Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	child_n	general_n	parent_n	1,030	5	9.4902	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91897	Christ the perfect pattern, of a Christian's practice, being the substance of severall sermons, about the Imitation of Christ. / Preached by the reverend and faithfull minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Ralph Robinson, late minister of Mary Wolnoth London. Published by Sim. Ash, Wil. Taylor, Sam. Clarke.	Robinson, Ralph, 1614-1655.	1658 (1658)	Wing R1709; Thomason E1818_1; ESTC R209810	135,574	295

out-strip his example A Christian should be Alter Christus 2. Wherein we must imitate Christ This is not unnecessary because there are some actions of Christ which are not imitable There are three kind of actions which Christ did 1. Some things he did quà Deus his works of Divinity and Omnipotency As his miraculous works of forgiving sins raising the dead casting out Devils and curing Diseases by his word walking upon the Sea c. 'T is the pride of the Papists to imitate Christ in these things as their Quadragesimal Fasts c. These are for our admiration not for our imitation 2. Some things he did quà Mediator his works of office As his Dying to reconcile God and man offering up himself a Sacrifice for sin This is not for our imitation only the mo●al of these is for us That as Christ did carefully the works of his Calling so should we of our particular Calling 3. Some things he did as he was made man under the Law And tehse were of two sorts Some in obedience to the Ceremonial Law as he was the Son of Abraham according to the flesh As his submitting to Circumcision keeping the Jewish Feasts of Tabernacles Pentecost c. these we are not bound unto Others in obedience to the moral Law those moral actions of Christ the works of piety of charity which he did his vertues as they are called 1 Pet. 2. 9. his humility meekness c. And therefore 't is observed in Matth. 11. 29. Learn of me saith Christ what not to cast out Devils raise the dead c. but learn meekness lowliness c. These are the things which we are tyed toimitate Christ in The Reasons why these are 1. Those Relations between Christ and a Christian call for it viz. 1. Master and Servant this is a Relation of Imitation Matth. 10. 24 25. 't is there spoken in regard of suffering 't is as forcible in regard of doing Our Saviour urgeth us in a particular case upon this very ground Ioh. 13. 13 14. Other Masters cannot require imitation from their Servants in every thing because they mislead but Christ may 2. That of Captain and Souldiers that 's a Relation of Imitation Abimelech to his Souldiers Iudg. 9. 49. Christ is our General and Captain Heb. 2. 10. Iosh 5. 14. 3. That of Father and Children Children should imitate their Parents not in every thing many Parents would lead their Children to Hell should they follow them The Apostle argues upon this ground this duty Eph. 5. 1. 2. 'T is one end of Christs Incarnation There are in reference to man two principal ends of Christs Incarnation for in reference to God his main end was Eph. 1. 6. One was to reconcile God and man by his obedience and suffering and so to bring in everlasting righteousnes The other was that he might set us an example for our Imitation 1 Pet. 2. 21. that there might be found a perfect Pattern of grace and holiness in our natures Now unless we imitate his example we shall as much as lyeth in us frustrate one end of his incarnation 3. 'T is the highest pitch of spiritual perfection 'T is the duty of every Christian to grow up to as great a height as he can in grace and holiness Christians are as Trees which from a small graff grow up to a great stature vid. Mat. 5. ult 'T is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of simi●itude not of equality Now the very top of this perfection stands in this that we be like Christ There is a threefold likeness of Christ A likeness of nature so we are all like him A likeness of glory that is reserved for Heaven of which the Apostle 1 Ioh. 3. 2. A likeness of Grace which consists in the renewing of the mind and in walking after this holy Pattern This is the very Apex of that poor imperfect perfection which we can reach to here Greg. Nyssen defines Christianity to be Imitationem Divinae Naturae Qui plus habet Christi plus habet Christianitatis so doth the Apostle also Phil. 3. 10. 4. There is no other perfect Pattern to walk by while we are in this World All men either give us a bad example or else an imperfect example There are two things which make a perfect pattern First That it have exactness of every thing which should be required Secondly That it have no blemish or redundancy of any thing which should not be Now there is no such Pattern besides Christs example The Scripture indeed calls upon us to follow the example of the Saints the Apostle propounds his own example Phil. 3. 17. but there are these limitations 1. We must not imitate them in all things because they had graces in imperfection and because they had obliquities and deformities as well as graces That which is said of Books is as true as men in every thing else Etiam in optimis Authoribus quaedam vitia Moses was not without his murmuring David had his Adultery Peter his denyal These are recorded to be as Shelfs of caution not Copies of Imitation we must follow these only in their reflections and sparks of piety 2. We must not follow the example of any one of them alone because there was in no one of them a compleat Pattern of all grace God scattered his graces among the Saints one was more eminent in one grace a second in another c. Moses for meekness Job for patience Paul for contentment c. This God did to preserve the Communion of Saints as the Apostle speaks in another case 1 Cor. 12. 8. but now we may follow Christs example without any of these limitations for there is in him 1. A full concurrence of all graces compleatly Cont. 5. 10 11. ad finem Col. 1. 19. 2. There is no obliquity in him No spot Cant. 5. 16. The Saints are like the Moon the best of them have a dark side as well as a bright who is she that looketh as the Moon Cant. 6. 10. Christ is as the Sun which is all light without the least spot 5. The Saints are the Image of Christ therefore they ought to walk as he walked As the shadow followeth the substance Christians are as it were the shadow of Christ And the goodness of all the actions and works which we perform doth not stand in the substance of the work but in relation and conformity to the Rule and Example by which they are done Information 1. That 't is the duty of every 1. Use Christian to know and to be acquainted with the life of Christ he that is ignorant of what Christ did cannot possibly walk as he walked What a sad condition are they in who having but one Copy to write after are altogether without the knowledge thereof 2. What a great blessing it is that God hath given unto us the Gospel and with what care and diligence should we bend our selves to the study of it for Christs Example is

nor ambire any employment which was higher then his arme could well reach Psal 131. 1 2. It is impossible that that should be discharged faithfully which is beyond the strength of the undertaker Our Saviour gives this caution No man when he goes to war with a great King but will consider first wh●ther he be able c. with 10000 to meet him that comes with 20000. Luc. 14. 31. Every arme is not fit for every worke nor every head for every employment every man who is fit to row is not able to steer the ship every Souldier who is fit to fight is not fit to command It s a very direct tempting of God for a Child to take upon his shoulders a heavy-burden vid. 1 Sa. 17. 32. If Phaeton will mount his fathers Chariot he may burn himself and the whole world In charity a man may not give beyond ability Deut. 16. 17. 1 Cor. 16. 2. much more in this 2 Undertake no charge or trust rashly and inconsiderately usually he that is rash and precipitate in undertaking is unfaithfull and tardy in fulfilling T is that expedient which Solomon propounds as a helpe to faithfulness in promises Eccles 5. 2 4 5 6. Consider well before hand all circumstances all conveniences inconveniences c. which afterwards may arise vid. Pro. 29. 20. vid. Pro. 25. 8. that which is said of striving holds as wel in al other matters of undertaking vid. 2 Sam. 18. 22 29. 3 Vndertake nothing against your will and judgement upon any sollicitation perswasion c. This will certainly lay a foundation of unfaithfulness in discharging that which is undertaken by an overruled and overpowred will cannot be carried on without a failer in execution There is an unwilling willingnesse vid. 1 Pet. 5. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when that which forced the will or the practise at least is taken off there will either be an utter cessation or a remissnesse in acting vid. Ro. 14. 5. 4 Nothing without a faire call Trust not your selves 2 There are things which must be observed 1 Be often times looking upon the matter of your undertaking Acquaint your selves duly and throughly with the matter of your trust what belongs to your office calling employment c. Many men are to seek what belongs to their office They do not know their charge c. Ger a Table of the particulars with which you are intrusted that ye may know your work without this it is impossible you should ever be faithfull in any place Masters what is your work to your Servants Servants what is your work towards your Masters Parents Children c. John Baptist's converts vid. Luc. 3. 10. 11. 12. 2 Be much in prayer for a faithfull and trusty heart beg this grace of God and he will not deny it you He gave Moses his faithfulness Num. 12. 7. He gave David Samuel their faithfulness Solomon first lookes upon the greatness of his charge and then begs for a wise and faithfull heart 2 Chr. 1. 9. 10. If you leane upon your own strength and neglect prayer you will warp and be faulty self-confidence is dangerous Pro. 3. 5 6 7. 3 Frequently remember the account you must give of all your Stewardship Thinke of that Text Give an account of thy Stewardship for thou mayest be no longer Steward Luc. 16. 2. We are but Stewards and it is required of a Steward that he be found faithfull 1 Cor. 4. 2. vid. Luc. 12. 42. 46. 47. 48. Consider that your Lord will come to cast over your accounts very shortly 4 Meditate much upon the faithfulnesse of Christ for thee in every thing he undertook he prayed faithfully and suffered faithfully and dyed faithfully c. and is still faithfull in interceding communicating of grace blessing of ordinances c. 5 Think upon the joy of thy Lord into which the faithfull servant shall enter Math. 25. 23. A faithfull Servant is a good Servant and that is accounted well done which is faithfully done though it be done with infirmity and frailty Faithfull and called and chosen are they which walk with the Lambe Rev. 17. 14. 6 Consider the eye of God upon thee in all thy actings he seeth thy fraudulency and falsehood c. his feare will make thee faithfull vid. Neh. 7. 2. Hanani 7 Take heed of and keep watch over thy own heart trust not thy self too far Pro. 28. 26. vid. Mal. 2. 14. 15. Watch over your Spirit 8 Desire thy Christian friends to have an eye to thee an over-seeing friend is a good help When you consider the gaine of unfaithfulnesse remember these things Gehezi may by his Treachery get two Talents of Silver and two suites of apparell but the leprosy shall goe along with his gaine 2 Reg. 5. 26. 27. I might urge this in particulars 1 Servants be you faithfull to your Masters in all your trust Do not wrong nor defraud them Remember good Eliezer Gen. 24. read that Chapter often and study it well And Jacob Gen. 31. 6. 40. read that Chapter well 1 You are your Masters goods The Civilians say a Servant is not persona but res You are his money Jobs Servants is reckoned amongst his estate Job 1. init 2 T is the way to be rich Jacob grew rich by his faithfulness Gen. 31. 8. 9. you may grow rich as Ziba but you will have a curse with it as he had and the brand of Treachery vid. 2 Sam. 16. init vid. 2 Reg. 5. 26 27. Gehazi got two Sutes and two Talents and the Leprosy with it 4 T is your honour Pro. 14. 35. the Kings favour is towards a wise Servant Do not think it enough to excuse you that your Masters deale deceitfully with you Laban dealt so by Jacob Gen. 31. 7. 3 T is the way to provaile with God for Servants to be faithfull to you 2. Masters be you faithfull to your Servants performe your Trust. You undertake to 1. Diligently instruct them in yuor Trade do this 2. Have care of their good education look after their souls Motives 1 You have a Master in Heaven 2. You are Loco parentum to them 3 It encourageth them in their duty to you your breach with them doth not excuse them of any unfaithfulnesse yet it will make you guilty of their sin 4 They are the spring of the City may do much good or hurt hereafter 5 You can never make them and your Parents recompence for the breach of this trust 3 Parents God hath intrusted you to see to the education of his Children Be faithfull in this trust Motives 1. Preciousnesse of souls would be considered 2. You have been instruments of conveying poyson into their Natures 3. It will be the renowne of your family when you are dead 4. You shall perish with them and for them if you fail this trust When God shall say What is become of the Childrens soules I gave thee what will you answer Mary Wolnoth April the 8. 1649. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉

Joh. 12. 35. He is like Sampson when his eies are put out the Divell may make him grind in any mill use him for any kind of imploiment He can do nothing well nothing acceptable 2 Ignorance of God is damnable our Saviour saith It is life eternall to know God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Joh. 17. 3. And therefore it must needs be eternall death to be ignorant of God and of Jesus Christ especiallie when sufficient means for this knowledg is and may be enjoyed It is the complaint of God that his people were destroied for want of knowledge Hos 4. 6. not onely with temporall but eternall destruction And if any soul perish through ignorance under your roofe through your default his soul will be required at your hands What God saith to the Watchman concerning his charge is as applicable to every governour of a family in his sphere If you give not the wicked man warning he shall die but his blood will I require at thy hands Ezech. 33. 8. Every Master of a family is as well and as truly made a Watchman of God to do all domesticall duties within his sphere where of this is one as the Minister is over the Congregation and must as wel be accountable to God for the souls under his charge And therfore God in the 4th Commandement puts the care and inspection of all within the family upon the governours Thou thy Son thy Daughter thy man-Servant c. Thou mightst perhaps be the instrument of saving thy Child or Servant from Hell wert thou carefull of doing thy dutie 6 Consider the justice and equity of this duty That you shouldst instruct those who are thy Children by Nature is but Equitie in as much as the blindness and ignorance which is in them is from thee conveid as the immediate instrumentall cause They drew their blindness from thy loines thou didst beget and bring them forth in thine own sinfull Image whereof this ignorance is a part and therefore thou art bound by all rules of justice to do what thou canst to make restitution And for adopted Children and Servants by contract committed to thy care by friends or guardians the like obligation lieth upon thee in point of justice to teach them the knowledge of the Most Holie according to thy power for though expresly this clause be not put into the engagement yet virtuallie and implicitly it is intended the parent or friends commit their Children into thy hands upon such termes that the soul should be looked after as well as the bodie and if They do not expect it yet Theologically by vertue of thy place as a Master God expects it from thee and thou art not onely uncharitable but unjust also if thou neglect this part of the engagement It will not be enough to say I have instructed them in all the parts of the mysterie I profess I have made them skilfull in their Art but if they be uninstructed in the knowledge of God the least halfe of the Covenant is made good God will both judge punish thee for a fraudulent and unfaithfull man that hast betrayed thy trust 2ly Directions Take these three 1 Thou must be carefull to furnish thy self with a competency of knowledge and understanding in Religion To govern a small familie requires no small knowledge God would have a Master of a familie to be able to instruct both Wife and Children Dwell with thy Wife as a man of knowledge 1 Pet. 3. 7. and the woman is commanded not to speak in the Church but if she want to ask her husband at home 1 Cor. 14. 35. If the Wife must aske the Husband should be able to resolve necessarie questions I doubt the want of knowledge in governours takes them off from this duty indeed renders them uncapable to discharge it Therefore by studying the Scriptures by reading good Catechisms and other good books and by Praier get sound knowledge 2 Pray for a good Conscience and keep a good Conscience As a good conscience will keep men close to God in other Duties so will it do in this and truely though a man have never such plenty of knowledge yet if he want Conscience the work will fall 3 Get large bowels of affections to God to the knowledge of God and the Souls of such as God hath given thee inspection over This will promote the work He that loves God truly will disperse the knowledge of God freely and he who beares any affection to souls will be willing to light his Candle to set them in the waie to life and happinesse He that doth not teach his Child I dare say hath not a true Fatherlie love either to God or his Child Love will seek the best wellfare of that which is beloved 3dly The Objections are these 1. Object If I should instruct thus my Family and be so strict repeat Sermons c. I should be reproached c. Sol. 1. No good man would reproach thee no they would love thee honour thee if Michal scoffe and reproach 't is no great matter vid. 2 Sam. 6. 21 22. 'T is no honour to be praysed no dishonour to be reproached by a wicked man 2. Such reproach is the way to happiness vid. 1 Pet. 4. 14. The Saints of God have gloried in reproaches for Christs sake they have worn them as a Crown 3. If thou art afraid of reproach be afraid of Gods reproach He will reproach thee if thou neglect this duty and that not only here but hereafter vid. Dan. 12. 2. If thou neglect this duty for fear of the Worlds reproach thou mayst lie down at last with the Worlds honour but thou wilt rise again to everlasting shame 2. Object But my Servants they will not submit to instruction they think their Consciences are free and that no such thing should be imposed upon them c. Sol. 1. And what if they should pretend the like freedom of Conscience as they call it for the not doing of thy work in thine employment wouldst thou think it a sufficient Salvo and why wilt thou take it for a discharge from doing Gods work 2. I answered they are not free by any Law of God nay they are bound if Abraham must teach his Houshold the way of Jehovah surelie his Houshold must submit to be instructed else the Commandment is void And Joshuah took it for granted that his House should serve the Lord together with himself Josh 24. 15. He should not dwell in Joshuahs House that would not serve Joshuahs God whatsoever they pretended The Rod of Discipline should teach such other practices if after admonition and conviction they remain obstinate 3. Object But they are catechised and instructed by the Minister therefore its needless I should meddle Sol. The Ministerial instruction doth not excuse Domestical instruction Christ taught his Disciples publickly as a Minister and yet he neglected not private instruction also private instruction helps on the publick and the publick the private 2. Vse This is a Doctrine of singular comfort for the godlie Jesus Christ hath a Familie on Earth still though he be in Heaven and the Church is his Houshold Heb. 3. 6. And it s his Office to teach and instruct now as much as ever when he was on Earth And be confident you ignorant Christians that Christ your Master will untie all knots which you cannot untie your selves Qui docet corda Cathedram habet in Coelo Carry your doubts to him freely FINIS