§. 5. This equality of men by Nature, the judicious Hooker looks upon as so
evident in itself, and beyond all question, that he makes it the foundation of
that obligation to mutual love amongst men on which he builds the duties they
owe one another, and from whence he derives the great maxims of justice and
charity. His words are:
"The like natural inducement hath brought men to know that it is no
less their duty to love others than themselves, for seeing those things which
are equal, must needs all have one measure; if I cannot but wish to receive
good, even as much at every man's hands, as any man can wish unto his own soul,
how should I look to have any part of my desire herein satisfied, unless myself
be careful to satisfy the like desire, which is undoubtedly in other men weak,
being of one and the same nature: to have anything offered them repugnant to
this desire must needs, in all respects, grieve them as much as me; so that if
I do harm, I must look to suffer, there being no reason that others should show
greater measure of love to me than they have by me showed unto them; my desire,
therefore, to be loved of my equals in Nature, as much as possible may be,
imposeth upon me a natural duty of bearing to themward fully the like
affection. From which relation of equality between ourselves and them that are
as ourselves, what several rules and canons natural reason hath drawn for
direction of life no man is ignorant." (Eccl. Pol. i.)
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