Question 78

Is Lying a great Sin?

Yes. Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old Man,^a

Is it a Sin that God hates?

Yes. Lying Lips are Abomination to the Lord,^b

And is it a Sin that all good Men hate?

Yes. I hate and abhor Lying,^c

Doth it make Men like the Devil?

Yes. For he is a Liar, and the Father of it,^d

And will it bring them to Hell?

Yes. For all Lives shall have their part in the Lake that Burns with Fire and Brimstone,^e

Is it lawful to tell a Lie to make Sport?

No. For as a Madman who casteth Firebrands, Arrows, and Death, so is he that deceiveth his Neighbour, and saith, Am not I in Sport?^f

Is it lawful to tell a Lie to excuse a Fault?

No. For Gehazi for doing so, had a Leprosie entail’d on him and his Seed for ever,^g

May we tell a Lie with an Intention to do Good?

No. We must not do Evil that Good may come,^h

Will what is got by Lying do us any Good?

No. The getting of Treasures by a Lying Tongue is a Vanity, tossed to and fro of them that seek Death,ⁱ

Should we therefore pray against this Sin?

Yes. Remove from me the Way of Lying,^j

Is it a Sin to belie our selves?

Yes. As there is that maketh himself Poor, yet hath great Riches,^k

May we be careless of our own good Name?

No. If I should say I know him not, I should be a Liar like unto you,^l

Is it a Sin to belie our Neighbour?

Yes. They laid to my charge Things that I know not,^m

Is it Folly?

Yes. He that utters a Slander is a Fool,ⁿ

Is it a Sin to speak Evil of any?

Yes. Put them in mind to speak Evil of no Man,^o

And to be Censorious of our Brethren?

Yes. Judge not, that ye be not judged,^p

Is it a great Offence to God to do this?

Yes. He that speaks Evil of his Brother, and judgeth his Brother, speaks Evil of the Law, and judgeth the Law,^q

Doth it make us like the Devil?

Yes. For he is the Accuser of the Brethren,^r

Is it a Sin to raise a false Report?

Yes. Thou shalt not raise a false Report,^s

And a Sin to spread it?

Yes. Thou shalt not go up and down as a Tale-bearer,^t

May we proclaim our Brethren’s Faults?

No. For Charity rejoiceth not in Iniquity,^u

Is it a Sin to speak Ill of Magistrates?

Yes. Thou shalt not speak Evil of the Ruler of thy People,^v

Is it a Sin to be abusive to the Poor?

Yes. For he that mocketh the Poor, reproacheth his Maker,^w

May we speak Ill of those that speak Ill of us?

No. We must not render Railing for Railing,^x