536 CBRZSTIAN MORALTTY, VIZ. tSÈItM. $?F. business from theprinces, which was about submission to the Chaldeans, and told them that lie presented his sup- pIication to the king, that he would not cause him to re- turn to Jonathan's house, so the princes left off speaking with him, and the matter was not perceived. Jeer. xxxviii. 24, &c. There may be various occasions in life, v. herein it is proper to keep ourselves upon the reserve: Silence is much commended by Solomon, who was made divinely wise : Prov. xxix. 11. A fool uttereth all his mina; but a wise man .keepeth it in till cr. fterward Yet, it must be confessed too, that sometimes the con- cealment of part of the truth, when it is necessarily due to the hearer, in order to pass a right judgement of the whole, is almost as criminal as a lie : And ,herein con- sists the guilt of. partial representations. But I cannot stay to discuss this point at large. Thegreat rule of veracity in general lies in being just and fair in our narratives and representations of things, and in saying nothing but what we believe to be true. Whatsoever therefore we have to speak to our fellow- creatures, let us lay a charge upon our consciences per- petually, that we speak according to the sentiments of our hearts ; and remember, that what disgúises soever our tongues put on, God our Judge sees through them all. And not only whenwe relate matters of fact, but when we express our sentiment of the characters of men, let us be just to truth, I confess, brotherly love generally re- quires ús to put the most favourable colours on a ble- mished character, and say the softest things that the matter will bear ; lovecovereth a multitude of faults and follies, and in this case silence often becomes us best, But when providence and duty require us to speak, no pretensions of love or charity are sufficient to excuse a falsehood. Again, when we have a bright character upon our tongues, or when we are paying civilities to our neigh- bours or friends, let us take heed of being lavish beyond what truth will allow. . The sins of complaisance maybe connived at or applauded by men, and miscalled by the name of good breeding ; but the eye and ear of God take a juster and more severe notice of the softest and smoothest falsehoods. 3
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=