(1.) Slandering our Neighbour. This is a Sin against the 9th Commandment. The Scorpion carries his Poison in his Tail, the Slanderer carries his Poison in his Tongue. Slandering, is to report things of others unjustly. Psal. 35.11. They laid things to my charge which I knew not. It is usual to bring in a Christian beheaded of his Good Name. They raised a Slander of Paul, that he should preach Men might do Evil that Good might come of it. Rom. 3.8. We are slanderously reported, and some affirm that we say, Let us do Evil that Good may come. 1Eminency is commonly blasted by Slander. Holiness its self is no Shield for Slander. The Lambs Innocency will not preserve it from the Wolf. Christ was the most innocent upon Earth, yet was reported to be a Friend of Sinners. John Baptist, a Man of an holy Austere Life, yet they said of him, He had a Devil, Matth. 11.18. The Scripture calls Slandering, Smiting with the Tongue. Jer. 18.18. Come and let us smite him with the Tongue. You may smite another and never touch him. Majora sunt linguae vulnera quam gladii. Aug. The Wounds of the Tongue no Physician can heal: And to pretend Friendship to a Man, yet slander him, is most odious. St. Hierom speaks thus, The Arian Faction made a show of Kindness; they kissed my Hands, but slandered me, and sought my Life. And as it is a Sin against this Commandment to raise a false Report of another, so it is a Sin to receive a false Report before we have examined it. Psal. 15.1. Lord, who shall dwell in thy holy Hill? Quis ad Coelum? Ver. 3. He that back biteth not, nor taketh up a Reproach against his Neighbour. We must not only not raise a false Report, but not take it up. He that raiseth a Slander, carries the Devil in his Tongue; and he that receives it, carries the Devil in his Ear.
(1.) Slandering our Neighbour. This is a Sin against the 9th Commandment. The Scorpion carries his Poyson in his Tail, the Slanderer carries his Poyson in his Tongue. Slandering, is to report things of others unjustly. Psal. 35.11. They laid things to my charge which I knew not. It is usual to bring in a Christian beheaded of his Good Name. They rais'd a Slander of Paul, that he should preach Men might do Evil that Good might come of it. Rom. 3.8. We are slanderously reported, and some affirm that we say, Let us do Evil that Good may come. 1Eminency is commonly blasted by Slander. Holiness its self is no Shield for Slander. The Lambs Innocency will not preserve it from the Wolf. Christ was the most innocent upon Earth, yet was reported to be a Friend of Sinners. Iohn Baptist, a Man of an holy Austere Life, yet they said of him, He had a Devil, Matth. 11.18. The Scripture calls Slandering, Smiting with the Tongue. Ier. 18.18. Come and let us smite him with the Tongue. You may smite another and never touch him. Majora sunt linguae vulnera quam gladii. Aug. The Wounds of the Tongue no Physician can heal: And to pretend Friendship to a Man, yet slander him, is most odious. St. Hierom speaks thus, The Arrian Faction made a show of Kindness; they kissed my Hands, but slandered me, and sought my Life. And as it is a Sin against this Commandment to raise a false Report of another, so it is a Sin to receive a false Report before we have examined it. Psal. 15.1. Lord, who shall dwell in thy holy Hill? Quis ad Coelum? Ver. 3. He that back biteth not, nor taketh up a Reproach against his Neighbour. We must not only not raise a false Report, but not take it up. He that raiseth a Slander, carries the Devil in his Tongue; and he that receives it, carries the Devil in his Ear.
- 1Surius of Luther.
