A Paraphrase on The Ten Commandments in Divine Poems Illustrated With Twelve Copper Plates, shewing how Personal Punishments has been inflicted on the Transgressors of these Commandments, as is Recorded in the Holy Scripture. Never before Printed. Also, a Metrical Paraphrase upon the Creed and Lord's-Prayer. Written by George Wither |
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| IX. | Command. IX.
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 | A Paraphrase on The Ten Commandments in Divine Poems |  |
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Command. IX.
[VVere his Edict omitted, who could say]
In any case no witness bear,
Of things which false or doubtful are.
Of things which false or doubtful are.
VVere his Edict omitted, who could say,
He should enjoy his life or Goods a day?
If nigh his habitation chance to dwell,
Such Neighbours as the wicked Jesabel,
(And her curst Instruments:) whose downfall, here
Is typifi'd, that such may stand in fear.
He should enjoy his life or Goods a day?
If nigh his habitation chance to dwell,
Such Neighbours as the wicked Jesabel,
(And her curst Instruments:) whose downfall, here
Is typifi'd, that such may stand in fear.
Where could we be secure from perjur'd men,
Unless God sent forth Vengeance now and then,
To find out those who secretly contrive
How, others of their portions to deprive,
Since, very often this offence hath none
Who can behold it, but, that God alone?
Or, by what means might they be kept in awe,
Whose greatness makes them careless of this Law?
How safe seem'd Jesabel, by being great?
And, yet, how boldly did the Prophet threat
Succeeding Vengeance? and though she were high,
How low upon a suddain did she lie?
That high and low, might view her cursed plight
And more in truthful honesty delight.
Unless God sent forth Vengeance now and then,
To find out those who secretly contrive
How, others of their portions to deprive,
Since, very often this offence hath none
Who can behold it, but, that God alone?
Or, by what means might they be kept in awe,
Whose greatness makes them careless of this Law?
How safe seem'd Jesabel, by being great?
And, yet, how boldly did the Prophet threat
Succeeding Vengeance? and though she were high,
How low upon a suddain did she lie?
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And more in truthful honesty delight.
Most know, that, of this Law they breakers are
Who bear false witness, at the Judgment Bar,
And very many are not without fear,
In such ungodly actions to appear,
But, few do seem, aright to understand,
Their other breaches of this Ninth Command,
To lie, accounted is a fault so small,
That many feel no sence thereof at all,
But, make a Play-game of it: yea and some
Such Patrons of that Evil are become,
That they allow, and justifie the same
As Praises rather meriting than blame.
Who bear false witness, at the Judgment Bar,
And very many are not without fear,
In such ungodly actions to appear,
But, few do seem, aright to understand,
Their other breaches of this Ninth Command,
To lie, accounted is a fault so small,
That many feel no sence thereof at all,
But, make a Play-game of it: yea and some
Such Patrons of that Evil are become,
That they allow, and justifie the same
As Praises rather meriting than blame.
But, this will prove though held a petty sin
The Serpents head, that brings his body in,
And, an officious lying, may in time
Ingage us to commit a greater Crime;
However he that an untruth shall speak,
Or Truth (if to deceive) this Law doth break.
The Serpents head, that brings his body in,
And, an officious lying, may in time
Ingage us to commit a greater Crime;
However he that an untruth shall speak,
Or Truth (if to deceive) this Law doth break.
To praise is commendable; yet thereby
When we of others better testify
Than they deserve; true vertue we deride,
And sinners in their sins are justifi'd,
Unless it be (by such a modest praise
As flows from hope, our Friend affects the ways
Which yet he walks not) that our praise may be
A Gale to ripen what we blooming see:
For this is neither purpos'd to deceive
The Hearer; nor advantages to weave
For him that speaks it: but a wise intention
To cherish budding Virtue by prevention;
But, he that flatters doth pollute his mouth,
And is a falsifier of the Truth.
When we of others better testify
Than they deserve; true vertue we deride,
And sinners in their sins are justifi'd,
Unless it be (by such a modest praise
As flows from hope, our Friend affects the ways
Which yet he walks not) that our praise may be
A Gale to ripen what we blooming see:
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The Hearer; nor advantages to weave
For him that speaks it: but a wise intention
To cherish budding Virtue by prevention;
But, he that flatters doth pollute his mouth,
And is a falsifier of the Truth.
The Parasite, who shames not to uphold,
Whatever by his Patron shall be told,
Or, seeks by Jeering to discountenance,
A simple Truth; and falshood to advance,
Against this holy Precept so offends
That punishment his Guiltiness attends,
Yea, they who get access to great mens Tables,
By coming furnished with News and Fables,
Are thereby often guilty of this sin,
Which by this Law hath countermanded bin.
Whatever by his Patron shall be told,
Or, seeks by Jeering to discountenance,
A simple Truth; and falshood to advance,
Against this holy Precept so offends
That punishment his Guiltiness attends,
Yea, they who get access to great mens Tables,
By coming furnished with News and Fables,
Are thereby often guilty of this sin,
Which by this Law hath countermanded bin.
When we dare venture to reiterate,
Those Rumors which the common people prate,
On meer surmises; we are accessary
To many slanders: We make Truth miscarry,
And bear false witness to the wrong of many,
When we suspect not that we wronged any,
Nor can we satisfie for these offences,
Which then may follow, if our Sov'raign Princes,
Or there affairs of state, shall wrong sustain
By such false tales as we receive or fain.
When out of levity Reports we make
Of others frailties; or occasions take
To mention Jestingly, what may disgrace
The person either absent or in place,
Without just motives (or content shall grow)
To hide what Love and Equity should show
We in the main, or in some circumstance
False Testimonies; may thereby advance.
Those Rumors which the common people prate,
On meer surmises; we are accessary
To many slanders: We make Truth miscarry,
And bear false witness to the wrong of many,
When we suspect not that we wronged any,
Nor can we satisfie for these offences,
Which then may follow, if our Sov'raign Princes,
Or there affairs of state, shall wrong sustain
By such false tales as we receive or fain.
When out of levity Reports we make
Of others frailties; or occasions take
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The person either absent or in place,
Without just motives (or content shall grow)
To hide what Love and Equity should show
We in the main, or in some circumstance
False Testimonies; may thereby advance.
But, he that uttereth slanders in despight,
Or justifies the thing that is not right,
Or judgeth rashly in anothers Cause,
Or any needful witnesses withdraws,
Or (by concealing what for truth he knows)
Betrayeth Innocency to her Foes;
Or, hears another injur'd in his Fame,
With Silence when he may prevent the same;
Or unto any one occasion gives
Whereby, he falshood, for the truth believes:
Ev'n every such a one false witness bears,
What Cloak of Honesty so'ere he wears?
Or justifies the thing that is not right,
Or judgeth rashly in anothers Cause,
Or any needful witnesses withdraws,
Or (by concealing what for truth he knows)
Betrayeth Innocency to her Foes;
Or, hears another injur'd in his Fame,
With Silence when he may prevent the same;
Or unto any one occasion gives
Whereby, he falshood, for the truth believes:
Ev'n every such a one false witness bears,
What Cloak of Honesty so'ere he wears?
Nor are they guiltless, who avoid not that,
Whereby occasions rise to perpetrate
Against this Law. As Bribery, Respect
Or disrespect of persons, which infect
The soundest minds, and bring them by degrees,
Their innocent Integrity to leese.
Yea, he who so loves Bribes, though he were wise,
They will make deaf his ears, hood-wink his eyes:
And so corrupt his heart, that he shall know
No Truth, except some profit thence do flow;
Nor, any falshood fear to entertain,
Whereby he may assured be of gain.
Whereby occasions rise to perpetrate
Against this Law. As Bribery, Respect
Or disrespect of persons, which infect
The soundest minds, and bring them by degrees,
Their innocent Integrity to leese.
Yea, he who so loves Bribes, though he were wise,
They will make deaf his ears, hood-wink his eyes:
And so corrupt his heart, that he shall know
No Truth, except some profit thence do flow;
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Whereby he may assured be of gain.
And, lest by some those men be judged free
From this offence (if any such there be)
Who by False Miracles, false Revelations,
False Dreams, false Visions, false Interpretations
Of Holy Scripture; or by such like patchings
Of Carnal wisdom, and of Sathan's hatchings
Affirm that thing for truth which is a Lye;
Know that these Juglers in degree as high
As he that's worst; prove guilty of this Sin
Which by this Precept, hath forbidden bin.
From this offence (if any such there be)
Who by False Miracles, false Revelations,
False Dreams, false Visions, false Interpretations
Of Holy Scripture; or by such like patchings
Of Carnal wisdom, and of Sathan's hatchings
Affirm that thing for truth which is a Lye;
Know that these Juglers in degree as high
As he that's worst; prove guilty of this Sin
Which by this Precept, hath forbidden bin.
For though our Doctrines be not so unsound,
But that some truths among them shall be found,
Though cloath'd in Lamb-skins we do seem to go,
Though for a blameless life we famous grow;
Though in our formal Zeal surpass we shall
The Pharisees, and ev'ry Priest of Baal;
Tho' oft we fast; tho' loud we pray and long;
Tho' we seem'd wrong'd, and patient of the wrong;
Tho' we affect the Crown of Martyrdome,
And dye as if we death had overcome.
But that some truths among them shall be found,
Though cloath'd in Lamb-skins we do seem to go,
Though for a blameless life we famous grow;
Though in our formal Zeal surpass we shall
The Pharisees, and ev'ry Priest of Baal;
Tho' oft we fast; tho' loud we pray and long;
Tho' we seem'd wrong'd, and patient of the wrong;
Tho' we affect the Crown of Martyrdome,
And dye as if we death had overcome.
Yea, tho' we seem as Angels, who from heav'n
Had Power, and Knowledge, and Commissions giv'n;
Yet, if our Zeal, our outward Piety,
Our Knowledge, our affected Constancy,
Our suff'rings, and the Truths which we have said
Were that the God of Truth might be betray'd
And falshood favour'd; We offenders are,
Against this precept, we false witness bear.
And all our Godly shews, are fruits of evil
Delusions and Impostures of the Devil.
Had Power, and Knowledge, and Commissions giv'n;
Yet, if our Zeal, our outward Piety,
Our Knowledge, our affected Constancy,
Our suff'rings, and the Truths which we have said
Were that the God of Truth might be betray'd
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Against this precept, we false witness bear.
And all our Godly shews, are fruits of evil
Delusions and Impostures of the Devil.
Lord sanctify my heart, and keep my tongue,
That, it may neither do my neighbour wrong,
Nor prattle those Untruths, which may oppose
The Verities, thy Spirit shall disclose;
But, grant that I who see how these offend
May find out mine own Errors and amend;
Yea, Lord so teach me and be so my Guide,
That, faithful to this Law I may abide.
That, it may neither do my neighbour wrong,
Nor prattle those Untruths, which may oppose
The Verities, thy Spirit shall disclose;
But, grant that I who see how these offend
May find out mine own Errors and amend;
Yea, Lord so teach me and be so my Guide,
That, faithful to this Law I may abide.
Amen.
| A Paraphrase on The Ten Commandments in Divine Poems | |