A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 208 (Questions 77 cont.-78)
SERMON CCVIII.
II. WE ought to maintain the Truth, by a Faithful Performance of our Promiſes. In our Vows to God, we muſt carefully Pay them; Eccl. 5.4. When thou voweſt a vow unto God, defer not to pay it: for he hath no pleaſure in fools; pay that which thou hast vowed. And when we Bind our ſelves to Men, by our Word, we muſt preſecute it, and be very punctual in the doing the thing, according to Promiſe; and this is that which is uſually called Fidelity, and is a thing of indiſpenſibel Neceſſity for the upholding of human Society: And there are three things in which it is mainly concerned:
1. IN Keeping of secrets. We Formerly obſerved, that there is a Neceſſity for Man's comfortable Living in this World, that there be a Communication between Men, of things that are not to be made Publick, but kept Secret, between Men; and this is to be mantained, either between ſuch as are intimate Firends, or ſuch as are con…med in the co… ſulting of …uback a hairs, in which matters are to be kept in the Breaſts of the Perſons concerned, and not divulged. New in theſe there is either an expreſs or a mental Promiſe of Secreſy; and we are adviſed, Pror. 25.9. Diſcover not a ſecret to another. 13.3. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his liſe: but he that openeth wide his lif…s, ſhall have deſtruction. And nothing can argue Men of greater Falſhood.
2. IN preſerving of Leagues. This is of a more Publick concernment, and it is neceſſary for the preſerving of the Tranquillity of Nations, that there be Combinations between them; and this Command requites that they be Faithfully kept, elſe there can be no Safety, nor Civil Commerce maintained; but Men muſt ever live in Hoſi…ey, and ſtand upon their Guard: Nor are Advantages to be taken to violate theſe, which cannot be done without Falſchood: We therefore find how Zedekiab is animadverted upon, on this Account, 2 Kings 21.20.2. Chron. 36.13.
3. IN mutual Leanings between Man & Men. Such indeed is the Falſchood in Men's Hearts, that Neceſſity hath, in matters of Moment, put Men upon drawing of Inſirnments, ſigning and, ſealing of Bargains, and taking of Witneſſes, thus compelling them to be Honeſt, if they would not expoſe themſelves to ſuffering Damage by their Default: But there is an higher Principle, put into the Conſciences of Men, to which they ought to give heed, if they would not fall under the Remorces of it another Day; and it hath greater Obligation in it, than all the Inſtruments and Witneſſes in the World. And that Man that will not make Conſcience of his Bare Word, will no further regard his ſtrongeſt Obligations, than Neceſſity compels him. And there are theſe Four things eſpecially contained in it,
1. WE muſt look upon our Word, when our paſt, to be Sacred. Before we Promiſed we were at Liberty, but now our own Tongue hath brought us into a Bond, which we cannot Break, without doing Vilence to the Truth; which is to offer an Affront to the God of Truth, in whoſe Preſence we uttered it. And that Man who doth no eſteem himſelf as really Bound by his Word, as if he had paſt all the Proteſtations and Oaths conceivable, hath a Falſe Heart in him: He that little regards his Word, forfeits his Reputation juſtly among Soher and Moral Men; hence how doth Paul plead his Veracity in his Word, tho' hind…red by God's Providence, 2 Cor. 1.17, 18.
2. We muſt not Repent of it. It is true, a Man may raſhly Promiſe to do a thing, which on Deliberation he finds is to his Diſadvantage, and may therefore ſo far Repent, as to wiſh that he had not done it; and accordingly to Debate it with his Neighbour, who ought to conſider him in it, if it be of moment; but he ought not ſo to Report a… to Fly on from it, and Refuſe to …, which is a … of Promiſe, and contra…s the Character of a good Man, Pſal. 15.3. And his Word in this Caſes, is as really Binding as his Oath, in regard of Truth.
3. WE muſt uſe n… Tricks to Evade it. We Promiſe, and our Neighbour takes us at our Word, and depends upon it, conſiding in out Homeſty, eſteeming the common Maxim to be a Catholick Truth, that an Honeſt Man will be as good as his Word. We ought therefore not to Diſ…son it, and put him on the Proof of it; for tho' the Civil Law may acquit us, yet God and our own Hearts will condemn us. Nor ought we to Delay it, beyond the Affixed Time, but to be Punctual. And it is a great Truth, that a Chriſtian pretending to Godlineſs brings a great deal of Reproach upon his Perſon and Profeſſion, by uſing …vaſions to Break his Word. Nor may we ſeek to put it off upon the Providence of God, when it is indeed the Effect of our own Careleſsneſs, and diſregard of our Obligation; this is a piece of Prefaneſs and God's Name is taken in Vain by it, and it can in no wiſe excuſe us from Falſehood; and it many ſomes is occaſion of no little damage to ſuch as we are engaged to.
4 WE muſt uſe no Deceit in the Performance of it. For this alſo is contrary to the Fidelity, which we ought to uſe in our Promiſes; and indeed, it is a perfect Cheat, and plainly declares, that we are ſtrangers to the Principle of common Honeſty required of all. But as to the thing It ſelf, is was conſidered under the Former Precept, only as it refers to Truth, if ſo comes under this and it adds to the Force of it, and we had better ſuffer in our Eſtates, than Forfeit our Veracity. And this may ſuffice for the Affirmative part of the Command.
QUESTION LXXVIII.
WHAT is Forbidden in the Ninth Commandment?
ANSWER.
THE Ninth Commandment Forbiddeth, whatſoever is Prejudicial to Truth, or Injurious to our own and our Neighbours good Name.
THE Affirmative of a Duty, being well laid open and eſtabliſhed, carries in it a diſcovery of Negative, or what is a falling ſhort, or violation of ſuch a Duty. But ſuch is our dullneſs to learn, that we need to be particularly told, What is Sin, as well as what is Duty: and there are ſome Sins in reſpect of this Command, which will call for a more diſtinct Conſideration. And here, becauſe there are ſome things which ſcrupulous Conſciences are at a loſs about. I ſhall Firſt take notice of ſome things which are not any breach of this Precept, and then of what are notorioutly ſo.
1. THERE are ſome things which …ay … to be a breath of this Command, but …ly ſ…, and are not ſuch in reality. And …ſe may be reduced to theſe heads,
1. ALL Suppreſſion of the Truth, is not to be accounted Falſehood. If a Man ſuppreſs it, when he is called of God to Declare it, he thereby renders himſelf Cuilty: whereas at another Time, not to ſuppreſs it will be Si…. We before obſerved, that there are Secrets to be kept, which others will enquire after; but we ought to put them off, tho' not with Falſehood. And tho'. Man ought to ſpeak True yet neither Conſcience nor Prudence obligeth him to ſpeak All that he knowe. Chriſt himſelf did ſo Mat. 26.62, 63. And the high Prieſt a…ſe, and ſuch unto him, Anſwereſt thou nothing? what is it which theſe witneſs againſt thee? But Jeſus bild his peace. Sometimes a Man may lawfully tell part of the Truth, and ſuppreſs part, when there is no Obligation on him to …c…l it, and he might do hurt by divulging it. That inſtance of the Prophet is imitable, Jer. 38.26, 27, A Man may lawfully put off a buſy Inquirer, with telling him another Story, to divert him from his Impertinency: or he may ſtatly Dony to tell him. Nor is a Man chargable with Falſehood, for pleading Not Guilty at an humane Bar, tho' he be Conſcious of the Fact. Nor can I ſee the reaſon of their Judgment who think that a Man is bound to Reveal the Truth againſt himſelf, which cannot otherwiſe be proved: nor is this a denial, but only a putting himſelf upon a Legal Trial; tho' if the Man ſees an Innocent Perſon like to ſuffer for the Fact, it alters the Caſe,
2. ALL Tropical or Figurative Expreſſions. There are many Oratorical words, which we uſe to expreſs our Minds in, which are not in the bare Letter of them True, yet Cuſtom hath made them common, and they are ſervicable to Mankind both for need, and ſo move the Affections, and are to be underſtond according to the deſign of them. The word of God therefore makes frequent uſe of them, both for Ornament, and Illuſtration. Such are Metaphorical words, which are but contracted Compariſons, than which nothing is more common. Thus Chriſt calls himſelf a Vine, Joh. 15.1. A Shepherd, Chap. 10 and many the like. Thus He calls Herod, a Fox; and John calls the Phariſees, a Generation of Vipers: ſuch are not to be counted Falſe, for they are uſed by way of Similitude, to repreſent the nature of the thing, for which they are tranſlated to it. Metonymical Expreſſions alſo, are not o be cenſured as Falſe, for the word of God warrants them; how often is the Type put for the thing Typ…ſ…? Th…s is Chriſt called, the Lamb of God, and our Paſsover; thus is the Sacramental Bread called, His Body; and thus He calls John, E…as. Hyperbolical words alſo are not to be counted Falſe. And tho' there be ſome who deny theſe to be uſed by the Spirit of God in Scripture yet th…y manifeſtly miſt he: What other ſenſe can be put on Judge …0.16.2. Sam. 1.23. Dea…. 8.4. Joh. 2….2…. Joh 2. …. and a great many more. … Words are alſo to be allowed, when one thing is expreſſed, and the contrary intended; only it is to be noted, that ſuch Words are ſo to be uſed, that it may appear that a Mock or inſulting is deſigned in them. Thus we have the Prophet brought in ſpeaking to B…al's Prophets, 1 Kings 18.27. Me…a…h to Ahab, Chap. 22.15. thus, Joh 12.2. thus Paul, 1 Cor, 4.8, 10. Hither alſo are to be referred Feigned Stories, uſed to repreſent things, tho' in themſelves they be Fictions; and to this all Parabolical Speeches are to be referred, many whereof the Word of God furniſheth us withal; which do not intend that ſuch things ever were, but are to ſet forth Truth under ſuch a ſhadow; ſuch was J…ham's Parable, Judg. 9. And our Saviour made frequent uſe of them; for we are told, Matth. 13.34. All theſe things ſpake Jeſus unto the multitude in parables, and without a parable ſpake be no… unto them. Such things therefore as theſe are, ought not to be charged as if … were Brea…hes of this Command, becauſe all Men do or may underſtand the deſign of them.
3. ALL falling ſhort in the performance of Promiſes. If it be thro' the Man's own Default, it …ſt needs be a guilty Falſifying … Word, and … cannot excuſe himſelf from … we before obſerved, that there is a good … Providence, which ſuperintends the … of Men, which oftentimes fruſtrates Men's mo… probable Deſigns, and unexpectedly diſables … from accompliſhing their Honeſt Intentions, for which they had laid in with the greateſt Prudence: And all Men this … not Ath…ts, are ſuppoſed to acknowledge. … themſelves to be under this Government; and to make no Promiſe but under this …. And when it is ſo, it may be the … of, but cannot be imputed to … as …, that he cannot perform his Engagement. Sickneſs, Fire, Shipwreck, …oblers. … an inevitable Hindrance to … pe…ming their Word; and God is … …ored in this, and the Man himſelf … Fa…ed any further than his Negligence, …prudence, or going beyond a Call in Providence, may be charged upon him; but God is to be …ted in all theſe things.
4. ALL. … is not here condemned. Some have diſpute whether Military Stratagems to Deceive an Enemy and draw them into a ſnare; or the making a ſhew as if one …ntended one thing, when he Deſigns the contrary, be no… a practical Breach of this Command: Some have ſo Cenſured it; but … needs a Diſtinction. There are Strate… which are ſinful, and betray Falſehood, and are utterly Unlawful; as when by fair Treating and Promiſes, they are brought into our hand, and …e violate ſuch Promiſes. But to uſe ſu… … as an Enemy may be eluded withal, and ſo drawn into an Ambuſh, or drawn away from his Poſt, is allowed both by the Light of Nature and the Law of God. To lay Ambuſhment, to Feign a Fl…ght, thereby to draw … them, was approved by God's own … J…. 8. And was … by Iſrael againſt the …, Judg. …. Provided there be body told not breach of True made: It is beyond queſtion that it is Lawful to Conceal Counſels againſt them, to endeavour to ſurprize them unawares, to make a ſh… of attacking on this ſide, with a deſign to do it on the …ther and many ſuch things; for here is no breach of a Moral Obligation, not violation of any Contract, or any thing but what an Adverſary ought in prudence to expect, and guard againſt. And for a Man ſometimes to pretend to do a thing, which he Intends not, except he declares poſitively that he will do it, is not to be argued of Falſeheod; as that of our Saviour, Luk. 2….28. A Man may thus conceal the Truth of his Purpoſe and yet not be under the Imputation of Falſe Dealing. But,
II. WE may paſs to the Conſideration of thoſe things which are a notorious Breach of this Command▪ ſome of the principal whereof may be a little ſpoken to.
I. ALL L…n… is here to be condemned. The Word of God every where teſtifies againſt … Ly; we are are told, Rev. 21.8. Ali Liars ſhall have their pa…t in the lake which burneth with fire and brimſtone; which is the ſecond death. We may here firſt enquire into the Nature of a Ly, and then obſerve wherein Men may become Guilty of it.
1. A Ly according to the Words of this Command, is a F… Teſtimony; but then it is to be conſidered, What is a Falſe Teſtimony? And here there are different thoughts; ſome think that a Ly, properly ſo called, only intends, the telling of a Known Falſehood, with a purpoſe to Deceive: and doubtleſs this is a notorious Lying, both for Matter and F…r…, and wholly inexcuſable: But I ſuppoſe this is not a ſufficient Characterizing of a Ly, but it ought to come under a more diſtinct and deliberate Conſideration; and as to a purpoſe of Deceiving. tho' it is a uſual Conc…mitant of a Ly, and is deſigned for the moſt part by him that tells it, yet it is not of the Eſſence of a Ly. But a Ly may be more fully deſcribed, A Teſtimony wherein a Man aſſerts a thing, which be either knows to be F…e, or doth not know to be True Some think that the Latin word Ment…ri, is as much as, Contra Mente… ire: Some diſtinguiſh a Ly into that which is only Materially ſo, or which is ſo alſo Formally; and thus they expreſs it, The thing Teſtified is the Matter of the Teſtimony, the Aſſerting or Denying it, is the Form; ſo that whenſoever a Perſon Affirms a Falſehood, or Denies a Truth tho' he thinks that he ſpeaks True, yet the Aſſertion is materially a Ly; but if he knows that the thing he ſpeaks is F…ſe, then not only is the Aſſertion a Ly, but the Perſon aſſerting it Lyes. But this will be a little more di…inethy laid out, in conſidering the Deſcription …, which ſhews us,
2. WE…N … become G…ulty.
HERE then obſerve a few things.
1. THAT Truth is rooted in the … themſelves, and cannot be altered by the Perſon ſerving. The Man's Teſtimony doth not make the thing True or …, by the Authority of him that Teſtifies; but his Teſtimony is either True or Falſe according as the thing is … ſelf. If the thing it ſelf be not …ne, an hundred Witneſſes cannot alter it, and make it True, but it ſaith that they are Falſe Witneſſes CHRIST who was the Truth, yet plumply lays down ſuch a Hypotheſis concerning Himſelf. Joh 8.…. If I ſhould ſay, I know him not, I ſhall be a liar like unto you. And the Reaſon is, becauſe Truth is in the thing it ſelf, and therefore it muſt needs be the Meaſure of the Truth of the Teſtimony. If the thing be ſo, it is True, and if it be not ſo, it muſt needs be Falſe.
2. IF a Man Aſſerts a thing contrary to his own Perſuaſion about it, … is to him a Ly. A Thing if ſelf may be Truth, and may afterwards be proved to be ſo; but if he is fully perſ…aded in his own mind that it is a Falſehood, and yet affirms it for True, it is Formally a Ly, as it proceeds from him; and the Reaſon is, becauſe he thinks one thing, and ſpeaks the contrary, which carries the Formality of a Ly in it; and herein he deſignedly Divulgeth a Falſehood, contrary to the Dictates of his own Conſcience: And tho' he ſhould he able afterwards to Prove the thing ſo aſſerted to be True, yet he cannot Anſwer his own Conſcience before God, howſoever he may Evade the Cenſure of Men. There is not only in it a purpoſe to Deceive, but a deſign to Pa… his Credit to eſtabliſh a Falſehood; and there needs nothing more to make a Man a Liar before God's Tribunal. For in every Teſtimony, to render it True, there is required, not only that the Teſtimony be conformable to the Thing, but alſo to the Mind and Judgment of him who gives it, which here it is not.
3. IF a Man Aſſert a thing for Truth, on his own Knowledge, which is not ſo in it ſelf, it is a Breach of this Command. For the thing it ſelf is Falſe, and therefore he cannot poſſibly … it to be True: And if the Man would have Conſulted and duly enquired, he might have deſervered the Falſehood of it. It is certain, that he was Miſtaken; and tho' he may have ſtrong Preſumptions, and his Senſes may be impoſed upon; yet to do ſuch a thing Raſhly, and take it up Precipitantly, and without due Deliberation, diſcovers a want of a due regard to Truth. A Man may Miſtake another's Words, and put a wrong meaning on them, thro' Prejudice and Miſinterpretation; or he may be Miſtaken in the Perſon, and take one for another; and upon a due Enquiry he might be Convicted of his Error; the neglect of which makes him inevitably Guilty of a Ly.
4. HE that gives a plump Teſtimony to a thing, which he only receives u…on Report, it is to him a Falſe Teſtimony. And the Reaſon is, becauſe he Teſtifies to that which he Knows …ot of his own knowledge to the True. A Man may be called to Teſtify, that he Heard ſuch and ſuch Aſſert ſuch things, but he cannot on that, ground his Certainty, that the thing muſt therefore needs be ſo for it is only on humane Credit, which is …. Some Reports may Challenge more human Credit than others do, but nothing of a Teſtimony but what is Divine, can eſtabliſh a Certainty of Faith: Tho' in a way of Judicature, Human Teſtimony muſt determine C…ſes by a Legal Proof; elſe Civil Judgment muſt ceaſe; but then it muſt be by Witneſſes that Teſtify their own Knowledge; and if they do it upon Report, they have no … in them.
5. FOR a Man plum…y to Deny a known Truth, is a notorious Ly. It is one thing to put the Truth of a thing upon Proof, and another to Aſſert that the thing is not ſo, when it really is▪ The former may be no Breach upon Truth, but the latter always is, and all Men's pretences will never excuſe it from a Ly, … will afterwards be conſidered The Man knows in his heart, that he ſpeaks Falſe, and if this be not every way a Ly, Mankind muſt be … an utter loſs to know what is.
6. EVERY voluntary Bre…ch of a lawfull Promiſe, muſt needs be a …ractical Ly. Infidelity is added by thus doing to Falſity. If … Man, who, when be Promiſeth, doth it without a purpoſe to Perform, much more if he purpoſe not to Perform, Lyes unto God, … to his Neighbour; for his Tongue and his Heart Contradict one the other. And if after he hath ſo Promiſed, be ſo Repents of it, as to alter his Purpoſe, and reſolve not to perform it, he ſo turns it into a Ly. And in all theſe ways a Man brings Guilt upon himſelf unavoidably.
BUT here the perverſe Minds of Men, hath made it neceſſary to Enquire.
Queſt, WHETHER … Perſon, on any …ore, to Ly?
AND though one would think that the Words of the Command, and the great dependence of the Well-being of human Society upon the Truth, were enough to ſatisfy all ſober Men in the Negative; yet the World hath been perplexed with Diſputes on this Account; and it is too much practiſed among Men, to Excuſe themſelves from Gu…t under a pretext of Neceſſity and Duty: It may be a little enquired into.
Anſ SOME therefore have coined a Diſtribution of a Ly into Three ſorts, viz. Officious, …, & Pernicious; which cannot be a Diſtribution of a Genus into …, or of … in…t…s Parts; but is only a Diſtinction put upon them with reſpect to the Circumſtances, or the Deſign on which the Ly is told.
AN Officious Ly is, When a Man Lyes to do himſelf or his Neighbour a Kindneſs, or to prevent ſome Damage which he might otherwiſe be expoſed unto. A J…erſe Ly is, When a Man meerly to make Sport, tells Falſe and ridiculous Stories of himſelf or others, or of things that never were. A Pernicious Ly is, When one raiſeth a Falſe Report, with a miſchievous deſign to … himſelf, or his Neighbour, … Name▪ Eſtate or Life, and … the Truth of them upon his own Knowledge, or is a Witneſs to them.
1. AS to a Pernicious Ly, very few are found to appear in the Defence of it; but it is generally confeſſed that it is Wicked, and a very ſinful Breach of this Command. Tho' too frequently Men practically allow it, either to vent their Malice againſt their Neighbours; or for Lucre of Money offered them, to be Knights of the Poſt; or ſometimes in Trouble of Mind, Accuſe themſelves Falſely, that ſo they may rid themſelves of a burdenſome Life; but the ver… clear Light of Reaſon and common Senſe declares the horrible Iniquity of this; it will therefore be ſuperfluous to Diſſert about this Point, it being taken for granted.
2. AS to a Jocoſe Ly: This hath it's Patrons, who deny it to be any Sin; and plead that it ſerves to the Ends of honeſt Recreation; and their Defence is grounded on two Pretences, viz. That it ſtands in the ſame rank with Metaphors, Hyperboles, Ironies and Fables, which are allowed, and are yet Falſehoods; and that ſuch Jocoſe Tales are uſed, not with a deſign to Deceive, but only to make innocent Sport: But here is a great Miſtake, for as to Tropical Expreſſions, there cannot truly be ſo much as the Matter of a Ly charged to them; they only expreſs the Truth in a figurative Enunciation, and are to be interpreted according to the meaning of the thing they are brought to ſignify, and the common Uſage & Cuſtom of a People, which puts the Senſe upon them. And as to Fables, they are alſo uſed to ſet forth a things, by a Reſemblance and Similitude, and by way of illuſtration; and in themſelves they make it evident, that there is no other Deſign in uſing of them; ſo that they are but one Mode of expreſſing a Compariſon, and therefore are far from coming into the Definit on of a Ly. And then it is a Miſtake, that a Ly ſhould be told, without either a purpoſe to Deceive, or at leaſt without a pawning the Credit of the Teller of it, for the Truth of it; elſe it cannot be a Teſtimony, which is eſſential to a Ly. A Man may tell many Stories which are meer Inventions, but he may tell them ſo as to ſignify that he is no Voucher of the Truth of them, but meerly as Tales; and this is not to Ly at all, and therefore it amounts not to a Jocoſe Ly; tho' poſſibly it may be vain and fooliſh, and thereupon muſt be ſinful. But if a Man tells a thing aſſertorily, either of himſelf, or of another, as a thing really ſaid or done, which never was, this muſt needs be a Ly; and tho' his deſign he to make the Company Merry, it no way ſalves it; becauſe whether he expects to be Believed or no, yet he both hurts his own Soul, and lays matter of Prejudice before others; and every one that hears him, may not know that he is a reputed Lyar.
3. BUT that which here mainly comes under Debate, is concerning an Officious Ly: When a Perſon tells a Ly with a deſign for his Own, or his Neighbours Benefit, to ſave himſelf from …, or to obtain ſome great Advantage, or to preſerve has Neighbour or Friend from Suffering, or obtaining for him ſome Good; and for this they produce ſeveral Scripture Inſtances ſuch as that of Abraham…s Denying his Wife, and ca…ling her his Si…e…; of Rebeck…h's impoſing upon, and Jacob's Lying to blind Iſaac, and ſo obtaining the …e…ng; the Aegypitan Midwives putting off Phar…h, and ſaving the Male Children of Iſrael alive, when commanded to ſlay them; Rahab … denying the Sp…es, when asked of about them, and yet this ſaving them, is aſſigned to her Faith. But tho' ſome have endeavoured by nice Diſtinctions to prove, that theſe were not Lyes, yet 'tis needleſs to ſpend time in vindicating them; for all the Examples of the Children of God, are not for Incitation, who had their failings even in thoſe things wherein they exerciſed their Grace; there being a mixture of Sin in their …; and our Dot… is to ſtick cloſe to the L… & Teſtimony, and interpret and improve Examples according as they agree to, or …f…er from the Rule. Now it is an unexceptionable Rule, that Evil in … to be done, that Good may come of it: P…l cannot mention the imputation of this in Chriſtians without abhorrence, Rom. 3.8. And not rather, as we be ſlanderouſly reported, and at ſome affirm that we ſay, Let us do evil, that good may come? whoſe damnation is …. A good End cannot ſanctify an evil Action. This Command forbids all Lying; and a pretence that we did it not Maliciouſly, but in Kindneſs, will not make it ceaſe to be a Ly, which is ever a Moral Evil. Nor did God ever Command or Commend, my Tranſgreſſion of any Moral Precept; tho' He hath ſometi…s by His Sovereign Command, made that … to be a Tranſgreſſion, which otherwiſe … have been one. Let there never ſo much of outward Good acrue from our Lying, yet it ſtill remains a Ly. and that is a Tranſgreſſion of the Law; which is the very Definition of Sin: 1 Joh. 3.…. Whoſoever committeth ſin, tranſgreſſeth the late: for ſin is the tranſgreſſion of the late. And it is a worthy ſaying of Angustine, and very agreable to the Word of God. The… if by thy Ly thou couldeſt ſave a Man's Life, r…a ſave his Soul, nay ſave all the Souls that ever were in the whole World, and bring as much Glory to God, as all the holy Prophets and Apoſtles ever did; yet … thy part all were ſtark naught; and except the Sin of this Ly be Pardoned to thee, thro' the Blood of Chriſt, thou muſt be Damned for it for ever. How deeply then doth this Condemn ſuch, as to ſave a Penny, or to ſalve their Reputation among Men, or to Advance any little inconſiderable Worldly Intereſt, make no bones of a Ly? Surely theſe will have a doleful Account to give in another Day, before the God of Truth.
LET us then be afraid of … as a thing that will not Profit us, but be … to us▪ and carry always in mind that caution of our Divine …erbert;
Dare to be True, there's nothing needs a Ly, A F…l… that needs it mo…t, grows Two thereby.
[MARCH 5. 1706.]