flesh by a part put for the whole is that most near and holy society with the power and vse of the bodies one of another in purity whereby the man in an especiall manner is become the head of the wife and the wife another help to the husband likewise Gen. 2.28 And the Lord said It is not good that the man shoulde be alone I wil make him an help meet for him Pro. 2 17. Which forsaketh the guide of her youh forgetteth the covenant of her God Math. 19.9 Therefore they are no more two but one flesh That therefore which God hath ioyned together let no man seperate Ephes 5.21 Therefore shall man leaue father and mother and shall bee ioyned to his wife and they which were two shal become one flesh Therefore in the whol government of the familie The husband is the chiefe or fore-governour The wife is a fellowe helper To be a fore-governour is in the whole administration of houshold government to be over all persons and matters in the house and even the wife 1. Tim. 3.5 For if any man knoweth not how to governe his owne house how shal he care for the Church of God And to looke as the chief owner to al revenews the estate of the good things of this life especially to care for the keeping increasing of it Diligently know the estate of thy heardes c. Prov. 27.23 To be a fellow helper is to yeeld help to her husband especially at home in all the matters of the familie 1. Tim. 5.14 I wil therfore that the yonger women marie and bring forth children and gouerne the house and giue no occasion vnto the adversarie to speake evil Tit. 2.5 That they be temperate pure tarying at home good subject to their husbands least that the word of God be blasphemed Iudg. 5.24 Blessed be Iahel the wife of Ghebar the Kenite before all women which abide in the tents Pro. 31.5 Who shall find a woman of strength seeing her price farre exceedeth the Carbuâ—cles 12. She doth him good not evil all the daies of her life Gen. 18.6 Therefore Abraham going hastily into the tent vnto Sarah said Make ready at once three measures of corn take fine meale kneade it and make cakes baked vnder the ashes c. Contrarie to which is that we keepe not authority and chiefdome in all matters that women vsurp any part of it that they be given to gadding to meddle with matters not fit for their labor travel 1. Tim. 5. They will go from house c. Pro. 7.11 Her feet dwell not in the house The dutyes of maried folk in the familie are of two sorts First mutuall Then towardes others Pro. 31.12.15 Who shal find a strong woman wheÌ„ as her price exceedeth the Carbuncles And rising whilest it is yet night she giveth food to her house and a taske vnto her maides Mutual duties are those which are to be performed one to another of them They are Common to both Proper to each Exod. 21.10 If he shall take another vnto himself let him not diminish her food her clothing benevolence due vnto her Tit. 2.3 Likewise vnto the old women that they weare such apparell as may become holines not slanderers not given to much wine but teachers of honest things 4. That they may make the yong women wise that they may loue their husbaÌ„ds and children 5. That they may bee temperate chast tarying at home good subject to their husbaÌ„ds that the word of God be not blasphemed Common to both is that which both owe to each other and it is dwelling together Mutual good proceedinges from thence 1. Cor. 7.12 If any brother haue an vnbeleeving wife and she be content to dwell with him let him not forsake her 13. And the wife which hath an vnbeleeving husband which is conteÌ„t to dwel with her let her not forsak him Dwelling together is to be ordinarilie in a dwelling place for the better perfourmance of each other mutuall duties Math. 1.18 For his mother Marie was betrothed to Ioseph before they came together shee was founde with childe by the holie Ghost 1. Cor. 7.10 And to the maried I command not I but the Lord Let not the wife seperat her selfe from her husband But to the reÌ„nant I say and not the Lord if any brother haue an vnbeleeving wife she be content to dwell with him let him not forsake her 13. And the wife which hath an vnbeleeving husband which is content to dwell with her let her not forsake him 1. Pet. 3.7 Likewise let the men dwell together as becommeth them that haue knowledge giving honor vnto the womans vessell as to the weaker that wheÌ„ as ye be heires jointlie of the grace of life your praiers be not interrupted Ruth 4.11 Vnto whom al the people that were in the gate the Elders said we are witnesses the Lord make this woman which shal come into thine house like vnto Rahel Leah which both did build the house of Israell and get thou the riches of Ephrata and let the name of Bethlehem be renowmed 12. Let thine house be as the house of Peretz whom Thamar bare vnto Iudah of that seed which the lord shal giue thee of this maid Yet the Scripture alloweth vppon necessarie occasioÌ„ of warfar service to the coÌ„mon wealth church or necessarie affaires of their own somtimes a long absence Deut. 20.7 What man soever hath espoused a wife and yet hath not maried her let him go and return to his house that he die not in this battell and another man marie her 8. And let the Governors proceed further to speake vnto the people What man is he that is soft and fearefull in heart let him depart and returne to his house that he make not the hearts of his brethren to melte as doth his heart 9. Then when the Governors shall cease to speake vnto the people they shal make princes of bandes of warre in the heads of the people 2. Sam. 11.11 And Vriah saide vnto David The Arke and Israel and Iuda abide in the tentes and Ioab my Lord and the servantes of my Lord haue their Tents in the plain field and should I enter into mine house to eate and drinke and lie with my wife As thou livest and as thy soule liveth I wil not do this thing Pro. 17.19 For mine husband is not at home hee is gone a farre jorney at the appointed day he wil returne againe Contrarie to this is the ordinarie abuse and negligence of this dutie which bringeth manifolde inconueniences The mutual good proceeding froÌ„ dwelling together is that which consisteth in a sweet coÌ„municating of the persons and goods for the mutuall necessitie and consolation one of another 1. Cor. 7.3 Let the husband giue vnto the wife due benevoleÌ„ce and likewise the wife vnto the husband 4. The wife hath not power over her owne bodie but the husband and likewise the husband hath not power over his
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
which hearkeneth not vnto the voice of his father nor to the voice of his mother although they haue chastised him yet he hearkeneth not vnto them 19. At length his father and his mother taking him let them bring him to the Elders of their Cittie and to the gate of their place 20. And let them say vnto the elders of their Cittie This our sonne is stubburne and rebellious he hearkeneth not vnto our voice hee is a riotous person and a drunkard 21. Then lette all the Citizens overwhelme him with stones that he may die and take away that evill out of the middest of thee that al the Israelites may heare and feare Psal 101.7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within mine house he that speaketh lies shall not be established before mine eies And hitherto of the first sort of duties concerning Christian holinesse in the familie The other concerning the thinges of this life is convenientlie to provide the necessarie things of this life as that they haue convenient clothing food rest if on certain causes need be recreatiō 1. Tim. 5.8 But if any mā provide not for his especially those of his house he hath denied his faith and is worse than an infidell Pro. 31.21 She feareth not for her familie because of the snow for all her family is cloathed with double cloakes Pro. 12.9 The juste man regardeth the life of his beast but the cōpassions of the wicked are the compassions of the cruell And then much more the maister must care for the servantes that they may haue even that refreshing and ease which is meete And thus much for the generall duties and of their speciall duties toward those which shal be continually or ordinarily vnder their governmēt in the family Now followeth the other which is the entertainment of straungers whose property is the loue of entertaining of guestes 1. Tim. 3.2 Therfore a Bishop must be vnreprooueable the husbande of one wife watching sober modest given to hospitalitie c. Heb. 13.2 Bee not vnmindefull of entertaining guestes for hereby certain vnawares haue entertained Angelles 1. Pet. Be harberous one towards another without grudging The first duty required of this worke is a liberall and chearful ministring of protection al things which serue for the necessity comfort of this life as is meete for the abilitie of them which receiue and the condition of those who are received Gen. 18.2 For when lifting vp his eies he looked behold three men stood before him whome whilest he saw hee runneth to meete them from the doore of the Tent and bowed himselfe to the earth And he said My Lorde If now I haue found favour in thine eies passe not I pray thee from thy servāt 4 Let there now bee taken a litle water wash your feet fit downe vnder this tree 5 In the meane time I will take and bring a morsell of bread and refresh your heart afterward ye shall go forwarde seeing for this cause you passe by your servant which said Do so as thou hast spoken 6 Therfore Abraham going hastily into the tent vnto Sara said Make readie at once three measures of corne Take fine meale knead it make cakes baked vnder the ashes 7 But Abraham running to the heard tooke a sucking calfe tender and good and gaue it to a servant which made hast to prepare it 8 Therfore taking butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared he set them before them who did eat he standing by thē vnder the same tree Gen. 19.1 And those two Angels comming vnto Sodome in the evening Lot sat at the gate of Sodom whom when Lot saw he rising went to meet them bowed himselfe with his face to the ground 2 And he said Behold now my Lords turn I pray you into the hous of your servant and wash your feete after rising in the morning ye shall go your way Which said Not so we pray thee for we can lodge all night in the streets 3 But when he was instant vpon them exceedinglie they turning vnto him entred into his house which made thē a banquet and did bake vnleavened breade and they did eate 1. Tim 5.10 Being decked with a fit testimonie in good woorks if she haue brought vp her children if she haue bene harberous if she haue washed the Saints feet if she haue succoured the afflicted if shee haue followed everie good woorke diligentlie The other is as occasion serveth mutuallie to edifie one another by calling to minde Gods workes mutual instructions and exhortations Also by bringing them to the publik seruice of God and causing them to keep with them the Sabboth as appeareth by the example aboue Rom. 1.10 Alwaies in my praiers beseeching that if by any means at length a prosperous iourney by the wil of God might be giuen me to come vnto you 11. For I long to see you that I might impart to you a spirituall gift that you may be established Contrarie to this is nigardlines such as was in Nabal in receiving of guests Also suffring God to be dishonored his word or Sabboth neglected or any such abuse to be cōmited by their guests and not labor by good means to amend them or remoue them from the familie And hitherto of the chiefe of the family and their duties as are generall to all Now for the most part the chief of the familie are maried folke and so in common the governours of the house They are called maried folkes because of the bande of mariage Mariage is that joyning of one man one woman together by the covenāt of God that they may be one flesh vntill they end their life Gen. 2.24 Therefore shall man leaue his father his mother and cleaue to his wife and they shal be one flesh Levit. 18.18 Take not one woman vnto another to vexe her by vncovering the shame of her that is maried vppon this in her life Pro. 2.17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth and forgetteth the covenant of her God Malach. 2.14 But you say Wherefore Because the Lord hath witnessed between thee and the wife of thy youth against whom thou doest vnfaithfully yet she is thy companion wife covenanted vnto thee 1. Cor. 7.30 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth but if her husband be dead she is free to marie vnto whom shee will onely in the Lord. Rom. 7.1 Know ye not brethren for I speak to them that knowe the law that the law doth beare rule over a man as long as hee liveth 2. For the woman being subject vnto the man being aliue is boūd by the law but if her husbād be dead she is delivered frō the law of the man 3. Therefore whilest the man liveth she shall be called an adultresse if she becom another mans but if her husband be dead she is free from the law that she is not an adulteresse thogh she become another mans To be one
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
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
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
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