A09403:66
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.
The moderation in this case is, not to take all thou mayest get, but so to fine and rent thy lands, as he that takes them, may live of them: The reason of this Mitigation is, because envy and hatred, may often make many men offer more for a farm, then it is worth, to cross and hurt their neighbour, or to get all into their own hand. Here therefore, though the law doeth yield thee all that, which a man doeth willingly offer, yet must thine own conscience be a law unto thee, to make thee a moderator of that extremity.
The moderation in this case is, not to take all thou maist get, but so to fine and rent thy lands, as he that takes them, may liue of thē: The reason of this Mittigation is, because enuie and hatred, may often make many men offer more for a farme, then it is worth, to crosse and hurt their neighbour, or to get all into their owne hand. Here therefore, though the lawe doeth yeild thee all that, which a man doeth willingly offer, yet must thine owne conscience be a lawe vnto thee, to make thee a moderator of that extremitie.
Let these three examples serve for many. Now in these and all other public dealings betwixt men in the world; a man observes Public equity, when he dealeth not with his neighbour, according to that extremity, which the strict words of the law will ⟨p. 24⟩bear: but according to that Moderation, which good conscience requireth: & which the law it self in some cases doth admit. By the knowledge of these two, a man that hath any conscience, may see how to carry himself, in all these civill affairs, in an even, upright, and equal course, and warrantable not only by the law of the land, but even by the law and word of God.
Let these three examples serue for many. Now in these and all other publike dealings betwixt men in the world; a man obserues Publike equitie, when he dealeth not with his neighbour, according to that extremity, which the strickt wordes of the lawe will ⟨p. 24⟩