A09403:110
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
Hepieíkeia: or, a treatise of Christian equity and moderation. Delivered publicly in lectures by M. W. Perkins, and now published by the consent of his assigns in Cambridge by a preacher of the wordHepieíkeia: or, a treatise of Christian equitie and moderation. Deliuered publikely in lectures by M. W. Perkins, and now published by the consent of his assignes in Cambridge by a preacher of the word
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1604Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1604
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For reformation whereof, let men but ⟨p. 61⟩learn, and practise the two former rules: 1. law is not ordained to be a Judge of every trifle: It is a shame to our law that men be suffered in the common wealth to arrest each other for debts of small value, so as ten times, and otherwhiles twenty times as much is spent, for the recovery of them as the principal is. Are not we a Christian commonwealth? why then have we not the wisdom to appoint another, an easier, and a directer way for the recovery of such debts, and if there be no other way, why doth not a Christian man stay for it, or loose it rather then go to law for it? It is a shame for our nation, that there should be at one Assizes over England, so many hundred actions of trespasses, wherein the damage is little or nothing. To reform these is a work worthy of a Prince, and every man should put to his helping-hand to it.
For reformation whereof, let men but ⟨p. 61⟩learne, and practise the two former rules: 1. lawe is not ordained to be a Iudge of euery trifle: It is a shame to our lawe that men be suffered in the common wealth to arreast each other for debts of small value, so as tenne times, and otherwhiles twenty times as much is spent, for the recouery of them as the principal is. Are not we a Christian commonwealth? why then haue we not the wisdome to appoint another, an easier, and a directer waie for the recouery of such debts, and if there be no other way, why doth not a Christian man stay for it, or loose it rather then goe to law for it? It is a shame for our nation, that there should be at one Assises ouer England, so many hundreth actions of trespasses, wherein the dammage is little or nothing. To reforme these is a worke worthie of a Prince, and euery man should put to his helping-hand to it.
Secondly, let law be thy last remedy. This rule controls another foul misorder in our land. Men are sued, when they would gladly compound: when they would willingly satisfy by private order, they are compelled ⟨p. 62⟩