thee, thou must not go to law for it, the malice be it more or less, thou must forgive in Christianity & for conscience sake, and the damage is so small, as that therefore thou mayest not go to law for it. For the law is abused, in being