CHAP. XX. Of Lying, Malice, Murmuring, Oppression.
LYING.
LYing is a voluntary uttering of that which is false against a mans knowledge* 1.1 and conscience, with an intention to deceive, see Proverbs 12. 19. 22. & 13. 5.
In respect of the end it is distinguished into perniciosum, officiosum, and jocosum, a hurtfull, officious, and merry lie. August. in Enchirid. ad Laurent. Aquinas 2a 2ae quaest. 110. Art. 2. The end of a pernicious lie is to hurt, of an of∣ficious lie to profit, of a merry lie to delight.
We must not tell a lie for Gods glory, Iob 13. 7. much lesse for to help my neighbour.
Officious lying is neither permitted nor approved in the word of God. God threatens to destroy all those that speak leasing, Psal. 5. 6. See Prov. 6. 16. Matth. 5. 37. Ephes. 4. 25. Col. 3. 9. Rev. 21. 27. & 22. 15.
The very Heathens themselves abhorred all lying, Aristotle saith, A lie is evil in it self and to be dispraised.
It is a great sin.
Reasons.
- 1. The Law of God is against it; the ninth Commandment, and the Gospel, Col. 3. 9.
- 2. It is against the nature of God, the Father is the God of truth, Iohn 17. 3.