Also of the eighth, against pride.
11. The eighth law of acknowledging equality of nature, that is, of humility, is established by these places: Matth. v. iii: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Prov. vi. 16-19: These six things doth the Lord hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto him. A proud look, &c. Prov. xvi. 5: Every one that is proud, is an abomination unto the Lord; though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. Prov. xi. 2: When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom. Thus Isaiah xl. 3: (where the coming of the Messias is shewed forth, for preparation towards his kingdom): The voice of him that cried in the wilderness, was this: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: which doubtless is spoken to men, and not to mountains.
Also of the ninth, of equity.
12. But that same equity, which we proved in the ninth place to be a law of nature, which commands every man to allow the same rights to others they would be allowed themselves, and which contains in it all the other laws besides, is the same which Moses sets down (Levit. xix. 18): Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. And our Saviour calls it the sum of the moral law: Matth. xxii. 36-40: Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; this is the first and great commandment; and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. But to love our neighbour as ourselves, is nothing else but to grant him all we desire to have granted to ourselves.
Also the tenth, against respect of persons.
13. By the tenth law respect of persons is forbid; as also by these places following: Matth. v. 45: That ye may be children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil, and on the good, &c. Coloss. iii. 11: There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian or Scythian, bond or free, but Christ is all, and in all. Acts x. 34: Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. 2 Chron. xix. 7: There is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. Ecclesiasticus xxxv. 12: The Lord is Judge, and with him is no respect of persons. Rom. ii. 11: For there is no respect of persons with God.
Also of the eleventh law, of having those things in common which cannot be divided.
14. The eleventh law, which commands those things to be held in common which cannot be divided, I know not whether there be any express place in Scripture for it or not; but the practice appears every where, in the common use of wells, ways, rivers, sacred things, &c.; for else men could not live.
Also of the twelfth, of things to be divided by lot.
15. We said in the twelfth place, that it was a law of nature, that where things could neither be divided nor possessed in common, they should be disposed by lot. Which is confirmed, as by the example of Moses who, by God’s command (Numb. xxvi. 55), divided the several parts of the land of promise unto the tribes by lot: so (Acts i. 24) by the example of the Apostles, who received Matthias before Justus into their number, by casting lots, and saying, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, &c. Prov. xvi. 33: The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. And, which is the thirteenth law, the succession was due unto Esau, as being the first born of Isaac; if himself had not sold it (Gen. xxv. 33), or that the father had not otherwise appointed.