2. You rob them of the most precious treasure. He that robs thee of thy name is the worst kind of thief : Pro v. xxii. 1, ' A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches/ A man that is taken pilfer- ing another man's goods, he is ashamed when he is found ; so should a censurer : you rob him of a more excellent treasure.
3. You offend God, and draw public hatred. It is the devil's work to be ' the accuser of the brethren,' Rev. xii. 10. The devil doth not commit adultery, doth not break the Sabbath, nor dishonour parents ; these are not laws given to him. If the devil will bear false witness, he is an accuser of the brethren ; it is the devil's proper sin, and there- fore slanderer and devil have one name, Diabolus.
Object. But must we in no case speak evil of another ? or may we not speak of another's sin in no case ?
Sol. 1, It is a very hard matter to speak any evil of another without sin ; for if it be without cause, then it is downright slander, and is against truth ; if it be for a light and small cause, then it is against charity ; if it be for things indifferent, or for lesser failings, indiscretions, or weaknesses, still it is against charity: James iv. 11, ' Speak not evil one of another, brethren.' It is worse in brethren. Many take liberty to traduce God's choice servants that are in difference. For a soldier to speak evil of soldiers, or a scholar of scholars, is worse than for those that hate these functions. So for you, Christians, to speak evil one of another, you gratify the triumphs of hell, and bring a reproach upon the ways of Christ. In things doubtful, judge the best; in things hidden and secret we can take no cognisance : when the fact is open, we do not know the aim nor the intent of the heart. It is the devil's work to judge thus : ' Doth Job serve God for nought ?' wdien he could not traduce his action. If the practice be open and public, we do not know what alleviating circumstances it may bear, what grievous temptations they had, or whether they have repented, yea or nay. The devil is called a slanderer, because he doth accuse the saints. It is too true many times what he accuseth them of. Ay ! but he accuseth them when they are pardoned ; he rakes up the
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filth God hath covered ; he accuseth the brethren after repentance, after they are acquitted by the Lord's grace ; and so you may incur the like : and therefore it is a very hard matter to avoid sin ; in one way or other we shall dash upon the command ; better let it alone.
2. Speak not of him, but to him ; and so change a sin into a duty. I say, when you turn admonition into censure, you exchange a duty for a sin. ' Admonish one another,' is a thing spoken of in scripture; but ' speak not evil one of another.'
3. If you speak of the failings of others, it should be with tenderness and grief; as when they are incorrigible and likely to infect others, or when it is for the manifest glory of God : Phil. iii. 19, ' There are some of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping,' &c. He speaks of some seducers that, under the form of godliness, did under- mine the purport of the Christian religion, merely took up the profes- sion of it for their own ends. It should be done with a mighty deal of caution ; not out of idleness for want of talk — that is babble ; not out of hatred and revenge — that is malice : though the matter is true, yet we must not speak of men's fliults to please others — that is dattery.
Secondly, To them that receive the slander. He is a slanderer that wrongs his neighbours' credit by upholding an ill report against them. It is hard to say which is worse, railing or receiving. Ps. xv. 3, when an inhabitant of Sion is described, it is said, ' He that receiveth not a report, and takes it not up against his neighbour ;' so Prov. xvii. 4, ' A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips, and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.' It is not only a point of wickedness to have a naughty tongue or false lips, but to give heed. He is a liar that receiveth a lie, and loves it when brought to him. God will plague all those that love lies. As in treason, all that are acquainted with the plot are responsi- ble ; so you are responsible for your ears, as they for their tongue. It is good to have a spiritual tongue, that will heal the wounds that others make in men's reputation : Prov. xii. 18, ' There is that speak- eth like the piercings of a sword ; but the tongue of the wise is health.' Some carry a sword in their mouths, others balsam to heal the wounds that are made.