accomplished at the commandement of her husband for which Christian watchfulnes proper to a mistresse of the house it requireth euen to be his eies foot and mouth when hee is away in espying looking admonishing rebuking also giving almes to the poore Pro. 31.20 She openeth the palm of her hand vnto the poore she stretcheth out her hands vnto the needie 26. She openeth her mouth wiselie the doctrine of mercie is set on her tongue The second especiall dutie of the wife so called by the signe of it is to bee an image of the authoritie and wisedom of her husband in her whole administration and so to be his glorie honor and from a meek and quiet spirit in all her behavior of words deedes apparel countenance gesture c. to signifie plainely she hath a feeling of him in her heart as of the image of Gods majestie glorie and perfection Gen. 24.63 For Isaac had gone forth to pray in a certaine field in the evening and when hee lifted vp his eies and beheld Behold the Cammelles came 64. Rebekka also lifting vp her eies whē she saw Isaak she discended from the Cammel 65. For Rebekkah saying vnto the servant who is that man which walketh by the field to meet vs The servant answered It is my maister And she took a vaile and covered her selfe Gen. 20.16 And vnto Sarah he said Behold I haue given a thousande Cicles of silver vnto thy brother behold he is vnto thee a covering of the eies anongst all that are with thee 1. Pet. 3.6 As Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him Lord whose daughters ye are made as long as ye doe wel evē whē ye are not terrified with any fear Where Sarah speaking of her husband but in her heart the Apostle saith shee did as of her Lord. Contrarie to this is the pride and vntamed affection of the wife their vncomely gestures their hot and chiding answeres towards their husbands their vnshamefast and vnequallike lookes finally whatsoever is contrarie to the former rules And hitherto of the duties which are betweene themselues now followe the duties towards others They are double As they are parents As they are maisters and maistresses Colos 3.21 Fathers prouoke not your children to wrath least they be discouraged Col. 4.1 Ye masters giue right and equalitie vnto your servants knowing that you haue a maister in heaven Tit. 2.4 The duty of parents must be performed moderately of the father with great gravitie authority Gene. 22.7 And Isaak speaking vnto Abraham his father said My father which said Behold here I am my sonne Then said Isaak Behold here is fire and wood but where is the small beast for the sacrifice Vnto whom Abraham saide God shal provide for himself a smal beast for the sacrifice my son when they went both together Pro. 4.3 When I was a son with my father tender and only beloved before my mother 4. He teaching me said vnto me Let thy mind hold my words keep my commandements and liue 5. Get wisdome get vnderstanding forget not neither decline from the word of my mouth Of a mother with that chearful easines of a mother which keepeth her authoritie Pro. 31.1 The gathering together of the words of Lemuel the king wherewith his mother had instructed him 2. What shall I say my sonne What thing ô sonne of my wombe And what ô sonne of my desires 3. Giue not thy strength vnto women to those that work that kings may be abolished The duties are Common to both Proper to each Common to both from the first conception of children to take care of them euen to the end of their liues as appeareth by the partes following The special parts of this duty are these Which respect Their tender age Their youth Gal. 4.1 This I say the heire as long as he is a child differeth not from a servant though he be Lord of all 2. But is vnder tutors and governors vntil the time appointed of his father The duty in their tender age is according to their yeares and abiltie to nurse them vp in discipline fit for children and admonitions of the Lord. Ephe. 6.4 And you fathers provoke not your children to wrath but bring them vp in doctrines and admonitions of the Lord. Prov. 22.6 Instruct thy childe according to his capacitie yea when he shall be olde it shall not depart from him Discipline fit for children is when by intisements allurements corrections c. fit for thē they are framed to good The giving of the admonitions is by litle and litle by often repetitions in greatest plainnesse which may bee to make them vnderstand some chiefe grounds seeds of religion of good maners and behavior towards al and so to begin some conscience in them Esay 28.10 When as there shall bee added precept vnto precept precept vnto precept line vnto line line vnto line here a litle ther a litle 2. Timoth. 3.15 That thou hast learned the holy Scriptures of a childe which are able to make thee wise vnto salvation which is in Christ Iesus Heb. 5.12 For you which for a time ought to be better learned haue need to bee taught againe what are the principles of the worde of God and ye are become those which had need of milk not of strong meat 13. For everie one that vseth milke is vnexpert of the word of righteousnesse for he is a babe Pro. 20.11 Let a child make himself knowne in his works whether his work be pure right Contrary to this is to let them haue their wil from the beginning to discourage them by severitie to let the common ignoraunce of the world be rooted in them and not in this care to frame them to trueth and goodnesse and to prepare them to be apt to receiue profite from the publike ministerie Their duty towardes them in their youth is Either in the entrance of their youth Or in their ripe age Their dutie in the entrance of their youth is according to their gifts diversity of them to prepare them vnto som profitable calling in the Church by applying them vnto it beating into them the gifts and conscionable vse of the gifts which is required 1. Chron. 28.9 Then also Salomon my sonne know the God of thy father and worship him with an vndefiled body and with a careful mind because God doth search all hearts and doth vnderstand euerie imagination of the thoughts if thou shalt seeke him he will be found of thee but if thou shalt forsake him he wil forsake thee for euer 10. Behold now seeing the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for a Sanctuarie bee thou strong and doe it 11. Then Dauid gaue to Salomon the patern of the porch and of the houses thereof and the treasure houses thereof and of the parloure thereof and of the inner chambers thereof and of the place of the mercie-seat Pro. 31.1 The gathering together of the words of Lemuell the king wherein his mother had
instructed him 2. What shall I say my sonne What thing O sonne of my wombe And what O sonn of my desires 3. Giue not thy strength vnto women and to those that worke that kinges may be abolished Here the Church may not bee deprived for honour gaine or such fleshly respectes of meet Ministers In their ripe age their dutie is to giue their children that which may help them in this life and also if they haue not the gift of continencie to counsel them to governe them vnto a fit and religious wife such as is fit for the duties afore-named 1. Cor. 12.14 For I seek not yours but you For children ought not to gather treasures for their prarents but the parēts for the children Gen. 24.2 Put thine hand vnder my thigh 3. That I may bind thee with an oth by the Lord God of heaven and the God of the earth that thou wilt not take a wife vnto my sonne of the daughters of the Cananites amongst whom I dwel 3. But that thou wilt goe vnto my country and to my kindred and take a wife vnto my sonne Izhak Ruth 3.1 Afterward Naomi her mother in law said vnto her Should I not seeke rest vnto thee that it may be well with thee So 1. Cor. 7. c. Contrarie to this is the neglect of their life to come to make matches only for carnall respects suffering them to liue wantonlie and vncleanly not seeking the remedie appointed The proper duties of both is commonly towards them in their infancie The fathers dutie is with al convenient speed that may be according to the assemblie of the cōgregatiō to present the child for the first Sacrament and there to giue a name in the mother tongue which may haue a godly significatiō fit for that work Contrarie to this is deferring of that work for trifles or vnmeet causes a giving of a name in another tongue a prophane name Gen. 25 25. And the firste came foorth roughe being all over as an hairy gowne and they called his name Esau 26. Afterwards his brother came forth whose hand held the heele of Esau therfore everie one called his name Iacob Luke 1.59 And it was so on the eight day they came to circumcise the babe and called him Zacharias after the name of his father 62. Then they made signes to his father how hee would haue him called 63. So he asked for writing tables and wrote saying His name is Iohn and they marveiled all Gen. 4.25 And after Adam knew his wife which brought foorth a son and called his name Sheth For said she God hath laid vp for mee another seede for Abel whome Kain slew Gen. 19.11 Furthermore the Angel of the Lord said vnto her Behold thou art with child and thou shalt shortly bear a sonne therfore call his name Ismael because the Lord considereth thine affliction 15. Therfore Hagar brought foorth vnto Abraham a sonne Abraham called the name of the sonne which Agar brought foorth vnto him Ismael So the Greekes in Greek as Timothie The feare of God Act. 16. Then came he to Derbe and to Listra and behold a certain Disciple was there named Timotheus a womans son which was a Iewesse but his father was a Grecian And the Latines in Latine as Tertius Rom. 16.22 I Tertius which wrote out this Epistle salute you in the Lord. The proper dutie of the mother is to nourish it vp if she be able with her owne milke and to waine it and performe all such motherly care and dutie 1. Tim. 5.10 If she haue nourished her children if she haue lodged strangers c. Gen. 21.7 Furthermore she said Who would haue said vnto Abraham Surely Sarah shal giue children sucke but I haue borne a sonne in his old age 8 And the babe grew and was wayned Abraham made a great feast what day Isaac was wained 1. Sam. 1.29 So the woman abode that shee might nurse her sonne vntill shee had brought him vp Luc. 2.12 And this shall bee a signe vnto you you shal finde the child swadled and laid in a cratch Contrarie to this is the tendernesse of many mothers that bring on them the threatning of the Prophet willinglie of barren breasts which should go only with a barren womb Hitherto of their duties as they be parents Now followeth their duties as they bee maisters and maistresses where besides these common both to children and servants this is proper in regard of servants that not onely according to justice they pay them their due wages but also otherwise helpe them comfort them liberally reward them as far as christianitie liberalitie in equalitie shall binde them Contrary to this is to retain their wages to exact of them to oppresse thē or onely reward them strictly according to the exact deserving Coloss 4.1 Ye maisters doe vnto your seruauntes that which is iust and equal knowing that ye also haue a maister in heauen And these are the duties which they must performe in their life time Al which must be shut vp with setting order for al things at their death with especiall exhortations and praiers for religion for vprightnes in their callings for peace order after them Esai 38.1 In those daies Hezechiah was sicke vnto death Esaiah the sonne of Amos the Prophet came and said vnto him so saith the Lord Giue precepts vnto thy familie for thou shalt shortly die and shalt not liue 1. King 2.1 And when the daies of David drewe neere that hee should die he commanded Schelomon his son saying 2. I shall shortly depart after the maner of all the world but be strong and be a man 3. And keep the ordinances of the Lord thy God by walking in his waies keeping his statutes commandements and his judgments and his testimonies as it is written in the lawe of Moses that thou maiest prosper in whatsoever thou shalt doe and whither soever thou shalt turne thy selfe 4. That the Lord may perform the woorde which hee promised mee saying If thy children shall keepe my way by walking before me in faith from their whole heart and their whole mind saying I say there shall not be cut off vnto thee a man from the seate of Israell 5. Moreover thou knowest what Ioab the sonne of Zerviah hath done vnto me what he hath done to the two Captaines of the hoste of Israell Abner the sonne of Ner and Hamasa the sonne of Iether whom he slewe appointing slaughter of warre in peace as he hath put the bloud of slaughter of warre on his girdle which was about his loines and in his shoes which were vpon his feete 6. Wherefore doe according to thy wisedome neither suffer his white head to goe down to the graue in peace 7. But exercise mercie towardes the sonnes of Barzillai the Gileadite let them be amongst those that eat meate at thy table because likewise they came vnto me when I fled from Absolon thy brother 8. To be short Schimmhi the sonne of Gera
be in thy remembrance which cursed me with a most bitter curse what day I went to Machananijm who discending to meet me to Iordan I haue sworne vnto him by the Lord saying I wil not slay thee with the sword 9. But now discharge not him being guilty seeing thou art a wise man but know what thou shalt doe vnto him that thou maist bring down his white head vnto the graue with bloud 10. After David slept with his fathers and was buried in the citie of David Gene. 49.30 Then he commanded charged them saying When I shal be gathered to my people burie me with my fathers in the caue which is in the field of Hephron the Hittite Hitherto of the firste parte of housholders which concerneth the government of the same by the superiors in it Now followeth the duty of the inferiours The inferiours are those which are vnder the rest in the houshold are called of Peter those of the houshold or houshold fellowes Their duties are towards The housholde governours Or others Tit. 1.6 If any be vnreprooueable the husband of one wife hauing faithful children which are not slandered of riot neither are disobedient Toward the houshold governors to Be helpful to them in outward behaviour Be in subjection and obedience Luk. 2.51 Then he went downe with them came to Nazareth and was subiect to them The first is by outward behaviour to acknowledge their authority such as shal be prescribed vnto them as of cap legge maner of speaking Contrary to this is vnmanerlines answering again giving cutted answers c. 1. Tim. 6.2 And they which haue beleeving maisters let them nor dispise thē because they are brethrē but rather doe service because they are faithfull and beloved and partakers of the benefite Tit. 2.9 Let servāts be subject to their maisters in all things not answering again 10. Neither pickers but that they shew all faithfulnes that they may adorne the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things 1. Pet. 2.18 Servants be subject to your maisters with all feare not only to the good curteous but also to the froward The second duty of obedience is in all commandements cōcernig the aforenamed duties of the superiors towards them willingly to perfourme them and to submit themselues to rebukes to admonitions corrections such like with meeknes Pro. 4.1 Heare ô children the instruction of the father and giue eare to learn vnderstanding 2. For I giue vnto you good discipline forsake not my doctrine 20. My son attend vnto my words and incline thine eare to my speach Nomb. 12.14 And the Lorde spake vnto Moses If her father had spit in her face shuld she not haue bene ashamed 7. daies The dutie to be helpfull is by their example and perswasions one to another and by revealing things which by admonition wil not be amended to be helpful to the Superiours in the former duties Contrary to this is evill example evill perswasions hiding things which ought to be revealed Gen. 37.2 Ioseph being 17. year old fed the flocke with his brethren for hee was a child with the sonnes of Bilhah and with the sonnes of Zilpah the wiues of their father and he brought vnto his father their evill reporte Gen. 27.44 And when it had bene tolde vnto Ribkah all the wordes of Hesau her eldest son she sending called Iacob her youngest sonne and said vnto him c. The duties towards others is Amongst themselues Towards other besides thēselues Amongst themselues that with peace and quietnesse they haue their mutuall equalitie beare one with another and help one another as far as is lawfull Contrarie to which is vnquiet mindes pride jarres lifting vp aboue others not keping the place or difference made by the chiefe of the familie Towards others is that they so order themselues towards al as they are taught out of the commandements and towards guests strangers rich and poore high and low as they bee taught out of the fift cōmandement And thus of the common duties of all inferiors of the family and this is prooved by the commaundements and sentences going before Geness 45.24 And letting his brethren goe he saide vnto thē be not mooved or stirred one against another in the way Inferiors in the family are Children Servantes Childrens dutie is from their beginning to their ending to be subject obedient and helpfull to their parents Contrarie to this is the rejecting of these duties at some yeares Luke 2.51 And he descended with them and came to Nazereth and was subject to them Ioh. 19.26 When Iesus therfore saw his mother and the Disciple standing whom he loved he said vnto his mother Woman behold thy son 1. King 2.19 And when Bathshebah came vnto the king that she might speake vnto him for Adonijah the King rose to meet her and bowed himselfe to her sitting in his throne he commaunded a throne to be placed for the mother of the king which sate at his right hand Gen. 47.29 And whē the daies of Israel drew nigh that he shuld die he sent for his sonne Ioseph and saide vnto him If now I haue found favour in thine eies put I pray thee thine hand vnder my thigh exercise this kindnes faith towards me bury me not in Aegypt but when I shall rest with my fathers carie me out of Aegypt and burie me in their sepulchre Which said I will doe according to thy word Gen. 49.29 After he willed and commanded them saying When I shall be gathered to my people burie mee with my fathers in that caue which is in the fielde of Hephron the Hittite 30. In that caue which is in the field of Macpela which is on the other side of Mamre in the land of Canaan which Abraham bought with the fielde of Hephron the Hittite for a possession to burie in The proper or especiall partes of this dutie is in their proper Obedience Recompence which they must make The proper obediēce is that which springeth from a cheerfull naturall continuall child-like loue and reverence Contrarie to this is disobedience vnnaturall behaviours or affections c. 2. Tim. 3.2 For men shall bee lovers of themselues covetous boasters proud evill speakers disobedient to parents vnthankfull prophane Collos 3.20 Children harken vnto your parēts in al things for this is acceptable vnto the Lord. Ephe. 6.1 Children giue eare vnto your parentes in the Lord for that is just This obedience must shewe it self especiallie in being governed by them in the matter of calling mariage according to the rules prescribed in the word of God all such matters of waight and moment Chiefly vntill by the fathers authority and consent more full power be geven to their childrē because of their yeers and discretion Nomb. 30.4 When a woman hath vowed a vow vnto the Lord or bound her self by a bond at her fathers hous in her youth 5. If when her father heareth her vowe or the bond wherewith she hath bound her selfe and
hereafter saying what meaneth this that thou say vnto him with a strong hand hath the Lord brought vs out of Egypt out of the house of servaunts For it came to passe whē Pharao shewed himself cruel in letting vs go that the Lord slewe every first borne of men vnto the first borne of beasts Therfore I kill vnto the Lorde the males of all that open the womb but every first borne of my children I redeeme Dueties for daily instruction are Instruction out of the Scriptures Instruction drawen frō Gods workes Psalm 87.1 Receiue with your eares my people my doctrine incline your eare vnto the words of my mouth 2. I will open my mouth in a parable I wil powre foorth hid things which haue bene of olde tyme. 3. which wee haue heard and knowne as our Elders haue told vnto vs. 4. wee will not hide it from their children the after generation 5. being about to declare the praises of the Lord his might and his wonders which he hath done For he hath set a testimonie in Iacob and put a lawe in Israel which he commanded our Elders to make knowne to their Children 6. That the after generation the sonnes which should be borne rising vppe might declare it to their sonnes 7. And they may sette their hope on God nor might forget the woorkes of the strong God but keepe his commandements 8. Nor that they bee not as their elders a stubborn and rebellious generation a generation which hath not prepared their minde and whose spirit was not constant towardes the strong God Instruction out of the scripture is by the dailie reading of the same with them both to make them acquainted with the course of them so that they may marke the same for their better profiting by the allegations of the publike ministery also to refer those things which are plaine and easie or which they haue learned from the publike ministerie vnto such plaine instruction as they instructed may vnderstand know how to bring it in vse 2. Tim. 3.15 Thou hast knowne the Scriptures from a childe which can not be spoken of a thorow knowledge no not such as belongeth to the olde men who should bee sound in faith much lesse such as belongeth to a minister but such as this in being made acquainted with it and caused to marke as he was able the course of it and to learne for vse and practise such as his parents were able to note vnto him and he fit to receiue by dailie practise Deu. 6.6 And let these words which I command thee this day be in thy heart 7 And put them pearcinglie into thy children and speake of them when thou sittest in thine house when thou walkest by any way when thou liest down and when thou risest vp 8 Also bind thē for a signe vpon thine hand let them be for frontlets between thine eies 9 Brieflie write them on the postes of thine house on thy gates Contrarie to this is first that they are vtterly negligent ignorāt how they shuld doe this Then that some presume aboue this rule and goe beyond their calling especiallie that their housholde is not trained by this meanes nor made fit for the publike ministerie to amend their liues by such Christian exercises Instruction drawen from Gods works is by applying the works of God past or present to mooue them the better to confidence and trust in God by workes of his mercie to feare to offend God by works of his justice and so to sowe the verie seed of true religion and good conscience in them Gen. 18.19 When as I haue knowen him shoulde I not reveale it For this cause that he may commaund his children houshold after him that they keepe the way of the Lord by exercising justice judgment that the Lord may performe vnto Abraham that which he hath promised vnto him The dutie which respecteth the publike ministerie is Double First concerning the obeying of it The secōd cōcerning the vse of it First concernig the obeying of it they must if it be possible in their place calling adjoyn them to a set ministerie if not to bestow at least the Sabboth daies yea other also in seeking to the ministers and prophets of God to hear the word of God This is manifest first Because we must firste seek the kingdom of God wherof this is a part Esa 32.1 Beholde a king shall rule justlie and excellent ones shal govern according to the rule the eies of them who see shall not wink but the eares of them who hear shal hearken the mind of the hastie shall vnderstand knowledge and the tongue of the stutterer shall readilie speake shining thinges When Saviors to wit ministers of the doctrin of salvation shall ascende in the mountaine of the Lord to judge the mountain of Esau the kingdome shall bee to the Lorde Hobad 21. Divers administrations but one Lord. 1. Cor. 12. Wee are the Embassadors of Christ to beseech you to be reconciled 2. Cor. 5. Secondly it is the ordinarie meanes to beget and nourish faith in vs. How can they beleeue except they hear how can they heare without a Preacher how can hee preach without he bee sent Rom. 10. He hath given Pastors Doctors for the gathering together of the church the worke of the ministerie and building them vp to a perfect age in Christ that they be not as children wavering and caried about with everie wind of doctrine Ephe. 4. Attend to reading exhortation and doctrine in these continue in these things bee for in so dooing thou shalt saue thy selfe and others 1. Tim. 4. Secondly because it is the greatest blessing to haue it and the greatest plague to want it Iere. 23. having threatned them that they feed not the people he saith after I will gather the rest of my sheepe out of all the land whither I had driven them and I will bring them backe vnto their sheepcots where they shall multiplie and increase and I wil set over them Pastors which shall feed them so that they shal feare no more nor shall be wāting saith the Lord. Ier. 3. I will bring you to Sion where I wil giue you Pastors after my hart who shal feed you with knowledg and vnderstanding God will giue you indeed the bread of affliction water of oppression but none of my teachers shall bee shut vp anie more in a corner but thy eies shall see thy teachers and thy eares shall heare a voice behinde vs saying Here is the way walk in it Esa 30.20 A famine of breade nor a thirste of water but hearing the word of the Lord c. Mat. 8. But when he saw the multitude he had compassion on them because they were dispersed and scattered abroad as sheep having no Shepherd Then he said Surely the harvest is great but the labourers few c. Which sheweth howe miserable they are which want this benefite It alloweth also this dutie of seeking 2. King 4.22
or if in any the partes commanded he appear negligent and cold Or to put them to any other vse than is commanded or be given to images superstitious monuments customes occasions or such like If any dishonor the name of God either in the vnreverent vsing or abusing or perverting and not vsing with that preparation before feeling at the present time fruite after which is prescribed his titles Word Sacraments works And if any prophane his Sabboth by vain pastimes going to plaies or giue not him self to the exercises appointed on that day out of the word If any neglect especial duties towards their equals superior or inferior in years gifts authothority as maisters parents ministers servāts childrē or people If any declare not a cōsciēce to fly evil anger malice contention quarelling fighting or any hurting of the person of a man either in soule or body not being carefull to succour the same according to his calling If any be found vnchast in body words countenance or gesture vntemperat in diet in apparel dissolute not caring to maintaine the contrary holines in himself and others If any care not for the goodes of another man but by falshood flatterie oppression c. diminish the same If he be negligent in increasing of his own by honest lawful means if he mispend it at cardes dice gaming c. If any care not to maintaine the good name of others but bee givē vnto vnnecessarie blasing of other mens infirmities by lying slandering backbiting tanting c. If any shewe himself careles to restrain the motiōs intisemēts vnto sin the lusts of the same Thē they shall vse the means following to redresse them The dueties which are to be applied to this rule are these Those which they must do by themselues Those which they must procure to be done by others Iam. 5.15 And the prayer of faith shall saue the sick and the Lord shal raise him vp and if he haue committed sinnes they shall be forgiuen him As this must be done for him in sicknes so in health as in this so in any other of the like nature The dueties they must do by themselues must haue two properties They must bee done with wisedom fit for those duties Patiencie fit Wisedom is that the causes may be thorowly sifted soundly reproued out of the worde of God According vnto this wisedome also vntill a fitter occasion this duetie may bee lette passe and with keeping the authoritie of the chiefe of the familie bee winked at for a time Eccles 7.21 Applie not thy minde to all the wordes that are spoken seeing thou oughtest not to heir thy servaunt cursing thee 22. For also many times thy minde is priuie that thou hast cursed others Prou. 20.21 Hee which bringeth vp his servants delicatlie shall in the end be depriued of his Children Patience fit for it is with keeping the authoritie of the chiefe of the familie to heare what can be alledged and by equitie also to allowe or dissallowe the same Contrary to which is hastines without discretion making the matter plaine that the conscience may be touched for the fault Also pride not to heare any excuse or defence deliuered in duetie submission and obedience of child or servaunt Finallie bitternesse which may provoke wrath rather then cause amendement Collos 3.21 Fathers provoke not your children to wrath least they bee discouraged Iob. 31.13 If I contemned the cause of my seruaunt or mine handmaid when they pleaded with me 14. For what shoulde I doe if the strong God should rise or if he shuld visite what should I answere him Nomb. 22.26 After the Angell of the Lord went forwarde stoode in a narrowe place where there was no place to decline either to the right hand or to the left 27. And when the Asse seeing the Angel of the Lord God lay downe vnder Baalam Balaam being kindled with wrath smote the Asse with his staffe 28. And the Lorde opened the mouth of the Asse which said vnto Baalam what haue I done vnto thee that thou hast smitten me nowe three times Baalam said vnto the Asse because thou hast mocked me I woulde there were a sworde in my hand for euen nowe would I kill thee Ephe. 6. And ye maisters do the same things towards them letting passe threatnings knowing also that your maister is in heauen neither that there is respect of persons with him And these are the properties of those duties The divers sortes are Rebuke Correction Prou. 22.15 The foolishnes which is bound vnto the hart of a Childe the rodde of instruction will remoue farre from him Prou. 23.13 Withdraw not correction from thy son when as thou shalt strike him with the rodde he shall not die thereof 14. Strike him with the rod and thou shalt deliuer his soul from the graue Prou. 20.30 Horscombes are for the evil man blewnes wounds and stripes pearcing throgh the inner partes of the bellie Prou. 29.15 The rod and rebuke giueth wisdome but the child let alone to himself shameth his mother Rebuke is a sharp admonition to take heed of the euill reprooued aright as is gathered out of that before Correction is when with a sharpe rebuk of instruction punishment is inflicted or laid vpon the offender according to their discretion cōsideration being had of the fault all circumstances of the same Yet if this at any time for some causes be omitted a greter is to be threatened and performed when they shall next deserue the same Prou. 19.19 Be thou greate in the fervencie of anger in forgiuing the faulte saying that if thou shalt deliuer him thou wilt further punishe him afterwarde Contrary to this is too much lenitie also immoderate correction Prou. 19. The rod and rebuke giueth wisedome but a sonne permitted to himselfe shamed his mother Prou. 29.16 Chastise thy childe and he shall bring thee rest he shall delight thy soule Prou. 29.19 A servaunt is not chastised with wordes c. That which they must procure to bee done by other is that when the former meanes will not serue they do according to S. Iames his rule send for the elders of the Churche that they may by new admonitions rebukes and censures of the Church draw them to repentance and if that serue not to bring them to the Magistrate and so those which they may to discharge them from the familie vnlesse they amend and those which they may not to kepe them in such order till God or the common-wealth cut them of Iam. 5.15 And the praier of fayth shall saue the sicke and the Lorde shall raise him vp and if hee haue committed sinnes they shalbe forgiven him Mat. 18.16 But if he shal not hear thee take yet with thee one or two that of the mouth of two or three witnesses the whole matter may be confirmed Deut. 21.18 If any man shall haue a stubburne and rebellious sonne
own bodie but the wife 5. Defraud not one another vnlesse it be by consent for a time that ye may applie your selues to fasting praier come together againe least Sathan tēpt you for your incontinencie It is not good for man to be alone Genes 2. Here also must be considered the parts of this dutie first due benevolence which is the honorable possession of their vessels in holinesse one towards another for avoiding of sin bringing forth a seede of God and the honest and proper delight which ought to bee betweene the man and the wife Hebr. 13.4 Mariage is honorable among all men and the bed vndefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God shall condemne Mala. 2.14 And ye say wherefore Because the Lord hath witnessed between thee and the wife of thy youth against whome thou dost vnfaithfully whereas she is thy companion and joyned in covenant vnto thee Esa 62.7 As when a young man marieth a virgin when thy children doe marie wiues as in the joy I say of the bridegrome with the bride so shall the Lord rejoice with thee Genes 26.8 And it came to passe when they had bene there many daies that Abimileck king of the Philistims looked by the window and saw that behold Isaak played with Rebekka his wife wherfore calling Isaak he said to him Surely behold she is thy wife Pro. 5.18 Let thy fountaine bee blessed and rejoice with the wife of thy youth 19. Let her be as the loving Hind and pleasant wilde goate let her breastes satisfie thee at all times and wander in her loue continuallie 20 And wherefore shouldest thou wander my son with a strange woman or imbrace the bosome of a stranger Contrarie to this is the abuse of their libertie between themselues communicating that which is proper to the husband to other in whoring dancing vncomely familiaritie with other The second is their mutual helpe or labour one towards another in word deed and communicating of good things for the mutual norishing one of another Ephes 5.29 For no man ever hated his owne flesh but nourisheth cherisheth it as Christ also doth the Church Pro. 31.28 Her children do rise and call her blessed her husbād also doth praise her saying Many women haue done stoutly but thou exceedest them all And these are the common duties of one towards another the proper do follow They are duties one of them in severall to another They are of the Husband to the wife Wife to the husband Ephes 5.33 But also particularly everie one so loue his wife as himselfe and let the wife feare her husband The proper duties of the husbād are A proper care for his wife The applying of the generall dutie of all men towards their wiues 1. Pet. 3.7 Likewise let men dwell together with them giving honor vnto the womans vessel as vnto the weaker seeing that ye are heires together of the grace of life that your prayers be not hindered The proper care for the wife is to cover her that is to provide all thinges meete for a mate so neerely joyned in full blessing to him and thus according to their condition to giue honour to her as the fittest for him in heauen in earth with a patient covering or bearing of her infirmities 1. Pet. 3.7 Exod. 21. If hee shall take another vnto him let him not diminish her foode her cloathing and benevolence due vnto her Gene. 30.16 And vnto Sarah he said Behold I haue given a thousand Cicles of silver vnto thy brother behold he is the covering of thine eies amongst all that are with thee Let it be knowen amongst all and be thou instructed Ruth 3.9 Vnto whom he said who art thou which said I am Ruth thy handmaid that thou maist spreade thy wing over thine handmaid because thou art the kinsman Esa 3 28. In that day shall seven women take hold of one man saying We will eate our owne meate and put on our owne cloathes onely that wee may be called by thy name Take away our reproch The applying of the general dutie of al men in regard of care towards his wife is when in a special maner the image of Gods glorie and wisdome doth shine in the government of the husband towards his wife the glorie which God hath in the same shineth in the honor and glory which the man in al thinges taketh from the wife 1. Cor. 11.3 I wil that you knowe that Christ is the heade of every man and the man the womans head God is Christs head 7. For the man ought not to cover his head because he is the image glory of God but the woman is the glorie of the man 8. For the man is not of the woman but the woman of the man c. Contrary to this is when men are vndiscreet childish fond lose their authoritie or keepe it not but also their hardnesse bitternes want of wisdom in framing them to perfection in obedience The proper duties of the wife are Recōpence of her husbands care The applying of that general duty of al womē in regard of men in peculiar maner to him which is called to haue him that covering of her eies before al men The recompence of the husbands care is by obeying him in all good things and by her advise sweet counsel labor and travell to be a cōfort and help vnto him Pro. 31.11 The soul of her husband doth trust her and the spoiles do not faile 12. She doth him good and not evil all the daies of her life 13. She seeketh woolle or flax maketh it for the pleasure of her husband 14. She is like to the marchants ships she bringeth meat from far 17. Shee girdeth her loines with strength confirmeth her armes She tasting her merchandize to bee good her candle is not put out by night She putteth her handes to the wharue and her maides do hold the spindle The labor is double Either in matters of this life or Christian holines Pro. 31.26 She openeth her mouth wisely and the doctrine of mercie sitteth on her tongue 28. She beholdeth the waies of her family and eateth not the bread of slothfulnes The matters of this life are her labour In regard of her family And her owne worke For the family she must ouersee all the waies of them and both set them worke and taske also giue them their meat and other necessaries in due season Pro. 31.15 And rising whilest it is yet night she giveth food to her house and a taske to her maides 16. She considereth a field and taketh it of the fruites of her hands she planteth a vineyard 17. Shee girdeth her loynes with strength confirmeth her armes 21. She is not afraid of her houshold because of the snow for al her houshold is clothed with double cloakes Her own worke is to labour diligentlie early and late in something of profite for the familie Pro. 31.13.14.15.17.19.22 Her labour for Christian holines is to see all duties
her father hold his peace concerning her let it be established 6. But if her father shall make her to breake it in what day he shal heare it let none of her vowes or bandes wherewith shee hath bound her selfe be established the Lord shal forgiue her because her father hath made that she should breake it 1. Cor. 7.36 But if any man thinke hee haue committed some vncomely thing against his virgin if she passe the flower of her age and that it ought to be done let him doe what he wil he sinneth not Let thē be joyned in mariage 37. But hee which abideth firme in heart neither is driven by necessitie but hath his owne will in his power and hath decreed this in his heart that he may keep his virgine he doth well 38. Therefore he that giveth her in mariage doth wel but he that giveth her not in mariage doth better Gen. 24.51 Behold Ribkah is before thee take her and go thy way that she may be a wife vnto the son of thy Lord as the Lord hath spoken Laban the sonne having the goverment of his father being olde was the chiefe in this businesse Gen. 24.55 And the brother of Ribkah her mother said let this maid tary with vs a few daies at the least ten afterward goe thy wayes 57. Then they said let vs call the maide aske of her mouth Their especiall recompence is to relieue and maintain them or any other which is knit vnto them in any especiall care and dutie as farre as their ability or duty towardes the wife and care of the familie will suffer Contrarie to this is contempt of your parēts grieving of them neglecting to help succour them c. 1. Tim. 5.4 But if any widow haue children or Nephewes let them learne first to shew godlines towards their own house and to recompence their owne kindred for that is an honest thing and acceptable before God Mat. 15.4 For God hath commanded saying Honour thy father and thy mother and hee that curseth father or mother let him die the death 5. But ye say whosoever shall say to father and mother by the gift that is offered by me thou maist haue profite 6. Though hee honour not his father or his mother shall be free thus haue you made the commandemēt of God of none authority by your traditions Gen. 47.12 And Ioseph nourished his father and his brethren and all the houshould of his father with meat as putting it into the mouth of the children The especiall dutie of servantes is to doe all thinges which their maister shal according to Gods wil giue them in charge Col. 3.22 Servants be obedient to them that are your maisters according to the flesh in all thinges not with eie-service as men-pleasers but in singlenesse of heart fearing God Luk. 17.7 Who is it also of you that hauing a servant plowing or feeding cattell would say vnto him by and by when he were come frō field goe and sit down at the table 8. And would not rather say vnto him Dresse wherwith I may supp and gird thy selfe and serue mee till I haue eaten and drunken and after eat thou drink thou 9. Doth he thank that seruāt because he did that which was commanded him I trowe not Contrarie to which is that some will do one thing only at this time and which pleaseth him The manner of dooing this hath two partes Diligence Faithfulnesse Tit. 2.9 Let seruants be subiect to their maisters and please them in al things not answering again neither pickers but that they shew all good faithfulnesse that they may adorne the doctrine of God our Saviour in all thinges Their diligence is in a single heart as to the Lord not only by labour and travel but praier religious care and all good means to perform the things laid on them Contrarie to this is eie-service Col. 3.22 Servants be obedient to thē that are your maishers according to the flesh in all thinges not with eie-service as men-pleasers but with singlenes of heart fearing God 23. And whatsoever ye doe do it hartily as to the Lord and not vnto men Ephe. 6.5 Servants be obedient vnto them which are your maisters according to the flesh with feare and trembling in singlenes of your hearts as vnto Christ 6. Not with service to the eie as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the wil of God from the hart 7. With good wil serving the Lord not men Gen. 24.9 Therefore the servant putting his hand vnder his thigh sware vnto him concerning this matter 10. Afterward the servant tooke ten Camels of the Camels of his maister that he might goe on his journey for hee had al the goods of his maister in his hand And rising he went vnto Syria between the rivers vnto the citie of Nachor 11. Where causing the Camels to rest without the citie beside a wel of water in the evening at what time the woman came foorth to draw 12. And he said O Lord God of my maister Abraham bring to passe I pray thee that it may come to passe vnto mee this day and shew this mercie vnto my maister Abraham 26. And he inclined his face to the ground bowed himselfe to the Lord saying Blessed bee the Lorde of my maister Abraham which hath not left his mercy and faithfulnesse towards my maister His diligence also appeared greatly when he said I wil not eat til I haue spoken my words or matter ver 33. in making speed he said Stay me not seeing the Lord hath prospered my way Send me backe that I may goe vnto my Lord c. Faithfulnes in their labor charges to seeke the vttermost they can the commodity and benefite of their maisters Contrary to which is picking turning another way in banquetting feasting riot c. This appeareth most liuely in the description which Iacob doth make of his faithfull service to Laban This is the twentith yeare since I haue bene with you thy sheep thy goats haue not left their young and the rammes of thy flocke haue I not eaten The torne I brought vnto thee but made it good my selfe at my hand thou diddest require it Likewise the stolen by day and the stolen by night I was about my woorke when the heat consumed mee by day and the frost by night and sleepe departed from mine eies Gen. 31.38.39.40 And thus much for the order of houshold which is prescribed by the word of God THE RESOLVTION AND INTERpretation of the Lordes praier out of Math. 6.9 and Luke 11.2 OVR Saviour Christ being both desired of his Disciples to be taught how to pray having reprooved the abuse of vnnecessarie vain repetitions of one and the same thing giveth his disciples commandement to pray as he taught them in this prayer Saying Pray thus and when you pray say Our Father c. that is let the things which you require giue thanks for the differēce which
Corint 9 8. For ruling of his Church by his word Rulers who haue the care of soules committed to them Heb. 13 17. Iames. 5 14. Act. 14 23. And some of them to labor also in the word one by teaching another by exhorting some to attend vnto maners watching ouer the people to admonish them to comfort theÌ„ to pray with them when they be in distresse c to ioine with the others in the rest of the governing of the Church Also for the better relieving of the poore distributers of the Church reliefe Act. 6 2 Rom. 12.8 1. Tim. 3.7 c. Al which we must know delight in procure and everie one according to his owne calling set forward as Psal 27 4 42 23. 1. Chro. 13 1 29 6 7 8 9 c. 2. Chron. 15 3 12 13 29 30. Hag. 1 4. 14. In all these thinges commanded forbidden we may easily feele severall sinnes and corruptions by due examinatioÌ„ of our selues severally in every one but Christ hath by his death satisfied for our sinnes Rom. 4 25. and hath bin zealous in the obedience of the partes of this law that in him we may haue perfect obedieÌ„ce yet so as by his death we more and more die vnto these sins by his resurrection be made liuely to serue the Lord sincerely according to his will Hitherto of the commandement it selfe Now followeth the reason which is drawen from a double propertie of the Lord his jelousie in wrath and his mercie For I the Lord thy God .i. euen then being joyned vnto thee by my mercifull covenant as a husbande to his wife Chap. 19 6. A strong God The first title is added to note his great power to doe what he will so that being perswaded in the first propertie of his readines to punish and in the second of his readines to reward And first in this of his power we need not to doubt at all such vse wee should make of his titles Psal 2 12.115.3 10. Iealous This is a kind of speach taken from maried folks Hos 2 2. Ezec. 16. who cannot abide their wiues should giue either in affection or in gesture countenaÌ„ce or any maner of behavior to others that which appertaineth to theÌ„ only and by this we gather the greatnes of the sins either of grosse idolatry or any couÌ„tenance vnto it This jealosie he setteth further forth by the fruit that the Lord punisheth severely this sin Visiting iniquitie .i. punishing this sin or the transgression of this Law in dissoluing this holy band for so the generall word iniquitie and evil is taken sometimes for some speciall great sin as Deut. 17.2 psa 78.39 And here it appeareth that it must be so taken because it is not a reason of the whole Law but of this commandement onely This is further declared by the persons on whom it falleth The third and fourth generatioÌ„ Which is both because by the fathers sin disanulling the covenant by idolatrie the child falleth out of the same and continuing in that fall is punished justly for his own sin his fathers both Mat. 23.25 And therfore that which is added declareth those which are punished Those that hate me That is those that securelie commit spirituall whoredome against this commandement so this is nothing contrary to that Ezec. 18. Exercising benignitie This is the second propertie wherein the Lord declareth his reward towards the keepers of this Law that is free liberalitie or bountie for so the word singnifieth in receiving them into a covenaÌ„t of life and blessednes yea and that eternal Act. 2.37 Out of this we learne that as a childe to his father when wee shall doe all that is commanded wee are but vnprofiâ—able servants and haue done but our dutie and as if our father leaue vs no patrimony are we lesse bound to doe our dutie So if the Lord had not bound himselfe by his covenant which came from his free vndeserved goodnes could we haue claimed any thing by fulfilling because we did but our duty for the mercie of creating vs in great dignitie according to his own likenes and righteousnes But now hauing so many times offeÌ„ded since the knowledg of his grace and lying in his wrath both by natural corruption continuall serving of sin from the same daylie now is it not mercie onelie without all deserving when hee giveth vs by imputation the righteousnes of his Son and so eternal life and then transforming vs vnto his likenes againe when we are first set freely in possession of eternal joy This is inlarged by the persons to whome this is graunted To thousand generations Which sheweth that the Lord in respect of vs setteth his mercie aboue his justice But he setteth them forth by their fruites that be partakers of it That loue him and keep his commandements By loue he noteth that this should be the fountaine from which the outward obedience of this commandement shuld spring so that if we loue not delight not in the partes of his worship because in trueth wee loue him and his glorie These things are abhominable Ioh. 14.23 His commandements Here as iniquitie was put for the spiritual whordome against this commandement so commandements are put for the severall partes of obedience in this precept as the circumstance of the place doth shew by which we see all good intents are shut out As they haue bene severely punished of the Lord. Deut. 4.15 Esa 30.21 1. Chro. 15.13 2. Chron. 13.10.11 Hitherto of that coÌ„mandement which hath prescribed vs the severall partes or outward means which we must loue desire c. in his worship which we giue him 3. Command In this commandement as afore wee must consider first the precept then the reason The precept is Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine Take that is make any vse for the word signifieth to take vp or lift vp on our shoulders The name of God is his memoriall amongst men which beeing in his titles most properlie is given to them whether drawen from his nature as Iehovah the Lord or his properties just holy merciful c. The God of Abraham Iacob c. Exod. 3.15 Hence because the Lorde in excellencie is remembred in his workes by likenes they are called his name Psal 8.2 2. Chro. 6.32 Much more his Gospel Act. 9.15 His Sacraments Mat. 5.6 Also true praier is the honouring of his name and euill the prophaning of the same Gen. 4.26 Mal. 1.11.12 Therefore here hee comprehendeth all these and forbiddeth to vse vainly that is vnrevereÌ„tlie rashlie falsly or hypocritically lightly or vnprofitably all which are vttered by the Hebrew word so that by the contrarie here is commaÌ„ded to know allow loue desire practise the true vse of Gods name in all the outward means of his worship by being prepared reverently to take it vp by bringing the proper affections in the vse of it
CERTAIN GODLY AND LEARned treatises Written by that worthie Minister of Christe M. DVDLEY FENNER for the behoofe and edification of al those that desire to grovv and increase in true Godlines THE TITLES WHEREof are set downe in the Page following EDINBVRGH Printed by Robert Walde-graue Printer to the Kings Maiestie 1592. Cum Priuilegio Regali THE CONTENTS OF this Booke 1 The Order of Houshold gouernment described out of the word of God Fol. 1 2 An Interpretation vpon the Lords praier Fol. 63 3 A briefe Interpretatation vpon the Epistle to Philemon Fol. 71 4 A short and plaine Table orderlie disposing the principles of Religion out of the first Table of the Law 81 5 A Treatise of the whole doctrine of the Sacraments plainlie and fully set down and declared out of the worde of God Fol. 118 6 A short and profitable Treatise of Lawfull and vnlawfull Recreations and the right vse and abuse of those that are lawfull Fol. 122 TO THE RIGHT HONOrable noble and potent Lorde IAMES Lord LINDSAY of the Byres Grace and Peace in Christ Iesus IT were to bee wished Right Honourable that as sinne multiplieth it selfe so the knowledge and true feare of God should euerie way be encreased among men For thereby it would come to passe by the blessing of God that fewer should tread the path of destruction than alas doe now And although it lieth not in man to stoppe the course and to damme vppe the streames of iniquitie for this must be perfourmed by the Lords owne arme or els all mens indeuours are but vaine yet is it the part of all those that feare God to doe what they may for the effecting of this work Wherein albeit the attempts of the men of God haue not alwaies the effectes which they desired yet their labours both in preaching and writing haue not bene destitute of their fruite in measure greater or smaller as the Lord thought it meet The Lord in this latter age hath raised vp diuers and excellent men for this purpose and he hath greatlie magnified his mercies towards vs in this Iland and vs in the enioying of his goodnes if we can make a right vse thereof But because wee were not worthie of them therefore he hath manie times in the middest of their yeares yea and some in the very spring and beginning of their strength to warne vs what he is likely to doe with the the rest if wee be not more thankfull Amongst the number of those whome in the Lords great mercies wee inioyed and lost for our vnthankfulnesse M. DVDLEY FENNER was one whome the Church of God in this age could haue hardliest spared he ended his testimonie in this life being vnder thirtie yeares of age but yet of that growth in the knowledge of God that fewe if euer anie of his yeares haue left behind them the like monuments of great knowledge and learning in the true and sound feare of God as hee hath done His works both in Latine and English doe beare witnesse hereof And it is not meet that I should enter into anie farther commendations of him although both in regard of the outward fauour of God towards him as being born an heire of great possessions especiallie in consideration of his spirituall vnderstanding in the wayes of the Lord his great learning his conflicts with the aduersaries of God his constancie and patient suffering for the trueth there are manie thinges that make his name blessed among the Sainctes Some Treatises of his being printed at sundrie times and now rare to be gotten I haue gathered together and presumed to dedicate vnto your Lordshippe not doubting but in regard both of the Authour who being a faithfull Minister of Iesus Christ I know you will esteem though vnknowne vnto you and especiallie in respecte of the notable handling of the trueth which they containe you will accept them as being not vnbeseeming your Lordship that they were published vnder your name And if I shuld say both in regard of the worke it selfe and also the Authour that it were no small honour vnto a Christian Noble-man that they come foorth vnder his Patronage I think I should not speak amisse That one treatise of houshold gouernment doth so commend the whole worke vnto a Christian Maister of a Familie as who so doth well reade and consider it must needs thinke whatsoeuer hath proceeded out of the same fornace doth deserue to be highlie accounted of And happie were it for all families that they were gouerned according to the prescription set downe in this Treatise Your Lordship I trust will make that profite hereof among the rest hereunto adioyned namelie that it will be a confirmation vnto you in that wherein your familie is alreadie reformed and a direction for that perfecting of the gouernment thereof whollie according vnto the word And to this purpose it is that I haue dedicated this and the rest vnto your Honour Touching my selfe I will say no more but as I desire to shew my selfe profitable in my vocation vnto the whole Church of God in generall so I would willingly gratifie your Honour in particular And so accept this as a testimony of my good wil towards your Lordship whome I vnderstand and knowe in some measure to beare no small affection and good wil vnto the trueth and all those that professe the same Thus I commend you to God to the worde of his grace that is able to builde you vp further and giue you an inheritance among them which are sanctified Edinburgh the 24. of December 1591. Your H. to commande in the Lord R. W. THE ORDER OF HOVSholde methodicallie described out of the word of God with the contrarie abuses found in the world THE order of an houshold called oeconomia it is an order for the governmēt of an houshold according to the word of God 1. Tim. 4. Which governeth his house well and excellently Psal 10.1 I will walke in the perfect way in the vprightnes of my soule in the middest of mine house Which declareth there is a perfect way which commeth from God onely as all perfection doth wherein is required the vprightnes of ones soule whereof he setteth downe some part afterward Prou. 24 3.4 By wisedome the house is built and established by vnderstanding and by knowledge the roomes shalbe filled with all precious and plesant substance Nowe the wisedome meant in this book is that which is allowed of Gods worde especiallie when he joyned such blessing vnto it The houshold order hath 2. parts The first of those which concerne the governours of the familie The secōd of those which are gouerned in the same 1. Tim. 5.8 If one care not for his owne especiallie those of his house which sheweth an especiall rule of mutual duetie betwen these two Also the wisdome of the holie Ghost in setting down mutuall dueties vnto them Prou. 31. Ephe. 6. 2. Honor thy father thy Mother which is the first commandement with promise
3 That it may be well with thee and that thou maiest liue long on earth 4. And ye Fathers provoke not your children to wrath but bring them vp in instruction and information of the lord 5 Servants be obedient vnto them that are your maisters according to the flesh with feare and humbling in singlenes of your hearts as vnto Christ 6 Not with service to the eie as men pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the wil of God from the heart Colos 4.20.21.22.23.24 Those which governe the familie are those superiors who haue authoritie in the same Their generall and common duetie is to order their house according to the former rule Yet one may being vrged by the great care of a Magistracie or for such like haue a steward that is one to governe his houshold according to the rules he prescribeth Contrarie to this is the common and whole casting off of this care vnlesse in worldly matters The first part of this rule is prooved by these places I will haue the yonger woman to marie and govern their houshold 1. Tim. 5. If one rule not his houshold wel how shal he care for the Church 1. Tim. 3.5 The exāple of David Psal 101.4.1 Salomons mother Pro. 31.1.2.3 c The second part of this rule is prooved by the example of Abraham who had his elder servant in his house who was over all that he had and to whome hee committed the waightie dutie of providing a wife for his sonne Genes 24.2 Then Abraham spake vnto the elder servaunt of his houshold which was over all that he had saying Put now thy hand vnder my thigh 3 that I may binde thee with an othe by the Lord God of heaven God of the earth that thou wilt not take a wife vnto my son of the daughters of the Cananits amongst whom I dwell 4. But that thou wilt goe vnto my countrie vnto my kindred and take a wife for my sonne Isaac So Ioseph in Putiphars house This government must bee perfourmed with all comelinesse fit for the houshould which is that agreable fitnesse or cōveniencie which woorthily becommeth the diversitie of persons in the familie as Superiors inferiors equals of sexe male female of age childhood youth ripe age old years of matters as some concerning God some man of time the day the night For all these haue not one and the same rule of decencie therefore the Apostle saith Which ruleth his house which kepeth his children in subjection with all comelines 1. Tim. 3.4 Nowe as there is comelinesse peculiar to the subjection of Children so of servauntes And as there is comlinesse for subjection so for equalitie and as for behauior of those of the house so to those not of the house so likewise in all other the former respects as shal appeare by the shining light or eie of this general rule in everie part of housholde government Of the duties of ordering the houshold by the chiefe of the same There are two sorts The first regardeth those in the houshould The other strangers or guests comming into the same 1. Tim. 5.10 If she haue brought vp her children wel If she haue bin giuen to hospitalitie Iob. 31.31 If the men of my tent haue not saide O that some woulde giue vs of this flesh wee are not satisfied because the straunger did not lodge abroad I opened my dores to the waifairing man So he caused his seruants to giue place to strangers which sheweth this diversitie of duties Now both of these are in regard of Christian holines The things of this life Pro. 31.15 She openeth her mouth in wisdom and the doctrin of mercy is on her tongue And rising while it is yet night she giveth meat to her house a taske to her maides And Exod. 18.5 And Iethro the father in law of Mosche comming with his children and with his wife vnto Mosche into that desert where hee had placed his tents to wit to the mount of God 6. He said vnto Mosche I thy father in lawe Iethro do come vnto thee also thy wife and her two sonnes with her 7 Then Mosche went foorth to meet his father in law and bowing himselfe hee kissed him and they asked one another of his welfare after-terward they went into his Tent. 8 Where Mosche declaring vnto his father in lawe whatsoever things the Lord had done vnto Pharaoh and the Aegyptians for Israell al the troubles which had happened vnto them in that way from whence the Lord had delivered them 9 Iethro rejoiced for all those benefits which the Lord had done vnto Israel because he had delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians 10 And Iethro said Blessed be the Lord God which hath delivered you out of the hands of the Aegyptians and out of the hands of Pharaoh Which hath delivered his people from vnder the hands of the Aegyptians 11 Now I know that the Lorde is greater than all goddes for in that thing wherein they wer proud he is aboue thē 12 Therefore Iethro the father in law of Mosche tooke and offered sacrifices and a burnt offering vnto God and Aaron and all the Elders of Israel came to eat meat with Iethro Mosche his father in lawe before God 13 And it came to passe the next day Mosche sitting to judge the people when as the people stood about Mosche from the morning of that day vnto the evening 14 That the Father in law of Mosche beheld all that he did vnto the people and said What is this that thou doest vnto this people Why sittest thou alone and al the people stand before thee from the morning vnto the evening 15 Then Mosche said vnto his father in law Because this people come vnto me to aske counsell at God 16 When there is any busines betwen thē everie one commeth vnto mee that I may judge betweene both and I make knowne the Statutes of God and his lawes 17 But Iethro his father in law said the thing is not good which thou doest 18 Thou wilt altogether faint both thou and the people that is with thee for this thing is too heavie for thee thou canst not performe it alone And this ariseth from a double respect the commoditie they receiue and the dutie they owe to the cōmon state wherein they are that as they haue of their children servants guests not onelie bodilie service and friendship but that which is of conscience and commeth from their faith and religion and their praier and the blessing in them Math. 10.41 so they must giue them this double recompence Also to the common state they are boūd by covenant not onely as much as in them lieth by their houshold government to further the peace and tranquillity of the common wealth but also of religion true holinesse 2. King 11.17 Contrarie to this is their best care to be most exquisit in the latter and altogether negligent in the former which is the chiefest So that