Psalm 92. being a Psalm of the Sabbath v. 2. David saith He will declare the loving kindness of the Lord in the morning and his truth in the night making the night a part of the Sabbath It begins at midnight on the Saturday and ends at midnight next following Matth. 28. 1. Mark 16. 1 2. John 20. 1. compared together it appears that the Jews Sabbath ended at the dawning of the first day of the week and then the Lords day or Sabbath day began Act. 20. 7. Elson on the 4th Command Act. 2. 42. The Jews were 1. Assembled 2. Had the Apostles doctrine that is the Old and New Testament read and expounded 3. They had fellowship that is they did communicate these earthly things as every one had need 4. They had breaking of bread that is the administration of the Lords Supper 5. They had prayers Ford on the 4th Commandment For publick prayer see Act. 16. 13. and receiving the Sacraments at the times appointed Act. 20. 7. Both the family-Family-duties and secret duties which we are bound to perform every day are by the equity of that Law Numb 28. 9 10. to be doubled upon the Sabbath-day Hilders on Psal. 51. â— Lect. 135. The Sabbath must last as long as other dayes that is the full space of 24 hours f Isa. 58. 13. Call it a delight to consecrate it to the Lord that is take you as much delight in doing the exercises of religion as many do in the works of their callings or recreations and also much more for they are far more easie comfortable and profitable M. Dod on the Com. 4. See M. Hilders on Psal. 51. 7. Lect. 135. Mal. 1. 14 15. What shall one do in heaven if the Sabbath be wearisome to him there we shall keep an eternal Sabbath Labour to get a spiritual and heavenly frame of heart so much of heaven as is in you so much you will count these duties a delight Some have found a beginning of the taste of heaven on the Sabbath Yet this is to be observed when the duty is performed to man the obedience is given to God who commandeth us to perform these duties to our neighbours Ford. This is the first Commandment of the second Table upon which all the rest do depend As in the first Table the keeping of all the Commandments following dependeth on the keeping of the first so here if this Commandment were well observed both of Superiours Inferiours and Equals there could be no disorder against any of the Commandments following M. Dod. Of all the Commandments of the second Table this first only is affirmative the other are all negatives This Commandment is the first of the second Table because there can be no order or state that can stand without this Commandment nor could the other Commandments be kept without this Richardson Philol. makes it one of the first Table so doth Hudson in his Divine Right of Government l. 2. c. 11. but our orthodox Divines generally do upon good grounds make it the first of the second Table Honoris interesse majus est omni interesse jam vel vita ipsius generosae indoli emâ—ri sic satius est per honorem quam per dedecus vivere Episc. Andr. Tortura Torti Vult Deus hoc Praecepto sancire ac stabilire tres illos praeclaros in genere humano ordines ac status Oâ—conomicum videlicet Ecclesiasticum Politicum omnesque in his ordinibus comprehensos sui officii admonere ad illud praestandum obstringere Fabric in Decalog Prov. 23. 22. 15. 20. Gratius nomen est pictatis quam potestatis etiam familiae magis patres quam Domini vocantur Pater in hoc mandato naturalis est spiritualis est politicus omnibus aequaliter sine discrimine dicitur Honorate Parentes omnes Parentes honorate Honora Patrem Matrem honore reverentiae fidelitatis tolerantiae Sub nominibus Patris Matris intelliguntur etiam avus avia aliique majores qui in lineâ quam vocant ascendentem numerantur quemadmodum sub filiorum nomine nepotes omnes qui ab aliquo originem ducunt significantur Maccov loc commun c. 9. Honor est agnitio dignitatis vel excellentiae illius quae est in alio cum ejusdem debita testificatione Agnitio fimul dicitur testificatio quia neque in externa observantia sola neque in interna consistit sed in utroque Ames Medul Theol. Honora Tum aliis reverontiae signis tum ad vitam necessaria illis exhibendo quod sub voce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comprehenditur ut 1 Tim. 5. 3 17. Aiunt Hebraei vel in pistrino laborare filium debere ut subveniat parentibus Patrem tuum Matrem tuam Ut terrestres Deos à quibus originem trahitis Grotius in cap. Exod. xx Notat hic Aben Esdras solere Deum ubi quid vetat poenaÌ„ addere ut modò bis ubi quid imperat praemium ut hoc loco Quidam Hebraea verba exponunt Ut prolongent dies tuos Scilicet Parentes ipsi suo favore ad Deum precibus Sed vereor ne id nimis subtile sit rectius Graeci aliique interpretes vocem quanquam sormae activae sumant in sensu passivo aut reciproco nimirum ut prolongentur aut prolongent se dies tui Absolomo hoc praeceptum violanti curtati sunt dies Grot. explicat Decal Ut prolongent dies tuos Scilicet Parentes est enim prolongandi verbum hic activae significationis Sed quo modo parentibus triluitur quod solius Dei Propterea quod Parentes sunt quodammodo medium causa instrumentalis per quos Deus filiis aliquando vitam prolongat exaudit enim Deus saepè preces benedictiones quibus filiis suis obedientibus ac morigeris benedicunt ac bene precantur R. Aben Ezra haec verba ita explicat Ut prolongent dies tuos scilicet mandata Dei sed prior lectio simpliâ—â—or est Paul Fag Annotat. in Chald. Paraph. Vide Cartw. in loc * Calv. Instit. l. 2. c. 8. Sir Thomas Moore being Lord Chancellour in his time and having his own Father then living and at that time a Judge for he was one of the Judges of the Kings-bench never went to Westminster-Hall to sit in the Chancery there but first he would up to the Kings-bench where his Father then sate and there on his knees would ask him blessing before a world of lookers on How respective was Ioseph to his Father and Solomon to his Mother 1 King 2. 19 20. Luk. 2. 51. * Ephes. 6. 1. Right implieth three things 1. That it is agreeable to the Law the Law of God of Nature of Nations 2. That the place of Parents requireth as much for right requireth that every one have his own that which is his due 3. That Parents deserve as much for right presupposeth desert D. Gouges Domest Dut. Coloss. 3. 20. compared with Ephes. 6. 1. so
creature cut off from the old stock and ingraffed into a new thou must close with Christ and accept of him and then vertue will come from him Gal. 2. 20. Bread and Wine are turned into the substance When the Sacrament is received without due and diligent preparation it is received unworthily vers 28. The Apostle prescribes this remedy against unworthy receiving we should diligently prepare for every religious duty We should be much in examination the strongest acts of grace are reflex acts this is a Gospel command therefore carries with it a Gospel-promise it is a duty at all times Our examination is a setting our selves in the presence of God and passing sentence on our wayes as God would have us There is a twofold preparation required 1. Habitual standing in the having of all such dispositions and graces as qualifie a man for the work of receiving knowledge faith and repentance love obedience this is at our first conversion Ephes. 2. 10. 6. 14. 2. Actual which stands in the exciting and awakening of those graces and dispositions and renewing of them when one is to receive Both these must be in him that will receive in due order Actual preparation consists 1. In the solemn sequestration of a mans self 2. In examination of our sins and graces 3. In being humbled for our sins and in renewing and quickning the former graces 4. In raising and stirring up in our selves strong desires after Christ. 5. In stirring up in our selves a strong expectation of the benefit of the Sacrament 6. In seeking God in special and more then ordinary manner by prayer 1. A solemn sequestration of the soul from all other avocations whatsoever There must be some sitting of a mans self for the duty from the time that a man hath notice of the Sacrament to be administred But at the day before a man should at the least toward the end of the day separate himself from all other thoughts and occasions and minde wholly the work of preparation to the Sacrament This sequestration of a mans self stands in two things 1. In setting aside all lawfull thoughts occasions and businesses of our callings 2. In summoning calling and collecting together all the powers and faculties of the soul to attend upon the businesse now in hand Examination of our sins and graces of the multitude and hainousnesse of our sins of the truth of our graces the growth of them and our wants I shall lay down the rules of examination and the things to be examined 1. The Rules whereby we are to examine our selves are the Law and Gospel 1. For finding out the number of our sins 2. The uses of them for finding out the measure of them The things to be examined are our sins and graces I. Of the Rules The Law The Summe of the Law is set down in the ten Commandments and they are divided into two Tables The Commandments of the first Table are the four first and they teach us our duty which we owe unto God immediately The Commandments of the second Table are the six last and they teach us our duty which we owe unto our Neighbour Our duty to God is to love him with all our hearts with all our strength with all our might with all our thoughts Our duty to our Neighbour is to love him as our selves both in soul and body goods good name person chastity The first Commandment is Thou shalt have no other gods but me or before me The general duty of it is to make God my God by yeelding unto him all such respect as appertaineth to him in regard of his being our Creator and the first fountain of all being This is a total and general subjection of the whole man unto him Duties required herein are 1. Of Dependance whereby we make God the chief and principal object of all the powers of our whole man so far as they are capable of him 2. Of Conformity whereby we order all our powers toward other things in that manner and measure that he doth require and so become subject to that authority power and command that he hath over us as a Creator 1. Duties of Dependance We must set all the powers of the soul principally upon him 1. The Understanding 1. To know him as he hath revealed himself in his Word and Works 2. Faith to believe him that is to think things true because he saith them 3. Humility acknowledge him to be the first and best Essence rightly discern the infinite distance and difference between him and us and confesse his unspeakable excellencies above us and our most vile basenesse in comparison of him 2. The will willing his glory above all things and then choosing his favour and grace 3. The imagination or thinking power to be thinking of God more plentifully largely constantly then of all other things 4. Memory perpetually to remember him and to set him at my right hand as David saith 5. The affections of Love Fear Joy Confidence must be set upon him with all their strength We should also speak more abundantly of God and his Excellencies then of all things else besides 2. Duties of Conformity All the powers of man are to be set on other things according to his direction and appointment 1. The Understanding 1. To know his will 2. To believe his promises and threats 3. To make use of the things we know 4. To esteem of heavenly things above earthly 2. Conscience or a knowing with God in which 1. The acts it is to perform 2. The rule which it must follow in performing those acts The acts it is to perform are twofold 1. In regard of our estate to acquit and condemn 2. In regard of our actions I. Before the doing if need be to admonish me to them 2. If sinful to restrain me from them 3. If indifferent to leave them to our wils II. After the doing 1. To comfort in them if commanded 2. To check for them if forbidden The Rule which it must follow in performing these acts is the revealed will of God III. In the manner of doing 1. Sincerely in checking for one sin as well as another 2. Tenderly for a little thing 3. Effectually so as not to suffer corruption to gain-say 4. Peaceably to drive to God not from him 3. The will to be flexible to Gods will 1. Obedience a full purpose to do all that God requires and leave all that he forbiddeth for his sake 2. For good things received thankfulnesse for evil patience 4. The thinking power Memory Speech Senses and Affections to be exercised more abundantly on heavenly things then earthly The general Duty of the second Commandment is to perform such solemn worship to God as he requires in his Word to worship him in spirit and truth Divine Service must be according to Gods command 1. For Matter of it in regard 1. Of the Person worshipped the living God alone conceived of in the pure apprehension of the
minde without any sensible representation 2. The parts or kindes of worship that they be by him appointed which are 1. Ordinary such as are to be done constantly and in a setled course which are three-fold 1. Publick 2. Private 3. Indifferent 1. Publick 1. Preaching of the Word 2. The administration of the Sacraments Baptism and the Lords Supper 2. Private 1. Conference 2. Meditation 3. Indifferent 1. Prayer 2. Reading the Scriptures or other good 〈…〉 3. Catechizing 4. Singing of Psalms 2. Extraordinary such services as are tâ— be â—â—ne now and then upon special occasions 1. Fasting 2. Feaâ—â—ing 3. Vows 2. The Manner of the performance of Divine Service is three-fold 1. A due preparation before 2. A right carriage in them doing them 1. Truly and sincerely upon the right Motives Causes Gods Commandment and Will and our own Duty and need and for the right ends viz. the pleasing of God and procuring of Grace and increase of vertue in our souls 2. Reverently with a special apprehension of Gods presence and greatnesse 3. Faithfully with a believing of Gods truth therein and promising to our selves the blessing he hath promised 4. Devoutly that is with a diligent attention of the minde to the words and matter and whole work in hand 3. A right making Use thereof after The third Commandment enjoyns the common worship of God that is the right carriage of our selves to his honour in all our common affairs so far forth as we have any thing to do with him therein The general duty of it is to live holily To sanctifie God 1. Inwardly by seeing him in his works 1. Of chastisement to be patient penitent 2. Of Mercy to be thankful and obedient 2. Outwardly 1. In word by the lawful use of an Oath by a reverent mention of Gods Titles and Attributes upon any occasion by good conference and making confession of his truth 2. In our Deeds and Actions 1. In General to aim at his glory in all our works and live to him and not to our selves 2. More Particularly in two things 1. In suffering Persecution cheerfully for Righteousnesse sake 2. By a sanctified use of Gods creatures of any thing whatsoever we do whereto four things are required 1. Knowledge out of the word of God concerning the lawfulness of our doing such things 2. Craving Gods blessing in the use of Meat Drink Marriage 3. Returning Thanks to God for his goodnesse 4. Moderation in the use of them The fourth Commandment appoints the consecrating of a special time viz. every seventh day after six of labour to holy and religious exercises The full Summe of it is After thou hast bestowed six dayes in ordinary and common businesses thou shalt bestow the seventh day in exercises of piety and religion The things commanded in this precept are two 1. Preparation to the Sabbath in the word Remember which is done two wayes 1. All the week long by diligence fore-sight moderation in the labours of our calling 2. On the sixth day towards the end of it by a seasonable breaking off our labours and making all things ready for the Sabbath 2. Celebration of the Sabbath not only observing and keeping it our selves but preserving it and looking that our Inferiours and others under us at the least outwardly keep it We must 1. Rest from thoughts words and deeds that concern worldly things but only for necessity and mercy 2. Sanctifie it by bestowing it in the exercises of Religion which for the manner are to be done cheerfully consecrating the Sabbath unto the Lord as a delight The fifth Commandment enjoyns the performance of all such duties as appertain to men in regard of their place that we shew due respect to our Superiours Equals and Inferiours Our Duty to our Governours is to honour and reverence their persons willingly to obey all their lawful commandments to bear their reproofs and chastisements submissively patiently and fruitfully The particular Duty of Children to their Parents besides these common duties is 1. To love them very much to maintain them if need be in sicknesse and age and to be guided by them in marriage The particular Duty of Servants is to be trusty and painfull in the busisinesse committed to them by their Governours as well in their absence as presence The particular Duty of Subjects to their Kings and inferiour Magistrates is to defend their persons against all violence offered to them by any according to their places and to render them willingly all due services and paiments The Duty of People to their Teachers and spiritual Pastors is to submit to their Ministery and to reward them with plentiful maintenance The Duty of the younger to their betters in age is to behave themselves toward them reverently and to take their good advice Our Duty towards our betters in gifts is to take notice of their gifts and to respect them accordingly The common duty of all Governours towards those that are under them is to rule them wisely mildly and equally taking care by their authority to plant true Religion among them The particular Duty of Parents toward their children is to give them fit instruction and correction to help them to some honest Calling to dispose of them fitly in marriage and to lay up for them according to their meanes The particular Duty of Masters toward their servants is to use them justly and mildly for work diet reward and chastisement The Duties of man and wife each towards other are these Both must love each other above all other persons he must cherish her as his own body and she must be an helper to him and yeeld to him as her Head The particular Duty of Kings and other Magistrates is to make fit Lawes and to see them duly executed for the maintaining of peace honesty and godlinesse The Duty of Ministers toward their people is to guide them in the right way by life and doctrine to oversee their carriage and to administer the Sacraments duly to them The Duty of the ancienter toward their younger is to further them in goodnesse by grave carriage and good counsel Their Duty that have better gifts then others is to use the same readily and humbly for the help of such as want them The Duty of Equals is 1. To think better of their Equals then themselves and to esteem of them above themselves 2. In giving honour to go one before another 3. To be glad and well-satisfied at the raising and advancement of their equals to places above themselves The sixth Commandment enjoyns all due care of our own and neighbours safety Temporal and Spiritual For our own temporal safety we must shun all distempered passions and needlesse perils using food rest and other means of health and strength cheerfully and moderately For our spiritual safety we must carefully â—lee all sins and the occasions of them and use all means of getting grace and salvation For our neighbours natural safety we must keep wrath malice and hatred out
some Humane Divine those which were established by God Humane those which were established by men Secondly By reason of the matter Divine Laws are divided into Moral Ceremonial and Judicial Deut. 4. 13 14. Mr Hudson in his Divine Right of Government l. 1. c. 2. if he were the Author thereof saith the Ceremonial and Judicial Laws of Moses are but Commentaries on that part of the first and second Table of the ten Commandments which relates to outward actions setting down more ample and particular rules of instruction whereby to order and regulate the outward actions of publick Societies in matters concerning worship and policy according as the Moral Law had done in brief and general terms for regulating the external actions of every private man in particular in relation to the same end The Law of God is that rule of life which he hath enjoyned to man his reasonable creature for the ordering of his actions to his own and the common good and the glory of the maker of all It is called the Moral Law because it setteth down all duties for manners of mankinde The ten Commandments are a perfect platform of obedience summarily delivering in ten words the whole substance of all that duty to which the sons of men stand bound in conscience before God if they be out of Christ to do it without fail or else to be damned if in Christ to strive with all their main to perform it perfectly The Law is the whole will of God and the whole duty of man It was written by God upon Tables of stone to shew the perpetuity and stability of it hereby also was signified the hardnesse of the Jews heart which could not easily receive that impression of the Law It was after delivered to Moses to be kept in the Ark of testimony as a figure of Christs accomplishing them for us The summe of the Moral Law is extant in the Decalogue as the tenth humber is most perfect and capacious so also the moral Law comprehended in ten words by the most wise God is most perfect Some say they were so many according to the number of our fingers the most familiar instrument of numbring Peter Martyr well resembled the Decalogue to the ten Predicaments because as there is nothing hath a being in nature but what may be reduced to one of those ten so neither is there any Christian Duty but what is comprehended in one of these There is a twofold division of the Decalogue laid down in Scripture First Into two Tables Secondly Into ten words or precepts Deut. 4. 13. Matth. 22. 37. First The Decalogue is divided into two Tables Exod. 32. 12. 34. 1 4. Deut. 5. 22. 10. 14. Eph. 6. 1 2. The first Table declareth our duty to God immediately the second declareth our duty to our neighbour for Gods sake The first Table prescribes offices of piety toward God the second offices of charity toward our neighbour Christ himself teacheth this Matth. 22. 37 38 39 40. Holinesse and righteousnesse are often joyned together Luke 1. 73 74. Eph. 4. 24. In the former Table are the four first Commandments in the later the six last It is confessed by all that there are ten Commandments and they divided into Tables But it is a Question between us and the Papists How many Precepts are to be assigned to each Table We assign four Precepts to the first Table six to the second they three to the first Table and seven to the second Vide Aquin. 1â— 2â— Quaest. 100. Art 4. See B. And. large exposit of the Command The Lutherans follow them they joyn together the Precept of not having other gods with that of not making graven Images they divide the last Commandment into two so that one forbids the lusting after another mans wife the other lusting after other things Of this opinion was Austin whom many others followed but especially the Papists almost all and those which some call Lutherans Vide Maresii Colleg. Theol. Both thought that conjunction to be fit that they might excuse their sacriledge by which they are wont to raze out of their books that Commandment of not making nor worshipping religious Images that so also the number of the ten Precepts may be manifest even that Appendix as they call it being also taken away Others would have four Commandments in the first Table six in the second therefore they say those two Commandments are different that of not having other gods and this of not making graven Images and that the forbidding of the lusting after both wife and house is but one Commandment which opinion our Churches commonly imbrace and confirm by reasons drawn out of Scripture and by the authority of many of the Ancients The first Reason is taken out of the collation of those places of Exod. 20. 17. Deut. 5. 21. where the Commandment of not lusting is repeated for when it is so uttered in the first place Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house thou shâ—lt not covet thy neighbours wife nor his man-servant In the second the words are so inverted that the wife is put in the first place to whom the house field servant are added by which translation of the words about coveting anothers wife and house they rightly inferre the precepts were not distinct The second reason is derived from that that these things are different who is to be worshipped and how he is to be worshippâ—d therefore there is a double precept one concerning theâ—rue object of worship the other concerning the manner and reason how he ought or ought not to be worshipped therefore distinct kindes of Idolatry are forbidden one more grosse by which we erre in the object when the true God either is not worshipped or not alone worshipped the other when he is not worshipped in Spirit and truth or in that manner which he hath prescribed in his Law which make distinct prohibitions St Ierom and generally all the Ancients as well Jews as Christians before Augustine were of that opinion Vide Musc. los. commun in prael 1. Zanch. Decalog l. 1. c. 11. Thes. 4. Those which think otherwise here urge the word which is repeated Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife whence they infer that they are two distinct Precepts But the Law concerning concupiscence is one which forbids thoughts and desires contrary to sound contentment for the object of this Commandment is one and the clause is general in these words Nor any thing that is his If for the variety of things falling under desire we shall make divers precepts two will not suffice The Apostle Rom. 7. 7. citing the last Commandment cals it the Commandment not Commandments Augustine Quaest 71. in Exod. fancied a mystery that the number of three Commandments touching Godmight betoken the Trinity There is a great Question about the Moral Law which was first written in mans heart in the
will destroy the whole world as in the Angels Adam all sin is virtually in every sin It is also a Judge condemning sin Iohn 5. 41. Ezek. 22. 2. it passeth sentence on mens estates and actions 1 Cor. 14. 24 25. Heb. 4. 12 13. 10. 27 mortifies their corruptions Tit. 2 13. 2 Cor. 7. 1. The Spirit mortifies sin not only by infusing a new principle of grace but by restraining the old principle of sinne Rom. 6. 12. Psal. 19. 13. Secondly The Law Habet rationem fraeni hath the nature of a bridle to check and restrain sin 1. By setting before men its perfection Psal. 19. 7 13. Iam. 1. 25. 2. By exalting in a mans heart its authority Iam. 2. 8. 3. By shewing the danger of the curses in it Iob 31. 23. 4. By setting before men its preciousnesse Psal. 119. 103 104. 5. By shewing us that God observes what respect we bear to his Law Isa. 66. 2 3. Thirdly The Law is arule to direct in the way of duty It is 1. A rule within ordering a mans inward disposition The Spirit of God in the work of Regeneration stamps the Law of God in the heart and makes use of it to change the inward disposition Rom. 7. 9. Psal. 19. 7. See Ier. 31. 32. Act. 17. 38. Grace is given by the Gospel but it makes use of the Law Fides impetrat quod lex imperat Aug. 2. It is a rule without to guide a mans way a rule of all Gospel-obedience 1. Because the Gospel sends us to it for a rule Luke 16. 29. Iames 1. 25. and 2. 8. 2. Christ hath left us an example of all obedience Matth. 11. 29. Iohn 13. 15. 3. So far as the best men come short of the Law they sin 1 Ioh. 4. 3. 4. It hath all the properties of a rule it is 1. Recta Psal. 19. 7. 2 Promulgata published Hos. 8. 12. 3. Adaequata Psal. 119. 9. shall be our Judge hereafter Rom. 2. 14 15. God requires not only abstinence from evil but the doing of the contrary good Isa. 1. 16 17. Psal. 34. 14. Rom. 12. 9. Reasons 1. In regard of God 1. He hates evil and delights in good 2. The divine mercies are privative and positive Psal. 84. 11. 2. In regard of the principles of spiritual life we must have communion with Christ both in his death and resurrection Rom. 6. 11. The Law as a Covenant of works is in all these respects a servant to the Gospel and Gospel-ends I. As a Glasse and a Judge 1. By exalting free grace Paul and Luther being cast down with their sins exalted free grace 1 Tim. 1. 13 14. 2. By exalting the bloud of Christ the more one apprehends his sinne the more orient will the bloud of Christ be to the soul Philip. 3. 8 9. Rom. 7. 24 25. 3. By qualifying the soul and preparing it for Christ Luke 3. 5. Matth. 11. 28. 4. By making a man pliable to God ever after the discovery of our sin and misery by the Law and of free grace works a childe-like obedience Isa. 11. 6. 5. By making a man fear sin ever after he hath been under the hammering of the Law Psal. 85. 8. Hos. 3. 5. 6. By making one set a high price on the Spirit of Adoption Res delicata Spiritus Christi Tert. II. As a bridle the Law is the Gospels servant in restraining sinne the Gospel can use the Law above its nature and contrary to the use that sinne makes of it The Law cannot give grace to assist in duty and to restrain in sin Restraining grace serves the ends of the Gospel 1. In respect of wicked men though the Law restraining kils not sin in the ungodly yet the very restraint of the action is a great mercy 1. It makes a man lesse wicked 2. Keeps men from corrupting others 3. Lessens their torments the common graces of the Gospel making use of the restraints of the Law keep some wicked men from those grosse enormities that others run into 2. In respect of the godly 1. Preserves them from sinne before their conversion 2. It restrains their lusts Act. 23. 1. and after their conversion keeps them from sin Psal. 19. 13. by the restraints of the Law and the Gospel I shall in the next place lay down certain general rules which may direct us in the right interpretation of the ten Commandments 1. Because the Law doth comprehend all our duties to be performed both to God and man Luk. 10. 26. therefore the interpretation of it must be sought and fetcht out of the Sermons of the Prophets and Apostles and the Doctrine of our Saviour 2. Whereas some Laws are laid down in the form of a command and most of them viz. eight in the form of a prohibition we must conceive that under every command there is implied a prohibition of whatsoever is contrary to what is commanded and in every prohibition a command of all duties opposite to that which is forbidden For example in the second Commandment which under the name of Images forbids the inventing or using of any form of worship of mans devising there is withall commanded the worship of God according to his own will in the use of the Ordinances prescribed and warranted by his Word as prayer and hearing of the Word receiving the Sacraments And in the third Commandment under the prohibition of taking Gods name in vain is commanded the taking up of it with all holy reverence and fear Thou shalt have no other gods that is thou shalt have me for thy God Keep holy the Sabbath that is do not break it 3. Every Commandment of God is spiritual and doth binde the inward man as well as the outward Humana lex ligat manum linguam divina verò ligat animam Original sinne is condemned in the whole Law but it seemeth to be directly condemned in the first and last Commandment for these two concern properly the heart of man the first respecting it so far as it concerneth God the last so far as it concerns man whether himself or others 4. In respect of the authority that commands all the precepts are equal Iames 2. 11. In respect of the objects of the duties commanded the Commandments of the first Table are of greatest importance Matth. 22. 38. if equal proportion be observed and comparison made because the services therein required are more immediately directed unto God and consequently he is more immediately concerned in them then in the duties of the second Table 1 Sam. 2. 25. Isa. 7. 13. The negative Commandments binde us more strongly then the affirmative for they oblige us alwayes and to all times the affirmative although they binde us alwayes yet they binde us not to all times A man is not bound alwayes to worship God but he is bound never to exhibit divine worship to a creature He is not bound at all times and in all places to professe his faith but he is
alwayes bound not to deny his faith and religion either by word or deed A man is noâ— bound alwayes to speak the truth but he is bound never to lie seign or play the hypocrite All the Commandments are delivered negatively save the fourth and the fifth 5. The Lord that gave us his Law made none for himself and being the Law-giver he is above his own Law and may dispense with it upon his own will and pleasure as he did to Abraham commanding him to offer up his onely Sonne in Sacrifice which being commanded was to him just and honest by speciall prerogative which in another had been dishonest and unjust 6. The meaning of every precept must be taken from the main scope and end for which it was given and all those things to be included without which the precept cannot be performed therefore one and the same work may be referred to divers precepts as it pertaineth to divers ends 7. Under one vice expresly forbidden all of the same kinde and that necessarily depend thereon as also the least cause occasion or incitement thereunto are likewise forbidden Mat. 5. 21 22 27 28 29. 1 Thess. 5. 22. Under one duty expressed all of like nature are comprehended as all meanes effects and whatsoever is necessarily required for the performance of that duty The cause is commanded or forbidden in the effect and the effect in the cause 8. Where the more honourable person is expressed as the man let the woman understand that the precept concerns her where the duty of one man standing in relation to another is taught there are taught the duties of all that stand in like relation one to another as when the duty of one Inferiour toward his Superiour is taught there is taught the general duty which all Superiours owe to those that be under them which Inferiours owe to those that are over them and which Equals owe one to another 9. The Law forbids the doing of evil in our own persons and the helping or furtherance of others in evil though but by silence connivence or slight reproof and it commands not onely that we observe it our selves but that we preserve it and what lieth in us cause others to keep it Thou thy Sonne and thy Daughter must go over all the rest of the Commandments as well as the fourth 10. The Law is set forth as a rule of life to them that be in Covenant with God in Jesus Christ God in Christ is the object of Christian religion and of that obedience which is prescribed in that Covenant That immediate worship and service which we owe to God and must perform according to his prescription which is usually called Piety or Godlinesse is taught in the Commandments of the first Table Our Saviour reduceth the summe of these Commandments to this one Head Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart soul strength and thought that is whatsoever is within thee or without thee even to the losse of thy life goods and good name all must yeeld to the Lords calling whensoever he will make trial of thy love towards him This particular duty may well comprehend all the rest for as is our love so is our faith and obedience God is loved above all things when in all that he promiseth he is believed and in all that he commandeth he is obeyed The general sins against the Commandments of the first Table are 1. Impiety which is a neglect or contempt of Gods true worship and service inward and outward Isa. 43. 22 23. 2. Idolatry which is the worship of false gods or of the true God after a devised manner of our own Amos 5. 26. That duty which we owe unto men by the Lords Commandment and for his glory which is usually called honesty or righteousnesse is taught in the Commandments of the second Table Our Saviour bringeth them to one head Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self that is without fainting coldnesse delay or feigning from the heart fervently when and so long as occasion is given By Neighbour is meant not only our Friend or Kinsman but whosoever and of what Countrey soever that wanteth our help especially he that is of the houshold of faith The general sins against the Commandments of the second Table are 1. Inhumanity and injustice when we disregard our neighbour or deal injuriously with him 2. Partiality in affection when we love our friends but hate our enemies favour some for carnal respects contemn others that are to be respected Six Commandments are set down in many words and four nakedly in hare words as the sixth seventh eighth and ninth because men will easily be brought to yeeld to them The Scripture shews to man two wayes of attaining happinesse one by his own works called the Law the other by faith in Christ called the Gospel The Law driveth us to Christ and faith doth establish the Law Rom 3. 31. The Summe of the Law is abridged in the ten Commandments which God delivered on Mount Sinai and after wrote in two Tables This declareth our whole Duty 1. To God immediately which is in the first Table 1. Principal to make him our God Command 1. 2. Lesse principal in regard of 1. Sorts of worship to be performed unto him which are two 1. Solemn Command 2. 2. Common Command 3. 2. The giving of a set time to him Comman 4. 2. To God mediately and immediately to man for Gods sake in the second Table here his duty is shew'd 1. Severally to 1. Some kinde of persons specially Command 5. 2. To all generally in regard of 1. Their Persons for 1. Life Command 6. 2. Chastity Command 7. 2. The things of their Persons both Goods Command 8. Good Name Command 9. 2. Joyntly to all these in regard of the first motions of the minde and will in Command 10. CHAP. II. Of the first Commandment THou shalt have no other Gods before me SOme Divines judge that those words I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt do contain the affirmative part of the first precept and the latter Thou shalt have no other Gods before my face the negative For these two sentences are elsewhere often joyned together as they be here and our Saviour citing the first Commandment rehearseth it thus Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. Besides say they if the words be not conceived as a form of commandment yet it must necessarily be understood to command the Worship of the true God and it so pertains to the understanding of the Precept that it cannot be separated from it Other Divines hold the first words to be a Preface to all the Commandments Buxtorf de Decalogo saith these words contain an Enunciative not an Imparative speech therefore they are not a Precept but rather a general Preface to the whole Decalogue in which reasons are brought why we are bound to obey him
with grudging in the highest Communion that a creature is capable of The fourth Commandment then requireth 1. Preparation 1. General 1. Diligence in our businesse all the week 2. Discretion in our businesse all the week 3. Moderation in our businesse all the week 2. Special by fitting all things for the Sabbath on the end of the day precedent 2. Celebration of it which is both 1. Common to all for 1. Matter both to 1. Rest 1 From what 1 Labors 2 Sports 2 Who all 3 How long one whole day 2. Sanctification to do all with delight Publickly Privately 2. Manner 2. Special to Superiours to look to Inferiours Six Arguments prove the Commandment of the Sabbath to be moral 1. It was delivered to Adam before the fall when there was no Ceremony Gen. 2. 2. which is not spoken by anticipation but the context sheweth it was then sanctified to him v. 3. 2. Moses takes it for granted it was known to be moral and known before the Law was given Exod. 16. 25. 3. Unlesse this be moral there cannot be ten Commandments Deut. 10. 4. 4. God would not put a Ceremonial Law in the midst of the Morals and urge it with more words reasons repetitions and particulars then any of the Morals as he doth the Sabbath Exod. 20. 8 9 10 11. 5. Christ speaking of those daies when all the ceremonial Law was dead and buried sheweth the Sabbath stands still Matth. 24. 20. 6. The Prophet prophesying of the dayes of the Gospel when Christ should be revealed Isa. 56. 1. pronounceth a blessing on them in those times that keep the Sabbath from polluting it vers 2. and putteth the keeping of the Sabbath for the whole obedience of the Covenant vers 6. which he would not do if it were ceremonial 1 Sam. 15. 22. M. Fenner on the Command There is one general way of breaking this Commandment by denying the morality of this Law and cashiering it among other Levitical Ceremonies Indeed the Sabbath is in part ceremonial figuring both our rest of Sanctification here and glory hereafter but that contradicts not the perpetuity of it for it is not a Ceremony leading to Christ and at his coming to determine as appears Matth. 15. 17. I came not to dissolve the Law vers 19. He that shall break the least of these Commandments where each of the ten Commandments is ratified and consequently this fourth Luke 23. 56. They rested according to the Commandment and Luke writ that divers years after the Resurrection of Christ the things were done after his death when all Levitical institutions lost their power of binding Iames 2. 10. Therefore the whole Law and each principle thereof doth binde us under the Gospel as the time of instituting a particular date of time for the beginning of the Sabbath of the old Law viz. in innocency 2. The writing of it in Tables of stone 3. Putting of it into the Ark prove it moral That term is not given to any other thing in the New Testament but to the Supper and the day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 11. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Revel 1. 10. This day was so sacred among Christians that it was made the Question of inquisitors of Christianity Dominicum servasti Hast thou kept the Lords-day To which was answered Christianus sum intermittere non possum I am a Christian I cannot intermit it See Act. 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 1. So much of the Commandments of the first Table enjoyning our duty to God now follow the precepts of the second Table concerning our duty to our selves and our neighbours CHAP. VI. The fifth Commandment HOnour thy Father and thy Mother that thy daies may be long upon the Land which the LORD thy God giveth thee Exod. 20. 12. THere are three things to be considered in it 1. The Subject Father and Mother 2. The Attribute Honour 3. The reason of the Precept with a promise That thy dayes may be long c. By the name of Father and Mother first and principally those are understood of whom we are begotten Heb. 12. 9. Not only Father but also Mother is expressed least any should think that for the weaknesse of her Sex and the subjection of the woman the Father only were to be honoured and not the Mother The Precept is repeated Deut. 5. 16. Levit. 19. 3. where the Mother is put first because the childe begins to know her first All Superiours also are comprehended under this Title Magistrates Gen. 41. 8 43. Ministers 2 King 2. 12. 13. 14. 1 Cor. 4. 15. Masters of Families 1 Kings 5. 13. Elders in years Act. 7. 2. 1 Tim. 5. 1 2. Yet God makes mention of Parents 1. That he might propound that Superiority for an example which seems most amiable and least envious For as in the negative precepts he useth odious words to deterre men from sinne so in the affirmative he chooseth words full of love by which we are to be allured to obedience 2. The same at the first in the beginning of the world were both Parents Magistrates Masters and Schoolmasters 3. He names Parents because their power and government which was the first is as it were the rule by which all others ought to be framed Hence all Superiours are taught to carry themselves as Parents and all Inferiours as children He saith Father and Mother disjoyning them to shew that there is a duty peculiar to both these persons He saith not simply Father and Mother but thy Father and Mother therefore thou shalt honour the Father because he is thy Father of whom thou art begotten and bred therefore thou shalt honour the Mother because by her not without sorrow and pain thou wast brought into this life Whatsoever they be they are therefore to be honoured because they are thy Parents The Law-giver sets down the duty of the childe toward the Father and not the duty of the Father toward the childe because the affection of a Father toward the childe is naturally greater and hath lesse need of incitements then that of a childe toward the Father Amor descendit non ascendit It is proper to love to descend not ascend the reason is because love began in heaven God was the first that loved Charity I say begins in heaven and descends on the earth and in this it differs from faith which begins on earth and ends in heaven The Inferiour is commanded rather then the Superiour because the Inferiour hath more cause to neglect his duty then the other it is easier to be honoured then to give honour 2. The Attribute Honour The Hebrew word in Kal signifieth to be heavy in Piel to honour because we do not esteem them as light or vile whom we honour It signifies not only a right esteem of the excellency and prerogative of Parents and a right judgement of their person and office manifested also by outward signs of reverence but love and obedience
vâ—ra â—a distinctio quâ—â— re â—â—t nisi â—â— nâ—â—â—m praeceptum siâ—â—â—â—â—mum contra decimum uonum Drus. Miscel. centuria 1. c 1. Vide Buxto f. de Decalog Primum praeceptum substantiam objectum divini cultus imperat Deum solum secundùm verò praeceptum imperat cultus divini modum spiritualem solum Jun. The first Table containeth four Commandments the which division doth Iosephus Antiqu. lib. 6. cap. 3. Origen Homil in Exod. 8. Ambrose in Chap. 6. Epist. ad Ephes. approve The tenth Commandment Thou shalt not covet is but one Commandment as I have diligently searched all the Editions that we have in the Hebrew Tongue With one point period and sentence he concludeth the whole tenth Commandment In Deut. 5. certain late Edition make the division of the Text but that is nothing to the purpose there Moses repeateth the words unto them that knew before the division of the Tables in the eldest Edition and print that I have seen the tenth Commandment in Deuteronomy is not divided the which Edition Venice gave unto us Onkelos the Chaldee Interpreter on Deuteronomy maketh but one Commandment of the tenth Bishop Hooper of the Commandments This is not a new question it was in Calvins dayes and in the dayes of some of the ancient Fathers Augustine wrote two Books Contra adversarios legis Calvin wrote against the pestilent Sect of Libertines The Papists calumniate us as if we taught that men are freed from the Decalogue Vide Bellarm. de justificat l. 4. c. 5. David à Mauden Discurs moral in decem Decalogi Praecepta Discursum primum Decal praevium But that we urge the obedience of the Moral Law as well as they do and upon better Arguments and reasons then they do See B. Down of the Coven of Grace c. 7. He shews also there chap. 5. how our Saviour hath delivered us 1. From the curse of the moral Law 2. The rigour and exaction 3. The terrour and coaction of it And 4. From the irritation of it See M. Burgess his Vindiciae Legis Lect. 17. 22. It is a Question diversly disputed by Divines both Popish and Protestant Bellarm. de Iust. l. 4. c. 6. Zanch. de â—eâ—emp l. 1. c. 11. Thes. 1. Whether the moral Law binde Christians as it was delivered by Moses and the Prophets or only as it was engraven in the hearts of all men by nature and as it is renewed in the Gospel by Christ and his Apostles That opinion that the Law as it was given by Moses and the Prophets and written in the Old Testament doth binde Christians is better and more safe The moral Law of the Old Testament is pronounced spiritual holy good just and eternal Psal. 10. 8 9. Rom. 7. 10. d The Antinomists interpret those words of Christ in this sense He came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it that is he came not to destroy it with out fulfilling it in his own person he hath destroyed it unto the person of every beleever Rom. 10. 4. One distinction well heeded and rightly applied will clear the whole point concerning the abrogation and obligation of the moral Law under the New Testament The Law may be considered either as a rule or as a Covenant Christ hath freed all believers from the curse and rigor of the Law considered as a Covenant Rom. 10. 4. â—ut he hath not freed them from obedience to the Law considered as a Rule D. Sanders on 1 Pet. 2. 16. Believers are freed from whatsoever in the Law is hurtful unprofitable burdensome e Christ as Mediatour was subject to the moral Law Rom. 8. 13. Gal. 2. 11. 4. 4. The Law requires as perfect obedience of us as of Adam in innocency under the danger of contracting guilt though not of incurring death This opinion carries Libertinism and Familism in the womb of it if the Law have nothing to do with me what ever I do I do not sin Jam. 1. 23 24. The Law is a Judge by 1. Condemning the sinner passeth the sentence of death upon a man Rom. 7. 9. 2 Cor. 3. 8 9. Hos. 6. 5. 2. By holding a man under this conviction and self-condemnation Gal. 5. 22 23. Lex est career spiritualis verè inferuus See Rom. 8. 15. 2 Tim. 1. 2. Job 13. 26. f The Lord for brevity and our infirmity sake nameth only in every Commandment either the most horrible sin forbidding it or else the most singular vertuo commanding it Rom. 6. 17. 7. 14. Psal. 119. 167. 1 Chron. 29. 14. g M. Perkins on Jude v. 1. He that keeps one Commandment because God enjoyns it will keep all the rest because the same authority enjoyns all Psal. 119. 6. Integrity and sincerity is the scope of the Law Deut. 5. 27. The substantial duties of the first Table are greater then the substantial duties of the second Table as love of God then love of my neighbour and my father but the substantial duties of the second Table are greater then the ceremonial duties of the first it is better to save the life of a beast then hear a Sermon h Praecepta affirmativa obligant semper sed non aâ— semper negativa semper ad semper say the Schoolmen Josh. 6. 4. Gen. 22. 1 2. 1 King 20. 27 35. 1 King 11. 30. Judg. 3. 20 21. 11. 1 2. Isa. 20. 2. Fines mandatorum sunt diligenter observandi ex causis dicendi habenda est intelligentia dictorum Hilarie Matth. 5. 33 34 35 36. The end of every Commandment saith the Apostle is love out of a pure heart the immediate end of the Commandments of the first Table love to God of the second love to my neighbour 1 Cor. 13. per tot The Law by some one particular or part meaneth the general and whole as an Idol is put for any means of false worship Parents for all betters Killing for any hindering of life Thou for every one or none Estey upon the Command Josh. 6. 18. 7. 1. 22. 13 14 17 18. Psal. 34 3. Levit. 19. 17 1 Sam. 15. 28. 1 Sam. 3. 13. 2 Sam. 13. 28. 1 King 21. 19. Exod. 19. 6 7 8. 20. 1. Mat. 19. 17 18 19. 1 Tim. 4. 7 8. 2. 2. 2 Pet. 3. 11. Matth. 22. 37. Jansen Harm Evang. c. 81. Chemnit Har. Evang. c. 105. Luk. 10. 29. Gal. 6. 10. Mic. 2. 10. Rom. 1. 29. Mat. 5. 45 46. Greenham For the order of the Commandments it we account from the fiâ—st to the last they are of greatest perfection which are last described and he who is arrived to that severity and dominion of himself as not to desire his neighbours goods is free from actual injury but vices are to take their estimate in the contrary order he that prevaricates the first Commandment is the greatest sinner in the world and the least is he that only coveâ—s without any actual injustice D. Taylor of the life and death
of God coessential coequal and coeternal with his Father or that we have remission of sins by the effusion of his bloud They therefore who first hold pestilent Heresies and secondly who when before they professed the Christian Religion and held the truth have yet made a direction from the same to such Heresies and thirdly who labour to infect others and fourthly being convicted do yet obsti nately persevere in them and in the manner before mentioned such are and ought say some worthy Protestants to be punished by the Christian Magistrate with death They reason thus from the Office of the Magistrate Every Magistrate may and ought to punish offenders and the more pernicious the offenders are the more hamous ought the punishment to be That the Magistrate is both custos ac vindex utriusque tabulae these two Scriptures do plainly evince For he is the Minister of God to thee for good but iâ— thou do what is evil be afraid for he beareth not the sword in vain for he is the Minister of God a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil Rom. 13. 4. 1 Tim. 2. 2. For Kings and all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty and are urged by Calvin Beza and divers others to this very purpose For if saith Beza the Magistrate have not power over Hereticks one of these two things must necessarily follow either that Hereticks do not do ill or that what Paul speaks in general must be restrained to a certain kinde of evil deeds viz. to corporal sins Ubi lex non distinguit nec non distinguere debemus From 1 Tim. 2. 2. both Melancthon and Beza collect that the Magistrate is constituted by God not onely a preserver of the second Table but also and especially of pure Religion and the external Discipline of it and so a punisher also of the offences against it Godliness and honesty makes Kings Guardians of both Tables as well of the first which containeth the worship of God as of the second which is the fountain of publick honesty D. Hampton on Luk. 22. 24 25. Vide Episc. Rosseus de potestate Papae in rebus temporal lib. 2. c. 14. pag. 460. That Magistrate which takes care onely of honesty doth but one and the least part of his duty See 2 Chron. 17. 7 8 9. For the inforcing of this Argument from these two Scriptures these Reasons may be added 1. The sins against the first Table Caeteris paribus are greater then those against the second Table and the Magistrate is more to respect the glory of God then the peace of the Commonwealth Heresies and corruptions in judgement are held by a Reverend Divine to be worse then corruptions in manners his reason is taken out of Levit. 13. 44. one that was leprous in his head was utterly unclean There was a special dishonour put on him that had the leprosie in his head there 45. v. compare with Mic. 3. 7. 2. Errours and Heresies are called in Scripture Evil deeds 2 Ioh. v. 10 11. and Hereticks Evil doers Phil. 3. 2. Divines generally hold that such who erre blasphemously are to be put to death such as Arius and Servetus in France One saith the Devil will think he hath made a good bargain if he can get an universal liberty for removal of the Prelacy That which Ierome wrote to Augustine Quod signum majoris gloriae est omnes Haeretici te detestantur may be applied to those of our times who have been Champions for the truth such evil doers will malign them but if they mannage well so good a cause it will bear them out Ierome was famous for confuting the Heresies of his times for writing against Helvidius Iovinian Vigilantius thâ— Luciferians and Pelagians Origen shews great learning in writing against Celsus Basil opposing Eunomius Cyprians writings against Novatus and Hilaries against Constantius deserves praise Austine wrote excellently against Pelagius and Gaudentius the Arians Manichees Quis unquam saith one in Ecclesia paulo eruditior post ortam novam haeresin reticuit Ea demum vera militia Christiana est haereses expugnare THE CONTENTS BOOK I. Of the SCRIPTURES Chap. 1. OF Divinity in general Pag. 1 Chap. 2. Of the Divine Authority of the Scriptures Pag. 5 Chap. 3. Of the Books of Scripture Pag. 28 Chap. 4. Of the New Testament Pag. 40 Chap. 5. Of the Books called Apocrypha Pag. 54 Chap. 6. Of the Authentical Edition of the Scriptures Pag. 58 Chap. 7. Of the Seventy and Vulgar Translation Pag. 75 Chap. 8. Of the Properties of the Scripture Pag. 81 Chap. 9. Of the Interpretation of Scripture Pag. 105 BOOK II. Of GOD. Chap. 1. That there is a God Pag. 121 Chap. 2. What God is Pag. 132 Chap. 3. That God is a Spirit Simple Living Immortal Pag. 136 Chap. 4. That God is Infinite Omnipresent Eternal Pag. 142 Chap. 5. That God is Immutable Pag. 150 Chap. 6. That God is Great in his Nature Works Authority a necessary Essence Independent wholly One. Pag. 152 Chap. 7. Of Gods Understanding that he is Omniscient and of his Will Pag. 160 Chap. 8. Of Gods Affections his Love Hatred Pag. 167 Chap. 9. Of the Affections of Anger and Clemency given to God metaphorically Pag. 170 Chap. 10. Of Gods Virtues particularly of his Goodness Pag. 172 Chap. 11. Of Gods Grace and Mercy Pag. 175 Chap. 12. Of Gods Iustice Truth Faithfulnes Pag. 181 Chap. 13. Of Gods Patience Long-suffering Holiness Kindeness Pag. 186 Chap. 14. Of Gods Power Pag. 191 Chap. 15. Of Gods Glory and Blessedness Pag. 194 Chap. 16. Of the Trinity or Distinction of Persons in the Divine Essence Pag. 204 BOOK III. Of GODS Works Chap. 1. Of Gods Decree and especially of Predestination and the parts thereof Election and Reprobation Pag. 216 Chap. 2. The Execution of Gods Decree Pag. 225 Chap. 3. Of the Creation of the Heavens the Angels the Elements Light Day and Night Pag. 233 Chap. 4. Of some of the Meteors but especially of the Clouds the Rain and the Sea the Rivers Grass Herbs and Trees Pag. 243 Chap. 5. Of the Sun Moon and Stars Pag. 258 Chap. 6. Of the Fishes Fowls Beasts Pag. 261 Chap. 7. Of the Angels good and bad Pag. 268 Chap. 8. Of Man Pag. 288 Chap. 9. Of Gods Providence Pag. 295 BOOK IV. Of the Fall of Man Of Sin Original and Actual Chap. 1. Of the Fall of Man Pag. 303 Chap. 2. What original Corruption is Pag. 308 Chap. 3. Of the propagation of original sinne and conclusions from it Pag. 313 Chap. 4. Of actual sin Pag. 315 Chap. 5. Of the evil of sin Pag. 318 Chap. 6. Of the degrees of sin Pag. 321 Chap. 7. That all sins are mortal Pag. 324 Chap. 8. Of the cause of sin Pag. 326 Chap. 9. Of the communicating with other mens sins Pag. 328 Chap. 10. Of the punishment of sin Pag.
God is glorified there is no good in sin 4. Hell is contra bonum creatum against a created good sin contra bonum increatum against an uncreated good the glory of God Eighthly Every sin is after a sort the greatest evill as God is the greatest good After a sort I say non datur summum malum quod sit causa omnis mali say the Schools For it would then follow that there are two first Principles of things good and evil which was the heresie of the Manichees 1. God is per se bonus so sinne is per se malum evil in it self and good in no respect 2. As God is to be loved for himself because he is the chiefest good so sin is to he hated for it self one should hate sinne as sinne and then he will hate every sin à quatenus ad omne valet consequentia 3. God is the great reward of himself and sin the great punishment of it self Hos. 8. 11. Austin speaks of a poenalis vitiositas Ninthly Every one sin doth virtually contain in it all sins an idle word the sinne against the holy Ghost Rom. 5 14. the sin of Adam is called one mans offence See Heb. 12. 15. CHAP. VI. Of the Degrees of Sinne. IT was an errour of the Stoicks which Tully refuted and of the Jovinians which Ierome refuted that all sins were equall Though all sins be mortall yet they are not equall They are distinguished in name and really there are severall punishments one sin may be heavier and greater then another in divers respects In respect of the object 1 Sam. 2. 25. Zech. 2. 8. Psal. 7. 5. Prov. 3. 29. Exod. 22. 28. Act. 23. 5. Idolatry is a greater sin then theft the cause Lev. 4. 2. and 6. 2. the Law quality Prov. 6. 30 31. the matter the soul sinning Mat. 5. 13. and 10. 15. Luke 12. 27. Iohn 19. 11. the sin of a professour or publike person the time 1 Sam. 2. 17. Iohn 9. 41. the place effects end and manner of sinning as when one knows it to be a sin and commits it when sins are lived in one committed in the neck of another or the same sin is often committed There are Fautores actores and authores Sins against the first table caeteris paribus are greater then sins against the second A sin against God in that respect is greater then a sin against man 1. From the object who is so infinitely excellent 2. The graces which have reference to God are farre more then the duties to our neighbour 3. There is a lesse motive to offend God then our neighbour 4. It doth therefore become a sin because God is disobeyed whose Law is to love our brother 5. By proportion if a sin against our neighbour be lesse which is against his goods then his life because it is a greater good then much more concerning God Life is a greater good then riches God is to be more esteemed then life or goods are 6. That which is against a higher end is a more hainous sin there are sensuall and spirituall lusts Eph. 2. 3. 2 Cor. 7. 1. sins of the soul are greater then the sins of the body in that respect though otherwise there are greater aggravations therefore the heart is called the good or bad treasure because it gives all the sinfulnesse to the action Inward sins are greater then outward sins Mat. 5. 27. Psa. 5. 9. 1. They are the causes of outward sins Mat. 15. 18 19. and 12. 35. Iohn 13. 2. 2. They are the corruption of the chief part of a man the understanding judgement thoughts Mat. 6. 22. hence the Apostle praies for sanctification in the Spirit Eph. 4. 23. 3. They are against the chiefest part of Gods Law in regard of the obligation of it Rom. 7. it is spirituall his Law looks to the spirit and soul of a man 4. From the contrary inward obedience is farre more acceptable that is a great complaint by the Prophets this people draw nigh with their lips but their heart is far from me 5. The sins of the Spirit do most imitate and resemble the devil he cannot be a drunkard an Adulterer because he is a spirituall substance therefore his sinnes are pride malice and envy Rom. 2. 29. the devils are called spirituall wickednesses Eph. 6. all sin is from Satan per modum servitutis spirituall sins per modum imaginis 6. Where there is the greatest delight and union there is the greter sinfulnesse they rejoyced to do evill Amos 3. Sins of the heart are worse then of the life 1. They are more abundantly in the heart then in the life Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks 2. They are continually in the heart Rom. 2. Sin that dwels in me Evil thoughts are 1. A transgression of the Law as well as outward acts the Law saith thou shalt not lust Deut. 15. 9. some sins are perfected in the thought as envy and malice though they come not into act the Devils wrath malice envy make him an unclean spirit 2. We are called to repent of thoughts and ask pardon of them Act. 8. 22. See Iâ—â— 55. 7. the heart is the seat of the thoughts God cals for the heart 3. Consider the multitude of our vain thoughts 7. They are as incompatible with grace and sanctification as outward grosse sinnes are for that is a holy nature and regeneration is chiefly in the understanding and will 8. They do more strongly oppose the Spirit of God which works upon the soul first and the intellectuall parts 9. The cure of these is harder partly because they are more rooted and partly because they are more unperceivable and also because there are not those bridles to curb them which might be in outward sins there disgrace hinders and the Laws of men There are peccata carnalia majoris infamiae spiritualia majoris culpa Gerson Yet outward sins in some respects are above these 1. Because they are more scandalous and offensive 2. Outward acts strengthen inward corruptions more 3. They sometimes argue a more senselesse and cauterized conscience 4. There are greater means and motives against these a mans natural conscience tels him that these outward acts are sins Sins of omission are great sins there are great threatnings against them Ier. 20. 25. they fit the heart for doing evill Psal. 14. 4. the not doing of good is the doing of evill They are the great sins of our lives and go beyond sinnes of commission in these particulars 1. The greatnesse of the evil of sin is to be measured by the greatnesse of the Law that is the greatest Law in which the minde of the Law-giver is most In every commandement there is a precept and prohibition the precept commands duty the prohibition forbids sin omissions are against the precept the main thing the curse is but the accidentall part He breaks the first Commandement hath not Jehovah for his God
strong enough he would set upon men also yea a Weezle is a devouring beast as well as a Fox for he kils young chickens and the likâ— he is cruel according to his kinde Cursing It is to wish evil to a thing or person it virtually contains in it all evil as blessing contains in it virtually all good The holy Ghost notes it of unsanctified men Their mouths are full of cursing and bitternesse Rom. 12. 3. Reasons 1. Abundance of contempt of God and uncharitablenesse in the heart 2. The Devil stirs up cursed conceits in mens mindes when they are angry Iames Their tongues are set on fire of hell therefore with it they curse their neighbours We must learn to blesse and not curse as S. Peter exhorteth because we are heirs of blessing as our Saviour exhorteth Blesse them which curse you Strive to reverence God and love thy neighbour Consider of the Commandments of God which forbid it and his judgements cursing shall clothe thee as thou didst love it There is a double cursing one is a warrantable lawful needful duty when any man doth in Gods name and by Gods authority pronounce or denounce evil against any thing or person withall praying that the thing may fall out accordingly thus Christ cursed the Fig tree and Elisha the Children The other sinful the vomiting out vile and disgraceful speeches mischievous and wicked wishes The Ancients observe that when God gave the Devil leave to afflict Iobs body he spared his tongue that feeling his pain he might easily raile and curse CHAP. XVII Of Deceit Distrust Divination Division Drunkenness DECEIT DEceit is when we make shew of one thing and do another It is that vice by which men are apt to make shew of good they intend not and again to hide the shew of that evil they do intend or by which men cover over bad purposes with fair pretences that they may the more easily accomplish them as in Saul to David whom he desired to thrust upon his own ruine in fighting with the Philistims and his pretence was to honour his valour by making him his sonne in law Iacobs sons used it against the Sichemites Iudas against Christ he came with a kisse when he meant nothing but mischief It is a great sinne David blameth this fault in Doeg Psal. 52. See Psal. 5. 6. it is a sinne condemned by nature for no man can choose but complain if he meet with it in others and by Scripture more Mark 7. 17. Rom. 3. With their tongues they have used deceit Rom. 1. 29. 1 Pet. 2. 1. Deceitful men shall not live out half their days David The bread of deceit shall be gravel in the belly Salomon The deceitful man shall not rost what he took in hunting Of all vices it takes up most of the lodgings about us 1. Our spirits Psal. 2. 2. 2. Our thoughts Psal. 38. 12. 3. Our hearts Prov. 12. 20. 4. Our mouths 1 Pet. 2. 22. 5. Our lips Psal. 34. 12. â—6 Our tongues Psal. 15. 3. 7. Our bellies Iob 15. 35. 8. Our feet Iob 31. 5. All our members Acts 13. 10. There is fraud in bargaining and conversing Davids whole carriage to Achish was nothing but a pack of fraud Abraham helped himself by deceit saying of his wife She is my sister Isaac practised the same deceit with lesse probability or shew of truth Plain Iacob was drawn by his mother to use deceit to get the blessing Reasons 1. The causes of it are want of the fear of God and of charity to men a Christians faith and love must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without dissimulation S. Paul saith it twice of both 2. It is an abuse of a good gift yea one of the best natural gifts wit reason and understanding Corruptio optimi pessima 3. It overthrows the welfare of humane societies and is contrary to charity equity and all well-ordered laws Distrust It is a kinde of shaking or loosnesse of the heart for want of something to stay upon for attaining of good or avoiding evil Isa. 7. 2. 1. We must not distrust God as Ahaz did in Isa. 7. and Sarah when she heard of her having a son and the Israelites when they murmured in their tents and said They should perish in the wildernesse and David I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul 2. We must not distrust men without cause thinking they will not do such things as they have promised or undertaken or as they seem willing to do which was the fault of Saul who distrusted the loyalty both of David and of the people onely because they in their Song ascribed to David ten thousand and mistrusted Ionathan also as if he had been disloyal 3. We must moderately distrust our selves and our own wit and sufficiency as Salomon did saying I am but a childe and I cannot go in and out before this great people And Paul when he said I am not sufficient to think any thing as of my self We must not so distrust our selves as to be disheartned from attempting to do our duties which was Moses his fault that because he was not eloquent refused to go to Pharaoh but alone in such measure as to make us seek more earnestly to God for his help and assistance Divination Divination is quaedam praenunciatio futurorum saith Aquinas In general is a course way or proceeding to effect strange and unwonted effects by means not allowed or ordained by God either in the course of nature or any special institution as for example to finde out secret and hidden things who did this or that where such a thing is which is lost what shall become of such a man in such a businesse and to hurt a man and strike him with a disease or to help another and cure him of a disease or the like Of these strange effects some are plainly diabolical which are done by a manifest direct and personal concurrence of Satan and association with him such as all Sorcerers Conjurers and Witches use and those which have familiar Spirits who raise up the Devil himself to appear in likenesse to them and answer and do things for them and such as were used of old in Oracles where the Devil disguised himself under the appearance of a god 2. Mixtly natural and diabolical when Satan is not directly consulted withall but certain natural things are imployed to the end whereto in nature they serve not to cover the Devil from mens eyes and so to work more secretly as in all those which are termed curious arts Act. 19. 19. such as are the use of charms and spels and divinations of all sorts and the casting of figures and observation of heavenly bodies out of them to pick the knowledge of contingent events which because they have no certainty in their nature therefore cannot be collected out of these natural things upon which alone certain and necessary things do follow This Art of Divination
and all the rest are nought for they came from Satan and serve to set him up in mens mindes and to quench the respect and fear of God Division All creatures in their natural estate are severed and divided one from another 1. They are divided from God the only and chiefest good 2. From the Angels 1 Cor. 11. 10. 3. One from another Isa. 19. begin 4. From themselves We are joyned to Satan and comply with the Idols of our own hearts Ezek. 14. begin 1. The nature of this division is not only local as that of Reuben Judg. 5. 15 16. by the river Iordan or in externals but spiritual which is the worst as spiritual union is the best This makes the difference in mens mindes judgements wils consciences Acts 26. 9. Iohn 16. beg divided in the very ends they propound and the means that lead to those ends and the rule The causes of it are sad the lusts and sins of our own hearts the just indignation of God These sins especially 1. Idolatry Iudg. 5. 8. 2. Covenant-breaking Levit. 26. 25. 3. Pride Ier. 13. 9. compared with 14. 4. Hypocrisie Isa. 10. 6. 5. Apostasie Arguments against division and falling into parties First Divisions are a judgement of God upon a Nation Zech. 13. 14. Secondly Consider the several sins that falling into parties puts men upon 1. It puts them on great thoughts of heart Iudg. 5. 15. 2. Men break forth into bitter censuring and reviling of those which are not of their own party Prov. 21. 24. Iames 4. 11. they set up their own will in opposition to God 3. It causeth men to be glad to hear evil one of another and take up any report for truth Nehem. 6. 6. and glad of any mischief that shall befall them Ezek. 25. 6. 4. This layes upon men a necessity of joyning with any to oppose that party though they be never so contrary in religion or affection Thirdly Falling into parties is a certain way of ruine 1. In the just judgement of God Hos. 10. 2. 2. In the nature of the thing Iudg. 5. 5. In cause of religion every subdivision is a strong weapon in the hand of the contrary part Hist. of Councel of Trent lib. 1. pag. 49. Two earthen pots floting with this Inscription Si collidimur frangimur If we knock we crack were long ago made the embleme of England and the Low countries but may now be extended to all Christians We shall finde in our English Chronicles that England was never destroyed but when divided within it self our civil divisions brought in the Romans the Saxons Danes and Normans Though our Civil and Ecclesiastical breaches be very great Lam. 2. 13. yet God can and will heal all the breaches of his Saints 1. Because he hath promised to do it Isa. 2. 4. 11. 6 7 8 9 13. 30. 26. 32. 18. 33. 20. Ezek. 28. 24. Ier. 32. 39. Zeph. 3. 9. Zech. 14. 9. 2. Christ hath prayed for it three times in Iohn 17. viz. 21 22 23. verses 3. Christ died to make his people one Ephes. 2. from 14. to the later end See 1 Cor. 12. Rom. 8. to the end There are some cementing or reconciling graces faith repentance charity Col. 3. 14. and humility There is much talk of peace and unity peace with truth or peace and holiness are joyned together in Scripture We should pray to Christ to heal our divisions that he would make us one we should put on love which is the bond of perfectnesse Col. 3. 14 15. See Phil. 3. 14 15. Drunkennesse Drunkennesse is a great sin Isa. 28. 1. Deut. 32. 32. Prov. 23. 29 30 31. The Scripture condemns it Be not drunk with wine saith the Apostle Salomon forbids to keep company with a wine bibber the Prophet denounceth a woe to the drunkards of Ephraim Drunkennesse is one of the fruits of the flesh and a drunkard one of those whom Paul excludes from heaven Nature condemns it it trampleth under foot at once the whole Law and Gospel too First For the Law it violates each Commandment The first the drunkard makes his belly his god he cannot exercise knowledge of God love fear confidence remembrance of sin or any vertue It breaks the second Commandment it is a direct breach of our vow made in Baptism and renewed in the Lords Supper for this is one of the works of the Devil which we then renounced Again it hinders a man from praying reading meditating or doing any good and religious duty It breaketh the third Commandment because it is an abuse of one of Gods creatures and so takes Gods name in vain it causeth that one can neither see God in his works nor do any works to his glory nor shew forth thankfulness for benefits nor patience in crosses and because it fils the mouth full of foul and desperate oaths The fourth he is unfit to sanctifie the Sabbath and if one be drunk on the Lords-day it is a great prophanation of it for it is farre from a holy work The fifth it makes one despise Parents Magistrates all Governors it makes him abuse Wife Children Servants and all his Inferiours it makes him lift up himself above his equals and despise all in comparison of himself The sixth it is a hurt to his own body and breeds vile diseases dropsie fever rednesse of eyes makes him rail revile quarrel and kill and commit all insolent injuries and hazards himself to untimely death Gal. 5. 21. The seventh for it fils heart and tongue and all full of filthinesse it inflames the body to lust a drunken Lot will commit incest Rom. 13. 13. The eighth it is a wasting of time and goods and a robbing of a mans self and family it often enciteth to cozenage and beguiling it is grosse injustice The ninth it makes him full of bragging and boasting and backbiting his tongue is as full of vanity as his head of vapours The tenth it fils the minde full of leud imaginations and exposeth him to Satans suggestions Perkins on Revel 2. 14. shews that Popery breaks every Commandment Mr Paget in his admonition touching Talmudique allegations pag. 422. to 436. shews how the Jewish Rabbins break every Commandment It is against the Gospel it oppresseth the heart and takes away reason that a man grows hard-hearted and fils men full of presumption There was a street in Rome called Vicus sobrius the sober street but is there a village in England that may be called Villa sobria the sober village If a man though he loaths drunkennesse should to symbolize with wicked company drink immoderately yet it is drunkennesse it is true he is not ebriosus an old soaking drunkard yet he is â—brius he hath committed the sinne of drunkennesse There is a two-fold privation of reason 1. Aptitudinal when a man drinks so immoderately that there is a disposition to disturb reason yet because he is of a strong brain and
and pride to be troubled at anothers railing on us folly in thinking our selves the worse for such speeches pride in that we cannot endure to be despised Rebellion Rebellion is two fold 1. Against God 2. Against Man 1. Against God A wilful practising of known transgressions or neglecting of known duties It is dishonourable to God as rebellion against a Prince Samuel told Saul that rebellion was as the sin of witchcraft the witch makes the devil a god the rebel makes himself a god As he that entertaineth in his minde a false conceit of things is guilty of errour but if he settle himself in this false conceit and hold it fast that is a prejudice a rooted and grounded errour so he which in his will entertains a deliberate purpose of sinning against his knowledge or the evident means is guilty of rebellion he that stands to his purpose still and still and goes on in it against reproof and admonition he adds stubbornesse to his rebellion Three things concur to the making of rebellion First A person subject to Authority that in duty ought to be under the government of another Secondly A Governour that hath a just and lawful title to govern and rule Thirdly Acts of that inferiour crossing thwarting opposing the commandments of that Governour So it stands between God and us when we sin 1. We are his Subjects persons that in duty ought to be at his command and to order our selves according to his will because he made us and preserves us and giveth us all things which we have upon condition of obedience therefore it is equal we should be guided by him and rebellion is unreasonable we shall not get but lose by it 2. He hath absolute right over us 3. Sins do contradict the Commandment and Laws of God which he hath revealed and made known thus sin is like rebellion therefore so termed in Scripture Psal. 51. 2. 2 Sam. 15. God saith often of Israel They are a rebellious house It is an actual refusing to be under the soveraign Authority of God our Lord and King Reasons It is an actual denying of Gods Soveraignty and as it were a deposing of him from his Government of the world a robbing him of the honour of his Wisdom Justice Power Authority it is an opposing of our will to Gods will by holding in our selves a purpose of doing what he forbids and not doing what he commands for our pleasure profit or credit sake as Saul spared the cattel for his profit which God would have killed 2. Against man It is a great fault for children or subjects to be disobedient to their Parents or Princes Many of the Kings of Israel did fall by the treason of their subjects as the story recordeth Mordecai when he knew of two Eunuchs which plotted against the life of Ahashuerus was careful to reveal the matter to Esther and she unto the King whereby the conspirators were punished and he escaped A wretched and untimely death befell Elies sons for not hearkning to their fathers admonitions and other sins The causes of rebellions conspiracies treasons and insurrections are alwayes naught and evil they have their original from one of these three vices ambition discontentment or superstition most of the conspirators which are noted in the stories of the Kings of Israel to have slain their masters and reigned in their rooms were ambitious now all these three are foul faults and therefore rebellion which flows from them The effects also which follow upon this fault are most loathsome and evil 1. The practisers seldom or never fail to bring on themselves mischief and destruction as Sheba who rebelled against David and divers others the Kings of Israel which came in by treason their sons still by treason likely thrust them out so that even Iesabel could say Had Zimri peace which slew his master 2. It brings misery to a whole Nation it brings likely with it civil war and so all manner of confusion Reasons 1. It is plainly and often condemned in Scripture and therefore crosseth cleer and many precepts 2. It is a great fault in regard of the mischievousnesse of it for it tends to overthrow all the comfort of mens lives and to destroy the welfare of humane societies 3. It is a great sinne in respect of the persons against whom it is committed a Father is the name of the greatest sweetnesse and goodnesse and a King of the greatest power and majesty the one being also a common Father and the other a domestical King the one is a lively picture of Gods goodnesse the other of his greatnesse 4. In regard of the great obligations by which the persons offending stand bound to their duty the one the childe is bound by the strongest bond of nature seeing he is as it were a piece of the Father which oweth to him his being education preservation and maintenance the other the Subject is bound by the strongest civil bond viz. an oath How many malefactors when they come to be hanged have most bitterly complained of their undutifulnesse and disobedience to their parents as the cause of all their misery The Pope of Rome and his Jesuited faction teach and maintain rebellion and treason in Subjects against their Princes giving to the Pope power in order to things spiritual to depose Kings and to free their Subjects from the oath of Allegiance which they have taken Revenge Men for the most part are very revengefull prone to revenge as Cain Iosephs brethren Esau Absolom Haman The sons of Iacob bitterly avenged the wrong done to their Sister Saul 1 Sam. 15. 24. 18. 26. The Pharisees who perverted Gods Commandment for when God said Thou shalt love thy neighbour they added another sentence to it as if it had necessarily followed thereupon But shalt hate thine enemies as if God had enjoyned love onely to neighbours that is such as did dwell quietly by us and used us in a kinde and neighbourly fashion but that he allowed us to hate such as were our enemies and did misuse us to this purpose they perverted another saying of the Law A hand for a hand as if God had there given way to revenge and allowed every man to return evil for evil whereas that is spoken of the Magistrates duty in punishing wrong-doers not of every mans own liberty as if he should do wrong Reasons 1. Carnall reason perswades us this is a thing very equall and righteous because it seemeth to approach somewhat near to that which is indeed a known and approved rule of equity viz. to do as we would be done to wherefore corrupt reason a little varieth that maxime and alloweth us to do as we are done to and saith Why should I not use him as he used me 2. Carnall reason doth also perswade it is a course of safety and security for ones self For by this means one shall make men more afraid thinketh that reason to do me wrong if I
is naturally cauterized 1 Tim. 4. 2. it puts feeling and apprehension into us this is the first work of Grace converting upon the soul when it begins to be tender Act. 24. 16. and is not able to endure those heavy burdens of sinne which before though mountains it never felt is also now active that was silent Dan. 9. 8. Ezra 9. 6. 2. Whereas naturally it is self-flattering it will accuse when it ought naturally it stirreth in a false way promising heaven and salvation when there is no such matter Deut. 29. 19. Davids heart soon smote him and Psal. 51. he acknowledged his sinne and bewailed it and again I and my house have sinned Conscience speaketh the truth Thus often thou hast prophaned the Sabbath abused thy self and that in all the aggravations this makes the godly lie so low in their humiliation 3. The erroneousnesse of it is taken away the mischief of an erroneous conscience is seen in Popery and other heresies how they make conscience of worshipping that which is an Idol if they should eat meat on a fasting-day not odore the Sacrament how much would their hearts be wounded this erroneous conscience brought in all the superstition in the world but the godly obtain a sound judgment conscience is to be a guide 4. The partial working of it about some works but not others is taken away as Herod Psal. 50. those that abhorred Idols did yet commit sacriledge they neglect the duties of one of the tables as the civil mans conscience is very defective he will not be drunk unjust yet regards not his duty to God is ignorant seldome prayeth in his Family the hypocritical Jews and Pharisees would have Sacrifice but not Mercy Secondly Inward motions and thoughts of sinne as well as outward acts his conscience now deeply smites and humbleth him for those things which only God knoweth and which no civil or worldly man ever taketh notice of So Paul Rom. 7. How tender is Pauls conscience Every motion of sin is a greater trouble and burden to him then any grosse sinne to the worldling Hezekiah humbleth himself for his pride of heart Matth. 5. the Word condemneth all those inward lusts and sins which are in the fountain of the heart though they never empty themselves into the actions of men the conscience of a godly man condemneth as farre as the Word it is not thus with the natural mans conscience nor with the refined Moralist he condemneth not himself in secret he takes not notice of such proud earthly motions they are not a pressure to him Thirdly In doing of duties to take notice of all the imperfections and defects of them as well as the total omission of them his unbelief lazinesse rovings in the duty I beleeve Lord help my unbelief All our righteousnesse is a menstrâ—ous ragge A godly man riseth from his duties bewailing himself Fourthly To witnesse the good things of God in us as well as the evil that is of our selves it is broken and humbled for sinne yet this very mourning is from God Fifthly About sins of omission as well as commission whereas the wicked if they be drunk steal have no rest in their consciences but if they omit Christian duties they are not troubled Mat. 25. 36. Sixthly In the extremity of it being rectified from one extream fals into another from the neglect of the Sacrament they fall to adoring of it this is rectified by grace it will so encline him to repent as that he shall be disposed to believe so to be humble as that he shall be couragious Seventhly Converting grace also removes 1. The slavishnesse and security of conscience and puts in us a spirit of Adoption Rom. 8. All the men in the world could not perswade Cain but that his sins were greater then could be pardoned 2. That natural pronenesse to finde something in our selves for comfort men think if they be not their own saviours they cannot be saved at all Phil. 3. I desire to know nothing but Christ and him crucified and count all things dung for his righteousnesse 3. The unsubduednesse and contumacy in it to the Scripture Conscience is wonderfully repugnant to the precepts and holinesse of Gods Law in the troubles of it contradicts the Scripture way of Justification CHAP. XVII Sanctification of the Memory MEmory is a faculty of the minde whereby it preserves the species of what it once knew 1 Chron. 16. 15. Memory is the great keeper or master of the rols of the soul â—rariâ—m animae the souls Exchequer Sense and understanding is of things present hope of things to come Memoria rerum praeteritarum memory of things past It is one part of the sanctity of the memory when it can stedfastly retain and seasonably recal the works of the living God A sanctified memory consists in three things First In laying up good things concerning God Christ Gods word his Works experiments Mary laid up these things in her heart Secondly For a good end sinne to be sorry and ashamed of it Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sinne against thee Remember the Sabbath to sanctifie it Thirdly In seasonably recalling them thy personal sins on a day of humiliation Gods mercies on a day of thanksgiving good instructions where there is occasion to practise them A sanctified memory is a practical memory as the Lord sayes Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy Psal. 109. 16. A Countrey-woman after the hearing of a Sermon met as she was going home with the Minister he asked her where she had been she told him at a good Sermon he asked her the Ministers name and Text she answered she knew not him nor remembred the Text her memory was so bad but she would go home and mend her life Another complained that for the expressions and other things delivered in a Sermon he could remember but little but he had learned by it to hate sin and love Christ more CHAP. XVIII Sanctification of the Affections THe affections were called by Tully perturbations by some Affectiones or affectus by others passions The affections are different from the vertues which are called by their names They are certain powers of the soul by which it worketh and moveth it self with the body to good and from evil Or They are powers of the soul subordinate to the will by which they are carried to pursue and follow after that which is good and to shun and avoid that which is evil They are the forcible and sensible motions of the will according as an object is presented to them to be good or evil 1. Motions Rom. 7. 5. Anger Love Joy are the putting forth of the will this or that way The Scripture cals them the feet of the soul Psal. 119. 59 101. Eccles. 5. 1. 2. Motions of the will Some Philosophers place them in the sensitive soul but Angels and the souls of men separate from the body have these affections 1
Spirit the corrupt self is lookt on as an enemy Rom. 7. lat end I delight in the Law of God in the inward man and concludes but I my self that is his sanctified self serve the Lord. Mark what it is that thou esteemest in thy self Is it Grace Gods Image and what thou dislikest and strivest to destroy is it the body of sin 2. Then that love is subordinate to the love of God God to every sanctified man is the Summum bonum ultimus sinis therefore all other things are but media subordinata none of us must live to himself 3. Such a one loves himself for those ends God allows him 1. That he may be happy for ever God presseth us to duty by this argument that we may have eternal life 2. He would have thee get more knowledge grace experience that thou maist be more serviceable here The third object of our love is our neighbour Marks to know whether my love to my neighbour be a sanctified love First When it is subordinate to the love of God when I love him under God we must love our neighbour in God and for God Secondly I must love there specially where God loves those that have most of God in them All my delight is in the Saints Christ calls this a new Commandment Thirdly There will be a performing of all second Table duties Love is the fulfilling of the Law I will give him that respect which is due unto his place I will strive to preserve his life chastity estate good name I shall be content with my own and rejoyce in his welfare It is the nature of love to seek the preservation of the thing beloved The fourth object of our love is the rest of Gods creatures which he hath given to us Marks to know whether our love to the creature be right or no 1. When the beholding God in the creature draws the heart out the delighting to behold the wisdom and power of God in the creature 2. Mark for what end thou lovest the creature Every creature must be delighted in as it brings us nearer to God or serves as an instrument to honour him thou lovest the creatures because they are a means to keep thee in a better frame for duty CHAP. XXI II. Of Hatred THe affection opposite to love is Hatred 1. The nature of hatred 2. The image of God in it 3. The extream depravation of it by sin 4. The work of grace sanctifying it Of the first Hatred in a reasonable soul is a motion of the will whereby it flies from that which it apprehends to be evil and opposeth it indeavouring to hurt it It ariseth from a discord and disconformity of the object There is a two-fold hatred 1. Odium abominationis a stying only from a thing 2. Odium inimicitiae whereby â— pursue what is evil There was little use of this affection in our primitive pure estate there was nothing evil to man or in himself a concord in all There are diveâ—s causes of this hatred 1. Antipathy 2. What hinders us from attaining good envy jealousie there was nothing then to work this but the sinne of the devil only which whether man knew it or no is uncertain yet this affection was in him and sanctified First He was prone in his spirit to shunne a real evil sinne in that degree it was evil Secondly The depravation of this affection the image of the devil As much of our original corruption is found in this affection as any The greatnesse of the depravation of this affection appears in three things 1. The object of it 2. The Quality of it 3. The fruits Only sin is the proper object of it but now our hatred is wholly taken from sin it abhors nothing that is evil The second object of it now is that which is truly and properly good 1. God himself primarily all wicked men hate him Psalm 81. 15. Rom. 1. 30. in all his glorious perfections Justice Holinesse 2. Christ Iohn 7. 7. 15. â—h 3. All good men You shall be hated of all men for my names sake 4. All Gods wayes and Ordinances Fools hate instruction Prov. 1. Secondly The Quality of this affection It is 1. A causlesse hatred Christ saith They hate me without a cause and so the Saints may say 2. Perfect entire without any mixture of any love 3. Violent Psal 55. 3. 4. Cruel Psal. 25. 9. 5. Durable irreconcilable Thirdly The effects of it 1. All sins of omission 2. Abundance of actual wickednesse contempt and distrust of God his wayes and children Fourthly The Sanctification of this affection of hatred The work of grace in every faculty is destroying the power of corruption and creating in it those principles of grace that turn it again into the right way 1. It is taken off from those objects to which it was undeservedly carried afore 2. It is ordered aright for measure 3. It brings forth that fruit which God requires First What the work of Gods grace carries the affection of hatred to 1. It makes all our opposition to God and his Ordinances cease it ceaseth to hate good and hates that which is evil 2. It is carried to the right object which is every thing that is really evil to us the will shuns and opposeth it Two sorts of things are really evil 1. What ever is opposite to our natural being our life peace wealth name as sicknesse affliction death 2. What is contrary to our spiritual being as sin All evils of the first nature come from God Gods will is the rule of all holinesse therefore we should submit 1. Our will to God to do what he pleaseth That is the greatest evil which is against the greatest good God sin and wicked men oppose him the greatest evil must have the greatest opposition I hate every falâ—e way sin strikes at the being and excellency of God we must dislike wicked men for sins sake 2. The work of grace appears in the degree and measure of working when it sanctifieth any affection It is according as the light of understanding guided by Gods counsel orders the Spirit of evils sin is to be more hated then punishment and the greater the sin the greater should be the opposition 3. The work of Gods grace in sanctifying this affection is much seen in the fruits of hatred This stands in two things 1. Hatred is a Sentinel to the soul to keep out evil it makes the soul warily shun and avoid those things which are really evil to me it is a deep and severe passion not sudden as anger 2. It quickens the soul to the destruction of the thing hated it maketh it endeavour its ruine Signs I. Of Hatred Speaking against a thing still and disgracing it is displeased at its company and cannot endure its presence II. Of Sanctified Hatred 1. If it be sanctified thou ceasest to be a hater of God This makes a creature so like the devil that no
meant whether it arise from Satan our selves or other men The principal thing against which we are here taught to pray is the power of temptation as is evident by this particle Into In that God permitteth and instigateth tempters to tempt men and withdrawing his grace which is sufficient for them leaveth them who are not able to stand of themselves he is said to leade them into temptation God tempts us 1. To prove us Deut. 8. 3. that we may know our selves 2. To humble us 3. To do us good in the end 4. By leaving us to our selves that we may know how weak we are 2 Chron. 32. 31. 5. By extraordinary Commandments Gen. 22. 1. 6. By outward prosperity Prov. 30. 8. God leades us into temptation 1. By withdrawing his grace and holy Spirit 2. By offering occasions 3. By letting Satan and our own corruptions loose The Devil moveth allureth and provoketh man to sinne Exod. 17. 2. Deut. 6. 16. Psal. 78. 18 19. hence he is called the tempter Matth. 4. 3. He tempts 1. By inward suggestions Iohn 13. 2. being a Spirit he hath communion with our souls and can dart thoughts into us so he filled the heart of Iudas 2. By outward objects Matth. 4. 3 4 8. he sits his baits to our constitutions the tree of knowledge was present to the eye pleasant and good for food there was an outward occasion The world tempts by persons in it or things of it The flesh tempteth when we are enticed by our own corruption Iam. 1. 14. Temptation hath five degrees 1. Suggestion 2. Delight 3. Consent 4. Practice 5. Perseverance or constancy in sinning God preserves his people from Satans temptations six wayes 1. By laying a restraint on Satan that he cannot tempt them See Iob 2. 3. and Luk. 22. 31. God will not give Satan a commission to tempt them 2. When he preserves them from occasions of evil without Satan doth not only stir up lust within but lay a bait without Iam. 1. 14. God will not suffer Satan to lay a bait for them Psal. 96. 3. Eccles. 7. 26. 3. When he so strengthens their graces that a temptation shall not take Gal. 5. 27. Col. 2. 15. 4. When he layes affliction upon them as preventing physick Iob 33. 16 17. the Crosse keeps them from sin Hos. 2. 5 6. 5. He shews them the beauty of holinesse by which the glory and sweetnesse of sin vanisheth Psal. 110. 3. 6. By casting into the soul quenching considerations But deliver us from evil or out of evil By evil we are to understand all the enemies of our salvation the flesh world and the devil sinne and hell and all punishments of sinne but especially the devil who in the Scriptures is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the evil one though not only him as Scultetus seems to interpret it Exercit. Evang. l. 2. c. 33. Under evil is comprized 1. Satan the principal author of evil 2. All other kinds of evil Satan in other places is styled the evil one 1 Iohn 2. 13 14. and this word Evil is oft put for every thing that is contrary to good and that with the Article prefixed before it Matth. 5. 39. Rom. 12. 9. 2 Thess. 3. 3. 1 Iohn 5. 19. Now as this title good is of a large extent so on the contrary is evil Gen. 48. 16. The greatest evil of all is sin Mark 7. 23. Judgement also for sinne both temporal Zeph. 3. 15. and eternal Luke 15. 25. are stiled evil In this large extent is the word here to be taken And because it compriseth under it all manner of evils it is fitly set in the last place Evil in Scripture hath three significations 1. Afflictions and crosses so the time of old-age is an evil time Eccles. 12. 1. 2. By evil is meant the devil Matth. 5. 37. 3. By evil is meant sin especially the power of it and so it is taken here not excluding the devil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deliver signifieth two things 1. To keep and preserve to protect and defend from evil that we fall not into it as 1 Thess. 1. 10. 2. To deliver and as it were to pull us out of the hands that is power of our spiritual enemies as the word is used Luke 1. 74. Matth. 27. 43. Romans 7. 24 2 Tim. 4. 17 18. This deliverance which we orave is either inchoate in this life or perfect in the life to come both by Christ Luke 1. 74. But deliver These words are a limitation or explication But couples like things together We desire in this Petition That we may not be exercised with trial in our estate good name or body if God so please or that he would support us if we be tried The deliverance which we crave is either inchoate in this life or perfect in the life to come both by Christ Luke 1. 74. Some from these words Deliver us from evil hold that one may pray for perfection of holinesse to be freed from the very being of sinne the words mean say they to be delivered from all sinne and all degrees of it They alledge also other places to prove this viz. 2 Cor. 13. 7 9. Col 4. 12. Heb. 13. 21. 1 Thess. 5. 23. Though these prayers say they be not fulfilled in this life yet one should say up prayers for absolute perfection 1. Because thereby the manifests his perfect displeasure against sinne and perfect love to the Commandment of God 2. Hereby he manifests the truth and sincerity of his heart he would not onely not have sin reign but he would have it not to be in him 3. Hereby he doth his duty in striving after perfection Phil. 3. 12. herein he makes his heart and the Law even though his life and it be not 4. His prayer shall be answered in degrees though not in perfection as there are severall degrees of accomplishing Prophecies so of answering Prayers 5. Your prayers are of an everlasting efficacie because they are offered to God by the eternal Spirit Heb. 9. 14. upon the same Altar that Christs Sacrifice was offered therefore Christs righteousnesse is everlasting because it was offered to God by the eternal Spirit Others say such perfection may be desired and were to be wished if it might be had yea must be set before us as an exact copy to write after white to aim at with endeavour to come as near it as we can but they see no ground to pray for it since they cannot pray in faith because they have no promise nay it is not a state compatible with this life since the fall and they think it is too great a presumption to pray for that which they have no promise for and ambition to affect such a prerogative as no childe of God ever since the fall here enjoyed or is like to doe Hitherto of the Petitions Now followeth the Conclusion of the Lords Prayer in these words For thine is the Kingdome the Power and
we come to see that the Sacraments are the Lords Ordinances and that those things which he promiseth in the Covenant of Grace and sealeth in the Sacrament are farre better then all profits and pleasures in this world By it we come to be stirred up to desire and long after these benefits and so to covet them that nothing in this world will satisfie us without them We should exercise faith at the Lords Table view the arguments the Ordinance it self affords 1. Here is Christ crucified before thine eyes and he clearly offers it to thy soul in particular he applies it to thee This is my body which was broken for thee and my bloud which was shed for thee Run over the sad story of Christs agony and say This was done by my Lord for my poor soul. 2. The Lord cals thee hither on purpose because thou art weak He will cherish weak beginnings Mat. 12. 20. For our affections we must behave our selves with joy comfort and reverence See 2 Chron. 30. 21. Mat. 26. 30. Thy heart should be cheerful in God and thankful praise him Thankfulnesse and joy are the effects of faith the Ordinances are often compared to feasts and banquets because of the spiritual delight and rejoycing which the soul ought to take in them Hence the very Sacrament is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because of the giving thanks unto God for his mercies The outward duty is comfortable Circumcision was a bloudy rite yet this is nothing to the inward sweetnesse Iohn 4. 32. In one of the Evangelists it is said Christ blest the bread in another it is said Christ gave thanks Christ when he instituted this Sacrament gave thanks to God the Father that he was pleased to send him into the world to die for poor souls Fear is proper to the duty of the Supper because of those excellent mysteries Chrysostom cals this Table Horribilis mystica mensa Psal. 68. 35. mixt affections do best in a mixt state in the whole worship of God Psal. 2. 11. Hos. 3. 7. For our thoughts We must meditate 1. On the outward signs and what they signifie 2. On the dainties prepared 3. The love of him that prepared them 4. On our communion with Christ his Graces and faithful people The effect of these affections and thoughts will be stirring up the heart to thanksgiving When we taste the wine we should consider its properties Psal. 104. 15. Iudg. 9. 13. so there is satisfaction to God and comfort to the creature in the bloud of Christ wine ingenders new spirits warms and refines them the bloud of Christ infuseth a new vigour into the soul. Our Communion with Christ in the Supper is not only with his gifts and graces but with his Person whole Christ. There are two Elements to signifie this Bread his Body and Wine his Bloud Our Communion is with his whole Person with Christ invested with all kinde of Offices to do us good and furnished with rich graces and comforts 1 Iohn 5. 16. We partake of his wisdom as a Prophet righteousnesse as a Priest grace and glory as a King What must be done after the Sacrament We must endeavour to finde an increase of faith love and all saving graces in us abounding more and more in well-doing We should speak of the sweetnesse of Christ to others Psal. 34. 8. Some Disciples have gone from this Supper triumphing and trampling upon Satan as Lions breathing fire saith Chrysostome terrible to the Devils themselves If we finde not the fruit of this Ordinance presently either it may come from want of preparation or from trusting in our own preparation 2 Chron. 26. 15 16. or want of thankfulnesse for our preparation 1 Chron. 29. 14. or from want of stirring up the graces we have received in that duty Isa. 57. 8. 2 Tim. 1. 6. Or Because we were not humbled for former neglects Psal. 32. 4 5. God may deny us the present sense of our benefit 1. To train us up to live by faith 2 Cor. 5. 7. 2. To try our graces 3. That we may more diligently search into our own souls Psal. 77. 6. How oft ought the Sacrament to be received Amongst the Papists the people communicate only once a year viz. at Easter which superstitious custom many of our ignorant people follow Calvin 4. Institut 43. 46. roundly professeth that it behoveth that the Eucharist be celebrated at least once a week The Christians in some parts of the Primitive Church took the Sacrament every day because they did look to die every day Now in many places it is administred every moneth Object The Passeover unto which the Lords Supper succeedeth was celebrated once a year and therefore once only for this Sacrament is sufficient Answ. God ordained that the Passeover should be celebrated but once only in the year and on a certain moneth and day the Jews had many other visible signs to represent Christ and his benefits they had Sacrifices every day and legal washings but he hath appointed that this Feast of the Lords Supper should be often solemnized and that we should come often unto it 1 Cor. 11. 25 26. That the frequent celebration of the Sacrament is a duty is inferred from this Text by Peter Martyr Calvin Musculus Aretius Hyperius Tossâ—nus Pareus Piscator Dickson and Mr Pemble See Iohnsons Christian Plea Chap. 14. In the time of the Apostles the purest age of the Church they solemnized it every Lords day Acts 20. 7. yea it was their daily exercise as often almost as they had any publick meeting for the service of God Acts 2. 42. And this custom long continued in the Primitive Church after the Apostles times not only in the dayes of Iustin Martyr and Tertullian but also of Chrysostom and Augastine as appeareth by their writings untill by mans corruption and Satans malice the commonnesse of the action exposed it to contempt We should come often to the Sacrament there is no exception but want of occasion or some just impediment There was in old time a custom there should be a Communion every Lords day every one not receiving without lawful excuse being excommunicated which Charls the Great in some sort renewed and which Bucer advised K. Edward in this Land to restore again Whether if an Ordinance and namely the Sacrament of the Lords Supper though there seems to be the like reason in other Ordinances cannot be so administred but that by some which partake of it it will notoriously be prophaned that be a sufficient reason for the non-administration of it Or Whether for want of order and government to keep off such as are notoriously unworthy the administration of the Sacrament may and ought to be suspended Again Whether a Minister may lawfully and with a good conscience continue there in the exercise of his Ministery having a Pastoral charge where he hath not power to administer the Sacrament of
do not admonish complain of or withdraw themselves from scandalous offenders In a word when many of these things are either in whole or in part omitted that are appointed then is this Commandment broken So that according to the number of duties commanded so must the breaches of this Commandment be numbred in case any of them be wholly or in part neglected Now I come to shew the sins of Commission that is the doing of things contrary to the duties commanded even things that are forbidden Sins of Commission are here of two sorts 1. Direct 2. Indirect The former being simply and of themselves sins the other sins by a consequent and in some respect annexed to them Direct breaches of this Commandment are in regard of performing these Ordinances and in regard of preserving and continuing them For performance here are two things forbidden The tendering of a false worship or abasing of the true False worship is a worship not enjoyned by God for the measure of Gods worship is the manifestation of his will wherefore what agrees not with that as being inconformable to the right rule of worship is worship alone in shew and appearance that is feigned and counterfeit like bad coyn not true and right Now worship is false in regard of the Object and Parts of it For the Object it is false First When the true God himself is intended to be worshipped but under some visible or sensible representation when I say God set forth by any Picture or Image is worshipped or when any such Image is used as a means to derive and convey honour unto him by This was the sinne of the Israelites in the wildernesse for they purposed in their intention to serve that God which brought them out of Aegypt but for the better helping of them in this worship and to stir up their devotion they would set up the image of an Ox a most beneficial creature whose labour did yield them through Gods blessing the best means of maintenance and living somewhat to represent God unto them and to bring his benefits unto their mindes So Aaron professeth when he saith To morrow shall be an holy day to the Lord. This was likewise the sinne of Micah the Ephraimite he made a Teraphim and had an house of Images Teraphim was the Image of a man â—e made this to worship God in and by for he saith Now I know Iehovah will blesse me it must needs be that he purposed to worship that God of whom he did expect a blessing for his worship and his mother had vowed the silver to Iehovah to make a graven and molten Image wherefore this Image vowed to Iehovah must needs be intended to serve Iehovah by This was the sinne of Ieroboam who said of the Calves These are thy gods that did bring thee out of the Land as if he had proclaimed that he intended to do service to the God of their Fathers but he thought it convenient to have him represented to them by these figures and under these Images to have service tendred unto him And therefore David chargeth the Israelites to have changed their glory meaning God who was indeed their glory into a similitude of a Calf that is to have set up an image of a Calf to represent him by and Paul saith the same of the wiser Heathen that they did worship God but not as God but changed the glory of that incorruptible God into the similitude of a corruptible man that is they went about to set out and represent to themselves the glorious maker of all things by sueh base and inglorious pictures as if there could be any proportion betwixt God and a dead Image the workmanship of mans hands which is indeed a great embasing of their apprehension of his Majesty causing them at last to think as meanly of God as of a thing that could be so set forth yea this is the sinne the Prophet so findes fault with in Gods Name saying What similitude will you set up to me and whereunto will you liken me And this is the sinne of the Popish Church which they continually commit and maintain and by which they have so corrupted themselves that they even cease to be the true Church of God and are turned into a company of spiritual adulterers for that Church with the wine of her fornications hath made almost all Nations drunken to whom hath she not conveyed the infection of this foul Idolatry God must be worshipped under the picture of an aged man the holy Ghost under the similitude of a Dove the Sonne of God under the similitude of a man hanging on the Crosse all foul Idolatries for seeing that Christ is God as well as man he is no more to have an Image set up to him then the Father or holy Ghost seeing the Divinity is not representable and the humanity without the Deity is not Christ so that it is nothing but a strong fancy makes men take any picture for Christs picture for seeing his natural physiognomy is wholly concealed in Scripture and no approved story hath acquainted us with it and seeing his Deity is wholly irrepresentible why should any picture drawn by man be called a picture of Christ rather then of the thief that hanged by him It must needs be a very dead devotion that a dead picture can provoke This is the first falshood of worship for the Object when the true God is intended as the Object but under some picture or representation for God represented by an Image is now become an Idol seeing the true God hath disavowed all such representing This is the first kinde of Idolatry Another is When a creature hath these kindes of worship performed to him or any like them which God hath appointed to himself and so becomes the object of worship so Paul to the Galatians defines Idolatry to be a serving of the creature or of those things which by nature are not Gods He useth the word serving which utterly overturns that fond distinction of worship and service mentioned by Papists to shift off the blame of this sinne to serve that which by nature is not God is flat Idolatry Now there are divers creatures which have been and are worshipped with the worship due to God or something like it and coined in imitation of it First Angels which thing began in the time of the Apostles and is by Paul writing to the Colossians condemned as a base will-worship Secondly Saints departed which grew into the Church long after by degrees and was rife since four hundred years after Christ amongst many though not allowed by the authority of the Church-Governours as after it was by building Churches dedicating Altars and dayes and offering Incense and the like to these all which are still in use and practice among the Popish Churches yea are by them maintained as very devout and profitable exercises for what more common then Invocation of Saints with
Commandment directly now indirectly some things are forbidden also not for their own sakes but for some evil consequent that may follow upon them As 1. All occasions of Idolatry and Superstition to our selves and others for what is of that nature will in likelihood draw both our selves or others to great sin though it be not simply a sin yet it is in that respect sinful and therefore cannot be done without sin unless some other greater respect countervailing that evil consequent come betwixt to take away the sinfulness of it Now such occasions of Idolatry are these principally 1. Keeping of Idols that is to say of Images and Pictures which have formerly been worshipped or at least have been by superstitious persons made for that end and purpose this is bad if it be in private places because a man doth not know who may come thither hereafter and so what mischief may be done but worst of all when these are suffered to stand in publick or religious places though the purpose of those which suffer them to stand there be not that they should serve for worship but onely for historical and memorative use For the nature chiefly of the common sort of people being strongly inclined to Idolatry and we so much desiring to have our senses pleased in the Worship of God it shall be very hard and almost impossible that such things should stand long without being worshipped of some at least without being made instruments of worshipping God or Christ in or by them Wherefore S. Iohn wisheth as babes beware of Idols not alone of Idolatry but of Idols because from having Idols to worship them or God by them it is a very easie step wherefore the godly Iews did demolish Idols and were commanded to do so and so I suppose ought all Magistrates and Governours to do in the place where they have power A second means of occasioning Idolatry is familiar society leagues of amity and friendship and mutual help for leagues of peace with such are lawful especially joyning with them in Matrimony which was the fault of the Iews in the time of Nehâ—miah and which was the beginning of Solomons great fall for though the commandment of not marrying with the people round about were in that respect Jewish as it did make a nullity of the marriage yet now also to be unequally yoked with Idolaters as well as any other Infidels cannot be warrantable neither for man nor woman A third occasion of Idolatry is furnishing Idolaters with means of their false worship as making Idols for them printing their idolatrous books or any thing like to this by which they are furthered in their abominations These are occasions of Idolatry Now appearances are chiefly two 1. To be silent and hold ones peace and not manifest a dislike of their deeds when occasion serves for hereby he strengthens the hands of the offenders as if he did not dislike his ill practice 2. To joyne with them outwardly for fear or the like respects though inwardly a man dislike of their wickedness and folly as it seems Solomon did alone go with his wives for fashion sake to their Idol-Temples though after he might in likelihood have been drawn further And such was the offence of those that would in Corinth go to the Idols Temples and sit among their old acquaintance in their idolatrous Feast eating and drinking with them trusting that this was no fault because they knew an Idol was nothing in the world which yet Paul doth blame in them as having communion with Devils in so doing And such is the case of those that will needs go see Mass and there carry themselves in all reverent soâ—t as if they liked all when inwardly they condemned them CHAP. IV. Of the third Commandment THou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his Name in vain THe Lord having injoyned to mankinde that principal service which He most delighteth in and which for it self he doth approve and require commands also the less principal both for the kinds and sorts of it and for a special time to be dedicated thereunto The sorts of this Worship are twofold 1. Solemn 2. Common The solemn Worship is that whereto men do wholly give themselves setting themselves apart from all other things to attend it wholly The Common is that which is to be performed to God joyntly in and with our other affairs so far forth as in them we have any thing to do with him or any thing of his It sufficeth not to honour God in the orderly performance of all religious services commanded by him but even then also when we are busied in our common affairs it is our duty to carry our selves so respectively to him-ward that we may make it appear that we do indeed make him our God and that due carriage is prescribed in this Commandment by forbidding one thing contrary thereto For the explication of the words we are to know that by the Name of God is meant himself so far forth as he hath made himself known to us and all those things by which as men are known by their names he hath pleased to manifest himself unto us These are all referable to two heads his Word and his Works his Works are of two sorts common to all his Creatures as Creation Providence and special to his Church as Election Calling Justification Sanctification Adoption Glorification and in a word the whole world of our Redemption Under the title of his Word are comprehended the holy Scriptures themselves the true Religion therein contained and his holy Titles and Attributes see 1 Tim. 6. 1. All of these are meant by the Name of God To take up this Name of God is to meddle with them or have any thing any way to do with any of them In the solemn Worship of God we are as it were taken up of God and of his Name but in common life we have occasion in divers respects to make use of the Name of God either in word deed or thought and so to make use of them is to take them up To take this Name in vain or for vanity is so to use them as the use of them serveth not for any spiritual good to our souls or any special honour to him For all things are idlâ— and fruitless which serve not for these purposes That is saith Deodate on Exod. 20. 7. thou shalt not make use of it in Oaths and other kind of frivolous unprofitable rash false and impious speeches So then as the substance of the first Commandment was to require piety and of the second true religiousness so the scope of this is to require a godly or holy conversation that is behaving of our selves holily and godly in the course of our lives even then when we are not busied in performing any duty of Religion That in our common and usual speech and actions
comes in all manner of Divination Fortune-telling and the like by certain odde and idle Observations from the stars from the Aspects of the heavenly bodies Natural effects which are grounded upon certain causes may be fore-told by the knowledge of these bodies but contingent effects depending upon the will of men as their cause cannot so be fore-told or those which depend upon other as uncertain causes as mans will Here comes in also all observing of the flying of Birds and of such like things as are taken fondly for ominous presages of good or evil for God hath forbidden these kindes of foolish observations to his people Also there was other supernatural effects which men may misapply things to as to drive away devils by holy water imagined to be holy by the sign of the Crosse or the like and to cure diseases in a supernatural way as to cure an Ague by some baubling toyes which some have invented of paring ones nails and putting the parings in a dunghill and let them rot and so shall the disease go away All which be but Sacraments of the Devil either no effect can follow upon them or if any do it is from the operation and work of the Devil which blindes mens eyes from seeing himself by these trisling observations But most of all if a man deem to merit remission of sins by these natural actions of casting holy water of crossing himself of abstaining from food of whipping himself or of going in course attire or the like this is the most superstitious and fond abusing of them that can be for then they become as it were Competitors with the bloud of Christ which is the only Sacrifice for sin by offering of which he hath made perfect for ever them that do obey And this is the superstitious abuse of these things Now follows the last and that is excessive prodigal and licentious abusing of them The chief things abused by intemperatenesse are meat by surfeting drink by drunkennesse sports by voluptuousnesse attire by sumptuousnesse When a man contents not himself to take such a quantity of any of these as agree to the end which God hath in nature appointed them for viz. meat to feed and refresh his body drink to quench thirst and comfort his body apparel to cover his nakednesse and adorn the body according to the difference of degrees amongst men and shelter from the cold and sports to fit the tired minde for the calling and exercise of the body that diseases may be prevented but seeks to content his own inordinate appetite or follows the fond custom and example of others or the like then doth a man shamefully abuse one of Gods works which is his name for he serves the Devil and the flesh with those things which God hath made and hinders himself from being able to do good by that which should further him and doth expose himself to many evils by that which should not be a snare unto him Here the riotous voluptuous prodigall liver specially the drunkard which must drink healths till he have no consideration of health and pledge as much as any man will drink to him till he have inflamed himself and be unable with discretion to consider any thing is a grosse abuser of the name of God for he takes no notice of God in his creatures nor doth serve him in using them as he ought for in the end and measure of using Gods creatures whose directions should we follow but Gods CHAP. V. The fourth Commandment REmember the Sabbath-day or the day of Rest to keep it holy Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of work Thou nor thy Sonne nor thy Daughter nor thy Man-servant nor thy Maid servant nor thy Cattle nor the Stranger which is within thy Gates For in six dayes 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-day and hallowed it THese words contain the fourth Commandment of the Decalogue being the last of the first Table concerning our duty to God immediately The Summe of it is to appoint unto men a set and solemn time wherein they should wholly give themselves to the study of holinesse and to the performance of holy exercises necessary for that purpose The Sanctity of the whole man required in the first Commandment is the chief thing which God looketh for to the attaining and increasing whereof the Lord saw good to require some special kindes of services viz. solemn in the second Commandment and common in the third and the addicting and bestowing of a special time viz. every seventh day The end therefore of this Commandment is the maintaining and increasing of sanctity in men the Summe that every seventh day must be specially set apart to this purpose Let us proceed to handle this Commandment and to that end 1. Explicate the words of the Commandment 2. Speak something of the perpetuity of the Commandment 3. Shew the duties herein required and the sins forbidden For the first the Commandment hath two parts as the words themselves do plainly shew to each attentive reader First The Precept is briefly propounded Secondly It is somewhat inlarged It is propounded in these words Remember the Sabbath-day to sanctifie it Remembrance is properly of things past but here according to the usual acceptation of the word it signifies a diligent consideration of the thing before hand as where the young man is commanded Eccles. 12. 1. To remember his Creatour in the dayes of his youth that is seriously to consider of him It is all one as if he should say diligently observe for so he interprets himself Deut. 5. 12. Think upon and accordingly provide for the observation of this holy rest by dispatching all the works of thy calling that nothing might be undone which providence and diligence might prevent that might hinder thy rest on the seventh day Men are apt to forget the Creation of the world therefore the Lord appointed the fourth Commandment and to forget Christ therefore he appointed the standing Ordinance of the Lords Supper Luk. 22. 19. The Sabbath-day or the day of rest and ceasing from labour as the word properly signifieth which is repeated again in the conclusion of the Commandment It must not be bestowed as other dayes but then they ought conscionably to forbear those things which on other dayes they might lawfully perform for rest is a cessation from doing things To sanctifie it or keep it holy that is to imploy the day in holy duties of Gods immediate worship to sanctifie it to set it a part to holy uses and purposes So two things are required 1. The remembrance of the time which is a serious preconsideration to prepare for it 2. A carefull celebration consisting in resting and sanctifying it for a bare rest is not enough but such
of each Church are bound unlesse they have some very just cause to come in due season to the Congregations and attentively and reverently to joyn with them and continue so doing till the end and that not only in the Morning but also in the Evening Secondly The Churches are then to make collections for the use and behalf of the poor and other acts of mercy as the Apostle appointed them to do in Corinth 1 Cor. 16. 1 2 3. and as he saith He had ordained in all Churches These are publick duties The private are some with reference to the publick to prepare for it and make use of it before and after fitting our hearts to hear by prayer and meditation and the like and by praying and meditation applying that to our selves which we have heard as the Bereans examined the Doctrine of Paul some again without such reference as all holy exercises of singing of Psalms prayer meditation reading together with actions of mercy in laying aside as God hath blessed us for the use of the poor and in visiting and relieving the sick comfortlesse needy and the like all which are acts as well of holinesse toward God as of mercy toward men Especially we must know that it is our duty to meditate upon the great works of our Creation and Redemption and our eternal rest in heaven seeing the Sabbath is given us as a memorial of the two former and an assurance of the later that being the excellent rest our entring into which this holy rest doth point at and help unto We must not onely keep the Sabbath in the Church-meetings and solemn Assemblies though it be specially appointed for the publick worship but at home in our houses Levit. 23. 3. We must awake with God in the morning begin with him rise early spend not much time in dressing of our selves that day it is the Sabbath of the Lord have holy thoughts while we are dressing our selves pray to the Lord to pardon all our sins and to put us into a holy frame and yet finish all this so soon that we may be with the first in the publick Assembly We may after the first Sermon eat and drink but for spiritual ends and purposes that our bodies being refreshed we may be the fitter to serve God but must take heed of spending too much time or feeding too liberally which may cause drousinesse We must then season all with heavenly discourse Luke 4. from v. 1. to 25. We must not speak our own words After the publick worship is ended we must call our Families together and repeat what we have heard and catechize them in the principles of Religion Heb. 2. 1 3. the fourth Commandment sing Psalmes and pray At night we should blesse God for the mercies of the day lie down with a great deal of soul-refreshment sleeping in the bosom of Jesus Christ. And this is the matter of the duties to be performed the manner is to consecrate the same as a delight unto God with comfort and joy serving him on that day as we do with comfort and cheerfulnesse follow our common businesse on the week dayes as the Prophet Isaiah chap. 58. 13. expresly requireth And call the Sabbath a delight Call that is make or count an Hebrew phrase often used in Isaiah Sabbath Some by it understand the extraordinary Sabbath or day of Fast because in the beginning of the Chapter there is an expostulation about it Levit. 16. 31. but the Lord is now speaking of an entire reformation My holy day the Sabbath agree not so properly to an arbitrary Sabbath A delight LXX thy delicate things i. one of the choisest priviledges God hath given thee These are common duties The duty of Superiours specially is to look to their Inferiours and at least to keep them from prophanation of the Sabbath and so farre as their authority will bear to drive them at least to the outward celebration of it by resting and by joyning in the publick exercises of religion as the good Nehemiah did cause the people to sanctifie the Sabbath in his time and forbad Merchants to bring wares to Ierusalem on that day and as we see in the very words of the Commandment the Governour is appointed to rest and not himself alone but his whole Family There is 1. No liberty granted more to the Superiour then to the Inferiour but all of what state or condition soever must sanctifie the Lords day 2. Every Superiour standeth charged before God not onely for himself but for all those which the Lord hath put under his government that both he and all they sanctifie the Lords Sabbath or day of rest Ford on Command 4. This delight is spiritual in God as the proper object and in the Ordinances as the onely means to lead us unto God Iob 27. 10. Psalm 43. 4. Cantic 2. 3. Isa. 56. 7. Reasons 1. Because the duties of that day are higher we have then all the means of Communion with God 1. We have them in a more raised solemn way without any interruption there is then a double Institution not only of the worship but the time 2. It s a spiritual Feast a day of Gods appointment our recompence as well as our duty Neh. 2. 26. Ordinances are fodinae gratiae Isa. 12. 3. 3. This day we come to remember the highest favours of God to the creature to contemplate the works of Creation Gods rest and of Redemption Christs rest 1 Pet. 4. 1. and our own eternal rest Heb. 4. 9. the Sabbaths of the faithful are the suburbs of heaven Heb. 12. 23. the Lords Supper is heaven in a map Luke 14. 15. Mat. 26. 29. 4. Many of the duties of the day are but spiritual recreations meditation is the solace of the minde in the contemplation of Gods works Psa. 104. 34. Singing of Psalms is a vent for spiritual mirth Iam. 5. Eph. 5. 18 19. then God should be solemnly praised Ps. 92. 1 2. 5. It is the temper of the people of God to delight in his solemn worship Psa. 2. 1 Cor. 2. 12. Male concordat canticum novum vetus homo Aug. Psal. 84. 1 10. Psal. 122. 1. 6. Delight in the Sabbath is the best way to discharge the duties 1. With comfort delight sweetens all how will men toil at their sport Neh. 11. 8. 2. With profit Isa. 64. 5. God will not send them away sad which come into his presence with joy Means to delight in the Sabbath 1. Labour after the assurance of the pardon of your sins 2. Solemnly prepare for the duties of the Sabbath 3. Wean the heart from temporal pleasures Psal. 26. 8. 119. 37. 4. Esteem the Sabbath a priviledge that after six dayes of labour God should appoint us a day of rest he might have taken all our time 5. Treasure up the experience of former Sabbaths Psal. 63. begin 6. In case of deadnesse plead with your souls as David doth Psal. 42. Shall I go
and a readinesse to relieve them in their necessity We honour men when taking knowledge of that excellency which is in them we bear our selves accordingly towards them In as much as the unreasonable creatures also love their little ones and are loved of them the Law-giver would have this natural affection which ought to be in a man of a more noble quality then that which is found among the very beasts The beasts are capable of natural affections but only man is capable of honour 2. In some respect a man ows more affection to his wife and his children then o his Father or Mother but in honour the Father and Mother have alwayes the preheminence The honour due unto Superiours of all sorts is reverence of minde declared by some civil submission as of rising before them and giving them the honour of speaking first 3. The Reason of the Precept That thy dayes may be long Which promise if we respect the words in the Hebrew may be read two wayes either so That thy dayes may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for then he did as it were give it to them after he had delivered them out of Aegyptian bondage or word for word That they may prolong thy dayes viz. Thy Parents both readings have the same meaning but this later hath a special emphasis for it sheweth that with our Parents after a sort is the prolonging of our life that we may be the more incited to love and honour them Dayes signifies time because a day was the first sensible distinction of time God promised life in this Commandment rather then any other kinde of blessing because we received life from our Parents therefore life is promised to him which honours those from whom he hath received it This Commandment enjoyns the performance of all such duties as appertain to men in regard of their place that is which respect a special relation which passeth betwixt some men more then others in some special and particular bond binding them mutually one to another The Summe of the Commandment is to shew what duties we owe one to another in respect of their and our place gifts and calling This is made the summe of all the duties the childe oweth to his Parents Honour thy Father and Mother because this is the chief duty of all others yea this is the fountain of all other duties a childe can performe Malachy 1. 6. Deut. 27. 16. The duties required of the natural childe are comprehended under these three heads Reverence Obedience and Thankfulnesse 1. Reverence This reverence must be both inward and outward in the heart and in the behaviour The inward reverence is commanded Levit. 19. 2. Ye shall fear every man his mother and father God begins there where obedience is best tried Secondly Reverence in outward behaviour as bowing to them in standing bare and putting off before them in an humble and lowly countenance and behaviour when the Parents speak to them or they unto their Parents 2. They must obey their Parents Col. 3. 20. Ephes. 6. 1. 1. In doing the things which they command if they be lawfull 2. In quiet and patient bearing their admonitions and corrections Prov. 13. 1. 15. 5. 3. They must be thankfull to their Parents which thankfulnesse consisteth in two things 1. In relieving their Parents when they be in want Gen. 47. 12. 2. In praying for their Parents 1 Tim. 1. 2. Children must be obedient to their Parents so was David 1 Sam. 17. 20. Christ went down with his Parents and was subject to them Reasons First It is a Duty most equal that they should be obsequious to them by whose means they are they were the instruments of thy being Secondly It is a profitable duty that is the promise That it may be â—well with them and their dayes may be long on the earth a prosperous and long continuance upon the earth is the reward of dutifulnesse the Rechabites were highly commended of God for their obedience to their Parents and received this Promise from him as a recompence of their obedience That Ionathan the sonne of Rechab should not want a man to stand before him for ever Thirdly It is well pleasing to God Col. 3. 20. The bounds and limits of it It must be a very large obedience extending it self to all those things which God or some Superiour joyntly over father and childe hath not forbidden Stubbornnesse and disobedience to Parents much displeaseth God When the Apostle would reckon up the foul sins of the Heathen for which the wrath of God was manifested against them from heaven he reckons among the rest disobedience to Parents and when he would describe the ill qualities of those which should live in the later perilous times he saith Disobedient to Parents The Apostle also setteth forth childrens disobedience by a Metaphor taken from untamed head-strong Beasts that will not be brought under the yoke The word therefore is not unfitly translated unruly and it is somewhat answerable to an Hebrew phrase given to disobedient children viz. Sons of Belial which is according to the notation as much as sons without profit or as some will have it Sons without yoke that is such children as refusing to be in subjection unto Parents are no way profitable but work much mischief and cause great grief Cursed be he that despiseth Father or Mother and let all the people say Amen They must not so much as attempt to bestow themselves in marriage without the consent of their Parents Gen. 21. 21. 24. 4. Exod. 34 16. Deut. 7. 3. Wives were given by their Parents to all the Patriarchs in the old Testament Erasmus in one of his Epistles speaking of Levinus that got a wife neglecting the counsel of his friends about it and so proving unhappy he saith Res calidè peracta est magis quam callide They should imitate what is good in their parents Ephes. 5. 1. Though the consent of Parents in second marriages be not absolutely necessary yet it is to be thought fit and convenient because children in some regard exempted from parents authority do notwithstanding owe duty to them and they are to testifie it by being advised by them in some sort in their after bestowing of themselves in marriage Elton on the fifth Commandment The duties of parents to their children are either in their tender years or riper age common to both or special The fountain of parents duty is love This is expresly enjoyned to them Many approved examples are recorded thereof as Abrahams and Rebecca's and others Reasons Great is that pain cost and care which parents must undergo for their children if love be in them no pains cost or care will seem too much Contrary to love in the defect is want of natural affection which is reckoned in the catalogue of notorious sins Rom. 1. 30. Tit. 3. 3. in the excesse is too much
adultery when one alone either man or woman is married and the other not married as if Ioseph had abused his Mistresse here if the woman were either married or contracted both were to die if the woman be single we reade no Law of death there is also a double adultery when both the man and woman are married as David and Bathsheba which deserves death also by the Law so married folks do break this Law in regard of others Also secondly in regard of themselves both for the entrance into matrimony and use of it for entrance by a sinfull choice and a sinful proceeding Choice if one choose one within degrees prohibited as he in Corinth his fathers wife his step-mother or one formerly contracted and not justly severed from another Also for manner of proceeding when it is without consent of parents such a marriage is unlawful And so much for the breach in the entrance in the use it is by aversnesse to each other and by abuse These are the things directly forbidden in this Commandment indirectly there are forbidden all occasions of filthinesse and all appearances of it occasions to ones self and others To others by garish and overcostly attire especially the manner of the attire when it is light and fantastical also by impudent and immodest carriage Occasions of lusts to ones self are chiefly three 1. Idlenesse and sloth when men do give themselves leave to neglect their calling this we have examples of in Sodom David and this the Heathens by light of nature have discovered Quaeritur Aegystus quare sit factus adulter In promptu causa est desidiosus erat Secondly Intemperance provokes and nourisheth lust whether it be in meat or drink the Sodomites after fulnesse of bread fell to strange flesh especially drinking wine and strong drink to the inflaming of the body Drunkennesse and uncleannesse commonly go together Hosea 4. 11. Ephesians 5. 18. Iames 5. 5. 1 Pet. 4. 4. Reasons 1. The body is enflamed and the minde then made uncapable of those wise and holy considerations which should resist Satans temptations wine takes away the heart the reason turns a man into a Swine and then into a Goat or Horse 2. Intemperance banisheth modesty which is the keeper of chastity Prov. 47 8 13. Tit. 2. 3. Thirdly Another occasion of lust to ones self is indiscreet venturing upon solitary places chiefly in the dark and conversing with such persons as a man findes himself inclin'd unto in this affection for then is a man out of Gods protection then the Angels cease to guard him and the Spirit to confirm him These be occasions of evil appearances also are light behaviour light attire suspected company Lust is 1. Unseemly for man it makes us unlike God and the holy Angels Alexander knew by two things that he was not God by his lust and sleep 2. It makes us unlike Christians and like Heathens 1 Thess. 4. 5. The Turks keep their Festival-day on Venus-day and the happinesse they did look for is a Paradise of bodily pleasures nay this makes you like the beasts 2. Full of vanity it doth not satisfie Ezek. 16. 18 29 30. Messalina was tired but not satisfied with her lust 3. Full of vexation how many are the fears jealousies and quarrels in the pleasures of lust CHAP. IX The eighth Commandment THou shalt not steal THe sixth Commandment gave charge for preservation of mans life the seventh for the honesty and chastity of the body to keep it holy and undefiled now the Lord cometh a degree lower and sheweth that he doth not onely care for our lives and for our bodies that they may be kept holy but also for our goods and cattel our corn our wares our gold and silver and whatsoever they have that they may be in safety This Commandment enjoyneth men a due carriage in regard of worldly goods This carriage is 1. Inward in judgement will thought affections 2. Outward which concerns the goods of every mans self and of others For our own goods in regard of getting keeping using For getting here is required the having of a lawful Calling and using it lawfully with diligence discretion cheerfulnesse and moderation For keeping is required thrift for using liberality Now for the goods of others there is required justice that is the vertue of giving every one his own The common rules of which are Do as you would be done to and Serve each other in love and the parts are truth and fidelity plainnesse and equity There are several kinds of Iustice. 1. Commutative consisting in a right exchange of one thing for another the principal sorts of which are 1. Buying and selling 2. Setting and letting with taking 3. Borrowing and lending 4. Hiring and labouring for hire 5. Partnership 2. Distributive Iustice stands in a right division and parting of things all things civil in four chief things Matter of Law about meum and tuum publick Lands and Stocks publick Payments and forfeitures and in things sacred Things profane and common wherein we have to deal with man must be rightly distributed and so must things sacred wherein the Lord of Heaven is interessed But one observes that it is an error to be noted among the Expositors of the Decalogue that they rank Sacriledge as a sin of the eighth Commandment when it is a sin of the first Table and not of the second a breach of the loyalty we immediately owe to God and not of the duty we owe to our neighbour To steal or alienate that which is sacred is to rob God not man for he is the proprietary of things sacred Mal. 3. 8 9. He that commits this sin indirectly and by consequent robbeth men too viz. those who live of Gods provision Iulian the Apostate robbed the Church of the Revenues thereof and took away all contributions to Schools of learning that children might not be instructed in the liberal Arts nor in any other good literature He exaggerated also his Sacriledge with scornful jests saying that he did furthâ—r their salvation by making them poor seeing it was written in their own Bibles Blessed are the poor for theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven All manner of stealing is expresly forbidden Ier. 7. 9. Ephes. 4. 28. Theft is a taking away secretly of another mans goods the owner not knowing of it One is guilty by consenting and agreeing with a thief Rom. 2. or giving him counsel or hiding his fact This is so peculiar a sin in servants as the Latine words which now signifie theeves did at first signifie servants onely as fur was a servant Quid facient Domini audent cum talia fures So latrones robbers were first those which did à latere stipari Object God commands the Israelites to borrow of the Egyptians Exod. 3. 22. to borrow and not to pay is a sin against this Commandment Psal. 37. 21. Answ. 1. The use onely of things is in us the propriety is
talem appeâ—itum non modò Deo displicere sed si fovâ—aâ—â—â— gehennae obnoxium Grotius in Exod. c. 20. Elton Master Dod God repeating this Commandment Deut. 5. 21. and setting down all things according to their due estimation puts the wife in the first place Barker Prov. 16. 14. Exod. 21. 19. Chamad in genere est desiderare concupiscere optare quod jucundum est gratum utile voluptuosum quae actio per se non est mala sed tantum propter inordinationem qua naturae rectè à Deo positae constitutio turbatur violatur unde Ebraei dicere solent hoc verbum concupiscere â—dificasse inferos objecta concupiscentiae hic exprimuntur nonnulla exempli gratia sed quia plura sunt tandem sub universali regula continentur omne quod est proximi tui Scopus ergo praecepti est prohibere omnem rei malae contra nos proximum appetitionem atque etiam rei bonae malant cupiditatem cum scilicet à debito fine bono disceditur Itaque non absolutè dicitur non concupisces sed non concupisces domum uxorem c. Rivetus in Exod. Hoc praecepto Deus duorum peccatorum supra prohibitorum nimirum surti adulterii sontem atque originem extirpare instituit Interdicit enim hoc loco cupiditatem nefariam ex qua utrumque flagitium nascitur Concupiscere quippe alteriâ—s uxorem atque bona aliena hoc loco est id animo agitare deliberataque voluntate in id incumbere ut quocunque tandem pacto illis perâ—rui possis Volkelius de vera religione l. 4. c. 8. Abbot against Bishop â—am differunt non concupisces uxorem proximi non concupisces bona proximi quam differunt non maechaberis non facies furtum Cornel. à Lap. in Deut. 5. 7. Vide Ames Medull Theol. l. 2. c. 22. See Elton also on this Commandment In all the former Commandments some outward act or deed was commanded or forbidden but in this last the Lord forbiddeth onely the desire of the heart Ford of the Covenant between God and man The thing forbidden here is a roving and ranging lust with a general consent of the heart to wish it yet so that a man would check and reprove his own heart rather then his desire should be accomplished Id. ib. This last Commandment pierceth deeper then the former before the deed was condemned that was hurtful to our neighbour and the setled will also and resolved determinations these were forbidden in the other Commandments but now the Holy Ghost reproveth the desire and lust toward any thing of our neighbours notwithstanding there be no full resolution not setled consent given thereunto Knewstubs Lecture on Exod. 20. 17. In the former Commandments is forbidden both the evil act and also the evil thought setled and with full and deliberate consent of will but in the tenth Commandment is forbidden the evil thought and every motion and stirring in the soul that is contrary to charity and love of others though no liking or consent of will be given to it Elton on the Commandm It forbids all inward lust Rom. 7. 7. and all first motions of sin ver 5. even before the consent and allowance of the evil verse 15. and all lustings after evil 1 Cor. 10. 6. or after the good creatures of God in a carnal manner Master Fenner on the Commandments Downames summe of Divinity l. 1. Contentatio est virtus qua animus acquiescit in sorte à Deo concessa 1 Tim. 6. 6. Heb. 13. 5. Phil. 4. 11. Praecipitur haec contentatio in decimo mandato ut ex verbis ipsis apparet neque ullo modo consentaneum est mandatum istud immediatè referri ad puritatem istam justitiae internam originalem quae fons â—st omnis obedientiae illa enim non generaliter praecipitur in uno aliquâ— mandato sed in omnibus Contentationi opponitur concupiscentia Heb. 13. 5. â—on tota inclinatio naturae nostrae quae est corrupta quae nullo uno prâ—cepto singulariter damnatur sed tota lege neque omnes actuales illae cupiditates primae quae sunt inordinatâ— sed illa cupiditas qua animus primo instigatur ac titillatur desiderio bonorum quae sunt proximi quamvis eadem illicitis mediis acquirere nondum in animum induxerit 1 Reg. 21. 2. Marc. 10. 19. Ames Medul Theol. l. 2. c. 22. Vide plura ibid. Praecipua hujus praecepti virtus est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quam contentationem nonnulli appellant qua animus sorte sua à Deo data acquiescit plura vel aliena injustè non expetit Wendelinus Christ. Theol. l. 2. c. 4. Id quod prohibetur est concupiscentia alieni seu ejus quod est proximi nostri quodque alienare vel non vult vel per legem non potest Id. ib. The duties required in the tenth Commandment are such a full contentment with our own condition and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbour as that all our inward motions and affections touching him tend unto and further all that good which is his The Assembly of Divines in their larger Catechisme The general duty required in this tenth Commandment is that we be truly contented with our own outward condition and heartily desire the good of our neighbour in all things belonging unto him Mr. Ball in his Catechisme We are here commanded contentation in our present estate and are forbidden desiring of or envying the good of our neighbour Mr. Nortons Doctrine of godlinesse Downame ubi supra And Finches little book of Div. c. 12 Mr. Burroughâ— on Phil. 4. 11. Serm. 2. Si â—d naturam vives nunquam cris pauper si ad opinionem nunquam dives Exiguum natura desiderat opinio immensum Seneca Epist. 16. We should be troubled for our evil thoughts though we do not approve of them Prov. 30. 32. Vide Bellarm. de Iustificat l. 4. c. 11 12 13 14. See Mr. Pemble of Iustificat Sect. 3. cap. 1. p. 70 71. c. 2. p. 83. c. See Finches Sacred Doctrine of Divinity cap. 12. Sclater on Rom. 3. pag. 289. Their new obedience consists in studio pietatis justitiae in the study of piety and righteousnesse whereby they are careful to perform good works This study stands in a sincere desire an unfeigned purpose an upright indeavour to walk in the obedience of all Gods Commandments The Law is kept with the heart Psal. 119. 34 69 129. buâ— not fulfilled but by the whole man performing the whole Law alwaies Down of Justificat l. 7. c. 6. Cartw. on Matth. 11. 30. See Mr. Cartw. Rejoynd p. 196. See Dr Prid. Sermon on 1 Cor. 15. 20. Resurrectionem mortuorum futuram esse in carne quando Christus venturus est vivos judicaturus mortuos oportet si Christiani esse volumus ut credamus Sed non ideo de hac re inanis est fides