552 .An Expofition upon S i L. This is the fecond generali part of this Chapter containing an ex- hortation to mutuali love. It hath this coherence with the former matter, wherein having exhorted to render Magifirates their due particularly, he now generally perfwades all Chriflians to pay unto all forts of men whatfoever they owe them, not ceafing till they be quit from all debts : by which occafion he lirreth us up to pay the debt of cha- rity; for ifall debts mull be paid, then muff charity be exercifed, becaufe that is a debt, and profitable for us to the keeping of the Law ; which he proveth by thefe two reafons, one by the enu- meration of particulars, verfe 9.as thus: The particular precepts of the Law are thefe, Thou (halt not commit adultery, &c.but love inableth us to the keeping of Ode precepts, therefore is love the fulfilling of the Law : the affumption and :conclufion of this argument are in the so. verfe. The fecond reafon is, love doth no evill,therefore it was the keep- ing of the Law. Of thefe a. reafons the former is drawn from a profitable effe& of love and the latter from removing of the contrary effe&. T i M. What it the do£irine we learne from the firfi words of the text, [Owe nothing, &c? ]. S s L. That it doth behove every Chri'ffian to have an bon& care for the payment of his debts of all kindes both civili and moral.This propofition needs explanation, confirtnation,and applica- tion:I explain is thus: it is a part of eve- ry wife man fo to live if it be poflìble, as he may free himfelf from al pecuniary debts: Firff, that he may not be ob- noxious to others, and the leffe be his owne man. Secondly, the more amans debt is , fo the leffe is his fublance. Thirdly, debt is a difquiet unto an ho_ neff minde,and 'hath fome appearance of difcredit.Some by debt hurt their name, their profeffion, and their pofterity. The belt mean, to avoid debts are thefe. Firf,frugality and moderation in expences, ever keeping under, rather then at any time going above our de- gree and ability. For whereas divers Chap. 1 3. there be,who go over ihooes, and boots, yea and over cares too in debt; that fais out by over eating and drinking, or by over building, or byóverpurchafing,or over cloathing themfelves and theirs.Se- condly, warineffe in contrafts and bar - gaines. Thirdly, by avoiding rafh fure- tifhip, when we know neither the men, nor their elate for whom we become pledges. In this there is much folly,and oftentimes the end thereof is beggery, as Solomon in many places teacheth ; fo doth debts which cometh by gaming, and rioious living.Fourthly,by efchew- ing to take money upon Llfury; for that biteth (as the Hebrew word fignifi- eth) and gnaweth the ellate of many a man to the bare bone at fall But fithence it fareth fo with many men, as it is hard for them to trade in the world without debt, in this cafe we are charged by the Apoffle to make due and timely fatis- fa&ion. T s M. But what if my neighbour will for- give the debt? Or what if he be not able to pay it? Or what if the debt be [null, or the creditor be dead, and none appointed to require it? S i L. Though the debt be forgotten and never demanded,yet art thou bound to pay, if thou be not forgiven and quite difcharged.If thy debt be fo great, and thyfelfefo poor as thou beef not able, then after thecounfell of the holy Gholin Prov. 6.3. Goe humb`lethy felfe, &c. purpofe relitution, promife to pay it when thou fhalt be able: and if the Creditor be dead,and thedebt fmal, and no order left to exa& it, yet remember, that there is as good right to a peny, as to a pound,and what cannot be rendred to the creditor, pay to his children, or the next of his kindred, or in defeft of filch to the poor ; for a Chriflians care mutt be, not to owe any thing to any man. T r M. By what reafons may iii duty be confirmed and urged ? S i L. The Leifer light of Nature, teacheth us to give unto every man that which is his owne. Secondly, the grea- ter light of the Word, infru&s us to deale jufily, and it is a maitre part of julice commutative to paydebts. Third- ly,
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