Q. 12. What is the first inference from hence ? A. That the best Christians have cause to be humbled for the sins of the tongue whereby God is dishonoured, and others are injured ; James iii. 2. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. And verse 5, 6. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things : behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth. And the tongue is afire, a world of iniquity : so is the tongue amongst our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Q. 13. What is the second inference from hence.? A. It is our great concernment to walk with that piety and justice towards God and men, as to cut off all just occasions of reproach from our names ; 2 Cor. xi. 12. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasions, &c. 1 Tim. V. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasioti to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
AN fex^dsiTTOU or TiiE asIsewtjly's catechism. 25t
Q. 14. What is the third inference from this commandment?
A. To bless God that our names are kept sweet and honourable in the world among good men ; 3 John 12. Demetrius hath a good report of all men, SfC. Or if we be reproached, it is by none but wicked men, and that for our duty to God ; Dan. vi. 5. Then said these men, we shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
Of the tenth Commandment.
Quest. 79. W HICH is the tenth commandment.?
A. The tenth commandment is, [ Thou shalt not covet thy neigh- hour's hoicse, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's 'wife, nor his man- servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour'' s.]
Q. 80. What is required in the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment rcquireth J'ldl contentment with our own condition, and a right and charitable frame of spirit towards our neighbour, and all that is his.
Q. 81. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment ?
A. The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our ozvn estate., envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his.
Q. 1. AVhat is the principal scope and aim of the tenth command- ment?
^. It is to prevent all occasions of transgressing the other pre- cepts of the second table, by restraining this sin of covetousness in the heart ; Psalm cxix. 35, 86. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments, for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Q. 2. What doth this tenth command require of us in reference to ourselves?
A. It requires of us perfect contentment and satisfaction with that estate and condition wherein God hath placed us in the world ; Ileb. xiii. 5. Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be con- tent with such things as ye have, &c. Reckoning it to be good for us to be in that state we are, though never so low or afflicted ; Psal. cxix. 67. Before I was afflicted, I went astray ; but now have I kept thy word. And verse 71. It is good for me that I have been afflict- ed, that I might learn thy statutes.
Q. 3. Is contentment with God's appointments attainable in this life ?
A. Some Christians have attained to a very great measure, and eminent degree of contentment in the midst of changeable and afflic- tive providences; Phil. iv. 11. — I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Psal. xvi. 5, 6. The Lord is the por- tion of mine inheritance, and of my cup : thou maintainest my lot.
252 AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM.
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places : yea, I have a goodly heritage.
Q. 4. Is there no danger of the sin of discontentment in a full and prosperous condition ?
A. Fulness of the world secures no man from the sin of discon- tentment with his own, or covering that which is another's ; because the desires enlarge as the estate doth ; Psalm Ixii. 10. — If riches increase, set not your heart upon them. An instance whereof we have in Ahab, 1 Kings xxi. 4. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased, because of the v,ord which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him : for he had said, I will not give thee the inherit- ance of my fathers ; and he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
Q. 5. Whence doth discontent with our condition spring .'' ^. It springs partly from our ignorance of God's wisdom and love in ordering all for our good ; Rom. vii. 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, &c. Partly from our inconsiderateness of the vanity of the creatures ; 1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be there- with content. And partly from our unbelief; Matth. vi. 31, 32. Therefore take no thought, saying. What shall we eat.? Or what shall we drink.? Or wherewithal shall we be clothed.? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek;) for your heavenly Father know- eth that ye have need of all these things.
Q. 6. Is contentment with our own estate all that this command- ment requires i*
J. No ; it requires a charitable frame of spirit towards our neigh- bours also; Rom. xii. 10, 15. Be kindly affectionate one to another, with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Q. 7. W^hat is the first sin forbidden in this commandment ? J. It directly and especially forbids all sinful and inordinate de- sires and motions after other men's enjoyments ; Col. iii. 5. Mortify- therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, un- cleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Q. 8. What is the second sin forbidden in this commandment.? A. It forbids all cruelty and incompassionateness to others in ne- cessity, and keeping back from them that relief which is made theirs by God's command ; Prov. xi. 24. There is that with-holdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. Lev. xix. 9, 10. And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard ; thou shalt leave them for the poor and the stranger : I am the Lord your God.
AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLy''s CATECHISM. 253
Q. 9. What is the third sin forbidden in this commandment ?