of conscience, 1 Thess. v. 14; and that we pray for the welfare and comfort of other souls, Gen. xliii. 29; and that we give others good examples by our Christian-like walking, Matt. v. 16.

Neo. And what is required of us in respect of the preservation of the life of our own bodies?

Evan. In respect of the preservation of the life of our own bodies, is required in this commandment, that we be careful to procure unto ourselves the use of wholesome food, clothing, and lodging, and physic, when there is occasion, 1 Tim. v. 23; Eccl. x. 17; 2 Kings xx. 7; and also that we use honest and lawful mirth, rejoicing in an holy manner, Prov. xvii. 22; Eccl. iii. 4.

Neo. And what is required of us in respect of the preservation of the life of the bodies of others?

Evan. In respect of the preservation of the life of the bodies of others, in this commandment is required a kind and loving disposition, with tenderness of heart towards them, Eph. iv. 31, 32: and so also is a patient bearing of wrongs and injuries, Col. iii. 12, 13; and so also is the taking of all things in the best sense, 1 Cor. xiii. 5, 7; and so also is the avoiding of all occasions of strife, and parting with our own right sometimes for peace' sake, Gen. xiii. 8, 9; and so also is all such looks and gestures of the body as do express meekness and kindness, Gen. xxxiii. 10; and so also is the relieving the poor and needy, Job xxxi. 16; and so also is the visiting of the sick, Matt. xxv. 36. And now, neighbour Nomologista, I pray you tell me, whether you think you keep this commandment perfectly or no?

Nom. No, indeed, sir, I do not think I keep it perfectly, nor any man else, as you have expounded it.

Evan. Assure yourself, neighbour Nomologista, that I have expounded it according to the mind and will of God revealed in his word, for you see I have proved all by Scripture: I told you at the beginning, that the law is spiritual, and binds the very heart and soul to obedience; and that under one vice expressly forbidden, all of the same kind, with all occasions and means leading thereunto, are likewise forbidden; and according to these rules have I expounded it. Wherefore, I pray you, consider, that so many sins as you have committed, and so many times as you have carelessly neglected, and wilfully rejected the means of salvation, so many wounds you have given your own soul.

And so many times as you have given occasion to others to sin, so many wounds you have given to their souls.

And so many fits of worldly sorrow as you have had, and so many times as you neglected the moderate use either of meat, drink, apparel, recreation, or physic, when need hath required, so many wounds have you given your own body.

And so many times as you have been either unadvisedly angry with any, or have borne any malice or hatred towards any, or have secretly in your heart wished evil unto any, or borne envy in your heart towards any, or desire to be revenged upon any, then have you been guilty of murdering them in your heart. And if you have given others any wrangling and contentious speeches, or any reviling and threatening speeches, or have carried yourself frowardly and churlishly towards others, and have not borne injuries and wrongs patiently, and expressed pity and compassion towards others, then have you been guilty of murdering them with with your tongue. And if you have quarrelled with any man, or stricken or wounded any man, then have you murdered them with your hand, though you have not taken away their lives. And thus have I endeavoured to satisfy your desires concerning the sixth commandment.

Neo. I beseech you sir, proceed to speak of the seventh commandment as you have done of the rest.

COMMANDMENT VII.

Evan. Well, then, I pray you, consider that in the seventh commandment there is a negative part expressed in these words, "Thou shalt not commit adultery;" that is, thou shalt not think, will, speak, or do any thing whereby thine own chastity, or the chastity of others, may be hurt or hindered. And an affirmative part included in these words, "But thou shalt every way, and by all good means, preserve and keep the same."

Neo. I pray you sir, begin with the negative part, and first tell us what is that inward uncleanness that is forbidden in this commandment.

Evan. That we may not be guilty of the inward uncleanness of the heart, in this commandment is forbidden all filthy imaginations, unchaste thoughts, and inward desires and motions of the heart to uncleanness, Matt. v. 28; Col. iii. 5;

with all causes and occasions of stirring up and nourishing of these in the heart.

Neo. And what be the causes and occasions of stirring up and nourishing these things in the heart which we are to avoid?

Evan. That we may not stir up and nourish inward uncleanness in our hearts, is forbidden in this commandment gluttony, or excess in eating and pampering of the belly with meats, Jer. v. 8; and so also is drunkenness, or excess in drinking, Prov. xxiii. 30, 31, 33; and so also is idleness, 2 Sam. xi. 12; and so also is the wearing of lascivious, garish, and new-fangled attire, Prov. vii. 10; 1 Tim. ii. 9; and so also is keeping company with lascivious, wanton, and fleshly persons, Gen. xxxix. 10; and so also is immodest, unchaste, and filthy speaking, Eph. iv. 29; and so also is idle and curious looking of men on women, or women on men, Gen. vi. 2; xxxix. 7; and so also is the beholding of love matters, and light behaviour of men and women represented in stage plays, Ezek. xxiii. 14; Eph. v. 3, 4; and so also is immoderate and wanton dancing of men and women together, Job xxi. 11, 12; Mark vi. 21, 22; and so also is wanton kissing and embracing, with all unchaste touching and dalliance, Prov. vii. 13.

Neo. And what is that outward actual uncleanness which is forbidden in this commandment?

Evan. The actual uncleanness forbidden in this commandment is fornication, which is a fleshly defilement of the body, committed between man and woman, being both of them single and unmarried persons, 1 Cor. x. 8; and so also is adultery, which is a defilement of the body, committed between man and woman, being either one or both of them married persons, or at least contracted, 1 Cor. vi. 9, 18; Hos. xiii. 4.

Neo. I pray you, sir, proceed to the affirmative part, and tell us what the Lord requires in this commandment?

Evan. The Lord in this commandment requires purity of heart, 1 Thess. iv. 5; and he also requires speeches savouring of sobriety and chastity, Col. iv. 6; Gen. iv. 1; and he also requires that we keep our eyes from beholding vanity and lustful objects, Psalm cxix. 37; Job xxxi. 1; and he also requires that we be temperate in our diet, in our sleep, and in our recreations, Luke xxxi. 34; and he also requires that we possess our vessels in holiness and honour, 1 Thess.

iv. 9; and if we have not the gift of chastity, he requires that we take the benefit of holy marriage, 1 Cor. vii. 29; and that the man and wife do in that estate render due benevolence each towards other, 1 Cor. vii. 5. Thus have I also endeavoured to satisfy your desires concerning the seventh commandment; and now, neighbour Nomologista, I pray you tell me whether you think you keep it perfectly or no?

Nom. Sir, I thank the Lord I am free from actual uncleanness, so that I am neither fornicator nor adulterer.

Evan. Well, but though you be free from the outward act, yet if you have had in your heart filthy imaginations, unchaste thoughts, or inward desires, or motions of the heart to uncleanness, you have notwithstanding transgressed this commandment; or if you have been guilty of gluttony, or drunkenness, or idleness, or delight to keep company with lascivious and wanton persons, or have with your tongue uttered any unchaste or corrupt communication, or have been a frequenter of stage-plays, or have used immoderate dancing with women, or have used wanton dalliance with kissing and embracing, then have you broken this commandment.

Neo. I beseech you, sir, proceed to speak of the eighth commandment, as you have done of the rest.

COMMANDMENT VIII.

Evan. Well, then, I pray you, consider, that in the eighth commandment there is a negative part expressed in these words, "Thou shalt not steal;" that is, thou shalt by no unlawful way or means hurt or hinder the wealth and outward estate either of thyself or others: and an affirmative part included in these words, "But thou shalt by all good means preserve and further them both.”

Neo. I pray you, sir, begin with the negative part, and first tell us what is forbidden in this commandment, as a hurt or hinderance of our own outward estate?

Evan. That we may not hurt or hinder our own outward estate, in this commandment is forbidden idleness, sloth, and inordinate walking, Prov. xviii. 9; 2 Thess. iii. 11; and so also is unthriftiness and carelessness, either in spending our goods, or in ordering our affairs and businesses, Prov. xxi. 17; 1 Tim. v. 8; and so also is unadvised suretiship, Prov. xi. 15. Neo. And what is forbidden in this commandment, as tending to the hurt or hinderance of our neighbour's estate?

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Evan. That we may not hurt or hinder our neighbour's outward estate, in this commandment is forbidden covetousness and discontentedness with our estate, Heb. xiii. 5; and so also is enviousness at the prosperity of others, Prov. xxiv. 1; and so also is resolutions or hastening to be rich, as it were, whether the Lord afforded means or not, 1 Tim. vi. 9; Prov. xvii. 28; and so also is borrowing and not paying again, we being able, Psalm xxxvii. 21; and so also is lending upon usury, Exod. xxii. 25; and so also the not restoring of things borrowed, Psalm xxxvii. 21: and so also is cruelty in requiring all our debts, without compassion or mercy, Isa. lviii. 3; and so also is the praising of any commodity we sell, contrary to our own knowledge, or the debasing of any thing we buy, against our own conscience, Isa. v. 20; Prov. xx. 14; and so also is the hoarding up, or withholding the selling of corn and other necessary commodities when we may spare them, and others have need of them, Prov. xi. 26; and so also is the retaining of hireling's wages, James v. 4; and so also is uncharitable inclosure, Isa. v. 8; and so also is the selling of any commodity by false weights or false measures, Lev. xix. 35: and so also is the concealing of things found, and withholding them from the right owners when they are known; and so also is robbery, or the laying of violent and strong hands on any part of the wealth that belongs unto another, Zech. iv. 3, 4; and so also is pilfering and secret carrying away of the wealth that belongs to another, Joshua vii. 21; and so also is the consenting to the taking away the goods of another, Psalm xc. 18; and so also is the receiving or harbouring of stolen goods, Prov. xxvii. 24.

Neo. Well, now sir, I pray you proceed to the affirmative part of this commandment, and tell us what the Lord therein requires.

Evan. In this commandment is required contentedness of mind with that part and portion of wealth and outward good things which God, in his providence, has allotted unto us, Heb. xiii. 5; 1 Tim. vi. 6-8; and so also in resting by faith upon the promise of God, and depending upon his providence, without distrustful care, Matt. vi. 20, 26; and so also is a moderate desire of such things as are convenient and necessary for us, Matt. vi. 21; Prov. xxx. 8: and so also is a moderate care to provide those things which are needful for us, Gen. xxx. 30; 1 Tim. v. 8; and so also is an honest