A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

THE NINTH COMMAND. Exodus 20.16. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

THE Lord having in the foregoing Commands directed us how to walk with others in reference to their honour, life, chastity, and estate: Now because men and human Societies are greatly concerned in the observing of truth and ingenuity, he cometh in this Command to direct us how to be tender of this, that by us our neighbour be not wronged in that respect, but that on the contrary all means may be used to preserve truth for his good, to prevent what may load his name, and to remove what lieth on it. The scope of it is the preservation of verity and ingenuity amongst men, Coloss. 3.9. lye not one to another. Ephes. 4.25. Speak every man the truth, &c. and v. 15. Speak the truth in love; because if otherwise spoken, it is contrary to the scope of this Command, which is the preservation of our neighbours name from a principle of love: The sin forbidden here is expressed by false witness bearing, which is especially before Judges, because that is the most palpable gross way of ⟨p. 437⟩venting an untruth, under which (as in other Commands) all the lesser are forbidden.

THE Lord having in the foregoing Commands directed us how to walk with others in reference to their honour, life, chastity, and estate: Now because men and human Societies are greatly concerned in the observing of truth and ingenuity, he cometh in this Command to direct us how to be tender of this, that by us our neighbour be not wronged in that respect, but that on the contrary all means may be used to preserve truth for his good, to prevent what may load his name, and to remove what lyeth on it. The scope of it is the preservation of verity and ingenuity amongst men,