The Sum of Christian Religion, Catechism · Part 3 · Question 112
ON THE 43. SABBATH.Queſt. 112. What doth the ninth Commandement exact?
Anſw. That I beare no falſe witneſſe againſt any manaProv. 19.5, 9. and 2….28., neither falſifie any mans wordsbPſalm. 15.3. and 50.19, 20., neither back-bite or reproach any mancRom. 1.29, 30., nor condemn any man raſhly or unhearddMat. 7.1. Luke 6.37.; but avoid and ſhun with all carefulneſſe all kind of lies, and deceit, as the proper works of the divelleJohn 8.44., except I meane to ſtir up againſt mee the moſt grievous wrath of GodfProv. 12.22. and 13.5.: And that in judgements and other affaires I follow the truth, and freely and conſtantly profeſſe the matter as it indeed isg1 Cor. 13.6. Epheſ. 4.25.. And moreover, defend and encreaſe, as much as in mee lieth, the good name and eſtimation of othersh1 Pet. 4.8..
The Explication.
THe drift or end of this Commandement is, the ordinance and maintenance of the truth among men. Neither is in this Commandement onelyonly bearing falſe witneſſe forbidden, but all things which are of neere affinity therewith, the generall whereof is lying. Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witneſſe of thy neighbour, or against thy neighbour. In this negative Commandement is comprehended an affirmative: which is, Beare therefore true witneſſe of, or for thy neighbour; that is, be true and deſirous of learning and knowing the truth. Wherefore the originall and generall head of thoſe vertues, which are here commanded is truth, or trueneſſe in our ſpeech, opinion, judgement, covenants, and in our doctrine: For the name of Truth here, is taken for the agreement or correſpondence of our knowledge or ſpeech with the thing, whereof our ſpeech is. True wee terme the ſpeech it ſelfe agreeing with the thing. Contrariwiſe, the generall head of ſuch vices as are here condemned, is falſe-hood in any of the fore-alledged premiſſes.
The vertues of this ninth Commandement together, with their vices.
THe chiefe and principall vertue, which is here commanded, is Truth. 1. Truth or trueneſſe is a vertue,1. Vertue: Truth. whereby wee love true opinions or ſpeeches, and ſeek after them, and receive them, and gladly profeſſe and defend them, according as both our dutie, and perſons, places, times, and other circumſtances require, unto the glorie of God, and the ſafety of our neighbour. This end maketh that the divell cannot be ſaid to be true, although hee ſometimes ſpeake that which is true: For he is true, who ſpeaketh and loveth the truth, and doth affection it for the glory of God, and the ſafety of his neighbour. Of this vertue Ariſtotle briefly, but learnedly, diſputeth in his Moralls, and referreth truth in bargaines to juſtice. Hee calleth him properly a true man, who, when it ſteedeth him nought at all, yet is true in his ſpeech and whole life, and is habitually ſuch an one. Truth may alſo be defined on this wiſe:What truth is. Truth is a firme election in the Will, whereby we conſtantly imbrace true ſentences and opinions, ſpeake that which is true, keep covenants and promiſes, and avoid all deceitfull diſſemblings both in ſpeech and outward geſture. True conf…ſſion is commanded both in this, and in the third Commandement: How confeſsion of truth here differeth from that which is required in the third Commandement.as oftentimes the ſame vertue is required to the obedience of diverſe commandements. But in the third Commandement true confeſſion is required, as it is the honour and worſhip of God, immediately reſpecting God: and here it is commanded, as there is a will in us not to deceive our neighbour, but to wiſh his ſafety and wel-fare. Under the name of truth, wee compriſe liberty of ſpeech: which is a vertue, whereby, as much as the time, place, and neceſſity requireth, wee profeſſe the truth freely, and boldly, and are not with-drawne through the feare of dangers. Unto Truth, The contrary vices:in the defect, are repugnant, Lying.Lying▪ unto which appertaine all guiles, diſſembling, lies of courteſie, ſlanders, back-bitings, evill ſpeakings: which kindes of lying are repugnant alſo unto faireneſſe of manners and conditions. Likewiſe, Negligence in underſtanding the truth of things, and ſearching true opinions, and wilfull Ignorance, which is a l…ing in the minde. Vanity. A Vaine man. A Lyer. Lying. To lye. Mentiri, eſt adverſus mentem ire.Vanity or Levity, which is a readineſſe to lying. Hee is vaine who lyeth much often, and eaſily, and that without any ſhame. A Lyer is he, who hath a deſire to lye. Lying is to speake otherwiſe, or to ſignifie otherwiſe by outward geſtures, than thou thinkeſt, and than the thing it ſelfe is. For, to lye, is as much as to goe againſt thine owne knowledge. All lying, which doth expreſly and plainely diſſemble the truth is here condemned: neither are officious lyes, or lyes of courteſie excuſed,Lyes of courteſie. becauſe evill is not to be done that good may come of it. And well ſaith Lactantius:In Epit. Wee muſt never lye, becauſe a lye either alwaies hurteth or deceiveth ſome man. But a truth which is uttered by a figure is no lie,Tru…h uttered in a figure. whether hee underſtand it or no with whom wee deale. This is to be obſerved, that wee be not rigorous in examining the actions of the Saints, and alſo that wee excuſe not thoſe things which have no need to be excuſed. Exod. 1.15, 20, 21.Officious lyes are commonly defended by the example of the Egyptian Mid-wives, which lyed unto the King, and were bleſſed of God. But God bleſſed them not therefore becauſe they lyed; but becauſe they feared God, and ſlew not the Infants of the Iſraelites. Object. That which profiteth another, and hurteth no man, See Auguſt. lib. de mend. ad Conſen.is not ſinne, and therefore may be done. A dutifull lye is of ſuch qualitie. Therefore it is no ſin, but may be made. Anſw. The Minor is falſe: becauſe that which God forbiddeth, alwaies harmeth; and if it profit at all, this is but by accident, through the goodneſſe of God. Unto Truth, in the exceſſe, is repugnant,The contrary vices. 1. Untimely profeſſing of the truth: which is, to caſt pearles to ſwine, and to give that which is holy unto dogs, as Chriſt ſaith, who by theſe words doth wholly forbid unneceſſary and untimely profeſſing of the truth. For as the verſe hath it in the Poet; Hee that warneth out of time doth harme. 2. Curioſity, which is to ſearch after things unneceſſary or unpoſsible. Theſe things may ſuffice for this chiefe and principall vertue of the ninth Commandement. The vertues which follow, wait upon truth, and they all are as it were of truths retinue.
IIVertue. Fairneſſe of mind.Fairneſſe of mind is a vertue which taketh well things well or doubtfully ſpoken or done, and interpreteth them in the better part, to wit, as farre as there are any reaſonable cauſes to induce thereto, and doth not eaſily conceive ſuſpicions, neither ſticketh upon ſuſpicions: though they be ſuch as are juſt, and have reaſonable cauſes, hee doth not ground thereon, neither directeth his actions accordingly, neither decreeth or determineth ought by them. Or, Fairneſſe of minde is a neighbour-vertue unto truth, allowing of others wils upon probable reaſon, and hating all evil-mindedneſſe, and drawing alſo ſome things that are doubtfull to the better part: and hoping indeed that which is good; but yet, as touching mutable things, thinking that the wils of men may change, and that a man may erre concerning anothers will, ſeeing the infoldings and ſecret places of mans minde are not beheld. The extremes of this vertue, in the defect, are, Slandering and Suſpiciouſneſſe. The contrary vices.Slandering is not onelyonly falſely to criminate and attach the innocent, but alſo to interpret things indifferently ſpoken in the worſer part,What ſlandering is. or alſo to enterlace and coyne ſome falſe-hood. Suſpiciouſneſſe, is to take things well or ambiguouſly ſpoken, in the worſer part, to ſuſpect evill things, of thoſe that are good: or to ſuſpect without cauſe; or alſo to make too much of true ſuſpicions.What ſuſpiciouſneſſe is. It is lawful for us ſometimes to ſuſpect,Mat. 10.16, 17. except wee will be fooles. Beware of men: be yee wiſe as ſerpents, and innocent as doves. But it is one thing to conceive a ſuſpicion, and another to dwell on it, and continually nouriſh it.What ſuſpicion is. Foure ſorts of evill and good ſuſpicion. Now ſuspicion is an opinion of evill of ſome man for ſome probable cauſe, whether true or apparent. Suſpicion is two-fold: Good and Evill. 1. Evill ſuspicion is, when it proceedeth from a cauſe either altogether falſe, or unſufficient; as when a cauſe is feigned where no cauſe is, or when our neighbour is innocent: Good ſuſpicion is, when wee ſuſpect on good ground, or cauſe ſufficient. 2. Evill ſuspicion is, when on bare ſuſpicion wee determine ſomething: Good ſuspicion, when the matter is left in ſuſpence, as long as there are probable reaſons on both parts. 3. Evill ſuspicion is, when on ſuſpicion wee take counſell how to harme ſome man: Good ſuspicion doth the contrary. 4. Evill ſuspicion is, when on ſuſpicion we conceive hatred: Good ſuspicion doth the contrary. In the exceſſe fooliſh credulity, and fooliſh Flattery. What Credulity is.Credulity is haſtily or unadviſedly to interpret any thing, or to aſſent to one without juſt and probable cauſe; or, to beleeve a thing of another, when there are manifeſt and probable reaſons to the contrary.What Flattery is. Flattery or aſſentation is to praiſe, or like things not to be praiſed, thereby to get either the goods or favour of another man. Fairneſſe of mind is an aſſiſtant or ſpeciall kind of truth: Therefore it is alſo here together with truth commanded.
IIIVertue. Simplicity.Simplicity, which is open truth without wrinckles, or fetches and compaſſings: or, it is a vertue which doth properly and plainly ſpeak and doe ſuch things as are true, right, and declared in arts and common life. Truth is tempered with ſimplicity and fairneſſe of mind or conditions.The contrary vices. The extremes of ſimplicity are, Feigned ſimplicity, and doubleneſſe in manners and converſation.
IVVertue. Conſtancy.Conſtancy, which is a vertue not departing from the knowne truth, neither altering his purpoſe without good and neceſſary cauſes, but conſtantly ſpeaking and doing ſuch things as are true, juſt, and neceſſary. Or, it is a vertue perſiſting in the truth once found, knowne and approved, and in the like manner profeſſing and defending the ſame. Conſtancy is neceſſary for the preſervation and maintenance of the truth:The contrary vices. therefore it is here alſo commanded. The extremes hereof, in the defect, are Ʋnconſtancy or Lightneſſe, which is to alter true purpoſes and opinions without reaſon. In the exceſſe the extremes are Pertinacy or Stoicall Stiffeneſſe and rigour, which is a vice ariſing from a confidence in his owne wit, or from pride and oſtentation, refuſing to yield or depart from his opinion, albeit it be ſuch as hee ſeeth by ſtrong reaſons to be falſe, but perſiſting in falſe opinions, or unjuſt, or unprofitable actions.
VVertue. Docility.Docility, or a readineſſe to learne, which is a vertue ſearching after the reaſons of true opinions, eaſily beleeving, and yielding to thoſe that teach or ſhew better things, and that upon certain reaſon, and framing his will ready to aſſent unto true or probable reaſons, and to leave thoſe things which before hee held and imbraced. The ſame are the extremes of Docility which are of Constancy, whereunto alſo this Docility is neceſſary;The contrary vices. for, Conſtancy without Docility degenerateth into Pertinacie: and, Docility without Conſtancy, degenerateth into Levity. Now all theſe vertues which have been numbred, agree and are linked very well one with another: For Truth muſt be tempered with Fairneſſe of mind and Simplicity, perceived and knowne by Docility, preſerved and maintained by Conſtancy. And ſo theſe former vertues are required to the being of Truth: the three vertues following are required to the profitable being of Truth in the world.
VIVertue. Taciturnity.Taciturnity or ſilentneſſe, which is a vertue with-holding in ſilence things ſecret, and unneceſſary to be ſpoken, where, when, and as far as is needfull, and avoiding over-much babling and talkativeneſſe. Or, it is ſuch a manner of profeſſing the truth, whereby ſecret things, whether true or falſe, are kept cloſe, and ſpeeches unneceſſary and unprofitable are avoided, eſpecially untimely and pernicious ſpeeches, and ſuch as give offence.The contrary vices: 1. Pratling. 2 Fooliſh-prating 3. Treachery. The extremes hereof, in the defect, are, Pratling, Fooliſh prating, and Treachery. Pratling, is not to be able to keep cloſe any thing, but revealeth all things, even mens very ſecrets. Fooliſh prating, or futility and folly of ſpeech, is to ſpeake unſeaſonably, immoderately, and fooliſhly. Treachery is to betray honeſt attempts and enterpriſes to the hurt of them whoſe friend the talecarrier ſeemeth, or ought to be: or, not to defend one, nor reſpect his danger, when a man ought, and may ſo do: likewiſe, to relate and detect things unworthy the mentioning, and whoſe mentioning is harmfull to him to whom it is diſcloſed or diſcovered: or to informe one of things which muſt needs be revealed, upon no good mind, and to no good end: Laſtly to give information with perjury or a lie. In the exceſſe, Haughtineſſe, Peeviſhneſſe, and diſſembling of the truth, where are neceſſary or probable cauſes. Peeviſhneſſe or moroſity, is an overmuch ſilentneſſe,In exceſſe: 1. Peeviſhneſſe, or moroſity. 2. Silentneſſe. and a burying of the truth, where Gods glory and the ſafety of our neighbour, or our own, or others cauſe, or the love of our friend requireth us to ſpeake.
VIIVertue. Affability.Affability or readineſſe of ſpeaking: which is a vertue gladly, and with ſignification of good will, hearing, anſwering, ſpeaking where need is, upon a neceſſary and probable cauſe; or it is a vertue eaſie entertaining the mutuall talks of others, and giving ſignification of good will in conferences, ſpeech and geſtures. Or gentleneſſe, facility, affability, conſiſt in giving eare, and making anſwer to others,Vide Ariſt. Eth. 4. cap. 4. The contrary vices. with ſome ſignification of good will. The ſame are the extremes of affability which are of taciturnity, or ſilentneſſe: likewiſe levity, aſſentation, or affected and laboured affability. Silentneſſe without affability becometh moroſity or peeviſhneſſe, and affability without ſilentneſſe becometh pratling and fooliſh prating, babling out things hurtfull, unneceſſary, vaine, or ſecret: Therefore, Taciturnity and affability are vertues of neere affinity.
VIIIVertue. Urbanity.Ʋrbanity or pleaſantneſſe, which is a vertue of ſpeaking the truth with a certain grace and elegancy, to teach, comfort, exhilarate, and nip, or touch: or it is a certain ſauce of truth and ſpeech, to wit, the truth figuratively uttered,The contrary vices. either to move, or delight others, without bitterneſſe, and keeping the circumſtances of place, time, and perſons. The extremes in the exceſſe are:In exceſſe: Scurrility.Scurrility. Dicacity.Dicacity. Back biting.Backbiting. Scurrility is obſcene and homely jeſting, eſpecially in ſerious matters. Scurra (that is, a ſcurrilous perſon) is ſo called from the Greek word foreign, which ſignifieth dung: becauſe he ſpeaketh filthineſſe and dung. Dicacity or ſcoffing is a vice of jeſting bitterly; and of deriding, boording, and exagitating others, but eſpecially ſuch as are miſerable. Back-biting is a vice which ſpreadeth falſe ſlanders of others, conſtrueth doubtfull ſpeeches in the worſe part, with a deſire of revenge, and an endeavour to hurt, or raiſe envy. The extremes in the defect are, Stolidity.Stolidity or fooliſhneſſe. Sottiſhneſſe.Sottiſhneſſe or unſavourineſſe. Fooliſhneſſe is an untimely affectation of Urbanity.In defect: Sottiſhnes is an abſurd and unſavoury affectation of Urbanity. Now, Ʋrbanity is an eſpeciall gift of the wit, but yet may be gotten by experience in matters.