Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
Thou that preachest, A man should not steal, doost thou steal?] He objecteth unto the Jews those things, which were commonly committed of them. And to reprove them he useth that part of the law, whereof none was ignorant, namely, the x. commandments. And as touching theft, theft is, when we withhold that which is an other man’s against the owners will: or when we by injury draw unto us other men’s goods: or when we distribute not that which is ours when need requireth. And there are also many other kinds of theft. But in the Decalogue, or x. commandments, the chief purpose is only to set forth the chief sum, & that but rudely & grossly, under which we ought to understand all the parts thereof.
The ground & sum of all theft is covetousness: even as in filthy pleasures is expressed only adultery: under which are comprehended all kinds of uncleanness. And as touching idolatry, there is forbidden all kind of false worshipping: when yet only is expressed, that which is most gross. For there is forbidden us any strange God, and there are forbidden also graven images, and sundry forms. Wherefore it is our part, when any of the ten commandments of God forbiddeth us any thing, well to consider, what things are comprehended under that vice. And afterward to seek out the root, against which we must to our power resist. Covetousness, or theft here hence springeth, for that we distrust in God, and are always afraid, least we should want. But adultery & all uncleanness of the flesh springeth of the desire of voluptuous pleasures: as Christ expressed, when he said, If any man shall see a woman to lust after her, he hath already committed adultery in his heart. And against this concupiscence or lust ought we to strive. ...
For more, see:
The ground & sum of all theft is covetousness: even as in filthy pleasures is expressed only adultery: under which are comprehended all kinds of uncleanness. And as touching idolatry, there is forbidden all kind of false worshipping: when yet only is expressed, that which is most gross. For there is forbidden us any strange God, and there are forbidden also graven images, and sundry forms. Wherefore it is our part, when any of the ten commandments of God forbiddeth us any thing, well to consider, what things are comprehended under that vice. And afterward to seek out the root, against which we must to our power resist. Covetousness, or theft here hence springeth, for that we distrust in God, and are always afraid, least we should want. But adultery & all uncleanness of the flesh springeth of the desire of voluptuous pleasures: as Christ expressed, when he said, If any man shall see a woman to lust after her, he hath already committed adultery in his heart. And against this concupiscence or lust ought we to strive. ...
For more, see:
https://reformedcovenanter.wordpres...mmarily-comprehended-in-the-ten-commandments/
