Christian Behaviour OR THE Fruits of true Christianity Shewing the Ground from whence they flow in their Godlike order in the Duty of Relations as Husbands Wives Parents Children Masters Servants c. With a Word of Direction to all Backsliders By John Bunyan a Prisoner of Hope The Earth that drinketh in the Rain that cometh oft upon it and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed receiveth blessing from God But that which beareth Briers and Thorns is nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burned Heb. 6. 7 8. London Printed for F. Smith at the Elephant and Castle without Temple-Bar THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Courteous Reader HAving formerly writ some small matter touching the Doctrine of Faith as Justification by Grace through the Faith of Christs Blood c. I do here as the second to that Doctrine present thee with a few lines touching Good Works that I might as at first I shewed thee the Good and Glory of the one so now shew thee the Beauty and Excellency of the other For though we are justified Rom. 3. 24 c. freely by Grace through Christ before God yet we are justified before Men Jam. 2. 18. by our Works Nay a life of Holiness flowing from Faith in us that are saved by Grace it doth justifie that Grace before the World that justifies us before God 2 Cor. 6. 1 3. 2 Cor. 9. 12 13 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. I have not here only in general treated of this Doctrine of Good Works but particularly after some discourse about Works flowing from Faith and what makes it truly and gospelly Good I discourse of them as we stand under our several relations in this World among men As first The Duty of the Master of a Family Of the Husband to his Wife and of hers to him Of the Duty of Parents to their Children and of Children to their Parents Of Masters also to their Servants and of the Servant again to his Master with a brief touch upon Good Neighbourhood and a discovery of Covetousness Pride and Uncleanness which are great Obstructions to a truly Gospel-Conversation I know there are many that have treated of Good Works in large and learned Discourses but I doubt all have not so Gospelized their discourses as become them and as the Doctrine of the Grace of God calleth for However I thoughtit my duty to add this discourse to all that are past and that for these Reasons First to take away those Aspersions that the Adversaries cast upon our Doctrine Rom. 3. 8. as also in the dayes of Paul that because we preach Justification without the Works of the Law therefore they pretend we plead for loosness of life whose damnatiâ—s just Secondly Because though there be much discourse about Works in general yet a particular Discourse of them as afore is touched is too much neglected and by this means every one too much left at uncertainties as from them of their several works under their particular Relations which I think is one reason of that disorder in Families and Places where God's People live to their shame and the dishonour of their God Thirdly Because these few Books that do particularly treat thus of Good Works are I think now so scarce or so big that but few have them and few buy them if they may be had especially our new Converts for whose sakes principally this short Discourse is intended and indeed this is one reason of my brevity that the price might neither be burdensome nor the reading long and tedious Multitude of words drown the Memory and an Exhortation in few words may yet be so full that the Reader may find that in the side of a sheet which some are forced to hunt for in a whole Quire c. The Lord teach us this Wisdom Fourthly I have written this Book to shew that I bear a fellow-Testimony and Witness with all that know God of the Operation that Grace hath and will have in the heart that hath savingly received it Lastly I have thus written because it is amiable and pleasant to God when Christians keep their Rank Relation and Station doing all as become their Quality Calling When Christians stand every one in their places and do the work of their Relations then they are like the flowers in the Garden that stand and grow where the Gardner hath planted them and then they shall both honour the Garden in which they are planted and the Gardner that hath so disposed of them From the Hysop on the Wall to the Cedar in Lebanon their Fruit is their glory And seeing the stock into which we are planted is the fruitfullest stock the sap conveyed thereout the fruitfullest sap and the dresser of our souls the wisest Husbandman John 15. 1. How contrary to nature to example and expectation should we be if we should not be rich in Good Works Wherefore take heed of being painted fire wherein is no warmth and painted flowers which retain no smell and of being painted trees whereon iâ— no fruit Whoso boasteth himself oâ— a false gift is like Clouds and Wind without Rain Prov. 25. 14. Farewel The Lord be with thy Spirit thaâ— thou mayest profit for time to come J. BUNYAN Christian Behaviour OR The Fruits of true Christianity Tit. 3. 7 8. That being justified by his Grace we should be made Heirs according to the hope of Eternal Life This is a faithful Saying and these things I will that you affirm constantly that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good Works These things are good and profitable unto men I Shall not at this time discourse of every Particular at large included in these words but shall briefly fall upon those things that I judge most necessary for the People of God Neither shall I need to make any great preamble to the words for their Explication they themselves being plain and without thaâ— ambiguity that calleth for such a thing the general scop being this That the which have believed in God should be careâ—ful to maintain Good Works But yet to prosecute what I intenâ— with what clearness I may I shall in 〈◊〉 word or two make way for what is to be the main of this Book This is a Faithful Saying This Which Why that which goeth before namely That being justified by Grace wâ— should be made Heirs according to the hopâ— of Eternal Life This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm conâ—stantly Why so Why that they which have believed iâ— God might be careful to maintain Gooâ— Works The meaning is That the way to provoke others to Good Works is constantâ—ly in the evidence and demonstratioâ— of the Spirit to shew them the certainty of their being by Grace made Heirs of Eternal Life From this Scripture therefore I do gather these things observable First That Good Works do flow from Faith Yea Secondly That every one that believeth should be careful that their
preacheth to me every day the Carriage of Christ to his Church 2. If thy Wife be unbelieving or carnal then thou hast also a duty lying before thee which thou art ingaged to perform under a double ingagement 1. For that she lyeth liable every moment to eternal Damnation 2. That she is thy Wife that is in this evil case Oh! how little sense of the worth of Souls is there in the hearts of some Husbands as is manifest by their unchristian carriage to and before their Wives Now to qualifie thee for a Carriage suitable 1. Labour seriously after a sense of her miserable state that thy bowels may yearn towards her soul. 2. Beware that she take no occasion from any unseemly carriage of thine to proceed in evil and here thou hast need to double thy diligence for she lieth in thy bosome and therefore is capable of espying the least miscarriage in thee 3. If she behave her self unseemly and unruly as she is subject to do being Christless Graceless then labour thou to overcome her Evil with thy Goodness her Frowardness with thy Patience and Meekness it is a shame for thee who hast an other principle to do as she 4. Take fit opportunities to convince her observe her disposition and when she is most likely to bear then speak to her very heart 5. When thou speakest speak to purpose 't is no matter for many words provided they be pertinent Job in a few words answers his Wife and takes her off from her foolish talking Thou speakest saith he like one of the foolish women shall we receive good at the hands of God and shall we not receive evil Job 2. 10. 6. Let all be done without rancor or the least appearance of anger With meekness instruct those that oppose themselves if peradventure they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil who are taken captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2. 25 26. And how knowest thou O man but thou mayest save thy Wife 1 Cor. 7. 16. Touching Parents IF thou art a Parent a Father or a Mother then thou art to consider thy Calling under this Relation Thy Children have souls and they must be begotten of God as well as of thee or they perish And know also that unless thou be very circumspect in thy behaviour to and before them they may perish through thee the thoughts of which should provoke thee both to instruct and also to correct them 1. To instruct them as the Scripture saith and to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and to do this diligently when thou sittest in thy house when thou liest down and when thou risest up Ephes. 6. 4. Deut. 6. 7. Now to do this to purpose First Do it in terms and words easie to be understood affect not high expressions they will drown your Children Thus God spake to his Children and Paul to his Hos. 12. 10. 1 Cor. 3. 2. Secondly Take heed of filling their heads with Whimzies and unprofitable Notions for this will sooner learn them to be malepert and proud than sober and humble Open therefore to them the state of man by nature discourse with them of Sin of Death and Hell of a crucified Saviour and the Promise of Life through Faith Train up a Child in the Way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Prov. 22. 6. Thirdly There must be much Gentleness and Patience in all thy instructions lest they be discouraged Col. 3. 21. And fourthly Labour to convince them by a Conversation answerable that the things of which thou instructest them are not febles but Realities yea and Realities so far above what can be here enjoyed that all things were they a thousand times better than they are are not worthy to be compared with the Glory and Worthyness of these things Isaac was so holy before his Children that when Jacob remembred God he remembred that he was the fear of his Father Isaac Gen. 31. 53. Ah! when Children can think of their Parents and bless God for that instruction and good they have received from them this is not only profitable for Children but honourable and comfortable to Parents The Father of the Righteous shall greatly rejoyce and he that begetteth a wise Child shall have joy of him Prov. 23. 24 25. Touching Correction First See if fair words will win them from evil This is God's way with his Children Jer. 25. 4 5. Secondly Let those words you speak to them in your reproof be both sober few pertinent adding always some sutable sentence of the Scripture therewith as if they lie then such as Rev. 21. 8. 27. If they refuse to hear the Word such as 2 Chron. 25. 14 15 16. Thirdly Look to them that they bâ— not companions with those that are rudâ— and ungodly shewing with soberness a continual dislike of their naughtiness often crying out to them as God did of old unto his Oh! do not this abominable thing that I hate Jer. 44. 4. Fourthly Let all this be mixed with such love pitty and compunction of Spirit that if possible they may be convinced you dislike not their persons but their sins This is God's way Psal. 99. 8. Fifthly Be often indeavouring to fasten on their Consciences the day of their Death and Judgement to come Thus also God deals with his Deut. 32. 29. Sixthly If thou art driven to the Rod then 1. Strike advisedly in cool blood and soberly shew them 1. Their fault 2. How much it is against thy heart thus do deal with them 3. And that what thou dost thou dost it in conscience to God and love to their Souls 4. And tell them that if fair means would have done none of this severiâ—y should have been This I have proved it will be a means to afflict their hearts as well as their bodies and it being the way that God deals with his it is the most likely to accomplish its end Seventhly Follow all this with prayer to God for them and leave the issue to Him Folly is bound up in the heart of a Child but the Rod of Correction will fetch it out Prov. 22. 15. Lastly Observe these Cautions 1. Take heed that the mis-deeds for which thou corectest thy Children be not learn'd them by thee Many Children learn that wickedness of their Parents for which they beat and chastise them 2. Take heed thou smile not upon them to encourage them in small faults lest that thy carriage to them be an encouragement to them to commit greater 3. Take heed thou use not unsavory and unseemly words in thy chastising of them as railing mis-calling and the like this is devilish 4. Take heed thou do not use them to many chiding words and threatnings mixed with lightness and laughter this will harden Speak not much nor often but pertinent to them with all gravity Of Masters to Servants MAsters also have a work to do as they stand related
they laid 'T was this from which they pluck'd me out and vilely to me said 13. You Heretick Deceiver come to Prison you must go You Preach abroad and keep not home you are the Churches foe 14. But having peace within my soul and truth on every side I could with comfort them controul and at their charge deride 15. Wherefore to prison they me sent where to this day I lie And can with very much content for my profession die 16. The prison very sweet to me hath been since I came here And so would also hanging be if God will there appear 17. Here dwells good Conscience also Peace here be my garments white Here though in Bonds I have Release from Guilt which else would biâ—e 18. When they do talk of Banishment of Death or such like Things Then to me God sends hearts content that like a Fountain springs 19. Alas they little think what peace they help me to for by Their rage my comforts do encrease bless God therefore do I. 20. If they do give me gall to drink then God doth sweetning cast So much thereto that they can't think how bravely it doth taste 21. For as the Devil sets before me heaviness and grief So God sets Christ and Grace much more whereby I take relief 22. Though they say then that we are fools because we here do lie I answer Goals are Christ his Schools in them we learn to die 23. 'T is not the baseness of this state doth hide us from God's face He frequently both soon and late doth visit us with grace 24. Here comes the Angels here come Saints here comes the Spirit of God To comfort us in our restraints under the wickeds Rod 25. God sometime visits Prisons more than Lordly Palaces He often knocketh at our door when he their houses miss 26. The truth and life of heav'nly things lists up our hearts on high And carries us on Eagles wings beyond carnality 27. It takes away those clogs that hold the hearts of other men And makes us lively strong and bold thus to oppose their sin 28. By which means God doth frusturate that which our foes expect Namely our turning the Postate like those of Judas sect 29. Here comes to our rememberance the troubles good men had Of old and for our furtherance their joys when they were sad 30. To them that here for evil lie the place is comfortless But not to me because that I lie here for righteousness 31. The Truth and I were both here cast together and we do Lie arm in arm and so hold fast each other This is true 32. This Goal to us is as a Hill from whence we plainly see Beyond this World and take our fill of things that lasting be 33. From hence we see the emptiness of all this World contains And here we feel the blessedness that for us yet remains 34. Here we can see how all men play their parts as on a Stage How good men suffer for God's way and bad men at them rage 35. Here we can see who holds that ground which they in Scripture find Here we see also who turns round like Weathercocks with ' Wind. 36. We can also from hence behold how seeming Friends appear But Hypocrites as we are told in Scripture every where 37. When we did walk at liberty we were deceiv'd by them Who we from hence do clearly see are vile deceitful men 38. These Policitians that profest for base and worldly ends Do now appear to us at best but Machivilian friends 39. Though men do say we do disgrace our selves by lying here Among the Rogues yet Christ our face from all such filth will clear 40. We know there 's neither flout nor frown that we now for him bear But will add to our heavenly Crown when he comes in the air 41. When he our righteousness forth brings bright shining as the day And wipeth off those slandrous things that scorners on us lay 42. We sell our earthly happiness for heavenly house and home We leave this world because 't is less and worse than that to come 43. We change our drossie Dust for Gold from Death to Life we fly We let go Shadows and take hold of Immortality 44. We trade for that which lasting is and nothing for it give But that which is already his by whom we breath and live 45. That liberty we lose for him sickness might take away Our goods might also for our sin by Fire or Theeves decay 46. Again we see what Glory t is freely to bear our Cross For him who for us took up his when he our Servant was 47. I am most free that men should see a hole cut through mine ear If others will ascertain me they 'l hang a Jewel there 48. Just thus it is we suffer here for him a little pain Who when he doth again appear will with him let us raign 49. If all must either die for sin a death that 's natural Or else for Christ 't is best with him who for the last doth fall 50. Who now dare say we throw away our goods or liberty When God's most holy Word doth say we gain thus much thereby 51. Hark yet again you carnal men and hear what I shall say In your own dialect and then I 'l you no longer stay 52. You talk sometimes of valour much and count such bravely man'd That will not stick to have a tuâ—ch with any in the land 53. If these be worth commending then that vainly shew their might How dare you blame those holy men that in God's quarrel fight 54. Though you dare crack a cowards crown or quarrel for a pin You dare not on the wicked frown nor speak against their sin 55. For all your spirits are so stout for matters that are vain Yet sin besets you round about you are in Satan's chain 56. You dare not for the truth engage you quake at prisonment You dare not make the Tree your stage for Christ that King potent 57. Know then true valour there doth dwell where men engage for God Against the Devil Death and Hell and bear the wickeds rod 58. These be the men that God doth count of high and noble mind These be the men that do surmount what you in nature find 59. First they do conquer their own hearts all worldly fears and then Also the Devils firy darts and persecuting men 60. They conquer when they thus do fall they kill when they do die They overcome then most of all and get the victory 61. The worldling understands not this 't is clear out of his sight Therefore he counts this world his bliss and doth our glory slight 62. The Lubber knows not how to spring the nimble Footmans stage Neither can Owls or Jack-daws sing if they were in the Cage 63 The Swine doth not the Pearls regard but them doth slight for Graines Though the wise Merchant labours hard for them with greatest paines 64 Consider man what I have said and judge of things aright When all mens Cards are fully plaid whose will abide the light 65 Will those who have us hither cast or they who do us scorn Or those who do our houses wast or us who this have born 66. And let us count those things the best that best will prove at last And count such men the only blest that do such things hold fast 67. And what though they us dear do cost yet let us buy them so We shall not count our labour lost when we see others woe 68. And let Saints be no longer blam'd by Carnal Policy But let the wicked be asham'd of their Malignity FINIS The Duty of Husbands to believing Wives Christ laid out his life for his Church covereth her infirmities communicates to her his Wisdom protecteth her and helpeth he in her imployments in this world and so ought men to do for their Wives The duty of Husbands to unbelieving Wives The fruitless Professor must meet with disappointments
now to its outward Touching the outward state of thy â—â—mily thou art to consider these thâ— things First That it lyeth upon thee to câ—â—â— for them that they have a convenieâ—â— livelyhood If any man provide not for 〈◊〉 own and especially for those of his own houâ—â— he hath denied the Faith and is worse thâ— an infidel 1 Tim. 5. 8. But mark whâ—â— the Word saith thou art to provide 〈◊〉 thy house it giveth thee no license 〈◊〉 distracting carefulness neither doth 〈◊〉 allow thee to strive to grasp the World 〈◊〉 thy heart or Coffers nor to take care fâ—â— years or dayes to come but so to prâ—â—vide for them that they may have foâ—â— and raiment and if either they or thoâ— be not content with that you lanch oâ— beyond the Rule of God 1 Tim. 6. 〈◊〉 Mat. 6. 34. This is to labour that you 〈◊〉 have wherewith to maintain good Works 〈◊〉 necessary uses Tit. 3. 14. And never object that unless you reaâ— further it will never do for that is 〈◊〉 unbelief The Word saith That Gâ—â— â—â—edeth Ravens careth for Sparrows and loatheth the Grass in which three to feed loath and care for is as much as heart an wish Luke 12. 6 24 27 28. Secondly Therefore though thou shouldst â—rovide for thy Family yet let all thy â—abour be mixed with moderation Let our moderation be known to all men Phil. â— 5. Take heed of driving so hard after his World as to hinder thy self and faâ—ily from those Duties towards God which thou art by Grace obliged to as â—rivate Prayer reading the Scriptures â—nd Christian Conference It is a base â—hing for men so to spend themselves and â—amilies after this World as that they â—isingage their hearts to God's Worship 〈◊〉 Christians The time is short It remainâ—th then that they that have Wives be as â—hose that have none and they that weep 〈◊〉 though they wept not and they that reâ—yce as though they rejoyced not and they â—hat use this world as not abusing it for â—â—e fashion of this world passeth away 1 Cor. â—â— 29 30 31. Many Christians live and do in this world as if Religion were but a by-biâ—ness and this World the one thing neceâ—sary when indeed all the things of 〈◊〉 world are but things by the by and Râ—â—ligion only the one thing needful Lukâ— 10. 40 41. 42. Thirdly If thou wouldst be such a Mâ—ster of a Family as becomes thee thâ— must see that there be that Christiâ— Harmony among those under thee as bâ—comes that house where one ruleth thâ— feareth God 1. Thou must look that tâ— Children Servants be under subjectâ— on to the Word of God for though it of God only to rule the heart yet he eâ—â—pecteth that thou shouldst rule their ouâ— ward man which if thou dost not he mâ— in short time cut off all of thy stock that pâ—â—seth against the wall 1 Sam. 3. 11 12 1â— 14. See therefore that thou keep the temperate in all things in Apparrel 〈◊〉 Language that they be not Gluttenoâ— nor Drunkards not suffering either tâ—â— Children vainly to domineer over tâ—â— Servants nor they again to carry theâ—â—selves foolishly towards each other 2. Learn to distinguish between that injury that in thy Family is done to thee and that which is done to God and though thou oughtest to be very zealous for the Lord and to bear nothing that is open transgression to Him yet here will be thy wisdom to pass by personal injuries and to bury them in oblivion Love covereth the multitude of sins Be not then like those that will rage and stare like mad-men when they are injured and yet either laugh or at least not soberly rebuke and warn when God is dishonoured Rule thy own house well having thy Children with others in thy Family in subjection with all gravity 1 Tim. 3. 4. Solomon was so excellent sometimes this way that he made the eyes of his beholders to dazzle 2 Chron. 9. 3 4. But to break off from this general and to come to particulars First Hast thou a Wife thou muâ—â— consider how thou oughtest to behave thâ— self under that relation And to do this â— right thou must consider the condition 〈◊〉 thy wife whether she be one that indeeâ— believeth or not â— she believeth Theâ— First Thou art engâ—â—ged to bless God foâ— her For her price is far above Rubies anâ— she is the Gift of God unto thee and is fâ—â— thy adorning and glory Prov. 12. 4. Provâ— 31. 10. 1 Cor. 11. 7. Favour is deceiâ—ful and beauty is vain but a Woman thâ— feareth the Lord she shall be praised Provâ— 31. 30. Secondly Thou oughtest to love he under a double consideration 1. As shâ— is thy flesh and thy bone For â—evâ—â— Man yet hated his own flesh Ephes. 5â— 29. 2. As she is together with thee aâ— heir of the Grace of Life 1 Pet. 3. â— This I say should engage thee to lovâ— her with Christian Love to love her as believing you both are dearly belovâ— of God and the Lord Jesus Christ anâ— as those that must be together with him in Eternal happiness Thirdly Thou oughtest so to carry thy self to and before her as doth Christ to and before his Church as saith the Apostle So ought men to love their wives even as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it Ephes. 5. 25. When husbands behave themselves like husbands indeed then will they be not only husbands but such an Ordinance of God to the wife as will preach to her the carriage of Christ to his Spouse There is a sweet scent wrapped up in the relations of husbands and wives Ephes. 5. 32. that believe The wife I say signifying the Church and the husband the head and saviour thereof Ephes. 5. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife even a Christ is the head of the Church and He is the Saviour of the body This is one of God's chief ends in instituting Marriage that Christ and his Church under a figure might be where-ever there is a couple that believe through Grace Wherefore that husband that carrieth it undiscreetly toward his wife he doth not only behave himself contrary to the Rule but also maketh his Wife lose the benefit of such an Ordinance and crosseth the mystery of this Relation Therefore I say So ought men to love their Wives as their own bodies He that loveth his Wife loveth himself for no man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord the Church Ephes. 5. 28 29. Solomon and Pharaoh's Daughter had the art of thus doing as you may see in the Book of Canticles Wherefore bear with their weaknesses help their infirmities and honor them as the weaker vessels and as being of a frailer constitution 1 Pet. 3. 7. In a word be such a Husband to thy believing Wife that she may say God hath not only given me a husband but such a Husband as
to their Servants And first If possible they can to get them that fear God He that worketh deceit saith David shall not dwell within my House and he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight Psal. 101. 7. Secondly But if none at the present but unbelievers can be got to do thy labour Then 1. Know that it is thy duty so to behave thy self to thy Servant that thy service may not only be for thy good but for the good of thy Servant and that both in body and soul Wherefore deal with him as to admonition as with thy Children give him the same Bread of God thou givest to them who knows but that if thou with spiritual Dilicates bringest up thy Servant but he may become thy spiritual Son in the end Prov. 29. 21. 2. Take heed thou do not turn thy Servants into slaves by over-charging them in thy work thorow thy greediness To make men serve with rigor is more like to Israels enemies than Christian Masters Exod. 1. 14. 3. Take heed thou carry not thy self to thy Servant as he of whom it is said he is such a Son of Belial that his Servants could not speak to him 1 Sam. 25. 14 15 16 17. And the Apostle bids you forbear to threaten them because you also have a Master in Heaven Ephes. 6. 9. as who should say your Servants cannot be guilty of so many miscariages against you as you are guilty of against Christ wherefore do wiâ—h and to your Servants as you would have your Master do with you 4. Take heed that thou neither circumvent him at his coming into thy service â—oâ— at his going out 1. Servants at their going into service may be beguised two wayes First By their Masters lying unto them saying their work is so small and so easie when it is indeed if not too burdensome yet far beyond what at first was said of it This is beguiling of them Secondly The other way is wheâ— Masters greedily seek to wier-draw their Servants to such wages as indeed is too little and inconsiderable for such work and labour Both these the Apostle opposeth where he saith Masters give unto your Servants that which is just just labour and just wages knowing that you also have a Master in Heaven Col. 4. 1. 2. As Servants may be circumvented at their coming into their labour so also they may be at their going out Which 〈◊〉 done by Masters that either change â—â—eir wages like heathenish Laban Gen 31. 7. or by keeping it back like thosâ— against whom God will be a swift Witâ—ess Mal. 3. 5. 3. Take heed that thou make not a gain of thy place because thou art gracious or livest conveniently for the means of Grace Servants that are truly godly they care not how cheap they serve their Masters provided they may get into godly Families or where they may be convenient for the Word But now if a Master or Mistris should take this opportunity to make a prey of their Servant this is abominable this is making a gain of Godliness and merchandize of the things of God 1 Tim. 6. 5. and of the soul of thy Brother I have heard some poor Servants say That in some carnal families they have had more liberty to God's things and more fairness of dealing than among Professors But this stinketh and as Jacob said concerning the cruelty of his two Sons so may I say of such Masters they make Religion stink before the inhabitants of the Land Gen. 34. 30. In a word learn of the Lord Jesus to carry your selves well to your Servants that your Servants also may learn something of the kindness of Christ by your deportment to them Servants are gâ—ers aswel as comers take heed that thou give them no occasion to scandal the Gospel when they are gone for what they observed thee unrighteously to do when they were with thee Then Masters carry it rightly toward their Servants when they labour both in word and life to convince them that the things of God are the One thing necessary That which Servants are commanded to do touching their fear their singleness of heart their doing what they dâ— as to the Lord and not to men the Master is commanded to do the same things unto them Ephes. 5. 6 7 8 9. The Duty of Wives But passing the Master of the Family I shall speak a Word or two to those that are under him And first to the Wife The Wife iâ— bound by the Law to her Husband so long as her Husband liveth Rom. 7. 2. Wherefore she also hath her work and place in the family as well as the rest Now there are these things considerable in the carriage of a Wife toward her Husband which she ought conscientiously to observe First That she look upon him as her head and lord The head of the woman is the man And so Sara called Abraham Lord 1 Cor. 11. 3. 1 Pet. 3. 6. Secondly She should therefore be subject to him as is fit in the Lord. The Apostle saith That the Wife should submit her self to her Husband as to the Lord 1 Pet. 3. 1. Col. 3. 18. Ephes. 5. 22. I told you before that if the husband doth walk towards his wife as becomes him he will therein be such an ordinance of God to her besides the relation of an husband that shall preach to her the carriage of Christ to his Church And now I say also that the wife if she walk with her husband as becomes her she shall preach the Obedience of the Church to her husband Therefore as the Church is subject to Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands iâ— every thing Ephes. 5. 24. Now for thy performing of this work thou must first shun these evils 1. The evil of a wandering and a goâ—soping spirit this is evil in the Church and is evil also in a wife who is the figurâ— of a Church Christ loveth to have hiâ— Spouse keep at home that is to be witâ— him in the Faith and practice of hiâ— things not ranging and medling witâ— the things of Satan no more should wives be given to wander and gossop a broad You know that Prov. 7. 11. saith She is loud and stubborn her feet abide nâ— in her house Wives should be about their own husbands business at home As the Apostlâ— saith Let them be discreet chaste keepers a home good obedient to their own husbands And why because otherwise the Word 〈◊〉 God will be blasphemed Tit. 2. 5. 2. Take heed of an idle talking oâ— brangling tongue This also is odious either in maids or wives to be like Paâ—raâ—s not bridling their tongue where 〈◊〉 the wife should know as I said before â—â—at her husband is her lord and is over â—â—r as Christ is over the Church Do you â—â—ink it is seemly for the Church to parâ—t it against her Husband is she not 〈◊〉 be silent before him and to look to his â—aws rather than
this account Every miscarriage of thine goeth to their heart for fear God should take an occasion thereat to shut thee up in hardness for ever How did Abraham groan for Ishmael O saith he to God That Ishmael might live before thee Gen. 17. 18. How was Isâ—ac and Rebekah grieved for the miscarriage of Esau Gen. 26. 34 35. And how bitterly did David mourn for his Son who died in his wickedness 2 Sam. 18. 32 33. Lastly And can any imagin but that all these carriages of thy godly Parents will be to thee the increase of thy torments in Hell if thou die in thy sins notwithstanding Again if thy Parents and thou also be godly how happy a thing is this how shouldst thou rejoyce that the same Faith should dwell both in thy Parents and thee thy conversion possibly is the fruits of thy Parents groans and prayers for thy soul and they cannot chose but rejoyce do thou rejoyce with them 'T is true in the Salvation of a natural Son which is mentioned in the Parable This my Son was dead and is alive again was lost and is found and they began to be merry Luke 15. 24. Let therefore the consideration of this that thy Parents have Grace aswell as thee ingage thy heart so much the more to honour reverence and obey them Thou art better able now to consider the pains and care that thy friends have been at both for thy body and soul wherfore strive to requite them Thou hast strength to answer in some measure the Command wherefore do not neglect it It is a double Sin in a gracious Son not to remember the Commandment yea the first Commandment with promise Ephes. 6. 1 2. Take heed of giving thy sweet Parents one snappish word or one unseemly carriage Love them because they are thy Parents because they are godly and because thou must be in Glory with them Again if thou be godly and thy Parents wicked as often it sadly falls out Then first let thy bowels yearn towards them 't is thy parents that are going to Hell Secondly As I said before to the wife touching her unbelieving husband so now I say to thee Take heed of a parrating tongue speak to them wisely meekly and humbly do for them faithfully without repining and bear with all child-like modesty their reproaches their railing and evil speaking Watch fit opportunities to lay their condition before them O! how happy a thing would it be if God should use a Child to beget his Father to the Faith Then indeed might the Father say With the fruit of my own bowels hath God converted my soul. The Lord if it be his will convert our poor Parents that they with us may be the Children of God Concerning Servants Servants also they have a work to do for God in their place and station among men The Apostles assert Masters under a threefold consideration 1. The believing Master 2. The unbelieving Master 3. The froward Master For all which Servants are furnished with counsel and advice in the Word for the demeaning of themselves under each of them But before I speak in particular to any of these I will in general shew you the duty of Servants First Thou art to look upon thy self as thou art that is as a Servant not a Child nor a Wife thou art inferior to these wherefore count thy self under them and be content with that station For three things the Earth is disquieted and for four which it cannot bear one is a Servant when he reigneth Prov. 30. 21 22. It is out of thy place either to talk or do as one that reigneth Secondly Consider that thou being a Servant what is under thy hand is not thy own but thy Masters Now because it is not thy own thou oughtest not to dispose of it but because it is thy Masters thou oughtest to be faithful Thus it was with Joseph Gen. 39. 7 8 9. but if thou do otherwise know that thou shalt receive of God for the wrong that thou doest and there is with God no respect of persons Col. 3. 25. Wherefore Thirdly Touching thy work and imployment thou art to do it as unto the Lord and not for man and indeed then servants do their business as becomes them when they do all in obedience to the Lord as knowing that the place in which they now are it is the place where Christ hath put them and in which he expecteth they should be faithful Servants saith Paul be obedient to them that are your Masters with fear trembling in singleness of heart as unto Christ not with eye service as men-pleasers but as the Servants of Christ doing the Will of God from the heart Ephes. 6. 5 6. Observe a little the Word of God to Servants 1. Servants must be obedient 〈◊〉 2. Not with that obedience that 〈◊〉 serve man only servants must have theâ— eye on the Lord in the work they do 〈◊〉 their Masters 3. That their work in their service 〈◊〉 the Will and Ordinance of God From which I conclude that thy woâ—â— in thy place and station as thou art a serâ—vant is as really God's Ordinance anâ— as acceptable to Him in its kind as 〈◊〉 Preaching or any other work for God and that thou art as sure to receive a reâ—ward for thy labour as he that hangs 〈◊〉 is burnt for the Gospel Wherefore saiâ— the Apostle to servants Whatsoever 〈◊〉 do do it heartily as to the Lord and not 〈◊〉 men knowing that of the Lord you shall reâ—ceive the reward of inheritance for ye servâ—â— the Lord Christ Col. 3. 22 23 24. And now touching the three sorts 〈◊〉 Masters mentioned before First For the believing Master Saiâ—â— Paul They that have believing Masterâ—â— let them not despise them because they 〈◊〉 brethren but rather do them service becâ—â—â— they are faithful and beloved and partakers with the Servants of the heavenâ—â— Benefits 1 Tim. 6. 2. Servants if they have not a care of their hearts will be so much in the consideration of the relation that is betwixt their Masters and they as brethren that they will forget the relation that is between them as Masters and Servants now though they â—ought to remember the one yet let them take heed of forgetting the other Know thy place as a Servant while thou considerest that thy Master and thee are Brethren and do thy work for him faithfully humbly and with meekness because he is a Master faithful and beloved and partaker of the heavenly Benefit If any man teach otherwise saith the Apostle Paul and consent not to wholsome Words even the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine which is according to godliness he is proud knowing nothing but doting about questions and strife of words whereof cometh envy strife railings evil surmisings perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the Truth supposing that gain is godliness from such withdraw thy selâ— 1. Tim. 6. 3 4 5. Secondly