Condemning beyond desert
But we may not only fall into the sin of judging by condemning the innocent, but also, secondly, by condemning the guilty in a higher degree than he deserves. This species of judging is likewise an offense against justice as well as mercy, and yet such an offense as nothing can secure us from but the strongest and tenderest affection. Without this, we readily suppose one who is acknowledged to be in fault to be more in fault than he really is. We undervalue whatever good is found in him. No, we are not easily induced to believe that anything good can remain in him in whom we have found anything that is evil.
1771 text
10. But we may not only fall into the sin of judging, by condemning the innocent, but also, secondly, by condemning the guilty, in a higher degree than he deserves. This species of judging is likewise an offence against justice as well as mercy: and yet such an offence as nothing can secure us from, but the strongest and tenderest affection. Without this, we readily suppose one who is acknowledged to be in fault, to be more in fault than he really is. We undervalue whatever good is found in him. Nay, we are not easily induced to believe, that any thing good can remain in him, in whom we have found any thing that is evil.