Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 79 - 81
Of the tenth Commandment.
Quest. 79. WHich is the tenth Commandment?
A. The tenth Commandment is, [Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House, thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife, nor his Man-servant, nor his Maid-servant, nor his Oxe, nor his Ass, nor any thing that is thy Neighbours.]
Quest. 80. What is required in the tenth Commandment?
A. The tenth Commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of Spirit towards our Neighbour, and all that is his.
Quest. 81. What is forbidden in the tenth Commandment?
A. The tenth Commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our Neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his.
Q. 1. What is the principal scope and aim of the tenth Commandment?
A. It is to prevent all occasions of transgressing the other Precepts of the second Table, by restraining this sin of Covetousness in the heart, Psal. 119.35, 36. Make me to go in the path of thy Commandments: for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies; and not to covetousness.
Q. 2. What doth this tenth Command require of us in reference to our selves?
A. It requires of us perfect contentment and satisfaction with that estate and condition, wherein God hath placed us in the World, Hebr. 13.5 Let your conversation be without covetousness: and be content with such things as ye have, &c. Reckoning it to be good for us, to be in that state we are, though never so low or afflicted, Psal. 119.67. Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now have I kept thy word. And ver. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.
Q. 3. Is contentment with Gods appointments attainable in this life?
A: Some Christians have attained to a very great measure and eminent degree of Contentment in the midst of changeable and afflictive Providences, Phil. 4.11. —I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. Psal. 16.5, 6. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places: yea, I have a goodly heritage.
Q. 4. Is there no danger of the sin of discontent in a full and prosperous condition?
A. Fulness of the World secures no Man from the sin of Discontentment with his own, or coveting that which is anothers; because the desires enlarge as the E…tate doth, Psal. 62.10. —If riches increase, set …t your hearts upon them. An instance whereof we have in Ahab, 1 Kings 21.4. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased, because of the word, which Naboth the Iezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers, and he laid him d…wn upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
Q. 5. VVhence doth Discontent with our condition spring?
A. It springs partly from our ignorance of Gods wisdom and love in ordering all for our good, Rom. 8.28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, &c. Partly from our inconsiderateness of the vanity of the Creature, 1 Tim. 6.7, 8. For we bro…ght nothing into this world: and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. And partly from our Unbelief, Matth. 6.31, 32. Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or where withal shall we be cloathed? (for after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Q. 6. Is contentment with our own estate all that this Commandment requires?
A. No, it requires a charitable frame of Spirit towards our Neighbours also, Rom. 12.10, 15. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour pre…e…ing one another. Rejoyce with them that do rejoyce, and weep with them that weep.
Q. 7. What's the first Sin forbidden in this Commandment?
A. It directly and especially forbids all sinful and inordinate desires and motions after other Mens enjoyments, Col. 3.5. Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Q. 8. What's the second Sin forbidden in this Commandment?
A. It forbids all cruelty and incompassionateness to others in necessity, and keeping back from them that relief which is made theirs by Gods command, Prov. 11.24. —There is that with-holdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. Lev. 19.9, 10. And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard: thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.
Q. 9. What is the third Sin forbidden in this Command?
A. It forbids the detaining of the Hirelings Wages, when it is due, Hab. 2.9, 10, 11. Wo to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil. Thou hast consulted shame to thy house, by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul. For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.
Q. 10. What's the fourth Sin forbidden in this Commandment?
A. It forbids all inward grudgings at, and envyings of the enjoyments of others, whether they be inward Goods of the Mind, or outward belonging to the Body; 1 Cor. 13.4. —Charity envieth not, &c.
Q. 11. What's the mischief of Covetousness?
A. It distracts the Heart in Duties, Ezek. 33.31. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee, as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. Provokes the wrath of God, Isa. 57.17. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him, &c. And where it reigns, it becomes Idolatry, Col. 3.5. —And covetousness which is Idolatry.
Q. 12. What's the first Inference hence?
A. It calls all men to humiliation for the inordinacy of their Affections towards the World, their discontent with their own, and envyings of others conditions.
Q. 13. What's the second Inference hence?
A. As ever we would keep clear from this sin, let us make God our portion, Psal. 16.5, 6. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. And labour to get the Soul-satisfying comforts of his Spirit, Iohn 4.14. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst, &c. 2 Cor. 6.10. —As having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Q. 14. What's the last Inference hence?
A. If God have given us a sufficiency of the things of this life for our necessity, let us be satisfied, though we want other things for our delight, 1 Tim. 6.8. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. And relieve our selves by an expectation of those better things laid up in Heaven for us, if we be believers, Iam. 2.5. —Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath promised to them that love him.