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1. Slander. All reproachful, opprobrious, and vile speech of or to our brethren is condemned; and that speech which, uttered in their absence, tendeth to their disgrace, discredit, or defamation. This evil is against the law of charity. Satan is the author of slander. See his words to Eve. St. James, speaking of slander, said the tongue was full of deadly poison. This sin is in sundry ways committed. Diogenes, being asked, what beast bit sorest, answered, "Among wild beasts, the slanderer; but among tame beasts, the flatterer."(1) When anything is falsely said of us, and we are charged with matters that are untrue.

(2) When men, by vehemency of words, aggravate and amplify the infirmities and light offences of men.

(3) When men blaze abroad the secret sins and infirmities of their brethren.

(4) When we deprave the good deeds and well doing of men.

(5) When, by our manner of speaking, we leave a surmise and suspicion in the hearts of the hearers.

(6) When we report truly the faults of men, yet not for love to the truth, but for envy to the persons. The chief causes of slandering seem to be these: Love of yourselves. Malice towards others. Desire of revenge. Hope of commodity. Study to please.

2. Injury. Men do injury and evil unto other men chiefly in four ways: in body, in goods, in rights and privileges, in name and estimation.

3. Receiving and believing false reports against brethren. Men should not be too light of belief. They are often even pleased with false reports.

4. Flattering the wicked. To hate the wicked and favour the just is a point of equity.

5. Breaking promises. This is usual in the wicked.

(R. Turnbull.)

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KJV: He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

WEB: He who doesn't slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor casts slurs against his fellow man;