A09403:98
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.
And unto these two cautions, add thus much further, that the practise of this duty, for the most part ceaseth, when the Minister is to work upon the conscience of an impenitent or a presumptuous sinner: for then he is not to moderate or mitigate, to colour or excuse, to lessen or extenuate his sins, but to speak of sin as it deserves, and to lay out his sins in their own colours, that so he may humble him, and cast him down.
And vnto these two cautions, adde thus much further, that the practise of this dutie, for the most part ceaseth, when the Minister is to worke vpon the conscience of an impenitent or a presumptuous sinner: for then he is not to moderate or mitigate, to colour or excuse, to lessen or extenuate his sinnes, but to speake of sinne as it deserues, and to lay out his sinnes in their owne colours, that so he may humble him, and cast him downe.
But out of these three cases, this duty lieth upon all men, at all times to interpret every thing in the better part. So then the conclusion of this second duty is this: Actions apparently good, are to be commended, doubtful are to be construed in the best sense, apparently evil are to be made no worse then they are, but rather to be excused, and let a man always rather speak too well, then too evil of another man, & rather speak better, then worse then be ⟨p. 49⟩deserves and rather judge too mildly and mercifully then too sharply: for if a man be deceived either way, that is the safer way wherein to be deceived: Thus to do, is to perform that Christian equity which is here commanded, and to maintain peace which is the comfort of a Christian life. And thus much of the 2. duty.
But out of these three cases, this dutie lieth vpon all men, at all times to interpret euery thing in the better part. So then the conclusion of this second dutie is this: Actions apparently good, are to be commended, doubtfull are to be construed in the best sense, apparently euill are to be made no worse then they are, but rather to be excused, and let a man alwaies rather speake too well, then too euill of another man, & rather speake better, then worse then be