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

To the Christian Reader whosoever.

To the Christian Reader whosoeuer.

I Do here present unto thee, (Christian brother) a small discourse of Equity, delivered by that faithful labourer in the harvest of God, Mr. William Perkins, in a few Lectures. The discourse is little, and brief, but the matter is pithy, and the use profitable. Equity and Christian moderation whether public or private, is the true badge of Christianity. Without public Equity, what is the court of Justice, but turned into the seat of Iniquity? and without private Equity, what is mans life, ⟨image 6⟩humane society, neighbourhood, nay friendship, nay kindred, nay marriage it self, but even a potion of poison in a golden cup? Art thou therefore a Magistrate? here is taught thee, how to discharge thy place, in the execution of the laws, as shall neither be unbeseeming the lenity of a Christian, nor the severity of a Magistrate. Art thou a private man? here is taught thee how to carry thy self, in all dealing and bargaining with another: how to demean thy self towards thy wife, thy servant, thy child, thy friend, thy neighbour, in such manner, as if thou hadst all the comforts and contentments of this earth, yet the practise hereof, shall make them all ten times more comfortable: and the want hereof, shall turn all their sweetness into gall and wormwood. When therefore thou readest this little book, and withal, (laying it to thy life) doest find the truth of it in thy course & conversation, then acknowledge the spirit of God in this holy man, (who now sleeps in peace) praise God for him, ⟨image 6⟩be wail his loss, and help me and others with thy holy prayers, that we may still go forward in this good work, of publishing these his godly labours: and in delivering out to the church of God these Jewels: which the Lord from his mouth, gave us to keep, not for our own, but for the common good.

I Doe here present vnto thee, (Christian brother) a small discourse of Equity, deliuered by that faithfull labourer in the haruest of God, Mr. William Perkins, in a fewe Lectures. The discourse is litle, and briefe, but the matter is pithie, and the vse profitable. Equitie and Christian moderation whether publike or priuate, is the true badge of Christianitie. Without publike Equitie, what is the court of Iustice, but turned into the seate of Iniquitie? and without priuate Equity, what is mans life,