A manuali [sic] of divine considerations delivered and concluded by ... Thomas White ; translated out of the original Latine copie.

14. Meditation. Of Rash Iudgement.

1. COnsider, how a judgement is called rash, when with∣out sufficient ground thou con∣demnest another of a crime: which to do, first of all is unjust, as well because thou dost occasion a pre∣judiciall conceit, and hurtest the fame of thy neighbour in thy self; as also, that by reason of such judgement, thou art ready to treat him as a guilty person, if occasion offered it self.

2. It is also an act of impru∣dence, because it determines of a thing that is hid, without any suffi∣cient argument; and a token of a corrupt affection concerning the same crime: for men who are in∣nocent, esteem others as harmless also; but those that are guilty, think all men like themselves.

3. It is also more often false, then true; for it is a thing manifest, that the seeds of vertue are so fixed in mans nature, that for the most part they cannot be rooted forth. Whence it was that when as Elaas thought himself alone, there were seven thousand besides. So in Ni∣nive also, there were 100000. of innocent persons. Nay, for the most part all men, in a cause that importeth not their own interests, do embrace vertue.

4. Lastly, whosoever it is that sins, he is the bondman of God, and it belongs not to us to judge of him, but unto God; and therefore when as we judge another mans slave, we make our selves obnoxi∣cus to Gods judgements.

Conclude, to suspend thy judge∣ment in a matter that is uncertain, and to i•• c••••e to think the best of e∣very one. For every one is presumed to be good, untill the contrary be manifest: although because thou knowest not whether he be good

or bad, to expose thy self that he may do thee a mischief, be no part of wisedome; but for every thing else to be ready to do good, to hear, and to speak well of him.