Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Continue Part Two by reading about the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth commandments.
Now we finish the ten commandments. Apart from the fifth commandment, Fisher continues to give us a summary statement of what each commandment entails and then unpacks that statement in greater detail.
The fifth commandment is expounded by looking at the duties of those who submit to each authority and then the duty of the authority to the submitter. Thus the commandment teaches the duties of the:
(i) child and parent;
(ii) servant and master;
(iii) wives and husbands;
(iv) subjects and magistrates;
(v) people and their minister.
The sixth commandment teaches '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."'
The seventh commandment teaches 'a negative part expressed in these words, "Thou shalt not commit adultery"; that is, though shalt not think, will, speak, or do anything 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."'
The eighth commandment teaches 'a negative part expressed in these words, "Thou shalt not steal"; that is, though shalt by no unlawful way or means hurt or hinder the wealth and outward estate either of thyself or others: and an affirmative part included in these words, "But thou shalt by all good means preserve and further them both."'
The ninth commandment teaches 'a negative part expressed in these words: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour"; that is, thou shalt not think or speak anything contrary to truth, or that may tend to the hurt or hindrance either of thine own or thy neighbour's good name. And an affirmative part included in these words: "But thou shalt by all good means seek to maintain them both, according to truth and a good conscience." '
The tenth commandment teaches 'a negative part expressed in these words, "Thou shalt not covet," &c.: that is, thou shalt not inwardly think on, nor long after, that which belongs to another, though it be without consent of will, or purpose of heart to seek after it; and an affirmative part included in these words, "But thou shalt be well contented with thine own outward condition, and heartily desire the good of thy neighbours."'
Particularly challenging for me was the duty of husbands toward wives: 'Why, the Lord in this commandment requires that husbands be careful to choose religious wives, (2 Cor 6:14); and that they dwell with them as men of knowledge, (1 Peter 3:7); and that they cleave unto them with true love and affection of heart, (Col 3:19); yea, and that they content themselves only with the love of their own wives, and keep themselves only to them both in mind and body, (Prov 5:19,20); they are also to be careful to maintain their authority over them, (Eph 5:23); and to live cheerfully and familiarly with them, (Prov 5:19); and to be careful to provide all things needful and fitting for their maintenance, (1 Tim 5:8); and to teach, instruct, and admonish them, as touching the best things, (1 Sam 1:8); and to pray with them and for them, (1 Peter 3:7); and to endeavour to reform and amend what they see amiss in them, by seasonable and loving admonition and reproof, (Gen 30:2); and wisely and patiently to bear with their natural infirmities, (Gal 6:2).'
I have broken the fifth commandment all too many times.
Continue Part Two by reading the section entitled, 'The Use of the Law'.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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