THe second Table does enjoin us to love our neighbours as our selves, that is. 1. We should not wish any evil more to others, then to our selves· 2. We should desire, (and as much as we can) endeavour all good Natural, Spiritual, for others, as we ought for our selves.
So that by this we are directed to pray, that we may be kindely affectioned one to another, with brotherly love,1 without dissimulation; Not in word onely, and tongue; but in deed, and truth; Loving each other with a pure heart fervently; That our love may continue and increase, abounding more and more towards one another, and towards all men; in knowledge and in all judgement: As we have opportunity, doing good unto all men, but especially to the houshold of Faith. That we may love our enemies and blesse them that curse us, (Mat. 5.44) and pray for them that despitefully vse us, and persecute us; Considering one another, (Heb. 10.24) to provoke unto love, and good workes.
2The fifth Commandment does injoyn the duties which concern the degrees and relations amongst men, whether Superiours. Inferiours.
By this we may learn to pray for all those graces and abilities, whereby we may be fitted for the filling up of our several relations; that we may be careful to acknowledge and observe that order which God hath appointed amongst men, and to demean our selves towards them, according to their places and degrees; Gravely and modestly towards our Inferiours; Reverently and dutifully to our Superiours; Humbly and thankfully to our Benefactours; Being kindly affectioned towards our Equals; in honour preferring one another. (Rom. 12.10·)
More particularly, we may hence learn to pray for those graces which concerne the relation of
Parents; That they may be carefull in providing for the wel-fare of their childrens souls and bodies. Teaching of them diligently, admonishing, and correcting of them seasonably,3 bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Children; That they may love, honour,4 and fear their Parents, obeying them in all things; striving upon all occasions to expresse their thankfulnesse to them.
Husbands;5 That they may love their wives as themselves; Not being bitter unto them; Giving honour to them as to the weaker vessels, and as being heires together of the grace of life; Bearing with their infirmities, providing for them, protecting of them, delighting in them, behaving themselves with much prudence and tendernesse towards them.
Wives; That they may help, reverence, and be in subjection to their husbands; (Eph. 5.33) labouring chiefly to be adorned with a meek and quiet spirit; continuing in faith, and charity, and holinesse, (1 Pet. 3.1, 4) with sobriety; Being careful, and helpful in all those familie-duties, that concerne their relations, studying to be content, in the midst of all marriage-cares, and troubles.
Masters; That they may behave themselves prudently, justly, gently to their servants, as considering that they also have a Master in Heaven.6
Servants; (1 Pet. 2.18) That they may be subject to their Masters with all fear, not only when they are good and gentle, but when they are froward; Not with eye-service as men-pleasers, (Eph. 6.6, 7) but willingly, and from the heart, shewing all good fidelity.
7 Ancient; That they may be found in the way of righteousnesse. Being sober, grave, temperate, sound in the faith, in Charity, and Patience; that so they may behave themselves worthy of that crown of old Age, and the honour due unto it.
8 Younger; That they may be sober-minded, reverencing the aged as Fathers; being ready to be taught by their wisdome, experience, and to follow their good Counsels. Examples.
Superiours in Gifts; That they may acknowledge all their abilities to be the free gifts of God, being willing to improve them unto his glory and the good of their inferiours. (1 Cor. 4.7) Not despising those below them, bearing with the infirmities of the weak; (Rom. 15.1, 2) using their liberty for edification, and not for offence.
Inferiours in Gifts; That they may acknowledge every gift of God in those above them, not either judging, envying, or flattering, but truly reverencing and esteeming them for it.
Magistrates; That they may be upright, and conscionable in the establishment of justice, and peace, and Religion; Behaving themselves as Gods Vicegerents; Remembring that those who rule over men must be just,9 ruling in the fear of God; using their power for the encouragement of those that do well, and the terror of evill doers. Having respect to the faithfull in the land, and those that walk in a perfect way.10 Being severe towards deceitful and wicked doers; being diligent in the discharge of their places with piety, wisdome, courage, clemency, &c. that those under them may lead a peaceable and quiet life, (1 Tim. 2.2) in all godlinesse and honesty.
Subjects; That they may be endowed with humble and peaceable affections;11 Obeying them that have the rule over them: Submitting unto the higher powers out of Conscience, as being ordained of God.
Teachers; That they may be careful, and conscionable, both in their examples, and counsels; watching for the souls of those who are committed to their charge, that they may give an account with joy, (Heb. 13.11) and not with grief.
Learners; That they may esteem highly of their Teachers in love, for their works sake; (1 Thes. 5.13) improving all opportunities of benefiting by them.
The sixth Commandment does enjoyn all those duties which concerne the health and well-fare of our Neighbours,12 and our own Bodies, Soules, and consequently the graces of friendship, mercy, peaceablenesse, meeknesse, temperance, &c. By this we are directed to pray
That we may be restrained from all acts of violence, either on our selves or others; avoiding the company of angry, contentious persons.
That God would give unto us milde,13 and peaceable spirits, that we may be slow to anger, putting on bowels of mercy, kindnesse humblenesse, of minde,14 meeknesse and long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake, hath forgiven us.
That we may be careful in observing the duties of mutual friendship and peace; more milde and courteous in our behaviour;15 putting away all bitternesse, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking.16 That as farre as it is possible, and as much as in us lies, we may have peace with all men.
That we may have a mutual sense, and compassion of one anothers conditions, as being fellow-members of the same body,17 rejoycing with them that rejoyce, and weeping with them that weep; bearing one anothers burdens: Relieving the needy, visiting the sick, delivering the oppressed; being innocent, and helpful towards all.
That we may be wary, and inoffensive in our carriages, not wronging the soules of others, but endeavouring as much as we can, to promote their spiritual well-farre, (Rom. 14.19) by following the things whereby we may edifie one another. Instructing the ignorant, reproving offenders, comforting the weak, quickening, and incouraging the backward.
That we may be careful to preserve our own bodily health, by wise preventing, and avoiding of dangers. Being sober in our diet, moderate in our care and passions, temperate in our recreations, chearful in our businesse.
That we may be diligent in working out our own salvations, and providing for the wel-fare of our souls, against that time, when all earthly contentments shall vanish away.
18The seventh Commandment does concerne the duty of chastity in the Kindes Meanes Signes of it, and that both in respect of our selves, and others.
By this we may learne to pray, that God would enable us to possesse our vessels in sanctification and honour;19 that we may not sin against our own bodies, but may keep them undefiled, as being Members of Christ, and Temples of the holy Ghost; mortifying our members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleannesse, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence.
That we may be pure, and chaste in all the thoughts of our hearts; abstaining from fleshly lusts,20 which fight against the soul.
That we may make a strict Covenant with our eyes, lest they should insnare us, (Job 31.1·) by beholding vanity, that we may set a watch before our mouths and ears, (Colo) that no filthy communication do proceed from us, or enter into us; that we may be watchful, and sober in our conversations; avoiding idlenesse, intemperance, evil company, and all other such occasions, whereby we may be tempted to this sin; Keeping under our bodies, and bringing them into subjection. (Rom. 9.27)
That we may endeavour, according to our several opportunities, to promote this grace of chastity in others, by our prayers, counsels, examples.
The eighth Commandment does enjoyn those duties which concerne our owne,21 or our neighbours outward estate: Referring to justice, diligence in our callings, frugality, liberality, Almes, Hospitality, Restitution.
By this we are taught to pray, that we may not wrong or defraud our brethren, (1 Cor. 6.8) by any outward act of oppression, injustice, or deceit.
That our hearts may not be troubled with any sollicitous, or carking cares; that our conversation may be without covetousnesse, (Heb. 13.5) being content with such things as we have, trusting in his promise; that he will never leave us, nor forsake us; that they who seek the Lord shall lack nothing that is good: (Psa. 34.10) Remembring how he hath commanded us to cast all our care upon him, and how he provides for the fowles of the aire, and the beasts of the field; and that in our greatest discontents, we are in much better condition for the world, then many of his blessed Saints and Martyrs, who were forced to wander up and down in sheep-skins,22 and goat-skins; and that we enjoy more then our blessed Saviour himself did, who though he were Lord of the world, yet had not whereon to rest his head.
(Phil. 4.11, 12)That he would teach us how to abound, and to want, and in all estates to be content: That he would moderate our desires to these earthly things;23 that we may not too much love the world, nor the things of the world; that we may covet earnestly the best things, seeking first the Kingdome of God, and the righteousnesse thereof; expecting other matters as additions thereunto: To esteem godlinesse for the greatest gain, and as for these outward things, not to desire any abundance of them; but if we have food and rayment, to be therewith contented. (1 Tim. 6.6, 8)
That we may be just and upright in the wayes of getting wealth; that we may not go beyond, (1 Thes. 4.6) or defraud any one, as knowing that the Lord is the revenger of all such; being diligent in our callings, working with our own hands the thing which is good,24 that we may be able to give to them that need: Being consciencious in repaying that we owe, in making restitution of that wherein we have wronged any one.
That he would give us hearts to use, and enjoy the estates which we possesse; (Ecc. 5.19) Power to eat thereof, and to take our portion, and to rejoyce in our labour.
That we may be wise and faithful in laying out the talents committed to our trust: Not lavishing of them by any idle and vaine expences, as knowing that we are but stewards of our estates, being to give an account of them to our Lord and Master: Not niggardly and sparing towards any work of charity: (1 Tim. 6.17, 18, 19) Not trusting in uncertaine riches, but in the living God; that we may do good, be rich in good works; ready to distribute willing to communicate; laying up in store for our selves a good foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life: Making our selves friends of unrighteous Mammon,25 which may hereafter receive us into everlasting habitations: Laying up for our selves treasures in heaven; Considering that he who soweth sparingly,26 shall reap sparingly; and he who soweth bountifully, shall reap bountifully.
The ninth Commandment does referre to duties which concerne our Neighbours,27 or our own reputations.
From this we may learne to pray that we may be tender and charitable, in upholding the credit of others: willing to speak, and hear, and judge the best of them: (Prov. 17.9) Covering their infirmities in love.
(Psal. 15.3)Not back-biting with our tongues, nor taking up a reproach against our Neighbours. (Tit. 3.2) Not speaking evil of any one, but being gentle, shewing all meeknesse to all men.
That we may not be willing to listen unto, and hearken after any rumour, which tends to the defamation of our Neighbour, but may rather rejoyce in their good report: Disliking all flatterers· Tale-bearers and such other persons, as do usually raise, and spread ill rumours.
That we may not be pragmatical, or censorious in the affaires of others, where we are not concerned: But may study to be quiet, and to do our own businesse;28 being careful to pull the beam out of our own eyes, before we find fault with the mote in others: Doing nothing through strife, or vain-glory, (Phil. 2.3) but in lowlinesse of minde, each one esteeming of others, better then of himself.
That we may be lowly in our own eyes; Not thinking of our selves more highly then we ought to think; (Rom. 12.3) that we may be careful by all good means to advance our own reputations; Valuing a good name above great riches;29 labouring to be such as we would seem to be, walking circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, approving our selves unto him who trieth the hearts: Avoiding all appearances of evill,30 and following matters of good report.
The tenth Commandment does require a sincere, and upright heart, to our selves,31 and our Neighbours.
By this we are directed to pray, that God would cleanse our souls from that evill concupiscence so natural unto them, endowing us with a sincere inclination to all the duties of charity.
That he would make us more watchfull over our own senses, and hearts, in keeping out and extinguishing all those evill fancies and imaginations, which may arise within us. And to this purpose, that he would bestow upon us the whole Armour of God, whereby we may cast down all fleshly reasonings, and imaginations, (2 Cor. 10.5) and bring into subjection every thought unto the obedience of himself.
That we may make a Covenant with our thoughts, not to please our selves in the speculation of any sins, not to think of them without soathing and detestation; That we may never make provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof, (1 Cor. 7.29, 30) that our hearts may be dis-ingaged from the world.
That he would give unto us the Spirit of wisdome to discern in what things we are most obnoxious to temptation, and to be most vigilant over our hearts in respect of those particulars: That we may keep our hearts with all diligence.
That we may never envy our neighbours well-being; nor rejoyce at his sufferings. (Prov. 4.13) (Job 31.29)
← Chapter 20. Of the duties required in the third and fourth Commandment · Contents · Chapter 22. Of the graces that are more particularly required in the Gospel →
Footnotes
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Rom. 12.10. Vers. 9. 1 Joh. 3.18 1 Pet. 1.22 Heb. 13.1 1 Thes. 3.12 Phil. 1.9. Gal. 6.10. ↩
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The sixth Command. ↩
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Deut. 6.7. Eph. 6.4. ↩
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Levit. 19.3 Col. 3.20. ↩
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Col. 3.19· Eph. 5.28. 1 Pet. 3.7. ↩
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Col. 4.1. Eph. 6.9. ↩
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Tit. 2.10. Pro. 16.31 Tit. 2.2. ↩
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Tit. 2.6. 1 Tim. 5.1 ↩
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2 Sam. 23.3. Rom. 13.3 ↩
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Ps. 101.6· 7 ↩
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Heb. 13 17 ↩
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The sixth Command. ↩
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Pro. 22.[…] ↩
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Jam. 1.19. Colos. 3.12, 13. Eph. 4.32 ↩
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Eph. 4 31 ↩
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Rom. 12 18. ↩
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1 Cor. 12.26. Rom. 12.15. Gal. 6 2. ↩
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The 7th. Command. ↩
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1 Thes. 4.[…] 1 Cor. 6.18, 12. Vers. 15. Colos. 3 5. ↩
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1 Pet. 2.[…] ↩
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The 8th Command. ↩
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Heb. 11.37 ↩
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1 […]oh. 2.15 1 Cor. 1[…].31. Luk. 12.31 ↩
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Eph. 4·28 ↩
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Luk. 16 9. ↩
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Luk. 12.33 2 Cor. 5.6. ↩
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The ninth Command. ↩
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1 Pet. 4.15 1 Thes. 4.11 Mat. 7.5 ↩
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Prov. 12.1 Eph. 5.15. ↩
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1 Thes. 5.22 Phil. 4.8. ↩
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The tenth Command. ↩