‘Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.’
Eccl. 12:13
‘I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy Law is my delight.’
Ps. 119:174
‘The Law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.’
Ps. 119:72
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Subsections
Preface
Relations between the Tables
1st Commandment
2nd Commandment
3rd Commandment
Lord’s Day
Love & Righteousness to Neighbors
5th Commandment
6th Commandment
7th Commandment
8th Commandment
9th Commandment
10th Commandment
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Order of Contents
Intro
Shorter 11+
Medium 15+
Longer 14+
Latin 18+
In Commentaries
In Catechetical Commentaries
In Systematics
Lutheran
Jewish 2
Children 1
Poetry 5
Biblio
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Introduction
Do you love God’s Law like the psalmist does? (Ps. 1:1-3; 119:174) Like Jesus Christ does? (Ps. 40:8) For your spiritual feeding, here is solid instruction on the whole duty of man and how to glorify God therein.
While we do not keep God’s Law in order to earn our salvation (which is through faith alone by the grace and righteousness of our Savior, Gal. 2:16), those who are born again through the Gospel and enlivened by the Holy Spirit seek to love, please and glorify God by doing what He says (Jn. 14:15; Lk. 3:10-14; Rom. 7:22; 1 Jn. 5:3) by faith and dependence upon Christ (Jn. 15:5; Phil. 4:13). In doing so, we find that God’s Law is a light to our path (Ps. 119:105), for our good (Ps. 34:11-14; Prov. 3) and that the end thereof is blessing (Ps. 1:1-3; Ex. 20:6,12; Jn. 15:10; Jm. 1:25; Rev. 14:13).
The Ten Commandments, written in the Book of Nature (Rom. 2:14-15; 13:1-4) and in the Book of Special Revelation (in Ex. 20), are a summary form of God’s enduring Moral Law and part of the revelation of his will for us. By peering into this spiritual law (Rom. 7:14) and all of its applications (Mt. 5:21-22; etc.), we find the whole duty of man wherein we are to walk.
While we fall short of the glory of God, need his forgiveness daily (Mt. 6:11-12) and continue to struggle against sin with the Spirit’s impetus and help throughout our lives (Rom. 7), yet, we are freed from the power and bondage of the unremitted guilt and penalty of the Law (Rom. 6) in Christ, and find that God’s commandments are not grievous (1 Jn. 5:3; Ex. 20:6) but are a Law of Liberty (Jm. 1:25), Christ’s yoke being easy and his burden light (Mt. 11:29-30).
Please read and digest with much faith, repentance and spiritual satisfaction these expositions of the Ten Commandments that God wrote with his own finger (Ex. 31:18).
* – Particularly recommended. John Calvin, in the Medium Length section below, is required reading. Calvin, Watson and Plumer rank among the best on the page.
*** – Charles Spurgeon used a three star scale
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Shorter Works 10+
1500’s
Calvin, John – Instruction in Faith (1537) tr. Paul T. Fuhrman (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1949)
8. ‘The Law of the Lord’ 24-32
9. ‘The Summary of the Law’ 32
Gau, John – A Short Declaration of the Ten Commandments (†1553) in The Right Way to the Kingdom of Heaven, pp. 11-25
Gau was an early Scottish Lutheran before the Reformation of 1560.
Bradford, John d. 1555 English reformer and martyr
A Meditation upon the Ten Commandments 25 pp. in Writings, vol. 1
Prayer on the Ten Commandments in Writings, vol. 2, pp. 256-263
Becon, Thomas – The Ten Commandments of God, with Confirmations of Every Commandment out of the Holy Scripture (d. 1567) 9 pp. in Catechism English reformer
Virel, Matthew – A Learned & Excellent Treatise Containing All the Principal Grounds of Christian Religion (London, 1594), bk. 2, 1. Of Good Works, 1st Part
Intro
Exposition of the Moral Law
Intro
Preface
1st Commandment
2nd Commandment
3rd Commandment
4th Commandment
Intro
5th Commandment
6th Commandment
7th Commandment
8th Commandment
9th Commandment
10th Commandment
Virel (1561-1595)
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1600’s
Perkins, William
pp. 1021-23 of An Advertisement to all favorers of the Roman Religion, showing that the said religion is against the catholic principles and grounds of the Catechism [Apostles’ Creed, Ten Commandments, Lord’s Prayer, Lord’s Supper] in A Reformed Catholic… ([Cambridge] 1598)
Horne, Robert – A Short Exposition of the Ten Commandments in Questions & Answers (1617) 39 pp. in Points of Instruction for the Ignorant as also, an Expositition on the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer, by Questions & Answers…
Horne (1565–1640) was an English divine. See Wiki for a short bio.
Yates, John – A Short & Brief Sum of Saving Knowledge Consisting of the Creed, Ten Commandments, Lord’s Prayer & the Sacraments (1621) no page numbers
ch. 3, ‘Of Good Works’
ch. 4, ‘Of Charity’
Yates (†1657) was a reformed, Church of England minister in St Andrews in Norwich.
Wolleb, Johannes – 2. ‘The Virtues Connected with the Universal Worship of God & the Decalogue’ in Abridgment of Christian Divinity (1626) in ed. John Beardslee, Reformed Dogmatics: J. Wollebius, G. Voetius & F. Turretin (Oxford Univ. Press, 1965), bk. 2, pp. 194-97 See also all of bk. 2 ToC.
Wolleb (1589–1629) was a Swiss reformed theologian. He was a student of Amandus Polanus.
Boys, John – The Decalogue in Works, pp. 45-58 1629
Scudder, Henry – pp. 93-110 of The Christian’s Daily Walk (1631) Westminster divine
Twisse, William – A Catechism Touching the Ten Commandments (1632) 23 pp. from A Brief Catechetical Exposition of Christian Doctrine, Divided into Four Catechisms, comprising the Doctrine of the 1. Two Sacraments. 2. Lord’s Prayer. 3. Ten Commandments. 4. And the Creed.
Twisse was one of the moderators of the Westminster Assembly.
Palmer, Herbert – Questions & Answers Tending to Explain the Ten Commandments (1644) 7 pp. in An Endeavor of Making the Principles of Christian Religion, namely the Creed, the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Sacraments…
Palmer (1601-1647) was a Westminster Divine.
Fenner, William – Questions 58-104 37 pp. in The Spiritual Man’s Directory guiding a Christian in the path that leads to true blessedness in his Three main duties towards God: how to believe, to obey, to pray, unfolding the Creed, Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer GB (1648)
Fenner (1600-1640) was a reformed, puritan minister.
Andrewes, Lancelot – ‘The Ten Commandments Paraphrased’ in Holy Devotions, with Directions to Pray, also a Brief Exposition upon the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, the Ten Commandments, the 7 penitential psalms, the 7 psalms of thanksgiving, together with a litany (1663) 30 pp.
This is a very brief and simple exposition of the 10 commandments; much more accessible than his larger works below.
Patrick, Simon – pp. 1-6 of A Brief Exposition of the Ten Commandments & the Lord’s Prayer (London, 1665)
Patrick (1626–1707) was an Anglican bishop and theologian.
Heidegger, Johann H. – 14. ‘On the Decalogue’ in The Concise Marrow of Theology tr. Casey Carmichael in Classic Reformed Theology, vol. 4 (1697; RHB, 2019), pp. 95-107
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1700’s
* Hole, Matthew – Discourse on the Ten Commandments (†1730) 8 pp. in vol. 4 of Practical Discourses on the Liturgy of the Church of England
Hole (1640-1730) was a divine in the Church England. See a short bio here.
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1800’s
* Scott, Thomas – A Brief Exposition of the Ten Commandments, as comprising the substance of the Moral Law (†1821) 29 pp. in Theological Works, vol. 5, Essay 4, pp. 64-93
Scott was an evangelical in the Church of England who was known for his whole commentary on the Bible, amongst other things.
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Medium Length Works (14+)
1500’s
Hooper, John – A Declaration of the Ten Holy Commandments of Almighty God wrotten Ex. 20, Deut. 5. Collected out of the Scripture Canonical EEBO (1548) 180 pp.
** – ‘After the manner of the English Reformers. The style is harsh to the modern ear, and the matter too much occupied with the controversies raging in the author’s times to be very interesting now.’ – Spurgeon
* Calvin, John †1564
Institutes of the Christian Religion tr. Henry Beveridge (1559; Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1845), vol. 1, bk. 2
8. ‘Exposition of the Moral Law’ 425
1st Commandment 442
2nd Commandment 447
3rd Commandment 452
4th Commandment 459
5th Commandment 466
6th Commandment 470
7th Commandment 471
8th Commandment 475
9th Commandment 478
10th Commandment 481
Sermons on the Ten Commandments 1581 Buy
Cranmer, Thomas – A Short Instruction Concerning the Ten Commandments (d. 1566) being 10 sermons in A Short Instruction into Christian Religion, pp. 3-97 English reformer
Bunny, Edmund – A Short Sum of Christian Religion under the Consideration of the Ten Commandments in The Whole Sum of Christian Religion… (London, 1576), pp. 30-74
Bunny (1540–1619) was an English Calvinistic divine who also published an abridgment of Calvin’s Institutes.
Knewstub, John – Lectures of John Knewstub, upon the Twentieth Chapter of Exodus & Certain other Places of Scripture (1584)
Knewstub was a moderate puritan, a follower of Thomas Cartwright and was proposed to succeed William Whitaker.
* – ‘More valuable for its antiquity than for anything else.’ – Spurgeon
Beza, Theodore, Anthony Faius & Students – Propositions & Principles of Divinity Propounded & Disputed in the University of Geneva by Certain Students of Divinity there, under Mr. Theodore Beza & Mr. Anthony Faius… (Edinburgh: Waldegrave, 1591)
28. ‘Of the Law of God’ 63
29. ‘Upon the Preface of God’s Law & the First Commandment’ 66
30. ‘Second Commandment’ 68
31. ‘Third Commandment’ 72
32. ‘Concerning Vows’ 75
33. ‘Fourth Commandment’ 78
34. ‘Fifth Commandment’ 82
35. ‘Sixth Commandment’ 86
36. ‘Seventh Commandment’ 89
37. ‘Eighth Commandment’ 92
38. ‘Ninth Commandment’ 94
39. ‘Tenth Commandment’ 97
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1600’s
Perkins, William – A Golden Chain (Cambridge: Legat, 1600)
19. Concerning the Outward Means of Executing the Decree of Election, & of the Decalogue
20. 1stCommandment
21. 2ndCommandment
22. 3rdCommandment
23. 4thCommandment
24. 5thCommandment
25. 6thCommandment
26. 7thCommandment
27. 8thCommandment
28. 9thCommandment
29. 10thCommandment
Estey [Estye], George – An Exposition upon the Ten Commandments (1603) 73 pp. from Certain Godly & Learned Expositions upon Diverse Parts of Scripture as they were Preached…
Estey (1560-1601) was a reformed Anglican.
Granger, Thomas – The Tree of Good & Evil: or a Profitable & Familiar Exposition of the Commandments, directing us in the whole course of our life, according to the Rule of God’s Word, whereby we must be Judged at the Last Day (London, 1616)
Granger (1578-1627) was reformed.
Bunny, Francis – A Guide unto Godliness, or, A Plain & Familiar Explanation of the Ten Commandments, by Questions & Answers Fittest for the Instruction of the Simple & Ignorant People (1617) 232 pp. ToC
Bunny was a reformed prebendary in the Church of England, in Durham.
Whately, William – A Pithy, Short & Methodical Opening of the Ten Commandments (1622) 256 pp.
Whately was a preacher at Banburie in Oxford-shire.
** – ‘Exceedingly scarce, but as rich as it is rare.’
Yates, John – ch. 1, ‘Of the Law’ in A Model of Divinity, Catechistically Composed, wherein is Delivered the Matter & Method of Religion, according to the Creed, Ten Commandments, Lord’s Prayer & the Sacraments (1622), bk. 2, pp. 297-321
Yates (†1657) was a reformed, English minister in St Andrews in Norwich.
Ames, William – Book 2, chs. 12-21 of The Marrow of Sacred Divinity Buy (1623)
Barker, Peter
Barker (1597-1624) was a reformed minister in Dorsetshire, England. ‘Painful’ in the title referred to taking great pains and labor to expound the text.
** – ‘Old-fashioned, remarkably quaint, and even coarse in places. Barker’s work abounds in Scriptural illustrations, but it is almost forgotten.’ – Spurgeon
A Learned & Familiar Exposition upon the Ten Commandments (London: 1633) 2nd ed. much enlarged
Downame, George – An Abstract of the Duties Commanded, and Sins Forbidden in the Law of God (1635) 192 pp.
** – ‘A sort of catalogue of sins, arranged in a tabular form under the Ten Commandments. These are the heads and divisions of a larger treatise, which does not appear to have been published. These mighty men could afford to leave in the oblivion of manuscript works which would cost modern weaklings half a life-time to write.’ – Spurgeon
* Fisher, Edward – Part 2 of The Marrow of Modern Divinity pp. 265-317 (1646) 52 pp. This is in the form of a dialogue. Evangelista is the good guy; Nomista is the legalist.
** – ‘This exposition is part of the work which occasioned the famous Marrow controversy. One fails to see anything calculated to stir up such a strife. Fisher might have said that the lines had fallen to him in troubled waters.’ – Spurgeon
Despagne, Jean – New Observations upon the Decalogue: or The Second of the Four Parts of Christian Doctrine, preached upon the [French Reformed] Catechism (London, 1652)
Despagne (1591-1659) was a French, reformed minister.
Leigh, Edward – A System or Body of Divinity… (London, A.M., 1654), bk. 9, pp. 749-57
1. Some Things General of the Commandments
2. Of the First Commandment
3. Of the Second Commandment
4. Of the Third Commandment
5. The Fourth Commandment
6. The Fifth Commandment
7. The Sixth Commandment
8. The Seventh Commandment
9. The Eighth Commandment
10. The Ninth Commandment
11. The Tenth Commandment
Rijssen, Leonard – ch. 15, ‘The Decalogue & Good Works’ in A Complete Summary of Elenctic Theology & of as Much Didactic Theology as is Necessary trans. J. Wesley White MTh thesis (Bern, 1676; GPTS, 2009), pp. 170-97
Rijssen (1636?-1700?) was a prominent Dutch reformed minister and theologian, active in theological controversies.
Barrow, Isaac – ‘An Exposition of the Decalogue’ in A Brief Exposition of the Lord’s Prayer and the Decalogue, to which is Added the Doctrine of the Sacraments (d. 1677; London, 1681), pp. 63-200
Barrow (1630-1677) was an Anglican Christian theologian and mathematician who discovered the fundamental theorem of calculus. Isaac Newton was a student of his.
Leighton, Robert – An Exposition of the Ten Commandments Buy †1684 66 pp., in Works, vol. 3, pp. 107-173
Leighton was one of the few good and godly bishops in late-1600’s Scotland.
* Watson, Thomas – Body of Practical Divinity, pp. 211-328 †1686 117 pp. This work is an exposition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism
Turretin, Francis – Institutes of Elenctic Theology, tr. George M. Giger, ed. James Dennison Jr. (1679–1685; P&R, 1994), vol. 2, 11th Topic
1. ‘Whether there is a natural law, and how it differs from the moral law. The former we affirm; the latter we distinguish.’ 1
2. ‘Are the precepts of the decalogue of natural and indispensable right? We affirm.’ 7
3. ‘Is the moral law so perfect a rule of life and morals that nothing can be added to it or ought to be corrected in it for the true worship of God? Or did Christ fulfill it not only as imperfect, but also correct it as contrary to his doctrines? The former we affirm; the latter we deny against the Socinians, Anabaptists, Remonstrants and papists.’ 18
4. ‘May anything be added to the moral law in the way of counsel? We deny against the papists.’ 28
5. ‘Are four precepts rightly assigned to the first table and six to the second? We affirm.’ 32
6. ‘What rules are to be observed in explaining and keeping the precepts of the decalogue?’ 34
1st Command
7. ‘Is God alone to be worshipped and invoked? Or is it lawful to invoke and religiously worship deceased saints? We affirm the former and deny the latter against the papists.’ 38
8. ‘Should the bodies of saints and relics be adored with religious worship? We deny against the papists.’ 47
2nd Command
9. ‘Is it lawful to religiously worship images of God, the holy Trinity, Christ, the virgin and other saints? We deny against the papists.’ 51
10. ‘Whether not only the worship, but also the formation and use of religious images in sacred places is prohibited by the Second Commandment. We affirm against the Lutherans.’ 62
3rd Command
11. ‘Whether every oath so obliges the conscience that we are bound to keep it by an inevitable necessity. We distinguish.’ 66
12. ‘Whether it is lawful to use ambiguous equivocations and mental reservations in oaths. We deny against the papists and especially the Jesuits.’ 70
4th Command
13. ‘Whether the first institution of the Sabbath was in the Fourth Commandment; and whether the commandment is partly moral, partly ceremonial. The former we deny; the latter we affirm.’ 77
14. ‘Whether the institution of the Lord’s Day is divine or human; whether it is of necessary and perpetual or of free and mutable observance. The former we affirm and the latter we deny (as to both parts).’ 92
15. ‘Whether it belongs to the faith in the New Testament that besides the Lord’s Day there are other festival days properly so called whose celebration is necessary per se and by reason of mystery, not by reason of order or ecclesiastical polity only. We deny against the papists.’ 100
5th Command
16. ‘May children withdraw themselves from the power of their parents and marry without their consent? We deny against the papists.’ 104
6th Command
17. ‘Are the rights of war and punishment contained under this commandment? Are suicide (autocheiria) and duelling prohibited? The former we deny; the latter we affirm.’ 112
7th Command
18. ‘What is forbidden and what is enjoined by the precept concerning not committing adultery?’ 120
8th Command
19. ‘What is forbidden and commanded by the precept concerning not stealing? Is usury of all kinds contained under it? We deny.’ 123
9th Command
20. Whether a lie under any pretext can be rendered virtuous and lawful. We deny against the Socinians.’ 129
10th Command
21. ‘What concupiscence is prohibited by the tenth precept? Are the incipient motions sins? We affirm.’ 134
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1700’s
Edwards, John – 3rd Part, ‘Of the Ten Commandments’ in Theologia Reformata: or, The Body and Substance of the Christian Religion, comprised in distinct discourses or treatises… (1713), vol. 2, pp. 273-619
John Edwards (1637–1716) was an influential reformed Anglican during the early 1700’s, and the son of Thomas Edwards, who wrote the famed book ‘Gangraena’ in the 1640’s.
* Hole, Matthew – Discourses 1-26 in A Practical Exposition of the Church Catechism, vol. 2 (†1730), pp. 367-547
Hole (1640-1730) was a divine in the Church England. See a short bio here.
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1900’s
* Vos, Johannes – The Westminster Larger Catechism, a Commentary ed. G.I. Williamson Buy (1946-1949) 614 pp.
Vos was a mid-western pastor in the RPCNA. This is the most accessible and usable commentary on the Larger Catechism. It is a medium level treatment and is in the format of questions and answers, which is well done.
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Longer Works 15+
1500’s
Bullinger, Henry – The Decades ed. Thomas Harding (1549; Cambridge: Parker Society, 1849)
vol. 1, 2nd Decade
1st Sermon, ‘Of laws, and of the Law of Nature, then of the laws of men’ 193-209
2nd Sermon, ‘Of God’s Law, and of the two First Commandments of the First Table’ 209-37
3rd Sermon, ‘Of the 3rd Precept of the Ten Commandments, and of Swearing’ 237-53
4th Sermon, ‘Of the 4th Precept of the 1st Table, that is, of the Order and Keeping of the Sabbath Day’ 253-67
5th Sermon, ‘Of the 1st Precept of the 2nd Table, which is in order the 5th of the Ten Commandments, touching the honor due to parents’ 267-98
6th Sermon, ‘Of the 2nd Precept of the 2nd Table…’ 298-322
7th Sermon, ‘Of the office of the magistrate, whether the care of religion appertain to him or no, and whether he may make laws and ordinances in cases of religion’ 323-44
10th Sermon, ‘Of the 3rd Precept of the 2nd Table… ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery of wedlock;’ Against all intemperance; of Continency’ 393-435
vol. 2, 3rd Decade
3rd Sermon, ‘Of the patient bearing and abiding of sundry calamities and miseries; and also of the hope and manifold consolation of the faithful’ 64-111
4th Sermon, ‘Of the Fifth & Sixth Precepts of the 2nd Table…’ 111-24
Vermigli, Peter Martyr – The Common Places… (d. 1562; London: Henrie Denham et al., 1583), pt. 2
3. ‘Of the Law’ 297
‘Of Philosophy, and the comparison thereof, especially moral, with Divinity’ 300
‘Necessary Rules for the Interpretation and Keeping of the Law’ 304
4. ‘The First Precept, where is entreated of Idolatry, and sundry kinds of Idols’ 307
‘Whether it be lawful for Christians to dwell among infidels’ 309
‘Whether it be lawful to have teachers, which believe not in Christ’ 311
‘Of the suffering of Jews and heretics’ 328
‘Of Heresies’ 331
‘What is, to tempt God’ 331
‘Of curiosity’ 332
5. ‘The Second Precept, which concerns Images, their Beginning, Antiquity & Cause’ 333
‘Whether it be lawful to express Christ, the angels and other creatures in Images’ 340
‘Whether it be lawful to place images in churches’ 351
‘Of Cherubim and Teraphim’ 356
‘Of human sacrifices’ 359
‘Of the establishing of the Second Commandment, whether the child shall bear the iniquity of the father’ 362
6. ‘The Third Precept: of Sanctification of the Name of God and Generally of Oaths’ 368
7. ‘The Fourth Precept: of Sanctifying the Sabbath Day’ 374
‘Of other feast days of the Jews’ 376
‘Whether it be lawful to solemnize the birthday of any man’ 377
8. ‘The Fifth Precept: of the Honoring of Superiors’ 377
‘A Comparison between the Duties of Parents and Magistrates’ 377
‘What Dominion the Husband has over the Wife’ 379
‘Of Ambition’ 381
‘Of the Desire of Praise’ 382
‘Of Flattery’ 383
9. ‘The Sixth Precept: of Friendship’ 384
‘Of Homicide, or Manslaughter’ 385
‘Of the fact of Elijah, and that a perverse imitating of him must be avoided’ 386
‘Whether Elijah did well in killing of the Baalites’ 388
‘Of Parricide’ 390
‘Of Sword-Play’ 390
‘Whether it be lawful for any man to kill himself’ 391
‘Of Repelling of Violence’ 397
‘Of Cursings, Imprecations & Bannings’ 397
‘How far it may be lawful to rejoice in our enemy’s overthrow’ 400
‘Of a Curse & Shunning of Revenge’ 403
‘Of Affects, or Affections in General, out of the Commentaries upon Aristotle’s Ethics’ 405
‘Of Some of the Affects Severally’ 411
‘Of Shamefastness’ 411
‘Of Temperance’ 412
‘Of Mercy, & the Affect called ‘Nemesis’’ 412
‘Of Cruelty’ 414
‘Of Envy’ 416
‘Of Emulation’ 417
‘Of Revenge’ 417
10. ‘The Seventh Precept: of Not Committing Adultery’ 418
‘Of Matrimony & Concubines’ 418
‘Of Polygamy’ 420
‘Of Barrenness’ 430
‘Whether it be lawful for children to marry without the consent of their parents’ 431
‘Of Rapine, or violent taking away’ 437
‘Whether Marriage be lawful in persons of sundry religions’ 442
‘Of Degrees forbidden in marriage’ 447
‘Whether any Dispensation may be made in the degrees of kindred prohibited by God’ 453
‘Of Dowries’ 454
‘Of Divorcements’ 457
‘Whether Matrimony be a Sacrament’ 462
11. ‘Of Whoredom, Fornication & Adultery’ 468
‘Of Bastards’ 475
‘Of Adultery’ 478
‘Of Idleness & other enticements unto wickedness’ 479
‘Of the Punishments of Adultery’ 482
‘Whether the man or woman do sin more grievously in adultery’ 489
‘Of Reconciliation of man and wife after adultery committed’ 495
‘Of Wine & Drunkenness’ 497
‘Of Dances’ 503
‘Of Garments & Apparel’ 506
‘Of Counterfeit & False Coloring’ 507
12. ‘The Eight Precept: of Not Committing Theft’ 517
‘Of Well-Doing & Hospitality’ 518
‘Of Benefiting & Unthankfulness’ 523
‘Of Plays & Pastimes’ 524
‘Of Gentleness & Affability’ 528
13. ‘The Ninth Precept: of Not Bearing False Witness’ 528
‘Of Contempt’ 528
‘Of Suspicions’ 533
‘Of Mocking & Taunting’ 534
‘Of Deceit or Guile’ 534
‘Whether guile be lawful for the rooting out of idolatry and heresies’ 539
‘Of Dissimulation’ 541
‘Of Truth & of a Lie’ 542
‘Whether it be lawful to lie for preserving the life of our neighbor’ 546
‘Whether we may lie for modesty’s sake’ 547
‘Whether Faith against a promise breaker must be kept’ 548
‘Of a Fable & Apology’ 550
14. ‘The Last Precept: against Lusting’ 551
‘Of the Comparison between Sins’ 553
‘Of Charity, which is the fulfilling of the law’ 556
‘Of Salutations’ 560
‘Whether the commandment of loving God with all the heart, etc. may be kept in this life’ 562
‘Whether the first motions should be accounted sins’ 565
‘Whether by rewards we ought to be moved to the obedience of God’ 573
Musculus, Wolfgang – Common Places of the Christian Religion (1560; London, 1563)
Of the Decalogue 34.a
Division of 35.a
1st Commandment 36.b
Against the Worship of Dead Saints 40.b
2nd Commandment 41.b
Kneeling to Images 46.b
Of them which worship the image of the Father and the Son 47.a
The images of God in the Papists’ Churches 47.a
Of the Image of Christ 47.b
How worshipping appertains unto Christ 47.b
All worship and adoration only to God the Lord 48.b
That God is jealous 48.b
The nature of zeal and emulation 49.b
How these words agree with that of Eze. 18:4, 18 50.a
How the revenge of God is extended to the third and fourth generation 51.a
Against the teachers of merits 53.b
3rd Commandment 45.a
The less sins be forbidden to the intent we should abstain from the greater 56.a
The abuse of oaths 56.a
The calling of counsels 56.b
The name of God is contemned when his Word is negligently heard 57.b
4th Commandment 60.a
The consideration of this precept of the Sabbath 60.b
Things to be observed in the letter of this precept 61.a
The two sorts of sanctifying the Sabbath 61.b
The day of the Sabbath 62.a
That six days were employed to work and one to rest 62.b
Isa. 58:13-14 63.a
The profanation of the Sabbath 63.b
No holy days are to be appointed unto the names or memories of saints 63.b
Of cattle: why the rest of the Sabbath was commanded to them also 65.a
That strangers ought not to be compelled unto the religion of the place where they come 65.b
What the hallowing of the seventh day signifies 67.b
The spiritual Sabbath is not tied to any time 68.a
The heavenly Sabbath 68.a
Of the abrogation of the law of the Sabbath 66.a
The error of the [Saturday] Sabbataries is refuted, Gen. 2 66.a
That the Decalogue pertain to the Israelites only 66.a
In what respect we ought not to refuse the Sabbath 66.b
The Lord’s Day, Rev. 1 [Musculus appears to be for keeping the 1st day of the week] 70.a
The 2nd Table of the Decalogue 70.a
5th Commandment 70.a
Things to be observed in that he says ‘Honor the father and mother’ 70.b
Who He appointed to be honored 71.a
The word of ‘honoring’ 71.b
Of the transgressors of this precept 72.b
Parents must not alienate the hearts of their children 73.a
Things to be observed in that he says, ‘That thou may long live upon the land, which the Lord thy God shall give thee’ 74.a
If it be good of itself to live, it is also good to live long 75.a
It is not therefore evil to live here because it is better to live in heaven 75.a
The dwelling in the land requires the keeping of the commandments 76.a
6th Commandment 76.b
Things to be considered in this precept 76.b
He says not, ‘Be not angry,’ but ‘Kill not.’ 77.b
How men do sin against this law 78.a
Who kill themselves 78.a
Of Sampson in Judg. 16 78.b
The magistrate’s sword does good service to his law 79.a
Gen. 9 79.b
The rightness of the justice is to be judged by the authority of God’s will 79.b
Casual murder or by chance medley 80.b
Defensive murder 80.b
Of them which, though not in act, yet in word become murderers 81.a
Of them which be murderers in heart 82.b
7th Commandment 83.a
A consideration of wedlock 83.a
Pureness of Life required by this precept 83.a
Bachelors and widowers 83.a
Wedlock the fountain of man’s life 83.a
This precept defends not whoredom 83.b
What is adultery 83.b
Peter Lombard 83.b
How great care God has of wedlock 84.a
Contemners & Defilers of matrimony 84.a
Heb. 13 84.a
There is no specification set 84.b
The corruption of our flesh 84.b
This law was given to the circumcised people 85.a
Of the transgressions of this law 85.a
Of the transgression of the law we must judge according to the mind of the lawgiver 85.a
1 Thess. 4 85.a
Men do sin by work, word and signs and heart 85.a
With the married 85.a
Lev. 18 85.a
Lev. 20 85.b
With a virgin 85.b
With violence and ravishment, Gen. 34; 2 Sam. 13 85.b
The sole man with the sole woman 85.b
Against pasture (sodomy) 85.b
Of signs and words 85.b
Not only the act, but the will and endeavor also of adultery is forbidden 86.a
The concupiscence of the heart 86.a
Difference to be made between the judgment of God and the judgment of man 86.a
An admonition 86.b
Of the causes of adultery, and all kind of uncleanness 86.b
The first cause is the universal corruption of our flesh, Rom. 7 86.b
The secondary causes 87.a
The stirring up 87.a
Touching 87.a
Filthy reasoning 87.b
Impunity 87.b
Occasion 87.b
Of the grievousness of whoredom and adultery 87.b
The general and special griefs 87.b
To offend against the tables of the Covenant: a Similitude 88.a
The weight by circumstances 88.a
Of the evil of whoredom and adultery 88.a
A common evil which excludes men out of the kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6 88.a
The fountain of our nature is defiled 88.a
Public honesty is distained 88.a
They do sin against their own bodies, 1 Cor. 6; 1 Thess. 4 88.b
Man is besotted 88.b
A continual desire of sin grafted in them 88.b
A man is made light and unprofitable 88.b
They fall into great dangers, Prov. 6-7 88.b
Two persons are wrapped in sin 89.a
How much evil is done peculiarly to Christian men, 1 Cor. 6 89.a
Of the punishment of forbidden lusts, whoredom, deflowering, incest, ravishment, adultery, sodomy and beastish meddling 89.b
We must not only hear the precepts, but also the penalties 89.b
Two kinds of penalties of sin 89.b
Penalties of adulterers, Lev. 20; Dt. 22; Lex Julia 89.b
Christian princes have weakened the law of adulterers 89.b
Of the penalty of incest 90.a
Of deflowerers of maids, Dt. 22 90.a
Of ravishers 90.a
Of them that sin against nature, Lev. 20 90.a
8th Commandment 90.b
Rom. 13; Gen. 31; 40; 2 Sam. 19; 15; What God forbids 90.b
How many kinds of stealing there be; Two kinds of theft, Ex. 11 91.a
Bishops are the thieves of the Church goods 91.a
Princes are the thieves of Church goods 91.b
Thieves of the name and Word of God, Jer. 23 91.b
Thieves in worldly matters 91.b
From whence comes the desire of stealing 91.a [sic]
The sin of theft has a spring, veins and courses, Mt. 15 91.a
Occasion; advices 91.a
Against calculators which do ascribe the necessity of stealing to stars, Gen. 1 91.a
How grievous a sin theft is 92.b
Some theft is greater than others 92.b
Scriptures which do extenuate the offense of theft, Eccl. 5 93.a
Whether every theft be culpable and sin 93.a
Two kinds of those things which be rehearsed in the Decalogue 93.a
Theft upon obedience, Ex. 12 93.b
Theft of injustice 93.b
Theft of industry 93.b
Theft of warning 93.b
Theft of diligence 93.b
Wherefore the Lord did not rather forbid violence, robbery and depredation than theft 94.a
The difference between theft and robbery 94.a
The offense of theft is more general than that of robbery 94.a
Robbery is more manifest than theft 94.a
Men do withstand robberies than theft 94.a
How many ways a man is partaker of thefts 94.b
Accessory, bidding or commanding, council, consent, commending, concealment, partaking, sufferance, silence 94.b
Of the punishments and correction of theft 95.a
Reformation and correction by laws 95.a
Of the hanging of thieves 95.b
Of the ecclesiastical correction 95.b
The restitution of the things stolen; the stolen good must be restored to the owner 95.b
An example of a certain young man at Augsburg 96.a
If things cannot by any means or not safely and honestly be restored 96.b
9th Commandment 96.b
The meaning of this precept 96.b
What is witness and what the use of it is 96.b
We have more use of faith than of knowledge 97.a
1. How many kinds of witness there be 97.a
Testimonies in open court and out of court 97.a
2. That we be not forbidden to bear witness 97.b
3. We be not forbidden to bear witness against our neighbor 97.b
How a man may witness against his neighbor not breaking charity 98.a
How we must love our neighbor 98.a
4. How many ways false witness is borne 98.a
Ignorance, wittingly, pleasant lies 98.a
False witness in judgment 98.b
5. Of what kind of witness this law of God does speak 98.b
That he means the testimony is open court 99.a
The testimony or verdict in open court is most dangerous 99.a
6. What need it was to command that no false witness should be born against a man’s neighbor 99.a
The precept seems to be superfluous 99.a
The general cause of the whole Decalogue 99.b
The special cause, because every man is a liar, Jn. 8 & 14 99.b
We do the worse, knowing better 99.b
Against thy neighbor 99.b
7. Of the evil of false witness 99.b
The evil of lying generally 99.b
It excludes us from the hill of god, Ps. 15 100.a
It does defile our tongue 100.a
It takes away faith 100.a
It is increased by circumstances, Acts 5 100.a
Two kinds of flattery 100.b
Saul, 1 Sam. 18 100.b
The Pharisees, Mt. 22; the Serpent 100.b
Cain; Joab, 2 Sam. 3 & 10; Prov. 27 100.b
Ps. 53 101.a
The evil of backbiting 101.a
Backbiting has flattery for his companion 101.a
Backbiting hurts him that is absent 101.a
It hurts the neighbors good name and life; Esther 101.a
Haman; Doeg; 1 Sam. 22; David; 1 Sam. 24 101.a
What the Scripture does attribute to a backbiting tongue 101.a
The evil of false witness; 1 Kings 21; Dan. 13; Acts 6-7 101.a
Cruel inquisition and examination 101.a
8. Of the penalty and revenge of false witness 102.a
The revenge of God, Prov. 6 & 21 102.a
The revenge of the Law, Dt. 19 102.b
Dt. 22 & 19 102.b
Augustine, Question 33 102.b
10th Commandment 103.a
How this precept is joined unto them before 103.a
Specification 103.a
1. What concupiscence is 103.a
The strength of concupiscence 103.a
The contrary unto concupiscence 103.b
The nature of concupiscence 103.b
2. How many sorts of concupiscences there be 103.b
Concupiscence before sin 103.b
The affects of concupiscence are of two sorts 103.b
Whereof the corruption of our concupiscence is 103.b
We must mark in us the work of God and the work of Satan 103.b
The cause of the natural affections in us 103.b
To desire no thing belongs to the dead and not to the living 104.a
3. What kind of concupiscence is forbidden 104.a
The concupiscence of the spirit is not forbidden, Gal. 5 104.a
Nor natural concupiscence is forbidden 104.a
The concupiscence of the corrupt flesh is forbidden 104.b
Josh. 7; Dt. 7 104.b
4. Of the motions of naughty concupiscence 104.b
By what means the naughty concupiscence is moved 104.b
The natural senses 104.b
Concupiscence is stirred by thought only 104.b
Ps. 119 105.a
The loathsomeness of honest and lawful things 105.a
5. Of the naughtiness and malice of inordinate desire 105.a
Evil concupiscence placed within, even in the affections of our hearts 105.a
Concupiscence is the minister of sin 105.a
Rom. 6 105.b
Concupiscence blinds 105.b
Concupiscence does choke the Word of God in the heart, Mk. 4 105.b
Concupiscence does provoke the man altogether to sin 105.b
Concupiscence does torment the heart 105.b
Concupiscence is rather stirred up by law of justice than restrained, Rom. 7 106.a
Concupiscence is not extinguished by age 106.a
Concupiscence is unsatiable 106.a
In what account this concupiscence is before God 106.a
How concupiscence alone is sin in the sight of God 106.a
Mt. 5, a similitude 106.a
If the desire is before god as the fact, what avails it to abstain form the doings? Mt. 5;1 Cor. 6 106.b
Gen. 34; 2 Sam. 11 106.b
7. What things are to be considered in the words of this precept 106.b
Ex. 20; Dt. 5 106.b
Of the division of the Decalogue 106.b
Augustine, Question 7 106.b
Ex. 20 107.a
The Lawmaker applied Himself to the quality of his people 107.a
God does ascribe his goods unto us 107.b
The propriety of things is confirmed 107.b
That he says not any man’s house, but thy neighbor’s house 107.b
Neighbors ought to be loved for two respects 107.b
He does not make difference between neighbors 108.a
He makes no difference between our estates, Prov. 16 108.a
Whether that ignorance do excuse the desire of another man’s goods or no 108.b
Of the concupiscence of a [married] woman not known [to be such] 108.b
Whether we may buy that which we cannot covet 109.a
Naboth’s vineyard, 1 Kings 21 109.a
“Nor anything that is they neighbor’s” 109.b
The eyes be ministers of concupiscence, 2 Kings 20 109.b
We must chasten the unlawful concupiscence 110.a
The conclusion of the Decalogue 110.a
Of the Order of the Ten Precepts 110.a
The First Table 110.a
The Second Table 110.a
Mt. 22 110.b
* Babington, Gervase – A Very Fruitful Exposition of the Commandments by way of Questions & Answers for greater plainness together with an application of every one to the soul and conscience of man, profitable for all… (1583)
Babington (1549–1610) was a bishop in the Church of England.
Ursinus, Zachary
The Sum of Christian Religion: Delivered… in his Lectures upon the Catechism… tr. Henrie Parrie (d. 1583; Oxford, 1587)
Of the Law of God, or of the Decalogue & the Ten Commandments
1. What the Law is in general
2. What are the parts of the Law
3. What the use of the Law is
4. In what the Law differs from the Gospel
5. How far the Law is abrogated
6. How the Decalogue is divided
7. What the substance or meaning of the Decalogue & of every Commandment thereof
Certain Conclusions of the Decalogue
First Commandment
. The vices, which are opposite or contrary to the virtues of this First Commandment
1. How Far Images may be Allowed to be Made
2. Why Images are to be abolished in the churches of Christians
3. How images are to be abolished
Certain objections of the Papists
1. What an Oath is
2. By whom we must swear
3. Of what things we are to swear
4. Whether all oaths are to be kept
5. Whether a Christian may take a right and lawful oath
The objections of the Papists which use invocation and prayer, unto the Saints departed
Fourth Commandment
Of the Sabbath. The chief Questions
1. How Manifold the Sabbath is
2. The causes for which the Sabbath Day was instituted
3. How the sabbath is sanctified or kept holy
4. How the sabbath is broken or profaned
5. How the sabbath belongs unto us
Objections against the abrogating of the ceremonial sabbath
The proper or peculiar virtues of this Fifth Commandment
The vices contrary to the peculiar and proper virtues of this Fifth Commandment
The common virtues of this Fifth Commandment
The vices contrary to these common virtues of this Fifth Commandment
The virtues of this Sixth Commandment
The virtues not hurting the safety of men
The virtues helping and furthering men’s safety
The vices contrary to the virtues of this Sixth Commandment
1. What Marriage is
2. What are the causes of marriage
3. Whether marriage be a thing indifferent
4. What are the duties of married persons
5. What things are contrary to matrimony
The virtues of this eight commandment, together with their extremes or contrary vices
Certain objections against the former distinction of Rights and Possessions
Ninth Commandment
. The virtues of this Ninth Commandment, together with their vices
1. How the Law is possible
2. What is the use of the Law
Rules & Axioms of Certain Chief Points of Christianity in A Collection of Certain Learned Discourses… (Oxford, 1600)
18. Of the Exposition & Division of the Decalogue
19. Of the First Commandment
20. Of the Six First Commandments
.
1600’s
* Dod, John & Robert Cleaver
The Bright Star which Leads Wise Men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A Familiar & Learned Exposition on the Ten Commandments… (1603) 102 pp.
A Plain & Familiar Exposition of the Ten Commandments. With a Methodical Short Catechism, containing briefly the Principal Grounds of Christian Religion 15th ed. (1603; 1622) 380 pp.
For a taste of this exceedingly wise and fruitful work, see the section, ‘Duties of Husbands & Wives’ from the 5th Commandment.
** – ‘This work was published by John Dod [1550-1645] and Robert Cleaver [c. 1561-c. 1614], with an intimation that the name of the author was purposely suppressed. Our edition, dated 1632, is the eighteenth, so that the work enjoyed a rare popularity in its own time. It has been frequently reprinted since. The book has been long held in esteem.’ – Spurgeon
Elton, Edward 1569-1624
An Exposition of the Ten Commandments of God wherein the Principal & Most Material Doctrines are set down (1623) 257 pp.
These two works are significantly different.
God’s Holy Mind touching matters Moral, which Himself uttered in Ten Words, or Ten Commandments… 380 pp. in God’s Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral which Himself Uttered in Ten Words, or Ten Commandments. Also Christ’s Holy Mind touching Prayer, delivered in that most Holy Prayer, which Himself taught unto his disciples… (1625)
* – ‘This work discusses the Decalogue in question and answer, in a somewhat dull manner; but touches many cases of conscience, and deals wisely with them. Belief in witchcraft comes out very strongly in some passages.’ – Spurgeon
Willet, Andrew – Hexapla in Genesis & Exodus… (d. 1621; 1633, London), pp. 263-371
‘Preface’
‘The Ten Commandments in Particular’
Weemes, John – An Explication of the Moral Law, the First Table (300 pp.), the Second Table (360 pp.) (1632, 1636)
Weemes was a Scottish divine.
** – ‘Solid, sober, weighty. [William] Orme says of Weemse: ‘He was well acquainted with the original Scriptures, with Jewish manners and antiquities, and with the best mode of interpreting the Bible. The style is quaint, but always intelligible.”
Andrewes, Lacelot
The Moral Law Expounded: Largely, Learnedly, Orthodoxly… upon the Ten Commandments, being his Lectures in Cambridge (d. 1626; 1641) 786 pp.
This work is different than the one below.
* A Pattern of Catechistical Doctrine at large; or a Learned and Pious Exposition of the 10 Commandments EEBO (1675) 392 pp.
Andrewes (1555-1626) was the Church of England, reformed bishop of Worchester.
*** – ‘This is a book indeed; it is a joy to read it, for it flashes with thought and illustration, and sparkles with ingenious remarks. Profound learning did not lead the Bishop into the depths of dulness, as it has done many another divine; he manifests the happy quaintness of Latimer side by side with great scholarship. He was highly esteemed by his contemporaries; but we can hardly believe that his death:
‘Left the dim face of our full hemisphere
All one great eye all drown’d in one great tear.’
Yet so we are informed at the foot of his effigies.’ – Spurgeon
* Durham, James – The Law Unsealed, or a Practical Exposition of the Ten Commandments EEBO Buy (†1658) 500 pp.
Durham was a leading Scottish covenanter during the 2nd Reformation in Scotland.
*** – ‘Whatever Durham has written is very precious. He has the pen of a ready writer, and indites good matter.’
Towerson, Gabriel – An Explication of the Decalogue or Ten Commandments, with reference to the Catechism of the Church of England, to which are Premised by Way of Introduction Several General Discourses Concerning God’s Both Natural & Positive Laws (London, 1677) 548 pp.
Towerson (c.1635-1697) was an Anglican clergyman and theological writer.
* Hopkins, Ezekiel – An Exposition of the Ten Commandments (1692) 450 pp.
Hopkins was an Anglican divine who was a bishop in Derry, Ireland.
** – ‘Hopkins in this exposition searches the heart thoroughly, and makes very practical application of the Commandments to the situations and circumstances of daily life. His homely eloquence will always make his works valuable.’ – Spurgeon
‘A brilliantly written treatise by a leading Puritan writer. Long out of print, it should be purchased if found.’ – Cyril J. Barber
.
1700’s
à Brakel, Wilhelmus – chs. 45-55 in The Christian’s Reasonable Service, vol. 3 ed. Joel Beeke, trans. Bartel Elshout (1700; RHB, 1992/1999), pp. 35-243
* Boston, Thomas – pp. 66-373 of An Illustration of the Doctrines of the Christian Religion in Works (†1732), vol. 2
Boston was a minister in the Church of Scotland. This work is a commentary on the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
Ridgley, Thomas – A Body of Divinity, vol. 2 (Questions #99-148) PoD (d. 1734) 106 pp.
This was the first commentary published on the Larger Catechism, being a series of sermons through it. Ridgley (1667-1734) was a reformed, English Independent, who was the assistant and successor of Thomas Gouge in London.
.
1800’s
Tudor, Richard – The Decalogue Viewed as the Christian’s Law (1860) 440 pp.
** – ‘The author attempts to give the Christian sense of the Decalogue in its application to present needs and questions. With much moderation he discusses many of the disputed points of the day, such as the legislative enforcement of the Sabbath, marriage with a deceased wife’s sister [which the 1646 Westminster Confession speaks to], etc. He usually takes the view which is natural to a clergyman; but he says some capital things.’ – Spurgeon
* Plumer, William – The Law of God as Contained in the Ten Commandments, Explained and Enforced (1864) 645 pp.
.
Latin
1500’s
Ursinus, Zacharias – Theological Places in Theological Works, vol. 1 (Heidelberg, 1612) ToC
Of the Divine Law 664
First Command 682
Second Command 689
Third Command 699
Fourth Command 715
Fifth Command 725
Sixth Command 729
[The End]
Ursinus (1534-1583)
Bullinger, Henry – A Catechism Written for Adults, about the First Principles of the Christian Religion (1559; Zurich, 1563)
Of the Law of God & the Lord’s Decalogue of Commandments 8b
. An Explication of the First Table 10
. An Explication of the Second Table 21-29
Ramus, Petrus – Commentary on the Christian Religion (Frankfurt, 1576; 1594)
Bk. 2 [Of the Decalogue]
2. Of the Preface of the Law 100
3. Of the First Precept, unto the Worship of God 104
4. Of the Second Precept, Against Idolatry 111
5. Of the Third Precept, Against a Vain Oath 124
6. Of the Fourth Precept, unto the Sanctification of the Sabbath 133
7. Of the Fifth Precept, unto Honoring Parents 143
8. Of the Sixth Precept, Against Murder 152
9. Of the Seventh Precept, Against Adultery 161
10. Of the Eighth Precept, Against Stealing 172
11. Of the Ninth Precept, Against Lying 180
12. Of the Tenth Precept, Against Covetousness 187-203
Bk. 3 [Of Prayer]
…
9. Of Temptation, According to the Tenth Precept 244
Ramus (1515-1572)
Szegedin Pannonius, Stephan – Common Places of Pure Theology, of God & Man, Explained in Continuous Tables & the Dogma of the Schools Illustrated (Basil, 1585/93), An Annual of the Well-Done, Vast Things of God
Moral Laws, or the Decalogue 50
…
Sabbath 56
…
Precepts of God in General 68
Exposition of the Precepts of the 1st & 2nd Table 69
Szegedin (1515-1572) also was known as Stephan Kis.
Zanchi, Girolamo – Of the Fall of the First Man, of Sin & of the Law in The Theological Works, vol. 4 (d. 1590; Stephanus Gamonetus, 1613)
10. Of the Law in General 185
11. Of the Decalogue 221
12. Of the First Precept 234
13. Of the True Religion & Worship & its Parts 273
14. Of the Second Precept 362
15. Of Images 380
16. Of the External Worship of God 411
17. Of the Corruptions of the External Part of True Worship 498
18. Of the Third Precept 547
19. Of the Fourth Precept 661
20. Of the Fifth Precept 856
21. Of the Sixth Precept 858
22. Of the Seventh Precept 859
23. Of the Eighth Precept 860
24. Of the Ninth Precept 861
25. Of the Tenth Precept 862
26. Of the End of the Divine Law 862
27. Of the Use & Office of the Law 867
28. Of the Observation of the Law 871
.
1600’s
Bachoff, Reinhard – Decalogue, or the Ten Precepts, Q. 92-113 in Catechism of the Christian Religion, which is Taught in the Churches & Schools of the Palitinate (Hanau, 1603), pp. 393-578
Bachoff (1544-1614)
Tilen – An Ordered Arrangement of Theological Disputations held in the Academy of Sedan, vol. 1 (1607, 1611)
34. Law in General 287
35. Mosaic Law 293
36. Preface of the Decalogue 301
37. The First Precept of the Decalogue, First Disputation, which is of Faith 307
38. The Same, Second Disputation, which is of Hope 316
39. The Same, Third Disputation, which is of Love 324
40. Second Precept 333
41. Third Precept, First Disputation 342
42. The Same, Second Disputation, which is of Vows
43. Fourth Precept
44. Fifth Precept
45. Sixth Precept
46. Seventh Precept, First Disputation
47. The Same, Second Disputation, which is of Marriage
48. Eighth Precept
49. Ninth Precept
50. Tenth Precept
Tilen (1563-1633)
Mylius, Conrad – Catechetical Essays, or Homilies in the Heidelberg Catechism (Hanau, 1618)
36. Law of God & Understanding the First Precept 805
37. 2nd Precept 843
38. 3rd Precept 880
39. Oaths 907
40. Sabbath 927
41. 5th Precept 948
42. 6th Precept 977
43. 7th Precept 1000
44. 8th Precept 1020
45. 9th Precept 1044
46. 10th Precept 1068-90
Mylius (fl.1616-1618)
Maresius, Samuel – The Hydra of Socinianism Expunged, vol. 2 (Groningen, 1651), bk. 4 ToC
8. Decalogue & even of the First Command 506
9. Prayers 512
10. In what way God is to be worshipped in Christ, and first of the worship of Christ 533
11. Invocation of Christ 537
12. 2nd Command 565
13. 3rd Command 579
14. 4th Command 589
15. 5th Command 592
16. 6th Command 596
17. 7th Command 608
18. 8th Command 637
19. 9th Command 653
20. 10th Command 656
Voet, Gisbert – Select Theological Disputations, vol. 4 (Utrecht, 1648-1667)
6th Commandment
21. ‘On Murder & Hurting of Oneself, even of Voluntary Flagellation’ 244
. Appendix 1: Problems 270
. Appendix 2: ‘On the Burning of One’s Own Ship’ 281-92
22. Of a Plague, or on the Spiritual Antidote of a Plague 292
7th Commandment
23. ‘On the Vanities [Excelsis] of the World, on the Seventh Commandment of the Decalogue, First, of Dances’ 325
24. Second, ‘Of Comedies’ 356
25. Another Part 367
26. Third: ‘On Abuses in Food & Feasts’ 385
27. Fourth: ‘On Luxury & Vanity in Clothes, Houses & Goods’ 403
28. pt. 2 417
29. Fifth: ‘On the Decoration of the Face & Hair’ 429
30. pt. 2 444
31. pt. 3 453-93
32. Of Intoxication 493
8th Commandment
33. ‘On Simony’, pt. 1 515
34. pt. 2 523
35. pt. 3 533
36. pt. 4 540-55
37. ‘On Usury’, pt. 1 555
38. pt. 2 557
. ‘Of Money-Lenders’ 575-905
39. Of a User of False Papers 590
40. ‘On Restitution’ 608
. Appendix: Some Special Questions 616-31
9th Commandment
41. Some 9th Commandment Problems: ‘On Lying, False Appearance & of Disguising’, pt. 1 631
42. pt. 2: ‘On Deceit, Equivocation & Mental Reservation’ 640
43. pt. 3: ‘On Falsehood’ 661
44. pt. 3: ‘On Falsehood’, pt. 2 681
. Appendix: Some Questions 695
45. ‘On Calumny, Detraction & Reviling’, pt. 1 702
46. pt. 2 715-29
50. ‘A Syllabus of Questions on the Whole Decalogue’, pp. 763-824
‘On Good Works’ 763
‘On the Intellect’ 764
‘On the Will’ 764
‘On Sense, or the Sensitive Power’ 765
‘On the Appetite, or the Affections’ 765
‘On Locomotion’ 766
‘On Habit’ 766
‘On Conscience’ 767
‘On the Law of God’ 767
‘On Motives of Good Works & Especially on Examples’ 769
‘On the Grace of God’ 770
‘On the Adjuncts & Requisites of Good Works: truthfulness or sincerity, necessity, preciseness, constancy or progress, efficacy or causality and of the opposite, merit, of imperfection’ 770
‘On the Division of Good Works’ 771
‘On the Opposites of Good Works, namely Sins’ 772
1st Commandment 773
Of the Knowledge of God & its Opposites 773
Of faith & its opposites 773
Of infidelity, heresy & apostasy 774
Of doubt 774
Of adherence to God 775
Of hope & despair 775
On the love of God 776
On desire, on zeal and its opposite: coldness & tepidness 776
On delight & joy 776
On peace of conscience and tranquility 776
On spiritual humility & pride 777
On obedience and its opposites 777
On patience and its opposites, namely impatience and murmuring 777
On self-abnegation, resignation, mortification & hatred of oneself 777
Of the fear of God 777
On the honor and worship of god, or religion 778
Of its opposites in defect: irreligiousness, impiety, profanity & atheism 778
Of idolatry 778
Of magic 779
Of superstition strictly speaking: of every vain observance 779
2nd Commandment 780
Of instituted worship 780
On the sacred 780
Of rites & ceremonies 780
On consecrations and consecrated things 781
On benedictions in general & on sacraments in specific 781
On images 781
On the cross 782
On the canonization and worship of saints 782
On relics & pilgrimages 782
On consecrated things, the Lamb of God, blessed water, etc. 782
3rd Commandment 783
On the use & abuse of the divine name in the reading, hearing and application of Scripture, in the perception of the sacraments and public and private prayers 783
On benedictions 784
On cursings, dreadful sayings, execrations & anathemas 784
On blasphemy 784
On an oath in general 785
On perjuries, perfidies, mental reservation, idle words & actions, & of a fearful oath 785
On the use & abuse of lots and of bets 786
Of vows 786
4th Commandment 787
Of the Sabbath 787
Of feasts in general & of OT feasts 787
Prologue to the 2nd Table 788
Of the love of all creatures & specially of the angels 788
Of the love of oneself 788
Of the love of neighbor or another man 788
Of love for the dead 789
Of righteousness & of right, & the opposites: of unrighteousness & injury 789
Of equity 789
On partiality of persons 789
On gratitude & ingratitude 789
On restitution 789
On humility toward equals 790
On humility toward inferiors 790
On alms 790
On hospitality 791
On the visitation of the infirm, captives, widows, orphans 791
Of merciful works towards one’s neighbor by which his soul’s salvation is promoted, namely by exhortation, rebuke, by turning from error and by consolation 791
On concord, peace friendship and the opposites 791
On civil morals 792
On feasts 792
On prudence & imprudence 792
5th Commandment 792
Of grades of superiors & inferiors, & of inequality 792
Of humility & pride 793
Of honor, dignity & nobility 793
Of the duties of superiors towards inferiors in general 793
Of the duties of inferiors towards superiors in general, & of their opposites 794
Of the mutual duties of husbands & wives 794
Of men & women 794
Of the order & duties of parents & children 794
Of stepfathers, stepmothers, stepchildren, fathers-in-law, a mother-in-law, son-in-laws, etc. 795
On adoption & the adopted 795
On legal tutors, guardians and writers of testaments 795
On teachers & students 795
On the mutual duties of seniors and those younger 795
On lords & servants 796
On the mutual duties of ministers & the faithful in the ecclesiastical body 796
On magistrates & subjects in general 796
On magistrates & their subordinates, or on officials in specific 796
6th Commandment
On mildness, tolerance and placability, and the opposites: wrath, having a temper, lust for vengeance, envy and apathy 798
On fortitude and its opposites: timidity and audacity 798
On concord, discord and bursting, divisive and harsh words 799
On harming and mutilation of oneself or others 799
On suicide 799
On killing others 800
On abortion, babies that repulse from liquid, the malformed, dead humans and the exposing of infants 800
On cruelty and clemency toward beasts 801
On avoiding and fleeing hazards, land or sea offering themselves, the same regarding pestilence, leprosy, dysentery and other contagious diseases 801
Of medicine and physicians 802
Of the care and conservation of life and health 802
On the conservation and care of the life and health of one’s neighbor 803
On the moderating of an innocent guardian, and on vindication 803
On the punishment of homicide, of asylums and of pardons 803
On war in general 804
Of the opposites of war, namely tumult, sedition, rebellion, robbery, piracy, peace and judgments 806
Of the Belgic War 806
7th Commandment
Of Chastity 806
On shameful acts not-to-be-named 807
On abducting, adultery, incest and violent lying together 807
On sleeping together, rape, whoring and fornication, also on brothels, prostitutes and the art of pimping 807
On temperance, continence and modesty 808
On marriage & its opposites 808
On the punishments of impurity 809
8th Commandment
On the dominion of things 809
On riches and poverty 809
On acquiring dominion in general, and its opposites 810
On the first occupation, riverside soil and markers 810
On prescription and ownership by long possession 810
On gifting and heredity 811
On contracts in general 811
On a bill of purchase and of sale 811
On lots, bets and securities 812
On censuses 812
On changes and exchanges, or alterations 813
On a command 813
On acquisition through the right of a treasury, also through right of war and victory 813
On the goods of being shipwrecked and of reprisals 813
On a pledge, fee-farm, fiefs, habituation [? inseudatione], a surety [fide-jussione] 813
On a deposit, loan, usury by a mutual contract, location, hiring, social contract, and a request 814
On theft 815
On more manifest and direct species of theft: of kidnapping, robbing sacred things, simony, embezzlement, cattle-stealing, pillaging of crops, the violent robbing of mobile things, piracy, on a band of robbers, rioting 815
On less manifest or crass species of theft: on devouring gifts, covered-over reward, fraudulent measurement, monopoly, threshing of grain, adulteration and shaving of currency, biting interest and usury, deceitful ceding, usurping the hunt, fowling or fishing, fraud and abuse around invented things or deposits, abuses around testaments and legacies, of confiscation of shipwrecked goods 816
Of recreations and games 818
Of avarice and care about temporal things 818
Of prodigality or lavishness 819
Of idleness, leisure and negligence 819
Of curiosity 819
Of parsimony 819
On the punishments of theft 819
9th Commandment
Of veracity and deception in general 820
Of candor, simplicity, fidelity in words and promises, and the opposites: simulation, fawning, contrivances, frauds, equivocation and mental reservation or restriction 820
On some crass species of deception: detraction, cavillation, disparagement, calumny, or defamation through words, writings, comedies and widespread libels 821
On deriding 821
On envy, pride, arrogance, rash judgment, presumption and suspicion 822
On loquaciousness, or much-speaking 822
On keeping silent, governing the tongue and defense and vindication of a report 822
On punishments of deceptions 822
10th Commandment
On riches 823
On joy and a good-mood 823
On inherent and actual concupiscence 824
On sloth, prying into and solicitude 824
On self-love and gladness over another’s misfortune 824
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Rivet, Andrew – More Full Lectures on Exodus 20… in Theological Works (Rotterdam: Leers, 1651), vol. 1, pp. 1221-1459
Rivet (1572–1651) was a French Huguenot theologian and professor at Leiden.
Wettstein, Gernler & Buxtorf – 7. Law in A Syllabus of Controversies in Religion which come between the Orthodox Churches & whatever other Adversaries, for material for the regular disputations… customarily held in the theological school of the academy at Basil (Basil, 1662), pp. 21-26
Melchior, Johann – The Fundamentals of Didactic Theology: Aphoristic Summary Truths joined together with an Exposing of the Sinew of Today’s Errors (Herborne, 1685), bk. 2, pt. 2
3. Of the Decalogue 232
4. Of the Law of Precepts in Conditions [Placitis] 247-57
Melchior (1646-1689)
Leydekker, Melchior – A Synopsis of the Christian Religion (Utrecht, 1689), bk. 3
5. Of the Law of God, from which is the Knowledge of Sin 183
6. Of the Commandments of the First Table 191
7. Of the Commandments of the Second Table 204
8. Of Certain Questions about the Nature & Use of the Decalogue 213-23
Braun, Johannes – The Doctrine of the Covenants, or A System of Didactic & Elenctic Theology (Amsterdam, 1691), pt. 4, Locus 17
Ch. 3 Of the Moral Law of God in General 421
Ch. 4 Of the First Three Precepts 429
Ch. 5 Of the Fourth Precept, or of the Sabbath 435
Ch. 6 Of the Precepts of the Second Table 453
Ch. 7 Of the Perfection of the Moral Law 459
Ch. 8 Of the Use of the Moral Law 465
Braun (1628-1708)
Marck, Johannes à – A Compendium of Christian Theology, Didactic and Elenctic (Amsterdam, 1696; 1722)
11 – The Worship of God and the Rule of His Law 200
12 – The Decalogue and of Each of its Precepts 229-62
Marck (1656-1731)
van Mastricht, Petrus – Theoretical & Practical Theology… new ed. (Utrecht, 1724), The Idea of Moral Theology
Book 1, of the Observance of Faith in General
Prologue 1202
1. Of the Obedience of Faith, & Obedience 1203
2. Of the Study & the Neglect of the Law 1203
3. Of the Keeping & the Neglect of Conscience 1204
4. Of Knowledge & Ignorance 1205
5. Of Humility & Pride before God 1205
6. Of the Fear & Scorn of God 1206
7. Of Zeal & Lukewarmness 1207
8. Of Sincerity & Hypocrisy 1208
9. Of Virtue & Vice [Vitio] 1209
10. Of Prudence & Imprudence 1210
11. Of Vigilance & Somnolescence 1211
12. Of Fortitude & Infirmity 1212
13. Of Confidence & Timidity 1213
14. Of Constancy & Levity 1214
15. Of Patience & Impatience 1215
16. Of Temperance & Intemperance 1216
17. Of Good & Bad Action 1217
Book 2, of Religion
1. Of Piety & Impiety 1219
2. Of Faith & Unbelief 1221
3. Of the Profession of, & the Denying of the Faith 1222
4. Of Hope & Desperation 1223
5. Of the Love & Hatred of God 1224
6. Of the Hearing of, & the Neglect of the Word of God 1226
7. Of the Exercise & Neglect of Prayer 1228
8. Of the Confession & Suppression of Sins 1230
9. Of the Use & Abuse of Vows 1232
10. Of an Oath & Perjury 1233
11. Of Communion with God & Alienation from Him 1235
12. Of the Institution of Worship, & of Superstition 1238
13. Of the Sanctification & Profanation of the Sabbath 1240
Book 3, of Righteousness & Injury to our Neighbor
1. Of Righteousness to our Neighbor in General, & of Injury 1243
2. Of Love & Ill-will to our Neighbor 1245
3. Of Honor & the Vilification of our Neighbor 1247
4. Of Humanity & Homicide 1249
5. Of Chastity & Luxury 1251
6. Of Commutative Justice & Theft 1253
7. Of Veracity & a Lie 1255
8. Of Contention & Concupiscence 1257-58
Heidegger, Johann H.
The Marrow of Christian Theology: an Introductory Epitome of the Body of Theology (Zurich, 1713) 14. Of the Decalogue Extended ToC
4-5. Of the Love of God 302
…
15-17. Of the Division of the Decalogue 306
18-23. Of the First Precept of the Decalogue 307
24-39. Of the Second Precept of the Decalogue 310
40-50. Of the Third Precept of the Decalogue 316
51-61. Of the Fourth Precept of the Decalogue
62-74. Of the Fifth Precept of the Decalogue
75-84. Of the Sixth Precept of the Decalogue
85-96. Of the Seventh Precept of the Decalogue
97-115. Of the Eighth Precept of the Decalogue
116-128. Of the Ninth Precept of the Decalogue
129-133. Of the Tenth Precept of the Decalogue
134 ff. Of the Use of the Decalogue
Place 14, ‘The Ten Commandments’ in A Body of Christian Theology, Exhibiting True Doctrine, which is according to godliness, vol. 1 (Tigur, 1700), pp. 499-645
Heidegger (1633-1698)
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1700’s
Vitringa, Sr., Campegius – The Doctrine of the Christian Religion, Summarily Described through Aphorisms, vol. 4 (d. 1722), ch. 20, Of the Second Time-Interval of the Promise, from Abraham to Moses
Of the Decalogue 321-22
Of the Author & Promulgation of the Decalogue 323-28
Of the Nature of the Decalogue 329-35
Of the Use of the Decalogue under the New Testament 336-44
Of the Tables of the Law 345-48
Of the Division of the Decalogue 349-54
Of the the Accessories to the Decalogue 355-60
Of the Sabbath 360-62
Of the Origin of the Sabbath 363-401
Of the Nature of the Fourth Precept 402-72
Whether the 1st Day, out of the 7th Day, is to be Observed under the New Covenant 473-84
Of the Origin of the Lord’s Day 485-517
Of the Observation of the Lord’s Day 518-23
Of the Duration of the Lord’s Day 524-28
Of the Name of the Sabbath 529-32
Vitringa, Sr. (1659-1722)
De Moor, Bernard – A Continuous Commentary on John Marck’s Compendium of Didactic & Elenctic Christian Theology, vol. 2 (Leiden, 1761-71)
11. Of the Worship of God & the Regulating Rule of It 503
12. Of the Decalogue, & of Each Precept of It 688-976
De Moor (1709-1780)
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From Biblical Commentaries See the comments on Exodus, Ch. 20
Whole Old Testament Commentaries 60
Whole Old Testament Commentaries 11
Old Testament Commentaries see commentaries on the Pentateuch (6) and on Exodus (9)
.
From Catechisms & Commentaries Thereon
Heidelberg Catechism Questions 91-115
See also Commentaries on the Heidelberg Catechism
Westminster Shorter Catechism Questions 39-82
See also Commentaries on the Shorter Catechism 151
Westminster Larger Catechism Questions 91-152
See also Commentaries on the Larger Catechism (4) and Commentaries on the Westminster Confession and Catechisms (3)
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From Systematic Theologies
Many systematic theologies (especially from the Reformation and Puritan eras) contain an exposition of God’s Moral Law, the 10 Commandments. See:
Every Reformed Systematic Theology Online
See, for instance, Musculus, Vermigli, Viret, Ursinus, Wollebius, Ussher, Leigh, Turretin, A’Brakel and many others.
.
Lutheran
Martin Luther
ch. 5 in Lectures on Deuteronomy in Luther’s Works (Saint Louis: Concordia, 1960), 9:61-64
‘The Ten Commandments’ in The Large Catechism
Ten Sermons on the Catechism (1528) in Luther Works ed. & trans. John W. Doberstein (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1966), 51:133-93
Treatise on Good Works (1520) trans. W. A. Lambert in Luther Works, ed. James Atkinson (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1966), 44:15-114
.
Philip Melancthon
‘On the Law’ in Common Places in:
‘Divine Laws’ in ‘The Law’ in Melanchthon & Bucer (1521 ed.) ed. Wilhelm Pauck (Louisville: WJKP, 1969), pp. 53-57
ch. 7, ‘Of Divine Law’ in Melanchthon on Christian Doctrine, Loci Communes, 1555 trans. Clyde L. Manschreck (NY: Oxford Univ. Press, 1965), pp. 83-129
The Chief Theological Topics: Loci Praecipui Theologici 1559 Buy (Concordia Publishing, 2011) 549 pp.
This was the last expansion and revision of the common places before Melanchthon’s death in 1560.
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Ancient Jewish Expositions
Philo, from Works, vol. 3
Concerning the Ten Commandments which are the Heads of the Law, pp. 136-387
Philo (†50) was an important Jewish historian, commentator and theologian in Alexandria, Egypt during the time of Christ.
Josephus – On the Ten Commandments at Patristic Bible Commentary
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For Children (see also the short poetic versions below)
* Newton, Richard – The King’s Highway Buy (1861) 380 pp. ToC
*** – ‘Though intended for children, ministers will find it useful, for it teems with illustrations, and brings up little points of conduct worth touching upon. Dr. Newton is the prince of preachers to children.’
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The Ten Commandments in Poetry (4, shortest to longest)
The New England Primer, ‘The Ten Commandments put into Short and Easy Rhymes for Children’
1. You shall have no more gods but Me.
2. Before no idol bend your knee.
3. Take not the name of God in vain.
4. Dare not the Sabbath Day profane.
5. Give both your parents honor due.
6. Take heed that you no murder do.
7. Abstain from words and deeds unclean.
8. Steal not, though you be poor and mean [lowly].
9. Make not a willful lie, nor love it.
10. What is your neighbor’s, dare not covet.
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Robert Horne, A Brief Rehearsal of the Ten Commandments (1617)
1. See that thou have no God’s but one
2. and truly worship Him alone.
3. God’s name in vain thou shalt not take.
4. The seventh day holy thou shalt make.
5. Honor thy parents.
6. Murder flee:
7. A fornicator never be.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. False speech eschew
10. and covet not another’s due.
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George Wither (1588-1667)
From Divine Poems (by way of Paraphrase) on the Ten Commandments (1688)
1. Serve but one God, and let Him be
. that God who made and ransom’d thee.
2. Let every hand and heart refrain
. an image of our God, to fain.
3. If thou wilt free be kept from blame;
. take not in vain, GOD’s holy NAME.
4. To hallow, do not thou forget
. those times, which God apart hath set.
5. On them all honors due, bestow,
. who, by the name of parents go.
6. Thy Maker’s image do not spill,
. where God commands thee not to kill.
7. Commit thou no such act unclean,
. as here adultery, doth mean.
8. What want so e’re oppress thee may
. steal not, another’s goods away.
9. In any case no witness bear,
. of things which false or doubtful are.
10. Another’s right desire not,
. but be contented with thy lot.
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From Hymns and Songs of the Church Divided into Two Parts (1623)
I am the LORD thy GOD, and I alone
from cruel Egypt’s thralldom set thee free;
(1) And other gods but Me thou shalt have none.
(2) Thou shalt not make an image to adore
of ought on earth above it or below:
a carved work thou shalt not bow before,
nor any worship on the same bestow.
For I thy GOD, a jealous GOD am known,
and on their seed the fathers’ sins correct
until the third and fourth descent be gone,
but them I always love that me affect.
(3) The Name of GOD thou never shalt abuse
by swearing or repeating it in vain:
for him that doth his Name profanely use,
The LORD will as a guilty-one arraign.
(4) To keep the Sabbath holy, bear in mind:
Six days thine own affairs apply thou to;
the seventh is GOD’s own day for rest assign’d,
and thou no kind of work therein shalt do:
thou, nor thy child, thy servants, nor the beast;
nor he that guest-wise with thee doth abide,
for, after six days labor GOD did rest
and therefore He that day hath sanctified.
(5) See that unto thy parents thou do give
such honor as the child by duty owes,
that thou a long and blessed life mayst live
within the land the LORD thy GOD bestows.
(6) Thou shalt be wary that thou no man slay.
(7) Thou shalt from all adultery be clear.
(8) Thou shalt not steal another’s good away,
(9) nor witness-false against thy neighbor bear.
(10) With what is thine remaining well apaid,
thou shalt not covet what thy neighbor’s is:
his house, nor wife, his servant, man, nor maid,
his ox, nor ass, nor anything of his.
.
.
An Exposition in Poetry
* Wither, George – Divine Poems (by way of Paraphrase) on the Ten Commandments (†1677; 1688) 110 pp.
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Bibliography
Svensson, Manfred & David S. Sytsma – ‘III. Commentaries and Loci on the Decalogue’ in A Bibliography of Early Modern Protestant Ethics (ca. 1520-1750) (2020), pp. 24-35. Includes entries in multiple languages and attempts to be a collation of all the protestant works on the Decalogue in the early modern era.
All of the entries in English from this bibliography are on this webpage.
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Related Pages
Bible Verses on God’s Revealed Will as His Will, Desire, Pleasure and Wish
Historic Reformed Quotes on the Distinction Between God’s Revealed Will & his Will of Decree