Sum Of Commandment 9.
SUM OF COMMANDMENT 9.
Evan. Well, then, I ask you to consider that in the ninth commandment, there is a negative part expressed in these words: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour;” that is, you shall not think or speak anything contrary to truth, or that may tend to hurt or hinder either your own or your neighbour’s good name. And an affirmative part is included in these words: “But you shall by all good means seek to maintain them both, according to truth and a good conscience.”
Neo. Well, sir, I ask you to begin with the negative part; and first tell us what is forbidden in this commandment, in respect to our own good name.
Evan. That we may not be guilty of bearing false witness against ourselves, either by overvaluing or undervaluing ourselves, in this commandment is forbidden too high a conceit or esteem of ourselves, Luke 18.9-11; and also too low a conceit, in undervaluing the good things that are in ourselves, Exo. 4.10, 13; and also procuring for ourselves an evil name by walking indiscreetly and offensively, Rom. 2.24; and also unjustly accusing ourselves when, in proud humility, we say, “We have no grace, no wit, no wealth,” etc. Prov. 13.7; and also excusing our faults by way of lying, Lev. 19.11.
Neo. And what is forbidden in this commandment, in respect to our neighbour’s good name?
Evan. That we may not be guilty of bearing false witness against any other man, in this commandment is forbidden contemning or thinking basely of others, 2Sam. 6.16; and also wrongful suspicion, or evil surmisings, 2Sam. 10.3; and also rash, uncharitable, unjust judging, and condemning of others, Mat. 7.1; and also foolishly admiring others. Acts 12.22; and also unjustly reviving the memory of our neighbour’s crimes which over time were forgotten, Prov. 17.9; and also forbearing to speak in the cause and for the credit of our neighbours, Prov. 31.8, 9: and also all flattering speech, Job 32.21, 22: and also tale-bearing, backbiting, and slanderous speech, Lev. 19.16; Prov. 20.19; and also listening to tale-bearers, Prov. 26.20; and 25.23; and also falsely charging some ill upon another person before some magistrate, or in open court, Amos 7.10; Acts 25.2.
Neo. I ask you, sir, to proceed to the affirmative part of this commandment, and first tell us what the Lord requires of us to maintain our own good name.
Evan. To maintain our own good name, the Lord in this commandment requires a right judgment of ourselves, 2Cor. 13.5; with a love for, and care of our own good name, Prov. 22.1.
Neo. And what does the Lord in this commandment require of us to maintain our neighbour’s good name?
Evan. To maintain our neighbour’s good name, this commandment requires a charitable opinion and estimation of others, 1Cor. 13.7; and also a desire for, and rejoicing in the good name of others, Rom. 1.8; Gal. 1.24; and also sorrowing and grieving for their infirmities. Psalm 119.136; and also covering others’ infirmities in love, Prov. 17.9; 1Pet. 4.8; and also hoping and judging the best of others, 1Cor. 13.5-7; and also admonishing others before we bewray their faults, Prov. 25.9; and also speaking the truth from our heart simply and plainly on any just occasion. Psalm 15.2; Zech. 8.16; and also giving sound and seasonable reproofs for known faults, in love and with wisdom. Lev. 19.17; and also praising and commending those who do well, Rev. 2.23; and also defending the good name of others, if need requires it. Thus I have endeavoured to satisfy your desires concerning the ninth commandment; and now, neighbour Nomologista, I ask you to tell me whether you think you keep it perfectly, or not?
Nom. The truth is, sir, I conceived that nothing tended to break this commandment, except falsely charging some ill upon another before some magistrate, or in some open court of justice: and thank God, I am not guilty of that.
Evan. Though you have not been guilty of that, yet, if you have contemned or thought too basely of any person, or have had wrongful suspicions, or evil surmisings concerning them, or have rashly and unjustly judged and condemned them, or if you have foolishly admired them, or unjustly revived the memory of any forgotten crime, or have given them any flattering speech, or have been a tale-bearer, or a backbiter, or a slanderer, or listened to tale-bearers, you have borne false witness against your neighbour, and so you have been guilty of the breach of this commandment.
Or if you have not had a charitable opinion of others, or have not desired and rejoiced in the good name of others, or have not sorrowed and grieved for their sinful infirmities, or have not covered them in love, or have not hoped and judged the best of them, or have not admonished them before you revealed their faults to others, or have not given others sound and seasonable reproof, or have not praised those who do well, then you have also been guilty of false witness-bearing against your neighbour; and so you have transgressed this commandment. And though you have never done any of these things, and it is strange if you have not, yet if you had too high a conceit of yourself, or in a proud humble manner unjustly accused yourself, or procured for yourself an evil name by walking indiscreetly and offensively, or excused any fault by lying, then you have borne false witness against yourself, and thereby transgressed this commandment.
Neo. I beseech you, sir, proceed to speak of the last commandment as you have done of the rest.