The Duties Commanded and Sins Forbidden in the Law of God, Commandment 1
The first Commandement.
The Summe of the first Commandement.
Math. 4. 10.
Thou shalt hauehave Iehouah alone for thy God.
The Affirmatiue part,
Containing two branches.
1. That we should hauehave Iehouah to our God.
2. That we should hauehave him alone.
The speciall duties.
We are to hauehave God both
Inwardly in our
Minds, by
Knowing
Beleeuing
Remēbring
him.
Hearts, by adhering vntounto him.
Outwardly, and in the whole man, by honouring him.
In our minds.The duties of the mi…de.
1. The true Knowledge Knowledgeof God. Ioh. 17. 3.
Where we are to consider the
Obiect: the truth which God hath reuealed concerning himselfe. Deut. 29. 29. Ioh. 5. 39. 1. Tim. 2. 4.
Quantity or measure, 1. Cor. 14. 20. Col. 3. 16. which must bee proportionable to our
Calling, more being required in those who are guides of others.
Meanes. Luk. 12. 48.
Time which God hath vouchsafed vsus. Heb. 5. 12.
Quality, that it bee an effectuall▪ powerfull, and spirituall knowledge. 1. Ioh. 2. 3, 4.
The Negatiue part.
Forbidding,
1. The not hauing of God, which is Atheisme.
2. The hauing of a false god, which is Idolatry.
3. The hauing of more gods than one, which is Polytheisme.
The Opposite vices. Opposite to knowledge, in regard of the
Obiect, both in the
Excesse: curiosity, to bee w…e aboue that which is written. 1. Cor. 4. 6.
Desect,
Ignorance 1. Cor. 15. 34. Hos. 4. 1, 6. either when men
Cannot, through their naturall corrupti…n. 1. Cor. 2. 14. Rom. 3. 11. and this is narurall blindnesse.
Will not, which is affected ignorance. 2. Pet. 3. 5.
Care not to know God. which is …elesse ignorance. Pro. 1. 22. Ioh 3. 19.
The fruit of ignorance, which is, errours concerning God. Math. 22. 29.
Quantity, a small measure of knowledge. Heb. 5. 12. Esa. 28. 9, 10. Ier. 4. 22▪
Quality, a literall or speculatiue knowledge, seuered frō obedience. 1. Ioh. 2. 4. 1. Cor. 13. 2. Luk. 12. 47.
2. Faith, Faith.whereby we giuegive credit to the Word of God. 1. Ioh. 5. 10.
Faith, in respect of the obiect, is either
Generall, whereby wee giuegive assent to the whole Word of God. And this, in regard of the
Quantity, ought to be a ful perswasion, in respect both of
Vnderstanding. Col. 2. 2
Assent. Luk. 1. 1.
Quality, must bee a liuely, effectuall and working Faith. Iam. 2. 18. Gal. 5. 6.
Speciall, giuing credit to the
Threatnings of the Law to our humiliation. 2. Chron. 34. 19, 21, 27, Io…. 3. 5.
Promises of the Gospell to our iustification. Ioh. 3. 16.
3. Remembrance Remembrance.of God. Eccl. 12. 1. Esa. 62. 6.
It containeth two duties:
Memory, laying vp (as it were) into the treasure of our hearts, those things which wee learne concerning God and his Word. Prou. 2. 1. … 4. 21. Deut. 6. 6. … 11. 18. Luk. 8. 15.
Recordation, recording or recalling to mind that which was committed to memory. Psal. 78. 34, 35. Psal. 22. 27.
And this ought to bee
Effectuall, working obedience. Psal. 119. 55. Esa. 64. 5.
Entyre, and not partiall: as, to remember his mercy, and not to forget his iustice, &c.
Opposed to Faith
Generall, in the
Excesse, vaine credulity, hauing no ground in the Word of God.
Defect, in respect of the
Parts, viz.
Vnderstanding, such especially is the implicite faith of Papists.
Assent,
With-held from the truth, doubting. Rom. 4. 20. Math. 21. 21.
Giuen to the contrary, falshood. 2. Kin. 7. 2. 2. Th. 2. 11, 12. which are two degrees of infidelity.
Quantity, foreign, a small measure of faith. Act. 26. 28.
Quality, the idle and dead faith. Iam. 2. 14, 17, 26.
Speciall, viz.
Legall, infidelity working carnall security. Deut. 29. 19.
Euangelicall, as the
Counterfeit faith of hypocrites. Luk. 8. 13. Ioh. 2. 23, 24.
Infidelity of vnbeleeuers Ioh. 3. ….
Opp.
Forgetfulnesse, in not
Laying vp, but suffering the Word of God to slip from vsus. Heb. 2. 1. Deut. 6. 12.
Recalling, when iust occasion is offered. Iob 8. 13. Deut. 8. 11, 14, 19. Psal. 44. 20. & Psal. 50. 22.
Remēbrance, either
Vneffectuall, seuered from obedience in men sinning against conscience.
Partiall, as calling to minde either Gods
Mercy alone, vntounto Presumption.
Iustice alone, to Desperation.
In our hearts we are to adhere vntounto the Lord,The duties of the mind and set our hearts vponupon him alone. Deut. 13. 4. Act. 11. 23. 1. Cor. 7. 35. Ioh. 23. 8.
This is to be done by setting our affections vponupon God, chiefly by
Trusting in
Louing
Fearing
him aboue althings and frō these three some others arise.
1. Trust or assiance, Affi…ce in God.in God. Pro. 3. 5. Psal. 32. 10.…34. 8.
Which we are to hauehave, whether wee
HaueHave meanes, for wee are not to trust in them, but in the vse of them to depend vponupon God. Psa. 44. 5, 6, 7.…60. 11.
Want meanes. Iob 13. 15.
Wee are to trust in God, who is able to prouide for vsus, both
Without meanes, Genes. 22. 14. Euen in the Mount will God prouide.
aboue means. 2. Chr. 20. 12. …14. 11. 1. Sam. 14. 6.
Opp. Remouing our harts from God, Ier. 17. 5. either by
Not setting our hearts vponupon God▪ the fault of
Hypocrites. Esa. 29. 13
Profane persons. Ierem. 12. 2.
Setting our hearts vponupon other things, the fault of worldlings. Psal. 62. 10. Phil. 3. 19. who are therefore called Adulterers. Iam. 4. 4.
Oppos. as
Extremes, in the
Excesse: tempting of God, Math. 4. 6.
Defect, diffidence, Luk. 12. 29. and the fruits therof, viz.
Carking care. Mat. 6. 25, 31. Luk. 21. 34.
Vse of vnlawful means. Prou. 30. 9.
Disorder, whē our affiance is reposed in other things, whether
Vnreasonable, as our
Instruments and meanes. Psa. 20. 7.…44. 6. Hab. 1. 16.
Wealth and riches. Iob 31. 24. 1. Tim. 6. 17. Psal. 52. 7.
Place, either for the
Strength. Ier. 48. 7.…49. 16.
Holinesse. Ier. 7. 4.
Reasonable, as
Men, Ier. 17. 5. though
Skilfull. 2. Chr. 16. 12.
Mighty, Psalm. 146. 2.
Many. Hos. 10. 13. Esa. 31. 1, 3
Diuels, as in
Witches and wizards. Deu. 18. 10, 11. Leuit. 20. 27.
Those that seeke to them. Leuit. 20. 6. 1. Chro. 10. 13.
To Affiance we are to ioyne Hope: Hope.for he that trusteth to Gods goodnesse for the present, will also expect go…d things from him for the time to come. Psal. 37. 7. Psal. 146. 5. Heb. 6. 19.
Her… 2. things are to be considered, the
Obiect, both the
Person, in whom, viz. God alone: who therefore is called our Hope. Psal. 46. 2…62. 9. Ioel 3. 16. Col. 1. 27. 1. Tim. 1. 1.
Things, viz. good things to come, according to Gods promise, both in
This life, as
Assistance in time of need. Psalm. 46. 1.…62. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7.
Exhibition of all good things. Psalm. 104. 27, 28.
World to come, eternall life. Tit. 1. 2. 1. Thes. 5. 8. which, because it is the chiefe obiect of our hope, is also called our hope. Col. 1. 5. Tit. 2. 13.
Manner how wee are to hope, with
Patience. Rom. 8. 25. 1. Thes. 1. 3. Hab. 2. 3.
Assurance and comfort. Rom. 12. 12. Heb. 3. 6. …6. 11. 1. Pet. 1. 13.
Opp. as
Extremes, in the
Excesse: Presumption, as the hope of the hypocrite and impenitent sinner: for true hope is ioyned with repentance. 1. Ioh. 3. 3. and neuer maketh ashamed. Rom. 5. 5. but this doth. Iob 8. 13. Prou. 11. 7.
Defect,
Absence of hope, as in the ignorant. Eph. 2. 12. 1. Thes. 4. 13.
Desperation, or casting off of hope, as in
Epicures, who as they hauehave cast off all sorrow, Eph. 3. 19 so also all hope. 1. Cor. 15. 32. Esa. 22. 13. Ier. 18. 12.
Mē ouerwhelmed with sorrow. 2. Cor. 2. 7. arising from the sence of their
Affliction. Gen. 4. 13. 2. Cor. 7. 10. who therfore som times make away themselues.
Sinnes, and is either
Tēporary and curable, as in the Elect.
Finall and incurable. Mat. 27. 5 Act. 1. 18.
Disorder or foreign of hope, being placed in
Our selues, or in our owne merits.
Any other thing besides God, from which (as the Author) wee expect good things, either in
This life, according to that which was said in the disorder of affiance.
The world to come.
2. LoueLove LoueLove.of God. Psal. 31. 23. 1. Ioh. 4. 19. Math. 22. 37.
Where consider the
Measure both
Simply: for hee is to bee loued without measure, as hee is good without measure, and hath loued vsus without measure. Ephes. 3. 19. Ioh. 3. 16. but because wee cannot attaine to that; yet let vsus louelove him with all our heart. Deut. 6. 5. or at the least, with an vpright heart.
By comparison: for as hee is infinitely good aboue al things, so he ought to be loued aboue all things. Luk. 14. 26. Math. 10. 37.
Manner: for as hee is absolutely good, yea goodnesse and charity it selfe; so hee is to be loued absolutely and for himselfe; but all other things in him, and for him. As for example: we are to louelove our
Friends, in the Lord.
Foes, for the Lord.
VntoUnto the louelove of God, arising from the perswasion of Gods louelove towards vsus, wee are to adioyne partly as fruits, partly as companions thereof:
Zeale of Gods glory.
Reioycing in God.
Thankfulnes towards God.
Obedience towards God.
Patience towards God.
Oppos. as
Extremes, in the defect, (for in the excesse we cannot offend)
Want of the louelove of G…d, when wee doe not louelove him, either
With all our hearts.
Aboue all things.
Hatred of God, which is partly
Natural. Rom. 8. 7
Encreased by sin. Rom. 1. 30.
Disorder, when we lo…e any things as much, or more than God, Mat. 10 37. 1. Sam. 2. 29. 1. Kin. 11. 3. heereof there are two principall sorts, viz. the louelove of
Our selues; I meane not the naturall louelove of our selues, whereby we seeke our preservation (which as it is sub…rdinate to the louelove of God, is lawfull) nor the spirituall louelove of our…elues, whereby wee seeke our saluation; but the carnall louelove of our selues, 2. Tim. 3. 12. Rom. 1…. 14. Gal. 6. 8.
The world, & of those things that are therein, 1. Ioh. 2. 15, 16. as the louelove of
Pleasure, wch is voluptuousnesse. 2. Tim. 3. 4. Philip 3. 19. 2. Pet. 2. 10, 12.
Riches, wch is couetousnesse. Col. 3. 5. Eph. 5. 3.
Honour and glory, which is ambition, and vai…eglory. Gal. 5. 26.
Zeale Zeale.of Gods glory. 1. King. 19. 10. Apo… 3. 19.
Here we are to consider,
Wherein this zeale must shewit selfe.
How it ought to be qualified.
It must shew it selfe in regard of the
Meanes of Gods glory: and in this respect it cōtaineth 2. duties: viz. a
Feruent desire and forward care, y• the means of aduancing Gods glory, may bee vsed both by
Thēselues, Tit 2. 14… 3. 8. Rom. 12. 11. Act. 18. 25.
Others. 2. Cor. 11. 2. Col. 4. 13. Hebr. 10. 24.
Willing and cheerfull vsing of the meanes, and doing of the things whereby God may be glorified. 1. Chron. 28. 9. 1. Ioh. 5. 3. Ioh. 4. 34. Psalm. 122. 1. Esa. 58. 13. Act. 17. 11. 2 Cor. 9. 7.
Impediments of Gods glory, in respect wherof it is a compound affection of feruent louelove and desire of promoting Gods glory, and a vehement indignation conceiued against the obstacles therof. 1. King. 19. 10. Ioh. 2. 17. Numb. 25. 11. 2. Pet. 2. 7. Psalm. 119. 136.
This zeale ought to be
Pure,
Proceeding from a sincere affection not mixed with
Malice and emulation.
Hypocrisie.
Guided by knowledge, assuring the party of the goodnesse of the cause. Gal. 4. 18.
Discreet, & therefore both
Moderate, not exceeding the
Proportion of the cause.
Bounds of a mans calling.
Seasonable. Prou. 25. 11.
Oppos.
Want of zeale, whereof are two degrees:
Lukewarmnesse. Apoc. 3. 15, 16. when men are neither hot nor cold, &c.
Coldnesse and (as it were) deadnesse in Religion. Zeph. 1. 12.
Corrupt zeale, being either
Mixed with corrupt affections to which it is pretended (and therefore not sincere but counterfait) as with
Maliciousnes, which is bitter zeale. Ia. 3. 14.
Couetousnes, Ioh. 12. 5, 6.
Ambition and vaine-glory, &c. 2. King. 10. 16, 29.
Not guided by
Knowledge, which is a blind zeale. Rom. 10. 2. Phil. 3. 6. Ioh. 16. 2. the which, the more feruent, the more surious it is. Act. 26. 11…22. 23.
Discretiō, which is a preposterouszeale, being either
Immoderate exceeding (as in schismaticks) the
Proportion of ye cause.
Compasse of a mans calling.
Vnseasonable. Ioh. 18. 10. Luk. 9. 54.
Delighting and reioycingRejoycing in God. in
God. Psalm. 37. 4.…104. 34. Phil. 3. 1, 3. Rom. 5. 11. his Word is sweet vntounto them. Psal. 19. 10.
Him alone. 1. Cor. 1. 31. 2 Cor. 10. 17. Gal. 6. 14. in Christ crucified▪
And this we are to d…e at all times, Phil. 4. 4. both in the time of
Prosperity. Ier. 9. 23, 24.
Aduersity. 1. Sam. 30. 6. 1. Thes. 1. 6. Rom. 5. 3, 5.
Thankefulnesse Thankfulnesse.to
God in all estates, Eph. 5. 20. both in time of
Prosperity. Psalm. 116. 12, 13.
Aduersity. Iob 1. 21. Lam. 3. 22.
Him alone as the Author of all good things. Iam. 1. 17.
This thankfulnesse is to bee testified by glorifying him both in
Word, giuing thanks. 1. Thes. 5. 18. Luk. 2. 20. Psal. 50. 23.
Dee…, by doing those things which are acceptable vntounto him. Psal. 16. 2. Ioh. 15. 8.
Opp.
Not delighting or reioycing in God, nor in his Word: a signe that men hauehave not tasted how good the Lord is. 1. Pet. 2. 3.
Delighting and reioycing in other things more than in the Lord: for what men louelove, that they delight in: as worldly men in the fruition of worldly desires.
Voluptuous mē in their pleasures, which are their delights: some in sinfull pleasures, who glory in their shame. Phil. 3. 19.
Couetous men in their riches, Luk. 12. 19.
Ambitious men in their honour and glory. Deut. 4. 27.
Oppos.
Vnthankfulnesse to God. 2. Tim. 3. 2. in not
Acknowledging him the Author of those good things which wee hauehave. 1. Cor. 4. 7.
Praising him, and giuing him thankes. Luk. 17. 17, 18.
Bringing forth the fruits of obedience to his glory. Esa. 5. 4.
To ascribe the thankes which are due vntounto God, either to
Fortune.
Idols. Hos. 2. 5, 8. Ier. 44. 17, 18. our owne worthines, 1. Cor. 4. 7.
Other creatures, which are but the instruments of God to our good.
Obedience. Obedience.1. Ioh. 5. 3. Ioh. 14. 1….
Here consider
To whom simple and absolute obediēce is to be performed:
To God, in submitting our selues
to his reuealed will: whereto we are to conforme our
Hearts: which is inward obedience. Ps. 40. 7, 8.
Liues. Math. 6 10.
Him alone: no creature is to be obeyed, but in the Lord. Eph. 5. 21. Act. 4. 19. … 5. 29.
What manner of obedience is required: viz. an obedience
Totall, in respect of the
Doer: with all our might Deut. 6. 5.
Things: all that is commanded. Gal. 3. 10 Iam. 2. 11.
Time: alwayes. Deut. 5. 29. … 11. 1. 2. Kin. 17. 37.
Or entire at the least, that is, both
Sincere. Rom. 6. 17. 2. Chr. 25. 2.
Voluntary. 1. Chr. 28. 9.
Patience. Patience.1. Cor. 13. 7. Rom. 12. 12. Phil. 1. 29. Iam. 1. 12.
Where we are to consider the
Obiect, that is, the crosse: which is that measure of affliction which God layeth on his children: and those are
Chastisements. 1. Cor. 11. 32. Apoc. 3. 19. Heb. 12. 6. Psa. 94. 12, 13.
Tryals. Deut. 8. 2. 16. Iam. 1. 3.
Manner: for the crosse (Luk 9 23.) is to bee borne
Humbly and meekly, Iob 1. 20, 21. Esa. 53. 7. Mic. 7. 9.
Com…ortably and cheerfully. Col. 1. 11. 1. Pet. 4. 13.
Constantly. Iam. 1. 4.
Opp. In regard of the
Obiect,
Disobedience to God, by
Omission:
Cōmission:
and either by
Negligēce.
Contempt.
Obedience to
Man, more than to God. 1. Sam. 22. 18.
The flesh, and the diuell. Rom. 6. 16.
Manner, not
With all our heart, but perfunctorily, negligently, and for fashion sake.
Totall, but partiall, and (as it were) by halues.
Continuall and perpetuall, but
Temporary.
By fits.
Sincere, but hypocriticall.
Voluntary, but forced by seruile feare, and therefore not constant, but counterfeit.
Oppos.
The disorder: to suffer much for the louelove of the world, but to suffer little or nothing for the louelove of God.
The extremes, in the
Excesse,
Rashnesse, in running into trouble and danger. Ecclus. 3. 27.
Foole-hardinesse, in not auoiding it, when lawfully they may.
Senslesnesse. Ier. 5. 3.
Impatiēce, either
Murmuring & repining. Gen. 4. 15, 16. Psalm. 39. 10. Lam. 3. 26.
Fainting, and being ouercome with too much griefe. 2. Cor. 4. 16.
Seeking an issue by vnlawfull meanes.
FeareFeare of God: the awefull and son-like feare, concurring with the true louelove of God, and faith in Christ. Psalm. 111. 10. Eccles. 12. 13. Prou. 28. 14. Psalm. 112. 1. … 128. 1. 4.
The obiect of feare, is the anger of God conceiued against sinne. Psalm. 90. 11. Esa. 64. 5.
And thus wee are to feare the displeasure of God, in regard of the time
Past, because wee hauehave sinned, and by sinne prouoked the Lord to wrath. This terrour or feare in the godly and elect, causeth them to meet the Lord, (Amos 4. 12.) and by repentance to preuent his iudgement. 2. Chron. 34. 19, 27. Act. 2. 37. … 16. 29, 30.
To come, that wee may not sin. Prou. 8. 13. … 14. 27. Iob 28 28. fearing
Chiefly the anger and displeasure of God it selfe. 1. Pet. 1. 17. 2. Cor. 7. 1. Act. 9. 31. Luk. 1. 74. 2. Tim. 1. 7.
Secondarily, the effects of his anger, which are his iudgements and chastisements. Psalm. 119. 120. Hab. 3. 16. Deut. 5. 29.
Opp. as the
Disorder, which is preposterous feare of
God, in regard of the time
Past, which is the horrour of the wicked, auerting them from him, as from a seuere or cruell Iudge. Gen. 3. 10. Heb. 10. 29. Iam. 2. 19. Mat. 8. 29.
To come, when men feare not the displeasure of God it selfe, but onelyonly the effect of it, which is punishment: this is seruile feare. 1. Ioh. 4. 18. Rom. 4. 15.
Other things more than of God. Luk. 12. 4, 5. 1. Pet. 3. 14. Esa. 51. I2, I3. Apoc. 21. 8.
Extremes, in the
Excesse: fearfulnes 2. Tim. 1. 7 working either
Superstition, or scrupulous care to serue God according to mens inuentions. Esa. 29. 13. Act. 17. 22.
Despaire, Esa. 12. 2. … 43. 1, 5. or astonishment. Exod. 20. 20. Luk. 5. 9.
Defect: Carnall security, when men (destitute of true faith and repentance) doe notwithstanding promise to themselues impunity. Prou. 28. 14. Psal. 36. 1, 2. Esa. 28. 15. Rom. 3. 18. Gen. 20. 11.
HumilityHumility. to be added to the former, as another duty of the soule, which we owe to God, Mic. 6. 8. and as a meanes and signe of all the former. Mat. 11. 29. 1. Pet. 5. 5. Math. 18. 1, 4.
Where consider the
Nature of humility, which is to humble a man, and (as it were) to make him euen with the ground, stripping himselfe of all praise, and renouncing all conceit of his owne worthinesse, that all praise may wholly be ascribed to God. Psa. 115. 1. Dan. 9. 7, 8, 9. 1. Chr. 29. 14. Gen. 32. 10. 1. Cor. 15. 10.
Cause of it, the acknowledgement of
Our owne vilenesse and vnworthinesse, in respect of our
Mould, wee being but dust and ashes. Gen. 18. 27. Ecclus. 10. 12.
Miserable estate in our selues, in regard of
Our sinne. Luk. 18. 13…15. 19.
Punishmēt due to vsus for the same, Ga. 3. 10.
Mercy and bounty of God so vndeseruedly vouchsafed vntounto vsus. Genes. 32. 10. Lam. 3. 22. 1. Cor. 4. 7.
Outwardly and in the whole man, we are to hauehave God by honouring him.Honouring of God. Mal. 1. 6. 1. Cor. 6. 20.
We are to honour God with the honor of the
Signe, which is religious adoration, and is to be performed to the Lord alone. Math. 4. 10. Esa. 45. 23.
Deed, which …
foreign worship or seruice, … …, &c. Deu. 6. 13. …10. 20.
…
Opp.
Counterfeit humility. Mat. 6. 16. Esa. 58. 5.
Pride, Pro. 16. 5. in
Assuming to our selues that praise which is due to God. Dan. 4. 27. Act. 12. 22, 23.
Not acknowledging either
Our owne vnworthines, but arrogating to our selues, such, or so great good things as wee hauehave not. Gal. 6. 3. Luk. … 8. 9, 11. Pro. 30. 12.
Bounty of God towards vsus, but ascribing ye good things wee hauehave, to our selues. 1. Cor. 4. 7.
Opp.
Not honouring of God, which is profanenesse and contempt of God. Mal. 3. 14. Iob 21. 14, 15.
Not honouring him alone, which is idolatry, whether it bee with the honour of the
Signe. Psalm. 44. 20. Act. 10 25, 26. Apo. 19. 10.
Deed. Deut. 13. 13. … 17. 3. Exod. 22. 20.