The law unsealed

Exod. 20. 3. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.

IN this first Commandment we may consider these two: 1. The thing commanded. 2. The qualification of the Command.

The thing Commanded is negatively set down, Thou shalt have no other Gods, directing to the right object of worship, and differencing the true God from all supposed Gods; for though there be but one God, yet are there many who are called Gods, 1 Corinth. 8. 4, 5, 6. The qualification added, is in these words, before me, which tend not only to the aggravation of the sin here discharged, as being done in his presence, and done, as it were, in contempt and despite of God who always sees; ⟨p. 18⟩but especially to show the extent of the Prohibition▪ that it tieth up not only from outward Idolatry, but even from that which is inward and secret, and that men see not, and is known to God only; and so this Commandment requireth not only external worship, but that which is inward and spiritual before God. Hence the scope of this first Commandment lieth clearly in these two things, (wherein it differeth from the second) to wit, 1. That it showeth who is the right object of worship, and directeth men thereto. 2. That it regulateth mens internal worshipping of God, and calleth for that, whereas the second Commandment supposeth both these, and directeth as to the manner of worshipping the true God in externals, and regulateth these.

The thing Commanded is negatively set down, Thou shalt have no other Gods, directing to the right object of worship, and differencing the true God from all supposed Gods; for though there be but one God, yet are there many who are called Gods,