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

But on the other side, Christian Equity teacheth a man not to see it, nor take notice of it, nor to be angry again, nor to check him for it; but to put it off by gentle words, soft demands, and other talk: and to yield to him, as far as a man may do, in good conscience, without betraying of the trueth. And by the way, in conference hold it always for a rule of Christian wisdom, and private Equity, never to stick stiffly to any opinion, unless it be in a plain trueth, and of great moment. Now thus doing to our brother, and sparing his weakness, and continuing on our speech, as though we saw not that he was angry: hereby the conference holds on, and love is continued as afore. But if contrariwise, we take the advantage of his infirmity, and display it, and rub him for it, if we be as short as he, and stand stiffly upon ⟨p. 41⟩points, then the conference is broken off without edification, and heart-burning riseth betwixt them, in stead of true love. Thus we see in these examples, how in a Christian moderation, we are to bear, and to forbear the natural weaknesses of our brethren, if we purpose to live in any comfort with them in this world.

But on the other side, Christian Equitie teacheth a man not to see it, nor take notice of it, nor to be angrie againe, nor to checke him for it; but to put it off by gentle words, soft demaundes, and other talke: and to yeild to him, as farre as a man may doe, in good conscience, without betraying of the trueth. And by the way, in conference hold it alwaies for a rule of Christian wisedome, and priuate Equitie, neuer to sticke stiffely to any opinion, vnlesse it be in a plaine trueth, and of great moment. Now thus doing to our brother, and sparing his weaknes, and continuing on our speech, as though we sawe not that he was angrie: hereby the conference holds on, and loue is continued as afore. But if contrariwise, we take the aduantage of his infirmitie, and display it, and rub him for it, if we be as short as he, and stand stiffely vpon ⟨p. 41⟩points, then the conference is broken off without edification, and heart-burning riseth betwixt them, in stead of true loue. Thus we see in these examples, how in a Christian moderation, we are to beare, and to forbeare the naturall weakenesses of our brethren, if we purpose to liue in any comfort with them in this world.