are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praife, think on these things. Those things which ye have both learned and received, and heard and feen in me, do and the God of peace shall be with you.'

Q. 8. How may we defend our good name ?

A. We may defend our good name, 1. By clearing ourfelves from the falfe afperfions, and vindicating our innocency against the falfe accufations of our adverfaries. Acts xxiv. 10.-13. I do the more cheerfully answer for myself; that thou mayeft understand, that there are yet but twelve days fince I went up to Jerufalem, and they neither found me in the temple difputing with any man, neither raifing up the people, neither in the fynagogues, nor in the city: neither can they prove the things whereof they now accufe me.' 2. By fpeaking fometimes in commendation of ourselves, when there is need only, and that very sparingly, modeftly, humbly, and unwillingly, always abafing ourselves, giving God all the glory for any thing in ourfelves which is praise-worthy. 2 Cor. xii. 11. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you, for in nothing am I behind the very chiefeft apostles, though I be nothing.' 1 Cor. xv. 10. By the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.'

Q.9. Who ought efpecially to maintain and promote their good name?

A. All ought to maintain and promote their good name, especially all believers and profeffors of religion : chiefly magiftrates, and fuch unto whom public truft is committed; and minifters unto whom is committed the charge of fouls. Titus ii. 7.-ro. In all things fhewing thyself a pattern of good works; that he, that is of the contrary part, may be affumed, having no evil thing to fay of you. Exhort fervants to be obedient unto their own mafters, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.'

Q. 10. Why ought all to maintain and promote their own good name?

A. All ought to maintain and promote their own good name, 1. Because it is for the glory of God, which is the duty of all principally to aim at, and to design their own honor, only in fubordination hereunto. Matth. v. 16.

Let your light fo fhine before men, that they may fee your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven' I Peter ii. 12. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that, whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may, by your good works, which they fhall behold, glorify God in the day of vifitation.” 2. Because a good name is precious, and rendereth men the more useful, one to another, causing mutual love unto and confidence in one another, whereby their mutual concernments and advantage, both civil and spiritual, are exceedingly promoted. Eccl. vii. 1. A good name is better than precious ointment.' Prov. xxii. 1. A good name is rather to be chofen than great riches, and loving favor rather than filver and gold.'

Q.11. What doth the ninth commandment require of us, im reference unto the good name of our neighbor ?

A. The ninth commandment requireth of us, in reference unto the good name of our neighbor, the maintaining and promoting thereof as our own, and that both in regard of ourselves, and in regard of others.

Q. 12. How ought we to maintain and promote our neigh, bor's good name, in regard of ourselves?

4. We ought to maintain and promote our neighbor's good name in regard of ourselves, 1. By looking unto, and having a due efteem of the worth, and the good things which are in them. Philip. ii. 4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.' 1 Theff. v. 13. Efteem them very highly in love for their works fake.' 2. By liking and loving, and defiring, and giving thanks to God for their good name and fame. Rom. i. 8. I thank my God through Jefus Chrift for you all, that your faith is fpoken of throughout the whole world.' 3. By a ready receiving a good report concerning them, and rejoicing therein. 3 John 3: 'I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came, and teftified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkeft in the truth. Cor. xiii. 6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity,

but rejoiceth in the truth.' 4. By deafening the ear against and difcouraging tale-bearers, back biters, flanderers, who speak evil of their neighbors. Pfal. xv. 3. ‹ That taketh not up a reproach against his neighbor.' Prov. xxv. 23. The north-wind driveth away rain; so doth an an gry countenance a back-biting tongue.' 5. By grieving at their faults, which expofe them unto difgrace, with de- ! fires and endeavors to promote their amendment, and the recovery of their reputation. 2 Cor. ii. 4. For out of much affliction and anguifh of heart, I wrote unto you with many tears not that ye fhould be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.'

Q. 13. How ought we to maintain and promote our neighbor's good name, in reference unto others?

A. We ought to maintain and promote our neighbor's good name, in reference unto others, 1. By giving that honor unto them which is their due, fpeaking well of them behind their backs, freely acknowledging their gifts and graces, and good things, and preferring them in honor before ourselves. 1 Peter ii. 17. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.' 3 John 12. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record, and ye know that our record is true.' I Cor. i. 4, 5. 7. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the Grace of God which is given you by Jefus Chrift; that in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge: fo that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jefus Christ.' Rom. xii. 10. Be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.' Philip. ii. 3. Let nothing be done through ftrife, or vain-glory, but in lowlinefs of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves.' 2. By defending their reputation and good name, in endeavors to prevent or ftop any evil or falfe report concerning them, and to vindicate them fo far as we can; especially when we are called before a magistrate to bear witness of their innocency, fo far as it is consistent with truth. 1 Sam. xxii. 14. • Then Abimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy fervants as David,

is the king's fon-in-law, and goeth at thy bidding, is honorable in thine houfe? 3. By concealing and ering their faults and infirmities (where we may) with illingness to expose them unto difgrace; and, in the t of meeknefs, endeavoring to reftore them when they overtaken and fallen into fin. 1 Peter iv. 8. 'Chariall cover the multitude of fins.' Matth. i. 19. Jofeph g a just man, and not willing to make her a public nple, was minded to put her away privily.' Gal. vi. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which piritual, restore fuch an one in the spirit of meek; confidering thyself, left thou also be tempted.' 4. reproving them before others only where there is l, and that with a respect unto their condition, and reabrance of what is praife-worthy in them. Matth. i. 15, 16. 'If thy brother fhall trespass against thee, and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or more,' &c. Rev. ii. 2, 4. I know thy works, and labor, and thy patience, &c. Nevertheless I have ewhat against thee,' &c.

XXVIII. Quest. What is forbidden in the ninth comdment?

Infw. The ninth commandment forbiddeth, whatfois prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our hbor's good name.

1. 1. What is more generally forbidden in this ninth comdment?

4. In this ninth commandment is more generally idden two things, 1. Whatsoever is prejudicial to truth. Whatfoever is injurious to our own or our neigh's good name.

2. 2 What is forbidden in the ninth commandment, as prejcial to truth?

4. The ninth commandment forbiddeth, as prejudito truth, all falfhood and lying whatfoever, whether e lies to make mifchief, as falfe accufation of others; ies to make gain, as falfifying of our word, overreachour neighbors for advantage to ourselves; or lies to ke wonder, as in the inventing of strange or false news; lies to make sports, as in lying jefts; or lies to make

192

excufe, as in all lies, for the covering of our own or othCol. iii. 9. 'Lie not one to another, feeing ers faults. that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.' Rev. xxi. 8. All liars fhall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimftone.'

Q. 3. What doth the ninth commandment forbid, as injuri ous unto our own good name ?

A. The ninth commandment forbiddeth, as injurious unto our own good name, 1. The doing any thing which. is justly of evil report, and may prejudice our reputation among men, fuch as committing adultery, theft, fraud, and any kind of baseness and wickednefs, which is not only dishonorable unto God, but difhonorable unto our felves. Prov. vi. 32, 33. Whofo committeth adultery with a woman, lacketh understanding; a wound and dif honor fhall he get, and his reproach fhall not be wiped a way.' 1 Sam. ii. 24, 30. Nay, my fons; for it is no good Now the Lord faith, be it far from report that I hear.

me;

for them that honor me, I will honor, and they that defpife me, fhall be lightly esteemed.' 2. All boafting and vain glory, and that whether we boast of a falfe gift, or thofegifts which we really have, whereby we really debafe and render ourselves contemptible in the eyes I Cor. 1 of God, and of the more judicious Christians. xiii. 4, 5. Charity vaunteth not_itself, is not puffed up, Prov. xxv. 14. • Whoto behaveth not itself unseemly.' boafteth himself of a falfe gift, is like clouds and wind Matth. xxiii. 12. 'Whofoever shall exalt without rain.' himself, fhall be abased; and he, that fhall humble himfelf, fhall be exalted.' 3. Bearing falfe witness against our felves, in accufing ourselves in that wherein we are not guilty, and by denying the gifts and graces which God hath given us, endeavouring to leffen our esteem, that thereby we might be numbered among those from whom we are through grace redeemed. Col. ii. 18. Let no ma beguile you of your reward, in a voluntary humility.' Unneceffary and imprudent difcovery of all our real infirm ities, unto the fcorn of the wicked and ungodly.

Q. 4. What doth the ninth commandment forbid, as injuri sus unto the good name of our neighbor?

A. The ninth commandment doth forbid, as injurious