Church of God above two thousand it may be three thousand years in the publick worship of God and in private Families also particularly at the Passeover the Jews used to sing six Psalms together beginning at Psalm 111 some think Psalm 112 and so on as the Jewish Rabbins and other learned Divines do think called the solemn Hymne and the great Hallelujah Further how antient singing of Psalms is Read Exod. 15.1 c. How excellent Psal 30.1 2 4. and 92.1 and 147.1 How warrantable under the New Testament See also Ephes 5.18 19 20. Col. 3.16 Jam. 5.13 Psal 147.1 Which custome 't is probable our blessed Saviour observed after the Passeover and his Supper were performed Mat. 26.30 and his Disciples It was used even in mixt multitudes and so commanded Psa 66.1 2 3 4. 68.32 96.1 2. and 98.1 2 4 5. Knowing what I do know I wonder that any sober Christians should scruple at it and lay it aside it was not wont to be so till of late years the Enemie hath sown his tares among the good Corn thereby hoping to corrupt us with his many foul errors and so to divide and destroy us and the Protestant Religion and Verity which the God of truth forbid and rebuke the Enemie 7. In performing these and all other religious duties have a special care and eye to the manner of doing them as well as to the Ordinances and duties themselves namely to perform them 1. Humbly and self-denyingly looking unto Christ both for assistance and acceptance without whom you can do nothing so himself saith John 15.5 and we find it true by experience 2 Cor. 3.5 that is nothing rightly and acceptably by our own abilities but only by the assistance and for the merit and intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. Also do all duties with all the strength of your intention and affections Eccles 9.10 What thy hand findeth to do do it with all thy might Most necessary in performing Religious duties not coldly carelesly with wandring thoughts or dead drowsie affections but with the heart kept close to the duty and with God in the duty 3. Also look to a right end for the manner and end of doing duties is that which God chiefly looks at requires and accepts Many by-respects and ends may put on to duties but to do them in a right manner and to a right end principally to the Glory of God and good of Souls is that which is the heart soul and life of a duty argues our faith in God love to him and obedience to his Sovereign Authority as most wise just and good without this the best duties are not regarded but despised rejected and many times cursed and punished as the Jews services and offerings Isa 1.11 12 13 14 15. Isa 66.7 and Jehu his good works Hos 1.4 8. Obey Magistrates them that have Authority over you with all humility cheerfulness observing their commands for conscience sake for so we are commanded and Nature teacheth us Rom. 13.1 2 5. Tit. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.13 14. For they are the Ministers of God the Powers that are are ordained of God And yet the Rulers that then were in being were wicked men Tyrants and Heathens whom the Prophet Jeremiah Jer. 29.7 and the Apostles commanded to pray for as Nebuchadnezzar Nero and those under them much more ought we to pray for and obey Christian Magistrates And in case any thing should be commanded which God forbid I speak by way of supposition which upon serious consideration you cannot be perswaded can stand with your obedience to God the Supreme Lord the peace of a good conscience forbear to act yet with all humble respect to Authority submitting willingly to suffer rather than to sin as the three Noble men did Dan 3.16 17 18. and Daniel chapt 6. ver 7 10 11. and the Apostles Act. 4.19 In all other things obey the Magistrate Supreme and Sub-ordinate readily and chearfully and thereby give good proof of your Loyalty and that you are not stubborn and refractory so that if any should maliciously slander you or falsely accuse you you may say as Paul Act. 24.13 They cannot prove the things whereof they now accuse me and as Daniel Innocencie is found before me and also before thee O King have I done no burt Dan. 6.22 and as it is Act. 24.16 I do exercise my self to have always a good conscience void of offence towards God and towards men and as it is 2 Corinth 1.12 Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world Also pray heartily daily for the King and all in Authority under him that under them ye may live a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty for so we are commanded as a thing well-pleasing unto God 1 Tim. 2.1 2 3. That so doing ye may put to silence the ignorance and malice of foolish men 1 Pet. 2.15 especially Popish persons who are ready to say they are enemies to Kings Magistrates and Government stubborn disobedient and self-willed rebels to Authority the great and common Argument some men use against those that are most quiet conscientious and do most heartily pray for Kings and all in Authority desiring their good every way and the publike welfare and prosperity 1 Pet. 4.3 4. 9. Have a lawful calling and use it lawfully Have a lawful calling some honest imployment especially such as will conduce to the publike good as well as to your own particular benefit such a calling as is of good report and sutable to your means parts abilities and condition This I speak to them that are yet to chuse a calling yet such imployments as are sinful so some are ought to be cast off And in a lawful calling be faithful careful just and diligent in it avoyding idleness wastfulness and covetousness This duty God laid on man in the state of innocencie to keep him honestly imployed and his mind busied but after the fall toylsome labour came in as a punishment for sin Gen. 3.17 18 19. In the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat thy bread till thou return unto the ground Exod. 20.9 Six days thou shalt labour God allows no person whatsoever to live without a lawful calling and imployment that is capable of doing something Idleness was one of the sins of Sodom An idle person est pulvinar diaboli the Devils cushion on which he delights to sit and his anvil on which he uses to hammer mischief Of such an active nature are our spirits that if we do not busie them about that which is good the devil will be sure to set them about that which is evil You read what sad temptations befel David when he was idle and what sad doings followed 2 Sam. 11.2 c. but it cost him very dear 2 Sam. 12 9 c. compared with Psal 51. Deal justly and faithfully with all men whether they
of Belial Deut. 13.13 and the Apostle compares such to brute and unruly beasts 3. Maintenance also is due unto Parents from the children in case of want or need to their utmost ability to visit them in time of sickness weakness and trouble as Joseph did his father Gen. 48.1 comfort them in time of mourning and sorrow as Jacobs children did Gen. 42.5 and relieve them in their wants and nourish them as Joseph did Gen. 47.12 and Ruth her good mother-in-law Ruth 2.8 And this is that which the Apostle requires of children to requite their parents which he calls a shewing piety at home and says it is good and acceptable before God These things are contained under the word Honour Secondly Children must love their Parents unfeinedly for their great love and many respects to them and to esteem them highly as worthy all love honour and obedience from them Thirdly Pray for your Parents daily heartily fervently Fourthly If you observe any failings and infirmities in them as alas who living is without being frail sinful men all subject to like passions and infirmities I say 't is your duty above all others to bear with them and cover them in love as far as you can Notable is the example of Shem and Japhet Noahs sons towards their father Noah for which they were blessed and Cham and Canaan for discovering their fathers shame cursed Gen. 9.22 c. This is a duty due from all inferiors-to their Superiors There are many strong and weighty reasons obliging children to the performance of all these duties to reverence their parents both of them equally to obey them also to maintain them love them esteem them bear with and cover their infirmities As 1. Because you have your beings from them you never had a being in the world and so a capacity of being holy and happy to all eternity without them Therefore you owe unto them next under God your own selves and all you have and can do for them 2. Because of the great pain and trouble in child-bearing breeding and bringing forth 3. Their great pains care and trouble day and night continually to preserve you and nurse you up when you were the most weak helpless shiftless and vilest creatures in the world by reason of native corruption and original guilt 4. For covering and clothing you when you were naked and worse than naked all polluted in your blood Ezek. 16.3 6. 5. For their continual care and cost in bringing you up to be able to shift and do something for your selves 6. They intend that all they have laboured for taken great pains and care early and late day and night shall be yours in due time 7. Especially for their many prayers pains and endeavors in instructing you c. that you may be born again be new creatures sanctified and saved eternally Fifthly Give all diligence to learn of them to get sound and saving knowledg grace and holiness to be truly Godly and live holily to be justified sanctified and eternally saved Now while you are young as soon as you are capable of doing any thing towards your salvation in the use of means before the world hath gotten room and possession in your hearts and affections Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth saith the wise Solomon Eccles 12.1 Now you are most fit for that duty now your minds and hearts are in some respects like clean white paper free to receive any thing in to write any thing upon If the devil once ingrave wickedness in your hearts and the world its sinful vanities you are like to live always die and perish in your sins for ever unless God be very merciful unto you But if you get your minds and hearts seasoned with sound knowledg and saving Grace while you are young you will be always good godly and everlastingly saved and happy Oh! it is a lovely thing to be Godly while young to see young persons breathing and panting after grace and holiness following hard after the Lord and walking in the ways of God as young King Josiah did and young Samuel and Timothy a thing very pleasing to God He delights greatly in such persons communicates much of himself unto them honors them much When you come into years you will have many worldly occasions and businesses to mind besides you do not know how soon you may die how short your lives are and how little time you have to get that which of necessity must be had or perish for ever namely sound knowledge of the doctrine of salvation true living Grace and holiness your persons justified by the only righteousness of Jesus Christ and so pardon of sin reconciliation with God acceptation of your persons services in the blood and for the sake merit and mediation of Jesus Christ for by Nature and your first birth you were the children of wrath children and slaves to sin and Satan walking in the lusts of the flesh and fulfilling the lusts of the flesh utterly unable to do any thing that is truly good and acceptable to God or to avoid evil and the wrath to come as the Apostle and experience assures us Ephes 2.1 2 3. Titus 3.3 Four things which a good old experienced Christian but the last night before I wrote this put some few of you in mind of which I will here set down with some enlargement 1. To labour to get sin imbittered That is to see and be truly sensible what an evil thing sin is how filthy hateful dangerous and damnable that it may be bitter unto you loathed subdued and mortified by you by all means through the assistance of the Spirit of God Rom. 8.13 2. To be self-emptied That is to see how empty you are of any thin that is truly and spiritually good in and of your selves that the best performances even of the most holy persons are so imperfect that they must utterly renounce all confidence in them in the point of justification before God Isai 64.6 Luk. 17.10 Rom. 3.23 to the end Gal. 2.16 3. To esteem Christ highly as only necessary to redeem you justifie and save you and most worthy of all your love service and obedience 4. To imbrace holiness also as that which is absolutely necessary to spiritual life and salvation Heb. 12.14 1 Pet. 1.14 15. To this end consider and what I say to you in this as also in the former things I say unto all consider seriously two things 1. The torments of hell as most intolerable easeless and endless Oh! to suffer eternally without all possibility of an end or any intermission ease or mitigation it is a thing most astonishing fully to consider of and see into 2. The joys felicity and glory of Heaven in the presence immediate and full enjoyment of God himself Jesus Christ c. and that for ever and ever never to have any end nor abatement Such and so great as mortal eyes never saw nor ear heard nor the heart of man
one the other that is yet uncalled and in the state of nature to grace and holiness faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his commandments to prevent sin in one another and to preserve and help forward the work of Grace begun by your mutual hearty prayers loving advice counsel encouragement commendation good example and all other ways and so much the more because that is the chief end of marriage and their most neer relation binds them the Soul being the most pretious thing more worth than the whole world and the salvation of the soul of far greater concernment than any other thing in the world than any outward estate than bodies lives And he that truly loves his yoke-fellow cannot but much desire and rejoyce each in others Souls welfare A duty generally neglected by most husbands wives sometimes much hindred by the other yoke-fellow but very sad will be the account such hinderers and neglecters must make ere long to God for neglecting much more for hindring their yoke-fellows salvation neglecting their own duty and doing the Devil work for so it is See Act. 13.9 10 11. in discouraging or hindring any that do mind and seek the good of their own or others Souls The faithful discharge of these common duties is the way to have marriage a merry age a blessing indeed and a great comfort and help one to another The neglect brings many a cross trouble and often a curse and proves the most grievous yoke each to other which they cannot be freed from as long as they live The Husbands particular duties are these and such like 1. To dwell with his wife according to knowledge as is commanded 1 Pet. 3.7 that is to be able and ready to govern her wisely go before her instruct inform and counsel her as he is her head and Governour It is to be lamented that many marry before they know or can govern themselves and many husbands are much more fit to be taught and governed themselves than to govern others Such must bewail their ignorance and give all diligence to be inabled to discharge their duty and then to do it in love not rigorously and imperiously Sic volo ste jubeo I will and command you Such Language rather becomes absolute Lords over slaves not husbands to their wives Col. 3 19. Husbands love your wives and be not bitter unto them Love and meekness sweetens every condition and relation every command counsel is pleasant to the heart as sugar to the taste it makes even hard things to be easily taken and undergone as bitter pills in sweet syrrop or pap of Apples 2. To love and delight in his wife in a special manner as his own body his other self Ephes 5.28 He that loveth his wife loveth himself no man ever hated his own flesh And this he must manifest by his loving speeches to her and of her courteous carriage towards her bearing with her and kindly accepting of her courtesie and readiness to yeeld to her in things reasonable 3. Not to exact or require of her any thing that is unhonest unjust evil or cannot stand with the peace of a good Conscience or that is above her ability or unfit and unseemly for her to do unless in case of necessity Nor forbid her any thing but what is evil and unlawful unseemly or that will be of ill consequence or have some evil effect If her conscience be erronious he must meekly inform her of her error out of the word of God 1 Pet. 3.7 4. To bear with her infirmities as the weaker vessel 1. Pet. 3.7 5. To provide for her all things needful and convenient to be liberal to her to maintain her according to his degree and ability readily and cheerfully not niggardly penuriously and grutchingly but liberally that she may if need require shew particular favours to win and incourage others under and about her She is his second self and her credit and comfort is his 6. To honour her by giving all due respects to her especially before others children and servants 1 Pet. 3.7 7. To allow her liberty being discreet and careful to dispose of goods and order matters of the house as she thinks meet as Elkanah did to Hannah 1 Sam. 1.23 for wives are commanded to guide the house 1 Tim. 5.14 whereby it appeareth that the businesses of the house doth belong and are most proper to the wife as to order the keeping trimming of the house disposing the provision of the family governing the young children and maid-servants in which respect she is called The house-wife Mater-familias 8. In case there be just cause of blame and reproof in a wife which may not without neglect of love care and good conscience be wholly winked at and past by in silence then to reprove her privately alone in love and meekness convincing her by Scripture and good reason that so she may see her error and his love and tender respect to her Gal. 6.1 9. To countenance and encourage her in all well-doing commending and praising her as the husband of the good wife in the Proverbs trusting in her Prov. 31.11 28. But above all to encourage her and be a helper to her for her Souls good praying daily with her and for her minding her of the concerns of her Soul instructing counselling comforting and allowing her sufficient and fit time for private and publike duties of Religion It is a wicked thing to discourage and hinder honest hearts that desire to serve God truly and faithfully when Reason and Religion call on them The wives particular duties are these 1. To be subject to her husband in all things lawful and honest so far as may stand with her obedience to God and the peace of a good Conscience Ephes 5.22 23 24. Wives submit your selves to your own husbands as to the Lord for the husband is head of the wife as Christ is head of the Church and saviour of the body There is a double reason to move the wife so to do the Authority her husband hath over her as her head the con for t she hath by him as a saviour of the body to protect and defend her and provide all things needful for her And the manner of her subjection and obedience to him is laid down in the words as to the Lord that is willingly readily cheerfully to obey him by doing what he requires and forbearing what he forbids coming at his call c. so far as he requires nothing contrary to the will of God See 1 Sam. 20.31 c. 2. To reverence her husband as her head and saviour in some respects as Christ is to the Church Eph. 5.32 33. And the wife see that she reverence her husband by her inward esteem of him as worthy of honour on her part as her head under Christ yea though before and otherwise in himself her inferior much and unworthy having before God and men given him by her Matrimonial Covenant
can conceive 1 Cor. 2.9 Psal 31.19 Sixthly Children must learn to be mannerly to know their duty towards all and accordingly to carry themselves mannerly loving and with due respectfulness and courtesie to all sorts of persons even to the meanest and poorest Good breeding and carriage is very commendable and winning Seventhly As you grow up in discretion and years be faithful diligent careful and provident to look unto and do your Parents business the benefit will be all your own hereafter and you will have the peace and comfort of a good conscience in discharging your duty in the mean time and ever Eighthly Imploy some time every day in private alone in reading the Holy Scriptures prayer meditation on what you have heard and read and labour to use and improve all Ordinances of Christ for your spiritual advantage and Souls benefit Ninthly Brothers and sisters must love one another in a special manner and be very willing and ready to do all good offices one for another Love as Brethren saith the Apostle because of the near relation one to another in the flesh for brothers and sisters to live at variance or as strangers one to another is sinful and shameful What! should not they love and live lovingly one with another that were begotten of the same father or born of the same mother lay in the same womb fed at the same brest and table and frequently plaid together If any of you be faulty I can accuse none for shame let it be so no more but labour to be cordially united in love and help one another in all well doing especially in the way to Heaven Lastly When you are grown up and desire to change your condition and dispose of your selves abroad in a calling place and especially in way of Marriage observe I pray these few directions and God will be with you to bless and prosper you 1. Resolve on nothing till you have first acquainted your Parents or Guardians that are in place of Parents and have their consent and advice you have your being and education breeding and bringing up by their care pains and charge and therefore do owe your selves to them and therefore should do nothing without their consent and advice 2. Be earnest with God in prayer for direction and a blessing on your undertaking most especially in the choice of a yoke-fellow God is the great disposer of all things and most wise yea only wise 1 Tim. 1.17 Houses and riches are the inheritance of fathers but a prudent wife is from the Lord Prov. 19.14 Therefore be sure to seek unto God for a meet yoke-fellow as the gift of God 3. Let Godliness in a yoke-fellow be that which above all you desire and endeavour after to find in an helper Never marry with one that is not truly religious and though Religion alone is not sufficient to make a fit match suffer not your selves to be corrupted with the worlds false glosses of beauty wealth or the like neither cross the rules of Nature in too much disparity of age or degree or in robbing Patents of their right marry not with any of evil report for beauty or lucre sake among all the ends of marriage mentioned in the Scripture 't is observed there is none to make one rich or worldly great They that look only or chiefly at beauty parts riches or other worldly advancements many times have that which they desire but little comfort with it often a cress and sometimes a curse with them He that would have Gods blessing on the marriage must invite God to the marriage he that would have not his wine turned into water but his water turned into wine must invite Christ to the wedding he that would have Gods favour and blessing must ask his leave and presence and follow his direction by his word and gratious Providence Be not hasty but wisely deliberate and considerate ere you pass over your selves liberty and all for so long a term as during life much less sell your selves and your liberty and comfort only for worldly estate wit or beauty though never so great and be always a servant for these uncertain and unsatisfying things And it is good to express before engagement what you expect both for piety and all other matters of habitation manner of living order of family and the like This is the way to have marriage a merry age matter of much comfort 25. Masters you to whom God has given the honour of being Masters and Governours of a family and servants 1. Know I pray and remember that most of the before-mentioned duties incumbent on Patents concern you also to practise towards your servants as to instruct them in the grounds of true Religion to pray with them and for them daily read the Scriptures before and to them daily and see that they be present and do attend with reverence both at private duties as prayer reading the Scriptures repetition of what has been heard and the publike Mnistry of the word and that they also do read the Scriptures often examme them what they do remember help them what you can and give them a good example in all things 2. When they do well encourage them restrain them from evil and from evil places and company And when they do ill reprove them but privately shew them their error and the evil of their ways in love that they may see you seek their good as well as your own and the faithful discharge of your duty to God and them 3. Rule them not with rigour harshness or bitterness use them not as slaves but as fellow servants to Christ with love and gentleness forbearing threatnings as much as may be that they may serve you out of love and for conscience sake Rigour bitterness harshness foul language are hateful to God and often do much hurt make many mopish careless some distracted and others desperate but love gentleness and good usage hath often done much good even on difficult natures and your authority must be improved for their edification and not for their destruction 2 Cor. 10.8 And if they reply when reproved soberly hear their defence and reasons as Job did Job 31.13 But be sure you command your servants and children nothing but what is lawful just and equal and agreeable unto nothing that is against the Law of God which must be all our rule for so doing your selves will be guilty of a double fault and suffer most in the end and I would gladly prevent your dashing on this rock and all others 4. Allow them time convenient as for your work so for Gods service publike and private duties of Religion and piety It is not enough to instruct them and blame them for omissions but you must also allow them convenient time it will be no let to your work and business but a whet rather bring a blessing on your affairs as Abrahams servant did Gen. 24.12 27 42 48 52. But lamentable is the carelessness and
negligence I might say the prophaness of most Parents Masters and Governours of families who have no duties of Religion performed in the family not so much as prayer but live like Heathens and Infidels only work eat drink sleep play and the like worldly things but no service of God or very rarely sometimes some have a short heartless prayer at night yea it is to be feared and I have too much reason to think that some even whom I know and no doubt many others and I therefore mention it that they might see their sin such I say which make a fair profession of Religion and do attend I think constantly on some of the best Preachers and yet have no family-duties or but seldom This is very sad that that which should be minded principally the worship and service of God in the family is either wholly neglected or least minded It was otherwise with Abraham Joshua Job David Daniel and all that ever truly feared God Gen. 18.19 Josh 24.15 Daniel three times a day Dan. 6.10 11 12. David seven times a day Psal 119.64 5. Imploy them well in lawful imployments but do not over-burden them A good man is merciful unto his beast saith Solomon much more to his servant 6. Be careful for them both in health and sickness provide all things needful and convenient for them and in due seasons Allow them convenient time for rest recreations and to mend their apparel and allow them for their work a sutable reward the laborer is worthy of his hire Let poor labouring men especially be fully paid for their work whether they work with you or for you God hates oppression Do not work on the poor mans necessity you would not be willing to be so served your selves Do nothing in this kind but that which is just and honest before God and all men Remember you have a Master in Heaven to whom you must give an account and there is no respect of persons with God Ephes 6.9 And though some poor labouring men will be glad at some times to do any thing to get a peny to supply necessaries yet sure no honest man or that fears God will work on such a man or womans necessity to pinch men that labour of their necessary and convenient food apparel or wages to deny them their just due defer them when they stand in need of it abridge them of their necessary rest abate them in their wages or work on poor mens necessity as the manner of some wretched Masters is to do is hateful to God who is merciful and will surely avenge the poor that cry unto him and severely punish such wretched Masters 7. Teach them their Trade who are put as Apprentices to you It is a great sin to keep them ignorant of the lawful ways and the managing of their Calling a robbing of them and frustrating the end for which they were put to you As for the Mysteries or rather mysterious iniquities many men use in the managing of their Trades and Callings let the wicked keep to themselves whereby many to wonderment quickly grow rich but fear you God It is an old saying Plain dealing is a Jewel but he that useth it shall die a beggar but it is better to die a beggar than a knave to die poor and go to Heaven than to die very rich and go to hell 1 Cor. 6 9 10. The only sure way under Heaven to have a blessing on whatsoever a man hath and Gods favour whose loving kindness is better than life is to deal truly justly and faithfully with all men in all things I will not condemn any whom I see or hear of that suddenly get great estates but I cannot imagine how some men should get such vast estates as they do in a few years if they do not use some subtleties or ways more than are honest But they stand or fall to their great Master I do but give some men an Item God grant the faulty may make use of it I touch not others unless by way of caution 8. Teach them also to be careful diligent and provident for themselves in an honest way that they may see you mind their good as well as your own it will both do them good and make them more careful to manage your business for your comfort and benefit 9. When you have a good servant especially one that feareth God and makes conscience of his ways esteem highly of him or her bless God for and make much of such and use him as a brother or her as a sister in Christ and a good gift of God Philemon v. 16. 26. Servants you that are actually engaged or yet free and intend to be such let me mind you also of your duties and make Conscience of performing them as you tender your own good First as much as in you lieth while you are free or when you shall be free and intend to engage again make choice of a Godly family of such Masters Mistresses or Dames and samilies where piety and good Conscience are exercised and Religious duties constantly performed and encouraged as you tender the everlasting good and welfare of your precious and immortal Souls Be not so deluded as for a little no nor for a great deal of worldly wages or respect to neglect your precious souls Evil and ungodly families have undone many a hopeful servant both in soul and body yet most endeavor to get into families where they may get most wages or other worldly respects without any regard to piety the best things Gods glory or their eternal estate and prove accordingly and many repent sore when it is too late when they are called by death to give an account of themselves and their time unto God the Judge of all the world Secondly Having made a good choice or being in a Religious Conscientious family bless God for it be willing ready and forward to joyn with them in all Religious duties and to learn of them improve your opportunities and continue there so long as you intend to be servants to others if you may continue change not for worldly respects and advantages only to your prejudice in spiritual things Thirdly Being servants of whatsoever rank sort or condition birth or estate you were before yet being servants know and make conscience of the duty God and Nature require of you As 1. Be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh that is to fleshly and bodily Masters of the same common nature with your selves in all things lawful and that may stand with your obedience unto Christ your heavenly Master and absolute Lord so God himself expresly commandeth Ephes 6.5 Colos 3.22 Yea though they were before inferior to yourselves in divers respects and are still froward harsh cruel ungodly 1 Pet. 2.18 not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward in all things So Colos 3.22 that is in all things lawful all things that may stand with Gods command
thanks-worthy if a man for conscience towards God indure grief suffering wrongfully for what glory is it if when ye are buffeted for your faults ye take it patiently but if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God for even hereunto are ye called because also Christ suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow him who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth See here is Gods command Christs example their own duty comfort and benefit to themselves do all bind servants to a meek and patient bearing of reproof and correction blows also 5. Bear with your Masters infirmities for the best of men have their infirmities are subject to like passions as other men as 't is said of Elias Jam. 5.17 as you your selves also have yours and therefore make conscience of bearing with them in others especially in your Governors concealing and covering them in love as much as may be It is a sinful thing to publish or blaze them abroad to the dis-credit of their Master is indeed to their own discredit shame in the end yet it is too common for servants when they meet together to talk of and blaze their Masters and Governors infirmities and secrets also that others abroad know what is said and done secretly in the house Such the Holy Ghost condemneth as tale-bearers Prov. 11.13 and 20.19 and the Apostle as tatlers and busie-bodies wandring from house to house and speaking things they ought not 1 Tim. 5.13 I say also it redounds to their own discredit and shame for who will credit or like such as tattle abroad what they see or hear at home or knowingly receive or willingly retain such in their houses All sober persons will utterly dislike and condemn such persons for so doing To back all these duties and put all servants on to make conscience of performing these duties consider these weighty Reasons 1. The will and express command of God as you have heard so that in a willing neglecting any of these you sin against God and provoke God against your own souls 2. You wrong your Masters whose good you ought to endeavour heartily and honour their persons and authority 3. The great reward you shall receive if not of men yet to be sure of God who has undertaken to be your pay-master Eph. 6.8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth the same shall he receive of the Lord whether he be bond or free 4. The place Masters are in namely over you in the Lord as your Head and Governour and you in the place of subjection to them so that whatsoever the birth parentage estate parts or former conditions of any of you were yet now being servants by your own voluntary choice or Divine Providence you must be subject and do the duty of servants and it is much better to do that cheerfully and faithfully which must be done and will be much for your comfort and benefit 5. The faithful discharge of these duties is a good way to adorn the Gospel credit Religion and Godliness honour the Name of God the contrary will be an occasion of blaspheming the Name of God and of the Gospel and the ways of Godliness 1 Tim. 6.1 Titus 2.10 and hindring the good of Souls 6. This is one end of your calling to Grace to serve others faithfully 1 Pet. 2.21 22. whereunto also you are called though the place speaks especially and particularly of suffering patiently for well-doing yet excludes not the other but includes it 7. Fellow-servants must be loving one to another and be a help and comfort one unto another in all well-doing and by all lawful means as much as may be that their lives may be more sweet and comfortable to themselves more pleasing to God and their service more acceptable unto their Master and give one another and others a good example of faithfulness diligence chastity sobriety godliness and all Christian vertues and well-doing 8. I might add there will be a day of Death and Judgment in which both Masters and servants must give an account unto God the Judge of all the world how they have carried themselves in their relations one towards another 2 Cor. 5.10 Eccles 12.14 27. Lastly To those that are poor in the world I must add a few words particularly for their comfort and direction and I pray observe them well 1. If now for your comfort you be truly Godly that is know God and Jesus Christ savingly and if you do truly desire to believe and endeavour to serve God daily and faithfully though but weakly as your education 't is probable hath been but mean then you are rich and great in the sight of God God is your Father and Jesus Christ your Redeemer Justifier and Saviour the Holy Spirit is your Sanctifier and Comforter and Heaven your in heritance all is yours if you be Christs 1 Cor. 3.22 23. Bless God with all your Souls serve him with all your heart you are happy in a far better condition than many thousands though you have little or nothing in the world and they have hundreds or thousands by the year if they be Christless ungodly and graceless and such I am confident some of those to whom I intend this are Fear not you shall never want things necessary any thing that God your Heavenly Father knows to be good and necessary for you Consider Psal 34.9 10. 84.11 Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son how shall he not with him freely give us all things Consider well Mat. 6.25 to the end where you shall read how Christ argues for your comfort and ours also Where God gives life which is the greater better gift says Christ he will give meat and drink which is the lesser and he that gives a body will give raiment which is the lesser good He that will give a hundred or thousand pound to his childe will not be wanting to give him a little meat drink and clothes a few shillings for his present necessaries He that cloth s the field with grass and corn and the Lillies that neither toil nor spin Yea He that feeds the ravens kites and other Birds and Beasts that live on prey God provides for them when they awake in the morning they sing and are merry and yet they do not know where they shall have one small bit and they praise their Maker in their kind depend on him without distracting or carking distrustful cares and he provides for them every one food convenient in the due season Read Psal 104.27.28 and 147.15 16. How much more will he provide for you who truly desire and endeavor to serve and fear him Be not faithless but beleeve But 2. If you have not true saving knowledge and sanctified Grace an interest in Jesus Christ if ignorant or unholy and unrighteous then I beseech you whatsoever you do neglect yet neglect not any longer to give diligent endeavour