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Evan. Well, then, I pray you consider, that in the eighth commandment there is a negative part expressed in these words, "Thou shalt not steal"; that is, though shalt by no unlawful way or means hurt or hinder the wealth and outward estate either of thyself or others: and an affirmative part included in these words, "But thou shalt by all good means preserve and further them both."

Neo. I pray you, sir, begin with the negative part, and first tell us what is forbidden in this commandment, as a hurt or hindrance of our own outward estate.

Evan. That we may not hurt or hinder our own outward estate, in this commandment are forbidden idleness, sloth, and inordinate walking, (Prov 18:9, 2 Thess 3:11); and so also are unthriftiness and carelessness, either in spending our goods, or in ordering our affairs and businesses, (Prov 21:17, 1 Tim 5:8); and so also is unadvised suretyship, (Prov 11:15).

Neo. And what is forbidden in this commandment, as tending to the hurt or hindrance of our neighbour's estate?

Evan. That we may not hurt or hinder our neighbour's outward estate, in this commandment is forbidden covetousness and discontentedness with our estate, (Heb 13:5); and so also is enviousness at the prosperity of others, (Prov 24:1); and so also are resolutions or hastening to be rich, as it were, whether the Lord afforded means or not, (1 Tim 6:9, Prov 28:20); and so also is borrowing and not paying again, we being able, (Psa 37:21); and so also is lending upon usury, (Exo 22:25); and so also is the not restoring of things borrowed, (Psa 37:21); and so also is cruelty in requiring all our debts, without compassion or mercy, (Isa 58:3); and so also is the praising of any commodity we sell, contrary to our own knowledge, or the debasing of anything we buy, against our own conscience, (Isa 5:20, Prov 20:14); and so also is the hoarding up, or withholding the selling of corn and other necessary commodities when we may spare them, and others have need of them, (Prov 11:26); and so also is the retaining of hireling's wages, (James 5:4); and so also is uncharitable inclosure, (Isa 5:8); and so also is the selling of any commodity by false weights or false measures, (Lev 19:35): and so also is the concealing of things found, and withholding them from the right owners when they are known; and so also is robbery, or the laying of violent and strong hands on any part of the wealth that belongs unto another, (Zech 4:3,4); and so also is pilfering and secret carrying away of the wealth that belongs to another, (Josh 7:21); and so also is the consenting to the taking away the goods of another, (Psa 90:18); and so also is the receiving or harbouring of stolen goods, (Prov 29:24).

Neo. Well, now, sir, I pray you proceed to the affirmative part of this commandment, and tell us what the Lord therein requires.

Evan. In this commandment is required contentedness of mind with that part and portion of wealth and outward good things which God, in his providence, has allotted unto us, (Heb 13:5, 1 Tim 6:6-8); and so also in resting by faith upon the promise of God, and depending upon his providence, without distrustful care, (Matt 6:20,26); and so also is a moderate desire of such things as are convenient and necessary for us, (Matt 6:21, Prov 30:8); and so also is a moderate care to provide those things which are needful for us, (Gen 30:30, 1 Tim 5:8); and so also is an honest calling, (Gen 4:2); and so also is diligence, painfulness, and faithful labouring therein, (Gen 3:19); and so also is frugality or thriftiness, (Prov 27:23,24, John 6:12); and so also is borrowing for need and good ends, what we are able to repay, and making payment with thanks and cheerfulness, (Exo 22:14); and so also is lending freely without compounding for gain, (Deut 15:8, Luke 6:35); and so also is giving, or communicating outward things unto others, according to our ability and their necessity, (Luke 11:41); and so also is the using of truth, simplicity, and plainness in buying and selling, in hiring and letting, (Lev 25:14, Deut 25:13-15); and so also is the restoring of things found, (Deut 22:2,3); and so also is the restoring of things committed to our trust, (Eze 18:7). And thus have I endeavoured to satisfy your desire concerning the eighth commandment; and now, neighbour Nomologista, I pray you, tell me whether you think you keep it perfectly or not.

Nom. I can say this truly, that I never in all my life took away, or consented to the taking away, of so much as a penny-worth of any other man's goods.

Evan. Though you did not, yet if there ever have been in your heart any discontentedness with your own estate, or any envious thoughts towards others in regard of their prosperity in the world, or any resolution to be rich, otherwise than by the moderate use of lawful means, or if ever you borrowed and paid not again, to the utmost of your ability, or if ever you lent upon usury, or if ever you did cruelly require any debt above the ability of your debtor, or if ever you praised anything you had to sell above the known worth of it, or if ever you did undervalue anything you were to buy, contrary to your own thoughts of it, or if ever you hoarded up corn in the time of dearth, or if ever you retained the hireling's wages in your hands, to his loss or hindrance, or if ever you did sell any commodity by false weights or measures, or if ever you did conceal anything found from the right owner, when you knew him; then have you been guilty of theft, and so have been a transgressor of this commandment.

And though you never have done any of these things, and it is strange if you have not, yet if ever you were guilty of idleness, sloth, or any way unwarrantably neglected your calling, or if ever you did unthriftily misspend any of your own goods, or ever were negligent and careless in ordering your own affairs and business, or if ever you sustained any loss by your unadvised suretyship, or if ever you borrowed upon usury, except in case of extreme necessity, then have you been guilty of robbing yourself, and so have been a transgressor of this commandment.

Neo. Now, I pray you, sir, proceed to speak of the ninth commandment, as you have done of the rest.