And where is the minister that does his duty so in his place as he ought? I am sure for mine own part, I have neither so diligently nor faithfully preached the pure word of God as I ought, nor so fully nor truly expounded it and applied it to my hearers as I ought; nor so poured out my soul to God for them in prayer as I ought, neither have I gone before them as a pattern of imitation in holiness of life and conversation, as I ought: the Lord be merciful to me!

Neo. Well, sir, now I would entreat you to proceed to speak of the sixth commandment as you have done of the rest.

COMMANDMENT VI.

Evan. Well, then, I pray you consider, that in the sixth commandment there is a negative part expressed in these words, "Thou shalt do no murder." That is, thou shalt neither in heart, tongue, nor hand, impeach or hurt either the life of thine own soul or body, or the life of any other man's soul or body. And an affirmative part included in these words, "But thou shalt every way, by all good means, seek to preserve them both."

Neo. I pray you, sir, speak of these things in order, and first tell us what is forbidden in this commandment, as tending to the murdering of our own souls.

Evan. That we may not be guilty of the murdering of our own souls, in this commandment is forbidden all sinning against God, Prov. vi. 2; and so also is the careless neglecting and wilful rejecting of the means that God has ordained to salvation, Heb. ii. 3.

Neo. And what is forbidden in this commandment, as tending to the murdering of others' souls?

Evan. That we may not be guilty of murdering the souls of others, in this commandment is forbidden all giving occasion to others to sin against God, either by provoking them, (1 Kings xxi. 25,) or by counselling them, (2 Sam. xvi. 21,) or by evil example, Rom. xiv. 15.

Neo. And what is forbidden in this commandment, as tending to the murdering of our own bodies?

Evan. That we may not be guilty of murdering our own bodies, in this commandment is forbidden excessive worldly sorrow, 1 Cor. vii. 10; Prov. xvii. 22; and so also is the neglect of meat, drink, apparel, recreation, physic, or any such refreshments, Eccl. v. 19; vi. 2; and so also is excessive eating and drinking, Prov. xxiii. 29, 30; Hos. vii. 5; and so also is laying violent hands upon ourselves, 1 Sam. iii. 14; Acts xvi. 28.

Neo. Well, sir, now I pray you, tell us what is forbidden in this

commandment, as tending to the murdering of others' bodies; and, first, what is forbidden in respect of the heart?

Evan. That we may not be guilty of murdering others with our hearts, in this commandment is forbidden all hasty, rash, and unjust anger, Matth. v. 22; and so also is malice or hatred, Lev. xix. 19; 1 John iii. 15; and so also is envy, Psalm xxxvii. 1; Prov. xxiv. 1; and so also is desire of revenge, Lev. xix. 18.

Nom. And what is forbidden in respect of the tongue?

Evan. That we may not be guilty of murdering others with our tongues, in this commandment is forbidden all bitter and provoking terms, Eph. iv. 31; and so also are all wrangling and contentious speeches, Prov. xv. 1; and so also is crying and unseemly lifting up of the voice, Eph. iv. 31; and so also is railing or scolding, Prov. xvii. 19; 1 Pet. iii. 19; and so also are all reviling and threatening speeches, Matth. v. 22; and so also are all mocking, scoffing, and deriding speeches, 2 Kings ii. 28; John xix. 3.

Neo. And what is forbidden in respect of the whole body, and more especially of the hand?

Evan. That we may not be guilty of murdering others with our hands, in respect of the other parts of the body, in this commandment is forbidden all disdainful, proud, and scornful carriage, Gen. iv. 5; Prov. vi. 17; and so also is all provoking gestures, as nodding of the head, gnashing with the teeth, and the like, Matth. xxvii. 29; Acts vii. 45; and so also is all froward and churlish behaviour, 1 Sam. xxv. 17; and so also is brawling and quarrelling, Tit. iii. 2. And more especially in respect of the hand is forbidden striking and wounding, Exod. xxi. 18, 22; and so also is all taking away of life, otherwise than in case of public justice, just war, and necessary defence, Exod. xxi. 12; Gen. ix. 6.

Neo. I pray you, sir, proceed to the affirmative part of this commandment, and first tell us what is required of us in respect of the life of our own souls?

Evan. In respect of the preservation of the life of our own souls is required a careful avoiding of all sorts of sin, Prov. xi. 19; and so also is a careful use of all means of grace, and spiritual life in our souls, 1 Pet. ii. 2.

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

Evan. In respect of the preservation of the life of the souls of others is required that according to our place and calling, and as present occasion is offered, we teach and instruct others to know God and his will, Gen. xviii. 19; Deut. vi. 7: and so also that we do our best to comfort others that are in distress 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, Matth. 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 a 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 of the poor and needy, Job xxxi. 16; and so also is the visiting of the sick, Matth. xxv. 36. And now, neighbour Nomologista, I pray you tell me, whether you think you keep this commandment perfectly or not? 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 desired 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 churishly 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 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 aud pampering 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, Fzek. xxiii. 14; Eph. v. iii 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, Psal. 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 towards each 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 filty 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 delighted to keep company with lascivions 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