sufficient and agreeable to euery ones estate after familiarly to teach them and to goe before them in prayer accordingly VVho are the gouernors in the houshold Ephes 5. and 6. Col. 3. and 4. First the husband in regard of the wife then the parents in regard of their children and lastly the master in regard of his seruants VVhat is the dutie of the seruant in regard of his master With care and faithfulnesse as in the presence of God Gen. 24.10.11 c. Ephes 6.5.6.7 to bestow himselfe wholly the times appointed in his masters businesse VVhat is the masters dutie Deut. 24.14 15.13.14 To recompence his seruice according as the Lord hath blessed him by his labour VVhat are the common duties to the husband and wife Ephes 5.25 Mutuall loue one to another declared by mutuall helpe due beneuolēce yet so as the word presseth loue at the husbands hands more then at the wiues because men are commonly most short of that dutie VVhat is the wiues dutie to her husband Ephes 5.22 First subiection in a more gentle kind then others for albeit it be made heauier then it was from the beginning through her transgression yet that yoke is easier then any other subiections and from subiection obedience wherein wiues are oft short as the husband in loue Secondly 1. Cor. 11.7 she must represent his godly and commendable image in all her behauiour that in her a man may see the wisedome and vprightnesse of her husband Thirdly she must be a helper vnto him Gen. 2. 1. Tim. 3.11 by sauing that which he bringeth in VVhat is the husbands dutie to his wife In an entire loue vnto her Ephes 5. to defend her from all euill as he would cherish his owne flesh as Christ doth his Church VVhat is the dutie of children to their parents It is either generall or speciall VVhat is generall So to carrie themselues both in their parents tuition and after they are departed from them Prou. 10.1 and 17.25 32.28 as they may cause their parents in their good bringing vp to be commended VVhat is the speciall dutie That they ought not so much as attempt to bestow themselues in mariage without their parents cōsent Gen. 24. Iudg. 14.1 Gen. 21.21 and 27.46 28.9 1. Cor. 7.36.37.38 VVhat reason haue you to persuade children vnto this dutie That seeing their parents haue taken such great paines and trauell in bringing them vp they should reape some fruits of their labours in bestowing of them beside that they giue them this honour of esteeming them better able to prouide for their mariage Is this dutie required onely of children to their naturall parents that begat them No it is also required of children to their vncles and ants Hest 2. or to any other vnder whom they are and that be in stead of parents when parents are dead What is the second dutie of children to their parents 1. Tim. 5. That if their parents should want any thing wherwith God hath blessed them they should be readie to releeue them So much of the duties of children to their parents What are those of parents towards their children They are either common to both parents or particular to either of them What are the common duties of both parents Prou. 20.11 22.6 Gen. 4.2 They must marke the wits and inclinations of their children and their owne ability and so applie them in good time accordingly What is the second common dutie 2. Cor. 12.14 To lay vp and prouide somewhat for their children especially as they haue receiued of their ancestors that they leaue the same to their posterity What speciall dutie is there of the parents to the eldest sonne Gen. 49.3.4 That sith the Lord hath honoured him with that dignitie as to be their strength hee should also bee honoured of them at the least with a double portion as of the rest of the brethren with honour yet so as hee fall not from his honour by some horrible sinne So much of the common duties to both What is required of the father especially Gen. 35.18 Luk. 1.62.63 To giue the name vnto the child For notwithstanding that the mothers haue sometimes giuen the names yet that hath beene by permission of the fathers VVhat speciall dutie is laid vpon the mother To nurse the child if shee be able Gen. 21.7 1. Sam. 2. 1. Tim. 5.10 1. Tim. 2.15 Lam. 4.3.4 2. Sam. 24.17 Matth. 11.2 1. Thes 2.7.8 and 11. Hitherto of superiors in priuate What are they in publicke They are such as procure the common good of those of whom they haue receiued the charge and which forgetting themselues and their owne priuate good so often as need shal require procure the good of those which are vnder them VVhat is the dutie of their inferiors To minister charges Rom. 13. 1. Tim. 5.17.18 1. Cor. 9.4.5.6.7.8.9.10 13. and other things necessary for the execution of their offices and to their power to defend them in the same Of how many sorts are those superiours They are also of two sorts 2. King 2.3 1. Tim. 2. 1. Pet. 4.13.14 one are as it were diuine creatures called the Ministers of the Church the other are called humane creatures VVhy call you the other humane creatures Because notwithstanding they are appointed of God and such as without them neither Church nor Common-wealth can stand yet are not their kinds and number and order so appointed of God but that men may make moe or fewer of greater authority or lesse according as the occasions of places times or as the disposition of peoples doe require What are the duties of the superiors in the Common-wealth They are twofold First 1. Tim. 2.1.2 in respect of Gods matters Secondly in regard of ciuill affaires VVhat is the speciall dutie of the ciuill Magistrate in Gods matters To see that true Religion bee maintained by the example of Ezechiah Iosiah and other good Kings to see good ordinances for Religion grounded vpon the word of God duely practised that so God may be truely serued and glorified and the Churches committed to their gouernment may vnder them leade a quiet and a peaceable life in all godlines and honestie 1. Tim. 2.2 VVhat is the Magistrate specially to performe in respect of mens matters 1. Tim. 2.1 Dan. 4.7.8.9 Rom. 13.4.5 Hee must looke to the peace of the Common-wealth where he dwelleth and that iustice therin be duely executed that euery man may enioy his owne Psa 72. That the good may be cherished euil doers punished Rom. 13.3.4 And hee that neglecteth the former duety to God shall neuer performe his latter duety how politicke soeuer he seeme to be So much of vnequals VVhat is required of equals Philip. 2. First to liue together sociablie and comfortablie and not to exalt themselues aboue their fellowes but to goe one before another in giuing honour So much of the
this That not onely mens hands but also their hearts are here bound to the good abearing not so to desire their neighhours goods as is aforesaid What is contrarie to this desire Heb. 13.5 2. Tim. 6.6 Phil. 4.11 A mind contented with it owne and with that which is present So much of the inward breach What is the outward First the instruments and practises of theft secondly the theft it selfe What are the instruments of theft here charged Prou. 1.11.12 Iosh 7.21 First the tongue that it professe not the desire of our neighbours goods secondly the eie What kinds of theft are there Either priuat or publicke and the same either with colour or without colour the first being oftentimes more hainous then the second Wherein is priuat theft occupied It is either in abuse of our owne or in pursuit of our neighbours goods How doe we abuse our owne goods Either in lauishing and lashing them out or in couetous holding of them What is the abuse of our goods in lauishing them out When men in their diet apparrell furniture of houses building Deut. 12.15 Prou. 11.15 2. Thes 3. or otherwise exceed either their estate and ability or the vse and custom of their Country whither refer suretiship vnnecessarie and causelesse also to giue to stout and lustie rogues How are our goods abused in fast holding in of them When we withhold those things from the poore which we ought in dutie to bestow vpon them Prou. 3.28 or delay the giuing in time What is priuat theft in pursuit of our neighbours goods with colour When in buying and selling bartering snapping scorsing changing the buier concealeth the goodnes or the seller the faults Leuit. 25.14 Prou. 20.14 Luke 19.8 Exod. 22.26 Deut. 24.6 Deut. 25.13.14 Amos 8.4 Prou. 22.28 Hos 4.8 1. Cor. 6.7 and blindfoldeth the truth with coloured speeches Likewise when in borrowing and lending setting and taking gaging and waging men either make no conscience or haue no skill to doe that which is equall and profitable as well for others they trade with as for themselues where false measures come to be considered Hitherto belongeth forestalling engrossing monopolies vsurie bankerouts that to enrich themselues endamage others remouing of ancient bounds hitherto referre suits in Law for light matters How is it without colour of Law Either priuatly without his knowledge Deut. 22.1 Iames 5.4 Rom. 13. Luke 3.4 as theeues and pickers whither referre the not restoring of things found or violently he knowing it and sometimes beholding it as pirats robbers Hither is referred oppression as when the rich withhold the hire of the labourer or when debt is withholden Souldiers not content with their pay goe a freebooting c. What is the right vse of our owne Prou. 22.5.17 12.27 2. Cor. 8.13 Pro. 13.11 A frugalitie and good husbanding of it What is further contrary to these effects Labour in some lawfull vocation How may we know the bounds of a lawfull vocation It is occupied first in the information and instruction of the mind with good knowledge 1. Cor. 7.14 1. Pet. 4.10 as those which teach and learne Secondly in the defence of the body as the Magistrate both in peace and warre Thirdly in prouiding for the necessarie helpes of this life as are Artificers and Merchants VVhat manner of men are here condemned All idle persons or those which are occupied in hurtfull or vnprofitable trades as the Romish merchants Image Beade makers and makers of the like trash Iuglers wandring and roguing Minstrels Magicians Astrologers and such like Is there any thing else required to a lawfull calling Yes verily as that it be lawfull to him that vseth it which is when he is able for it secondly when being called thereunto he diligently and continually exererciseth himselfe in it Is there no intermission or recreation granted vnto a Christian man from his labours in the six daies There is to the end he may the better continue his labour so the same bee honest and profitable for the exercise of the mind or of the body hurtfull and dangerous pastimes being auoided for as recreation belongs to the sixth Commandement so farre as health is maintained thereby so it belongeth to this Commandement so far forth as wee may be the better able to labour What sorts of publicke theft are there Either in Church or Common-wealth What is Church theft It is sacriledge consisting partly in things spirituall Malach. 1. and partly in things temporall What is spirituall sacriledge When the Church is depriued of sound doctrine through the insufficiencie or negligence of the Pastors and Teachers What is temporall sacriledge When the goods of the Church are withdrawne from them to whom they belong or when benefices are sold Who are they that sinne in spirituall sacriledge Either Ministers or people What are the Ministers sinning therein First the ignorant insufficient and dumbe Ministers which take wages and cannot doe their duetie Secondly the makers and brochers of them Thirdly the idle negligent Ministers Hitherto refer Monks Friers Nuns c. How doe the people sinne herein When they not onely are content to bee vnder such Ministers as either cannot or will not reproue them of their sins but also desire and seeke for them What is the theft in the Common-wealth When the common goods are either taken away or applied to any priuate vse or when reward is taken for iudgement false coiners of money washers or clippers Hitherto of the Commandement by the whole drift and scope whereof is manifestly ouerthrowne the errour of the Anabaptists touching the communitie of goods What is the punishment for the breach thereof It is either that which God executeth by his iust iudgement or man What is the iudgement God executeth Pro. 20.21 Esa 33. Euill gotten goods are worse or soone spent as experience teacheth and the common prouerb Of euill gotten goods there is not the third heire also he that spoileth shall himselfe be spoiled VVhat else Pro. 19.15 Pouerty VVhat further Deut. 25.15 Shortnes of life for as to those that liue iustly long life is promised so to him that doth otherwise short is threatned What is the speciall punishment by man Josh 7.20.26 Act. 5.1.12 Diuers according to the particular thefts as the stealing of an oxe is greater in proportion then the stealing of a sheepe so should the punishment be and some stealing of goods by reason of circumstances doth deserue death and simplie the stealing of a man as Iosephs brethren which sold him to the Ismalites deserued death And so should bee punished those that steale mens daughters So much of the Commandement concerning our neighbours goods What is it concerning our neighbours good name The ninth Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour What is the summe of it That we hurt not our neighbors good name but maintaine and as occasion is giuen augment and increase it How is this
There are indeed good yea excellent persons that thinke so which carrie so much more a misliking of vowes because they haue beene abused in Poperie howbeit it appeareth in this place that it is a constant and perpetuall seruice of God as shall appeare VVhat is the proper end and vse of a vow Gen. 28.10 Iudg. 11.32 1. Sam. 1.11 It is twofold first to strengthen our faith and secondly to testifie our thankfulnesse vnto God but no waies to merit any thing at Gods hand so that whereas the exercise of a fast is in aduersitie and as the feast in prosperity the vow may be in both VVho are the fit persons that may vow Numb 30.6 Such as haue knowledge iudgement and abilitie to discerne of a vow and of the dueties belonging to the performance of the same Are all such bound to vow Deu. 23.21.22 Numb 30.2 Numb 6.2 c. Not simplie all but those onely which either being in distresse feele a want of feeling of Gods assistance thereby to strengthen their faith for necessarie aide or they who being deliuered from some necessary euill or haue receiued some singular good where no vow hath gone before should witnes their thankfulnesse VVhat haue we heerein further to consider That the vow must bee of lawfull things else it is better not to pay the vow then to pay as Herod and the fortie mentioned in the Acts Act. 23.14 and as the Monks Friers and Nunnes vow wilfull pouertie and perpetuall abstinence from mariage and canonicall obedience and the people pilgrimages May we vow any thing which is lawfull to be done We may not vow any vile or base thing as if a wealthie man would vow to giue to the poore some small value farre vnder his abilitie for what either token of thankfulnesse can that be or what comfort in his troubles can hee take of the performance thereof What haue we secondly to consider That the vow must bee of such things as are in our choice to performe How many waies faile men against this Two waies first in vowing that wee are not able to performe secondly in vowing that which otherwise we are bound by the law of God to do Who be they which vow that they cannot performe They are they either whom strength doth faile through the common frailery of al men Numb 30.3.4 c. as those that vow perpetuall continencie whose lets come from themselues Or they which cannot performe it by reason of subiection vnto others as wiues vnto their husbands children to their parents seruants to their masters c. in whose power they are to performe their vowes or not to performe them VVhy may not a man vow such things as he is otherwise bound vnto For that they are due vnto God without the seruice of a vow and therefore it were a dalliance with God to make shew of some speciall and extraordinarie seruice where the common and ordinarie is onely performed as if a man would present as a gift vnto his Lord the rent of his house due for the occupation thereof What may we then lawfully vow Increase of Gods seruice as to pray more often euery day then ordinarily is vsed or to be more liberall to the poore with some straine of our ability building of Colledges Almes-houses c. What is the duely of those that haue vowed Eccles 5. First to haue a diligent care to performe their vowes for if it be a reprochfull thing to deale with God as with a man it is more reprochfull to deale worse with God then wee dare deale with many men Gen. 35.1 Secondly not to delay the performance of it for God corrected sharpely in Iacob the deferring of vowes first by his daughters deflouring secondly by the rage and murther committed by his sons Is the necessitie of performing vowes so great that they may no waies be omitted Ier. 35.9.10.11 Not so for to the performance of a greater dutie a man may omit his vow for a time and after a time returne and be not a vow-breaker as the Rechabites for safety of their liues came and dwelt in Ierusalem notwithstanding a former vow that they would not dwell in an house and yet God witnesseth that the vow was not broken thereby so to helpe our neighbours in some present necessitie we may cease from any vowed duety at that time and not sinne Wherein the Papists greatly faile who hauing vowed vnlawfully yet thinke they may not intermit their vowes If a man in vowing doe not consider sufficiently of the greatnesse of the matter may hee not breake that vow if he hath not so aduisedly made it No the vow being otherwise lawfull that rashnes is to be repented but the vow must be kept What haue we to learne of all this That we be aduised in that we doe and not to enquire after we haue vowed to find some starting hole whereat to get out but either not to vow at all Pro. 20.25 or if we vow to haue a good remembrance of it and a diligent care in the due time to performe it 2 PET. chap. 3. from the 3. vers to the 12. 3 This first vnderstand that there shal come in the last daies mockers which will walke after their lusts HAuing spoken at large of the gouernment of Christ in this world What followeth His gouernment in the day of Iudgement What is the day of Iudgement A generall assise of all persons that haue beene at any time in the world at which all must appeare personally before the great Iudge to receiue their finall sentence either of absolution or condemnation There be some that say that that Iudgement will neuer come because God delayeth it Yes it shall come most certainely and therefore to take away all doubt thereof out of our minds our Sauiour Christ hath not onely often told of it but hath also sworne it shall be What reason do they vse to prooue that godles opinion If there bee an end of the world Gen. 8.21 then it and the things therein should by little and little weare away and consume but they do not for that they remaine as they were from the beginning of the Creation therefore the world shall haue no end How must we meete with these errors and keepe our selues vndefiled of them In taking heed to the words of the Prophets and the commandement of the Apostles of the Lord our Sauiour as Peter teacheth here How doth the Apostle Peter confute them out of the Scripture First that the heauens and earth being created by the word and will of God in a small time may also in a small time be changed Secondly in denying that the world hath continued alwaies the same it was at the beginning of the creation inasmuch as the earth by water in the flood was couered in a short time and by the same reason may in a short time be consumed by fire But it seemeth that this promise of his comming