penes principes not onely Christian religion but even the Law of nature requires that the authority and command for war be from the Prince And therefore it stands all others upon to consider what they do when they 〈◊〉 any war without the Authority or 〈◊〉 of their Princes much more if it be against him for let the cause be never so good or specious though it be for religion or for God yet without his authority to whom God hath committed the sword all the blood they shed be the persons never so wicked is murder and they murderers Let them consider further what the Heathen man could see That omne bellum sumi facile 〈◊〉 aegerrime desinere nec in ejusdem potestate initium 〈◊〉 esse It is an easy thing to begin but a hard matter to end a warre the beginning and the end being not in one and the same mans power 2. It must be also in justa causa upon a just occasion and then it is like to speed the better Si bona fuerit causa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exit 〈◊〉 malus esse non potest saith S. Bernard If the cause of battel be good the event seldom proves amisse supposing withall lawful authority to warrant it The causes of a just war are the same with the causes of a just action in Law for ubi judicia 〈◊〉 incipit bellum where courts of justice end war begins They are generally made three 1. 〈◊〉 defence against invasion 2. Recovery of what is unjustly taken from us 3. The punishing of some great injurie and wrong All which are mentioned in that 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 against the 〈◊〉 Omnia 〈◊〉 defendi repetique ulcisci fas sit to defend recover and revenge Thus Abraham undertook a war for recovery of Lot in whom an injury and wrong was offered to himself But here it must not be every light and small injurie for which war may be undertaken but great and notable or a continued course of injuries And even when there is just cause yet until necessity inforces war must be avoided for as S. Augustine 〈◊〉 gerere malis videtur 〈◊〉 bonis vero necessitatis evil men count it a happinesse to go to war but good men avoid it unlesse necessity enforce them Seneca could say Non 〈◊〉 homini homine prodige utendum one man ought not to be prodigal of another Though David fought the Lords battels yet God would not let him build his Temple because he had shed much blood The Heathen Greeks thought some expiation necessary even for them that had shed blood upon a just cause And in the Greek Church that ancient Canon was long observed which for some time restrained them from the Eucharist that had born arms even in the justest war 3. It must be ad 〈◊〉 justum There must be a just end proposed before a war be undertaken There must not be cupiditas nocendi a desire to destroy or libido dominandi a lust to reign over others But the main end must be the glory of God and the next 〈◊〉 in pace sine injuria vivatur war must be taken in hand that we may live in peace without receiving injury 4. And lastly It must be 〈◊〉 debito in a right manner according to that rule given by God to his people When thou goest out to war with thine host against thine enemies keep thee from all wickednesse How can men expect good successe in fighting against men when by their sins they war against God Abigail said of David that he fought the battels of the Lord and evil had not been found in him all his dayes Where this is wanting it may be said to such as David said of Joab to Solomon when he gave a charge concerning him that the blood of war was upon his girdle and in his shoes And thus we see what is required to make a war just and lawful and where it is thus qualified as in the Prince authorizing it it is an act of publick justice so in the souldiers it is an act of Christian fortitude when men fight for their religion their king and their countrey and as they said propter populum nostrum urbes Dei nostri for our people and the cities of our God There are other cases wherein a man may kill and yet not sin against this Commandment 1. The first is when a man is suddenly assaulted either upon the high-way or elswhere where he cannot make use of the power of the magistrate In this case when the necessity is extream he may cum moderamine inculpatae tutelae for saving his own life kill him that would take it away that is when he cannot otherwise preserve his own life In this case necessitas is not onely exlex without the Law but legem dicit legi prescribes a Law even to the Law it self But necessity must be taken as it ought that is not onely pro imminenti necessitate a necessity neer but pro termino indivisibili when at the Instant a man must defend himself or his life is lost in this case every man is a Magistrate This may be confirmed out of the Law 〈◊〉 minore ad majus The Law saith If a thief be found breaking up an house by night and he be smiten that he die there shall be no blood shed for him Then if I may kill a man for breaking into my house to steal my goods and not be within compasse of murther much more if he would take away my life And this was the cause as S. Augustine saith that gladius Petri S. Peters sword may be 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 to terrifie men from offering violence and to preserve one from danger And seeing the Law allows a man to carry his sword about him for his own defence it is not for nothing but implies that he may vse it in some cases otherwise it were in vain to wear it But when the terminus is divisibilis that the necessity is not without a latitude nor the danger present 〈◊〉 we are to follow S. Pauls example who when some had bound themselves by an oath to kill him but the necessity was not present but there was time to make use of the Civil power therefore in this case Paul doth not 〈◊〉 upon them and seek to kill them presently but caused it to be revealed to Lysias the chief Captain and so we must reveal it to the Magistrate but the danger being present a man is by the Laws of God and man allowed to defend his own life against the unjust invasion of another though thereby he kill another for this is not murther but inculpata 〈◊〉 a lawful defence which is when there is no purpose of shedding blood but onely to preserve a 〈◊〉 own life in order to which if blood be shed this is onely per accidens and not intended for every one ought by all law plus favere vitae 〈◊〉 quam 〈◊〉
they had need to be both holy and well qualified 1. They are to stand between the Lord and his people to shew them his word and what he required them to do 2. They are not onely to read it but to instruct them in it to make men wise to salvation and not onely the common people but the king also as was shewed before 3. They are to blesse the people in the name of the Lord. 4. They are to offer prayers to God for them upon all occasions as 1. In time of Pestilence when the plague raged among them 2. in time of war when the enemy threatened their destruction 3. In time of famine when the land yeelded not increase 4. In time of sicknes not onely for the life of the King or Prince bnt also when sicknesse laied hold on private men And lastly 5. They wereto be instead of Captains to encourage the people their souldiers to fight manfully and to resist the assaults of the Devill their Ghostly enemy these and many other things belong to the priests function Now as the Apostle speaks who is sufficient for these things surely if he that was so plentifully endued with the spirit of God doubted of his own sufficiency what may we in these times when many take liberty without the emission the Apostle had to themselves unsent to undertake this high calling certainly great care ought to be taken by those in authority especially by the Church governours that none should performe this office of themselves and that they who are ordained be able to undergo so great a work For if they that fight against us were onely bodily enemies as French and Spaniards there were no such great need of such men but seeing that as the Apostle tells us we are to fight a spiritual combat we must combat with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore such are necessary as can oppose spiritual wickednes such are Currus Aurigae Israelis the charriots and horsemen of Israel who must beat back this spiritual host The holy Ghost hath left it upon record that the life of 〈◊〉 the priest and his wisdom were the means to keep both king and people from Idolatry and consequently the whole kingdom from destruction And as the 〈◊〉 tells us that in his time the want of knowledge brought the foundations of the earth both of Church and commonwealth out of frame al humane laws were defective So as the wise man speaketh it is wisdome and knowledge of Gods law which is to be sought at the priests mouth that doth servare gregem ab interitu preserve the people from perishing And where there is no vision the people decay For if we will look backward into the estate of mighty commonwealthes we shall finde that though the wisdome and policy of them have been great for want of Prophets and priests to reclaim the vices of the soul they have all fallen to decay As fi st in the Assyrian monarchy what was the ruin of it but Gluttony and intemperance which brought diseased bodies and weaknes and Adultery which bred bastardslip as the prophet speaks and mingling of kindreds where by the Empire was translated out of the right line and so ruined and all this for want of good instruction Again looke into the 〈◊〉 monarchy and you shall see that Idlenes neglect of tillage mechanick arts and merchandise every one thereby becoming 〈◊〉 a gentleman caused the ruin of that Empire Nor did the Grecian Monarchy come to its period till Alexander for want of knowing God would himself be reputed a God and till his successours fell to covetousnesse whereby a needles dearth fell upon it and the greater began to oppresse the inferiour and the Prince to burthen his subjects And Lastly the Roman Monarchy came to that we see it is at this day from the most flourishing of all the former by their own pride envy emulation and heart-burning And these miseries befel al these four Monarchies by reason of these vices which the laws of God would not have suffered if there had been any to teach them and the laws of the Heathen could not correct If we come to our own nation in the time of the Brittains the often and frequent wrongs and injuries of great persons the perverting of the Laws which were made to be Cobwebs to catch onely the small flies while the great ones break through The Corruptions of Lawyers maintaining causes and suits for their fee by which the land was overrun with oppression Gods law being not heard in the mean time brought destruction upon the land Nor is it possible by any Act of Parliament Law or Statute to provide or take order that a man shall not be covetous or that there be no Idlenesse Ryot Pride Envy or the like sins in the soul though these as is said were the chief causes that these Monarchies and other Countryes came to destruction For Sobriety and all vertues must be begotten in the minde and that by such persons as shall be able to reach and instill them out of the Law of God otherwise politick justice will never continue among men Civil Acts are of no force except Religion be joyned with them We read that in the time of the Judges every man did that which was good in his own eyes Men could assure themselves of nothing they possessed Six hundred men of Dan came into Micahs house and took away his graven Image his Ephod his molten Image his Teraphim and his Priest And in the next Chapter what an unheard of example of lust have we and all this is attributed to the want of knowledge of Gods Law in those dayes And when the Priesthood was setled and they had a Judge yet the Children of Israel were brought under the yoak of the Philistins because that calling was corrupted by Hophni and Phinees the sons of Eli. In the time of the kings of Israel when that kingdome had been diverse years without the true God and without the Priest to teach the law in no nation can be found seaven such notable changes in so short a time as you may read in the book of the kings and this was ascribed to the want of the priest and the Law of God Therefore it was before that time the wish and desire of Moses that all the Lords people were prophets and that the Lord would put his spirit up-them And this was the desire of Saint Paul too that they could speak all with tongues but rather that all al could prophecie we see by experience that our adversaries take occasion to invade us in those places where the people are least instructed and most ignorant in the word of God All manner of sinne most aboundeth where least care is taken for their instruction in the wayes of God and the knowledge of his Laws It is our
both must concur S. Pauls three rules of pie juste sobrie S. Augustine his three rules contrary to three rules of corrupt nature 2. The manner of doing riquires 1. totos 2. totum 3. toto tempore 3. The reward 4. The punishment CHAP. XVI Page 83 That the moral Law of God written by Moses was known to the Heathen 1. The act or work was known to them as it is proved in every precept of the Decalogue yet their light more dim in the 1. 2. 4. 10. S. Pauls three rules of pie sobrie juste known to them 2. They knew the manner of performance toti totum semper 3. They knew the rewards and punishments CHAP. XVII Page 68 Questions about the Law 1. Why it was written by Moses seeing it was written before in mens hearts How the light of Nature became dim three causes of it it was deserved in three respects Why the Law was given at this time Why onely to the 〈◊〉 All the four parts of a Law are in the Law written 1. The Act. 2. The Manner 3. The rewards 4. The punishments 2. Whether any can keep the Law How God is just in requiring that which we cannot perform An Addition about power of keeping the Law evangelical Adam lost his ability not efficienter but meritorie God alwayes gives or is ready to give power to do what he requires if we be not wanting to our selves How Christ hath fulfilled the Law how we keep it by faith 3. Why God promises life to the keeping of the Law if we cannot keep it CHAP. XVIII Page 73 Of the preparation before the giving of the Law 1. To make them willing by consideration of 1. his benefits 2. Gods right as Lord 3. Their relation as Creatures c. 4. That they are his people His Benefits past and promised Three motives to love 1 Beauty 2. Neernesse 3. Benefits all in God 2. To make them able by sanctifying and cleansing themselves that ceremonial washing signified our spiritual cleansing how we came to be polluted how we must be cleansed Why they were not to come at their wives Of the danger and abuse of things lawful 3. That they might not run too far bounds were set Of curiosity about things unnecessary CHAP. XIX Page 79 The manner of delivering the Law 1. With thick clouds 2. With thunder and lightning 3. With sound of a trumpet The terrible delivering of the Law compared with the terrour of the last judgement when we must give account for the keeping of it the comparison in all the particulars The use of this CHAP. XX. Page 80 The end of the Law as given by Moses 1. It brings none to perfection and that by reason of mans corruption as appears 1. by the place a barren wildernesse a mountain which none might touch 2. by the mediatour Moses by the breaking of the Tables c. 2. It brings us to Christ because given by Angels in the hand of a Mediatour It Was to be put into the Ark Given fifty dayes after the Passeover Moses had a Veyl the fiery Serpent our use of the Law to know our debts as by a book of accounts then to drive us to seek a Surety to pay the debt viz. Christ amd to be thankful and take heed of running further into debt The Exposition of the first Commandment CHAP. I. Page 83 Of the Preface to the Decalogue Two things required in a Lawgiver 1. Wisdom 2. Authority both appear here Gods Authority declared 1. By his Name Jehovah which implyes 1. that being himself and that all other things come from him 2. his absolute dominion over all the Creatures from which flow two attributes 1. His Eternity 2. His Veracity or truth 2. By his Jurisdiction thy God by Creation and by Covenant 3. By a late benefit their deliverance out of Egypt How all this belongs to us CHAP. II. Page 87 The division of the Decalogue how divided by the Jews how by Christians Addition 6. That the four fundamental Articles of all Religion are implyed in the four first Precepts Of rules for expounding the Decalogue Six rules of extent 1. The affirmative implyes the negative and e contra 2. When any thing is commanded or forbidden all of the same nature are included 3. The inward act of the soul is forbidden or commanded by the outward 4. The means conducing are included in every precept 5. The consequents and signes 6. We must not onely observe the precept our selves but cause it to be kept by others left we partake of other mens sins which is 1. Jubendo by commanding 2. Permittendo by tolleration 3. Provocando by provocation 4. Suadendo by perswasion 5. Consentiendo by consenting 6. Defendendo by maintaining 7. Scandalum praebendo by giving scandal CHAP. III. Page 94 Rules of restraint in expounding the Law False rules made by the Pharisees Of Custom Addition 7. Of the force of Church Customs 3. Three rules of restraint 1. By dispensation 2. By the nature of the Precept 3. By conflict of Precepts Antinomia wherein these rules are to be observed 1. Ceremonial Precepts are to give place to moral 2. The second table is to give place to the first 3. In the second table the following Precepts are to give place to those before Rules to expound in case of 1. Obscurity 2. Ambiguity 3. Controversie CHAP. IIII. Page 98 Three general observations in the Decalogue 1. That the precepts are all in the second person 2. All but two are Negative All but two are in the future tense Observations general from the first precept 1. Impediments are to be removed before true worship can be performed 2. The worship of God is the foundation of all obedience to the rest 3. That spiritual worship is chiefly commanded in the first precept Addition 8. About the distinction of inward and outward worship CHAP. V. Page 100 In the first Commandment three things are contained 1. We must have a God 2. We must have the Lord for our God 3. We must have him alone for our God The sinne opposite to the first is 〈◊〉 to the second is false Religion to the third mixt Religion How our nanture is inclinable to those sins Reasons against them CHAP. VI. Page 102. In the first proposition of having a God is included 1. Knowledge of God wherein 1. The excellency 2. the necessity 3. how it is attained The contrary forbidden is 1. Ignorance 2. light knowledge What we are to know of God Impediments of knowledge to be removed Rules of direction to be followed CHAP. VII Page 110. The second inward vertue commanded in the first precept is faith Reasons for the necessity of faith Addition 9. Concerning the evidence of faith and freedom of assent The certainty of faith Of unbelief Addition 10. Concerning the nature of faith Means of believing Of trust in God for things temporal The tryal of our trust Six signes of Faith CHAP. VIII Page 120. The third inward vertue is fear of
means 4. Observe the rules for getting and using of riches CHAP. X. page 488 Rules to be observed 1. in just getting 1. By Donation 2. By Industry 3. By Contracts wherein must be considered 1. The need we have of the thing sold. 2. The use Three degrees of a just price 1. Pium. 2. Moderatum 3. Rigidum 2. In just using wherein are rules 1. Concerning our selves 1. For preserving our estate 2. For laying it out 2. Concerning others giving 1. to God from whom we receive all 2. to the poor Rules for the measure and manner of giving Motives to stir us up to give to the poor Of procuring the keeping of this Commandment by others The Exposition of the Ninth Commandment CHAP. I. Page 493 The words expounded What is mean tby Non respondebis in the Original Addition 34. about the meaning of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 respondere What is meant by witnesse Four witnesses 1. God 2. The Conscience 3. Men and Angels 4. The Creatures What is meant by false what by contra against what by Proximum Neighbour The coherence and dependance of this Commandment The scope and use of it 1. In respect of God 2. Of the Church 3. Of the Common-wealth 4. Of private persons CHAP. II. Page 498 The necessity of a good name The sin forbidden in general Wherein 1. The root of it 2. The suppuration or rankling of it 〈◊〉 by false surmises and suspitions 3. The fitting of the soyl by readinesse to hear false reports 4. The watering of the soyl by busying our selves in other ones affairs CHAP. III. Page 501 The outward act of which two branches 1. False words 2. Idle and vain words Of false speaking in general this is two fold 1. In judgement 2. Out of judgement In judgement by false witnesse Of lyes in general Six persons in every judgement who may be guilty of false witnessing 1. The Judge 1. By cherishing Law suits 2. By deferring justice 3. If his judgement be 1. usurped 2. rash 3. perverse 2. The Register by making false records 3. The Accuser 1. by accusing falsly 2. upon uncertain grounds 3. by prevaricating 4. The defendant 1. by not confessing the truth 2. by appealing without cause 3. by not submitting to the sentence 5. The Witnesse 1. by not declaring all the truth when he is lawfully called 2. by not delivering the innocent though he be not called 3. by delivering the wicked by false testimony 6. The Advocate 1. by undertaking an evil cause 2. by perverting the Law Of giving false testimony in Elections CHAP. IIII. Page 507 Of false witnessing out of judgement Four things to which the tongue may do harme The branches of this kinde of false witnessing 1. Contumelious speaking 2. Taunting 3. Backbiting which is 1. By words 2. By letters 3. By deeds 4. In all these a may be false witnesse though he speak the truth CHAP. V. Page 509 Of reproof or fraternal correption the vertue opposite to flattery Of flattery which is 1. In things uncertain 2. In things certain and those either good or evil Of boasting and vaunting a mans self and its extream CHAP. VI. Page 512 Of a rash lie an officious lye a merry lye Four cases wherein a man seems to speak contrary to the truth but doth not Of Mendacium Facti the real lye by 〈◊〉 CHAP. VII Page 514 The second general branch of the sin forbidden viz. Vain speech Three ends of speech 1. Edification 2. Profit 3. Grace and delight Of the means whereby this Commandment may be kept Of suspition Rules about it 1. For the manner The Exposition of the Tenth Commandment CHAP. I. Page 521 Reasons against the dividing of this Commandment into two The dependance of it The scope and end of it CHAP. II. Page 523 The thing prohibited Concupiscence which is two fold 1. Arising from our selves 2. From the spirit of God The first is either 1. from nature or 2. from corruption of nature Corrupt desires of two sorts 1. vain and foolish 2. hurtful or noisome The danger of being given up to a mans own lusts CHAP. III. Page 525 How a man comes to be given up to his own desires Thoughts of two sorts 1. Ascending from our own hearts 2. Injected by the Devil The manner how we come to be infected Six degrees in sin 1. The receiving of the seed 2. The retaining of it 3. The conception 4. The forming of the parts 5. The quickning 6. The travel or birth CHAP. IV. Page 528 The wayes whereby a man is tempted of his own lust 1. There is a bait 2. A hook The same wayes used by the Devil and the World The affirmative part of this precept Renewing the heart and minde The necessity of this Renovation The meanes of Renovation A Table of the Supplements or Additions Wherein the sence of the Author is cleered in some places where it was obscure or doubtful and some things are handled more fully which were omitted or but briefly touched c. Introduct CHAP. XIII 1. Concerning points cleer and controverted p 52 2. Of peoples submitting to the judgement of the Church p 55 3. Of the Churches power to interpret the Scriptures p 57 CHAP. XIV 4. That the Moral Law is an essential part of the Gospel or second Covenant p 58 CHAP. XVII 5. About mans ability to keep the Law of Christ by his Grace p 71 Com. 1. CHAP. I. 6. That the 4 fundamental articles of all Religion are implyed in the four first Precepts p 88 CHAP. III. 7. Of the force of Church Customs p 95 CHAP. IIII. 8. About the distinction of inward and outward worship p 100 CHAP. VII 9. Concerning the evidence of faith and freedom of assent p 111 10. Concerning the nature of Faith p 115 CHAP. VIII 11. Of the seat of faith p 121 Com. 2. CHAP. I. 12. That the making of Images was absolutely forbidden the Jews and in that respect that the precept was partly positive and reached onely to them p 193 13. Whether all voluntary and free worship be forbidden under the name of will-worship p 194 CHAP. III. 14. Of S. Chrysostomes Liturgie p 202 15. Of the second Councel of Nice p 203 CHAP. IV. 16. How preaching is a part of Gods worship p 205 17. About the Eucharist whether it may be called a Sacrifice p 207 CHAP. V. 18. Concerning customs and traditions of the Church p 210 19. Of Images for memories sake p 214 Com. 3. CHAP. I. 20. What is litterally meant by taking Gods Name in vain p 231 CHAP. IV. 21. Concerning the nature of a vow p 250 Com. 4. CHAP. II. 22 The Jewish sabbath ceremonial the Lords day unchangeable p. 263 23 Of ceremonies p. 265 CHAP. III. 24 The whole doctrine of the Sabbath and Lords day largly handled in seven conclusions p. 268 CHAP. IIII. 25 That moral reasons are sometimes given of ceremonial precepts p. 279 CHAP. IX 26 Of adorning Churches p. 299 27 Of
of Neconcupisces as that they thought Concupiscence no sinne and for the rest though they had some particular Laws respectively against the breach of some commandment as against adultery incest and the like yet they dispensed with them as persons time and place ministred occasion to them Which we may see in the story of a King of Persia who being desirous to marry his own sister and knowing that there was a Law against incest brake his minde to the Magi desiring their opinions they told him that though there were such a Law yet there was another that the King might do what he would Whereas our Religion is so far from dispensing either with that or other the Laws of God that the saints of God had rather suffer death then them to be broken as in the case of John Baptist who told King Herod Tibinon licet it is not lawfull for thee to have thy brothers wife though it cost him his head for saying so 4. Another argument to prove the truth of our Religion is that both it and the Scriptures by which we are guided go to the heart whereas other Religions pierce not the skinne These stop the streames theirs make the Lusts of the flesh but affections Adiaphora indifferent things to be avoyded or not ours by prohibiting Concupiscence stop the fountain of all sinnes 5. Again it is a necessary consequence that that which cannot come from man comes from God But there are some things in Scriptures which are truly Metaphysicall and exceed the capacity of man as that Jehovah Elohim is one God and three persons trinity in vnity that God should become man that God should take upon him to be the redeemer of Mankind and that by his stripes and suffering punishment man should be healed that God should create a world and out of that gather a Church to himself These things and more cannot be comprehended by man and are not to be conceived but onely by our Religion 6. Not to conceale the faults of a mans parents or friends or to speake against a mans own countrey stock kinred or his own self is a thing altogether unnatural and cannot come into any but by a supernatural power But we see that Moses when no necessity compelled him spared 〈◊〉 ot his own stock but spake against his brother Aaron for making the Golden Calfe nor his sister Miriam in the case of murmuring no nor his own selfe at the waters of strife and committed the same to writing that Posterity should take notice of these things Yea and dispossessed his own children from succeeding him in the Magistracy constituting Josuah in their stead these acts cannot agree with the natural man but must needs proceed from a higher cause therefore the writers of these Scriptures must of necessity be inspired by God himself 7. Whereas the whole scope of Philosophers and of the Law makers among the Heathen was to teach how Princes might enlarge their territories and taught it as a point of wisdom to win by all means the favour of princes and great men this Religion teacheth contempt of life the world and worldly honours in respect of God and such was the practize of the prophets who were so far from seeking the favour of Princes that they reproved them to their faces when Gods cause was in hand Therefore this Religion is spiritual and proceeds not from man 8. Again we know that as God is a spirit so must his worship be spiritual and this is the scope of the Scriptures that God be honored without Images or shadows And though in the vnity of God that there is but one God to be worshipped false Religion may agree with the true yet in this point it doth not their Religion and the worship thereof being onely corporeal not spiritual For though in the Old Testament there be many Ceremonial worships prescribed yet God disclaimeth them all yea he abhorreth them if they be performed without the inward worship and sets down the way of worship wherein he most delighteth namely in a broken and contrite heart and spirit Therefore as man is bodily and his motions fall within the compasse of the Body so is that worship which comes from him bodily whereas Gods worship is spiritual and not corporal onely 9. To these may be added by us that we had Miracles and Oracles to confirme our Religion as they did to strengthen theirs And those beyond theirs in divers respects 1. The Miracles mentioned in Scriptures were not done in a corner but openly as were they which were done by Moses upon Pharaoh in the sight of his servants 2. They were notfrivolous or vain but profitable and beneficial 3 They were not imitable nor 〈◊〉 by Magique or mans art for what Magician can divide the Sea or cause the Sun to stand as in Josuahs time or make the Suns shadow goe back as in the diall of Ahas or to rain Manna as in the wildernesse Jannes and Jambres are not able to stand against Moses 2. And for our Oracles they were not as the Oracles of the Gentiles that spake placentia pleasing things or as they themselves say did speak such things as their Kings would have them speake nor are they ambiguous or doubtfull such as theirs that needed Delium interpretem some Apollo to explain them and in that respect as Porphyrius testifies of them they ever had their Postica back-doors evasions to help them But ours are void of flattery and are certain some of them being fullfilled 500. some 1000. years some 3000. years after they were uttered as the enlarging of Japhets tents which hapned not till the calling of the Gentiles and the like So much to prove the truth of both Testaments as our religion agrees with that of the Jews Now follow some reasons proper to the confirmation of the truth of Christian Religion CHAP 12. Special reasons for the Christian Religion as diff ring from the Jewish It purgeth the soul shews that God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The testimony of the Apostles and 〈◊〉 the knowledge of what they wrote their Honesty The credit of the story Testimony from Pagans The star at Christs birth The crosse sacred with the Egyptians The miracles at Christs death The progresse of Christianity by weake means opposed by power and learning contrary to flesh and blood the excellency of the promises power in conversions The truth of Christs Miracles The constancy of Martyrs The ends of the apostles The Divels testimony against himself Saint Augustine out of 〈◊〉 de regressu animae one of the greatest enemies that ever the Church of God had saith that there is no true Religion that confesseth not that the soul of man 〈◊〉 to be purged and addeth that the Platonists received from the Caldeans that the soul of man non potuit perfici 〈◊〉 per principia and we know that Platos principles were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Father the minde and love which
inexcusable having all the parts of the Law within them written in their hearts to accuse or excuse them CHAP. XVII Questions about the Law 1. Why it was written by Moses seeing it was written before in mens hearts How the light of Nature became Divine three causes of it it was deserved in three respects Why the Law was given at this time Why onely to the Jews All the four parts of a Law are in the Law written 1. The Act. 2. The Manner 3. The Rewards 4. Punishments 2. Whether any can keep the Law How God is just in requiring that which we cannot perform An addition about power of keeping the Law Evangelical Adam lost his ability not efficienter but meritorie God alwayes gives or is ready to give power to do what he requires if we be not wanting to our selves How Christ hath fulfilled the Law how we keep it by faith 3. Why God promises life to the keeping of the Law if we cannot keep it NOw here a question may be made If the law of Moses were thus written in their hearts before to what end was it given them or what needed God afterwards to have written it in Tables of stone We answer the reason was because the former law though it were whole in Paradise yet afterwards by Adams fall it was broken into shards and fragments all to pieces and afterward every piece was broken smaller and smaller so as the light of Nature thereby grew dimmer and dimmer And therefore lest it should be clean put out because the writing in the heart would not be sufficient but daily decayed it was necessary that it should be written in tables of stone and set before the eyes of all that by daily viewing it it might be brought again into their hearts If it be questioned again how it came to passe that these laws of Nature were blotted out and how the light thereof came to be dimmer and dimmer we answer that the reasons are three 1. Because men did what they could to blot it out themselves 〈◊〉 intelligere men would not understand and the reason why they would be so ignorant was because when they had done ill and communed with their own hearts they found presently an accuser in them so that not daring to look into themselves when they had done ill they would not be checked and as S. Augustine saith facti sunt fugitivi a cordibus suis they became fugitives from their own hearts Therefore to cure this evil it was expedient when they had put it out of their hearts that the law should be written to be ever in their sight that thereby it might be brought back again into their hearts unde fūgerunt from whence they had driven it 2. Because as Christ said there came a Super seminator another Sower the Devil who sowed tares false principles in their hearts as Eritis dii cognoscentes 〈◊〉 malum ye shall be as gods knowing good and evil and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bonum est quod prodest that is to be counted good that doth us good and the like Now thesetares overgrowing and overmastering the good wheat it was fit that the good seed should be sowen again and that it might not be corrupted again it was necessary that the Law should be delivered in Tables of stone to remain ever to be looked upon and not forgotten 3. Thirdly God inflicted the punishment of blindnesse upon them as S. Augustine saith Lege infatigabili spargit 〈◊〉 paenales caecitates super illicitas cupiditates when men went after their own lusts and neglected the light of nature which God had written in their hearts and would not cherish it it pleased God to send upon them the spirit of slumber and giddinesse And thus having spoken of their knowledge let us now see their practise And by this they deserved the losse of the light of Nature three wayes 1. In respect of God Because whatsoever things or Arts they invented or whatsoever else they understood they attributed not to God but to their own industry sacrificing to their own nets as the Prophet And as S. Paul professing themselves to be wise and therefore as he saith they became fools and had the reward of their folly God gave them up 2. Again whereas the goodnesse of every action should be for the end all their actions were either for a wrong end or none at all As the Epicures end was for pleasure The Platonists ob praxim politicam for policy The Stoicks for the action it 〈◊〉 Officium propter 〈◊〉 or propter virtutem doing their dutie for their duties 〈◊〉 vertues own sake none for the glory of God But we know that Officium est propter quiddam altius officio for something more excellent then then the duty it self that is for the glory of God For he saith My glory will I not give to another But they robbed God of this glory 3. Lastly whereas God is no 〈◊〉 offended yea more for the breach of the 〈◊〉 Table then of the second and in the second Table more with Adultery then Theft they go another way and set down great punishments for Thefts and such things as are committed against themselves or concern them but when they come to blasphemy and other sins that are injurious and derogatory to Gods honour they regard not them nor set any or at least little punishment upon them as if they concerned not them at all In respect of Men. Take the second Table in which is contained the duty of Parents and Children They were so unnatural that they did sacrifice their own sons and daughters to Devils And for Children though they were undutiful to Parents and releeved them not yet they had their Corban for it a child might neglect his duty towards his Parents if he vowed to bestow a gift on the Temple For stealth and robbery that was accounted no sin their Law bare them out as in Sparta it was but Tu quoque fac simile do thou the like And for Adultery they allowed their nagas libidines extravagant lusts their abominable feasts to Venus and their Stewes to maintain them In respect of themselves They practised and delighted in Gluttony and Drunkennesse which was accounted no sin but a vertue and used after their sacrifices insomuch as Saint Augustine saith of them they did mensuras bibere sine mensura drink measures without measure and it was accounted a commendable thing among them No marveil then if in these respects all those things considered that God plagued them with blindnesse and darknesse for such intollerable abuse of that light they had Thus mans heart being an ill Custos or keeper of the Law and ignorantia ignorance being made poena ignorantiae the punishment of ignorance and so the Law being almost blotted out it was necessary it should be written so as it might abide for ever When God had made an end of communing with
Interpretation and to be applied to perticulars Now if it be demanded where and whence this interpretation is to be had The resolution of this we have from Moses If there arise a matter too hard c Thou shalt come to the Priests and Levites c. and they shall shew thee c. And the Prophet Malachi tells us The Priests lips preserve knowledge and they must seek the Law at his mouth and the reason he gives for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts The Lord Treasurer to Candace Queen of Ethiopia could not go forward without Philips instruction How can I understand without a Guide But this may beget a second doubt which is Whether every thing they deliver be good or the interpretation they make of every thing be true and infallible To this we answer That there are rules to be observed in their interpretation And unlesse their interpretation be according to those rules it is neither good nor true and if it manifestly swerve from them ought not to be received Our Saviour Christ reprehended the Lawyers for not interpreting according to the rules the condition of a Law standing upon a more particular respect there must be more particular rules then the bare letter or sentence affordeth the interpretation must be to shew the compasse of the Law how far it extendeth and how far it restraineth so that to know the true meaning of every precept these two things are to be considered to which the rules of interpretation do referre And they are but two 1. Amplificatio the extent 2. Limitatio the exception or restraint The first rule is generall viz. Intentio ad scopum because the Law depends not meerly upon the letter but upon the meaning Certum est quod is committit in Legem qui Legis verba observans contra voluntatem Legislatoris facit it is without question that he offends against the Law that by observing the words of the Law goes against the will of the Law maker Now the purpose of the Law is best known by the intent of the Lawgiver Intentio Legislatoris voluntas Legis the intent of the Law-maker is the will of the Law for as the Law is regula mentis the rule to square the minde by so mens Legislatoris est regula Legis the minde of the Lawmaker is the rule of the Law The intent of the Lawgiver is known by his end for as bonitas Ethica so bonitas Theologica pendet a fine Divine as well as moral goodnesse depends upon the end therefore in our interpretation we must consider Gods end and make that ours The supream end of the Law is Gods glory as it is in the Prophet My glory will I not give to another and the subordinate end is vult omnes salvari he will have all men saved as the Apostle testifies But as is said before the best way to take our direction more particularly to know the meaning of a law is to consider these two the extent and restraint or limitation And first let us take a view of some rules concerning the first Of Extent And for direction in this the Jews have set down thirteen rules which may be reduced to these First as they say in every commandment there is praeceptum faciens non faciens if the commandment be affirmative it implyeth also the negative e contra according to the rules of Logique si 〈◊〉 est faciendum ejus contrarium fugiendum if this be to be done the contrary is to be avoided And to this purpose Eschew evil and do good saith the Psalmist there is the Rule The affirmatives of the Decalogue are but two which are the fourth and fifth The Rabbins finde in the books of Moses two hundred fourty eight affirmative commandments according to the number of the joynts in a mans body and the negatives in the five books of Moses three hundred sixty five according to the number of dayes in the year both which added make six hundred and thirteen according to the Hebrew letters in the ten commandments The second Rule is That wheresoever a thing is commanded or prohibited there all the homogenea or of the same kinde to it are forbidden or enjoyned The same may be seen in mans Lawes A Law is extended either Specifice or by Equipollens 1 Specifice is when a thing is done that is of the same kinde but by circumstance is diverse 2. By Equipollens the Rabbins call those by two names first when the ballance hangs equall the Logicians call it a pari as in the commandment against theft to set a mans house on fire is as evil as to steal Secondly when one is lighter or heavier then the other from the lesse to the greater a majori as they call it If one be bound to honour his Parents much more to honour God The third Rule is peculiar to the Law of God which is spiritual The last commandment forbidding the inward desires of the heart is added as a rule how to understand all the rest When you have extended them specifice and per equipollens then they must be extended to the Spirit Lex humana ligat manum lingua divina comprimit animam Mans Law binds onely the hands but Gods the soul. The true worship of God is in Spirit and the reason is good for the heart is the fountain of all evil Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts saith our Saviour This appeared by the dream of Polydorus in Plutarch de sera numinis vindicta that dreamed in the night that his heart came to him and said ego tibi omnium horum malorum sum author I am the cause of all these evils which have befallen thee The heart therefore is first to be cleansed by truely planting the fear and knowledge of God in it Plutarch saith that the Heathen would have restrained the heart if they could but because they could not they forbare it The Law of man faileth two wayes First for want of knowledge of the offender because they knew not the heart Secondly for want of power As when the number of offenders is so great or their power of such force as there is no resisting them tolleration must be Frst But though with men faults may be so closely carried as that it cannot be found where the fault is or how it may be remedied yet with God and his Lawes it cannot be so For the heart is deceitfull as the Prophet truely saith above all things and desperately wicked quis cognoscit idem who knows it but in the next verse he answereth himself that there is a quis a who he is that knoweth it I the Lord search the heart I try the reins There is no defect of knowledge in God Secondly neither can there be so many Offenders but God is able to destroy them It is his power by which he rules saith the Prophet Did not he in his
that if the thing we do be indifferent in it self yet if commanded by lawfull authority we must not forbear it potius scandalum admittatur quam veritas amittatur as Saint Augustine saith rather let offence come then the truth be lost I may adde rather then any act necessary vi pracepti be omitted and so a sinne of omission follow for this is scandalum acceptum non datum a scandal taken and not given and in this case we may say as Christ of the Pharisees if they will be offended let them be offended but if the thing be not sub pracepte but wholly in our own power and no way necessary we ought to forbear till the weak brother may be informed of the lawfulnesse of the action but if he will not be informed or rectified t is not weaknes but wilfulnes in him after sufficient means of information and no man need to abridge himself in his liberty for the pleasing of such persons Thus much for the rules of extent CHAP. 3. Rules os restraint in expounding the law False rules made by the Pharisees Of Custom Addition 7. of the force of Church Customes Three Rules of restraint 1. by dispensa ion 2. by the nature of the precept 3. by Conflict of precepts Antinomia wherein these rules are to be observed 1. Ceremonial preceps are to give place to moral 2. The second table is to give place to the first 3. In the second table the following precepts are to give place to those before Rules to expound in case of 1. obscurity 2. Ambiguity 3. Controversy THe second are the rules of Limitation or Restraint how far the Comandments are to be restrained The Hebrewes say that there are general precepts in the Scriptures which we would conceive to be perticular but are enlarged as generals either in the fignifications of the words or in their derivations or from equity or parity of reason c. And this practise of enlarging and restraint according to the true 〈◊〉 and scope of the words hath bin a token or note of distinction between good interpreters and bad The Pharisees rules be narrow though their Phylacteries be broad The commandment against swearing the Pharisees restrain it either to Thou shalt not forswear or Thou shalt not swear by the name of Jehovab But our Saviour by the second rule of extension saith Thou shalt not swear at all but your conversation should be yea and nay and so forbids all unnecessary oathes which appeares from the end of an oath which as the Author to the Hebrews Heb. 6. 16. saith is to be an end of all weighty controversies and not to be used upon every light and triviall matter They restrain the Commandment Thou shalt not kill that is not the innocent and restrained it to the outward act and thought it fit for a man to revenge an injury But Christ by the third rule of extent maketh wrath and anger murther because it is the seed of a greater offence and forbids all revenge commanding to love our enemies They in the Law against adultery held they might have as many wives as they would by way of divorce But Christ by the fourth rule of extension tells them they must avoyd all occasions of adultery we must not look upon a woman to hust after her They restrained the word neighbour in the parable of the Samaritan to them that dwelt neer them but Christ by the rule of aequipolleus extendeth it to every man so that Christs interpretations warrant extensions And though it be true which the Rabbins say that it is necessary to extend and to restrain but more necessary to extend yet rules must be set down of restraint also There is a Rule that Consuetude est optimus legum interpres Custom is the best expounder of Laws but we must adde bumanarum of mans Laws for concerning the interpretation of Gods Laws it is most false In Civill Law Communis error facit jus Common errour makes a Law say the Civilians but in Gods Law it is no rule but Consuetudo cedat authoritati divinae Custom must give place to divineauthority Their rules have no place in the ten commandments ther 's no 〈◊〉 that can plead Custom or so common that can make it a Law If Jehosaphat walk not after Gods Law but after the Custom of Israel he is blamed Now the reason why Custom must give place to Gods Law is this In every positive Law of man it is necessary to sever just positivum nature the positive Law and Law of nature ut necessario consequatur repetitio and repetitio doth presuppose deliberationem and oft times the after wit is better then the former But the Law of God was so wisely set down at the first that it need not come again to the forge of men mans after wit cannot better it and therefore howsoever it be with the Law of man yet in Gods Law vsus authoritati cedat per principia in lege Dei omnia examinanda all actions are to be squared according to the principles of Gods Law and Custom must give way to authority This holds where the Custom is clearly and evidently contrary to Law but where the Law speaks doubtfully or obscurely there Custom and usage of the Church is the best and safest guide to follow even in divine Laws as well as humane so our learned Authour on 1 Cor. 11. 16. speaking of Church Customs Every Society besides their Laws in books have their Customs in practise and so the Church we de not oppose them to that which is written c. but haec oporret facere et illa non omittere P. 531. At the Nicene Councel the Churches cry was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mos 〈◊〉 obtineat let old Customs prevail And P. 521. against contentions men reasoning will not serve they will be sine fine dicentes no way so ready to stop their mouthes as Custom for Custom is matter of fact habemus or non habemus may be put to twelv men and there 's an end Thus this reverend Author expounds himself Now we may know how many wayes a Commandment holdeth not by three rules of Limitation 1. By the Dispensation 2. By the nature of the Precept 3. By the Conflict or opposition of the Precepts 1. Every Prince challengeth to himself a prerogative Royall to dispense with his own Laws the word cometh a dispensando proper to a Steward so are all princes to God This priviledge as it is allowed to earthly Princes of great right doth God challenge it For their dispensations commonly proceed from will or affection which oft times is corrupt but Gods will and his justice go together therefore there can be no danger in his dispensations Their rule is Quod licitum est ex superveniente causa mut atur that which is 〈◊〉 may be changed by a cause which may come unlooked for and so in some cases God hath somtimes restrained his Law
as none can be partakers of true happinesse by his own guidance or conduct as other creatures attain in some sort and therefor the heathen confesse with us that there is a maime and a main defect in mans nature But we our selves were the cause of it as appears by the History of the Bible namely by dealing with the tree in being our own choosers And therefore this choosing of ours this making Laws to our selves must be left we must leave and submit our selves to the will and choyce of a superiour nature that knoweth what is best for us 2. Of the second the reason is evident that seeing a God we are to have we ought in all reason to desire a true God No man would willingly erre even they that bend themselves to deceive others cannot endure to be deceived themselves And no man desires to think that to be which is not nor that not to be which is The reason of the third is That there be sundry things that a man cannot have but he must have them alone without partner or competitor Of which number a master is one And God is our Master he is pleased to call himself so And our Saviour saith Nemo potest duobus Dominis servire no man can serve two masters the service to a master must be to him a lone else not And the prophet in the person of God faith I will 〈◊〉 thee unto me for ever and the Apostle I have espoused you unto one husband that is Christ now a husband also comes within the number and is to be had alone and the condition of having God is like to that of a husband one and a lone or not at all 4. Another reason may be added The joyning of God with any other thing must needs be much to his dishonour and derogation for he 〈◊〉 the most transcendent nature in the world 〈◊〉 no inferiour thing but being joyned with him doth much abase him and he will endure no dishonour his honour he is very jealous of and thereof his worship must be kept pure without intermingling it with the worship of any other for if any thing of a nobler nature be joyned with some thing of a viler substance the nobler nature is thereby adulterated and corrupted therefor Gods worship must be pure and not mixt or sophisticated CHAP. VI. In the 1. proposition of having a God is included 1. Knowledge of God wherein 1. The excellency 2. the necessity 3. how it is attained The contrary forbidden is 1. Ignorance 2. light knowledge What we are to know of God Impediments of knowledge to be remooved Rules of direction to be followed For the 1. consideration of the proposition S. Pavl saith that an Idol is nothing we know it and that ther is no other God but one And therefore it may seem strange that in respect that Idols nor ought elie be Gods he should command us to haue no other Gods We say though a man take armes against his Prince yet he is his Prince still and he hath no other and this having is onely true inrespect of the superiour yet the rebellious subject hath him not for his Prince or atleast will not have him because he accompts him not his Prince the like is between God and us He is our God and his law is lex ferrea it will hold us and have us whether we will or no. Yet in regard we rebel against him and endeauor to exempt our selves from his service and obedience in breaking his laws we have him not for our God It is the course of the holy Ghost to use this phrase They had Baal and Ashteroth not that they were Gods but that they in their accounts had them for Gods 2. Again as the Philosopher a thing is said to be had when it is known to be had for if a man have 〈◊〉 under his ground and knows not of it he hath it not Besides a man cannot be properly said to have that which he makes no account of as if he have rushes or cobwebs in his house and caring not for them he cannot be said to have them Therefore a man cannot be said to have that which he knoweth not of or knowing he hath them regards them not And so he that will be said to have God must both know and regard him and this is that which is meant by having a God It hath been formerly said that the spritual worship and having of God was the end and scope of this commandment The worship of the spirit is divided as the soul. The principall parts of the soul as God himself makes them are two 1. Reason or understanding called the spirit in a strict sence and sometimes the soul or mind 2. Affection or will called the heart Now as we know the parts of the minde so we must know that these parts have their order Vires annimae sunt ordinatae the powers of the soul are set in order saith the Philospher and the order is first to know then to regard and love that we know for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Saint Austine saith Invisa 〈◊〉 cupere ignota nequaquam we may desire things we have not seen but never those things that we have never heard of Therefore as they say well If two things be to be done in order whereof the second depends upon the first if the first be taken away the second can not be fulfilled So if we be ignorant of God we shall never desire or Love him and so we shall not have him at all God must first be known then Loved 1. Knowledge lieth in the understanding part The minde 2. Love is in the affection The heart 1. Cocerning knowledge the obect thereof is God and he cannot be known a priori therfore we must seek to know him a posteriori and that must be either by his Attributes ascribed to him in his word or by his effects and works His Attributes 〈◊〉 ten Exod. 34. 6. 7 Majesty Truth Vnchangeablenesse Will Justice Mercy Knowledge Power Vbiquity Eternity other things are attributed to God in scripture but they may be reduced to some of these as love patience c. may be referred to mercy anger or wrath to Justice c. Of these Justice and mercy are the two principal and concerne us most the other eight have influance upon these two parts to make them the fitter objects of our faith fear love and hope c. To work upon our knowledge or faith apprehending 1. Gods Justice 2. his mercy and beleeving them both if you adde the other attributes to his Justice 1. that he is infinite in majesty 2. infallible in his truth 3. without change c. and they make his Justice more perfect and consequently more fearfull In the second place adde the same also to his mercy that he which loveth us is 1. A King of eternal majestie and life 2. Infallible 3. Unchangable and the rest it makes his mercy more
memory of the creation and did oblige all mankinde though the symbolical or typical rest afterwards was enjoyned to the Jews onely this proved from Scripture Fathers Jewish Doctors late Divines reasons c. How the Fathers are to be understood that deny Sabbatizing before the Mosaical Law 4. The Lords day is of divine institution proved by Scripture Fathers publick declarations of the Church Edicts of Princes Canonists some School-men late Divines 5 The fourth Commandment is in force for the moral equity that at least a seventh part be given to God literally it requires onely the seventh day from the creation not a seventh day The day altered by the Apostles by special authority 6. The rest of the Jewish sabbath partly moral which continues still partly symbolical which is expir'd How the rest of the Lords day differs from the rest of Iewish sabbath rest from ordinary labours forbidden by God but the special determination left to the Church How the Lords day succeeds the sabbath 7. The sabbath kept with the Lords day by the Primitive Christians till the Council of Laodicea was not in a Jewish manner The whole doctrine of the sabbath and Lords day handled in seven conclusions FOr the more cleare understanding of this point of the sabbath and of the reasons which are here produced and of this discourse upon that subject I shall briefly lay down that which I conceive most agreeable to the truth in certain propositions or conclusions distinguishing things certain from such as are onely probable and submitting all to the iudicious and learned reader 1. It is certain that some time ought to be set apart for publick worship and that this is required by the law of nature which dictates to every one that as God ought to be worshipped so some special time must be set apart for that imployment and therefore as when God created the world he is said to have concreated time with it so when he commands a publick worship he commands withall some time for that use without which it cannot be performed and therefore it is confessed by all divines ancient and modern and by men of all professions except familists and such fanatick spirits that some time ought to be set apart for holy duties as due by the immutable law of nature morale est quantum ad hoc quod homo 〈◊〉 aliquod tempus ad vacandum divinis c. saith Aquinas secunda secundae q. 112. It is moral that every man depute some time for religious duties and with him joyntly agree all the rest of the Schoolmen modern divines and others The very law of nature saith our learned Hooker requires no lesse the sanctification of times then of places persons and things for which cause it hath plased God heretofore as of the rest so of times likewise to exact some part by way of perpetual homage And so we finde the Heathen which had no other then the law of nature to direct them had their solemne feasts and set dayes appointed for the worship of their supposed deities This therefore I lay down as certain because questionedby none 2. I conceive it to be likewise certain that the law of nature doth not in particular dictate what day or time ought to be set apart for publick worship but that the determination of the time or dayes in special is from positive laws either of God or men and therefore that the limitation of a seventh day or the 7 th day from the creation or any other particular proportion cannot be deduced necessarily from any natural principle but must be referrd to some positive law either divine or humane This appears in that there can no natural reason be given why one day more then another or why a seventh rather then a sixth or eighth should necessarily be consecrated to God all dayes being in themselves alike and none in themselves more excellent then others those things which are natural and simply or purely moral are evident to all by the light of nature or may by necessary consequence be deduced from some principle which is evident such laws concern things good or evil in themselves and therefore do immutably binde all persons in all places alike but the limitation of a special day is not it is neither a principle evident in it self nor can by necessary consequence be derived from any such principle and therefore cannot be referred to any natural law or dictate of reason Therefore not only the schoolmen generally nemine contradicente with the Casuists and Canonists but the most modern divines some few excepted do generally agree in this as well as in the former conclusion and though some make the observation of the Lords day under the Gospel to be unchangable and so in some sort moral as the sabbath was under the law yet this they ground not upon any natural law but upon positive divine Law and those that seem to make it a dictate of nature mean nothing else but that there is a congruity in reason and that this time being fixt by Christ is unalterable by any humane power The reason given by some why a memento is prefixed before the fourth Commmandement and none else is because that Nature doth not dictate any particular day and therefore men need to be put in minde of the day appointed by God Filencius tract 27. cap. 1. n. 4. Ex Thom. 1. 2. q. 100. a. 7. 2. 2. q. 122. a. 4. ad 3. Bonavent Richard aliis in 3. Sent. Dist. 37. and before them S. Chrysost. saith that the Sabbath is a precept not made known to us by our Consciences as the other precepts are and that God therefore gives reasons of this as because he rested the seventh day and because they were servants in Egypt c. whereas in those that are purely moral as Thou shalt do no murther c. he gives the Precept barely without any reason at all and that because our consciences had taught us this before and because he speaks to those that knew reason sufficient Tom. 6. p. 542. Edit Savil. 3. It is probable that the seventh day was appointed by positive divine law from the begining as the day for publick worship to praise God for the creation of the world c. and so did oblige all mankinde though as a Sabbath or day of symbolical rest it was afterward particularly given to the Jews by Moses For it is the opinion not only of some Jewish Doctors but of learned men among our selves that in the 4 h Commandment the sanctifying of the seventh day and the rest then commanded are several distinct things and that the first refer to the creation of the world as the cause the other to the Egyptian bondage out of which they were delivered and that therefore the one belonged to all men the other onely to the Jews for which cause the Sabbath is said to be a signe between God and
them Exod. 31. 13. of which opinion seem to be Irenaeus lib. 4. cap. 30. and Euseb. hist. 1. cap 4. And thus that of Genesis 2. of Gods blessing and sanctifying the seventh day may be expounded cleerly and litterally without any forced interpretation that God did then sanctifie and appoint that day to be kept holy by a joyful remembrance of the creation and by other holy duties solemnly to be performed to him as Creator of all that being the birth day of the world which God the Lord of all would have observed as Princes who appoint the birth-day of their sons to be kept by their subjects For though I know diverse learned men both ancient and modern do otherwise expound the words either of Gods sanctifying the day in himself by a rest or cessation from those emanations of his power and goodnesse or by destinating the day to be observed afterwards or that the words are spoken by anticipation viz. that Moses writing that history after the Sabbath was given saith that Gods resting on the seventh day was the cause why afterwards viz. when the Law was given he sanctified that day yet the other exposition seems to be more cleer and genuine that the sanctification by holy duties was commanded then and that the rest from all labours was one of the ceremonies given afterwards to the Jews And to this those words of Moses Deuter. 5. 12. seem to relate when after the Commandment of sanctifying the Sabbath day he addes As the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to wit long before from the beginning of the world and in Exod. 20. 10 I take the same to be the meaning of the words the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God that is the day consecrated to God from the beginning Therefore 〈◊〉 collects from those words in Job 38. 4. 7. where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth when the morning stars sung together and all the sons of God shouted for joy that upon the seventh day when the world was finisht the Angels who who are stiled the sons of God kept the sabbath And though I will not peremptorily affirme that the Angels kept it yet I take it to be very probable that the people of God the Patriarches and other holy men as they had publick sacrifices and forms of worship so they had some set times for the ordinary performance thereof which is most likely to have been on this day it is hardly credible that in the time of Enoch men should separate themselves from the sons of Cain by calling upon the name of the Lord that is by some publick worship and as learned Drusius thinks by some publick forms or liturgies without some set and solemn time for the performance thereof And Calvin himself though far from the sabbatarian errors yet thinks that the frequent sacrifices performed by Abraham and the other Patriarches were usually upon this day and therefore concludes it probable that the sanctification of it was before the Law And seeing there never was any nation in the world but had some certain and set dayes for their religious exercises can it be imagined that the people of God for those many hundred years before the flood and after even when they were grown into great multitudes in Egypt when they lived for divers hundred years should all that time be without any certain time when to worship God that they should have their sacrifices their priests viz the eldest of the family their altars and consecrated places their tithes which was Gods portion appointed by divine positive law from the beginning as may be elswhere proved and yet have no certain dayes for solemne worship this seemes to me altogether incredible especially if we consider that it is morally impossible that religion should long continue and be preserved among any people without some certain time for the publick exercise thereof And therefore though there be no expresse mention of any such dayes yet I make no question but they observed some and if any then surely this day Besides the ceasing of the manna to fall upon the seventh day for some time before the Law was given is an argument that the sabbath was known before as a day sacred to God though it begun then first to be kept as a day of rest which was afterwards prescribed by a law And hence it was that some relicks of this day were found among the Heathen though much obliterated because not written in their hearts by nature and a high esteeme they had of the seventh day as appears by Clem. Strom. 5. Euseb. praepar l. 13. c. 12. who out of Hesiod mencions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lux septuma sancta 10 Septius Adv. Appi. l. 2. circa finem Philo de die septimo shew that there was no nation so barbarous but that they honoured the seventh day and that it was the holy day not for one nation but for all the world The same is gathered from Homer and Callimachus by Clem. Alex. Strom. 5. The like we finde in Theophilus Ant. lib. 2. ad Autolicum Suetonius in Tiberio 32. Philostratus l. 3. c. 13. Dion Carthus l. 33. Lucian Tibullus and others And wheras Iustine Martyr Tertullian and others of the fathers say often that before the law holy men pleased God without keeping the sabbath they understand by sabbatizing not the publick praise and worship of God but the Jewish rest upon the sabbath which its true was proper to them and symbolical and was not observed by the Patriarchs And that they mean this may gathered from Tertull. l. 4. contra Marcion Hoc priviliigium donatum sabbato a primordio quo dies ipse compertus est veniam jeiunii dico where we see he derives the sabbath as a day of rejoycing from the beginning of the world and thereupon grounds the custom of not fasting on that day and yet the same man denies that the Patriarchs kept the sabbath that is the Jewish symbolical 〈◊〉 4. The fourth conclusion which I shall propound likewise as probable at least is that the Lords day which the Christian Church observes instead of the sabbath is of divine institution that as the seventh day from the Creation was instituted by God himself by a positive law obliging all the world so the Lords day is by positive Law obliging all Christians to the end of all the world instituted by authority from Christ who changed the day by his resurrection from the seventh to the first day of the week and that the Apostles published and ordained it not as ordinary rulers and gouernours of the Church but as speciall extraordinary legates of Christ by order from him and therefore the Church now hath no power to alter this day This assertion follows upon the former for if the sabbath was instituted by God before the Law and did oblige all mankinde as we have shewed already for
of the Lords day as Abbas Panormit in c. 3 de Feriis Anchor and others and of the latter canonists 〈◊〉 at large proves the festivtiy of the Lords day ab Apostolis divina institutione edoctis 〈◊〉 fuisse that it was appointed by the 〈◊〉 instructed therein by divine institution Variar 〈◊〉 l. 4. c. 19. n. 5. and that to make it a humane institution were nimis indecorum wch he makes to be the opinion of some men and not generally received And though most of the Schoolmen following Aquinas herein make it onely an ecclesiastical constitution of the Apostles which they do upon this ground that Christ gave no special precepts but onely about faith and the sacraments which if it could be here insisted upon might ealsiy be proved false yet even of them some are for the divine right as Augr. l de verbo Feri e. ss 3. and Sylvest verb. Dominica who affirmes it to be the common opinon in his time and for the rest who are for the jus ecclesiasticum diverse of them say that though the day be absolutely alterable yet morally and practically it is immutable because this change can never be put in practise as Suarez saith and that it is so fixed and deeply rooted and so agreeable to right reason that it can never be changed ob defectum causae because there be no such cause to change it as there was to fix it on this day and that therfore the holy Ghost would never permit the Church to change it because such a change could not be for edification so Fileucius tract ' 3. cap. 2. n. 16. 17. and Ballarmine saith 〈◊〉 divinum requirebat ut 〈◊〉 dies Hebdomadis dicaretur cultui divino that by divine right one day of the week ought to be consecrated to divine worship Decultu sanct lib. 3. cap. 11. de die Dominico If we come lower down divers eminent divines of the reformed Churches go this way though its true that both of Luthers and Calvins followers some seeme to encline to the other opinion as Peter Martyr loco citato Junius in his notes upon 〈◊〉 in cap. 16. Apol. And in his lectures on Gen 23. Piscator in Apoc. 1. 10. Tylnus syntag loc 44. p. 276. to whom diverse others may be added If we come to our own church The homily of the time and place of prayer is full and copious expressely affirming and that often that God hath commanded the observation of the Sunday or Lords day which being the publike voice of the Church ought in points doubtful to have so much weight with every son of the Church as to turn the scale when it hangs in aequilibrio to which we may adde our learned Author that great light of this Church in the places forequoted and that judicious and 〈◊〉 Hooker that Malleus Schismatieorum who is very peremptory in the point as having studied it throughly Eccles. Polit. lib. 5. n. 17. to whom may be added Doctor Fullk on Revelation 1. Doctor Hackwell 〈◊〉 with many others of great learning and judgement not to mention that Rabble of our disaffected Clergie whose Schismatical and factious practises together with that ignorance and pride which is generally seen in most of them and their Jewish principles which they go upon may justly render their judgements suspected so that their authority can be of little weight with judicious pious and peaceable men and therefore I should suspect this opinion if it were not 〈◊〉 by better reasons and authority then these men bring Now to these reasons and testimonies if we adde How Christ honoured that day with his resurrection his apparitions to his Disciples after and sending the Holy Ghost on that day the practise of the Apostles and the first Christians having their religious meetings on that day the title of the Lords day which it had given in S. Johns time together with those high titles and encomiums of the day given by Ignatius Chrysostome Athanasius 〈◊〉 S. Augustine Leo and others of the Fathers calling it the Queen and Princesse of dayes the Royal day the most holy Festival the first and chief of all dayes the venerable day c. we may well conclude both that it was the will of Christ that day should be kept holy to him and that the Church esteemed it no lesse then divine not a humane constitution 5. Fiftly concerning the fourth Commandment whether it be in force or what we are tied to by vertue of the fourth Commandment I answer 1. It is certain there is a moral equity in the fourth Commandment which extends to us under the Gospel viz. that some time be set apart for publick worship and that not lesse then a seventh part for if God thought it fit in his wisdom to require a seventh part before Christs coming in all reason we that live now after his coming ought to give him as much at least we having received greater benefits then they that lived before Christ by Christ now exhibited and having better and clearer promises with a greater measure of the 〈◊〉 now ordinarily given so that a greater measure of mortification to the world is now required and therefore we ought as little or rather far lesse then they to minde worldly affairs and to have our thoughts more raised up to heavenly things In regard of which moral equity this precept extends to all times and persons and is therefore put among the other Commandements which are purely moral and so retaines its power of obligation and therefore the Church hath just cause to retain it in the Liturgie and by that usuall Antiphona at the end of this Commandment as well as of the rest to pray Lord have mercy upon us and encline our hearts to keep this Law 2. Secondly in regard of the particular day litterally enjoyned by this Commandment it is certain it doth not oblige any since Christ for the special day here required is the seventh from the Creation not a seventh day in general as some without any ground affirme but that seventh day in special which was then observed which was no other then the seventh from the Creation for though the first part of the Commandement specifies not the day but requires onely to sanctifie the Sabbath yet the reason added doth plainly limit the day to the seventh day from the Creation and cannot be extended to the Lords day without manifest absurdity for who would not think this reason ridiculous God made heaven and earth in six dayes and rested on the seventh therefore we ought in imitation of him to rest on the first day when he began to work besides that the text saith expressely that the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it that is not a seventh day but that seventh day viz. the seventh from the Creation And therefore those who would ground the Lords day upon the letter of the fourth Commandment must of necessity fall into Judaisme and observe the Saturday Sabbath which was the errour
may be said of the maintenance for Gods worship though natural reason dictates that a proportion must be allowed and that this proportion of the tenth is very congruous and reasonable yet there can no necessary reason from meer natural principles be given why a seventh part of our time or a tenth of our estate and no other proportion should be limited and therefore those that have laboured to urge either of them as a precept or dictate of nature have thereby wronged the cause they undertook and given occasion to some to make all 〈◊〉 arbitrary when they finde their reasons not to be concluding whereas both may be jure divino positivo and so may binde as firmly as if they were jure naturali Gods positive law binding as well as the laws of nature besides that this proportion being once consecrated to God as this hath been by all Christian Churches and kingdoms it is not in the power of any to take it away The first law for tythes then was not given by Moses for whereas Levit. 27. 30. it is said The tenth of all is the Lords this is not meant that it came so by a Law then made but that it was the Lords by ancient Law and custom long before and so refers to some Law made at the beginning yet then its true God transferred his right to the Tribe of Levi on whom the Priesthood was conferred and so as to them the Law of receiving tythes was new and began then And that the tenth is still due by divine right hath been 〈◊〉 judgement of the Christian Church in all ages testified in several Councels by their Canons 〈◊〉 Decrees and acknowledged generally by the Fathers Canonists and modern learned Divines and by our own Church in special which in matters of this nature as was said before of the Lords day ought to be sufficient to sway the judgement and settle the conscience of private persons But yet withall as was said also of the day though the payment of the tenth be by divine right in the general so that lesse then the value of a tenth ought not to be allowed and that therefore all customs or humane laws to the contrary are void and unlawful yet for the manner in particular of tything with the determining of all circumstances and 〈◊〉 that may arise or are incident thereto I doubt not but the Laws of the Church and place where we live ought to be followed and to them we ought in Conscience to conform provided that lesse then the value of a tenth be not paid for that I conceive were contrary to divine Law which as Lindwood saith in this case no custome can prescribe against and therefore the practise of our modern Common-Lawyers allowing a modus decimandi or custome where any thing is paid in certain though it be not the hundredth part of the value is most wicked and unjust and contrary to all laws both divine and humane even to their own common Law which makes tithes to be jure divino as is acknowledged by Cook himself in many places and therefore these practises have been maintained by them onely since the Alteration of Religion to ingratiate themselves with the people and to draw the more causes into their Courts and thereby the more money into their own purses Those that would be further satisfied may among many others that have written of this subject see Sir Henr. Spelmans larger work of tythes which is sufficient alone to resolve any judicious conscientious man in this matter The second sacred thing is Oblations That is when any man freely and voluntarily dedicateth or offereth something to God out of his own estate The particulars are set down in Leviticus Thus did Samuel and Abner and others So did they in the time of the Gospel that sold their estates and laid them at the Apostles feet And these things thus dedicated were accounted holy to the Lord to whom they transferred their right Render therefore to every one his due saith the Apostle To God the things which are Gods saith Christ. What is thus freely given to God is highly esteemed by him our Saviour counted it no wrong to the poor when the box of oyntment was spent upon his feet The poor ye have alwayes but me ye have not alwayes saith he John 12. 8. Though oblations seem in the general to be free and voluntary yet we must know that some oblations as well as tythes may become due by Law or custom There were some oblations or offerings under the Law limited and commanded by God himself which did not cease to be oblations because they were commanded and there were others which were free-will-offerings left to the free will and bounty of the Giver And so it is now some oblations may become due by Law custom or compact or by the necessity of the Church when other maintenance is wanting as Aquinas observes with whom agree the Canonists and the rest of the School onely Suarez addes for explication that whereas Aquinas saith the oblation may be necessary by command but the quantity or quality of the thing to be offered is left free that this is to be understood onely where there is otherwise sufficient sustenance for the Priest or no Law custom or contract to the contrary for otherwise in 〈◊〉 cases by the rule of justice even the quantity and quality may be necessarie and not left free And this is commonly received nemine refragante saith Covarruvius But now where no law custom or contract is for any oblations nor the necessity of the Church requires them there they are meerly voluntary and free-will-offerings and are the more acceptable to God because freely given But may not this which is thus given be taken away by the Magistrate No we see the Priests 〈◊〉 was not bought by Joseph If it be once dedicated it cannot be sold or alienated Upon the taking of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and prophaning the vessels by Belshazzar we see what judgement God sent upon 〈◊〉 And that of the sons of wicked Athaliah that did bestow the dedicate things of the house of God upon Baalim is noted as a high degree of wickednesse If they be taken or alienated by any the Wise man tells us Laqueus est devorare sacra it is a 〈◊〉 to that man that devoureth that which is holy Nay it is flat felony before God Ye have robbed me in tythes and offerings Ananias and his wife suffered death for it If others suffer not in so high a measure yet it will bring a curse upon the rest of their estate Ye looked for much and lo it came to little and when you brought it home I did blow upon it saith God by the Prophet in another case which may be applied to this It will be like Zacharies book which should enter into the house of the Thief and consume
he may for a time leave a good Prince so from others sometimes he may quite take away for ever his good spirit and send an evil spirit as he did to Saul So that it is all one with God to make an evil Prince good and to set an evil prince over the people at first And though he set an evil king over the people yet as in the case of 〈◊〉 God hath given him the kingdomes and it was his will the nations should serve him And the king of Assur is called the 〈◊〉 of Gods wrath as purposely sent by him to correct the people and because it is his doing therefore the people are by the Prophet commanded to pray for Nebuchadnezzar under whom they were captives and to submit to him and obey him So likewise in the new testament the Apostle willeth that prayers be made for governours though they were not Christians then and Saint Peter commandeth all men to honour the king which then was Nero to whom saint 〈◊〉 appealed from his deputy though he were one of the greatest tyrants that ever was But this must be added out of Chrysostome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that whatsoever honour we attribute to such evil Princes is not to them as men but to God himself and in reverence and obedience to his ordinance not barely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the person but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the vizard that God hath put upon him or if to the person as it cannot well be conceived otherwise for the person and office must not be severed yet not to the person barely for it self but to such a person as it is vested and clothed with authority from God We may see this in the case of Mordecai when Haman advised the king what should be done to the man whom the king would honour which was to put on the royal apparel c. upon him It is plain that the honour done by the people to Mordocheus was in respect of the kings robes upon him and so are we to conceive of evil judges governours rulers and Princes that they weare but Gods robes and Gods crown for which onely we are to give honour to the person The heathen embleme was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An Asse loaden with the Image of the Goddesse Isis to which the people fell down and did reverence but the inscription was non tibi sed religioni not to the Asse but to the Goddesse To this we may adde in thelast place that be a government never so bad yet it is far better then to have none at all as Tyrannie is better then Anarchy where there is no ruler at all And better it is to live under one Tyrant then under many under an Oligarchie then in Anarchy for thouhg as the prophet saith God gave his people a king in his anger yet he took him away and left them no head or ruler how in his wrath or fury which is the extremity of anger The punishment is greater to that land where there is no king at all then where there is a bad one The second question goes a degree further and that is 〈◊〉 malo in malo 〈◊〉 ad malum sit obediendum whether a man is to obey an evil man in an evil thing or whether a man oweth absolute obedience as they call it to an evil superiour The answer to this is negative for that which they call absolute obedience is due to to God onely For the clearing of this point it is first to be considered whether he that commands be nobis Rex for every one is not a Ruler the robes qualifie him not so far but as he is our king and no farther then quatenus nobis imperat as he rules over us or hath right to command us 1. For the first entrance into this question we are to embrace the rule of the fathers They say that lex charitatis the law of Ghrist did not abrogate legem 〈◊〉 the law of nature and therefore it is good reason that the law of nature upon which the authority of fathers and mothers is grounded should not weaken but strengthen the law of God We cannot say when we do evil that the law of nature is the cause or that the law of nature which requires obedience to parents can warrant our disobedience to the law of God 2. The second thing is this That because as we shewed before Princes are called Gods because the word of God came to them Joh. 10 35. 〈◊〉 their authority is not absolute but by commission as delegated from God and therefore in the Proverbs the wisdome of God which is the word of God the second person in Trinity saith per quod per me Reges regnant by me kings raigne now id per quod res est that is the essence of it so every superiour hath somewhat that giveth the essence to him as he is a superiour and that is the word which gives him commission Now as in the case of Saul Samuel tells him because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord the Lord hath rejected thee When a Magistrate wholly casteth aside the word of God if it be cleere and evident that his command is contrary to his commission he ceaseth in that particular command to be our superiour 〈◊〉 his commission extends not to command against God and therefore though in other things he must be obeyed still and his commission continues in force for other matters yet in that wherein he acts without or against his commission he must not be obeyed Now for the better and more prospicuous handling of this we shall do well to take notice of the word in the original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shelabim which signifies degrees and in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 order 3. In order there are two things there is summum or 〈◊〉 the topp in respect of which all the rest are but as steps or stayers So that step is better which is neereer to the top and then there is a series a line coming down from the top wherein every one is placed in their 〈◊〉 order or rank according to their calling as on several steps or stayers one under another God being the highest and on the next step under him kings and Princes and so others in their order and in this series there are bounds to limit all persons beyond which if they exceed they transgresse For God onely is without bounds being infinite and superiour to all Now these may be referred to two 1. When a mangoeth aside from that summum principium the top and that is when he doth accedere or recedere go 〈◊〉 neerer to it or down further from it then his rank then he breaks the 〈◊〉 or order and exceeds his limits in which respect we are still to keep our station and rest in our places and so we shal be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
one another 〈◊〉 condemnes Zimri had Zimri peace which slew his Master And Absolom though he were rebellious to his father yet he could condemne Hushai for leaving David is this thy kindnes to thy friend 2. As the Prophet Esay hath it in the forenamed verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non 〈◊〉 their worm shall not die Conscientia ipsorum paena their very conscience shall be a punishment to them So that their life may be 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 long but without delight or joy 3. The third is out of the same verse ignis 〈◊〉 non extinguetur Their fire shal never be quenched Their misery shall never have end 4. And lastly there too they shall be an abhorring to all flesh They shall be odious to every good man Their name shall be forgotten God will root out the remembrance of them from the earth The name of the wicked shall rot And though God take away the righteous betimes yet in the way of righteousnes is life and in the path-way thereof there is no death as the wiseman speaks And to conclude with the words of the Preacher though the dayes of the wicked be prolonged yet it shall go well with them that fear the Lord But it shall not go 〈◊〉 with the wicked neither shall he prolong his dayes which are as a shadow because he 〈◊〉 not before God THE EXPOSITION OF THE Sixth Commandement CHAP. I. Why 〈◊〉 commandment is placed in this order How it coheres with the rest Of unjust anger the first step to 〈◊〉 how it differs from other affections Of lawful anger unlawful anger how prohibited The degrees and fruits of it The affirmative part of the precept to preserve the life of 〈◊〉 The life of the body and the degrees of it The life of the soul and the sinnes against it The scope of this commandment Non occides Thou shalt do no murther or Thou shalt not kill WE have seen that whatsoever duty was between men as Superiours and Inferiours pertained to the fift Commandment which hath been handled at large Now the duties that are called 〈◊〉 which are common to all follow in the four next commandments This sixth concerneth the life of man and the preservation thereof The seventh respects chastity and the preservation of it in wedlock and out of wedlock The eighth takes care of meum tunm the goods propriety and estates of men And the ninth concernes the reputation and good name of a man This commandment conducing so much to publick and private peace is rightly and in its due order placed next to the 〈◊〉 whereby authority and government is established with due respect and honour And the lawgiver considering the frailty of mans memory hath in his infinite wisdom under one word murder comprehended a whole catalogue of sinnes and made choice of this word which signifies the highest degree of sinnes of this nature to shew how odious the other degrees are and that those affections of unjust anger hatred c. Are murder in his sight which otherwise would not perhaps have seemed so haynous to man if they had not been expressed by that word This commandment is expounded in the law by Moses where not onely murder itself is forbidden but all the degrees and causes 〈◊〉 men come to it as 〈◊〉 bearing standing against the blood of our neighbour hatred not rebuking a neighbour for his sin revenge grudges c. And as in the law so in the Gospel by our Saviour himself there is a large comment upon this law from the two and twentieth verse of the fift of Saint Matthew to the 27. And from the 38. verse to the end of the chapter where rash anger and malice is made murther in the heart and revenge even against enemies is severely forbidden The like is in Saint Johns Epistles almost throughout them all but especially in one place most plainly and especially whosoever hateth his brother is a murtherer By which God sheweth that God rather gives his laws to the heart the fountain of the affections to the affections then to the actions as men do their laws And when we have well weighed these places we shall finde that to be true which the Apostle saith that Anger and hatred 〈◊〉 the gate of the 〈◊〉 whereby he enters into the soul Be angry and sinne not neither give place to the Devil for hereby is way made for strife and debate the proper work of the Devil as S. James speaks For the order and dependance of this Commandment upon the former it is very exact For 1. First the fifth was concerning parents the beginners and Authors of our life therefore no object cometh better to be treated on in the next place then life it self which floweth as an effect from the former and every man ought to prize and esteem it both in himself and others And as it ought to follow the fifth so ought it to go before the rest for we must first have life and being before we can partake of wedlock goods or good name 〈◊〉 do all depend upon life and therefore the Commandment for preserving of it ought to stand before these 2. The ground of the fifth Commandment was self conceit to restrain that conceit which men have of their own excellency whereby they assume honour to themselves and are unwilling to give honour to whom it is due Hence men are apt to hate those that are better and more honoured then themselves for omnis iniquitas mentitur sibi all iniquity deceives it self and we may observe that the first murder came from this Cain hated his brother because he was accepted and preferred before him and the text saith plainly that he slew his brother because he was better then himself for his brothers works were good and his own evil So was Esau's anger kindled against Jacob because of his prerogative of birth-right which he had bought and for the blessing which he stole from Esau. The like was in the Patriarchs against Joseph so that in both cases had they not been prevented they had proceeded even to murder when they hated them All this I say grows upon the conceit that we are not honored so much and others in our opinion are honoured more then they should be Thus then we being thwarted and crossed do as Ahab did fall into anger and revenge and to obtain our desires into murder And therefore in the placing of this Commandment before those that follow there is very good order observed It is true as diverse have well observed that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the fervour of spirit or animosity proceedeth from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 desire and our affections are hence called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 violent and earnest We see in natural things fire whose natural place is to be above desireth to be there and therefore it hath the quality of lightnesse given to it whereby it is apt to
diet Saint Paul 〈◊〉 Timothy to drink no more water but a little wine for his stomach By 〈◊〉 into excesse as into surfetting and drunkennesse a man may shorten his life 〈◊〉 Saint Hilary saith that this doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adimere mortem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it not onely takes away a mans reason but life too And 〈◊〉 saith that 〈◊〉 naturalem 〈◊〉 enervat 〈◊〉 generat mortem intempestivam adducit it weakens a mans natural parts begets infirmities and brings untimely death so that excesse in meat and drink kills by degrees Our Saviour gives a caveate against it take heed to your selves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfetting and drunkennes and so that day come upon you unawares So in those things which the Physitians call non naturalia a man by the undue vse of them may shorten his life and by the moderate use of them lengthen it Therefore the 〈◊〉 exhorts that having food and raiment let us be therewith content And make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof So likewise in the case from rest and release of affairs Our Saviour took the Apostles with him apart that they might have leisure to eat and to rest a while for the Psalmist tells us it is but losti labour to hast to rise up early and take late rest and eat the bread of carefulnesse for a man may by the 〈◊〉 much bending of his minde to these earthly things bring death to him the sooner A broken spirit doth but dry up the bones and cause him to die before his time Tristitia mundi worldly sorrow brings death saith the Apostle Now as there must be no neglect in us in respect of preserving our own lives so neither must there be in regard of our neighbours God commanded the builder to put battlements upon his house lest another should fall from it And if a man knew that his oxe vsed to push he was to tie him up and if he failed if any were killed he was to die himself for it with the oxe And if the rule of the wiseman hold good as certainly it doth that we must not with-hold our hand from doing good we wust not forbear to deliver them that are drawne to death then must we not onely keep them from danger of death but by the rules of extension we must do what we can to help them and save their lives Pasce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith saint Ambrose Non pavisti occidisti feed that sheep which is ready to 〈◊〉 if thou feedest it not thou killest it Hence is the use of Physick necessary and those that are skilful are bound to use their skill to preserve the life of their brother Is there no Balm in Gilead is there no Physitian that the people be not healed saith the prophet which speech implies and supposes the use of physick The prophet Ezekiel saith that God hath ordained plants for mans use The fruit for meate and the leaves thereof for 〈◊〉 And under the law it was provided that if any man did 〈◊〉 inferre 〈◊〉 offer violence and wound his neighbour be should pay for his healing by which places is implied the lawful use of physick and the duty of the physitian which is to preserve the life of his neighbour whereas now by the negligence of physitians many patients are like the woman which had a bloody 〈◊〉 in the Gospel who had spent her whole estate upon the physitians and yet was never the better but rather worse such is the practise of some to their shame be it spoken As it is a great sinne in them so it is a great punishment for men to fall into their hands which made the son of Syrach say He that 〈◊〉 before his maker let him fall into the the hands of the Physitian But now as we must preserve the life of the body so also 〈◊〉 corporis the good plight and integrity of it as we said before If the least part of the body be hurt the whole complains and saith 〈◊〉 me why smiteth thou me Neither the whole nor any part must be hurt The law forbad the causing of any blemish upon our neighbour the giving of a wound if any rupture or vstulation by fire happen it is an injury and the like must be inflicted upon the party that was the cause for if there be 〈◊〉 partis a dismembring of any one part it is 〈◊〉 ad mortem 〈◊〉 it reflects upon the whole body And therefore the law requires eye for eye tooth for tooth hand for hand foot for foot burning for burning wound for wound stripe for stripe And he goeth further He that causeth but a blemish in a man so shall it be done to him again And as a wound is 〈◊〉 integritatem against the integrity and perfection of the body and plaga contra sensum a stripe against the sense so is a wound binding or imprisonment contra 〈◊〉 against the motion of the body David repeated it at Abners burial as a great honour that his hands had not been bound nor his feet put into fetters he died not as a malefactor for these also are accounted as injuries done without authority but lawfully inflicted by the magistrate they are as punishments and then justifiable So that next to life this 〈◊〉 corporis the preservation of the body in its integrity and perfection is to be regarded CHAP. V. Of the murther of the soul. Several signes against the life of the soul. How a man may be accessory to the death of his soul. This sin may be committed both by them that have charge of souls and by private persons That this law is spiritual according to the third rule Of the murther of the soul. 〈◊〉 come now to the murther of the soul which is forbidden aswell as the murther of the body And indeed the murther of this is so much the more grievous by how much the image of God is more in it then in the body and therefore if the blood of the body cry to God for vengeance it is certain that the blood of the soul will cry much lowder Now the life of the soul may be said to be taken away 1. In respect of the present 2. Of the life to come 1. If a man live not here with a contented minde if his soul be not filled with good as the preacher speaks an untimely birth is better then he that is he had as good never to have been born now he that ministers occasion to discourage as the Apostle or to discontent another and so makes his life odious to him he offends against this commandment We see in 〈◊〉 what griefe can do Simeon being detained in Egypt and Benjamin to be carried thither if any mischief should befall him he tells his other sons he should be but a dead man but assoone
to admonish the Israelites to refrain from this sin because it defiled the land and would be a cause that they should be 〈◊〉 out of it Lastly S. 〈◊〉 tells us that Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them for giving themselves over to fornication and going after strange flesh were set forth for an example suffering the vengeance of eternal fire 4. For the particular good of private persons and that two wayes 1. That every one may enjoy that whereof he is Proprietary and chief Lord and that wholly to himself And this is occulta lex 〈◊〉 the secret law of nature Therefore if another partake or share with him or be but suspected so to do it drives him into jealousie which the Wise man calls the rage of a man and he accounts it such an injury as cannot be satisfied with any ransom 2. That his name may be perpetuated by legitimate children of his own We see that God would have no bastard enter into his congregation And by this also a man preserves the chastity of his wife And these four are the ends Now for the affection it self and ground of the Commandment as it was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heat in the other Commandment so here it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 concupiscence that this dealeth withall not that every concupiscence is evil for the Apostle tells us of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an evil concupiscence to intimate that there is some Concupiscence or desire which is not evil And in another place he willeth us not to have providence and care of the flesh to fulfil the lusts of it implying that there is a lawful care of the flesh to be had so that the lusts of it be not fulfilled More plainly there is in man as in all other creatures a desire first to preserve himself in 〈◊〉 and secondly in specie And therefore in respect that these are most necessary it pleased God to 〈◊〉 a bait for both that men might be allured to them for as there is a pleasure in eating and drinking for the one so is there for the other in the act of generation And there is a rule in maxime 〈◊〉 maxima 〈◊〉 as maxime allicit in things most necessary the greatest pleasure allureth most And another quod maxime allicit maxime corrumpit that which allureth most corrupts most And the reason is quia appetitus tendit ultra modum the appetite exceeds the due measure For we perswade our selves that if the doing of it once be good the doing of it often will be better and so we come at last to do it too much because the appetite knows not what is enough and so it falleth into corrupt custom For the course of our nature is when it avoids any evil it avoideth it so vehemently that sometime if there be any good with it it putteth out the good too and if 〈◊〉 desire any good it desireth the evil too that sticketh to it Therefore moderation and temperance is to be used for vertue stands in medio between two 〈◊〉 yet temperance is magis in 〈◊〉 more in the want then in the excesse as 〈◊〉 is mag is in 〈◊〉 more in the excesse then in the want This Concupiscence of the flesh as it is in us so it is in beasts and therefore it hath the lowest place and is as Plato saith alligata ventri tyed to the belly as a man would 〈◊〉 a horse or an asse to the manger Now being thus in the lowest place yet being of necessary use the rule is In maxime necessariis 〈◊〉 est maxime necessarius in things necessary order is most necessary and this order is that the lower desires should not take up a man wholly when the lower is most vehement the higher is most hindered but the lower faculties are to give place to the superiour and not to take up the whole man Chrysostome saith Dedit Deus corpus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 illud in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non dedit animam corpori ut illam in terram deprimeret God gave the body to the soul to lift it up to the 〈◊〉 of heaven and heavenly things and not the soul to the body to presse it down to the earth Therefore Gods intent was that as we may have a lawful Concupiscence for the maintenance of our life and for propagation so we should use them no further then this necessity requires And this Concupiscence hath its purity Now that is called purum pure that hath 〈◊〉 alieni admixtum no mixture of any thing with it But because in this life there will be some mixture as the Prophet tells them their wine was mixt with water we must be careful that the mixture be not disproportionable as to have but a drop of wine in a vessel of water The Prophet saith that there was a time when man was in honor but certainly he is now so degenerate from that he was that he hath lost his understanding and is become like to the beasts that perish for he serveth his lust riches and pleasures For this cause it is that another Prophet saith of the people of his time that they were 〈◊〉 addicted to this evil concupiscence of the flesh that they were like 〈◊〉 admissariis to fed horses every one neighed after his neighbours wife Therefore as the Apostle speaks of the Law in general so we may of this Commandment that it is Poedagogus our School-master to instruct us that how sweet 〈◊〉 stoln waters are yet the end of them is bitter and deadly And that we should not use our liberty for an occasion to the flesh like brute beasts but as knowing that we were created for greater things and that we should have our mindes lifted up to overrule our bodies and not use our liberty as if we had no rule to walk by Having spoken of the ground of this commandment we come now to the fountain from whence this sin arises and then we shall speak of the means or occasions that draw us to it 1. For the first the Apostle reckons up the fruits of the flesh Gal. 5. 19. Adultery fornication uncle annesse 〈◊〉 c. which our Saviour saith proceed from the heart where they be considered either as they are ipsum venenum the very poison of our nature which the Apostle calls Concupiscentia carnis the lust of the flesh or 〈◊〉 suppuratio an inward festering of this desire an inward boyling of the pot with the scum in it as the Prophet calls it 2. The means that draw us to this sin 1. The first is subactum solum when we make our selves meet and apt ground to receive this vice The Physitians call it 〈◊〉 when a man is disposed by evil humours tending to diseases as those that are Plethorique have their bodies still fed with some bad humour Now this humour of wicked lust is fed by two means 1 Pergulam By intemperance
corn the people shall curse him c. And thus much for the several branches of this Vertue of restitution The Casuists who are very copious upon this subject and have involved the matter by many intricate and needles questions have yet well reduced all to certain heads comprized in a Distich Quis quid restituit cui quantum quomodo quando Quo ordine quove loco quae causa excuset iniquum We shall first premise a few things for the better understanding of what follows 1. By restitution is meant an act of commutative justice whereby equal compensation is rendred or satisfaction given to him from whom any thing is unjustly taken or detained or who is unjustly damnified by another 2. The necessity appears by the 〈◊〉 of Scripture already mentioned wherein it is expressely 〈◊〉 as necessary to 〈◊〉 of sin and so to salvation necessitate 〈◊〉 though not 〈◊〉 3. If any ask the 〈◊〉 why it is so little urged by our Writers and Preachers and the practise of it become such a stranger to us seeing 't is so necessary I answer that among many reasons that may be rendred these two are apparent 1. The abuse and mistakes about the doctrine of free justification and about the difference between the Law and the Gospel of which some touch was given before for divers make the Gospel to consist of meer promises as if all precepts were legal and that there could be no 〈◊〉 remission if any thing be required of us though onely by way of qualification to make us capable and not by way of merit which as it is directly contrary to the whole current of Scripture so it opens a gap to all libertinisme and makes the whole duty of Christian obedience and this of restitution in special meerly arbitrary in relation to pardon and therefore it is no wonder that where such 〈◊〉 are sucked in that the practise of this duty is neglected 2. The neglect and 〈◊〉 of peoples examining themselves and advising with their Pastors concerning the estate of their souls before they come to the holy Eucharist few take their counsel and directions concerning their actions in particular but content themselves to hear them in the pulpit where they speak onely in general hence people go on headlong in unjust courses without check of Conscience and no restitution is made but what Law enforces whereas if the Priest knew the state of his flock restitution would be made without any noise or breach of charity or multiplicity of Law suits and hence it is that the Lawyer hath got this part of the Priests office and all matters of restitution are removed from the court of conscience forum conscientiae where the Priest as Gods Delegate might determine things of this nature without trouble or charge to any to the forum Civile the courts at Westminst where by those Pests of the Common-wealth unconscionable Lawyers suits and quarrels are maintained to the shame of Christianity and the great hazzard of peoples souls Now for the particulars above mentioned we shall resolve them briefly 1. Quis who is bound to restore The answer is 1. He that hath any thing of another mans by Loan 〈◊〉 c. or that hath unjustly damnified another either in the goods of his soul by scandal c. or of his body by wounding maiming killing c. or of his 〈◊〉 and good name by slander and disgrace or of his outward estate which is most proper for this place by theft rapine fraud deceit extortion or any other unjust act 2. All that partake with him as causes of damnifying another these are set so 〈◊〉 that Distich Jussio consilium 〈◊〉 palpo recursus 〈◊〉 mutus non obstans non manifestans Here are nine sorts of persons included as participating some by words onely as the four first by whose command counsel consent or commendation another is induced to wrong his brother others by fact as the receiver and the helper and these concur by a positive 〈◊〉 others by a negative act as they that hinder not by word or by deed when they might and ought ex officio and not onely ex charitate to have hindred or do not manifest it after when they are bound ex officio so to do All such are tyed to restitution if they be effectual causes of the damage For the Rule of both Laws 〈◊〉 and Canon is Qui 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dedit damnum dedisse 〈◊〉 2. Quid what must be restored whatsoever of right belongs to another or if the thing be lost or perished then the value together with the fruits and profits and the damages 〈◊〉 by unjust detention 3. Cui to whom To the party 〈◊〉 as the former places shew but yet in some cases Interdum non est officium reddere quod acceperis saith S. Ambrose a man is not bound to restore what he hath received as when the restoring will be to the hurt of the owner or to the publick damage of Church or Commonwealth thus a sword is not to be restored to a madman but to him that hath the keeping of him If the owner be dead then to him to whom his goods of right ought to descend Numbers 5. 7 8. If the owner be not known then to God who is Lord of all the Lord Paramount to whom it escheates and to Christ the Heir of all that is to the Priest for Gods worship Numb 5. 8. and to the poor members of Christ. 4. Quantum how much The whole damage if it be certainly known if it be doubtful then as it shall be valued by honest and indifferent men 5. Quomodo in what manner It may be either a by mans self or by another who is known to be honest and faithful otherwise if he 〈◊〉 in his trust this excuses not the party 2. If the damage be secret one may provide for his credit by using a 〈◊〉 to restore it for he is not bound to open restitution if he can do it otherwise 3. If the whole be to be restored it must notbe done by parts 6. Quando when presently without delay for otherwise the sin is continued and increased so long as restitution is deferred the negative precept of not keeping that which is another mans included in the affirmative bindes semper ad semper Say not to thy neighbour come again to morrow saith Solomon If it be meant of the poor to whom we owe onely ex charitate it follows a fortiori when any thing is due ex debito justitiae 7. Quo ordine in what order Where a man is able to satisfie all he is not tyed to any order otherwise he must follow the Laws under which he lives 8. Quo loco in what place This is not much material when any question arises about this the positive Laws determine it 9. Quae causae excusant what causes free a man from restoring 1. The
disability of the party for as God in this case accepts of a willing minde so oughtman but this excuses onely so long as he is not able 2. The cession or giving up of all his estate to satisfie his Creditors this frees him by the Civil Law provided that if he be able afterward he satisfie to the full 3. The expresse or tacit consent of the Creditor provided that this forgiving be 1. by him that hath lawful authority 2. that it be free and not extorted 4. When the present restitution might endanger a mans life or damnifie him more then the other should have benefit thereby this for a time may be a just cause to defer restitution 5. Ignorance not of the Law of restitution for this noman ought to be ignorant of and if he be he ought not to take advantage by his own negligence but of the fact when a man knows not that he hath damnified another provided it be not grosse 〈◊〉 wilful and affected ignorance 6. If there be a compensation made to the party wronged some other way either by moneys commodities in trading c. or by something equivalent to the damage this frees him in foro conscientiae The larger explication of these particulars must be had from the Casuists CHAP. VIII Of the second general viz. unjust keeping The right use of riches is 1. in respect of a mans self the sins opposite 1. Parsimony 2. prodigality two degrees of it 1. to spend unreasonably 2. Above ones means 2. Inrespect of others viz. the poor where we are to know two things 1. How we hold our riches or by what tenure 2. What we are to conceive of the poor A threefold necessity 1. of nature 2. of our person 3. of our estate and condition Several motives to communicate to the poor HItherto we have spoken of the right getting of riches which is when we have not encreased our estate either by detaining from others that which is none of ours or by taking away from others that which they have right to but want power to retain or by that which they call generatio pecuniae the encrease of money by usury when our gettings are by none of these wayes then are we just Lords and owners of what we have It is well said 〈◊〉 justitia est condus ibi Christus est Dominus where justice is the layerup there Christ is Lord of those goods and of such we have a good tenure but the devil is the Lord of what is got otherwise S. Augustine upon the parable of the seed saith that worldly gains are thorns and a thorn non 〈◊〉 sine laesione is not gathered without danger of 〈◊〉 it may run into ones hands and hereupon comes that proverb Omnis dives iniquus aut haeres iniqui every rich man is either an unjust man or the heir of an unjust man But now when a mans estate is justly got then in the next place he is to take care about the use of it which is the second thing to be considered This use respects either a mans self or others Of the first the Wise man speaks when he saith that all the labour of a man is for his mouth that is for his own necessities Of the second the Apostle when he exhorts the Corinthians to be rich in liberality by considering the necessities of others He offends against the first who when God hath given him riches wealth and honour so that he wants nothing for his soul of all that he desireth yet God gives him not the power to rule thereof but a stranger eateth it this is vanity and an evil disease And he offends against the second who looks onely at himself and wants bowels of compassion to wards others These two uses are both comprehended by Solomon in two verses Drink waters of thy own cistern there is our own use and then what follows let thy fountains be dispersed abroad and rivers of waters in the street here is the use of others The Apostle speaks of a double sowing answerable to this two fold use of riches a sowing to the flesh and a sowing to the spirit whether it be propter piosusus ecclesiasticos for pious uses that concern the Church and the Ministery or propter usus civiles for pious uses which concern the Common-wealth as the relief of the poor c. Both uses may be best and plainlyest seen in Christs practise who when he bade Judas dispatch the rest thought that because he bore the bag that Christs meaning was either that he should he buy such things as were needful that is for their own use or else that he should give something to the poor which is the second use so that by the words of the Disciples it appears that those were the two uses of our Saviours purse first to provide things needful for themselves and secondly to contribute to the necessities others of these two uses we are now to speak severally For the first use which concerns our selves we must know that here is a double extream to be avoided 1. Niggardlinesse or parsimony 2. Profusenesse or prodigality 1. For the first of these As a man may kill himself and thereby become felo de se and as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 uncleannesse may be committed with a mans self so there may be furtum in se theft against a mans self for as the Preacher saith there is one alone c. for whom do I labour and bereave or defraud my self of good quare defraudo animam meam 〈◊〉 is a fraud and theft committed against a mans self S. James tells such men their doom Their rust shall be a witnesse against them and shall eat their flesh as it were fire upon which place S. Ambrose saith Esurentium est cibus c. it is the bread of the hungry that grows mouldy by thee and the drink of the thirsty that sowres by thee so that he is guilty of a double theft against himself and against the poor Of this man by the consent of Interpreters 〈◊〉 the Prophet Hosea when he saith that he soweth to the winde and reaps the whirlwinde the stranger shall reap the fruit of his labours The common plague of this sin as the Heathen man observed is that Quod profunda hausit avaritia when the prosound avarice of one hath gathered much together there shall come another qui luxu pejore retundet whose profuse vanity shall scatter it And the hand of the Lord is often upon such men by disappointing them of their ends for wherea their sparing is either 1. that they may enjoy their riches in their latter dayes when they are old as the rich fool in the Gospel who said Soul take thine ease eat drink and be merry thou hast much goods laid up for many years c. God disappoints them as it is in the next verse this night they shall take
accusing falsly 2. upon uncertain grounds 3. by prevaricating 4. The Defendant 1. by not confessing the truth 2. by appealing without cause 3. by not submitting to the sentence 5. The 〈◊〉 1. by not declaring all the truth when 〈◊〉 is lawfully called 2. by not delivering the innocent though he be not called 3. by delivering the wicked by false testimony 6. The Advocate 1. by undertaking an evil cause 2. by perverting the Law Of giving false testimony in Elections THE Act of this sin consists specially in words which are as our Saviour speaks according to the treasure of our hearts Now there is not onely an evil treasure of the heart out of which a man brings 〈◊〉 evil things but also an idle treasure out of which a man brings forth idle things viz. idle words for which a man must give an account Under these two heads we may comprehend the branches of this sin which may admit this division of 1. false words and 2. vain or idle words 1. False words are either when our words disagree from the truth and essence of things or when they disagree from our own minde And both may be considered either as they concern our selves or our brethren for whatsoever speech is either prejudicial to ourselves or our neighbour is condemned as against the rule of charity And though it be neither hurtful to us nor to our brethren yet if it contain falshood it is against the truth of God and therein we are as the Apostle speaks found false witnesses against God False doctrine is here included as opposite to true doctrine but not as it is in the third Commandment for there it is forbidden as contrary to Gods glory here as hurtful to our brethren and their spiritual good We must not adde to his word nor take from it nor change it by making any other way of salvation as those false teachers did among the Galatians that preached another gospel which as the Apostle saith is to preach alium Jesum another Jesus This was toucht before and therefore we shall say the lesse 〈◊〉 Onely this we adde that it is a good rule given by S. Basil not onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not onely all lies and falshoods but also all turnings and wrestings of Scripture are condemned as among others he specially instances in one viz. the making of the litteral sence typical or turning the Scripture into allegories and from thence inferring doctrines which the Holy Ghost never intended This gives occasion to all Heresies when men choose what opinions they themselves please and make the Scripture a nose of wax to patronize them As to make Adam the reasonable part of the soul and Eve the seniual and thereupon to infer this as a positive doctrine That if reason command sense we shall avoid the temptation of the serpent but if the sensual part prevail against reason we shall be overcome by the Tempter as Adam was by hearkning to Eve this is to pervert the Scripture we may indeed 〈◊〉 to such things in Scripture as the Apostle doth to Sarah and Hagar but to say this or that is meant by such texts is to make the Scripture like a 〈◊〉 mans hose or Cothurnum a 〈◊〉 that will serve either leg and makes all Religion uncertain Ezekiel makes it an 〈◊〉 to God to say In obscuris 〈◊〉 I have written to you in dark or doubtful speeches but by this means all is made doubtful so that people shall be doubtful what to hold in any point We come now to false speaking in particular and here we must consider 1. false testimony which is given in judgement and 2 falshood uttered out of judgement This distinction is intimated by Solomon Proverbs 19. 5. where he saith A false witnesse shall not be unpunished and he that speaketh lies shall not escape where we see he make this division that some are false witnesses viz. such as speak falshood from judgement and others speak lies at other times that is out of judgement and the very same we finde by him repeated in the ninth verse The same may be inferd in the words of this Commandment for when it is said Thou shalt not bear false witnesse against thy neighbour that is in judgement this 〈◊〉 that there may be also falsum testimonium false witnesse that is not contra proximum against our Neighbour Before we speak of these in particular we shall onely say this briefly in general concernig all lies That all lyes are from the Devil who was a lyar from the beginning for the first word that ever he spake was a lye those then that utter lyes belong to him The Psalmist makes it the proper mark of wicked men whom he describes by this they speak lies from the very womb And that this is no small sin appears by that fea ful threatning against lyars Perdes omnes qui loquuntur mendacia 〈◊〉 shalt destroy all 〈◊〉 that speak lies All lies whether they concern our selves our Neighbours or none make us false witnesses to God And therefore we finde in the Revel that in the place of torment shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every one that loveth or maketh a lye he that either loves to hear it or that speak it so that lies are condemned both actively and passively if we make them or love to hear them Come we now to him that speaks false in judgement And for this false witnesse Solomon gives us a good comparison for he saith A man that beareth false witnesse is a hammer a sword and a sharp arrow Now thus he is compared partly because his face is hardned so that he blushes at nothing be it never so false for having once lost his 〈◊〉 he comes to have frontem meretricium as the Prophet speaks a whores forehead and 〈◊〉 known to the one party viz. to him that hired him to be a Knave he grows impudent and testifies any thing and so strikes like a hammer or a sword or whatsoever doth wound the deepest he sticks at no mischef he can do to the party against whom he speaks and partly because that as S. Bernard speaks there are three parties who are 〈◊〉 by him at once by one and the same tongue 1. Judici est Malleus He is a hammer or maul to the Judge whose judgement and understanding he 〈◊〉 so that like a man astonisht by a blow on the head he knows not how to determine aright 2. To the party that hired him he is gladius a sword for though he speak for him yet 〈◊〉 is a sword to destroy his soul. He makes him beleeve that by his purse he hath prevailed against the truth and having done so once he may do so at other times and so he 〈◊〉 him in this evil course 3. He is a sharp arrow to him against whom he witnesseth though he hath
the least harm if he can bear it with patience for his false testimonie is like an arrow that sticks in him it wounds him either in his goods or life or at least his good name is blemisht by it Now this bearing of false witnesse is not to be referred to the witnesse alone but it takes hold of all 〈◊〉 persons that have to do in judgement either as parties or others that act in it 〈◊〉 Accuser is called a witnesse If a false witnesse rise up against any man c. and so by like reason may also the Defendant reus the party accused be called a false witnesse The Actor or Accuser by an untrue accusation and the other by an untrue defence may bear false witnesse And so may the Judge by a wrong determination and the Notary or Register by recording the sentence otherwise then it is pronounced or by leaving out or inserting any thing into it And so may the 〈◊〉 by pleading for a bad cause for in every judgement there are these six 1. The Judge 2. The Register 3. The Plantiffe 4. The Defendant 5. The 〈◊〉 And 6. the Advocate 1. The Judge it is not perilous on his side if he give wrong Judgement He had need be a man of wisdom for it is said that judicium est 〈◊〉 the judgement is Gods and therefore whosoever he be that being a judge giveth a wrong sentence facit Deum mendacem he maketh God to speak a lie and whosoever induceth a judge by 〈◊〉 witnesse or otherwise to give false judgement he perverts the course of nature and as much as in him lies changes God into the Devil 2. For the Notary or Register he is guilty by making false records or decrees Artaxerxes Notaries could 〈◊〉 a decree upon search that Jerusalem had of old time been a rebellious city and had made insurrection against Kings which were false records for when Darius a good king came to reign they could finde in the Palace in the house of the Rowls where the treasures were laid up in Babylon that they were so far from rebelling against those to whom they were subject that they would not attempt so much as to build the Temple without Cyrus his decree 3. For the Plantiffe or Accuser there was order taken under the Law that he must utter what he hath seen or known not any thing false or uncertain and if he do not utter it he must bear his iniquity He must not accuse any falsly as Potiphars wife did Joseph that he would have layen with her or as Haman did the Jews that they observed not the Kings Laws or as Ziba did Mephibosheth of aspiring to the kingdom nor out of malice though the thing be true as they did Daniel for praying thrice a day 4. For the Defendant he must confesse what he hath done being required in due form of Law before lawful Authority Achan confessed all to Joshua 5. For the Advocates They must follow as the Law saith that which is altogether just it is spoken not onely of Judges but also of Officers Now those Officers were causarum cognitores knowers and followers of causes such as Atturneys Counsellers c. they must not undertake the patronage of an evil cause nor encourage their Clyent when his cause is bad they must inform him aright what to do not misinform the Judge nor wrest the Law nor respect persons nor protract causes nor extort bribes and draw from their Clyents more then their usual and lawful Fees 6. Lastly for Witnesses God took order that if any did accuse another and did testify a false matter look what penalty the other should have undergone if he had been guilty the same should be inflicted upon him if the thing proved false Thus ought the judgement seat to be established on every side To go over these more particularly 1. For the Judge He may be guilty of the breach of this Commandment diverse wayes 1. By cherishing Law suits whereby untruth is uttered in the judgement seat The Apostle said that it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a fault for brethren to go to Law one with another meaning it was a fault in those that begun not in those that are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 constrained to answer therefore it must necessarily follow that it is a fault in a Judge to encourage men to go to Law There must be untruth either in the Plantiffe or Defendant for there cannot be truth on both sides and if the Judge shall encourage men to go to law there must needs be much untruth spoken at the judgement seat which is highly derogatory to God as the confession of truth is for his glory Therefore S. Pauls advise is that Law suits should be diminished and lessened as much as may be and that there should be no suit but when there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a defraudation or hurt or wrong done that cannot be borne The cherishing therefore of Law suits by a Prince or a Judge is the way to open a wide window to breaking of this Commandment And therefore to prevent this mischief which is a judgement upon this land now since the Reformation it were good that some order were taken herein as 1. That there might be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Examiners and Inquisitors of all causes as there were in Greece such as were to approve or allow of quarrels and suits and to judge whether they were fit to be prosecuted or no. 2. Or else as they had in Rome that men should contend ex sacramento each man should lay down his pawn when he went to law in manum Pontific is ad sacros usus in the hands of the High Priest for sacred uses and if his cause or quarrel proved not good it was to go to the repairing or adorning of the Temple If some such courses be not taken Law cases will multiply there will be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a fault The judgement seat was erected by God that hard and difficult cases onely should be brought thither and not for every trivial matter But we see the contrary to say that the matters now usually brought before the Judges are matters of difficulty were 〈◊〉 and untrue 2. The Judge may 〈◊〉 by delaying justice he ought to give quick dispatch to delay justice is injustice therefore Moses though he were very able for dispatch being excellent in knowledge yet that causes might be the sooner ended he appoints more Judges as his father in law counselled him Jethro thought it absurd that the people waited and their causes depended from morning till night How absurd then is it for causes to depend from yeer to yeer This that thou doest is not well said Jethro that the people should wait thus and verse 23. he tells him if this which he advises be done the
publica infamia nor ex semiplena probatione upon publick fame nor upon probable grounds but were to make him accuse himself in such cases a man may not answer And again in some 〈◊〉 if there be two things in the accusation and both true he may answer to the one and occultare partem veritatis hide or conceal the other part as S. Paul did when he was accused for perceiving that part were Sadduces who denyed the resurrection and part 〈◊〉 who held the resurrection he cryed out that he was a 〈◊〉 and held the resurrection and for that was questioned which was true for that was one thing for which he was called in question but it was not that alone So if a man have diverse wayes to defend himself he may choose which he will as he that hath diverse weapons may use which he will for his own defence But if according to due form of Law he be proceeded against he must answer as Achan did when Joshua urged him to confesse the truth 2. Whereas the benefit of appeal is granted for a remedy of those that are oppressed if any shall use appeals meerly to protract the cause and avoid a just sentence this is a second fault in the Defendant for this is to delay 〈◊〉 contrary to Jethro's advise who would not have people wait long for justice but to be dispatcht that they might go home to their place in peace 1. The Defendant offends if when sentence is given he do not submit to it for Qui resistit Dei ordinationi resistit he that resisteth resisteth the ordinance of God 5. For the witnesse he may likewise 〈◊〉 guilty diverse wayes 1. If being lawfully required by a Superiour demanding his testimony and asking him nothing that is 〈◊〉 to the matter in question if he do not declare all that he knows for the Law is 〈◊〉 that a witnesse if he 〈◊〉 not utter 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 seen and known shall bear his 〈◊〉 2. Though one be not required by a Superiour yet if it be to 〈◊〉 an Innocent man in danger he is bound to bear witnesse and he 〈◊〉 if he be silent Solomon makes it no small sin not to give testimony for the preservation of an innocent person If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn to death and those that are ready to be slain if thou 〈◊〉 behold I knew it not doth not he that 〈◊〉 the heart consider and shall not be render to every one according to his works But out of these cases if one not be called to witnesse by a Superiour or if an innocent person be not 〈◊〉 by his silence and if he be not examined about other things which belong not to the matter in question he is not 〈◊〉 to answer 3. Besides these Solomon intimates another way whereby a witnesse may offend when he bears false witnesse to deliver the wicked for though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hand yet shall not the wicked escape unpunished The Greeks have a Proverb Da 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jusjurandum lend me an oath This lending an oath is that which Solomon calls a joyning of hand in hand and he saith plainly that though they may escape the hands of men yet shall they not escape unpunished that is God will be sure to punish them 6. Sixtly and lastly for the Advocate he may offend two wayes 1. If he undertake an evil cause knowing it so to be This is a great sin God saith having first prohibited any to raise a false report Put not thy hand unto the wicked to be an unrighteous witnesse now he that pleads 〈◊〉 a bad cause puts his hand to the wicked And in the third verse it s added Thou shalt not countenance a poor man in his cause viz. if his cause be bad If a man might plead for any in a bad cause surely it might be for a poor man but even for a poor man he must not Jehu said to Jehosaphat Wilt thou help the wicked and love them that hate the Lord therefore is wrath upon thee from the Lord. And the Apostle saith that not onely the doers of evil things are worthy of death but also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they that take pleasure in them or consent to them such are they that plead for them they give their placet as we use to do at congregations in the Universitie Greeks used the same words and gave their suffrages by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it pleaseth me and therefore whosoever pleads for the wicked cryes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am pleased with it he helps him and is partaker of his sin with him 2. Another way is by the Wise man when a man for defence of a cause in difference though it be good perverts the Law or receives a bribe The wicked 〈◊〉 he takes a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of judgement As it is evil to joyn with the wicked to help an evil cause for he that saith to the wicked thou art just him shall the people curse so to bolster any cause by wrong means and thereby to pervert the course of judgement is wicked And because judgement is not onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on the bench but also in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the place of consultation therefore false witnesse or testimony must not be given in elections or in choice of men to places or preferments for there ought to be justice and truth in both and he that gives his voice for one unworthy bears false witnesse and goes against justice and truth 〈◊〉 justice as the Philosopher defines it well is rectitudo in affectu impressa a recta ratione a rectitude stamped upon the affections by right reason and as electio dicit excellentiam so excellentia dicit magis aut plus as Election or choyce imports excellency in the party elected so excellency imports the best or most eminent now that in our choyce the best is alwayes to be chosen is the second rule in moral Philosophy which he that follows not goes against the truth and so justice is broken CHAP. IIII. Of false witnessing out of judgement Four things to which the tongue may do harme The branches of this kinde of false witnessing 1. Contumelious speaking 2. Taunting 3. Backbiting Which is 1. By words 2. By letters 3. By deeds 4. In all these a man may be a false witnesse 〈◊〉 he speak the truth AND thus we have done with false testimony given in judgement Now for that which is out of judgement When a man is out of judgement he is not to say with those in the Psalm Ego sum Dominus linguae meae my tongue is my own I may speak what I will for nemo est Dominus sui nisi ad licita no man is Lord of his own further then to imploy it for a lawful use Solomon hath a strange speech Be not a witnesse against thy 〈◊〉 without cause
before the men of 〈◊〉 So Christ made as if he would have gone further in Luke 24. 28. and did purpose so to have done if their intreaty had not stayed him as appears in the next Verse So S. Paul wished That 〈◊〉 were with the Galatians having his voyce 〈◊〉 that so they might not know him to the end that he might see and 〈◊〉 them 〈◊〉 better Here fals in as a principal part of this simulation or counterfeyting the sin of Hypocrisie which is an outward resemblance of Holinesse and Religion when there is none in the heart but because we have spoken of this before we shall pretermit it here CHAP. VII The second 〈◊〉 branch of the sinne forbidden viz Vain speech Three ends of speech 1. Edification 2. Profit 3. Grace and delight Of the means whereby this Commandement may be kept Of Suspition Rules about it 1. For the manner VVE come now to the second general branch of the sin prohibited viz. Vain speech which the Prophet David joyneth with dissimulation when he saith He 〈◊〉 not kept company with vain persons nor had fellowship with the deceitful For as in the seventh Commandement is prohibited not onely fornication but also 〈◊〉 so here is forbidden not onely lying and 〈◊〉 but also vain and foolish speaking Our Saviour in Mark 7. 22. sets down three heads of sin against this Commandement 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 slander 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pride the occasion of flattery and boasting and 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foolishnesse the root of vain speech and in Matthew 12. he concludes That of every idle word there must an account be given So that to the former sinnes already handled we must also adde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foolish talk which Saint Paul doth not distinguish from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but makes them all one though the world-abusing tearms calls it Vrbanitas Urbanity such as is in men full of pleasant conceits and witty jests CHRIST calls such words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 idle words and Job Words of no value The Prophet denounceth a woe against them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity and the prayer of Agur was Remove from me vanity and lyes By which places we may gather that vain and foolish words draw on lyes and all the Catalogue of sinnes forbidden in this Commandement The Prophet David makes vain speech an essential mark of a wicked man whose mouth talketh of vanity c. And the Prophet Esay saith that in vanity they 〈◊〉 there 's the first step then they proceed to lyes there 's the second and then further to corrupt judgement and justice Therefore David glorieth in this that he 〈◊〉 not accompanied vain men And Solomon condemns vanity tossed to and fro among men That is when one asks a vain question and another makes a vain answer and the third hee gives a worse judgement And Job reckons this amongst his good deeds That hee had not walked in vanities neither of speech nor action Saint Chrysostome on Ephes. 4. saith What Workman is there that hath any tool which is vain and serves to no purpose there is no Instrument but at one time or other hath its use and the Workman knows what use to put it to And therefore in this ars animarum the art of saving a mans soul which is ars artium the art of all arts no man ought to have any thing about him which is in vain or without some end and use therefore the tongue must not be a vain Instrument or imployed to vanity and so he concludes that Quicquidest otiosum est criminosum whatsoever is idle is criminous And for this cause it is that the Apostle bids Titus avoid Foolish and idle questions about genealogies and vain janglings about the Law for which he useth no other reason but this that they are vain and unprofitable for if a man will draw the Apostles discourse into a syllogisme he must make this the major whatsoever is vain is to be avoided but such foolish questions are vain Ergo avoid them This sin we should be 〈◊〉 careful to avoid because that man is as it is in Job Tanquam pullus onagri Like the wilde Asse colt vain and foolish from his birth and 〈◊〉 as S. Peter saith we are brought up among men in whom there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vain conversation so that we receive it by tradition and therefore it is one of those things which Christ came to redeem us from For there is as Job saith a forge of vanities in mans heart ye all forge lyes Hence the Apostle exhorts us Not to walk as the Gentiles did in the vanity of their mindes and the Psalmist not to lift up our hearts to vanity The Apostle tels us what this vain speech is Ephes. 4. 29. he saith it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 corrupt communication and in the same place he sets down what our speech should be viz. It must either be 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to edification or 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to profit or for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for grace to the hearer It is no doubt but the Apostle as he was in his Epistles which are verba scripta written words so he was in his communication Now his Epistles tend chiefly to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to edification in Religion and Vertue but when he advises Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomack this belongs not properly to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to edification but may be referred to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it was useful and profitable And when he bids him remember to bring his cloak but especially the book and parchments it must be referred to the same head to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for as S. Gregory saith Justa necessitas corporis necessitas the necessity of the body is a just necessity And when he tels him that Erastus was at Corinth and Trophimus he had left at Miletum this tended not onely to edification but yet was useful such things as may be of good use in common life may be fit matter of our speech For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and delight to the hearer all his salutations may be 〈◊〉 hither for they have neither matter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor any necessary use but might have been left out as they are in some Epistles but they are pleasing to those he writes to and to this may be referred that poudred speech which the Apostle requires which is that which is properly called urbanity when our speech is poudred not as one saith atro sale momi with Salt-peter but candido sale Mercurii with Wit which may delight and refresh the minde being wearied with grave and weighty affairs The Apostle writing to the Corinths saith I have not been troublesome to you have