A Body of Practical Divinity

1. Speaking that which is false. Prov. 12.22. Lying Lips are an Abomination to the Lord. To lie, is to speak that which one knows to be an Untruth. There is nothing more contrary to God than a Lie. The Holy Ghost is called the Spirit of Truth, 1 John 4.5, 6. Lying is a Sin that doth not go alone, it ushers in other Sins. Absalom told his Father a Lie, that he was going to pay his Vow at Hebron, 2 Sam. 15.7. and this Lie was a Preface to his Treason. Where there is a Lie in the Tongue, it shows the Devil is in the Heart. Acts 5.3. Why hath Satan filled thy Heart to lie? Lying is such a Sin as unfits Men for Civil Society. How can you converse or bargain with him, that you cannot trust a Word he saith? This is a Sin which highly provokes God. Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead for telling a Lie, Acts 5.5. The Furnace of Hell is heated for Liars. Rev. 22.15. Without are Sorcerers, and whosoever loveth and maketh a Lie. Oh abhor this Sin! Quicquid dixeris juratum putes. Hierom. When thou speakest, let thy Words be as Authentic as thy Oath. Imitate God, who is the Pattern of Truth. Pythagoras being asked, What made Men like God? Answered, Cum vera loquuntur, When they speak Truth. It is made the Character of a Man that shall go to Heaven, Psal. 15.2. He speaketh the Truth from his Heart.

1. Speaking that which is false. Prov. 12.22. Lying Lips are an Abomination to the Lord. To lie, is to speak that which one knows to be an Untruth. There is nothing more contrary to God than a Lie. The Holy Ghost is call'd the Spirit of Truth, 1 Iohn 4.5, 6. Lying is a Sin that doth not go alone, it ushers in other Sins. Absalom told his Father a Lie, that he was going to pay his Vow at Hebron,