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 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 ⟨p. 44⟩to comfort him after his fathers death, he and his wicked counsellors interpreted it, that he sent spies, and intelligencers, to find out the weakness of the land. It cannot be spoken, what broils, hurliburlies and confusions in kingdoms, what contentions in eommon-wealths, what factions and divisions in colleges & societies; what disquietness in families, what unkindness and falling out amongest old friends, and what separation even amongest them that should be nearest, are daily in the world, by reason of this sinister interpretation, of mens words and deeds. We therefore that do profess our selves the children of peace, must learn to make conscience of this, the due practise whereof, is the conservation of peace.

But the dutie of Christian Equitie is contrary hereunto; namely, to thinke the best they can of all men, to construe all doubtfull actions in the better part, and to make the best sense of all doubtfull speeches, if we haue any probable reason to induce vs to it. The Apostle makes this the propertie of loue.