Sermons preached

2. He that doth but speak what he hath heard, from others, without any Assertion or Asseveration of his own, as not knowing the Truth of the report, can hardly be excused from Sin. For if without just cause he speaketh those things that may wound the Reputation of others, he is in part accessary: for he reporteth those things which may induce the Hearers to think ill of an other, or at least beget a suspicion in their Minds concerning him, and so is a concurring cause to wrong another's Name and good Report. Now we should be so jealous of Sin, that we should not countenance it in others without a just and weighty cause.

2. He that doth but speak what he hath heard, from others, without any Assertion or Asseveration of his own, as not knowing the Truth of the report, can hardly be excused from Sin. For if without just cause he speaketh those things that may wound the Reputation of others, he is in part accessary: for he reporteth those things which may induce the Hearers to think ill of an other, or at least beget a suspicion in their Minds concerning him, and so is a concurring cause to wrong anothers Name and good Report. Now we should be so jealous of Sin, that we should not countenance it in others without a just and weighty cause.

3. He that doth speak that which is true, but tendeth to the Infamy of another, may be guilty of Sin, if he have not a sufficient Call and Warrant. As for Instance, 1. If it be a matter we have nothing to do with, but only speak of their faults for talk sake; This is to be Busy-bodies and Tattlers, Tim. 1. 5, 18. As we all love to speak of other Mens faults, when we look little at Home. This is a Sin, when it is not matter of cognisance. Or 2. If we aggravate things beyond their just Size and Proportion; for then we do not exercise Christian Lenity and Meekness towards those that are fallen, Gal. 6. 1. Or 3. If we urge their Crimes, and deny their Graces: This is like Flies to pitch on the sore place. Is there no good amongst all this evil? But it may be done, when Crimes are public, and Men themselves have forfeited all good repute, and God doth as it were hang them up in Chains, for a warning to the rest of the World; or when their Reputation may injure the Truth, and seduce the Souls of others, or be an injury to the Just who are slandered by them. In short, when the Glory of God, or love to the Public Good,