We must not therefore ever produce them to light, or prosecute them
with severity, except very needful occasion urgeth--such as is the
glory and service of God, the maintenance of truth, the vindication
of innocence, the preservation of public justice and peace; the
amendment of our neighbour himself, or securing others from
contagion. Barring such reasons (really being, not affectedly
pretended), we are bound not so much as to disclose, as to touch our
neighbour's faults; much more, not to blaze them about, not to
exaggerate them by vehement invectives.

4. We should never speak ill of any man beyond measure; be the
cause never so just, the occasion never so necessary, we should yet
nowise be immoderate therein, exceeding the bounds prescribed by
truth, equity, and humanity. We should never speak worse of any man
whatever than he certainly deserveth, according to the most
favourable construction of his doings; never more than the cause
absolutely requireth. We should rather be careful to fall short of
what in rigorous truth might be said against him, than in the least
to pass beyond it. The best cause had better seem to suffer a
little by our reservedness in its defence, than any man be wronged
by our aspersing him; for God, the patron of truth and right, is
ever able to secure them without the succour of our unjust and
uncharitable dealing. The contrary practice hath indeed within it a
spice of slander, that is, of the worst iniquity.

5. We must never speak ill of any man out of bad principles, or for
bad ends.

No sudden or rash anger should instigate us thereto. For, "Let all
bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking be