Exposition of the Ten Commandments, Commandment 8
The Table of the eighth Commandement. The Negatiue part.
It forbids in generall eueryevery thing whatſoeuer, that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good eſtate of man; and thoſe things are either inward in the heart, or outward things.
1 Inward things in the heart, as inward longings and luſtings of the heart after another mans wealth, the heart giuing conſent vntounto them. Or couetous deſires in the hearts of men or women of that wealth which is none of theirs, though they neuer ſeeke to get it wrongfully, Ioſh. 7.21. Mica. 2.2. 2 Pet. 2.14. 1 Ioh. 2.16.
Thoſe longings, and luſtings, and couetous deſires are moſt vile, and moſt odious, when they are inſatiable, and vex and diſquiet the heart with carking cares, and are ſo violent and ſtrong, as they ſet a man or a woman forward to get another mans wealth againſt conſcience, ſenſe and reaſon, and ſometimes againſt the light of nature, 1 King. 21.4.19, 20. Matth. 26.14, 15, 16. Eccleſ. 4.8. 1 Tim. 6.9, 10.
2 Outward things, and thoſe are either
Such as tend to the hurt or hinderance of a man or a womans own wealth and outward good eſtate:
Or ſuch as tend to the hurt or hinderance of a man or a womans owne wealth, and outward good eſtate:
Or ſuch as tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good eſtate of another, or others, one or more.
Such things as tend to the hurt or hinderance of a man or a womans owne wealth and outward good eſtate, are either
Such things as doe waſte and conſume a man or a womans owne wealth and outward good eſtate, are three things eſpecially:
1 Idleneſſe, ſloth, and negligence, Prou. 6.6. to 12. & 12.11. & 13.4. Prou. 20.4.13. & 18.9. & 24.30, 31, 32, 33, 34. 2 Theſſ. 3.10, 11, 12.
2 Vnthriftineſſe and careleſneſſe, either in ordering or ſpending a man or a womans goods, Ioh. 6.12. Prou. 21.17. & 23.21. Luke 15.13, 14, 15, 16.
3 Raſh, heedleſſe, and vnaduiſed ſuretiſhip, Prou. 6.1, 2, 3. & 11.15. & 17.18. & 20.16. Prou. 22.26, 27.
Or ſuch things as doe defraud a man or a woman of the right and comfortable vſe of their wealth, as namely, a baſe, couetous, needie, and an euill eye or niggardly ſparing, when there is iuſt and neceſſarie cauſe of ſpending, Eccleſ. 2.26. Eccleſ. 4.8. Eccleſ. 6.1, 2.
Such things as tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good eſtate of another, or others, one or more.
And thoſe are ſuch things as tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good eſtate,
Either of the Church,
Or Common-wealth,
Or ſome particular perſon or perſons, one or more.
Thoſe things which tend to the hurt or hinderance of the outward good eſtate of the Church, are two things:
Firſt, Rom. 2.22.Sacriledge or Church-robberie.
Secondly, Symonie.
Sacriledge or Church-robbery is committed two waies:
Firſt, by diminiſhing or by withdrawing and taking to ones ſelfe in whole or in part, thoſe things that either by the commandement of God, or by the free and voluntarie gift of man, or by the law of man are appointed and ſet apart for religious vſes, as for the maintaining of the Miniſter of the Word, or of Vniuerſities and Schooles of good learning, Ioſh. 7.21.or for the maintenance & releefe of the poore, as Hoſpitals, Almes-houſes and ſuch like, Pro. 20.25. Malac. 3.8, 9, 10.or doe any way belong to the worſhip and ſeruice of God, as the place appointed for the publike worſhip and ſeruice of God, the Church commonly ſo called, or the Communion table, Cups, Bookes, and ſuch like.
Secondly, Ier. 23.1, 2. Ezech. 34.2, 3, 8. Phil. 2.21. Iudg. 9.4. Dan. 5.2, 3. Mat. 21.12, 13.By imploying things appointed and ſet apart for religious vſes, to other ends and purpoſes, and by abuſing them, eſpecially by ſuch as hauehave the benefit and vſe of them.
Simonie, or buying and ſelling of Church-offices or places to exerciſe thoſe offices in, Acts 8.18, 19. 2 King. 5.20, 21. Mat. 23.4.and conſequently, buying and ſelling of the myſteries and Sacraments of the Church, and of ſpirituall things for priuate gaine, which is properly Simonie.
Thoſe things which tend to the hurt or hinderance of the Common-wealth, are three:
1 The robbing of the publike treaſurie, 2 King. 12.18. Neh. 13.7.and direct taking away from the common ſtock, and from the goods that belong either to the Crowne, 12.13.or to the whole Kingdome, or to ſome Citie or corporation.
2 The defrauding of ſuch gifts as are giuen for publike vſes, and are to be imployed for the common good, Iohn 12.6.as for the maintaining of common high-waies and ſuch like.
3 The doing of ſuch things as bring damage and detriment to the Common-wealth, and do procure and cauſe a dearth and ſcarcitie of ſuch outward good things as are of neceſſary vſe in a Land and Countrie, in a Citie, Towne, or Village, which is done three waies:
1 By hording vp and withholding the ſelling of corne, Pro. 11.26. Iames 5.1, 2, 3.and of other neceſſarie commodities which men or women hauehave of their owne, when they may ſpare them, and others hauehave need of them, in hope to raiſe the price of them.
2 By getting vp all a commoditie into ones hand, Mica 3.3.Amos 8.4, 5, 6, 7, 8.either to carry out of the Land, or to ſell it as men liſt themſelues, euen the very refuſe, as by engroſſing commodities, foreſtalling markets, and ſuch like.
3 By vncharitable encloſure, Iſay 3.14. Iſay 5.8.as by diſpeopling houſes and townes, and by incloſing common fields to mens owne priuate benefit and gaine.
Thoſe things that hurt or hinder the wealth and outward good eſtate of ſome particular perſon, or perſons, one or more, are things done either in matter of contract between perſon and perſon, or perſons one or more, or out of the matter of contract.
Things that are done in the matter of contract, betweene perſon and perſon, or perſons one or more are either in buying and ſelling, and exchanging; Or in borrowing and lending; Or in hiring and letting; Or in pawning, and taking things to pawne.
Things that are done in buying and exchanging, are either by the buyer or by the ſeller, or by the buyer and the ſeller.
The things which are done by the buyer, are three.
1 The extenuating the goodneſſe of the things which the buyer cheapneth contrary to his owne knowledge either by himſelfe or by another.Pro. 20.14. Iſay 5.20.
2 Gen. 23.9.13.The taking aduantage of the ſellers either ſimplicitie or preſent neceſſitie, Leu. 25.14, 15, 16.to buy his commoditie, for leſſe than it is worth.
3 The making of bad payment of the price agreed on betweene him and the ſeller.Gen. 23.16 Ier. 32.8, 9, 10. Gen. 43.12
The things which are done by the ſeller, are fiue:
1 The praiſing, Pſal. 15.2. Iſai. 5.20.commending, and extolling the things he hath to ſell, and is about to ſell aboue the knowne goodneſſe, and worth of them.
2 The taking aduantage of the buyers either ſimplicitie, Leu. 25.14, 15, 16. Amos 8.5. Gen. 23.15.or preſent neceſſitie to ſell his commodity for more than it is worth.
3 The ſelling and deliuering of that which hee knowes to be bad ware, for good ware, at the price of good: which is done two wayes; firſt, by ſelling and deliuering that which he knowes to be bad in the matter and ſubſtance of it, for good, Iſai. 1.2…. Amos 8.6.and in the ſtead of good, and at the price of good. Secondly, by ſelling and deliuering that which hee knowes is bad and ſaultie in the qualitie of it, for good, Luke 19.8. Rom. 1.29. 1 Theſſ. 4.6and in the ſtead of good, at the price of good.
4 The deceiuing of the buyer, Deu. 19.35, 36. Deu. 25.13, 14, 15. Ezech. 45.10. Prou. 11.1. & 20.10. Mica 6.10, 11. Pro. 11.10. Leu. 25.14, 15, 16. 1 Theſſ. 4.6in the number, weight, or meaſure of the things ſold vntounto him, by number, weight, or meaſure, and yet taking the full price agreed on betweene them.
5 The raiſing of the iuſt price of things, and the racking of the prices of the things he hath to ſell, to the oppreſſion of the poore.
The things that are done by the buyer, and by the ſeller, Iſay 55.12. Act. 19.24.are the buying and ſelling of things either vnprofitable and hurtfull, as Cards, Dice, and ſuch like: or things that tend meerely to maintaine pride and vanitie, as painting and complexions, and ſuch like.
Thoſe things that are done to the hurt or hinderance of another, or others, one or more, in borrowing and lending, are either done by the borrower, or by the lender.
Thoſe things which are done by the borrower, are two:
1 By not returning or not reſtoring the thing borrowed to the lender, as it ought to be returned or reſtored, which is done three waies.
1 By not returning or not reſtoring the thing borrowed, 2 King. 6.5 Pſal. 37.21. Prou. 3.27. Rom. 13.8.to the lender at all.
2 By not returning or not reſtoring the thing borrowed, 2 King. 4.1. Prou. 3.28.to the lender in due time, and at the time appointed, for the returning and reſtoring of it; but keeping it ouer and aboue that time, without the conſent of the lender.
3 By not returning or not reſtoring againe to the lender the thing borrowed, Exo. 22.14.which is ſpent in the vſe of it, both as much, and eueryevery way as good as was lent in the ſame kinde; or by not returning, or not reſtoring the thing borowed, which is not ſpent in the vſe of it, whether it be a liuing thing, as a ſeruant, an horſe, or a Cow, and ſuch like; or a thing without life, both as much, and eueryevery way as good as it was lent.
2 The borrowing of any thing, eſpecially money, either
To ill ends and purpoſes, as either to maintaine himſelfe in pride, in riot, and ſuch like: or that by the thing borrowed, the borrower may hurt or wrong another, or others, one or more, in his or their wealth and outward good eſtate.
Or after an vnlawfull manner, (namely) on vſurie, (that is) ſo as the borrower couenanteth with the lender, to returne to him not only the thing lent, in the full number, weight, meaſure, and quantitie, but ſomething ouer and aboue, only in liew and recompence of the lending of it.
Thoſe things that are done by the lender are three:
1 The lending to ſuch perſons as the lender knowes doe borrow to ill ends and purpoſes, as to maintaine themſelues in pride, riot, or ſuch like, or in any ſinfull courſe, or to hurt, wrong, vex or trouble another, or others, one or more.
2 The lending after an vnlawful manner, namely, on vſury (that is) ſo as the lender will hauehave the borrower to couenant with him to returne to him, not onelyonly the thing lent in the full number, weight, meaſure, and the full ſumme and quantitie of it, but alſo an ouerplus and ſomething ouer and aboue, only in liew and recompence of his lending of it.
3 The requiring of the thing lent in ſuch manner as it ought not to be required, which is done two waies:
Firſt, when the lender doth require the thing lent too greedily, as either before the time appointed for the returning of it, hauing no extraordinary need of it, but only out of his couetous minde, or at an vnſeaſonable time, as on the Sabbath, or the like.
Secondly, when the lender requires the thing lent with rigour, and with extreme hard dealing, vſing crueltie towards the borrower, though he doe humble himſelfe to him, as by caſting him into priſon, or the like.
Things in hiring and letting, are either done by the hirer or by the letter.
Things done by the hirer are two:
1 The not returning of the thing hired, as it ought to be returned, which is done when the hirer either returnes not the thing that he hath hired at all, or not at the time appointed for the returne of it, but wittingly and purpoſely keepes it ouer and aboue that time, without the conſent of the letter, or not in the ſtate that he receiued it, but either hurt or ſpoiled through his owne default, without making due ſatisfaction for that hurt or ſpoile.
2 The not paying of the hire agreed on betweene him and the letter, for the thing hired, as it ought to be paid, whether it be a thing to be vſed, as houſe, ſhop, chamber, land, or the like, or a mans labour, but either withholding it, or changing it, or not paying of it in due time.
Things done by the letter, are three:
1 The letting of a thing to hire at an vnreaſonable rate, which is done either directly, as when it is let for more than can be raiſed and made of the vſe of it in the iudgement of any that knowes it, and is able to iudge of it; or indirectly and vnderunder a colour, as when it is let for an indifferent rate, in reſpect of the vſe of the thing it ſelfe, yet ſo as the letter will not ſtand to the hazard of it, but makes the hirer couenant with him abſolutely, to make the thing hired good to him at all times without any allowance, in reſpect of any caſualtie that ſhall come, though the thing hired being ſubiect to many caſualties, doe periſh without his default.
2 The letting of a thing to hire of worſe quality than is pretended; as when the letter lets it to the hirer for his vſe, which hee knowes will not ſerue his turne.
3 The withholding from the hirer the vſe of the thing he hath let to him to hire, either in whole or in part.
Things that are done to the hurt or hinderance of another, or others, one or more, in pawning and in taking things to pawne, are things that are done by the pawner, or by the partie who takes things to pawne.
Things done by the pawner are three.
1 The pawning of ſuch things as ought not to be laid to pawne, as ones life, his owne wearing cloths, which are for preſent vſe, and ſuch like.
2 The pawning of things to ill ends and purpoſes, as for the effecting of ſome wicked purpoſe, or the like.
3 The not fetching home of his pawne at the time appointed, for the redeeming of it, by doing that which ought to be done for the redemption of it being able to redeeme it, but letting it ſtill lie in the hands of the partie to whom it is pawned to his loſſe or hinderance.
Things done by the partie who takes things to pawne are three.
1 The taking of a thing to pawne that ought not to bee taken, as namely, things that are of neceſſarie and preſent vſe for the maintenance and preſeruation of the life of man.
2 The vſing of the thing pawned, and taking profit and benefit of the vſe of it within the compaſſe of the time ſet and appointed for the redemption of it.
3 The not returning and not reſtoring the pawne at the time appointed for the returne of it, as it ought to be returned.
Things that are done out of the matter of contract, to the hurt or hinderance of another, or others, one or more, are two:
Firſt, the vniuſt taking away of that wealth, or any part of it, that belongs to another, or others, one or more.
Secondly, the conſpiring with thoſe who vniuſtly take away that wealth, or any part of it, that belongs to another, or others, one or more.
The vniuſt taking away of that wealth, or any part of it, that belongs to another, or others, one or more, is done three waies:
1 By open violence and force, which is exerciſed two waies: Firſt, by laying violent and ſtrong hands on that wealth which belongs to another, or others, one or more, or any part of it, whether by ſea or by land, and taking it to ones ſelfe as a prey. Secondly, by making hauocke and ſpoile of the wealth, which belongs to another, or others, one or more, or any part of it. meerely of euill will, and of enuie, or of a meere delight in doing miſchiefe, without any profit or benefit to the ſpoiler.
2 By ſecret and priuie ſtealth, which is practiſed three waies:
Firſt, by pilfering, conueying, and ſecret carrying away that wealth which belongs to another, or others, one or more, or any part of it.
Secondly, by ſecret and vniuſt waſting and conſuming, and drawing from that wealth which belongs to another, or others, one or more, or any part of it, being ſuch as one may come vntounto without ſuſpicion.
Thirdly, by ſecret encroaching vponupon another mans wealth or poſſeſſion, which is moſt vile, when it is vponupon the wealth or poſſeſſion of the fatherleſſe or helpleſſe.
3 By fraud and deceit, which is vſed either in reſpect of perſons or things.
In reſpect of the perſons that belong to another, or others, one or more, as by alluring, and by entiſing away by word or deed, as by perſwaſion, or gifts, any perſon or perſons that belong to another, or others, one or more.
In reſpect of the things that belong to another, or others, one or more, and that is done ſeuen waies.
1 By peruerting of the Law, or corrupting iudgement in caſes touching lands or goods, which is moſt vile, when it is done vnderunder colour of equitie, conſcience, and Religion.
2 By vſing and practiſing vnlawfull Arts and courſes to get that wealth, or any part of it, that belongs to another, or others, one or more, as iugling, charming, and ſuch like.
3 By falſe dealing in matters of truſt, touching lands or goods.
4 By concealing things ſtrayed or found, and keeping them, and withholding them from the right owner, being knowne.
5 By pretending pouertie and want without iuſt cauſe, and by taking almes, when men or women hauehave no need, whereby they doe defraud the poore, and take that which belongs to ſuch as are truly poore.
6 By gaming for money and gaine, eſpecially at vnlawful games.
7 By vſing deuices and ſubtilties of wit, to get that wealth, or any part of it, that belongs to another, or others, one or more, as lying, vſing another mans name, he not knowing of it; pretending skill to doe another good by Phyſick, Chirurgerie, or ſuch like, when there is no skill; or any manner of coſenage, commonly called cony-catching, cheating, or ſuch like.
The conſpiring with thoſe who vniuſtly take away that wealth, or any part of it, that belongs to another, or others, one or more, which is done foure waies:
1 By counſelling, perſwading, or commanding, or by hiring, or any way plotting with another, or others, one or more, to take away that wealth, or any part of it, that belongs to another, or others, one or more, by any vniuſt way or meanes.
2 By being preſent with others, when they doe vniuſtly take away that wealth which belongs to another, or others, one or more, and conſenting to them by ſilence, and not reprouing them.
3 By receiuing and harbouring of thoſe, who hauehave vniuſtly taken away that wealth, or any part of it, that belongs to another, or others, one or more, and hiding and concealing of them, and pleading for them, and by receiuing, and hiding, and concealing the things they hauehave vniuſtly taken away.
4 By fauouring & by vpholding thoſe who vniuſtly take away that wealth, or any part of it, that belongs to another, or others, one or more, Iſay 1.23. Rom. 1.31.either by impunitie (hauing power to puniſh) or by feeding and cloathing of luſtie and ſtout rogues and beggers.
The Affirmatiue part of the eighth Commandement.
It requires in general eueryevery thing whatſoeuer that tends to the helpe or furtherance of the wealth and outward good eſtate of man, and thoſe things are either inward in the heart, or outward things.
Things inward in the heart, are two:
Firſt, a ſtayedneſſe in the minde, and a ſetled purpoſe in the heart of man or woman, to ſeeke riches and outward good things, onelyonly ſo far as they may in the vſe of lawfull meanes, and may look for the bleſſing of God on their endeuours, and ſo far as the Lord ſhall be pleaſed to offer them matter, and to giuegive them iuſt occaſion ſo to doe, and no further.
Secondly, a contentedneſſe of minde, with that part and portion of wealth, and of outward good things, whether it be little or much, which God hath allotted: the ground of which contentedneſſe of minde, is a reſting by faith on the promiſe of God, and a depending on his prouidence without diſtruſtfull care.
Outward good things, are either ſuch things as tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or womans owne wealth, and outward good eſtate;
Or ſuch things as tend to the helpe or furtherance of the wealth and outward good eſtate of another, or others, one or more.
Such things as tend to the helpe or furtherance of a man or womans owne wealth and outward good eſtate, are either concerning the getting of wealth, the keeping of wealth, or the vſing of wealth.
Things that concerne the getting of wealth, are two:
Firſt, an honeſt and lawfull particular calling, wherein eueryevery one being of yeares, is to walke and to be imployed.
Secondly, Diligence, and painfulneſſe, and faithfull labour in that honeſt particular calling, wherein a man or a woman is ſet.
Things that concerne the keeping of wealth, are two:
Firſt, frugality or thriftineſſe, and a care to ſaue that wealth which God hath giuen.
Secondly, peaceableneſſe, and a care to keepe and hold that wealth which God hath giuen, with peace, auoiding law and contention, as much as is poſſible.
Things that concerne the vſing of wealth, are two:
Firſt, a wiſe, conuenient, and ſeaſonable diſpenſing of the wealth which God hath giuen to any, to the honeſt maintenance of themſelues and their families, if they hauehave any.
Secondly, a moderation in ſpending that wealth which God hath giuen to any perſon, man or woman, ordering and limiting their expences to the proportion of their meanes.
Such things as tend to the helpe or furtherance of the wealth and outward good eſtate of another, or others, one or more, are foure.
1 Iuſt dealing with another, or others, one or more, in reſpect of wealth and outward good things.
2 Yeelding helpe to another, or others, in outward good things, ſtanding in need of helpe that way.
3 Procuring the wealth of another, or others, one or more.
4 In reſtoring things vniuſtly gotten or taken away from another, or others, one or more.
Iuſt dealing with another, or others, one or more, in reſpect of wealth and outward good things, ſtandeth in foure things:
Firſt, in a willing yeelding of that which is due, to eueryevery one bearing office in the Church, or in the Common-wealth, as Tribute, Cuſtome, Tithes, Tenths, & ſuch like.
Secondly, in vſing truth, ſimplicitie, and plainneſſe both in word and deed, in bargaining, in buying and ſelling, in hiring and letting.
Thirdly, in keeping of all iuſt and lawfull couenants in matter of contract betweene perſon and perſon, or perſons, one or more, as in buying, in ſelling, in borrowing, in lending, in hiring, in letting, in pawning, and in taking things to pawne.
Fourthly, in a readie yeelding of that which is due, to any perſon or perſons, one or more, by way of requitall.
In yeelding helpe to another, or others, one or more, in outward things, ſtanding in need of helpe that way, ſtandeth in two things:
1 In a readie and willing giuing.
2 In free lending.
In a readie and willing giuing to another, or others, one or more, and communicating to their neceſſities in outward things, both to ſuch as are abſolutely poore, whether in common want, or extreme want, and alſo to thoſe, who for the preſent, by reaſon of ſome ſudden accident, doe want and ſtand in need of releefe, though otherwiſe of good meanes: and this communicating to the neceſſities of others in outward things, muſt be with reſpect,
1 To the ſtate and condition of the parties that ſtand in need of releefe; releeuing thoſe who are in great need, before thoſe whoſe wants are but common and ordinarie; and thoſe that are in extreme neceſſitie, though enemies, before friends and acquaintance, not in like want; and amongſt ſuch as are in extreme neceſſitie, thoſe who are the firſt caſt vponupon vsus by the prouidence of God.
2 To the perſons that are to be releeued, the want and neceſſitie of the perſons being alike: firſt, releeuing thoſe, to whom we are bound by the bond of bloud, kindred, or alliance, and then others; and amongſt others, firſt, thoſe that are nearer to vsus in habitation, and then thoſe that are further off; and amongſt thoſe that are either nearer or further off, ſuch eſpecially as are of the houſhold of faith; and releefe muſt be giuen liberally according to our abilitie, and to the neceſſities of the receiuers, as neare as we can.
In free lending to another, or others, one or more, as occaſion is offered; and if the partie to whom ſomething is lent, be decayed in his or her outward eſtate, by the immediate hand of God, or be brought to extreme pouertie in free forgiuing the debt.
The procuring the wealth of another, or others, one or more, ſtandeth in three things:
Firſt, in a wiſe and diſcreet vndertaking and becomming ſuretie for another, or others, one or more.
Secondly, in dealing faithfully with the goods of another, or others, one or more, being truſted with them.
Thirdly, in auerting and turning away harmes from the goods of another, or others, one or more, as occaſion is offered.
The reſtoring of things vniuſtly gotten or taken away from another, or others, one or more, ſtandeth
In making recompence and ſatiſfaction for things vniuſtly gotten, or taken away from another, or others, one or more, which is done by returning to them either the ſame things eueryevery way as good as they were when they firſt had them, with an ouerplus anſwerable to the dammage they hauehave ſuſtained by the want of them; or elſe things of the ſame kinde, eueryevery way as good as they were, both for the quantitie, and for the worth and value of them, with ſo much ouer and aboue, as they hauehave ſuſtained loſſe or hinderance by the want of them, for the time they hauehave wanted them.
The end of the eighth Commandement.