Finally, lying is contrary to Charity, which as 1the Apostle speaketh delighteth and rejoiceth in the Truth: Now Charity is the fulfilling of the whole Law, and compriseth in it all duties towards God, our neighbours and our selves: and therefore lying in this respect, as it opposeth Charity, transgresseth the whole Law of God; for first, it dishonoureth ⟨p. 146⟩God, and robbeth him of his Glory, as in those respects formerly spoken of, namely because it is contrary to Gods Nature and Truth, and transgresseth his Word and revealed Will; so also because the Liar, like the Devil, in a sort blasphemeth God in opposing his works, taking upon him to give a being to that which is not, and to make something of nothing, which is proper and peculiar to divine Omnipotency, which nevertheless is but an apish imitation, and not done in Truth; for whereas God by his Almighty Power giveth a true being to things that are not, and maketh all things of nothing; the Devil and those his children that resemble him in lying, do not by their words give a true being to things that are not, but only labour to imitate God herein as much as they are able, giving unto them a false being in the opinions of those whom they deceive with their lies, and though they are not, yet make them seem to be in show and appearance. Even as the Devil by his juggling tricks and impostures, casteth false mists before mens eyes, and maketh them believe that they see many things which they see not, and which in truth are not, whilst being unable to give a true existence to these things, he only deludeth and abuseth their fantasy. Secondly, it is contrary to true Charity in respect of our neighbours, seeing it robbeth their minds of that precious Jewell of Truth, and putteth in the place thereof (as it were) the base bugles and worthless counterfeits of lies, besides all those evils and mischiefs, of which I have formerly spoken. Finally, it is most contrary to that Charity and Love which ⟨p. 147⟩every man oweth to himself, seeing it bringeth upon a man innumerable evils, spoiling him of truth, and many other graces in this life, and depriving him of all hope to enjoy eternal blessedness, or to escape the everlasting torments of Hell fire in the life to come.
Finally, lying is contrary to Charity, which as 1the Apostle speaketh delighteth and rejoyceth in the Truth: Now Charity is the fulfilling of the whole Law, and compriseth in it all duties towards God, our neighbours and our selves: and therefore lying in this respect, as it opposeth Charity, transgresseth the whole Law of God; for first, it dishonoureth ⟨p. 146⟩God, and robbeth him of his Glory, as in those respects formerly spoken of, namely because it is contrary to Gods Nature and Truth, and transgresseth his Word and revealed Will; so also because the Lyar, like the Divell, in a sort blasphemeth God in opposing his workes, taking upon him to give a being to that which is not, and to make something of nothing, which is proper and peculiar to divine Omnipotency, which neverthelesse is but an apish imitation, and not done in Truth; for whereas God by his Almighty Power giveth a true being to things that are not, and maketh all things of nothing; the Divell and those his children that resemble him in lying, doe not by their words give a true being to things that are not, but onely labour to imitate God herein as much as they are able, giving unto them a false being in the opinions of those whom they deceive with their lyes, and though they are not, yet make them seeme to bee in shew and appearance. Even as the Divell by his jugling trickes and impostures, casteth false mists before mens eyes, and maketh them beleeve that they see many things which they see not, and which in truth are not, whilest being unable to give a true existence to these things, he onely deludeth and abuseth their phantasie. Secondly, it is contrary to true Charity in respect of our neighbors, seeing it robbeth their mindes of that precious Jewell of Truth, and putteth in the place thereof (as it were) the base bugles and worthlesse counterfeits of lyes, besides all those evills and mischiefes, of which I have formerly spoken. Finally, it is most contrary to that Charity and Love which ⟨p. 147⟩every man oweth to himselfe, seeing it bringeth upon a man innumerable evills, spoyling him of truth, and many other graces in this life, and depriving him of all hope to injoy eternall blessednesse, or to escape the everlasting torments of Hell fire in the life to come.
- 1§. 3. That lies are opposite to Charity. 1 Cor. 13. 6.§. 3. That lyes are opposite to Charity. 1 Cor. 13. 6.
