Q. 143. Which is the ninth commandment? A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear falfe witness against thy neighbour a. Q. 144. What are the duties required in the ninth command ment? A. The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preferving and promoting of truth between man and man b, and the good name of our neighbour, as well as our own : appearing and ftanding for the truth d; and from the heart e, fincerely f, freely g, clearly hand fully i Speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and juftice k, and in all other things whatfo ever : hath denied the faith, and is worfe & the Lord wrought a great falvathan an infidel. 143. a Exod. 20. 16. 144. b Zech.8.16. Thefe are the things that ye fhall do, speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour: execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates. c 3 John 12. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth in itfelf: yea, and we alfo bear record, and ye know that our record is true. d Prov. 31. 8. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all fuchas are appointedtodeftruction. 7.9. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the caufe of the poor and needy. e Pfal. 15. 2. He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteoufnefs, and fpeaketh the truth from his heart. f2 Chron.19.9. And he charged them, faying, thus fhall ye do in the fear of the Lord,faithfully and with a perfect heart: g1 Sam. 19. 4. And Jonathan fpake good of David unto Saul his Father, and faid unto him,let not the king fin against his fervant, against David: because he hath not finned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good. v. 5. For he did put his life in his hand, and flew the Philiftine, tion for all Ifrael: thou fawelt it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thoufinagainst innocentblood, to flay David without a caufe? h Josh. 7. 19. And Jofhua faid, unto Achan, my fon, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Ifrael,& make confeffion unto him; and tell me now what thou haft done, hide it not from me. i 2 Sam. 14. 18. Then the king anfwered and faid untothe woman, hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that 1 fhall ask thee. And the woman faid, let my lord the king now speak. v. 19. And the king faid, is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? and the wo man anfwered and faid,as thy foul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or the left from ought that my lord the king hath fpoken: for thy fervant Joab he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid. v. 20, To fetch about this form of fpeech hath thy fervant Joab done this thing: and mylord is wife,-- k Lev.19.15.Ye fhall do no unrighteoufnefs in judgment; thou fhalt not refpect the perfon of the poor,nor honour the perfon of the mighty, but in righteousness fhalt thoujudgethyneighbour.Prov.14. ever 1: a charitable efteem of our neighbours m, loving, defiring,and rejoicing in their good name n; forrowing for, and covering of, their infirmities p: freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces q, defending their innocency r; a ready receiving of a good report f, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report concerning them t; difcouraging talebearers, 5, A faithful witnefs will not lie; but a falfe witnefs will utter lies. 7. 25. A true witnefs delivereth fouls,but a deceitfulwitnefs fpeaketh lies. 12 Cor. 1. 17. When I therefore was thus minded, did I ufe light nefs? or the things that I purpose do I purpofeaccording to the flesh, that with me there (hould be yea, yea, and nay, nay? v. 18, But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea, and nay. Eph. 4. 25. Wherefore putting away lying, fpeak every man truth with his neighbour for we are members one of another. : m Heb. 6.9. But, beloved weare perfwaded better things of you, and things that accompanyfalvati on, though we thus peak. 1 Cor. 13.7. (Charity) beareth all things believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. I n Rom. 18.Firft Ithank my God, through Jefus Chriftforyouall,that your faith is fpokenof throughout the whole world. 2 John 4.1 rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in the truth, as we have received a commandment from the father.3 John 3. For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkeft in the truth. v. 4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth o 2 Cor. 2. 4. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart, F wrote unto you with many tears; not that you shouldbegrieved,but that yemight know thelovewhich I have moreabundantly unto you. 2 Cor. 12,21. And leftwhentcome again,my God will humble me among you, and that I fhall bewail manywho have finned already,& have not repented of the uncleanneís, and fornication, and lafcivioufnefs whichthey have committed. p Prov. 17.9.He that covereth a tranfgreffion, feeketh love, but he that repeateth a'matter, feperateth very friends. 1Pet.4,8. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves, for charity fhall cover the multitude of fins. q 1 Cor.1.4. I thank my God always in your behalf, for the grace of Godwhich is given you by Jefus Chrift. v. 5. That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge.v.7. So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the comingof the Lord Jefus Chrift. 2 Tim. I. 4. Greatly defiring to fee thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy :v. 5. When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, & thy mother Eunice; and I am perfwaded that in thee alo, r1 Sam, 22. 14.Then Ahimelech anfwered the king and faid, And whois fo faithfulamongalithy fervants, as David, whichisthekings fon in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine -house ? fi Cor. 13.6(Charity) rejoiceth, not in in iniquity but reyoiceth in thetruth. 7.bearethall things,beliveth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Pfal. 15. 3 He that backbitèth not bearers v, flatterers w, and flanderers x; love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requireth y; keeping of lawful promises z; ftudying and practifing of whatfoever things are true, honeft, lovely, and of good report a.. Q. 145. What are the fins forbidden in the ninth command ment? 1 A. The fins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neigh bours, as well as our own b, especially in public judicature c giving not with his tongue,nor doth evil Pfal. 101. 5. Whofo privily y Prov. 22. 1. A good name is rather to be chofen than great riches, and loving favour, rather than filver and gold. John. 8. 49. Jefus anfwered, Ihave not a devil; but I honour my Father, and yedo difhonour me. z Pfal. 15. 4. He that fweareth to his own hurt,and changeth not. a Phil. 4, 8. Finally, brethren, whatfoever things are true whatlover things are honeft, whatfoever things are just whatsoever things are pure, whatfoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praife, think on thefe things. left thofe few fheep in the wildernefs? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thineheart, forthou art come down that thou mightest fee the battle 2 Sam. 16. 3. And the king faid, And where is thy mafters fon? And Ziba faid unto the king, behold,he abideth at Jerufalem: for he faid, to day fhall the houfe of Ifrael restore me the kingdom of my father.2 Sam. 1. 9. He faid unto me again, ftand, I pray thee upon me, and flay me. for anguifh is come upon me, becaufe my life is yet whole in me: v. 10. So I ftood upon him, and flew him, becaufel was fure that he could not live after thathe was fal len: And took the crown that was on his head, And the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them thither unte my lord. v. 15. And David calledone of the young men, and faid, Go near, and fall upon him.And he fmote him that he died. v. 16. And David faid unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head : for thy mouth hath teftified againft thee, faying, I have flain the Lord's anointed. c Lev.19.15. Ye fhall do no unrighteoufnefs in judgment; thou fhalt not refpect the perlon of the 145. b Sam. 17.28. And Eliab poor, nor honour the person ofthe his eldeft brother heard when he mighty; but in righteoufnefs fhalt fpake unto the man; and Eliabs thoujudgethyneighbour.Hab.1.4. anger was kindled against David, Therefore the law is flacked, and and he laid, Whycamelt thoudown judgment doth never go forth: for bither? and with whom halt thou the wicked doth compaís aboutthe giving falfe evidence d, fuborning falfe witneffes e, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil caufe, out-facing and over-bearing the truth f; paffing unjuft fentence g, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked h; forgery i, concealing the truth, righteous: therefore wrong judg- Thou loveft evil more than good: ment proceedeth. & lying rather than tofpeak righdProv.19.5.Afalfe witnefsfhall teoufnefs. Selah. v. 4. Thou loveft hot be unpunished, and he that all devouring words, 0 thou defpeaketh lies fhall notefcape,Prov. ceitful tongue. 6. 16 Thefe fixthingsdoththe Lord g Prov.17.15. He that justifieth hate; yea, feven are an abomina- the wicked, and he that condem fion unto m. v. 19. A falfe wit- neth the juft, even they both are hefs that speaketh lies,& him that abomination to the Lord. 1 Kings foweth difcord among brethren. 21.from verfeg. to 14. And the Je e Acts 6. 13. And fet up falfe zebel) wrote in the letters, faying, witneffes, which faid, This man Proclaim a faft, and fetNaboth on Ceafeth not to speak blafphemous high among the people.v. 10. And words against this holy place,and fet two mens fons of Belial,before the law. him, to bear witnefs against him, f Jer. 6.3. And they bend their faying, Thou didft blafpheme God tongue like their bow for lies: but and the king: and then carry him they are not valiant for the truth out,and ftone him that he maydie. apon the earth; for they proceed v11.And the men of his city,even from evil to evil, and they know the elders & the nobles who were not me,faith the Lord. v. 5. And the inhabitants in his city, did as they will deceive every one his Jezebel had fent unto them. v. 13. neighbour, and will not fpeak the and (they) ftoned him with ftones fruth:they havetaught their tongue that he died. to fpeak lies,and weary themselves h Ifa. 5. 23. Which justify the to commit iniquity. Acts 24.2. wicked for a reward, and take a And when hewas calledforth, Ter- way the righteoufnefs of the righ tullus began to accufe him-,v. s. teous from him. For we havefound this man a pefti- i Pfal, 119. 69. The proud have Jent fellow, and a mover of fedi- forged a lie against me: but I will tion among all the Jewsthroughout keep thy precepts with my whole the world, and a ring-leader of the heart. Luke. 19.8. And Zaccheus fect of the Nazarenes. Pfal. 12. 3. ftood and laid unto the Lord, Be The Lord fhall cut off all flattering hold, Lord, the half of my goods lips, and the tongue that fpeaketh I give to the poor and if I have proud things.. 4. Who have faid, taken any thing from any man by With our tongue will we prevail, falfe accufation, I reftore him four our lips are our own: who is Lord fold. Luke 16.5. So he called eveover us? Pfal. 52.1. Why boaftelt ry one of his lords debtors unto thou thy felf in mifchief, O mighty him, and faid unto the first, How man? the goodness of God endu- much oweft thou unto my lord? reth continually.v.2. Thy tongue v. 6. And he faid, An hundred deviseth mischiefs: like a fharp measures of oil. And he faid unto Fazor, working deceitfully, v. 3. him, take thy bill, and it down T 2 quick truth, undue filence in a juft caufe k, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves 1, or complaint to others m; speaking the truth unfeasonably n, or maliciously to a wrong end o, or perverting it to a wrong meaning P, or in doubtful or equivocal expreffions, to the prejudice of truth or justice 9; speaking untruth r, lying f flan quickly,and write fifty. v.7.Then faid he to another, and how much oweft thou? k Lev.5.1.And if a foul fin,and hear the voice offwearing, and is a witnefs, whether he hath feen or known of it, if he do not utter it, then hefhallbearhis iniquity.Deut. 13.8. Thou shalt not confent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither fhall thine eye pity him, neither fhalt thou fpare, neither thalt thou conceal him. Acts 5. 3. But Peter faid, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the holy Ghoft, and to keep back part of the price of the land? v. 8. And Peter anfwered unto her, tell me whether ye fold the land for fo much. And the faid, yea, for fo much. v. 9. Then Peter faid unto her, how is it that ye have agreed together, to tempt the fpirit of the Lord--2 Tim. 4. 16. At my first anfwer no man ftood with me, but all men forfook me : 1 pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 11 Kings 1.6. And his father had not difpleafed him at any time, in faying, why haft thou done fo?-Lev. 19.17.Thoufhaltnot hate thy brother in thine heart: thou fhalt in any wife rebuke thy neighbour, and not fuffer fin upon him. m Ifa. 59.4. None calleth for juftice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they truft in vanity. n Prov. 29. 11. A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wife man keepeth it in till afterwards. 01 Sam. 22. 9. Then anfwered Doeg the Edomite, (which was fet over the fervants of Saul)and faid, Ifaw the fon of Jelle coming to Nob,toAhimelech the fon of Ahi❤ tub. v. 10. And he enquired of the Lord for him: and gave him victuals, and gave him the fword of Goliah the Philiftine. (Compared with Pfal. 52.) A Pfalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and toldSaul,--v. 1. Why boafteft thou thy felf in mifchief, mighty man? &c. to verfe 5. p Pfalm 56. 5. Every day they wreft my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil. John 2. 19. Jefusanfwered and faid unto them, Deftroy this temple, and in three days I will raife it up. Compared with Mat.26.60.--At the laft came two falfe witneffes,v. 61. And faid, this fellow faid, I am able to deftroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. q Gen.3. 5. For God doth know, that in the day ye eat thereof,then your eyes fhall be opened: and ye fhall be as gods knowing good and evil. Gen. 26. 7. And the men of the place afked him of his wife: and he faid, the is my fifter: for he feared to fay, fhe is my wife. v. 9. And Abimelech called Ifaac, and faid, behold, of a furety fhe is thy wife: and how faidit thou, fhe is my filter?-- r Ifa. 59.13.In tranfgreffing and lying against the Lord, & departing away from our God, speaking oppreffion and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart, words of falfhood. f Lev. 19. 11. Ye shall not steal, neither deal falfly, neither lie one to another. Col. 3. 9. Lie not one to another,feeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. t Plal, |