A09403:73
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.
He is not worthy the name of a lawyer, at least of a Christian lawyer, much less worthy the place and seat of a Judge, who knoweth not this. For if the law contained not both these, it were unrighteous, and so no law. For mitigation is for the good man, and extremity for the evil, the careless, and unconscionable man: if there were no extremity, how could the evil man be kept within compass? and how should the poor honest man live, if there were no mitigation? So then, it is warrantable by the word of God, and good conscience, that extremity should be in force, and should stand by law, but so as it always admit of mitigation, when need is.
He is not worthie the name of a lawyer, at least of a Christian lawyer, much lesse worthie the place and seat of a Iudge, who knoweth not this. For if the law contained not both these, it were vnrighteous, and so no law. For mitigation is for the good man, and extremitie for the euill, the carelesse, and vnconscionable man: if there were no extremitie, how could the euil man be kept within compasse? and how should the poore honest man liue, if there were no mitigation? So then, it is warrantable by the word of God, and good conscience, that extremitie should be in force, and should stand by law, but so as it alwaies admit of mitigation, whē neede is.
Let therefore our conclusion be, to exhort every man, into whose hands is put the execution of laws, to show himself as wise, in executing them, as were our forefathers in the making of them: that is, as well to regard the Mitigation which is concealed, as the Extremity which is expressed: so shall ⟨p. 31⟩the lawmakers wise intent be performed, public equity preserved, and much Injustice and hard dealing prevented.
Let therefore our conclusion be, to exhort euery man, into whose hands is put the execution of lawes, to shew himselfe as wise, in executing them, as were our forefathers in the making of them: that is, as well to regard the Mitigation which is concealed, as the Extremitie which is expressed: so shall ⟨p. 31⟩