What reasons should moue them therevnto There are 7. important reasons to moue parēts to teach their children the true knowledge and feare of god 1. Reason A. Diuerse both in regard of their children and of themselues Q. What is the first A. Their childrē are not borne without reasō but capable of knowledge and vnderstanding and theefore are parents to enlighten them as with humane knowledge so especially with the knowledge of God and his will that so they may excell the children of Pagans Secondly Parents are to be especially carefull 2. Reason that their children may be deliuered from the wrath of God brought into his fauour but this cannot be without teaching and instructing for faith cōmeth by hearing of the word of God how shal men hear without teaching and instruction 3. Reason Thirdly if Parents instruct their children it is a way or means for the Lord to teach them and to increase their knowledge that by the free grace promise of God see Gen. 18. Fourthly as the Lord doeth enlighten the hearts of parents by the ministerie of the word 4. Reason and other good meanes so are they to impart of the same grace vnto others and to whom if not to their children Fiftly the fruit which commeth of teaching children in their youth 5. Reason is great and excellent which is set downe Prou. 22.6 Teach a child in the trade of his way and when he is old he shall not depart from it Which is a verie true sentence for why A childe is as a newe vessell which not onely doth easily receiue good liquor but doth a long time retaine and keepe the sauour thereof If men growe old before they be taught instructed and called by reason of their dulnes and hardnesse of heart they will hardly euer attain to any great measure of knowledge and repentance 6. Reason Furthermore it will bee a wofull and fearefull thing for Parents to see their Children beaten downe to hell by the flaming fire of Iesus Christ comming to iudgement but this shall be the case of all both old yong that are thē found ignorant of God and of his truth 7. Reason Lastly if the children of Christians perish for want of teaching their bloud shall be required at the hands of their parents Q. The reasons which you haue brought forth do seeme to be of weight to proue that parents are bound to traine vp their children in the knowledge of God and of his will But many Parents doe thinke themselues discharged if they send their children to the publike Ministrie where all sorts and ages are to learne the will of God No diligēce of others can exempt or discharge naturall parents from their holie endeuor to teach their childrē the knowledge and feare of god There are 4. reasons of it A. All this doth not exempt parents from doing that dutie which the Lord hath so plainely commaunded and laid vpon them in his holy word especially seeing they haue so many opportunities occasions and furtherances to allure and incourage them therevnto Q. What are they A. First by reason of continuance with their children they haue more time and occasion to teach them then others Againe the loue and affection which children haue toward their Parents doeth cause them to like and willingly entertaine that which proceedeth from their Parents Furthermore Parents knowe better then strangers the nature strēgth and capacitie of their children and therefore can best and most fitly apply themselues vnto them Lastly when they teach their children they doe the will of God and so please him The consideration whereof cannot but be verie comfortable and take away all tediousnes from performing this dutie Q. How long are Parents to teach instruct and aduise their children Parents are constantly to teach and exhort their childrē to the true knowledge feare and obedience of God A. Not onely in the minoritie and tender age of their children but so long as they haue need to be taught admonished and instructed and as the Parents may and are able to doe their dutie therein For age and processe of time doeth neither dissolue the bondes of nature nor defeate the duties which are laid vpon men by the law of God And therefore the wisest of the seruants of God continued the practise of exhorting and instructing their children to the true feare and obedience of God euen then when they were come vnto the ripenes of their yeares 2. Instructiō which parents are to acquainte their childrē withall is cōcerning ciuilitie mannerlie or comely behauiour This kinde of the Parēts instruction is of no small weight in manie respects 1. Respect which maketh it of great moment yea so long as they enioyed life together Q Wherein are Parents next to instruct their children A. In ciuilitie and good maners or behauiour Q. This seemeth not to be a matter of so great weight seeing it doeth concerne but the body and outward estate of man A. Yea but for all that it is not to be neglected being of great momēt and cōsequence that in diuers respects Q. What are those respects which moue you to say so A. First it were an heauie case that the body limbs of a child which are created comely beautiful shuld by the negligence retchlesnes of the Parents be deformed and the vse and motion thereof vtterly peruerted which is nothing else but an inuirie and disgrace cast vpon the workmanship of God Secondly euil manners behauiour doe cause religion it selfe to be basely accounted of in the heartes of many 2. Respect as we may see by experiēce in diuers otherwise good professors who yet are of an vncomely rude behauiour 3. Respect Besides euil bringing vp doth corrupt the mind and heart of children bring them to an euill disposition as to be proud churlish hard harted without compassion towards others such like And therfore one by the light of nature saith very well That good liberall education doeth mollifie the manners and not suffer them to be cruell and sauage 4. Respect Againe good bringing vp behauiour is as the foundation and ornament of all duties trades professions giuing them their due grace and commendation Lastly comely good behauiour is pleasant and acceptable in the eies of God men 5. Respect as it is cleare 1. Kings 10. where it is recorded that when the Queene of the South did behold the comely and gratious behauiour of the seruants of Salomon she was greatly rauished therewith And this also doeth the Holy Ghost commend as an excellent vertue Q. It cannot otherwise be for why the Lord God is not the author of confusion vncomelines and disorder But what say you of them that bring vp their children I will not say as wild and sauage people but little differing from bruite beastes Is is a great sinne for Parents to neglect to
and gray-headed Q. Howe can you prooue that these are contayned vnder the titles of Parents That all Superiors are to be comprehended vnder the title of Father mother it is proued by 3. reasons The first reason The second reason The third reason A. First for that as in all the rest of the Commaundements vnder one generall are contained all speciall things of the same nature so it is in this Commandement Secondly if these persons be not heere vnderstood they are contayned properly in no Commaundement which were a great defect and disgrace to the perfection of the Lawe Thirdly these persons are tearmed by the name of Father and Mother in diuerse places of the holie Scripture as Kinges Queenes and Magistrates are called by the name of Nursing Fathers and Nurses Isai Chap. 49. ver 23. In regarde heereof some of the Heathen called their Kinges Abimelech which signifieth My Father the King Ministers of the word of God are called by the name of Fathers 2. Cor. Chap. 4. ver 15.2 King Why Superiours are called Father and Mother Chap. 13. ver 14. Maisters are so called 2. King 5.15 Chap. 2. ver 12. Q. Why is the name of Father and Mother giuen to Superiors The titles of Father and Mother are giuen to all Superiours to allure all inferiours to giue al meet and conuenient honour vnto them A. To drawe and allure men to the willing obedience and practise of this Commaundement and that not without cause For first as we are vntoward by nature to the practise of any Commaundement so especially of this because it so greatly importeth the glory of God and the benefit of man Againe the crooked heart of man will hardly stoope vnto superioritie First by reason of a certaine naturall pride whereby all men do desire to be aloft and vnder none other Or the which also there are many causes Secondly for that Superiors in this corrupt and miserable world do oftentimes abuse their authoritie to the hurt of others therefore to subdue men to the ordinance of God he hath set vpon all Superiors the sweet and amiable name of Father and Mother Honour is due to al Superiours and the reasons why it is so Q. We haue spoken of the Persons the first thing noted in the Precept what is the thing due to those Persons What is meant by Honour in the generall signification of it A. Honour Vnder which are conteined all meanes and effects whereby the preheminence of the Superiours is acknowledged vpheld and graced Q. What reason or equitie is there that this should be yeelded vnto Superiors Honour is due to al Superiours for 2. reasons A. First of all for that manie and the same very excellent benefites and commodities do flowe and proceed from them as from some plentifull fountaine vnto their inferiors Secondly the Lord hath set and as it were ingrauen vpon them liuely markes and resemblances of his owne Maiestie Q. How is that An illustration of the 2. reasons Kings and Inferiour Magistrats A. In Kings Princes Magistrates appeareth not only the greatnes and soueraigne authoritie of God but also that he is the high and supreame Iudge of the world Ministers of the word In Ministers of the word is shadowed out that God is the originall teacher instructer of his Church In Housholders that he is the great Lord and Maister that prouideth for the welfare and benefite of all creatures Housholders In Husbands Husbands that he hath ioyned to himselfe and as it were married in a speciall couenant of mercie and compassion al the faithfull and elect ones so that he is the head and husband of his people In those that are able to instruct others in Artes Artizans Learning Sciences it is euident that God is the fountaine not only of wisedome but also of euery other excellent and necessarie grace Aged persons all resemble the diuine Maiestie of God In the Aged and Gray-headed we may descrie the eternitie of God whereby we may gather that Superiors by certaine sparkes of glory which they haue receiued from the Lord doe shine as it were bright starres in the middest of mankind Q. What is the effect thereof A. That inferiours doe depend vpon them as vpon those that are to guide them and to prouide for their welfare By which meanes the societie of man is vpheld in a comely and profitable order Q. Let vs now come from the words of the Precept to the generall reason which is annexed to it to perswade to the performance and practise of all the duties conteined in the Precept what are the words of the reason The Lord perswadeth to the obedience of this 5. A. That they may prolong thy daies in the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thee Q. How can it be truly said that Parents doe prolong the life of the child Com. by the great benefit which commeth by it seeing that life much more long life is the gift of God A. They may be said to prolong the obedient child his life three waies Parents prolong the liues of their children 3. waies First of all in bringing them vp in pietie and godlines which hath the promises of this life and of the life to come Secondly in praying for and blessing that is wishing all good vnto the child that is dutifull vnto them according to the example of the auncient Fathers and seruants of God Thirdly the Parents being decked and as it were crowned with the dutifulnes of a godly and holy childe they are occasions to moue the Lord to remember the child and to bestowe vpon him the blessing promised in this fift Commaundement Q. It seemeth that the reason is not very strong and forcible seeing it is grounded vpon the promise of a thing which seemeth euery way so miserable For naturall life it selfe much more the continuance thereof is fraught with manifold miseries and calamities Three reasons to proue long life to be a singular great benefit and therefore it is doubtfull whether it should be refused or desired What say you hereunto A. Long life take it at the worst is a singular treasure for why it is a mean or occasion of many excellent blessings The. 1. reason As first men thereby do know vnderstand and enioy the manifold workes and graces of God to their great comfort admiration which they who do die vntimely doe want Secondly thereby they may in vsing good meanes make themselues fit for eternall life Lastly The. 2. The. 3. they may more plentifully serue and glorifie God in this long extent of time then they can which are cut off in their tender yeares In regard whereof the holy seruants of God which otherwise feared not death yet when death was presented to them they desired earnestly longer continuance of life as we may see in Dauid Psal 6. Hezekiah Isa 38. And doubtles as in euerie place of
the Scripture long life is accounted a blessing so shorte life a curse Q. Doeth God bestowe this blessing vpon all good and obedient children simply and without exception God doth sometimes make short life a great blessing to obedient children A. No he bestoweth it no further then may make for their good for when he seeth that it may hurt them he taketh away some of them in their yong yeares that is when he knoweth that by their frailtie and weaknes they may be carried away with the generall corruption of the time wherein they liue or else will shewe his tender loue toward them in taking them vp vnto himselfe before euill daies do come Examples hereof we haue in the sonne of Ieroboham 1. Kings 14. In Iosiah Enoch and such like Q. Is God then true in his word and Promise A. Yea no doubt because God giueth more then he promiseth to wit not only an happie life for a miserable life and eternall life for a short and vncertaine life but also taketh away his children betimes that they may the longer enioy his presence Q But euill and disobedient children do enioy long life as well as the obedient Whensoeuer God giueth long life to wicked children they so continuing without repentance it is a wofull curse and no blessing A. Seldome and although they doe yet is their long life so replenished with miseries plagues and the iudgements of God that it seemeth rather to be a death drawne out at length then long life here promised Q. What doe you conclude from all this Two sorts of Superiours A. Two things First of all that vndoubtedly all those that performe the duties of this Commandement shall haue a long and a blessed life as is proued and confirmed both by the word of God and continued experience of all ages Secondly that euill and disobedient children shall either liue a short life or in great miserie here after in the extreame torments of hel-fire with the rebellious diuels and the damned reprobates Q. Thus hauing obened the meaning of the Commaundement and as it were laide the ground let vs now come to the things that arise out of the same What are they A. They are all particular duties of Superiours to their inferiours and of inferiours to their Superiours Q. How many sorts are there of Superiours A. Two sorts namely publique and priuate Q. What meane you by publique Superiours A. Such as haue a more large and greater care and charge committed to them by the Lord. Publike Superiours Q. What by priuate Superiours A. Such whose care and charge is cōtained within narower straighter bounds Priuate Superiours There are also two sortes of Publike Superious Q. What say you of the first sort A. Some of them haue respect and are especially occupied about the outward ciuill 1. Ciuil Magistrates ciuill and politicall estate of the Church and these are Kinges Princes and Magistrates Others doe especially watch and haue regard to the spirituall estate of men not so much procuring worldly peace and commoditie as the eternall saluation and happines of them who are committed to their charge and these are Ministers and Preachers of the word 2. Ministers of the word Q. But because that Magistrates are in the highest degree of preheminence next vnto God aboue all other persons order requireth that we first speake of them and of the things perteining vnto them And are not all men to giue diligent care to the Doctrine concerning the Magistracie It is a doctrine to bee diligently hearkned vnto A. Yes no doubt and first of all The doctrine of Superioritie is to be diligently hearkened vnto of all inferiors for three causes Magistrates themselues that they may thereby learne what duties they are to performe themselues and to looke for at the hands of others But besides these inferiours haue speciall cause to be acquainted with this kind of doctrine The first cause First of all to stirre vp their hearts to be thankfull to God for that hee hath so mercifully and graciously euery way prouided for their safetie and comfort by means of the sacred ordinance of Magistracie The second cause Secondly that they may learne what iust and great cause they haue daily and continually to pray vnto God for the good and prosperous estate of Magistrates as it is commanded 1. Tim. 2. The third cause Thirdly to allure and perswade them to yeeld themselues in obedience and to performe all willing duties to their soueraigne Gouernours and Superiours God is the author of al Magistracy Q. Let vs then proceed to the Treatise it selfe which is to go forward in this order It is proued two wayes that God is the author of Magistracy A. First of all we will inquire who is the authour and principall cause of magistracie Secondly what speciall qualities and graces 1. By the law of Nature and gifts are required in Magistrates themselues and in such persons as do belong to them 2. By the word of God Thirdly what duties they are to perfor me Q. Who is the vndoubted Authour and efficient cause of Magistracie A. No other but God himselfe as may appeare It may three wayes as it were by an increase of certain steps and degrees appeare that magistracie is acknowledged to be of God euē by the lawe and light of Nature First of all by the law of Nature but more effectually and euidently by the word of God Q. Make the first argument more cleare and manifest A. There is no doubt but that God hath planted naturally in the heart of man a certaine sense and knowledge of Magistracie the commondities thereof as may appeare First of all in that there was neuer people or Nation so barbarous and sauage The 1. way or meane and steppe neuer assembly of men so void of the light and knowledge of God which hath not onely desired but also set ouer them some Prince or Superior to the end that they might not onely bee gouerned and directed by him as their head but yeeld dutie and homage to him A matter cleare by the experience of all times The 2. way or meane and steppe Againe the wise and best learned amongst the heathen haue expresly affirmed in their writings that kings Princes and Magistrates do proceed from God The 3. way or meane and steppe Lastly they do greatly commend magistracie and doe bewaile and condemne the state of them that are without that benefit and in conclusion some of them haue set downe rules and orders for ciuill gouernment The same is most surely and plentifully proued by holy Scriptures Q. What testimonies besides haue you out of the Scripture to proue this point A. Verie manie both in the old and new Testament Q. What remember you out of the old Testament 1. Of the old Testament Vertues required to be in a magistrate A. Pro.
for the prouision and maintenance of the Ministers as may appeare 2. Chron. 31. from verse 3. to the end And in many other places Q. What is the last generall dutie A. The people are to pray earnestly for their Minister 4. General dutie to bee performed of people to their ministers it is prayer to God for thē Q. Where is that required A. By the Apostle Paul in diuers of his Epistles And practised by the Prophet Dauid Psal 132.9 And good reason thereof for without this dutie the studies and labours of the Ministers shall haue small successe The duties of Parents toward their children We haue a threefolde proofe that the naturall Parents are to performe duties toward their children 1. Proofe is from the light of nature 2. Is frō the equitie of it 3. Is by the word of God The duties of Parents toward their children are generally 8. these also haue their seuerall particulars contained in thē 1. Generall dutie is loue We are now come to the duties of Parents toward their children and after that to the duties of children towardes their Parents Q. Do Parents owe dutie to their children A. Yea in nature equitie and by the word of God Q. What are the duties which Parents are to performe toward their children A. They are diuers The first whereof is Loue. Q. Are Parents to loue their children A. Yea no doubt Q. Where is that proued A. Titus chap. 2. ver 4. Q. Yea but that is spoken onely of the Mother A. I grant but in all equitie and by iust proportion it extendeth also vnto the father Q. What should cause you to thinke so A. Because God hath planted in the hearts of both Parents as well the man as the woman certaine seedes and sparkes of loue and tender affection towards their children which were in vaine and to no purpose if Parents should not actually loue their children Q. What thinke you therefore if parents loue not their children A. They are worse then bruit beasts who by a certaine blind instinct and affinitie of Nature doe so tender and loue their young ones as that they will hazard their bodies and loose their liues to deliuer them from danger There are 2. sortes of reasōs to moue Parents to loue their children 1. Sort common to the heathen with vs. 2. Sort peculiar to vs Christians Of the 1. sort of Reasons there are 3. Q. What reasons should moue Parents to loue their children A. Diuerse reasons and that of two sorts The First whereof are cōmon with the heathen and meer naturall men The second are particular to Christians and such as are borne in the Church of God A. Speake of these in order A. The heathen and meere naturall men doe loue their children for three causes First because they are made and ingendred of their owne nature and substance and so consequently flesh of their flesh bone of their bone now none are so outragious monstrous to hate their owne flesh but rather to loue and to cherish it Secondly children doe carrie the image and person of their Parents insomuch that they may beholde themselues in their children whilest they liue and after a sort liue in them when they are dead Thirdly that if childrē be brought vp in any good manner they afterwarde yeelde vnto their Parents great benefite comfort and reliefe especially in their old age and necessitie Q. But what speciall reasons haue Christians to loue their children Of the 2. sort of Reasons there are also 3. 1. Reason A. Not onely the former but also other of greater weight And first of all their children are borne within the couenant of God and therefore his sonnes and daughters Eze. 16. Secondly 2. Reason their children are parts and members of the misticall bodie of Christ as appeareth for that the Sacrament of Baptisme belongeth to them so consequently they are free denisons and heires of the kingdome of God Thirdly 3. they are appointed and sanctified euen in their birth to glorifie and worship the Lord as also to profit and do good to the Church Q. If Parents would looke vpon their children in this glasse they could not but be moued to loue them but what if they be not moued A. It is a fearefull signe which doth declare that they are become vnnatural giuē vp vnto a reprobat mind Q. But may not the loue of Parents degenerate and grow so farre out of square by reason of the corruption and disorder of their affections as of a good and lawfull thing to become wicked and pernicious A. Yes no doubt Q. What meanes or cautions are to bee obserued to keepe it in the right forme or temper A. Three cautions are required thervnto First Parents are not to loue the bodies of their children better then their soules 3. Cautions are required to the moderating wel ordering of the loue of parēts toward their children 1. Caution nor to make more carefull prouision for their estate in this life then for their happinesse in the life to come which is the common course of the world as wee may see daily by wofull experience Secondly they are to loue and preferre their children 2. Caution neither aboue God his glory neither yet before their own bodies soules This was the great fault of Ely as appeareth 1. Sam. 2. Thirdly 3. Caution they are to discouer their loue to their children neither too much nor too litle For the first therof doth giue children incouragement to contemne and loathe their Parents as also to take the raines to run forth into all dissolutenesse to their vtter destruction The other doth discourage childrē is the cause of many mischiefs therfore iustly cōdemned by the holy Ghost Ephe. 6.4 Col. 3.21 Q. What is the second generall dutie of parents toward their children The 2. general dutie of parents toward their children is that they teach instruct them 1. In the knowledge of God and his word 2. In good manners 3. In good Artes and trades of liuing A. They are to teach instruct thē Q. In how many things A. In three things Namely in the knowledge of God and of his word Secondly in ciuilitie and good maners Thirdly in good Arts trades and professions wherby they may maintain thēselues do good to others Q. Where is the first commanded A. In many places both of the old new Testament as namely Exod. 12. 13. Deut. 4.11 Iosh 4. Ephe. 6. Q. What Parents haue practised these commaundements A. The best and most notable amongst the seruants of God Q. Who are they Examples of parents carefull to instruct their children A. Abraham Gen. 18. Dauid Bathsheba Pro. 4. ch v. 3. 4. ca. 31. the parents of Timothie 2. Tim. 1. 3. Q. Are all Christians bound to followe these examples A. Yea for to that end are they recorded in in the holy Scriptures Q.
offence For if they fall into any extremitie it is a meane to harden the heart of the child and cause him to contemne and make no account of correction Q. What are Parents yet to doe in this respect 5. Things to be obserued of parents in their correcting of their childreÌ„ A. They are wisely to consider the age the strength the capacitie qualitie and nature of their children for why they are not to correct theÌ„ being infants and verie small in the measure which agreeth to theÌ„ when they are further growne nor deale so seuerely with them that are ignorant as with such as know their dutie nor with them that are weake and sickely as with them that are healthfull and strong nor with timerous and mild natures as with those that are bold and stubborne Q. If Parents would obserue and vse this discretion in correcting their children they should reape better fruites then commonlie they doe But let vs proceede to the next dutie What is that A. Parents must carry before their children a good example of life and conuersation 4. General dutie which pareÌ„ts are to performe toward their children is that they go before them in a good course and godly example of life Q. What reason haue you for it A. First children are naturally giuen to follow imitate or counterterfeite the behauiour and actions of their Parents especially if they be euill by reason of the general corruption and peruersnesse of man wherby he is prone to euill vntoward to all things that are good Q. But can the euill behauiour of Christians hurt their children The euil example of Parents is exceedingly daÌ„gerous to corrupt their childreÌ„ There are 2. special Reasons thereof 1. Reason A. Yea a great deale more then of any other by reason that their children think that whatsoeuer they do is good and lawfull Q. What is your second reason A. If Parents instruct their children neuer so well and diligently and correct as seuerely as may be yet all this labour is lost except they conforme themselues to the worde and will of God For otherwise they shall cast downe with their euill and Iewde exemple as they build vp by their godly doctrine and seueritie Lamentable experâ—ence hereof wee haue in diuerse Families and houses 5. Generall dutie to be performed of parents toward their children is a tender care of noursing bringing them vp in their yonger more tender yeares 6. General dutie to be performed of parents to ward their children is moderate prouisioÌ„ for reliefe of their necesties against the future hardnes and difficulties of this world which though they professe the worde of God yet for want of the practise thereof by the Parents and Gouernours as euill or worse children proceede from thence as from the houses that neuer heard or knew what Christian Religion meant Q. What is the fift dutie A. Parents are to yeeld to their children in their minoritie and while they are not able to prouide for themselues all things necessarie for their nursing and bringing vp otherwise they should bee worse then bruit vnreasonable creatures who haue a certaine care and regarde to prouide for the necessitie of their yong ones till they be able to support and maintaine themselues Q. What is the sixt dutie A. They are to prouide and lay vp for their children euen when they are come to ripe age and yeares such goods and possessions as may maintaine them in good estate not onely in their life time but when they are departed from them Q. What warrant haue you for this A. Nor onely expresse doctrines 1. Tim. 5. and 2. Cor. 12. But also the example of Abraham the father of the faithfull Gen. 25. Who before his ende prouided for the welfare and comfort of his children after his death Q. But may Parents gather and lay vp for their Children what they thinke good Parents in laying vp goods in store for their childreÌ„ must obserue 3. Cautions A. In no wise for the goods which they lay vp for their children must be obtained and gathered First of all by lawfull meanes Secondly without hindering of themselues in the obtaining folowing of heauenly things pertaining to their owne saluation 1. 2. Lastly 3. Caution that in prouiding for their children they doe not withdrawe such duties as the Lorde hath commanded them to performe and bestow out of their goods to the vpholding and comforting of others Q. What is the seuenth dutie 7. Dutie of parents toward their children is that they haue meete care to see them well bestowed in marriage A. Parents must haue a great and especiall care to prouide for the comfort holinesse and chastitie of their children by the honourable estate of marriage Q. Where is that approued and commended A. In verie many places of the holy Scripture and namely in these Gen. 24. and 26. Deut. 7. Iudg. 14. Gen. 29.19 Cor. 7. and such like Q. Why may not children prouide and make choise for themselues in Marriage but that their parents must haue a stroke therein There are 3. good iust Reason why pareÌ„ts are to haue a chiefe stroke in the marriages of their childreÌ„ 1. Reason A. There be verie good and iust reasons thereof For first of all children are a part of their Parents and the chiefest treasures they haue amongest other worldly goods and therefore not to bee bestowed and conueied away without their free consent 2. Reason Againe parents doe carrie a more sincere and vpright affection to the welfare and benefite of their children then they themselues doe being blinded and misled with corrupt and headie respects Lastly they can see and discerne by reason of their knowledge and long experience 3. Reason what is good and meet for the benefite and comfort of their children farre better then they themselues can Q. But may Parents do what they list in bestowing their children in marriage Neuertheles the authority of pareÌ„ts is limited in 3. cases 1. LimitatioÌ„ A. No for they haue their limitation from the word of God and therfore they are not to inforce their children to marrie whom they list against their wils Againe they are not to cause their children to marrie before they knowe what marriage meaneth and the duties thereof as many giue their children in marriage almost before the time they knowe their right hande from their left which is the cause afterward of many mischiefes and inormities Lastly they are not to deferre or put off the mariage of their children too long a time which was the fault of Iudah toward his daughter in lawe Thamar which in the end brought vpon him great hearts smarte and confusion as appeareth Gen. 38.18 Q. What is the last dutie of Parents A. They are earnestly and with all feruencie of Spirit to pray to God for their children 8. Dutie of parents toward their children is that they doe pray earnestlie and
constantly to God for his all-sufficient blessings vpon them as Abraham Dauid and the rest of the holy seruants of God haue done And that not without great cause for hereby they doe obtaine not onely a blessing vpon all the duties which they performance toward their children but also all other graces they stand in neede of both in regard of this life and of the life to come OF THE DVTIES of children toward their Parents Q. ARe children to performe duties toward their Parents Childrē are by the commandement of the Lord to performe 4. special duties to their parents A. Yea no doubt for why the Lord hath cōmaunded in the fift Commandement that children should Honour their Father and Mother vnder which word Honour are contained all duties which children are to yeeld to their Parents Q. What are those duties The first of them is loue A. They are diuers the first whereof is Loue. Q. Are children then to loue their Parents And it is a most necessary dutie A. Yea loue is so necessarie a vertue in the hearts of children that without it they will neuer yeeld other duties vnto Parents or if they do yet can they not please God for why the Lord doeth abhorre all duties be they neuer so excellent that proceede not of loue There is no doubt but that all children generally are backward to this dutie Q. What reasons therefore may perswade them thereunto A. Diuers and those effectuall 6. Reasons are alledged to moue children to loue their parents For first of all the Lord hath commaunded children to loue all men how farre remoued so euer they be in regard of any band or coniunction therefore much more their Parents 1. Reason to whom they are so neere linked in nature 2. Reason Againe God hath put his owne person vpon Parents and giuen them his owne amiable titles which originally and directly are proper to himselfe whereupon it followeth that if children haue any sparke of goodnes and pietie to God they cannot but beare a tender affection toward their Parents 3. Reason Thirdly God hath planted in them a certaine naturall affection inclination toward their Parents which if they do labour to extinguish suppresse they are worse thē bruit beasts who being moued with nothing els but a certaine instinct of nature do depend wholy vpō those that ingendred them seeme to preferre them before all other 4. Reason Besides Parents are the authors and causes of the life and beeing of their children and therefore are they vnworthy of life being that carry not a louing heart toward their Parents Furthermore Parents are the causes and as it were fountaines 5. Reason whereby al good graces and giftes are conueied vnto children bodily and spirituall concerning this life the life to come and therefore what horrible vnthankfulnes were it if childrē shuld not loue such excellent instruments 6. Reason mouing children to loue their parents It may be perceiued by 4. Reasons that the loue of Parents is great toward their childrē Lastly Parents do loue their children and therefore are children to yeeld the like vnto their Parents for loue doth deserue and ought to procure loue Q. But how is it manifested that Parents loue their children A. Diuers waies And first in that they doe so tenderly nurse and bring them vp Againe for that they do so carefully and diligently watch ouer them against all dangers Besides how patiently doe they take and put vp many troubles annoyances and vexations at the hands of their children Furthermore they do often euen with cheerfulnes defraud themselues of many necessaries which they thēselues stand in need of for their childrens sake as meate drinke apparell sleepe and such like Q. By all that you haue said I see it is great reason that children should loue their Parents and that euen of conscience But haue you any examples that any haue so done The examples of louing childrē may be a 7. Reason to moue vs to loue our parents A. Yea many of the deare children of God in times past and many also at this day as may appeare by diuers signes and effects whose worthy examples all other ought to imitate and follow Q. What if Parents be churlish and vnnaturall A. They are tenderly to loue their Parents for all that Q. What is your reason Children are to loue their Parēts thogh they be churlish to them The Reason of it A. Because that a vice or fault in the person of the Parents cannot dissolue that naturall bond wherewith children are knit vnto them much lesse abolish the dutie that God hath laid vpon children Q. What other autie do children owe to their Parents A. Reuerence or an honourable estimation of them 2. Dutie which children stand bounde to performe to their Parēts is a reuerēd and honorable estimation of them Q. Must this needes be ioyned with Loue A. Yea that it may well gouerne and temper it least it degenerate into contempt Q. What reasons haue you to proue that children are to reuerence their Parents There are 2. reasons why it should be so A. First of all Parents do after a sort carrie the image of God therefore it cannot be auoided but that if children contemne their Parents 1. Reason they contemne God himselfe 2. Reason Againe Parents are Superiors vnto their children both in yeares and tract of time as also in authoritie and gouernment for why God hath subiected children vnder the hand and direction of their Parents The inward Reuerence of children to their parents is outwardly to be expressed 2. wayes 1. In speech 2. In gesture Inward reuerence is outwardly to be expressed 2. waies 1. In presēce 2. In absence Q Are children onely to retaine reuerence to their Parents inwardly in their hearts A. No they are outwardly to vtter and practise it and that two waies in Speech and Gesture Q. How in Speech A. Two waies First in the presence of their Parents Secondly in their absence Q. What rules are to be obserued for the first A. First they are to giue to their Parents such termes 3. Rules are to be obserued of children in speaking to or in the presence of their parents 1. Rule 2. Rule titles and phrases of speech as may declare the reuerence of their affections Secondly they are not to preuent their Parents in speech without some great and weightie cause but to speake when they haue leaue and fit occasion Thirdly they are not to be excessiue in speech before their Parēts but sparing and continent as those that desire rather to heare then to speake themselues Q. What are they to doe in the absence of their Parents Children are to speake reuerently of their parents in their absence or out of their hearing Children are to behaue themselues reuērentlie also in their outward gesture toward their parents This is expressed 3. waies 1. 2. 3.
Waie Examples hereof Ioseph A. They are to speake reuerently of them but aboue all things to take heed that they doe not hinder or impaire the good name estimation or authoritie of their Parents by vttering and blazing abroad their faults and infirmities For which two wicked caytifes are condemned in the word of God namely Cham. Gen. 9.22 and Absalom 2. Sam. 15.4 5.6 Q. How must children behaue themselues toward their Parents in gesture A. First they are to rise vp to them Secondly they must bow their bodies vncouer their heads bend their knees and such like Thirdly they must yeelde the chiefe place vnto their Parents Two notable examples hereof we haue in the word of God to wit Ioseph as appeareth Gen. 48.12 Salomon 1. Kin. 2. chap. 19. ver Q. But what shall we say Salomon if children bee so farre off from performance of these duties that contrariwise they will not sticke to curse and reuile their Parents with their mouthes strike them with their hands laugh them to scorne to their faces and shamefully abuse them otherwise They are verie wicked childreÌ„ who are contemptuous against their parents A. The diuell hath strongly possessed such and because they deface the image of God in their Parents shew themselues vnthankfull for so great benefites and fight against the principles of nature ingrauen in their hearts they are cursed Monsters who should not be suffred to liue breath vnder heauen according as the Lord God hath commaunded that they should bee put to death by the sword of his owne lieutenant the Magistrate Q What say you generally of such children as coÌ„temne and despise their pareÌ„ts They are in a most woefull and miserable estate A. Their case is fearefull for why although they escape the hand of man yet will the Lord either pursue them from heauen with some notable iudgement or else requite them with the like in their graceles posterity 3. Generall dutie to be performed of childreÌ„ to their parents is Obedience Q. What is the third dutie A. Obedience and Subiection Q. How proue you that children are to obey their Parents A. By the word of God and namely Ephes 6.1 Col. 4.20 Q. What reason is there that children should practise these Commandements There are 4. Reasons to moue them herevnto A. Great reason for why The Lord hath giuen parents authoritie to coÌ„mand and therefore it is the dutie of children to obey otherwise their authoritie were giuen in vaine Secondly the holy Ghost doth vse two reasons to perswade children to this obedience out of the places before alledged The first is that it is iust therfore vnlesse children will coÌ„mit iniustice and iniquitie they must obey their Parents Again Obedience is said to be well pleasing to the Lord and therefore if children will delight and please the Lord they must perform this dutie Lastly the examples of diuers holy seruants of God may serue for a reason who haue not refused to obey their parents in diuers things against which they might haue takeÌ„ exceptioÌ„s either in regard of the absurdity or difficulties therof in som respects Q. Doth the stubbornnesse and obedience of children displease the Lord This also may be an other special reason from the contrarie disobedieÌ„ce A. Yea so greatly that he hath awarded no lesse punishment then death against the stubborne and disobedient child Q. What if the hand of the Magistrate ceaseth A. Yet will the Lord be reuenged as we may see in the sonnes of Eli. Q. In what manner are children to obey and practise the commandements of their Parents The right manner of childrens obedience to their parents consisteth in 2. things 1. In willing nes 2. In truth H. First of all willingly and from their hearts Secondly in deed and truth not in outward countenance and promise Q. You haue said and proued well that children are to obey the commandements of their Parents But are they to perform that duty absolutely without exceptioÌ„ A. No for the obedience of Children hath a limitation Childrens obedience as wel as pareÌ„ts authoritie is limited by God as appeareth Ephes 6.1 So that if Parents doe commaund or enioyne their children any thing contrarie to the worde of God expressed in the holy Scripture they are not to obey them And there is good reason There are 3. reasons of it for although the authoritie of Parents be great yet the authoritie of God is greater And though they owe much to their Parents and are bound to hear them yet owe they more vnto God their Creator and Sauiour and are much more bound to heare him then either men or Angels Lastly although they are to loue their Parents yet are they to preferre the Lord GOD before their Parents in loue and affection according to that which our Sauiour Christ saith Mat. 10. He that loueth Father or Mother more then me is not worthie of me Q Hath any godly childe mooued with these reasons denied obedience to parents when they haue commaunded things vnlawfull And heereof is Ionathan a notable example A. Yea for good Ionathan would not execute the will and pleasure of his wicked Father Saul against innocent Dauid as appeareth 1. Sam. 19.1 c. Q. But now what say you in the conclusion of this point A. I say that euen if wicked Parents commaund any thing not contrarie to the word of God although it bee not onely difficult 4. General dutie which God coÌ„mandeth childreÌ„ to yeelde to their parents is Thankefulnes This general thankâ—â—lnes doth vttâ—r it selfe in 4. â—â—â—cial â—â—â—â—â—s or duties of it 1. Fruit. but also ioyned with some blemish or absurditie yet is the childe bounde without contradiction or resistance to obey them Q. What is the fourth dutie that children are to yeeld to their Parents A. Thankefulnesse Q. In what fruits or duties is this thankfulnesse to shew it selfe A. In diuerse And first of all children are to coÌ„fort cheere and solace the hearts of their parents when they are wouÌ„ded and cast downe with any great sorrow heauinesse or anguish Q. This is indeed a dutie verie natural and requisite But who hath performed it at any time A. The sonnes and daughters of Iacob toward their father ExaÌ„ples of it as wee may read Gen. 37. â—5 Q. What is the second fruit or dutie 2. Fruit. A. When children doe knowe their Parents to bee so ignorant as that they vnderstand not how to bee saued nor to serue God according to his will they are to teach informe them so farre as they may and necessitie doth require Q. What examples haue you hereof A. Faithfull Abraham who reported to his father Terah ExaÌ„ples of it Abraham what hee had learned not onely concerning the will of God for his departure out of his Country c but also touching the euerlasting saluation and happinesse of them both So Ioseph instructed his father Iacob Ioseph in those
the honour and good name of his wife and therefore he is not willingly to accuse and blame his wife in the presence of others otherwise it will be verie offensiue and vnpleasant vnto her Lastly 6. as the husband is to condemne vices and sinnes amiffe so is he to commend and praise such vertues and good things as he seeth in her This is a course not onely warranted by God but sauoureth of loue and may serue to incourage her in good and to turne her away from that which is euill 4. Special dutie of the husband to his wire is that he do deale honorably with her in al things Q. What is the fourth dutie of the husband to the wife A. Although the Husbande bee the Wiues heade and superiour yet is hee not to contemne her or deale with her as a base person or vassall But because God hath created her out of a principall part of himselfe and â—oyned her so neere vnto him he is to honour her and in all things to gouerne her in a reuerend manner preferring her before all others euen his owne children and them that are most neerely allied vnto him remembring alwaies that as she is not the head so is she not the foote but an excellent creature partaker with him of many graces and prerogatiues pertaining to this life and to the life to come and therefore he is not onely to carrie a reuerend estimation of her in his heart 5. Special dutie of the husband toward the wife is that he is to be cheerefull with her not withstanding anie in combrances that the married estaâ—e may briâ—g with it but to deale with her after the same manner that the soule being a principall part of man doeth vse in gouerning the bodie Q. What is a man lastly to doe A. If any trouble euill or incomberance falleth out in marriage he is not to blame the holy institution of marriage for the same or to ascribe or impute it to the wife but rather to accuse his owne sinnes as the cause thereof The duties of the wife to her husband and therefore he is not onely to humble himselfe to God by true repentance but to labour that the image of God may be restored to him that so marriage may be sweete and comfortable to him as it was to Adam before the transgression Q. Hauing said somewhat of the duties of the Husband to the wife Let vs passe ouer to the duties of the wife which are they A. They are diuers And first of all it is the dutie of the wife to beare and bring forth children according to the ordinance of God Gen. 1.28 Q. If the woman had not transgressed The duties to be performed of the wife to the husband are 7. as they are henceforth set downe this dutie would haue beene performed with ease and comfort but now the Lord hath decreed as a punishment that woman should be are and bring forth children in sorrowe and paine Gen. 3.16 Q. What is to be said to this A. She must notwithstanding this patieÌ„tly beare al trials 1. Dutie is to beare and bring forth children submit her selfe to the ordinance of God which he hath appointed for the increasing vpholding and continuance of mankind vnto the ende of the world Q. What reasons may incourage her hereunto There are 3. Reasons whence the wife may be incouraged to beare children to her husband 1. Reason A. First of all for that it is no reproach for a married woman to beare children but rather a crowne and honour Againe God might haue pursued the sinne of the woman with a greater punishment in her selfe and in all her sexe and posteritie 2. Reason Lastly it is no meanes to hinder women from saluation and the kingdome of God 3. Reason but rather to further them as appeareth 1. Tim. 1.15 2. Dutie of the wife toward her husband is to nurse and bring vp her children Q. What is secondly required in the woman A. She must nurse and bring vp her children Q. How is it warranted that Mothers must nurse their children A. First by the example of many holy women in the holy Scripture There are 5. Reasons to moue Mothers to nurse their owne childreÌ„ 1. Reason as Sarah Gen. 22.7 Hannah the Mother of Samuel 1. Sam. 1.23 and such like who performed this dutie and are commended for the same by the Holy Ghost Besides the nursing of children is set downe as the note of a faithfull woman 2. 1. Tim. 5. Furthermore 3. naturall equitie doeth require it for is it not reason that the woman should nurse that creature which is a part of her selfe and were it reason that seeing she did giue the child nourishment when it was in her wombe she should now forsake it when it is brought forth committed to her care tuition Fourthly 4. to what end doeth the prouidence of God yeeld vnto the woman two Pappes as it were fountaines and that in the most comely and fit place of her bodie besides that filled them with most sweet and pretious liquor is it that these excellent things should be dried vp destroyed not rather that they shuld minister fit nourishmeÌ„t vnto the infant so set forth the glorie of God 4. Reason mouing mothers to nurse their owne children the great and most wise Creator Lastly the holy ghost doth coÌ„deÌ„ne certain vnreasonable creatures as vnnaturall monstrous for that they will not tender nourish their yong ones as appeareth Iob. 39.17.18 19. much more monstrous and vnnaturall in a mother indued with reason if she cast off her young one who doeth wholy depend vpon her If the mother haue any necessarie hinderance that she cannot nourse her childe God will of his goodnes spare her therein The mothers dutie is to be as carefull to bring vp childreÌ„ vn to God in his nourture and feare as willing to bring them forth into the world The proofe of it Q. But what if the woman through defect or any other great and weightie cause cannot performe this dutie A. Then is she dispensed withal for why necessitie hath no law But this doeth not discharge them that are able to doe their dutie Q. Is there no further thing required of the woman in this respect A. Yes she must bring vp her children in the knowledge of God and good manners Q. Why that is a dutie belonging to the Husband A. Yea and to the wife also and especially to her so long as the children remaine vnder her hand power and disposition which was well knowne to the Mother of Salomon and to the Mother and grandmother of Salomon and to the mother and grandmother of Timothie as appeareth by their practise set downe Pro. 4.31 1. Tim. chapter 1. 3. Q. Haue you nothing else for confirmation A. Yes Kings are vsually set downe in the holy hystorie with their mothers to the praise of the