A37049:354
A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience.
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1675
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.
3. It is Idolatry, when Idolatrous worship, used in the Service of Idols, is given to God contrary to his Command; so Deut. 12.30, 31. Thou shalt not do so to the Lord thy God; and 2 Chron. 33.17. Their keeping up of Groves for the worship of God; and that invention of Jeroboam's Calves, are condemned as Idolatry.
3. It is Idolatry, when Idolatrous worship, used in the Service of Idols, is given to God contrary to his Command; so Deut. 12.30, 31. Thou shalt not do so to the Lord thy God; and 2 Chron. 33.17. Their keeping up of Groves for the worship of God; and that invention of Jeroboams Calfs, are condemned as Idolatry.
4thly. When any thing of that External worship, which is due to the true God, is given to any other, even though it be with a purpose not to shut him out altogether from his due, yet when it is in part given to any other thing, as to the Cross, Saints, Images, &c. it is called worshipping of them▪ see Exod. 32. compared with Psal. •06.19, 20. there they worshipped the Images of Gold and Silver, &c. yea, v. 37. Devils, though they intended to worship God in these Images.
5. When any thing of this worship, due to God, is given to Servants or means, as if something adorable, and to be worshipped, were in them, although they be not accounted God himself: Thus Cornel •us ••n •ed in worshipping Pet •r, Act. 10.25, 26. when he knew he was not God, and […] rejecteth it on this ground, that he was a Man and not God; and that therefore it was due to none but God▪ which Reason, taketh off all that can ⟨p. 69⟩be said by men for palliating this kind of Idolatry: Thus the scope of the Command, and the reason and ground of worship being considered, it is evident that all these are Idolatry.
5. When any thing of this worship, due to God, is given to Servants or means, as if somthing adorable, and to be worshipped, were in them, although they be not accounted God himself: Thus Cornel •us ••n •ed in worshipping Pet •r, Act. 10.25, 26. when he knew he was not God, and 〈…〉 rejecteth it on this ground, that he was a Man and not God; and that therefore it was due to none but God▪ which Reason, taketh off all that can ⟨p. 69⟩be said by men for palliating this kind of Idolatry: Thus the scope of the Command, and the reason and ground of worship being considered, it is evident that all these are Idolatry.
We would now further consider, first, the positive part of this Command, and next what is forbidden in it.
And 1. For the positive part of this Command, we conceive it doth reach, 1. To all external Ordinances, such as Doctrine, Worship, Government, and Discipline: We are here enjoined to keep all these pure, according to his word: Thus any error breaketh this Command, when it is vented and made public, as secret errors break the first.
And 1. For the positive part of this Command, we conceive it doth reach, 1. To all external Ordinances, such as Doctrine, Worship, Government, and Discipline: We are here enjoyned to keep all these pure, according to his word: Thus any errour breaketh this Command, when it is vented and made publick, as secret errours break the first.
2ly. It reacheth to all external Obedience, such as receiving the truths of God, submitting to the Government and Discipline of his House, entering therein as Church-Members, often hearing the Word, not only on the Sabbath, which is required in the 4th. Command, but at all occasions, when God shall give the opportunity, it being a special part of his worship; right using of the Sacraments, and worthy receiving of them, praying externally, internal prayer being required in the first Command; outward confession of sin, when called for; confession of the truth in times of trial, &c. and this obedience is to be extended to extraordinary duties as well as ordinary; as Vowing, Swearing, Fasting▪ &c. when they shall be required in providence; external Covenanting with •od, an Ordinance necessary for keeping pure public Service, &c. Also it is to be extended to secret duties, and to private duties in Families, and Christian fellowship, as well as to public, and to diligence in them all.
2ly. It reacheth to all external Obedience, such as receiving the truths of God, submitting to the Government and Discipline of his House, entering therein as Church-Members, often hearing the Word, not only on the Sabboth, which is required in the 4th. Command, but at all occasions, when God shall give the opportunity, it being a special part of his worship; right using of the Sacraments, and worthy receiving of them, praying externally, internal prayer being required in the first Command; outward confession of sin, when called for; confession of the truth in times of tryal, &c. and this obedience is to be extended to extraordinary duties as well as ordinary; as Vowing, Swearing, Fasting▪ &c. when they shall be required in providence; external Covenanting with •od, an Ordinance necessary for keeping pure publick Service, &c. Also it is to be extended to secret duties, and to private duties in Families, and Christian fellowship, as well as to publick, and to diligence in them all.
3ly. It reacheth to the right manner of doing duties; especially, it requireth▪ 1. That they be not done in Hypocrisy, for God will not be so worshipped in any duty. 2. That all our worship and duties be directed to God, in, and through the Mediator, and that none come to God but by him, who is the appointed High Priest▪ 3. That all our Obedience and Service be Spiritual.
3ly. It reacheth to the right manner of doing duties; especially, it requireth▪ 1. That they be not done in Hypocrisie, for God will not be so worshipped in any duty. 2. That all our worship and duties be directed to God, in, and through the Mediator, and that none come to God but by him, who is the appointed High Priest▪ 3. That all our Obedience and Service be Spiritual.
4ly. It taketh in all external gestu •es, and outward reverence in praying and hearing; &c. as, that the eye be fixed, and the carriage not light, but decent; that there be no laughing that the looks be staid and grave; these in a special manner, in worship, are to be looked unto.
4ly. It taketh in all external gestu •es, and outward reverence in praying and hearing; &c. as, that the eye be fixed, and the carriage not light, but decent; that there be no laughing that the looks be stayd and grave; these in a special manner, in worship, are to be looked unto.
5thly. It requireth every Mean that may further Gods public Service, as educating and training up men for the Ministry, entertaining them, providing places and accommodations for public worship, and every thing of that kind, without which the external worship of God cannot be performed.
5thly. It requireth every Mean that may further Gods publick Service, as educating and training up men for the Ministry, entertaining them, providing places and accommodations for publick worship, and every thing of that kind, without which the external worship of God cannot be performed.
6thly. It requireth the removing of all lets and impediments of Gods worship, or whatever is contrary thereto, according to our places and stations; such as Heresies and Heretics by condigne censuring of them, removing all Idolatrous worship, and whatever may be occasions of it, or whatever hath been, or may be abused to it, purging the House of God from corrupt and insufficient Ministers and corrupt Members.
6thly. It requireth the removing of all letts and impediments of Gods worship, or whatever is contrary thereto, according to our places and stations; such as Heresies and Hereticks by condigne censuring of them, removing all Idolatrous worship, and whatever may be occasions of it, or whatever hath been, or may be abused to it, purging the House of God from corrupt and insufficient Ministers and corrupt Members.
But let us see in the next place what is forbidden in this Command, and how it is broken.
In the first Command, what immediately reflecteth upon God himself, is forbidden; here, what immediately reflecteth on his Ordinances and appointments, contradicting them and Him in them, is discharged; there is none of the Commands more frequently broken; and yet men most readily think themselves free of the breach thereof; and therefore ye should consider, that it is broken
In the first Command, what immediatly reflecteth upon God himself, is forbidden; here, what immediately reflecteth on his Ordinances and appointments, contradicting them and Him in them, is discharged; there is none of the Commands more frequently broken; and yet men most readily think themselves free of the breach thereof; and therefore ye should consider, that it is broken
1. In Doctrine, or doctrinally. 2. In practice. 3. In both, when the Doctrines vented and published against truth, have external practices following on them as that doctrine of Image-worship hath, which we have spoken to already, and is the gross breach of this Command; and the Lord instanceth it as being the greatest, because where this is, all sorts of Idolatry are: for it supposeth Idolatry against the first Command, and that some esteem and weight is laid upon that Creature we worship, beyond what is its due; as if there were in it some divinity or ability to help, whereby it is thought worthy of such honour, whereupon followeth that external worship which is given to it upon that account; and so because Saints are thought able to hear and help, men pray to them; and because the Cross is thought holy, men worship it, &c. and as this Idolatry is manifold among the Papists, so it is palpable when Prayer is made to Saints, Relics, Bread, the Cross, Images, &c.
1. In Doctrine, or doctrinally. 2. In practice. 3. In both, when the Doctrines vented and published against truth, have external practices following on them as that doctrine of Imageworship hath, which we have spoken to already, and is the gross breach of this Command; and the Lord instanceth it as being the greatest, because where this is, all sorts of Idolatry are: for it supposeth Idolatry against the first Command, and that some esteem and weight is laid upon that Creature we worship, beyond what is its due; as if there were in it some divinity or ability to help, whereby it is thought worthy of such honour, whereupon followeth that external worship which is given to it upon that account; and so because Saints are thought able to hear and help, men pray to them; and because the Cross is thought holy, men worship it, &c. and as this Idolatry is manifold among the Papists, so it is palpable when Prayer is made to Saints, Reliques, Bread, the Cross, Images, &c.
Now that we may further explain this; consider, that this Command is three ways broken doctrinally, (all which have a great influence upon mens breaking of it in their practice); or, the Service and Worship of God, is three ways wronged by the doctrines of men. 1. When some thing is added to his Service which he hath not commanded, and this is superstition and will-worship largely so taken: Of this kind are 1. The 5 Popish Sacraments added to those two the Lord appointed. 2. Other and more Mediators than the One Mediator Christ. 3. More meritorious causes of Pardon and Justification, than the blood and merits of Christ. 4. More Officers in his house than he hath appointed, such as, Bishops, Cardinals, &c. 5. More Ceremonies in worship, as Salt, Spittle and Cream added in Baptism to Water, and Kneeling, &c. to the Lords Supper. 6. More Holy-days then God hath instituted. 7. Other things to be acknowledged for the Word of God than the Scripture, as Traditions, Apocrypha, &c. and many such things, whereof (for the most part) Popery is made up.
Now that we may further explain this; consider, that this Command is three ways broken doctrinally, (all which have a great influence upon mens breaking of it in their practice); or, the Service and Worship of God, is three ways wronged by the doctrines of men. 1. When some thing is added to his Service which he hath not commanded, and this is superstition and will-worship largely so taken: Of this kind are 1. The 5 Popish Sacraments added to those two the Lord appointed. 2. Other and more Mediators than the One Mediator Christ. 3. More meritorious causes of Pardon and Justification, than the blood and merits of Christ. 4. More Officers in his house than he hath appointed, such as, Bishops, Cardinals, &c. 5. More Ceremonies in worship, as Salt, Spittle and Cream added in Baptism to VVater, and Kneeling, &c. to the Lords Supper. 6. More Holy-days then God hath instituted. 7. Other things to be acknowledged for the Word of God than the Scripture, as Traditions, Apocrypha, &c. and many such things, whereof (for the most part) Popery is made up.
2ly. It is broken when his Ordinances are diminished, and any thing which he hath commanded, is taken away from them, as is clear from Deut. 4.2. Ye shall not add unto the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought there from: and thus they break this Command, by taking away the Cup from Laics (as they call them) in the Lords Supper, and the use of the Bible from the People in their own Language; also it is broken by taking away Baptism from Infants, and Discipline or Excommunication from the Church, and by taking away the Sabbath day, and public singing of Psalms, or such like; not to speak of that Blasphemous, and some-way Pagan-Her •sie of Quakerism, over-turning most, if not all the Ordinances of God, destructive to all true Religion and Christianity, and introducing, at least having a native tendency to introduce, old Paganism and Barbarity.
2ly. It is broken when his Ordinances are diminished, and any thing which he hath commanded, is taken away from them, as is clear from Deut. 4.2. Ye shall not add unto the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought there from: and thus they break this Command, by taking away the Cup from Laicks (as they call them) in the Lords Supper, and the use of the Bible from the People in their own Language; also it is broken by taking away Baptism from Infants, and Discipline or Excommunication from the Church, and by taking away the Sabbath day, and publick singing of Psalms, or such like; not to speak of that Blasphemous, and some-way Pagan-Her •sie of Qunquerisme, over-turning most, if not all the Ordinances of God, destructive to all true Religion and Christianity, and introducing, at least having a native tendency to introduce, old Paganism and Barbarity.
3dly. This Command is broken by corrupting of Gods worship, as when the Word is mis-interpreted and mis-applied, Prayers are used in a strange Tongue, the Word is mixed with Errors, and the Church, both left without Discipline and abused in civil things, which tendeth to the corrupting of Gods Service; unqualified-men put into the Ministry and kept in i •, ⟨p. 72⟩when Sacraments are rested on and worshipped, even as the Brazen Serpent was abused, and the Temple, though appointed by God at first for good ends, was afterward rested on and Idolized.
3dly. This Command is broken by corrupting of Gods worship, as when the Word is mis-interpreted and mis-applyed, Prayers are used in a strange Tongue, the Word is mixed with Errours, and the Church, both left without Discipline and abused in civil things, which tendeth to the corrupting of Gods Service; unqualified-men put into the Ministry and kept in i •, ⟨p. 72⟩when Sacraments are rested on and worshipped, even as the Brazen Serpent was abused, and the Temple, though appointed by God at first for good ends, was afterward rested on and Idolized.
