Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 2 · Part 81
Now to the Affirmatiue part of the seuenth Commandement.
Quest. What doth the seuenth Commandement require?
Answ. In generall two things.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; Chastitie both inward and outward, which is cleannesse and puritie both of the soule and of the body of man or woman, touching the matter of generation.
Quest. VVherein stands inward chastitie and cleannesse, and puritie of the soule of man or woman touching the matter of generation?
Answ. In a freedome by grace from fleshly concupiscence, the heart being by grace freed from filthy, vncleane,Math. 5.28. Math. 15.19. 1 Cor. 7.37. Coloss. 3.5. and vnchast thoughts, and from inward filthy lusts and from purposes and desires to any act of vncleannesse and fleshly defilement.
Quest. VVherein stands outward chastitie and cleannesse, and puritie of the body of man or woman, touching the matter of generation?
Answ. Gen. 39.8.9.10.12. 2 Cor. 7.1. 1 Thess. 4 3 4. 1 Tim. 4.12. Tit. 2.…. Reuel. 15.4.In not putting in execution the concupiscence of the flesh in any act of vncleannesse and fleshly defilement in any kind whatsoeuer, either with themselues or others, be it with one other, or with many others.
Quest. What is the second generall thing the seuenth Commandement requires?
Answ. This; a carefull vsing of such things as are helpes to preserue chastitie, and doe tend to the preseruation of cl…annesse and puritie both inward and outward, both of the soule and of the body of man or woman touching the matter of generation.
Quest. VVhat are the things that helpe to preserue chastitie, and doe tend to the preseruation of cleannesse and puritie both of the soule and of the body of man or woman, touching the matter of generation?
Answ. Seuen things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Gen. 20.11. Gen. 39.9. Eccles. 7.28.Answ. This; the feare of God in respect of his word and Commandement, that forbids vncleannesse and fleshly defilement, both of soule and body in any kind whatsoeuer.
Quest. What is the second thing that helps to preserue chastity, and tends to the preseruation of cleannesse and puritie, both of the soule and of the body of man or woman, touching the matter of generation?
Psal. 119.9.Answ. This; a true delight in the word of God, and in his holy ordinances. Prou. 2.10.16. compared with Pro. 5.1.2.3 Pro.. 20, 621, 23, 24.
Quest. What is the third thing that helps to preserues chastity, and tends to the preseruation of cleanness & purity both of the soule and the body of man or woman, touching the matter of generation?
Answ. This; modesty or shamefac'tnesse, which is an holy abhorring of all filthinesse and fleshly defilement,Ephes. 5.3.4. accompanied with a carefull obseruing of Christian comlinesse, and with a certaine griefe and feare, least any thing vncomely should be committed.
Quest. VVherein is modestie or shamefac'tnes to bee expressed, and to appeare?
Answ. In three things especially.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Gen. 4.1. Psal. 51. title. Pro. 10.19. Pro. 7.11.Answ. This; in speech and in words, men and women are to expresse their modestie in decent talk and chaste speeches, vsing as seemely words as may bee chosen, when they are to mention things that may moue blushing, and vsing little and submisse speech.
Quest. What is the second thing wherein modesty or shamefac'tnesse is to be expressed and to appeare?
Answ. In countenance and in gesture, and in carriage of the body and outward behauiour,Gen. 24.65. Iob. 31.1. Pro. 6.25. Pro. 7.13. Ierem. 3.3. Tit. 2.3.7. men and women are to expresse their modesty in so looking & so carrying their eyes & countenances as that they neither thereby expresse the filthy lust of their owne hearts, nor giuegive iust occasion to stirre vp the concupiscence of the heart in others: and in grauitie of their carriage and outward behauiour.
Quest. What is the third thing wherein modestie or shamefac'tnesse is to bee expressed and to appeare?
Answ. In apparell:1 Tim. 2.9.10. 1 Pet. 3.3.4. men and women are to couer their bodies with decent and comely apparell, and so to attire themselues, as that in their apparell they doe expresse the vertues of their minds, and the graces that be in their hearts, especially modesty, shamefc'tanesse, & frugalitie.
Quest. Wherein stands decency and comlinesse of apparell?
Answ. In two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; in couering the whole body with it,Gen. 3.10.21. Deut. 28.48. Ezech. 16.7. some parts excepted: men and women are to couer their whole bodies with apparell, leauing onelyonly their hands and faces open and bare for necessitie sake, Gen. 3.10, 21. By sinne came shame on the whole body, and the Lord made and appoynted the wearing of garments for the couering of the deformitie of our naked bodies. Deuter. 28.48. Nakednesse is a cu…se: therefore affected nakednesse is monstrous and most vile.
Quest. What is the second thing wherein stands decency and comlinesse of apparell?
Answ. Deut. 22.5 Mat. 11.8. Zeph. 11.8 1 Cor. 11.16. Philip. 4.8. 1 Pet. 3.5In being decent and comely for the forme and fashion of it, which is when it is according to the sex, and according to the office and calling and to the order and degree that men or women are in the societies of men publike or priuate, and according to their ability, & framed according to the ancient custome of the place and country where they liue, and to the example of the grauest and of the most godly and sober men and women of their order and place.
Qu…st. May not men and women vse ornaments of gold, siluer, precious stones, silkes, veluets, laces, and the like?
Answ. Yes, they may;Gen. 24.22.47: Gen. 41.42. Exod …2 some necessary cautions in vsing of them being duly obserued. Psal. 45.13, 14. Mat. 6.29.
Isa. 18 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. ver. The Prophet condemnes in particular certaine ornaments of bracelets, tires of the head, eare-rings, rings, and diuers other ornaments; and therefore it seemes altogether vnlawfull to vse such particular ornaments, or the like.
Quest. How is this to bee answered?
Answ. Thus; some ornaments there reckoned vp by the Prophet were indeed meere vanities, and should not hauehave bin vsed at all; but other particulars were in themselues lawfull, and the Prophet did not simply condemne but onelyonly the abuse of them, in that they were made instruments and signes of the pride, wantonnesse, vanitie and lightnesse of the women of Ierusalem, as appeares ver. 16.
Obiection. 1 Tim. 2.9. and 1 Pet. 3.3. The Apostle forbids wearing of gold and costly apparell, therefore it seemes vnlawfull to vse ornaments of gold, siluer, precious stones, silkes, veluets, laces, and the like.
Quest. How is this to bee answered?
Answ. Thus; the Apostles in those places doe not simply forbid ornaments of gold, siluer, precious stones, silkes, velvets, laces, and such like, but the abuse of them in riot and excesse, directing their speeches to women, who in all likelihood were excessiue in outward adorning and trimming of their bodies, and accounted outward ornaments of golde, pearle, siluer, and such like, their chiefe ornaments, and so neglected modestie and humilitie, the chiefe ornaments of Christians: therefore Paul saith, Let them array themselues in comely apparell, with shamefac'tnesse and modestie, not with broydered hayre, or gold, or pearle, or costly apparell. And Peter saith, Whose apparelling let it not be outward with broydered hayre, and gold put about, or in putting on of apparell; ver. 4. but let the hid man of the heart be vncorrupt with a meeke and quiet spirit, which is before God a thing much set by.
Quest. What are the necessary cautions to be obserued in vsing ornaments of golde, siluer, precious stones, silke, veluet, laces, and the like?
Answ. They are three especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; that they bee vsed sparingly, and with moderation,Dan. 5.16.17.29. compared. Math. 11.8. and according to the place and calling, order and degree of men and women, and according to the example of the grauest and most godly and religious of their place, order, degree and age.
Quest. What is the second necessary caution to bee obserued in vsing ornaments of gold, siluer, precious stones, silkes, veluets, laces, and the like?
Answ. This; that they be vsed not alwayes alike,Iere. 2.23. Luk. 16.19. but according to the times and seasons.
Quest. VVhat is the third necessary caution to bee obserued in vsing ornaments of golde, siluer, precious stones, silkes, veluets, laces, and the like?
Answ. This; that they bee vsed to a right end,Gen. 24.15. Pro. 7.10.16. 1 Cor. 12.2… 1 Thess. 4.4. not to the gaining of praise amongst men, or to the getting of a name of ric… and great persons, to the purchasing of louelove from stranger (as harlots doe) but onelyonly to the honouring of the body, tha… therein God may be honoured, and not with any delight in them otherwise. Gen. 24.15. the simplicity of that age is to be considered, they did not set t…eir delight on outward ornaments. Prou. 7.10.16. The harlots practice.
Quest What is the fourth thing that helpes to preserue chastitie, and tends to the preseruation of cleannesse and puritie both of the soule and body of man or woman, touching the matter of generation?
Answ. This; temperance or sobrietie,Gal. 5.13. 1 Tim 3.2. Tit. 1.8. Tit. 2.12 … Pet. 1.6. which is a moderate and sober vse of such things as belong to the body, agreeable to the time, place, and persons.
Quest. Wherein is temperance and sobrietie to bee exercised and expressed?
Answ. In three things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This, in dyet:Pro. 23.29. to 33. E…cles. 10.17. Luk 21.34. Ephes. 5 18. 1 Cor. 9.27. 2 Cor. 6.6. men and women are to exercise temperance and sobrietie in their eating and drinking, vsing meats and drinkes onelyonly so farre forth as they may serue to refresh nature, and to make them fit for the seruice of God and man; and sometimes in conuenient abstinence, abstaining from the necessary and ordinary food of their bodies for a time, as need doth require, and as their strength may beare, without abolishing and destroying nature.
Quest. VVhat is the second thing wherein temperance and sobrietie is to be exercised and expressed?
Answ. This, in sleepe: men and women are to exercise temperance and sobrietie in their sleeping, onelyonly taking so much sleepe as may make them better able to doe all good duties that concerne them towards God and man,…ro. 20.13. Cor. 6.6. Cor. 11.27. sometimes refraining from sleepe, and watching as need requires, and as they are able: so as it be not to the destruction of nature.
Quest. What is the third thing wherein temperance and sobrietie is to be exercised and expressed?
Rom. 13.14: Cor. 7.29.30. Galat. 5.13.Answ. This; in lawfull pleasure and honest delights, men and women are to exercise temperance and sobri…tie in their lawfull pleasures and honest delights, vsing them onelyonly so farre forth as they bee no prouocations to fl…shly lustes, nor hinderances to them in good duties towards God or man.
Quest. VVhat is the fift thing that helpes to preserue chastitie, and tends to the preseruation of cleannesse and puritie both of the soule and body of man or woman, touching the matter of generation?
… Sam. 11.2.… 4. Ezech. 16.49. 1 Tim. 5.13.Answ. This; diligence and painefulnesse in good duties, men or women are euer to be doing some good thing, either in their generall calling, as Christians, or in their particular callings.
Quest. What is the last good thing wherein men or women are to bee diligent and painefull for the preseruing of their chastitie, cleannesse and puritie both of their soules and bodies touching the matter of generation?
2 Cor. 12.7.8.Answ. Prayer to God that hee would purifie and purge their hearts: for hee alone it is that must purge them from filthy lusts.
Quest. VVhat is the sixt thing that helpes to preserue chastitie, and tends to the preseruation of cleannesse, and puritie both of the soule and the body of man or woman touching the matter of generation?
Answ. In single estate hauing not the gift of continencie,2 Cor. 7.2.9.56. 2 Tim. 4.3. taking the benefit of holy Marriage when other meanes auaile not.
Quest. May not a man or a woman being vnmarried, vow to liue in single estate, and out of the state of Marriage perpetually?
Answ. A man or a woman that is vnmarried being assured that he or shee hath the gift of continencie,1 Cor. 7.37. may resolue and purpose with themselues to liue and lead a single life, and may vow so to liue, so long as that gift continu…th:Mat. 19.11. 1 Cor. 7.7.9. but no man or woman may vow perp…tuall chastitie in a single estate, because Continencie is the gift of God, who giu…s it not to all but to whom hee will, and when hee will, and as long as he will.
Obiections of the Papists.
Obiection 1 Mathew 7.7. Aske and yee shall receiue. Christ bids vsus aske, and wee shall receiue: therefore say they, if a man or a woman pray for the gift of continencie, they may obtaine it, and so may vow perpetuall chastitie in the single estate.
Quest. How is this to bee answered?
Answ. Thus; some giftes of God are generall, and necessa…y to saluation as Faith, Repentance, and the like. And some gifts of God are speciall, not giuen to all, nor needfull to saluation, but imparted onelyonly to some, as health, wealth, continencie, and the like. Now that promise of Christ, Aske and yee shall receiue, is meant of things necessary to saluation, and not of …peciall gifts: for some may pray for them, and yet neu…r receiue them; therefore that place makes nothing for that purpose.
Obiection 2 God hath giuen to all men sufficient strength, that if they will vse the meanes, they may hauehave the gift of continencie: for sufficient grace is giuen to all, though not effectuall.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; neither sufficient nor effectuall grace is giuen to all to liue chastly in a single estate,1 Tim. 5.14. but it is a rare and speciall gift giuen onelyonly to some.
Obiection 3 Math. 19.12 Some hauehave made themselues chaste for the kingdome of heauen; (that is, say they) hauehave vowed perpetuall chastitie in a sin…l… estate.
Quest. How is this to bee answered?
Answ. Thus; the m…ani…g is not that some hauehave vowed Chastitie in single life; but that some hauing the page missing pend on him,1 Tim. 5.8. for whom he is to prouide as for himselfe.
Quest. What are the words of the eight command…ment?
Answ. Those we fin… Exod. 20.15. Thou shalt not steale.
Quest. VVhat is the meaning of the words of this Commandement?
Leuit. 19.11.12 1 Thess. 4.6. 2 Pet. 2.14.Answ. This; thou shalt not hurt or hinder by any vnlawfull way or meanes, the wealth or outward good estate either of thy selfe, or of another or others one or more.
Quest. What is the ground of this prohibition, Thou shalt not hurt or hinder by any vnlawfull way or meanes the wealth or outward good estate, either of thy selfe, or of another or others, one or more?
Gen. 32.10. Iudg. 11.23.24 1 Sam. 2.7. Pro. 22.2. 2 Sam. 24.24. Iohn. 4.8. Iohn. 6.5. Act. 11.36. Act. 16.14.Answ. This; the maintaining of eueryevery mans peculiar and seuerall right and interest in that portion of wealth and outward good things which God hath giuen him, the Lord giuing wealth to men and the measure of it as it pleaseth him, and their peculiar right and interest in it being by his appoyntment, that there may bee duties of louelove practised, and dealings betweene man and man in buying and selling, borrowing and lending, in giuing almes, and the like, as he hath reueiled in his Word, hee will hauehave that right maintained; and therefore hee giues his Law for the maintenance of it.
An obiection of the Anabaptists.
Obiection. Act. 2.44. Christians in the primitiue Church had all things common: therefore peculiar right and distinct proprietie in wealth is not by Gods appointment.
Quest. How is this to bee answered?
Act. 4.32. Act. 5.4.Answ. Thus; that communitie of things was particular for that place, and peculiar for that time; and it was a communitie not in possession, but onelyonly in the vse of things. And the things were not then so indifferently common among Christians in the vse of them, as that eueryevery one might take what hee would:Act. 4.35. but things in common were distributed according as eueryevery one had neede. Therefore it still remaines a truth, that peculiar right and distinct proprietie in mens wealth and outward good things, is by Gods appoyntment.
Quest. Why is the Inhibition heere deliuered vnderunder the name of theft, Thou shalt not steale?
Answ. That men might be moued, if not for Conscience, yet for very shame, to refraine from the sinnes forbidden in this Commaundement, the name of theft being most opprobrious and odious, eueryevery one by nature abhorring it to bee deemed or tearmed a thiefe.
Quest. What is the summe of this Commandement?
Answ. That by no vnlawfull way or meanes wee hurt or hinder the wealth and outward good estate of our selues or of others,Deut. 24.7. Pro. 6.30. Iohn. 12.6. 1 Cor. 6.10. but that by all good waies and meanes we preserue and further the wealth and the outward good estate both of our selues and of others.