[ 1132] Justice commutative, to do as we would be done by.
SEverus the Emperor had that sentence of our Saviour often in his mouth,* 1.1 Quod tibi non••vis fieri, alteri ne feceris, Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, Matth. 7. 12. and commanded it to be pro∣claimed by the Cryer, whensoever he punished such of his Souldiers, as had offered injury to others: And without all doubt,* 1.2 For a Man to do as he would be done by, is the Royall Law, the standard of Equity, the golden Rule, accord∣ing to which we must square and frame all our actions and transactions with others; And were but Men as Faithful Disciples of active charity, as they are for the most part Doctors of the passive, the work would soon be done: It is confessed,* 1.3 that Charity begins at home, How is that? In regard of order, but not in regard of time; For so soon as a Man begins to love himself, he must love his Neighbour as himself, neither may any Man at any time hide himself from his own flesh,* 1.4 that is, from his Neighbour of the same stock with himself.