ds himself without judging himself to be extremely abused
by such reporters. In all reason and equity, yea, in all
discretion, before we yield credence to any report concerning our
neighbour, or venture to relate it, many things are carefully to be
weighed and scanned. We should, concerning our author, consider
whether he be not a particular enemy, or disaffected to him:
whether he be not ill-humoured, or a delighter in telling bad
stories; whether he be not dishonest, or unregardful of justice in
his dealings and discourse; whether he be not vain, or careless of
what he saith; whether he be not light or credulous, or apt to be
imposed upon by any small appearance; whether, at least in the
present case, he be not negligent, or too forward and rash in
speaking. We should also, concerning the matter reported, mind
whether it be possible or probable; whether suitable to the
disposition of our neighbour, to his principles, to the constant
tenor of his practice; whether the action imputed to him be not
liable to misapprehension, or his words to misconstruction. All
reason and equity do, I say, exact from us, diligently to consider
such things, before we do either embrace ourselves or transmit unto
others any story concerning our neighbour; lest unadvisedly we do
him irreparable wrong and mischief. Briefly, we should take his
case for our own, and consider whether we ourselves should be
content that upon like grounds or testimonies any man should
believe, or report, disgraceful things concerning us. If we fail to
do thus, we do, vainly, or rashly, or maliciously, conspire with the
slanderer to the wrong of our innocent neighbour; and that in the
psalmist, by a parity of reason, may be transferred to us, "Thou
hast consented unto the liar, and hast partaken with the" author of
calumny.

4. Of kin to this way is the assenting to popular rumours, and
thence affirming matters of obloquy to our neighbour. Every one by
experience knows how easily false news do rise, and how nimbly they
scatter themselves; how often they are raised from nothing, how soon
they from small sparks grow into a great blaze, how easily from one
thing they are transformed into another; especially news of this
kind, which do suit and feed the bad humour of the vulgar. 'Tis
obvious to any man how true that is of Tacitus, how void of
consideration, of judgment, of equity, the busy and talking part of
mankind is.