An abstract of the duties commanded, and sinnes forbidden in the Law of God. By the Right Reuerend Father in God, George Dovvname, Doctor of Diuinity, and Lord Bishop of Derry

THE PREFACE, CONTAINING RVLES OF direction, for the expounding of the Commandements.

WHereas the holy Ghost testifi∣eth, that the Law of God,* 1.1 (though propounded in ten words) is so perfect, that no∣thing may be added to it, and so large, that nothing may bee compared therewith:* 1.2 It must therefore bee confes∣sed, that the sence of the Commandements is so to be inlarged, as that they may be vn∣derstood to bee the perfect Pandects (as it were) of Christians; forbidding all vices which the Lord condemneth in his Word; and commanding all morall duties which he requireth at our hands.

And for as much as there are two prin∣cipall vses of the Law; the one, to shew vs our manifold sinnes, and the punishments due for them, that being humbled in our

selues, we might seeke to Christ: the other, that it might be a perfect rule, whereby to frame our liues and conuersation; that be∣ing redeemed by Christ, wee may also bee renewed according to the image of God, in true righteousnesse and holinesse: there∣fore it is very expedient, that the speciall duties commanded, and vices forbidden in euery Commandement, should particular∣ly be laid forth. That in respect of the for∣mer vse, we might see those manifold both duties which wee haue omitted, and also vices which wee haue committed hereto∣fore: and in respect of the latter, that wee might distinctly see and vnderstand those particular duties which the Lord enioy∣neth vs to obserue, and those particular vi∣ces which he chargeth vs to shunne for the time to come.

And for our direction in this behalfe, we are to expound euery Commandement ac∣cording to these fiue rules:

1. Where any duty is commanded, there the contrary vice is forbidden; and where any vice is forbidden, there the con∣trary duty is commanded.

Euery Commandement therefore containeth two parts; the

• Affirmatiue, cō∣manding the duty.
• Negatiue, for∣bidding y^• vice.

Whence ariseth a di∣stinction of sins, that they are either sins of

• Omission.
• Commission.

2. Vnder one particular vice mentioned in the Commandement, all of the same kind are forbidden; and vnder one particu∣lar commanded, all of the same kind are commanded. For the Law of God is spiri∣tuall,* 1.3 and therefore requireth not onely outward obedience in word and deed, but also inward in the mind and heart. Neither doth it onely forbid the outward sinnes committed in word and deed, but also all the secret corruptions of the mind and heart. And thus our Sauiour hath taught vs to expound the Law of God, Math. 5. 21, 22, 27, 28. and 1. Epist. Ioh. 3. 15.

Againe, the Law of God is perfect, re∣quiring perfect obedience both inward and outward, not onely in respect of the parts, but also of the degrees. Wherefore, where any duty is commanded, there the highest

degree of it is commanded, as appeareth by the summe of the Law, Math. 22. 37, 38. and where any vice is forbidden, there the least degree of it is forbidden, and beareth the name of that grosse sinne which is spe∣cified, that we might learne to esteeme no sinne small.* 1.4 For vnaduised anger is mur∣ther; and looking vpon a woman to lust after her, is forbidden vnder the name of adultery, as our Sauiour teacheth, Math. 5. 22, 28.

3. Where any duty is commanded, there the meanes which tend thereto are enioyned; and where any vice is forbidden, there the meanes, prouocations and allure∣ments tending thereto are also forbidden. For such as is the end, such are the subor∣dinate meanes that in their owne nature doe tend thereto. This teacheth, that good intentions and desires will not serue, when we are carelesse of the meanes.

Now there are three meanes which are common to all duties, and therefore in all the Precepts are commanded; and the neg∣lect of them, or the vse of the contrary for∣bidden: viz. 1. Prayer: for of our selues wee cannot so much as thinke a good thought, 2. Cor. 3. 5. Psal. 119. 33, 34, 35, 36.

2. Diligent hearing of the Word, Rom. 10. 14, 17.

3. Good company, Prou. 13. 20. Hee that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled, Ecclus. 13. 1. A little leauen sowreth the whole lumpe, 1. Cor. 5. 6. Therefore Dauid bid∣deth the wicked depart from him, that hee might keepe the Commandements of his God, Psal. 119. 115. and else-where profes∣seth, that he auoided their company, Psalm. 26. 4, 5.

4. Where any duty is commanded, or vice forbidden, there also the signes are commanded, or forbidden. For first, as touching vertues and duties; the graces of God are not to bee smothered, as it were candles vnder a bushell, but they must be manifested to the glory of God, to the good example of others; and for a testimo∣ny to our selues that wee are endued with them, wee must bee carefull of honest things, not onely before God, but also be∣fore men, 2. Cor. 8. 21.

And as touching vices, we are taught to abstaine from all shew of euill, 1. Thes. 5. 22. Haughty lookes, strange apparell, are con∣demned as signes of pride: haunting of sus∣pected places,* 1.5 as signes of incōtinency, &c.

5. Duties to be procured, and vices to be auoided, not in our selues onely, but also in others. First therefore in all the Precepts is commanded the communion of Saints to be exercised among the faithfull, in an earnest desire shewne,* 1.6 to win our neigh∣bour vnto Christ, and in a tender care ta∣ken, for the furthering of the saluation one of another, by the duties of edification.

As namely,* 1.7 1. In respect of duties, by stirring vp one another,* 1.8 Heb. 10. 24. by

• Instructing the igno∣rant.* 1.9
• Admonitiō,* 1.10 or putting our brother in mind of his duty.
• Exhortation vnto his duty.
• Encouraging him in well-doing.
• Comforting those which are weake.
• Good
  • Counsell.
  • Example. Math. 5. 16. 1. Pet. 2. 12. Heb. 12. 13

2. In respect of things for∣bidden, to

• Reclame the Erroneous. Iam. 5. 19, 20.
• Reprooue the offendour. Leu. 19. 17. Eph. 5. 11.
• Disswade from vice.

Secondly, in all the Precepts wee are forbidden to haue any fellowship with the vnfruitfull workes of darknesse, Eph. 5. 11. or to be accessary to the offences of others, 1. Tim. 5. 22.

Men may be accessary to the offences of o∣thers, diuers wayes: whereof some are

• Common, and those either
  • Going before the offence committed, as
    • Prouoca∣tion, by
      • Incensing, Gal. 5. 26. Eph. 6. 4. Iob 2. 9. 1. King. 21. 25, 7.
      • Alluring. Pro. 1. 10. ••7. 18, 21. and here∣to corrupt and infecting speeches are referred. 1. Cor. 15. 33.
    • Euill counsell: 2. Sam. 13. 5. ••16. 21. 2. Chr. 22. 3, 4.
    • Consent and appro∣bation, Rom. 1. 32 whether it bee
      • Ouert and expressed, and that either in
        • Word. Act. 8. 1. •• 26. 10.
        • Deed. Act. 7. 58. so recei∣uers, of theft; bawds, of adultery; partners of the gaine. Pro. 1. 14. Psal. 50. 18.
      • Couert, as by silence, or dissembling the fault of our brother, when hee ought to be admonished: for as by ill speech thou bringest thy brother into sinne, so by ill silence thou lea∣uest him in sinne, or sufferest sinne to rest vpon him, Leuit. 19. 17. Qui tacet, consentire videtur.
    • Euill ex∣ample, oc∣casioning another to fall: this is called a scandall, Ro. 14. 13. and it is either a scandall
      • In it selfe as that which is euill in it selfe, and is therefore an offence gi∣uen, though it be not taken: as any sinne committed in the sight or no∣tice of another.
      • By accident, when the thing, which in it selfe is indifferent, is so vsed, as that the weake brother is offended thereby: that is, when he is by thine example animated to do that, which in his owne conscience he doth cō∣demne. Ro. 14. 20, 22. 1. Cor. 8. 9, 10.
  • Accompanying, or following after the offence, as y^e
    • Excusing
    • Defending
    • Cōmending
    of it. Esa. 5. 20. Prou. 24. 24.
• Peculiar to Superi∣ours, as to
  • Command that which is euill & vnlawful, either
    • Publikely, by wicked laws & edicts. Esa. 10. 1. Dan. 3. 4, 5. 6
    • Priuately. 1. Sam. 22. 18. 19. 2. Sā. 12. 9. & 2. Sā. 11. 15, 17
  • Winke at euiil, which by their authority they might redresse. Ro. 13. 4. Mar. 15. 15. 2. Kin. 12. 3

The Law is diuided into two Tables, the

• One, commanding the loue of God, or the duties of Piety towards God. Mat. 22. 37, 38.
• Other, cōmanding the loue of our neigh∣bour, or the duties of charity and righ∣teousnesse towards our neighbour, Mat. 22. 39.

The Commande∣ments of the first Table, prescribing the worship of God, or Piety, teach

• Who is to bee worshipped: viz. that Iehouah alone is to bee had and worshipped as God. Praec. 1.
• How, both in
  • His solemne worship: viz. by such means, and after such a manner as he hath prescribed. Praec. 2
  • The whole course of our liues, viz. by sanctifying & glo∣rifying his name. Praec. 3.
• When especially God is to bee wor∣shipped, viz. on the Sabbath, which is to be sanctified, and con∣secrated to the worship and ser∣uice of God. Praec. 4.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 19. 7.
• * 1.2

  Ps. 119. 96.
• * 1.3

  Rom. 7. 14
• * 1.4

  1. Sam. 15. 23.
• * 1.5

  Pro. 6. 17. Zeph. 1. 8.
• * 1.6

  Mat. 18. 15.
• * 1.7

  Heb. 3. 13.
• * 1.8

  1. Thes. 5. 11, 14.
• * 1.9

  Dan. 12. 3.
• * 1.10

  Rom. 15. 14.