Points of Instruction for the Ignorant, Part 2
A Short Exposition of the tenne Commandements in Questions and Answeres.
IN speaking of the Lawe, what is to be considered?
First, what the Lawe is: and secondly, what is due to those that brake it.
What is the Lawe?
The Co…ant of work…, throughoutIer. 31. 31. 33 Deut. 4. 2… the Old and New Te…ment.
Where is it written?
Most pithily and very brie…y in the ten Commande…ents, & more largely in the rest of the bookes of Moses.
What are the tenne Commandements?
The ten words of the Law, whichDeut. 4 13 God gaue in Horeb, and wrot in Tables of stone.
What do you consider in them?
The occasion, and commandements themsel…es.
What was the occasion of eueryevery Commandement?
The corruption of m…ns nature … Galat. 3. 19n… to the ….
What doe you consider in the Commandements themselues?
The commandements of duetiesExodus 34. 1 to God in the first Table: and of duties to m… in the ….
What say you of the Commandements of the first Table?
… …re in thin… com… to them all, or proper to each by it selfe.
What be the things commune?
That they (all) hauehave their reasons: …nd that (therefore) the preface to the first precept is a reason, …d n… com….
So much for the things commune, what are they that be proper?
They … dueti…s t… God, such as we owe eueryevery day; or on… …y in seuen.
What are they that we owe eueryevery day?
They pertaine to G… person or wor…ip▪
What Commandement concerneth his person?
The first, which i…: Thou shakFirst Comma… dement. hauehave no other Gods but Mee.
What doe you consider in this precept?
The occa…, … matter of the C…ment.
What was the occasion?
Our idolatrous … lu…ing … Exech. 1…. 3. 45f…lse ….
What doe you consider in the matter of the Commandement?
The thing forbi…n, and thing… commanded.
What is the thing forbidden?
To honour …d set vp false gods;Luke 12. 19 or to su…er … thing to with-dra…, … …r …y thing in v… from the true ….
What doe you meane by false gods?
All other god… saue IIHOVA: Colos. 3. 5 Philip. 3. 19and s…, wh…tsoeuer wee h…nour, or …me to ho…our … God, though we account it none.
So much for that which is forbidden: what is commanded?Deut. 6. 5 Ios. 24. 15 Matth. 4. 10 Ma… 12. 29 Zep…. 1. 5
T… iu…d, …r h…rt-whole honour of the …y tr… G…; … al…, … in and f…r ….
Wherein consisteth this?
In the knowledge of God, andIohn 17. 3 Psalm. 9. 10 1. Chron. 28. 9 2. Thes. 1. 8. Prou. 3. 5. ler. 17. 7. Psa. 37. 4 2. Tim. 1. 12. fruits of the same.
What fruits …e they?
Faith in GOD▪ and the effecte… thereof.
What be the effects of faith?
aLuke 10. 27 Deu. 6. 5. Psal. 69. 9. Ioh. 14. 23. Esa. 8. 13. Luke 12. 4. 5 Eccles. 12. 13. Prou. 8. 13.LoueLove and feare, for they that tru… in God, will louelove and feare him.
Wherein consistoth louelove?
bIoh. 4. 22. 23 Deut. 6. 16 Esa. 4. 5. 21, 22 Gen. 47. 31 Iob. 1. 21.In prayer, an… worship.
Wherein consisteth feare?
cPsal. 16. 8. Gen. 5. 24 Heb. 12. 28 Malach. 1. 6 1. Sam. 15. 22.In reuerence and ….
What is the su…me of all?
dIer. 5. 7 Zeph. 1. 5 Amo, 5. 26.Whomsoeuer …e louelove or feare, reuere…ce and obey, it must be in, a… for respects to God, else wee … them Idoles; also we must b…leeue in, pray vntounto, and prayse him only.
So much for the Commandement that respecteth Gods person: what are they which concerne his worship?
They are in the part… of his worship, or in the manner of vsing the….
What Comm…ndement concerneth the parts of his worship?
The next, which is: Thou shaltSecond …. make to thy selfe no grauen image, &c.
What doe you consider therin?
The occasion and matter of the Commandement.
What was the occasion?
Our foolish desire to hauehave our fanciesDeut. 7. 25, 26 Psal. 106. 35, 36. &c. fed in G…ds worship.
What doe you consider in the matter?
First, that which is forbidden▪ and secondly, that which is commanded.
What is that which is forbidden?
To worshippe other persons or things with the true, God, or the true God in a false manner.
Wherein, and how do we worship the true God in a false manner?
First, in base estéeming of him: and secondly, in forging of his worship and serui…e.
How doe wee basely esteeme of God?
When wee imagine him to beeDeut. 4. 12 Esa. 40. 18 Habac. 2 18 Ier. 4. 2. & 5. 7 Zeph. 1. 5 like to man, and paint him as Man: and when wee sweare by those that are no gods, as rood, masse, light, fire, Angel, Saint, or other; giuing away his honour, in an oath, to creatures and filthy idoles.
How further?
When we dedicate dayes of holinesseH…s. 2. 13 Exod. 32. 5 Deut. 12. 32 Matth. 15. 9 Esa. 29. 13 Gal. 1. 9. I…r. 2. 13. to Angels or Saints: and worship God after our own fancies, forsaking his word.
So much for base esteeming: what call you sorgery in Gods seruice?
When wee make the likenesse of any thing in it for holinesse: andPsal. 44. 21 Esay 42. 8 1. Cor. 11. 23 Exod. 30. 38 Eccles. 3. 14 Leuit. 10. 1 Mat. 15 9 when we worship God in, or before an image, the better to remember him: or make crosses for vertue, an… signification in Sacraments.
Somuch for that which is forbidden; what is commanded here?
To hold al religion and religious deuotion to be …ne, that is not commandedEsay 1. 12. 2. 2. Sam. 7. 7. Rom. 16. 7 Gal. 1. 9. 1. Cor. 3. 11 in the Word, or warr…ted by it: also, to … to v…derstand the word rightly, and (rightly) in our whole course, seruing God, to follow it.
Somuch for the Commaundement concerning the parts of Gods worship: what is that that concerneth the right manner of vsing them?
The third next precept, which is:
Thou shalt not take the name, &c.Third Commandement.
What do you obserue therein?
The occasion and matter of the Commandement.
VVhat was the occasion?
The readinesse of our nature toPsal. 14. 1. & 36. 1. Pro. 1. 25 Iob. 21. 14, 15 1. Cor. 1. 20 despise God.
VVhat doe you obserue in the matter?
The things forbidden and commanded.
VVhat is the thing forbidden?
The vnreuerent vsing of any of the parts of Gods name.
VVherein do those consist?
aRom. 2. 24 Ezech. 36. 22 1. Tim. 6. 1 Eccles. 5. 1. 5. 6. & 8. 2. Iude 20. 1. Pet. 2. 12. Ier. 5. 22 Psal. 64. 10, 11 Luke 2. 18. 19.In religion and Gods creatures.
How is Religion abused?
bLuke 23. 34 Acts 3. 17 Mat. 23. 14 1. Tim. 4. …. …. & 2. 3. 1. Mal. 3. … 14Inwardly, by ignorance, and hypocris…; & outwardly, by prophane…esse and frowardnesse.
VVherein standeth this abuse?
cRom. 9. 5 Deut. 28. 58 Gen. 16. 5 1. Sam. 23. 21 2. Kings 7. 2 Deut. 29. 19 Amos 9. 10In a slight regard of the titles of God, and abuse of holy things.
How doe wee slightly regard Gods titles?
When wee sweare vainely, …, or falsly by them: or when weMa…h. 5. 34 … 5. 1… Zec…ar. 5. 4 A…ts 23. 11 M… 6. … once name, or think of God in a lawfull oath, or otherwaies without his due reuerence: and here is forbidden all vsuall swearing, passionate swearing, and forswearing.
Somuch for the abuse of Gods titles: how do we abuse holy things?
When we abuse Gods word, or other his ordinances.
How do we abuse his word?
b2. Pet. 3. 4 …ay 22. 12, 13 M…t. 4. 6. …. 20. 6. Mar. 14. 58. Act. 24. 5. & 6. 13. 14. Am. 5. 10. …er. 20. 8 Zachar. 7. 11 Ier. 18. 18.When we abuse doctrine, and exhortation.
How do we abuse his other ordinances?
cEsa. 58. 2. & 29. 13. 1. Cor. 11. 21. 30 1. Cor. 5. 4 Prou. 1. 25.When we abuse prayer, Sacraments, and true discipline.
So much for the abuse of religion: what is that of the creatures?
dAm. 6. 4, 5, 6 Psal. 45. 5. 6. & 92. 5, 6. & 10. 5 Am. 4. 6, 7. 9, 10.When we mock or deface them, b… cloathing naturall fooles in some strange and dis…uised manner: also, when wee abuse to excesse and wantonnesse, our meates, drinkes or apparell; and nothing regard Gods fearefull workes.
So much for that which is forbidden: what is here commanded?
To vse holy things & Gods creaturesDeut. 6. 7. Eccles. 4. 17 Psal. 15. 4. Eccles. 9. 2 Ier. 4. 2. Deu. 6. 13. Ps…l. 2. 11. rightly, and to sweare truely and with reuerence, when wee are called to take a lawfull o…th.
So much for the Commaundements of dueties eueryevery day: what is that of dueti…s one day in s…uen?
The …t …ourth precept, which is: Remember the Sabbaoth day toFourth Com…mandement. sanctifie it, &c.
What do you obserue therein?
The occasion and the commandement it selfe.
What was the occasion?
Our apt…es to fall from God, andExod. 32. 8 …. 2. 17. Psa. 106. 13. Eph. 5. 15, 16. Pro. 6. 6, 7, 8. from our lawfull callings.
What doe you obserue in the Commandement it selfe?
A double precept: the one of the aM. Perkins in his Treatise of callings. pag. 26.sixe dayes labour, the other of the Sabbaoth.
VVhat is that of the sixe dayes labour?
That which commandeth vsus to1. Cor. 7. 20 Gen. 2. 15. & 3. 19. Math. 20. 6. 8. Ma… ▪ 6▪ 3 Ephes. 4. 28 labour sixe dayes in our seuered calling, saue where & when the Church doth, in the wisedome of the Spirit, set apart some for holy assemblies; or when some day or part of day is necessarie, and to bee vsed for honest recreation.
But some hold that these words, sixe dayes thou shalt labour, are words of permission only, and no commandement?
If the precept of the sixe dayes labour be not here established, there is no commandement, by which it can can be proued that the not labouring in a vocation lawfull, sixe dayes, is an immediate sin against God.
VVhat doth this teach?
That not to labour the sixe dayes, in some particular profitable calling doth breake the fourth precept, as wel as the not kéeping of the seuenth day holy.
Somuch for the precept of the sixe dayes labour: what is that of the Sabbaoth?
That wee keepe the day holy to God.
VVhat do you obserue therein?
The thing forbidden, and that which is commanded.
VVhat is forbidden?
The contempt, or not vsing of theProu. 8. 33. 35 Eccles 8. 2. 3 Pro. 1. 20, 21, 22. 29, 30. meanes which God hath prescribed, for the edi…ying of his Church on this day.
Of what sorts are they?Esa. 58. 13 Ier. 17. 24, 25. Luke 6. 35, 36 Isa. 1. 15. Psal. 37. 21.
Publike and priuate.
What are the publike?
Workes of holinesse and mercy.
VVhat are the workes of holinesse?Eccles. 4. 17 Mal. 2. 7. Hos. 4. 6. Pro. 23. 23 Acts 20. 7 1. Cor. 11. 18. Matth. 25. 43 Iohn 5. 6. Iob. 31. 19. 20. 32. 1. Cor. 16. 1. Nehe. 8. 10
The vse of the Word and Sacraments.
VVhat are they of mercy?
To visit the sicke and in prison: & by generall collection, to prouide to minister to y• necessities of the poore.
So much for publike: what are the priuate meanes?
The meditation of the creation,Psal. 92. 4, 5, 6, 7. & 111. 2. 3, & 119. 15. Deu. 6. 7. Pro. 22. 6 & 27. 23▪ Esay 28. 10. Tit. 2. 3. Prou. 31, 1, 2, 3 and redemption of the world, with good application to our selues: also, the examination of our selues, and of our families, how we or they hauehave gone forward or backward in knowledge, faith, repentance, holinesse and other graces.
So much for that which is forbidden: what is commanded?
Upon the Lords day from earlyPsalm. 92. 1. 2. Pro. 8 17. Exod. 16. 28. 29 Luk. 23▪ 56. Mar. 16. 1. Exod. 31. 13. & 34. 21. in the morning, to late at night (as much as may be) to seuer our soules and bodies from the world, to the seruice of God publikely and priuatly, in the Workes of holinesse and mercy.
Who are reproued here?
They who make the Sabboth, not a holy but a playing day, or day of worldly labour.
So much for the duties of the first Table concerning holinesse: what say you of the second?
It containeth duties that we owe to our neighbour, or to our selues.
In what consisteth the first sort of duties?
In righteousnesse.
In what consisteth the second?
In sobrietie.
What say you of the first?
It forbiddeth all acts and purpose of vnrighteousnesse, or the motions thereunto.
Where are acts and purpose of vnrighteousnesse forbidden?
In the fiue next Commandements.
What say you of them?
That they pertaine to Superiors, or, others.
Where are we taught our duties to Superiors?
In the first of the fiue, which is:… Commandement. honour thy Father, and thy Mother, &c.
What doe you obserue therein?
The occassion, and matter of the Commandement.
What was the occasion?
Our proud nature that cannot abidePsalme 12. 4. Luk 19. 14. 27. Ephesians 2 2. to be vnderunder gouernment.
What say you of the matter?
It may be considered in the particular duties, and persons.
VnderUnder what word are the duties specified?
Under the word honour: by which is meant all subiection of bodie and minde in the Lord.
What is the subiection of the body?
aGen 48. 12. 1. Kings 1. 23. & 2. 19Obeisance or outward seruice▪
Wherein standeth that?
bCol. 3. 20 21. Luk 2. 51. Gen. 22 6 7 9 Ephe 5. 24. 1. Tim 5 4. Gen 47 12. Ruth. 2. 18.In obedience, and thankfulnesse.
How must we obey?
c…ro. 13. 1 & 15. 5. 1 Pet. 3. 6. & 2, 18. Col 3. 22. Gē. 31. 5 6. 7. 38, 39. Exod. 22. 28.In our words and deeds.
VVherein standeth our thankfulnesse?Tit. 2. 10. Gen. 30. 29. 30 & 31. 38. 39. & 39. 3. Gen. 24. 12, 13, 14. 1. Tim. 2. 2. Leuit. 19. 3 1. Tim. 6. 1 1. Thes. 5. 12 Ephes. 6. 5. 1. Pet. 2. 18. Ephes. 5. 33
In procuring their good, and in praying for them.
Somuch for the subiection of the body; what is that of the minde?
The inward estimation, louelove, and reuerence that we beare them.
Somuch for the duties: what are the persons to whom wee owe these duties.
All superiors comprehended vnderunderRom. 13. 1 the names of Father & Mother.
Of what sort are these?
They are publike, or priuate.
VVhat are the publike?
Such as are in the commonwealth,1. Pet. 2. 13, 14 Heb. 13. 17 1. The. 5. 12, 13 as the King and his Magistrates: or in the Church, as Pastors and other Ministers.
VVhat are the priuate?
Such as are in the family, as Parents,Eph. 6. 1. Colos. 3. 22 Eph. 6▪ …, 6, 7 Tit. 2. 9. Leu. 19. 32. Esa. 3. 5 Rom. 13. 2 Tit. 3. 1. Masters, and Dames: or out of it, as the ancients of our kindred, and olde men: to all these wee must submit in y• Lord with all reuerence, louelove and humility; likewise to eueryevery ordinance that God hath set vp for gouernment.
So much for the precept belonging to Superiours: What Commandements belong to others?
The foure next.
How are they diuided?
Into duties belonging to their persons, and into duties, in things that belong to their persons.
What are the duties belonging to their persons?
Innocency in the next, and purity in the seuenth Commandement.
What are the words of the next Commandement?
Thou shalt not kill.Sixt Commandement.
VVhat doe you consider therein?
The occasion, and matter thereof.
VVhat was the occasion?
Our fierce and murtherous nature.Ioh. 8. 44. Ezek 16. 3. Mat. 3. 7.
VVhat say you of the matter?
It forbiddeth to shedde blood, andGen. 9. 6. Pro. 24. 11. …. Kings 18. 4. 1. Sam. 19 1. 2. Esth. 4. 13. 14. Psal. 82. 4. Iob 29. 17. commandeth to preserue life. Or, it forbiddeth vsus to bee Authors of wrong; and chargeth vsus neither to suffer it, nor to be abettors to it.
How may blood be shed, or wrong done?
Inwardly, or outwardly.Mat. 5. 22. Ep. 4. 26. Col. 3. 8. Pro. 23. 17. & 24. 1. Psa. 37. 1. Leuit. 19. 17. 1. Ioh. 3. 15. Pro. 20. 22. Rō. 12. 19. Iam. 2. 13. Pro. 21. 13. Luk. 6. 36. Col. 3▪ 12.
How inwardly?
By rash anger, malice, enuie, hatred, desire of reuenge, vnmercifulnesse, and other cruell affections, which (within) draw much bloud.
How outwardly?
By our words, or deeds.
How by our words?
By mocks, taunts, reproches; byLeuit. 19. 14. Ier. 20. 8. 10. Gen. 21. 9. Pro. 12. 18. 1. Cor. 6. 10. 1. Sam. 25 17. Mat. 5. 22. Gen. 31. 5. bitter and cursed speaking; and by churlish and froward talke.
How by our deeds?
aMat. 5. 30. Leuit. 24. 19. 20. Deut. 5. 17. Leuit. 24. 17. 1. Sam. 31. 4. 2. Sam. 17. 23. Mat. 27. 5. 1. Ki. 21. 9. 10. 2. Sā. 11. 15.When we hurt or kill another, or our selues, secretly and cunningly by poyson, or openly with some weapon.
So much for that which is forbidden: what is commanded?
bIam. 3 13. Eph. 4. 32. Col. 3. …. Iob. 29. 15. Rom. 12 15. M…. 5. 9. 1. Cor. 13. 7. Gen. 13. 8. 9. Mat. 25. 36. Iā. 1. 27. Col. 3. 12 1. Tim. 5. 23. Ioh. 8. 59. & 2. 24, 25. Matt. 5. 44. Rō ▪ 12, 20.To do whatsoeuer may preserue or cherish our Neighbors life, or our owne: exercising the works of mercy, pitty, compassion, and tendernes toward all, yea; our very enemies.
So much for innocencie: what say you of purity?
The next precept commandeth it, which forbiddeth Adultery, the contrary thereunto.
What are the words?
Thou shalt not commit Adultery.Seuenth Commandement. What do you obserue in them?
The occasion, and further opening of them.
What was the occasion?
Our vnchaste & adulterous nature.Esa. 57. 3. Psa. 51. 4. 5. Esa. 1. 4 Hos. 2. 4. Mat. 12. 39. 2. Cor. 7. 1. 1. Thes. 4. 3. 4. 1. Cor▪ 6. 15. 19. Deu. 22 25. 2. Sā. 13. 14.
What say you of this further opening of the Commandement?
Under the name of Adultery, we are forbidden al vncleanenesse in our selues, or toward others: and commanded to vse all meanes for the preseruing of our own, and our neighbours Chastitie.
What vncleannes is here forbidden?
All vncleannes inward & outward.
What call you inward vncleannesse?
The Adultery of the heart in filthyMat. 5. 28. Iam. 1. 14, 15. Ier. 4. 14. Esa. 64. 6. Gen. 6. 3. 5. Ier. 3. 25. …usts and desires within consent. Or, the corruption of the soule in vncleane thoughts and fansies contrary to the Commandement.
What is outward vncleanenesse?
It is in word, or deede.
What is that in word?
Uncleane talke and readings toEph. 4. 29. & 5, 3. the corrupting of our selues, and our neighbours; which is the fruit of a whorish tongue.
VVhat is that indeede?
It is in the adulteries themselues, or prouocations thereunto.
VVhat say you of the adulteries themselues?
They are of married persons, orHeb. 13. 4. Leu. 19. 29. Deut. 23 17. 1. Cor. 6. 9. when one of the parties is married or contracted, properly called adulterie: and of persons before mariage, called fornication.
VVhat is adultery in Mariage?
An vncleanesse against it in their entrance, or afterward.
How may they be said to bee vncleane in their entrance?Leuit. 20. 11. 12 Eze. 22. 10. 11. Leuit. 18. 6. 7. &c. Ex. 22. 16. 17. Gen. 24. 50 51. Ruth▪ 3. 2. 3. Gen. 21. 21. Ezr. 10. 3. Gen. 6. 2. Mala. 2. 15 Leuit. 18. 20. Pro. 5. 3, 4, 18. & 6. 32, 33. Pr. 2. 17. Le. 18. 19. 24, 25▪ & 20▪ 18. Ezek▪ 22. 10.
When they marrie within the degrees forbidden, without consent of Parents or other Ouerseers; with such as are of no Religion or a f…lse, and with persons contract…d or …rried to some other before.
How afterward?
When they … with …rang …lesh, or abuse their own mari…ge.
So much for the adulteries themselues: what say you of the prouocations thereunto?
They belong to the bodie, or are in the body it selfe.
VVhat are they that belong to the bodie?
aDeut. 22. 12. Esa. 3. 18. 19. &c. & 4. 4. Zep. 1. 8. Pro. 7. 10. Deu. 22. 5. Eze. 16. 49. Eph. 5. 18. Ier. 5. 8. Pro. 23. 29. 30, 33. Ezek. 23. 14. 1. Pe. 1. 14. Genesis 34. 1 1. Cor. 15. 33. Deut. 22. 21. 2. Sam. 11. 2. Prouerbs 13. 4. Ezek. 16 49.Immodesty to apparel and other deckings of the body: intemperance in meates and drinkes: want…n pictures and …, with lewd and wanton pastimes: vncleane songs and d…tties: houses of open whoredome: exce…iue sleep and idlenesse, with the like.
VVhat are they which bee in the body it selfe?
Al wanton lookings, whisperings,Pro. 6. 13. 2. Pe. 2. 14. Gen. 39. 12. Pro. 7. 10. 11 12, 13, &c. Mat. 14 6. Iob. 21. 11. Rom. 14. 13. touchings, and other impure behauiour stirring vp lust: specially mixt d…cing, of men and women, where all dores are set open for whoredome to come in. For, in these, all parts are abused to …eshly dalliance, the eie the hand, the mouth, the mincin… foote.
So much for that which is forbidden: what is commanded as the sum of all?
To keepe our owne bodies and1. Thes. 4. 4. 7. 1. Cor. 1. 2. 1. Pet. 1. 15. Ephesi. 4. 29. 1. Cor. 9. 27. 1. Tim. 2. 9. Tit 2. 3. Rom. 13. 13. Gal. 5. 16. 1. Cor. ▪. 36. Apo. 2. 14. 20. Gal 5. 13. 1. Ioh. 2. 10. 1. Cor. 7. 2. 9. Heb. 13. 4. Pro. 5. 19. & 31. 11. Rom. 7. 2. soules Chaste and pure, as Temples of the Holy Ghost, … all helpes thereto, and all meanes in our power for the like to our neighbour: and, if … be not giuen vsus without mariage, in mariage to vse the lawfull remedy of … and burning.
So much for the duties that concerne o…r Neighbours person: what are they that are in things belonging to their persons?
They are in the two next Commandements; which, teach vsus the care that we owe to them for the preseruing of their goods and good name.
Where are we charged with the preseruation of their goods?
In the next Eight Commandement,Eight Commandement. which is: Thou shal… not steale?
What doe you obserue therein?
The occasion of the Commandement, and the matter.
What was the occasion?Esa. 5. 8. Ier. 22 14. 15. Col. 3. 5 Mic. 2. 2. Act 20 33.
Our conetous and … nature, not contented with our ….
What doe you consider in the matter of the Commandement?
The things forbidden and commanded.
What is the thing forbidden?
Theft, which is a violent and open, or secret and craftie taking away, or diminishing of our neighbors goods, and lauish spending of our own.
Of what sorts is it?
Inward, and outward.
What is the inward Theft?
The theft of the heart, or that couetousnesse2. Pet. 2. 14. Ios. 7. 21. 1. Kin. 21 4. Eph. 5. 5. which is Idolatry.
What is the outward?
It is the abuse of our own, or vniust pursuite of our Neighbours goods.
How may a man be said to abuse his owne?
By lauish spending, or couetous holding in.
How by lauish spending?1. Tim. 5. 3. Luk 15. 13. & 14, 29, 30, Pro. 21, 17, & 23, 13, & 6, 1, 2, & 17, 18, & 11, 15, & 21, 26, 27, Mat. 25. 18. 27.
When he layeth forth more in apparell, diet, at play, and in building then his estate will beare: and, when he becomes surety, he cares not for whom, nor how farre. No, he that increaseth not nor bettereth his estate by diligence in his calling, and prouidence in his spendings, ….
How by couetous holding in?
When by a miserable mind, he robs…. 4 8. & 6. 1, 2. & 2, 26. himselfe of the vse of that which hee hath in his owne kéeping, being … thiefe to himselfe.
So much for the abuse of our own goods: how doe we vniustly pursue anothers?
Craftily, or without colour of Lawe.
How craftily?1. Thes 4. 6 …. 5. 4 Exo. 22. 21 22 Deut. 10. 18 &c. & 24. 14. Pr. 22. 22. Am. 5. 11. & 8. 5. Pr. 20. 14. & 22. 18 Deut. 25. 13. Ioh. 12. 6.
By the deceit and wrongfull dealing of a couzening tongue: as when wee buy or sell without conscience, not caring how cheap wee buy, … how deare wee sell: and when wee bring into the Market, not …, but a greedy minde to … out brother.
How without colour of Law?1. … 16. Pr. 1. 11, 12. 13, 14 Leuit. 19. 11. …. har. ▪. 3. 4. Leuit. 6. 2. 3. Ps. 37. 21. …. 23. 4 Leuit. 19. 13. Deut. 24. 14. 15.
When by a theeuish and strong hand wee take that which belongs not to vsus; either openly as …, or more closely as Pilferers: or … in our hand that which is …, whether found by …, or lent to … or due to …, as their … hire.
So much for that which is forbidden! what is commanded?Heb. 13. 5. 1. Tim. 16. 6. Phil. 4. 11. Pr. 27. 27. Gen. 3. 19. 2. Thes. 3. 10. Pr. 21. 20. Ephe. 4. 28. Ec. 5 17. 1. Tim. 6. 17. 2. Cor. 9. 6. Ps. 37. 26. 2. Thes. 3. 8. Le. 6. 2, 3, 4. &c. Luk. 19. 8. Nū. 5. 7, 8.
To be … with …, and to rest in the … that … hath giuen vsus; labouring by … gence in our lawfull callings, so to increase or maintaine it in Gods feare, that we may not be chargeable, where we should be helpful and ease others: and, where wee hauehave done wrong to any, to put away theft by making restitution.
So much for the preseruation of our neighbours goods: where are we charged with the care of his good name?
In the next ninth Commandement,Ninth Commandement. which is: Thou shalt not beare false witnesse, &c.
VVhat doe you obserue therein?
The occasion of the Commandement, and matter thereof.
VVhat was the occasion?
Our … and lying nature.Ps. 62 9. Esa. 57 4. Rom. 3. 4, 13.
VVhat doe you obserue in the matter of the Commandement?
first, what is forbidden, and secondly, what is commanded.
VVhat is forbidden?Esa. 5. 20. Phil. 4. 8. Mat. 1. 19.
Under the name of false witnes, which is an vncharitable report, true or false, wee are forbidden to wrong our neighbour, or our … in good name.
How many waies may such false witnesse be borne?
Inwardly, and outwardly.
How inwardly?Mat. 71. Rom. 14. 4. Acts 28. 4 1. Sam. 1. 14. Mat. 9. 3. 1. Sā. 18. 9. 15, 29, …ames 3. 17. 1. Cor. 13. 5. 2. Sam. 16. 4.
When we suspect without cause, and condemne without hearing.
How outwardly?
Without speech, saying nothing: or, by speaking.
How without speach?
When we beare false witnesse inPs. 22. 7. Matt. 27. 39. lob. 16. 9. 1. King. 19. 21. Esa. 53. 3. Psa. 82. 4. Pr 4. 24. Deut. 33. 9. some mocking or disgracefull gesture against our neighbour with the hand, head, tongue, or other member; and refuse to … the truth for him, being called thereunto.
How by speaking?
When wee giuegive forth, or receiue in some vncharitable report.
VVhen beare we false witnesse in giuing forth a report?
First, when we speake truly, and yet not eyther charitably, or with1. Sam. 22, 8, 9. &c. Ps. 52. 3, 4. 1. Sam. 23. 19. Dan. 6. 4, 5, 11, 12, Pro. 29. 11. Pro. 20. 19. 1. Cor. 13. 7. Ps. 31. 22. Ps. 12 2. 3. discretion of our neighbour: and, secondly, and chiefly, when we speak that which is false of him, or of our selues, and dissemble with our tongues.
How many waies may we speake that which is false of our Neighbour?
In a lye, or vntruth.Col. 3. 9. Apo. 22. 15 Eph. 4. 25. …. 5. 1.
VVhat call you a lye?
Whatsoeuer a man speaketh against his mind, or knowledge. And1. Sam. 15. 20. Psal. 15. 3. Ps. 12. 2. lob. 6. 28. this, behind a mans backe is slander, and before his face, detraction by a lye.
VVhat call you an vntruth?
When a man rashly vttereth an vntrue speach thinking he speakethPro. 19. 20. true. And here we are forbidden to mooue false tales against our neighbour in presence, or behinde his backe.
How many waies may we speak that which is false of our selues?
Either when we boast our seluesRom. 1. 30. Pr. 27. 2. 1. Sam 15 13. 1. Sam. 15. 21. 24. Gen. 3. 12. 13. 2. King. 5. 25. Ter. 2. 35 Col. 2. 18. vainely, or lessen our faults falsely, or excuse our selues by a lye: or when, by proud humility, we fall in our … speech that others may … vsus.
So much for false witnesse in giuing forth: what is it by receiuing in?
It is such as concerneth our neighbour, or our ….
VVhat say you of those who receiue a false report against their neighbour?
That as they, who make it, hauehave the deuill in their tongue, so they, who greedily receiue it, hauehave him inPs. 15. 3. Pr. 17. 14. Act. 6. 13. & 7. 1. Pr. 14. 15. & 25. 23. their …. And here wee are forbidden, as not to raise a false report with our tongues, so not to hold it vp (being raised by others) with an easie eare: that is, wee are forbidden both to tell false tales, and beleeue them.
How may wee receiue a false report concerning our selues?Act. 12. 22. 23. &c. & ▪. 2, 3. Pr. 31. 31. …. 27. 5.
When wée suffer our selues to be …attered in that which is false: or to be set downe vniustly by enuious tongues, thinking the worse of our selues for their detracting from vsus.
So much for the thing forbidden: what is commanded?
To hauehave a charitable opinion of1. Cor. 4. 5. …. 3. 17. Esa. 53. 9. Ps. 15. 2. Col. 4. 17. Leuit. 19. 17 3. loh. 12. 2. 2. Cor. 12. 11. 1. Cor. 15. 10. our neighbour, to speake the truth with a good affection, and to a … end, abhorring to lye, as we would to be or be accounted the Deuils children. Also, to speake louingly of others, and modestly of our selues.
So much for the Commandements that concerne all acts and purpose of vnright cousnesse: where are we forbidden all motions thereunto?
In the next last Commandement,Tenth Commandement. which is: Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house, &c.
What do you obserue therein?
The occasion, and matter.
VVhat was the occasion?Gen. 6. 5. & 8. 21. Mat. 12. 34. & 15, 19. Iob. 14. 4.
The frailtie or ill disposition of our nature, declining from the rule of Charitie to our neighbour, and of Sobrietie to our selues.
VVhat doe you obserue in the Commandement it selfe?
The things forbidden & cōmanded.
VVhat is forbidden?
The least and shortest thought orRom. 7. 7. Iam. 1. 14. …. 4 14. desire of the heart against our neighbour, tickling it to sinne, though we yeeld not to it. And, here all lus…s are forbidden, contrary to charity on our neighbours behalfe, and temperance on our own.
Of what sorts are these?
They are either originall corruption, as it were the firebrand it selfe, or the effects, as it were sparks that flie from it. And, these are our fond wishings and wouldings, with other foolish thoughts of the mind, desires of the heart, and deepe … of the head about matters, tending to the impeachment of our neighbours welfare, or of that vertue of contentednesse which wee should affect, and labour for in that estate and place, wherein God hath set vsus.
So much for that which is forbidden; what is commanded?
Being contented with our portion,1. Tim. 6. 8. Psal. 16. 6. 1. Cor. 16. 14. 3. Iohn 2. Gal. 5. 16. 17. we must dispose of all our thoughts and wishings according to charity; wishing and delighting in our neighbours welfare, as in our owne, and … against all euill desires to the contrary, though of neuer so short continuance.
So much for the Commandements of duties to our neighbour in righteoufnesse: what say you of Sobriety commanded to our selues?
This passeth through eueryevery Commandement of the second Table, cō manding Humility in the …, meeknesse in the …, cleanenesse in the seuenth, contentation in the eight, charitable truth in the ninth, and pure desires in the tenth Commandement.
So much for the Law: what is due to those that breake it?
Punishments, more or lesse in thisGal. 3. 10. Deut. 37. 26. life, and the wrath and curse of God to damnation, in the life to come: That is, paines temporal by … ments, and death, and paines eternalMat. 25. 41. of soule and body in hell.
What call you Hell?
That euerlasting fire, or treasuryMar. 9. 45. 46. of secret fire, prepared and kept in aLuk. 16. 26. place of the greatest distance from heauen, for the punishment of all vngodly sinners.
Where is the place of hell?
God hath not reuealed. And, let vsus, that hauehave the hope of ye Saints, rather endeauor neuer to feele it then to know it. When a house is on fire, … stand not to inquire how it came, but do our best to quench it.
Wherein consist the torments of this place of hell?
Generally, in these two punishments, of losse and sense.
What call you the punishment of losse?
An euerlasting separation from God and Christ, which is a plagueLuk. 13. 28. 1. Sam. 4. 18, 21. 22. & 2 Sam. 14. 32. of plagues, and the very bottome of the … of Gods wrath in full & per… torments of soule and body, after Christ shall say to the wicked on his left hand: Depart ye cursed into euerlasting fire prepared for the diuel and his Angels: Math. 25. 41.
VVhy call you this separation from God, so great a plague and torment?
If the absence of the Sunne cause darknesse; what ioy must néedes be lacking, and sorrow abound where the Sun & God of saluation shall neuer in the beautifull beames of his presence be séene any more? where shall be no more glimpses of fauour, but darke tempests and snares vponupon all the …nhabitants of that land of …? and where they … so depart from God, …, neuer to … which made … to say, that the tears of hell were not … to … of ….
Somuch for the punishment of losse: what is that of sense?
That when eueryevery member of the body, and … of the soule shall beApoc. 9. 5. & 14, 10, 11. & 16. 8, 10. & 19. 20. tormented togither, … not for some thousands of yeeres, and so an end; but for thousands vponupon thousands,Mar. 9. 48. Math. 3. 12. Apoc. 10. 10 and thousands that … no end. For, as the righteous say of Gods mercy, that his mercy endureth for euer: so, of his iustice the danmed may say,Psal. 136. 1, 2, 3, 4. &c. that his iustice endureth for euer.
What is this called in Scripture?
It hath many names giuen to it, toMarke 9. 44, 47 Mat. 22. 13 & 25. 30. shew how terrible it is; and therfore it is called hell fire: the wo…me thatApoc. 19. 20. & 20, 10, 14. neuer dyeth: vtter darknes: the burning lake, and second death.
What do you gather of this?
If a man would not, to gaine the world, lye on a … of … wood for a very short time; how much and … must the … needes suffer, who shall bee tormented in a lake of burning fire for euer? and, if a little disease in one part, so trouble vsus vponupon a soft bed; how shall the wicked endure that worme of vnquiet conscience, that will, day and night (and not as a disease of some short time) gnaw vponupon al parts of their …, and powers of their tender mind; and, not vponupon their pallats of ease, but beds of glowing fire?
How doth the Scripture further, and for more terrour speake of this place, and the torments of hell?
By calling it a place prepared forMath. 25. 41 the diuell and his angels.
What gather you of this?
That as it would bee a grieuous thing to a man to liue a banished mans life in som dark prison, couer'd with deadly obscurity, but more gréeuous to liue there among the most spitefull enemies of his father & fathers house: so to be cast into a prison of eternal banishment from God, and pit of vtter darknesse, is a most woful thing; but it is much more wofull, not only to be so, but to be bound in chains of perpetuall fellowship with1. Pet. 5. 8. those, who (from the beginning hauehave been enemies to man, and God, the father of mankind, I meane the Diuell, and all his vncleane angels.
Shew this (yet) a little further.
If Lots righteous soule was vered2. Pet. 2. 7. 8. so much, with the vncleane conuersation of the Sodomites, with whom he dwelt but for a time: how shall they be vered in soule and body, that are thrust into hel, that euer burning Sodom, where they must euer dwel with vncleane spirits & … diuels; not to be broght out at last by the Angels, as Lot out of Sodō, but there to liue (world without end) forcing out desperate voices and cursings against their former filthy liues, and present vncleane societie?
Now where hel (thus described) is due to the breakers of the law, what do you gather?
That, without repentance, all Idolaters,2. Cor. 6. 9. 10. Eph. 5. 5 Iam. 5. 12. Exo. … 7. Num. 16. 33 Psal. 106. 17 1. Cor. 6. 9. 10. Apoc. 21. & 22. 15. customary and raging swearers, rebels to gouernment, murtherers by poison or with weapons, fornicators, th…ues, lyers, and … of lyes must goe thither.
And must Idolaters go to hol without repentance, what (then) must Idolaters do to be saued?
They must … out of their … Deut. 6. 2.(as an abommable thing) the … ty of …, and serue the true God by his Word.
What must customary and raging swearers do?
They that take vp for a …, the … of the Holy One, … that (if they be … neuer so little in their …) they will prouoke him in his glory; and (if any thing go against hun) their tongues shall goe as … against him, either in their games or more earnest …, must (for hereafter) … that great and fearefull name, the Lord their God.Deut. 28. 58.
How, further, doe you perswade this dutie?
Whatsoeuer is more then yea, yea, or nay, nay, to wit, by … Mat. 5. 37 Iam. 5. 12or negation in common talke, is of e…, that is, of the …: and as the roote of it is … (it being a plant of the Diuels setting) so the … of it is no better: for … is … or fruite of such raging mouthes.
VVhat must rebels to gouernment doe?
If they be children, they must notGen. 9. 24, 25 Deut. 21. 18, 19, 20, 21. Syrach 3. 9, 10. Eph. 6. 2, 3 Col. 3. 22, 23 Tit 2. 9. 1. Pet. 2. 13, 14, 16, 17. … by vngracious disobedience, their Parents curse: for where it …, it falles …, but … their blessing by dutie and louelove: if they be servants, they must do seruice (as to God) in lawfull things, that is, chéerefully and with faithfulnesse: and if they bee subiects, they must feare the King, and honour the Go… that are sent by him.
What must Murtherers doe?
… of … anger: … out all1. Sam. 25. 32, 33. Iob. 39. 37, 38. Eph. 4. 31. 1. Pet. 3. 4. Gen. 23. 6, 7 Gen. 13. 8. 9. 1. Cor. 6. 7. Gen. 4. 23, 24. leauen of bitternesse: bee gentle in word and …: sit down by wrongs patiently and …, rather then drowne their Christian credits (as some Gallants do) in bloud.
What must Adulterers doe?
… the … out of the … of their mind, and be chaste within:Iob. 31. 1. & 2. Cor. 7. 1. Ephesi. 4. 29. Colos. 4. 6. …. …. 13. Psal. 119. 37. & 24. 4. Esa. 1. 16 Rom. 13. 13. 1. Cor. 15. 33 Pro. 23. 30. 33. also, (…) … their …, eyes and hands, that there be no whoredome in them: and not only (though …) abstaine from all acts of … and …; but from all things and meanes that …, or may further such …; sp…cially, … … cings, and … drunkennesse.
What must theeues doe?
Remember that flying booke spoken of in Zechary, a Booke of bitterZechar. 5. 3. 4. … that entreth into the house of the theefe, and of him that sweareth falsly. And (so) repent of their the… with confession to God, and satisfactionLuk. 19. 8. to men.
How do you perswade this duty?
They that do not so, or doe otherwaies,Habac. 2. 9. couet an euil couetousnes to their house. And a man were as good put a coale of fire into the thatch of his house, or in his barnes, as bring stollen goods to his other goods and stuffe, better gotten. For, so many things as we get, by stealth from our neighbour, so many curses we get to our selues, & lay vp for our posterity.
What must lyars doe?
Not only abhorre to lye in … orPsal. 15. 2. Ioh. 8. 44. earnest; but, speake the truth from their heart; that is, with louelove, except they would go to hell with the father of liars, the deuill of hell.
But lying is become their trade?
But they that vse the trade, shal not be … in it. For, they are of that fellowship that shalbe cast into the Lake of fire. And, they that louelove andApoc. 21. 8. & 22. 15. make lyes, are without; that is, out of heauen and far from saluation: hauing no worthier persons for their Mates then dogs, …chanters, … whoremongers, idolaters, idolaters, and the like rabble of wicked sinners.
But what say you of merry lying?
There is no … found in Gods Tabernacle. And, if wee must answereMatt. 12. 36. for eueryevery idle word: how much more for eueryevery lying word?
What say you of the officious, which some call the good and necessary lie?
Necessitie can no more priuiledge a man to lye, then it can warrant him to steale. And, if we may not lye, to bringRom. 3. 7. glory to God, shall we thinke we may lie to bring profit to man? Therefore the distinction of lies into a malicious, officious, and merry lye, (as if any were lawfull) is not of Gods making. TheMat. 22. 20. 21. superscription is Caesars, and, it is not from heauen, but from Men.
What do you conclude of al together?
That, to do the good, and hate the euil,Amo. 5. 14, 15, is the way to liue, for, they that seeke good & not euill, shal liue, and they that doe these things, that is, which God hath commanded to be done, shall neuerPs. 15. 5. sall; or for euer, & into condemnation.
But who is sufficient for these things? And who (then) can be saued?
Indeed, it is not in man, nor in the bestElav … 6 …. …. 10. Iam. 3, 1 Gal. 3. 10. 24. of men to continue in them: and (therefore) is the Law our Schoole-master to bring vsus to Christ. that is, so to humble vsus, that Christ may receiue vsus.
What do you gather of this?
That by the often sight of our selues in the Law, we must be wained from al opiniō of our own doings, which are soPsa. 4. 1. Phil. 39. Rom. …. 3. 4. 1. Cor 1 30 … 23. 6. short of perfection: and, (doing the best we can) depend onelyonly vponupon God in Christ for perfect and meritorious obedience, placed wholy out of our selues in him.
To what end (then) serueth the Law?
To be the glasse wherein to view our estate in eueryevery Commandement, that we may see how poore and vnable wee are to doe any thing worthy recompence or pardon: and not to rest there,Mat. 3. 15. Ioh. 19. 30. Col. 2. 14. Rom. 8 33. 34. but to betake vsus by Faith to him, who hath fulfilled all righteousnesse for vsus, discharged with the pay of his Passion and obedience his Fathers debt-…, and brought vsus our full acquittance in his death, and rising from death; that we might not dye but line.
Then, it is necessarie that wee doe our best to keep the Law, though wee cannot be iustified by it?
Yea verily, and that wee often goIames 1. 25. to that counting-booke of God, the Law. For, when in the seuerall sums and parcels we shall find it impossible for vsus to pay such a debt; it will make vsus to fall into a right …koning of our owne want and his worthinesse, that hath released vsus from so great both debt and danger. And, this is Christ, Rom. 7. 24. 25.and only He: to whom be praise for ener,
Amen.