Exposition of the Ten Commandments, Commandment 1

Exposition of the Ten Commandments · Commandment 1

AN EXPOSITION OF THE TEN COMMANDEMENTS OF GOD:

Wherein the principall and moſt materiall doctrines are ſet downe;

By EDVVARD ELTON, Bachelor in Diuinitie, and Preacher of Gods word at Saint Marie Magailens Barmondſey neare London.

LONDON, Printed for Robert Mylbourne, and are to be ſold at the great South-doore of Pauls. 1623.

p. 1THE FIRST COMMANDEMENT, The Negatiue Part,

IT forbids,

Firſt, Atheiſme or deniall of God:

Secondly, all falſe opinions of God:

Thirdly, confidence in creatures. Atheiſme or deniall of God:

Firſt, Pſal. 14.1. 2 King. 6.33. 2 King. 7.2. Malac. 2.17. Malac. 3.14.Ps 14:12 Kgs 6:332 Kgs 7:2Mal 2:17Mal 3:14when a man doth ſay or at leaſt thinke there is no God at all; coming to this kind of Atheiſme by two ſteps:

Firſt, by imagining God ſeeth not vsus, or doth not regard vsus, Pſa… p. 210.11. Zephan. 1.12.

Secondly, by imagining that God is not ſo ſharpe and ſeuere in puniſhing ſinne, Eccleſ. 8.11.Eccl 8:11as the Scriptures ſet him forth to be. Pſal. 50.16.17.18.19.20.21.

Secondly, Epheſ. 2.12.Eph 2:12when a man hath a falſe God inſtead of the true God,

1. Either by placing and worſhipping that which is not God, in the roome of the true God, Act. 19.27.35.

2. Or by thinking ſome other thing beſides the true God to be his chiefeſt good. Philip. 3.19. Coloſſ. 3.5.2. Cor. 4.4.

All falſe opinions of God, as

Firſt, when men ioyne others to God, and do not acknowledge him alone, and that three wayes:

Firſt, 2 King. 17.32 33.41.2 Kgs 17:32by profeſſing more then one religion.

Secondly, by praying to others p. 3beſide the true God. Deut. 6.13. Zephan. 1.5. Deut. 22.10.11. 1 King. 18.21.Zeph 1:5Deut 22:10Deut 22:111 Kgs 18:21Deut. 10.20. Mat. 4.10. Ier. 2.10. Act. 1.24. Exod. 22.20.

Thirdly, by magicke or witchcraft; and that either by

1. Being Magicians or witches themſelues. Pſal. 58.5. Deut. 18.11.

2. Or by ſeeking to Magicians or witches, and vſing their helpe. 2. King. 1.3.16. Iſai. 8.9. Leuit. 20.6.

Secondly when men do not acknowledge God as he is, and as he hath reuealed himſelfe in his word, and herein men erre in miſconceiuing of God, touching his eſſence, perſons of the Godhead, and attributes. Rom. 1.21.Pſal. 96.4.5. Iſay 37.19. Ierem. 14.22. 1 Cor. 8.5.Ps 96:4Ps 96:5Isa 37:19Jer 14:221 Cor 8:5

Firſt, his Eſſence,

1. In making a multiplicitie of gods, and thinking there be many gods.

2. In conceiuing God to be that which he is not, and thinking him p. 4to be like to creatures, Act. 17.29.

Secondly, his perſons of the Godhead:

1. Gen 1.26. Mat. 3.16.17. Mat. 28.19. 2. Cor. 13.13. 1 Ioh. 5.7.Gen 1:26Matt 3:16Matt 3:17Matt 28:192 Cor 13:131 John 5:7In denying the three perſons.

2. In holding not onelyonly the diſtinction of the perſons, but the **Ioh. 10.30. 1 Ioh. 5.7.John 10:301 John 5:7diuiſion alſo of the ſubſtance.

3. In holding **Eſai. 7.14. Eſai. 9.6. Mat. 1.23. Ioh. 1.1. Rom 9.5.Isa 7:14Isa 9:6Matt 1:23John 1:1Rom 9:5Chriſt the Sonne of God, not to be very God.

4. In holding **Gen. 3.22 Mat. 28.19. 1. Iohn 5.7.Gen 3:22Matt 28:191 John 5:7the three perſons of the Godhead, to be but three names and titles giuen to God in Scripture.

Thirdly, his Attributes, eſpecially theſe fiue.

1. Ezech. 8.12. Iob. 22.13.14.Ezek 8:12Job 22:13Job 22:14Knowledge, and the miſconceiuing of that brings forth hypocriſie.

2. Power, and the miſconceiuing of that brings forth,

1. **2 Chron. 33 10 & cap. 36.16. Iſai. 5.19. Iſai. 28.15.22, 2 Pet 3.34.2 Chr 33:10Isa 5:19Isa 28:15Isa 28:222 Pet 3:34Contempt of God, ſhewed,

1. In contemning his threatnings.

p. 52. 2 Chron. 28.22. Ierem. 5.3. Amos 4.6.7.8 9.10.11.12. Num. 14.1.2. Exod. 17.7. Pſal. 78.18.19 Mat. 4.6.7.2 Chr 28:22Jer 5:3Amos 4:6Amos 4:7Amos 4:8Num 14:1Num 14:2Exod 17:7Ps 78:18Ps 78:19Matt 4:6Matt 4:7In taking no profite by his puniſhments.

2. A proud tempting of God, ſhewed,

1. In muttering againſt God.

2. In ſeeking experience of his power.

3. In trying whether he be ſuch a **Act. 5.9. Malac. 5.15.Acts 5:9powerfull God of vengeance as the Scriptures ſet him forth to be.

3 **Pſal. 57.10. Num. 13.2.3. 2 Pet. 3.4.9.Ps 57:10Num 13:2Num 13:32 Pet 3:42 Pet 3:9Truth, and the miſconceiuing of that brings forth,

1 **Gen. 19.14. Pſal. 116.11. Num. 11.21.22 Rom. 4.20.Gen 19:14Ps 116:11Num 11:21Num 11:22Rom 4:20Incredulity, ſhewed in doubtfulneſſe and diffidence.

2 **Pſal. 42.5. Heb. 10.38. Pro. 3.5. 2 King. 6.33 Iſai. 28.16. Hab 2.3.4.Ps 42:5Heb 10:38Prov 3:52 Kgs 6:33Isa 28:16Hab 2:3Hab 2:4Impatience, ſhewed in not waiting on God in time of triall for the accompliſhment of his promiſe.

4. **Gen. 18.25. Ierem. 51.56. Nahum. 1.2.3 2 Theſ. 1.6.7. Rom. 2.6.7.8.Gen 18:25Jer 51:56Nah 1:2Nah 1:32 Thess 1:62 Thess 1:7Rom 2:6Rom 2:7Rom 2:8Iuſtice, and the miſconceiuing of that brings forth,

1. Carnall ſecurity, Ierem. 8.6. Mat. 24.38.

2. Spiritual ſlothfulnes, Reu. 3.15.

3. Raſh and inconſiderate zeale. p. 6Luke 9.54.

5. Exod. 34.67.2. Chron. 30.9 Iſai. 55.7. Iam. 5.11.Exod 34:672 Chr 30:9Isa 55:7Jas 5:11Mercy, and the miſconceiuing of that brings forth

Deſperation. 1. King. 19.4. Act. 16.27. Gen. 4.13.2. Cor. 2.7.

Preſumption. 2. Sam. 4.5.7. Eccleſ. 11.6. Deut. 29.19.20. Iud. epiſt. v. 4.

Impenitencie, and enuying of Gods grace and merciemercy, in others and to others. Rom. 2.4.5.

Confidence in creatures. Pſal. 20.7. Iſai. 2.22.

1. Pro. 28.26. Mat. 26.33.35 Act. 12.22.23.Prov 28:26Matt 26:33Matt 26:35Acts 12:22Acts 12:23As in themſelues; whence followes

1. Pride or arrogancie. Deut. 8.17.18. Dan. 4.27. Hab. 1.16.

2. Vaine glorie or carnall boaſting. Ioh. 5.44. Luke 10.20.

2. In other men. Iſai. 36.6. Ier. 17.5.

3. In other things, as

1. **Iob. 31 24. 1 Tim. 6.17. Pſal. 62.10. Ierem. 49.16. Obad. v. 3.4. Pſal. 146.3.Job 31:241 Tim 6:17Ps 62:10Jer 49:16Ps 146:3Riches.

2. Strong holds.

p. 73. Honour, authoritie, high places, and the like.

The affirmatiue part of the firſt Commandement.

It requires two things eſpecially.Iſai. 8.13. 1 Chron. 28.9. Ierem. 9.24. Ioh. 17.3. Pſal. 9.10. Hoze. 4.16. Coloſſ. 1.10.Isa 8:131 Chr 28:9Jer 9:24John 17:3Ps 9:10Col 1:10

1. That the mind and heart hauehave a due reſpect to God, acknowledging him to be ſuch a God as he hath reuealed himſelfe to be in his word and workes.

2. Confidence in God, and that we reſt on him alone.

The firſt is grounded on the true knowledg of God as he hath made himſelfe knowne in his word, both in his Eſſence, perſons, properties and workes.

Expreſſed

1. In Faith, Pſal. 73.25. Heb. 11.6. Heb. 6.1.Ps 73:25Heb 11:6Heb 6:1whereof there be three ſorts:

1. Fundamentall faith, apprehending p. 8the eſſence and being of God.

2. 1 Cor. 13.2.1 Cor 13:2Faith of Miracles, apprehending the power of God.

3. Iam. 2.19.Jas 2:19Faith of the hiſtorie, or hiſtoricall faith, apprehending the truth of God reuealed in his written word.

2 In hope, 2. Chro. 20.1. Iſai. 8.17. Pſal. 27.14.2 Chr 20:1Isa 8:17Ps 27:14which brings forth ſpirituall fortitude or courage, ſtanding in

1. Pſal. 37.7. Rom. 8.24.25 Ioh. 1.6.7.8.9 Heb. 11.27. 2 Sam. 16.10.11.12. Iam. 5.11. Deut. 6.5. Luke 10.27. Act. 17.28. Iam 1.17. Mal. 3.16. Pſal. 119.55. 2 Tim. 4.8.Ps 37:7Rom 8:24Rom 8:25John 1:6John 1:7John 1:8John 1:9Heb 11:272 Sam 16:102 Sam 16:112 Sam 16:12Jas 5:11Deut 6:5Luke 10:27Acts 17:28Jas 1:17Mal 3:16Ps 119:552 Tim 4:8Spirituall ſecuritie. Pſal. 3.5.6.

2. Conſtancie in good things.

3. Patience in time of trouble and aduerſitie.

3. In louelove to God, manifeſted,

1. In often thinking and ſpeaking of God to his glorie, and deſiring his preſence.

2. In louing his word and ordinances.

3. In louing his children and ſeruants.

p. 94. In louing his glory, Pſal. 27.4. Pſal. 119.97.131. Pſal. 16.3. 1 Ioh. 5.21. Exod. 32.12.32. Ioh. 14.1. Gen. 18.27. Iſai. 8.13. Heb. 12.28.29Ps 27:4Ps 119:97Ps 119:131Ps 16:31 John 5:21Exod 32:12Exod 32:32John 14:1Gen 18:27Isa 8:13Heb 12:28Heb 12:29and being zealous for that aboue all things.

5. In doing his will cheerfully. Bringing forth effects,

Properly reſpecting God, namely

1. An holy ſubmiſſion to the maieſtie of God.

2. The feare of God, which brings forth

1. An hatred of ſinne, Pro. 8.13. Iob 31.23. Gen. 20.11. Rom. 3.18. Heb. 12.28.Prov 8:13Job 31:23Gen 20:11Rom 3:18Heb 12:28and a carefull auoyding of the offence of God.

2. A care to approue our ſelues to God in all things

Is of two ſorts

1. Childlike. Pſal. 130.4.1. Pet. Gen. 39.9.Gen 39:91.17.

2. Seruile. 1. Iohn 4.18. Rom. 13.5.

Theſe two differing each from other in the Cauſe and Obiect.

More nearely reſpecting our ſelues.1 Cor. 1.7. 2 Cor. 3.5.1 Cor 1:72 Cor 3:5

p. 10Deniall of our ſelues, Mat. 16.24. Luke 9.23. Pro. 3.7. 1 Cor. 3.18. Rom. 8.7.Matt 16:24Luke 9:23Prov 3:71 Cor 3:18Rom 8:7expreſſed

1. In renouncing vtterly our owne reaſon, wil, and affections, as of themſelues enemies to God and all goodneſſe.

2 In ſubmitting our ſelues wholly to Gods wiſedome and will in all things, Gen. 12.1.4. Gen. 22.1.2.9. Heb. 11.8. Deut. 33.9. Mat. 4.20. Luke 5.10. Act 20.24. Gen. 32.10. 1 Chronic. 29 14.15.16. 1. Cor. 4.7. 1 Cor. 1.31. 1 Cor. 15.9. 1 Tim. 1.15. Rom. 12.10. 1. Cor. 4.6. 1 Pet. 5.5. Philip. 2.23. Phil. 4.11.12. 1 Cor. 12.7.Gen 12:1Gen 12:4Gen 22:1Gen 22:2Gen 22:9Heb 11:8Deut 33:9Matt 4:20Luke 5:10Acts 20:24Gen 32:101 Chr 29:141 Chr 29:151 Chr 29:161 Cor 4:71 Cor 1:311 Cor 15:91 Tim 1:15Rom 12:101 Cor 4:61 Pet 5:5Phil 2:23Phil 4:11Phil 4:121 Cor 12:7though neuer ſo contrarie to our wils and deſires.

Humilitie, making men

1 Thinke moſt baſely of themſelues, in regard of their owne corruption and ſins.

2 Eſteeme better of others then of themſelues, hauing the ſame good gifts that they hauehave; and to reſpect them accordingly.

3 Content with their particular places and conditions of life, not to preſume beyond that abilitie and ſtrength that is giuen them.

The ſecond is grounded on due acknowledgement of Gods

p. 111 Good prouidence and mercy.2 Chro. 20.20 Pſal. 37.3.5. Pſal. 27.1.2.3. 2 Tim. 1.12. Pſal. 33.18.19 Pſal. 84.11.12. Pſal. 91.2 Chr 20:20Ps 37:3Ps 37:5Ps 27:1Ps 27:2Ps 27:32 Tim 1:12Ps 33:18Ps 33:19Ps 84:11Ps 84:12Ps 91

2 Power.

3 Former experience of his power and prouidence towards our ſelues and others:

Bringing forth

A conuerſation void of couetouſneſſe and diſtruſtful care.

Invocation or calling on the name of God, Pro. 16.3. Mat. 6.25. 1 Tim. 6.6.7.8.9.10. Dan. 9.7.18. Pſal. 50.15. Iam. 1.5.Prov 16:3Matt 6:251 Tim 6:61 Tim 6:71 Tim 6:81 Tim 6:91 Tim 6:10Dan 9:7Dan 9:18Ps 50:15Jas 1:5ſtanding

In Petition and thankeſgiuing.