The Substance of Christian Religion, Lecture 42
The forty second Lords day.
Exod. 20. 15.
Thou shalt not steal.
IN this eighth Commandement mens possessions are handled as things that come under the name of their outward goods, and commodities. For thus God would shew what a care he hath of us, in that not onelyonly by his Law he hath provided for the safety of our life, and chastity, and honour of our persons, but also for our possessions and external goods. He would also hereby admonish us how confidently we may trust all that is ours to him; where by his eternal Law he would have us secured about these lesser matters. There is in this Commandment ordained and presupposed a propriety to every particular man in his own goods, by reason whereof its truly said, his is mine, and that is …hine For though at the beginning of the creation all things were in a manner common; yet afterwards by lawful seizure and possession of this, or that, a division of things ensued, the unjust breach of which division is condemn'd in this commandment, with all such things as make for it, or lead to it. For as in a feast some dish is set downe in common and is no more this guests, than thats; yet when any guest hath taken to himself a portion or share of it, then that is more his owne, than any others, so that it cannot by any other be taken from him without uncivility; so were all the commodities of this life at the first set out in common to all; but when one took to himself a certain portion of them, another could not by violence take it from him without sin. Now by name theft onelyonly is forbidden, because it is one of the grossest and manifestest sins of this kinde; because in theft to every one is apparent the breach of that right which every one hath to his own commodity, and so the unjustice and the wrong is clear: Yet together with it also, according to the perpetual use of speech in all the other Commandments, all the degrees, and causes, principles, and occasions or provocations to it, are forbidden.
Doct. 1. We must keep our selves out of cons…ience towards God, from all unjust hurting of our Neighbour, in point of his possession▪ or outward goods.
Reas. 1. Because otherwayes we sin against God and that after diverse manners: 1. That dispensation of his providence, whereby he hath made division of such things amongst men, is disturbed against his revealed will. 2. The dominion of God himself, which he exercises in the dispensing of such things as seems best to himself, seems this way to be contemned. 3. We invade as it were this soveraignty and dominion of God, while at our pleasure we will make ours whatsoever we list.
Reas. 2. Because we do our neighbour grosse and manifest injury, while we take by force to our selves, what belongs to him, and so take away from his his goods.
Reas. 3. Because in this manner, charity is directly broken, while instead of that good, which we both ought to wish, and procure to our neighbour; we do him reall evill, in depriving him of his own goods.
Reas 4. Because from such sins follow strifes, hatred and the disturbance of all society.
Use Is of Admonition, that we not onelyonly shun that which is commonly called theft, but also all those sins, which in Scripture are referred to theft; as their common head; As 1. the too great love of riches. 2. The desire of our own profit with our neighbours losse. 3. All unjustice of bargains and commerce, how ever it may be done with colour of right. 4. All using or appropriating to our selves that which is anothers without its masters consent, whether this be done by force, or by deceit and circumvention.
Doct. 2. With the same religion or conscience that we ought to abstain from theft, we ought to s…t ou…selves to this on the contrary, that we may seek our neighbours good, and further it in his outward goods.
It is gathered from the likeness of reason, that is between the sins▪ forbidden, and the duties commanded, that are contrary to the same.
Reas. 1. Because by this means we make our selves instruments of Gods bounty and good providence, whereby it is his pleasure, that all be provided for in things necessary to this life.
Reas. 2. Because it is the exercise of our charity towards our neighbour.
Reas. 3. Because it belongs also some way to iustice, in as much as we ought to behave our selves as members of the same society, and every one hath right to such duties from others, as far as conveniently they can be by them performed.
Reas. 4. Because our Lord admonisheth us, that we make unto our selves, freinds from the use of this communion; and so further others by our good example, and our selves by their good desires and prayers for us, in the way to salvation.
Use Is of Direction, that we set our selves with all care, that according to this duty of humanity, we further the profits of others, as our occasion and power shall require.
Hence 1. we ought to purchase nothing to our selves, but by honest means, and just titles of right: For whatsoever is otherwise purchased or acquired, turns alwayes to the wronging of another. 2. Every one should betake himself to some honest exercise of life, which is in its self lawfull, sutable to our selves, and profitable to others, and such as live at ease: For who so live disorderly, as stout beggars, with him in the Gospel, who having full Bags and Barns, sings a requiem to their souls; saying, Soul take thine ease▪ thou hast much laid up; these as in other things, so they sin in this, that they take not upon them such a condition of like, whereby they may doe good unto others. 3. Diligence is to be used in our calling, without which we cannot keep the things we have, much lesse increase them; that we may spare something from them, and lay it out unto the common good of others. 4. Frugality and moderation in our expenses about our selves ought to be used, least the fountain should be drawn dry, whence such streams should flow, for helping and refreshing others. 5. Bounty and mercy ought to be exercised, in communicating our goods unto others, especially persons that are to be pittied; and of these, chiefly such as are of the houshold of faith: For in this duty is most of all exercised, and most manifestly that vertue that is most contrary to theft; because as in theft we take unjustly to our selves, what is not our own; so in liberality and alms, we justly take from our selves what is our own, and freely bestow it on another.