Of not Judging. PART III.
ANother instance of Charity our great Master inserted in this Sermon, [not to judge our Brother:] and this is a Charity so cheap and so reasonable, that it requires nothing of us but silence in our spirits. We may perform this duty at the charge of a negative; if we meddle not with other mens affairs we shall do them no wrong, and purchase to our selves a peace, and be secured the rather from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sentence of a severer Judge. But this interdict forbids only such judging as is ungentle and unchari∣table: in criminal causes let us find all the ways to alleviate the burthen of the man by just excuses, by extenuating or lessening accidents, by abatement of incident circum∣stances, by gentle sentences, and whatsoever can do relief to the person, that his spirit be not exasperated, that the crime be not the parent of impudence, that he be not in∣sulted on, that he be invited to repentance, and by such sweetnesses he be led to his re∣stitution. This also in questions of doubts obliges us to de∣termine* 1.1 to the more favourable sence; and we also do need the same mercies, and therefore should do well by our own rigour not to disintitle our selves to such possibilities and re∣serves* 1.2 of Charity. But it is foul and base, by detraction and iniquity to blast the reputation of an honourable action, and* 1.3 the fair name of vertue with a calumny. But this duty is also a part of the grace of Justice and of Humility, and by its rela∣tion and kindred to so many vertues is furnished with so many arguments of amability and endearment.