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The meanes of preseruing our owne and our neighbours fame and name, is to haue an inward disposition vnto it, and an high esteeme and great regard of it. And secondly, an outward professsion of the truth concer∣ning our neighbour, ioyned with charity and discretion. The inward dis∣position
is a true care of our owne and our neighbours fame and credit, with the fruits of it, whereby wee tender our owne and their good name, out of true loue and charity. The fruits of which care are referred either to the fame it selfe, as to reioyce in it, if it bee good, and sorry, if it be bad; or else to our hearing, iudging and reporting of our neigh∣bour. In respect of hearing, wee are not willingly to heare rumours and reports, tending to the infamie of our neighbours, but to repell talebearers; and contrariwise, with all readinesse to heare their praises and commendations. In respect of iudging, we are to be charitable; and to shew it by the fruits thereof, in not being suspicious, and in repres∣sing the vniust suspicions of others; in not beleeuing, or determining any thing rashly against our neighbour; and in interpreting good things well, and doubtfull things in the better part. In respect of reporting, we must report no ill of our neighbour, though it be true, vnlesse it bee in charity, when as it is either profitable for the party of whom we speake, that hee may be reformed; or for the party to whom we speake, for the preuention of danger intended, or infection like to ensue by his compa∣nie, or else necessarie for our selues, when as silence will make vs guilty of his fault.
Eccles. 7. 3. Pro. 22. 1.
Rom. 1. 8. Col. 1. 3, 4. Psal. 15. 3.
Pro. 25. 23. & 17. 4. Exod 23. 1. 1. Sam. 24. 10. 1. Cor. 13. 6. 1. Tim. 6. 4. 2. Sam. 10. 3, 4. Gen. 39. 19. 2. Sam. 16. 3, 4. 1. Sam. 1. 13. Act. 2. 13. Luk. 7. 39. 1. Cor. 1. 11. Act. 23. 16. Ier. 40. 14. Eccles. 19. 8.