John Trapp on Proverbs 18:17

Verſ. 17. Hee that is firſt in his own cauſe ſeemeth juſt] The firſt tale is good till the ſecond bee heard. How fair a tale told Tertullus for the Jews againſt Paul, till the Apoſtle came after him, and unſtarcht the Oratours trim ſpeech? Judges had need to get and keep that [non-Latin text not transcribed] that Alexander boaſted of, to keep one ear clear and unprejudiced, for the defendant; for they ſhall meet with ſuch active Actors or Pleaders, as can make Quid libet ex quolibet, Candida de nigris & de candentibas atra, as can draw a fair glove upon a foul hand, blanch and ſmooth over the worſt cauſes with goodly pretences, as Ziba did againſt Mephiboſheth, Potiphars wife againſt Joſeph, &c. Hee muſt therefore [non-Latin text not transcribed] (as the Athenian Judges were ſworn to do) hear both ſides indifferently: and as that Levite ſaid, Judg. 19. Conſider, conſult, and then give ſentence, doing nothing by partiality or prejudice.