towards the other Superiours mentioned with the like who stand in the relation of Inferiours unto them The reason of this Rule is because the same duty or duties cannot but well become all such Relations which resemble one the other and are of a like nature and consideration at least as farr as the resemblance between them doth extend God likewise judging it meet to provide for the compendiousness of his Law as much as with conveniency might be and so not to multiply Commandements where one with a little interposure of Reason and Conscience to interpret would serve as well as many Quest 28. What is a Twelfth Rule Answ Where the duty or duties of Inferiours towards their Superiours are charged upon them the reciprocal duties of Superiours towards their Inferiours are implicitly charged upon them also Thus where the duty of the Wife towards her Husband is imposed upon her the duty of the Husband towards the Wife is consequentially and interpretatively charged upon him likewise So where the duties of Subjects of Children of Servants of the particular members of a Christian Congregation c. which they owe unto their respective Superiours all comprehended under the word honour are charged by God upon them the corresponding duties which these Superiours respectively owe unto them again are required by the same authority and upon like encouragements and penalties at their hand The reason of this Rule is because as that saying of Christ in the Gospel is founded upon plain equity Vnto whomsoever much is given of him much will be required Luk. 12.48 So when Superiours hear that the tribute of Honour Subjection Reverence Obedience Service c. from their Inferiours is awarded unto them by God their Consciences cannot lightly but tell them aloud that God whose wayes are equal Ezek. 18.25 29. demands of them in and by the same award on the behalf of their Inferiours all such reciprocations of duties which are proper for them to afford unto them as countenance protection nurture education maintenance incouragements unto well-doing and for well-doing c. as the respective natures and qualities of their places and relations of Superiority require of them and give them means and opportunities with all to perform and exhibit unto them Quest 29. What is the Thirteenth Rule Answ Where the duties of Inferiours towards their superiors and again of superiours towards their inferiours are injoyned the duties of equals towards equals are included and injoyned also The reason of this Rule is because the duties of equals towards equals may by the light and impartial debates of Reason and Conscience intervening be estimated by the nature of the reciprocal duties which mutually intercede between inferiours and superiours And God as hath been formerly hinted is not wont to multiply Precepts when any one of those few which he hath given is sufficient to shew Conscience her work by the help and improvement of her own light Now the duties between equals the duties between superiours and inferiours being well known may be estimated or computed thus My equal being in relation unto me next or neer unto him that is my superiour on the one hand and on the other next or neer likewise unto him that is my inferiour it is reasonable and meet that I allow and give unto him somewhat a certain proportion though lesse of that honour which I owe to my superiours and also a like proportion of that protection care moderation and other duties which I owe to my inferiours Quest 30. What is the Fourteenth Rule Answ Where any duty one or more which I owe unto another man as a man or unto my Neighbour is enjoyned me here I am charged with the performance of the same or like duties towards my self only with such exceptions interpretations or provisoes which the Scriptures themselves that are the best Expounders of the Law as well as the common light of Reason inform me ought to be made in the case Thus where I am commanded not to wrong my Neighbour either in his repute estate relations limbs or life and the like I stand charged not to injure or prejudice my self in any of these So where I am commanded to love my Neighbour to be helpfull unto him in his need to counsel and advise him the best I can as well in his spiritual as temporal affairs to bear his burthens to cover his infirmities to uphold his reputation as farre as with truth and a good Conscience I am able c. all these with several others of like nature I stand bound by the same Commandement to perform unto my self Only as the saying is There is no general Rule without its exceptions So in the case of the Rule before us there are some things of which I am a debtor unto my Neighbour by vertue of the Commandement of God of which I am not hereby made a debtor unto my self It is my duty upon occasion to give as large a testimony unto my Neighbour and to speak as much good of him as with truth and knowledge I can but it is not proper for me to do the like by my self So if my Neighbour be overtaken with a fault I stand bound in duty to restore that is to endeavour to restore him in the spirit of meeknesse Gal. 6.1 but I am not bound to shew the like tenderness to my self in the like case Some other particulars there may be though I presume they are not many which the Commandements of God that oblige me to my Neighbour do not impose upon me to perform at least in the letter of them or othervvise then in a way of proportion or equipollency unto my self And these variations vvhich are but interpretations of the said Commandements respectively are prescribed and taught as was even now hinted in the Scriptures But the reason of the Rule may be this All those things which God judgeth meet to be performed and done by every man unto other being in their natures beneficial and good unto all those to whom they ought to be and are performed by whomsoever they are performed and consequently being such unto every man though performed unto him by himself therefore to salve the brevity intended in his Law he enjoyns every mans duty to himself in the same Commandement with his duty to other men Quest 31. What is the Fifteenth Rule Answ When two Commandements meet in opposition the one unto the other so that they cannot both be obeyed the greater ought to have the homage of obedience performed unto it the binding force of the lesser ceasing in such a case so that if the greater be performed there is no transgression of the lesse Our Saviour giveth testimony to the truth and usefulness of this Rule in two or three Instances First where the Levitical Law allowing the eating of the Shew-bread unto the Priests only meeting with the Morall Law which enjoyneth the use of means for the preservation of life upon such terms that obedience could not
give a better account the best way and most agreeable to the intimation of the words of the Commandement as was lately noted to compute the beginning and the end of the Christian Sabbath is to estimate them by the time when labouring men in the climate or country where we live do ordinarily begin and end their daily work or labour Quest 71. What is the surname of the fifth Commandement Answ That every person of mankind capable of the knowledge of the Law behave himself towards all others whether Superiours inferiours or equals according to the natural proper and due exigency of these relations in their severall kinds and degrees respectively unto them and consequently that they be diligent and careful to inform themselves of what is due from them unto men by vertue of and right of claim from these relations as also to prepare inable and fit themselves for the performance of all things accordingly Quest 72. What are the duties or some of the chief of them which inferiours owe unto their superiours Answ Superiours are of different kinds as either natural civill or ecclesiastique If then you ask concerning the duties which are due in common unto all these from their respective inferiours they are these and the like To pray for them to honour and reverence them Not to neglect or despise them for wants or weaknesses incident unto men but to cast a covering of love over them not to envie or grudg them the preheminence which God hath given them but to stand up and plead their cause as farre as with truth and a good conscience they may against those that shall disparage them or speak evill of them c. If you desire to know the duties which are more particularly due unto the several kinds of superiours mentioned from their Inferiors respectively it were better to propound distinct Questions concerning them Quest 73. What are then the duties which the superiour which you terme Natural may justly and his due expect from his inferiours Answ Under the three generall heads or kinds of Superiours mentioned there are several distinct and more particular species of superiours comprehended and according to the difference of those contained under every of the said heads some difference there may be in the duties due from their Inferiours unto them which difference of duties may be sufficiently apprehended partly by the light of nature and partly by the written word of God Of that kind of superiour whom nature and the law thereof makes such concerning which you now require natural Parents Fathers and Mothers by whom we received our lives and being in the world are the chief Some of the principal duties which their Inferiours their Children owe unto them are these and the like being specialities of those generall duties which as was even now declared belong in common to all the kinds of superiours to be content with such provisions or allowances in outward things as meat drink apparel lodging liberty for recreation company placing out to trades or callings c. as they their Parents are either able or judg meet to make for them to accept of chastisement from them for their misdoings not muttering repining or waxing sullen but giving them reverence to be ready and cheerful to do what they command them in things that are lawful not to grieve or discontent them by any unduebehaviour as by giving them froward or cross answers by stubbornesse idlenesse wastfulnesse keeping vain company neglecting what they entrust them with or the like so also to ponder and treasure up their wholsome counsells and instructions and to practise them as occasion shall be to imitate their vertues not to seem to take notice of their infirmities unlesse it be to cover them not to despise them for their Age Poverty or Sufferings but to be so much the more respectful of them and helpful unto them not to dispose of themselves in marriage without their consent not to disclose their secrets not to hold familiarity with their known Adversaries c. Quest 74. Is there any other species or under-kind of that sort or kind of Superiour which you call naturall Answ He that is aged is a kind of Superiour and such by nature unto him whose years are but few comparatively The Superiority of the husband in respect of the wife is best referred to this kind also He that excelleth in spiritual guifts and abilities for edification is a kind of superiour likewise in respect of those who are beneath him in such endowments That of Masters in respect of their servants more properly belongeth to the second which we called politique Quest 75. What are the duties which younger persons owe unto those that are ancient Answ To rise up before them to give them precedency of place and liberty to speak first or before them to submit themselves unto them c. But these are to be reputed duties belonging to the younger in reference to the aged only in ordinary cases and when either both the one and the other are private persons or at least when the younger is such For otherwise if the younger be either in respect of some political or ecclesiastical office superiour to him that is ancient and a private man which is a case that frequently occurrs the order of nature in this Case is to give place to the order as well of Civill as of Ecclesiastical or Church-constitution and the duties mentioned to enterchange givers and receivers Quest 76. What are the duties wherein the wife stands bound unto the Husband To submit her self and to be subjet unto him in every thing as unto the Lord. Eph. 5.22.24 to reverence and honour him to be helpful and faithful unto him to delight in his presence to please him in all things that are honest and comely not to provoke or grieve him in any thing as by froward or crosse answers by sharp or loud speaking by repeating matters of former discontent by sullennesse by sowrenesse or lowringnesse of countenance by aptnesse to take offence at his words or actions by neglecting his counsells or desires his kinred or friends by wastfulnesse of his estate by slothfulnesse or carelesnesse in those houshold affairs which appertain to her inspection and care by impatience or discontentednesse under such troubles or crosses which are daily incident unto the best families by an unseemly fiercenesse or sharpnesse of carriage towards children or servant by affecting over-costly or garish attire by any leight wanton or suspicious behaviour by frequenting places or company which he disliketh by any expressions of a prophane or ungracious spirit by not giving her best assistance unto him that God may be daily and duely worshipped in the family with other the like Quest 77. What is required of those that inferior in guifts or abilities for edification as in wisdome knowledge utterance tongues c. by way of duty towards those whom God in such endowments hath made superiour to them Answ They ought to honour and
say which are more their own and wherein their propriety is larger and more compleat then those in either kind which are lesse their own So then Parents and there is a like consideration of other superiours in reference to their inferiors respectively being naturally more inclined to act the parts of Parents towards their Children and to do that which becommeth them in reference unto them then Children are to perform their duties towards their Parents this may be somwhat of the reason why God in this Commandement so expresly chargeth Children with their duty towards their Parents and Parents implicitly only and consequentially with theirs towards their Children Quest 83. Now if you please declare with what brevity you can the duties which God in this Commandement requireth of superiours in all the three kinds you mentioned towards their inferiours respectively beginning with the duties of those who are by nature such and so proceeding unto the others And first what are the duties of Parents Fathers and Mothers towards their Children Answ To be affectionately inclined towards them and to manifest and manage such their affections by a conscientious and constant ingagement of themselves in the use of all good and likely means both to make their condition good and prosperous in this world and happy and blessed also in that which is to come as by a timely consecrating them unto the service of God by Baptism by frequent and fervent prayer unto God for them by bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord by a Christian honest and discreet behaviour of themselves before them by keeping them under government and in subjection with love wisdome and gravity not provoking or discouraging them by training them up to some honest course of life or calling by correcting them for their misdoings seasonably and with moderation not with anger or fiercenesse but with compassion by allowing them convenient food raiment and liberty by a timely providing for them fitting consorts in marriage if need be by reserving and laying up somewhat if they be able to leave unto them c. It lyeth upon Mothers by way of duty to become nurses if they be able to their own Children after the example of Sarah who in her old age performed that service unto her son Isaac making none other account as it seems but that it was a duty as it were of course for her so to do Gen. 21.7 Quest 84. What doth God require of those by way of duty towards the younger whom the priviledge of age hath made their Superiours as hath been said Answ That they be ready to assist them with their counsell when desired or when they see occasion otherwise that they countenance and incourage them in and unto all well doing that they admonish them with wisdome love and tendernesse when they doe amisse that they walk before them as ensamples of sobriety gravity temperance faith love patience c. that they despise them not because of their youth or set light by them because of some weaknesses incident to their years c. Quest 85. What are the duties of Husbands towards their Wives Answ To love them dearly as their own bodies and as Christ loved his Church giving himself for it Ephe. 5.25.28 To dwell with them according to knowledge that is as the knowledge of the will of God concerning their behaviour towards them in all things as it is made known in the Scriptures directeth them and requireth of them not according to humour passion lightnesse of Spirit or the like to give honour unto them as unto the weaker vessels that is as persons serviceable unto God and used by him as well as themselves although not made for such services which require the like strength either of body or of mind with those for which men are made to bear with their infirmities to take special notice of all their good services their loialty their subjection and all expressions of affection towards them from time to time and to return the same or better measure unto them both in words and in deeds discreetly and in great love and tendernesse to admonish them to instruct them in things appertaining unto God and salvation not to be bitter fierce or sharp unto them at any time but to delight in their presence to give them none occasion of jealousie to provide for them things necessary according to their state and calling to allow them convenient maintenance and liberty to stand by them in the exercise of that authority in the familie as over children and servants which belongeth unto them to protect them from affronts and injuries c. Quest 86. What is required of Superiours in guifts towards weaker Christians Answ That they bear their infirmities that is that they depise them not nor estrange themselves from them because of them this being to constrain them to bear them themselves Rom. 15.1 that they use not their liberty to their offence nor to the enboldening of them to do that which otherwise they scruple or know no sufficient ground on which to judge it lawful that they be of a condescending spirit unto them willing and ready upon all occasions to instruct and teach them as they are able to bear not giving them strong meat to eat when they are able to digest milk only c. Quest 77. What is required of the Politique superiour whether magistrate or master in reference unto those that are under them and subject unto them r spectively Answ First God imposeth this for a Law upon all magistrates zealously to desire and accordingly to endeavour by a faithful and diligent exercise of the authority and power committed unto them the wellfare and prosperity of the people under them as by procuring as much as lyeth in them wholesome necessary and just laws and such as these only to be made for the government of them by seeing justice duely executed without partiality or respect of persons by punishing those who being entrusted with the administration of justice either for reward favour ill-will or the like abuse the trust committed unto them and pervert judgment by taking an effectual course for the suppressing of evill doers and all such who contrary to the good Laws under which they live injure or molest any the members of their community by encouraging and protecting those that do well and are diligent and active in due order to promote the honour safety and wellfare of the publique by procuring all former laws to be repealed which by experience are found to be either un-necessary or ensnaring or burthensome unto the people by an honourable frugality and moderation in their expences that so they may have no occasion or temptation upon them to grind their people by hard impositions or levies of money or by any other dishonourable and un-princely courses by taking such into their nearest acquaintance and counsells who are men of wisdome and vvorth of approved integrity and publique Spirits by being vigilant and