Expl. 78. More particularly, here is forbidden something (1st,) Inwardly, as (1) All uncharitable and censorious thoughts concerning our neighbour; for we are to love our neighbour, and charity thinketh no evil. (2) All supercilious and disdainful thoughts, as of the meanness of his person, the weakness of his parts, gifts, &c. (3) All ungrounded suspicions and over-credulousness, or a readiness to open the ear to any body that shall but open his mouth against him. (4) All such inordinate passions as (hatred, wrath, &c.) are suitable to such a bad and unchristian temper of mind. (2dly,) Outwardly, is here forbidden, (1) False testimony against him, whether privately unto some private person in our discourse, or publicly before a Magistrate, when a man is to speak ⟨p. 130⟩or to swear in truth, judgment, and righteousness. (2) The suborning or procuring of others to be false witnesses against him. (3) Pleading for an evil cause, for this is to defend injustice, and to be the Devils advocate. (4) Uncharitable censures. (5) Unjust verdicts and sentences. (6) Any kind of endeavours to suppress or hinder the course of justice and truth by undue silence. (7) Speaking the truth unseasonably, especially when it tends to detraction, reproach, and slander; for to report the sins of others without just cause, is really a reproach, as from the reporter, though the matter be true; if it be done without malice, and in order to his reformation, such report is not sinful, because here only a less good is neglected for procuring a greater. Yet is it no defamation to speak of another's mans failings, when they are the common talk of public fame, or marked out by the sentence of the Judg, or the notoriety of the fact. (8) Forgeries, whether of writing or tales. (9) Harsh misconstructions and interpretations of other mens words, intentions, or actions. (10) Flattering, and undervaluing of others. (11) All malicious aggravations, or unjust excuses and extenuations of others faults. (12) All such whisperings, reviling, and rash speaking, whereby either truth, charity, or the good name of others is wronged. (13) All raising and receiving false reports, and the rejoicing in the disgrace of ⟨p. 131⟩another.
Expl. 78. More particularly, here is forbidden something (1st,) Inwardly, as (1) All uncharitable and censorious thoughts concerning our neighbour; for we are to love our neighbour, and charity thinketh no evil. (2) All supercilious and disdainful thoughts, as of the meanness of his person, the weakness of his parts, gifts, &c. (3) All ungrounded suspitions and over-credulousness, or a readiness to open the ear to any body that shall but open his mouth against him. (4) All such inordinate passions as (hatred, wrath, &c.) are suitable to such a bad and unchristian temper of mind. (2dly,) Outwardly, is here forbidden, (1) False testimony against him, whether privately unto some private person in our discourse, or publickly b•fore a Magistrate, when a man is to speak ⟨p. 130⟩or to swear in truth, judgment, and righteousness. (2) The suborning or procuring of others to be false witnesses against him. (3) Pleading for an evil cause, for this is to defend injustice, and to be the Devils advocate. (4) Uncharitable censures. (5) Unjust verdicts and sentences. (6) Any kind of endeavours to suppress or hinder the course of justice and truth by undue silence. (7) Speaking the truth unseasonably, especially when it tends to detraction, reproach, and slander; for to report the sins of others without just cause, is really a reproach, as from the reporter, though the matter be true; if it be done without malice, and in order to his reformation, such report is not sinful, because here only a less good is neglected for procuring a greater. Yet is it no defamation to speak of anothers mans failings, when they are the common talk of publick fame, or markt out by the sentence of the Judg, or the notoriety of the fact. (8) Forgeries, whether of writing or tales. (9) Harsh misconstructions and interpretations of other mens words, intentions, or actions. (10) Flattering, and undervaluing of others. (11) All malicious aggravations, or unjust excuses and extenuations of others faults. (12) All such whisperings, reviling, and rash speaking, whereby either truth, charity, or the good name of others is wronged. (13) All raising and receiving false reports, and the rejoicing in the disgrace of ⟨p. 131⟩another.
