The exercise of a christian life. Written in Italian by the Reuerend Father Gaspar Loarte D. of Diuinitie, of the Societie of Iesus. And newly translated into Englishe. by I.S.

A DECLARATION of the De∣calogue or tenn Commaundements.

¶ Cap. 31. (Book 31)

LIKE as we haue alreadie seene in the Creede what we are bound to beleeue; euen so in these tenn commaundementes are we taught by our Lorde God, what his wil is that we doo, to gaine euer∣lasting life withal. Wherefore, the summe of his first precept is this; to beleeue in one true and onely God, * 1.1 which is the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghoste, as is aforesaide in the declaration of the Articles; and that to him alone we geue adoration, honour, and reuerence, louing this our God aboue al things with al our a 1.2 heart, with al our soule, and with al our might and power; Insomuch, as no other thing ought to be honored, loued, and reuerenced like to him. Whence thou maiest learne, that al

Idolatry, al superstitious obseruati∣ons, al inchauntments, witchcraftes, and vse of magical arte, with eche o∣ther kinde of dealing, wherby, either an expresse, or included couenant & paction is made with the deuil, and any honour done vnto him; al this, I say, as also al kind of south-sayinges, diuinations, and geuing credite to those we fondly cal wise men, or wo∣men, is vtterly forbidden and con∣demned by this commaundement.

IN THE second precept we ar pre∣scribed, * 1.3 how to vse our tonges in di∣uine seruice, being by the former in∣structed, how to guide our hartes to∣wards our Lord & God. The content & mening of this cōmaundement is; that we vse the name of God in good and reuerēt wise; & that we take heed of naming it a 1.4 vainly or irreuerently. Then doo we vse the name of God wel & duely, when we praise, thank, confesse, inuocate, annoūce, and with

reuerence handle his moste sacred word; and whē in any important ne∣cessities we sweare by it in truth and due reuerence. And contrariwise, thē is his holy name vttered in vaine, and this precept transgressed, when we sweare without these circumstances; much more when we forsweare; but most of al, when we blaspheme God, or his most holy Saintes. Such also, as blaspheme or curse his other crea∣tures; and that hauing power to per∣forme their a 1.5 vowes they haue earst made, doo not accomplish them; al these offēd against this cōmaūdemēt.

IN the third precept we are infor∣med * 1.6 of our duties, howe we ought to serue God in our words and actions; and therfore doth he here commaund vs to keepe holy, and sanctifie the Sa∣both dayes; that is, the Sundayes, and other festiual dayes, ordeyned by our holye Mother the Churche, ceassing on those dayes from seruile woorke,

and such other temporal trades and busines as might occasionate destrac∣tion in our soules, intending onely to such workes as God is best honoured with; and our souls more inflamed in loue and feruoure towards him. Such workes are; hearing of an entier and whole Masse, the sermons, Lessons, with other diuine seruice, what the time and place thou liuest in, may af∣forde thee. In like maner, to laud and prayse God for such benefits as thou hast receaued of his moste liberal hand; to be sorowful for thy trespas∣ses committed against his Maiestie; to reuerence his Sacramentes; and with dutiful obeisance to receue thē; to be diligent in doing works of mer cie: With these, and such like deedes, are the holy dayes, according to the meaning of this precept, sanctified. Wherein note, that who so worketh * 1.7 on holy dayes, (onlesse it be some smal thing, or worke of charitie, or

els being compelled by some vrgent and great necessitie) offendeth against this precept. We break this cōmaun∣dement in like maner, when hauing conuenient meanes, we heare not a whole & entier Masse on these daies; and finally, when in steed of these holy workes and exercises aboue-na∣med (wherin the holy-dayes ought to be employed) we spend them in con∣trary workes, wher-with God is dis∣pleased; then is it (I say) that this com∣maundement is infringed.

These a 1.8 three preceptes aboue de∣clared, be the commaundements the first table; which apperteine to the honour of God; and teache vs, howe in worde, worke, and thought we are bounde to behaue our selues towardes him. The other seuen that folowe, are called the commaunde∣mentes of the second table; and in∣struct vs, howe b 1.9 towardes our neigh∣bours we are bōd to behaue our sel∣ues.

IN THE first whereof, and fourth in order, is commaunded vs to honor our parents that did begett vs; vnto whom, next to God, we are bound to yeeld al loue, reuerence, honour, and obedience; sith that of them, next to God, we haue receaued the essence and being that we haue: And there∣fore ought we of duetie, in al honest thinges they commaund vs, a 1.10 to obey and execute their good wil and plea∣sures. And if it chaunced them to fal into pouertie, whereby they shoulde stand neede of our seruice and succor, then requireth our duetie, liberallye b 1.11 to prouide for them, diligentlye to serue them, and patiently to abide the troubles and pains they put vs to; like as they did patientlye bring vs vp, and beare the infirmities of our in∣fancie. By this precept are we like∣wise commaunded to carye the like loue, obedience, and reuerence to our spiritual fathers, and to al our Superi∣ours;

as be Bisshops, priestes, religious men, & prelates of the Church; kings, princes, and seculer powers. Thus ought Schollers to behaue thē-selues towardes their teachers; seruaunts to∣wardes their masters; and wiues to∣wardes their husbandes. Hereby are also al parentes and superiours war∣ned, what loue and special care they are bound to cary towards their chil∣drē, & to al such as be their subiects.

IN THE fift precept is forbidden, * 1.12 to kil, strike, or other-wise to hurt our neighbours bodye or life, of our owne authoritie; a 1.13 albeit a man maye wel, by authoritie of lawe or magis∣trate, be an executioner of iustice, do∣ing his duetie therein orderlye, and without al malice. By this precept is also forbidden, al iniurie b 1.14 or reuiling of our neighbours, al hatred, rancour, couet of c 1.15 reuenge, and eche other in∣ward afse&iō, wherby either murder, or some outward action to endomage

our neighbour, is wont commonly to proceede. The obseruing therfore of this precept requireth great mildnes and patience in al our doings; & that we bear with our neighbors imperfec tions, and forget their miuries; pardo∣ning with such loue their offences, as we woulde wishe, that God shoulde pardon ours. Mothers also doo great∣ly transgresse this commaundement, who procure vntimely birth, and de∣stroye the fruit conceaued in their wombes; as also al those that geue thē instruction, or any kind of help ther∣to. * 1.16 In like maner, who so slea them selues, maime, or cut off any of their limmes, or otherwise in rage doo in∣iurie them-selues, or through impa∣tience doo wittingly, by disordinate 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or other vnfitt meanes seeke to shorten their dayes; al these doo vio∣late * 1.17 this commaundement.

IN THE sixt precept is adulterye, fornication, and eche other carnal act

forbidden, except that of matrimo∣nie, being orderly obserued. In like maner are al occasions prohibited, whence such vnlawful actes doo pro∣ceede; as be carnal a 1.18 thoughtes, disho∣nest b 1.19 words, profane songs c 1.20 and bal∣lets, the reading of amorous and fond discourses, wanton d 1.21 lookes, lasciuious gestures, much familiaritie and con∣uersation with daungerous persons; excesse in eating and drinking, too much fostring of the fleshe, wherby it is kindled, and made more subiect to alterations; briefly, al such occasi∣ons are forbidden, as endaunger the cleannes and chastitie that God re∣quireth in vs; which we ought with great carefulnes to keepe, both in our soules and bodies, in our hearing, see∣ing, touching, & in al e 1.22 our other sen∣ses and powers, to satisfie this com∣maundement. * 1.23

IN THE seuenth precept is for∣bidden, the stealing of other mennes

goods, either priuily or pertly, against the owners wil; as also ech other vn∣lawful a 1.24 seasing or with-holding of o∣thers substance; be it by stealth, vio∣lence, or any fraude and legerdemain; or els by vsurie, or some kind of o∣ther vnlawful bargaine, whereby our neighbour is defrauded, and suffreth some losse and hinderance. It folow∣eth therfore, that who so in their tra∣des and traffiques vse not equitie and vpright dealing, offend against this precept. Such also, as discharge not their Creditours, hauing meanes to pay them; or that find any lost thing, and restore it not, either to the true owner; or to the poore, the owner be∣ing not extant (if haply such thinges were not reputed as geuen ouer, and voluntarily abēdoned of the owner) Finally, al fraude, deceipt, and tret∣cherie, whereby our neighboures goodes is damnified, to whom our

Sauiour and Lorde wil haue vs to beare great loue and charitie; and not to doo other-wise to them, then wil∣lingly we would that they should do to vs; yea, that we doo them the good which they maye conuenientlye re∣quire, and we likewise performe to∣wardes them. Who so faileth in anye of these thinges aforesaid, doth break and violate this commaundement.

IN THE a 1.25 eight precept is al such harme forbidden, as through our speeche and wordes may be procured * 1.26 to our neighbours; as might be prin∣cipally in bearing false witnes against them in place of iudgement; or in speaking suche wordes out of iudge∣ment, as might eyther blemishe, or quite ouerthrowe our neighbours credite and good name. In like ma∣ner, to reueale suche imperfections and faultes, as we knowe by others, to them that knowe them not.

not; wherby they are either defamed, or els made lesse accompt of; especi∣ally, when such thinges are reuealed with wicked intent, and to those that can by no meanes redresse them. By this precept is like-wise forbidden, al detractions, murmuringes, speaking euil, & slaundering of others; al scof∣fing, taunting, and telling of lies; al∣beit without harme or any preiudice to our neighbours. Finally, we must beware of speaking or saying anye thing, whereby anye harme might any wayes ensue.

THE NINTH a 1.27 precept is as a de∣claration of the seuenth, thereby to notifie vnto vs the better, what chari∣tie God wil haue vs to vse towardes * 1.28 our neighbours, and howe farre we ought to be from doing them anye euil, being not onely forbidden to take their goodes by outward means from them, but also not to desire in∣wardly in our heartes any vnlawful

vsurpation of them. And like as the desire and coueting of these thinges is prohibited vs, euen so are wee to witt, that eche other deliberate wil and desire of any thing what-soeuer that may be preiudicial to our neigh∣bour, is vtterly forbidden vs. * 1.29

THE TENTH precept is as a de∣claration of the sixt; to doo vs the better to vnderstand, what puritie of heart our Lord requireth of vs; wher∣by we ought not onely to beware of committing aduoultrie, fornication, or any other carnal act, as was aboue∣said in the sixt; but also, not to haue any a 1.30 concupiscence or desire with determinate consent, which suffiseth, without committing any outwarde act, to soile our soules, and to procure the losse of Gods diuine grace and fauour towards vs. This briefe decla∣ration of these tenne commaunde∣mentes shal geue thee some light, as∣wel to know the better how to keepe

them, as also to vnderstand howe to make thy confession better, when haply thou mightest haue trespassed against any of these preceptes. Note moreouer, that al these tenne com∣maundementes are, according to our Sauiors doctrine, reduced vnto a 1.31 two of charitie; towardes God; and to∣wardes our neighbour: sithens, who so loueth God sincerely, performeth duely the three preceptes of the first table, perteyning to Gods honour: and, who so loueth his neighbor with that sinceritie he doth him-selfe, wil not faile in the seuen preceptes of the second table; which in∣struct eche one, howe to gouerne thē-sel∣ues towards their neighbours.

OVR LORDES praver, which a 1.32 Christ him-selfe made; instructing thereby, both his disciples, and al vs, howe we ought to pray, and aske for al necessary thinges, as-wel for our soules as bodies; and this in seucn b 1.33 petitions conteined in thi. prayer.

PATER noster qui es in coelis.

1. Sanctificetur nomen tuum.

2. Adueniat Regnum tuum.

3. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in coe∣lo & in terra.

4. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie.

5. Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut & nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris.

6. Et ne nos inducas in temptationem.

7. Sed libera nos à malo.

Amen.

OVR Father which art in heauen.

1. Hallowed be thy name.

2. Thy kingdome come.

3. Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen.

4. Geue vs this day our dayly bread.

5. And forgeue vs our trespasses, as we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them that trespasse against vs.

6. And leade vs not into temptation.

7. But deliuer vs from euil

Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The firste 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• a 1.2

  Deu. 6. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mat. 22. d. Luc. 10. c.
• * 1.3

  The. 2. Cō∣maunde∣ment.
• a 1.4

  Deu. 5. b Zach. 5. a
• a 1.5

  Leu 27. b Num. 6. a. Mat. 14. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1. Tim. 5. b.
• * 1.6

  The 3. com maunde∣ment.
• * 1.7

  Note well.
• a 1.8

  Exo. 20 c Mat. 22. d. 1. Tim. 1. c. Ioseph. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 3. antiq. ca. 6 Orig. ho. 8. in Exod.
• b 1.9

  Rom. 13. c Iac. 2 b. Galat. 5. c. Aug. ibad.
• a 1.10

  Eph. 6. a. Col. 3. d. Deut. 5. c Eccl. 3. b Mat. 5. a Mar. 7. b
• b 1.11

  Deu. 15. a 1. Tim. 5. b. Aug. cont Adim. ca. 6 supra Exo 12.
• * 1.12

  The 5. Cō∣maunde∣ment.
• a 1.13

  Ro. 13. a 1. Pet. 2. c
• b 1.14

  Leu. 19. d Exod. 13. a. Mat. 5. e.
• c 1.15

  Pro. 20. e Deut. 32. f Rom. 12. d.
• * 1.16

  Note.
• * 1.17

  The. 6. Commaun∣dement.
• a 1.18

  Iob. 32. a. Ge. 6. a. 8. d
• b 1.19

  Eph. 5. a. Eccl 9. a. b
• c 1.20

  Pro. 5. a Cipr. de Syn. Cleric.
• d 1.21

  2 Pet. 2. c Iob. 31 a. Ihren. 3. f
• e 1.22

  Tob. 4. e. 2. Cor. 6. b. Galat. 5. d. 1. Tit 2. b. 3. a. 4. d. 5. ab
• * 1.23

  The 7. Commaun∣dement.
• a 1.24

  Exo. 20 22. Zach. 1. Amos. 6. Mich. 3.
• a 1.25

  Exo. 20 b Prou. 19. a Dan. 13. g.
• * 1.26

  The 8. Cō∣maunde∣ment.
• a 1.27

  Deu. 5. Rom. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 13.
• * 1.28

  The. 9. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.29

  The. 10. Commaun∣dement.
• a 1.30

  Mat. 5. d Iecob. 1. c.
• a 1.31

  Mat. 22. d. Mat. 12. c
• a 1.32

  Mat. 6. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Luc. 11. a
• b 1.33

  Aug. in Euch. ca 115. & li 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de serm. Dom. ca. 19