Exposition of the Ten Commandments, Commandment 9 – Commandment 10
The 9. Commandement. The Negatiue part.
It forbids in generall whatſoeuer is contrary to the truth, and tends to the hurt or hinderance of the good name of man or woman; and thoſe things are,
Either ſuch things as are contrarie to the truth, and tend to the hurt or hinderance of a man or womans owne good name:
Or ſuch things as are contrarie to the truth, and tend to the hurt or hinderance of the good name of another, or others, one or more.
Such things as are contrarie to the truth, and tend to the hurt or hinderance of a man or a womans owne good name, are either things inward in the heart, or expreſſed and vttered by the tongue.
Things inward in the heart, are two things eſpecially.
Firſt, ſelfe-conceitedneſſe, and an ouer-weening of their owne excellencie, when a man or a woman doe thinke themſelues either to be that which they are not, or are too highly conceited of the good things they hauehave.
Secondly, too baſe and too mean a conceit, and an vnderunder-weening of the good things that be in themſelues; when a man or a woman doe think that either they hauehave not that grace, and thoſe good things, or not that meaſure of grace, and of good things that indeed they hauehave.
Things expreſſed and vttered by the tongue, are three things eſpecially:
1 Vain-glorious boaſting and bragging, which is moſt vile and odious, when it is a boaſting and bragging of wickedneſſe and ſinne.
2 The leſſening and extenuating of their faults.
3 The vniuſt accuſing of themſelues, as by ſpeech, either denying, or extenuating and leſſening the graces and gifts God hath beſtowed on them.
Such things as are contrary to the truth, and tend to the hurt or hinderance of the good name of another, or others, one or more, are,
Either things inward in the heart, or expreſſed and vttered by the tongue.
Things inward in the heart, are foure things eſpecially.
1 Light and wrongfull ſuſpicion, and euill ſurmiſing and cauſeleſſe miſdeeming of another, or others, one or more, which comes either from their weakneſſe of iudgement, or from their owne guiltineſſe of ſinne, or from ſome euill affection of enuie, hatred, or the like.
2 Raſh, vncharitable, and vniuſt iudging and condemning of another, or others, one or more, which is done two waies: Either in reſpect of their perſons, as when they thinke otherwiſe of their perſons, than they ought to doe, in regard of ſome ſlips, infirmities, euill reports; or in regard of ſome croſſes, or ſome ſtrange accident that befals them: Or in regard of their words or deeds, as when they thinke and iudge otherwiſe of their words and deeds, than they ought to doe, as when they thinke and iudge ill of their good ſpeeches or actions, or doe take their ſpeeches or actions that are indifferent in the worſt part, or doe thinke and iudge the things that are ſpoken or done amiſſe by them, worſe than they are.
3 Inward contemning and thinking baſely of another, or others, one or more, and diſdaining of them for worldly reſpects.
4 Admiring of others, and magnifying of them in the inward conceit of the heart aboue their worth, which is moſt vile and odious, when it is for their errors and ſinnes.
Things expreſſed and vttered by the tongue, are either things expreſſed and vttered to another, or others, one or more, or things expreſſed and vttered of another, or others, one or more.
Things expreſſed and vttered by the tongue to another, or others, one or more, are either things vttered vainly or falſly.
Things vttered vainly, are either things vttered without reaſon, and out of ſeaſon, when a man or a woman are pratlers, and too full of words, and do keep nothing ſecret, but tell whatſoeuer they know, and doe needleſſely publiſh the ſecrets and infirmities of others, to their diſcredit.
The things vttered falſly, are two eſpecially:
1 Lying, when a man or a woman doe willingly and wittingly ſpeake that which they know is falſe, with a minde and purpoſe to deceiue, which is moſt odious, when it is either to cloake and ſmooth ouer a ſinne alreadie committed, or to make way for ſinne and the doing of ſome euil, or when it is to intrap another, or others, one or more, and to draw them into ſome errour or ſinne, or into ſome danger.
2 Such ſpeech as ſetteth either praiſe or diſpraiſe where it ſhould not, and a man or a woman doe praiſe others to their faces vniuſtly, by flattering of them, as when they doe to their faces praiſe, commend, and extoll either their perſons, or their gifts, or their actions, aboue that which they know or thinke, either to get fauour with them, or ſome way or other for their owne aduantage, which is moſt odious, when it is with hatred and malice in the heart, and that flattering is moſt hurtful and dangerous, which is vſed in things that concerne the ſtate of the ſoule. Iſai. 5.20. Iob 16.20. Iob 27.5, 6.And they doe diſpraiſe others to their faces vniuſtly, when in their ſpeech vttered to others, they doe contrarie to their knowledge, and out of enuie, diſpraiſe their perſons, or good gifts, or good actions, with a purpoſe either to diſgrace or to diſcourage them.
Things expreſſed and vttered of another, or others, one or more, are either on the part of the ſpeaker, or on the part of the hearer.
Things expreſſed and vttered on the part of the ſpeaker, which are ſpeeches vttered of others, either in priuate or in publike:
In priuate, and thoſe are either,
In the preſence of the partie or parties, one or more, of whom they are ſpoken, and thoſe are ſpeeches falſly charging ſome ill on another, or others, one or more, to their faces, either contrary to knowledge, or on ſome light ſuſpicion.
Or behind their backes, and out of their preſence, and thoſe are tale-bearing, back-biting and ſlandering ſpeeches, and malicious defamations; and men doe carrie tales, back-bite and ſlander, and maliciouſly defame others, two waies:
1 By whiſpering ill of them, by rounding in the eare, or eares of ſuch as will heare them.
2 By ſpeaking ill of them more openly. And the whiſpering or ſpeaking ill more openly of others behinde their backes, is moſt vile and odious; when the report of ill that is either whiſpered, or ſpoken more openly, is falſe, or when it is coloured ouer with faire pretences.
In publike, and thoſe are either,
In the abſence of the partie, or parties, one or more, of whom they are ſpoken, which are ſpeeches either falſly charging ſome ill on others behinde their backes, and that either againſt knowledge, or on ſome light ſuſpicion, or truly charging ſome ill on them behinde their backes out of malice, or by ſome by-reſpect, by way of publike information, without any calling thereunto.
Or in the preſence of the partie, or parties, one or more, of whom they are ſpoken; and thoſe are ſpeeches vttered in open place of iuſtice and iudgement, falſly charging ſome ill on others in their preſence:
Either by
The Iudge or Iudges, one or more, in giuing falſe ſentence and vniuſt iudgement againſt others, being before them to bee examined and tried, touching ſome matter of crime.
Or by Aduocates, Pleaders and Patrons of cauſes; as ſpeeches vttered by them in their falſe and vniuſt pleading againſt others, being in ſome open court to be examined and tried touching ſome matter of crime.
Or by Iurors, as ſpeeches vttered by them, in giuing vp a falſe and vniuſt verdict againſt others, being in ſome open court to be examined touching ſome matter of crime.
Or by accuſers, as ſpeeches vttered by them, whereby they doe vniuſtly and wrongfully accuſe others, being in ſome open court to be examined and tried touching ſome matter of crime.
Or by witneſſes, as ſpeeches vttered by them, whereby they doe vniuſtly teſtifie againſt others, being in ſome open court to be examined and tried touching ſome matter of crime, which is done three waies:
1 By affirming ſomething as witneſſes againſt others, which they know is directly and maliciouſly falſe.
2 By denying or concealing of ſomething knowne to themſelues to be true, and which they ought to ſpeake.
3 By affirming ſomething againſt others, as witneſſes, craftily and deceitfully.
Things vttered and expreſſed of another, or others, one or more, on the part of the hearer, which are ſpeeches heard and willingly receiued, and entertained by the hearer, or hearers, one or more, being contrary to the truth, and tend to the hurt or hinderance of the good name of others, of whom they are ſpoken, and this is done two waies.
1 By beleeuing and eaſily giuing credit to flying tales and ill reports that are made of others, not knowing the thing, or things reported to be true, and thereupon iudging amiſſe of them, or hating them, or contemning them.
2 By hearing of ill reports that are made of others, not knowing the thing or things reported to be true, yet ſuſpecting them to bee falſe, with patience and ſilence, and ſhewing no diſlike to them at all, either by countenance, or ſpeech, or turning away the body, or ſuch like.
And both theſe are moſt odious, when the report of ill is againſt ſuch as are truly religious, and they are moſt pernicious, when the report of ill is beleeued, or heard, or receiued with patience, by Magiſtrates, and by ſuch as be in authoritie.
The Affirmatiue part of the ninth Commandement.
It requireth in generall whatſoeuer is agreeable to the truth, and tends to the helpe or furtherance of the good name of man or woman, and thoſe things are,
Either ſuch things as are agreeable to the truth, and tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or a womans owne good name:
Or ſuch things as are agreeable to the truth, and tend to the helpe or furtherance of the good name of another, or others, one or more.
Thoſe things that are agreeable to the truth, and tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or a womans owne good name, are
Either things inward in the heart:
Or things expreſſed and vttered by the tongue.
Things inward in the heart, are two things eſpecially.
1 A right iudgement and eſtimation of themſelues, and of their owne gifts, neither ouer-weening, nor vnderunder-weening of them.
2 A louelove of their owne good name, and a care of their credit, expreſſing that by all good endeuour to get a good name, and being gotten, to keepe it; and if at any time it be through ſinne impaired or loſt, to recouer it.
And a man or a woman muſt endeuour to get a good name, and hauing gotten it, to keepe it, by liuing religiouſly, embracing the truth of religion in louelove to it, and practiſing in an holy life ſincerely, and without diſſimulation, keeping a narrow watch againſt eueryevery ſinne, and with an honeſt and vpright heart, ſeeking Gods glory in eueryevery thing.
And a man or woman is to recouer a good name, it being impaired or loſt through ſinne, by true repentance and vnfained conuerſion and turning to God, & by breaking off that ſin, and by teſtifying the ſame before men by amendment of life.
Things expreſſed and vttered by the tongue are three things eſpecially.
1 A ſpeaking ſparingly, and avoyding vaine babling in ordinary communication.
2 A wiſe and diſcreet ſpeaking when they hauehave occaſion to mention either their vertues and good things, or their faults & euill things to men. And their wiſe and diſcreet ſpeaking hauing occaſion to mention their vertues and good things to men, ſtandeth in ſpeaking of them with modeſtie, ſo as their ſpeech incline rather to the defect than to the exceſſe, and ſo as they rather extenuate them than boaſt of them.
And their wiſe and diſcreet ſpeaking, hauing occaſion to mention their faults and euill things to men, ſtandeth in ſpeaking of their knowne faults and corruptions to men, the vttermoſt they can againſt themſelues, yet ſo as they giuegive no ſuſpition of pride or hypocriſie, and ſo as they doe not diſgrace themſelues too much, as they make themſelues able to doe leſſe good then otherwiſe they might, in ſpeaking of their ſecret faults and corruptions to men onelyonly, when it is fit and meet for them ſo to doe, and that is onelyonly in two caſes.
1 In the caſe of ſecret offence and wrong done to others.
2 In caſe of trouble of minde and conſcience, ſo as it bee to ſuch as are able and willing to comfort and counſell them, and alſo faithfull.
3 A ſpeaking in defence of their owne good name when need requireth, ſo as they doe it modeſtly and willingly.
Such things as are agreeable to the truth, and tend to the helpe and furtherance of another or others, one or moe, are either things inward in the heart, or things expreſſed and vttered by the tongue.
Things inward in the heart are three eſpecially.
1 A charitable opinion and eſtimation of others, and a thinking the beſt of things ſaid or done by them, and a taking of them in good part, ſo farre as truth and reaſon will giuegive leaue.
2 A true louelove, and an hearty wel-wiſhing to the good name of another or others, one or more, which may be knowne by two things.
1 By reioycing for their credit and good eſtimation, they knowing them on good grounds, to be in good credit, and in good eſtimation.
2 By grieuing when they know they deſerue diſcredit and diſgrace, and doe heare a true report of ſome ill ſpoken or done by them, whereby they are iuſtly blemiſhed, and their reputation iuſtly diminiſhed.
3 A ſtayedneſſe of iudgement, touching ill reports that are made of others, not knowing the thing or things reported to be true.
Things expreſſed and vttered by the tongue, are either things expreſſed and vttered to another or others, one or more;
Or of another or others one or more.
Things expreſſed and vttered to another or others, one or more, are two things eſpecially:
1 A ſpeaking of the truth from the heart ſimply and plainely, and as it ought to bee ſpoke, with good affection, and with a louing heart, with an intent and deſire to doe good in the ſpeaking of it, and ſeaſonably, a man or a woman hauing a calling to ſpeake it.
2 A wiſe and diſcreet ſpeaking to others for their good, as iuſt occaſion is offered, which ſtands in two things:
1 In giuing them whatſoeuer aduice and counſell in matters of doubt, and in directing them in the way of God, and exhorting and ſtirring them vp to walke therein in louelove and wiſedome.
2 In giuing them ſound and ſeaſonable admonition, and iuſt reproofe for their knowne faults and offences in louelove and wiſedome.
Things expreſſed and vttered of another or others, one or more, are:
Either on the part of the ſpeaker,
Or on the part of the hearer.
Things expreſſed and vttered of another or others, one or more, on the part of the ſpeaker, are:
Either in priuate.
Or in publike.
Things expreſſed or vttered of another or others in priuate, are two things eſpecially:
1 A free acknowledging of the good gifts of God in others, and of the good things ſaid or done by them, and a ſpeaking of them to their praiſe and commendation, ſo as it be in fit time and place, as rather in their abſence than in their preſence, and in a right manner, and with moderation, giuing them onelyonly due praiſe and commendation, and ſo as they doe not thereby approue of the leaſt of their ſinnes.
2 A ſpeaking in defence of the good name of others, when they are in our hearing, and to our knowledge traduced and ſlandered, and ill reported of vniuſtly, eſpecially behinde their backs.
Things expreſſed and vttered of another or others, one or more, in publike, are:
Either by ſuch as ſit as Iudges in ſome open place:
Or by ſuch as are Aduocates, or Iurors.
By ſuch as ſit as Iudges in ſome open place of iuſtice and iudgement, and thoſe are two things eſpecially.
1 The abſoluing and acquitting of ſuch as come before them, and after due examination and triall, touching ſome matter of crime laid againſt them, are found guiltleſſe, and the pronouncing of them innocent, and free from the crimes falſly obiected againſt them.
2 A due encouragement of ſuch as are before them and on ſome iuſt occaſion are made knowne to them to be honeſt and good, and to deſerue well, and a giuing of them due praiſe and commendation for their well doing.
Or by ſuch as are lawfully called to ſpeake in ſome open place of iuſtice and iudgement, as Aduocates, or as Iurors, or as Witneſſes, which are ſpeeches vttered by them in defence of the good name of others, and for the clearing of their innocencie when they are in their hearing, and to their knowledge openly wronged and falſly accuſed of ſome crime.
Things that are vttered and expreſſed by another, or others, on the part of the hearer, are two eſpecially:
Firſt, a readie receiuing of the good report that is made of another or others, one or more, ſo farre as truth and reaſon will giuegive leaue.
Secondly, a ſhewing diſlike of whiſperers and tale-bearers, either by countenance, or by ſpeech, or by geſture, and ſuch like; eſpecially by Magiſtrates and ſuch as be in any place of authoritie and ſuperioritie.
The end of the ninth Commandement.
The 10. Commandement. The Negatiue part.
It forbids in generall two things:
1 The proneneſſe and inclination of our corrupt nature to euill, whereby a man or a woman is naturally prone to thinke, will, or affect any thing that is forbidden in the Law of God, and contrarie to the true louelove of God or man: and this proneneſſe and inclination to euill, is in eueryevery man and woman deſcended from Adam by naturall generation.
2 The effects and fruits of the proneneſſe and inclination of our corrupt nature to euill, which are inward in the ſoule, and thoſe effects are two eſpecially:
1 Euill and inordinate concupiſcence, eueryevery motion, euen the firſt motion, comming from the rebellion of nature, whereby wee are ſtirred vp to euil, and doe with delight thinke any thing contrarie to the true louelove of God or man, though wee neuer giuegive conſent of will to commit that euill.
2 A ſuffering our ſelues to be infected with thoſe motions, that Satan or euill men doe put into our minds, contrarie to the true louelove of God or man, by yeelding to them, and delighting in them, and hauing our hearts tickled with delight in them.
The Affirmatiue part of the tenth Commandement.
It requires two things in generall:
1 Originall puritie in all the powers and faculties of the ſoule, and an holy diſpoſition and inclination of the ſoule, whereby a man or woman is at all times diſpoſed to thinke, will, and affect that which the law of God requires, and is agreeable to the true and perfect louelove of God and men.
2 The inward effects and fruits of originall puritie in the ſoule, and of an holy diſpoſition and inclination of the ſoule of man, and thoſe effects are two:
1 Good and holy motions of the minde and will, whereby wee are ſtirred vp to good things, and doe with delight thinke and will that which is agreeable to the true louelove God and man.
2 A ſuppreſſing of euil thoughts, and motions to euill, whether comming from the fleſh within, or from Satan and euill men without, and a keeping them from taking any place in our minds, by the leaſt aſſent to them, or the leaſt delight in them.
foreign.
FINIS.
End of the text · Edward Elton, Exposition of the Ten Commandments (1623)