What is required in the tenth commandment?
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.
Proofs
- The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, (Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6)
- with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his. (Job 31:29; Romans 7:15; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Corinthians 8:4,7)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Have wicked men a civil property in their goods?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Was it not thine own? (Acts 5:4)
Should they therefore be suffered quietly to enjoy them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt, (1 Samuel 24:5)
Section 2
Is the good man’s condition settled by God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He performeth the thing that is appointed for me, (Job 23:14)
And is it that which is best for him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight, (Ecclesiastes 2:26)
And infinitely better than he deserves?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, (Lamentations 3:22)
Should he therefore be contented in it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content, (Philippians 4:11)
And is contentment a powerful antidote against covetousness?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have, (Hebrews 13:5)
Practical response
Should we not seek great things for ourselves?
Answer: No.
Proof: Seekest thou great things for thyself, seek them not, (Jeremiah 45:5)
Nor grieve at the more prosperous circumstances of others?
Answer: No.
Proof: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, (Psalm 37:7)
But rather rejoice in their prosperity and endeavour to promote it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thus Mordecai sought the wealth of his people, and spoke peace to all his seed, (Esther 10:3)
Section 4
In order to obtain this happy temper of mind, should we resign up our wills to the will of God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He shall choose our inheritance for us, (Psalm 47:4)
And be much in contemplating the vanity of the creature?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? (Proverbs 23:5)
And make a due estimate of the blessings which we possess?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For better is the sight of the eye than the wandering of the desire, (Ecclesiastes 6:9)
And frequently transfer our thoughts to the other world?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We look not at the things that are seen, which are temporal, but at the things which are not seen, which are eternal, (2 Corinthians 4:18)
And if after all we find some risings of discontent should we check them in their first appearances?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: O my soul, why art thou disquieted within me? (Psalm 42:5)