A09403:70
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 want of this equity in mens public actions, is the cause of much cruelty, oppression, and inequality in dealings betwixt man and man: because extremity is for the most part only regarded, and mitigation is banished out of all bargains. And it is impossible, to keep good conscience in forfeitures of bonds, and in forfeiture of lands, suretiships, fines, rents, and such kind of actions, unless ⟨p. 27⟩there be due regard had to the practise of this public equity. Men therefore, must consider that they are Christians, and live in a Christian commonwealth: And they must not stand only upon the law, and the advantage that the law gives. As they are men, they have a law of the country, which may allow extremity: but as they are Christians, they live under a law of God, the eternal law, which must judge them at the last day: the righteous law, which no creature shall ever be able to blame of injustice, or of extremity: and men must know, that God himself commands this equity of one man to another.
The want of this equitie in mens publike actions, is the cause of much crueltie, oppression, and inequalitie in dealings betwixt man and man: because extremitie is for the most part onely regarded, and mitigation is banished out of all bargains. And it is impossible, to keepe good conscience in forfeitures of bonds, and in forfeiture of lands, suretiships, fines, rents, and such kind of actions, vnlesse ⟨p. 27⟩there be due regard had to the practise of this publike equitie. Men therefore, must consider that they are Christians, and liue in a Christian commonwealth: And they must not stand onely vpon the lawe, and the aduantage that the law giues. As they are men, they haue a lawe of the countrie, which may allow extremitie: but as they are Christians, they liue vnder a law of God, the eternall lawe, which must iudge them at the last day: the righteous lawe, which no creature shall euer be able to blame of iniustice, or of extremitie: and men must know, that God himselfe commands this equitie of one man to another.