and long since and may we receiue no vnwritten verities as they are called though differing from the written word of God vpon the credite of tradition from the pretended testimonies and warrant of auncient times from many former generations and ages as some would make vs to beleeue No in no case for seeing the Prophet Isaiah sayed in his time as we do reade Chapter 8. verse 20. To the Law and to the Testimony and if they speake not according to this vvord it is because there is no light in them Much rather are we to say so now seeing we haue not only the writings of all the holy Prophets beside the Law and testimonie thereof but the addition of the New Testament also wherein is the witnesse of our Sauiour Christ and of all his holy Euangelistes and Apostles as we haue seene before It is very true neither was there any time since that any part of the holy Scriptures were written wherein all the seruants of God haue not had a most religious respect vnto them the Prophets to the Law Christ to the Prophets the Apostles to Christ and all the faithfull Pastors and Doctors of the Christian Churches to the Apostles and to Christ and to the Prophets and to the Law of God giuen by Moses and to all the rest of Moses writings reade Luke 16.29.30.31 and Colos 2.18 c. and 1. Tim. 4.7 All antiquity not agreeing with the word of God is to be accounted no better then an old wiues fable Finally reade Gal. 1.8.9 Though that we or an Angell from heauen c. But after that we haue read the holy Scriptures meditated and conferred of them yea after that we haue heard them plainly opened and interpreted by the faithfull Ministers and Preachers thereof can we then by the light and sharpnesse of our owne naturall and mother wit as we call it sufficiently vnderstand the Scriptures to the glorifying of God and obtayning of our saluation We cannot vnlesse it please God together with his holy Scriptures or written word and the outward exercises thereof to giue vs also his holy Spirit whereby they may be inwardly written in our hearts as it were by the finger thereof For so our Sauiour Christ earnestly affirmeth in the third Chapter of Iohn Reading and hearing of the Scriptures insufficient without the Spirit speaking thus to Nicodemus Verily verily I say vnto thee except a man be borne againe he cannot see the kingdome of God And againe Verily verily I say vnto thee except a man be borne againe of water and of the Spirite he cannot enter into the kingdome of God The same may be cōfirmed by many other authorities of holy Scripture But let vs proceed After that we are enlightened by the Spirit of God through the reading and hearing of the Scriptures preached vnto vs so that we do in some measure know the right way to saluation and how God is to be glorified haue we thenceforth any power good-will and affection of our selues to lay hold thereon to our owne comfort and to prouoke our selues to walke dutifully in the constant obedience of the same to the honour and prayse of God No neither vnlesse it please the Lord vnto the enlightening of our minds to adde a second grace of the same his holy Spirit which is the renewing of the heart for as the Apostle Paul saith in the 2. Chapter to the Philippians It is God which worketh in vs both the vvill and the deed euen of his good pleasure Tell me now Are we in any danger so long as we remaine in the ignorance of the holy Scriptures of God albeit according to our owne opinion we haue a good meaning and do zealously serue God after our owne blind deuotion There is no doubt but we are in very great and certaine danger of the wrath of God so long time as we so abide specially if we despise wisedome and instruction as we reade in the first Chapter of the Prouerbs of King Salomon verse 22. c. And in the first Chapter of the 2. Epistle to the Thessalonians from the 6. verse I pray you let vs turne to these places and let vs consider of them Now for so much as it shall go so fearfully with those that be ignorant and for want of knowledge do not obey the Gospell What shall we say of those who hauing great knowledge so as they can discourse readily vpon all points of the Religion of God yet haue for all that no care nor conscience to obey his will but follow their owne wicked lustes Ignorance of the Scriptures damnable so is knowledge without obedience are not all such in a most fearfull estate Our Sauiour Christ sayth that he that knoweth his maisters will and prepareth not himselfe neither doth according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes Luke Chapter 12. the 47. verse No excellency of knowledge is of any reckning before the Lord if obedience go not withall reade Matth. 7.21 c. and 1. Cor. 13.1 c. Yet one thing more Did God create mankind thus ignorant and sinfull and miserable also through sin in the beginning of the creation No nothing so but wise righteous holy and happy in a measure of perfection conuenient and meete for them as it is declared at large in the first and second Chapters of Genesis It is true for in that it is written that God made mankind according to his similitude and likenesse all which you haue answered is comprehended as we may further perceiue by that we reade Ephesians 4.23.24 and Coloss 3.10 How then came all vanitie and sinne with so great and lamentable confusion and miserie as it is now come into the world and is most wofully fallen vpon mankind aboue all earthly creatures here below It is fallen vpon vs all thorough the willing apostacy and falling away of our first parents Adam and Eue from that holie knowledge faith feare loue odedience and happinesse wherein the Lord of his infinite goodnesse had set and placed them they harkening to that lying enticement and most malicious and crafty temptation of the Diuell Who is this Diuell you speake of A wicked spirit who being created of God a good holy blessed Angel did not keepe that his first estate the glorious place of his abode but of his owne accord corrupted himselfe through sinne and many thousands of the Angels together with himselfe and so became an enemie to Gods glory and a most wretched deceiuer and murtherer of mankind What ground of these things haue yee in the holy Scriptures They are set foorth and declared at large in the vvhole third Chapter of Genesis Mans creation by God his fall of himselfe by the Diuell How should there be any proofe of these things specially touching that which ye answere concerning the Diuell in that Chapter seeing though you reade it throughout you shall find there no expresse mention at all made of the Diuell That vvhich is
by vnchast and filthy dreames as a diuellish fruite thereof These are most abominable kinds of filthinesse euen such as our hearts and eares ought to abhorre and tremble at whensoeuer we thinke or speake or heare any thing of them though it be to the reproofe and condemnation of them Neuerthelesse they are no other then haue bene practised of men and women young and old of no worse nature then we our selues are without the grace of God O violent and that also incestuous rauishment we reade 2. Sam. 13.12.13.14 Of incestuous fornication and adultery we reade of the practise thereof Genesis chapter 19. verse 31. c. and chapter 35.22 and 1. Corinthians chapter 5. verse 1. These sinnes are forbidden Leuit. chap. 18. verses 6.7.8.9.10.11.12.13.14.15.16.17 Of Onans sinne we reade Genesis 38.9 Of the more abominable filthinesse of the Sodomites or buggery with men we reade Genesis 19.5 c. And Iudges chapter 19.23 and 1. Kings chapter 14. verse 24. and chapter 15.12 and chapter 22.46 and 2 Kings 23.7 Ezek. 8.14 See the interpretation note of Tremel Habbak chapter 2. verses 15.16 Finally Rom. chap. 1.24.26.17 This sinne is forbidden Leuit. 18.22 Of the abominable filthinesse of buggery with beasts we reade how the Lord hath forbidden it Leuit 18. verse 23. and 1. Tim. 1.10 And there haue bene some among our selues iustly executed for it And wofull are the practises of many with their owne bodies which God onely seeth and knoweth and will certainely in his time take vengeance thereof if it be not preuented by speedy repentance But alas what shall we say are children to heare of these things and are they to be taught and warned thus plainely against them No doubt there is great need they should or else God would neuer haue mentioned them in his holy Scriptures And shall the Diuell be suffered to draw both young and old into these sinnes and euen partly for want of knowlege how odious and abhominable they are before God and shall not we giue one another warning that so great and grosse wickednesse might bee preuented The like is to be sayd of other grieuous sinnes It is pity indeed that it should be once heard off that the sonne should kill the father that the wife should murther her husband yea euen with her owne hands that the husband should breake his wiues necke that any should haue drowned or poysoned themselues Yet seeing these sins are committed of men and women among vs shall they not be cried out against from the word of God c. Wherefore children be ye admonished as well as you of the elder sort and take heed betimes to auoid all filthinesse of your bodies for if you will not call to God for grace and take heed betimes it will aske you deepe heart-smart ere you dye or else euerlasting torment after death in hell fire from the which I beseech God of his infinite mercy euen for Christ Iesus sake to blesse preserue and keepe vs both young and old Amen Hitherto of the first branch of the former answer The second branch followeth wherein it was answered that God forbiddeth not onely all these kinds of outward filthinesse but also all outward prouocations and occasions of all filthy lust whatsoeuer Shew what maner of prouocations and dangerous occasions they may be They are these which follow and if there be any other like vnto them 1 Houses of open vvhoredome 2 Bawdes which are the factors of whore-mongers and harlots or whores to spie out solicite and bring such lewd persons together 3 All intemperancy in eating and drinking especially of such things as any know to be more mighty then other to prouoke and increase lust as also the prouoking of others to eate of such things and to drinke vnto drunkennesse c. 4 Ouer much sleepe and idlenesse 5 All wandring and vnchast looking and gazing vpon the beauty of women either in faces or breasts c. 6 Likewise the beholding of pictures vnshamefastly pictured or painted and the reading of amorous bookes much rather the vnshamefast representation of the lewd and filty behauiour of naughtie-packes by enterlude vpon the stage or by dauncing or any other way but most of all if any embolden themselues to vse lasciuious speeches or filthy songs and to fall to wanton kissings or to any other vnseemely dalliance Of all these euill prouocations we haue earnest warning giuen vs as you haue heard out of the word of God and they are such things as both men and women are to beware of There are other prouocations more particularly to be auoided of women Which are they 1 All light and curious setting out of themselues in brauery of apparell 2 All excessiue perfuming of them 3 All immodest broiding curling and laying out of the haire yea of strange haire with like laying forth of their breasts naked and bare 4 All vnnaturall colouring and painting of the face 5 All nicenesse in their going and in the mincing of their vvordes to dravv and allure the eyes and sences of men toward them 6 All vnseasonable and ouer-familiar companying of any woman vvith any man as likewise of any man with any woman though neuer so honestly minded specially in such places as of themselues are apt to minister any dishonest temptation Finally all vvhatsoeuer agreeth not with shamefastnesse and modesty of behauiour which is the chiefe outward ornament of that sexe Of these things also you haue heard how the word of God giueth vs like earnest warning Thus much therefore of the second branch of that your former answer The third branch is yet behind wherein you said that beside all these outward prouocations to vncleane and filthy lust God doth in this Commandement forbid the very vncleane and filthy lust of the heart it selfe What proofe haue you of this In the 5. chapter of Mathevv our Sauiour Christ plainely affirmeth that whosoeuer looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart And chapter 15. verse 19. The very adulterous thought doth defile a man The words of our Sauiour Christ are very plaine indeed to this purpose But seeing the Lord forbiddeth so many and those so grosse and abhominable kinds of filthinesse of the flesh Why doth he vnder the name of adultery comprehend them all Because howsoeuer all filthinesse against nature as also all violent rauishment and incest considered in the act it selfe or most vile maner thereof are more hainous then adultery yet in regard of diuerse weighty reasons and circumstances the Lord hath thought good to make mention of adultery as of the greatest and most grieuous sinne among them all Can you shew which those reasons and circumstances are First because of that high estimation which the Lord God hath of the mariage couenant which by adultery is most directly broken and dishonoured Secondly because euen they that are wickedly bent to follovv their lust do more easily and more vsually imbolden themselues to
c 2. Cor. 11.2.3 c. 1. Pet. 5.8 Matth. 13. ver 14.15.19 Luke 8.12 that vve come vvith a mind to fight not onely against our ovvne drowsinesse and manifold indisposition to heare but also against the Deuill vvhome vve shall alvvaies haue our mightie and most malicious and subtile aduersarie to hinder vs in this dutie especially Neuerthelesse for a g Isai ch 2.3 ch 55.10.11 12.13 Iames 4.7 fourth grace necessarie to preparation vve must come vvillingly and chearefully in certaine and sure hope of a blessing from God against all lets and impediments if vve shall in godly maner striue hartily against the same Finally h Matth. 5.13 1. Cor. 4.1.2 Ier. 26.12.13.14.20 it is necessarie that vve haue not onely a reuerend estimation of those Ministers vvhich preach it truely and faithfully but also that vve nourish so good charitable a persvvasion of them that vve be readie to interpret and take in the best part those speeches vvhich may seem to vs to be at anie time most harshly vttered and spoken of them from the vvord to the reproofe of our sinne Hitherto for preparation attention followeth what is needfull hereunto To attention in hearing the vvord of God beside the continued silence of the hearer Act. 13.16 and chap. 12.17 and chap. 15.12 and chap. 16.14 these sixe things are necessarie First an a 1. Thes 1.5 and chap. 2.13 1. Pet. 1.25 assured knowledge and perswasion that it is the vvord of God vvhich is preached to vs. Secondly b Rom. 1.16 Gal. 3.2 Colos 4.1.6 1. Pet. 1.22 c. Iames. 1.18 Act. 2.37 c. and chap. 10.44 and 13.48 and 26.18 Heb. 4.12 2. Cor. 10.4.5.6 that the same vvord of God shall through his blessing be effectuall to all those most excellent vses and ends vvhereunto he hath in his vvisedome and mercy appointed it Thirdly c Matth. 18.3 Isai 11.6 c. Prou. 3.5.6 1. Cor. 13.9 it is necessary to attention that vve retayne an humble and teachable minde vvilling not onely to learne that vvhereof vve be at the first altogether ignorant but also continually to learne that better vvhich vve haue often learned before Fourthly d Iames 1.19.20 2. Sam. 12. Psal 141.5 Prou. 27.5.6 a meeke and patient spirit is necessary to attention that vve may vvillingly admit the sharpe rebukes and corrections of the vvord of God against all our sinnes aswell those that be secret in the corruption of nature as those that be more open in the disorder of life and conuersation Fiftly e Philip. 3.1 2. Pet. 1.12.13 Heb. 23.22 we must hold it necessary to be more and more stirred vp and prouoked by exhortation to vse more and more diligence both in the shunning of all euill in the following of euery thing that is good though for the present it may be we shall thinke that we are carefull and diligent enough and that we stand in no need of so earnest prouocation Finally f Heb. 4.12 all our hearing must be mixed with faith concerning euerie precept and doctrine promise and threatning out of the word of God The last point touching the right manner of hearing the word preached is yet behind What therefore is further to be done of vs that we be not vnprofitable hearers That we be not vnfruitfull hearers of the word after that we haue prepared our selues and yeelded our attention these fiue things following are necessary after that we haue heard the same First g Matth. 13.51 and chap. 16.9.10.11.12 2. Tim. 2.7 Psal 1.2 119.11 1. Thes 5.19.20.21 Act. 17.11 an earnest calling to mind and weying of that doctrine which we haue heard by meditating of it in our owne hearts and by our examining of our selues whether we do vnderstand it and then by examining the doctrine by the word it selfe whether it be agreeable to the Scriptures or no. How the holy Scriptures are to be heard Secondly b Eph. 4.11.12.13 Rom 1.17 chap. 13.10.11 Heb. 5.12 Philip. 1.11 2. Pet. 1.5 c. Ephes 5.15.16 c. 1. Tim. 4.15 1. Cor. 10.17 1. Thes 3.10.12 cha 4.1 a diligent and vnpartiall examination of our selues how we profite in the light of knowledge and in the comfort of faith by our hearing and how we grow more willing and ready to euery good worke thereby and to take all occasions and oportunities therunto with greater delight then before c Psal 19.11 119.11 2. Cor. 2.11 as also hovv we vvaxe more circumspect and watchfull against sinne and the occasions thereof from day to day Thirdly d 1. Thes 3.9.10.11.12 2. Thes 1.3 2.13 Psal 119.162 Nehem. 8.12 thankefulnesse to God if vpon the examination we we find any the least spirituall gaine and increase if otherwise that then we better our preparation and attention and that vve pray more earnestly to God for his blessing then we haue done Fourthly e Iosh 1.8 Psal 37.30 31. Pro. 10.11.31 and. 16.23 Luke 24.13.14.15 Iude verse 20. Mal. 3.16 Matth. 13.36 17.10.11.12.13 18.21 c. Mark 10.10 c. 12.34 Luke 1.34 Act. 2.37 8.34 Rom. 1.11.12 sober and modest conferring one with another and with the Preacher himselfe for our mutuall helpe concerning the things we haue heard Finally f Pro. 2.2 8.32.33.34.35 Act. 2.42.46 1. Pet. 2.1.2.3 Matth. 13.20.21 24.13 verse 28. Iohn 10.27 Colos 1.23 2.6.7 c. continuance in hearing if possibly the meanes may be enioyed without the which care and constancy all former profiting will soone vanish away All these things and if there by any other like to these they are all comprehended in that admonition which our Sauiour Christ giueth Luke 8.18 Take heede how you heare c. whereby also it appeareth how great and manifold cause there is why the same our Sauiour should call vpō vs in speciall manor to labour after the spirituall food of the word which endureth to euerlasting life aboue all bodily foode which perisheth Iohn 6.27 And seeing so many graces are necessary to hearing hence also may all ministers of the word iustly admonish themselues with how great knowledge wisedome and discretion with how diligent study and meditation with how often and earnest prayers with how sincere faithfulnesse and integrity with how pure and feruent zeale of Gods glory with what tender loue and pittie ouer the soules of the people and finally with how longing a desire after their profiting in the precious knowledge and faith of their saluation they stand bound constantly to preach the word yea onely the word of God in season out of season c. Why may we thē looke for no Reuelations now without or moreouer and beside the holy Scriptures as in the former times the seruants of God haue done while yet no part How the holy Scriptures are to be preached and heard or not the whole bodie of the Scriptures were written as they are at this present
notwithstanding this couenant thus respecting Christ was first entred with the Israelites yet it is now extended to vs God professing himselfe to be not onely the God of the Iewes but also of the Gentiles Rom. 3.29.30.31 according to the former prophesies of the calling of the gentils Read Psalme 87. and Hos chap. 1.10 and 2.23 and Ioel 2.32 Amos 19.11.12 Mal. 1.11 Neither was Israel so the onely people of God at anie time but that alwaies it pleased him to aceept of the Gentils such as would ioyne them selues to his people in the true worship of him And although we for our parts haue not bene deliuered out of the bondage of Egypt yet the Lord hath deliuered vs with a more gracious deliuerance out of the bondage of sin and the Diuell and from the tyrannie of death and from the torment of hell whereof also that deliuerance of theirs was a figure and pledge vnto them Let vs now come to the first Commandement VVhat doth the Lord forbid in it Sins forbiddē See more after To haue anie strange God What is this to haue anie strange God To haue a strange God is either to acknovvledge vvith the heart or to fancie and conceiue in the mind any other to be God either beside as altogether excluding the onely true God or ioyntly yea or if it be in any inferiour degree together vvith him vvho hath made himselfe so euidently knovvne by his vvord and vvorkes as that vvhich he hath manifested of himselfe cannot possibly agree to anie other But then especially is a strange God taken and acknovvledged for God vvhen anie spirituall and diuine worship is yeelded therunto that is to say vvhen any faith and trust any feare loue prayer prayse thankes or any other like dutie is yeelded vpon the same false conceit and acknovvledgement This indeed is principally that which the Lord forbiddeth in this Commandement according to that which we reade in the 8. and 9. verses of the 81. Psalme As touching the rest of the transgressions of it which are verie manie we shall haue a fit occasion to note them and that also by a more plaine and easie direction after we haue seene what be the good duties or spirituall graces commaunded in the same In the meane season let vs well obserue concerning the present answere that the Lord doth not onely forbid his people the vtter excluding of him that they might altogether imbrace false Gods but also the ioyning of anie with him whether as copartner or though it be but in an inferiour degree of minoritie as it were for so doth the Lord interpret his owne meaning in the 23. verse of this 20. chapter of Exodus and Deuteronomy 32. verse 39. Reade also 1. Kings 18.21 and 2. Kings 17.33 and Iohn 4.22 Reade also Iudges chapter 2.11 c. to the end and chapter 3.7 and Psalme 81.11 and Psalme 106.37 All the Gods of the heathen are meere vanitie Leuiticus chapter 19 4. Deuteronomie 32.21 and 1. Samuel 12.21 and 1. Kinges 16.13.26 and 1. Corinthians 8.4.5.6 whence the house of the strange God is called Bethanuen the house of vanitie Hosh 4.15 Duties commanded Yea 2. Kings 17.12 strange Gods are in singular contempt abhomination called dirtie or dungish Gods and therefore in no wise to be ioyned with the true God of all Maiestie and glorie Reade also Iud. chapter 6. verse 8.9.10 and 1. Kings 17.35.36 and Psalme 115. and Exodus 23.13 and Psalme 16. No trust no loue no prayer no prayse c. belongeth to them The Lord will not giue his glorie to anie other Isai 44.6.7.8 No god beside the Lord chapter 45. foure times repeated in that one chapter and chapter 48.11 Surely I wil not giue my glorie to another saith the Lord. Wherfore right worthie is that excellent profession of the Prophet to be imitated of all the seruants of God Psalme 73.25 where he saith vnto God Whome haue I in heauen but thee and I haue desired none in the earth with thee Finally let vs diligently note that the Lord forbiddeth these sinnes and all of this kind as being before his face he giuing therin to vnderstand that none of these sinnes can be committed but they are knowne to him and that he taketh them as done to his exceeding great dishonour c. Reade Psalme 44. vers 20.21 Now on the other side let vs see what good spiritual duties the Lord requireth and commandeth in this first commandement What haue ye learned to be the wil of God herein That we do both rightly knovv and discerne euen in the spirite of our mind and also that vve do ioyfully acknovvledge with our whole soule that God to be our onely Lord eternall and almightie most vvise most holy most righteous most gracious mercifull most faithfull and true euen the Father the Son and the holy Ghost the Creatour gouernour and preseruer of all things the Supreme and Soueraigne iudge of all the vvorld one God to be blessed for euer vvho hath manifestly reuealed himself first to his people Israel in speciall manner aboue anie other people and novv more clearely to all beleeuing Gentils through the vvhole vvorld both by his diuine vvord and also by his most gracious and vvonderfull vvorkes and that vve do acknovvledge the same his workes and all other from the greatest to the least of them to be done and ordered in all perfection of vvisedome goodnesse righteousnesse faithfulnesse and truth in most excellent manner aboue all that vve can conceiue God requireth also in this first commandement that as a necessarie fruite of this true knovvledge and heartie acknovvledgement of him and of the most perfect vvisedome and excellencie of all his vvorkes vve do vvisely entirely zealously and constantly yeeld him alone as most vvorthie all true diuine and spirituall seruice and vvorship and no part therof to anie other as hath bene ansvvered before This verily is the end wherefore the Lord hath manifested and reuealed himselfe namely that he might be knowne and acknowledged of his people Reade Deut. 4.32 c. to the 40. verse and Isaiah 43.10.11.12 This also was necessarie For else how should he be rightly worshipped and serued here in this world According to thy name so is thy prayse vnto the worlds end that is ouer all the earth thy right hand is full of righteousnesse Ps 48.10 And that this our God is most worthie of all diuine worship and seruice his verie nature which is most excellent sheweth it Reade also 1. Chronicles 29.10 c. And Nehem. 9.5 Psal 89.6.7.8 c. and Micah 7.18 c. and Deut. 32.31 Their God is not as our God euen our enemies being iudges Worthie therefore in this place is the admonition of the Prophet Ieremie which he giueth in the name of the Lord chap. 9.23.24 Let not the wise man glorie in his wisedome c. but in this that he vnderstandeth and knoweth the Lord c. To conclude the proofe of this
as they had sinned before their true repentance concerning their speciall sinnes Whosoeuer do not thus in the like cases they can haue no true comfort that their sinnes are forgiuen them but shall dangerously deceiue themselues to the euerlasting destruction of their soules And thus are we now by the gracious blessing of God come to the eight Commaundement What is that Thou shalt not steale The Lord hauing in the sixt Commaundement prouided for the safegard of mans person and life and in the seuenth for the propagation of the life of mankind least the earth shold be left void of a posteritie lawfully descending it followeth now fitly in the eight Commandement that the Lord should take order concerning the outward commodities of his life for the comfortable maintenance thereof Sins forbidden But that we may attaine to the vnderstanding of this Commaundement let vs inquire of it in our former order from point to point And first concerning the negatiue part What doth almightie God forbid vnder this word stealing Vnder this word stealing almightie God comprehendeth and forbiddeth all iniustice vvhatsoeuer may be committed of any person young or old in any matter or interprise litle or great touching the goods and outvvard commodities of this life vvhether the same iniustice should be compassed and brought to passe by force and violence against the vvill of the right ovvner or by any kind of subtiltie and fraud vvithout his knovvledge Hereby then it appeareth that the propertie of euerie mans right and possession and all distinction of mine and thine which is in the world is of the hand of God and that his prouident distribution is the ground and foundation of all iustice to be obserued in nations betwixt people and people and in all societies betwixt euerie man and his neighbour according to that positiue law which the Lord hath set Deuteronomy 19. chapter 14. Thou shalt not remoue thy neighbors marke which they of old time and antiquitie haue set in thine inheritaunce c. And Prouerbes 22.28 and chapter 23.10.11 This law indeed did specially respect the people of Israell neuerthelesse it is euident also by the holy Scriptures that God hath distributed the whole world according to the pleasure of his owne will Genesis chapter 10. and chapter 11.8 and Deuteronomy 32.8 c. Reade also Psalme 8. and Psalme 24. and Psalme 50.10 c. and Psalm 95.4.5 and 115.16 But many get that which they hold by no honest and lawfull meanes but by wicked practises and that partly by force and partly by deceit as hath bene answered before What is to be said to this Hovvsoeuer it be that any hold goods and possessions vvhether by right or by vvrong it is iniustice for any liuing in a setled common-wealth to steale the least thing from them or to vse any vnlawfull force yea though they be such as haue iust right thereunto What is to be done then Onely lawfull meanes must be vsed for the righting of all vvrongs So it ought to be indeed One euill must not be remedied by another for that would make the euill worse c. The Magistrate is appointed of God to heare and determine such cases To them therefore must all that be wronged resort and seeke for iudgement Exod. 22.7 c. and Deut. 17.8 c. But what if all lawfull meanes faile and that the Iudge will not do his office in the execution of iustice The matter must then be peaceably left to the righteous iudgement of God God verily must be the onely refuge in such extremities and we may well comfort our selues in him that he will in due season righteously iudge both the iust and the wicked Reade Eccles 3.16.17 Now let vs come to inquire of the particular sinnes whereby this Commandement is transgressed and broken The which as I suppose we may not vnfitly do in this order First if we search out the sinnes of such as be in authority ouer the rest and Secondly what are the sinnes of those that be vnder their gouernement Shew therefore in the first place which be the sinnes of those in authority whether they be tyrants or lawfull gouernours for euen the one as well as the other may be theeues and robbers in the sight of God and by the verdict of this his Commandement Reade Iob 12.5.6 Psalme 62.10 Isaiah 1.23 Hosh 6.9 and chap. 7.1 Shew therefore I say which their sinnes of iniustice be Tyrants vvith their Lieutenants Captaines and souldiers yea and all other soueraigne Kings and Princes sinne against this Commandement of Almighty God the Kings of Kings and Prince of all Princes when by vniust warres they inuade the lands and dominions of other Princes and spoile their subiects of their goods either by piracy vpon the seas or by robbing and stealing vpon the land The same againe both tyrants and also all lawfull Kings and Princes with their Iudges and vnder officers do then likewise breake this Cōmandement of God in time of peace among their owne subiects when of malice or for loue of corrupting bribes gifts they either vtterly peruert or in any point corrupt true iudgement also when they delay and hinder the speedy course thereof specially touching the pitifull cause of the stranger and the poore the widow and the fatherlesse and finally vvhen they lay burthensome exactions vpon their subiects without iust and waighty causes and when they consume the common treasury vpon their priuate and pompous lusts These sinnes of Princes and Rulers are euery where mightily cried out against by the Prophets of God in the holy Scriptures Now what are the sinnes of those that liue together in more equall estate and condition of life There are very many of them It is true for beside secret stealing and open robbing practised among men iniustice may be committed both in regard of other mens goods and commodities and also in regard of their owne and that also diuerse wayes in either respect First therefore which are the wayes whereby iniustice may be committed in respect of other mens goods and commodities First when we do negligently but much rather if vve should vvilfully damnifie or hinder them in any matter Secondly when vve do any way get out of their hands any part of that vvhich we haue no right vnto Thirdly when we detaine or keepe in our owne hands any part of that which belongeth vnto them But most of all when any do vtterly alienate the title of inheritance from the right heire thereof Of the first of these points of iniustice we haue two instances giuen vnto vs the one of wilfulnesse the other of negligence Exod. 22. verses 5.6 Let vs come to the second point How may iniustice be committed in getting other mens goods out of their hands This may be practised many wayes Shew how In buying or selling letting or hiring borowing or lending paying wages or doing of worke in exchange of commodities in partnership or in any other lawfull kind of contracting
returne to the last point of the first answer that we may more particularly consider from the instruction of Moses to what ends and purposes it pleased God to giue his Law in so fearefull a manner What are those ends and purposes Moses comforting the people against their excessiue feare letteth them to vnderstand that God did not mind by that his dealing to exanimate and amaze them but rather first of all to examine or try and proue them that is to shew them by sensible and plaine demonstration from their owne experience how fraile and sinfull creatures they were in and of themselues without his mercy and grace Secondly he telleth them that Gods meaning was by that meanes to settle his true reuerence and feare in the hearts of their posterity for euer Deut. chap. 4.10 chap. 31.11.12.13 Thirdly that as a fruite of the same his true feare and reuerence they hauing the knowledge of his Law and will might be nourtured and preserued from all witting and willing sinning against him This is indeed a true and short interpretation of the speech of Moses to the people of Israel Concerning euery of these points sundry things were deliuered for a more full instruction the which time will not serue to repeate Let vs therefore come to the generall vses which we are to make of our owne hearing of the same Law of God vnlesse we will be vnprofitable hearers of it yea vnlesse we will heare it to our curse and condemnation and not to our blessing and saluation Shew you which those vses are There are some which we may call the former vses and there be other which we may call the latter Which are they which we may call the former They are these which follow First the Law of God maketh knowne vnto vs the infinite greatnesse of our naturall corruption and sinne What vses all Christians ought to make of the Law Secondly it sheweth vs the infinite greatnesse of that wrath and misery which is due to vs from the iustice of God because of the same Thirdly it is as a Schoole-maister to bring vs to Christ that we might be made righteous by faith through the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and by the imputation of his righteousnesse and that being deliuered from all wrath and misery yea from euery discomfort whith either the Law or our owne sinne and corruption offereth we may be heires of blessing here and of life euerlasting in the kingdome of heauen These are the former vses of the Law concerning the which we are to vnderstand that as in the bodily sicknesse so in the sicknesse of the soule and cure thereof these three things are necessary First that the sicknesse with the causes thereof be rightly discerned and knowne Secondly that a meete and conuenient medicine be sought out And thirdly that the medicine being found out it be speedily vsed and applied First therfore that the Law of God maketh knowne our sin which is both the sicknesse and also the cause of the sicknesse of the soule reade Gal. 3.19 Rom. 3.19.20 chap. 17.7 and verse 13. Reade also how our Sauiour Christ himselfe consenteth by the worke of his Spirit with this vse of the Law Iohn chap. 7. verse 7. and chap. 16. verses 8.9 Touching the second vse it is most answerable to the iustice of God that the same Law which is the meanes of discouering sinne should also make knowne the penalty and punishment of the same Reade Rom. 4.15 2. Cor. 3.7 9. Reade also Deut. 27. Gal. 3.10.11.12 Reade also Psal 45.6.7 Ier. 5.9 verse 30. and chap. 9.9 and chap. 7.19 Ezek. 22.13.14 and 1. Cor. 20.22 Heb. 2.2 chap. 10.28.29.30.31 Reade also Psal 76.7.8 and Psal 130.3 and Amos 3.8 Concerning the third vse which is the last of the former and the most excellent vse of them as that whereunto the other do serue for the benefit of all the elect children of God reade Gal. 3.24 and Rom. 10.4 For the opening of the which point you may remember how it was declared vnto you that the faithfull do find in Christ all sufficient comfort against euery discomfort which the Law confirmeth against vs seeing we do by faith find in him both purity of nature and righteousnesse of life and satisfaction for sinne and intercession with God on our behalfe and therewithal power against sinne and grace to liue righteously in some measure of true obedience to God and finally euerlasting life and glory through the most free and infinite mercies of God To him therefore be all praise and honour and glory for euermore Amen Now let vs come to those which were called the latter vses of the Law Which are they The first vse of the Law after that we are brought by it to our Sauiour Christ is that henceforth it is vnto all the seruants of God a most perfect rule to teach and admonish vs how we are to amend our former wicked wayes and to order and frame our liues anew in all the duties of true righteousnesse and holinesse to the glorifying of the name of God to the assuring vnto our selues the truth of our faith for the peace of our owne consciences and to the good example and profit one of another Secondly it serueth as a continuall watch-man and admonitor to tell vs of our faults that by the rebukes thereof we may be more and more humbled in the sight of God and likewise to shew vs the imperfection and manifold failings of our obedience yea euen in the best things which we do that so it may be a preseruatiue against all false opinion of the worthinesse and merit of our owne workes and as a spurre to stirre vs vp to the care of better proceedings as hauing bene hitherto vnprofitable seruants vnto God Thirdly it is a perpetuall remembrance vnto vs how great our deliuerance hath bene by our Sauior Christ who hath freed vs from infinite sinnes and from the most horrible damnation due to the same to the end that by the same continuall remembrance we do prouoke our owne harts to loue Christ more and more dearely all the dayes of our liues and therewithall also to put vs in mind how infinite the danger is if at any time we should fall away from him Concerning the first of these latter vses of the Law reade 1. Tim. 1.5.6.7.8.9 In this respect also doth our Sauiour Christ returne all that are brought to him by the Law for their redemption iustification and saluation backe againe to the Law for the direction of their life in all the duties of loue both to God and their neighbour as to the end of their redemption And so also do his holy Apostles Reade Ioh. chap. 13.34 1. Epist 2.7.8.9.10.11 Rom. 13.8.9.10 Gal. 5.14 and Iames chap. 2.8.9.10.11 Luke 1.74.75 Neither is there any other knowledge of God faith feare loue c. cōmanded in the Gospell to any Christian and true beleeuer which was not before commāded in the Law