A09403:67
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.
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⟩beare: but according to that Moderation, which good conscience requireth: & which the lawe it selfe in some cases doth admit. By the knowledge of these two, a man that hath any conscience, may see howe to carrie himselfe, in all these ciuill affaires, in an euen, vpright, and equall course, and warrantable not onely by the lawe of the land, but euen by the law and word of God.
And I make this distinction of the law of the land, and the word of God, because we are to know this for a rule: That every extremity, which a law in the strictest acception doeth afford, is not warrantable to be urged by the word of God: and yet notwithstanding it is good, convenient, and requisite, that the extremity be warranted by the law, because in some cases, it must needs be executed. The laws of men, may ordain and appoint extremities: but the law of God must tell us, when to urge them, and when to moderate them: So then, when a man takes the extremity, he doeth that, that is always warrantable by the law: but in some cases, is not warrantable by Gods word, ⟨p. 25⟩