Sermons preached

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, ⟨p. 182⟩or the avoiding some great danger that may be befall others by their esteem, then a lesser good is to be neglected to procure a greater, and a growing evil prevented, when Men by dissembling their Wickedness seek a Fame, to the manifest hurt of others Souls.

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 Busie-bodies and Tatlers, 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 faln, 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 publick, 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 Publick Good,