Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 2 · Part 47 – Part 48
HItherto of the Commandements of the first Table containing our duty to God. Now to the Commandements of the second Table,The Second Table. which concerne our duty to our Neighbour.
Quest. What agreement is there betweene the Commandements of the first and second Table? How are they like one to the other, as Mat. 22.38.39?
Ans. They agree, and they are like one to the other in three respects.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; they are both parts of our obedience to God; for God is to be obeyed in both Tables, he commanding them both; and though the duties of the second Table be done immediately to men; yet indeed they are done to God also:Ephes. 6.1.7. Colos. 3.18.23.24. as where obedience to such as be in authoritie is called for, it is required in the Lord, and as to the Lord?
Quest. What is the second?
1 Cor. 6.9.10Answ. This; The same punishment, euen euerlasting death, is threatned against eueryevery transgression; as well of the second, as of the first Table. Reuel. 21.8.Reu. 21.8. not only the fearefull and vnbeleeuing, and the abhominable, and sorcerers, and Idolaters; but murtherers, and whore-mongers, and all liers, shall hauehave their part in the Lake, which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Quest: What is the third?
Answ. This; they are ioyntly to be obeied, they are not to be seuered in our obedience; obedience to one without obedience to the other cannot profit vsus: hee that feares God must louelove his brother, and a man cannot truly louelove his brother, vnlesse he first feare God,1 Iohn. 4.20. whose Image he reuerenceth in his brother.
Quest. How many Commandements be there of the second Table?
Answ. Only sixe and not seuen, as the Papist teach, diuiding the tenth into two.
Obiection. Mar. 10.19. Christ repeating the Commandements of the second Table, addeth this moreouer, Thou shalt hurt no man; therefore it seemes there bee more then sixe Commandements of the second Table.
Quest: How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; Christ doth not in those words, Thou shalt hurt no man, adde a Commandement; but therein sets downe a generall containing the summe of all the rest.
Obiection. Rom 13.9. The Apostle rehearseth only fiue Commandements. Thou shalt not commit adulterie. Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steale. Thou shalt not beare false witnesse. Thou shalt not couet: and omitteth that Commandement, Honour thy Father and thy Mother, &c. It may seeme therefore that that Commandement belongs not to the second Table: and so there be but fiue Commandements of the second Table.
Quest: How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; that Commandement is not there particularly rehearsed: because the Apostle had in that Chapter, treated before of the duty towards higher powers and superiors, who are comprehended vnderunder the name of parents.
Quest. Why is the Commandement of honouring Parents, the first of the second Table?
Ans. Because it is the very foundation & bond of obediēce, to the other commandements that follow; for if that Commanded bee well obserued both of superiours, inferiours, and equalls, there will bee no failing in any duty required in the Commandements following.
Quest. What are the words of the fift Commandement?
Answ. Those we finde. Exod. 20.12.
Honour thy Father and thy Mother, that thy dayes may bee prolonged vponupon the Land, which Iehouah thy God giueth thee.
Question. What are the generall things contained in these words?
Answ. These two.
First, a precept in these words: Honour thy Father and thy Mother.
Secondly, a confirmation of that precept, by a promise made to such as yeeld obedience to it, in the words following. That thy dayes may be prolonged vponupon the Land, which the Lord thy God giueth thee.
Of these in Order. First of the Commandement, Honour thy Father and thy Mother, &c.
Malac. 1, 6. 1 Tim. 6.1.Quest: What signifies the word (Honour)?
Answ. Thus much; that men yeeld that due respect, and duety to eueryevery one, that any way concernes the dignitie which God hath bestowed on them, and especially the dignitie of Superiours.
Quest. What is that dignity that God b…stowes on men, whereunto honour belongs?Dan. 2.38. Psal. 82.1.6. Dan. 7.9.
Ans: It is any part of Gods Image imparted to them, euen any thing bestowed on men, wherein they are like to God, and doe resemble his Maiestie; as in Magistrates, there is a resemblance of the power and glory of God. In aged persons a resemblance of the eternitie; and the like.
Leuit. 19.32. Isa. 49.23. 2 King. 6.21. 2 King. 13.14. 2 King. 5.13. Iob. 29.16.Quest. What is meant by Father and Mother?
Answ. Not only naturall Parents, but others also, that are our superiours in age, in place, or in giftes.
Quest. Why did the Lord vse the name of Father and Mother, to signifie and to comprehend all other Superiours, rather then the name of King, or Prince, or such like?
Answ: For three reasons especially.
Quest: What is the first of those?
Answ. This; because the gouernment of Fathers is the first and most ancient of all other, and the societie of Father and Mother, is that, from whence all other societies doe come.
Quest. What is the second reason?
Answ: This; because the Lord would hauehave all Superiours to hauehave the affection of Fathers towards their inferiours; and all inferiours, to hauehave the affection of Children towards their superiours: that so both of them may doe their duties out of louelove, and with ioy;Psal: 103.13. and therefore the Lord expresseth his louelove, by the louelove of a Father.
Quest: What is the third reason?
Answ. This; because the name of Father is most amiable, and allureth to obedience; and the Lord punisheth most seuerely, the breach of duty towards parents: as Cham. Gen. 9.25.Gen: 9.25. Absalom. 2 Sam. 18.9.2. Sam: 18.25.
Quest. Why is here particular mention made of Mother?
Answ. Because Children are most apt and ready to despise their Mother, in regard of her infirmities.Pro. 23.22.
Obiection. Mat. 23.9. Christ saith, call no man Father vponupon the Earth, for there is but one, your Father which is in Heauen.
Quest. How shall we answer this?
Answ. Thus; Christ doth not there forbid the name of Father simply, but only as it is aff…cted and sought after ambitiously; as it was in the Pharisees: and his meaning is, that we should not call any Father on earth, as wee call God our Father (that is) to put our trust in him, and to make him the authour and preseruer of our life.
Quest. What is then the summe of this commandement?
Answ: This; that by thought, word, and deede;Iud: epist: v: 8. Prou: 30.11. Rom: 1.30. we yeeld that due respect and duty, that belongs to the dignitie which God hath bestowed on others, they bearing his Image, either in respect of age, of place, or of gifrs.