The Cure of Misprision, Section 19
Sect. 19.
Queſtion. You have ſufficiently ſatisfied me touching who are, and who are not pure in their owne eyes; But ſecondly, they are grieviouſly accuſed … raſh judging, and ſenſoriouſneſſe?
Anſwer. I confeſſe it, but the truth is, not they, bu… their accuſers are guilty of this crime alſo, as it …a▪red between Ioſeph and his miſtris; Who grieviouſly complained of him, when he had more reaſon to complaine of her. For bring both to the tryall; and you ſhall find: that they are the only cenſurers, who cry out ſo againſt cenſuring▪ and that thoſe who are condemned for judging raſhly, doe indeed but judge juſtly, and warrantably according to the rule of Gods word. Now that the accuſed are not guilty, will appeare by many particulars, as
Firſt, they are ſo farre from judging men for appearances, or motes, or ſome ſuddaine eruptions, that they neither doe nor dare judge any one wicked for this or that ſingle act of groſſe impiety. For admit they ſeen man once drunke, or heare him overlaſh with his tongue in a paſſion, or find him convicted of ſome foule enormity; they hold not this a ſuffi cient ground to conclude him a wicked man, or an Hypocrite, when the maine tenor and courſe of his life beſides, is a continued current of honeſty and goodneſſe. No, they know and are acquainted with the word, and therefore are better taught then to be ſo uncharitable.
Well may they ſuſpend their good opinion in caſe of ſome unexpected miſdemeanor, or for leſſer evills, either affected, or often repeated, but they know that every bad act, does not denominate a ſinner. One act makes not an habit, every vice is a ſin, but every ſin is not a vice. Once being overtaken with drinke, makes not a drunkard, nor one oath a ſwearer, nor one falſhood a lyar. Yea, a trip in the way, ſets a man ſomewhat the more forward if he doe not fall.
One act can no more make a good heart unrighteous, then a trade of ſinne can ſtand with regeneration, for as there are ſome acts where in the Hypocrite is like a Saint▪ ſo there are ſome ag…ine wherein the greateſt Saint upon … …ay … like an Hypocrite. As whi…h … the Saint▪ have not once done that (even after conv…ſion and regeneration) whereof they are aſhamed Y…a▪ … …r a few ſinfull acts were a … an Hypocrite, what would become of all the … ev…n the beſt recorded in Scripture.
And therefore the wiſe charity of Chriſtians, like the mercy of God… can diſtinguiſh betwixt ſi…nes of infirmity, and the common practice o…ſi…ne, and eſteem men not by a tranſient act, but by a perm…nent condition▪ knowing that the tenor or accuſtomed courſe of a mans life, his whole converſation muſt either alow or condemne him before God▪ not ſome ſuddaine …rruptions. For neither good nor bad at the laſt day ſhall …e judged by every one of his actions, but by all, not according to his …eps, but according to his wayes. Jer. 32. 19
Indeed as chariti… in them, does not alow o… ground…e…ſe …uſpition, ſo it doth not thruſt out di… cretion: They may not judge raſhly, but they ought to ju…ge … As they are not ſo ove…ly as to take mot…s for beames▪ ſo neither are they ſo partiall, as to account beames motes, leaſt thereby they ſhould foſter iniquitie. For to be vices friend, is to be ver…es en…mie, and …o …ſti…i… the wicked, is as bad as to condemne the juſt▪ Pro. 17. 15.