The Bibles Abstract and Epitome, Part 76
Gods Justice False Witnesse bearing and Slander punished.
FAlse Witnes bearing is unjust judging and condemning of our neighbours, contrary to the Commandement of Christ, who bids us not to judge: And it is1 Kin. 21. also an unjust accusing and false testimony in judgement: Such as was that wherewith Naboth was accused. And it is also called a cavill or crafty accusation, which is when something is either taken from the truth or put to it, or changed, as they did, that testified against Christ, affirming that he had said, I can destroy the Temple of God, &c. And lastly, it is a slandering or back-biting of one, inIohn 16. Mat. 26. 6. speaking ill of his neighbour, that is free from evill, being absent, and so impaireth his name and credit, which is a most grievous offence, for that the slanderer hurteth three at once, himselfe, the hearer, and him that is slandered, howbeit he hurteth him least of all being absent, for his name onelyonly is hurt, but the conscience of both the other is hurted by a sinne against God and their neighbour committed.Pro. 20. 3, 19. Ch. 13. 5. & 16 27. & 18. 8. & 26. 22.
The Slanderer is ever medling till he shameth himselfe: His lips are as hot as burning fire, and his words are wounds and like Hammers, saith Salomon, wherewith men breake stones, &c. and his daily exercise is in mis-reports.
Object. What if he that reporteth of his neighbour speake the truth, speaking of his faults, may that be called slandering?
Answ. 1 It ought: for he sinneth in a double respect. First his mind is estranged from the affection of Christian charity, yea he is rather mooved to that wickednesse by a desire of speaking ill, or else that he may get himselfe praise by the dispraise of another, which appeareth by that he passeth over all the vertues of his neighbour, reckoning up all his faults, and often times enlarging them.
He objecteth those things against his neighbour, not with a mind to amend him, but rather out of an …l opinion that he hath of him.
King Ahab Slandered Elias Saying That he was the cause of the plague sent by1 Ki. 18 1 C…. 6. …. God.
Azariah Slandered Ieremiah Saying That the word hee had spoken was fromIer 43. Baru…k.
Amaziah Slandered Amos Saying That he had conspired against the King byAm. 7. 10. Nū. 24. 1…▪ his word.
Doeg Slandered Abimelech Saying That he had asked counsell for David of1 Sam 22. the Lord.
The devill Slandered Iob Saying That hee would curse God, if God did afflictIob 1. him.
Ephramites Slandered G…leadites Saying That they were runnagates among the Ephramites Iudg. 12.of Ephraim.
Hamon Slandered The Iews Saying That thy did not observe the Kings laws.Est. 3. Gen. 44. Ier. 37. Act. 2. Act. 24.
Ioseph Slandered His brethren Saying That they were theeves and came as spies.J…r. 18. 18.
Irrijah Slandered Ieremiah Saying That he was about to fly to the Caldeans.
The Jewes Slandered Apostles Saying That they were full of new wine.
The Jewes Slandered Paul Saying That too much learning had made him madd.
The Jewes Slandered Christ Saying That hee had said hee would destroy theIoh. 8. 40. Iohn 20. Mat. 9. 2 King. 6. Gen. 4. Jer. 5 12. Jud. 12. 4. Ephramites.Temple of God, and that he cast out devils by Belzebub.
Iehoram Slandered Jesus God Saying This evill cometh from the Lord.
Kain Slandered The Lord Saying My punishment is more then can be forgiven.
King Amon Slandered Davids messenger Saying That they came but to spie out the2 Sam. 10. Land.
Laban Slandered Iacob Saying That his gods were by him stolen.Gen. 31. 30.
Certaine men Slandered David▪ Saying, Things of him that were not knowne byPsal. 27. 12. & 35. 11. him.
Suborned men Slandered Steven, Saying, That they heard him speak blasphemously.Act. 6.
Potiphars wife Slandered Ioseph, Saying, That he went about with her to commit folly.Gen. 39.
Souldiers Slandered Christs disciples, Saying, That they came by night when they wereRom. 3. 8. Matt. 28. 12. asleep, and stole Christ out of the grave from them.
King Saul Slandered Ionathan, Saying, That he had stirred up David against him.1 Sam. 2…. 1 King. …1. Susan. Hist.
Two witnesses Slandered Naboth, Saying, That he had blasphemed God & the king.
Two Rulers Slandered Susanna, Saying, That she had with a young man layen.
Ziba Slandered Mephibosheth Saying, That Mephibosheth had said that the kingdom2 Sam. 10. of Israel should be restored to him.
Exod. 23. 1. Levit. 19. 16. Iames 1. 26. Gen. 18. 18.
The person that accuseth falsly, it shall be done to him as he thought to have doneDeut. 19. 16. Prov. 19. 5. Pro. 20. 19to him whom he accused, he shall be punished, saith God.
The backbiter shall not be established in the earth, evill shall hunt him.Prov. 19. 9. Chap. 21. 8. Ps…l. …. 4. 11. & 101. 5. Syr. 28. 13.
The Lord hateth a false witnesse, and the man that speaketh lies.
To avoide this sinne.
1. Have a charitable opinion of thy neighbour, which must be shewed by taking doubtfull things in the best part, by defending his Name, if he be slandered; as also by being grieved, if thou heare true reports of his evill deeds.
2. Let every one speake the truth from his heart, and that with a good affection,Prov. 24. 28. in love when we speake of the faults of any.
3. Remember that the Lord commands that thou shalt not have to doe with anyExod. 2…. 1. Exod. 20. Wisd. 1. 11. false report, neither shalt thou put thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witnesse.
4. Take no heed to every word that is spoken, l…st thou heare thy servant curse thee: for thine owne heart knoweth that thou thy self also hast often-times spokenEccl. 7. 21. evill by other men.
As the winde drives away raine, so doth an angry countenance a backbiters Prov. 25. 22.tongue.
Where no wood is fire goeth out, where a Tale-bearer is taken away, strife Chap. 22. 20.ceaseth.
Reade Levit. 10. 16. Gen. 31. 7. Prov. 12. 17, 19. Chap. 26. 20. Chap. 19. 5. Ch. 21. 28. Chap. 24. 28. Matth. 18. 16. 2 Cor. 13. 1. 1 Tim. 5. 19. Heb. 10. 28. Iames 4. 11. Ecclus. 5. 25. Chap. 28. 11. 13. Iames 1. 26. Prov. 4. 15. Psal. 35. 21. Levit. 1…. 16. Exod. 23. 1. Psal. 1…. 3. Rom. 1. …9. Luke 6. 37. Prov. 14. 28. Prov. 11. 13. Prov. 16. 28. Chap. 25. 23. Prov. 6. 19. Prov. 13. 5. Chap. 26. 20.