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

These men, when they are made practisers of the law, Judges, or Magistrates, are to learn this lesson, which the holy Ghost here teacheth, Let you Equity be known to all men: and let all Magistrates think it their honour, to be counted merciful Judges: let them rejoice, as well to show mercy when there is cause, as to execute extremity when there is desert: and let them labour for that Christian wisdom and discretion, whereby they may be able to discern, when mercy and mitigation should take place, and when extremity should be executed. If inferior ⟨p. 19⟩Judges or Magistrates be negligent herein, then must we have recourse to the Prince, the highest Judge on earth, and under God the first fountain of Justice and mercy: whose care must be, that as Justice and mercy (not one of them, but both together) do uphold his throne, and fasten the Crown upon his head: so he likewise see them both maintained, and take order, that in the execution of his own laws, there be always a room as well for mercy and mitigation, as for Justice and extremity. This must he do, because his laws cannot be as Gods laws are. Gods laws are perfect, and absolute, and of such an universal righteousness, as that at all times, and in all places, they are of equal strength, and of the same equity in all cases: and therefore are to be executed without dispensation, relaxation, or any mitigation, which cannot be offered unto them, but with injury and violation. But mens laws, coming from their own wits, are imperfect, and so in all cases, they do not hold the same equity, and therefore must needs be executed with a discreet and wise ⟨p. 20⟩moderation. This moderation is public equity, and this public Equity, is the scope of this text, and the due practise of it in the execution of mans laws, is the glory of all Christian Commonwealths.

These men, when they are made practisers of the law, Iudges, or Magistrates, are to learne this lesson, which the holy Ghost here teacheth, Let you Equitie be knowne to all men: and let all Magistrates thinke it their honour, to be counted mercifull Iudges: let them reioyce, as well to shew mercie when there is cause, as to execute extremitie when there is desert: and let them labour for that Christian wisdome and discretion, wherby they may be able to discerne, when mercie and mitigation should take place, and when extremitie should be executed. If inferiour ⟨p. 19⟩