The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…

And which of us is there that if one should be in company ⟨p. 84⟩where he were charged with false accusations & that his neighbour knew well enough but yet would not stir his tongue to clear him or show the truth of the matter, and speak in his neighbours defence, whom he knew to be far from all such ill practises; every own would that this silence were a betraying of his neighbour, and a great wrong as indeed it were. Then if we think others should not be silent when our name is wronged, let us measure and open our mouths to maintain our neighbours purity and good credit against any slanderers, which if we do, we shall keep this commandment, in some measure, and God will stir up others that in the like case shall defend us, and speak boldly to clear our innocency. And thus this commandment is broken without speech.

And which of vs is there that if one should be in company ⟨p. 84⟩where he were charged with false accusations & that his neighbour knew well enough but yet would not stirre his tongue to cleare him or shew the truth of the matter, and speake in his neighbours defence, whom he knew to be farre from all such ill practises; euery owne would that this silence were a betraying of his neighbour, and a great wrong as indeede it were. Then if we thinke others should not be silent when our name is wronged, let vs measure and open our mouthes to maintaine our neighbours puritie and good credit against any slaunderers, which if we doe, we shall keepe this commaundement, in some measure, and God will stirre vp others that in the like case shall defend vs, and speake boldly to cleare our innocencie. And thus this commaundement is broken without speach.

Now by speech it is broken either by giving or receiving. By giving out speech either true or false, for one may be an enemy and as much break this commandment in speaking nothing but the truth, in some cases, as in other cases if he speak false and lying things, and this truth if it be put in the other end of the balance of Gods judgement will weigh as heavy as falsehood. If one speak the truth without discretion, unseasonable, out of time and out of place, if his words be true, but his end false and wicked, and his purpose naught, he is as cruel and malicious an enemy to the name and credit of his neighbour, and as vile a slander in the sight of God, as if he spoke that which were false. This was the fault of Doeg, that cursed enemy of David. When he sees Saul have an ill opinion of David, and all his friends, and comes in a chafe to his men saying, what will none of you tell me that my son and my servant have conspired against me? And Doeg knew full well by Sauls behaviour, that his end was mischievous, and he would make a dispatch of all Davids friends, he steps me out now in this unseasonable time, and there shows what he had seen; that the priest had given David bread and a sword, and counselled with God for him. This was so indeed as he said, but this was a most devilish and wicked part, and a foul fault; for hence arose that cruel persecution, and the murdering of so many innocent servants