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. IX.

9. Thou mayst then more freely and frequently declare thy Judgment con∣cerning one to another, or to more; when thou seest them deficient in Abili∣ty or Wisdom, to take care of them∣selves; and particularly when they are actually Ignorant of something in ano∣ther Person, which may be of great concernment to them; or are deceived in their Opinion concerning him, whence some great Detriment or Dammage may arise from one to the other.

Thus for Example: If a Man knows or reasonably suspects a Man to be False and Faithless, to be Fraudulent, or to be Poor and Insufficient, who yet would be bargaining with, or borrowing of another, or getting some interest in his Person or Estate, of which he may be

Ignorant; or to perswade to some Acti∣ons and Opinions which may be childish, foolish, or hurtful; a Man may advise the Persons concerned, and give them his Judgment then unasked, not out out of any Ill-will to the one; but of Good-will to and Care of the other: For a Man ought to be a Friend to every Man, and a Brother, and not permit if he can any one to be dammaged or mischieved, and to keep him from the commission of a Sin. A Man may oft-times meet with Persons in the World who are innocent too and sim∣ple, of no great prudence and fore∣sight, who are also rash and precipitate, or dull and inapprehensive, who there∣fore may be easily impos'd upon by o∣thers, and made a Prey of by them. Here it is a prudent piece of Charity to advise and fore-warn and to discover the Designs and Qualities of those who would and do abuse their Simplicity, and imprudent well-meaning Honesty.

Some Reasons of this are the same with the former. It is an exercise of

Virtue and Prudence in our selves. It is an act of more than ordinary Chari∣ty to the Person in danger to be decei∣ved, to lend him thus the use of thine Eyes for his safety and good. It is a very seasonable making use of thy Judg∣ing; that is, it will do most good now, when at another time perhaps it would do none atall, or not so much. Here in this case when a Man desires thy Opinion or Judgment, thou removest his Solici∣tude, and satisfiest him perhaps, if he be Ignorant thou informest him; where∣as if thou givest thy Judgment unask∣ed, before thou art desired, and where the Man is sufficient himself, thou wilt do them no kindness, nor will they so much mind thee, nor thank thee for it; for it may be they have none, or not such need of thy Judgment just then; and thou wilt be more suspected too of Busie-bodiness or Ill-will. So also where thou art not desired by one Per∣son to give thy Judgment concerning ano••her Person, but unasked because of the Persons Insufficiency, out of

Charity thou doest it, the effects most-what are very good, and if there∣fore thou doest it, thou art no less prudent than charitable. And these are the most considerable Rules I have now thought of, for the Mannagement and Government of our selves in judg∣ing others; which in very few words for Memory sake, I will reckon up again.

1. Be sure it be never inconsistent with Charity, but always done out of the prospect of some good end.

2. With the exactest truth.

3. Beware of all Passions before Judgment.

4. Declare not thy Judgment when thou thy self art guilty. Or

5. If thou dost, first accuse and con∣demn thy self.

6. It is better and safer generally, not to declare thy Judgment of Persons.

7. Be sparing in judging and decla∣ring thy Judgment on the worst side concerning Superiors, Friends, Ene∣mies, Surprized, Wrathful and Bash∣ful Persons, before much Company,

before Enemies and Ill-disposed.

8. Defer thy Judging much, till thou art desired or asked.

9. Interpose it to them whom thou seest defective in their Ability or Care for themselves. Many more by Expe∣rience may be taken notice of and ob∣served.