vvritten of the Serpent is to be vnderstood of the Diuell vvhose instrument onely the Serpent vvas You answer truly as may euidently appeare by conference of other places of the holy Scriptures with this third of Genesis as 2. Cor. 11.3.14 and Reuela 12.3.4 7.8.9.10.11 and Rom. 16.20 reade also Iohn 8.44 and 1. Epistle 3.8.10.12 Act. 26.18 2. Cor. 4.4 Ephes 2.2.3 Chap. 6.12 and 2. Tim. 2.26 and. 1. Pet. 5.8 and finally 2. Pet. 2.4 c. And in the Epistle of Iude the 6. verse But though Adam and Eue the first man and woman fell away from the Lord lost their first estate and pulled miserie vpon themselues what proofe haue you that it is so likewise with all their posterity In the fift Chapter of the Epistle to the Romanes verses 12.13.14 in these vvords Wherefore saith the Apostle as by one man sinne entred into the vvorld and death by sinne and so death vvent ouer all men for asmuch as all haue sinned For vnto the time of the Lavv vvas sinne in the vvorld though sinne is not imputed or rather not regarded where there is no Lavv. Also death reigned from Adam to Moses euen ouer them that sinned not after the like manner of the transgression of Adam vvho vvas a figure of him that vvas to come This place doth plainly confirme it indeed And it is iust with the Lord that it should be so no lesse then the attainder of the children of a traytour is accounted iust with men vntill the Prince of his clemency mercy shall pardon restore them The issue therefore of all is this that we haue very iust and also exceeding great cause in godly sorrow to lament and bewaile our sinne and to turne to the Lord by true repentance vtterly denying our owne wisedome which is nothing but folly and our owne righteousnesse which is meere iniustice c. if happily we might find fauour with God c. But haue we of our selues due conscience and remorse of sinne so to do Mans recouery not of himselfe We haue it not neither can vve possibly attaine vnto it vnlesse God of his free grace and mercy vouchsafe to giue it that is vnlesse he do by his word and Spirit mightily quicken and awaken our dead and drousie consciences and also mollifie our hard and stony hearts Nay rather vve blesse and thinke our selues happie in putting farre away the consideration of these things from vs euery one excusing and iustifying himselfe against God though we go on in neuer so vvicked and godlesse a course Shew some proofe of this that you say In the 17. Chapt. of Ieremie the 9. verse The heart is deciptfull and vvicked aboue all things vvho can know it I the Lord search the heart And againe Prouerbs 16.2 All the vvayes of a man are cleane in his owne eyes but the Lord pondereth the Spirits Thus therefore it is plaine and manifest euery way that naturally we neither know God nor our selues aright and that our corruption vanitie sinne and miserie is aboue all that we can conceiue so that infinite cause haue we to renounce our selues and all opinion of our owne wisdome and goodnesse so submit our selues to seeke our wisdom from the instruction of the word of God and that our hearts may be renewed by the grace of his holy Spirit and that we should pray vnto him earnestly and continually and vse all good and holy meanes appointed of God himselfe to the same end that so happily we may be blessed of him And so come we now after all former questions premised to the parts of Christian Catechisme and instruction mentioned in the beginning of this our exercise whereunto as was sayd all that hath hitherto bene discoursed hath as it were paued the way Rehearse the Law or ten Commaundements of Almighty God God spake all these vvords and sayd I am the Lord thy God c. We begin with the Law that is with the ten Commandements of Almighty God because they are that portion of Scripture which God hath specially sanctified to discouer vnto vs The Law of God detecteth sinne c. and to cause vs in and by his wisedome to see our owne folly by his holinesse our prophanesse by his righteousnesse our sinne and by our sinne our owne most iustly deserued death and damnation but not that we should peremptorily and without all bayle and maineprise as we may say be condemned but rather that we might be led to Christ Iesus thereby and so in him find wisedome holinesse righteousnesse redemption repentance and godlinesse of life here in this world and life euerlasting with all glory and happinesse hereafter in the kingdome of heauen To the which end and purpose let vs now in the feare of God trusting in his grace and in the blessed direction and comfort of his holy Spirit enter vpon the interpretation of the same the most wise holy and righteous Law of the Lord our God And yet because these words Law sinne curse repentance vertue or righteousnesse and blessing will be of often and necessary vse in this part of our exercise and therefore also necessary to be well vnderstood of all it shall be good for vs in few words to set downe the meaning of them before we come to the particular interpretation of the Commandements I aske therefore what this word Law meaneth The Lavv of God is a deuine rule or doctrine vvhich teacheth and commandeth the perfect righteousnesse of vvorkes That it is so we may perceiue by that we reade Leuit. 18.5 and Rom. 10.5 What is sinne It is the transgression of the Lavv either in deed vvord or thought neuer so litle swaruing from it So doth Saint Iohn define sin 1. Epistle chap. 3. vers 4. And Rom. 7.7 Lust is sinne And Marke 7.21 our Sauiour Christ telleth vs that wicked thoughts defile a man What is the curse of the Law which is the reward of sinne It containeth all the heauy and vvofull effects of Gods wrath that is to say all the plagues and punishments both of soule and body in this life and the euerlasting torment of hell fire in the vvorld to come This is plainly layd forth Leuit. 26. from the 14. verse and Deut. 28. from the 15. verse What sinne curse blessing c. do meane c. And Chap. 29.18.19 c. and chap. 32.22.23.24.25 and Isaiah 30.33 and Matth. 25.41 What is repentance whereby if it be of faith the curse may be auoyded It is an vtter forsaking of all sinne proceeding of hearty sorrovv for it vvith vnfeined hatred and strife against it and a zealous following of all true godlinesse and vertue vvith constant ioy and delight therein That this is the nature of repentance reade Isaiah 1.16.17 Amos 5.15 Rom. 12.9 2. Cor. 7.1.10.11 and Prouerbs chap. 21.15 It is ioy to the iust to do iudgement What is vertue or righteousnesse which is the chiefe fruit or part of repentance It is perfect
chap. 31.53 and chap. 47.29.30.31 and chap. 50.24.25 Reade also Neh. 13.25 What is it to sweare or to take an oath It is a very solemne and religious calling of God to witnesse with an acknowledgement in the heart that he is the only wise searcher and most gracious defender of all truth and on the contrary a most seuere iudge and reuenger of all such as shall abuse his name to witnesse any false matter For the proofe of this definition consider that God is the God of truth c. And remember againe that beginning of King Salomons prayer 1 Kings 8.31.32 See the punishment of God vpon Zedekiah for his periury Ezek. 17.18.19 Euer and anon God maketh some example or other of his heauenly iudgement against false swearers according to the threatning Zach. chap. 5.4 and Mal. 3.5 How may we sweare or take an oath aright If we shall follow the Prophet Ieremias instruction in the 2. verse of his 4. chapter What is that which he or rather the Lord God himselfe by him teacheth concerning this matter The Lord saith by his holy Prophet Thou shalt sweare the Lord liueth in truth in iudgement and in righteousnesse and the nations shall be blessed and glorie in him The Equity Thus farre of the euill things forbidden and of the contrary good things commanded in this third Commandement Now what is the equity of it Because he the glory of vvhose name is so highly commended vnto vs and vvherewith vve stand so deeplie charged is not only most vvorthie of all honour and glorie considered in himselfe but also in regard of his most gracious good-will toward his people in that he is minded to giue them honour and glorie in this life and in the vvorld to come according as they shall be carefull in obedience to this his Commandement to seeke the honour and glory of his name Great is the equity of this Commandemēt so that the more iustly shall be the curse due to those that shall trample it vnder their feete yea euen to all such as shall not dutifully regard to obey it And of this curse are we now to consider according to that which followeth in the reason added to the Commaundement What is that The Lord pronounceth that he vvill not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine What meaneth this that he will not hold him guiltlesse The Lord giueth to vnderstand that he vvill seuerely punish euery such one as shall any manner of vvay dishonour and abuse the most reuerend and glorious Maiestie of his name That this is the meaning of the Lord it may easily be gathered from the consideration of his most pure and perfect iustice it being such that he cannot lay sinne to the charge of any man but he must take vengeance of it vnlesse it be preuented by repentance and that it please God to hold himselfe satisfied and appeased through the bloud of Christ without which reconciliation the very frame of the world it selfe being defiled with mans sinne could not stand before him Reade Nahum chapter 1.2.3.4.5.6 and Hab. 1.13 Ieremie 5.7 Heb. 10.31 As it is our blessing to haue our sinnes forgiuen because the sinne being forgiuen the punishment also is remitted and chiefly the eternall punishment Psalme 32. So it is our curse and miserie to haue our sinne imputed The Curses for if we be held guiltie then doth vengeance certainly follow though not by and by And the longer it is deferred the heauier will it be whē it commeth according as in the meane while the sinne shall multiply and increase But let vs come to see some of the particular curses such as the Lord threatneth against the transgressors of this Commandement And first what is the curse against such as speake idly or vainly and vnreuerently of God or of his name or of his word or of any of his works I say vnto you sayth our Sauiour Christ that of euery idle vvord that men shall speake they shall giue account thereof at the day of iudgement And againe by thy vvordes thou shalt be condemned Math. 12.36.37 Reade Pro. 13.3 Destruction shall be to him that prostituteth his lips and chap. 18.21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue according as a man vseth it so shall he eate the fruite thereof And in many places of the Prouerbs For if this be true in the abuse of the tongue against men and in humane matters much rather then in the abuse of it more directly to the dishonor of God reade also Ephe. 5. verses 4.6 What is the curse against those that speake more wickedly and contemptuously against the Lord or any part of his word The Lord Iesus shall come to giue iudgement against all the cruel speeches which wicked sinners haue spoken against him Iude the 15. verse Reade also Mal. 1.6.7 and chap. 3.13.14.15 Math. 12.31.32 Concerning the ciuill punishment of the blasphemer reade Leuit. 24.10.11.12.13.14.15.16 And concerning vengeance from heauen vpon the host of Saneherib 2. King 19.22.23.35 What is the curse against the vsuall vaine or froward and impatient swearer Before all things sayth the Apostle Iames sweare not neither by heauen nor by earth nor by any other oath but let your yea be yea and your nay nay least you fall into condemnation Chapter 5.12 In these wordes the holy Apostle forbidding the sinne sheweth that the amendment thereof must be by the acquainting of our selues with a meeke and patient reuerend graue faithfull and constant course of speech in all things which we either affirme when they are to be affirmed or deny when they are to be denied or yeeld our consent thereunto when they are worthie consent But let vs go forward What is the curse against those that sweare by false gods and idols The Lord cannot spare such Ier. 5.7 They shall fall and neuer rise vp againe Amos 8.14 Reade also Ier. 12.16.17 Zeph. 1.3.5 What is the curse against false swearers and periured persons The curse sayth the Lord of Hosts shall enter into the house of the thiefe and into the house of him that sweareth falsly by my name and it shall remaine in the middest of his house and shall consume it with the timber thereof and stones therof Zach. cha 5. verse 4. Reade also Mal. 3.9 I will be a swift witnesse against false swearers and those that feare not me sayth the Lord of Hostes What is the curse of a loose and negligent life vnder the profession of the name and religion of God That which the Prophet Ieremie sayth against those that fight the Lords outward battels negligently or deceiptfully may be verified against all such Cursed be he that doth the worke of the Lord negligently chapter 48.10 What is the curse of those who albeit they are for the most part carefull to honour the name of God with a godly life do yet vpon some speciall temptation yeeld to some grieuous sinne whereby the name of God is euill spoken
off Of this curse King Dauid had his part when he was grieuously afflicted in his conscience for his sinne in the matter of Vriah in that his child begotten in adultery dyed of a very grieuous sicknesse and in that manie other heauy calamities followed Psalme 51. and 2. Sam. 12. c. What is the curse of those that are vnconstant and finally fall away from the true profession of the name of God and from the obedience of his word He that putteth his hand to the plough and looketh backe is vnapt for the kingdome of God sayth our Sauior Christ Luk. 9.62 And againe The latter end of such is worse thē the beginning Mat. 12.43.44.45 Reade also 2. Pet. 2.20.21.22 1. Ioh. 4.16 What is the curse against those that continuing in an outward profession of religion do notwithstanding vsually leade a wicked and vngodly life The Lord will be as a Lion against such and teare them in peeces and none shall deliuer them Psalme 50.22 What is the curse against those that hauing gouernement of others are negligent in looking to them that the name of God be not dishonoured by them We haue Eli for a fearfull example hereof whose sonnes were slayne in battell and he himselfe at the report thereof fell downe and brake his necke because his sonnes ran into a slaunder and he stayed them not Whereupon also God sayth generally They that despise me shall be despised 1. Sam. 2. chap. from the 12. verse and chapter 3. and 4. A notable example which the Lord hath euery way made very notabe that all might take warning against the like sinne yea that all of vs might learne to keepe our selues farre from it as the weightinesse of the matter requireth and of the contrary to admonish vs to be earnest in gouernement with a holy seuerity and not to be remisse as Heli was to the great dishonour of God yea though he spake some words of cold rebuke as the historie layeth it forth at large He should rather haue dealt in the zeale of Moses Phineas and Nehemias He should in this case haue bene a man of great anger Pro. 19.19 Consule Tremel What is the curse against false Prophets such as teach the errors and lyes of their owne deuice in stead of the word of God It is in the ciuill course of Gods iustice in Israel bodily death and by his diuine sentence eternall death and destruction both of body and soule in hell So indeed we reade Deut. chap. 13. and further Ier. 23.30.31.32 and Ezek. chap. 13. and 2. Peter 2.1.2.3 c. Reuelation 19.20 and chap. 20.10 and chap. 22.18.19 reade also first of Kings 22.15 and Ier. 28.15.16.17 What is the curse against those that abuse the name of God or his creatures to sorceries or enchantings c. The Lord departeth from such Isa chap. 2.6 and chap. 47. verses 9.10.11.12.13 He will destroy them and ther posterity yea suddenly and without recouery will he destroy them What is the curse against those that shall not only be wicked themselues and licentious but also be ring-leaders and Captaines to incourage others to rebellious and vngodly practises They shall be in speciall reproch in the Church of God Pro. 24 8.9 Neither shall they dye the common death of all men Num. 16. from the 28. verse to the 36. What is the curse against those that in the bitternesse of their hearts curse others or vse wicked imprecations against themselues either of impatience or to face out any vntruth As any loueth cursing so shall it fall vpon him it shall be as a garment to couer him and as a girdle alwayes about him Psa 109.17.18.19 Reade also Numb 14.2 and verses 21.22 Finally what is the curse against those that speake blasphemously against the holy Ghost This most haynous sinne shall neuer be forgiven them neither in this vvorld nor in the world to come Math. chap. 12. verses 32. Heb. 6.4.5 chap. 10. verses 26.27.28.29.30.31 These are the most heauie and wofull curses which shall surely weigh downe all transgressors of this holy Commandement of the Lord specially those that be greatest in the trespasse euen to the horrible pit of hell if they will not turne vnto God by speedie repentance but go on till they grow to that despiting of the Spirit of grace for the which most haynous wickednesse there is no forgiuenesse as was sayd from the testimony of our Sauiour Christ himselfe But let vs now come to refresh and cheere our soules with the consideration of the blessings which God hath promised to all those that shall be found obedient vnto it And first The Blessings what is the blessing promised to those that shall speake good of his name and of his word and workes By thy words thou shalt be iustified saith our Sauiour Christ Matth. 12.37 This surely is no small blessing to be in the number of those who are to be esteemed for good and godly men What is the blessing of those that be carefull to honour the name of God in the right and religious maner of taking an oth when the iust occasion doth so require If they will learne the wayes of my people saith the Lord to sweare by my name The Lord liueth as they taught my people to sweare by Baal then shall they be built in the midst of my people Ieremie chapter 12. verse 16. What is the blessing of God belonging to a religious zealous care of honouring the name of God with a godly life answerable to the holy profession of his blessed religion Them that honour me I will honour saith the Lord 1. Sam. chapter 2.30 What is the blessing of those that be not onely carefull them selues in their owne persons to glorifie God but also hauing gouernement ouer others be carefull of them also yea and to further and draw on all other so manie as they can to honour the name of God together with themselues They that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turne manie to righteousnesse shall shine as the stars for euer and euer Dan. chap. 12. verse 3. And in the Prophesie of Malac. chap. 3. verses 16.17.18 The Lord saith he hath a booke of remembrance to record the names of such And further that he accompteth them for his flocke which he watcheth ouer and that he will spare them as a man spareth his owne sonne that serueth him To conclude this point of the blessings of this commandement What is the blessing of constancie in the profession of the name and religion of God in the midst of persecutions and euen to the death of martyrdome it selfe Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake for theirs is the kingdome of heauen saith our Sauiour Christ Matth. 5.10 and verses 11.12 Blessed are ye when men reuile you and persecute you Euerie man is a damnable transgressor and say all maner of euill against you for my sake falsely reioyce
by vnchast and filthy dreames as a diuellish fruite thereof These are most abominable kinds of filthinesse euen such as our hearts and eares ought to abhorre and tremble at whensoeuer we thinke or speake or heare any thing of them though it be to the reproofe and condemnation of them Neuerthelesse they are no other then haue bene practised of men and women young and old of no worse nature then we our selues are without the grace of God O violent and that also incestuous rauishment we reade 2. Sam. 13.12.13.14 Of incestuous fornication and adultery we reade of the practise thereof Genesis chapter 19. verse 31. c. and chapter 35.22 and 1. Corinthians chapter 5. verse 1. These sinnes are forbidden Leuit. chap. 18. verses 6.7.8.9.10.11.12.13.14.15.16.17 Of Onans sinne we reade Genesis 38.9 Of the more abominable filthinesse of the Sodomites or buggery with men we reade Genesis 19.5 c. And Iudges chapter 19.23 and 1. Kings chapter 14. verse 24. and chapter 15.12 and chapter 22.46 and 2 Kings 23.7 Ezek. 8.14 See the interpretation note of Tremel Habbak chapter 2. verses 15.16 Finally Rom. chap. 1.24.26.17 This sinne is forbidden Leuit. 18.22 Of the abominable filthinesse of buggery with beasts we reade how the Lord hath forbidden it Leuit 18. verse 23. and 1. Tim. 1.10 And there haue bene some among our selues iustly executed for it And wofull are the practises of many with their owne bodies which God onely seeth and knoweth and will certainely in his time take vengeance thereof if it be not preuented by speedy repentance But alas what shall we say are children to heare of these things and are they to be taught and warned thus plainely against them No doubt there is great need they should or else God would neuer haue mentioned them in his holy Scriptures And shall the Diuell be suffered to draw both young and old into these sinnes and euen partly for want of knowlege how odious and abhominable they are before God and shall not we giue one another warning that so great and grosse wickednesse might bee preuented The like is to be sayd of other grieuous sinnes It is pity indeed that it should be once heard off that the sonne should kill the father that the wife should murther her husband yea euen with her owne hands that the husband should breake his wiues necke that any should haue drowned or poysoned themselues Yet seeing these sins are committed of men and women among vs shall they not be cried out against from the word of God c. Wherefore children be ye admonished as well as you of the elder sort and take heed betimes to auoid all filthinesse of your bodies for if you will not call to God for grace and take heed betimes it will aske you deepe heart-smart ere you dye or else euerlasting torment after death in hell fire from the which I beseech God of his infinite mercy euen for Christ Iesus sake to blesse preserue and keepe vs both young and old Amen Hitherto of the first branch of the former answer The second branch followeth wherein it was answered that God forbiddeth not onely all these kinds of outward filthinesse but also all outward prouocations and occasions of all filthy lust whatsoeuer Shew what maner of prouocations and dangerous occasions they may be They are these which follow and if there be any other like vnto them 1 Houses of open vvhoredome 2 Bawdes which are the factors of whore-mongers and harlots or whores to spie out solicite and bring such lewd persons together 3 All intemperancy in eating and drinking especially of such things as any know to be more mighty then other to prouoke and increase lust as also the prouoking of others to eate of such things and to drinke vnto drunkennesse c. 4 Ouer much sleepe and idlenesse 5 All wandring and vnchast looking and gazing vpon the beauty of women either in faces or breasts c. 6 Likewise the beholding of pictures vnshamefastly pictured or painted and the reading of amorous bookes much rather the vnshamefast representation of the lewd and filty behauiour of naughtie-packes by enterlude vpon the stage or by dauncing or any other way but most of all if any embolden themselues to vse lasciuious speeches or filthy songs and to fall to wanton kissings or to any other vnseemely dalliance Of all these euill prouocations we haue earnest warning giuen vs as you haue heard out of the word of God and they are such things as both men and women are to beware of There are other prouocations more particularly to be auoided of women Which are they 1 All light and curious setting out of themselues in brauery of apparell 2 All excessiue perfuming of them 3 All immodest broiding curling and laying out of the haire yea of strange haire with like laying forth of their breasts naked and bare 4 All vnnaturall colouring and painting of the face 5 All nicenesse in their going and in the mincing of their vvordes to dravv and allure the eyes and sences of men toward them 6 All vnseasonable and ouer-familiar companying of any woman vvith any man as likewise of any man with any woman though neuer so honestly minded specially in such places as of themselues are apt to minister any dishonest temptation Finally all vvhatsoeuer agreeth not with shamefastnesse and modesty of behauiour which is the chiefe outward ornament of that sexe Of these things also you haue heard how the word of God giueth vs like earnest warning Thus much therefore of the second branch of that your former answer The third branch is yet behind wherein you said that beside all these outward prouocations to vncleane and filthy lust God doth in this Commandement forbid the very vncleane and filthy lust of the heart it selfe What proofe haue you of this In the 5. chapter of Mathevv our Sauiour Christ plainely affirmeth that whosoeuer looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart And chapter 15. verse 19. The very adulterous thought doth defile a man The words of our Sauiour Christ are very plaine indeed to this purpose But seeing the Lord forbiddeth so many and those so grosse and abhominable kinds of filthinesse of the flesh Why doth he vnder the name of adultery comprehend them all Because howsoeuer all filthinesse against nature as also all violent rauishment and incest considered in the act it selfe or most vile maner thereof are more hainous then adultery yet in regard of diuerse weighty reasons and circumstances the Lord hath thought good to make mention of adultery as of the greatest and most grieuous sinne among them all Can you shew which those reasons and circumstances are First because of that high estimation which the Lord God hath of the mariage couenant which by adultery is most directly broken and dishonoured Secondly because euen they that are wickedly bent to follovv their lust do more easily and more vsually imbolden themselues to