A09403:71
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.
But if men, for the fear of God, will not deal equally and moderately, with them that are in their power: but stand strictly upon forfeitures and other extremities: then must the godly Magistrate exercise his power, and by the force of his authority, cause them to mitigate their extremity, and to put in practise that equity which becometh Christians. And let every Judge and Magistrate know, that by the law of the ⟨p. 28⟩everlasting God, he not only may, but is bound thus to do to them, who will not do it of themselves. It may be therefore good counsel to all men, rather to practise this Christian equity of themselves, than to be compelled to it by authority: for every virtue and good work, the more free and voluntary it is, the more acceptable is it to God, and more commendable before men: and let all men remember, that whereas the strict words of mens laws, seem to give them leave to urge the extremity, yet cannot that excuse them, nor free them from the danger of Gods law, which commands them to practise Christian equity and moderation.
But if men, for the feare of God, will not deale equally and moderately, with them that are in their power: but stand strictly vpon forfeitures and other extremities: then must the godly Magistrate exercise his power, and by the force of his authoritie, cause them to mitigate their extremitie, and to put in practise that equitie which becommeth Christians. And let euery Iudge and Magistrate knowe, that by the lawe of the ⟨p. 28⟩euerlasting God, he not onely may, but is bound thus to doe to them, who will not doe it of themselues. It may be therefore good counsell to all men, rather to practise this Christian equitie of themselues, thē to be compelled to it by authoritie: for euery vertue and good worke, the more free and voluntarie it is, the more acceptable is it to God, and more commendable before men: and let all men remember, that whereas the strict words of mens lawes, seeme to giue them leaue to vrge the extremitie, yet cannot that excuse them, nor free them from the danger of Gods law, which commands them to practise Christian equitie and moderation.