Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 2 · Part 84
Now to the Affirmatiue part of this eight Commandement.
Quest: What doth the eight Commandement require?
Answ. In generall; eueryevery thing whatsoeuer that tends to the helpe or furtherance of the wealth and outward good estate of man.
Quest. What are the things that tend to the helpe and outward good estate of man?
Answ: Either things inward in the heart, or outward things.
Quest. What are the things inward in the heart, that tend to the helpe or furtherance of the wealth and outward good estate of man?
Answ. Two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; a stayednesse of minde, and a setled purpose in the heart of man or woman,Mat. 6.32. 1 Tim. 6.9. to seeke riches and outward good things only so farre as they may in the vse of lawfull meanes, and may looke for the blessing of God on their endeauours; and so farre as the Lord shall be pleased to offer them matter, and to giuegive them iust occasion so to doe, and no further. Mat. 6.23. All these things the Gentiles duplicate page seeke, that is set themselues to seeke, or seeke with all their might. 1 tim 6.9. they that wil be rich (duplicate page) they that purpose and resolue with themselues they will hauehave abundance fall into temptation, and the snare of the deuill.
Quest. What is the second thing inward in the heart, that tends to the helpe or furtherance of the wealth and outward good estate of man?
Eccles. 4.8. Mat. 6.11. Philip. 4.11. 1 Tim. 6.6.7.8. Heb. 13.5.Answ. This; a contentednesse of minde, with that part and portion of wealth, and of outward good things, whether it be little or much which God hath allotted: when a man or a woman is well pleased, and likes well of that portion of wealth whatsoeuer it be, which God is pleased to giuegive to him or her.
Quest. What is the ground of contentednesse of minde, with that portion of wealth and outward good things which God hath allotted to any?
Mat. 6.25.26. &c. to the end. Heb. 13.5. &c. the last words.Answer. This; a resting by faith on the promise of God, and a depending on his prouidence without distrustfull care.
Quest. What are the outward things that tend to the helpe or furtherance of the wealth and outward good estate of man?
Answ. Either such things as tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or a womans owne wealth and outward good estate: or such things as tend to the helpe or furtherance of the wealth and outward good estate of another or others, one or more.
Quest. What are things that tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or a womans owne wealth and outward good estate?
Answ. Things that concerne either the getting of wealth, or the keeping of it, or the vsing of it. Of these in order.
Quest. What are the outward things concerning the getting of wealth, that tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or a womans owne wealth, and outward good estate?
Answ. Two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; an honest and lawfull particular calling, wherein eueryevery one of yeares is to walke, and to be imployed Eccles 1.13. Mark. 6.3. Christ liued with Joseph in the calling of a Carpenter till the time of his Baptisme.Ephes. 4.18.
Quest. Is it a sufficient personall calling to attend on the person of another, as those doe we call seruing men, or no?
Answ. To wait and to attend on the person of another, vnlesse it be on the person of a Prince, or on the person of a man of great place and state, is not a sufficient calling: besides the office of wayting on the person of a man or woman of inferiour place, there must be some other particular calling: as Butler, Cooke, Horse-keeper, or the like. Acts. 10.7. Cornelius his wayting man was also a Souldier by his calling.
Quest. What is the second outward thing concerning the getting of wealth that tends to the helpe or furtherance of a man or a womans owne wealth and outward good estate?Gen. 3.19. Psal. 128.2. Pro. 10.4. Pro. 13.4. Pro. 22.29. 2 Thess. 3.10. Gen. 31.40.
Answ. This; diligence and painefulnesse, and faithfull labour in that honest particular calling, wherein a man or a woman is set: eueryevery one being able to take paines, man or woman must be diligent and painefull in the labour, and in the duties that belong to his or her particular calling.
Obiection A man hath great Lands and liuing, by which he can maintaine himselfe without any particular calling, and without labour and paines in any calling.
Quest. Is such an one bound to hauehave a particular calling, and to be imployed in it with diligence and painefulnesse?
Answ. Yes, being able he is and must, not withstanding his Lands and liuing, walke in some honest particular calling, either in the Church or common wealth, and be diligent in it: Adam in his innocency had all things at his will, and wanted nothing, yet then God imployed him in a particular calling. Gen. 2.15.
Question. What are the outward things concerning the keeping of wealth that tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or a womans owne wealth and outward good estate?
Answ. Two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; frugalitie or thriftiness, a man or a woman must hauehave a care to saue that wealth which God hath giuē to him or her, looking warily to it that nothing be lost or perish through their default:Deut. 26.15. Pro. 27.23.24. Ioh. 6.12. and ordering of all things to the best, for the increase of it by honest and lawfull meanes.
Quest. What is the second outward thing concerning the keeping of wealth, that tends to the helpe or furtherance of a man or a womans owne wealth and outward good estate?
Answ. This; peaceablenesse: a man or a woman must hauehave a care to keepe and hold his or her owne wealth with peace,Gen. 13.8. 1 Cor. 6.5.6. avoyding law and contentions as much as is possible, sometimes putting vp wrongs and departing from their owne right for peace sake.
Quest. What are the outward things concerning the vsing of wealth, that tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or a womans owne wealth, and outward good estate?
Answ. Two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
1 King. 10.5. Psal. 112.5. Pro. 13.23. Pro. 24.3.4. Pro. 31.15.21.Answ. This; a wise, conuenient and seasonable dispensing of that wealth which God hath giuen to any, to the honest maintenance of themselues and families, (if they hauehave a familie:) a man or a woman hauing wealth and outward good things, must apply that wealth, and those outward good things with discretion, and seasonably according to the nature of them, to the good of themselues, and of those that belong to them (if they hauehave any) that doe depend on them.
Quest. What is the second outward thing concerning the vsing of wealth, that tends to the helpe or furtherance of a man or a womans owne wealth, and outward good estate?
Answ. This; a moderation in spending that wealth which God hath giuen to any person:Pro. 21.17. Pro. 24.27. Luk. 14.28.29.30. Luke. 15.13. a man or a woman hauing wealth and outward good things, must order and limit their expences to the proportiō on their meanes, not liuing at an higher rate, exceeding measure in diet or apparell, or driuing a greater Trade, or taking on them to compasse greater matters then their meanes will reach to.
Quest. What are the outward things that tend to the helpe or furtherance of the wealth and outward good estate of another or others, one or more?
Answ. Foure things especially.
1. Iust dealing with another or others one or more, in respect of wealth, and outward good things.
2. Yeelding helpe to another o… others one or more, in outward things, standing in neede of helpe that way.
3. Procuring the wealth of another or others, one or more.
4. Restoring of things vniustly gotten, or taken away from another or others, one or more.
Of these in Order.
Quest. Wherein stands iust dealing with another or others, one or more, in respect of wealth and outward good things?
Answ. In foure things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; in a willing yeelding of that which is due to eueryevery one bearing office in the Church,Mat. 17.25. Mat. 22.21. Rom. 13.7. Mal. 3.8.9.10. or in the Common wealth; eueryevery person man or woman being able, is willingly to yeeld that tribute and custome, and those tenthes and tythes, and other things that are due from them to eueryevery one to whom they are due, bearing any publike office in the Church, or in the Common wealth.
Quest. What is the second thing wherein iust dealing with another or others one or more, in respect of wealth and outward good things standeth?
Answ. This; in vsing truth and simplicity and plainnesse,Psal. 15.2. Leuit. 2….14. Pro. 20.14. Deut. 25.13.14.15. Pro. 11.1. Ezech. 45.10. both in word and deed, in bargayning, in buying and selling, and in hyring and letting: eueryevery one man or woman must speake the truth in bargayning, not falsely, and contrary to to their owne knowledge, either commending or discommending of the things they are about to buy, or sell, hyre or let: and they must deale simply, plainely and truly, both touching the matter, substance and quality: and for the number, waight and measure, of the things bargained for; with respect had to the profit one of the other, as to their owne.
Quest. What is the third thing wherein iust dealing with another or others, one or more, in respect of wealth and outward good things standeth?
Answ. This; in keeping of all iust and lawfull couenants in the matter of contract betweene person and person, or persons,Psal. 15.4. Pro. 28.20. Ezech. 17.15.16 Rom. 1.30. Couenant breakers. Gen. 31.41. Coloss. 4.1. one or more: as in buying and selling, in borrowing and lending, in hyring and in letting, in pawning and taking things to pawne. A man or a woman must keepe and performe all iust couenants in matter of contract betweene them and another, one or more, though they be to their hinderance: thus masters are to keepe couenant with their seruants, such as set others on worke, with their labourers.
Quest: Is a man or a woman bound to keepe and performe a couenant in matter of contract betweene them and another or others, one or more, into which they hauehave beene drawne by fraud and subtilty, and by deceite, or no?
Iosh. 9.18.19. 2 Sam. 21.1.2.Answ. If the couenant be lawfull and in their power to performe, they are to keepe it, vnlesse a release bee granted by the party or parties, with whom it is made.
Quest. What is the fourth thing wherein iust dealing with another or others, one or more, in respect of wealth and outward good things standeth?
Mat. 5.4.7. Luk. 6.33. Coloss. 3.15. 2 Tim. 3.2.Answ: This; a ready yeelding of that which is due to any person or persons by way of requital, a man or a woman hauing receiued friendship, or some good turne in outward good things, from another or others, one or more, must returne the like if they bee able, and if neede bee to them of whom they receiue it.
Quest. Wherein stands yeelding helpe to another or others, one or more, in outward things standing in neede of helpe that way?
Answ. In two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those two things?
Iob. 31.16.17.18.19.20. Psal. …12.9. Pro 31.20: Luk. 11.41. Act. 9.36. 1 Ioh. 3.17.Answ. This; in a ready and willing giuing to another or others, one or more, and communicating to their necessities in outward things: eueryevery man or woman being able and hauing wealth and outward good things of their owne must giuegive to others, and communicate to their necessities in respect of outward things.
Obiection. It may be a man or a woman hath but a meere competency of outward things to supply the necessity of nature, and to maintaine the estate wherein they are.
Quest. Is such an one bound to communicate to the necessity of an other or others in outward things?
Answ. Though they who abound in riches,1 Tim. 6.17.18 Luk. 3.11. Luk. 21.2.3.4. 2 Cor. 8.2.3. are principally bound to communicate to the necessity of others in outward things, yet he or she that hath but a meere competency of outward things to supply the necessity of nature, must sometimes giuegive somthing out of it to relieue those who want necessaries belonging to nature.
Quest. Is a man or a woman being in debt, bound to communicate to the necessities of another or others, one or more, in outward things?
Answ. If a man or a woman be indebted more then they are well able to pay, they are not, vnlesse it be in case of extreame necessity: as when one is in danger to bee famished or starued, or in perill to be vtterly ouerthrowne in his whol estate: and then it must be with a purpose to make satisfaction to their creditors to the vttermost of their power:Pro. 5.16.17. 1 Cor. 16.2. For a man or a woman must giuegive reliefe to others of that which is their owne.
Quest. Is a woman of her selfe bound to communicate to the necessities of others in outward things?
Answ. Of the things that she hath of her owne,Pro. 30.20. 1 Tim. 2.10. peculiarly belonging to her selfe, either by exception before marriage, or by graunt from her husband after marriage, shee is bound to communicate to the necessitie of others.
But of the things that are common both to her husband and her selfe, she is not bound; neither may she communicate to the necessity of others, of those things without the consent of her husband, either in expresse words or in generall tearmes: as when her husband allowes her to giuegive,Ephes. 5.24. 1 Pet. 3.1. but meanes not any particular, vnlesse it be in some particular cases: for both the law of Nature, and the Word of God inioynes her obedience to her Husband in all things honest, lawfull, or indifferent.
Quest. What are those particular cases wherein the wife may communicate to the necessitie of others, of those goods that are common without the consent of the husband?
Answ. They are three especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; If the Husband be a foole or a mad man, and not able to mannage his estate,Psal. 112.5. for then he cannot order his giuing with discretion as he ought.
Quest. What is the second case wherein the wife may communicate to the necessity of others, without the consent of the Husband?
Answ. This; if her giuing serue to preserue the life or good estate of her husband and family:1 Sam. 25.19.34.35. as Abigailes did, when she gaue to Dauid.
Quest. What is the third particular case wherein the wife may communicate to the necessity of others, without the consent of her Husband?
Mat. 12.11.12.13. Acts. 20.9.10.Answ. This; in case of extreame necessity, when the necessity of the receiuer requires present reliefe, especially if her husband be absent or farre from her, so as his consent cannot in time bee asked or obtained: for present and extreame necessity dispenseth with propriety, as it doth with the outward seruice of God.
Obiection. Through the bond of Marriage, the communion which is betweene man and wife, reacheth both to their persons and goods. Gen. 31.16. Therefore the wife may sometimes, out of the cases named, without the consent of her husband communicate to the necessity of others, of those goods that are common both to her husband and to her selfe.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; the communion of goods on the wiues part, reacheth only to the vse of them, the propriety of them is still in the Husband; the wife hath only right and title to vse all her husbands goods for the good of her owne person, but not a propriety in them.
Obiection. The wife is inioyned workes of mercy aswell as her husband and they are comm n…ed in her as well as in her husband, and shall be rewarded being done by her, as by her husband: and therefore she may sometimes out of the cases named, wi…hout the consent of her Husband, communicate to the necessities of others.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; workes of mercy are inioyned the wife as well as the husband of that she hath of her owne, and they are commended in her as in her hu…band, and shall be rewarded being done by her, as if by her husband, if they be done orderly and as they ought, and not otherwise, and so that prooues not that the wife may communicate to the necessitie of others without the consent of her husband.
Obiection. If the wife may not out of the cases named, communicate to the necessity of others of the goods common to both without the consent of her husband, shee is in a worse condition then a seruant.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. No▪ she is not; for she hath right and title to vse all her husbands goods for the good of her person, which the seruant hath not.
Obiection. Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herods Steward, and Susanna and many other women did minister to Christ of their goods, Luke 8 3. therefore the wife may sometimes out of the cases named, communicate to the necessitie of others without her husbands consent.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; there is nothing to the contrarie, but that those women did so, so by the generall consent of their husbands, and that they had the consent of their husbands in generall tearmes, and therefore their example proues not that the wife may communicate to the necessitie of other, sometimes out of the cases named without the consent of her Husband.
Quest. To what persons is a man or a woman hauing wealth and outward good things of their owne, bound to giuegive and to communicate to their necessities in outward things?
Answ. Not onelyonly to such persons as are absolutely poore, being either in common want, or extreame want.; but also to those who for the present, by reason of some sudden accident doe want, and stand in neede of releefe, though otherwise of good meanes; as when one is forced to seeke and to to craue relief being brought into present necessity through persecution,Deut. 15.11. 2 Cor. 8.14. Ephes. 4.28 1 Ioh. 3.17. Heb. 13.2.3. shipwracke, fire, robberie, or the like.
Quest: In what order is a man or woman hauing wealth and outward good things of their owne, bound to giuegive and to communinicate to the necessityes of others in outward things?
Answ. First, with respect to the state and condition of the parties that stand in neede of reliefe.
Secondly, with respect to the persons that are to bee relieued.
Quest. How is a man or a woman hauing wealth and outward good thing of their owne, bound to communicate to the necessities of others in outward things, with respect to the state and condition of the parties that stand in neede of reliefe?
Answ. Thus; They are to releeue those who are in great neede, before those whose wants are but common and ordinarie: and those who are in extreame necessity and ready to perish though they bee their enemies, before their kindred and friends being in want,Exod. 23.4.5. Pro. 25.21. Rom. 12.20. Luk. 10.33.34.35. yet not in such extreame want: and among such as are in extreame necessity, those who are first cast on them by the prouidence of God.
Quest. How is a man or woman, hauing wealth and outward good things of their owne, bound to communicate to the necessities of others in outward things, with respect to the persons that are to he relieued?
Mar. 7.11.12. 1 Tim. 5.8.Answer. Thus; the want and necessitie of the persons being alike, they are first to relieue those to whom they are bound by the bond of blood, kindred and alliance; as their parents, children, and such like: and then others to whom they are not so bound.
Quest. How are they who hauehave wealth and outward good things of their owne, bound to communicate to the necessities of those to whom they are not bound by the bond of blood, kindred & alliance?
Answ. Thus; the want and necessity of the persons being alike,Deut. 15.7. to Mat. 25.35. Ioh. epist. 3.5. they are first to releiue those that are nearer to them in habitation and neighbourhood, and then those that are further of; and amongst those that are either neare to them, or further of, such especially as are of the houshold of faith.Galat. 6.10.
Quest. How much is a man or a woman hauing wealth and outward good things of their owne, bound to giuegive and to communicate to the necessitie of others in outward things?
Answ. The particular measure of reliefe to be giuen,2 Cor. 9.6.7. 2 Cor. 8.13. 1 Cor. 16.2. Iam. 2.16. the Scripture hath not determined, but a man or a woman must giuegive liberally, yet not all that they hauehave, nor to their owne griefe or oppression, vnles it be in case of extreame necessity, and they must proportion their giuing according to their owne ability, and to the necessityes of the receiuers as neare as they can.
Obiection. Luke. 12.33. We must giuegive, though it be by selling of our possessions; therefore all we hauehave.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Christ his meaning is that wee must bee ready to forgoe all that we hauehave, if it bee any hinderance to vsus in true piety, and to the true profession of the Gospell;Luk: 12.34. as appeares by the words following, and by Mathew. 6.19.20. Therefore this proues not hat wee must giuegive all that wee hauehave.
Quest. What is the second thing wherein standeth the yeelding of helpe to another or others one or more in outward things, standing in neede of helpe that way?
Answ. This;Exod. 22.25. Deut. 15.8. Psal. 37.26. Psal. 112.5. Mat. 5.42. Luk. 6.35. in free lending to another or others one or more, as occasion is offered; a man or a woman being able and hauing wealth and outward good things of their owne, must freely lend to others such outward good things as they hauehave necessarie vse of, for some good purpose for a time.
Quest. What if the partie to whom something is lent, bee not able to returne the thing lent, bee altogether vnable to make payment of it againe: what is then to bee done by the man or woman that lent it?
Answ. If the partie to whom something is lent,Nehem. 5.11. Isai. 58.6. Mat. 18.33. be vtterly decayed in his or her outward estate, by the immediate hand of God on it; or bee brought to extreame pouerty, then the man or woman that lent it must freely forgiue the debt,…ehem. 5.11. …sai. 58.6. Mat. 18.33. and ought not to require the thing lent.
Quest. Wherein stands the procuring the wealth of another or others, one or more?
Answ. In three things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Pro. 22.26.27. Philem epist. vers. 19.20.Answ. This; in a wise and a discreet vndertaking and becomming Suretie for another or others, one or more as occasion is offered: a man or a woman being able, must sometimes vndertake, and become Suretie for an other or others, one or more, in their need, if the persons for whom they vndertake bee honest and diligent in their places and callings, and bee driuen to vse their helpe in that kind, on iust necessary, and good occasions, and so as it be not beyond their owne ability, or to the weakning of their owne estate.
Quest. What is the second thing wherein stands the procuring of the wealth of another or others, one or more?
Gen. 31.38.39. Gen. 39.6.7. Tit. 2.10.Answ. This; in dealing faithfully with the goods of another or others, one or more, being trusted with them: Thus seruants ought to deale with the goods of their Masters they are trusted withall. Thus Factors, and thus Executors, and Feoffees in trust are to deale faithfully according to the trust reposed in them.
Quest. What is the third thing wherein stands the procuring of the wealth of another or others, one or more?
Answer. This; in auerting and turning away harmes from the goods of another or others, one or more. A man or a woman knowing any hurt or harme intended against the goods of another or others, one or more, as that they are like to bee robbed, or the like, must giuegive them warning of it,Exod. 23.4.5. Deut. 22.1.2.3.4. and giuegive them the best counsell they can how to auoyd it: or seeing any of their cattell or goods in danger to be hurt, or perish, they are to doe the best they can to saue them from hurt and from perishing.
Quest. Wherein stands restoring of things vniustly gotten or taken away from another or others, one or more?
Ans. In this; in making recompence and satisfaction for the things vniustly gotten or taken away from another or others one or more:Exod. 22.1.2.3. &c. to 15. Ezech. 18.7. Ezech. 3….15. Dan. 4.24 Michah. 6.10. a man or a woman must make recompence and satisfaction to another or others, one or more: for whatsoeuer their consciences charge them, that they hauehave vniustly gotten or detayned from them: as, for things they hauehave gotten from them by vsurie, by violence, by secret stealth, or by fraud or the like: or for things that hauehave beene lent to them or left with them in trust: or the things they hauehave found, or the like, which they hauehave vniustly with hold from them.
Quest. How is a man or a woman to make recompence and satisfaction to another or others one or more, for things they hauehave vniustly gotten or detained from them?
Answ. Thus;Leuit. 6.2.3.4.5 Num. 5.6.7. 2 Sam. 12.6. Luk. 19.8. by returning to them either the same things eueryevery way as good as they were when they first had them, with an ouerplus answerable to the dammage they hauehave by the want of them: or else things of the same kinde eueryevery way as good as they were, both for quantity and for the worth and value of them, with so much ouer and aboue, as they hauehave sustained losse or hinderance by the want of them for the time they hauehave wanted them.
Quest. What if goods vniustly gotten or detained, be for their quantity or value vnknowne: how is then recompence and satisfaction to be made?
Answ. Recompence and satisfaction must then be made according to their owne iudgement,Pro 6.31. Luk. 19.8. who hauehave vniustly gotten or detained them: and according to the iudgement and discretion of others, that are wise and conscionable, and that with the most as it shall be thought fit.
Quest. What if the partie or parties, from whom goods hauehave beene vniustly gotten or detained, be either dead or vnknowne, how is then recompence and satisfaction to be made?
Answ. If the partie or parties be dead, then recompence must be made to their children if they hauehave any;Nomb. 5.8. Dan: 4.24. Luk: 19.8. if they hauehave none, then to the next of their kindred; or if none can bee found, then to the Church or to the poore: and if the partie or parties from whom the goods hauehave beene vniustly gotten or taken, be vnknowne, then recompence or satisfaction must be made to the Church, or to the poore.
Question. What if a man or a woman that should make recompence and satisfaction for goods vniustly gotten and detayned, be not able to doe it, and hauehave not wherewithall, what are they then to doe?
Answ. They must then shew themselues willing and ready to doe it, by a plaine and full confession of their fault, and by crauing pardon for it, with a full purpose, if euer God make them able to make full recompence and satisfaction, for in this case that holds good. 2 Cor. 8.12.2 Cor. 8.12.
Quest. What if the partie or parties, from whom goods hauehave beene vniustly gotten or detained, on the discouery of the wrong done to them, will take aduantage to vse extreamity against him or her that hath done the wrong, what is then to be done?
Answ. In this case it is the iudgement of the best Diuines, that a third person, one that is of good accoumpt for wisedome, Religion, and honestie is to bee chosen, to whom the secret may safely be reuealed, and hee is to bee intreated to deale betweene them, and to conuey to the partie or parties wronged so much, as will answer their losse and dammage in the behalfe of the partie that hath offended, concealing his or her name and the particular fault, entreating not to enquire after it, and to rest satisfied with that is brought to them.