forbear not labouring and travelling on the Sabbath-day or Sunday i. e. Lords-day and do not resort together to celebrate and magnifie Gods blessed Name in quiet holiness and godly reverence Expl 62. The reasons are here ranked under three heads 1 the equity of the thing commanded God allowing us six days for our honest and ordinary employments we may well give him one in seven and be content to spend that cheerfully in his service Six days shalt thou labour c. 2 From Gods Propriety in this day this is the day which the Lord hath made or instituted and appointed Psal. 118.23 And may he not do what he will with his own may he not enjoy it to be spent in his service if he please 3 From Gods example in resting the seventh day not that we are therefore to rest on the seventh day in order because God did so after he had created the world and all things therein but that we are to spend according to the tenour of this Command a seventh day which is now our Dominical or Sunday in an holy rest unto the Lord. 4 From Gods end in blessing and sanctifying this day or in setting it a-part to holy uses namely that we should so use it and thereby receive the blessing of the Sabbath from the Lord of the Sabbath A. 63. The fifth Commandment is Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Expl. 63. This command which is here called the fifth is by the Apostle called the first Commandment with promise Ephes. 6.1 2. i. e. to which this promise of long life is expresly made it being also the first command of the second Table A. 64. The fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the honour and performing the duties belonging to every one in their several places and relations as Superiors Inferiors i or Equals To. 1. Hom. V. p. 3. Obey all your Superiours and Governours serve your Masters faithfully and diligently as well in their absence as in their presence not for dread of punishment only but for conscience sake knowing that you are bound so to do by Gods Commandments Hom. X. p. 2. Every degree of people in their vocation calling and office hath appointed them their duty and order some are in high degree some in low some Kings and Princes some Inferiors and Subjects Ministers and People Masters and Servants Fathers and Children Husbands and Wives c. Expl. 64. Here is requir'd 1 something in general of all that they give to all that honour which is due unto them in their different places and relations whether they be Superiors in age parts gifts or authority who are there so called by that obliging name of parents that men may yield what is due unto such with all child-like and filial respect and because in the beginning Parents were Magistrates or Supeperiors in power or whether they be equal to us or our Inferiors image power c. for in both these capacities there is due to them love gratitude and such offices of Christianity civility or friendship which are suitable and proper to them 2 Something in special is required from Children to be given to their natural Parents and 't is all expressed in this one word honour And 't is observable that the command is laid on all Children of both sexes and of what age or rank soever though they be Children of Princes and Nobles and the honour due unto natural father and mother or to those who are in their stead as father and mother-in-law grand-father or Grand-mother Uncle or Aunt Guardian Tutor c. It is 1 the honour of respect or love both in heart words and behaviour for this law on Children is a law of love and as it requires that they love one another so also that they love their Parents 2 The honour of Reverence i. e. Children must fear as well as love their Parents they must stand in awe of them as being under their authority and that thereby they may be kept from offending their Parents 3 The honour of Obedience which proceeds from both the other 't is love or fear that makes Children obey Now in order to this Obedience the rod of correction is a scepter so needful in Parents hands that Solomon reckons that Parent to hate his child that doth not use it Prov. 13.24 4 The honour of help or recompence i. e. As Parents need help and the child is able or hath opportunity to do it he or she must thankfully requite thereby their labour of love A. 65. The fifth Commandment forbiddeth the neglecting or doing any thing against the honour and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations To. 1. Hom. V. p. 3. Disobey not your Fathers and Mothers but honour them help them and please them to your power Hom. X. St. Paul threatneth no less pain than everlasting damnation to all disobedient persons to all resisters p. 2. Yet let us believe undoubtedly good Christian people that we may not obey Kings Magistrates or any other though they be our own Fathers if they would command us to do any thing contrary to Gods Commandments p. 3. And here let us take heed that we understand not these or such other like places which so straitly command obedience to superiours and so straitly punished rebellion and disobedience to the same to be meant in any condition of the pretended and coloured power of the Bishop of Rome For truly the Scripture of God alloweth no such usurped power full of enormities abusions and blasphemies He ought therefore rather to be called Antichrist and the Successor of the Scribes and Pharisees than Christ's Vicar or St. Peters Successor Expl. 65. But more particularly in reference to natural Parents or those who stand in their room these miscarriages are forbidden to Children 1 All manner of contempt of the persons of Parents especially when by reason of old age sickness or natural infirmities they are not able to manage their Parental authority either as they ought or have done or when by the Providence of God their repute or estate is low in the world 2 All slighting of their good instructions example counsel directions reproof and correction As God would not have his own chastening and instruction despised so neither that of Parents and therefore he calls that child a fool by the mouth of Solomon a scorner and bruitish who is guilty hereof 3 All slighting of Parents commands and of their pleasure whether in reference to duty to be performed by them whether in matters civil or religious or in reference to the disposal of themselves in Marriage or in any calling place and employment 4 All slighting of the tenderness and watchfulness of Parents by doing that on purpose which doth either disturb their passions or disquiet their minds 5 All mocking deriding or imitating their weaknesses and misbehaviour or any
way disgracing them as Absalom did his fathers government and as Cham did in discovering his fathers nakedness Much more 6 here are forbidden all cursing of them and bitter railing at them 7 All such carriage in Children as does not redound by way of reflection as well as what does not tend directly to the Parents honour A. 66. The Reason annexed to the fifth Commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity as far as it shall serve for Gods glory and their own good to all such as keep this Commandment To. 1. Hom. X. p. 3. By obedience to our superiours shall we please God and have the exceeding benefit peace of conscience rest and quietness here in this world and after this life enjoy a better life To. 2. Hom. XXI p. 3. Good and obedient Subjects are in Gods favour and be partakers of peace quietness and security with other God's manifold blessings in this world and by his mercies through our Saviour Christ of life everlasting also in the world to come Expl. 66. In the general we have one great reason from the promise of prosperity and long life particularly annexed to this Command in which promise there are two things 1 The peculiarity of the blessing promised to the obedience of this Command for obedient children may be sure of the blessing promised when it may be a blessing 2 The greatness of the blessing for of all temporal blessings 't is the greatest sc. life and then here is that which is so sweet to nature in this life 't is long life and prosperous withal otherwise it would not be a blessing Yet more particularly obedience to Parents is indispensable because 1 God requires it in the next place to that which he claimeth for himself and has therefore plac'd this Law next to the Commands of the first Table 2 The Law of Nature doth in a peculiar manner require this in all Nations even the most blind and barbarous yea instinct of Nature in the brute creatures doth teach them some kind of respect to their Sires and Damms A. 67. The sixth Commandment is Thou shalt not kill Expl. 67. The fifth Command did concern special duties to special persons sc. the obedience of Children towards their Parents but this Command doth reach all persons in general and the end of it is not only to preserve mans life but humanity it self and therefore this Thou in the prohibition doth forbid murder to all persons A. 68. The sixth Commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life and the life of others Hom. V. p. 3. Cast in your minds how you may do good unto all men unto your power and hurt no man Oppress not beat not neither hate a 〈…〉 but help and succour every man as you may yea even your enemies that hate you that speak evil of you and that do hurt you Hom. VI. Cherish good and harmless men and encourage with rewards to do well Expl. 68. Now in order to this end these things may be very helpful 1 Humanity or a general respect of kindness towards all whether in offices of love or of pity 2 A slowness to anger after the example of God whom we so much provoke and this is called lenity or meekness of spirit for which Moses was so eminent 3 A study to be quiet both outwardly from all brawling and contention and inwardly from all revengeful thoughts purposes passions as also a diligent care in outward demeanour to avoid all occasions temptations and practices which do tend to stir up wrath 4 Placableness or an easiness to be reconciled and to forget and to forgive injuries and affronts 5 A readiness to use all lawful and proper means to defend our own or neighbours life as we are called to it by the Law of Nature Humanity and Religion as we are in a capacity to do it 6 Such a chearfulness of spirit as tends to the health of the body 7 Christian temperance and moderation in the use of the creatures in bodily labour and lawful recreations 8 A conscientious care to use such Physick as is prescribed by those who are skilful therein which is either for the preservation or recovery of health 9 Care to save our own and others souls A. 69. The sixth Commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life or the life of our neighbour unjustly and whatsoever tendeth thereunto To. 2. Hom. XXI p. 3. Robberies and murthers of all sins are most loathed of most men being against the second Table of Gods Law To. 1. Hom. VI. Delay not rebukes and punshments of those that offend but give them in due time lest they fall headlong Expl. 69. Here 1 Negatively This Command forbids not 1 All kind of war for some is lawful 2 Nor the execution of publick justice in capital punishments upon capital offenders 3 Nor self-defence against violence in some cases 4 Nor moderate anger where there is just cause as ex gr in the case of reproof and upon the like warrantable occasions But 2 Positively Here is forbidden 1 Self-murther both direct as a mans hanging drowning stabbing c. himself indirect as surfeiting drunkenness and the neglect of any lawful means for the preservation or repair of health as of meat drink physick c. 2 Murder of our neighbour 1 Directly when wittingly and out of hatred and without a just call a man doth either by himself or by means of another take away the life of his neighbour 2 Murtherous thoughts and hatred of him without a cause 3 All inhumanity and unmercifulness or want of compassion 4 All neglect of or the withdrawing of our lawful defence 5 All quarrelsom broyls and brawlings 6 All Duels because in this case men wrest the Sword of Justice out of the Magistrates hand that they may carve out justice or rather revenge for themselves 7 All provoking speeches and behaviour A. 70. The seventh Commandment is Thou shalt not commit adultery Hom. XI By the which Adultery although it be properly understood of the unlawful commixtion or joining together of a married man with any woman beside his wife or of a wife with any man beside her husband yet thereby is signified also all unlawful use of those parts which be ordained for generation Expl. 70. As the former precept did concern the life so this doth concern the chastity of our neighbour And as natural and regular self-love should be the rule and standard of our love to our neighbour according to which we are to act in the preservation of his life so that love we ought to have to our selves and that care we ought to have for the preservation of our own chastity we ought also to have for the preservation of our neighbours chastity otherwise we do not love our neighbour as our selves A. 71. The seventh Commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbours chastity
doth directly send us to Christ for remission of our sins and that by faith given us of God we embrace the promise of Gods mercy and of the remission of our sins which thing none other of our virtues or works properly doth therefore the Scripture useth to say that faith without works doth justifie or only faith doth justifie Not through the merit of any virtue that we have within us or of any work that cometh from us therefore in that respect we forsake as it were altogether again faith works and all other virtues For our own imperfection is so great through the corruption of Original sin that all is imperfect that is within us faith charity hope dread thoughts words and works and therefore not apt to merit and deserve any part of our justification for us Tom. 2. Hom. IV. It is of the free grace and mercy of God by the mediation of the blood of his Son Jesus Christ without merit or deserving on our part that our sins are forgiven us that we are reconciled and brought again into his favour and are made heirs of his heavenly Kingdom Expl. 33. This word justification doth signifie not only to make just or righteous but also to make a man appear so yet not by infusing or working grace or righteousness in the Soul for this is the meaning of that word sanctification or it signifies the believing sinners being reputed or accounted righteous in the sight of God in and through the righteousness of Christ imputed to the sinner or accounted as his own for as condemnation doth suppose a man guilty because the just God doth not condemn men for nothing so justification doth suppose a man discharged from guilt and so not obnoxious to the penalty or curse of the Law now because the sinner cannot expect to receive this discharge by vertue of his own personal righteousness because all his righteousness is imperfect or as a menstrous rag therefore he must be found not having on his own righteousness for his justification but the righteousness of Christ. But more particularly in this A. we have 1. The principal Author or prime efficient cause of justification and this is God Who is he that condemneth it is God that justifieth God the Father as accepting of what Christ has done for sinners and God the Son as procuring our discharge and God the Holy Ghost as applying the merits of Christ to us and working faith in us whereby we receive so great a benefit 2. The inward moving cause free-grace and not any foresight of faith or obedience in the sinner to move him to it 3. The matter of justification or in reference to what the sinner is justified namely the guilt of sin and curse of the Law 4. The manner which consists in a legal discharge of the sinner from his former obligation to punishment here called the pardon of his sins and accepting of him as righteous 5. The meritorious cause only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to the believing sinner 6. The instrumental cause or condition sc. faith for the sinner through the means of his faith or upon the condition of his believing is thus justified A. 34. Adoption is an Act of Gods free-grace whereby we are received into the number and have right to all the priviledges of the Sons of God Tom. 1. Hom. III. p. 3. So making us also his dear children brethren unto his only Son our Saviour Christ and inheritors for ever with him of his eternal Kingdom of Heaven Hom. X. p. 2. He is a rising up to none other than those which are Gods children by adoption Hom. xi p. 2. By their obedience they declare openly unto to the sight of men that they are Sons of God and elect of him unto Salvation Expl. 34. More plainly Adoption it is Gods taking of those into his care and Family as his children by grace who were by nature the children of wrath and by practice the children of disobedience and all that they may enjoy the honour advantages and priviledges of his children as 1. They bear their Fathers Name and likeness or his badg and cognizance whereby they are known to belong to him and that is their holiness So that those who are afraid to be accounted godly they are afraid to be God-like and so disown their Father as if ashamed of him 2. They are all heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ their elder Brother to an heavenly Inheritance 3. They have the Spirit of his Son given to them whereby they are inabled to call God Father and to come to a throne of grace with the boldness of children 4. They are under Gods fatherly protection so that nothing can harm them 5. They are provided for by him and therefore can want no good thing 6. They have a sanctified use of the creatures and of all temporal good things yea afflictions themselves are for their good A. 35. Sanctification is the work of Gods free-grace whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the Image of God and are enabled more and more to dye unto sin and live unto righteousness Hom. II. p. 2. The holy Apostle calleth us Saints because we are sanctified and made holy by the blood of Christ through the Holy Ghost Hom. xvi p. 1. It is he which inwardly worketh the regeneration and new birth The more it is hid from the understanding the more it ought to move all men to wonder at the secret and mighty working of Gods holy Spirit which is within us For it is the Holy Ghost and no other thing that doth quicken the minds of men stirring up good and godly motions in their hearts which are agreeable to the will and commandment of God such as otherwise of their own crooked and perverse nature they should never have That which is born of the spirit is spirit As who should say man of his own nature is fleshly and carnal corrupt and naught sinful and disobedient to God without any spark of goodness in him without any virtuous or godly motion only given to evil thoughts and wicked deeds As for the works of the Spirit the fruits of Faith charitable and godly motions if he have any at all in him they proceed only of the Holy Ghost who is the only worker of our sanctification and maketh us new men in Christ Jesus Such is the power of the Holy Ghost to regenerate men and as it were to bring forth a-new that they shall be nothing like the men they were before Expl. 35. As for sanctification it is no less a work of free-grace than justification and adoption and in Scripture-phrase it is the new man new creature and a mans being created a-new in Christ Jesus unto good works in which and the like expressions is plainly set before us the large compass extent and comprehension of this work for herein all things must become new the nature renewed or changed from