12. But supposing we do not condemn the innocent, neither the guilty any farther than they deserve: still we may not be altogether clear of the snare. For there is a third sort of sinful _judging_, which is the condemning any person at all where there is not a sufficient evidence. And be the facts we suppose ever so true, yet that does not acquit us. For they ought not to have been supposed but proved, and till they were, we ought to have formed no judgment. I say, till they were: for neither are we excused, altho’ the facts admit of ever so strong proof, unless that proof be produced before we pass sentence, and compared with the evidence on the other side. Nor can we be excused, if ever we pass a full sentence, before the accused has spoken for himself. Even a Jew might teach us this, as a mere lesson of justice abstracted from mercy and brotherly love. _Doth our law_, says _Nicodemus, judge any man before it hear him and know what he doth? John_ xvii. 51. Yea, a Heathen could reply, when the chief of the Jewish nation desired to have judgment against his prisoner, _It is not the manner of the Romans to_ judge _any man, before he that is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself, concerning the crime laid against him_. 13. Indeed we could not easily fall into sinful _judging_, were we only to observe that rule, which [116]another of those Heathen _Romans_ affirms to have been the measure of his own practice. “I am so far, says he, from lightly believing every man’s, or any man’s evidence against another, that I do not easily or immediately believe a man’s evidence against himself. I always allow him second thoughts, and many times council too.” Go thou who art called a Christian, and do likewise, lest the Heathen rise and condemn thee in that day. 14. But how rarely should we condemn or judge one another, at least, how soon would that evil be remedied, were we to walk by that clear and express rule, which our Lord himself has taught us? _If thy brother shall trespass against thee_, (or if thou hear, or believe that he hath) _go and tell him of his fault, between him and thee alone_. This is the first step thou art to take. _But if he will not hear, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established._ This is the second step. _If he neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church_; either to the overseers thereof, or to the whole congregation. Thou hast then done thy part. Then think of it no more, but commend the whole to God.