The Law Unsealed, Index
AN ALPHABETICK TABLE Of the chief Contents of this TREATISE.
A.
ADjuring of men in what caſes, lawful and uſeful. Page 90
Adjuring of Devils, vvhen lawful, and when not. 91
Adjuring unre…ſonable Creatures in what ſenſe lawful. 92
Advocates their ſin in pleading for unjuſt Cauſes, and Suits. 267
Adultery, the Evil and aggravations of it. 215
Three ſorts of it, and which is the groſſeſt. 216
How many wayes one may incur the guilt of this ſi…. 218, 219
Alms, what obligation lyes upon …s for giving of Alms, or for works of Charity. 253
How great a ſin, vvhen neglected. 254
Wherein this Duty conſiſts. 10
Who the fitt…ſt Objects for Alms-deeds. 252
Who are obliged to give Alms. 253
After vvhat manner, and in vvhat meaſure ſhould vv… give our Alms. ibid.
General Rules directing the time, the manner and proportion of Alms. 254
Angels, viſible repreſentations of them impoſſible and dangero…s. 36
When they vvere created. 183
Anger vvhen lawful, and vvhen not. 213
Appealing to God▪ in vvhat caſe lawful. 98
Apparel how to be uſed. 222
The ſinful abuſes of it. 223, 224
Aſſeverations, ſuch as in Conſcience &c. whether lawful or not. 81, 82
Atteſtations vvhen lawful and binding. 90
Of atteſting God …s witneſs. 98
B.
BAck-hiting, mens ſin and ſubtilty in it. 265
Baptiſm, the right adminiſtration of it required in the ſecond Commandment. 48
How Parents … before the Baptiſm of their children, how in the time of the Adminiſtration of it, and how after it. 60
Several ordinary ſi…s of the adminiſtrators of it enumerated. 61
The ordinary ſins of the vvitneſſes to it enumerated. ibid.
Many ſins of Profeſſors in reference to their own Baptiſm inſtanced. 62
Beaſts, the killing of them not forbidden in the ſixth Commandment. 109
How one may ſin in ſtriking of them. ibid.
Bigamy, how a breach of the ſeventh Commandment. 217
Blasphemy defined and diſtinguiſhed. 99
When its againſt the Father, vvhen againſt the Son, and vvhen againſt the H. Spirit. ibid.
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, vvhat it is not. 100
What it is. ibid.
In vvhat ſenſe this ſin is irremiſſible. 101
How many vvayes on may be guilty of blaſphemy. 101
What ſins do occaſion others, …specially to blaſpheme. ibid.
C.
CAlumny what it is. 265
Caping or plundering of trading Ships, by priva…eers unlawfull even in time of war. 239
Charity, ſee Al…e…. Chaplains, ſee Families.
Commandments diſtinguiſhed. 6
In vvhat ſenſe affi…mative commands oblidge ſemper, but not ad ſemper. ibid.
6. Rules to know vvhen affirmative commands bind to preſent practiſe. 6. 7
10. Rules for the better understanding of each command. 7, 8, 9
Two mo…e rules added. 10
All theſe rules ſummarily contained in five Scriptures. 11
Why ſome commands and not others have reaſons preſſing obedience, annexed. 16
Why ſome have promiſes annexed. 17
Why ſome have threatnings annexed. ibid.
Concupiſcence. How in the ſe…ſible part of the ſoul, and how in the rational. 270
Of habitual and actual concupiſcence, with the degrees of the letter. ibid.
Habitual concupiſcence proved to be forbidden in the tenth Command. 271
Some objections anſwered. 272
The firſt ſtirrings of concupiſcence, though not delighted in, nor c…nſente… to, proved ſinfull and againſt the tenth Command. 272, 273
The ſin of theſe firſt motions held ou… i… many particulars. 274, 275
How the inordinacy of theſe motions diſcovers it ſelf. 276
How the ſin of theſe is not ſufficiently noti…ed. ibid.
That m…n in the ſtate of nature can…t take up the ſin of theſe. 278
How Concupiſcence in a b…li…ver differs from what it is in other men. ibid.
Confidence in what ſenſe it may be put in the Creature without ſin. 25
Covetouſneſs what it is 247
How a man may endeavour to increaſe his eſtate without the guilt of it 248
Some diſcoveries of Covetouſneſs 256
That in the Apoſtles times it brought men under Church cenſure ibid.
What coveting is forbidden in the 10 Command 269
The prohibition of covetouſneſ… unreaſonably divided by Papiſts into two Commands. ib.
Covenant, every ſin againſt God as our God in Covenant is against the firſt Command, as w…ll as ſin againſt God as God 31
D.
DA…cing the ſin of it 225
Dayes. None can inſtitute ordinary or fixed dayes for worſhip throughout the whole, beſide the Sabbath 182
Giving or receiving gifts …n New-years day, a ſinful ſuperſtitious custome 47
Deſpair, how a breach of the firſt Comman… ment 30
Devil, his injections when … not 271
Dreams, ſee Sleep
Drunkenneſs, the ſin of it ſhewed in divers respects 226
Rules for preventing inſobriety in drinking, whereby one may alſo know when in any meaſure guilty 229. 230
How unbecoming all, and whom more eſpecially 231
Whether …n may drink exceſſively to provoke vomiting for health ſake 231, 232
Whether drunk…nneſs l…ſſen the guilt of ſins committed in the time of it. 232
Of Tipling and four-hour …ing 233
Of drinking at making of Bargaines 234
Of drinking healths ibid.
Of drinking at the birth of Children, and when viſiting women in Child bed 235
Of drinking at Like▪wakes or dr…gie…. 236
Of the multitude of Taverns & Ale houſe▪ 237
Du…lls the unlawfulneſs of them 210
Duties we owe to God by the firſt Command, ſummed up …8
Theſe required in the ſecond Command, ſummed up 44
Theſe required in the third Command, ſummed 78
A ſummary of the Sabbath duties 132, 133▪ 134
Why our duty to Man is as particularly required in the decalogue as our duty to God 189
F.
FAmil…-worſhip▪ wherein it conſiſts 132
That the Scripture holds this forth is proved at length 133 136, 137. &c. Seven reaſons proving the neceſſity of it 139, 140
That this is required in the fourth Commandment, proved various wayes 133, 134 135
That this duty is four wayes deſcribed in Scripture 141, 142
The right uſe, and alſo the abuſe of keeping Chaplaines 142
The great advantages of conſcientious going about family-duties 143
Faſting, in what ſenſe a part of Gods worſhip 69
Se…eral grounds of faſting ibid.
Twelve ordinary ſins that goes before faſting 70 71
Twenty ordinary ſins in faſting ennumerat…d 71, 72
Thirteen Inſtances of ordinary failings after faſting 72
Father, how to be understood in the fifth command 191
Wh… Lo…e the Father owes to the Son, and what the Son to the Father. 104
Whether the Father or the Magiſtrate ſhould be obeyed when commanding contrary things. ib.
Fornication, the ſeveral ſorts of it, with its aggravations 217
Frugality what it is: Eight Characters of it. 255
G.
GAin▪ when lawful and honest. 250, 251
Several wayes of diſhoneſt gain …nnum…rated 241
G…ds, Who make unto themſelves other Gods beſide the Lord. 26
Gluttony, how againſt the 7 Command. 226
Divers conſiderations tending to diſcover when we ſin in eating 227. to 229.
Diver's neceſſary Rules for r…gul…ting our eating and drinking. 22…
H.
HAtred of God, how a breach of the firſt Command. 3…
H… every ſin is interpreted h…red, and every …en…r a hatred of God. 75. 76
How …orrupting of Gods worſhip is reckoned hatred of God in a ſpecial manner. 76
Hair, how ſinfully abuſed. 223
Honour, what mentioned in the fifth Commandment imports. 192 193
Why Honouring our neighbour is commanded before other duti…s of the ſecond table▪ 197
Wh…r…in honouring our neig…bour c…nſiſts, and what it imports. ibid.
H…w honour differeth from love. ibid.
Whether outward expreſſions of honour be alwayes neceſſary, ibid.
What is centrary to this …nour we owe to our neighbour. 198. 199
Whether wicked men may be honoured. 199. 200
Whether rich men f…ould be honoured. 200
The place Jam, …. 1, 2. explained. ibid.
How the honour we owe in a good man, differs from that we owe to others, alike in outward reſpects. ibid.
Whether we may ſeek our own honour, and how. 201
How we ſhould prefer another to our ſelves. 201. 202
Humility required by the fifth Command, a threefold Conſideration of it. How the Pagan moraliſts were ſtrangers to it. The advantages of it. In what things its moſt neceſſary. The oppoſites of it. 205. to 208
I.
IDleneſs, the ſinfulneſs of it. 181, 182
Idolatry, 7. diſtinctions of it. 19, 20
Five wayes of more ſubtile heart idolatry. 20
How to diſcover each of theſe. 20, 21
The ordinary objects of this great idolatry Instanced in 11. particulars. 22
What be the moſt ſubtile Idols ſhewed in ſix particulars. 24
A Twofold Idolatry, eſpecially forbidden to the Iſraelites and condemned in them. 34
The Idolatry forbidden in the ſecond command in ſix particulars. 43. 44
Jealouſie, what it importeth, and how attributed to God. 72, 73
Ignorance of the Law. The ſad effects of it. 1. 2
How a breach of the firſt Command. 28
Several diſtinctions of it explained. ibid.
How it ex…uſeth and how not. 29
Images of any of the 3 Perſons in the bl…ſſed Trini… proved to be unlawful. 35
Objections anſwered. 35, …6
The Command forbidding Images, proved to be diſtinct from the firſt. 34
What Images may be …awfully made. ibid.
When are Images of creatures abuſed. 36
Images of Heathen Gods, as M…rs, Cupid▪ &c. prohibited. 37
Impatience▪ …ow it appears, and how a breach of the firſt Command. 31
Imprecations; whether lawful or not. 83
Inceſt, when committed, and wherein the unnaturalneſs of it ſtands. 216
K.
KNowledge of God required in the first Command. 18. See ignorance.
L.
LAw, the excellency and uſefulneſs of it. 1
How the moral Law obligeth …s now. 2
The diſtinction of the decalogue as a Law, and as a Covenant cleared. 4
How the Law was given to Adam in innocency, how to Iſrael, and how is Believers now. 10
The extent of the Law ſhewed in ſeven reſpects. 9
Several wayes of abuſing the Law. 11
Some directions for right uſing of it. ibid.
Like-makes and dr…gies, the ſinfulneſs of them. 47
Lots or Lotting defined. 106
How the uſe of them concerns the third Command. 107
Several diviſions of Lots, and which of them are lawful▪ which not. 107. 108
What is neceſſary to lawful Lotting. 1 8
Cautions for preventing abuſe of them. 108, 109
Luſory Lots proved unlawful. 109, 110, 111
Some objection▪ an wered. ibid.
Love to God, why called the first and great commandment. 188
What Love may be allowed to the Creature without breath of the firſt Command. 25
Whether we ought to Love all man alike. 194
In what respects may we make a difference. ibid.
What are the grounds of a lawful difference in our Love. 195
How Love to the Godly, differeth from common Love to others. ibid.
How we may love wicked men. ibid.
What ſelf love is lawful what not. 196
Luſt how early it entred into the world. 214
Several degrees of unnatural Luſts. 216
See Concupiſcence.
Lye, what it is▪ and when one is guilty of it. 263
Four ſorts of Lyes. 264
How many wayes we wrong our neighbour by Lying 264. 265
Of Lying in Court of Justice, how the Judge and how the Advocate may be guilty as well …s a falſe witneſs. 267
Life, the taking away of our own, cleared to be forbidden in the ſixth Command. 209
How many wayes one may be guilty of this ibid.
How we may ſin againſt the bodily Life of others. 210
How againſt the Life of their ſouls. 210, 211
How againſt their Life of contentment. 211
M.
MArriage, how many wayes men ſin in Contracting of it. 218
How one may ſin againſt the ſeventh Command, even in a Married ſtate. ibid.
How one may ſin in diſſolving of Marriage. 218, 219
Mother, vvhy mentioned in the firſt Command. 192
Moral, all the precepts in the decalogue not moral in the ſame ſenſe. 5
See Sabbath.
Murther, ſeveral diſtinctions of it. 212
How its committed in the heart, how i… words, geſtures, deeds. 212, 213
How Magiſtrates may be guilty of it. ibid.
Self Murder how forbidden. 109
See Life.
N.
NAme, what is meant by the Name of God. 77
What it is to take this Name in vain. 78
What is neceſſary to the reverent mentioning of the Name of God. ibid.
Why the taking of this Name in vain, is ſo peremptorily prohibited. 79
Eight ordinary wayes of taking the Lords Name in vain. 102. 103
How the Name of God is taken in vain in ordinances and duties. 103
How to prevent this ſin in duties. 104
How …o… know vvhen guilty of it. 104 106
Why the taking of God▪ Name in vain, i… ſo threatened and puniſhed even beyond other ſins. 115. 116
How it comes that this ſin is ſo ordinary. 116, 117
Directions for the prevention of it. ibid.
Neighbour to be honoured and loved. 191
How vve ſhould love and honour our neighbour. 193. 194
See honour and love.
O.
OAth, five things to be conſidered in it. 80
How one Oath differs from an aſſeveration. 81
That its unlawful to ſwear by Angels, Saints, or other Creatures proved. ibid.
The difference between promiſſory and aſſertory Oaths, and between promiſſory Oaths and Vows, ſhewed. 83, 84
A threefold matter of an Oath, and a threefold occaſion of ſwearing. ibid.
Of expreſſe or tacite conditions in all promiſſory Oaths. 84
W… ther indefinite Oaths, ſuch as theſe impoſed in Colledges, in Corporations, or ſuch as Souldiers take to their Officers, be lawful. 85
What does not loſe the Obligation of promiſſory Oaths, 13. particulars instanced. 87. 88
What Oaths are null and of no force. 88
Four caſes vvherein the Obligation of a lawfull Oath ceaſeth. 89
Why vvicked men keep their ſinful Oaths much more ſtrictly then they do lawful Oaths. ibid.
What an Oath ſuper addeth to a promiſe. ibid.
Obedience. The difference between obedience to the moral Law as it reſpects the Covenant of grace, and as it respects the Covenant of vvorks. 3
See Duties, Command, Law.
Omens and obſervations vvhen ſinful and ſuperſtitious. 112
How ſuperſtitious Obſervations may be made of a Word of Scripture. 113
Oppreſsion ſhewed to be a ſort of rapine, and againſt the 8. command. 230
Obteſtations vvhen lawful and binding, and how vve may alſo ſin in them. 90 91
P.
PErjury, ſeveral ſorts of it, and ſeveral vvayes how one may become perjured 85
Whether one that neceſsitates another to ſwear, vvhen he has a ſuſpicion that other vvill forſwear himſelf, become Aceſſory to his perjury. 86
See Oath.
Poligamy, how a breach of the ſeventh Command. 201
Poverty, how men ſinfully bring it upon themſelves, and ſo violate the eighth Command 247
Puniſhment of the iniquities of the Fathers upon the Children threatned in the ſecond Command, proved to mean ſpiritual and eternal puniſhment especially. 73 74
Three conſiderations for clearing how the Lord does th…s puniſh Children for the Parents ſin. 75.
Five ends for which the Lord threatens the Poſterity of vvicked men. ibid.
How children become guilty of the Parents ſin, and vvhat ſpecial need ſome have to repent of the ſins of their anceſtors. 76
Praiſing of God required in the 2. Command 53
Our ordinary failings before the going about this duty. ibid.
Many failings in the performances of this duty enumerated. 53, 54
Our failings after praiſing 54
Prayer required by the ſecond Commandment 50
Many ſins before Prayer inſtanced. 51
Many ordinary ſins in Prayer. ibid.
Many ſins while joyning with others in Prayer, enumerated. 52
Many ordinary ſins after Prayer, instanced in. 52
Preface [I am the Lord thy God] a preface to all the Commandments▪ but more eſpecially to the firſt command. 16
Pride, in what things it appear. 107 …08
See Humility.
Promiſes, vvhy annexed to ſome Commandments rather then to others. 17
Why the fifth Command is called the first Command, with Promiſe. 191
What comfort the Promiſe made in the ſecond Command, to the thouſand generations▪ &c. affords to believing Parents, and their children 76
What is the meaning of the Promiſe annexed to the 5 Commandment, and how to be underſtood. 202
What Advantage a Believer under the New Teſtament, …as by ſuch temporal Promiſes▪ 203
See Vows.
R.
RApine, what it is. 239
Religion, how concerned in the duties we o… to others. 190
Riches, ten prejudices that come by them. 25…
Right, vvhether a vvicked men has it, to any thing here. 202, 203
S.
SAbbath, the obſervation of it a moral duty. 119 120
Three conſiderations for clearing the morality of it▪ 120
The morality of it proved from the Scriptures way of ſpeaking of it in general. 121
The Propheſies, Ezekiel 43. 44, 45, 46. chap. Conſidered. 122, 123
Matth. 24. 20. conſidered. 123
2. Proved that all the 10. Commandments are moral, and conſequently this. 124
This cleared from Matth. 5. 19. Jam. 2. 10. 124, 125
3. Several peculiar remarks upon the fourth Commandment, confirming the morality of it. 127, 128
4. Four Arguments drawn from Scripture to prove this. 128, 129
Four notable Witneſſes to this truth. 129, 130
Objections anſwered. 130 131
Remembring of the Sabbath imports four things. 144, 145
How to reckon when the Sabbath begins and ends. 145, 146
What proportion of it ſhould be beſtowed on ſpiritual duties. 146
Several Conſiderations tending to clear, that the fourth Commandment intended not the ſeventh, but a ſeventh day primarily. 147, 148
Six Arguments for Evincing this. 148 to 151
Some objections anſwered. 152
Several Conſiderations for clearing when the Sabbath begins. 152, 153
Divers arguments to prove that the Sabbath begins in the morning, and continues till next morning. 152. to 155.
1. That the Sabbath may be changed from the ſeventh day to the firſt▪ proved not deregatory from the 4▪ Commandment. 155, 156
2. That it was convenient, that the day ſhould be changed, proved. …56
3. That the change ſhould be to the firſt day of the work▪ proved moſt convenient. 159
4. That the ſeventh-day Sabbath was actually changed to the firſt day proved. 160 to 166
5. That this change is not by Humane, but Divine Inſtitution proved. 166. to 168
6. That this change was made by Chriſt from the very day of his Reſurrection, proved to be probable. 168
How the Lord did ſanctifie the Sabbath, and we …ought to ſanctifie it. 169
What works are lawful …n the Lords day. 169, 170
Eighth Caveats for preventing the Abuſe of what liberty God allows on that day. 171, 172
What is meant by a Sabbath days journey. 170
What reſting on the Sabbath imports, and from what we muſt reſt. 173, 174
That we are equally oblidged to the ſanctification of the Sabbath as they were of old. 174. 175
An Objection anſwered. 175
Wherein the peculiar holineſs required on the Lords day conſiſts. 176, 177
What preparation is neceſſary for the Sabbath. 178
Particular directions for ſanctifying the Lords day from morning to evening. 178, 179
Whats to he done vvhen the Sabbath is over. 180
How the Lord Bleſſes the Sabbath. 183, 184
Why he has yet apart a day to himſelf. 184
How Magiſtrates are by the letter of the fourth Commandment oblidged to take care that the Sabbath … all that are under them▪ 182, 183
Six aggravations of the ſin of Sabbath breaking. 185
In what ſenſe Sabbath breaking i… a greater ſin then the breath of any command in the ſecond table. 186
Several vvayes vvhereby …e Sabbath is prophaned. 186, 187
Some directions for preventing this ſin. 187
Sacraments▪ the right adminiſtration of them required in the ſecond Command. 55
Eighth obſervations concerning the Sacraments in general. 55, 56
Five ends and uſes of the Sacraments. 56, 57, 58
How the Sacraments ſeal the propoſition of a practical Syllogiſme, how the aſſumption, and how the concluſion. 57
How we ſin by ſaying too much weight on the Sacraments … ſeveral failings inſtanced in. 59
How vve ſin undervaluing of them ſeventeen vvayes ennumerated. 60, 61
How vve ſin in not receiving the Lords-Supper. 62
Many ordinary ſailings before the participation of this ordinance, ennumerated. 63
Many ſins on the receiving of the Lords-Supper inſtanced. 64
Many ſins after partaking of this ordinance instanced. 65
Whether the admiſſion of ſcandalous perſons does pollute the ordinance. 65▪ to 69
Sins forbidden in the firſt Command. 19. 25▪ 26
How vve may find out the ſins against the firſt Command. 27
Sins forbidden in the ſecond Command. 45, 46
Sleep, whether we may not contract the guilt of ſin vvhen ſleeping. Anſwered affirmatively. 12
The difference between the caſe of Sleeping▪men, and mad-men. ibid.
Seven arguments to prove the affirmative anſwer to the queſtion, 13, 14, 15
Swear, ſee Oath.
Superſtition, ſee omens and obſervations, ſuperiours vvhy called Fathers and Mothers. 192
T.
TAbles of the Diviſion of the Moral Law into two Tables. 5
Three obſervations on the Connexion of the two Tables. 190
Four criptures that help to underſtand the ſecond Table. ibid.
Temperance in eating and drinking ſtands not in an indiviſible point. 226
See drunkenneſs.
Theft, what that forbidden in the eighth Command▪ is, with the ſeveral ſorts of it. 237
Four ſorts of Theft more ſtrictly taken 230, 231
Twent… five vvayes of ſtealing, or wronging the goods of others. 243, to 247
How m…n ſin againſt the 8 Command▪ in reference to their own goods. 247
Whether Theft ought to be puniſhed with death. 256, 257
Threatnings why annexed to ſome Commands, and not to others. 17
What the meaning of the Threatning annexed the 2▪ command. 73
How the Threatning annexed to the 3. command▪ is to be underſtood. 114
See puniſhment.
Trading▪ the lawfulneſs of it, and how to be managed. 250
Some general rules for right buying and ſelling. 250. 251
W.
WOrd, the right hearing of it required in the 2. command. 48
How many wayes we ſin before the hearing of the word. ibid.
Many ſins while hearing the word inſtanced. 48, 49
Many inſtances of ſin …ſ…e… ▪ the hearing of the word▪ 50
How a word of Scripture may be ſuperstitiouſly abuſed. 113
Worſhip of God, the difference between that enjoyned in the firſt command from what is enjoyned in the 2. command. 33, 34
Worſhip of Images among the heathen two …old. 37
Some diſtinctions of divine worſhip. ibid.
How religious worſhip differeth from civil or politick. 38
Worſhipping of God by Images, proved unlawfull. ibid.
The heathens way of worſhipping Images conſidered. ibid.
The place Deut. 12. 31. conſidered. 39
The I…ralites worſhipping the Calf in the wilderneſs▪ Micas Images, Jeroboams Calfs, the high Places in Juda conſidered. 40 41
That ſuch a way of worſhipping God, is forbidden in▪ …he 2. Command▪ proved by five Arguments. 42
Exceptions anſwered. ibid.
Will worſhip prohibited in the 2▪ Command. 46
See more in Idelatry▪ Images.
Unbelief, how a breach of the firſt Command▪ 30
Uſury how forbidden. 157
All gain by lending of Money, neither contrary to equity nor charity. 258
Six conſiderations for clearing this. ibid.
On what grounds Uſury might be forbidden peculiarly to the Iſraelites. ibid.
Several inconveniences that follow the aſſe ting the unlawfulneſs of all profit by lent▪mony. 260
Whether one that lends money may contract for ſo much gain. 26…
Some Cautions to prevent abuſes in this. 261, 262
Vows not only lawful, but in ſome caſes neceſſary, proved. 92
In what caſes and what things lawful, and how to be gone about. 92, 93
How they bind in moral duties, and how in acceſſory helps to duties. 93
How and in … and for holineſs as baptiſm, or others occaſions, …ind. 93. 94
How the breech of them aggravates ſin. 94. 95
Whether theſe aggravations render it more eligible not to Vow at all. 95
Whether the ſimple … of duty be a leſſer ſin, then the doing contrary to our Vows 96
Whether one under conviction of failing in performing Vows, can keep up his peace. 96 97
How we may be helped to perform our Vows to the Lord. 97
FINIS.
End of the text · James Durham, The Law Unsealed (1676)