274 APPÉNDIX TO SERMONS XX, XXI, AND XXII. an 'insuflìcierrt answer, or I may be silent, 'and boldly refuse to give them any answer at all. But, 2. If his having no right to truth, be intended to sig- nify, that the character of his person, or the nature of his question, is such as releases me from all obligation to 'truth-in answering him, and that therefore:I may law- fully tell him a falsehood ; then I deny the proposition': For my obligation to speak truth doth not at all depend 'On the natureof his question, nor Both it depend merely 'on the character of the enquirer, but on the eternal rule of equity, and the command of God. And I think this appears from hence, that though I were alone, it would not be warrantable in me to assert with my `lips a known falsehood ; and in this case the right or claim of man can have no place nor consideration. Answer III. If this exception be 'made to the plain law of God, that we may speak a direct and express falsehood to any persons who in our esteem have no right to the truth in their enquiry ; this seems to break all the bands of human society, violate all the faith of men, and render the divine commands of veracity, and the prohibitions of falsehood almost useless: The consci- ences of men ívould find a way of escape from the great= est part of the bonds of duty, and yet think they com- mitted no sin. For let us consider, who it is that must judge whether the person to whom we speak has a right to truth -or no. Is it not the speaker himself who will be the judge? Now if the speaker must judge whether his neighbour has a right to truth, there is no case, wherein the speak er's interest may be any ways endangered by the truth, but his own sinful heart will readily whisper to him, that the hearer has no right to truth in such a question and conscience will be easily warped aside, and comply to pronounce a known falsehood, under the colour and pretence of this exception : As for instance, if the buyer asks the seller, how much he gave for any merchandize? The seller by this rule maytell him double the price that it cost; for he will say, the buyer has no right to truth in such a question as this is. So if I ask an artificer, how he fashions his work, or what tools he uses in it ? He may by thisrrìle give me a very false answer, under pre- tence that I have no right to truth.
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