The English Catechism Explained, Commentary · commandments (5 of 6)

The English Catechism Explained · Commentary · commandments (5 of 6)

p. 32477. Sloath, and infidelity in miniſters, whoſe calling is to labour, who hauehave hire to labour, and whoſe labour is to ſo excellent an end: if then they be loyterers, if they be ſeedſmen of tares, woe is to them. The diſpenſation is committed to me, ſaith Paul, 2. Cor 9.16.2 Cor 9:16woe is vntounto me then, if I preach not the Goſpell A threefold woe then is vntounto them, that hauehave not only the calling, but the hire alſo, and that double, and trebble, if they vſe not diligence, as is ſometime ſeene to the ſcandall of the miniſterie.

88. A vitious life in all perſons of note, and qualitie, whether they be magiſtrates, miniſters, maſters, ancient, learned, or of any excellency any way: they doe not only ſinne in the breach of Gods law, but in giuing example to inferiour perſons, p. 325ſo that they pull vponupon them the burthen of their ſinnes alſo: and becauſe many are ready to follow them, more then men of meaner condition, they make their eſtate by far more fearefull, then others, the ſinnes of multitudes, beſides their owne, lying at the dore. Wherefore, when a grieuous fall is threatned to wicked Iudges, it is ſaid, Yee ſhall fall, Pſalm. 82.7.Ps 82:7as one of the Princes. The Kings of Iſrael, that were wicked, are ſaid to hauehave made Iſrael to ſin, they are euen the eldeſt ſonnes of Satan, that be ſuch, and therefore good reaſon, that they ſhould ſhare deepely in his inheritance.

Quest. 90. Whence is the reaſon of this Commandement taken?

Anſw. From the promiſe of long life, if God pleaſe not to preuent vsus with the bleſsing of eternall life.

1. Tim 4.19.1 Tim 4:19Explan. The promiſe heere annexed may bee alſo read; That they may prolong thy dayes. Not, that parents hauehave any power ſo to doe, in themſelues, but partly keeping them from many dangers, which they are ready to runne into, to the ſhortening of their dayes, but are preuented, whileſt they obediently follow their graue, and godly counſell; and partly bleſsing them by vertue of Gods ordināce with ſuch efficacy, as that this redoundeth to their great good, euen for the prolonging of their happy, and good eſtate in this world. And in this ſenſe it is vſuall in the holy Scriptures, to aſcribe that to the inſtrument, which is proper to God. Paul commending to Timothy, the ſtudy and teaching of the word of God, ſaith, in ſo doing, thou ſhalt ſaue both thy ſelfe and others. And to the Corinthians he ſaith, I hauehave begotten you, vntounto Chriſt Ieſus. Therfore of the reaſon then is thus.

1. That is duly of all to bee done, by which they may liue 1long, and comfortably: but the rule to be followed for this, is, Honour thy father, and mother. Therefore all are to honour father, and mother.

2. Thou wilt honour them gladly, by whom thy life may 2be prolonged, eſpecially in weale: but ſuch are thy father, and mother: therefore honour father and mother.

For the firſt of theſe. Life is ſo ſweet, that all deſire it, and p. 326moſt, though it be ioyned with much bitternes, and ſorrow: but to liue long well, all doe naturally moſt earneſtly deſire, ſo that they would follow any rule, though verie hard, for this: but all other rules are vaine, this only effectual, the Lord the greateſt Phiſitian telleth thee ſo. Doe not therefore harden thy ſelfe againſt it, but bring downe thy rebellious nature, and become obedient ſeruants, children, and people of all ſorts.

For the ſecond. EueryEvery phiſitian, whom experience teacheth to be a meanes of the health and long life of his patients, men will honour in the time of neceſsitie, ſeeking to them, and carefully following their directions, and he thinkes himſelfe a happy man, that can come to the beſt, neither will hee for any thing diſpleaſe him, though he be froward, and haſtie towards him, although his skill often faileth him, and he bee, till that time a very ſtranger vntounto him: but thy parents are no ſtrangers, but ſuch, as may challenge ſomething at thy hands, becauſe they hauehave bred, and brought thee vp with care and paines, and God giueth them this bleſsing to prolong thy daies, and not to faile, if thou honour them. Fooliſh then, and out of his wits is hee, and worſe then a bruite beaſt (which alwaies doth that, which is naturall) whoſoeuer giueth not honour to his parents, according to the ſcope of this commandement.

Queſt 1 But how is this promiſe verified, ſeeing as well ſuch as honour parents, and doe their duty, as the diſobedient, doe often times die in the prime of their age: and the diſobedient and vnruly doe often liue long?

Anſw.Firſt, it is often verified to obedient children, when as they are kept thus in a temperate and honeſt courſe of life, the diſobedient comming to their end by ſurfets,How parents prolong their childrens life. or the Gallowes with ſhame, in their very prime.

2. It is alwaies verified: becauſe obedient children liue well, and in the feare of God, and to liue well, is to liue long, according to the prouerb;1. Tim. 5 6.1 Tim 5:6 Bene viuere, bis biuere eſt; To liue well, is to liue twice: and to liue ill, is neuer to liue, but to be euer dead, as S. Paul ſpeaketh of wanton widdowes; Shee that liueth in pleaſure, is dead, whileſt ſhee liueth: ſo that, though the diſobedient p. 327liue long, yet they hauehave not this bleſsing of long life, the obedient, and dutifull hauehave it, though they liue not many yeares: for one day is better, then a thouſand of the rebellious,Eccleſ 8.12.Eccl 8:12 which is the cauſe, that the Wiſe man maketh no reckoning of a ſinners life, though hee liue an hundred yeares.

3. If it bee not verified for life here, yet it is more then made good by their taking hence, they receiuing for frailty, ſtrength; for baſenes, glory; for temporalitie, eternity. Who wil ſay, that if the King promiſe any of his houſhold-ſeruants by name, one of his Guard, a Pentioner, or Porter, that he ſhal euer inioy his place, and yet remoueth him to be the Maſter of his Horſe, his Treaſurer, or Chamberlaine, that he is not ſo good as his word vntounto him? and who can ſay then, that the Lord of all, if he promiſe along life in this miſerable world, and yet remoueth to a Kingdome euerlaſting, that hee is not true of his promiſe?

1. King 14.1 Kgs 14Doth any man thinke Enoch the leſſe bleſſed, becauſe hee was taken away ſome hundreths of yeare ſooner, then others? or doth he thinke it an vnhappines in the good ſonne of Jeroboam, for that he was taken away in his youth? no more are they vnhappy, or leſſe bleſſed, but ſo much the more, whom the Lord is pleaſed to take away from the euils of this world to come, as ſaith the Prophet.Eſay 57.1.Isa 57:1

Queſt 2 Why doth the Lord rather promiſe long life to ſuch as honour father and mother, then any other bleſsing?

Anſw.Firſt, becauſe life is ſweet, and we are apt by nature to hearken to any thing to prolong life, but this is generall, and fitteth other commandements as well.

2 More ſpecially, becauſe children that honour parents, may be ſaid in ſome ſort to prolong their dayes, through that ioy, wherewith they are affected, when they doe well: for as ſorrow ſhortneth the dayes, according to that of father Iaacob, yee ſhall b…ing my gray head, with ſorrow, to the graue; Gen. 42 38.Gen 42:38ſo ioy prolongeth them. Againe, by nouriſhing them in their neceſsity, they prolong their dayes, euen as young ſtorkes, ſo that it is moſt equall with the Lord, to giuegive them this recompence, in prolonging their dayes: which alſo is an argument p. 328of force, to moue to obedience, and to make them flie diſobedience, ſeeing this is a death to their good parents, and they are like the viper herein, which, as is thought, is the death both of ſire and dam in the breeding, and comming forth into the world.

3. Becauſe the way to come to an eſtate of honour, is giuing honour, according to our prouerb, qui neſcit parere, neſcit imperare, He knoweth not how to rule, that knoweth not how to obey firſt. Wherefore it is iuſt with God to cut off the diſobedient, that they may not liue to honour, and to prolong the life of the obedient, that they may come in their age to bee obeyed and honoured.

Queſt. 91. Which is the ſixth Commandement, or the ſecond of the ſecond Table?

Anſw. Thou ſhalt doe no murther.

Queſt. 92. What is here forbidden?

Anſw. All murthering of our ſelues or others, and all approbation hereof, either by command, counſell, conſent, or concealement: ſecondly, all iniurious actions tending to the prejudice of our neighbours life: thirdly, all railing and reuiling ſpeeches: fourthly, all murtherous deſires and affections of the heart, as malice, hatred and enuie: fifthly, all cruelty towards the creature, which ſheweth a murtherous mind in vsus.

Matth. 5.22,Matt 5:22Explan. The Lord hauing prouided for the vpholding of eueryevery man in his eſtate and condition, to preuent a confuſion amongſt the orders of men, proceedeth here to take away particular abuſes, which, if they ſhould bee, this order cannot ſtand, and firſt the moſt horrible of all other, murther, the deſpoyling men of their liues. Now, becauſe the Phariſees erred, when they reſtrained the ſinne here, to the outward and compleat act of murther, our Sauiour Chriſt reprouing this their abſurd cleauing to the letter of the text, I hauehave more largely according to his bleſſed direction ſet downe, the ſinne againſt this commandement. It may well be referred to theſe fiue heads.

Firſt, actuall murther, which is either of our ſelues, or of p. 329other men. 1. Thou ſhalt not murther thy ſelfe, howſoeuer thou art preſſed by tēptations of pouerty, diſgrace, or other heauy croſſes, wherevpon the deuill is buſie about thee, and ſeeketh to driue thee to this deſperate ſelfe-execution. Thou ſhalt feare, and neuer yeeld to ſo horrible an act, whatſoeuer becommeth of thee. And that thou maiſt the better bee preſerued, becauſe the diuell preuaileth againſt many in theſe dayes, and againſt ſome, that hauehave formerly had a care to doe well, I hauehave ſet downe heere the moſt effectuall meanes of preſeruation in all aſſaults.

Forerunners of ſelfe-murther.Firſt, take heed of all forerunners of theſe temptations, as of pride, and carying a higher ſaile than thy eſtate will beare: for when a man commeth thus to be ſpent, and muſt neceſſarily come downe, and be laid open to the world, according to his meanes, his proud heart cannot indure to yeeld, if by any meanes he may auoid this open debaſement, wherevpon Satan is ready, and biddeth him murther himſelfe: this is plainely to be ſeen in many examples in our dayes▪ Another forerunner of this, is ſome notorious ſinne, or ſinnes, which are committed in ſecret, but the conſcience will not ſuffer to bee ſecret, but accuſeth for them, and d then Satan layeth hold heerevpon, preſſing the threatnings of the Law, and neuer ceaſeth till he hath driuen a man to the deſperate making away of himſelfe.

Theſe hideous ſinnes are murther, adultery, periury, apoſtacie, or backſliding from the truth before imbraced, and ſuch like. A third, is generall ſecurity, in matters of religion, from which when the eyes come to be opened, there ariſeth an horrour and trouble in conſcience, which the Diuell further preſſeth to deſperate ſelfe-murther. Wherefo…e let eueryevery man firſt be carefull to auoid theſe wayes.

Let him put on humility, liuing rather in meaner faſhion, then he is worth: let him watch ouer his hands and hea…t and tongue againſt mu…thering, againſt adultery, and vncleanneſſe, againſt lying and fo ſwearing, and ouer his waies againſt backſliding: and let him in all his dealings keepe a good conſcience. If thou ſhalt ſay I feare not this temptation, I hope I ſhall keepe mee without this penſiue p. 330carefulneſſe, farre enough from it: heare what the Apoſtle ſaith,Rom 9.Rom 9 …ee not high-minded but feare: conſider that thou art a man, and if a man, ſubiect to the like paſſions, as the meaneſt & worſt of men, if thou take not the better heed. It is no wiſedome to ſurfet the body, & then to ſeek a cure, neither is it wiſedome, to let the enemy into the Citty, and then to ſeek to driue him out againe. In like manner, it is no wiſe dome but great folly to put a mans ſelfe into the hazard of this deſperation, thinking then to be cured againe.

… Labor for pitience.Labour for patience in all croſſes, according to the example of thy maſter Chriſt, if being a ſeruant thou be buffetted, pinched with hunger, and hardly intreated; or being a childe, art neglected of thy parents, and diſcouraged, or being a ſubiect, thou art in danger through thy Princes diſpleaſure; conſider not ſo much the greatneſſe of thy croſſe, as the reward, if thou hauehave patience conſider the vanity of the moſt excellent things in this world, the ſhortneſſe of all croſſes heere, and the moſt worthy partners which thou haſt, both Chriſt and all the holy Prophets, and Apoſtles, to whoſe ſociety, it is ioy to be ioyned.

The want of this patience breedeth diſcontent, & diſcontent, with the Diuels furtherance, deſperation and murther.

3 Conſider, if at any time thou beeſt thus tempted, that to murther a mans ſelfe, is the moſt vnnaturall Sinne, that can bee in the world: and therfore (becauſe other meanes of puniſhment is taken away) the law doth brand the dead carcaſſe with infamous buriall.

2. It is alſo the moſt dangerous and vnrecouerable (except the ſinne againſt the holy Ghoſt) for it ſeldome giueth any time of repentance, and perhaps more ſeldome any probability. Hee that dyeth thus, dyeth alas in Satans worke, and I feare me in Satans hands. Yet I preſume not to confine Gods extraordinary and boundles mercy, that can reach it ſelfe forth inter …ontem & font…m, after voluntary headlong percipice. I deny not this to be poſſible. But O dreadfull tryall of this ballance, which in probability weigheth down ſo heauy on the other ſide, as to preſſe wretched man to hell p. 331it ſelfe. Diſtreſſed Brother, art thou tempted to this helliſh and monſtrous ſinne? Gather thy ſtrength vntounto thee, ſay, Auoid Satan; if thou tell mee I ſhall notwithſtanding bee ſaued, commending my ſoule to God when I dye, ſay thou art a lyar, and the father of lyes: for the truth ſaith, …f a righteous man turneth from his righteouſneſſe and committeth iniquity in the ſinne wherein he is found he ſhall ſurely dye. If hee telleth thee that thou ſhalt thus end thy ſorrowes, ſay, thou art heerin a lyar alſo Satan, I ſhall paſſe thus rather from ſorrow to greater ſorrow, from temporall woe to eternall, to be gnawed vponupon by the worme that neuer dyeth, and to bee burned with the fire that neuer goeth out.

If it be ſaid, there are ſome that dye thus,Obiect. 2. Selfe-murther … p…eſeru… vertue inuiolate. Auguſt. de Ciuit: D…i. to preſerue vertue vnuiolate, as Lucretia to preſerue her chaſtity, and certaine Matrons of Rome, of whom S. Auguſtine writeth: and ſome, that they may be glorious Martyrs, as the Donatiſts of old, holding, that if they could procure death to themſelues they ſhould immediately paſſe to glory in heauen.

Sol.They are all in the ſame dangerous and demnable plight; notwithſtanding, without extraordinary, and euen miracu-repentance, they periſh, as guilty of their owne death. Read S. Auguſtine, in the ſame place, excellently ſetting forth the vice of Lucretia, which by the Heathen▪ was commended for a vertue.

2. Murthereing of other men:2. Vniuſt bloodſh…d. This is vniuſtly to ſhed the bloud of any man, by any meanes whatſoeuer. Firſt, I ſay, it is an vniuſt ſhedding of bloud: becauſe there is a ſhedding of bloud, that is no ſin, as of the bloud of creatures, which are giuen vntounto man for meat, or which are any way noyſome vntounto him, contrary to the Tacian hereſie, which denyed it to be lawfull to kill any thing. Againe, there is s ſhedding of the bloud of man, which is no ſinne, viz. when it is done iuſtly, by ſuch perſons as to whom it doth belong: and this is by the Magiſtrate, or at his appointment onelyonly, and that by iuſt proceedings: for, Hee …eare…h not the ſword in vaine, Rom. 13.4.Rom 13:4but is Gods Miniſter, to take vengeance on thoſe that doe euill. And it is ſo neceſſary for them to put to death, where there is iuſt and neceſſary cauſe, as that if they ſpare, Gods curſe will follow: p. 332for the Lord hath expresſly taught,Num. 35.33.Num 35:33 that bloud defileth the land, and the land cannot be clenſed of the bloud that is ſhed therein, but by the bloud of him that ſhed it: And on the other ſide if they put to death vniuſtly through malice or for any priuate reuenge, they are murtherers: for ſo far forth only may they reuenge by death, as they are Gods Miniſters ſet a worke by him.

Ioh. 21.15.John 21:15Whence we may ſee that heathen Kings, perſecuting the poor Chriſtians to the death, were murtherers: and in like manner are ſuch, as be in authority in the Church of Rome, that doe diuerſly murther the poore people of God, by burning, by the ſword, and by cutting their throats in butcherly manner, only for following a righter, and more holy way, then is allowed amongſt them. Peter, of whoſe ſucceſsion they brag ſo much, durſt not ſo to hauehave turned his maiſters charge, Feed my ſheepe, feed my lambs, into killing them though they had run out of the fold. He would not hauehave taken heart vponupon ſo ſleighty a ground,Act. 10.Acts 10 vp Peter, kill an eate, as ſome doe, to iuſtifie this killing of the poore ſheepe of Chriſt; nay, to murther or expoſe to murther Gods Anointed. Laſtly, there is another iuſt cauſe of ſhedding bloud: viz. in lawfull and iuſt wars, and in defence of a mans owne life: for iuſt warres are called the Lords battels,2 Chron. 20.15.2 Chr 20:15 as Iehoſhaphat encouraging his men, ſaith, The battle is not yours but Gods.

Queſt.But ſome make doubt whether it be lawfull for Chrſtians to wage warre.Anſw. This is the fancy of the Anabaptiſts, whoſe follies are eaſily refuted out of their own furies and ourages in Germany, where they that impugned lawfull warre and Magiſtracy, made vſe in their rebellions of that which themſelues diſauowed, namely, the Sword. And as for the vocation of a Souldier, ſurely, Iohn Baptiſt when the Soldiers came vntounto him,Luk. 3.14.Luke 3:14 demanding of him, What ſhall we doe? Did not anſwer them that they muſt of neceſsity caſt off their Swords if they would be the ſeruants of God, but rather aduiſed thē to remaine ſtill the Military ſeruants of Caeſar, elſe what place can thoſe precepts hauehave, Do violence to no man, neither accuſe any falſly, & be content with your wages. Another frenzy of the ſame ſect, denieth all vſe of the ſword, at home in time of peace by way of ciuil iuſtice, as if it were againſt Chriſtian perfection p. 333put any man to death by the hand of publike authority though for neuer ſo grieuous a crime tending to the diſſolution of humane ſociety, and defacing the Image of God. Alas, frantique ſoules, that in hatred of Murther, maintaine Murther. Shall he, that hath murthered one man, be ſuffered by ſuruiuing to embrue his hands with the guiltleſſe blood of more. Our Sauiour himſelfe (whoſe neareſt Diſciples theſe ſaintly innocents would ſeeme to bee) expresſly pronounced this law of Iuſtice.Math. 2….52.Matt 2:52 They that take the Sword ſhall periſh by the Sword. That is, priuate auengers that wring the ſword out of the Magiſtrates hand to vſurpe the vſe of it, for their own paſſions, muſt expect to feele the edge of it, and to be cut off by it. This publique reuenge is ſo far from being a ſinne, that (as euen now I ſhewed) it is a neceſſary duty in him that beareth the Sword. If this Sword had no edge, or were not imployed vponupon iuſt occaſion, verily it were borne in vaine.

Ob…ect.But the Apoſtle Paul, ſay they, ſpeaketh of Heathen, not Chriſtian Magiſtrates.

Anſw.I anſwer, hee ſpeaketh of Magiſtrates, as Magiſtrates, generally of all, whether Heathen or Chriſtian. Is not a Chriſtian King Gods ordinance, Gods Miniſter? Doe we not owe tribute and honour to Chriſtian Kings, as well as to heathen? Surely much more. Are there not that doe euill (malefactors in an high kind) among Chriſtians. Alas too many. I conclude therefore, that that God who in this Commandement ſaith to eueryevery priuate man, Thou ſhalt not kill, doth therewithall and thereby not only permit, but alſo command his own publike Miniſter to kill for the preuention or auengement of killing other heynous crying ſinnes.

Q…eſt.Here it may be demanded whether this vſe of the Sword belongeth alwayes and onelyonly to the Magiſtrate, ſeeing there are in the Scripture examples of others, who hauehave killed and hauehave therein been not onelyonly blameleſſe but alſo commended, as Phinees and Moſes.

Anſw.True it is that Phinees had no ciuill power, yet is greatly commended for killing Cozby and Zimri. But this he did out of ſpeciall inſtinct, and extraordinary zeale, which God ſtirred vp in him for the quenching of an extraordinary plague▪ p. 334Moſes, being yet but a priuate man, ſlew an Aegyptian that ſtroue with an Iſraelite: But Moſes was an eminent type of Chriſt, and performed this and other ſuch actions as a reſcuer of the people of God. And leſt we ſhould doubt whether he had a ſpeciall inſtinct vntounto this enterpriſe, Saint …teuen ſheweth that Moſes, euen before the ſolemn commiſsion giuen him by God appearing in the flaming buſh, had an inward vocation and notice of his own office of a Deliuerer, whereof this ſlaying the Aegyptian was, as it were, the firſt act an handſ…l: which, as himſelfe knew, ſo he thought that the people of Iſrael would acknowledge.Act 7.…5.Acts 7:5 For hee ſuppoſed his brethren would hauehave vnderſtood how that God by his hand would deliuer them. In briefe, I ſay, to ſuch Heroicall examples, that we Chriſtians muſt liue by rules and not by exceptions, within the line of our ordinary callings, and without aſpiring to a boundleſſe imitation of extraordinary actions.

Heree it may be demanded vntounto what crimes the vſe of the Magiſtrates Sword ought to be extended: and how farre the preſcript of Capitall Lawes giuen to the Iſraelites bindeth Chriſtian Common-wealths. Whereto I anſwer: firſt (as modeſty requireth) that I will not take vponupon mee the office of a Law-maker, by defining this. Secondly, that many of thoſe Lawes were peculiar to the Common-wealth of Iſrael, and agree not with our, and other Common-wealths. Thirdly, as for the chiefe defiances of the firſt Table, as helliſh blaſphemy and groſſe Idolatry, I doubt not but that in all Chriſtian Eſtates they ought to be capitall, as they were among the Iewes.

As for the ſecond Table, this commandement aboue all the reſt is in all Nations fenced and guarded with this extreame puniſhment ex lege talionis. in the ſame kinde. Limbe for limbe, life for life, which is of force ſo generally, not out of imitation of the lawes of the Iewes, but out of the inſtinct of nature, and ballance of euident iuſtice. How farre other offences againſt our neighbour are to be made capitall is a greater difficulty by reaſon of the variety of natures and diſpoſitions in diuers people: with true reſpect, wherevnto there may bee ioyned an ayme at the beſt and moſt principall p. 335poſitiue Lawes preſcribed by God vntounto the Iewes, as I hauehave heeretofore touched in the preface before the Commandements.

Gen. 9. Exo. …2.Gen 9Exod 2To proceed now in the deſcription of that which is heere forbidden vnderunder that name of murther, I ſay it is to ſhed bloud vniuſtly, that is, ad d…liquium animae, to the ſpilling of life, for thus the Lord deſcribeth killing eueryevery where. Againe I ſay, it is a ſhedding of bloud, that is, direct and purpoſed, not an act by which bloud is ſhed by accident, beſides the intent of the doer.

Exod. 21 13.Exod 21:13For in this caſe it is no ſinne but in a fort Gods act, according to the wordes of the Law; If a man hath not laid wait, but God hath offered him into his hand, I will appoint thee a pla…e wh…ther hee ſhall flye: and a particular inſtance is giuen,Deut. 19.5.Deut 19:5 If a man be felling a…ree and his hande ſtrike with the axe, and the head ſlip from the helu… and hit his neighbour, that hee dyeth: heere it is no murther, therefore hee is not worthy to dye by whoſe ſtroke this was done, there was a place of refuge for ſuch to ſaue himſelfe in. But it is not ſo if two men quarrell and fight, and one killeth the other. Men may mince it heere, and call it onelyonly man-ſlaughter; but indeed it is plaine murther, as is euident by the very Engliſh word of this commandement, Thou ſhalt doe no murther, which is the tranſlation of the Latine, N…n o…ci…es. And ſurely thoſe that are cōuicted of Manſlaughter, hauehave in their inditement their load of this word occia…t. So then murther legally, and preciſely taken is either compriſed vnderunder occiſion, or elſe it is not forbidden in this commandement, which were very abſurd. Moreouer, the caſe of our excuſed and refined manſlaughter, differeth much from this caſe Put by the Lord, by which the Law for the quitting of him that ſlew his neighbour vnawares, is illuſtrated.

For though the word, not laying wait▪ bee vſed, and not hating his bro…her in times p…ſſed; looking to which words onelyonly, his ſinne may bee extenuated, for that hee that ſlayeth his neighbour in a ſudden quarrell, may be ſaid not to hauehave hated him before: yet conſider the inſtance that is giuen, of one cutting wood, to make plaine this Law, and it will appeare p. 336that the Lord hath no meaning to giuegive any toleration, to any killing in quarrels, but onelyonly out of all pretending before, or intending then, as it is not with him that killeth another in heat and fury, ſeeing howſoeuer he doth it ſuddenly, yet he endeauoureth it and doth it willingly.

Indeede it ſomewhat leſſeneth the fault, if it ſhall manifeſtly appeare, that ſlaying was againſt the intent of the ſtriker, either for that the inſtrument, wherewith, was but ſome little ſtone or ſticke, not likely to kill, or for that the part of the body ſmitten, was not any principall, & not much wounded, and heerein fauour may be ſhewed. Becauſe that otherwiſe a maiſter giuing his ſeruant correction, by the ſtriking of one blow vnawares, and death following, ſhould become a murtherer, whereas oftentimes death hath followed vponupon a ſmall cauſe.

But in theſe caſes our Lawes and Statutes doe ſufficiently prouide. And as for the caſe of Manſlaughter now diſcuſſed by mee, I doe not preſume to make my ſelfe regibus Sapientorem, but only declare Gods poſitiue Law, which if I deeme to be more equall and iudicious then the law of other Nations, I ſee not why any man ſhould bee agrieued thereat.

Sam 12.Laſtly, I adde by any meanes whatſoeuer, and thus all acceſſaries to murther, are murtherers. Firſt and chiefly he that commandeth, or counſelleth, as Dauid made himſelfe guilty of the murther of Vriah, Achitophel of Dauid, if it had beene proceeded according to his counſell, and the high Prieſts of the murther of Chriſt.

2. He that conſenteth as Pilate did vntounto the Iewes, about the killing of Chriſt,Act. 8.1.Acts 8:1 though hee waſhed his hands, and …aul vntounto the killing of Steuen.

3. He that concealeth, as is ſet downe in the caſe of a man found ſlaine, whoſe murtherer is vnknowne, the Elders of the City neareſt ſhall purge themſelues of the guilt of this bloud by waſhing their hands and ſaying,Deut. 21.7.Deut 21:7 our hands hauehave not ſhed this bloud, neither hauehave our eyes ſeene it: ſo that if any had ſeene it, and not reuealed the murther, hee had made himſelfe guilty of murther.

Now, this murther is ſo odious before God, as that hee p. 337which doth it, muſt die without any fauour; yea,Exod. 21.14.Exod 21:14 if he flieth to the Sanctuary, he ſhall be pulled away from thence; for, thou ſhalt take him from mine altar▪ ſaith the Lord, and put him to death. Whence we may ſee, how great the Popes preſumption is, in giuing pardon for groſſe murders, to ſuch as flie to any popiſh ſanctuary.

1 Murther, a moſt grieuous ſinno.But iuſtly hath the Lord appointed this ſeuere puniſhment: firſt, becauſe murther is the deſtruction of a little world, as man is rightly called, wherein the wonderfull, wiſdome, power, and mercy of God doth as much appeare. 2. Becauſe it is the defacing of Gods image, which is in eueryevery man, betwixt which, and the clipping of the Kings coine, hauing his image, there is no compariſon. 3. Becauſe it is an incroching vponupon Gods office, to whom alone it belongeth, to cal men when it pleaſeth him, out of this world. 4. Becauſe it is the greateſt breach of louelove and peace, and ſo the greateſt ſinne againſt man▪Iohn 8.44.John 8:44

Gen. 4.Gen 4Whence it is, that Chriſt entitleth the Deuill a murtherer, as by his proper name, and how ſecretly ſoeuer murther bee committed, it is noted aboue all other, to be a crying ſinne. Cains murther cried to Heauen againſt him. The Egyptians murther made amongſt the Iewes children, cried againſt them. The ſin of the rich, denying the hire of the poore, cryed to Heaven, and this is a kind of murther alſo:Iames 5.4.Jas 5:4 in theſe places we reade of ſinnes that are crying for vengeance; to ſhew, that murther of all ſinnes is the moſt crying ſinne, ſo that the murther ſhall not reſt, but if man reuengeth not, God will, if man cannot know it, God will make it knowne, ſometime making the dead body to bewray the murtherer, ſomtime the birds, and ſometime the murtherers owne conſcience. And hitherto of the head ſinne againſt this Law.

2 Againſt quarrelling.A ſecond ſinne here, is the next degree vntounto murther, all iniury done vntounto our neighbor, tending to the preiudice of his life. 1. By ſtriking and fighting in priuate, vniuſt quarrelling, whereby it commeth to paſſe, that an eye, or tooth is loſt, the head, the face, or the arme is bruized, or broken, or ſome other part of the body hurt. The Lord prouideth for the puniſhment hereof; Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, Exod. 21.24.Exod 21:24hand for p. 338hand, and to pay the charges of the party ſtricken, during the time of the healing. 2. By grinding the faces of the poore, in ſelling, and letting without all conſcience, in diminiſhing their hire, or in taking their meanes away from them, this is alſo called oppreſsion,Eſay 1.15.Isa 1:15 by which rich mens hands are filled with bloud, and ſuch an oppreſsing bloudy ſin, as that it ſhall eſcape no more then actuall murther, when the poore cry out vnderunder this burthen:Exod. 22.24.Exod 22:24 the Lord threatneth, that his wrath ſhall be kindled, and he will kill them that vſe it. 3. By vſing any outward meanes of impairing our neighbours life, or health; as if the Phiſitian or Chirurgion ſhall deale falſely with his patient, giuing him rather things againſt, then for his health, that he may be the longer vnderunder his hands, or hauing no skil, or but little, ſhall pretend skill ſufficient, and ſo keepe him to the indangering of his health and life, from ſuch as bee more skilfull: and likewiſe if the Apothecarie, through a greedy deſire of gaine, or by neglect ſhall giuegive one thing for another, vnwholſome, improper ingredients, in ſtead of the preſcribed, here is not only a wicked deceit, but a degree of murder. And as it is, in regard of others, ſo alſo is it in regard of a mans owne ſelfe, if he ſhall by any meanes willingly impaire his owne health, rather chooſing to indanger his life in time of ſicknes, then that he will be at charge for the meanes of recouerie in the time of health, rather ſtaruing through idleneſſe, then working: or on the contrary ſide, following drunkennes, ſurfeting and whoring, to the breeding of noiſome diſeaſes in his body; thus, and whatſoeuer way elſe he taketh, to the preiudice of his owne life, beſides his ſinne againſt other Commandements, he is guilty of ſelfe murther.

3 Againſt railing ſpeeches.The third ſinne is to raile, and reuile in ſpeeches, although no ſtroke is giuen: for this is alſo a degree of murther, Chriſt himſelfe being Iudge, where ſpeaking of murther, hee ſaith, Whoſoeuer ſhall ſay vntounto his brother, Matth. 5.22.Matt 5:22Racha, ſhall be worthy to bee puniſhed by a Counſell; and whoſoeuer ſhall ſay, Thou foole, ſhall be in danger of hell fire: Prou. 12.18.Prov 12:18For rayling, and bitter words, are like the pricking of ſwords, and therefore are not only forbidden, but all appearance hereof by crying out aloud,Epheſ. 4.31.Eph 4:31 where the Apoſtle biddeth to put away anger, euill ſpeaking, and crying. And p. 339good reaſon, that this ſhould be forbidden here, as a degree of murther, ſeeing experience teacheth, that of words, blowes doe commonly ariſe.

4 Againſt malice, hatred, and enuy.The fourth ſin, is to hauehave murtherous affections of malice, hatred, and enuy againſt our brother, or but the firſt degree hereof, vnaduiſed anger: for to preuent the height of theſe euill affections, the Lord threatneth ſuch, as bee vnaduiſedly angry, as culpable of iudgement; and Saint Iames ſaith,Matth 5.22. Matth. 5.22. Iames 1.20.Matt 5:22Jas 1:20 that the anger of man doth not worke the righteouſnes of God. This vnaduiſed anger is heate ariſing in vsus, vponupon ſome priuate iniurie done vntounto vsus, or to our friend, pricking vsus forward to reuenge, and this may well be ſaid, not to worke the righteouſnes of God, becauſe it ſetteth not a man the right way, but contrary to that, which the Lord hath appointed vsus, ſaying;Rom. 12 19. Epheſ. 4.26.Rom 12:19Eph 4:26 Ʋengeance is mine, and I will repay it. There is a kind of anger, which is commanded; Be angry, but ſinne not, but this is not an humane, but holy anger, and hath theſe properties. Firſt,Properties of holy anger. 1. Againſt ſin. it is only againſt ſinne, and not againſt that, which is a priuate diſpleaſure done vntounto vsus. Such was the anger of Moſes, when as comming from the Lord with the tables of the law in his hands, ſeeing the idolatry of the people, he threw them downe, not being able to hold, when he ſaw God thus highly diſhonoured.

2. It is onelyonly, becauſe God is offended:2. Becauſe God is offended. for the ſame ſinne may be to the offending of God, and of our ſelues alſo, becauſe it is ſome iniury vntounto vsus: as when a ſeruant neglecteth his maſters buſines behind his backe, or ſpendeth his money at the Ale-houſe; or when a people walketh ſtubbornly againſt their Miniſter, or ruler; in theſe, and the like caſes our anger muſt not be for our ſelues, but for our God. Here meek Moſes himſelf erred at the waters of Meribah, when the people murmured for water, ſo that hee could not enter into the land of Canaan.

3. It is not ſudden, but vponupon deliberation,3. It is not ſudden. Iames 1.19. Theodor. 5. cap. 17.Jas 1:19 according to that precept; Bee ſwift to heare, ſlow to ſpeake, ſlow to wrath: Thus Ambroſe Biſhop of Millaine obtained at the hands of Theodoſius the Emperour, after that he had greatly offended by ſudden anger, that he ſhould not ſuffer any decree made in his anger to be executed till thirty dayes after.

p. 3404. It doth not continue long Pſal. 03.89. Epheſ. 4.26.Ps 3:89Eph 4:264. It doth not continue long, but is ſoone ouer againe, where there is repentance, according to the example of our Lord, who is ſlow to anger, and ready to forgiue: wherefore it is ſaid; Let not the Sunne goe downe vponupon thy wrath.

5. It ariſeth from louelove. 1. Cor. 13. Gal. 6.1.1 Cor 13Gal 6:15. It ariſeth from louelove, and is guided by louelove, the louelove of God, and the louelove of our neighbor, that hath ſinned: for whatſoeuer is without this, is ſinne: and if any be fallen by infirmitie, ſaith the Apoſtle, reſtore ſuch an one with the Spirit of meekeneſſe. When anger is thus ordered, it is ſo farre from being a ſinne, as that it is neceſſary in all men it is zeale for Gods glory, and out of this anger, the diſgracefull words of fooles, wicked children, ſonnes of a whore, &c. hauehave rightly, and without ſinne been vſed, as by the Prophets, our Sauiour Chriſt, and by the Apoſtles. But out of theſe caſes, anger is fleſhly, and if it be more violent, it is hatred, if it dwelleth in a man to make him watch his opportunity to be reuenged, it is malice, if it cauſeth ioy, when it falleth out ill vntounto our neighbour, and griefe, when it is well with him, it is diuelliſh enuy, if it bee a perpetuall barre to reconciliation, it is a reprobate affection, as of ſuch as cannot be appeaſed.Rom. 1.30.Rom 1:30 Now as the very act of murther hath been ſhewed to be a moſt odious ſinne, ſo are theſe degrees of railing, anger, &c.

1. Firſt, the heart and tongue is here ſet on fire, of the fire of hell, Iames 3.Jas 3neither good men, nor good Angels durſt euer doe thus, no, not Michael the Archangell, when he ſtroue with the Deuill, about the body of Moſes, Iude, verſe 9.he durſt not blame him with curſed ſpeaking, but ſaid, the Lord rebuke thee.

2. To ſinne thus, is to be a murtherer before God, euen as Cain was,Iohn 3.15.John 3:15 for, he that hateth his brother is a manſlayer.

Rom. 3.13.14.Rom 3:13Rom 3:143. It is a proper brand of the wicked; His throate is an open Sepulcher, the poyſon of Aſpes is vnderunder his lips: his mouth is full of curſing and bitterneſſe.

5. Properties of cruelty. Prou 12.10. Cruelty in the lookes. Gen. 4. Gen. 31.2.Prov 12:10Gen 4Gen 31:25. The fift ſinne againſt this Commandement is al cruelty towards man or beaſt: for the righteous man is noted to bee mercifull, euen to his beaſt. Cruelty is ſometime in the very looke and countenance, when it is caſt downe towards any man, thus was Cains towards Abel, before his murther, and Labans countenance expreſſed his malice againſt Iacob, before p. 341his departure: and this downeward looke is a ſinne in any, when an ill mind is hereby ſet forth, as it is for the moſt part. 2. In the behauiour there is cruelty, when it is harſh,In their behauiour. and churliſh, as Nabals is ſaid to hauehave been towards his ſeruants, ſo as that they could not tell how to ſpeake to him: of him therefore it is ſaid, He was churliſh, 1. Sam. 23.3,1 Sam 23:3and ill conditioned and this is an ill condition indeed, and vnworthy a Chriſtian, ſeeing our leſſon is, Learne of me, that J am meeke and gentle.Matth. 11. Too much ſeuerity towards the poore.Matt 11

3. When any way too much ſeuerity is vſed, by the rich towards the poore, by officers towards malefactors, dealing with them in all extremity, by gouernours, towards ſuch as be vnderunder them, vnreaſonably correcting, or otherwiſe expreſſing an hatefull mind againſt them. This was a ſinne in the Phariſees, that brought the adulterous woman to Chriſt,Iohn 8.John 8 breathing out cruelty againſt her, and al they ſhal hauehave iudgement mercileſſe, that are thus without mercy.

4. Cruelty is in the vnmercifull vſage of the dumbe creature,Vnmercifull vſage of the dumb creatures. working them without reaſon, pinching them in things neceſſary, beating, or killing them without mercy, or otherwiſe abuſing them, ſo as that they ſurfet, or grow diſeaſed hereby, all theſe are wicked acts, and ſhew wicked men,Prou. 12.10.Prov 12:10 whoſe mercies are cruelty.

1. Cor 9.1 Cor 9For howſoeuer the Apoſtle ſaith comparatiuely: Doth God take care for Oxen? it is certaine, that God doth take care for Oxen and Horſes, and for the very fowles of the aire:Deut. 22.6.Deut 22:6 ſeeing that he hath made a law, forbidding, when a man findeth a birds neaſt, to take the old together with the young. It is therfore to be vnderſtood, that he doth not take care for Oxen principally and chiefely, but ſubordinately, as his care is towards all the creatures. And hitherto of the ſinnes againſt the bodily life.

The murther of ſoules. 1. Cor 8.11.1 Cor 8:11Now there bee ſinnes alſo againſt the ſpirituall life and ſoule, according to the teaching of Saint Paul, who ſheweth a caſe, wherein a man deſtroyeth the ſoule of another, viz. when he is an occaſion of his ſtumbling, and falling into ſin. Thus Miniſters murther,1. In Miniſters. or at the leaſt make themſelues guilty of murthering the ſoules of the people, committed to their charge, when as through their default any of them periſh. p. 342This is plainely taught in Ezechiel, Ezech. 3.Ezek 3whom the Lord told, that he made him a watchman ouer the people, and if the enemy, which is ſin ſhould come, and deſtroy any, he not giuing them warning, their bloud hee threatneth to require at his hands. If any miniſter therfore, either by neglecting to teach, and watch ouer the people, & much more if by falſe doctrine, or a wicked life, he be an occaſion, that any die in their ſins, he ſhall vndoubtedly anſwer for this ſoule-murther: if he endeauoreth, being furniſhed with gifts neceſſary, to ſaue them, whoſoeuer ſhal periſh, he is acquitted, & ſhal hauehave his reward.

2 Parents and Maſters.Againe, parents and maſters, and all priuate gouernours are murtherers, if by their neglect, or bad example, their children, ſeruants, or pupils periſh by ignorance, prophanenes, or any other ſinfull courſe of life, which they might hauehave amended in them, by teaching, charging, reprouing, and requiring better things at their hands, and leading them on by a good example. For this, as hath been ſhewed, is their dutie, as it is to furniſh them, with things neceſſary for the bodily life, and therefore, as in the denying of theſe, they which are vnderunder their gouernment periſhing, their blood ſhall be laid to their charge: ſo is it, when they deny them meanes neceſſary for their ſoules, and much more, if they giuegive them the poyſon of bad counſell, or bad example, this murthering of ſoules ſhal be charged vponupon them.

3 Neighbours.And laſtly, eueryevery neighbour, that giueth his neighbour drinke to make him drunken, that ſtirreth vp one againſt another to ſighting and quarrelling, and generally, if hee enticeth to any ſinne, or doth countenance, and fauour, and defend it, to the heartning of a man on therein, eueryevery of theſe waies, he is the cauſe of the deſtruction of his neighbour, and ſhall anſwer, as a ſoule-murtherer. For this is taxed in Gods word as an high offence;Habbac 2.15. Woe be to him that giueth his neighbour drinke; that is, to make him drunken: and it is ſet downe as an height of ſinne;Rom. 1.31.Rom 1:31 Which not onelyonly doe ſuch things, but fauour ſuch as doe them. And good reaſon, ſeeing eueryevery man is bound to keepe his neighbour, as much, as in him lieth, from ſinne, otherwiſe he is cenſured, as hating his brother: For, Thou ſhalt not hate thy brother in thy heart, Leuit. 19.27.Lev 19:27ſaith the Lord, but rebuke p. 343him plainely …nd not ſuffer him to ſinne. Oh then, how ſhall hee anſwer it, that prouoketh his brother to ſinne? without doubt hee ſhall be iudged as an hater, yea, a murtherer of his brother at the laſt day.

Queſt. 93. What is here commanded?

Anſw. Out of the louelove that we beare to our neighbour, as much as in vsus lieth, to preſerue his life and health, and ſpecially the life of his ſoule, by good counſell, exhortations, admonitions, and the like.

Explan. The duty here commanded, ariſeth from the conſideration of the ſinne forbidden, for if it be forbidden to murther, then it is commanded to ſaue life, becauſe he that ſaueth not life when it is in his power, is guilty of murther. Now, as murther is either of a mans own ſelf, or of another man, ſo the duty, that we may be free from the guilt of any murther, is to endeauour to ſaue both a mans owne life, and the life of another man.

1 To ſaue our owne life by flying in time of danger.Firſt then, thou art here bound to preſerue thine owne life, by the vſe of all lawfull meanes. 1. In the time of danger, flying from one place to another, whether the danger bee by perſecution, as Dauid was indangered by Saul, and therefore fled from him, and as Athanaſius, an holy father of the Church, hid himſelfe a long time, when he was ſought for to the death by the Arians, and as Eliah long before fled from Jezabel: 1. King. 19.1 Kgs 19or if the danger be by famine, as Abraham, Iſaack, Iacob, Naomi, and other holy perſons hauehave commonly done: or if there be danger by the plague, the chiefe cure of which deuouring euill, next to repentance, is to change the aire, and that ſpeedily, not in an opinion to be ſafe from Gods ſtroake, but in obedience to his wil, who would hauehave vsus to preſerue our liues by all lawfull meanes, in the time of danger. And a principall ground of all this, is that commandement of our Sauiour;Matth. 10.23.Matt 10:23 If they perſecute you in one City, flie into another, and the ſpeciall command vntounto Eliiah in the time of famine,1. King. 17. Gen 12. Gen. 20.1 Kgs 17Gen 12Gen 20 and the Lords manifeſt approbation of Abrahams flying then, comforting him, and taking his part againſt Kings.

Queſt.If it be demanded, but may Miniſters flie in the plague-time, and leaue their people.

p. 344Anſw. That Miniſters may flie in time of danger.Without doubt they may, if it bee Gods will to preſerue themſelues for the greater good of the Church, whereas, if they ſhould harden themſelues, and ſtay amongſt the infected, there were apparant danger of being cut off, and ſo to bee preuented of doing further good in the Church.

2. By vſing lawful meane in times of ſickneſſe. Eſay 38.21.Isa 38:21Secondly, in the time of ſicknes, keeping thy ſelfe warme, and taking ſuch things, as whereby thou mayeſt be freed from the matter of thy diſeaſe, and by Gods bleſsing bee reſtored. Thus Hez…chiah that was ſick vntounto the death, is bidden to take a …umpe of drie figs, and lay it vponupon the boile.

3. To defend our ſelues with our beſt force.Thirdly, being ſet vponupon by wicked men, or by the enemy, defending our ſelues with our beſt forces.

4. By vſing lawfull recreation.Fourthly, by vſing lawfull recreation at lawfull times, by ſome extraordinary motion of the body, or otherwiſe chearing our minds and ſpirits, with the vſe of pleaſant paſtimes, that are in themſelues indifferent. Such is ſhooting, of which m…ntion is made in the holy Scriptures;…. Sam. 1.18. He bad them teach the children of Iſrael to ſhoote, as it is written in the booke of Jaſher: And Muſicke,Nehem. 7.67. Iudges 14 9.Neh 7:67Judg 14:9 vntounto which, many were brought vp, and propounding of riddles and the like. But heere is no tolleration for gaming meerely for gaine, which in ſtead of recreating diſtempereth the mind and body, and is commonly accompanied with many foule ſinnes.

To preſerue another mans life. 1. By almes-deeds. Iob 3 9.Job 3:9For the life of another man. This is preſerued; 1. By almes deeds, where neceſsity doth require: for thus Iob ſaith, that hee had not ſeene any periſh for want of cloathing, &c. and ſome there are in this danger continually, vnleſſe they be relieued, and he that ſeeth it, and hath, wherewithall to helpe them, but doth not, if they periſh, is guilty of their death.

2. To helpe in time of danger. 1. King. 18.13.1 Kgs 18:132. By reſcuing and helping a man in any danger, as Obadiah hid the Prophets of the Lord in caues, to ſaue them from Ahab, and Iezabel, in time of perſecution.

3 By patience and me…knes.3. By patience and meekeneſſe, preuenting quarrels, and bloudſhed, that doth otherwiſe often times follow. The parts of this gentlenes, and meekenes, are: 1. Soft anſwers; when any meanes be vſed to prouoke vsus:Prou. 15.1.Prov 15:1 for, a ſoft anſwer putteth away ſtrife. Dauids fury was calmed, when Abigail came vntounto him with gentle and pleaſing words: and without doubt, p. 345ſeruants and children might eſcape many cruell blowes, if they would frame their tongues to this ſoft anſwering.

2. A ſtayed temper of affections whereby wee are not ſuddenly moued, and for trifling matters, neither doe wee keepe our anger, as hath beene ſhewed already; Be ſlow to anger, and let not the ſunne goe downe vponupon thy wrath: for thus is this dangerous ſinne preuented, which for want of this ſtayd temper, many doe commonly runne into.

3. A diſpoſition alwayes to interprete ſuch things, as are done againſt vsus, in the beſt ſenſe that wee can: as it is noted to bee the property of louelove; It thinketh not euill: 1 Cor. 13.5.1 Cor 13:5for by a miſconſtruction, men are often prouoked cauſeleſly to ſinne againſt their owne ſoules, or when ſmall matters are aggrauated, and accounted greater.

4. A louelove of peace, and ſeeking it, with all men, as much as may be, according to the precept; As much as in you lyeth, Ro… 12.8.Rom 12:8hauehave peace with all men: And againe; Doſt thou deſire to liue long, and to ſee good dayes, refraine thy tonge from euill, Pſal. 34.12.Ps 34:12and thy lips that they ſpeake no guile, ceaſe to doe euill, learne to doe well, ſeeke peace and enſue it.

5. Laſtly, a minde content, for the louelove of peace ſometimes to depart with a mans right, as Abram the vncle,Gen. 13. Math. 17.Gen 13Matt 17 gaue Lot his nephew, his choiſe, being content that part, which hee left; and Chriſt, when he had proued, that hee was not to pay tribute, or poll money, did notwithſtanding pay it being demanded.

By interring, and timely bringing to the buriall, dead bodies of Chriſtian people, or others, which being vnburied would be noyſome, and preiudiciall to the liues of the liuing, Wherefore Abraham prouideth a place to bury Sarah in. But this taxeth not the hanging vp of paricides, or other notorious murtherers in chaines, without buriall, who are vnworthy of the honour of Chriſtian buriall. And this duty doth more properly belong to the fift Commandement.

1 Pet. 2.2. Ro. 10.14.1 Pet 2:2Rom 10:14Now, as there is a ſpirituall murthering as well as a corporall, ſo there are duties to be done to preſerue the ſpirituall life, and firſt to preſerue thine owne, thou art bound to deſire the ſincere milke of the word, as S. Peter ſaith, that thou p. 346maiſt grow thereby, 1 Pet. 2.2. Rom. 10.14.1 Pet 2:2Rom 10:14attend the preaching hereof, whereby faith may be wrought and confirmed, and that with all diligence, as it is to bee preached in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon: thou muſt hide the word in thy heart by ſerious meditation, as Dauid did,Pſal 119.11. Cor. 3.16.Ps 119:11 and let it dwell plenteouſly in thee, pray continually for grace, and reuerently receiue the Sacraments, and vntounto all theſe ioyne obedience; be doers of the word, and not hearers onelyonly deceiuing your ſelues. If any of theſe things bee neglected,Iam. 1.22.Jas 1:22 thy ſoule cannot liue, thou deſtroyeſt thy ſelfe euerlaſtingly.

To preſerue the life of the ſoule.To preſerue thy neighbours ſpirituall life. 1. If thou be a miniſter, teach, exhort, rebuke, vſe all meekenes, diſcretion, and diligence in doctrine and life to keepe in the right way, to bring in ſuch as are out, to ſtrengthen the weake, to comfort the faint-hearted, to curbe the vnruly, to informe the ignorant, and erronious, and to further the ſanctification, & ſaluation of all.

2. If thou beeſt a Iudge, a ruler, or a magiſtrate in executing iuſtice, ſeeke not onelyonly in regard of temporall puniſhments, to make men affraid of ſinning but much more, becauſe they ſhall thus damne and deſtroy their owne ſoules, commend an honeſt and deuout courſe of life, both by word, and example: ſo as S. Paul ſaith to Timothy, thou maiſt ſaue both thy ſelfe and many others.

3. If thou be father, or mother, maſter or priuate gouernour, teach and ſeaſon youth in good things betimes, command them with Abraham to walke in the way of the Lord, inſtruct them in the grounds of religion, out of the holy Scriptures, euen in their childhood, with Timothies grandmother, chaſtize them duly when they ſinne againſt God, as Ely did not, and in all things bee an example of holineſſe vntounto them, bringing them to the publike place of Gods worſhip, and praying earneſtly for them with Elchana, and Hannah, and thus thou ſhalt dedicate them with Samuel to the LORD, and well prouide for the ſaluation of their ſoules.

Heb. 3.13. Leuit. 19.27.Heb 3:13Lev 19:274. If thou be a priuate perſon, exhort ſuch as are backward, and prouoke vntounto louelove and good workes, reproue p. 347ſuch as offend, and ſuffer them not to ſinne; ſuch as are forward in goodneſſe, incourage with the Kingly Prophet, who ſaith, I was glud, when they ſaid, Pſal. 1 22. 1 Cor. 10…Ps 1:221 Cor 10let vsus goe vp to the houſe of the Lord, and by no meanes lay any ſtumbling-blocke, before thy brother, by which he ſhould fall and periſh, and thus many priuate perſons to their great ioy ſaue the ſoules of others, whileſt others careleſſe of theſe duties, like Cain, hauehave murtherous mindes, and ſay; am I my brothers keeper?

Queſt. 94. What is the ſeauenth Commandement?

Anſw. Thou ſhalt not commit Adultery.

Queſt. 95. What is heere forbidden?

Anſw. Firſt all outward vncleane actions of Adultery, Fornication, &c. Secondly, all filthy and vncleane ſpeeches, ſongs, and Bookes and Ballads of this ſort. Thirdly, all incontinent thoughts and luſts of the heart. Fourthly, whatſoeuer is an occaſion of vncleanneſſe, as ſurfetting, drunkenneſſe and idleneſſe, &c.

Mat. 5.28.Matt 5:28Explanat. The ſinne heere forbidden, is not onelyonly the act of Adultery, but whatſoeuer is any way againſt chaſtitie or ſoberneſſe, either in deed, in word or in thought, directly or indirectly, as a meanes of ſinning heere againſt: For thus large our Sauiour ſheweth the extent of this Commandement to be; where hee ſaith; Whoſoeuer looketh vponupon a woman to luſt after her hath committed adultery with her in his heart; ſtretchihg this commandement to the very thoughts, and the meanes of ſuch wicked thoughts, a wandering eye

Gen: 19.18.Firſt therefore this commandement is broken by vnclean actions of eueryevery kinde, whether by beaſtiality, Leuit. 18.23. or by vnnaturall luſt, Rom. 1.26.27 and ſo foule an euill is this, as that the Lord hath done more againſt it, euen in the view of the world, then againſt any other ſinne, ſweeping away euen whole Kingdomes with fire and brimſtone from Heauen, not ſparing any of that impure people, and continuing the memoriall of his iudgement vntounto this day, p. 348by the dead ſea, which is there, by the apples outwardly faire, hauing nothing within them but ſmoke, and by the generall deſolation of the Countrey, voyd of eueryevery liuing creature.

Deut. 22.22.Deut 22:22Or the act of vncleanneſſe is committed with a man, or woman married, or betrothed, and this is adultery which is alſo ſo foule, as that the puniſhment appointed is death. If any man bee found lying with a woman married to a man, then they ſhall dye, euen both twaine, to wit, the man that lay with the wife, 23.and the wife. If a maa bee betrothed to an huſband, and a man lye with her: then ſhall yee bring them both out to the gates of the Citie, and ſhall ſtone them with ſtones to death. And good reaſon that adultery ſhould bee thus puniniſhed; becauſe it is an abhominable ſinne diuers wayes.

Againſt adultery.1. It is a breach of a moſt ſacred couenant made before God, and the congregation of his people in moſt ſollemne manner: yea, it is a breach of promiſe made with God, for the ſtrange that is the whoriſh woman,Pro. 2.17▪Prov 2:17 is ſaid to forget the couenant of her God.

2. It is the greateſt diſgrace to a familie that may bee, the mother being a whore, the children baſtards, and through the curſe of God, following herevpon, the father being likewiſe and whoremaſter, according to that which Job calleth for, as iuſt againſt himſelfe.Iob. 31.9.10.Job 31:9Job 31:10 If my heart hath beene deceiued by a woman, &c. let my wife grinde vntounto other men, and let another bow downe vponupon her. For this is comonly ſeene, where the husband is naught, the wife is giuen ouer to bee ſuch alſo. And the children begotten of ſuch, beſide that the Lord eſteemeth them as baſe,Deut. 23.1.Deut 23:1 excluding them from bearing office in the congregation, to the tenth generation, doe commonly follow the ſteps of their adulterous parents, a family is made of a chaſte houſhold, and a Church of God, as it ought to bee a very brothel houſe and ſtewes, loathſome to God, and to all good men.

3. It is an intollerable wrong to the husband, to be thus abuſed; in that he nouriſheth, bringeth vp, and prouideth for as for his owne, the baſtard brood of lewd knaues, and thus p. 349adultery is greater then any theft, becauſe a man is heereby robbed of his whole eſtate, defrauded of his chiefeſt worldly treaſure, and preuented of his greateſt comfort here, through the want of genuine true-begotten children, theſe baſtards being ſuggeſted in their ſtead. And therefore, as murther hath beene and is daily miraculouſly diſcouered, that it may be accordingly puniſhed, ſo did the Lord appoint a miraculous way for the detection of adultery, that it might not eſcape vnpuniſhed: viz. holy water, which the woman ſuſpected ſhould drinke, that ſhould cauſe her thigh to rot,Numb 5.12. Sed non ego credulus illis.Num 5:12 and her belly to ſwell: and there is a certaine precious ſtone as ſome report, at this day, which being laid vponupon a woman ſleeping, maketh knowne whether ſhe hath beene falſe to her husband.

Boem.How odious this ſin is, appeareth by the puniſhments appointed by men, led onelyonly by the light of nature: ſome adiudging the Adultereſſe to be puniſhed, with the cutting off of her noſe; and the adulterer, with a thouſand ſtripes, as the Aegyptians: ſome allowing to kill ſuch, as were taken in adultery inſtantly, as Solon: Hackluit. p. 561. Munſt. Coſmog.ſome adiudging that the adultereſſe ſhould cut the throat of the adulterer, and the next kinſman to him ſhould cut her throar, as a people dwelling ſouthward from the Indians: and ſome ſtoning them both to death, as the Turkes. Nebuchadnezzar hearing that one Acab and Zedechiah, Iewes, had committed this wickedneſſe with two married women broiled them to death, vponupon a gridiron.Pet. Mart. in 2 Sam pag. 241. Zaleucus, a Law-giuer of the Locrians appointed both their eyes to be put out, & when his own ſon was taken in adultery, rather then the Law ſhould be broken, hee ſpared one of his ſonnes eyes, and cauſed one of his owne to bee put out. And yet more to ſhew how abominable it is to naturall reaſon, when Cabades King of the Perſians made a Law to tolerate it, his ſubiects tooke it ſo hainouſly, that they would not ſuffer him any longer to raigne ouer them.

Not onelyonly men, but other creatures, led by the inſtinct of nature, without reaſon, doe in their kinde hate adultery. The Elephant will not indure it in his female, and it is reported,Topſel Hiſtor. of Beaſts. that a certaine Elephant ſeeing another man lying with his miſtreſſe in the abſence of his maiſter, ſlew them both: and p. 350the like is ſaid to hauehave been done at Rome, whom alſo being ſlaine, the Elephant couered vp and ſhewed them both to his maiſter at his comming home: and another time, when a man had murthered his wife and married another, his Elephant leading her vponupon a time to the place, where the firſt wife was buried, opened the ground with his trunck, & ſhewed her the dead body. Wherefore whoſoeuer thou art that beareſt the name of a Chriſtian, abhor to commit this wickedneſſe ſo foule, and ſo much deteſted euen by heathen men-and by the very bruit beaſt: aſſure thy ſelfe, that how ſecret ſoeuer it be, God beholdeth it, and if not heere, yet heereafter he will open it, to thine eternall confuſion.

Againſt fornication.Or, the act of vncleanneſſe is committed with a ſingle woman, by a ſingle man; for if either be married, it is adultery, but this is fornication: the puniſhment of this ſin, of old, was to be enforced to marry her that was defloured, and to pay her father fifty ſhekels of ſiluer:Deut▪ 22.29.Deut 22:29 and if her father refuſed to giuegive her to wife vntounto him, he was to pay mony, according to the dowry of virgins.Exod. 22.17.Exod 22:17 And ſtraightly hath the Lord charged, ſaying,Deut. 23 17. Verſ. 18.Deut 23:17 There ſhall not be an whore of the daughters of Iſrael, nor a whore-keeper of the ſonnes of Jſrael. And in the verſe following, a whore is compared vntounto a dog; for, …hou ſhalt not bring, ſaith the Lord, the hire of an whore, nor the price of a dogge into the houſe of the Lord. This ſin is next vntounto adultery, and ſo placed eueryevery where in the Scriptures, both becauſe it is next vntounto it in foulneſſe before God, & ſuch, as that whoſoeuer falleth into the one, neuer maketh conſcience of the other. Many waies is this a moſt deteſtable ſinne. 1. Becauſe indignity is hereby offered vntounto Chriſt, the member of Chriſt being thus made the member of an harlot:1 Cor: 6 14.15. for, Know ye not, ſaith the Apoſtle, that your bodies are the members of Chriſt? ſhall I then take the member of Chriſt, and make it the member of an harlot? God forbid. Know ye not that he which coupleth himſelfe to an harlot, is one body.

2. Becauſe that by no ſinne is the body ſo much wronged, as by this vncleanneſſe, wherefore the ſame Apoſtle proceedeth, and ſaith, EueryEvery ſinne that a man committeth, is without the body, Verſ. 18.but he that committeth fornication, ſinneth againſt his owne p. 351body. That is, actually cutting off himſelfe from Chriſt hereby, and diſſoluing the couenant with his God. For the Lord hath vouchſafed to ioyne vsus that beleeue vntounto himſelfe in marriage; now by other ſins, we offend greatly this our deareſt louelove, and are blemiſhed, and made loathſome vntounto him, ſo as that he is at the point of cutting vsus off: but by fornication, either ſpirituall, which is with Idols; or corporall, a man cutteth himſelfe off from God.

3. Becauſe, that by fornication, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of all comfort, is wronged, and that extreamly, being thruſt out of his owne houſe and temple: for, your body, Verſ. 19.as it followeth in the ſame chapter, is the Temple of the holy Ghoſt, bought for a price, and is not your owne. All which being put together, or any one of which ſheweth this ſinne to bee abominable to all Chriſtians, that are not of feared conſciences, and altogether without feeling of Gods grace towards them.

Gen. 38.Gen 38And it is to be noted, that whatſoeuer difference hath been put, betwixt the puniſhment of this and adultery, yet it appeareth euen before Moſes his Law, this ſin was death: for when Thamar, Iudahs daughter in law, had played the harlot, Iudah hearing of it commanded that ſhee ſhould bee brought forth, and be burnt to death.

Gal. 5.19.Gal 5:19And amongſt the Turkes, they are puniſhed with eighty ſtripes: and how ſlightly ſoeuer theſe ſinnes of fornication and adultery bee paſſed ouer amongſt men in theſe miſerable times, there is a greater puniſhment then a thouſand bodily deaths expresſly threatned heereagainſt, viz eternall death: for he that doth theſe things, ſaith S. Paul, ſhall neuer enter into the Kingdome of Heauen.

Gen. 6.Gen 6Secondly, this ranketh them with men of the old world, who are ſaid to hauehave taken wiues of al that they liked; that is, by bruitiſh and inordinate comming together with them, before they tooke them, and with vncircumciſed Shechem, who firſt defloured Dinah, and then would hauehave married her,Gen. 34.Gen 34 but he ſmarted for it, hee and all the men of the City being ſlaine therefore.

Thirdly, this is a continuall heart-ſmart, and griefe vntounto p. 352them, euen when they behold that, which otherwiſe would be one of their greateſt worldly comforts, viz. their firſt-borne; or any other in what number ſoeuer, being the fruit of the body; whom, when they behold, they hehold their ſinne: and if contrariwiſe it be a ioy, as it is to many, woe is vntounto them, the guilt of their ſinne is yet vponupon them.

Againſt Inceſt.Or, the Act of vncleanneſſe is committed with a neere kinſwoman, viz. the Aunt, the Siſter, or the Wiues Siſter, &c. and this is Inceſt,Leu 20.10.11Lev 20:10Lev 20:11 whether it be in marriage, or out of marriage, and ſo heinous is this, that death is appointed for a puniſhment heereof.1. Cor. 5.11 Cor 5:1 When Saint Paul heard, that one among the Corinthians had taken his Fathers wife, he deteſted it, as abominable, and ſo abominable, as that the like was not heard of among the Gentles, and ceaſeth not, till he had cauſed him to bee excommunicated and caſt out of the Church of Gods people.

Queſt.How is it a ſinne of Inceſt, in a man to marry his brothers wife, whereas the Iewes were commanded to rayſe vp ſeed to their childeſſe brethren? how ſhall theſe two Lawes bee reconciled? The law againſt Inceſt is generall, binding all people of all countries,Anſw. and perpetuall for euer: the law of the brothers taking the brothers wife wanting iſſue, was a ſpeciall exception to this law, peculiar to the Iſraelites, and to laſt, but for a time, whilſt there was a ſpeciall reckoning made of the firſt borne, and of his ſeed, ſtill continuing him, as it were aliue, thus typifying the firſt borne amongſt many brethren, who without hauing any ſeed further raiſed vp vntounto him, doth himſelfe remaine aliue for euer. Wherefore in no caſe may the like now be tollerated, for it is a foule ſinne.

Polygamy.Or the act of vncleaneſſe is with a ſecond wife, in the time of the firſt: for, howſoeuer it may ſeem, that there is no direct law againſt this, and becauſe the moſt holy Patriarchs had many wiues, that it is no ſinne, to hauehave more wiues together: yet now certainely it is no leſſe ſinne then Adultery in continuall practiſe, to take a ſecond wife,Le…it. 18.18. during the life of the firſt. For firſt there is a direct Law againſt it, made by God himſelfe; Thou ſhalt not take vntounto a wife her ſiſter during her life; which may alſo be read, one wife vntounto another, that is a ſecond, whileſt the firſt is liuing: Otherwiſe, it might be lawfull, the wife being dead, to marry p. 353her ſiſter, which is againſt all equity of theſe lawes. For, whatſoeuer woman becommeth any way thy ſiſter,Leuit. 18.11.16,Lev 18:11Lev 18:16 thou mayſt not marry, if ſhe be but the daughter of thy fathers wife, begotten by thy father, or thy brothers wife; and the reaſon is, becauſe ſhe is thy ſiſter; onelyonly ſuch an one as is called ſiſter, but is not, viz. the daughter of thy fathers wife, begotten by another husband, mayſt thou marry. But thy wiues ſiſter is thy ſiſter, and therefore it is vnlawfull to marry her, though thy wife be dead; whence it followeth, that this law muſt be vnderſtood, as being againſt Bygamie, which is, hauing two wiues together, though they be not ſiſters, but ſtrangers one to the other. 2. The firſt inſtitution is againſt it, God making but one man, and one woman; and why did he make but one, ſaith Malachy, becauſe he ſought a godly ſeed. 3. There is no expreſſe and poſitiue tolleration throughout al the book of God, for hauing more wiues together, then one,Malac. 2 15.Mal 2:15 but much to the contrary, They twaine (ſaith Chriſt) ſhall be one fleſh, Matth. 19.5. 1. Cor. 7.1.Matt 19:51 Cor 7:1not three, or more. And, To auoyd fornication, ſaith Paul, let eueryevery man hauehave his owne wife, and eueryevery woman her owne husband, not wiues or husbands. And Lamech is branded to be the firſt that had two wiues.

Obiect.It is not a toleration, when Abraham doth hearken to Sarahs voyce, willing him to goe in, to his maid Hagar and when ſhe being with child by him, hath an Angell ſent to comfort her, in regard of that ſhe went withall? And when Nathan telleth Dauid, that the Lord had giuen him Sauls wiues and concubines: And when Iacob obtained ſo much fauour, in the middeſt of his wiues and concubines?

Sol.It ſeemeth to hauehave been a ſecret and implicite toleration to them in particular, and ſo for others of thoſe times: but what is that to vsus vnderunder the new Teſtament? The Lord, who made the Law, can diſpenſe with his Law, as it pleaſeth him, for ends beſt knowne to himſelfe. Though it were no ſinne in Abraham, taking Hagar vponupon his wiues motion,Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 26. yet it was a ſin in the Emperour Talentinian to take Iuſtina, vponupon the commendations of his wife Seuera and to make a law, to tolerate it in others. Though it were no ſin in Iacob to take foure wiues and concubines, yet it was a ſin in the Emperor Charles the Great.

p. 354Whence it appeareth, how groſſe the impudency of the Pope is, who hath taken vponupon him to diſpenſe with theſe ſins, as with inceſt, in Emanuel King of Portugall, who married two ſiſters; and Katherine Queene of England, had two brethren; and Ferdinand. King of Naples, married his aunt, by the diſpenſation of Pope Alexander the ſixth; and Pope Martin the fifth, gaue leaue for a man to marry with his owne ſiſter. The ſame may be ſaid of fornication and whoredome, the Popes of Rome do generally tolerate it, taking tribute of the ſtewes.

Laſtly, there is an act of vncleannes committed without a companion, namely, by wilfull pollution; yea, and ſometime by caſuall ariſing from voluntary fore-going occaſions.

21. Cor. 15.34.1 Cor 15:34Secondly, this commandement is broken by vncleane and filthy ſpeeches; Euill ſpeeches corrupt good manners. Corrupt talke is a ſigne of a filthy and corrupt mind, which is within. And good reaſon is there, that if poyſonous drugs be forbidden to be kept in the houſe, that the ſigne ſhould be forbidden to be hanged vp alſo: if ſtewes, and whoredome be forbidden, that the ſignes and allurements ſhould be forbidden alſo. Yea filthy words are expreſely forbidden;Epheſ. 5.3.11.Eph 5:3Eph 5:11 Let not fornication, or vncleaneneſſe be once named amongſt you, as it becommeth Saints: and it is a ſhame to ſpeake of the things, that are done of them in ſecret. If thou wilt be merry therefore, make not mirth by filthy talking, or reading: for this is ſcurrilous and ſenſuall, beſeeming men giuen ouer to brutiſh vncleannes, without al commemoration of the account to be made at the reſurrection.

3Matth 5.28.Matt 5:28Thirdly, this Commandement is broken by vnchaſt thoughts and deſires of the heart; for he that looketh vponupon a woman to luſt after her hath committed adultery already with her in his hart. Theſe deſires and luſts do ſomtime exceed, for that they are not motions vaniſhing away againe, but continuing the trouble, and diſquiet of the mind,1. Cor. 7.9.1 Cor 7:9 and this is called a burning in luſt; It is better to marry, then to burne. Luſt, and fleſhly deſires in any meaſure, are members vponupon earth, that muſt be mortified, euen as fornication and adultry it ſelfe: according to that precept; Mortifie your members, Col. 3.5.Col 3:5which are vponupon earth, fornication, vncleannes, inordinate affections, and euill concupiſcence.

p. 3554Fourthly, this Commandement is broken by entring vponupon any degree of vncleannes, or vnneceſſary occaſions and prouocaſions hereunto. For as eueryevery linke of a chaine is a part of the chaine, and euerie skale of the ladder, a part of the ladder; ſo eueryevery ſtep to adultery, and eueryevery linke to this chaine, is a part hereof, and ſo is it for the meanes inducing, and drawing vntounto it.

Gal. 5.19.Gal 5:19Here then are firſt to bee cenſured wantonneſſe either in men or women: it is one of the fruites of the fleſh reckoned vp with others, againſt which it is threatned, that they which doe ſuch things, ſhall not inherit the kingdome of heauen. Now this is partly in the eie, when it wandreth here and there in light manner, being vſed as a window to let in vanity,Eſay 3.16.Isa 3:16 ſuch were the eyes of the daughters of Ieruſalem, who are ſaid to hauehave wandring eyes; and theſe are called by Saint Peter, 2. Pet. 2.14.2 Pet 2:14Eye… full of adultery: it is partly alſo in the apparrell, when the haire is ouer curiouſly broyded, or curled, when the attire is ouercoſtly, or the apparrell light and vaine, as is intimated by Saint Paul to Timothy and partly in the geſture and carryage,1 Tim. 2.9.1 Tim 2:9 which indeed is the principall wantonneſſe, when as thus there ſhall bee any allurement to adulterous acts: theſe geſtures are to be ſeene in the whoriſh woman, in the booke of Prouerbs, ſhe is light-footed, now here, now there, familiarly kiſsing, and full of ſmooth, and flattering ſpeeches.Pro. 7.12.13.14.Prov 7:12Prov 7:13Prov 7:14 Wherefore let all, that hate adultery, abſtaine from eueryevery of theſe degrees, and not by any otherwiſe conſidering of them, labor in their iudgement to make them tollerable, but weighing them, as accidents or inducements of adultery, let them flie them, as adultery it ſelfe.

Againſt idlenes.Secondly, to liue in eaſe and idleneſſe, is heere to bee reproou…d: for it is a true ſaying, Otia ſi tollas, periere Cupidinis arcus; Take away idleneſſe, and preuent wantonneſſe. 2, Sam 11.Dauid may bee an example, who paied dearely for the experience, which he bought of the miſchiefe comming by idleneſſe:Numb. 25 1. 1. Tim. 5.12.Num 25:11 Tim 5:12 and the Iſraelites, who being idle in Shittim, fell to adultery with the daughters of Moab: and the young widdowes, that wax wanton againſt Chriſt, are noted to be idle goers aboue, from houſe to houſe. 3. Surfetting, and drunkennes are to be …proued,Drunkennes. p. 356as degrees and occaſions of vncleaneneſſe. Amongſt the Sodomites there was fulnes of bread,Ezech. 16.49.Ezek 16:49 and abundance of idlenes, and from hence it followed, that they committed the abomination of vncleanenes. Experience ſheweth this daily, that vncleanenes is the vſuall companion of drunkenneſſe.

Epheſ. 5.…4.Eph 5:4It is very true, Sine Cerere & Baccho frig…t Ʋenus; Ʋſe meats, and drinkes temperately, and there will be no ſuch heate of venery.

4 Being preſent at obſcene and filthy ſtage-playes; namely, ſuch wherein the way and manner of vncleannes is acted, and ſo taught to the ſpectators: againſt which, there is an expreſſe precept:Obſcene pictures. 2. Theſ. 5.22. Let not adultery, or fornication, be once named amongst you, neither fil hineſſe, nor fooliſh talking.

Fiftly, to hauehave obſcene and filthy pictures, and much more to make ſuch, whereby filthineſſe or wantonneſſe is repreſented: contrary to which it is commanded, Abſtaine from all appearance of euill.

Sixthly, to dance laſciuious and wanton dances, men and women together. Some dancing indeed hath been approued among Saints, as when Goliah was ouercome, the daughters of Ieruſalem danced, and played vponupon inſtruments in prayſing God, and ſo did: Miriam and the women long before, and Dauid danced before the Arke.

Mark. 6.22.Mark 6:22But to dance, as ſome men and women do in theſe times, in amorous ſort kiſsing, and dallying, and vſing wanton geſtures towards one another, cannot bee without ſinne, for heere is plainely the wantonneſſe before cenſured, as a fruite of the fleſh, and an offering of themſelues to further temptations. The daughter of Herodias danced before Herod and others, perhaps not ſo wantonly, as ſome doe now adaies; yet this Iohn Baptiſts head.

Munſt. Coſmog. lib 3. pag 739.One Ludouicus an Archbiſhop, of whom you may reade in Munſters Coſmographie, whilſt he was together with others preſent at this vanity, they were all deſtroyed by the did coſt houſe falling downe vponupon them.

Laſtly, for women to gad, and wander ouer much abroad, to meetings of vaine, and light perſons, and in the twilight: for this is a great ſhew of leuitie, and of an vnſtaied mind: the harlot is alſo ſet forth by this, that ſhe walked in the twilight, p. 357ſtayed mind: the harlot is alſo ſet forth by this, that ſhe walked in the twilight, in the euening, Prou 7.9 11.Prov 7:9when the night began to grow blacke and darke: and to be ſuch, as whoſe feete cannot abide in the houſe Let Dinah the daughter of …arob, be an example to take warning by, who going abroad to ſee the countrey, was taken by Shechem, and deflowred: and the daughters of Shiloh, Gen. 34. Iudg. 21.32.Gen 34Judg 21:32who going out to dance, were taken by the men of …eniamin.

Quest. 96. What is here commanded?

Anſw. To liue in temperance, chaſtity, and ſobernes, and ſo to labour to keepe my body holy, and pure, as a temple of the holy Ghoſt.

1. Cor 6.19.20.1 Cor 6:191 Cor 6:20Explan. Hauing ſhewed the ſinne, the vertue to be imbraced followeth, which is to keepe as the ſoule, and mind, ſo the body, and members pure, and holy, without any adulterous ſpot, and ſtaine of vncleannes; and the reaſon is yeelded by the Apoſtle; Your bodies are not your owne, yee are bought with a price, and your bodies are the temples of the holy Ghoſt. If a man hath an houſe of his owne, he may vſe it, as he thinkes good; but if the pallace of ſome noble perſon, or Prince be committed to his keeping, to which that great perſon doth vſually reſort, he dareth not let it lie ſlouenly, or vncleane: no more will a Chriſtian man, or woman, his body, but keepe it pure for the great perſon of Gods Spirit, who doth daily come to him, as to his pallace and temple. Wherefore, when the Apoſtle would in ſhort deliuer, what the will of God is, he ſaith; This is the will of God, euen your ſanctification, 1. Theſ. 4.3.1 Thess 4:3and that yee ſhould abſtaine from fornication. And diſtinguiſhing men into ſome married, and ſome vnmarried, he willeth them to bee all alike minded for this, ſeeking by puritie to pleaſe the Lord.1. Cor 7.29.1 Cor 7:29 Now that we may the better be preſerued thus pure and holy, conſider firſt the parts, and then the meanes. The parts are modeſty, and ſobriety. Modeſty is a decent and comly carriage of our ſelues in all things.

1 Modeſty wherin it ſtandeth. Iob 31.1.Job 31:1Firſt, in the eyes, when they are ſtayed, and not wandring, as the adulterous eyes ſpoken of before, but as Iobs, tied by couenant, and ſtedfaſt purpoſe of not ſinning herewith.

Secondly, in the countenance, when it is baſhfull, and not p. 358impudent, to expreſſe which, maids were vailed in old time.

Prou. 7.11.Prov 7:11Thirdly, in ſpeech, when it is ſparing (for the harlot is a babler), when it is ſubmiſſe and low (for the harlot alſo is loud); and when with the beſt words, and becomming a modeſt ſpirit, in ſpeaking of things ſhameful in themſelues, as is the phraſe of the Scripture: Adam knew his wife Euah.

41. Tim. 2.9.1 Tim 2:9Fourthly, in apparrell, when it is ſuch as becommeth men and women fearing God, not ſtrange to the diſguiſing of the perſon, as the Courtiers at Ieruſalem, whoſe ſtrange apparell the Lord threatneth,Z ph. 1.8. ſaying: I will viſit the Princes, and the Kings ch…ldren, and all ſuch as cloathe themſelues with ſtrange apparrell: not exceeding a mans degree and calling, not light and vaine, nor ouer curious, as the apparrell of the daughters of Ieruſalem, againſt which it is threatned therefore, That inſtead of a ſweet ſauor, Eſay 3.24.Isa 3:24there ſhall be ſtinke; in ſtead of a godlie, a rent; in ſtead of dreſsing of the haire, laidneſſe; and inſtead of a ſtomacher, a girding with ſackcloth, and burning in ſtead of beauty.

2 Sobriety, wherein it ſtandeth. Luke 21.34.Luke 21:342. Sobrietie is Chriſtianly and temperately to carry our ſelues in the vſe of meates and drinkes. Firſt, by auoyding exceſſe, Take heed, leaſt at any time your hearts be oppreſſed with ſurfetting and drunkenneſſe, ſaith the Lord, and when thou ſitteſt downe to eate with a ruler, ſaith Salomon, if thou be a man giuen to the appe…ite, Prou. 23 1.Prov 23:1put thy knife to thy throate. Secondly, by honeſt mirth ſeaſoned with ſome holy & good ſpeeches, as the feaſts were vntounto which Chriſt was called, and the eating and drinking together of the firſt Chriſtians.Luke 14. Acts … 46.Luke 14 Thirdly, by eating and drinking at fit times, and not ſtill euer, as we are inuited by company, or diſorderly appetite, for neceſsity, and not for faſhion; for woe be to thee O land (ſaith the Wiſe man) when thy Princes ea e in the morning: Eccleſ. 10.16. Verſe 17.Eccl 10:16Bleſſed art thou (O land) when thy King eateth in ſeaſon, for ſtrength, and not vntounto drunkenneſſe. Fourthly, by a ſanctified vſe of meates and drinkes, which is, when prayer and thankſgiuing are vſed before and after them. Meates God hath created to be receiued with thankeſgiuing; …. Tim. 4.….5.for eueryevery creature of God is good, and nothing is to bee refuſed, if it be receiued with thankeſgiuing; for it is ſanctified by the word, and prayer. If theſe rules of modeſty and ſobrietie bee obſerued out of a conſcience of puritie, then all acts repugnant vntounto theſe p. 359will much more bee auoided, as being too groſſe, not onelyonly for ſuch as are Chriſtianly, but euen ciuilly modeſt and ſober.

The meanes to be preſerued thus pure and holy, are either generall belonging to all, or ſpeciall, ſome for married perſons, ſome for the vnmarried.

The generall preſeruatiues are:

1. To conſider the neere vnion betwixt God and vsus,Epheſ. 5.30. Preſeruatiue… generall.Eph 5:30 ſo great is his louelove, as that hee hath married vsus to himſelfe, inſomuch as that he is our husband, and wee are his ſpouſe, and as there is good reaſon, he is moſt iealous ouer vsus, and cannot indure any impurity in vsus, if there be, hee doth in the very inſtant of vncleanneſſe caſt vsus off, as the members of an harlot.

2. To conſider, that God is holy and pure, and the Deuill an vncleane ſpirit, vntounto whom he is ioined in fellowſhip, that ſinneth by vncleanneſſe.

Iob 31.1. 2. Cor. 7.10.Job 31:12 Cor 7:10Thirdly, to tie and bind our ſelues by couenant and vowes from the occaſions, which as ſparkles of fire doe light vponupon the tinder of our corrupt nature, as Iob; I hauehave made a couenant with mine eies, why then ſhould I thinke on a maid? otherwiſe, where is that Chriſtian care of not ſi…ning, of which Paul ſpeaketh? What care?

1. The ſpeciall preſeruatiues of ſingle perſons are: Firſt,2. Cor. 9.….7. Preſeruatiues for ſingle perſons.2 Cor 9 to beat downe the body, and bring it into ſubiection, as the Apoſtle did: to bee abſtemious, eſpecially from ſuch meates and drinkes as inflate and lift vp the body, and prouoke to fleſhlineſſe; and in caſe of fleſhly motions to pray heartily for grace againſt them, as alſo did the ſame Apoſtle. Secondly,2. Cor. 1….2 Cor 1 to abſteine from the company of a woman in priuate, and alone, and in the dark,Gen. 39.Gen 39 as Ioſeph with al ſpeed went out from the preſence of his miſtreſſe, who in this caſe tempted him. Thirdly, if notwithſtanding theſe meanes thou canſt not containe, but art troubled with fleſhly motions, then flie to Gods ordinance, which is the laſt remedy for ſingle perſons,1. Cor. 7.1,1 Cor 7:1 according to the doctrine of S. Paul: To auoide fornication, l…t …u…y m…n hauehave his owne wif…, and eueryevery woman h…r owne husband. This is the rule of Gods ſpirit, therefore, whereas in ſome ſiniſter reſpect, many young gallants in theſe times, very incontinent, yet wil not marry, but rather burne in luſt, or wallow in p. 360the mire of vncleanneſſe with harlots, becauſe they are younger brethren, or their parents be liuing, and the inheritance is not yet come vntounto them, ſo that they cannot marry ſo richly, or becauſe they will not be tied to a wife, and the cares attending marriage. Theſe, I ſay, do plainely ſhew, that they are not ſchollers of the Lords ſchoole, but of the Deuils, the maſter of vncleanneſſe. And whereas the Romaniſts doe ſeeke to preuent men of this meanes, by orders of Prieſthood and Monkerie, binding them by vowes here-from, how incontinent ſoeuer their minds be: it ſheweth plainely, that they are nor like Catholike Chriſtians,1. Tim. 4. r. 2.1 Tim 4 foreign, Taught of God, but of the Deuill, to whom it is proper to teach the doctrine of forbidding to marry, as Saint Paul ſheweth.

The ſpeciall preſeruatiues for married perſons are;

1. To dwell together, and not ſeparate, as ſome doe; The husband muſt dwell with his wife, 1. Helpes of puriti… in married perſons. 1. Pet. 3.7.1 Pet 3:7as a man of vnderſtanding Sometime it falleth out, that they muſt neceſſarily be ſeparated for a time, as when the neceſsity of warres doth call hereunto. Now there is danger, as we may ſee in the wife of Vriah, but the Lord calling then to this ſeparate liuing, we muſt take it as a calling in ſpeciall manner to continency, for that time: in caſes vnneceſſary, it is an aduantage giuing againſt our chaſtity to the common aduerſary.

2. To follow that rule of the Apoſtle, Let the husband giuegive vntounto the wife due beneuolence, 1. Cor. 17.3.and likewiſe the wife vntounto the husband: and as he further expreſſeth, to carry themſelues ſo towards one another, as thoſe whoſe bodies are not in their owne power, but mutually in one anothers power.

1. Cor. 7.5.1 Cor 7:53. To containe at times of extraordinary deuotion, by mutuall conſent, according as Paul alſo teacheth; Defraud not one another, except it be by conſent for a time that ye may giuegive your ſelues to faſting and prayer.

4. When women louelove to be at home, and their delight is in their huſwifrie, as the vertuous wife is deſcribed in the Prouerbs;Prou. 30. …. Tim 5.14.Prov 30 and Saint Paul chargeth, ſaying, Let younger women marry, and beare children, and gouerne the houſe.

5. When the man eſteemeth beſt of his owne wife, aboue all other women, couering her infirmities by louelove, and the p. 361wife doth likewiſe of her husband, and therfore they delight moſt in the company of one another.

Queſt. 97. Which is the eighth Commandement?

Anſw. Thou ſhalt not ſteale.

Queſt. 98. What is here forbidden?

Anſw, All ſtealing: which is firſt by violent, or ſecret taking away that which is our neighbours. 2. By oppreſſion and tyranny in the rich towards the po…re. 3 By deceit, in buying and ſelling. 4. By vſing an vnlawfull trade or way of gaine. 5 By prodigal…ty, for thus doe men rob their children and poſterity.

Deut. 22.29. Exod. 22.1.Deut 22:29Exod 22:1Explan. The ſinne againſt this, I ſay, is all ſtealing, that is vniuſt going about to diminiſh the goods, or eſtate of another man, any manner of way. Vniuſt, I ſay, becauſe ſometime men do enter vponupon, and take away the goods & eſtates of other men without theft, viz. when they doe it iuſtly, either being ſpecially commanded by God, as the Iſraelites ſpoyled the Aegyptians, and tooke away the inheritances of the Canaanites; or when men being deputed by God, vponupon due conſideration, doe take away mens goods and lands, as forfeited by the law, or any part of them, as a mulct, or puniſhment for ſome offence iuſtly laid vponupon them: the Lord himſelfe is the Author heereof, where hee appointeth, as a puniſhment to the fornicatour, the payment of fifty ſhekels of ſiluer, and to the theefe, of making reſtitution foure-fold: and it ſeemeth that the puniſhment of blaſphemy, beſides death, was alſo the forfeiture of a mans eſtate, for that Naboth, 1. King. 21.1 Kgs 21againſt whom it was pretended, was thus puniſhed.

1. Kinde. Of Robbery and theft.To ſteale then, is vniuſtly to take away any thing from our neighbour. Firſt, by robbery, or theft, either with violence, or in ſecret it is the higheſt and firſt degree of ſinning againſt this Law. The puniſhment of this ſinne, was appointed to be a foure-fold reſtitution, if hee had ſtollen a ſheepe and had killed it; a fiuefold,Exod. 22 1. Verſe 4.Exod 22:1 if he had ſtollen an oxe and killed it, and double, if the beaſt ſtolne were yet aliue: not that the ſinne was thus expiated and done away; but for that, p. 362without this reſtitution, it eould not be done away, according to the maxim in Diuinity; Non remittitur peccatum, niſi reſtituatur ablatum; The ſinne is not forgiuen, vnleſſe the thing taken away be reſtored: Luc. 19.8.Luke 19:8Which Zacheus being conuerted, knew well enough, and therefore ſaith, If I hauehave taken from any man by forged cauillation, I reſtore it foure-fold. I ſay yet, that the ſinne is not thus done away, becauſe as a common puniſhment of ſinne,1 Cor. 6 10.1 Cor 6:10 it is threatned, that neither theeues, nor couetous, nor drunkards, ſhall inherit the kingdome of heauen. Whereas theeues and robbers are felons amongſt vsus, and puniſhed with death it is done vponupon good reaſon: becauſe without this aggrauation of puniſhment, no man ſhould poſſeſſe his owne in peace, the baſer ſorr of our Nation, being through idleneſſe, and want of conſtraint vntounto labour, ſo prone to filching and robbing. But alas, were it not much better to take a ſtricter courſe for the employment of ſuch idle men, at home or abroad, then to ſend ſuch troopes of able and vigorous bodies to make literam longam, for pilfering? Though they hauehave nothing to reſtore; yet wee hauehave mynes to digge, and many other publique workes, and may hauehave more foreign beſides Bridewell. This is my poore iudgemedt concerning theſe poore offenders.

Queſt.What is to be thought of taking the ſpoyle of the enemy, and of going againſt a Nation to conquer & ſubdue it,To take ſpoyle of the enemy. whether is not this a great robbery?