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

The second duty of private equity is, to construe & interpret mens sayings that are doubtful, in the better part, if possibly it may be: this is to be understood of all men, though they be our enemies and this must a man do, if he will live in peace in this world.

The secōd dutie of priuate equity is, to constru & interpret mēs sayings that are doubtfull, in the better part, if possibly it may be: this is to be vnderstood of all men, though they be our enemies and this must a man do, if he will liue in peace in this world.

Our nature is given to take men at the worst, to deprave mens deeds and words, & to pervert them to the worst sense, that may be: and this is commonly the cause of debate and dissension in the world.

Our nature is giuen to take men at the worst, to depraue mens deeds and words, & to peruert them to the worst sense, that may be: and this is commonly the cause of debate and dissention in the world.

But the duty of Christian Equity is contrary hereunto; namely, to think the best they can of all men, to construe all doubtful actions in the better part, and to make the best sense of all doubtful speeches, if we have any probable reason to induce us to it. The Apostle makes this the property of love. 1. Cor. 13. Love thinks not evil, that is, not only ⟨p. 43⟩then, when there is manifest and good cause to think well, but when it is doubtful, if it may by any means have a good meaning, if by any means, it may be well thought of, love will make a man think well of it: & the more specially a man loves another, the more equally, indifferently, and Christianly, will he interpret all his sayings and doings. The want of this duty, and the practise of the contrary, is the cause of more troubles, tumults, garboils, fallings out, and heartburnings, in kingdoms, countries, societies, and families, betwixt man and man, then any one thing in the world besides. Dealing thus with the words of Christ cost him his life: for when Christ said, Destroy this temple & I will build it in three days, they interpreted it of the temple of Jerusalem, when as he meant of the temple of his body. And the wrong and sinister interpretation of Davids embassy, by his neighbour king Hanu, was the cause of that great war betwixt two mighty kingdoms, the Israelites, and the Ammonites, which cost so many thousands their lives. For when David sent Ambassadors