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

Surely there can be no better reason then this, if it be settled in a mans heart: for a thief, or a cut-purse, if he saw the Judge stand at his elbow, and looked upon him, he would not do evil, he would stay his hand, even because he seeth that the Judge seeth him, who can presently hang him. A strong reason with men, and it keeps even bad men from lewd practises. Consider therefore when the Judge of Judges, the Lord of heaven and earth, stands by and seeth, and marks all thy actions, whether they be towards thy brother, as his is towards thee. This ought to make the greatest man on earth, fear how ⟨p. 88⟩he deals cruelly or hardly with his brother. But worldly men will not be persuaded of this, but when they are laying their plots to deceive their brother, and when by injustice, and extremity, they pinch and wring him, they think in their hearts, God seeth them not, nor do they ever think of God, but labour that God may be out of all their thoughts. This is the cause of all sin in the world: for thence is it that mens hearts are hardened, and that they care not how extremely they deal with men, because they think God seeth them not, nor will call them to account for it, and do with them as they have done with their brother. Hence comes all injustice, cruelty, extremity, suits in law for trifles, taking forfeitures of leases, and of bonds, and taking all advantages. Hence comes it, that one man will not spare an other one day, nor forgive one fault, nor pass by any infirmity, nor put up the least injury, nor yield one inch from his right: but if his brother offend never so liule, upon never so apparent weakness, he shall hear of it on both sides, as they say: and if he deserve ⟨p. 89⟩ill, he shall have his deserts to the full. Thus hearts are hardened, affections are immoderate, bowels of compassion are shut up, love and pity are banished, and in their rooms reign cruelty, and injustice. Moderation dwells in corners, but extremity is that, which bears sway over all the world: what is the cause of all this? Surely, first, because men are unsanctified, and have not repented of their sins, & so they feel not, that God is moderate, and merciful to them.

Surely there can be no better reason then this, if it be setled in a mans heart: for a theefe, or a cut-purse, if he saw the Iudge stād at his elbow, and looked vpon him, he would not doe euill, he would stay his hand, euen because he seeth that the Iudge seeth him, who can presently hang him. A strong reason with men, and it keepes euen bad men from leud practises. Consider therefore when the Iudge of Iudges, the Lord of heauen and earth, stands by and seeth, and markes all thy actions, whether they be towards thy brother, as his is towards thee. This ought to make the greatest man on earth, feare how