CHAP. X. The ninth Commandment.
THou shalt not bear false witnesse against thy Neighbour. Hebr. word ••or word, Thou shalt not answer about thy neighbour a testimony of falshood. That is, thou shalt not answer in judgement ei••her for or against thy Neighbour falsly.
THe word [answer] is sometimes in Scripture taken more generally for [speak] as Prov. 15. 1. Matth. 11. 25. and so it is here to be taken; as if it had been said, Thou shalt not speak any thing whereby thou maist hurt the good name and credit of thy neighbour.
The former Commandment was concerning our own and our neighbours goods: this requireth, that we hurt not our neighbours nor our own good name, but (as occasion shall be given) maintain and increase it.
By neighbour he understands any man, for every man is neer to thee by nature, of the same blood and flesh, Act. 17. 26. Isa. 58. 7.
The secret and inward breach of this Commandment consisteth in ungrounded suspition, and unjust judging and condemning of our neigbours, contrary to the expresse commandment of our Saviour, Matth. 7. 1.
The outward breach of it is either without speech or with speech.
Without speech, either by gesture or silence.
By gesture, when one useth such a kinde of behaviour as tends to vilifie, mock and disgrace his brother, Psal. 22. 7.
By silence, when one holds his peace, though he heareth his neighbour slander∣ed, and he can testifie of his own knowledge, that the things spoken are false and injurious.
By speech this Commandment is broken, either by giving or receiving.
By giving out speech either true or false. One may slander another by reporting the truth, if one speak it unseasonably, and his end be evil and malicious; this was Doegs fault, 1 Sam. 22. 21. In speaking that which is false, either concerning ones own self or another.
Concerning himself.
- 1. In boasting and bragging, Rom. 1. 30.
- 2. By excusing those faults we are charged with, or are guilty of.
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