in his owne person 2 In those that be vnder him and that 1 By making and establishing in his kingdome 1. Chron. 23. such good and wholsome lawes and orders as serue to maintaine and vphold the truth of religion 2. Chron. 25.1 to 9. Iudge 17.6 and to inhibite and to put downe all false religion and to keep out of his kingdome and dominion all confused mixture of religion and by seeing those lawes and orders duly executed 2 By prouiding as much as he may 2. King 9.1 2. King 22.14 Isai 49.23 2. Chron 19.8 9. 2. Chron. 31.2 that his subiects may be taught the truth of religion and instructed in the wayes of God to that end planting and maintaining schooles of good learning and Vniuersities in his dominions and looking that able and sufficient Pastors be set ouer the seuerall Churches in his kingdome 3 By taking order that Pastors teachers do their dutie in preaching true and sound doctrine 2. King 23.4 2. Chron. 29.4 5.11 and in other holy administrations countenancing the good and faithfull and discountenancing the carelesse and negligent 1. King 2.26.27.35 Exod. 22.20 Leuit. 24.6 and remouing such as be erroneous and scandalous and deserue to be remoued and by taking order that the people yeeld themselues to be taught and guided by their Pastors for the good of their soules and that hereticks idolaters and blasphemers be punished according to their offences The inferiour Magistrate is to do it 1 In his owne person by taking notice of true religion himselfe Psal 2.10.11.12 Psal 148.11 and by embracing it and practising it in his owne person according to his place and calling 2 As much as he may in all those that be vnder his power and authoritie and that 1 By a diligent and carefull ouerseeing of his vnder officers he being one that hath officers vnder him and by looking to them that they performe their duty in promoting true religion and the pure worship of God Nehem. 13.10 11. Nehem. 13.17 25 28. in discountenancing the contrarie so farre as concernes them in their places and offices encouraging the good and faithful discountenancing reprouing and censuring those that be carelesse and negligent according to their faults and offences 2 By executing duly and impartially those good lawes and orders Isai 22.22.22 Ierem. 38.4.6 Mica 3.2 Rom. 13.3.4 that are established for the maintenāce of true religiō the pure worship of God to his vttermost power so far as concerns him in his place and office to the countenancing of good causes of religion and religious persons whether Ministers or others and to the discountenancing and repressing of bad and wicked causes and persons as heretickes idolaters and such like 2 By a carefull prouiding for the peace and safety Rom. 13.4 1. Tim. 2.2 and quietnesse and outward welfare of his subiects according to his place and power the chiefe Magistrate according to his place and power the inferior Magistrate according to his as the chiefe Magistrate is to do it by vsing his power 1 For the establishing of peace and quietnes amongst his subiects and that Isai 10 1.2 1 By making such good and wholesome lawes in his kingdome as serue to settle vnity and concord and equitie and iustice amongst his subiects and by seeing those lawes duely executed Psal 122.3 that euery one of his subiects may as much as is possible haue his right and that which in equitie and conscience belongs to him and that none of them be any way in body goods or name wronged or oppressed Exod. 18.21.22 2. Sam. 8.15.16 c. 2. Chron. 19.5.6.7.11 2 By a wise and carefull choice of his vnder gouernors both in time of peace and in time of warre that they be qualified as they ought to be that they be men of courage fearing God dealing truly and hating couetousnesse 1. King 1.52 Pro. 16.14.15 Pro. 20.26 Rom. 13.4 3 By pulling down the wicked enemies of peace and by maintaining and defending the quiet and peaceable and innocent that seeke to him for succour and reliefe 2 And for the keeping and maintaining of peace and quietnes and for the preseruing of the outward welfare of his subiects that 1 By requiring onely so much outward helpe and support from them as is meete and necessary for the maintenance of his estate 1. Sam. 8.11.12 c. 1. King 12.14 either in time of peace or warre not oppressing them with exactions and grieuances 2 By making lawfull leagues of friendship and peace with his neighbour Princes and Gouernours 1. King 5.4.5.6 3 By standing for the liberty of his kingdome and subiects if need be Iudg. 4.14 2. Sam. 20.6.7 2. King 18.7.8 by force of armes by fighting for it either for the defending of it against the seditious and rebellious within his kingdome and dominions or against the common and forreine enemies of it or for the recouering of it againe being lost The inferiour Magistrate is to do it 1 By a carefull and diligent ouerseeing of his vnder officers he being such a one as hath officers vnder him looking to them that they performe the duty that concernes them Nehem. 5.1.2.3.4 c. touching the peace and safety and quietnesse and outward welfare of men where they haue to do that they deale iustly and truly and equally betweene man and man and that they wrong no man in any cause or matter which they haue to deale withall encouraging the good and faithfull and discountenancing reprouing and censuring such as be carelesse and faulty according to their offences 2 By acquainting himselfe with the good lawes and customes of the land and kingdome where he holds his office Deut. 1.13.15 Num. 11.16 Act. 24.10 and by being skilfull in all those causes that shall come before him that he may wisely rule and gouerne all sorts of men that he hath to deale withall and may wisely apply his knowledge to euery particular occasion 3 By admitting willingly all iust complaints and taking notice of all aggreeuances that are brought before him throughly examining them by all due circumstances 2. Sam. 15.3.4 Pro. 18.17 Leuit. 19.15 Deut. 1.16.17 Deut. 16.18.19 Iudg. 19.30 1. Sam. 8.3 Pro. 17.23 Isai 1.23 Hos 4.18 Iosh 7.24 Rom. 13.4 and hauing so examined them by putting difference betweene good and bad causes and persons and deciding those causes so examined vncorruptly giuing iust iudgement without partialitie or respect of persons and without receiuing of bribes and gifts to peruert iudgement 4 By seeing or taking order that due and seasonable execution be done on offenders and malefactors according to the iudgement and sentence passed on them Iosh 7.24 Rom. 13.4 3 By a carefull procuring of ciuill honestie good manners and good order amongst his subiects according to his place power the chiefe Magistrate according to his place and power 1. Tim. 2.2 and the inferiour Magistrate
the thing they sweare vnto be a truth and that they know it so to be or at least thinke it so and be perswaded in conscience that it is a truth 2 That they swere simply plainly without fraud or deceit Psal 15.4 Psal 24.4 nor swering one thing meaning another 2 In iudgement which is with deliberation and due consideration of the nature and greatnesse of an oath and of the matter they sweare vnto Exod. 22.11 Deut. 6.13 and of the particular circumstances of time place and persons before whom they sweare and in taking of the oath that they haue a reuerent care and feare of Gods Maiestie 3 In righteousnesse which implieth 1 That the thing they sweare vnto 1. Sam. 25.22 be iustand lawfull 2 That their calling to sweare be iust and warrantable 3 That their swearing be directed to a right end namely to Gods glory and peace among men Heb. 6.16 Here added that an oath taken touching things certaine lawfull possible bindeth the conscience though it be taken by creatures or by false gods and againe that an oath may lawfully be broken in sixe cases Men yeeld due reuerence to the name of God in Action which is when the actions of men tend to the glory of God 1. Cor. 10.31 Coloss 3.17 and whatsoeuer they do they do it to that end principally that God may be glorified that either in generall or particular In generall Mat. 5.16 1. Pet. 2.12 Reuel 2.13 as namely when they liue so holily and so behaue themselues as that in their whole conuersation they bring glorie to Gods name Or in particular and that 1 When the power and fruite of the word of God Psal 119.105 Luk. 8.15 and other meanes of saluation is expressed in their particular actions as occasion is offered 2 When men do sanctifie Gods blessings chastisements 1. Tim. 4.5 and ordinances and the workes of their callings by the word of God and prayer By the word of God by taking instruction from thence touching the lawfull vse of them Psal 119.24 and how to vse them after an holy manner By prayer namely 1 By petition crauing assistance of Gods grace Gen. 24.12 2. Chro. 16.12 Ioh. 6.11 Act. 27.35 Act. 21.5 and his blessing in the lawful vse of his blessings c. as particular occasion is offered 2 By thanksegiuing magnifying the name of the Lord Gen. 24.27 Deut. 8.10 Exod. 18 10. 2. Sam. 22. and returning thanks to him for his grace ayde and blessing vouchsafed in the lawfull vse of his blessings c. as particular occasion is likewise offered Secondly in making a wise and holy confession of the truth of God Isa 44.5 Mat. 10.32.33 Mar. 8.38 which is to confesse the whole truth of God and his religion plainly boldly and religiously when and wheresoeuer any iust occasion is offered and that either by word or practise 1 Rom. 10.10 1. Pet. 3.15.16 By word namely by Christian apologie which is when men are ready to confesse the truth of God and his religion and do indeed with feare and meeknesse confesse it so often as on iust cause they are thereunto required 1 Psal 22.22 1. Thess 5.11 Either in publike by the Magistrate or in priuate by friends peaceably and without violence 2 Mat. 10.18.19 Act. 5.27.28 Act. 26. Or are thereunto drawne by violence of the enemies and persecutors of the Church of God and that before malicious enemies being thereunto called and seeing Gods glorie endangered and his truth spoken against 2 By practise and that 1 Dan. 6.10.11 Gen. 12.7.8 Gen. 21.33 By shewing forth the truth of religion by practise though it be with danger to lose their liues for it 2 By witnessing and sealing the doctrine of faith and truth of religion Act. 7.58.59 Act 22.20 Heb. 11.37 Reuel 2.13 by their cheerfull suffering yea by shedding their bloud without feare or shrinking being thereunto called which is knowne First by finding that God puts into them the spirit of courage and giues them resolution to abide and to stand out against the force of all the enemies of the truth Secondly if being in the hands of the Magistrate and God cutting off all lawful means of escaping the Magistrate do then inflict on them tortures and torments and do take away their liues for the truths sake though vniustly Thus much concerning the negatiue and affirmatiue parts of the Commandement now followeth the commination or threatning The commination or threatning denounced against the breakers of it Including 1 The greatnesse of the punishment that shall be inflicted on the offenders against this commandement 2 The ineuitablenesse of it Nahum 1.3.6 1. Sam. 2.25 And containing in effect thus much that howsoeuer mans law for the most part takes not hold of offenders against this commandement Psal 1.5 Ierem. 23.10 Zach. 5.3.4 and they escape punishment amongst men yet God will not acquite them nor suffer them to escape his iust and fearefull iudgement because his exact iustice cannot let so hainous a sinne escape vnpunished as is the prophanation of his name which is most hainous Isai 42.8 Isai 48.11 1 Because Gods glorie is the last and principall and for which all things were ordained and is most deare to himselfe 2 Because in prophaning Gods name men shew most insolent contempt of God 3 Because God appointed in the iudiciall law not onely the blasphemer himselfe to be punished by death Leuit. 24.14 Leuit. 5.1 but also euery person that should heare blasphemy or a false oath and not reueale it The end of the third Commandement The fourth Commandment The affirmatiue part The fourth Commandement is partly ceremoniall and partly morall and perpetuall 1 It is ceremoniall and that in respect 1 Of the strict rest which the Iewes were commanded to keepe on the Sabbath Exod. 31.13 standing in these things That they might not prepare or dresse that which they should eate Exod. 16.23.29 Exod 35.3 Num. 15.32 c. Not kindle a fire Nor take a iourney any whither for any matter or businesse of their owne on the Sabbath 2 Of this Deut. 5.15 that the Iewes were to keepe the Sabbath as a remembrance of their deliuerance out of Egypt 3 Of this Deut. 5.14 Exod. 31.17 Num. 28.9.10 that the Iewes were to obserue and keepe the seuenth day from the creation and that with sacrifices and ceremonies proper to that day 2 It is morall and perpetuall and that in two respects as 1 Isai 58.13 In that it requires a certaine seuenth day to be kept as a day of holy rest for the preseruation of the Ministery of the word 2 Exod. 23.12 In that it freeth all from bodily labours and especially seruants and cattell As it is morall it requireth an holy rest vnto God on the seuenth day in euery weeke Exod. 16.23 Exod. 35.2 called the Sabbath or the Lords day
offence of God 2. A care to approue our selues to God in all things Is of two sorts 1. Childlike Psal 130.4.1 Pet. Gen. 39.9 1.17 2. Seruile 1. Iohn 4.18 Rom. 13.5 These two differing each from other in the Cause and Obiect More nearely respecting our selues 1 Cor. 1.7 2 Cor. 3.5 Deniall of our selues Mat. 16.24 Luke 9.23 Pro. 3.7 1 Cor. 3.18 Rom. 8.7 expressed 1. In renouncing vtterly our owne reason wil and affections as of themselues enemies to God and all goodnesse 2 In submitting our selues wholly to Gods wisedome and will in all things Gen. 12.1.4 Gen. 22.1.2.9 Heb. 11.8 Deut. 33.9 Mat. 4.20 Luke 5.10 Act 20.24 Gen. 32.10 1 Chronic. 29 14.15.16 1. Cor. 4.7 1 Cor. 1.31 1 Cor. 15.9 1 Tim. 1.15 Rom. 12.10 1. Cor. 4.6 1 Pet. 5.5 Philip. 2.23 Phil. 4.11.12 1 Cor. 12.7 though neuer so contrarie to our wils and desires Humilitie making men 1 Thinke most basely of themselues in regard of their owne corruption and sins 2 Esteeme better of others then of themselues hauing the same good gifts that they haue and to respect them accordingly 3 Content with their particular places and conditions of life not to presume beyond that abilitie and strength that is giuen them The second is grounded on due acknowledgement of Gods 1 Good prouidence and mercy 2 Chro. 20.20 Psal 37.3.5 Psal 27.1.2.3 2 Tim. 1.12 Psal 33.18.19 Psal 84.11.12 Psal 91. 2 Power 3 Former experience of his power and prouidence towards our selues and others Bringing forth A conuersation void of couetousnesse and distrustful care Invocation or calling on the name of God Pro. 16.3 Mat. 6.25 1 Tim. 6.6.7.8.9.10 Dan. 9.7.18 Psal 50.15 Iam. 1.5 standing In Petition and thankesgiuing The second Commandement The Negatiue part The second Commandement containes 1 A precept or commandement 2 A confirmation of the commandement by arguments perswading to the obedience of it The precept or commandement forbids all manner of Idolatrie vnder which is forbidden Ezech. 14.3.4.7 Deut. 27.15 1 Ioh. 5.21 Exod. 23.24 Deut. 7.25 Deut. 12.3 1 Inward Idolatrie of the heart which is when men misconceiuing God do worship him according to that misconceit 2 Outward Idolatry of the hand which is when men make an image or similitude and erect and set it vp for religious vse And that is done two wayes 1 By making and erecting an image representing either some fayned god Deut. 4.15.16 Isay 40.18.25 Act. 17.29 Rom. 1.23 Hoze 13.2 Deut. 7.25.26 1 King 18.19 1 Cor. 6.20 Deut. 7.2.3 Ezra 9.2.12.14 2 Chron. 19.2 Psal 106.35.36 Mal. 2.11 2 Cor. 6.14.15.16 or that which is not God 2 By making and erecting an image of the true God and of Christ to worship it 3 Approbation of Idolatrie by presence speech gesture silence c. 4 All vnnecessarie dealing or familiaritie with Idolaters 2 Contempt of the outward worship of God which is 1 Inward when men in their hearts contemne the holy ordinances of God Ezech. 22.8 Mat. 22.5 Luke 14.18.19.20 Mal. 3.14 Iob. 2.15 1 Cor. 1.18.21 and the duties and parts of his worship and think basely of them which brings forth either 1 Neglect of them altogether 2 Or intermission of the duties of Gods worship 2 Chron. 30.5 3 Or an hypocriticall coming vnto them Isai 29.13 and a formall performance of them 2 Outward Num. 11.2.6 Act. 17.18 when men openly manifest their contempt of the holy ordinances of God and the duties and parts of his worship either by word or deed and that 1 Either in part contemning the Preaching of the word c. 2 Thes 5.20 2 Chro. 30.10 2 Or in wholl Psal 14.4 Heb. 12.16 Compared with Gen. 25.34 contemning all the holy ordinances of God and all the holy duties of his worship which is properly called Prophanenesse 3 All humane deuises Mark 7.3.4 or superstition in the worship of God that is such things in the worship of God as are inuented by men and are contrarie vnto the rule of Gods word and such things men do deuise two waies 1 By adding something to the essentiall worship of God and things added are 1 Either things meerely deuised by men hauing no warrant at all in the word of God 2 Or things in themselues indifferent Mar. 7.3.4 made necessary parts of Gods essentiall worship 2 By detracting something from the worship of God contrary to Gods word And humane deuises are 1 Either such as men take vp of themselues vpon a bare and naked good intent 1 Sam. 13.9.10 13. thinking that thereby they worship God Coloss 2. vlt. which is properly called wilwor-ship 2 Or they are such as haue bene deuised by others Ezech. 20.18 Mat. 15.2 Mar. 7.3 and receiued from them properly called traditions of the Elders The affirmatiue part of the second Commandement It requires that the true God be worshipped with spiritual worship Exod. 25.9 Deut. 12.32 Isa 1.12 Ioh. 4.23.24 Isai 1.13.14.15 Isai 66.3 or after a spirituall manner And that 1 Standing in two things 1 In worshipping God in such things as are agreable to his will 2 In worshipping God in things and duties commanded of God in such manner as is agreeable to the nature of God in spirit and truth Iohn 4.22 Micha 6.6.7.8 2 Grounded on true and sound knowledge of the expresse will of God Mat. 15 9. Eccles 4.17 teaching all the parts of his worship and the manner of the performance of them 3 Is to be expressed in the exercise and performance of those things that concerne the holy and solemne seruice of God namely the true and ordinarie meanes of holinesse and the parts of Gods worship which are especially 1 Prayer 1. Sam. 1.15 Psal 42.4 Isai 37.4 Lam. 3.41 1. Cor. 2.4 1. Cor. 14.24.25 Act. 26.2.5 publike and priuate standing in petition and thankesgiuing 2 The Ministerie of the word of God 1. Cor. 11.23 1. Pet. 4.11 3 The Sacraments 1 Cor. 10.16 4 Is expressed in the vsing of the ordinarie meanes of holinesse and the parts of Gods worship after an holy maner 1. Tim. 4.8 Rom. 14.17 5 Is helped forward and furthered by such things as do binde and stirre vp men to the performance of holy duties which things are 1 Speciall vowes 2 Religious fasting The confirmation of the Commandement by Arguments perswading to the obedience of it taken 1 Partly from the nature of God in two Attributes as that he is 1 Strong that is able to punish the disobedient Nahum 1.3.4.5.6 Apocal. 18.8 Dan. 3.17 Dan. 6.20.21.22 Rom. 8.31 Hoze 10.19.20 Ierem. 2.2 Ierem 3 1.2.6.7 Ezech 16.15.16.17 c. and to maintaine defend all such as truly worship him against all that oppose them 2 Iealous that is louing his Church with exceeding great and superabundant holy loue being exceedingly offended for Idolatrie and executing his wrath most sharply vpon Idolaters 2 Partly from the effects of his 1 Anger
take away that wealth or any part of it that belongs to another or others one or more which is done foure waies 1 By counselling perswading or commanding or by hiring or any way plotting with another or others one or more to take away that wealth or any part of it that belongs to another or others one or more by any vniust way or meanes 2 By being present with others when they doe vniustly take away that wealth which belongs to another or others one or more and consenting to them by silence and not reprouing them 3 By receiuing and harbouring of those who haue vniustly taken away that wealth or any part of it that belongs to another or others one or more and hiding and concealing of them and pleading for them and by receiuing and hiding and concealing the things they haue vniustly taken away 4 By fauouring by vpholding those who vniustly take away that wealth or any part of it that belongs to another or others one or more Isay 1.23 Rom. 1.31 either by impunitie hauing power to punish or by feeding and cloathing of lustie and stout rogues and beggers The Affirmatiue part of the eighth Commandement It requires in general euery thing whatsoeuer that tends to the helpe or furtherance of the wealth and outward good estate of man and those things are either inward in the heart or outward things Things inward in the heart are two First a stayednesse in the minde and a setled purpose in the heart of man or woman to seeke riches and outward good things onely so far as they may in the vse of lawfull meanes and may look for the blessing of God on their endeuours and so far as the Lord shall be pleased to offer them matter and to giue them iust occasion so to doe and no further Secondly a contentednesse of minde with that part and portion of wealth and of outward good things whether it be little or much which God hath allotted the ground of which contentednesse of minde is a resting by faith on the promise of God and a depending on his prouidence without distrustfull care Outward good things are either such things as tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or womans owne wealth and outward good estate Or such things as tend to the helpe or furtherance of the wealth and outward good estate of another or others one or more Such things as tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or womans owne wealth and outward good estate are either concerning the getting of wealth the keeping of wealth or the vsing of wealth Things that concerne the getting of wealth are two First an honest and lawfull particular calling wherein euery one being of yeares is to walke and to be imployed Secondly Diligence and painfulnesse and faithfull labour in that honest particular calling wherein a man or a woman is set Things that concerne the keeping of wealth are two First frugality or thriftinesse and a care to saue that wealth which God hath giuen Secondly peaceablenesse and a care to keepe and hold that wealth which God hath giuen with peace auoiding law and contention as much as is possible Things that concerne the vsing of wealth are two First a wise conuenient and seasonable dispensing of the wealth which God hath giuen to any to the honest maintenance of themselues and their families if they haue any Secondly a moderation in spending that wealth which God hath giuen to any person man or woman ordering and limiting their expences to the proportion of their meanes Such things as tend to the helpe or furtherance of the wealth and outward good estate of another or others one or more are foure 1 Iust dealing with another or others one or more in respect of wealth and outward good things 2 Yeelding helpe to another or others in outward good things standing in need of helpe that way 3 Procuring the wealth of another or others one or more 4 In restoring things vniustly gotten or taken away from another or others one or more Iust dealing with another or others one or more in respect of wealth and outward good things standeth in foure things First in a willing yeelding of that which is due to euery one bearing office in the Church or in the Common-wealth as Tribute Custome Tithes Tenths such like Secondly in vsing truth simplicitie and plainnesse both in word and deed in bargaining in buying and selling in hiring and letting Thirdly in keeping of all iust and lawfull couenants in matter of contract betweene person and person or persons one or more as in buying in selling in borrowing in lending in hiring in letting in pawning and in taking things to pawne Fourthly in a readie yeelding of that which is due to any person or persons one or more by way of requitall In yeelding helpe to another or others one or more in outward things standing in need of helpe that way standeth in two things 1 In a readie and willing giuing 2 In free lending In a readie and willing giuing to another or others one or more and communicating to their necessities in outward things both to such as are absolutely poore whether in common want or extreme want and also to those who for the present by reason of some sudden accident doe want and stand in need of releefe though otherwise of good meanes and this communicating to the necessities of others in outward things must be with respect 1 To the state and condition of the parties that stand in need of releefe releeuing those who are in great need before those whose wants are but common and ordinarie and those that are in extreme necessitie though enemies before friends and acquaintance not in like want and amongst such as are in extreme necessitie those who are the first cast vpon vs by the prouidence of God 2 To the persons that are to be releeued the want and necessitie of the persons being alike first releeuing those to whom we are bound by the bond of bloud kindred or alliance and then others and amongst others first those that are nearer to vs in habitation and then those that are further off and amongst those that are either nearer or further off such especially as are of the houshold of faith and releefe must be giuen liberally according to our abilitie and to the necessities of the receiuers as neare as we can In free lending to another or others one or more as occasion is offered and if the partie to whom something is lent be decayed in his or her outward estate by the immediate hand of God or be brought to extreme pouertie in free forgiuing the debt The procuring the wealth of another or others one or more standeth in three things First in a wise and discreet vndertaking and becomming suretie for another or others one or more Secondly in dealing faithfully with the goods of another or others one or more being trusted with them Thirdly in auerting and turning away
ill that is either whispered or spoken more openly is false or when it is coloured ouer with faire pretences In publike and those are either In the absence of the partie or parties one or more of whom they are spoken which are speeches either falsly charging some ill on others behinde their backes and that either against knowledge or on some light suspicion or truly charging some ill on them behinde their backes out of malice or by some by-respect by way of publike information without any calling thereunto Or in the presence of the partie or parties one or more of whom they are spoken and those are speeches vttered in open place of iustice and iudgement falsly charging some ill on others in their presence Either by The Iudge or Iudges one or more in giuing false sentence and vniust iudgement against others being before them to bee examined and tried touching some matter of crime Or by Aduocates Pleaders and Patrons of causes as speeches vttered by them in their false and vniust pleading against others being in some open court to be examined and tried touching some matter of crime Or by Iurors as speeches vttered by them in giuing vp a false and vniust verdict against others being in some open court to be examined touching some matter of crime Or by accusers as speeches vttered by them whereby they doe vniustly and wrongfully accuse others being in some open court to be examined and tried touching some matter of crime Or by witnesses as speeches vttered by them whereby they doe vniustly testifie against others being in some open court to be examined and tried touching some matter of crime which is done three waies 1 By affirming something as witnesses against others which they know is directly and maliciously false 2 By denying or concealing of something knowne to themselues to be true and which they ought to speake 3 By affirming something against others as witnesses craftily and deceitfully Things vttered and expressed of another or others one or more on the part of the hearer which are speeches heard and willingly receiued and entertained by the hearer or hearers one or more being contrary to the truth and tend to the hurt or hinderance of the good name of others of whom they are spoken and this is done two waies 1 By beleeuing and easily giuing credit to flying tales and ill reports that are made of others not knowing the thing or things reported to be true and thereupon iudging amisse of them or hating them or contemning them 2 By hearing of ill reports that are made of others not knowing the thing or things reported to be true yet suspecting them to bee false with patience and silence and shewing no dislike to them at all either by countenance or speech or turning away the body or such like And both these are most odious when the report of ill is against such as are truly religious and they are most pernicious when the report of ill is beleeued or heard or receiued with patience by Magistrates and by such as be in authoritie The Affirmatiue part of the ninth Commandement It requireth in generall whatsoeuer is agreeable to the truth and tends to the helpe or furtherance of the good name of man or woman and those things are Either such things as are agreeable to the truth and tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or a womans owne good name Or such things as are agreeable to the truth and tend to the helpe or furtherance of the good name of another or others one or more Those things that are agreeable to the truth and tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or a womans owne good name are Either things inward in the heart Or things expressed and vttered by the tongue Things inward in the heart are two things especially 1 A right iudgement and estimation of themselues and of their owne gifts neither ouer-weening nor vnder-weening of them 2 A loue of their owne good name and a care of their credit expressing that by all good endeuour to get a good name and being gotten to keepe it and if at any time it be through sinne impaired or lost to recouer it And a man or a woman must endeuour to get a good name and hauing gotten it to keepe it by liuing religiously embracing the truth of religion in loue to it and practising in an holy life sincerely and without dissimulation keeping a narrow watch against euery sinne and with an honest and vpright heart seeking Gods glory in euery thing And a man or woman is to recouer a good name it being impaired or lost through sinne by true repentance and vnfained conuersion and turning to God by breaking off that sin and by testifying the same before men by amendment of life Things expressed and vttered by the tongue are three things especially 1 A speaking sparingly and avoyding vaine babling in ordinary communication 2 A wise and discreet speaking when they haue occasion to mention either their vertues and good things or their faults euill things to men And their wise and discreet speaking hauing occasion to mention their vertues and good things to men standeth in speaking of them with modestie so as their speech incline rather to the defect than to the excesse and so as they rather extenuate them than boast of them And their wise and discreet speaking hauing occasion to mention their faults and euill things to men standeth in speaking of their knowne faults and corruptions to men the vttermost they can against themselues yet so as they giue no suspition of pride or hypocrisie and so as they doe not disgrace themselues too much as they make themselues able to doe lesse good then otherwise they might in speaking of their secret faults and corruptions to men onely when it is fit and meet for them so to doe and that is onely in two cases 1 In the case of secret offence and wrong done to others 2 In case of trouble of minde and conscience so as it bee to such as are able and willing to comfort and counsell them and also faithfull 3 A speaking in defence of their owne good name when need requireth so as they doe it modestly and willingly Such things as are agreeable to the truth and tend to the helpe and furtherance of another or others one or moe are either things inward in the heart or things expressed and vttered by the tongue Things inward in the heart are three especially 1 A charitable opinion and estimation of others and a thinking the best of things said or done by them and a taking of them in good part so farre as truth and reason will giue leaue 2 A true loue and an hearty wel-wishing to the good name of another or others one or more which may be knowne by two things 1 By reioycing for their credit and good estimation they knowing them on good grounds to be in good credit and in good estimation 2 By grieuing when