Question 80

What doth the tenth Commandment require in reference to our selves?

The tenth Commandment doth require in reference to our selves, full contentment with our own condition, Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have.^a

Wherein doth contentment with our own condition consist?

Contentment with our own Condition doth consist in our free acquiescence and complacency with Gods dispose of us, whereby we like our present condition, as best and most fit for us.

How may we attain contentment in a prosperous condition, when we abound in wealth and the good things of this life?

We may attain contentment in a prosperous condition, and when we abound in wealth, and the good things of this life. 2. By not setting our hearts too much upon, nor expecting too much from any of these things, If riches encrease set not your hearts upon them,^b Take heed and beware of covetousness, for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.^c 2. By placing our chief happiness in God and things above, and chiefly seeking to enjoy God in the good things which we have, The Lord is the portion of mine Inheritance, and of my Cup, thou maintainest my lot: The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places, I have a goodly Heritage.^d 3. By readiness to distribute to the necessities of others, which is accompanied with Gods love, and blessing, who giveth the greatest comfort in these things unto such, God loveth a chearful giver: And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound unto every good work.^e 4. By Prayer and seeking to God through Christ for this grace of contentment; without which the more we have in the World, the more our desires after encrease will be enlarged, and the less we shall be satisfied.

How may we attain contentment in a low necessitous and afflicted condition?

We may attain contentment in a low necessitous and afflicted condition: 1. By attaining true Godliness, unto which alone true contentment is annexed. Godliness with contentment is great gain.^f 2. By being fully perswaded of, and seriously and understandingly eying the wise and good hand of Gods Providence in his dispose of us, and bringing any affliction upon us, The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord,^g I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it.^h I know O Lord, that thy Judgements are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.ⁱ 3. By getting an interest and trusting in Gods Promise, to cause all things, even the worst things that can befal us to work together for our good, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.^j 4. By Humility and a deep sense of our undeservings and ill deserving at Gods hands for our sins, I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy servant,^k O Lord to us belongeth confusion of face, because we have sinned against thee.^l 5. By looking to others, better than our selves, who have been lower in the World and more afflicted than we have been; our Saviour had not where to lay his head, and those of whom the World was not worthy, had no certain dwelling place in the World, and many of them destitute afflicted and tormented. 6. By labouring so much the more to abound in spiritual riches, the less we have of Temporal; and if he have no Earthly Inheritance, to secure our right unto, and living by Faith upon our Heavenly Inheritance, hereby the poorest sometime become the richest, and those that have most outward trouble have most inward joy. Hath not God chosen the poor of this World, rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdome, which he hath promised to them that love him?^m Having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghostⁿ 7. By considering how we brought nothing into the World, and that we can carry nothing with us out of it, Naked came I out of my Mothers womb, and naked shall I return thither.^o For we brought nothing into this World, and it is certain we can carry nothing out; and having Food and Raiment, let us be therewith content.^p 8 By going to Christ to teach us the lesson of universal contentment, and fetching strength from him to exercise this grace in every condition. Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content: I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.^q

What doth the tenth Commandment require in reference unto our Neighbour?

The tenth Commandment doth require in reference unto our Neighbour, a right and charitable frame of Spirit towards him and all that is his.

Wherein doth this right and charitable frame of Spirit towards our Neighbour and all that is his, consist?

This right and charitable frame of Spirit towards our Neighbour and all that is his doth consist, 1. In our affections of love, desire and delight towards and in our Neighbour, and his welfare, together with grief and sorrow with and for our Neighbours evil and sufferings, Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love. Rejoyce with them that rejoyce, and weep with them that weep,^r Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them, and them which suffer adversity, as being your selves also in the body.^s 2. In a ready disposition and habitual inclination unto these affections towards our Neighbour.

How may we attain such affections and disposition towards our Neighbour?

We may attain such affections and dispositions towards our Neighbour. 1. By getting the Law of God written upon our hearts, whereby we are wrought unto a love of the Law, and to an inclination to do it, I will put my Laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts.^t 2. By getting our affections chiefly set upon God, which will incline unto any right affections one towards another, Every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him.^u 3. By Faith in Jesus Christ, which worketh the heart both to a true love to God, and one towards another, But Faith which worketh by love.^v 4. By looking unto and following the example of Jesus Christ, And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and given himself for us.^w