Q145
What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?
The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbours, as well as our own,863 especially in public judicature;864 giving false evidence,865 suborning false witnesses,866 wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth;867 passing unjust sentence,868 calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked;869 forgery,870 concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause,871 and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves,872 or complaint to others;873 speaking the truth unseasonably,874 or maliciously to a wrong end,875 or perverting it to a wrong meaning,876 or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice;877 speaking untruth,878 lying,879 slandering,880 backbiting,881 detracting,882 tale-bearing,883 whispering,884 scoffing,885 reviling,886 rash,887 harsh,888 and partial censuring;889 misconstructing intentions, words, and actions;890 flattering,891 vainglorious boasting,892 thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others;893 denying the gifts and graces of God;894 aggravating smaller faults;895 hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession;896 unnecessary discovering of infirmities;897 raising false rumours,898 receiving and countenancing evil reports,899 and stopping our ears against just defence;900 evil suspicion;901 envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any,902 endeavouring or desiring to impair it,903 rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy;904 scornful contempt,905 fond admiration;906 breach of lawful promises;907 neglecting such things as are of good report,908 and practising, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.909