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fort of that estate which God hath given us (z).

Q. 143. Which is the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour (a).

Q. 144. What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?

A. The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man (b), and the good name of our neighbour, as well as our own (c); appearing and standing for the truth (d); and from the heart (e), sincerely (f), freely (g), clearly (h), and fully (i), speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice (k), and in all other things

loweth after vain persons, shall have poverty enough.

(z) Eccl. 4. 8. There is one alone, and there is not a second: yea, he hath neither child nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. 1 Tim. 5. 8. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (a) Exodus 20. 16. (b) Zech. 8. 16. These are the things that ye shall 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 itself: yea, and we also bear record, and ye know that our record is true.

(d) Prov. 31. 8, 9. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

(e) Psal. 15. 2. He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righ

teousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

(f) 2 Chron. 19. 19. And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.

(g) 1 Sam. 19. 4. And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good.

(h) Josh. 7. 19. And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from

me.

(i) 2 Sam. 14. 18. Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.

(k) Lev. 19. 15. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty but in righteOUSE SS shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

whatsoever (1); a charitable esteem of our neighbours (m), ́ loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name (n); sorrowing for (o), 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 (s), and unwillingness to admit of an evil report concerning them (t); discouraging tale-bearers (v), flatterers (w), and slanderers (x); love and care of our own

(1) 2 Cor. 1. 17, 18. When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay? But as God is true, our word to ward you was not yea and nay. Eph. 4. 25. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

(m) Heb. 6. 9. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 1 Cor. 13.7. (Charity) beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

(n) Rom. 1. 8. First, I thank my God, through Jesus Christ, for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 2 John 4. I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

(0) 2 Cor. 2. 4. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote unto you with many tears; not that you should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

(p) Proverbs 17. 9. He that covereth a transgression, seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter, separateth very friends. 1 Pet. 4. 8. And above all things have fervent charity among your

selves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

(g) 1 Cor. 1. 4. 7. I thank my God always in your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance and in all knowledge. So that ye come behind in no gift.

(") 1 Samuel 22. 14. Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants, as David, which is the king's son-in-law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?

(8) 1 Cor. 13. 6. (Charity) rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth: v. 7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

(t) Psal. 15. 3. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

v) Prov. 25. 23. The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

(w) Prov. 26. 24, 25. He that hateth, dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him. When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

(x) Psal. 101. 5. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, aim will I cut off.

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good name, and defending it when need requireth (y); keeping of lawful promises (z); studying and practising of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report (a).

Q. 145. What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbours, as well as our own (b), especially in public judicature (c); giving false evidence (d); suborning false witnesses (e), wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, out-facing and over-bearing the truth (f); passing

(y) Prov. 22. 1. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. John 8. 49. Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

(z) Psalms 15. 4.-He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

(a) Phil. 4. 8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, what soever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

(b) 1 Sam. 17. 28. And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. (c) Lev. 19. 15. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy

neighbour. Hab. 1. 4. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous: therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

(d) Prov. 19. 5. A false wit ness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. Prov. 6. 16. 19. These six things doth the Lord hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A false witness that speak. eth lies, and him that soweth dis cord among brethren.

(e) Acts. 6. 13. And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law.

(f) Jer. 9. 3. 5. And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord. And they will deeeive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Acts 24. 2. 5. And when he was called forth, Tertullus be. gan to accuse him, For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among

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unjust sentence (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, undue silence in a just cause (k), and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves (1), or complaint to others (m); speaking the truth unseasonably (n), or maliciously to a wrong end (o), or perverting it to a wrong meaning (p), or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice (q); speaking untruth (r), lying (s), slandering (t), backbiting (v), detracting (w), tale-bearing (x),

all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

(g) Prov. 17. 15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.

(h) Isa. 5. 23. Which justify the wicked for a reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him.

(i) Psal. 119. 69. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

(k) Lev. 5. 1. And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it, if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

(1) 1 Kings 1. 6. And his father had not displeased him at any time, in saying, Why hast thou done so? Lev. 19. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

(m) Isa. 59. 4. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth they trust in vanity.

(n) Prov. 29. 11. A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

(0) 1 Sam. 22. 9. Then an

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swered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub.

(p) Psal. 56. 5. Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

(9) Gen. 3. 5. For God doth know, that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened: and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Gen. 26. 7. And the men of the place ask. ed him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife.

(r) Isa. 59. 13. In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

(s) Lev. 19. 11. Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. Col. 3. 9. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.

(t) Psal. 50. 20. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mo ther's son.

(v) Psal. 15. 3. He that backbiteth not with his tongue. (w) James 4. 11. Speak not

whispering (y),scoffing (z), reviling (a), rash (b), harsh (e), and partial censuring (d), misconstructing intentions, words and actions (e); flattering (ƒ), vain-glorious boasting (g), thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others (h); denying the gifts and graces of God (i), aggravating smaller faults (k), hiding, excusing, or

evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the Jaw; but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

(x) Lev. 19. 16. Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord. (y) Rom. 1. 29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness: full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, v. 30. Backbiters, haters of God.

(z) Gen. 21. 9. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had borne unto Abraham, mocking. Compared with Gal. 4. 29. But as then he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the spirit, even so it is now.

(a) 1 Cor. 6. 10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

(b) Mat. 7. 1. Judge not, that ye be not judged.

(c) Acts 28. 4. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

(d) Gen. 38. 24. And it came to pass, about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath

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played the harlot; and also behold, she is with child by whoredom: and Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.

(e) Neh. 6. 6. Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.

(f) Psal. 12. 2. They speak vanity every one with his neigh bour: with flattering lips, and with a double heart do they speak. v. 3. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.

(g) 2 Tim. 3. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters.

(h) Luke 18. 9. And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. Exod. 4. 10. 14. And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, &c.

(i) Job 27. 5, 6. God forbid that I should justify you: till I die, I will not remove my integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go : my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

(k) Mat. 7. 3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest

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