such_o great_a and_o principal_a virtue_n as_o be_v even_o the_o heart_n and_o the_o brain_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n namely_o justice_n and_o peace_n but_o for_o the_o more_o exact_a and_o particular_a knowledge_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o necessary_a virtue_n let_v we_o descend_v to_o the_o particular_a branch_n and_o kind_n of_o it_o christian_n equity_n therefore_o be_v either_o public_a or_o private_a public_a equity_n be_v that_o which_o be_v practise_v in_o public_a meting_n and_o assembly_n of_o man_n as_o in_o court_n of_o justice_n assize_n session_n counsel_n parliment_n and_o such_o like_a the_o matter_n where_o about_o this_o public_a equity_n be_v conversant_a be_v the_o right_a and_o convenient_a and_o the_o moderate_a and_o discrete_a execution_n of_o the_o law_n of_o man_n law_n of_o man_n make_v by_o lawful_a authority_n according_a to_o god_n law_n and_o for_o the_o common_a good_a be_v and_o be_v to_o be_v esteem_v bone_n and_o sinew_n to_o hold_v to_o gether_o prop_n and_o pillar_n to_o uphold_v the_o commonwealth_n and_o all_o society_n god_n therefore_o have_v give_v to_o king_n and_o to_o their_o lawful_a deputy_n power_n and_o authority_n not_o only_o to_o command_v and_o execute_v his_o own_o law_n command_v in_o his_o word_n but_o also_o to_o ordain_v and_o enact_v other_o good_a and_o profitable_a law_n of_o their_o own_o for_o the_o more_o particular_a government_n of_o their_o people_n and_o to_o be_v help_n for_o the_o better_a execute_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o also_o to_o annexe_v a_o punishment_n and_o penalty_n to_o the_o say_a law_n which_o penalty_n be_v to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o fault_n great_a or_o less_o in_o so_o much_o that_o they_o may_v in_o many_o case_n if_o the_o common_a good_a so_o require_v inflict_v even_o death_n itself_o and_o further_o god_n have_v give_v these_o god_n upon_o earth_n a_o power_n as_o to_o make_v these_o law_n and_o annexe_v these_o punishment_n so_o also_o upon_o man_n default_n and_o breach_n have_v he_o give_v they_o authority_n to_o execute_v the_o law_n so_o make_v and_o to_o inflict_v upon_o the_o offender_n the_o punishment_n annex_v now_o because_o this_o point_n be_v of_o great_a moment_n in_o a_o common_a wealth_n and_o the_o true_a knowledge_n and_o due_a practice_n thereof_o be_v the_o glory_n and_o beauty_n of_o a_o kingdom_n therefore_o for_o the_o better_a direction_n herein_o both_o of_o prince_n and_o people_n magistrate_n and_o people_n govern_v let_v we_o enter_v further_o into_o the_o consideration_n thereof_o in_o the_o law_n of_o commonwealth_n two_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v the_o sight_n whereof_o will_v give_v great_a light_n to_o know_v more_o perfect_o what_o this_o public_a equity_n be_v these_o be_v 1._o the_o extremity_n of_o the_o law_n 2._o the_o mitigation_n of_o the_o law_n both_o these_o be_v put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o magistrate_n by_o god_n himself_o to_o be_v order_v according_a to_o his_o discretion_n and_o as_o the_o circumstance_n require_v and_o of_o they_o in_o order_n the_o extremity_n of_o the_o law_n be_v when_o any_o law_n of_o man_n be_v urge_v and_o execute_v straight_o and_o precise_o according_a to_o the_o literal_a sense_n and_o strict_a form_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o exact_a meaning_n that_o can_v be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o word_n without_o any_o manner_n of_o relaxation_n at_o that_o time_n when_o there_o be_v good_a and_o convenient_a cause_n of_o mitigation_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o person_n offend_v this_o point_n can_v well_o be_v express_v in_o sewer_a word_n the_o principal_a and_o most_o material_a clause_n in_o this_o description_n of_o extremity_n be_v in_o those_o word_n at_o that_o time_n when_o there_o be_v just_a cause_n of_o mitigation_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o person_n offend_v for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o good_a cause_n of_o mitigation_n than_o it_o be_v not_o call_v extremity_n but_o justice_n of_o the_o law_n but_o when_o there_o be_v good_a cause_n why_o in_o a_o christian_a consideration_n of_o some_o circumstance_n this_o justice_n shall_v be_v mitigate_v and_o yet_o be_v not_o but_o contrariwise_o be_v extreme_o urge_v and_o press_v to_o the_o further_a than_o it_o be_v extremity_n now_o this_o extremity_n of_o the_o law_n be_v in_o this_o case_n so_o far_o from_o justice_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v flat_a injustice_n and_o herein_o be_v the_o proverb_n true_a summum_fw-la ius_n summa_fw-la iniuria_fw-la that_o be_v the_o extremity_n of_o the_o law_n be_v extreme_a injury_n and_o of_o this_o do_v the_o holy_a ghost_n mean_a eccles._n 7._o 8._o be_v not_o over_o just_a that_o be_v press_v not_o justice_n to_o far_o nor_o urge_v it_o to_o extreme_o in_o all_o case_n lest_o sometime_o you_o make_v the_o name_n of_o justice_n a_o cover_n for_o cruelty_n now_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v a_o second_o thing_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o magistrate_n namely_o the_o moderation_n relaxation_n or_o mitigation_n of_o this_o extremity_n and_o that_o be_v when_o the_o proper_a form_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o strict_a meaning_n of_o the_o law_n be_v not_o urge_v and_o the_o punishment_n prescribe_v in_o the_o law_n be_v moderate_v or_o lessen_v or_o defer_v or_o it_o may_v be_v remit_v upon_o good_a and_o sufficient_a reason_n and_o in_o such_o case_n as_o whereof_o the_o law_n speak_v not_o direct_o nor_o the_o lawmaker_n do_v purposely_o aim_v at_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o mitigation_n be_v because_o no_o law_n maker_n be_v man_n can_v foresee_v or_o set_v down_o all_o case_n that_o may_v fall_v out_o therefore_o when_o the_o case_n alter_v then_o must_v the_o discretion_n of_o the_o lawemaker_n show_v itself_o and_o do_v that_o which_o the_o law_n can_v do_v this_o mitigation_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o magistrate_n as_o well_o as_o the_o extremity_n nay_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o his_o duty_n as_o well_o as_o the_o former_a and_o he_o offend_v as_o well_o that_o neglect_v to_o mitigate_v the_o extremity_n when_o just_a occasion_n be_v as_o he_o that_o neglect_v to_o execute_v the_o extremity_n when_o there_o be_v need_n as_o therefore_o he_o be_v no_o way_n fit_a to_o be_v a_o judge_n who_o have_v no_o knowledge_n or_o care_v to_o execute_v the_o law_n so_o he_o be_v but_o half_a a_o judge_n who_o can_v do_v nothing_o but_o urge_v the_o law_n and_o the_o plain_a word_n of_o the_o law_n and_o be_v not_o able_a also_o to_o mitigate_v the_o rigour_n of_o of_o the_o law_n when_o need_n so_o require_v therefore_o every_o magistrate_n be_v to_o practice_v this_o with_o the_o other_o and_o not_o to_o separate_v those_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v join_v but_o now_o lest_o this_o moderation_n and_o mitigation_n of_o man_n law_n which_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o public_a equity_n shall_v turn_v to_o the_o maintenance_n of_o malefactor_n the_o abolish_n of_o law_n the_o despise_v or_o weaken_v of_o authority_n which_o in_o these_o day_n little_a need_v we_o must_v therefore_o now_o remember_v this_o caution_n that_o there_o must_v be_v no_o mitigation_n but_o honest_a profitable_a and_o convenient_a if_o any_o man_n ask_v when_o be_v it_o so_o i_o answer_v in_o three_o case_n first_o when_o the_o mitigation_n stand_v with_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n second_o when_o it_o agree_v with_o the_o moral_a law_n or_o any_o part_n of_o the_o write_a word_n three_o when_o a_o inferior_a law_n be_v overruled_n or_o countermand_v by_o a_o high_a law_n in_o these_o three_o case_n the_o moderation_n of_o man_n law_n and_o the_o mitigation_n of_o the_o punishment_n due_a by_o the_o extremity_n of_o these_o law_n be_v honest_a and_o good_a and_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v practise_v but_o if_o it_o be_v contrary_a and_o not_o warrant_v by_o some_o of_o these_o then_o that_o mitigation_n be_v flat_a injustice_n and_o a_o manifest_a wrong_n unto_o the_o law_n that_o the_o difference_n of_o these_o two_o the_o extremity_n and_o mitigation_n may_v better_o be_v discern_v let_v we_o consider_v it_o in_o some_o example_n it_o be_v the_o law_n of_o england_n and_o many_o other_o country_n that_o the_o thief_n shall_v die_v now_o though_o the_o word_n of_o god_n have_v not_o the_o same_o punishment_n in_o plain_a term_n yet_o be_v the_o law_n good_a and_o warrantable_a as_o shall_v appear_v in_o the_o sequel_n and_o i_o think_v be_v doubt_v of_o by_o none_o the_o drift_n of_o this_o law_n be_v to_o repress_v that_o common_a and_o general_a sin_n of_o the_o every_o a_o prevail_a sin_n as_o any_o other_o and_o so_o far_o prevail_a as_o the_o rigour_n of_o good_a law_n be_v necessary_o require_v for_o the_o repress_v of_o it_o so_o that_o this_o law_n be_v make_v for_o the_o cut_n off_o of_o such_o rot_a member_n as_o do_v but_o corrupt_v
other_o and_o of_o who_o amendment_n there_o be_v no_o hope_n now_o suppose_v a_o young_a boy_n pinch_v with_o hunger_n cold_a and_o poverty_n steal_v meat_n apparel_n and_o other_o thing_n for_o relief_n be_v press_v to_o it_o by_o want_n and_o not_o have_v knowledge_n or_o grace_n to_o use_v better_a mean_n to_o put_v this_o person_n to_o death_n for_o this_o fact_n be_v the_o extremity_n of_o the_o law_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o person_n who_o do_v it_o be_v a_o child_n and_o of_o the_o end_n for_o which_o he_o do_v it_o to_o relieve_v his_o want_n now_o the_o moderation_n in_o this_o case_n be_v when_o upon_o these_o consideration_n that_o first_o he_o be_v not_o a_o old_a nor_o a_o practise_a thief_n but_o young_a and_o corrigible_a one_o that_o be_v reform_v may_v live_v long_o and_o prove_v a_o good_a member_n in_o the_o common_a wealth_n and_o second_o that_o his_o theft_n be_v not_o heinous_a but_o the_o thing_n he_o steal_v be_v of_o small_a value_n and_o three_o that_o he_o do_v it_o not_o upon_o a_o malicious_a cruel_a and_o injurious_a intent_n but_o to_o relieve_v his_o hunger_n and_o want_n the_o equity_n or_o moderation_n i_o say_v in_o this_o case_n be_v not_o to_o inflict_v death_n for_o that_o be_v extremity_n but_o to_o determine_v a_o punishment_n less_o than_o death_n yet_o such_o a_o one_o as_o shall_v be_v sufficient_a to_o reform_v the_o party_n from_o his_o sin_n to_o punish_v the_o fault_n to_o terrify_v other_o and_o to_o satisfy_v the_o law_n thus_o in_o this_o example_n it_o appear_v manifest_o what_o this_o moderation_n be_v and_o what_o be_v extremity_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o it_o and_o the_o same_o may_v we_o see_v in_o many_o more_o now_o have_v thus_o consider_v these_o two_o together_o here_o upon_o we_o may_v see_v what_o this_o public_a equity_n be_v namely_o nothing_o else_o but_o a_o moderation_n and_o mitigation_n of_o the_o extremity_n of_o a_o law_n upon_o honest_a and_o convenient_a reason_n and_o in_o such_o case_n as_o be_v not_o direct_o intend_v in_o the_o law_n the_o observation_n and_o due_a practice_n of_o this_o equity_n be_v the_o glory_n credit_n and_o honour_n of_o all_o public_a assembly_n as_o assize_n session_n and_o all_o court_n of_o justice_n and_o without_o the_o observation_n of_o this_o when_o need_n be_v all_o that_o they_o do_v be_v flat_a injustice_n in_o that_o case_n for_o they_o lame_a and_o maim_v the_o law_n they_o fulfil_v but_o the_o one_o part_n of_o the_o law_n for_o in_o every_o law_n there_o be_v these_o two_o thing_n the_o extremity_n in_o plain_a term_n and_o the_o mitigation_n imply_v and_o these_o two_o together_o make_v the_o law_n perfect_a and_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o law_n stand_v as_o well_o in_o practise_v of_o mitigation_n as_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o extremity_n nay_o sometime_o it_o stand_v in_o the_o mitigation_n and_o not_o in_o the_o extremity_n insomuch_o as_o the_o moderation_n be_v then_o the_o equity_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o extremity_n be_v more_o injustice_n and_o as_o this_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o law_n so_o be_v it_o the_o glory_n of_o judge_n and_o magistrate_n thus_o to_o execute_v the_o law_n and_o to_o temper_v they_o with_o such_o discretion_n as_o neither_o too_o much_o mitigation_n do_v abolish_v the_o law_n nor_o too_o much_o extremity_n leave_v no_o place_n for_o mitigation_n therefore_o to_o make_v a_o end_n of_o this_o point_n two_o sort_n of_o man_n be_v here_o reprovable_a first_o such_o man_n as_o by_o a_o certain_a foolish_a kind_n of_o pity_n be_v so_o carry_v away_o that_o will_v have_v nothing_o but_o mercy_n mercy_n and_o will_v have_v all_o punnishment_n forfeiture_n penalty_n either_o quite_o take_v away_o and_o remit_v or_o at_o least_o lesson_v and_o moderate_v they_o will_v also_o have_v the_o extremity_n of_o the_o law_n execute_v on_o no_o man_n this_o be_v the_o high_a way_n to_o abolish_v law_n and_o consequent_o to_o pull_v down_o authority_n and_o so_o in_o the_o end_n to_o open_v a_o door_n to_o all_o confusion_n disorder_n and_o to_o all_o licentiousness_n of_o life_n but_o i_o need_v not_o to_o say_v much_o herein_o for_o there_o be_v but_o few_o that_o offend_v in_o this_o kind_n man_n nature_n be_v general_o incline_v rather_o to_o cruelty_n then_o to_o mercy_n this_o fault_n proceed_v either_o from_o a_o weakness_n of_o wit_n and_o a_o effeminatenes_n of_o mind_n and_o then_o a_o man_n be_v unfit_a to_o be_v a_o judge_n or_o else_o from_o vain_a glory_n and_o a_o base_a and_o affect_a popularity_n and_o such_o a_o man_n be_v unworthy_a to_o be_v a_o judge_n but_o in_o the_o second_o place_n this_o doctrine_n and_o the_o very_a scope_n of_o this_o text_n condemn_v another_o sort_n of_o man_n which_o be_v more_o cumbersome_a that_o be_v to_o say_v such_o man_n as_o have_v nothing_o in_o their_o mouth_n but_o the_o law_n the_o law_n and_o justice_n justice_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n forget_v that_o justice_n always_o shake_v hand_n with_o her_o sister_n mercy_n and_o that_o all_o law_n allow_v a_o mitigation_n the_o cause_n of_o this_o evil_n be_v two_o 1._o the_o general_a corruption_n of_o man_n nature_n which_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o deal_v too_o hardly_o with_o other_o man_n as_o also_o too_o mild_o with_o themselves_o and_o partial_o in_o their_o own_o cause_n 2._o and_o second_o for_o the_o most_o part_n such_o man_n do_v gain_v more_o by_o law_n then_o by_o equity_n more_o by_o extremity_n then_o by_o mitigation_n as_o the_o soldier_n live_v better_a by_o war_n then_o by_o peace_n and_o as_o the_o flesh-fly_n feed_v on_o the_o wound_n that_o can_v feed_v on_o the_o sound_a flesh_n so_o these_o man_n gain_v by_o law_n that_o which_o they_o can_v never_o get_v by_o equity_n for_o equity_n and_o moderation_n breed_v unity_n and_o if_o all_o man_n be_v at_o unity_n what_o shall_v become_v of_o they_o but_o extremity_n breed_v variance_n for_o in_o reason_n one_o extremity_n draw_v on_o a_o other_o and_o so_o in_o man_n variance_n they_o be_v set_v on_o work_n and_o the_o more_o the_o better_a for_o they_o these_o man_n therefore_o stick_v so_o precise_o on_o their_o point_n and_o on_o the_o very_a trick_n and_o trifle_n of_o the_o law_n as_o so_o the_o law_n be_v keep_v and_o that_o in_o the_o very_a extremity_n of_o it_o they_o care_v not_o though_o equity_n be_v tread_v under_o foot_n and_o that_o law_n may_v reign_v upon_o the_o earth_n and_o they_o by_o it_o they_o care_v not_o though_o mercy_n take_v she_o to_o her_o wing_n and_o fly_v to_o heaven_n these_o man_n for_o all_o their_o goodly_a show_n be_v the_o decayer_n of_o our_o estate_n and_o enemy_n to_o all_o good_a government_n for_o though_o they_o have_v nothing_o in_o their_o mouth_n but_o justice_n justice_n and_o have_v banish_v mercy_n yet_o let_v they_o know_v that_o justice_n will_v not_o stay_v where_o mereie_n be_v not_o they_o be_v sister_n and_o go_v always_o hand_n in_o hand_n they_o be_v the_o two_o pillar_n that_o uphold_v the_o throne_n of_o the_o prince_n as_o you_o can_v hold_v mercy_n where_o justice_n be_v banish_v so_o can_v you_o keep_v justice_n where_o mercy_n be_v exile_v and_o as_o mercy_n without_o justice_n be_v foolish_a pity_n so_o justice_n without_o mercy_n be_v cruelty_n so_o that_o as_o these_o man_n have_v banish_v mercy_n so_o within_o a_o short_a time_n they_o will_v send_v justice_n after_o she_o and_o cruelty_n and_o oppression_n will_v come_v in_o their_o room_n which_o be_v the_o very_a overthrow_n of_o all_o estate_n these_o man_n when_o they_o be_v make_v practiser_n of_o the_o law_n judge_n or_o magistrate_n be_v to_o learn_v this_o lesson_n which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n here_o teach_v let_v you_o equity_n be_v know_v to_o all_o man_n and_o let_v all_o magistrate_n think_v it_o their_o honour_n to_o be_v count_v merciful_a judge_n let_v they_o rejoice_v as_o well_o to_o show_v mercy_n when_o there_o be_v cause_n as_o to_o execute_v extremity_n when_o there_o be_v desert_n and_o let_v they_o labour_v for_o that_o christian_a wisdom_n and_o discretion_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o discern_v when_o mercy_n and_o mitigation_n shall_v take_v place_n and_o when_o extremity_n shall_v be_v execute_v if_o inferior_a judge_n or_o magistrate_n be_v negligent_a herein_o then_o must_v we_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o prince_n the_o high_a judge_n on_o earth_n and_o under_o god_n the_o first_o fountain_n of_o justice_n and_o mercy_n who_o care_n must_v be_v that_o as_o justice_n and_o mercy_n not_o one_o of_o they_o but_o both_o together_o do_v uphold_v his_o throne_n and_o fasten_v the_o crown_n upon_o his_o head_n so_o he_o likewise_o see_v they_o both_o maintain_v and_o take_v
matter_n and_o to_o end_v this_o point_n of_o public_a equity_n if_o any_o man_n shall_v object_v that_o this_o moderation_n be_v a_o wrong_n to_o the_o law_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v not_o for_o it_o be_v neither_o against_o the_o law_n nor_o altogether_o beside_o the_o law_n but_o only_o beside_o the_o strict_a meaning_n of_o the_o law_n nay_o it_o be_v include_v in_o the_o law_n as_o well_o as_o the_o extremity_n be_v though_o not_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n for_o the_o extremity_n be_v warrant_v by_o the_o law_n mitigation_n be_v but_o tolerate_v the_o law_n allow_v extremity_n but_o it_o only_o admit_v a_o mitigation_n so_o then_o both_o extremity_n and_o mitigation_n be_v within_o the_o law_n but_o it_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n principal_o of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o in_o some_o case_n of_o other_o man_n also_o to_o discern_v the_o several_a circumstance_n when_o the_o one_o be_v to_o be_v execute_v &_o when_o the_o other_o for_o sometime_o one_o be_v the_o justice_n of_o the_o law_n and_o sometime_o the_o other_o and_o according_a as_o these_o two_o be_v just_o and_o wise_o execute_v or_o neglect_v so_o be_v the_o justice_n of_o the_o law_n execute_v or_o neglect_v the_o want_n of_o this_o equity_n in_o man_n public_a action_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o much_o cruelty_n oppression_n and_o inequality_n in_o deal_n betwixt_o man_n and_o man_n because_o extremity_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n only_o regard_v and_o mitigation_n be_v banish_v out_o of_o all_o bargain_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o keep_v good_a conscience_n in_o forfeiture_n of_o bond_n and_o in_o forfeiture_n of_o land_n suretiship_n fine_n rent_n and_o such_o kind_n of_o action_n unless_o there_o be_v due_a regard_n have_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o public_a equity_n man_n therefore_o must_v consider_v that_o they_o be_v christian_n and_o live_v in_o a_o christian_a commonwealth_n and_o they_o must_v not_o stand_v only_o upon_o the_o law_n and_o the_o advantage_n that_o the_o law_n give_v as_o they_o be_v man_n they_o have_v a_o law_n of_o the_o country_n which_o may_v allow_v extremity_n but_o as_o they_o be_v christian_n they_o live_v under_o a_o law_n of_o god_n the_o eternal_a law_n which_o must_v judge_v they_o at_o the_o last_o day_n the_o righteous_a law_n which_o no_o creature_n shall_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o blame_v of_o injustice_n or_o of_o extremity_n and_o man_n must_v know_v that_o god_n himself_o command_v this_o equity_n of_o one_o man_n to_o another_o but_o if_o man_n for_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n will_v not_o deal_v equal_o and_o moderate_o with_o they_o that_o be_v in_o their_o power_n but_o stand_v strict_o upon_o forfeiture_n and_o other_o extremity_n then_o must_v the_o godly_a magistrate_n exercise_v his_o power_n and_o by_o the_o force_n of_o his_o authority_n cause_v they_o to_o mitigate_v their_o extremity_n and_o to_o put_v in_o practice_v that_o equity_n which_o become_v christian_n and_o let_v every_o judge_n and_o magistrate_n know_v that_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o everlasting_a god_n he_o not_o only_o may_v but_o be_v bind_v thus_o to_o do_v to_o they_o who_o will_v not_o do_v it_o of_o themselves_o it_o may_v be_v therefore_o good_a counsel_n to_o all_o man_n rather_o to_o practice_v this_o christian_a equity_n of_o themselves_o they_o to_o be_v compel_v to_o it_o by_o authority_n for_o every_o virtue_n and_o good_a work_n the_o more_o free_a and_o voluntary_a it_o be_v the_o more_o acceptable_a be_v it_o to_o god_n and_o more_o commendable_a before_o man_n and_o let_v all_o man_n remember_v that_o whereas_o the_o strict_a word_n of_o man_n law_n seem_v to_o give_v they_o leave_v to_o urge_v the_o extremity_n yet_o can_v that_o excuse_v they_o nor_o free_v they_o from_o the_o danger_n of_o god_n law_n which_o command_v they_o to_o practice_v christian_a equity_n and_o moderation_n now_o before_o we_o make_v a_o end_n of_o this_o public_a equity_n one_o point_n be_v necessary_a to_o be_v handle_v in_o few_o word_n some_o may_v object_v if_o moderation_n be_v intend_v and_o include_v in_o our_o law_n as_o well_o as_o extremity_n why_o then_o be_v extremity_n only_o mention_v in_o the_o law_n and_o not_o this_o mitigation_n which_o they_o so_o much_o do_v urge_v unto_o we_o the_o answer_n be_v ready_a the_o law_n express_v and_o urge_v the_o extremity_n to_o fray_v man_n thereby_o from_o come_v within_o the_o danger_n of_o the_o extremity_n and_o conceal_v the_o mitigation_n lest_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o encouragement_n to_o offend_v yet_o intend_v it_o as_o well_o as_o the_o extremity_n and_o leave_v it_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o magistrate_n to_o put_v in_o practice_n when_o just_a occasion_n be_v offer_v as_o well_o as_o the_o extremity_n herein_o appear_v the_o great_a wisdom_n of_o the_o lawmaker_n our_o ancient_a forefather_n who_o well_o and_o wise_o foresee_v that_o though_o mitigation_n be_v as_o necessary_a as_o extremity_n and_o oftentimes_o more_o yet_o because_o of_o the_o ill_a conscience_n of_o the_o most_o man_n and_o the_o readiness_n of_o all_o man_n to_o offend_v think_v it_o fit_a to_o express_v the_o extremity_n in_o plain_a term_n thereby_o to_o keep_v ill_a man_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o obedience_n and_o close_o to_o leave_v the_o mitigation_n to_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o magistrate_n so_o then_o our_o lawegiver_n conceal_v the_o mitigation_n and_o express_v it_o not_o in_o their_o law_n in_o good_a policy_n and_o to_o good_a purpose_n if_o we_o therefore_o do_v only_o take_v the_o extremity_n we_o take_v only_o one_o part_n of_o their_o intent_n and_o show_v ourselves_o unwise_a and_o shallow_a witted_a who_o can_v see_v the_o wisdom_n which_o they_o close_o conceal_v in_o wise_a and_o christian_a policy_n he_o be_v not_o worthy_a the_o name_n of_o a_o lawyer_n at_o least_o of_o a_o christian_a lawyer_n much_o less_o worthy_a the_o place_n and_o seat_n of_o a_o judge_n who_o know_v not_o this_o for_o if_o the_o law_n contain_v not_o both_o these_o it_o be_v unrighteous_a and_o so_o no_o law_n for_o mitigation_n be_v for_o the_o good_a man_n and_o extremity_n for_o the_o evil_a the_o careless_a and_o unconscionable_a man_n if_o there_o be_v no_o extremity_n how_o can_v the_o evil_a man_n be_v keep_v within_o compass_n and_o how_o shall_v the_o poor_a honest_a man_n live_v if_o there_o be_v no_o mitigation_n so_o then_o it_o be_v warrantable_a by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o good_a conscience_n that_o extremity_n shall_v be_v in_o force_n and_o shall_v stand_v by_o law_n but_o so_o as_o it_o always_o admit_v of_o mitigation_n when_o need_n be_v let_v therefore_o our_o conclusion_n be_v to_o exhort_v every_o man_n into_o who_o hand_n be_v put_v the_o execution_n of_o law_n to_o show_v himself_o as_o wise_a in_o execute_v they_o as_o be_v our_o forefather_n in_o the_o make_n of_o they_o that_o be_v as_o well_o to_o regard_v the_o mitigation_n which_o be_v conceal_v as_o the_o extremity_n which_o be_v express_v so_o shall_v the_o lawmaker_n wise_a intent_n be_v perform_v public_a equity_n preserve_v and_o much_o injustice_n and_o hard_a deal_n prevent_v now_o in_o regard_n of_o this_o that_o have_v be_v deliver_v touch_v public_a equity_n lawyer_n must_v not_o think_v that_o i_o have_v go_v beyond_o the_o compass_n of_o my_o call_n and_o encroch_v upon_o their_o liberty_n for_o they_o be_v to_o know_v that_o the_o law_n of_o man_n be_v policy_n but_o equity_n be_v christianity_n now_o christianity_n be_v before_o there_o be_v any_o law_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o they_o must_v be_v order_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o christianity_n again_o divine_n must_v take_v lawyer_n advise_v concern_v extremity_n and_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n good_a reason_n then_o that_o lawyer_n take_v the_o divine_n advise_v touch_v equity_n which_o be_v the_o intent_n of_o the_o law_n moreover_o their_o law_n be_v but_o the_o minister_n of_o equity_n but_o our_o law_n the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v the_o fountain_n of_o equity_n therefore_o the_o principal_a rule_n of_o equity_n must_v they_o fetch_v from_o our_o law_n consider_v that_o law_n without_o equity_n be_v plain_a tyranny_n last_o in_o the_o first_o christian_a commonwealth_n that_o ever_o be_v namely_o the_o jew_n the_o divine_n that_o be_v the_o priest_n of_o those_o day_n be_v the_o only_a lawyer_n for_o their_o positive_a law_n be_v the_o judicial_a law_n give_v by_o god_n himself_o who_o interpreter_n be_v the_o priest_n and_o levite_n if_o therefore_o once_o the_o divine_n have_v so_o much_o to_o do_v with_o positive_a law_n it_o may_v not_o now_o be_v think_v amiss_o if_o they_o give_v advice_n out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n touch_v the_o equal_a execution_n of_o the_o law_n of_o man_n and_o so_o much_o touch_v the_o doctrine_n of_o
public_a equity_n ground_v upon_o the_o word_n of_o god_n now_o follow_v the_o second_o kind_n of_o equity_n call_v private_a namely_o that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v exercise_v betwixt_o man_n and_o man_n in_o their_o private_a action_n but_o ere_o we_o go_v further_o some_o may_v demand_n the_o difference_n betwixt_o public_a and_o private_a action_n private_a action_n of_o man_n be_v such_o as_o be_v practise_v among_o man_n without_o any_o help_n of_o the_o law_n as_o contrariwise_o public_a action_n be_v such_o as_o can_v be_v perform_v but_o by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o magistrate_n whereupon_o it_o follow_v that_o public_a action_n may_v be_v betwixt_o private_a man_n and_o private_a action_n betwixt_o public_a person_n there_o be_v a_o publiknes_n and_o a_o privatenes_n as_o i_o may_v term_v it_o both_o of_o man_n and_o action_n a_o man_n be_v private_a until_o he_o be_v exalt_v unto_o some_o authority_n in_o church_n or_o commonwealth_n then_o he_o be_v a_o public_a person_n a_o action_n be_v private_a as_o long_o as_o it_o be_v begin_v and_o handle_v betwixt_o two_o man_n and_o need_v not_o the_o public_a voice_n nor_o censure_n of_o the_o law_n to_o determine_v it_o and_o then_o it_o be_v public_a for_o example_n a_o magistrate_n may_v have_v deal_v with_o a_o other_o man_n or_o two_o magistrate_n together_o if_o they_o determine_v it_o together_o betwixt_o themselves_o it_o be_v a_o private_a action_n because_o they_o do_v it_o not_o as_o they_o be_v magistrate_n but_o as_o they_o be_v man_n and_o so_o there_o be_v a_o private_a action_n betwixt_o public_a person_n so_o a_o private_a man_n no_o magistrate_n may_v have_v a_o trespass_n a_o debt_n a_o forfeiture_n or_o any_o other_o action_n or_o demand_n against_o another_o man_n wherein_o because_o he_o can_v come_v to_o a_o reasonable_a and_o equal_a end_n by_o private_a mean_n he_o crave_v the_o help_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o so_o here_o be_v a_o public_a action_n betwixt_o private_a man_n now_o this_o virtue_n of_o equity_n respect_v not_o the_o publiknes_n or_o privatenes_n of_o the_o person_n but_o of_o the_o action_n therefore_o as_o that_o be_v public_a equity_n which_o be_v exercise_v in_o the_o determine_n of_o public_a action_n which_o come_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o law_n so_o that_o be_v private_a equity_n which_o be_v practise_v in_o the_o manage_n of_o private_a action_n which_o be_v begin_v and_o conclude_v private_o betwixt_o man_n and_o man_n and_o never_o come_v to_o public_a hear_n nor_o trial_n of_o the_o law_n now_o let_v we_o come_v to_o search_v more_o near_o into_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o virtue_n private_a equity_n be_v a_o moderate_a even_o and_o equal_a carriage_n of_o a_o man_n self_n in_o all_o his_o private_a word_n and_o deed_n towards_o all_o other_o man_n and_o all_o their_o word_n and_o deed_n first_o i_o say_v it_o be_v a_o moderate_a carriage_n of_o a_o man_n self_n that_o be_v betwixt_o both_o extreme_n neither_o bear_v all_o thing_n nor_o revenge_v every_o thing_n second_o i_o say_v towards_o all_o other_o man_n wherein_o i_o comprehend_v all_o man_n &_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n husband_n wife_n magistrate_n subject_n teacher_n hearer_n master_n servant_n parent_n child_n man_n woman_n neighbour_n in_o town_n fellow_n in_o society_n in_o service_n in_o labour_n in_o a_o word_n none_o be_v except_v who_o any_o way_n do_v live_v or_o converse_v together_o but_o of_o they_o all_o it_o be_v true_a that_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o moderation_n and_o a_o forbearance_n one_o of_o another_o there_o can_v be_v no_o peace_n among_o they_o but_o their_o life_n shall_v be_v all_o as_o it_o be_v a_o hell_n upon_o the_o earth_n see_v therefore_o the_o necessity_n and_o excellency_n of_o this_o virtue_n be_v such_o that_o the_o due_a practice_n of_o it_o be_v the_o ornament_n of_o family_n and_o society_n and_o the_o comfort_n of_o a_o man_n life_n in_o this_o world_n let_v we_o enter_v into_o more_o particular_a consideration_n thereof_o private_a equity_n have_v four_o degree_n or_o principal_a duty_n first_o to_o bear_v with_o natural_a infirmity_n second_o to_o interpret_v doubtful_a thing_n in_o the_o better_a part_n three_o to_o depart_v from_o our_o own_o right_a sometime_o four_o to_o forgive_v private_a and_o personal_a wrong_n of_o all_o these_o brief_o and_o in_o order_n the_o first_o duty_n of_o private_a equity_n be_v to_o bear_v with_o the_o defect_n and_o infirmity_n of_o man_n nature_n with_o who_o we_o live_v as_o long_o as_o they_o break_v not_o out_o into_o any_o great_a inconvenience_n or_o enormity_n these_o infirmity_n be_v manifold_a as_o for_o example_n forwardness_n or_o morosity_n of_o nature_n bastine_n slowness_n of_o conceit_n dulness_n of_o wit_n suspitiousnes_n desire_v of_o praise_n and_o such_o like_a these_o and_o many_o other_o natural_a infirmity_n must_v a_o christian_a man_n bear_v and_o tolerate_v patient_o in_o those_o with_o who_o he_o converse_v as_o with_o his_o wife_n his_o child_n his_o servant_n his_o friend_n his_o neighbour_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o long_o must_v he_o bear_v with_o they_o as_o they_o be_v keep_v within_o a_o mean_a and_o break_v not_o out_o into_o extremity_n of_o these_o the_o holy_a ghost_n speak_v prou._n 19_o 31._o it_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o a_o man_n to_o pass_v by_o a_o infirmity_n that_o be_v if_o he_o see_v in_o his_o brother_n weakness_n of_o nature_n which_o do_v not_o arise_v from_o settle_a malice_n or_o canker_a corruption_n it_o be_v a_o man_n glory_n and_o praise_n always_o so_o far_o to_o moderate_v himself_o as_o not_o to_o see_v they_o nor_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o they_o at_o least_o not_o to_o be_v move_v nor_o disquiet_v at_o they_o and_o oftentimes_o so_o little_a to_o regard_v they_o as_o though_o they_o be_v not_o do_v to_o this_o end_n say_v the_o apostle_n 1._o cor._n 13._o love_n suffer_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v all_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v bear_v with_o good_a conscience_n &_o be_v do_v by_o they_o who_o we_o love_v now_o any_o thing_n may_v be_v bear_v with_o good_a conscience_n which_o be_v either_o so_o private_a or_o so_o small_a that_o the_o wrong_n be_v only_o we_o and_o no_o dishonour_n thereby_o ensue_v to_o god_n glory_n nor_o ill_a example_n to_o the_o church_n all_o such_o thing_n love_n suffer_v and_o indeed_o it_o be_v the_o property_n of_o true_a love_n to_o pass_v by_o many_o want_n and_o the_o more_o that_o a_o christian_n be_v root_v in_o true_a love_n the_o more_o infirmity_n will_v he_o pass_v by_o in_o they_o who_o he_o love_v he_o set_v no_o limit_n to_o himself_o how_o many_o or_o how_o long_o to_o bear_v but_o even_o all_o that_o be_v infirmity_n of_o nature_n many_o hard_a word_n many_o angry_a fit_n many_o needle_n surmise_n many_o unkindness_n will_v he_o put_v up_o and_o as_o it_o be_v not_o see_v they_o who_o heart_n be_v possess_v with_o true_a love_n wisdom_n and_o the_o scare_v of_o god_n and_o thus_o must_v every_o one_o do_v that_o will_v practice_v christian_a equity_n for_o this_o be_v a_o man_n glory_n and_o commendation_n let_v we_o lay_v this_o doctrine_n near_o to_o our_o conscience_n by_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o this_o virtue_n in_o some_o few_o example_n a_o man_n have_v a_o wife_n or_o a_o woman_n a_o husband_n in_o who_o there_o be_v the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o honest_a and_o faithful_a love_n but_o he_o or_o she_o be_v subject_a to_o anger_n or_o to_o hastiness_n or_o to_o a_o austerity_n in_o their_o behaviour_n or_o it_o may_v be_v it_o be_v not_o in_o their_o nature_n to_o practice_v those_o outward_a compliment_n of_o kindness_n which_o other_o can_v do_v with_o great_a facility_n these_o and_o such_o like_a be_v but_o weakness_n of_o nature_n in_o they_o that_o fear_n god_n therefore_o must_v love_n cover_v they_o and_o bear_v they_o and_o oftentimes_o not_o take_v notice_n of_o they_o and_o the_o rather_o because_o he_o or_o she_o that_o have_v not_o such_o have_v either_o the_o like_a or_o great_a weakness_n all_o which_o if_o one_o forbear_v not_o in_o another_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o live_v in_o peace_n and_o comfort_n but_o if_o this_o part_n of_o equity_n be_v practise_v it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a how_o much_o it_o will_v augment_v the_o happiness_n and_o add_v to_o the_o comfort_n of_o they_o that_o be_v marry_v again_o a_o man_n have_v a_o servant_n careful_a and_o willing_a enough_o to_o obey_v and_o please_v his_o master_n also_o trusty_a and_o faithful_a but_o he_o be_v slow_a in_o his_o business_n and_o do_v not_o dispatch_v thing_n appoint_v he_o to_o the_o mind_n of_o his_o master_n not_o so_o speedy_o not_o so_o ready_o nor_o with_o