A Golden Chain

Sobriety in judgement is, when a man either suspendeth his opinion of his neighbours sayings or doings, or else speaketh as charitably as he can, by saying as little as may be, if the thing be evil: or by interpreting all in better part, if the speech or action be doubtful. Therefore do thus; despise not thy neighbour, but think thy self as bad a sinner, and that the like defects may befall thee. If thou canst not excuse his doing, excuse his intent, which may be good: or if the deed be evil, think it was done of ignorance: if thou canst no way excuse him, think some great temptation befell him, & that thou shouldst be worse, if the like temptation befell thee: and give God thanks that the like as yet hath not befallen thee. Despise not a man being a sinner, for though he be evil to day, he may turn to morrow.

SObrietie in iudgement is, when a man either suspendeth his opinion of his neighbours sayings or doings, or else speaketh as charitably as hee can, by saying as little as may bee, if the thing bee euil: or by interpreting all in better part, if the speech or action be doubtfull. Therefore doe thus; despise not thy neighbour, but thinke thy selfe as bad a sinner, and that the like defects may befall thee. If thou canst not excuse his doing, excuse his intent, which may be good: or if the deede be euill, thinke it was done of ignorance: if thou canst no way excuse him, think some great temptation befel him, & that thou shouldst be worse, if the like temptation befel thee: and giue God thanks that the like as yet hath not befallen thee. Despise not a man beeing a sinner, for though hee be euil to day, he may turne to morrowe.

Here is condemned all heady and rash judgement,¹ whereby men make things either worse then they are, or else they take and turn all things to the worse part. Thus the devil dealt with Job, saying,² Doeth Job fear God for ⟨p. 726⟩