The Second Table, and Sin’s Desert

The fifth commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.

The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to everyone in their several places and relations.

The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is, a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment.

The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.

The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, and the life of others.

The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour, unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto.

The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.

The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbour’s chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior.

The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.

The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.

The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.

The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbour’s, wealth or outward estate.

The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour’s good name, especially in witness bearing.

The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own, or our neighbour’s, good name.

The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour’s.

The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his.

The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.

No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.

Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

Every sin deserveth God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.