A37046:123
The law unsealed
The law unsealed: or, A practical exposition of the Ten Commandments With a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience. By the learned, laborious, faithful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. James Durham, late minister of the Gospel at Glasgow.
Glasgow: printed by Robert Sanders, 1676
AN EXPOSITION OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, Delivered in several LECTURES. › Preface
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The first is, that the Commandments are so to be expounded, as that none of them may contradict another, that is, there is nothing commanded in one that is forbidden in another, or contrary; one duty doth not jostle with not thrust out another, but they differ only; and then two duties coming together, in that case one of them ceaseth to be a duty for that time▪ as is said in that distinction of affirmative and negative Commands.
The first is, that the Commandements are so to be expounded, as that none of them may contradict another, that is, there is nothing commanded in one that is forbidden in another, or contrary; one duty doth not justle with not thrust out another, but they differ only; and then two duties coming together, in that case one of them ceaseth to be a duty for that time▪ as is said in that distinction of affirmative and negative Commands.
The second Rule is, that all these Commandments bind and call for obedience from men, according to their places, and other qualifications and circumstances: The fifth Commandment calleth for one thing from a Magistrate, another from a Subject; a Magistrate is to edify one way, a Minister another, a private Christian another▪ a Servant is one way to reprove his Fellow-servant, a Master another way: The Law requires more from a man of parts, power and riches, then from another, as to exercise and improvement of these gifts: The Law being just, has in it a proportionableness to places, parts, &c. and sets bounds to stations, but alters them not, nor confounds them.
The second Rule is, that all these Commandments bind and call for obedience from men, according to their places, and other qualifications and circumstances: The fifth Commandment calleth for one thing from a Magistrate, another from a Subject; a Magistrate is to edifie one way, a Minister another, a private Christian another▪ a Servant is one way to reprove his Fellow-servant, a Master another way: The Law requires more from a man of parts, power and riches, then from another, as to exercise and improvement of these gifts: The Law being just, has in it a proportionableness to places, parts, &c. and sets bounds to stations, but alters them not, nor confounds them.