A Short Treatise Containing the Principal Grounds of Christian Religion, Catechism · Question 193 – Question 202
Q. What is the generall duty of this Commandement?
A. That by all good meanes we further the outward 25 eſtate of our ſelues, and of our neighbours.
Expoſ. 25. The ſpeciall duties of this commaundement are, an honeſt calling, 1. Cor. 7. 20. Gen. 4. 2. faithful labouring, Eph. 4. 28. true and honeſt dealing therein, Pſal. 15. 2. frugalitie, honeſtly keeping what we hauehave gotten, wiſely ordering our expences, and conueniently vſing what God hath giuen, that we may be helpefull to others, Pro. 21. 20. contentation with our eſtate be we neuer ſo poore, 1. Tim. 6. 6, 7, 8. borrowing for need and good endes, what we are able to repay, and making payment with thankes and cheerfulnes, Ex. 22. 14. 15. at time appointed, Pſ. 15. 4. or if we cannot keep day, thē by all other means contenting the creditour. Giuing freely, Luk. 6. 30. iuſtly, Eſa. 58. 7. and cheerefully, 2. Cor. 9. 7. according to our abilitie, and our neighbours neceſſitie, 2. Cor. 8. 13. lending freely, not requiring our owne before the day appointed, not compounding for gaine, forbearing or forgiuing the whole, or part of the ſumme lent, if it cannot be paid without the hazard of vndoing the borrower, Luk. 6. 35. vſing truth, faithfulneſſe, iuſtice, and indifferencie in buying, ſelling, letting, hiring, partnerſhip, &c. Mat. 7. 12. 1. Theſſ. 4. 6. not concealing the faults of our wares, or other commodity, nor taking aduantage of the neceſſitie or vnskilfulneſſe of the one parties, but equally reſpecting the good of each other, Gal. 5. 13. ſeaſonable and faithfull reſtoring of things committed to our truſt, Prou. 3. 28. of things found, Deu. 22. 1, 2, 3. & of things vnlawfully gotten, Leuit. 6. 2. &c. Good aduiſedneſſe in vndertaking ſuretiſhip, in matters not aboue our abilitie, and for ſuch as are knowne and approoued Chriſtians, Pro. 11. 15. and 17. 18. moderation in recouering that which is our owne, Phil. 4. 5. Miniſters that receiue the tythes muſt feede the flock committed to their c…arge, Ezech. 34. 2. Lawyers muſt take no cauſe into their hands, which they ſee can hauehave no good ende with equitie, Eſa. 5. 20. Pſal. 15. 5. and they muſt followe thoſe which they vndertake to defend with all honeſt diligence and faithfulnes, for louelove of equitie, and not of gaine, ending ſutes with all poſſible diſpatch and good expedition. Exod. 18. 13. &c.
Q. What is the generall ſinne here forbidden?
A. All 26 neglect to further our owne, or our 27 neighbours wealth, all impeachment or hinderance thereof, and all encreaſe thereof by vniuſt and indirect dealing.
Expoſ. 26. Actuall ſinnes of commiſſion here forbidden, are idleneſſe, inordinate walking, Prou. 12. 11. 2. Theſſ. 3. 11. couetouſneſſe, 1. Tim. 6. 10. miſerable pinching, and defrauding our ſelues of the good things which God hath giuen vsus, Eccleſ. 6. 1. &c. and 2. 26. waſtfull conſuming of our ſubſtance by lauiſh ſpending in meate, drinke, apparell, buildings, vnneceſſarie, gifts, ſports, &c. Prou. 21. 17. Eph. 5. 18. and by vnaduiſed ſuretiſhip. Prou. 23. 13.
27. In reſpect of our neighbour, grutching at the proſperity of others, borrowing to maintaine idlenes, defrauding men of their right, what we are not able to repay, Ezek. 18. 7. alſo borrowing vponupon intereſt, vnleſſe it be in caſe of neceſſity; denying what we hauehave borrowed, or repaying vnwillingly, Pſa. 37. 21. Leui. 19. 13. lending vponupon vſury, Exod. 22. 25. Exacting increaſe meerely for the loane, Ezek. 18. 8. cruelly requiring all a mans debts, Eſa. 58. 3. without mercy, or compaſſion. In barganing, buying, ſeeling, letting, hiring, partnerſhip to vſe in iuſtice, craft, fraud, or falſehood, 1. Theſſ. 4. 6. as making things litigious and doubfull, reſpecting a mans owne commodity onelyonly; parting with bad wares for good, Amos. 8. 5. or good at an exceſſiue rate, enhaunſing the iuſt price meerely becauſe we ſell for day, ingroſſing wares into our owne hands, that we may ſell them at our owne pleaſure, diſpraiſing what we are to buy, Pro. 20. 14. or prayſing what we are to ſell without iuſt cauſe, and for our meere aduantage: buying vnderfoote, eſpecially of ſuch who ſell for neede; abuſing mens ſimplicity and vnskilfulnes, vſing falſe waights, balances, meaſures, and lights to deceiue, Leuit. 19. 35. Pro. 11. 1. ſelling things hurtfull, and not vendible, as diſpenſation for ſ…nne, charmes, church-liuings, Pro. 20. 25. Mal. 3. 8. crucifixes, &c. Detaining things ſtrayed, found, Exod. 23. 4. Deut. 22. 1, 2, 3. or the meanes of our neighbours liuing layd to pledge, Exod. 22. 26, 27. as alſo things committed to our truſt and cuſtody, Deut. 27. 19. Prolonging of ſuites, defending bad cauſes, immoderate, or vnciuill contending at lawe for our owne right, ſelling iuſtice, Pro. 15. 27. remoouing auncient bounds, Deut. 19. 14. robbery by land, or ſea, Zach. 5. 3, 4, 5. whether it be ſtealing goods, cattell, Exod. 22. 1. ſeruants or children, Exod. 21. 17. Deut. 24. 7. with, or without colour of lawe, receiuing of things ſtollne, Pro. 29. 24. Pſal. 50. 18, 19. 22. And all vnapprooued and vnprofitable trades of lifes or callings (if they may be ſo tearmed) as ieſters, iuglers, Paraſits, carders, dicers, gameſters, players, fortune-tellers, figure-caſters, ſturdy rogues, and ſuch as be makers of the proper inſtruments of vnlawfull games, Ier. 10. 2. Iob. 30. 1, 2, 3. 2. Theſ. 3. 10. Act. 19. 19.
Q. Which is the ninth Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witneſſe againſt thy neighbour.
Q. What is the generall dutie here required?
A. That by all meanes we ſeeke to maintaine our 28 owne and our 29 neighbours good name, according to truth and a good conſcience.
Expoſ. 28. The ſpeciall duties of this commandement, are to ſpeak ſparingly, Pro. 10. 19. and to ſpeake the truth from the heart, Pſal. 15. 2. In reſpect of our ſelues, rightly to knowe and iudge of our ſelues, Gal. 5. 26. 2. Cor. 13. 5. to procure our owne good name, Pro. 22. 1. by ſeeking Gods glory firſt and principally, Math. 6. 33. Heb. 11. 2. 39. iudging and ſpeaking well of others, Math. 7. 2. and walking vnblameably, Eccleſ. 10. 1. Luk. 1. 6. Iob. 1. 1. to defend it alſo when neede requireth, but modeſtly and in a ſort vnwillingly.
29. In reſpect of our neighbour, we are commaunded to deſire and reioyce in his good name, Rom. 1. 1. Gal. 1. 23, 24. ſorrow for his infirmities, Pſal. 119. 136. Ezra. 9. 6. and couer them in louelove, Pro. 17. 9. 1. Pet. 4. 8. hoping the beſt with patience, and ſo iudging, 1. Cor. 13. 5, 6, 7. not bewraying his ſecrets before we hauehave admoniſhed him, Pro. 11. 12. and 25. 9, 10. yea though we doe it with greife, and to ſuch as wee deſire might help and redreſſe them, rebuking him to his face, Matth. 18. 15, 16. Gal. 2. 11. when iuſt occaſion requireth, but yet louingly and meekely, Gal. 6. 1. Pro. 25. 12. with remembrance of what is praiſeworthy in him, 1. Cor. 1. 4. 10. Reu. 2. 2, 3, 4. commending him where he deſerued well, yet rather in his abſence then preſence, 1. Theſ. 5. 22. defending the good name of him, whoſe vnblameable carriage is knowne vntounto vsus, by teſtimony, hand writing, and oath if neede require, Philem. 10. 11. &c. not receiuing idle or falſe reports againſt our brother, Pſal. 15. 3. Pro. 25. 23. and 26. 20.
Q. What is the generall ſinne forbidden?
A. All failing to procure, defend, and further our 30 owne, and 31 our neighbours credite: all vniuſt defence, wrongfull ſuſpition, or accuſation of our ſelues or others.
Expoſ. 30. Here is forbidden an ouer, or vnderweening of the good things in our ſelues, Luk. 18. 9, 10, 11. Exod. 4. 10. 13. Ier. 1. 7. bearing our ſelues aboue our worth, Phil. 2. 3. boaſting, Pro. 27. 1. excuſing our ſelues vniuſtly, 1. Sam. 15. 15. Gen. 3. 12. debaſing our ſelues, diſſembling that others might praiſe vsus, procuring our ſelues an ill name by walking vndiſcreetly or offenſiuely, 2. Sam. 12. 14. Rom. 2. 23, 24. and a needleſſe leſſening the good opinion others hauehave of vsus, by bewraying our weakenes, as want of learning, &c. to the carper.
31. Here are condemned euill, ſuſpitions, Matth. 7. 1. 1. Sam. 1. 13. want of deſire, care, and reioycing in our neighbours good name, 1. Pet. 2. 1. reioycing in his infirmities, contempt, or fooliſh admiration of others, Act. 12. 22. Pro. 27. 14. vniuſtly renewing the memory of our neighbours crimes which were in tract of time forgotten, Pro. 17. 9. calling good euill, or euill good, Eſa. …. 20. flattery, Pro. 27. 14. Iob. 17. 5. forbearing to ſpeake in the cauſe or credit of our neighbours, Pro. 24. 11, 12. and 31. 8, 9. raſh cenſuring, Matth. 7. 1, 2. nodding the head, winking with the eye, pointing with the finger, or any other vilifying or deriding geſtures, Matth. 5. 22. ſpeaking the truth with deſire of our neighbours diſcredit, 1. Sam. 22. 14, 15. with Pſal. 52. 1, 2, 3. liſtening to talebearers, Prou. 25. 23. raiſing falſe reports, Leuit. 19. 16. relating mens words to their diſgrace, contrarie to their meaning, 1. Sam. 22. 9, 10. Matth. 26. 60, 61. ſpreading abroad flying tales, Pro. 26. 20, 21, 22. libells, falſe preſentments and citations, giuing falſe euidence, and pronouncing falſe ſentence, Leuit. 19. 15. 35. Exod. 23. 6. Deut. 19. 16. Pro. 19. 5. In reſpect of our ſelues and our neighbours, here is forbidden lying and equiuocating, Eph. 4. 25. Col. 3. 9, 10.
Q. What is the tenth Commaundement?
A. Thou ſhalt not couet, &c.
Q. What is the generall dutie here commanded?
A. That we be truly 32 contented with our owne outward condition, and heartily deſire the good z1. Tim. 6. 8. 1. Cor. 7. 29, 30. Act. 26. 29.of our neighbour in all things belonging vntounto him, great and ſmall.
Expoſ. 32. In this commandement we are inioyned to acquaint our ſelues with thoughts of good towards our neighbour, Eſa. 32. 8. 3. Io. 2. Iob. 31. 29. and that which appeartaineth to him; to reioyce in the preſent good eſtate of our ſelues and our neighbours, Pſal. 34. 2. and 119. 74. and cheerefully to praiſe God for it.
Q. What is the generall ſinne forbidden?
A. All thoughts of minde, wiſhes, and deſi…es of heart, and delightfull remembrances of euill againſt contentednes.Iob. 31. 29.
Q. Is any man able to keepe this law?
A. Not perfectly: for the aIam. 3. 2.godly often fall, the moſt holy 33 faile bExod. 28. 36, 37, 38.34 alwaies in their beſt actions: but the child of God ought c1. Ioh. 2. 14. Ioh. 14. 15. 25., may, and vſually doth d1. King. 15. 5.walke according to the law ſincerely.
Expoſ. 33. In the ſeruants of Chriſt there remaines ſome roote of bitternes, Heb. 12. 1. Rom. 7. 23. the fleſh luſteth againſt the ſpirit, Gal. 5. 17. their knowledge is but in part, 1. Cor. 13. 12. Pſal. 119. 18. their obedience therefore cannot be perfected. Ioſ. 9. 14. 15. 2. Sam. 12. 9. 12. 2. Chron. 35. 22. Luk. 1. 20.
34. Often in the matter, and manner of doing, Ioſh. 9. 14. 15. continually in the meaſure of dutie, the moſt holy doe offend. Neh. 13. 22.
Q. Should not a Chriſtian omit doing of good altogether, ſeeing he cannot doe it in that meaſure that God requireth?
A. No: but 35 with e2. Cor. 7. 1.diligence and ſinglenes of heart, ſtriue againſt corruption, looke f2. Chron. 16. 9. Phil. 4. 13.for the aſſiſtance of Gods Spirit, and labour to g1. Pet. 2. 2. and 2. Pet. 3. 18.grow in grace.
Expoſ. 35. The ſinne which cleauing to the worke defiles it, is by all means poſſible to be auoided, Math. 6. 1, 2, 3, 4. &c. Pſal. 37. 27. but the worke it ſelfe is not to be forborne. For we hauehave an abſolute charge from God, to exerciſe our ſelues in all good workes, Eſa. 1. 17. 1. Pet. 3. 11. Col. 1. 10. 2. Pet. 1. 5. and a mercifull promiſe, that he wil forgiue the infirmities, which our corruption doth faſten vponupon them, and fauourably accept our ſincere endeauour to walke in all holy obedience, though now and then we thorough weakeneſſe doe ſteppe awry. Iob. 42. 7. 2. Chro. 30. 19, 20. Eſa. 40. 11. Can. 2. 14. Numb. 23. 21. Ezek. 34. 16.