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A96805 The abridgment of Christian divinitie so exactly and methodically compiled, that it leads us, as it were, by the hand to the reading of the Holy Scriptures. Ordering of common-places. Vnderstanding of controversies. Cleering of some cases of conscience. By John Wollebius. Doctor of Divinity, and ordinary professor in the University of Basil. Now at last faithfully translated into English, and in some obscure places cleared and enlarged, by Alexander Ross. To which is adjoined, after the alphabetical table, the anatomy of the whole body of divinity, delineated in IX. short tables, for the help of weak memories.; Christianae theologiae compendium. English. Wolleb, Johannes, 1586-1629.; Vaughan, Robert, engraver.; Ross, Alexander, 1591-1654. 1650 (1650) Wing W3254; Thomason E1264_1; ESTC R204089 204,921 375

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the other of God The Preface of Moses is this Then God spake all these words Gods Preface is this I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of Egypt In which words he shews his self-power and full authority in commanding drawing reasons 1. From his divine essence the symbols whereof are the names Jehovah Elohim 2. From the Covenant of Grace the sign whereof is that phrase Thy God 3. From the benefit of Redemption the type whereof was the delivery of the Israelites out of Egypt Of the Commandments there are two Tables the first is concerning our duty towards God the other our duty towards our neighbour The sum of the first Table is Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soul and with all thy strength which words require both sincerity and perfection in our love sincerity because there is mentioned the heart the soul and all our strength perfection because we are bid love God with all our heart all our soul all our strength To this Table there belong four Commandments the first sheweth who is to be worshipped for the true God the second after what manner he must be worshipped the third how we are to honour his name all our life the fourth at what times the publick worship of God is to be maintained The sum of the second Table is Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self this command is like the former because as that is the sum of the four first precepts so this is the sum of the six last concerning our love towards our neighbour to this then belongs the fift command of preserving the dignity of our neighbour the sixth of his life the seventh of preserving our neighbours chastity the eighth of his estate the ninth of his fame the tenth of restraining vitious affections towards our neighbour Let this concerning the Moral Law suffice to evince the necessity of Redemption for what good works belong to every Precept shal be taught in the second Book CHAP. XIV Of the Ceremonial and Judicial Law THe Ceremonial and Judicial Laws serve as hand-maids to the Moral that to the first and this chiefly to the second Table The Ceremonial Law is that in which God commanded certain Ceremonies and outward Rites as Types of Christ hereafter to be exhibited The RULES I. The Ceremonial Law is a School-master to lead us to Christ Gal. 3.24 II. The Ceremonial Law gives place to the Morall 1. Because it is in a manner the hand-maid of the Moral Law 2. Because it was not to continue for ever 3. Because Charity is to be preferred to Ceremonies Hence is that of Hosea 6.6 I will have mercy and not sacrifice III. The Ceremonial Law was as it were a hand-writing and testimony of that gift by which all men were held bound Col. 2.14 And putting out the hand-writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us he even took it out of the way and fastened it on the Crosse IV. The Ceremonial Law then was abolished by Christs death V. The use of it before Christs death was profitable after his death untill the Gospel was spread abroad it was indifferent but after the promulgation of the Gospel not only was the observation of Ceremonies unwholsom but also mortall Hence Paul in the beginning caused Timothy to be circumcised because of the weakness of the Jews Act. 16.2 but after the Gospel was more fully manifested he would not suffer Titus to be circumcised Gal. 2.2 And surely at this day to observe Jewish Ceremonies were to deny Christs death and coming in the flesh VI. Therefore as the opinion of the Encratites and other ancient Hereticks whereby they prohibited certain meats as of themselves unclean was damnable so the error of Papists is to be abhorred who obtrude upon the Church Ceremonies partly Jewish partly Heathenish The precepts of the Ceremonial Law are either of holy persons or of holy things holy persons were in general all that were initiated by Circumcision whereby they were obliged to the observation of the other Ceremonies and then were put in minde of Sanctification by Christ In particular holy persons were the Ministers both ordinary and extraordinary the ordinary were the Priests and Levites the Priests were they who administred the Law by expounding sacrificing making intercession and blessing such things as were to be performed to God and men The RULES I. The High-Priest was a type of Christ the High-Priest II. His rich clothing and ornaments almost equall to regall robes were types of Christs dignity and chiefly of his most perfect justice Luk. 3.5 III. The chief ornaments were the Ephod or Cloake and Breast-plate fastned to the Cloake on the Ephod were the names of the twelve Tribes engraven upon pretious stones on the Breast-plate were Vrim and Thummim from whence the Church received Oracles the Cloake then represented the Church Vrim and Thummim that is light and perfection did signifie Christ the Word and Interpreter of the Father our light and perfection the Ephod represented Christ as he performed the things that concerned us the Breast-plate shewed him as he performed the things concerning God The Levites were they who being used instead of the first-born were to attend the praises to keep and to carry the Tabernacle with its utensils The extraordinary Ministers were the Prophets and Nazarites The Prophets were they who by divine inspiration teaching reforming the Priests and People were types of Christ the great Prophet The Nazarites were they who by a special vow abstaining from wine and consecrating themselves to God were types of the holiness of Christ In the holy worship we are to observe the instruments and the manner of it the instruments were the Tabernacle and the utensils thereof to wit the Ark the Altars the Table and brazen Laver. The RULES I. The Tabernacle was the Type of the Deity which was to dwel in Christ bodily John 1.14 He dwelt amongst us as in a Tabernacle Col. 2.9 In him dwelt the whole fulnesse of the Deity bodily II. The artificiall structure of the Tabernacle was a type of the spiritual fabrick of the Church which was to be grounded upon Christ Ephes 2.20 21. III. The removing of the Tabernacle did figure the Churches pilgrimage here IV. The uniformity of the Temple signified the Vnity of Christ and the Church V. The parts whereof were three the Court the Holy-place the Holy of Holies VI. The Court in which the people met was a Type of the visible Church in which are good and bad VII The Holy-place was the Court for the Priests and a Type of the true members of the Church that elect and royal Priest-hood 1 Pet. 2.9 VIII The Holy of Holies into which none entered but the High Priest and that but once a year did shadow out the Sanctuary of heaven into which Christ was to enter for our good IX The Vaile of the Temple garnished with Cherubims did signifie Christs flesh
Works belonging to the Fifth Commandment OF the mediate worship of God of which we have now spoken in general both the parts and degrees are to be considered The parts are two The first is of the Superiors duty towards his Inferiors and contrarily The latter is of every mans duty towards another The duty of Inferiors to their Superiors and contrarily is set down in the Fifth Precept the summe whereof is That between superios and inferiors that order may be kept which is pleasing to God This Command consisteth of a Precept and a Promise The precept is Honour thy father and thy mother By the name of Parents synecdochically are meant all Superiors as the word Honour contains all things that are like honour The Promise is That thou mayest live long in the land which the Lord thy God hath given thee In this promise is understood both the condition of Gods will and of our salvation for oftentimes God recompenceth the shortnesse of this life with the happinesse of the other The persons considerable in this precept are Magistrates and Subjects in the civil state Pastors and Parishioners in the Ecclesiastick Parents and Children Husband and Wife Masters and Servants in the Oeconomick among which by way of Analogy may be reckoned Masters and Schollers Tutors and Pupils old men and young and such as have more or lesse of other gifts The duties of Inferiours to their Superiours are reverence obedience and gratitude Reverence is whereby we bestow upon our Superiours due honour thinking well of them speaking reverently to them bearing with their infirmities and giving them the first place and leave to speake or do first This reverence is to be given to Magistrates Rom. 13.7 Feare to whom feare honour to whom honour c. To Ministers Mat. 10.40 He that receiveth you receiveth me and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me To Parents Lev. 19.3 Let every one of you feare his father and mother See Prov. 23.22 Eph. 6.1 To the Husband Eph. 5.33 and the Wife see that she reverence her Husband To Masters 1 Tim. 6.1 Let as many servants as are under the yoak count their Masters worthy of all honour To the aged Lev. 19.32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man c. The same account must be had of those whom God hath honoured with some excellent endowments who morally are called Elders not so much for their yeares as for their gifts To Reverence is opposite Irreverence and contempt of Superiours Examples of irreverence in Subjects 1 Sam. 10.27 But the children of Belial said speaking of Saul how shall this man save us and they despised him In hearers Jer. 43.2 Thou speakest false said the Jewes the Lord thy God did not send thee In children Gen. 9.22 But C ham the Father of Canaan looking back shewed the nakednesse of his Father to his brethren without In the Wife Job 2.9 Then said his Wife to him doest thou still retain thine integrity curse God and dye In servants Gen. 16.4 When Hagar saw she had conceived her Mistresse was despised in her eyes Obedience or subjection is whereby we obey our Superiours in things lawful and honest as the Lord and pati●ntly beare their admonitions and corrections The Magistrate must be obeyed Rom. 13.1 Let every soule be subject to the higher powers c. Ministers Heb. 13. Obey and hearken to those that are set over you for they watch for your soules Parents Eph. 6.1 Children obey your parents in the Lord. Husbands Eph. 5.22 VVives be subject to your own husbands as to the Lord. Masters Eph. 6.5 Servants be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh with feare and trembling in singlenesse of heart as unto Christ The RULES I. We must obey not only godly Magistrates and Masters but also Tyrants 1 Pet. 2.13 Be subject to every Ordinance of man for the Lord v. 18. Servants be subject with all feare to your Masters not only to those that are good and just but also to the froward for this is praiseworthy if any man for conscience towards God suffer trouble being unjustly afflicted Examples are of the Israelites obeying Pharoah Exod. 3 c. In Daniel obeying Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 2. II. But they are not to be obeyed in things contrary to Gods Word and a good Conscience An example we have in the Midwives Exod. 1. in Sauls servants 1 Sam. 22.17 in Daniel Dan. 6. in the Apostles Act. 4.19 saying Whether it be right in the sight of God t● obey you rather then God judge yee To obedience is contrary Disobedience rebellion impatience of correction and obedience in things unlawful We have examples of disobedience and rebellion in Miriam and Aaron Numb 12. in Corah Dathan and Abiram c. Numb 16. in the Israelites Numb 13. in Absolom 2 Sam. 15. Seba 2 Sam. 20. and such like in the Israelites contemning the Prophets in Elies sonnes 1 Sam. 2. Lots wife Gen. 19. Gehazi 2 King 5. Of unlawful obedience an example is in Doeg 1 Sam. 22. Gratitude is wherby inferiours in acknowledging the good-will and bounty of their superiours do testifie their thankful mind in will and deed where and when they can This is to be performed to the Magistrate by rendring Tribute Custome c. Rom. 13.7 and by praying for him 1 Tim. 2.1 c. to Ministers 1 Thes 5.12 We beseech you brethren that you will know them who labour among you and have the charge over you in the Lord and admonish you that you would have them in exceeding great love for their workes sake To Parents Prov. 23.25 thy Father and mother shall be glad and she that bare thee shall rejoyce Examples are in Joseph David c. Which gratitude in special is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying that gratitude of the young Storkes towards the old in feeding and bearing them To gratitude is opposite Ingratitude whereby Superiors are either not requited or ill requited Examples of which the Scripture is full So much of the Vertues or duties of Inferiours the Vertues of Superiours are benevolence justice and sedulity Benevolence is whereby Superiors carry a good affection to their Inferiors which they declare when occasion serves An example of this benevolence is proposed to Magistrates in Moses Exod. 32. to Ministers in Paul Rom. 9.1 The same is commanded to Parents Eph. 6.4 and you Fathers provoke not your children to wrath and this good will of Parents is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 among the Gentiles which is from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to love a word used properly to expresse the affection and natural love of parents and children the same is urged by Paul to husbands Eph. 5.25 Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church c. And to Masters Eph. 6.9 And ye masters do the same things to them forbearing threatnings knowing that your master also is in heaven c. To this is
opposite the contempt of Inferiours the want of love astorgie and such like Of the contempt of inferiours God speaketh Deut. 17. v. 20. Let not his heart be lifted up above his brethren of Astorgie or want of affection Christ speaketh Mat. 7.9 VVhat man among you is there that if his Son aske him bread will give him a stone The Justice of Superiours is whereby they endeavour that every inferiour have his due This is performed by the Magistrate whilest he keeps both Tables of the Law whilest he promotes and defends the true Religion as we shewed in the former Book in the doctrine of the true Church they practise the same justice in making laws punishing offenders rewarding the keepers of it and in defending their Subjects against unjust force To this is opposite the neglect of justice and tyranny Of the neglect of justice see Esa 1.23 They judge not the fatherlesse neither doth the cause of the widdow come unto them Of injustice and tyranny in the same place Thy Princes are rebellious and companions of thieves God reproveth this mos severely Ezech. 34. in the Pastors of the people of Israel Parents also offend either by too much indulgence as Eli 1 Sam. 2. or by too much rigour as Saul 1 Sam. 14. Sedulity which is also called diligence fidelity vigilancie is a vertue whereby Superiours willingly undergo the labours of their offices and endeavour by the gifts they have received from God to help their Inferiours Of this vertue the Apostle speaks Rom. 12.8 He that rules let him rule with diligence the same is urged by Paul to Ministers and Elders Act. 20.28 Take heed to your selves and to the whole flock in which the holy Ghost hath made you overseers Parents shew this when they nurture their children in the fear of God Ephes 6.4 and when they lay up for them things temporal 2 Cor. 12.14 To this is opposite Sloth and businesse about impertinent things Against Sloth God cryes out Jer. 48.10 Cursed is he that doth the work of the Lord negligently of impertinent businesse Peter speaks 1 Pet. 4.15 Let none of you suffer as a murtherer or a thiefe or an evill doer or as a busie-body in other mens matters CHAP. X. Of Vertues and Works belonging to the Sixth Commandment HItherto of the duty of Superiours to their Inferiours and on the contrary Now follows the duty of each man to his neighbour and this is imployed either about the inward or outward good things of men Their inward good things are life and chastity Of life we are to handle in the sixth precept the summe whereof is that we preserve our own and our neighbours life Thou shalt not kill is a negative precept out of which is gathered this affirmative Thou shalt preserve thine own and thy neighbours life The vertue then commanded here is the study of preserving our own and other mens lives The conservation of our own life consisteth in the lawful use of lawful means of which kind are meat and drink recreation physick avoiding of dangers and driving away of injuries The RULES Then is the repelling of an injury lawfull when it is done 1. In the continent or sober 2. In case of necessity 3. Without desire of revenge or hurt but so that we intend onely our own conservation and defence from injuries To this conservation of our own life is opposite the neglect of it as also the d●stroying of it violently by our own hands unlawful preserving of it They who neglect the means of preserving life they sin by omission but they that put violent hands on themselves sin by commission Now there be certain degrees of self-murther for either it is done directly by Sword Halter or Poyson or any such way or else indirectly so they kill themselves who rashly and wantonly expose themselves to danger as Wrestlers Rope-dancers Drunkards Gluttons c. the unlawful preserving of life is which is done by lying or such like means The study of preserving our neighbours life is when not onely we abstain from hurting it but we love his life and preservation and defend it according to our power To this is opposite the neglect of it and unjust slaughters hatred cursing and railing or upbraiding of any offence commited or inhering infirmities An example of neglect is in them who when they may defend those that unjustly suffer death doe not Prov. 24.11 If thou forbear to deliver them who are drawn unto death and those that are ready to be slain if thou sayest behold we know it c. How grievous unjust slaughter is which is done not of private desire and not by the Magistrate or publike authority and how grievous a punishment this deserveth may be seen Gen. 9.6 Who sheddeth mans blood by man his blood shall be shed because God made man after his image Of hatred thus saith John 1 Epist 3.15 VVhosoever hateth his brother is a man-slayer Of evil speaking or cursing Christ saith Mat. 5.22 VVhosoever shall say to his brother Racha shall be in danger of the Councel but whosoever shall say thou fool he shall be in danger of Hell fire To this study are subordinate two kindes of vertues some whereof conduce to with-hold our selves and some to with-hold others and deterre them from murther Of the first kind are Innocency Mildenesse Clemency Moderation Innocency is when we avoid all means of hurting our neighbour To this is opposite Injury in word and deed and counterfeit innocency That words are injurious and hurtful to mans life is manifest for he is not esteemed to live but he that lives well Hence Christ accounts evil words murther Matt. 5. of counterfeit innocency we have in Pilate an example in washing his hands Matt. 27. Mildenesse is a vertue whereby we curbe and bridle our anger that it may not wax inordinately hot Matt. 5.5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit c. To meeknesse is opposite Anger unjust wrath too much gentlenesse or want of just anger and desire of revenge Of anger Solomon saith Eccles 7.9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry Of unjust anger Moses Levit. 19. v. 18. Thou shalt not avenge nor bear a grudge against the children of thy people Of Eli the Priest's too much gentlenesse we read 1 Sam. 2. The desire of revenge is condemned in the place of Levit. 19. above alledged Clemency is a just moderation in inflicting of punishments To this is opposite Cruelty and fiercenesse and too much Indulgence Both sinnes are kinds of murther for by too much rigour and too much indulgence we sinne against the life of our neighbour He hurts the good that spares the evil Moderation is a vertue much like to Clemencie whereby we are content to part with our right either for the publike good or for the good of them who offend or for avoiding of scandal This differs from Clemencie because this is properly ascribed to the Magistrate but moderation is required of all Christians Phil.
4.5 To this is opposite too much Right which is commonly called too much Wrong Of the latter sort are Vindicative Justice and Fortitude The former is when offences are curbed with fit punishments that one rather may perish then unity To this is opposite too much Lenity which begets too much liberty in sinning Not only is it a sin to kill but also not to kill when the Law requires it Of this we have an example in Saul 1 Sam. 15. Fortitude is that whereby according to the strength and vigor of a high and unconquered mind we endure difficulties and undertake high matters to Gods glory and our neighbours safety To this Sluggishnesse is opposite or Pusillanimity arising out of fear of dancers or desire of pleasures Temerity also and too much boldnesse To this also belong Duels undertaken for deciding of doubtful rights or upon other light and rash occasions Such Conflicts may be fitly reduced to Self-murther Both these to wit Justice and Fortitude appear either in Peace or in War War is publike hostility which the Magistrate exerciseth with armed power for ends pleasing to God and profitable to the State The RULES I. It is lawfull for Christians to wage war as it was of old for the Jewes The reason is because it is no where prohibited in the New-Testament And that Captain of the Capernaites Mat. 8. and Cornelius the Centurion Act. 10. are reckoned amongst the faithful Neither did John dehort the souldiers from wars but from injustice Luk. 3. II. War is to be managed by the Magistrate not by private authority III. War must not be made but that which is just and necessary IV. It will be just in respect of the matter forme and end if it be made in a just cause for a good end and according to the prescript of Gods word V. It will be necessary if the matter be tried by Councel before it be handled by Arms. VI. When war is undertaken it matters not whether it be managed by strength or policie VII Policie joyned with lying and breaking of covenants is not to be allowed but it may be approved with dissimulation VIII Although the Church is built by the Word not by the Sword yet being built is justly to be defended by the sword against unjust violence CHAP. XI Of Vertues and Works belonging to the Seventh Commandment THus of our duty towards the life of our neighbour In the Seventh Precept is set down how we must preserve our own and neighbours Chastity the summe whereof is that the Heavenly Law-giver would have our own and neighbours chastity preserved inviolable This Precept is negative Thou shalt not commit adultery and Synecdochical also for under the name of Adultery all lust and intemperance is understood Hence ariseth the Affirmative that by endeavouring temperance we preserve our own and others chastity There be two meanes to preserve chastity Temperance and Wedlock the first is enjoyned to all men the other to those who are called to wedlock Temperance is a vertue moderating the affections of our mind in persuing and avoiding bodily pleasures Tit. 2.11 12 13. The grace of God which bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared teaching us to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and that we should live soberly justly and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearance of the mighty God and of our Saviour Iesus Christ To Temperance is opposed Intemperance and Insensibility whereby honest and lawfull delights are despised also Hypocritical temperance of Monks and Eremites Temperance is both Sobriety and Chastity as also Modesty and Honesty The former vertues have relation to us the latter to our neighbour Sobriety is temperance from superfluous meat and drink We must study to Sobriety 1. Because of Gods command 2. Because of the reasons annexed to it taken from our calling 1 Thess 5.8 But let us who are of the day be sober From the necessity of Prayer and from the end of the world 1 Pet. 4.7 But the end of all things is at hand be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer Lastly from the snares of Satan 1 Pet. 5.8 Be sober and watch for your adversary the devil walketh as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devoure To Sobriety is opposite Delicatenesse whereby dainties and delicacies are fought for imoderately in meats drinks Gluttony also of Voracity Drunkenes hurtful Abstinence Of daintines Solomon speaks Pro. 23.1 2 3. When thou sittest to eat with a Ruler consider diligently what is before thee and put a knife to thy throat if thou be a man given to appetite be not desirous of his dainties for they are deceitfull meats Gluttony and drunkennesse are to be avoided 1. Because they are prohibited by God Pro. 23.20.31 Luk. 21.34 Rom. 13.13 2. Because the effects thereof are most pernicious for they hinder the meditating on Gods works Isa 5.12 and thinking upon Christs coming Luk. 21.34 Prayers also 1 Pet. 4.7 It stirs up anger and strife Pro. 20.1 29.30 It kindles lust Pro. 23.31 32. It causeth scandal as the example of Noah sheweth Gen. 9. and shuts out of Gods kingdom 1 Cor. 6.10 Gal. 5.21 Hurtful abstinence is when we refrain from meat and drink to the prejudice of our health Neer to Sobrietie is Vigilancie when we abstain from untimely and too much sleep that we may serve God with chearfulnesse and follow the works of our vocations 1 Pet. 5.8 Be sober and watch Now as under the name of Sobriety sometime abstinence from pride and evil affections is meant Rom. 12.3 so oftentimes spiritual vigilancie is understood as an abstinence from the sleep of security to which Peter hath respect in the place above cited To Vigilancie is opposite Sleep and Monkish superstitious Watchings Chastity or Sanctimony so called Rom. 6.19 is temperance from lust We must follow chastity 1. Because God commands it Lev. 19.2 Be ye holy for I the Lord you God am holy 1 Thess 4.3 This is the will of God even your holinesse that ye abstain from fornication 2. Because they that follow it shall see God Mat. 5.8 Heb. 12.14 To Chastity is opposite both Dissembled chastity as is that of them who are tied with the Vow of chastity as also all Impurity as Fornication Adultery Whoredome Incest Rapes Softnesse Sodomy Bestiality c. Although there be degrees of these sins yet all of them exclude from the Kingdom of heaven as is taught plainly 1 Cor. 6.10 c. And how grievously God is offended at these sins let the Flood the fire of Sodom the destruction of the Israelites Num. 23. the miseries of David the ruine of Troy and the like bear witnesse Modesty is temperance from filthy words and lascivious gestures Heb. 12.28 Let us have grace whereby we may acceptably serve God with reverence and godly feare or modesty To this is opposite Filthy communication lascivious and unclean gestures Dances also obscene Pictures and Songs and filthy Sights
the Lands thereof sold but to return to the owners Lev. 25.23 VII Vnlawful Vsury is which is practised on the poore or for gain meerly having no regard to charity and equity This Usurie is called by the Hebrewes Neshech from biting or knowing and it is most severely forbid Exod. 22.25 If thou lend mony to any of my people that is poore by thee thou shalt not be to him as an userer nor shalt thou lay upon him usurie Psal 15.5 Who hath not lent his mony upon usurie Ezek. 18.8 He hath not given forth upon usury neither hath he taken any increase Luke 6.35 Lend looking for nothing again Justice in the custodie of things is whereby equity is observed in remanding and restoring of Pawnes or pledges Exod. 22.7 If a man shall deliver to his neighbour mony or stuffe to keep and it be stollen out of the mans house if the thiefe be found let him pay double if the thiefe be not found then the master of the house shall be brought unto the Judges to see whether he hath not put his hand to his neighbours goods The same Law followes v. 10 11. concerning the Asse Oxe and small Cattle he that receives a Pawne let him take heed he do not receive one of a poor body or retain that pawn which the poor man cannot be without Exod. 22.26 If thou take thy neighbours raiment to pledge thou shalt deliver it to him by that the Sun goeth down for that is his covering onely Deut. 24.6 No man shall take the nether or upper Milstone to pledge for he taketh a mans life to pledge and verse 10. When thou doest lend thy brother any thing thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge thou shalt stand abroad and the man to whom thou doest lend shall bring out the pledge abroad to thee Ezek. 18.7 And hath not oppressed any but hath restored to the debtor his pledge So much of Justice Beneficence is whereby we help our neighbour with our meanes freely This vertue is called liberality in lesser gifts in greater magnificence in relation to the poore almes to banished men and strangers hospitality To this the Scripture invites us 1. By command Luke 6.30 2. By the example of holy men yea of God himselfe who is the fountain of all goodnesse Luke 6.36 Be you merciful as your Father is merciful 3. By most sweet promises Luke 6.38 Give and it shall be given to you c. Especially by promising life eternal Mat. 25.34 35. Come ye blessed of my Father c. I was hungry and ye gave me food c. To this is opposite the neglect of bounty as also basenesse hard-heartednesse and unseasonable bounty See above cap. 8. So much of Vertues as they have reference to others the vertues which have respect to our selves are Contentation Parsimonie and Industry ἀυτάρχεια or Contentation is a Vertue whereby man contents himselfe with his own condition and with the estate which he hath justly got 1 Tim. 6.6 Godlinesse is great gain with contentment To this is opposite unbelieving care concerning the sustaining of this life a covetousnesse b and a loathing of ones present condition c a This is excellently refuted by that famous Sermon of Christs Mat. 6.25 c. b Covetousnesse is far worse then excessive care for a covetous man the more he hath the more he desires therefore this vice which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a desire or heaping up of too much and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the love of mony is to be avoided 1. Bcause it is forbid by Christ Luke 12.15 Beware of covetousnesse 2. Because it is idolatry Mat. 6.24 Col. 3.5 Eph. 5.5 3. Because it is the root of all evil 1 Tim. 6.10 c Jude v. 16. These are murmurers complainers But Paul knew how to want and how to abound Phil. 4.12 Parsimonie or frugality is a vertue whereby we so moderate our expences that we spend not but what is needful and reserve the remainder for future uses We must aime at this 1. Because commanded Joh. 6.12 Gather up the fragments that remain that nothing be lost 2. Because it is a remedy against poverty and a meanes to exercise our bounty To this are opposite too much sparing and profusenesse Industry or love of labour or the care of getting means honestly is a Vertue whereby one gets an estate by honest labours that he may be the better enabled to live comfortably to himselfe and to others This was enjoyned in Paradise Gen. 3.19 the same is commanded by Paul Eph. 4.28 He that stole let him steale no more but rather let him labour working with his hands the thing that is good that he may have to give to him that needeth To this are opposite Idlenesse and a disordered life dishonest wayes of gaining Usury Dice Mercenarie souldiery and other wayes of getting wealth by right and wrong See what is said of the idle Prov. 6.1 12.11 Eccl. 4.1 2. The rest appeares out of what is said before CHAP. XIII Of the Vertues and Workes belonging to the ninth Commandment HAving spoken of our duty towards our own and neighbours estate now followes that we speak of our duty towards our own and neighbours fame in the ninth precept The summe whereof is that we preserve our own and neighbours fame and good name This precept is negative and Synecdochical for under the phrase of false witnesse is understood every thing whereby our own and neighbours fame or estimation is hurt hence is collected an affirmative precept That we study to preserve our own and our neighbours fame The vertues of this precept are also twofold some have relation to our neighbour some to our selves those which have respect to our neighbour are truth and sincerity Truth is a vertue whereby we are bent to know those things that be true and to utt r or signifie the things known as they are Zach. 8.16 Ephes 4.25 Let every man speak truth to his neighbour To these in the defect are opposite the neglect of truth a and naughty dissembling b but in the excesse lying c and false witnesse d a Psa 58.5 Their poyson is like the poyson of a Serpent like the deafe Adder that stoppeth his eares b Not every dissimulation is culpable for we are not forced still to speak the truth as shall appeare in what followes but that dissimulation is understood when we conceale the truth to the prejudice of Gods glory and of our neighbour c A lye is when a false thing is signifyed by words or deeds with a purpose to deceive By this definition it appears 1. That Schemes Metaphors Allegories and such like are not lies seeing the truth of them depends not from fictions but from the similitude they have with true things the same reason is of Ironies which are used not to deceive but to instruct such were used by Elijah 1 King 18. and by Micaiah 1 King 22. 2. That it is one
matter of controversie might come to me that I might doe him justice And when any man came neer to him and did him obeisance he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him Courtesie in speeeh is whereby our words are seasoned with honest mirth and wit with a good decorum or grace To this is opposite Rusticity when one can neither utter witty jests himself nor with patience heare them Scurrility also and Dicacitie or biting jests and scoffs Ephes 5.4 Neither filthinesse nor foolish talking nor jesting which are things not comely Freedome of speech is a vertue by which we speak the truth and reprove offenders without fear of danger Levit. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart but thou shall plainly rebuke thy neighbour and suffer him not to sin To this is opposite preposterous feare a and too great love of censuring others b a 1 Sam. 3.15 Samuel was afraid to tell Eli of that Vision b Luk. 6.41 Why doest thou look upon the moat that is in thy brothers eye This vice is seen in them who censure and reprove their neighbour out of preposterous affection or having no warrant thereto What is fit in this case for Ministers may be seen in 2 Tim. 4.1 2. So much of vertues as they have reference to our neighbour the vertues that have relation to our selves are self-praise and an unblameable life self-praise is when we speak moderately of our selves and rehearse our own praises onely when necessity urgeth us to defend and maintain our own estimation Rom. 12.3 For I say by the grace given to me to every man that is among you not to think of himself more highly then he ought to think but to think soberly c. To this Impudency is opposite when one is not ashamed to boast and glory in his wickednesse a so is confident and foolish bragging b and an Hypocritical lessening of our own worth and abilities under shew of which either we hunt after vain praise or refuse to be bountifull and to shew mercy c a Isa 3.9 The shew of their countenance doth witnesse against them that they declare their sin as Sodome they hide it not b Pro. 27.1 Boast not thy self of to morrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth v. 2. Let another praise thee and not thine own mouth a stranger and not thine own lips c So they do who pretend they are in want themselves when they are desired to help their neighbour Pro. 24.11 c. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death c. if thou sayest behold we knew it not doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it An unblameable life is whereby we desire not only to keep a good conscience towards God but also a good report among our neighbours Pro. 22.1 A good name is rather to be chosen then great riches and loving favour rather then silver and gold Eccl. 7.1 A good name is better then precious ointment To this Impiety is opposite or the contempt of fame and a good conscience a and the hypocritical affectation of fame or popular breath b and want of patience in bearing slanders c a Luk. 18.2 There was a Judge in a certain city which feared not God nor regarded man b Mat. 23.5 But they do all their works for to be seen of men c 2 Sam. 16.9 10. Then said Abishai why should this dead dog curse my Lord the King let me go over I pray thee and take off his head Then the King said what have I to do with you ye sons of Zerviah so let him curse because the Lord hath said unto him curse David who shall then say wherefore hast thou done so CHAP. XIV Of the Vertues and Works belonging to the Tenth Commandment HItherto of our duty to our Neighbour or of the parts of Gods mediate worship Now of the highest degree thereof in this tenth Precept The summe of it is That our mind be free from evil destres thoughts and affections towards our selves or neighbours Thou shalt not covet is a negative precept in which inordinate appetites thoughts and affections are forbid The rest conduce to the declaration taken from the object which is set down either particularly by naming the house wife servant maid oxe and asse of our neighbour or in grosse in this clause Nor any thing that belongs unto thy neighbour The RULES I. As the confounding of the two first Commands is unlawfully so the dividing of the tenth into two precepts concerning our neighbours house and his wife is naught and frivolous The reasons 1. The general closure Nor any thing that belongs to thy neighbour shewes it is but one command 2. The substance of the precept is in these words Thou shalt not covet as Paul cites them Rom. 7.7 3. They are contained in one verse and sentence whereas the rest though short are set down in distinct verses 4. Deut. 5. the coveting of our neighbours wife is first handled if then these were two precepts Moses of the tenth had made the ninth 5. They who maintain the contrary opinion explain these things conjunctly and by examples declare them David Chytraeus de Regul Vitae and Hondorsius in Promptuario II. The tenth Command belongs to the second Table For in the first Command of the first Table is handled our inward affection towards God III. Original Justice is the object not of this Command but of the whole Decalogue For original justice is a conformity with the whole law as original sin is that deformity which is repugnant to the whole Law IV. The proper object of this Precept are mens appetites thoughts and affections towards themselves and neighbours V. The end of it is to shew that Gods mediate worship is to be performed not in outward actions only but in inward affections also VI. As then the first Precept is the rule of the first Table so is this of the second Table For as the first Precept directs the heart but the rest the actions also so the fifth sixth seventh eighth ninth Precepts order our actions but the tenth our very heart Hence it 's clear that this Precept is not superfluous The vertues belonging to this Precept are the ordering of concupiscence and our wrestling against evil desires The ordering of concupiscence is whereby our appetites and affections are so ruled that by them we neither offend against our selves nor against our neighbour 1 Thess 5.23 Now the God of peace sanctifie you throughout c. To this is opposite inordinate concupiscence which in Scripture by way of excellency is called Concupiscence Rom. 7.7 For I had not known concupiscence if the Law had not said Thou shalt not lust The parts of this ordering are two The one is imployed about the appetites the other about the affections This word concupiscence among Divines is taken in a large sense both for the appetites and affections of which the former are ascribed to man as he