notwithstanding_o this_o covenant_n thus_o respect_v christ_n be_v first_o enter_v with_o the_o israelite_n yet_o it_o be_v now_o extend_v to_o we_o god_n profess_v himself_o to_o be_v not_o only_o the_o god_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o also_o of_o the_o gentile_n rom._n 3.29.30.31_o according_a to_o the_o former_a prophecy_n of_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentiles_n read_v psalm_n 87._o and_o hos_fw-la chap._n 1.10_o and_o 2.23_o and_o joel_n 2.32_o amos_n 19.11.12_o mal._n 1.11_o neither_o be_v israel_n so_o the_o only_a people_n of_o god_n at_o any_o time_n but_o that_o always_o it_o please_v he_o to_o aceept_v of_o the_o gentile_n such_o as_o will_v join_v themselves_o to_o his_o people_n in_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o he_o and_o although_o we_o for_o our_o part_n have_v not_o be_v deliver_v out_o of_o the_o bondage_n of_o egypt_n yet_o the_o lord_n have_v deliver_v we_o with_o a_o more_o gracious_a deliverance_n out_o of_o the_o bondage_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o devil_n and_o from_o the_o tyranny_n of_o death_n and_o from_o the_o torment_n of_o hell_n whereof_o also_o that_o deliverance_n of_o they_o be_v a_o figure_n and_o pledge_v unto_o they_o let_v we_o now_o come_v to_o the_o first_o commandment_n what_o do_v the_o lord_n forbid_v in_o it_o after_o sin_n forbid_v see_v more_o after_o to_o have_v any_o strange_a god_n what_o be_v this_o to_o have_v any_o strange_a god_n to_o have_v a_o strange_a god_n be_v either_o to_o acknowledge_v with_o the_o heart_n or_o to_o fancy_n and_o conceive_v in_o the_o mind_n any_o other_o to_o be_v god_n either_o beside_o as_o altogether_o exclude_v the_o only_a true_a god_n or_o joint_o yea_o or_o if_o it_o be_v in_o any_o inferior_a degree_n together_o with_o he_o who_o have_v make_v himself_o so_o evident_o know_v by_o his_o word_n and_o work_n as_o that_o which_o he_o have_v manifest_v of_o himself_o can_v possible_o agree_v to_o any_o other_o but_o then_o especial_o be_v a_o strange_a god_n take_v and_o acknowledge_v for_o god_n when_o any_o spiritual_a and_o divine_a worship_n be_v yield_v thereunto_o that_o be_v to_o say_v when_o any_o faith_n and_o trust_n any_o fear_n love_n prayer_n praise_n thanks_n or_o any_o other_o like_o duty_n be_v yield_v upon_o the_o same_o false_a conceit_n and_o acknowledgement_n this_o indeed_o be_v principal_o that_o which_o the_o lord_n forbid_v in_o this_o commandment_n according_a to_o that_o which_o we_o read_v in_o the_o 8._o and_o 9_o verse_n of_o the_o 81._o psalm_n as_o touch_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o transgression_n of_o it_o which_o be_v very_o many_o we_o shall_v have_v a_o fit_a occasion_n to_o note_v they_o and_o that_o also_o by_o a_o more_o plain_a and_o easy_a direction_n after_o we_o have_v see_v what_o be_v the_o good_a duty_n or_o spiritual_a grace_n command_v in_o the_o same_o in_o the_o mean_a season_n let_v we_o well_o observe_v concern_v the_o present_a answer_n that_o the_o lord_n do_v not_o only_o forbid_v his_o people_n the_o utter_a exclude_v of_o he_o that_o they_o may_v altogether_o embrace_v false_a god_n but_o also_o the_o join_n of_o any_o with_o he_o whether_o as_o copartner_n or_o though_o it_o be_v but_o in_o a_o inferior_a degree_n of_o minority_n as_o it_o be_v for_o so_o do_v the_o lord_n interpret_v his_o own_o meaning_n in_o the_o 23._o verse_n of_o this_o 20._o chapter_n of_o exodus_fw-la and_o deuteronomy_n 32._o verse_n 39_o read_v also_o 1._o king_n 18.21_o and_o 2._o king_n 17.33_o and_o john_n 4.22_o read_v also_o judge_n chapter_n 2.11_o etc._n etc._n to_o the_o end_n and_o chapter_n 3.7_o and_o psalm_n 81.11_o and_o psalm_n 106.37_o all_o the_o god_n of_o the_o heathen_a be_v mere_a vanity_n leviticus_fw-la chapter_n 19_o 4._o deuteronomie_n 32.21_o and_o 1._o samuel_n 12.21_o and_o 1._o king_n 16.13.26_o and_o 1._o corinthian_n 8.4.5.6_o whence_o the_o house_n of_o the_o strange_a god_n be_v call_v bethanuen_n the_o house_n of_o vanity_n hosh_n 4.15_o command_v duty_n command_v yea_o 2._o king_n 17.12_o strange_a god_n be_v in_o singular_a contempt_n &_o abomination_n call_v dirty_a or_o dungish_v god_n and_o therefore_o in_o no_o wise_a to_o be_v join_v with_o the_o true_a god_n of_o all_o majesty_n and_o glory_n read_v also_o jud._n chapter_n 6._o verse_n 8.9.10_o and_o 1._o king_n 17.35.36_o and_o psalm_n 115._o and_o exodus_fw-la 23.13_o and_o psalm_n 16._o no_o trust_n no_o love_n no_o prayer_n no_o praise_n etc._n etc._n belong_v to_o they_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o give_v his_o glory_n to_o any_o other_o isai_n 44.6.7.8_o no_o god_n beside_o the_o lord_n chapter_n 45._o four_o time_n repeat_v in_o that_o one_o chapter_n and_o chapter_n 48.11_o sure_o i_o will_v not_o give_v my_o glory_n to_o another_o say_v the_o lord_n wherefore_o right_o worthy_a be_v that_o excellent_a profession_n of_o the_o prophet_n to_o be_v imitate_v of_o all_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n psalm_n 73.25_o where_o he_o say_v unto_o god_n who_o have_v i_o in_o heaven_n but_o thou_o and_o i_o have_v desire_v none_o in_o the_o earth_n with_o thou_o final_o let_v we_o diligent_o note_v that_o the_o lord_n forbid_v these_o sin_n and_o all_o of_o this_o kind_n as_o be_v before_o his_o face_n he_o give_v therein_o to_o understand_v that_o none_o of_o these_o sin_n can_v be_v commit_v but_o they_o be_v know_v to_o he_o and_o that_o he_o take_v they_o as_o do_v to_o his_o exceed_a great_a dishonour_n etc._n etc._n read_v psalm_n 44._o vers_fw-la 20.21_o now_o on_o the_o other_o side_n let_v we_o see_v what_o good_a spiritual_a duty_n the_o lord_n require_v and_o command_v in_o this_o first_o commandment_n what_o have_v you_o learn_v to_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n herein_o that_o we_o do_v both_o right_o know_v and_o discern_v even_o in_o the_o spirit_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o also_o that_o we_o do_v joyful_o acknowledge_v with_o our_o whole_a soul_n that_o god_n to_o be_v our_o only_a lord_n eternal_a and_o almighty_a most_o wise_a most_o holy_a most_o righteous_a most_o gracious_a &_o merciful_a most_o faithful_a and_o true_a even_o the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o creator_n governor_n and_o preserver_n of_o all_o thing_n the_o supreme_a and_o sovereign_a judge_n of_o all_o the_o world_n one_o god_n to_o be_v bless_v for_o ever_o who_o have_v manifest_o reveal_v himself_o first_o to_o his_o people_n israel_n in_o special_a manner_n above_o any_o other_o people_n and_o now_o more_o clear_o to_o all_o believe_v gentile_n through_o the_o whole_a world_n both_o by_o his_o divine_a word_n and_o also_o by_o his_o most_o gracious_a and_o wonderful_a work_n and_o that_o we_o do_v acknowledge_v the_o same_o his_o work_n and_o all_o other_o from_o the_o great_a to_o the_o least_o of_o they_o to_o be_v do_v and_o order_v in_o all_o perfection_n of_o wisdom_n goodness_n righteousness_n faithfulness_n and_o truth_n in_o most_o excellent_a manner_n above_o all_o that_o we_o can_v conceive_v god_n require_v also_o in_o this_o first_o commandment_n that_o as_o a_o necessary_a fruit_n of_o this_o true_a knowledge_n and_o hearty_a acknowledgement_n of_o he_o and_o of_o the_o most_o perfect_a wisdom_n and_o excellency_n of_o all_o his_o work_n we_o do_v wise_o entire_o zealous_o and_o constant_o yield_v he_o alone_o as_o most_o worthy_a all_o true_a divine_a and_o spiritual_a service_n and_o worship_n and_o no_o part_n thereof_o to_o any_o other_o as_o have_v be_v answer_v before_o this_o very_o be_v the_o end_n wherefore_o the_o lord_n have_v manifest_v and_o reveal_v himself_o namely_o that_o he_o may_v be_v know_v and_o acknowledge_v of_o his_o people_n read_v deut._n 4.32_o etc._n etc._n to_o the_o 40._o verse_n and_o isaiah_n 43.10.11.12_o this_o also_o be_v necessary_a for_o else_o how_o shall_v he_o be_v right_o worship_v and_o serve_v here_o in_o this_o world_n according_a to_o thy_o name_n so_o be_v thy_o praise_n unto_o the_o world_n end_n that_o be_v over_o all_o the_o earth_n thy_o right_a hand_n be_v full_a of_o righteousness_n ps_n 48.10_o and_o that_o this_o our_o god_n be_v most_o worthy_a of_o all_o divine_a worship_n and_o service_n his_o very_a nature_n which_o be_v most_o excellent_a show_v it_o read_v also_o 1._o chronicle_n 29.10_o etc._n etc._n and_o nehem._n 9.5_o psal_n 89.6.7.8_o etc._n etc._n and_o micah_n 7.18_o etc._n etc._n and_o deut._n 32.31_o their_o god_n be_v not_o as_o our_o god_n even_o our_o enemy_n be_v judge_n worthy_a therefore_o in_o this_o place_n be_v the_o admonition_n of_o the_o prophet_n jeremie_n which_o he_o give_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n chap._n 9.23.24_o let_v not_o the_o wise_a man_n glory_n in_o his_o wisdom_n etc._n etc._n but_o in_o this_o that_o he_o understand_v and_o know_v the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n to_o conclude_v the_o proof_n of_o this_o
of_o god_n against_o unmerciful_a man_n in_o the_o sixth_o commandment_n now_o on_o the_o other_o side_n what_o be_v the_o curse_n against_o the_o prodigal_a and_o unthriftie_a waster_n &_o consumer_n of_o their_o own_o good_n he_o that_o love_v pastime_n shall_v be_v a_o poor_a man_n and_o he_o that_o love_v wine_n and_o oil_n shall_v not_o be_v rich_a prou._n 21.17_o this_o curse_n may_v be_v consider_v also_o from_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o prodigal_a son_n in_o the_o literal_a sense_n of_o it_o luke_n chapter_n 15.11.12.13.14.15.16_o what_o be_v the_o curse_n against_o rash_a suretyship_n which_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o prodigality_n he_o shall_v be_v sore_o vex_v that_o be_v surety_n for_o a_o stranger_n prou._n 11._o chapter_n 15._o what_o be_v the_o curse_n against_o the_o slothful_a &_o idle_a person_n which_o for_o want_v of_o diligence_n consume_v his_o good_n and_o do_v without_o just_a cause_n live_v upon_o the_o labour_n of_o other_o and_o devour_v that_o portion_n which_o of_o right_n belong_v only_o to_o those_o that_o be_v impotent_a and_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o diligence_n they_o can_v use_v have_v need_n to_o be_v relieve_v the_o idle_a shall_v be_v under_o tribute_n prou._n chap._n 12.11_o and_o chap._n 18.19_o he_o that_o be_v slothful_a in_o his_o work_n be_v the_o brother_n of_o he_o that_o be_v a_o great_a waster_n read_v also_o chap._n 20.4_o and_z vers_n 13._o and_o chap._n 6.11_o and_o chap._n 24.32.33.34_o his_o poverty_n come_v as_o one_o that_o travel_v by_o the_o way_n and_o his_o necessity_n like_o a_o arm_a man_n read_v also_o eccles_n 10.18_o by_o slothfulness_n the_o roof_n of_o the_o house_n go_v to_o decay_v and_o by_o the_o idleness_n of_o the_o hand_n the_o house_n drop_v through_o no_o marvel_n therefore_o though_o the_o idle_a person_n be_v say_v to_o be_v destitute_a of_o understanding_n prou._n chapter_n 12.11_o and_o again_o chap._n 28.19_o he_o that_o follow_v the_o idle_a shall_v be_v fill_v with_o poverty_n what_o be_v the_o curse_n of_o he_o that_o trust_v in_o his_o riches_n while_o he_o enjoy_v they_o he_o that_o trust_v in_o his_o riches_n shall_v fall_v prou._n 11.28_o what_o be_v the_o curse_n against_o he_o that_o sorrow_v inordinate_o when_o he_o lose_v they_o a_o sorrowful_a mind_n dri_v the_o bone_n prou._n chap._n 22.17_o and_o 2._o cor._n 7.10_o worldly_n sorrow_n cause_v death_n final_o what_o be_v the_o curse_n against_o that_o high_a injustice_n which_o be_v call_v sacrilege_n and_o be_v commit_v more_o direct_o against_o god_n himself_o god_n curse_v this_o sin_n with_o the_o outward_a decay_n of_o all_o worldly_a blessing_n and_o to_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o all_o such_o as_o deal_v fraudulent_o and_o injurious_o with_o he_o it_o be_v true_a for_o so_o we_o read_v hagg._n 1.4.5_o etc._n etc._n 11._o and_o chapter_n 2.16.17.18_o and_o furthermore_o prou._n 20.25_o and_o mal._n 3.9_o you_o be_v curse_v with_o a_o curse_n for_o you_o have_v spoil_v i_o this_o whole_a nation_n these_o be_v the_o curse_n of_o god_n most_o holy_a and_o righteous_a law_n against_o the_o transgression_n of_o this_o commandment_n of_o the_o which_o though_o many_o threaten_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o god_n be_v not_o rehearse_v yet_o by_o these_o we_o may_v easy_o conceive_v what_o the_o rest_n be_v let_v we_o therefore_o in_o the_o next_o place_n come_v to_o the_o blessing_n promise_v to_o the_o obedience_n of_o it_o and_o so_o shall_v we_o yet_o more_o clear_o see_v into_o the_o greatness_n blessing_n the_o blessing_n both_o of_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o also_o of_o our_o own_o sin_n and_o disobedience_n reveal_v and_o discover_v by_o it_o and_o final_o the_o use_n of_o the_o whole_a doctrine_n hereof_o will_n more_o lively_o utter_v itself_o to_o our_o guilt_n it_o conscience_n as_o touch_v the_o necessity_n both_o of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n first_o therefore_o what_o be_v the_o general_a blessing_n of_o god_n upon_o just_a deal_n according_a to_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o man_n profession_n first_o seek_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o his_o righteousness_n say_v our_o saviour_n christ_n and_o all_o thing_n of_o this_o life_n shall_v be_v cast_v as_o a_o overplus_n unto_o you_o matth._n 6.33_o and_o prou._n 10.2_o righteousness_n deliver_v from_o death_n yea_o chap._n 21._o verse_n 21._o he_o that_o follow_v after_o righteousness_n and_o mercy_n shall_v find_v life_n righteousness_n and_o glory_n read_v also_o prou._n 12.28_o life_n be_v in_o the_o way_n of_o righteousness_n and_o in_o that_o pathway_n there_o be_v no_o death_n and_o chapter_n 28.20_o a_o faithful_a man_n shall_v abound_v in_o blessing_n read_v psalm_n 15._o &_o psalm_n 106.3_o bless_a be_v they_o that_o keep_v judgement_n and_o do_v righteousness_n at_o all_o time_n and_o psalm_n 112._o and_o ezek._n 18._o the_o reason_n of_o all_o be_v render_v prou._n 21.3_o to_o do_v justice_n and_o judgement_n be_v more_o acceptable_a to_o the_o lord_n than_o sacrifice_n according_a also_o to_o that_o act._n 10.34.35_o of_o a_o truth_n say_v the_o apostle_n peter_n i_o perceive_v that_o god_n be_v no_o accepter_n of_o person_n but_o in_o every_o nation_n he_o that_o fear_v he_o and_o work_v righteousness_n be_v accept_v with_o he_o such_o be_v the_o blessing_n in_o a_o more_o general_a consideration_n now_o more_o particular_o what_o be_v god_n blessing_n upon_o the_o public_a magistrate_n that_o refuse_v bribe_n and_o deal_v just_o in_o judgement_n the_o throne_n be_v establish_v by_o justice_n proverbe_n 16.12_o and_o again_o chapter_n 25.5_o moreover_o chapter_n 15.27_o he_o that_o hate_v gift_n shall_v live_v and_o chapter_n 28.16_o the_o prince_n that_o hate_v covetousness_n shall_v prolong_v his_o day_n read_v also_o deut._n 16._o verse_n 18.19.20_o see_v more_o of_o this_o point_n in_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o five_o commandment_n read_v 2._o chron._n 19.6_o now_o what_o be_v the_o blessing_n of_o the_o private_a person_n whosoever_o he_o be_v that_o deal_v just_o thou_o shall_v have_v a_o just_a and_o right_a weight_n say_v the_o lord_n a_o perfect_a and_o a_o just_a measure_n shall_v thou_o have_v that_o thy_o day_n may_v be_v lengthen_v in_o the_o land_n which_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n give_v thou_o deuteronomy_n 25.15_o the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o this_o blessing_n be_v render_v prou._n 11.1_o for_o a_o perfect_a weight_n please_v the_o lord_n and_o chapter_n 10.11_o a_o true_a weight_n and_o balance_n be_v of_o the_o lord_n all_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o bag_n be_v his_o work_n what_o be_v the_o blessing_n of_o he_o that_o be_v just_a use_v diligence_n in_o his_o call_n the_o hand_n of_o the_o diligent_a make_v rich_a proverb_n 10.4_o and_o chapter_n 12.24_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o diligent_a shall_v bear_v rule_n read_v also_o chapter_n 20.13_o and_o chapter_n 22.29_o and_o chapter_n 28.19_o what_o be_v the_o blessing_n of_o the_o righteous_a man_n who_o also_o practise_v liberality_n the_o liberal_a person_n shall_v have_v plenty_n and_o he_o that_o water_v shall_v also_o have_v rain_n prou._n 11.25_o and_o 2._o cor._n 9.6_o he_o that_o sow_v liberal_o shall_v also_o reap_v liberal_o read_v more_o in_o this_o text_n as_o it_o follow_v there_o in_o many_o verse_n and_o gal._n 6.8_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o the_o same_o matter_n assure_v we_o that_o he_o which_o sow_v to_o the_o spirit_n shall_v of_o the_o spirit_n reap_v life_n everlasting_a read_v also_o prou._n 28.27_o he_o that_o give_v to_o the_o poor_a shall_v not_o lack_v and_o luke_n 6.38_o give_v say_v our_o saviour_n christ_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v unto_o you_o a_o good_a measure_n press_v down_o shake_v together_o and_o run_v over_o shall_v man_n give_v into_o your_o bosom_n for_o with_o what_o measure_v you_o meat_n with_o the_o same_o shall_v man_n meat_n to_o you_o again_o thus_o we_o may_v see_v brief_o how_o god_n be_v mind_v to_o bless_v the_o obedience_n of_o this_o commandment_n as_o touch_v those_o that_o deal_v just_o with_o man_n now_o last_o of_o all_o what_o be_v his_o blessing_n upon_o those_o that_o deal_v just_o with_o himself_o more_o direct_o concern_v the_o maintenance_n of_o his_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o holy_a ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n contrary_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o that_o do_v in_o this_o behalf_n sacrilegious_o rob_v and_o spoil_v the_o church_n the_o lord_n promise_v great_a plenty_n and_o abundance_n of_o all_o his_o blessing_n to_o such_o special_o if_o there_o be_v a_o general_a and_o public_a consent_n &_o care_n herein_o as_o it_o be_v plentiful_o declare_v prou._n ch_n 3.9.10_o and_o hagg._n chap._n 2.19.20_o and_o mal._n chap._n 3.10.11.12_o transgressor_n eueryone_n of_o we_o be_v a_o damnable_a transgressor_n these_o place_n of_o holy_a scripture_n do_v plentiful_o declare_v it_o
be_v no_z man_n for_o this_o general_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n neighbour_n read_v luk._n chap._n 10._o verse_n 29._o etc._n etc._n to_o the_o 38._o now_o touch_v the_o second_o point_n who_o be_v he_o who_o god_n forbid_v to_o bear_v false_a witness_n all_o stand_v straight_o charge_v here_o withal_o but_o special_o they_o who_o false_a testimony_n may_v do_v most_o hurt_v and_o namely_o such_o as_o be_v in_o credit_n with_o great_a person_n and_o such_o as_o be_v call_v forth_o to_o give_v witness_n in_o any_o weighty_a matter_n upon_o their_o oath_n to_o this_o purpose_n consider_v the_o admonition_n of_o john_n baptist_n to_o those_o soldier_n that_o will_v know_v of_o he_o what_o they_o shall_v do_v the_o holy_a servant_n of_o god_n be_v as_o wise_a as_o zealous_a know_v that_o they_o may_v do_v special_a hurt_n by_o their_o false_a accusation_n against_o any_o to_o their_o captain_n he_o give_v they_o special_a warning_n against_o this_o sin_n luk._n chap._n 3.14_o the_o like_a be_v to_o be_v say_v of_o all_o other_o in_o any_o like_a place_n wherein_o they_o may_v procure_v any_o special_a mischief_n by_o the_o same_o mean_n the_o three_o point_n follow_v forbid_v sin_n forbid_v show_v therefore_o what_o it_o be_v for_o any_o to_o bear_v false_a witness_n against_o his_o neighbour_n to_o bear_v false_a witness_n be_v to_o utter_v and_o affirm_v any_o untruth_n how_o little_a soever_o the_o same_o may_v either_o discredit_v or_o impair_v the_o good_a name_n of_o any_o man_n or_o procure_v any_o other_o the_o least_o hurt_n or_o danger_n against_o he_o either_o in_o life_n honesty_n or_o good_n and_o special_o if_o it_o be_v against_o the_o spiritual_a happiness_n and_o salvation_n of_o his_o soul_n it_o be_v true_a false_a witness_n reach_v as_o far_o as_o do_v all_o that_o for_o the_o which_o any_o man_n may_v be_v worthy_a to_o be_v either_o justify_v or_o condemn_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n or_o man_n as_o may_v be_v particular_o exemplify_v through_o every_o commandment_n both_o of_o the_o first_o and_o also_o of_o â—he_n second_o table_n and_o further_o though_o this_o sin_n of_o false_a witness_n bear_v be_v grievous_a in_o the_o least_o degree_n yet_o it_o be_v to_o be_v esteem_v more_o heinous_a according_a to_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o accusation_n which_o be_v false_o lay_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o any_o man_n special_o of_o such_o a_o man_n as_o have_v best_a deserve_v to_o be_v well_o speak_v of_o etc._n etc._n false_a accusation_n in_o capital_a matter_n be_v more_o heinous_a then_o in_o matter_n otherwise_o penal_a in_o matter_n belong_v to_o god_n more_o than_o in_o matter_n pertain_v to_o man_n a_o certain_a proportion_n of_o one_o degree_n of_o sin_n compare_v with_o another_o before_o the_o magistrate_n and_o by_o oath_n more_o than_o private_o and_o by_o bare_a affirmation_n deliberate_o more_o than_o rash_o by_o writing_n or_o open_a print_n more_o than_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n by_o a_o magistrate_n or_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n more_o than_o by_o a_o private_a person_n against_o a_o society_n more_o than_o against_o one_o person_n against_o whole_a church_n and_o nation_n more_o than_o against_o some_o few_o among_o they_o final_o god_n forbid_v false_a witness_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o natural_a life_n and_o body_n must_v needs_o be_v understand_v much_o rather_o to_o forbid_v false_a witness_n to_o the_o everlasting_a peril_n of_o man_n soul_n which_o be_v more_o precious_a than_o their_o body_n and_o whole_a outward_a and_o worldly_a estate_n but_o not_o only_o the_o first_o inventor_n of_o the_o false_a accusation_n be_v here_o condemn_v of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v he_o that_o invent_v slander_n be_v a_o fool_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o wicked_a man_n proverbe_n chapter_n 10.18_o but_o also_o he_o that_o be_v overlight_n of_o give_v credit_n to_o it_o or_o to_o any_o uncertain_a rumour_n of_o who_o also_o it_o be_v say_v the_o fool_n believe_v every_o thing_n prou._n 14.15_o read_v also_o exod._n 23.1_o yea_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o any_o not_o to_o stay_v and_o suppress_v such_o fly_a report_n as_o we_o be_v after_o more_o full_o to_o consider_v and_o for_o this_o cause_n it_o be_v that_o god_n give_v the_o magistrate_n especial_o so_o special_a a_o charge_n as_o he_o do_v to_o examine_v the_o false_a witness_n very_o diligent_o and_o that_o no_o man_n shall_v be_v condemn_v under_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n exod._n chap._n 23.6.7.8_o and_o deut._n 17.14.6.7_o and_o chapter_n 19.16_o etc._n etc._n read_v also_o john_n 7.51_o but_o that_o we_o may_v proceed_v be_v false_a witness_n bear_v only_o by_o affirm_v a_o falsehood_n or_o open_a untruth_n against_o a_o man_n neighbour_n no_o for_o false_a witness_n may_v be_v bear_v by_o the_o denial_n and_o gainsay_v of_o that_o which_o be_v true_a there_o be_v like_o reason_n of_o either_o of_o these_o this_o be_v the_o sin_n of_o zidkijah_n the_o son_n of_o chenaanah_n against_o micaiah_n 1._o king_n 22.24_o it_o be_v a_o evil_a that_o be_v general_o very_o ready_a with_o all_o of_o we_o special_o concern_v our_o own_o excuse_n if_o there_o be_v not_o the_o great_a grace_n see_v in_o the_o example_n of_o sarah_n gen._n 18.15_o yea_o though_o she_o be_v a_o good_a woman_n that_o which_o we_o will_v do_v for_o the_o excuse_v and_o benefit_v of_o ourselves_o as_o we_o take_v it_o we_o will_v not_o stick_v if_o natural_a corruption_n prevail_v to_o do_v the_o like_a to_o the_o hurt_n of_o he_o who_o we_o take_v to_o be_v our_o enemy_n we_o will_v deny_v or_o lessen_v all_o the_o good_a which_o he_o have_v do_v etc._n etc._n this_o kind_n of_o bad_a deal_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o the_o lord_n condemn_v it_o for_o false_a witness_n bear_v but_o some_o man_n peradventure_o will_v ask_v what_o if_o my_o false_a witness_n may_v help_v my_o good_a neighbour_n and_o be_v no_o hindrance_n to_o any_o other_o either_o friend_n or_o foe_n may_v i_o not_o in_o such_o a_o case_n make_v that_o lie_n which_o they_o beautify_v with_o the_o name_n of_o a_o officious_a or_o dutiful_a lie_n what_o be_v to_o be_v say_v to_o this_o no_o evil_a must_v either_o be_v do_v or_o speak_v that_o any_o good_a or_o profit_n may_v come_v of_o it_o neither_o in_o truth_n can_v any_o good_a fruit_n come_v of_o it_o but_o rather_o it_o will_v prove_v over_o officious_a and_o hurtful_a special_o to_o the_o evil_a doer_n or_o speaker_n himself_o if_o god_n do_v not_o pardon_v it_o god_n the_o author_n of_o all_o that_o be_v good_a and_o true_a yea_o who_o be_v all_o only_a goodness_n and_o truth_n he_o will_v doubtless_o work_v &_o further_o they_o by_o true_a deal_n and_o true_a speak_n and_o therefore_o do_v straight_o require_v that_o we_o serve_v his_o bless_a providence_n only_o in_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n read_v rom._n 3._o verse_n 4.5.6.7.8_o it_o be_v true_a that_o in_o some_o case_n god_n have_v bear_v with_o the_o weakness_n of_o his_o servant_n this_o way_n when_o in_o their_o heart_n they_o have_v mind_v to_o serve_v his_o good_a providence_n but_o have_v fail_v in_o their_o right_a choice_n of_o the_o right_a way_n and_o mean_n as_o rebecka_n and_o jaakob_n do_v for_o the_o obtain_n of_o the_o blessing_n gen._n 27._o and_o the_o midwife_n of_o egypt_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o life_n of_o the_o male-children_n of_o the_o israely_n exod._n chap._n 1._o and_o david_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o his_o own_o life_n 1._o sam._n 21.1.2.3_o and_o verse_n 12.13_o but_o such_o example_n be_v as_o it_o be_v out-rule_n can_v be_v follow_v without_o great_a danger_n to_o those_o that_o will_v of_o purpose_n draw_v they_o to_o a_o inordinate_a course_n of_o imitation_n be_v there_o no_o way_n else_o whereby_o a_o man_n may_v bear_v false_a witness_n against_o his_o neighbour_n yes_o he_o may_v do_v it_o also_o by_o misconstrue_v and_o deprave_v either_o the_o meaning_n of_o his_o word_n or_o the_o purpose_n and_o intent_n of_o his_o action_n after_o the_o former_a manner_n of_o deprave_v the_o word_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o speaker_n be_v the_o adversary_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n false_a witness_n against_o he_o read_v john_n chap._n 2.19_o compare_v with_o matth._n 26.60.61_o and_o chap._n 27.39.40_o wherein_o that_o be_v fulfil_v which_o we_o read_v psal_n 35.11.12_o and_o thus_o also_o deal_v the_o false_a witness_n and_o accuser_n of_o stephen_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n act_v 6.11_o and_o chapter_n 7.58_o and_o chap._n 16.20.21_o after_o the_o latter_a manner_n be_v ahimelech_n accuse_v by_o doeg_n 1._o sam._n 21.7_o and_o chap._n 22.9_o etc._n etc._n and_o nehemiah_n by_o sanballat_n and_o geshem_n nehem._n chap._n 6.5.6_o etc._n etc._n and_o our_o saviour_n christ_n