Exposition Upon the Ten Commandments, Exposition 2 · Commandment 8
Thè 8. Commaundement.
Thou shalt not steale. Wherein is the partie thou, and the thing steale.
None vnderunder what colour soeuer must steale. To steale, is priuily to take away: but here it signifieth any kind of iniustice about the commodities of this life. And in the same sense is oftentimes called in the scriptures couetousnesse, this is called Idolatry, and the root of all euill, which should not bee so much as once named amongst vsus. Ephe. 5.3. That is with liking.
Commodities of this life are such, as are valued by money, to say it is so much worth. Life, and chastitie are aboue all worldly price. These commodities are other folkes, not our owne. Other folkes commodities we must not possesse if we hauehave them, but restore them.
1 Whatsoeuer we get by force, or craft, looke Luke. 11. In this kind sinned Ananias, and Saphira, with holding part of the dedicate thinges. Acts. 5.2.
2 The labourers wages to him when he hath earned it. Iam. 5.4.
3 The pawne or gage of the poore. Deu. 24.12. Of this kind is any thing that is committed to vsus of trust, to be restored, as fruit of the vineyard. Mat. 21.41. and Exod. 22.7.
4 A thing found Deut. 22.1. But what if I know not the true owner, the safest way is to giuegive it to the poore, except the lawe of the Countrey do otherwise appoint.
2 Wee must not take other mens goods, yea all bribes taken are condemned.
3 Wee must not so much as desire other mens goods. 1. Tim. 6. Neither in bare desire, nor any other practises. Desire is in longing and wishing by thoughts and wordes, as to say, I would I had so much of the King of Spaines golde, &c.
Practises are infinite out of bargaining, in bargaining:
1 All connicatching is condemned whatsoeuer.
2 All vsurers practises.
3 All gaming to win by.
4 All hurtfull and cosenning arts of fortune telling, casting natiuities, telling of things lost, &c. For money.
5 Neuer a trade but hath his miserie or mischiefe, whereby it beguileth others: these all, and other infinite are condemned, though they do not succeede.
6 We must not impaire any of our neighbours goods, Eph. 21.34. and 22.4.5.6. Dauids hart smot him whē he had cut off the lappe of Sauls garment though himselfe was neuer the better for it. Thus did Absolon wronge Ioab in setting his corne on fire, not to benefite himselfe, 2. Sam. 14.30.
7 All that we can we must increase and maintaine the goods of others, Philip. 2.4.
Thus much for other mens commodities, for our owne some duties concerne vsus.
Quest. May one be a thiefe in his owne?
Ans. Yea, in such things as he thinketh his own: We hauehave nothing ours, we are Gods stewardes and bailifes, we must be accountant to him, so as if we doe otherwise then he will hauehave vsus, we embezell and steale: God will hauehave vsus not liue idle, but in the sweat of our browes: loke, 2. Thess. 3. be we of what estate or condition soeuer, Prince, people, one or other: to this end must we hauehave an honest and lawfull calling which God must like.
Calling is a way to liue by honesty, it is when we cannot iustly speake euill of it.
Lawfull when according to the lawes of our countrey.
1 God liketh it.
2 When it is to some good, personall or publike: worldly or heauenly: this good is for necessitie or delights.
Necessitie is that which the person or state cannot want for the beeing thereof: as the worde of God for the soule: meate drinke and apparrel for the bodie, &c. And here the more necessarie: for the more in the same kind a thing is, that kinde of life that dealeth therein is the better.
Delight is for the more comfortable being of a person or state, & must be alwaies without sinne.
1 To duties of honestie, as musicke and such like: besides it must be seasonable and moderate.
2 When hee that is in it dischargeth the dutie of that calling as hee should.
1 In paines taking or sweare, rusticall, politicall, or ecclesiasticall.
2 In fidelitie which hath:
1 Diligence: diligence hath earnest binding of the mind, to doe the thing well, and frequenting often times so to do.
2 Sinceritie when one doth it from the heart.
3 Constancie with continuance and not giuing ouer beesides paines taking: God will hauehave vsus thriftie and good husbandes not to spende more then neede.
4 He will hauehave vsus contented with that we hauehave.
Quest. May not one desire to bee rich and to better his estate.
Ans. No, he must followe the duties of his calling, leaue the successe to God.
5 We must freely lend as we are able.
6 Wee must giuegive as wee are able cheerefully.
Obiect. But what if one take from me that which is mine, may I not recouer it?
Ans. Yes. But not by force, but by law: and not by law, if the matter be but a trifle.
1 Which shall not impare your estate being forborne.
2 Vnlesse you hauehave tried other meanes first.
3 If it should be to the discredite of your profession.
4 If you do it with breach of charitie.
Thus much for duties about goods, Now followeth such as are for truth, and good name.