nk, than to buoy it up by such base means? Is
it not wisdom rather to smother or curb our humour, than by
satisfying it thus to forfeit our innocence? Can anything in the
world be so considerable, that for its sake we should defile our
souls by so foul a practice, making shipwreck of a good conscience,
abandoning honour and honesty, incurring all the guilt and all the
punishment due to so enormous a crime? Is it not far more wisdom,
contentedly to see our neighbour to enjoy credit and success, to
flourish and thrive in the world, than by such base courses to sully
his reputation, to rifle him of his goods, to supplant or cross him
in his affairs? We do really, when we think thus to depress him,
and to climb up to wealth or credit by the ruins of his honour, but
debase ourselves. Whatever comes of it, whether he succeeds or is
disappointed therein, assuredly he that useth such courses will
himself be the greatest loser, and deepest sufferer. 'Tis true
which the wise man saith, "The getting of treasures by a lying
tongue, is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death."
And, "Woe unto them," saith the prophet, "that draw iniquity with
cords of vanity;" that is, who by falsehood endeavour to compass
unjust designs.

But it is not, perhaps he will pretend, to assuage a private
passion, or to promote his particular concernment, that he makes so
bold with his neighbour, or deals so harshly with him; but for the
sake of orthodox doctrine, for advantage of the true Church, for the
advancement of public good, he judgeth it expedient to asperse him.
This indeed is the covert of innumerable slanders: zeal for some
opinion, or some party, beareth out men of sectarian and factious
spirits in such practices; they may do, they may say anything for
those fine ends. What is a little truth, what is any man's
reputation in comparison to the carrying on such brave designs? But
(to omit that men do usually prevaricate in these cases; that it is
not commonly for love of truth, but of themselves; not so much for
the benefit of their sect, but for their own interest, that they
calumniate) this plea will nowise justify such practice. For truth
and sincerity, equity and candour, meekness and charity are
inviolably to be observed, not only towards dissenters in opinion,
but even towards declared enemies of truth itself; we are to bless
them (that is, to speak well of them, and to wish well t