Opening of the Ten Commandments, Commandment 9
Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witneſſe againſt thy neighbour.
THe ſcope of which is to ſaue harmeleſſe that moſt precious Iewell of a good name.
A good name is a fruit of goodneſſe, whereby a mans own heart & the hearts of others doe truly entertaine a good opinion of him, as of a good man.
The duties commanded in this commandement, are of two ſorts.
1. Concerning our ſelues, and they are
1. Inward.
2. Outward.
1. In word.
2. In deed.
2. Concerning our neghbours.
The duty of eueryevery man concerning his owne good name inwardly reſpects
1. His opinion of himſelfe.
2. Other mens opinion of him.
1. His opinion of himſelfe and of his owne actions is twofold.
1. Lowlineſſe or ſober-mindedneſſe, a being little in his owne eies, and eſteeming meanly of himſelfe, accounting others better then himſelfe, wherein to erre is a commendable error, & this lowlineſſe is the moſt gracefull ornament of vertues and commendable ſufficiencies.
2. A true cenſuring and ſentencing of our owne actions, whether they be
1. Good, in accounting them ſo, and taking comfort in them, as Paul did in his vpright walking in the miniſtery of the Goſpell, and could profeſſe as much when time ſerued.
2. Or bad, in eſteeming them bad, and iudging our ſelues, and humbling our ſelues for them as Dauid ſaid, I hauehave done exceeding fooliſhly, after numbring of the people: ſo, I was a very beaſt, when he had fretted againſt the proſperity of the wicked.
2. A mans good name inwardly reſpects other mens opinion of him, which is double.
1. A deſire to approue ones ſelfe to eueryevery mans conſcience before God, and to behaue ones ſelfe, that all men may hauehave iuſt cauſe to hauehave him in good reputation.
2. A right bearing other mens cenſures, whether they be
1. Good.
2. Bad.
1. Good, whether
1. True, by returning the praiſe to God, not taking it to our ſelues, as Daniel and Ioſeph did: we may take comfort, but the honour muſt be Gods.
2. Falſe, to reiect them with griefe, as Paul did their fond conceits that thought he had beene Iupiter.
2. Bad, and that
1. True.
2. Falſe.
1. True, to be humbled thereby, yet without deiectedneſſe, knowing that there is a meanes left to recouer all againe.
2. Falſe, either
1. For well doing, to reioyce in it, or
2. For nothing, either
1. To deſpiſe it, as Chriſt did the ſhame.
2. To make vſe of it for our humbling in other particulars, as Dauid of Shimeies railing.
So much of the inward duties whereby wee ſhould preſerue our owne good name. The outward follow, and firſt in words.
1. By reſtraint of ſpeech.
2. By vſe of ſpeech.
1. By reſtraint of ſpeech, called ſilence, or taciturnity, to be practiſed
1. VponUpon occaſion of two things.
2. In matters chiefly of two kindes.
1. VponUpon occaſion of two things.
1. The preſence.
2. The paſſions.
1. The preſence, either
1. Of our betters and ſuperiours in high degree.
2. Of our captious enemies.
3. Of wicked men and ſcorners.
2. The paſſions that ſtirre
1. In our owne hearts.
2. In them to whom wee ſhould otherwiſe ſpeake.
2. Reſtraint of ſpeech, in matters chiefly of two kindes.
1. That exceed our place or capacitie.
2. That would be hurtfull to our neighbours or our ſelues.
Hitherto of reſtraint of ſpeech: now followes
2. Vſe of ſpeech, both
1. In generall.
2. Speciall.
1. In generall whatſoeuer we ſpeake of,
1. For matter of words or the thing ſpoken of, that it be ſuch as we hauehave to doe withall, and appertaineth to our calling.
2. For manner, that our words be
1. Deliberate.
2. Diſcreet.
3. True.
4. Modeſt.
1 Deliberate, ſetting the watch of wiſdome before to examine to what purpoſe we ſpeake before we ſpeake.
2. Diſcreet, fitted and proportioned
1. To the perſons
Speaking.
Spoken to.
2. To time and place.
3. To the nature of the thing ſpoken of.
3. True.
1. In narrations.
2. In promiſes.
1. In narrations agreeing
1. To the things themſelues.
2. To our conceits of them.
2. In promiſes, ſeconded with a firme purpoſe and care of keeping them.
4. Modeſt and ſober, ſpeaking with a kinde of doubting, and reſeruing of the reſpect of them that thinke otherwiſe.
2. The vſe of ſpeech in ſpeciall when we are to ſpeake of our ſelues.
1. Of our owne good deeds.
2. Of our bad deeds.
1. Of our good deeds, where muſt bee ſhewed,
1. VponUpon what occaſions wee may ſpeake.
2. In what manner.
1. VponUpon what occaſions we may ſpeake of our owne commendable actions, viz. foure waies.
1. By way of apologie againſt ſlanders.
2. By propoſing our ſelues (in caſe age and authority will beare it) to the imitation of others.
3. In condemning and reprouing ſuch as ſhew groſſe vnthankfulneſſe to vsus.
4. By way of ouer-entreating that wee may better preuaile in honeſt requeſts.
2. In what manner we are to ſpeake of our owne good deeds, it muſt be done vponupon theſe occaſions.
1. With ſpeeches of mitigation tending to giuegive away all the glory from our ſelues vntounto God.
2. With profeſſion of our vnwillingneſſe to doe it, when the occaſion is ſo vrgent (as in Iobs caſe) that may well ſaue vsus that labour.
2. Of our owne bad deeds, whether
1. Slanderouſly.
2. Truly.
1. Slanderouſly or falſely imputed vntounto vsus, by defending our innocency,
1. Subſtantially with ſound proofes.
2. Mildly and meekely with a calme ſpirit.
2. Truly laid to our charge and committed by vsus, whether they be ſuch as are
1. Open.
2. Secret.
1. Open and already knowne, and ready to come to light, which we muſt confeſſe.
1. Plainely.
2. Humbly.
2. Secret and kept cloſe alone to our ſelues, which we muſt confeſſe but
1. On very iuſt occaſion.
2. With due choice.
3. With due caution.
1. On very iuſt occaſion, viz. when our ſelues
1. Are ſo doubtfull of pardon, that we cannot by our owne endeuours ſettle our faith.
2. When wee are ſo weake, that we cannot by our owne labour ouercome the ſinne.
2. With due choyce of a fit perſon to whom we may confeſſe, viz. one that is
1. A friend and well-willer.
2. Fearing God in good meaſure.
3. Of good vnderſtanding to aduiſe.
4. Truſty and able to keepe ſecret, which we may if not know by experience, yet neerely gheſſe of, by his not being
1. Inquiſitiue.
2. Talkatiue.
3. With due and fit caution, binding the perſon to ſilence and ſecrecy by a ſolemne vow or oath: faſt binde, faſt finde, ſaith the prouerbe; and nothing is more needfull to be faſt bound then a ſecret.
So much of the ordering of our words: Now of our deeds and actions both
1. Generally.
2. Particularly.
1. Generally, that they be ſuch as are
1. In themſelues good, lawfull, honeſt, and of good report amongſt men.
2. In their circumſtances conuenient and expedient.
2. Particularly.
1. In regard of the choice of our company.
2. In regard of our owne cariage.
1. In regard of the choyce of our company.
1. That we aſſociate our ſelues with good men.
2. That wee ſhunne familiarity with bad men.
2. In regard of our owne cariage.
1. That wee louingly accept admonitions.
2. That we earneſtly reiect flatteries, and flatterers.
3. That we keepe our promiſes faithfully (vnleſſe the things promiſed be ſins) or if we be not able, goe to the perſon to whom wee made them, and ſhewing our caſe craue pardon, if the matter will admit of ſo doing.
4. Carry our ſelues lowlily, & equall our ſelues with them of the lower ſort, and that,
1. In countenance, gate, deportment of bodie.
2. In ornaments of all ſorts, in attire, houſhold ſtuffe, attendance, building, &c. So much of the duties concerning our owne good name: thoſe follow that concerne the good name of our brethren, and they are of two ſorts.
1. Inward.
2. Outward.
1. Inward.
1. Reſpecting our opinion.
2. Our cenſure.
1. Reſpecting our opinion of him in two things.
1. That we thinke well of him till he deſerue the contrary.
2. That we renew our good opinion of him, vponupon his repentance and amendment.
2. Our cenſure of his actions, whether they be
1. Certaine, or
2. Doubtfull.
1. Certaine.
1. Good.
2. Bad.
1. Good.
1. To acknowledge them.
2. To be glad of them.
2. Our bad cenſure of his actions.
1. To ſee them.
2. To be ſorry for them.
2. Doubtfull.
1. Whether they were done or no, to hope the beſt, and not condemne one vponupon light coniectures.
2. Whether they were well meant or no, to conſtrue things in the beſt ſenſe that may be.
2. The outward duties concerning our brethren,
1. In our ordinary conuerſation both for
1. Words, ſpoken, heard.
2. Deeds.
2. In matters of iudgement.
1. Our words in ordinary conuerſation muſt be ordered well, and that
1. By reſtraining ſpeech.
2. By vſing ſpeech.
1. By reſtraining ſpeech,
1. Of their bad deeds.
2. Of their good deeds.
1. Of their bad deeds behinde their backes but
1. VponUpon iuſt cauſe.
2. In good manner.
1. VponUpon iuſt cauſe.
1. If they bee publique and openly knowne to glorifie the iuſtice of God, and edifie others.
2. If they be priuate and knowne to none, or few but our ſelues, then
1. To warne thoſe that might elſe be infected.
2. To aduertiſe thoſe that hauehave authority to redreſſe it.
2. In reſtraining ſpeeches of their bad deeds, in a good manner, that is,
1. Sparingly, rather with the leaſt then moſt.
2. Pitifully, with compaſſion and louing affection.
2. By reſtraining ſpeech of their good deeds before their face, but
1. VponUpon good occaſion.
2. With manifeſt referring of the praiſe to God.
1. VponUpon good occaſion.
1. Of encouragement, and that
1. Againſt temptations.
2. Againſt oppoſitions.
2. Of thankfull acknowledgement of good receiued.
2. With manifeſt referring of the praiſe to God, that they may not be puffed vp.
2. Our words in ordinary conuerſation muſt be ordered well by vſing ſpeech,
1 In their preſence.
2. In their abſence.
1. In their preſence, of their deeds,
1. Good, encouragement to proceed.
2. Bad, reprehenſion & admonition.
2. In their abſence.
1. Praiſe, to ſtirre vp others to imitate them.
2. Iuſt defence againſt ſlanders and calumniations.
Hitherto of the right ordering of our ſelues in regard of our owne ſpeeches. Now for that that concernes the words which we heare others ſpeake of our neighbours: which is twofold.
1. In generall, wee muſt examine that that is ſpoken vntounto vsus, and call for due proofe.
2. In ſpeciall.
1. For the euill reported, we muſt
1. Be vnwilling to heare it and reiect ſuch tales.
2. Vnwilling to giuegive any credit to it, without very ſufficient proofe, and then ſorrowfull for it.
2. For the good reported, we muſt
1. Be glad and willing to heare it.
2. Willing and deſirous to beleeue it, if there be any probable proofe that it is true.
So much for the ordering of our words.
Now for our deeds.
1. We muſt vſe all ciuill and reſpectiue cariage to our neighbour tending to grace him.
2. We muſt by all meanes ſtriue to draw him to good and vertuous behauiour, that may deſerue commendation.
And this for our ordinary conuerſation. Now for matters of iudgement, in it there are vſually amongſt vsus foure ſorts of men exerciſed.
1. The witneſſe.
2. The aduocate.
3. The jurors.
4. The Iudge.
1. The witneſſe, whoſe duty is to declare
1. The whole truth, without adding, diminiſhing, or altering for fauour or ill will.
2. Nothing but the truth, no intermixture of falſhood is allowable.
2. The aduocate, pleader, or counſeller, who muſt with an vnpartiall eye ſeeke to finde out, and cleare the truth, though it be to the detriment of his client.
3. The jurors, who muſt
1. Indifferently conſider of the euidence, and throughly ſearch it.
2. Bring a right verdict according thereto, without fauour anger.
4. The Iudge, who muſt
1. GiueGive free ſcope to the proceedings of iuſtice.
2. Paſſe a right and vnpartiall ſentence according to the proofes that ſhall be ſubſtantially produced.
Hitherto the things commanded in this commandement. Now of the ſinnes againſt it, which are
1. Of omiſſion.
2. Of commiſſion, in regard of the name
1. Of onesſelfe.
2. Of ones neighbour.
1. Of ones ſelfe.
1. Inward.
2. Outward, for
Words.
Deeds.
2. Of ones neighbour.
1. Inward.
2. Outward, for
1. Ordinary conuerſation,
1. In words.
2. In deeds.
2. For matters of iudgement.
This Commandement is broken in regard of our owne good name inwardly ſo farre as concerned.
1. A mans opinion of himſelfe.
2. The opinion of other men concerning vsus.
1. A mans opinion of himſelfe, and that
1. In exceſſe.
2. In defect.
1. In exceſſe by two ſinnes.
1. Selfe-conceitedneſſe, which hath three degrees.
1. To imagine ones ſelfe to hauehave the vertues he hath not.
2. To thinke that hee hath more then it is.
3. To bee good in his owne eies, becauſe of that hee hath.
The ſecond ſinne in exceſſe is ſelfe-flattery, which hath alſo foure degrees.
1. A counting ones ſelfe free from the vices, which he is not free from.
2. Calling his owne vices by the names of vertues, as prodigality, good neighbourhood, &c.
3. Eſteeming his groſſe ſinnes to be infirmities, and ſmall faults.
4. Imagining to ſcape reproach for all his great faults, confeſſed ſo to bee, becauſe hee ſaith in his heart, no man ſhall know it.
2. A mans opinion or himſelfe in defect, by two ſinnes,
1. Deiectedneſſe.
2. Rigorous condemning.
1. Deiectedneſſe is a falſe accuſing of ones ſelfe as an hypocrite (when he is not) becauſe of afflictions and imperfections.
2. Ouer-rigorous cenſuring ones owne actions, is a condemning of them exceſſiuely as foule, wicked, & naught in extremity, when indeed they be alone weakneſſes and imperfections. Theſe two ſinnes are not ſo vſuall, but the children of God in temptation doe fall into them.
Theſe things are faults in regard of our owne opinion of our ſelues: thoſe follow which reſpect
2. The opinions of other men concerning vsus, which are,
1. Good.
2. Bad.
1. Good, and that
1. In exceſſe.
2. In defect.
1. In exceſſe, where are foure faults.
1. Hypocriſie, a deſire to make a ſhew of goodneſſe to men-ward, without any care of being ſo indeed.
2. Vaine glory, which is an inordinate deſire of praiſe from men, and is of two kindes.
1. When we doe our good deeds only or principally to be ſeene of men, which alwaies goes hand in hand with hypocriſie.
2. When we deſire to be magnified, for wit, learning, wealth, parentage, and ſuch toyes, that may befall a bad man as well as a good, chiefly when in truth we hauehave them not.
3. The third fault is accepting and reioycing in falſe praiſes, as Herod was content to be magnified as a God.
4. Swelling and being puffed vp with true praiſes.
2. Faults which reſpect defect, diſregarding a good name, and not caring whether men thinke well or ill of vsus.
2. The bad opinion of other men, concerning vsus, and that alſo
1. In exceſſe.
2. In defect.
1. In exceſſe in two things.
1. Falſe ſhame.
2. Vexation at falſe reports.
1. Falſe ſhame, in being aſhamed of that that is not ſhamefull, as
1. Of ſcoffes & taunts for well doing.
2. Of pouerty, a poore coat or houſe, or a poore kinſman, &c.
2. Vexation at falſe reports, and being troubled and led ouer-much by what men will ſay of vsus.
2. The bad opinion of other men concerning vsus in defect: as, impudency, when a man is not aſhamed of his ill workes, though all the world talke of them to his reproach.
Hitherto of inward diſorders about our owne good name. The outward follow, & firſt in regard of our words, and that
1. Generally.
2. Specially.
1. Generally, which is
1. In quantity of words.
2. In quality of words.
1. In quantity of words.
1. In exceſſe, talkatiueneſſe and blabbing, when a man is full of words and ready to tell any thing that is in his minde.
2. In defect, ſullenneſſe, reſtrainedneſſe of ſpeech, when one will not ſpeake though hee ought, out of his diſcontentment.
2. In quality of words, and that
1. By raſh ſpeaking, ſpeaking at all aduentures, not caring to what end and vſe.
2. By vndiſcreet ſpeeches, disbecomming the ſpeaker, hearer, time, or place, or matter, ſpecially medling with what concernes one not.
3. By falſe ſpeeches, and that
1. In narrations.
2. In promiſes.
1. In narrations
1. By affirming, Otherwiſe then the thing is.
2. By denying, Otherwiſe then the thing is.
2. In promiſes, when one doth giuegive them for a ſhift, without a ſerious purpoſe of performance.
4. By peremptory ſpeeches, in eager affirming or denying in things that hauehave vncertainty in them.
2. Diſorders in regard of our words, ſpecially when wee ſpeake of our owne deeds.
1. In exceſſe.
2. In defect.
1. In exceſſe, when wee hunt too much after praiſe.
1. In regard of our good deeds.
2. In regard of our bad deeds.
1. In regard of our good deeds.
1. By boaſting of them, in much large and cauſleſſe mentioning them.
2. By fained extenuating them.
2. In regard of our bad deeds, and thoſe
1. Falſly imputed vntounto vsus.
2. Laid to our charge.
1. Falſely imputed vntounto vsus.
1. By paſſionateneſſe at them.
2. By inſufficient diſprouing them.
2. Bad deeds truly laid to our charge,
1. By falſe denying them.
2. By friuolous excuſing them.
3. By chafing at the admoniſher.
2. In defect.
1. By blabbing our owne faults cauſeleſly, or to vnfit perſons.
2. By belying our ſelues for any aduantage or feare.
So much of ſinnes againſt our owne good name in words: thoſe in deeds follow.
1. In exceſſe.
2. In defect.
1. In exceſſe by foure faults,
1. By oſtentation of wealth, wit, learning, &c.
2. By an hypocriticall good life, ſinning in ſecret, though in publique one ſeeme to be free.
3. By inſolent lifting vp of ones ſelfe aboue his brethren, in gate, countenance, taking place before them, or the like.
4. By giuing entertainment to flatterers.
2. Deeds in defect by foure things.
1. By liuing in open groſſe ſinnes, drunkenneſſe, whordome, and the like.
2. By breaking lawfull promiſes.
3. By diſſembling ones eſtate, and making a ſhew of pouertie, when one is rich.
4. By keeping ill companie, and other appearances of euill.
So much of ſinnes againſt a mans owne good name: now of thoſe that tend to hurt the good name of another, and firſt of the inward, in regard of
1. Our opinion of our neighbour.
2. Our behauiour for his actions.
1. Our opinion of our neighbour, both in
1. Defect.
2. Exceſſe.
1. In defect, by
1. Cenſuring or raſh iudging, when vponupon inſufficient grounds wee condemne him, as if he were an hypocrite, &c.
2. Continuing to hauehave an hard opinion of a man notwithſtanding his repentance.
2. In exceſſe, by
1. An ouer credulous beleeuing of eueryevery ſmall appearance of goodneſſe.
2. Hauing mens perſons in too much admiration.
2. Our behauiour for his actions, which are
1. Certaine.
2. Doubtfull.
1. Certaine, and thoſe
1. Good.
2. Bad.
1. Good and commendable.
1. By captiouſneſſe, in deſiring to picke quarrels with them.
2. By enuie, in greeuing at them and his praiſe.
2. Bad and diſcommendable, which are likewiſe two.
1. Partialitie, hindering a man from ſeeing a plaine fault in a childe, friend, &c.
2. Inſultation or reioycing, in the faults and reproach of a ſtranger.
2. Doubtfull, whether they were
1. Done or no, euill ſurmiſes, iealouſies and vngrounded ſuſpitions.
2. Well meant or no, miſconſtruing, & taking them in the worſe part. Theſe are inward ſins againſt our neighbours good name. The outward are
1. In regard of words.
2. In regard of deeds.
1. In regard of words.
1. Our owne.
2. Other mens.
1. Our owne.
1. Generally inquiſitiueneſſe and medling with his buſineſſe more then we hauehave calling.
2. Particularly, in ſpeaking of him,
1. Things tending to his commendation.
2. Things tending to his diſcommendation.
1. Things rending to his cōmendation.
1. In exceſſe, as flattery, when we praiſe him more then truth will beare.
2. In defect, and that
1. In deprauing, viz. making his good deeds ſeeme ill.
2. Detracting, making his good deeds ſeeme leſſe commendable.
2. Things tending to his diſcommendation, and that
1. In exceſſe, by vniuſt extenuating his faults, or defending them and him.
2. In defect, whether
1. Telling his true faults.
2. Slandering him.
1. By telling his true faults,
1. Vnſeaſonably.
2. Paſſionately.
1. Vnſeaſonably and cauſeleſly.
1. By way of ieſting at him for them.
2. Railing and vpbraiding.
3. Whiſpering or priuie blabbing and tale-bearing.
4. Open back-biting.
2. Paſſionately, with extreme aggrauations and words tending to the extreme abaſing of him, as, hang him beaſt.
2. By ſlandering him,
1. Openly.
2. Darkly.
1. Open ſlander.
2. Cloſe ſlander.
1. Open ſlander is
1. By telling.
2. By miſtelling.
1. By telling.
1. Knowne vntruths of him.
2. Things vncertaine and of heareſay alone, as if they were certaine.
2. By miſtelling, by
1. Additions.
2. Diminiſhing.
3. Peruerting his meaning.
2. Cloſe ſlander is by darke and inſinuating ſpeeches, and ſtopping in the midſt of them, ſounding ill of him.
Theſe be the faults in regard of our owne ſpeeches of our neighbours: there be other in regard of
2. Other mens ſpeeches to vsus of him, whether they tell
1. Tales tending to his diſgrace, if
1. we heare them gladly
2. Beleeue them lightly
2. Things making for his commendation if we be
1. Vnwilling and ſad at hearing of them.
2. Hard of beleefe to entertaine them.
So much for words: now for
2. Deeds: where three things are faultie.
1. Drawing him to diſgracefull actions, and chiefly of ſet purpoſe.
2. Reproachfull carriages, mowing, hanging out the lip.
3. Accepting of perſons, vſing a rich man reſpectiuely, though hee be naught, a poore man contemptibly though he be good.
So are the faults in ordinary conuerſation. Thoſe follow that are in matter iudiciall, and they are foure.
1. Witneſſes.
2. The aduocate.
3. The jurors.
4. The Iudge.
1. Witneſſes, if they either
1. Conceale any neceſſarie part of the truth, for feare or fauour, &c.
2. If they ſpeake things
1. Vncertaine and doubtfull wherof they hauehave not ſufficient warrant and knowledge.
2. If they ſpeake things falſe and vntrue.
1. Whether openly and in plaine termes.
2. Or obſcurely by doubtfull words, equiuocations and reſeruations.
2. The aduocate or pleader, &c. if he pleade
1. Falſly.
2. Cunningly.
3. Fainedly.
1. Falſly, either by denying or affirming otherwiſe then the thing is.
2. Cunningly, in miſurging or peruerting things,
1. To iuſtifie the malefactor.
2. To condemne the innocent.
3. Fainedly or faintly, for good cauſes.
3. The Iurors, if they
1. Take their euidence careleſly.
2. If they bring in a falſe verdict for hatred, ſpleene or fauour.
4. The Iudge.
1. If he hinder the proceedings of law.
2. If he vrge things in extremitie.
3. If he paſſe a wrong ſentence.
Hitherto the ninth commandement: the tenth followes.