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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	command_v	contrary_a	forbid_v	1,706	5	9.4049	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A37049	A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience.	Durham, James, 1622-1658.	1675 (1675)	Wing D2822; ESTC R19881	403,531	522

Covenant of Works t ● them and therefore it is that the Lord rejects as we may see Isaiah 1.13 66. 2. 3. Jer. 7.22 their Sacrifices and Services as not commanded b ●cause rested on by them to the ●r ●judice of Grace and contrary to the strain and scope of this Law complexly considered 4 Distinguish betwixt the Moral and Ceremonial and Judicial Law the first concerns manners and the right ordering of a Godly Conversation and because these things are of perpetual equity and r ●ctitude the obligation of this Law as to that is perpetual and therefore in the expounding of it these two terms Moral and of Perpetual Auth ●rity are all one and to be taken so 2. The Judicial Law is for r ●gulating outward Society and for Government and doth generally excepting what was peculiar to the people of Israel agree with the Moral Law this as given to them is not perpetual their policy being at an end 3. The Ceremonial Law is in Ceremonies Types and Shadows pointing at a Saviour to come this is also abrogate the substance being come but there is this difference that the Judicial Law is but M ●rt ●a dead and may where 't is thought fit with the foregoing caution be used under the New Testament but the Ceremonial Law is Mortifera deadly and cannot without falling from grace Gal. 5.2 4. be revived 5 When we speak of things Moral we are to distinguish between things Naturally Moral that is such as love to God and our Neighbour and such like which have an innate rectitude and holiness in them which cannot be separate from them and things positively Moral that have their obligation by a special positive superadded Sanction so that their rectitude flows not from the nature of the things themselves as in the former As for instance in the fourth Commandment it is naturally Moral that God should be worshipped Nature teacheth it but that he is to be worshipped on such a day particularly that comes to pass by vertue of his positive Command the first cannot be altered the second by the Lord may but till he alter it the Authority lies still on all and it is equally sin to sin against any of them though without the positive Sanction there is no obligation naturally requiring obedience in some of them 6 The sixth distinction is of the Moral Law in two Tables first and second the first contains ou ● immediate worship service and obedience to God himself and is comprehended in the first four Commandments th ● s ●cond contains our mediate obedience to God in all the duties we owe to other ● in the last six they were at first so divided by the Lord hims ●lf for there are Ten in all Deut. 4.13 From this distinction take notice 1. That all the Commandm ●nts of the second Table are of like Authority with the first God sp ●ke all these words yea as it appears from Act. 7.28 it was our Lord Jesus 2. The sins immediat ●ly aga ●nst the first Table are gre ●ter th ●n those against the second for this cause Matth. 22.38 the first is called the First and Great Commandment Ther ●fore 3. In Morals if th ●y be things of the same nature the duti ●s of the second Table cede and give place to the duties of the first Table when th ●y cannot stand together as in the case of love to God and the exercise of love to our Father and Neighbour Luke 14.26 Matth. 10.37 wh ●n obedience to God and obedience to our Superiours cannot consis ● we are to obey God rather than man Act 4.19 and we are to love the Lord and hate Father and Moth ●r Luke 14. ●6 4. Y ●t take notice that Ceremonials or positives of the first Table for a time cede and give place to Morals in the second as fo ●●elieving or pr ●s ●rving our Neighbours life in hazard we may trav ●l on the Sabbath day according to that Scriptur ● I will h ●ve M ●rcy and not Sacrifice ● and the Sabbath was made fo ● man and not man for the Sabbath c. 7 The seventh distinction which is ordinary is of the Commandments into affirmative and negative as ye see all the Commandments in the first T ●ble are negatively set down ●orbidding sin directly Th ●● shalt not have an other gods c only the fourth is both negative and ●ffirmative ●orbidding sin and commanding duty directly as also the fi ●th only which is the first of the s ●cond T ●ble is affi ●mative all the r ●st are negative This disti ●ction is not so to be understood as if nothing were commanded or injoyned in negative Pr ●c ●pts or as i ● nothing were fo ●bidden in affirmative Pr ●c ●pts ●or whatever be expr ●ss ●d as forbidden the co ●●●ary is always in ply ●d as command ●d and whatsoever is expr ●sly commanded the contr ●ry is always imp ●yed as forbidden b ●t the disti ●ction is taken from the manner of setting them down conc ●rning which take th ●s ● Rules or G ●neral Obs ●rvations for your better understanding many wher ●o ● are in the larger Cat ●chisme 1 Howev ●r the Commandments be expressed affirmatively or negatively every one of them hath two parts one affirmative implyed in negative Precepts requiring the duties that are contr ●ry to the si ●s forbidden another negative implyed in the affirmative Precepts forbidding the sins that are contrary to the duties commanded as for example the third Comm ●ndme ●t Thou shalt n ●t take the Name of the Lord thy God in v ●in it implies a Command reverently to use his Name So to remember to keep Holy the Sabbath d ●y implies a Prohibition of prophaning it in which sense all the Commandments may in some respect be called negative and so a part of the fourth Commandment is neg ●tively expressed Th ●u shalt do no work or affirmative in which respect Christ c ●mprehendeth all the neg ●tiv ●s under these two great affirmative Commandments of love to God and our Neighbour for every Commandment doth both ●njoyn and forbid the like may be said of promises and threatnings there b ●ing in every promise a threatning and in ev ●ry threatning a promise conditionally implyed And this may be a reason why some Commandments are negatively expressed some positively to shew us that both are comprehended 2 Though the positive Commandmen ● or the positive p ●rt of the Commandment be of alike force and Authority with the negative as to the obligation it layeth on us to duty yet it doth not tye us to all occasions and times as negatives do Hence is that common Maxim that affirmative Commands tye and oblige semper ever that is they never want their Authority and we are never absolved from their obedience but they do not oblige and tye ad semper that is in all differences of time we are not tyed to

spirit Gal. 5.16 and so praying and praising which this Law calls for is praying and praising in the spirit 1 Cor. 14. v. 14 15 16. 6 A sixth Rule is that beside the duty expressed there is more implyed in the affirmative Commands and beside the sin pitched on there is more forbidden in the negative Precepts even all duties and sins of these kinds in whatsoever degree As for example in the affirmative Commands 1. Where the duty is commanded all the means that may further it are commanded likewise Hence under care to preserve our Brother Levit. 19.17 18. it is commanded that we should reprove him c. 2. Where any thing is commanded as a duty all duties of that kind are commanded as keeping holy the Lords Day is commanded in the fourth Commandment there hearing praying watchfulness all the Week over and all things belonging unto the Worship of God that day such as Tythes that is maintenance for a Ministry calling of fit Ministers building Churches c. are required though they be not all duties of that day 3. Where a duty is required the owning and suitable avowing of that duty is required also and so believing in God and the profession of Faith are required in the same Commandment Rom. 10.10 4. Where the duty of one Relation is required as of Childrens subjection there is required the duty of the other Relation as of Parents yea and also of all under that name Again in negative Precepts observe 1. Where great sins are forbidden all the lesser of that sort are forbidden also as under Adultery Murder and Idolatry all light obscene Whorish words wanton looks unchaste thoughts revenge rash anger worldly affections c. are forbidden and they are comprehended and prohibited under the grossest terms to make them the more detestable odious and dreadful 2. All means that may prevent these sins are commanded and all snares or occasions or incitements to them are prohibited 3. Where any sin is forbidden there the least scandal about it or the least appearance of the guilt of committing it is forbidden also for God will have his people holy and shining in holiness unspotted and without scandal and abst ●ining not only from all evil but from all appearance of it 1 Thess. 5.22 4. We are not only forbidden the committing of such sins our selves delighting in them and inclining to them but accounting light or little of them in others yea we are commanded and ought to mourn for them when committed by them 7 The seventh Rule is whatever duty lies upon others we are commanded in our places to further them in it as Masters are to further their Servants Husbands their Wives one Neighbour another by advice direction incouragement prayer and other helps as in the fourth Commandment is clear where the Servants duty and the Strangers is imposed on the Master and whatever sin is discharged in our selves we are discharged any manner of way to partake in the same with others whether by advice example connivance ministring occasion or by sporting and laughing at it in them for so the Rule is 1 Tim. 5.22 Keep thy self pure partake not of other mens sins Men may be free themselves as to their own personal breaches and yet highly partake of others breaches of the Law 8 The breach of one Commandment virtually breaks all there is such a connexion and linking together of the Commandments that if the Authority of God be slighted in one it is so in all Jam. 2.10 1 John 4.20 9 One thing may in divers respects as an end or means be commanded or forbidden in many yea in all the Commandments as ignorance and drunkenness are because they disable for all duties and dispose to all sins Of this kind is idleness also and so knowledge sobriety watchfulness c. are commanded in all the Commandments for without these men are unfitted and incapacitated for performing any commanded duty 10 The tenth and last Rule is the Law is holy just and good therefore the least motion against it or discontentment with it is sin Rom. 7.12 In sum take these few watch-words concerning the obligation of the Law 1 That it obligeth to all duties and to all sorts of duties publick private to God to others and to our selves and that words actions gestures yea thoughts and the least motions of the heart come under its obligation his Commandment is exceeding broad so that there is nothing so little but it ought to be ruled by this Word and that in all persons of all Ranks whether as to doing or suffering 2 That it obligeth to the right manner of duties as well as to the matter and to every thing that belongeth to duties and thus in its true extent it reacheth to the forbidding of all the sins that are contrary to duties commanded 3 That it obligeth the whole man the outward in deeds words gestures and appearances or shews the inward in the understanding will affections memory conscience and so it requires that the mind will and whole nature be sanctified and conform to all these Commands 5 That it obligeth to obedience in all these always and in the highest degree so that the least disconformity in habit or act is a transgression the obedience it requires is perfect in all these respects that not only there must be no breach of any of these Commands directly much less a continuance in a breach but that also 1. There must be no appearance of breaking them 1 Thes. 3.2 ● 2. There must be no consent to break them though it come not forth to act Matth. 5.28 There must be no casting our selves in the way of any temptation or snare whereby we may be inticed or occasioned to speak so to break them as Dauid was by his looking on a woman 2 Sam 11.2 which Job guards against Job 31. v. 1 4. there must be no corrupt motion affection or inclination to evil even where it gets not assent there must be no tickling of delight in the thing though the heart dare not consent to act it nor any discontentment with the restraint that keepeth from such a thing or secret wishing that such a thing were lawful but on the contrary we must account every commanded thing right Psalm 119.128 5 The involuntary motions of the mind which never get assent to any of these evils nor are delighted in yet even these are prohibited by this Law because they flow from a corrupt Fountain and are the Evidences of disconformity to Gods Image in our nature and they ought not so much as to be in us Hence doth the Apostle complain of lust Rom. 7. though resisted by him 6 It reacheth not only to streams of actual corruption but to the Fountain of original sin whereby we entertain within us the seed and incentives unto actual evils that contradict this holy Law By all which we may see what holiness it calls for and how often if we were examined in all the Commands by

these Rules ● we would be found defective and faulty and what matter of humiliation and repentance we may have for what is past and what challenges we may have hereafter from this Law with what need of continual applications to the Blood of Sprinkling and of Washings in that open Fountain to the House of David and Inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness and what need of endeavours to have our steps ordered more exactly according to it Before we close the Preface I shall first add two distinctions more then two more Rules 3. Give you some Scriptures for your memories cause 4. Give some directions or helps to those who make conscience to study this Law 5. Answer and clear a special case 1 Then ye would distinguish betwixt this Law as given to Adam and as given to Israel for as given to him it was a Covenant of Works but as given to them it 's a Covenant of Grace and so from us now it calls for Gospel-duties as Faith in Christ 1 Tim. 1.5 Repentance Hope in God c. and although it call for legal duties yet in a Gospel-manner therefore we are in the first Commandment commanded to have God for our God which cannot be by sinners obeyed but in Christ Jesus the Covenant of Works being broken and the tye of Friendship thereby between God and Man made void so that now men as to that Covenant are without God in the world and without Christ and the Promises Ephes. 2.12 13. And so our having God for our God which is pointed at in the Preface to the Commandments and Christ for our Saviour and closing with his Righteousness and the Promises of the Covenant which are all Yea and Amen in him must go together 2 Distinguish betwixt the divers Administrations of the Covenant of Grace and of the Law in respect of Positives falling under the second Commandment for that Commandment tyed the Israelites before Christ to Circumcision Sacrifices the seventh day of the Week and other Ceremonies agreeable to the Administration of the Law and Covenant of Grace then but now it forbiddeth them to us and requireth other duties for the Priesthood being changed there is of necessity a change also of the Laws belonging thereto yet that Commandment as a part of the Moral Law doth perpetually oblige and tye to worship God and none other and that according to the manner which he prescribes Next unto the Rules already laid down for the better understanding of the Commandments we add two more The first is that the Commandments are so to be expounded as that none of them may contradict another that is there is nothing commanded in one that is forbidden in another or contrary one duty doth not justle with nor thrust out another but they differ only and then two duties coming together in that case one of them ceaseth to be a duty for that time as is said in that distinction of affirmative and negative Commands The second Rule is that all these Commandments bind and call for obedience from men according to their places and other qualifications and circumstances The fifth Commandment calleth for one thing from a Magistrate another from a Subject a Magistrate is to edifie one way a Minister another a private Christian another a Servant is one way to reprove his Fellow-servant a Master another way The Law requires more from a man of parts power and riches than from another as to exercise and improvement of these gifts The Law being just has in it a proportionableness to places parts c. and sets bounds to stations but alters them not nor confounds them 3 For the help of your memories and that ye may have these Rules more obvious ye may draw them all under these five Scriptures The first Scripture is Psal. 119. v. 96. Thy Commandment is exceeding broad which though it be more extensive in its meaning yet it doth certainly include this Law which in an especial way is the Commandment and in the sense and comprehensive meaning thereof is exceeding broad for it takes in the fulness and extent of the whole Law in its obligation as to all things persons and duties of all sorts The second Scripture is Rom. 7.14 which speaks to the Spirituality of the Law in the obedience which it calleth for the Law is Spiritual The third Scripture is Rom. 7.12 which speaks the perfection of its nature the Law is Just therefore fretting against what it commandeth or wishing it were otherwise is a breach thereof It is holy therefore to be disconformable unto it is to be unholy it 's good and therefore it ought to be loved and delighted in The fourth Scripture is 1 Tim. 1.5 and it speaketh the great end of the Law The end of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure Heart and a good Conscience and Faith unfeigned which threefold End speaketh out the absolute purity and holiness called for in our love to God and others so as to have a good conscience in this before God all which must slow from unfeigned Faith without presumption resting on Jesus Christ who is in this sense the end of the Law The fifth Scripture is 1 Tim. 1.8 The Law is good if a man use it lawfully and this guards against abusing of the Law and putteth us to the lawful use of it There are extreams in abusing the Law as 1. When it is used to seek Righteousness by it Again 2. When the Authority of it is pretended for something it Warrants not such as the Traditions of the Fathers Mat. 15. seeking of Salvation by the observation of Circumcision c. 3. When its Authority in practise is denied 4. When it is turned from practise to vain speculations and questions 5. When it is so used as it deters and scares from Christ 6. When it is so made use of as it oppresses and discourages a Believer for whose sake 1 T ●● 1.19 it was never made or appointed as to its threatnings and condemning Power And lastly in a word when it is not used to the ends and in the manner expressed in the former Scriptures Fourthly Because the study of this Law is so singularly useful we not only press and commend it but add further some few directions whereby we may be helped rightly to use it and to guard against the abuse of it in our hearing and reading of it 1 The first direction is ye would look on it as God's Word and take it as if ye heard himself from Sinai pronounce it that so ye may tremble and be more affected with holy fear when ever ye read hear it or meditate upon it for so was the people affected when it was first promulgate 2 Be much in prayer for grace to take up its meaning David Psal. 119.18 c. prayed often for this and thought it not unbecoming a King yea a believing King and a Prophet to study this Law and pray much for opened eyes to understand the

gross violations of this Command and study to be more affected even when narratively ye are telling somthing wherein his Name is mentioned than otherwise 4. Tremble at this sin and sutably resent it when ye hear it in others be affected with it and labour to make them so that ye may thus train your selves to an abominating of that evil 5. Let it never pass in your selves especially without some special grave animadversion Look back on all your life and see if ye can remember when and where ye were gro ●●y guilty reflect on your worship and observe omissions and defects at left in respect of what ye might have been at and learn to loath your selves for these and to be in bitterness for them especially if the escapes have been more late and recent let them not sleep with you lest ye be hardned and the Sentence stand in force unrepealed against you what will ye sleep and this Word stand in the Bible on record as a Registred Decree against you 6. Seek for much of the Spirit for none can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 7. Frequently and seriously put up that Petition to the Lord Hallowed be thy Name Matth. 6.9 The other word of Use is for what is past I am sure if we could speak of it and hear it rightly there is here that which might make us all to tremble and evidence convincingly to us our hazard and the necessity of Repentance and flying to Christ Tell me Hearers believe ye this Truth that there is such hazard from this guilt tell me if ye remember what we spoke in the opening of it is there any of you that lyeth not under the stroak of it If so what will ye do flye ye must to Christ or lye still and can there be any secure lying still for but one hour under God's Curse drawn out O ye Atheists that never trembled at the Name of the Lord and that can take a mouthful of it in your common discourse and ye who make it your by-word and mock or jest ye whom no Oaths can bind and all ye Hypocrits who turn the pretended honouring of the Name of the Lord and the sanctifying of him in his Ordinances into a real prophaning of it let me give you these two charges under certification of a third 1. I charge you to Repent of this sin to flye to Christ for obtaining pardon haste haste haste the Curse is at the door when the Sentence is past already O sleep not till this be removed 2. I charge you to abstain from it in your several Relations all ye Parents Masters Magistrates Church-Officers School-masters and Teachers I charge you to endeavour to prevent this sin in your selves and others It is sad that the Children of many are brought up in it the most part live in it our Streets are more full of it than the Streets of Heathens Advert to this charge every soul Or 3. I charge you to appear before this great and dreadful God who will not accompt any such guiltless and to Answer to Him for it The Fourth Commandment Exod. 20. v. 8 9 10 11. Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it Holy Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy Work but the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any Work Thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy Cattel nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates for in Six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath and Hallowed it THe Lord in his infinite Wisdom and Goodness hath so far consulted mans Infirmity as to sum up his Duty in these Ten Commands called Ten Words that thereby his darkness and dulness by sin might be helped by an easie abbreviation The first Command therefore containeth mans duty to God in immediate Worship requiring that the only true God should be worship'd The 2d stinteth and limiteth men to that worship alone which he perseribeth The 3d. Commandeth Reverencing of him in all his Ordinances and a reverent manner of going about them This Fourth pointeth out the Time which most solemnly the Lord will have set a-part for his Worship that so He who is both Lord of us and of our time may shew what share he has reserved as a Tribute due to himself who hath liberally vouchsafed on us the rest which time is not to be understood exclusively as if he would have only that spent in worship there being no exclusive determination of exercise of worship or duration of them in Scripture that is to say that they shall be so long and so often and no longer nor oftner but that he will precisely have this time as an acknowledgment from us even as when he gave Adam the use of all the Trees in the Garden he reserved one so when he giveth Six days to us he keepeth a Seventh for himself This Command is placed in a manner betwixt the two Tables because it is a transition as it were from the one to the other and containeth in it duties of immediate Service to God and of Charity towards men and so in some sort serveth to reconcile if we may speak so the two Tables and to knit them together that so their harmony may be the more clearly seen It is also more largely and fully set down for plurality and variety of expressions and words than any other in either of the Tables yet hath it notwithstanding been in all times in a special manner assaulted and set upon and endeavours used to overturn it Satan ayming somtimes to darken the meaning of it somtimes to loose from the strict tye of observing it and that not only by old Sabbatarians Anti-sabbatarians and corrupt School-men but even by those whom God hath made Orthodox in the main And especially by a Generation in these days who having a hatred at all Ordinances and at all the Commands of the Decalogue yet do especially vent it against this Command because in it is contained a main foundation of Godliness As it is wonderfully great presumption for men to assault and set upon God's Authority even where he hath strengthned himself as it were most by more full explication and more large and particular pressing of duty and forbidding of the contrary sin as he hath done in this Command more than in any of all the rest So it will be necessary before we can speak to the practical part of piety comprehended in it concerning the sanctification of the Christian Sabbath or Lord's day either in the negative or positive part of it to speak doctrinally for clearing of the precept to these three 1. Whether this Command be moral and do oblige us in its Letter as other Commands do 2. What is the particular morality of it and the literal meaning of the words 3. How our

carve out unto you A second reason to clear this to be the meaning may be taken from the perfection of the Law which lieth in this that it condemneth all sin and commandeth all d ●●ies now it is a sin not only to worship false Gods but to worship the true God in a false way and it is a duty also to worship him rightly according as he hath appointed in his Word now these sins must be forbidden in this second Commandment or they are forbidden in none at all and these duties must be commanded in this Commandment or they are commanded in none Next that we may clear that it is sinful to worship God otherwise than he hath commanded it would be observed there was a twofold Idolatry found in Israel and condemned in the Scripture the first was when Groves and Images were planted and made to Idols and so the people of Israel did often to the Heathen Gods the second was when they had Groves and worshipped in high places but not to Idols but to the Lord their God as 2 Chron. 33.17 so in that place before cited Deut. 12.2 3 4. c. you will find two things forbidden 1. Making of Images to the false Gods which the Canoanites worshipped 2. Making use of their manner of worship and turning it unto the true God both are forbidden the first by the first Commandment the last by the second compare ver 8. which holdeth forth this scope Ye shall not do every man what seemeth right in his own eyes with what followeth and With ver 30. 31 See th ●u enquire not how these Nations worshipped their gods to wit by Images c. as ●f ye would do so to the Lord no bat ver 32. Whatsoever thing I command you observe to do it tho ● shalt not adde thereto nor diminish from it which cleareth the scope of this Command as being purposely there opened up Ye shall not do so to the Lord your God wherein more is comprehended than is expressed namely not onely ye shall not serve the Lord as they do their gods but also ye shall serve him as he himself prescribeth Hence will it clearly appear that this command is to be reckoned a distinct command from the former because 1. It containeth distinct matter forbiddeth sins of another kind and commandeth duties of another kind 2. Because they are certainly ten in number and there cannot be such a reckoning made up if these first two be one it being clear as after will appear that the last is only one and cannot be divided into two 3. Beside it is the the common reckoning of the ancient Jewes as may be seen from Josephus lib. 3.9 Ainsworth and others This then being laid down as a truth we shall 1. shortly put by some Questions concerning Images for clearing the words 2. Come particularly to shew what is required and what is forbidden in this Commandment and how we break it in our ordinary practice T ●en 3. Open the Reasons that are annexed Concerning Images two things are to be enquired 1. If no Image be lawful and if any be lawful what these be 2. If any use especially religious of Images be lawful and if adoration of any kind be to be given to them We say for Answer 1 That making of Pictures of Creatures which are visible or may be comprehended or historical phansies to speak so such as the senses and elements use to be holden forth by which are rather Hieroglyphicks th ●n real Pictures these I s ●y are not simply unlawful but are so when they are abused so Solomon made images of Lions for his use and thus the gift of engraving and painting as well as others which God hath given to men may he made use of when as hath been said it is not abused As 1. When such Pictures are obscene and filthy and against Christian modesty to behold such break this Commandment but more especially the seventh because as filthy communication doth polute the ears so do they the eyes 2. When men become prodigal in their bestowing either too much time or too much expence on them 3. When they dote too much on them by curiosity and many other wayes they may be abused but especially in the fourth place if they be abused to any religious use then they become unlawful as afterward shall be cleared 2. Though making of Images simply be not unlawful and discharged by this Commandment yet thereby every representation of God who is the Object to be worshi ●ped and every Image religiously made use of in worship is condemned though civil and political Images and Statues which are used as ornaments or badges of honour or remembrancers of some fact c. be not condemned 1. Because such Images cannot but beget carnal thoughts of God as Acts 6.19 contrary to this Commandment 2. Because God discovered hi ●self Deut. 4.15 16. c by no likeness but only by his Word that they might have no ground of likening him to any thing 3. Because it is impossible to get a bodily likeness to set him out by who is a Spirit and an infinite Spirit so then every such image must be deroga ●ory to God as turning the Glory of the invisible God to the Shape of some visible and corruptible Creature which is condemned Rom. 1.22 23. for every Image supposeth some likeness Now there can be no conceivable or imaginable likeness betwixt God and any thing that we can i ●vent therfore it is said by the Lord Isaiah 40.8 To whom will ye liken God or what likeness will ye compare unto him where it seemeth it was no Idol but God they aimed to represent by their Images which was the fault condemned ver 25. As also when we cannot conceive of God and of the Mysteries of the Trinity and Incarnation as we ought what presumption must it be to paint them Therefore upon these Grounds 1. We simply condemn any delineating of God or the Godhead or Trinity such as some have upon their buildings or books like a Sun shining with beam ● and the Lords Name Jeh ●va in it or any other way this 〈◊〉 most abominable to s ●e and a hainous wronging of Gods Majesty 2. All representing of the Persons as distinct as to set out the Father personally considered by the Image of an old man as if he were a creature the Son under the Image of a Lamb or young man the Holy Ghost under the Image of a Dove all which wrongeth the Godhead exceedingly and although the Son was and is Man having taken on him that nature and united it to his Godhead yet he is not a meer man therefore that image which only holdeth forth one nature and looketh like any man in the World cannot be the representation of that Person which is God and man And if it be s ●id mans soul cannot be painted but his body may and yet that picture representeth a man I answer it doth

which we may see what need there is to watch over our selves in these things lest our liberty be turned into licentiousness and lest we grow either idle or carnal on that day Let us then consider how far this rest extendeth and under it we take in 1. The rest of the whole man outward and inward in deeds words and thoughts so is it Isai. 58.13 we should not speak our own words nor by proportion think our own thoughts nor find our own pleasures 2. It goeth through the whole day for though every minute of the day cannot be applyed to positive duties yet in no minute of it is it lawful to do another work inconsistent with the qualifications and scope aforesaid that is the negative part in it thou shalt do no work which bindeth ad semper 3. It is to be extended not only to a mans own person but to all under him children servants c. he must be answerable for it that they rest and must give them no occasion of work 4. It 's to be extended even to the least work of any fort if unnecessary as gathering sticks speaking our own words c. these are all breaches of the Sabbath 5. This rest extendeth to all actions or sorts of actions or cases which are not comprehended under the former exceptions which are permitted or are consistent with the sanctifying of the Sabbath As 1. All works which tend to our external profit pleasure satisfaction c. all works of our callings which make for the increase of outward gain and profit such whereby we ordinarily sustain our lives These Heb. 4.15 are called our own works and here it 's such works as ordinarily are wrought in the rest of the six dayes So it is doing thy own pleasure as well as vvorks Isa 58. 2. Such vvorks as tend to others external gain or profit as the great motive of them as Servants may be vvorking for their Masters profit and yet prophane the day 3. Such as are not necessary on that day as ploughing sovving reap ●ng or gathering in and that even in Seed time and Harvest and so fishing going of mills c. vvhen these are not done for the very preserving of life because they are not necessary out of that case neither is there any thing here of an extraordinary dispensation that maketh them necessary the vveather depending on an ordinary providence or ordinarily depending on providence vvhich is to be reverenced Hence though the vveather and season be rainy yet it is not lavvful to cut dovvn or gather in Corn on the Sabbath their hazard in this case being common and from an ordinary immediate providence yet suppose that a River vvere carrying avvay Corn or that Winds vvere like to blovv them into the Sea it vvere lavvful in such a case to endeavour to prevent that and preserve them because 1. that cometh by some more then ordinary dispensation of providence in the vveather and affecteth and putteth in hazard this Corn more then others 2. Because there is no probability of recovering these in an ordinary vvay though the vveather should alter but there is hope of gathering in of such as are in the fields vvithout that reach of hazard if the Lord alter the season 4. Such as are for carnal pleasure or civil ends thus playing gaming much laughing c. being our ovvn vvorks more especially our ovvn pleasure are unlavvful on that day 5. Consider that all things are prohibited vvhich marr the end of the day and are not consistent vvith the duties thereof such are buying selling c. out of the cases of pressing necessity folks cannot be spiritually taken up and vvith these also so playing and gaming is no less consistent vvith praying reading conferring c. then ploughing or such like yea is much more indisposing for it and so vve do necessarily thereby incapacitate our selves for the duties of the day 6. All things are forbidden vvhich consist not vvith this rest and the duties of vvorship called for from our selves and others thus unnecessary journeying vvalking even suppose one could or should be exercised in meditation is not resting as is required much less is gadding in companies in the street or fields to the neglect of secret and family duties In a vvord vvhatever is not religious and spiritual exercise or furthering or helping unto vvhat is so out of the excepted cases much more vvhatever is sinful scandalous or unsutable on other dayes or doth divert from or indispose for the duties of holiness and the vvorship of God on that day is inconsistent vvith this rest and so prohibited for This rest is not primarily commanded and required for it self but as conducing and subordinate unto the performing of holy duties in it therefore our rest is to be regulated so as may best contribute to that scope and vvhatever marreth that though it should not be vvork strictly but idleness carnalness or playing and gaming and sporting yet it 's a breach of this rest for 1. That is no religious duty nor 2. tending as a necessary help to it nor 3. is rest commanded that vve should play in it but that vve should sanctifie it and 4. playing or sporting cannot be called sanctifying the day othervvayes vve might have mo Sabbaths then one and the prophanest vvould love them hest 5. playing separateth not the Sabbath from other days more then vvork doeth for men play in all 6. playing is neither a religious duty it being amongst the most irreligious and prophane nor a duty of necessity for easing of vveariness vvhich doth not here come by any bodily toyl and labour but if there be any from being exercised in spiritual duties which therefore change and variety will through Gods blessing do so as the person may be born out in them nor is there any place for it except some duty be neglected therefore it 's inconsistent with this We come to the second way of considering the Sanctification required here and that is by comparing it with that strictness called for from the Jews and to which they were tyed We speak not here of Ceremonials for so their whole service might be more burdensom then ours and particularly their Sabbath-Services because they were doubled on that day but of Moral Duties and in that respect we say that the tye and obligation unto the sanctification of this day is equal and alike unto us with them which is clear in particulars for 1. It tyeth us now to as long time to wit a natural day of twenty four hours as it did them then 2. It restraineth from work and requireth holy rest now as much as then for whatever work then struck against the Letter or purpose and scope of the command and marred holy Duties doth so still 3. It requireth positive sanctification by holy Duties as preaching prayer meditation c. and alloweth not Idleness nor indulgeth time to other unnecessary works 4. It requireth as spiritual a manner and as spiritual a

proved Sinful and against the 10 Command 454 The sin of these first motions held out in many particulars 456 457 How the inordinacy of these motions discovers it self 459 How the sin of these is not sufficiently noticed 460 That men in the state of nature cannot take up the sin of these 462 How Concupiscence in a believer differs from what it is in other men 463 Confidence it in what sense it may be put in the creatur ● without sin 40 Covetousness what it is 412 How a man may endeavour to increase his estate without the guilt of it 413 Some discoveries of Covetousness 425 That in the Apostles times it brought men under Church-censure 426 What coveting is forbidden in the 10 Command 448 The prohibition of covetousness unreasonably divided by Papists into two Commands 449 Covenant every sin against God as our God in Covenant is against the 1 Command as well as sin against God as God 48 49 D DAncing the sin of it 31 375 Dayes None can institute ordinary or fixed dayes for worship throughout the whole beside the Sabbath 297 Giving or receiving gifts on New-years day a sinfull superstitious custome 73 Despair how a breach of the first Commandment 47 48 Devill his injections when our sin when not 451 Dreams see Sleep Drunkeness the sin of it Shewed in divers respects 377 Rules for preventing in sobriety in drinking whereby one may also know when in any measure guilty 382 383 How unbecoming all and whom more especially 385 Whether on may drink excessively to provoke vomiting for health sake 386 Whether drunkeness lessen the guilt of sinnes committed in the time of it 387 Of Tipling and four-hour-singing 388 Of drinking at making of Bargaines 389 Of drinking healths 390 Of drinking at the birth of Children and when visiting women in Child ●bed 392 Of drinking at Light-wakes or dergies 393 Of the multitude of Taverns and Ale houses 194 Duells the unlawfulness of them 343 344 Duties we owe to God by the first Command summed up 28 29 These required in the 2 Command summed up 69 These required in the 3 Command summed 12 ● A summary of the Sabath duties 289 290 Why our duty to Man is as particularly required in the d ●●alogue as our duty to God 309 F FAmily-worship wherein it consists 208 That the Scripture holds this forth is prov'd at length ●09 ●14 215 216 c. Sev ●● r ●●sons proving the necessity of it ●90 2 ●1 That this is required in the 4 Commandment proved various wayes 210 211 212 213 That this duty is four wayes described in Scripture 232 233 The right use and also the abuse of keeping Chaplaines 234 The great advantages of consientious going about family-duties 235 236 Fasting in what sense a part of Gods worship 108 Severall grounds of fasting 109 Twelve ordinary sinnes that goes before fasting 110 Twenty ordinary Sinnes in fasting enumerated 110 111 Thirteen Instances of ordinary failings after fasting 112 Father how to be understood in the first command 313 What Love the Father owes to the Son and what the Son to the Father 333 Whether the Father or the Magistrate should be obeyed when commanding Contrary things ibid. For ●ication the severall sorts of it with its aggravations 356 Frugality what it is Eight Characters of it 424 G GAin when lawful and honest 417 Severall wayes of dishonest gain ennumerated 402 Gods Who make unto themselves other Gods beside the Bond 41 Gluttony how against the 7 command 337 Divers considerations tending to discover when we sin in eating 338 to 382 Divers necessary Rules for regulating our eating and drinking 382 H HAtred of God how a breach of the first command 48 How every sin is interpreted hatred and every sinner a hater of God 118 How corrupting of Gods worship is reckoned hatred of God in a special manner 119 Hair how sinfully abused 364 Honour what mentioned in the 5 Command imports 315 Why Honouring our neighbour is commanded before other duties of the second table 321 Wherein honouring our neighbour consists and what it imports 322 How honour differeth from love ibid. Whether outward expressions of honour be alwayes necessary ibid. What is contrary to this honour we owe to our neighbour 324 325 Whether wicked men may be honoured 326 Whether rich men should be honoured ibid. The place Jam. 2.1 2 explained 327 How the honour we ow to a good man differs from that we ow to others alike in outward respects ibid. Whether we may seek our own honour and how 328 How we should prefer another to our selves 329 Humility required by the 5 Command a threefold Consideration of it How the Pagan moralists were strangers to it The advantages of it In what things its most necessary The opposites of it 334 to 340 I IDleness the sinfulness of it 295 297 Idolatry 7 distinctions of it ●31 Five wayes of more subtil hear ●-idolatry 32 How to discover each of these 33 The ordinary objects of this great idolatry Instanced in 11 particulars 35 36 What be the most subtile Idolls shewed in six particulars 37 A Twofold Idolatry especially forbidden to the Isralites and condemned in them 53 The Idolatry forbidden in the 2 command in six particulars 67 68 Jealousie what it importeth and how attributed to God 113 114 Ignorance of the Law The sad effects of it 2 How a breach of the first Command 43 Several distinctions of it explained 44 45 How it excuseth and how not 45 46 Images of any of the ● Persons in the blessed Trinity proved to be unlawfull 55 Objections answered 56 The Command forbiding Images proved to be distinct from the first 54 What Images may be lawfully made ibid When are Images of creatures abused 57 Images of Heathen Gods as Mars Cupid c. prohibited 58 Impatience how it appears how a breach of the first Command 49 Imprecations whether lawful or not 130 Incest when committed where-in the unnaturalness of it stands 356 K KNowledge of God required in the first Command 28 See ignorance L LAw the excellency and usefulness of it 1 2 How the moral Law obligeth us now 3 4 The distinction of the decalogue as a Law and as a Covenant cleared 6 How the Law was given to Adam in Innocency how to Israel and how to Believers now 15 The extent of the Law shewed in seven respects 14 15 Several wayes of abusing the Law 17 Some directions for right using of it 18 Light-wakes and deriges the sinfulness of them 73 Lots or Lotting defined 147 How the use of them concerns the 3 Command ibid. Several divisions of Lots and which of them are lawful which not 168 169 What is necessary to lawful Lotting 169 170 Cautions for preventing abuse of them ibid. Luxory lots proved unlawful 171 172 173 Some objections answered ibid. Love to God why called the first and great commandment 309 What love may be allowed to the Creature without breach of the 1 Command 40

Whether we ought to Love all men alike 317 In what respects may we make a difference ibid. What are the grounds of a lawfull difference in our Love 318 How love to the Godly differeth from common love to others 319 How we may love wicked men ibid. What self-Love is lawful what not 320 ●ust how early it entred into the world 350 Several degrees of unnatural Lusts 353 See Concupiscence Lye what it is and when is one guilty of it 437 Four sorts of Lyes 438 How many wayes we wrong our neighbour by Lying 439 440 441 Of Lying in Court of Justice how the Judge how the Advocate may be guilty as well as a false witness 444 445 Life the taking away of our own cleared to be forbidden in the 6 Command 342 How many ways one may be guilty of this ibid. How we may sin against the bodily Life of others 343 How against the Life of their souls 344 345 How against their Life of contentment 346 M MArriage how many wayes men sin in Contracting of it 356 How one may sinne against the 7 command even in a Married state 356 357 How on may sin in dissolving of Marriage 358 Mother why mentioned in the first Command 313 Moral all the precepts in the decalogue not moral in the same sense 7 See Sabbath Murther several distinctions of it 347 How its committed in the heart how in words gestures deeds 348 349 How Magistrates may be guilty of it 349 Self-Murder how forbidden 342 See Life N NAme what is meant by the Name of God 121 What it is to take this Name in vain 122 What is necessary to the reverent mentioning of the Name of God 123 Why the taking of this Name in vain is so peremptorily prohibited 124 Eight ordinary wayes of taking the Lords Name in vain 161 How the Name of God is taken in vain in ordinances and duties 162 How to prevent this sin in duties 163 164 How we know when guilty of it 165 166 Why the taking of Gods Name in vaine is so threatened and punished even beyond other sinnes 180 181 How it comes that this sin is so ordinary 182 183 Directions for the prevention of it 184 Neighbour to be honoured and loved 313 How we should love and honour our neighbour 316 See honour and love O OAth five things to be considered in it 126 How one Oath differs from an asseveration 127 That its unlawfull to swear by Angels Saints or other Creatures proved ibid. The difference between promissory and asse ●tory Oaths and between promissory Oaths and Vows shewed 131 A threefold matter of an Oath and a threefold occasion of Swearing 131 132 Of expresse or tacite conditions in all promissory Oaths 133 Whether indefinite Oaths such as these imposed in Colledges in Corporations or such as Souldiers take to their officers be Lawfull ibid. What does not lose the Obligation of promissory Oaths thirteen particulars instanced 136 137 What Oaths are null and of no force 138 Four cases wherein the obligation of a lawfull Oath ceaseth 139 Why wicked men keep their sinful Oaths much more strictly then they doe lawful oaths 140 What an Oath super addeth to a promise ibid. Obedience The difference between obedience to the morall law as it respects the Covenant of grace and as it respects the covenant of works 4 5 See Duties Command Law Omens and observations when sinfull and superstitious 175 176 How superstitious Observations may be made of a Word of Scripture 177 Oppression shewed to be a sort of rapine and against the 8 command 400 Obtestations when lawfull and binding and how we may also sin in them 141 142 P PErjury several sorts of it and several wayes how one may become prejured 134 Whether one that necessitates another to swear when he has a suspicion that that other will for swear himself become Acessory to his perjury 135 See Oath Poligamy how a breach of the seventh Command 255 Poverty how men sinfully bring it upon themselves and so violate the 8 Command 411 Punishment of the iniquities of the Fathers upon the Children threatned in the 2 Command proved to mean spiritual and eternal punishment especially 114 115 Three considerations for clearing how the Lord does thus punish Children for the Parents sin 117 Five ends for which the Lord threatness the Posterity of wickked men 117 118 How children become guilty of the Parents sin and what special need some have to repent of the sins of their ancestors 120 Praising of God required in the ● Command 82 Our ordinary failings before the going about this duty ibid. Many failings in the performances of this duty enumerated 82 83 Our failings after praising 84 Prayer required by the 2 Commandment 79 Many sins before Prayer instanced ibid. Many ordinary sins in Prayer 79 80 Many sins while joyning with others in Prayer enumerated 81 Many ordinary sins after Prayer instanced in 81 82 Preface I am the Lord thy God a preface to all the Commandments but more especially to the first command 25 Pride in what things it appear 339 See Humility Promises why annexed to some Commandments rather then to others 27 Why the first Command is called the first Command with Promise 312 What Comfort the Promise made in the 2 Command to the thousand generations c. affords to believing Parents and their children 119 What is the meaning of the Promise annexed to the 5 Commandment and how to be understood 330 What Advantage a Believer under the New Testament has by such temporal Promises 331 See Vowes R RApine what it is 397 Religion how concerned in the duties we ow to others 310 Riches ten prejudices that come by them 416 Right whether a wicked men has it to any thing here 330 S SAbbath the observation of it a moral duty 188 Three considerations for clearing the morality of it 189 The morality of it proved from the Scriptures way of speaking of it in general 190 The Prophesies Ezekiel 43 44 45 46 ch Considered 192 194 Math 24 20 considered 194 2 Proved that all the 10 Commandments are moral and consequently this 195 This cleared from Mat. 5.19 Jam. 2 10. 796 3 Several peculiar remarks upon the 4 Command confirming the morality of it 119 120 4 Four Arguments drawn from Scripture to prove this 201 202 203 Four Nota ●●e Witnesses to this truth 203 204 Objections answered 205 206 207 Remembring of the Sabbath imports four things 237 238 How to reckon when the Sabbath begins and ends 239 What proportion of it should be bestowed on spiritual duties 239 240 Severall Considerations tending to clear that the 4 command intended not the Seventh but a Seventh day primarily 241 242 Six Arguments for Evincing this 243 to 248 Some objections answered 249 Several Considerations for clearing when the Sabbath begins 249 250 Divers arguments to prove that the Sabbath begins in the morning and continues till next morning 251 to 255 1 That the Sabbath may be

are required in a far more eminent way so that Creatures must yield and give place when God cometh in competition with them in these and these things which are proper to God as resting on him adoring of him are to be given to no other 5 All these things are so required as none of them thrust out another but that all so consist as every duty may keep its own place without prejudice to any other In the next place we would consider the negative part of this Commandment for the extent thereof will be best discerned by cons ●dering what is forbidden therein and how it may be broken It is indeed the Commandment in reference to which beyond all the rest almost the general ●ty of men think themselves most innocent and yet upon tryal it will be found that men are most guilty of the breach thereof We may look upon the breach of this Commandment more largely as God is any way wronged in that which is his due or more strictly as it relateth to that which is more properly Idolatry Being more largely considered it is broken two ways 1 When what is proper and Essential to God is denied to him in effect or practically as wh ●n he is not accounted Eternal Omnipotent one blessed God in three Persons And thus men are guilty either in Opinion or in practise when they walk so before God as if they thought him not Omnipotent Omniscient c. And so Tit. 1.16 it is said of some that they profess to know God but in works they deny him 2 It is broken when any thing unbecoming the Holy Majes ●y of God is attributed unto him as that he changeth favour●th prophanity c. So Psal. 50.21 it is said of some prophane men that they thought him like unto themselves These two may be called more general Idolatry we shall speak f ●rther to them afterward 3 The third way it is broken considering the breach of this Commandment strictly is by attributing that which is due to God and properly belongeth to him to Creatures as trusting in them c ●lling on them by prayer accounting them Omnipotent Omniscient or believing that they have influence or power to guide the World which some do attribute to Stars to the Heavens to Fortune to Saints to Angels yea to Devils this is properly Idolatry And b ●cause it is the chief scope of this Commandment and we are bidden expresly to keep our s ●lves from Idols 1 John 5 we shall insist a little on it And ● We shall premit some distinctions of Idolatry 2. Shew how men fall in it 3. What are the special Idols men commit Idolatry with 4. Which are the most subtil and dangerous Idols 5. Give some rules whereby ye may try this sin of Idolatry even when it is most subtil And 1 Idolatry may be disting ●i ●●ed 1. Into Idolatry against the first Commandment when worship is not directed to the right but to the wrong object and Idolatry against the second Commandment which striketh against the prescribed manner of worshipping God We are now to speak to the first 2 This Idolatry is either 1. Doctrinal or Idolatry in the Judgment when one prof ●ssedly b ●lieveth such a thing beside Go ● to have some Divinity in it as Heathens do of their Mars and Jupiter and Papists do of their Saints Or 2. It is practical when men believe no such thing and will not own any such Opinion yet on the matter they are guilty of the same thing as covetous men c. The first taketh in all Heathens Turks H ●reticks that by their Doctrines and Opinions wrong the true God or his worship The second tak ●th in all self-seeking ambitious covetous and voluptuous persons c. who fall in with the former in their practise though not in Opinion 3 It may b ● distinguished into Idolatry that hath something for its object as the Egyptians worshipped Beasts and the Persians the Sun or Fire and that which has nothing but mens imaginations for its object as th ●se who worship feigned Gods in which respect the Apostle saith an Idol is nothing 1 Cor. 8.4 4 We would distinguish betwixt the ob ●ects of Idolatry and they are either such as are in themselves simply sinful as Devils prophane men or they are such as are good in themselves but abused and wronged when they are made objects of Idolatry as Angels Saints Sun Moon c. 5 Distinguish betwixt Idolatry that is more gross and professed and that which is more latent subtil and denied This distinction is like that before mentioned into Opinion and practise and much coincideth with it 6 Distinguish betwixt Heart-Idolatry Ezek. 14. Exod. 14.11 12. and 16 2 3. and external Idolatry the former consisteth in an inward heart-respect to some Idol as this tumultuous people were inslaved to their case and bellies in the last two fore-cited places the other in some external Idolatrous gesture or action In practical Idolatry we are to distinguish betwixt the letting out of our affections upon simply sinful objects and the letting them out excessiv ●ly upon lawful objects Thus men are guilty of Idolatry with sinful objects when they love and covet another mans House Wife or ●oods when things unlawful and forbidden have the heart Again men are guilty of Idolatry in making lawful obj ●cts Idols as when by excess or inordinateness of love to their own Means Wife House c. they put them in God's room ●s Nebuchadnezzar did with Babylon Daniel 4.30 So then in the ●ormer sense men make their lusts or sins whatever they be their Idols Gluttons that serve their appetite Drunkards their drunkeness make their Bellies and Appetite their Idol for to whatever men yi ●ld themselves to obey they are servants unto that which they obey Rom. 6.16 An Idol is something excessively esteemed of and Idolatry is the transferring of God's due outwardly or inwardly to what is not God whether we esteem it God or not We shall first speak of practical Heart-idolatry especially when lawful things are made Idols which is the most subtil kind of Idolatry and that which men most ordinarily f ●ll into And it may be cleared these five ways by all which men give that which is due to God unto Creatures There are five things that are incontrovertibly due to God to wit 1. Estimation and honour above all 2. Love with all the heart 3. Confidence and trust 4. Fear and reverence 5. Service and obedience First then men commit Idolatry when any thing even any lawful thing getteth too much respect from them so that their happiness is placed in it and they can less abide to want it in effect whatever they may say in words than Communion with God himself When men have such an excessive esteem of Wife Children Houses Lands Great Places c. and when they are taken from them they cry as Micah Judg. 18.24 Ye have taken away my Gods from me and

time did observe it were Excommunicated and Alchuinus with others write that the whole Catholick Church appointed once a solemne publick Fast to be kept on a New years Day to bewail those Heathenish Interludes Sports and lewd Idolatrous practises that had been used on it 6. When some weight is laid on the number of words or set repetitions of Prayers Ave Maria's or Pater Noster's or on the reading so many Chapters or saying so many Prayers 7. When any take a word of Scripture at the opening of the Bible or by a thought suggested as more besitting their condition because of that without weighing the Word it self and lay more weight upon that word than upon another that hath the same authority and suitableness to their case which is to make a Weerd or Fortune-book of the Book of God for which end he never appointed it Thus also men are guilty when they account Sacraments more valid or lay more weight on them because dispensed by some Ministers than when dispensed by others though having the same warrant or because of the difference of persons that partake therein with them However some of these things may be in themselves good yet they are abused by some one circumstance as in unwarrantable timing them or in laying that weight on them which is not warranted in the Word which 1. Altereth the way that God has laid down 2. Bringeth us to prefer one circumstance to another without any warrant 3. Maketh a necessity where God has left us free and so bringeth us into Bondage 3. We may go wrong in practising lawful duties many ways as to the manner of performing them when they are not so done as is required As 1. When we do not propose to our selves the right end we should have before us 2. When they are not done from a right inward Principle 3. When they are done in Hypocrisie and Formality and rested on all which may goe along with men in all Duties and Ordinances and generally all our short-comings in the right manner of commanded duties striketh against this Command 4thly We may also consider the breach of this Command by taking a view of what is opposite to every thing required and so want of Reverence in Worship want of Zeal against errour or false worship not streatching our selves in all lawful ●ndeavours to entertain and maintain the true worship of God are here forbidden so likewise the putting in and keeping in unworthy Ministers the traducing holding out and putting out of Faithful Men the with-drawing and Sequestring their maintenance from them the diminishing of it or straitning them in it Horrid sins though little thought of and lightly look'd on by Men drawing no less deep before God than obstructing the free course of the Gospel breaking up the treaty of peace betwixt God and Sinners carryed on by Faithful Ministers as the Ambassadors of Jesus Christ and saying on the matter that he shall not see of the fruit of the travel of his soul in the salvation of the souls of men to his satisfaction so far as they can impede it by outing and discountenancing his Ministers the instruments made use of by him for bringing about and thus also all Sacriledge Simony and the like cometh in as breaches of this Command and all Partiality in Church-proceedings Tolleration of Errours countenancing the spreaders of them slighting of discipline conversing unnecessarily and unwarrantable with such as are Excommunicate and all unwarrantable innovating in the external worship of God and when we are not ayming and endeavouring to have our Children and Servants and all under our charge brought under subjection and conformity to the Ordinances and Service of God as well as our selves But because this Command in an especial manner looketh to publick Ordinances let us see a little more particularly how it is broken in these 1. In respect of Preaching and Hearing 2. Publick Prayer 3. Praising 4. Sacraments 5. Fasts and in all these there are faults of three sorts 1. Some going before the performance of these duties 2. Some following after 3. Some going along in the performance of them And again 1. Some are guilty of the breach of this Command by neglecting these duties 2. Some are guilty in the wrong manner of going about them And 1. Before hearing the Word men break this Command 1. In not Praying for the speaker 2. In not Praying for themselves in reference to this end that they may profit by the Word 3. In not setting themselves to be in a spiritual composed frame for such a work 4. In not watchfully preventing what may divert them or distract them or straiten their minds when they come to hear not ordering their other affairs so as they may not be a hinderance to them in meeting with the blessing of the Gospel 5. In not ayming to have the right esteem of the Word 6. In not blessing God for it or for any good received before by it 7 In not coming with hunger and thirst as new born Babes having laid aside what may hinder its being received with desire 2 Pet. 2.1 2. 8. In not denying our own strength as to the right discharge of that duty that so we may make use of Christ. 9. In not minding that when we are called to hear it is to trust with God in his Ordinances 10. In going to hear with prejudice 11. In coming without expe ●tation of and longing for the presence of God or of meeting with him 12. In not coming from respect to the honour of God nor out of Conscience but from custome and for the fashion 2dly Men sin against this Command when they are come to hear and while they are about this duty of hearing 1. In not looking to God or not receiving the Word as Gods Word but as Mans. 2. In extravaging and wandring in their minds and thoughts Ez ●k 33.31 3. In sleeping when they should hear 4. In letting the Word slip out of their mind and not retayning and laying up what they hear 5. In not yielding their ears and memories or yielding only their ears and memories but not casting open their hearts to the Word to let it sink down in them 6. When though it be heard yet it is not understood Math. 13.13 7. When though understood it is soon forgotten 8. When there is not a peculiar trembling and fear in our waiting upon the Ordinances Isa. 66.2 Eccles. 5.1 2. and Mal. 2.5 There is a special fear which we ought to have before his Name 9. When there is not Faith mixed with hearing giving credit to the Word it must be a great fault not to believe Gods Word when we hear it H ●b 4.1 2. 10. When we fret and canker at the reproofs of the Word 11. When we needlesly stumble at any expression especially when we care so lightly as to laugh at what is spoken to the prejudice of the Ordinances 12. When we are more for knowing than for doing more for

duty now it is the duty of every one as to examine themselves so being prepared by sutable self-examination to eat 1 Cor. 11.28 and yet in that Church of Corinth many did sinfully approach to the Lords Table Now though the Command requiring self-examination will not warrant Rulers not to examine yet it will warrant private Communicants to endeavour rightly to go about that duty themselves and not to be much anxious what others do as if other mens carriage were the ground of our approaching to the Lords Table 4. It is notwithstanding a Sacrament without any mixture of mens corrupt additions and so the neglecting of it is the neglecting of a Sacrament 5. If scandalous Receivers did corrupt it to others then a corrupt Minister could never celebrate a Sacrament which would contradict the Lords way in appointing such somtimes to dispense his Mysteries both in the Old and New Testament and if the Ministers corruption pollute not the Ordinance much less will the scandal of any others 6. The practise of the Lord's People in receiving Sacraments this way both before Christs Incarnation and since proveth it 7. It would be a great and inextricable snare to Consciences if the fruit of their communicating depended not only on their own preparing themselves but also on the Ministers and joynt-Receivers if their not preparation or failing in it brought guilt on us it were impossible that ever we could with clearness receive the Sacrament For 1. It is hard to think a Communion is celebrated but there is one or more who should not be admitted and the admission of one or two as well as of many is a prophaning of the Ordinance yea if we thought them to be scandalous yea if we knew them not to be holy we could not in Faith communicate with them lest the Ordinance be defiled by us if their defiling were ours 2. The presence of a Hypocrite would defile it to us for his Hypocrisie defileth it to him and he has not right before God to come neither would it warrant us that we knew not For 1. Many do sin when they know not 2. It is not our knowing his sin that defileth the Sacrament but it is his Hypocrisie and Rottenness 3. Thus the same Sacrament might be as God's Ordinance participated warrantably by one who knew not and not by another who knew this which were hard to make out 3. Believers their being out of a frame would pollute this Ordinance to us and incapacitate us to receive it for it is in that case sin to them and we should keep as great a distance from their sins as from the sins of others Yea 4. One could not communicate with himself to speak so if that ground were true For 1. We have Corruption 2. We know we have it as well as we can know any other mans 3. It doth pollute the Ordinance in part to our selves and bringeth guilt with it therefore if sin known in another would do it much more that which is in our selves for if it be Corruption as known to be in others that polluteth it then that same known in our selves must have that same effect for à quatenus ad omne valet consequentia If it be said 1. This Corruption is but halfe to say so in our selves being weakened by grace and not allowed Answ. Yet it is Corruption and certainly half-corruption in our selves will weigh more than whole corruption in another especially considering that necessarily this polluteth in part all our holy things 2. If it be said We cannot be freed from Corruption while here and so we could not go about any duty if that reasoning were good Answ. 1 A mixture of good and bad in the visible Church is as certain as a mixture of Grace Corruption in a Believer 2. If our own corruption which involveth us in sin in the manner of our doing duties will not loosen us from a commanded duty much le ●s sin in others yea we are no less prohibited to communicate with sin and corruption in our selves than in others and also we are commanded as effectually to purge our own hearts as the Church This truth in doctrine the sober of the Independents approve as to themselves what ever be their practice as to others as the only way to eschew confusion and keep unity and order So Hookers Survey part 2. Amesius de consc cap. 4. lib. 1. Norton adver Appol Resp. ad ultimam quaestionem As for other Questions as How the Sacraments Seal or what they Seal the major or the minor proposition the Promise as a Covenant or as a testament legating Christ and his benefits to us These would require a larger dispute than our intended work will admit and therefore we shall not meddle with them The last thing in which we shall instance the breach of this Command is in reference to the duty of Fasting concerning which we would take notice of two things 1. That Fasting is a solemn piece of external religious worship when rightly and religiously discharged 2. That men may be guilty of many sins as to their practice in reference thereto First That it is a piece of external worship is clear 1. From Precepts commanding it 2. From the practises and examples of the Saints in Scripture 3. From Scripture-directions given to regulate us in it yet it differeth from Prayer and Sacraments 1. That those are ordinary pieces of Worship but this is extraordinary proceeding from special occasions either of a Cross lying on or 2. Feared and imminent 3. or some great thing which we are to Suit for or such like Although it be an extraordinary piece of Worship yet the more holy we read any to have been we find they have been the more in this duty of Fasting 2. We are to consider that Fasting is not of it self a piece of immediate worship as Prayer c. but mediate only as it is made use of to be helpful to some other duty such as Praying Humbling of our selves Mortification c. Again 3. Fasting may be considered in four respects 1. As it is gone about in secret by one single person setting himself a part for Prayer and for Fasting to that end many ●nstances whereof are in Scripture 2. As its private or a little more publick being gone about by a Family or some few persons joyning together as Esther and her Maids 3. As it is publick being performed by a Congregation as Act. 13.2 3. 4. As gone about by a whole national Church These four are all mentioned Zach. 12.11 12. where we find 1. the whole Land 2. Families together 3. Families a-part 4. Particular Persons or Wives a-part setting about this duty 4. Consider Fasting in respect of the causes that call for it and there are 1. Publick causes Dan. 9.2 2. Particular and Personal as of David for his Child 2 Sam. 12.16 3. For others Psal. 35.13 And 4. it is to be minded in a special way for helping us

those of our Family or Charge observant of it 21. By not abstaining from the Marriage Bed 1 Cor. 7.5 3d. We sin after Fasting 1st Soon returning to other thoughts 2. Letting any frame we had attained slack and wear out 3. Forgetting our Confessions and Engagements and falling to former Sins and neglecting these Duties to which we have engaged 4. Being rigid with others we have to doe with 5. Not insisting in Prayer for those things we aimed at in Fasting 6. Not trying and observing if any thing we prayed for hath been obtained 7. Not Reflecting upon our carriage in it that we may know how it was discharged 8. Not humbled under our many short-comings and failings in it 9. Glad when it was done because that Restraint is taken off our carnal Humours 10. Sitting down and resting on that we have done as if all were done 11. Thinking our selves something better by our Outward performance 12. Being vain of it if it be well to our Sense 13. Being unwatchful after it and not studying suitableness in our following carriage so that it is but the hanging down of the Head for a day These Particulars applyed to our own Hearts may be useful for our Conviction and Humiliation Ah! Who can say I am Clean All of us are Guilty either by neglecting such Duties or by thus and thus going about them unsuitably from those Sins we may read also the contrary Duties or Qualifictiaons that are required for the right discharge of these Duties The preventing of these Sins will bring in the Duties called for and the right manner of going about them Otherwise the going about these Duties without the manner requisite is but as it were the making of some Image for our selves in the Lords Worship which he has not commanded and so he may say Is it such a Fast that I have chosen Isaiah 58. 5. or Is it such a Prayer I called for and Who hath required these things at your Hands Isa. 1.12 These Questions which the Lord putteth to our Conscience will make many Prayers and Praises and much Worship that now seemeth to be in great Bings or Heaps come down to a smal bulk when they are thus fanned sisted and searched by this Seive and all those things casten which are found to be Breaches of this Command We come now to the manner how this Command is pr ●ssed which is 1st By a Reason 2d By a Commination 3d. By a Promise All which speak a readiness in men to fail in this Command and a special notice that God taketh of the Duties required in it and of the Sins forbidden in it Men might readily say What needeth so much Rigidity in the manner of Worship and If it be to the true God though it have in it some mixture of those things which have been formerly abused it is not much to be stood upon The Lord therefore in pressing it addeth this Reason I am a Jealous God saith he that will not onely have my Church and Spouse Honest and Chast indeed but Chast-like As Caesar said His Wife behoved not onely to abstain from all Dishonesty but from all Suspicious Carriage Even so will the Lord have his People carry it so to him as a Wife should carry to a Jealous Husband with such Circumspection as he may not have any occasion of Suspicion Jealousie here implyeth two things 1. A Facility or Aptness as it were to suspect any thing which may look like a giving that to any other which is due to God So a Husband is said to be Jealous when he is apt to suspect want of Love in his Wife and is ready to gather from every Circumstance her Inclination to another even though there be no palpably Demonstrative Ground of it Thus Jealousie is taken amongst Men. 2. It importeth a severe Indignation against every thing which giveth Ground of Suspition it cannot abide that Hence Jealousie is called The Rage of a Man Prov. 6.38 This Wrong will not be endured when many others will be dispensed with Any thing that seemingly slighteth Him or inclineth the Heart to another is to Jealousie insufferable These two after the manner of men as many other things are applyed to God to shew that he will not admit that which is Suspicious-like in His service but if his People depart from him in deviating in the least from the Rule given He will be provoked to be avenged on them for it This is the force of the Reason The Commination or Threatning added confirmeth this it is in these Words Visiting the Iniquities of the Fathers on the Children To Visit here is To punish the Children for the Fathers Faults though God should seem for the time to forget the Breaches of this Command and not to take notice of Corruptions introduced by men in his Worship yet saith he I will Visit or revenge that Iniquity not only upon the present Race but upon the following even Vpon the Third and Fourth Generation For clearing this let us see First What is the Punishment here threatned 2. On whom it is Upon the Children of them that transgress this Command 3. How it is executed 4. Why the Lord doth so That we may vindicate this place and clear it from Appearance of Contradiction with that in Ezekiel 18. Where it is said The Son shall not bear the Iniquity of his Father The First Question then is What it is that is here Threatned Answ. We doe not think that this place speaketh only of Temporal Punishments and that of Ezekiel of Eternal For the Scope of both will contradict this for that passage Ezek. 18. is occasioned from the Peoples present straits and speaketh directly of Temporal Judgements so that Distinction will not clear this seeming Contradiction Therefore we conceive here to be understood mainly Spiritual and Eternal Evils which God threatneth to the Children of Wicked Parents For that Temporal Judgements follow them and are included in the Threatning there is no question This will be clear 1st By considering that the thing threatned here is that punishment which the Breach of or Iniquity committed against this Command or other Commands deserveth yea it is the Punishment that sinful Parents deserve he Visiteth the Iniquities of the Fathers on the Children c. But that which the Breach of this Law or which the Parents Guilt deserveth is Eternal Judgement and not Temporal only Ergo. 2. The thing threatned here is proportionally of the same Nature with the thing promised afterward the one being opposite to the other But it were a wronging of Gods Mercy to his People to say that his Mercy only looketh to Temporal Benefits Ergo this Threatning must also look unto and comprehend Eternal Plagues 3. The Scope may clear it which is To restrain Parents from the Sins here forbidden because by such Sins they bring Wrath not only on themselves but on their Posterity after them even when they are gone as ye have it Jer. 32.18 Now

to it and are gifted to cast them out 2. It is lawful for any by Prayer to God and the exercise of Faith on Him to endeavour to repel and resist them and to beg that he would rebuke them as thus The Lord rebuke thee Satan this way we neither command the Devil nor pray to him but pray unto the Lord to command him Again It is unlawful 1. When one adjureth him who is not called to it as those Sons of Sceva did Act. 19.13 14. This certainly being a peculiar and extraordinary gift as those of prophecying fore-telling of things to come speaking with Tongues and healing of the Sick with a word were ought not without special warrant to be usurped more than they 2. It is unlawful when it is done by exhorting or obtesting of or praying unto the Devil himself and intreating him as we do God which way implyeth 1. Friendship with him when we intreat him as a Friend 2. Prayer or worship to him who is not the object of it 3. An obligation on us to him when he yieldeth to obey and he will not fail if by any means he can to put that complement or obligation on us and so Ne ●romancers Witches Exorcists c. may cast out Devils by collusion though possibly not in a way so explicit whereby the Devil gaineth his point upon such as effectually as if there were a most expresly formed Covenant betwixt him them and thus the Pharisees falsly and blasphemously charged on our blessed Lord Mat. 12. as if by Belezebub that is by Collusion with the Prince of Devils he had cast out Devils There are no doubt many Sins committed this way while some take on them confidently to Command the Devil as if with an Avoid Sathan they could put him into Bonds And others seek Health from Devils or Witches especially when it is supposed to come from them and intreat them to do such and such things All which are Breaches of this Part of the Third Commandment 3. What is said of Adjuring Devils may be said Proportionally of Adjuring Unreasonable Creatures which is the same wayes Lawful and Unlawful Charming also and nameing the Lords Name over Diseases as if some special worth and Efficacy were in some words is unlawful and Condemned by this Command It followeth now that we say some-thing to Vows which are Bonds whereby a man bindeth himself and so they differ from Adjurations to God only as party and that in things belonging to God willingly and upon Deliberation And so they differ from Promissory Oaths wherein we bind our selves to others and in matters which are not of themselves Religious Under Vows we comprehend 1. Sacraments 2. Covenants solemnly ingaged into before others 3. Particular Vows to God 4. Promises and Ingagements whether inward in the Heart only or also outwardly expressed to or before the Lord For though these have not alwayes God's Name formally and expresly interposed in them yet He being Party and they being made to him he cannot but be singularly looked at as Party Witness and Judge in the making and performing of them Therefore do we Comprehend all even purposes expressed in Prayer to him as being of the same kind though not of the like Degree We mind not here to medle with Speculative Debates about Vows but to hold us only at what concerneth Practise And say 1. That such Promises to God and Ingagements being rightly made and taken on or rightly gone about are not only Lawful but some-times necessarily called for as appeareth 1. From the Command which is to Vow as well as to Performe Psalm 76.11 2. From Examples of Saints in a ● Ages David faith Psal. 119. when his Frame is most tender Ve ●se 57. I have said I will keep thy Words And thereafter Ver. 106. I have sworn and will perform it That I will keep thy Righteous Judgments For Saying and Swearing to God are near the same and who sincerely say in secret may in some Cases also Articulatly swear 3. From the end of Vows which is to bind us to something the more straitly and to evidence our greater desire and willingness to be so bound And therefore they being Midfes for that end when the end is in a special manner called for and may in all probability be the better obtained by the use of this Mean then is it called-for also and cannot be omitted 4. From the Lord's gracious accepting of such Engagements and Vows and approving of them 5. From the several Promises and Prophecies of them as commendable and good Service from Men to God under the Gospel Isaiah 19.18 and 21. Jer. 50.4 5. Isa. 44.5 So then I say 1. In some Cases to wit when it Glorifieth God and Edifieth others or is Profitable to our selves But if it thwart with any of these there is a failing or when some Pressure of Spirit or cogent Reason putleth us not to it or some great need calleth for it as Abraham for the weighty Reason expressed by himself Gen. 14. Swore he would take none of the spoil he had rescued from the King 's over comne by him For we are not alwayes called to it 2. I say Not in all Things Because the matter of a Vow must be one of these two Either 1. Some commanded Duty as Jacobs Vow Gen. 28. and Davids Psal. 119.106 were Or 2. Some-thing that relateth to Worship or may further some commanded Duty or prevent some Sin to which we are given and much inclined As suppose a Man should engage himself to rise sooner in the Morning that he might the more Effectually cross the Lust of his Lazine ●s and to keep more at home the better to prevent the Snare of Evil and House-Company It is not House-keeping simply or Rising soon that is the matter of his Vow but as they relate unto or are made use of for such ends Therefore Vows can onely be made to God alone Psalm 76.11 and Psalm 132.2 3. I say Rightly gone about That is 1. Deliberately and Judiciously for Ignorance Haste and Ras ●ness will spill all 2. With Humility and due Sense of our own Corruption which maketh us Alas to stand in need of such Bands to keep it in and of such Up-stirrings and Excitements to Duty 3. With Fear Singleness and Zeal for God with Love to His Honour and to true Holiness Not for our selfe-ends to gratifie an Humour or Passion or in Fits of Conviction to stop the Mouth of a Challenge and so put it by 4. The Vow would be heartily and chearfully undertaken not as a piece of Bondage but of Liberty that we may be thereby indeed ingaged unto the Lord having no hink or Hesitation nor Reservation in the making of it what can be expected as to the performance if there be Hesitation in the very undertaking 5. There should be much denyedness in it 1. To our selves 2. To the Oath as not accounting our selves to be more Religious by it or more pleasing to

God as if it merited somewhat nor yet more strengthned by making of it but more ingaged to perform and keep what we have vowed 6. There should be Diligence in doing going on and helping and inciting others to joyne with us that so it may through Grace be made irrevocable which is the practise of the People of God Jer. 50.4 5. 7. There should be Ingaging in the Lively Exercise of Faith drawing Strength from Jesus Christ according to His own promise and of our selves to make use of him for that end Yea that should be Laid for the Foundation of our undertaking Therefore every such ingaging is a Covenanting with God and there is no Covenanting with Him but by interposing of Jesus Christ both for the procuring of Pardon for by-past failings and guilt and for Grace and Strength to perform called-for and ingaged into Duties ●or the Future See a frame of Spirit ●it for Covenanting when seriously and suitably gone about Jer. 50.4.5 Concerning these Ingagements we say 2. That they are of themselves Obligatory and binding to those who come under them as Numb 30.2 3. Vowing is called the Binding of a Man's Soul And Psal. 36.12 it 's said Thy Vows are upon me O Lord as pressing him with a Weight till they were payed If it be asked 1. How Vows bind We Answer 1. In Moral Duties they make the Obligation no greater for they being laid on by the Command of God and having his Authority there can be no Addition to that in it self But there is a twofold Addition 1. In respect of us so that though the Obligation be not greater in it self yet we joine our Approbation or Consent unto that whereby as by a positive Superadded Voluntary Consent we bind our selves so that in some respect we have two Bonds the Law and our Oath both for one 2. Though it make not the former Obligation to bind more strongly in it self yet it maketh that Obligation to have a more deep Impression upon us so that a man by Vow bound to a commanded Duty will think himself more bound to it than before and that Command will have a deeper Impression and a more weight on him to perswade him to do and to challenge him when he hath omitted than before Again in things that are meerly Accessaries to a Religious end as Extrinsick Means for Instance Fasting Staying at Home Vowing c. never maketh the doing of these of themselves to be Acts of Religious Worship but it maketh our keeping of them to be by a Religious Tye so that without Prophanity they cannot be altered out of the case of necessity If it be asked 2. What is to be thought of our Common and Ordinary Ingagements 1. By Baptism 2. At the Lords Supper 3. By Oaths in Covenants 4. Ingagements in Private to God by Vows Purposes Promises Resolutions in thoughts within or expressed in Prayer I suppose it doth not a little concern all of you to know how they bind and when they are broken We Answer 1. That All these are binding and still accounted so Psal. 119.106 Psal. 67. is not to be doubted yea binding in an Eminent Degree as being made To God and not only Before Him The Nature of the thing and our consent also bindeth For 1. If interposing the Name of God to men doth bind much more to God 2. If a Promise solemnly ratifyed bind to men much more to God Hence 3. Our Obligations in Baptism and the Lords Supper receive Strength and Conviction against us from the Covenant which we solemnly Ratifie and renew with God therein and that before the World And our Breach of these Vows is charged on us by the Lord as an open Breach of his Covenant the Obligation whereof is pleaded from them Genesis 17. ver 10. and 14. and else-where 2. Yet do they not bind absolutely as the Duty lyeth upon us and as we should aim at it for though we be bound by the Law to be perfectly Holy and without sin yet doth not a Vow so tye us or that Obligation is not from our Vow but from the Law because our Vow is to be understood 1. With Respect to our Nature now Corrupt and sinful and therefore to Vow Absolutely to be without Sin or absolutely to abstain from it is injurious and impossible 2. With respect to our aim and desire 3. With respect to our not Approving or Dis-approving our selves in any thing wherein we come short 4. In respect of the Obligation to endeavour it which is Alway and by all suitable means to presse at it and to leave nothing undone which may further it So then 1. They do not bind Absolutely or Simply but Respectively 2. Not as to the Victory but as to the Wrestling and Fighting for Victory 3. Not as to the Event but as to the Means which are in our Power and therefore some plead That they had not broken Covenant though they had Sins Psal. 44.17 3. Though they bind not Simply or Absolutely and are not therefore to be so taken or understood yet they tye Absolutely 1. To the main of having God ours in Christ. 2. In other things thus 1. They tye us to live in no known Sin especially Outward Sins and to delight in none 2. To omit no Known Duty but to essay the doing of it 3. As to the Manner to essay it seriously so that though a man cannot swear that he shall ●ave no Corruption in him while he is upon Earth Yet in so far he may As 1. Not to approve of it 2. To leave no means unessayed consisting in his Knowledge that may help to mortifie it 3. Seriously and in good Earnest to be aiming at the Mortification of it in the Use of these And so this Tye of a Vow is 1. As far as in us lyeth 2. As Universal as the Duty is 3. Constant and always binding 4. When it 's taken on we should not let it lye on to say so till the Sun go down but endeavour that we may be free of it it bindeth us to quit Sin as well as to eschew it It reaches not all Infirmities to make them Breaches but known Sins or the least sins stuck to 3. Concerning these Vows we say That the Breach of them is a very great Sin and doth much more aggravate Sin where it is than where it is not So that the Sins of Christians against Baptism Communions Oaths in Covenants Secret Ingagements Resolutions and Promises to God are much greater than the Sins of others Hence the Lord chargeth Israel with Covenant-Breaking by vertue of their Circumcision which they had received as a Seal thereof and aggravateth all their Sins by that and looketh on them in that Respect as singularly sinful Deut. 29.24 Jer. 22.8 c. which could not so well be if there were not some Peculiarity in that Obligation Our Baptism doubtless is no less binding unto us nor the Breach of our Baptismal Vows less sinful Col. 2.11

peace and say in a Gospel-sense We have not turned back from thee nor dealt falsely in thy Covenant as it is Psal. 44.17 18. which certainly implyeth not absolute holiness or exact performance of all the Articles of the Covenant but that 1. In the great and main Articles they were honest and did not put another God in his room to provoke him to Jealousie 2. That they intended truly the keeping of all and said nothing by their profession or engagements which they minded not to perform 3. That they had some testimony as to what was past that they had in some measure walked according to their engagements and had left nothing undone at least willingly and with approbation of themselves therein that might have furthered them in keeping Covenant but had stuck to Him in doing and suffering honestly a man sincerely and in the strength of grace studying this may attain to such a testimony from his own Conscience and to a good measure of peace yea a man that may have quietness in his performing duty upon the account of other tyes without engaging may also come to have quietness in his engaging to it If then there be a necessity to engage it may be asked How peace may be attained in it and how we may be helped to perform Answ. 1. We should endeavour to be clear and quiet as to the soundness of our by-past engagements and of these we presently enter in as to the motives grounds ends and manner of engaging that all be right there 2. If any thing be seen to be wrong it should be taken with and mended that we use not Vows mainly to put by a challenge for the time without any more of it 3. Ye should seriously mind these directions 1. Forget not your Vows and Engagements be minding them often and thinking of them so as they may never be forgotten Jer. 50.4 5. 2. Defer not to pay them Eccles. 5.4 Deut. 23.21 Delays make the impression of the weight of the Vow and of the dread of Him to whom it is made much to wear out and taking liberty to be slack in paying of it for but for this once or for a little while is a direct breach of it self and maketh way for more 3. Keep in mind and entertain such a frame of spirit as ye were in when they were at first made such humility tenderness awe of God c. We often alasse take on Vows in a good frame to be on the matter a sort of excuse for us in letting such a frame go or at least to ease us a little for the time as if engaging were performance which is not the least part of the deceit of our hearts 4. The performance of the thing would be followed as it is undertaken to wit in the strength of grace and by virtue of life derived from Jesus Christ quickning and strengthening us both as promising and performing 5. We should be often considering the fearfulness of the sin of Breaking and examining our selves about our keeping of them making breaches that are particularly observed the matter of confession to God and of serious repentance before him If we would suffer these things to sink down deep in us as in the sight of God this no doubt would make them have a quite other impression 6. We should still keep the knot fast and if one promise or resolution seem to be loosed we should forthwith cast another or if one obligation given seem to be weakned we should give another that there may be still some obligation standing over our heads and following engagements not formally but soberly and seriously renewed may be made use of to bind on the former upon us and to make th ●m more effectual so say they Jer. 50.4 5. going and weeping as they go Come let us joyn our selves unto the Lord in a perpetual Covenant 〈◊〉 to be forgotten This is to be understood mostly if not only of private engagements as for publick solemn Oaths and Covenants we neither find in Scripture that they have been frequent but on some great and very grave occasion neither could they well be so great multitudes engaging in them without diminishing from the weight of them and so without wronging of God's Name 7. We should by no means suffer breaches though never so small to lie long on but should get us to the Fountain with them as foul and loathsome lest they bring on more and greater Now then try Perjury and breach of Vows and Oaths to God 1. In Baptism which extendeth to engage professing Believers to the mortification of sin and to the study of holiness as to both Tables of the Law and to a conversation as becometh the Gospel 2. In and at Communions where the same Covenant is Sealed 3. In your Oaths solemnly taken in Covenants 4. In your more private engagements to God and for him to others Beside these which are common some come under particular Oaths and Engagements by vertue of their stations as Ministers Elders Magistrates for the faithful discharge of their respective duties some by their Relations Office and Place as Husbands and Wives each to other as Parents in reference to their Children to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and in his fear some by vertue of their common Trades and Callings have come under particular Oaths to such and such Incorporations Trades c. And some on more particular occasions have come under engagements O look well what you do and have done there will I fear many be found Perjured I do not here speak of every particular infirmity but certainly there is sin against God and Perjury before him which cannot easily if at all be interpreted so with men in which respect Mal. 2. the Lord condemned putting away an innocent Wife even though it seemed to have a permission by Law in these things when men do not what they may do or if there be yet more in their power than is done or if the obligation of the Oath on them awe them not or weight them not it cannot but be a prophaning of the Lords Oath Many alasse according to their several relations and stations are found guilty here who have little or no awe of God on them in these things In sum This Command is broken these three ways in reference to such engagements 1. In shunning to make them when we are called to it 2. In not making them rightly 3. In not performing of them when made and it bindeth 1. Absolutely to many things which cannot come within the compass of ordinary infirmity 2. To eschew all known sinful deeds as Swearing and what may be inductive to it Drunkenness unlawful Gaming needless Contentions c. 3. To do all outward duties as to Read Hear Pray c. 4. To do them as seriously as we may 5. Not to lye in any seen or known sin here forbidden nor to delay Repentance though for never so little a while it

and Physical principle the Moral is Conscience and not Custome which falleth in with the end the Physical is the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12. 3. No man calleth Jesus Lord but by the Holy Ghost 2. A renewed heart thus Duties must be done with the spirit as well as with the understanding 3. Sincerity as to the exercise even of the natural faculties Thus what ever unrenewed men speak in Duty without the Spirits influence and exercise of grace they make themselves guilty in it and when they say what in sincerity they think not 3. It is necessary that that principle act in the right manner that is 1. Sincerely Josh. 24.14 2. In fear and reverence Eccl. 5.1 2. 3. With faith and respect to Jesus Christ Heb. 11.6 4. With Judgment and understanding To speak of him not knowing what we say or to whom we speak wrongeth him thus ignorant passionate rash irreverent and inadvertent mentioning of God or medling with any Ordinance or Duty wrongeth him and is a bringing of vain oblations which he expresly forbiddeth Esa. 1.13 4. When ever we make mention of God we should study to be in case to mention him as ours as our God and Father in Christ in all ordinances and duties that is 1. Taking up our natural distance 2. Looking to Christ for removing of it 3. Resting on him and making use of him for that end 4. Delighting in the mentioning of God as ours 5. With thanksgiving and blessing when ever he is named as the Apostle often doth 5. It is required in respect of the use fruit and effect that something which is profitable may remain and stick with us according to the nature of the duty which is gone about or the way of mentioning God such as some conviction and testimony of the Conscience 1. That Gods honour 2. The edification of others in way of Instruction or Conviction or of Reproof or of comfort c. 3. My own edification and spiritual advantage or 4. My own exoneration and peace as to the performance of such a duty were in some measure of singleness aimed at and endeavoured and as there is a missing of any of these Repentance should be exercised and faith for pardon some fruit some sense some lesson some discoveries some convictions c. would be sought after to remain When these or any of these if all the rest of them can be altogether without one are wanting this command is simply broken if in part they be wanting it is comparatively more or less broken Let us then take a view in particulars 1. Look to our profession Oh! what emptiness is there much more appearance and shew than reality and substance yea what desiring to seem something rather than to be if our professions who are least in them were mett and measured by our reality O how lamentable vast a disproportion would be found the one would be quickly found much broader and longer than the other the outer-half much bagged as it were being a great deal larger than the inner even where there is most sincerity and reality 2. Look through publick duties if there be not much taking of Gods Name in vain in hearing praying praising using the Sacraments c. and if so O what a Libell might be drawn up against us from every Sabbath Prayer Sermon c. whereof we often cannot tell what fruit remaineth except it be sin guilt and hardness and therefore doubtless his Name is much taken in vain in them 3. Look through private duties in families Reading Praying Singing Conferring Catechising saying Grace or seeking a Blessing and giving thanks at Table how little regard is often had to the name of the Lord in these and how little care and pains is taken to walk by the former rules in them 4. Look through secret duties betwixt God and you how ye pray in secret before God ah often so as ye would be ashamed to pray before men how do ye Read Meditate c. in secret how do ye joyn in prayer with others which in some respect is secret God knoweth how poorly we acquit our selves in these ordinarily and how much we take his Name in vain in them 5. Look through occasional duties wherein ye have occasion to make mention of God with or to others as when upon any Emergent of providence we will say It is Gods will God hath done it God is good and merciful c. or in any particular duty of christian Communion in instructing comforting admonishing or convincing of others or debating with them how often when the Scripture and the name of God will be in our mouths in these and the matter of debate may fall to be some of his ordinances will there be but very little reverence and respect to God in our hearts 6. Consider how this sin of taking his Name in vain is fallen in by writing not only when Treatises are written but almost in every Epistle or Letter there will be found some prayer or wish for fashion-sake wherein there is but little Conscience made to have the heart joyning in it how much irreverent using of the Scripture and of Gods Name is there in writing of Letters particularly of Burial-Letters thus It h ●th pleased the Lord it hath seemed good to God it hath pleased God or the Almighty c. I am not condemning the thing simply but our way of abusing it 7. Look through accidental mentionings of God if we may say so in salutations God save you God be with you In prayers for Children evidencing rather our fondness on them thereby than our love and reverence to the Name of God for such as are in any present hazard God save for any favour curtesie or complement God bless these are good as the Apostle saith of the Law if used lawfully but they are often sinfully rashly ignorantly yea prophanely abused we having often more respect to them we speak unto than unto God I would not condemn the use of them being duties but exhort you to gard against the abuse and to use a grave reverent understanding and sensible way of expressing of them or of any thing like them 8. Consider narrations of Scripture-stories or other stories questions tales c. wherein the Name of God is mentioned and possibly when we tell them to make a sport of them and to make merry with them how often is his blessed Name taken in vain in them certainly the mentioning of his Name were often better forborn than so irreverently used 9. Consider the Usurping of Gods Attributes or of an interest in him rashly as when men confidently yet without all warrant assert God is mine I trust in his mercy sweet Christ my Saviour my Mediator Ah! how often is this which is the very Crown of grace to wit in Gods doing good and shewing mercy abused and prophaned most sinfully and shamefully There is one particular which yet remaineth to be spoken of on this Third Command which concerneth Lots Omens

one of these wayes set down 3. It hath the Particularity in it that all the rest have to wit To be in the Singular Number Thou shalt c. To shew That it speaketh to every one in particular Yea though all the Commands concern all Ranks yet only here are Son Daughter Man-Servant Maid Servant and Stranger expresly mentioned as comprehended in it 4. There is a special Equity holden out here in the Proportioning of this time There are Six Dayes given us to Labour on and therefore it is all the Reason in the World that the Lord have the Seventh And if this Concession of God's of Six Dayes to work on be Moral For all the time is God's and we cannot for our use take any part of it but by His grant and there is no other Grant But this dividing and proportioning of Time betwixt him and us in which Division too he hath given us by far the large ●t Share to wit Six parts of Seven Then must the setting a part of a Seventh Day be Moral also And so the Command it self wherein both are comprehended viz. The Sixt given to us and the Seventh reserved for him they must needs stand and fall together For they Mutually put each other Thou shalt labour Six Dayes and Rest on the Seventh Thou shalt Rest on the Sabbath Day and Labour Six 5. This Day is claimed by the Lord as a thing wherein he hath a special Propriety It 's the Lords Day ●or though he did give Six yet he reserved a Seventh And can or dare any say That he discharged that or dispensed it away from Himself to any other If not it must be His still and cannot without Sacriledge be other wayes applyed Obedience to this Command is pressed by an exceeding Weighty Reason drawen from God's own Example which maketh it clearly Relative to it 's First Institution Gen. 2. Where it is said That He Rested after Six Dayes Work the Seventh Day viz. the whole Seventh Day and so should we which is the more effectual for proving the Morality of this Command Because 1. It 's a Reason that took place even in Innocency and so respecteth no Type or Ceremony 2. It is Universal belonging to all Men who are God's Creatures And therefore since the Reason is perpetual so must the Command be like-wise 7. This Command alone and beside all others is expresly pressed in the observation of it not only on Masters and Rulers for themseves but as taking burden on them for all under them and within their Families to endeavour the sanctifying of the Lord's day with them and by them as well as by themselves whereby the extent of this Command is clearly and earnestly holden forth in more express terms than in any other of all the Commands though this be implyed in them also 8. The observation of it is pressed and encouraged unto by a special blessing which He hath annexed to the time set a-part by himself He blessed it that is He made and still maketh it useful and refreshing as a special blessing to his people who keep his Ordinances seeking Him therein this day has a double portion and increase beside any other day for his Peoples Repose Edification Comfort finding of His Presence c. And to say now that this Solemn-time were not moral were to ●ob the Church of a great blessing seeing this day set a part by God for his Service hath the blessing beyond any other day commanded on it and in the experience of his People often hath it been found to be so 9. It is specially and singularly ushered in with a M ●mento or Remember which is not expressed in any other Command and Shall we think that where God saith Remember there is nothing to be taken notice of or shall we think that it saith not Remember now as well as then and if so Who can warrantably forget that which he biddeth remember which is not to keep the Seventh day but the Sabbath holy unto the Lord And may not all these Characters putt together in one Command so many not being to be found in all the other Commands if put together May not all these I say convince us that it is the Lord's purpose to have this Command standing obligatory in its substance to the end of the world Which is so pressed that if there be little help from Nature's light to determine the day or to press its observation it may be strongly born-in by the more clear and weighty reasons And so we come to the fourth way proposed for making out the morality of this Command which is by adducing some Arguments drawn from Scripture The first whereof is If the Law bind under the New-Testament not only in respect of its matter as its natural nor only as it is repeated in the New-Testament but also by vertue of the Authority enacting it then this Law of the fourth Command though not explicitly determined by nature and though it were not mentioned particularly in the New-Testament must be binding also for it hath that same Authority But the first is true and is acknowledged generally by Divines excepting a few and is clear by Christ and his Apostles their citing of it as supposing it to be binding Therefore the last must be true also 2. Arg. If this Command be founded on moral grounds then it self must be moral But the grounds on which it is founded are moral Ergo c. 1. It is moral that God should have a solemn and chief set-time 2. That he himself and none other should determine that time seeing no other could do it and bless it 3. These reasons-in the Command it self dividing time into six parts of it to us and a seventh part to God and God's resting after six days working with his making only seven days in the week and employing six of them to work c. these reasons I say are all moral and bin ●ing now as before 3. Arg. If all moral duties be contained in the ten Commands then this Command must needs be moral But the first is true Ergo c. This Command containeth a moral duty which is in none of the preceding Commands to wit the stinting and determining of the solemn and chief time to be set a part for God's worship to be one day of s ●ven It is true Time is commanded to be allowed to God's worship in those other Command ● wherein the duties of worship themselves are commanded for worship cannot be performed more than any other duty without some time but that the chief time should be so much and so often is only determined in this Command from which it appeareth 1. That an indefinit time of worship or for it is not the morality of this Command because this followeth necessarily as being supposed needful for the performance of every positive duty contained in the other Commands its morality therefore must be The determining of ●hat definit time 2. We may hence

that they differenced the first day of the week from other days and one day 〈◊〉 special is called The Lord's-day which other days of the week are not 2. If all times be a-like simply and all making difference be there reproved then could there be no time set apart to be observed by men to the marring of that indifferency and if so then hath the Christian Church been still in a palpable gross sin for if the keeping of a day by vertue of God's Command marr that indifferency much more will the keeping of a day by mans command and so there could never be a Sabbath 3. We must therefore understand these places not as casting all days and times simply but ceremonial and Jewish days or days invented by men because the scope of the places runneth that way viz. against the bringing in of ceremonial worship as necessary which while some weak ones not yet sufficiently informed did still practise as Rom. 14. the Apostle would not have them hastily condemned in Days more than Meats yet is there still a difference betwixt Bread and Wine in the Sacrament of the Supper and other meats which this discourse of the Apostle taketh not away so is it in days And in these Epistles to the Galathians and Colossians he speaketh of days and not as would seem of the weekly Sabbath which is ordinarily called a day as taking in all the extraordinary Feasts of the Jews which is the more probable because the c ●remonial Law was pressed on them as still necessary by false Teachers or he speaketh of mere Jewish days and so of the Seventh day which they kept for it 's of such observation of days as was sinful and brake them off from Grace and the Gospel as other ceremonies did that he speaketh of but that cannot be said of all days or of keeping one day of seven Therefore this cannot be meaned there 3. Obj. The fourth Command precisely commandeth the Seventh day from the Creation to be kept but that is not moral therefore neither is the Command so Answ. This Objection goeth upon that mistake as if the very Seventh day were still commanded in it as the main sub ●tance of it which our next discourse on the true scope and meaning of the Command will clear so that if a Seventh day and not that Seventh day be commanded as the main substance of that Command that Objection falleth 2. There is a difference to be put betwixt the mandatory part of the Command and what is further added for pressing the observation of it or for ex ●plaining its meaning The precept strictly is Rememb ●r the Sabbath day to keep it holy It saith Remember the Sabbath or the Holy rest what-ever day it shall be on and so it is said in the close that He Rested the Seventh Day but that He Blessed the Sabbath Drawing it still from the Seventh precisely to the Sabbath Even as in the Second Command This is 1. commanded in special that no Image be made then 2. This in ●eneral that all Gods Commandement concerning His Worship even such as were Ceremonial for the time should be observed with what-ever others should be given So here this Fourth commandeth expresly One of the Seven because the Recurrency of that time is bounded and generally what-ever Seventh the Lord shall be pleased to pitch on We have said the more on this because it doth not only clear the true Scope of the Command but sheweth the necessity of the Observation of that time which the Lord hath ●anctified for himself 3. We should put a difference also betwixt Ceremonial and Mutable All the Judicial Laws are Mutable and the Decalogue it self in respect of it's Curse and as it was a Covenant giving Life is Actually changed and abolished Yet is not for that to be reputed Ceremonial and not Obligatory Though all Ceremonials be Mutable yet all Mutables are not Ceremonial Besides this change is not in the matter Why may not therefore the Seventh Day in Order which was observed from the Creation to the Resurrection of Christ be chainged to the First Day of the Week which is a Seventh Day in Number still without abolishing the Morality of the Fourth Command Amongst other things in this Command there is more express mention of the whole Families joyning in this Duty than is in other Commands Therefore it being a concerning-concerning-Duty to us and a special thing included in the Command we shall speak to that Point concerning Family Worship before we speak of the Second General proposed about the Particular Mor ●lity of this Command and the meaning of the Words of it that ye may see that it is no invention of Men when ye are called to it and when it is pressed upon you We shall here 1. shew you that This Command holdeth forth a Family or Domestic ● Worship 2. We shall confirm it more largely from other Scriptures and Grounds of Reason 3. We shall shew wherein it consisteth in particular and on whom it mainly lyeth to be discharged 4. We shall shew the Advantages of Conscientious discharging of it and the Prejudices of neglecting it with the Aggravations of that Sin That there is such a thing as Family-Worship included in this Command will be clear by considering 1. What Worship to ●od in general is 2. What Family-Worship is 3. What this Command requireth 1. By VVorship is understood some Tribute payed by the Reason ●ble Creature to God as the Great and Soveraign Lord Creator wh ●ther it be immediately and directly payed and performed to Him as Prayer and Praise or for Him and at His Command and for His Honour as Preaching Hearing and receiving of Sacraments which are VVorship when Rightly gone about In a word we call that VVorship more ●tr ●ctly and properly which is a Duty of the First Table and cometh in as commanded in it for the Honour of God and not for our own or others External Profit which though commanded in the Second Table cannot be so properly called VVorship much-less Immediate-Worship Thus Teaching others the Duties of Piety may be Worship when Teaching the Duties of any other ordinary calling is not 2. We call that Family-VVorship which is to be performed by such and such Relations or by all the Constituent Members of the Family joyntly And so it differeth 1. From Secret or Solitary VVorship which one performeth alone to and before God 2. From Publick Worship which one performeth by Joyning in a Congregation of many Families together 3. From that Worship performed occasionally in Mutual Fellowship amongst Believers or Professours of divers Families For 1. That may not be Ordinary as this nor so frequent 2. That is free to this or that Believer as they shall choose or as occasions do cast them to be together This is not at Choice but is necessary as to the same persons 3. This is performed by Vertue of Domestick Relations and not of Christian only 4. This may have

and should have an Authority Domestick in it's Regulation For a Master of a Family may Authoritatively command the Members of the Family to Pray keep the Sabbath c. and may suitably Correct for the Neglect of those Duties whereas that other is by Christian Communion and Admonition only Ye will see this Family-Worship clear 1. By considering the Jews Eating of the Passover Where there was 1. Secret Worship no question a-part 2. There was Publick-Worship a Holy Convocation the First Day and the Last But 3. There was peculiarly a Family-Worship or if the Family was little two joyned together for Eating the Passover within the House wherein all the Members of that Family or of those two little Families that were Circumcised were necessarily to be present and to be joyners this is Family-worship 2. By considering Psal. 101. compared with other Scriptures where ye have 1. David mentioning his private carriage and longing for God and walking in a perfect way 2. His publick carriage as a Magistrate in cutting off the wicked from the City of God as ye have 3. Elsewhere his publick-worship as Psal. 122.1 and 2 Sam. 6. 4. his fellowship with all the Godly being a Companion to them that feared God Psal. 119. v. 63. Yet 5thly and lastly Ye have a walk within his House with a perfect heart mentioned there as contradistinct from all which must infer some Religious performances of duties or exercise of worship in his House in reference to that station as well as in private or in publick yea a joynt exercise because it is such an exercise as he performed only at home in his house whereas had it been Praying for them or any thing that other-wise he might have done a-part he needed not goe home to them for performing of it Yet 2 Sam. 6. ver 20. when the Publick Worship is done he goeth home to bless his House which manifestly sheweth a Peculiar Duty performed by him in his Family acording as he resolved in that 101. Psalm 3. It will yet further appear that there is such a thing and some way what it is by considering Zach. 12. from verse 10. to the last where there is First ● Publick Mourning of the Whole Land 2. Of several Families together Families shall mourn then 3. Families a-part 4. Their Wifes a-part and so every Particular Person in secret In which place it i ● clear 1. That there is a Worship of Families besides Publick and Secret VVorship 2. That that VVorship includeth the same Duties jointly performed by the Members of the Family which Persons in secret perform and so Family-VVorship will be a VVorshipping of God beside what is in Publick and Secret in a Dome ●tick and Family-Relation Joyntly Thirdly That this Command requireth such a Family-worship distinct from publick and secret and something to be performed in worshipping of Go ● amongst persons so related which is not required of others may thus be made out 1. The thing called for in this Command is certainly worship yea immediate worship it being a Command of the first Table and such a thing as the sanctifying of the Sabbath 2. This Command taketh in all Domestick-Relations Parents Children Sons and Daughters Masters and Servants Men or VVomen yea and Strangers that may be for the time or on that day sojourning there these are all constituent Members of a Family 3. The thing required of them is not simply rest from labour for 1. That is commanded for the Beasts lest men should be hindered from or interrupted in their holy rest by their waiting on them and none will say we hope that there is no more required as to Children or Servants than as to the Beasts 2. Under the Negative Thou shalt do no work is included the Affirmative Thou shalt san ●tifie that day to the Lord. 3. The same Duty is required of all alike in some respect thou Father and thou Son thou Master and thou Servant and if worship be called for from the Father and Master for the sanctifying of that day so it must be also from the Child and Servant 4. The manner of performing this Worship of sanctifying the Lords day in Holy duties is required not only to be in publick nor only in secret but by the Members of each Family joyntly and a part from other Families For 1. It cannot be understood to require worship only in publick together because 1. there may be in some cases no access to publick worship and yet the Command of sanctifying the Lords day lyeth still on and no doubt by Families 2. Waiting on publick worship is but one piece of sanctifying the Lords day and that but in a part of it therefore there must be some other thing included here 2. It cannot be understood of the Master of the Family his putting the Members of the Family separatly to seek and worship God and of his own going about Holy duties himself a-part For 1. Though that be worship yet is it not worship from persons in such a Relation or Family-worship more than if they were not in such a Relation or of such a Family and though it might be said that such and such persons sanctified the Sabbath yet could it not be said that the Family as such did it even as Families or persons seeking God in secret could not be exonered thereby as to their being in the Congregation nor their serving of God be so accepted as Congregational-service i ● they met not together when they might Just so it is here yea as it lyeth by this Command on a Congregation and a Minister to sanctifie the Lords day and to come together for that end so doth it lye on the Family and Master of it 2. By this Command there is more required than secret o ● solitary sanctifying of the Sabbath even a peculiar sanctification of it within one Family distinct from another I say 1. more than solitary worship because the Lords saying thou without repeating Son Daughter c. had been sufficient to have laid it on all separately for themselves the enumeration therefore of the whole Members of a Family must import some other thing for the former is implyed in all Commands as Thou shalt not kill that is as far as in thee lyeth thou nor thy Son c. There must I say be somthing more understood by the peculiar enumeration pressed in this fourth Command I say 2. Even a peculiar worship because it 's something laid on by this Command which is holden within Gates or doors and neither goeth to the Congregation nor to the persons of other Families at least ordinarily but reacheth the Members of such a Family who are within such a Mans Gates or Doors therefore it must be a distinct Family-worship mainly performed by that Family together 3. The thing required here is not only worship simply but worship as from a Member of such a Family therefore it is not solitary worship for seeking of God and moral duties

in secret still agree to persons in all places and Families alike but this draweth a line as it were betwixt Families and so ●ivides one Family from another yet maketh the Duty more obliging to these within such a Mans Gates or Doors than others without Doors therefore it must be joynt-worship for a-part or as concerning secret worship all are every where alike obliged 4. If by this Command something more in the worship of this day be required of a person that is a Member of a Family in reference to that Family than there is required of one who is not a Member of such a Family or is required of that person in reference to an another Family whereof he is not a Member then it requireth a distinct Family-worship for no other thing can be understood but a joynt going about the sanctifying of that day in a stricter and nearer way of Communion amongst the Members of that Family than with persons and Families in and to whom they are not so interested and related 5. If secret and publick worship were only required in this Command then should we equally and alike sanctifie the Lords day with other Families and persons not of that Family whereof we are Members for in these we joyn alike for them and with them but there is some peculiar thing required here which will not agree to be performed by all alike therefore it is Family-worship that must be here required 6. This Command requireth of Masters suppose them to be Ministers or ● Magistrates another way of Sanctifying the Sabbath and Worshipping of God in and with their Families than it doth in Reference to other Families the Command being so particular to him and to all that are within his Gates or Doors and Members of his Family speaketh this clearly But except it be joynt going about of Duties with them there can be no other thing understood to be required for 1. One may exhort another 2. All come in publick together 3. By the Masters example after the publick they all withdraw or should at least to secret exercises 4. Magistrates and Ministers may Command other Families to Sanctifie that day What is peculiar then as to their own Families but to joyn with them in Duties of Worship 7. If there were not Domestick-worship required on this day then except it were in publick Members of a Family could not converse together for they cannot converse together in doing their own works or in speaking their own words their fellowship therefore must be in exercises of worship and so that must needs be required in this Command 8. Some other thing is required by this Command of a Member of a Family which seeketh God than of a person in an Heathenish Family or some other thing is required from so many persons joyned together as Members in one Family than from such persons suppose them to be scattered from one another amongst ●eathenish Families certainly where Husband Wife Children and servants are Christians and Professors of the same true Religion there is some other thing required of them than where only the Husband the Wife the child or the servant is so but if they were scattered and became parts or Members of diverse Families among Heathens they would be obliged to seek God a-part therefore no less but much more is joynt-seeking of God required of them when they are united together as Members of one Family 9. This Command when it mentioneth all within his Gates or Doors requireth some other thing of a Master when at home with his Family than when he is withdrawn from them But a Master at a distance may Command all in his Family to worship God and pray to God for them and so may they all if they were scattered worship God secretly therefore when they are together there is some other thing required of them by this Command which is no doubt To worship God together 10. The Duties that are to be performed on this day will require this such as Instructing one another Exhorting Admonishing Comforting strengthning one another and talking to or conferring with one another of the word D ●ut 6. v. 7.8 Which cannot be denyed to be Duties called for on this day and yet they cannot be done but by joynt concurring together in that work and therefore it concludeth strongly that Family-worship at least on the Lords day is commanded here and if Families be called to worship God joyntly on the Lords day by the worship competent for that day then by proportion are they also called to worship him joyntly on other dayes by the worship suitable to them there being the like ground for all 11. And lastly that which is required of Families is such a worship as ought to be performed by them supposing there were no publick worship nor yet any other Family worshipping him in the World So Joshua resolveth Chap. 24.15 I a ●d my House will serve the Lord and Sanctifie His Sabbath that being a special piece of His service what-ever ye will do but if there were no worshipping of God in all the World but in one Family then ought that worship to be joynt according to that same word of Joshua's I and my House otherwise we behooved to say that there might be a plurality of worshippers of God in the World and yet without any joyning together in worship which were in it self absurd and contrary to Joshua's Religious Resolution It being thus made out by this Command that there is such a worship as Family-worship and that it is Commanded we shall consider in the next place how the Scriptures do otherwayes hold it out 1. Then consider that where the Scriptures speak of eminently Godly-men they speak of them as making conscience of this and take notice of their honouring of God in their Families as a special part of their eminency So Abraham Gen. 18. v. 19. Joshua 24.15 Job in the first Chapter of his Book and David Psal. 101. are noted It must then be a commanded and commendable Duty which is so particularly remarked in them 2. Ye will find it almost in all parts of Scripture as Gen. 18. Exod. 12. Deut. 6. Joshua 24. Job 1. Psal. 101. and Psal. 30. At the Dedication of Davids House which was not sure without some peculiar worship and craving of Gods blessing even as in other cases those who had builded Houses were to Dedicate them or to Consecrate them and wherefore because they were hoven in a manner and as it were offered to the Lord for seeking and worshipping Him in them So Altars Numb 7.84 were said to be Dedicated when they were set a-part for God's service and Consecrated for that use So Nehemiah 12.27 the Walls were Dedicated and the Levi ●es brought out for that end which Dedication no doubt had a Religious use Will any think that they began with Prayer or Praise as David did and left off such Exercises afterward see also 2 Sam. 6.20 where mention is

made of Davids blessing his House Esther and the Maids of her House and the rest of the Jews in their several Families fasted and prayed We see it spoken of by the Prophets as Jer. 10. ult and Zach. 1 ● 12 and that as a Prophesie of the Converts carriage under the New-Testament We find it also mentioned 1 Timothy 3. v. 4 ● and 5. v. 8. and Titus 1.6 3. Ye will see it thus practised and pressed before the Flood God was honoured and worshipped in Families after it before the Law by Abraham Job and others in their Families under it there was the Observation of it and that by peculiar Ordinances as namely by the Passover yea it is mentioned and that most expresly in the very Law as is said it was kept up under the Captivity and after the return renewed by Z ●chariah especially yea it is also renued in the New-Testament whereby it appeareth to be of very special Observation from all which it is not a little commended to us 4. If we consider the many wayes whereby the Scriptures press this Duty it will be found that there is hardly any Duty more cleared and pressed than it Is pressed 1. By Command 2. By Examples of Godly-men held forth as Paterns for Imitation 3. By Promises made to it and 4. By Blessings conferred on the conscientious practisers of it Gen. 18. D ●ut 11. v. 18.19 20 21. 5. As evidencing sincerity G ●n 18. Joshua 24. 6. As making Folks lyable to the Curse and wrath of God when neglected Jer. 10.25 7. As a fruit of the Spirit and as a Companion of true Repentance Zach. 12 8. As a specially commending and adorning qualification of persons that have it and scandalous where it is wanting and as declaring one unmeet for publick charge Gen. 18. 1 Tim. 3.4 Tit. 1.6 Hence the Argument runneth strong That duty which in Scripture is commanded by many examples commended and by other motives pressed the neglect whereof bringeth guilt and offence upon the persons neglecting is no doubt a necessary Duty but Family-worship is such therefore it is a necessary duty 1. That it is commanded what we have said from this fourth Command may sufficiently make it out yet we further add Deut. 6. v. 7 8. and Deut. 11. v. 18 19. In which two places it is clear that observing of the law is not only to be studied by a Master of a Family himself alone but that the Religious duties of frequent speaking of it diligent teaching of it whetting and pressing of it on his Famaly are to be performed by him yea it is to be written on the posts of his Door to shew that Religion must be in the Family in all that enter into it even as carrying the word on the frontlets betwixt their eyes was to mind them of the peculiar and particular sanctification that was called for from them 2. That it is commended by examples is clear in Abraham's who dealeth both with Children and servants in the Family and that in things concerning the worshipping of God as well as in things concerning his own particular Affairs He Circumcised them and commanded yea charged them to serve the Lord which cannot be supposed to have been done without other duties of worship And in David's 2 Sam. 6.20 Who when he has been at publick-worship goeth home to bless his Family which was certainly to go about some Religious duty with them as he had been doing with the people in the publick in the one he behaved himself as King in the other as a Governour and Head of his own Family in particular and had it been only to pray for them that might have been done elsewhere than at home but it denoteth the changing of publick worship wherein he had blessed the people as a publick man as a Prophet and godly King and had joyned with them v. 18. into Family duties wherein he goeth to concur with them Intimating that a Holy Solemnity should be partly spent in publick and partly in Family-duties without neglect of secret duties beside that in Psal. 30. Psal. ●01 it is clear and appeareth to have been also practised by all that built houses who did Dedicate them and that not without Prayer as is manifest by Davids Dedication of his Psal. 30. as is said Job's example likewise maketh it out Chap. 1. where there are 1 Sacrifices in his Family as well as for his Family 2. He sendeth to sanctifie them who were absent that is to put them in a readiness for joyning with him in that service with those that were at home which he needed not to have done had they been beside or present with him Yea 3. when he cannot do it personally he will do it by another that God may be worshipped by them all some way together 3. I say the neglect of it is sadly threatned as Jer. 10. v. ult Pour out thy fury on the Heathen that know thee not and on the Families which call not on thy name If not-worshipping of God in Families be a Character of a Family appointed to destruction and be threatned with a Curse then prayer-worship in Families is a necessary duty for it 's clear from that place 1. That by calling on Gods Name is meant Gods worship in general and prayer in particular which is a special part of it 2. That by Families are meant particular Societies and Companies whether lesser or greater that want this worship and so are the Objects of that Curse Obj. If it be said that by Families there are meant People and Nations yea comparing this place with Psal 79. v. 6. Heathens that called not on God Ans. 1. That doth confirm the Argument for if Heathens whether Kingdoms or Families be described by this that they call not on God then still it must be a Heathenish Kingdom that has not publick worship a Heathenish person who wanteth ●ecret worship and so a Heathenish Family that wanteth Family-worship 2. The Curse here is not threatned to Families as Families but as such Familes that call not on Gods Name therefore it reacheth them ● for à quatenus ad onine c. So then what-ever profession Families have otherwayes if they want this duty they are thereby laid open to the Curse 3. It is all one upon the matter whether by Families be meant Societies lesser or greater for if it be a fault in Nations to neglect Gods worship and if the neglect thereof bring a Curse on them will it not be a fault in particular Families and bring a Curse on them ● Families cannot be excluded seeing they are expresly named though more be included to wit that the Curse cometh on multitudes of Families or upon Nations made up of Families And we conceive Families to be particularly named 1. To shew that the Curse will reach all Societies lesser as well as greater who have this Character 2. Because Nations are made up of Families and because there is fitness

hallowed or sanctified it that is by separation destination and appointment for holy uses and as a part of worship so he sanctified the Temple Altar c. not by infusing any holiness in them but by appointing them for holy uses Thus only God can sanctifie a day or any other thing so as to make it a part of worship and no man or power on earth what somever can do that 2 In the precept it self we are commanded to sanctifie it that is by the application of it unto the uses wherefore he hath set it apart thus we sanctifie what he hath sanctified when we use it and imploy it according to his appointment And so we are to consider the sanctifying of this day in these duties called for from us on it This sanctification is two wayes set down 1. In its cessation and rest separating it from other uses and so keeping it from the common uses to which other dayes may and use to be applied 2. In its special application to and imployment in holy uses For clearness we shall consider this sanctification 1. In respect of its rest what we are to abstain from 2. Comparatively with that strictness cal ●ed for from the Jevvs 3. Eminently vvhat is required more as to holiness this day then on other daies vvherein also the Lords people should be holy and vvherein this go ●●● beyond these 4. Positively ●n vvhat duties it should be taken up 5. Complexly in respect of vvhat is called for to the right sanctifying of that day before it come on in the time of it and after it is past and that in publick and private and by all relations Master Servant c. and throughout the vvhole man thoughts vvords and deeds and throughout the vvhole day 6. Oppositively or negatively vvhat are the breaches of this command and the aggravations of these sins vvhich break it First then vve consider it in its rest vvhich is required and because there are extreams some giving it too little as the Jevvs did before the captivity some too much even to being superstitious as the Jevvs after the Captivity and the Scribes and Pharisees particularly in Christs time did stretching this rest too farr We must therefore consider it more narrovvly and particularly for quieting of our Consciences for the Jews are by the Prophets Ezek. 20. Jer. 17. and by Christ Matth. 12. reproved for both extremes respectively We do then in this matter assert first That there is a rest required here which is extensive to a mans words thoughts and actions whereby many things lawful on other dayes become unlawful on this day Yet 2. we assert That by this rest all sort of actions are not condemned but only such as are inconsistent with the end and scope of this command as by other Scriptures and the practice of Christ and the Saints is clear we conceive therefore these to be permitted 1. All duties of Piety as was sacrificing under the Old Testament or preaching hearing or going about the Sacraments under the New Testament In which sense Matth. 12. our Lord saith the Priests prophaned the Sabbath and were blameless not that formally they prophaned the Sabbath or did indeed break that command but materially they wrought in killing beasts c. which had been unlawful had it not been in the exercises of piety 2. All things that have a tendencie as necessary helps and means to the performance of the former works of piety are lawful as going to the Congregation to hear the Law calling the Assembly for worship by Trumpets or Bells or by a Voice Journeying going or riding to Church c. because the duties of the Sabbath cannot well be done without some of these nor at all without others of them If it should be asked here What that which is called a Sabbaths day Journey Acts 1.12 was among the Jews and whence it came and what way may it be stinted or limited among Christians Answ. It was to them 2000 Cubits which according to the different measuring of that distance of ground consisting of these 2000 Cubits by a lesser or longer Cubi ● is reckoned to be more or less by learned Men but all agree saies Goodwin in his Moses and Aaron in this that these 2000 Cubits was a Sabbath daies Journey It arose to be reckoned so from these grounds 1. From their expounding Exod. 16.29 Let none go out of his place thus Let none go without the bounds of the City which with its Suburbs was 2000 Cubits or a mile about 2. That the Tabernacle of the Congregation was so far from the Tents of these who pitched about it in the Wilderness Numb 2. as they supposed and that the Priests kept that distance from the people in entering with the Ark into Jordan Jos. 3.4 whence they gathered that a man might still go to the Ark or place of worship as it was then in these cases at a distance from them and no further on the Sabbath day But we say whatever superstitiously or on custome they took up for that is but their Tradition we cannot stint a Sabbath daies journey to so many miles fewer or more but it must be as the man is in providence cast to reside further from or nearer to the place where the Ordinances are dispensed for one may go many miles and not prophane the Sabbath if he cannot have the publick Ordinances nearer whereas another may break the Sabbath by going but to his Neighbours door yea by walking in his own house or to his door if either it be done idly or with respect to another civil or worldly end which agreeth not to that day it is not here remoteness or nearness but what sweyeth us and what is our end that we are to try by 3. All works of mercy are lawful on that day as laying beside us something to the poor 1 Cor. 16.1 sending or dealing something to those who are in want Isa. 58.7 visiting others to comfort strengthen or otherwaies to edifie them christianly though idle and carnal visits albeit alass ● too rise are not permitted 4. Good Works as Christ saith Matth. 12.12 it 's lawful to do good or well on the Sabbath such are giving of Physick when it is necessary bringing of Physiti ●ns saving a mans life and taking p ●ins for it c. Luke 13. these good Works may be classed either with Works of mercy before or with Works of necessity that follow both being good Works as they are Works of mercy or of necessity 5. Works of necessity such as feeding Beasts leading them to the water pulling them out of Ditches when they are fallen into them on that day and much more preparing honestly sober allowance for the susteining of the body as the Disciples pluck't the ears of Corn Matth. 12. and the Jews Exod. 16.23 dressed the Manna on the Sabbath though they were not to gather it yet on the Sixth day to bake and seethe a part and to keep a part

to your Callings vvith a Sabbath dayes gu ●ltiness on you O indeavour by all means to have that removed and all the Week through have one eye to the Sabbath past and another to the Sabbath coming having still that sounding in your ears remember the Sabbath or the Lords day to keep it holy dieting your souls as it vvere all along the Week for a course of communion vvith God in the duties of the next Sabbath It vvill be novv easie to knovv vvhen this command is transgressed vvhich vvas the sixth vvay proposed of considering the sanctification of the Sabbath to vvit oppositively or negatively which is done 1. by committing any thing contrary to the rest or sanctification of it 2. by omitting any of the things which are required for the right sanctifying of it 3. by an unsutable frame of heart as to the due manner of performing any of these duties required We will find the weight of this command yet more fully by considering its reasons how it 's explicated and pressed This is done 1. by laying down the equity and extent of it v. 9.10 2. by pressing it from God's example As to the first v. 9. Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work These words may be looked on 1. As an obliging concession which is indeed very liberal as if the Lord had said all dayes are mine yet I have given thee Six to do all thy work and labour that thou hast to do therefore give me the Seventh It is but a small retribution for Six to return a Seventh 2. As a restriction thou shalt do whatever work thou hast to do within the Six dayes but none of it on the Seventh 3. As a command whereby God distributeth our time and commandeth Six for our work and the Seventh for his And thus these words forbid idleness and command lawful diligence in these Six dayes which we conceive here to be implyed 1. Because God is not carving out what time we may be idle in but what time we should imploy in our own lawful works as well as in his for it cannot be thought that he giveth us Six to be idle on It must therefore be to work on seeing as our life should be taken up in doing either what more immediately concerneth our selves or what more immediately concerneth God so the scope of this command being to proportion our time betwixt these two what is allowed for either of them must imply an improving of it for that very end 2. The opposition also will confirm this These Six dayes are to be applyed to our work as the Seventh is to be applyed to Gods which is more then a permission and if the negative part be imperative in it thou shalt not work then the positive Six dayes shalt thou work may well be understood so also 3. Gods example will press it for we are to follow it not only in resting on the Seventh but also in working in the Six dayes as he did 4. Working these Six dayes cometh in as a mean to further and fit for the sanctification of the Seventh for so a man putteth by his business and has the more freedom for the rest on the Seventh whereas idleness often sinfully necessitateth to the breach of it and to a desire that it may be gone Amos 8.5 And thus idleness is reproved here and diligence commanded under one consideration to wit as the remove of the former and practise of the later do capacitate us to give God his due on his own day when it cometh Even as they are also included in the eighth Command Thou shalt not steal for as idleness becometh a snare and temptation to a man to steal and hindreth him from works of Charity and sutable diligence in the works of his lawful Calling readily preventeth the one and capacitateth for the other So is it here for it 's not unusual that the same sin and duty may be forbidden and commanded in diverse commands upon diverse considerations And this agreeth well both with the words and scope of this command And 5. according to the holy and wise oeconomy of Gods goodness our labour may be commanded to make his rest to be to us the more relishing and refreshing The tenth Verse containeth three things for explication 1. The Lords claim of the Seventh day as having reserved that to himself it 's his it 's to him and by him and for him separated from other dayes 2. A consequent flowing from this Therefore that day is not to be imployed to any of our own works no not the least No manner of work no word no thought nor deed of any such sort under whatsoever pretext beside the excepted cases 3. It 's extension as to all relations so to all ranks Parent and Child Master and Servant c. yea It 's thou for thy self and for all thou hast the oversight and charge of Sons Servants Strangers yea and Beasts not that they are capable of sanctifying a day more then the Beasts in Nineveh were of religious fasting Jonah 3. yet this sheweth what ought to be the Masters care it being for his use that Beasts are put to work God injoyneth all ●ayes of abstaining from every thing that is a mans own work on the Sabbath and will have him solemn in it In a word All within thy gates looketh not only to Masters and all in their families or within their doors but to Magistrates and Governours and all within their Jurisdiction Gates being the place of Judgment and used in Scripture to shew the extent as well as seat of power that they should see to their sanctifying of this day and the failing of any under them is their sin when they endeavour not to prevent and amend it And thus Nehemiah understood this command Neh. 13. when he put forth his power not only in contending with the native Nobles but even against Strangers for restraining them from violating this day Hence we gather 1 That idleness is a sin and that they will hardly give God his due on the Seventh day who are not diligent in the duties of some lawful calling and station for Gods honour and others good through the Six dayes of the Week and indeed this is often seen that such are lazie and careless and idle on that day passing it over even as they do other dayes without any difference at all except it be that they come to Church 2. We gather that humane whether Ecclesiastick or Civil appointment of ordinary fixed days for worship throughout the whole day beside the Sabbath will not agree with this command allowing men six for labour It 's true God might Soveraignly limit men but where he hath given liberty if it were but by concession who can restrain Concerning dayes therefore we lay down these four 1. That there can be no solemn setting apart of any day to any creature thus Saints dayes are unlawful for the Sabbath or day of rest is to the Lord and

God with all thy heart with all thy soul and with all thy mind and thy Neighbour as thy self the two leggs that Piety in practise walketh upon the one comprehendeth our duty to God which runneth through all the Ten Commands but doth more eminently exert it self in the first Four whereof we have spoken The other containeth our duty to our Neighbour which is set down more particularly in the last Six Commands whereof we are now to speak and however many do ignorantly and wickedly look on duty to man as somewhat extrinsick to Religion and duty to God yet both have the same authority both are put in one sum of the Law both are written on Tables of Stone with the Lords own finger and put within the Ark And therefore we ought with a proportionable care to inquire what God requireth of us as duty to himself And we should make no less conscience of obedience to the one then to the other Before we come particularly to the fifth Command we shall speak a little to these two 1. Why love to God is called the first and great command and love to our Neighbour the second and only like to the first Matth. 22.38 2. why hath the Lord carved out mens duty to others as vvell as to himself For the former of these consider in the first place that the commands of the second Table are equal to the commands of the first in respect of the authority that injoyneth them he that saith Thou shalt have no other Gods before me saith also Thou shalt not kill c. Jam. 2.11 In vvhich respect it is said Matth. 22.39 the second is like unto this 2. If vve compare the tvvo Tables together as to the matter contained in them and the immediate object of each duty commanded the duties of the first Table are greater and the duties of the second Table lesser the one relating more immediately the other more mediately to Rel ●gion in vvhich respect they express peculiarly our love to God vvhich is called the first and great command for the first four commands require that vvhich in its ovvn nature is vvorship and ●s in an immediate vvay to be given to God but the duties required in the other six are not properly formally and immediately called for as parts of vvorship to God though as they are acknovvledgments of him they may be consequentially thereto referred As to the 2. Why the Lord hath in so short a sum particularly set down our duty to others as well as to himself and shewed how every one should carry towards another We would speak to it the rather that there are six commands in the second Table and but ●our in the first Table and the ●ords commending the duties of the se ●ond Table hath said the second is like unto the first because he would have it in our car ●ful observance going along with the first And the Apostles as well as the Lord in pressing holiness do ordinarily instance in the duties of the second Table as Luke 10.26 What is written in the Law how readest thou M ●th 5.27 thou shalt not commit Adultery c. Rom. 13.8 9 10. Jam. 2.8.11 c. And the reasons of it may be these 1. To teach his people that it is his will that they should be holy in all manner of conversation therefore there is no piece of duty called for but it is comprehended in a command even the least thing eating drinking and whatsoever they do 1 Cor. 10.31 1 Pet 1.15 16. he would have them careful to be holy not only in the Church but also in the Market in the shop at home abroad not only in prayer but at the plough c. 2. To hold out the great extent of holiness or what holiness he requireth in his people It was a great mistake in the Pharisees that they placed the main part of Religion in the performance of external duties of the first Table whereas the Lord layeth both Tables together to tell that they must march up together in our practise and that it will not be Holiness in it's self and in Gods account to perform the one without the other 3. Because the Lord would have his Law a perfect Rule that the man of God might be perfect throughly furnished to every good word and work 2 Tim. 3.17 therefore is the second Table given that vve may know how to vvalk towards others as vvell as towards God that Masters may know their duty Servants theirs c. and that none are left to an arbitrariness therein but that all are tyed to a Rule 4. Because men are ready to slight holiness in reference to the second Table hence there vvill be some kind of awe of God on men in reference to the duties of the first Table so that they dare not altogether neglect prayer hearing the word c. and yet they will make little or no conscience of loving their neighbour or of shewing mercy as we see in the Pharisees 5. Because it is no less necessary for Christians living together as to their Being and vvell-being and mutual thriving that they do duty one of them to another with respect to the command then that they all do their duty to him how else can folks live well together in a Family or other Societies if each therein do not duty to another the neglect of this makes them as a house divided against it self which cannot stand 6. That the Lord may have the more clear and convincing ground of challenge against such as slight these commands and live in envy malice oppression c. for none can say he knew not these to be sins Mic. 67. The Lord hath shewed thee O man what is good that thou do Justice and love Mercy c. and he beginneth at the Duties of the second Table the more to stop their mouths If they should say they knew not tha ● they should be holy or how to be holy in these he had it to say that he had told them For these and such like reasons the Lord hath been so part ●cular in and hath added his Authority unto the commands of the second Table as well as to these of the first that we may lay the greater weight on them From the Connection of the two Tables we may observe these three general ● first That there is no part of a mans convers ●tion in reference to his walk with others as well as God whatever be his Calling or Station but he ought to be Religious and holy in it God hath directed men how to carry in all things 2. That it is a necessary part of Religion in respect of the command of God injoyning it and in order to our thriving in holiness to be conscientious in duties to others as well as in immediate duties to God who in his Law requireth both 3. That where kindly and true Obedience is given to the first Table Obedience will be given to the second also

be done to all yet especially to this houshold of Faith And the manifestation of our love even towards the godly may be less or more according as less or more of God appeareth in them or in their way If it be further asked How we can love wicked men and if their being such should not marr our love to them Answ. We speak not here of such as are debarred from the prayers of the people of God and who are known to have sinned the sin which is against the Holy Ghost nor do we speak indefinitely of final enemies these according to all being excluded from our love But we say that other particular wicked men as to their persons whatever hatred we may bear to their evil deeds are to be loved in the forementioned sense yet their wickedness may 1. marr complacencie in them that they cannot nor ought not to be delighted in nor with pleasure conversed with 2. It may marr the effects of love in the evidences and manifestations of them for that Christians may yea and sometimes should keep up all or most testimonies of it from some is clear from the Apostles direction enjoyning the noticing of some that they may be ashamed 2 Thess. 3.14 3. It may marr love in ordering its exercises yea and occasion the seemingly contrary effects as their wishing for and doing of some things temporally adverse and cross to them for their greater shame and humiliation as is evident in the Psalmists prayer Psalm 83.16 Fill their faces with shame that they may seek thy name O Lord so some out of love are to be corrected yea punished temporally yet with a desire of and respect to their eternal welfare If it be yet asked If and how one is to love himself Answ. Self-love is so connatural to us that in effect it is the mediate result of our sense of life and consequently the very relish and endearment of all enjoyments the spring of self-preservation and the best measure pointed out by our Lord himself of the love and duty that we owe to others which as it is the mean whereby we taste and see that God is good and how great his goodness is to us so it ought principally to referr it self and all its pleasing objects to him as the fountain of all who is indeed Love but yet it is that wherein ordinarily men do much exceed as especially these following wayes 1. They exceed in it when themselves are proposed as the end of their own actions as it is 2 Tim. 3.2 when their own things sway more with them and are sought more by them then 1. the things of God to which the first place is alwayes due and 2. then publick things and the things of others even in the cases wherein these do require the preference 2. When it is terminated on the wrong object as when they run out in the immoderate pursuit of bodily and temporal things caring more if not only for the body neglecting the better part 3. When it is laid out for the pleasing of corrupt self and the making of provision for the Flesh to fulfil its Lusts Rom. 13.14 Self-love under these considerations is corrupt and ●o be guarded against Answ. 2. Self-love or love to our self is allowable when qualified with the following properties 1. When it is subservient and subordinate to higher ends and can hazard it self and deny it self for Gods honour for a publick good yea and in some cases out of respect to the good of others also so a righteous man should and when at himself will do much though with his own hazard for a Christian friend for the safety or edification of the Godly or in defence of the interest of Christ. 2. When it is drawn out after spiritual things and it 's on these mostly that pains are taken as how to grow in grace to have a good conscience to have the soul saved sin mortified c. 3. When outward things are desired for the former ends as when we pray Give us this day our daily bread that we may promove these ends being willing to want them when they may not stand with these ends desiring life means c. in so far only as they may be useful for the attainment of them As the first self-love marreth duties to God and thwarteth with them so the second advanceth them and sweyeth strongly yet sweetly to them Again This Command is the first in order of the second Table and is peculiarly backed with a promise to shew the concernment of the duty called for the scope of it being to regulate that respect which each one oweth to another that they may give each other due honour as the first effect of love and the great band of all the other commands and enjoyned duties of the second Table God being pleased to provide for that respect and honour that is due from one man to another as well as for the security of their persons and estates yea in some respect he preferreth this Command to wit that one hurt not another in their honour and estimation to these other relating to their persons and estates and therefore he requireth honour in the first place and afterward injoyneth the duties of not killing not stealing c. And although every man doth love respect and estimation among others yet there is nothing wherein more liberally and even prodigally men incroach upon one another then by the neglect and denyal of this duty and by the contrary sin though it be most directly opposite to love and that general equity commanded whereby we should Do to others as we would have them to do to us Therefore we conceive the Lord hath preferred this to the other five Commands and hath so backed it with a promise and also set it down positively Honour thy Father c. for this end that we may know it is not enough not to despise them if they be not also positively honoured by us even as it is not enough not to prophane the Lords day by common and unnecessary works if we do not positively sanctifie it And it is not for nought that this duty is so much pressed being a main bond of Christian and Civil Fellowship keeping folks within the just bounds and limits which God hath set unto them If it be asked What this duty of honouring our Neighbour doth include Answ It doth include these five things 1. Respect to our Neighbours person 2. to his place 3. to his qu ●lifications either as he is furnished with natural or moral abilities or as he is gracious 4. to his accidental furniture in externals as riches credit with others c. so David honoured Nabal 5. in respect of mens actions as they deserve or as they have done or atchieved any thing whereby good cometh or may come to the Church or Common-wealth Honour includeth the giving respect to our Neighbour in all these If it be asked If and how honour differeth from love Answ. It

differeth from love in that love properly considereth men more generally as they are capable of good which we wish unto them but this considereth them more particularly as so and so qualified and having such and such things in them deserving respect for honour being a bearing of testimony to something worthy of respect in such a one it doth first consider what is worthy of honour in the person that so it may bear a testimony truly according as it findeth ground If it be asked Whether outward expressive evidences of honour are alwayes to be given to the persons honoured Answ. Although indeed in honouring of God there needeth not alwayes an external expressive evidence of it as for instance a man may in the croud of company honour God by ejaculatory Prayer without such external expression as Nehemiah did in the presence of the King and Queen cap. 2. v. 4. yet honour given to others must not only have the acknowledging of something worthy of estimation within that it degenerate not into distimulation as the ordinary complementing strain doth but must also have expressions without to bear witness unto that which is within in gesture words or otherwayes as men are called to the giving of them If it be asked What honour doth import and what may be comprehended under it Answ. Under honour are comprehended 1. Charitable constructions of mens actions whereby what is doubtful is exponed to the best It will not nor ought not I grant determine a man to esteem every man gracious whom he knoweth not to be prophane nor every thing to be truth spoken by him which he knoweth not to be false But 1. it will keep a man from running into the extream of contrary judging of him as wicked false carnal natural graceless a lamentable ill amongst even good people too ready often to give such designations and epithets to their Neighbours whether inferiour or superiour to them on very little ground and sometimes to persons who without breach of charity may be supposed for true Religion not to be much if any thing at all short of themselves or such an one as some may call him even though he know nothing of his goodn ●s ● yet because he knoweth not his evil he forbeareth to conclude so harshly of him 2. It will make him live with him as to him at least negatively gracious and accept of what he saith for truth not knowing any thing to the contrary in so far as Christian prudence will permit him and thus far a charitable construction will lead us in reference to our Neighbour for we are not bound positively without ground to determine a thing to be right or wrong or a man gracious or wicked when we have not certain knowledge and so may be deceived but we ought to walk with men whose hypocrisie and dishonesty we know not as with good and honest men yea even where some slips or escapes are to be found 2. Honour comprehendeth and taketh in humility so far as it respecteth and relateth to a humble carriage amongst men which is a grace moderating a man so that he preferreth not himself inordinately to others either in respect of place or parts or other such like grounds which Christ commendeth in the Gospel and enjoyneth that men should not love the uppermost rooms or first salutations but seek to prefer others and be to their own honour as weaned children or new-born babes Matth. 18 3 readier to serve a ●d give honour to others then desirous of service and honour from them and this not in complement but in reality 3. It taketh in esteem of others and vindicating of their name and fame that they may be accounted of and be in good repute vvith others endeavouring their vindication then most vvhen they are vvronged seeing a good name is so essential a part of honour Eccles. 7.1 4. It taketh in praise vvhich is the commendation of a fact praise vvorthy or of such and such laudable things bestowed on the person by God 5. Gratulation and rejoycing at anothers good as if it vvere our own 6. It taketh in mercy and communication by vvay of charity to others Now all these effects of honour are to be drawn forth according to the stations we are in and the relations we sustain and as we stand in reference to oth ●●● according to their stations and relations of husband wife servant master son father friend c. And no doubt more even of this outward respect would contribute not a little to our hearty and comfortable living together These being some of the commanded duties the contrary vices are prohibited as 1. Rash judging taking up a prejudice upon unsure grounds that will not bear such a thing and this may be either a weakness proceeding from ignorance or a prejudice slowing from malice at the mans person which is more readily inclined to construe so and so of such a man and his Actions then of another The first may be removed and the person faulty in it will be desirous to have it removed and will esteem more of the person mistaken when it is removed as Eli did of Hannah 17. 1 Sam. 1.17 The second is hardly removed and admitteth not of the mean which may remove it leaving no room for information Apology Vindication c. 2. Pride and Presumption are condemned here Pride whereby one with Diotrephes affecteth the preheminency a higher office or precedency in the same office the first salutation the highest room at Table c. Presumption whereby a man is ready to undertake something above his ability as if he were more fit and able for it then indeed he is even as on the contrary Pusillanimity is a scarring to reach to and adventure upon what a man is able for and called to 3. Vanity or vain Glory much blazing abroad our own good actions or delighting to have them known to others that they may blaze them 4. Ostentation making shew of what good is in us and following what is good for that end and in such a way as it may be taken notice of by men as the Pharisees who only sought their own glory in their prayers and alms 5. Envy which is a grief and sadness for the honour of another that such a good Turn should fall in his hand or that he should be honoured followed or respected as if his being honoured and preferred did detract from their own credit and honour it differeth from fear which is a sadness that an Enemy is preferred because they may suffer and be in hazard from him this Envy floweth principally from pride whereby folks would monopolize all honour and what is honourable unto themselves and are grieved when it is not so a manifest fruit of the flesh Gal. 5.21 and a prime and most destructive enemy to Graces and yet very rife in this hypocritical age and much incident to religious folks especially to Ministers and persons of gifts an ambitious humour coveting to excel

the Master vvas free if the battlements vvere not he vvas guilty Murther is also either to be considered as committed after provocation or vvithout all provocation vvhich is a great aggravation of the sin though the provocation maketh it not cease to be a sin Further it may be considered as it is the murther of evil wicked men or of good and religious men and that on the account of their Religion vvhich is a most horrid aggravation of the murther Lastly this murther is either ordinary as of meer equals or inferiours or extraordinary aggredged by the quality of the person murthered vvhether he be a superiour as a Magistrate a Parent or vvhether he be of a near Relation as a Brother or Kinsman c. We come a little more particularly to consider the extent and nature of the sin forbidden here vvhich is not certainly to be understood of taking the life by publick Justice or in a lavvful or just War or in necessary and pure self-defence that vve may the better understand the contrary duty commanded It implyeth then a hurting vvhich vve may consider 1. as in the heart 2. as in the mouth or vvords 3. as in gestures 4. as in deeds for vve take it for granted that it reacheth further then the gross outvvard act as by Christs exposition of it in Matth. 5. is incontrovertibly clear The heart is the fountain spring and treasure of all evil in it breedeth all evil and from it proceedeth this murther Matth. 15 19. he that in heart hateth his brother is a murtherer 1 John 3.15 In a vvord vvhatever is opposite to love in the heart is a breach of this Command As 1. hatred vvhich is malitious and simply vvisheth ill to our Neighbour and only because vve love him not vvithout any other reason as one vvickedly said Non amo te Zabidi nec possum dicere quare Hoc tantum possum dicere non amo to So Cain hated his Brother vvithout cause 2. Anger that supponeth a pretended vvrong and is desirous of revenge because of ingratitude pretended injustice c. 3. Envy vvhereby vve are grieved vvith the good of another supposing though groundless that it obstructeth ours and therefore vve seek to overturn it Anger is cruel and wrath outragious but who can stand before Envy saith Solomon There is often secret hatred on this ground more irreconcileable then vvhere many and grave reasons can be given 4. Rage vvhich presseth revenge beyond vvhat is condign though it follovv it lavvfully as to outvvard means 5. Saevitia or Cruelty that delighteth in the hurt and prejudice of another all these and others of this kind go generally under the name of Hatred and Anger If any ask here Is there no anger lavvful Answ. Yes for there is somevvhat of it natural yea and sometimes it lavvfully immixeth it self in duty as in zeal vvhen God is dishonoured vvhich vvas in Moses Exod. 32. And no doubt Indignation at vvicked men in some cases is lavvful and also required But carnal Anger is forbidden vvhich 1. Is a desire of revenge vvhere there hath no vvrong been done to us 2. When the revenge desired is disproportioned to and greater then the vvrong 3. When it is preposterously desired vvithout intervening Justice 4. When it is not desired for the right end to wit the mans gaining but only for the satisfying of our carnal humour 5. When it is immoderate and corrupt in the manner of it so as the name of God is dishonoured by it This unlawful Anger when it is 1. against a Superiour it is called grudge 2. when against an Equal rancour 3. when against an Inferiour disdain and contempt these two last follow ordinarily upon the first 2. This Command is broken by injurious words as in that fifth Chapter of Matthew He that shall say to his brother thou fool is guilty O what guilt will there be found to have been in imprecations cursings wrathful wishes disdainful and passionate speeches when Christ will call men to an account for the breach of this Command 3. It is broken in gestures such as high looks fierce looks gnashing with the teeth Acts 7.54 foaming with the mouth and such like wherewith even our blessed Lord and his Servants have been followed and as there may be Adultery in looks so there is also murther in them such looks had Cain Gen. 4.5 4. It is broken in deeds even when death followeth not as in wounding smiting oppressing cruel withdrawing of the means of life extortion exaction byting injury litigious wrangling violent compulsion raising and racking of Land or House-rents beyond the just value and squeezing and exacting upon poor Labourers and Tenants without any due regard to them or their labours which last is a frequent sin but little regarded a crying sin but little cared for next it is broken by withholding what might be useful and refreshful as by neglecting the sick and distressed want of hospitality specially to the poor All these are sinful breaches whether directly or indirectly incurred neither is it sufficient that we simply abstain from committing some of these but we must also make conscience to practise all contrary duties The last thing proposed to be spoken to was the person thou where in a word we are to distinguish private men from publick men who are Magistrates and bear the Sword whom this Command doth not restrain from executing of Justice y ●t these may also sin in their passions and unjustly put forth their authority and be carnal in pu ●●shing and passing sentence even when there is ground in Justice and thus Magistrates may become guilty though in the executing of Justice not simply but by reason of other con ●u ●●●●g circumstances Thus much shortly on this Command THE SEVENTH COMMAND Exodus 20.14 Thou shalt not commit Adultery THE Lord having spoken of such sins as do more respect mans being simply in the former Command he cometh now to direct in those things that concern a man in his life in the ordering of his conversation and as it will be found one way or other that by our passion hatred and anger in one degree or other the former Command is broken often so this sin that in the very name of it is abominable is not so unfrequent even amongst Christians as might in all reason be supposed and expected The vile sin of inordinate Concupiscence and Lust entred into Mankind exceeding early after Adam's fall and in nothing the bitter fruit of Original sin and that pravity of our nature sooner kyeths and did kyth then in it Hence is it that Adams and Evahs nakedness and their being ashamed is spoken of in Scripture which implyeth a sinfulness and inordinateness in them which formerly they were not tainted with as also a shame or plague following upon it and this corrupt nature being still in man it is hard to speak of or to hear these things holily and therefore there is a necessity both of holiness

and wisdom here left we break this Command even when speaking of it and hearing it spoke of yet the breach of it being a sin so rife and the Spirit in Scripture thinking it needful to speak of it yea it being put in a particular and distinct Command by it self and our most holy and blessed Lord Jesus having himself commented on it Matth. 5. there is a necessity of saying somewhat of it but so as to contain within the bounds of Scripture expressions O! be therefore afraid of sinning in hearing remember and consider that the Lord seeth and in a special manner abhorreth such vile Imaginations as shall be irritated and excited even from his holy command enjoyning the contrary which is indeed both an evidence and a part of the sinfulness of sin as the Apostle speaketh Rom. 7. To take therefore a view of it let us consider the scope of the Command which we conceive is in a special manner and obviously holden forth in these few places of Scripture commending holiness in respect of a mans person and condemning uncleanness in all its branches 1 Thess. 4. v. 3 4 5 7. For this is the will of God even your sanctification that ye should abstain from fornication that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour not in the lust of concupiscence even as the Gentiles which knew not God for God hath not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness Ephes. 5.3 4 5. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness let it not be once named amongst you as becometh Saints Neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jeasting which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks For this ye know that no whoremonger nor unclean person nor covetous man who is an idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God Galat. 5.19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these adultery fornication uncleanness lasciviousness Rom. 13. v. 13. Let us walk honestly as in the day not in rioting and drunkenness not in chambering and wantonness not in strife and envying Coloss. 3. v. 5. Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the earth fornication uncleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence and covetousness which is idolatry In which places as we see the sin forbidden in this Command held out under the most odious designations to wit a work of the flesh fornication adultery uncleanness lasciviousness inordinate affection evil concupiscence c. branches of this sin and a decent walk commanded as contrary to the same so we may see from them the scope of this Seventh Command to be an honest decent shamefac't chast temperate and holy life which being well considered doth much illustrate the meaning and extent of it If we might be particular we could shew how there is no Command more pressed more fully explained and sorer plagued in the breach of it then this and set forth with more aggravating expressions to make it so much more abominable It wrongeth God and the Society of men it wrongeth others in particular our children and our selves both in body estate and name it bringeth a blot on the soul here and hereafter Job 31.12 Prov. 6.33 It taketh away wit and courage yea and even the very heart besotting men Hos. 4.11 compared with Prov. 6.3 ● So did it in Solomon and therefore the man given to it is compared to an Oxe and a Fool Prov. 7. 22 23 c. It is compared also to the neighing of Horses Jer. 5.8 and the hire of a whore and the price of a dogg are put together Deut. 33.18 The madness folly yea and to say so devillry and bewitching power of it are se ● out in Jezabel It is said to be Ephes. 5. v. 6. A work of darkness that bringeth Gods wrath on the children of disobedience as it did bring it on Sodom the Old world and the Canaanites most signally and seldom is there a remarkable plague and punishment brought on a Person or Land but this sin of vileness hath a main hand in the procuring of it and where it reigneth it is usually if not alwayes accompanied with many other gross sins which are occasioned by it and given way to for its sake as drunkenness murther idolatry c. For further clearing of this Command consider 1. The Species or kinds of faults condemned in it and the vertues or graces commended 2. The manner of being guilty of the breach of it which because this Command will be found to be spiritual as the other commands are reacheth to the heart and affections as they do 3. Consider the sin here forbidden in its incitements foments and other sins more implicitely comprehended under it as idleness gluttony drunkenness impudencie gaudiness and unchastness in apparel or nakedness dancing singing of bawdy songs loose company or fellowship and every appearance of this ill and what may lead to it and dispose for it or is an evidence of it 4. See its opposite vertues and the means useful for the subduing of it as chastity modesty shamefacedness temperance lawful marriage the remedy thereof c. which are required in this Command and are very useful for a holy life That these things ought to be spoken of none will deny that they belong to one of the Commands the perfection of the Law requireth it and that they come in here under this Command the nature of them and their conjunction with or influence upon the sin condemned or duty commanded here will make it evident the sin of Adultery being a prime branch of the carnalness of our nature under it the rest of that kind are comprehended for making of them the more odious Now in considering the act of vileness forbidden we may 1. Look to these ills that are simply unnatural of which these that be guilty are called in the Scripture Rev. 21.8 the abominable such are these 1. who prostitute themselves to the abomination of filthy Fellowship with Devils as they suppose and imagine 2. These who commit beastiality a vileness most detestable in reasonable creatures it is called confusion Levit. 18.23 3. These who abuse themselves with mankind spoken of 1 Tim. 1. ●0 Rom. 1.26 27 called also in the Scripture Sodomy going after strange flesh having been the abominable practise of these miscreants whom God set forth for an Example suffering the vengeance of eternal fire when he rained as it were something of hell from heaven on them burning them quick and frying them in a manner to death in their own skins because of the lusts wherewith they burned These are abominations against nature against which the Laws both of God and men do severely animadvert see Lev. 18. and 20. Deut. 22. 2. The act of vileness inhibited taketh in these ills of uncleanness that are in some respect against nature also though not so obviously nor so gross such as are betwixt persons within degrees of consanguinity and affinity this uncleanness is

circumstances of his Calling and Trade so that suppose they vvere buying it themselves they vvould be content to give as much as they demand and men should never offer less to others then they vvould demand themselves though their ordinary vvay is much contrary to this as vve may see Prov. 20.14 2. No shifts are to be used by the seller to over-value or call his vvare better then it is or by the buyer to undervalue and despise it belovv vvhat vve think it to be Lev. 19.11 3. We should never simply or only mind our ovvn advantage in selling and buying vvithout respect to the advantage of others but vvould so sell and buy as they might be also gainers and thus vve see that charity regulateth us Phil. 2.4 4. Neither vvould the buyer deceitfully hide vvhat may commend the price of vvares nor the seller vvhat may make it less as suppose one knevv such vvares or merchandize vvould shortly grovv cheaper or dearer and therefore he either selleth or buyeth purposely to put the loss on his neighbour or at least to make gain to himself vvithout any regard to his neighbours loss 5. There vvould be ingenuity in buying and selling that vvhich ye call prigging or cheapning is not good both buyer and seller should put a just value upon vvares and hold there there is much jugling and falshood and lying vvhen it is othervvayes see Ephes. 4.25 Prov. 20.14 6. There are ought to be no taking advantage of anothers necessity ignorance and simplicity 7. In a vvord vve vvould sell and buy and do to others as vve vvould have them do to us and so vve vvould keep up no fault vve knovv of the things vve sell give good measure and good money c. All these things come in under trading and merchandizing and thus one just price should be kept so far as may be If it vvere asked here hovv vve may pitch or settle on a just price It is hard to ansvver this question to full conviction and satisfaction yet a man vvould consider 1. What he himself having knovvledge of the goods vvould give for such and such corn cloath beasts or vvhatever it be if he hath or had use for them or vvere to buy them 2. What men of knovvledge do judge such a thing to be vvorth and vvhat may be the price of it if the price be by Authority regulated it setteth it self 3. What such a thing doth generally cost amongst those that are judicious and conscientious 4. What he vvould give for the like possibly again vvhen this is avvay allovving fit gain In sum there are three sorts of prices the 1. Is rigid vvhen men must have vvhat they vvill for their vvare The 2. is easie this is only at some times vvhen it is called for but it is not alway necessary and selling thus in such cases is an honest giving which men are not alwayes at least obliged to The 3. is pretium medium or the middle or modest price which is betwixt the two and in no extream yet when any question is whether this much or that much is to be taken It is safest carving on the side that lyeth next our selves 5. A man would consider how he would proceed in that bargain so as he might have peace if he were just now to die and what he durst adventure on in that case let him do the same in all his bargains Amongst the many and great uses of riches some of them concern our selves some of them others and there lyeth no less necessity upon us to shew mercy for the supply of others then to pay our debt or supply our selves and to a man in case for it God hath not left the one indifferent more then the other For clearing of which we would consider that God who is the great owner and absolute proprietor of the Creatures and who distributed them to men according to his pleasure hath distributeth riches to some as it were to Stewards to be made use of for his houshold as may be gathered from Luke 16.10 11 12. Hence it is not left arbitrary to men to give alms or not as they think meet but it lyeth on them as an absolute duty Hence also we may see what a sin it is to be altogether neglective of it or deficient in it 1. It is a stealing and theft as is implyed Ephes. 4.28 2. It is per ●idiousness and unfaithfulness in a trust committed to us Luke 16.9 c. 3. It is cruelty and murther and hating of our brother 1 John 3. v. 15. and 17. compared and indeed if it be intolerable in a mans Steward intrusted with that which the fami ●y should be provided with to apply to his own use what should entertain them or to spend it on himself it being both stealth unfaithfulness and cruelty so is it no less intolerable in this case see Prov. 11.24 25. This giving of alms rightly qualified is highly accounted of in Scripture and assigned as the mark of a righteous man Psal. 119.9 noticed and commended in a special manner at the day of Judgment Matth. 25.30 c. commanded as a duty Deut. 15.7 11 14 21. and 26.11 c. and much pressed and insisted on 2 Cor. 8.9 and scarely will we find in all the Scripture one particular duty about which two whole Chapters together are spent but this which holdeth out the great complacency the Lord hath in the single and sutable practice of it it being there deservedly set down and insisted upon as a sure evidence of the reality of our prosessed subjection to the Gospel Let us see then 1. wherein it consisteth 2. who is the object of it 3. who is to give 4. how for manner and measure it is to be given 1. Alms is not every giving for that may be of debt or it may be to a rich man or one that hath no need out of pride or for the fashion but 1. there is a needy object from which we can expect nothing again to this we are to give alms 2. There is a doing it upon the account of the Command as thereby honouring our maker and testifying our love to Christ which is to do it to a Disciple in the name of a Disciple Matth. 10.41 42. it taketh in all supply as meat drink visiting them vindicating them comforting them by lending giving forgiving of any thing that is owing c. 2. The object neighbour is large but it is the needy one only that is to be looked to Ephes. 4.28 and Deut. 15.11 And the poor ones who may be considered 1. As to the degree of their need three wayes 1. Need that is common and such as folks may fend with it 2. that is pinching when they fend with difficulty 3. that is extream when they cannot subsist In the first case men are to give out of their abundance 2 Cor. 8.14 and need not straiten themselves for the supply of such poor In the second they ought

or 3. not weighting and grieving us for the ill scent it leaveth behind it for we having such combustible matter vvithin hardly cometh a tentation in even from vvithout but it fireth us or rather vve having the kindling vvithin the Devil cometh but to blovv on it and stirreth that vvhich is in us hence it cometh that seldom there is a temptation assaulting but some guiltiness remaineth because there is not a full abhorrence of these abominable strangers that come into the heart 5. This Lust may be considered either as it is in natural m ●n vvhere its shop is and so it is called reigning sin and the dominion of sin it is a yielding to sin to obey it in the Lust thereof to obey it vvillingly as a Servant doth his Master Rom. 6.12 13. or as it is in the renewed and regenerate so it is indwelling sin vvithout dominion and indeavoured to be expelled a law in the Members and that continually is acting but counteracted by a contrary lusting Rom. 7.23 24. Novv let us clear 1. vvhat Concupiscence falleth in under this Command and so 2. hovv this differeth from other Commands vvhich are spiritual and reach the heart also 3. vve may consider the sinfulness of this Lust and give some advertisements concerning it in its acting stirring c. 1. Under this Command vve take in habitual Lust even as it disposeth and inclineth to ill in the root of it though not principally yet consequently because its streams and branches that do flovv from and clear this to be the fountain and root are primarily understood and the reasons vvhy it must be taken in here are 1. Because habitual Lust in the root is sin for so it conceiveth sin James 1.14 15. and if it be sin it must be against some of these Commands vvhich are the substance and matter of the Covenant of Works vvhich prescribeth all duty and forbiddeth all sin 2. If this Lavv require absolute purity then that inclination must be condemned by it but it requireth absolute purity and exact holiness even according to Gods Image therefore that inclination inconsistent vvith it must be condemned here seeing in the other Commandements acts that are resolved and fully consented to in the heart are forbidden 3. If the rise of this habitual Lust was by this Command condemned and forbidden to Adam in looking to the fruit and in entertaining that motion or the indisposing of himself by it to vvalk with God or if this Command did forbid him his f ●ll and the bringing upon himself that Lust and vvhen it vvas in him if it vvas a breach of this Command then it is so to us also but certainly Adam vvas enjoyned by this Command to preserve himself free of the root of such ●●●ls if the fruits themselves be evil vvhich is undenyable 4. If this ill be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or a transgression of or disconformity to the Lavv then it must belong to some Command reductively at least but the former is certain and it cannot so properly be reduced to any other Command as to th ●s therefore it is here condemned as sin 5. If it lyeth in th ● heart and giveth the first sinful rise to actual sins then it must be forbidden in this Command for as vve novv consider it it preventeth determination and may be vvhere actual sin is not but the former is truth that i ● conceiveth other actual sins as the mother of them as it is James 1.15 therefore it must be forbidden here 6. Add our blessed Lord Jesus in his utter vvant of and freedom from all corruption vvas conformed to the Lavv and it vvas a part of his conformity to it and to this Command rather then to any other that the Devil had nothing in him no not so much as a motus primo primus as they call it to sin nor any root from vvhich it should spring If it be objected 1. That this Lust is in men antecedently not only to any formal vvill of their ovvn but to all povver and ability to help it or so much as not to vvill it and so cannot be supposed to be forbidden to them Answ. 1. There are many things forbidden them vvhich novv after the fall is not in their povver to prevent 2. This Lavv is to be looked on as given to man in his innocency vvhich therefore required of him the keeping intire and undefaced the Image of God according to vvhich he vvas created and novv condemneth him for the vvant of it the scope of the Lavv being to point out perfect holiness vvithout respect to a mans ability or his present condition but to his duty for the performing of vvhich he got a povver from God at first but through voluntary transgression of the Lavv lost it and none vvill deny but if it be a sin to have such a polluted nature the Lavv must require it to be othervvayes But 2. if it be said that it is involuntary Answ. It is true it is not deliberate but voluntary it is as having its seat and rise in the will as well as in other faculties and therefore the will cannot be thought free 3. If it be said that this sin is greater then any sin forbidden in any other of the Commands therefore the Command forbidding it ought not to have been last Answ. In some respect it is greater to wit in it self yet in respect of its palpableness and obviousness it is less also this Command forbidding it presseth a further degree and step into all that goeth before and therefore is well subjoyned 2. We comprehend under this Command all first motions rising from that habitual Lust in reference to more compleat acts although they be instantly checked and choaked and that whether they be in reference to particular objects or whether they be vaging unsetled motions of any Lust in it self sinful and that whether there be a delectation or staying on that forbidden object or not or consenting to it or resolution to follow it or not as is evident in Paul Rom. 7. For 1. such motions are the births of a sinful mother habitual lust 2. They have sinful effects and tendencies they are incitements to sins 3. They are sinful in their nature as being disconformed to the holy Law of God and though they should presently be strangled yet it is supposed that once they were and if they were they were either good or ill if good they should not have been strangled if evil then they had this inordinateness here forbidden and that from our own hearts or inventions that gave them being and therefore they must leave a guilt behind them 4. Otherwayes these evils forbidden here would not differ from the spiritual ills forbidden in other Commands that forbid Lust with consent and delight 5. Our blessed Lord Jesus could be capable of none of these and therefore the having of them must be unsuitable to his Image who was like us in all things except sin 6. Paul's

the exercise of the duties enjoyned negatives again oblige both semper ad semper th ●t is always and in all differences of time For instance in the third Commandment the affirmative part is to use the Lords Name and Ordinances holily and reverently in prayer r ●ading and hearing c. So in the fourth Commandment we are r ●quired to sanctifie the Sabbath by waiting on Ordinances c. This makes these still duties so as to pray hear c. are still d ●ties but we are not to be and should not be always exercised in these duties for we must abound in other duti ●s also of necessity and mercy we must eat and sleep c. and when we sleep we can neither act love nor fear Again the negative part is not to prophane the Lords Name in his Ordinances this may not be done at any time The reason of th ● difference is this bec ●use in affi ●mative ● we are not always tyed to the a ●●s of Duties and Graces but to the Disposition and H ●bit Habits are a Spiritual Quality a Vis or Pow ●r fitting and enabling for bringing forth these acts and for the bringing them forth in the due time and season when they shall be called for but in sinful things we are prohibited not only the habits but the acts also the one is always and ever a sin but the other is not always called for as duty If any desire Rules to know when a duty is called for as for instance when we are to pray hear c. it is hardly possible to be particular in this yet we may try it by these Generals 1 Any affirmative Precept binds to present practice when the duty r ●quired tends to God ● glory unto which every thing should be done as 1 Cor. ●0 31 and when the omission of the duty may disho ●our hir ● 2 When it tends to others edification and omitting will some way stumbl ● and offend 3 When some speci ●l Providences meet and concur to give opportunity for such a duty as for instance the giving of Alms when we h ●ve it and some indigent person offers whose necessity calls for it Gal. ● 10 So when secrecy for prayer is offered and no other more ●ecessary duty at that time is called for which we are to watch unto C ●l ● 2 or when we meet with some special occasion or Dispensation pointing out to us this or that as a duty called for such a Providence invites us to the practice of that duty for though Providences will not make these things to become duties which are not duties yet they will serve to time and circumstantiate duties that lye on us by vertue of affirmative Prec ●pts 4 Some special occasions and times are set down in the Word as for praying Morning and Evening for hearing the Word on Sabbath days and in these and other the like duties the examples of the Saints so recorded for imitation in Scripture would be obs ●rved as a Copy and Patern 5 When they have not such inconveniences with them as cross ●nd hinder other Moral duties of Edification love c. for if th ●y do that they must yield and give place to these but if no other duty be called for then they ought to be done for we should be in some duty And though such duties be in themselves Moral suppose praying hearing and such others which might be instanced yet the timing of them or going about them at such a time and in such a manner is not Moral simply but as these are by circumstances called for 6 When without sin such a duty cannot be omitted and although there be not ●●y inward exercise of mind or frame of spirit suitable thereto yet the Conscience calls for it or there is some one special occasion or other that puts us to it 3 Observe that this Rule o ● Negatives tying ad s ●mper or obliging in all circumstances of time is not to be understood but where the matter is Moral therefore we would distinguish again betwixt negative Morals and negative Positives for Positives whether negative or affirmative give still place to Morals As for instance that part of the fourth Commandment is negative In it that is on the seventh day thou shalt do no manner of work yet sometimes when necessity calls for it some manner of works is lawful on that day because it is only a negative Positive and not a negative Moral And so David's eating of Shew-bread was against a negative Command though not against a negative Moral but a negative Positive 4 Take this Rule that in all Commands joyntly and severally we would have special respect unto the scope God aims at by them all in general or by such a Command in particular now the general scope is 2 Cor. 7.1 1 Pet. 1.15 ●6 perfect and absolute holiness even as he is holy and therefore whatever he requires he requires that it be absolutely perfect in its kind as that our love to him be with the whole heart c. and so our love to others be as to our selves our Chastity and Purity all must be absolute see 1 Tim. 1.5 This Rule will teach us what we are to aim and level at And whatever Exposition of the Commandments comes not up to this scope is no doubt defective and by this Rule only can we be helped to the right meaning of every Commandment for each of them his its peculiar scope both as to the duties it requires and sins it condemns And by this Rule it is that our Lord Christ whose Exposition with that of the Prophets is best draws in the least and smallest branches of ●lthiness to the seventh Commandment which dischargeth all things contrary to perfect and compleat Purity 5 The fifth Rule is that the Law is spiritual Rom. 7.14 and that not only outward obedience to such duties or outward abstinence from such sinful acts is called for but the Law having a spiritual meaning calls for spiritual service and that in these three 1. As it requires spiritual duties such as Faith Fear Love to God and to others right habits as well as right affections and outward actions and therefore Paul to prove the spirituality of the Law instanceth in the habit of Lust Rom 7. as a thing thereby discharged 2. The Law is spiritual in that the obligation thereof reaches to the Spirit and very inwards of the Heart affections and thoughts as well as to the outward man the love it requires is love with all the Soul Heart and Mind Hence there is Heart-Idolatry Murder and Adultery as well as outward therein condemned 3. It is spiritual in respect of the manner it requires as to all outward duties that they be done to a spiritual end from a spiritual principle and in a spiritual way opposite to the carnal way to which the unrenewed heart of man is inclined in which sense we are commanded to walk in the