1. Let us consider what thoughts we have of, and what judgments we pass upon our selves. We do not ordinarily, nor ought we at any time to censure our selves with too much rigour, and severity: We are indeed required,1 again and again, to judge our selves, and it is our duty to do it strictly and severely: yet we ought not, without cause,2 to judge or condemn our Selves for any thing, nor are we very forward so to do. Our love to our neighbour should be exercised in this matter; if he doth, or speaketh any thing, that is (n)capable of a double sense and interpretation, let us take it as done or spoken in the best sense it is capable of, unless the contrary doth manifestly appear, by some very convincing circumstances; for it is the property of Charity to think no evil. We may be much more bold to judge our selves than others; we are privy to our own principles, from whence our words and actions flow, and to our own intentions in all we speak or do: But the case is otherwise, when we take upon us to judge others; their principles and intentions are known only to themselves, until they some way or other declare them: the heart, being the hidden Man, is known only to God, before whom all things are naked and open, and to a mans self: What man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man, which is in him? Moreover, inordinate self-love hath often too great an influence on the judgment we pass upon our selves; and the corruption of our wills and affections, on the judgment we pass upon other men, that we seldom judge aright. As he that hath the jaundice, be the object never so white, judgeth it yellow, his eye being ill disposed: so the eye of the mind, being affected with the corruption of the heart, puts another colour upon that, which is most candidly spoken or done. Were our hearts principled with true love to others, we should be as cautious about the judgment which we pass on them, as about that we pass upon our selves: and there is great reason we should be more, from the […] mentioned considerations.
1. Let us consider what thoughts we have of, and what judgments we pass upon our selves. We do not ordinarily, nor ought we at any time to censure our selves with too much rigour, and severity: We are indeed required,1 again and again, to judge our selves, and it is our duty to do it strictly and severely: yet we ought not, without cause,2 to judge or condemn our Selves for any thing, nor are we very forward so to do. Our love to our neighbour should be exercised in this matter; if he doth, or speaketh any thing, that is (n)capable of a double sence and interpretation, let us take it as done or spoken in the best sense it is capable of, unless the contrary doth manifestly appear, by some very convincing circumstances; for it is the property of Charity to think no evil. We may be much more bold to judge our selves than others; we are privy to our own principles, from whence our words and actions flow, and to our own intentions in all we speak or do: But the case is otherwise, when we take upon us to judge others; their principles and intentions are known only to themselves, until they some way or other declare them: the heart, being the hidden Man, is known only to God, before whom all things are naked and open, and to a mans self: What man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man, which is in him? Moreover, inordinate self-love hath often too great an influence on the judgment we pass upon our selves; and the corruption of our wills and affections, on the judgment we pass upon other men, that we seldom judge aright. As he that hath the jaundise, be the object never so white, judgeth it yellow, his eye being ill disposed: so the eye of the mind, being affected with the corruption of the heart, puts another colour upon that, which is most candidly spoken or done. Were our hearts principled with true love to others, we should be as cautious about the judgment which we pass on them, as about that we pass upon our selves: and there is great reason we should be more, from the 〈…〉 mentioned considerations.
- 11 Cor. 11.31.
- 2Luk. 6.41 42.
- (n)De sactis mediis, quae possunt bono, vel malo animo fieri, temerati•m est judica•e, maximè ut condem•emus. August. 1 Cor. 13.5. Heb. 4.13. 1 Cor. 2.11.
