Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 7:2

2 For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure meet ye, it shall be measured to you again.

Our Saviour must not be under[illegible: 1 letter]tood here prohibiting any Judgment, which is elsewhere in Holy Writ allowed, for the Holy Spirit doth not Command, and Prohibit the same thing; whence it is evident, that it is not to be under[illegible: 1 letter]tood of Political or Ecclesiastical Iudgments, nor was our Saviour here Speaking to any such Persons, it is therefore to be understood of Private Iudgments, nor of them absolutely, for it is lawful for us to Iudge our selves, yea it is our Duty, 1 Cor. 11.31. Nor is that Judgment of our Neighbours [illegible: 1 letter]pinions, or Actions here forbidden, which terminateth in our selves, in our Satisfaction, as to the Truth or Falshood of the former, or the goodness, or badness of the latter, we ought so to prove all things in order to our holding fast that which is good, nor is all Judgment of our Neighbours Actions with reference to him, forbidden. How can we reprove him for his Errors, or restore him that is fallen, without a previous Judgment of his Actions? But that which is here forbidden, is either a rash Iudgment of his State, or a judging him for doing his Duty, such was Si[illegible: 1 letter]ons judging the Woman, or the D[illegible: 1 letter]sc[illegible: 1 letter]ple▪ Iudgment of that Wo[illegible: 1 letter]an, Math. 26.6, 7. or a 2 Iudging of others, for things which they Judge to be indifferent, forbidden, Rom. 14.1, 2, 3. or a 3 Iudging them for secret things, such as inward habits of Grace, when no apparent Fruits to the contrary are seen, or 4. Condemning others for single Acts, or a publick Censuring and Condemning others for private failings, or finally any open and publick Censuring the Actions of others, when and where it cannot conduce either to Gods Glory, or our Brothers good, That you be not Iudged. This is Expounded in the next Verse, telling us either the ordinary Temper of Men, or the just Judgment of God, repaying such uncharitable Actions, per legem Talionis, with suffering others to do the like to us, Lu. 6.37.

Marginal references: Mark 4.24. Luke 6.38.