A20559:684
The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…
The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A familiar and learned exposition on the ten commandments gathered from the mouth of a faithful pastor by a gracious young man, sometime scholar in Cambridge.The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A familiar and learned exposition on the ten commandements gathered from the mouth of a faithfull pastor by a gracious young man, sometime scholler in Cambridge.
London: printed by John Harison for Thomas Man, 1603London: printed by Iohn Harison for Thomas Man, 1603
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The things commanded are either Inward, contrary to suspicion a charitable opinion and good hope of our neighbour which must be showed by Taking doubtful things in the best part. By defending his name if we hear him slandered. By being grieved when we hear true report of his ill deeds Outward, or General to speak the truth from ones heart, and that with a good affection to a good end. Special to Others to speak of their Faults before them. Praise behind them. Our selves to speak sparingly either of our faults. our good deeds.
The things commanded are eyther Inward, contrarie to suspipition a charitable opiniō and good hope of our neighbour which must be shewed by Taking doubtfull things in the best part. By defending his name if we heare him slaundered. By being grieued when we heare true report of his ill deeds Outward, or Generall to speake the truth from ones heart, and that with a good affection to a good end. Speciall to Others to speake of their Faults before them. Praise behind them. Our selues to speake sparingly eyther of our faults. our good deeds.
First, for the inward duty▪ here every man is bound to have a charitable opinion, and good conceit of his neighbour, with a desire of his good name and credit. This loving persuasion of the heart, is contrary to the former instructing and misdeeming. For as suspicion allowed makes one lye open to all the sins that follow in speaking or receiving ill reports, so this being observed that our hearts be well seasoned with this charitable opinion and desire of his credit, one is sure not to slander himself, and he can nothing so easily be tainted by receiving the venom of false slanders from other mens mouths. Therefore to mound our selves against all other breaches of this commandment, First, get our hearts to give our neighbours ⟨p. 95⟩that good allowance, that wisdom and charity will afford him. Now whether one have this main and principal virtue of this commandment or no, It must be tried, and every one may know his own heart by these three rules. First, in doubtful things where the matter is not plain, always take things in the best part if any sense can be found better then other, let that be had, If matters be not to evidently ill, always a heart that is charitable disposed to his neighbours credit, will seek the best interpretation and as near as he can make the best of every thing.