§. Sect. 7 Other duties respecting our outward pro∣fession.
And these are the duties which respect our inward disposition: now of those which concerne our outward profession; in which respect, our * 1.1 testimonie of our neighbour, must bee both true and charitable; and neither false simply, nor in shew of words true, but false in sence; neither yet vncharitable and malicious; all which ought to bee ob∣serued of vs in all our testimonies, both publike and priuate, being ready in all things, and at all times, to professe the truth concerning our neighbour, with charity, both in respect of his vertues, which (as iust occasion is offered) we ought to acknowledge and commend, both in his presence and absence; and also his vices, which wee are to tell him of before his face, and not suffer sinne to rest vpon * 1.2 him; and not to make mention of them behind his backe, but vpon necessity, as to those that may helpe to reforme him, or to those who may bee hurt or corrupted by his company or example, that they * 1.3 may, taking warning hereby, escape these dangers. And contrariwise wee ought to auoide flattery, wherein wee may offend in respect of the matter of our speech, as when wee praise men for their vices; or the manner, in commending, either fainedly or aboue measure; or the end, either seeking our owne profit like parasites, or the hurt of the party whom wee flatter. And on the other side wee must shunne euill and cursed speaking, which any wayes tendeth to the impay∣ring of our neighbours credit and good name. The which is vsed ei∣ther in his presence, by reuiling and contumelious speaking; by deri∣ding and scorning him; or in his absence, by whispering or talebearing, slandering and backbiting.