A BRIEF TESTIMONY AGAINST TALE-BEARERS, WHISPERERS, AND Backbiters, SHOWING That where they are given ear unto amongst Friends, Neighbours, and Relations, or in any Christian Society, such can never live in Peace, Concord and Unity.  
For their Words are as Wounds, they Reveal Secrets, they Separate near Friends: Therefore they are to be driven away with an Angry Countenance,  Prov. 25.23. 
By William Shown.  
Printed in the Year, 1686.   

A BRIEF TESTIMONY AGAINST Tale-bearers, Whisperers, AND Backbiters.  
I Have often considered the end and tendancy of Tale-bearing, Whispering, and Backbiting, and have observed the Evil Fruits and Effects thereof among Friends, Neighbours, and Relations. And have found and concluded, that it is impossible for any Society of People upon the face of the Earth, that give countenance to any that are found in the practice thereof, to live or dwell together in Love, Unity, Peace, and heavenly Concord or Agreement, which indeed is the Glory, Strength and Crown of a People; and the contrary their Weakness, Shame and Reproach, Confusion and Destruction also.  
Therefore that they may be stopped, and their evil fruits and effects prevented, I have a concern upon my mind, as a Testimony and Caution not only against, them, but also against such as gives Tales, Whisper, and Backbitings, entertainment; that lends their ears unto them, that receives and believes them, and lays them up in their minds, where they increase and multiply against an evil Day.  
For I say unto thee, whosoever thou art, that desirest to keep clear of the evil effects that attends Tale-bearing; thou must not only forbear to tell Tales, but thou must also take heed how thou hearest, whom thou hearest, and what thou hearest. And if any come unto thee with a Story, Tale, or Relation, consider the end and Tendency of what he saith unto thee; and if it be concerning a Person known unto thee, and what he saith tends to the Defamation or Disrepute of the said Person, and thou dost not know of thy own Knowledge that the things he saith are true, thy Duty is to take great heed how thou hearest him, or entertainest what he saith: But thou must say unto him, Friend, I know the Person of whom thou speakest, and I do not know that those things thou speakest of him are true. Therefore as I would be done by in the like Case, let me know thy Name, Place of Abode, and Reputation; and I will at my first Opportunity acquaint the Person thou speakest off, what thou sayest of him; and time and place shall be appointed, wherein I will hear you both together. And if thou art not willing it should be so, what thou hast told me, I take no other notice of it but as a Tale of Evil Tendency, even to Wound, Estrange, and separate Friends; therefore I will drive thee away with an Angry Countenance, as a Backbiter, and Whisperer, whose words are as wounds, and whose arrows fly in Secret, to hurt the Innocent; so doing, this Tale-bearer will come no more at thee. If Thiefs had no receivers they would not continue Stealing; so if Tale-tellers had no Tale-hearers and Receivers, they would and must leave off Tale-bearing: And according to an English Proverb, the Receiver is as bad as the Thief.  
It is the Duty of every Friend. Brother. Neighbour, and Relation, and of every Member of a Religious Society, to be Tender and Careful of each others good Name, and Reputation; and Diligently to watch against that Creeping, Whispering, Backbiting Spirit, that sow's discord among Brethren, let it be judged in every appearance of it, so shall Love, Unity, and good Neighbourhood be preserved and increased.  
The Law of God by Moses provided expressly against Tale-bearing, Thou shalt not go up and down as a Tale-bearer among thy People; neither shalt thou stand against the Blood of thy Neighbour, Leu. 19.16. These two Evils are of a like Nature and Tendency. Again, Thou shalt not raise a false Report, put not thy hand to the wicked to be an unrighteous Witness, Exo. 23.1. these two Evils are also akin to each other.  
Tale-bearing and false reporting who ever is Guilty thereof with a design to Marr the Credit, good Name and Reputation of his Brother or Neighbour, is as he that puts his hand to the wicked, to be an unrighteous Witness; and as he that stands against the Blood of his Neighbour, For his words are as Wounds, and they go down to the innermost part of the Belly. Prov. 18.8.  
It is written in the Holy Scriptures, Psalms 133.1. That it is a Comely and Pleasant thing, for Brethren to live (or dwell) together in Unity; it is like precious Ointment, as the Dew of Hermon, and as the Dew that Descended upon the Mountains of Zion.  
What is to Compare more Excellent? What more Pleasant, Lovely, and Amiable, then to behold a People dwell together in Unity, in Love, and Brotherly kindness. In this Heavenly Society, no Tale-bearer hath any place, they are Witnesses of the Truth of that saying, Prov. 26.20. Where there is no Tale-bearer, strife ceaseth.  
It is not possible for Neighbours, Friends, and Relations, nor for any Society of People to live together in Unity, Friendship and good Neighbourhood, while there goeth up and down a Tale-bearer among them; a Whisperer and Backbiter among them, they are numbered by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Roman's, Rom. 1.29, 30. with the worst of Sinners; and the Testimony of Solomon is, That the false Witness that speaketh Lies, and him that soweth discord among Brethren is one of the Six things which God hates, and is an Abomination to him, Prov. 6.19. for indeed they are Authors of much Mischief, and are Inconsistent with Peace, Concord, and Society.  
And where these sort of Evil doers are entertained their words makes wounds not easily cured; makes Breaches not soon made up and repaired, Seperate's and Divides near Friends, so that they are not easily Reconciled again.  
But where the Tale-bearer, Whisperer, and Backbiter, is shut out, brought to Trial, Judged, or driven away with an Angry Countenance, all his designs are defeated, Love, Peace, and Concord is maintained a Living together in Love and Unity preserved; which indeed is a great Happiness, a great Comfort, a great Blessing for Friends, Neighbours, and Relations to Enjoy.  
Where envy and strife is, there is Confusion and every evil Work; a froward Man soweth Strife, and a Whisperer separateth chief Friends; but where Love and Unity is, there is good order and every good work. And the seed of the froward Man cannot take root in such, nor the work of the Whisperer take effect, especially among such who keep in that love and unity by which they are known to be Disciples of Jesus.  
And those two Excellent precepts of Christ are by those who are his Disciples indeed truly observed, in order to keep Love and Unity, and prevent the Contrary, and the occasion thereof.  
First, If thy Brother offend or trespass against thee, go to him and tell him of his fault, between him and thee; if he will hear thee, thou hast gained thy Brother, if he will not, take one or two more with thee, if he will not hear them, then tell the Church or Congregation; if he will not hear the Congregation, let him be as an Heathen or Publican.  
Secondly, Whatsoever ye would that Men should do unto you, do so unto them likewise.  
The true Observation of these two Precepts cuts off all Whisper, evil Speakings, Backbitings, Tale-bearings, and the uncovering the nakedness and weakness of any Friend, Brother, and Neighbour, before he hath performed his Duty, as is set forth in the first Precept, which indeed tends to the preservation of Love and Unity among Brethren, and the contrary tends to Strife, Division, and Destruction.  
No better Method can be laid down in a Christian Society to prevent a Breach, and to maintain Love and Brotherly kindness, than what is contained in this Precept, the neglect and Nonobservance of this by many Persons and Societies professing Christianity, hath let in Animosities, Strifes, Debates, Division, Disorders, and Confusion among them, so that they have been scattered as with a Whirlwind, and have received the fruit of their own do in their own bosoms, as might be demonstrated at large, throughout most of the Sects and gatherings of People in Christendom, who only talk of and profess good words, and good things; but the Jews, Turks, and Indians may compare with them for good Works, yea, they have caused the name of God and the Christian Religion to be blasphemed, scorned and slighted amongst them; even because while they are talking of God, Christ, Love, Light, Holiness, Righteousness, and Religion, they are envying, hating, biting and devouring one another, and sheathing their Swords in one another's Bowels, having turned that Royal Law, Do as you would be done by, behind their backs, whereas indeed the obeying these seven words is more than the Reading, Hearing and Professing seven times seven thousand words.  
There is no Society of People upon the face of the Earth, though under the Profession of Christianity itself, that have, can, do, or ever shall live together in Love and Unity as true Friends and Brethren, further than they Obey and Observe these two divine and Heavenly Precepts. And as they do, have, or shall degenerate from the true Observance thereof, they do, have, and shall fall into Strife, Enmity, and Division the Highway to Destruction. And many have been Destroyed thereby, even after they have attained to a good Degree in the Spirit of Love, Simplicity and Heavenly Unity, and all through Disobedience, or neglect of those Precepts of Christ, which he once taught, and now Teacheth those who are his Disciples indeed to Observe and keep by the Assistance of his holy Spirit of Love which is the Bond of Peace, and true Foundation of all Heavenly Concord and Agreement.  
And this Spirit teacheth all that have it, and obey it, to be Circumspect and take heed of Letting in evil Thoughts, evil Reports, Whisper, and evil Surmises against any Friend, Brother, or Neighbour, for it will eat like a Canker; and if thy Brother, Friend, or Neighbour, hath Trespassed against thee, thou must not tell it first to others, if thou dost, thou art in some degree a Tale-bearer, and a Backbiter, and Transgresser of this Command of Christ, which reacheth all manner of Trespasses and Offences that are private, and relating to a particular Person, offended or trespassed against; which the Church or Congregation knows not of, nor ought not, except thy Brother refuse to hear thee.  
But if any that is called a Brother, Sin openly, or is a Fornicator, is a profane Person, is an Idolater, Drunkard, or Extortioner, etc. thou needs not go to such a one and tell him his Fault, betwixt thee and him, nor to take others with thee, nor to tell the Congregation this Precept doth not concern him, his Trespass is not only against thee, but against all he pretened to be in Fellowship with, his wickedness being open and Manifest to all; he is to be denied, and judged of all, and it is no Backbiting to speak the Truth of such a Man to others concerned, though behind his back.  
Every Member of a true Society who are gathered by the Spirit of Truth, and lives in the Fellowship of it, they are furnished with Courage and strength to defend each other, to Believe well, and Hope well, of each other against all evil Reports, Tales and Stories that may be raised, and will let nothing in, but upon good Proof, or clear Manifestation; and than though it may bring Sorrow, yet a Judgement is raised with Severity against the doing of Evil by such who are under the Profession of good; such Hypocrites God will Judge to the uttermost, their Damnation slumbers not, yet such there have been, are, and will be, under the highest Professions outward that ever were, are, or shall be among men, (until the Universal destruction of that grand Enemy of mankind.)  
It is an excellent degree in Christianity to attain to that state in Love which thinks no ill, such can speak no ill, nor do no ill against their Friend or Neighbour, nor against any man; the Tale-carrier, Whisperer, nor Flatteter, can have no place with such a one, his very Countenance drives them away, having no part in him, can give no entertainment to them.  
He that seethe a Thief and consenteth to him is Guilty with him: Tale-bearers, Whisperers, and Backbiters, and their entertainers, who defame and Rob a man of his good Name, Credit and Reputation, are greater Thiefs than those that Rob a man of a little Money and Goods; as it is written, A good Name is better than precious Ointment, Eccles. 7.3. A good Name is rather to be chosen than great Riches, Prov. 22.1. He that raiseth a false Report and gets Tale-carriers to carry it abroad; and these Tell-tales finds entertainers and receivers; Who knows the extent of such things? And who can measure the evil fruit of such do? Such evil Seed meeting with ground suitable thereunto, grows and increaseth amain, and according to the Phrase a man's Back is bitten, his Credit wounded, his good Name stained and defiled, his Reputation impaired, if not destroyed among such as are credulous of false Reports; and all this is done as it were insensibly, sometimes before he knows any thing thereof.  
It hath not been without great cause that both God and men hath given forth Laws against such things. He that professeth and obeyeth that Royal Law or Precept of Christ, Do as thou wouldst be done unto, cannot touch with these things, nor show any favour or countenance to any that are found therein.  
I shall now Answer one Question, and conclude this my Caution, Warning, and Testimony against raising false Reports, Tale-bearing, and Tale-hearing, having an aim for general Good therein, hoping what I have said may be of some service for the stopping and preventing of such things which tend to the dividing and destroying all true Friendship and Soeiety.  
The Question is this; If a False Report be raised and spread abroad, received and entertained as a Truth, being told so, and received so (as all false Reports and Tales are under the name of Truth, which makes them the more mischievous) what course is best to be taken in such a case, that I may do all the right I can to the person concerned.  
Answer, When the Report comes to thy ear, engage the person that brings it, to bring forth his Author; and so let it be enquired and pursued until the first Author be found, and then le● sound Judgement pass thereon; and this will be a means to stop and discourage Tale-bearers, Backbiters, and Whisperers. And by so doing such will not again attempt to bring thee any more Tales. Also in so doing thou wilt do as thou wouldst be done by, according to the Law of God: if thou dost otherwise, the Law of God and Man is against thee, and thou art not fit to be a Member of a Christian Society.  

The Conclusion.  
Now it being a Truth that Tale-bearing, Whispering, raising evil Reports, and receiving and entertaining of them; and the neglect of observing those two Precepts of Christ before mentioned, are of such pernicious effects and evil tendency, as to reveal Secrets, separate near Friends, beget Strife and Division, destroy Society and Friendship, make Wounds and Breaches, and as an Unrighteous Witness that puts forth his Hand against the Blood of his Neighbour, and worse than Thiefs and Robbers, I say, seeing it is so, it highly concerns all that would be accounted virtuous and honest, to keep clear of these things; and to judge it in the least appearance thereof, not only in others but in themselves.    

POSTSCRIPT.  
THere were Young People in the Primitive times that grew idle and wanton (especially young Women) as went from House to House, and were Tatlers and busy bodies, and meddlers with other men's matters, and speaking things which they ought not; also they were prone to delight themselves in costly Apparel, and platting the Hair, and wearing of Gold, etc. all these things the Apostles and Ministers of Christ were troubled to see and hear of them, and did exhort and endeavour to persuade to the contrary; because it did not become Women professing Godliness; and where these things are found now in, with, and upon People, Young or Old, Male or Female, let them profess what they will) they are infallible signs that they want the inward adorning of a meek and quiet Spirit, that they are not like the King's Daughter, That is all glorious within; and that the loins of their minds are not girded with the Girdle of Truth, when the loins of their Bodies are girded with rich and costly Attire, and superfluous vanities; and that the very Profession and Religion of such is vain, who have not a bridle to their Tongues, and are not restrained thereby from Tattling, meddling and speaking those things they ought not.  
Now that all young people that profess the Truth may be kept and preserved out of these evils, take the Counsel of Paul to Timothy, Flee all youthful Lusts: follow Righteousness, Faith, Charity, Peace, with them that call upon the Lord with a pure heart; if you do but obey this Exhortation (by the assistance of the grace of God, to which you have been commended to be taught all good Lessons) you can never fall into the aforementioned evils, nor any other, for when you come into each others company, your words will be few, and seasoned with Grace, and the Fear and dread of God will be with you, and you will set him always before you, then will your discourse tend to the edifying each other, then instead of meddling with other men's matters, or telling one another Stories you will tell one another what the Lord hath done for your Souls, from the experimental work of his Spirit and Grace in your hearts, according to the Manifestation and Working thereof. And you will take heed of boasting above what you have attained there through, and of speaking of those things which Christ hath not wrought in you; so will you also be preserved from High-mindedness and Conceitedness, which would lead to Pride yourselves with Knowledge, Openings, Visions, and Revelations which some of you may have had; that you may not deck yourselves with these things, which are all Good, Pleasant, and Delightful in their Time and Season: Yet they are not for Food, nor Raiment, all must receive their daily Bread from God; and their Clothing, or Covering, must be his Spirit, (or a Meek and quiet Spirit) where this is wanting, the woe from God will come, let the talk and Profession of Religion be what it will.  
The Eye, Mind, and Heart must be upon God, from whence every good and perfect gift comes; and not upon the gift, lest you deck yourselves there with and play the Harlot; as some in former Ages has done. And in this Age also, and brought Judgement upon themselves to the utmost; even after they have been made comely with his Ornaments, with his Gifts and Graces, Eat and Drank at his Table, enjoyed his presence, and heard him Teach in their streets; yea, and cast out many Devils in his Name: Yet have become shut out of his Kingdom, and have wholly lost the way that leadeth there to. Again.  
This hath befallen many (especially young People) in my own knowledge and remembrance, since God gathered us to be a People; for want of watchfulness and keeping low in the fear of God; some hath fallen by flying aloft in airy Imaginations and Notions, being puffed up in their minds; and some by returning again and going down into the Earth, like the Sow that was washed to the wallowing in the Mire again.  
Now that you and all may be preserved herefrom, and from all Evil, from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit, I commend you in the first place to the Grace, Light and Spirit of God, which hath appeared to you and shined in you; and in the next place in the sense thereof to read Paul's Directions to Titus 2. and 3. Chap. Meditate and consider thereof and you may Receive profit thereby.  
The Children of friends whose Parents hath taken care to instruct, council, and persuade them not only by Precept, but by Example in life and Conversation to follow their steps, and to walk after them in the Self-denial, out of the pomp and vanities of the World, out of the sinful lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eye, and pride of life, which superabounds in the world; these Children have had great benefit and advantage beyond what their Parents ever had; and many Children, Sons and Daughters have made a good use thereof, and can bless and praise God that they had such Parents. And these are come to the sense, knowledge and understanding of the root of the matter in themselves, viz. the Light and Grace of God within, the New Covenant and Law written within, and do walk therein, and are taught thereby, to the praise and glory thereof.  
But many Friends Children keep only in the form, in the outward Court, and enters not within the vail, comes not to the foundation which God hath laid, do not know the work and operation of the Grace and Spirit of God upon their hearts, minds and understandings, to wash, cleanse, and Sanctify their inward parts: so knows not what it is to put off the Old man with his Deeds, and to put on the New, and to be renewed in the Spirit of their minds, these grow not in Grace, nor in the knowledge of the mysteries of God; neither are they acquainted with the wiles and devices of the Enemy, Education and Tradition being the chief ground of their Religion; these will whither like Corn upon the house top.  
There is another sort of Friends Children, who after they have come to years and stature, have slighted and turned their backs upon their Parents, and upon all their Counsel, Instruction, Persuasion, and Example. Also as to Religion, and have chosen their own ways, walking after their own corrupt wills, casting off the Yoke of Modesty, Temperance, Chastity, plainness of Speech, and plainness of Apparel which they had been bred up in while young with their Parents, and are gone into the superfluity of naughtiness that is in the world (to their own ruin) in contempt, disobedience and dishonour of their Parents, which hath caused Grief, and made their hearts sad; and by so doing, their hearts have become hard, unthankful, and unholy; and without natural affection also towards their Parents, contemning, disregarding and disobeying the Commandments of God: And all the Precepts and Exhortations, Blessings and Curse promised and threatened to the obedient and disobedient Children to Parents, which are very many throughout the holy Scriptures; and all the bonds of Nature that enjoins Children to Love, Honour, and Obey their Parents: such Children are nigh unto Cursing, nigh unto a reprobate sense, out of which it will be a Miracle if ever they return, Repent and be Converted.  
It is a blessed thing when young People and Children Remember their Creator in the days of their Youth; and come to live in the fear of the Lord, and to have such Parents, Masters and Tutors as are ready to Teach them, Instruct them, and put them in mind thereof, not only by Precept but by Example also; which Blessings, if they slight, neglect and undervalue in their youthful days, their sins multiply upon them; Ignorance, Darkness, and hardness of Heart increaseth in them to that degree, that many times they become old in wickedness in their young days; such if they perish, God and their Parents are clear, and their Destruction is of themselves, because they have despised the blessings of God, and the blessings of their Parents, who have had a tender care of them; but when God makes them possess the sins of their Youth, then will they cry out, Oh, that we had born the Yoke in our Youth: Oh, that we had harkened to the Voice of God in our own Consciences, and to the Voice of our Parents: then should we not have Reaped such an evil Crop of our own Sowing; And they shall then be made to confess tha● God is Just, and Righteous in all his Judgements, when they Receive the Fruit of their own do, and feel the Weight of their own Iniquity.  
William Shown.  
THE END.