Bridges on Proverbs 14:25
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 14:25
 
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25.  A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
 
How weighty is the responsibility of testimony! (Chapter 24:12.) Every Christian has in him a principle of conscientious faithfulness. As a true witness he would deliver the innocent from oppression or ruin. But an ungodly man would prove a deceitful witness, the agent of Satan (1 Kings 21:13), speaking lies for his neighbour's destruction. (Matthew 26:60. Acts 6:13. Compare chapter 12:6, 17.) What need have we to “walk before God” in our words, ready to hazard all for the interests of truth (Psalm 15:2; 24:3-5); considering our obligations to one another (Ephesians 4:25); ‘mindful of that true and faithful witness, which every man carries in his own bosom, which no gift can blind, no power can silence;’† realizing our solemn appearing before the God of truth, when “by our words we shall be justified or condemned”! (Matthew 12:37.) If the responsibility be so great to the witness in court, how much more to the witness in the pulpit!† Oh! is the minister of God a true witness, by the declaration of his message, assured, that no other truth, no adulteration of this truth, will deliver souls? (1 Timothy 4:16.) Or is he speaking lies, holding back or denying truth, to the ruin of the soul, whom he was charged to deliver? (Jeremiah 5:31. Exodus 13:17. Compare verse 5.) ‘As they are the most profitable witnesses, which preach to us Jesus Christ; even so, the most exquisite deceivers are they, who under the shadow of religion do set forth men's traditions.’†
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 24:12
12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
 
 
1 Kings 21:13
13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
 
 
Matthew 26:60
60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
 
Acts 6:13
13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
 
Compare
Proverbs 12:6, 17
6 ¶ The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. 17 ¶ He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
 
 
Psalm 15:2
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
 
Psalm 24:3-5
3 ¶ Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
 
 
Ephesians 4:25
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
 
 
Footnote:
Bishop Horne's Sermon on the Great Assize.
 
 
Matthew 12:37
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
 
 
Footnote:
Lavater and Scott in loco.
 
 
1 Timothy 4:16
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
 
 
Jeremiah 5:31
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? {bear...: or, take into their hands}
 
Exodus 13:17
17 ¶ And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
 
Compare
Proverbs 14:5
5 ¶ A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
 
 
Footnote:
Cope in loco.