Christian prudence, or, Directions for the guidance and conduct of our selves in the case of judging one another being several discourses on Math. 7, 1 / by G. Bright.

Sect. II.

2. And therefore secondly, But more particularly possess we our Hearts and Minds throughly, with an universal Charity and Benignity to all, with a proneness and readiness to do Good any where, but only where we see (and there∣fore in some Circumstances, as where the thing concerns many, and is not so soon known, to consider and delibe∣rate) it will be necessarily the cause of a greater Evil; which will in general ex∣traordinarily secure us. Nor let us suffer our selves to be beaten from this temper of Mind by any ill carriage, misdemeanor, folly or injury of others. Let us still retain a true love of Bene∣volence for the Person, whatever our Keenness be against the Vice or Imper∣fection.

Say still with thy self, what pity it is Persons should be so much their own and others Enemies, as to be guilty of any voluntary Wickedness; but if it be an Imperfection out of their power, then more need still to be pitied and relieved by us, if we be not em∣ployed in things of greater concern∣ment. This will dispose us to dimi∣nish, abate, or connive at, and look off the Infirmities or Imperfections of o∣thers, and therefore either judg favour∣ably, or not at all; except, where (as I have oft said) our mutual, Christian, common and universal Charity and Prudence, obligeth and stirreth us up, provoketh us to do otherwise.