A17662:597
The Institution of Christian Religion
The institution of Christian religion, written in Latin by master John Calvin, and translated into English according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Queens majesties injunctionsThe institution of Christian religion, vvrytten in Latine by maister Ihon Caluin, and translated into Englysh according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Quenes maiesties iniunctions
London: printed by Reinolde Wolfe & Richard Harison, 1561London: printed by Reinolde VVolfe & Richarde Harison, 1561
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The ninth Commandment.
The nynthe Commaundement.
Thou shalt not be a lying witness against §47thy neighbour.
Thou shalte not be a lyeng witnesse agaynste §47thy neighboure.
The end of this commandment is, that because God which is trueth abhorreth lying, we ought to observe trueth without deceitful colour. The sum therefore shall be, that we neither hurt any mans name either with slanders or false reports, nor hinder him in his goods by lying: finally that we offend no man, by lust to speak evil, or to be busy: with which prohibition is joined a commandment, that so far as we may, we employ our faithful endeavour for every man in affirming the trueth, to defend the safety both of his name and goods. It seemeth that the Lord purposed to expound the meaning of his commandment in the three and twenty Chapter of Exodus in these words.1 Thou shalt not use the voice of lying, nor shalt join thy hand to speak false witness for the wicked. Again, Thou shalt flee lying. Also in an other place he doth not only call us away from lying in this point that we be no accusers, or whisperers in the people, but also that no man deceive his brother, for he forbiddeth them both in several commandments. Truly it is no doubt, but that as in the commandments before, he hath forbidden cruelty, unchastity and covetousness, so in this he restraineth falsehood. Whereof there are two parts as we have noted before. For either we offend the good name of our neighbours by maliciousness and froward mind to backbite, or in lying and sometime in evil speaking we hinder their commodities. There is no difference whether in this place be understanded solemn & judicial testimony, or common testimony that is used in private talks. For we must alway have recourse to this principle, that of all the general kinds of vices one special sort is set for an example, whereunto the rest may be referred, and that that is chiefly chosen, wherein the filthiness of the fault is most apparent. All be it, it were convenient to extend it more generally, to slanders and sinister backbitings, where with our neighbours are wrongfully grieved, for that falsehood of witnessing which is used in judicial courts, is never without perjury. But perjuries in so much as they do profane and defile the name of God, are already sufficiently met withal in the third commandment.