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

Now followeth the Apostles reason, The Lord is at hand. These words bear two senses, or meanings. The first, of the last judgement: the second, of Gods presence. The first, is thus framed, if the holy Ghost meant of the last judgement: Be you equal and moderate one towards an other, for God is ready in his great and general judgment, to judge all men, and then happy is he that finds not Justice, but tastes of mercy: and who shall taste of mercy then, but he that showed mercy in this world? But if secondly, the holy Ghost meant of Gods presence, then is the argument framed thus: God is present with every man, and at every action, ⟨p. 87⟩to testify and judge of it, and either to approve it and reward it, if it be upright, equal, and merciful: or to correct and punish it, if it be extreme, and void of equity: therefore let your equity be known to all men. Both senses are good, but we will cleave unto the latter. It is then all one, as if the holy Ghost had said; Use equity and moderation in your dealings, and remember who is at your elbow, stands by and looks on, ready to judge you for it.

Now followeth the Apostles reason, The Lord is at hand. These wordes beare two senses, or meanings. The first, of the last iudgement: the second, of Gods presence. The first, is thus framed, if the holy Ghost meant of the last iudgement: Be you equall and moderate one towardes an other, for God is readie in his great and generall iudgment, to iudge all men, and then happie is he that findes not Iustice, but tasts of mercie: and who shall tast of mercie then, but he that shewed mercie in this world? But if secondly, the holy Ghost meant of Gods presence, then is the argument framed thus: God is present with euery man, and at euery action, ⟨p. 87⟩to testifie and iudge of it, and either to approoue it and reward it, if it be vpright, equall, and mercifull: or to correct and punish it, if it be extreame, and void of equitie: therefore let your equitie be knovvne to all men. Both senses are good, but we will cleaue vnto the latter. It is then all one, as if the holy Ghost had said; Vse equitie and moderation in your dealings, and remember who is at your elbow, stands by and lookes on, readie to iudge you for it.