Homily on Luke Chapter 6, v. 36 ff.

The Gospel saith: Judge not, and ye shall not be judged. The one great, and indeed the only precept taught us in this place of the Holy Scriptures, I hold to be this: that we should consider things to be meant for the best, even though it be doubtful with what mind they were done. Charity believeth all things, and hopeth all things. When it is written: By their fruits ye shall know them: this is clearly said of those open and flagrant crimes which could not possibly be done with an honest mind and purpose; as, for example, adulteries, fornications, blasphemies, thefts, acts of drunkenness, and such like, which it is permitted us certainly to judge and to condemn.

But, as touching things indifferent, (for instance, various knids of food,) they may by any be taken with an honest heart and conscience, apart from all vice of concupiscence. The Apostle forbiddeth those who eat flesh meat, and drink wine, to be judged of those who abstain from these general sorts of food. He saith: Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not: and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth.

However, we must certainly be on our guard against forming rash and hasty judgements, and that always in two particulars: namely, when there is any uncertainty as to what a man's mind really is at the present moment; and also when there is uncertainty as to what nature it may possibly prove hereafter to be; now, even though that mind may seem in all outward shew, distinctly good or bad. It therefore follows: Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven; give, and it shall be given unto you. He thus doth bid us to forgive injuries, to do good turns, and to give good gifts to other men, in order that we may be given forgiveness of our own offences, and the final gift of eternal life.