required in the family to be exercised by the Master of the house How much ignorance of God and his word in most families For neglect of How much loosnesse profanenesse wickednesse in children servants wives Take but the reason of all in a word it is because there is no care of the service of God in the family by the Chief of the family Look but upon the particular services 1 Morning and evening prayers in the family 1. A constant course of Morning Evening Prayers is one principle part of the service of God in the family which is evinced by this one argument because some deny the necessity of it and call for Scripture for it to omit others Because it being God that hath placed men in a Community setting the solitary in families Psal 68.6 it cannot be justly conceived he did this meerly for their worldly conveniences but rather that they should improve their Society to his glory who is the Lord of them altogether as well as of every one single so to worship him joyntly as well as of every one solitarily and apart Zach. 12. And as Congregations or publick Assemblies are appointed purposely for the more solemne worship of God by all several families So are families for a joynt and lesse solemne worship of God by all the single persons thereof together And indeed how hath the family that knowledge of God to be 1. Their great Lord and Master 2 The Author of their peace among themselves Psal He maketh men to be of one minde in an house that the Governour is gentle to his inferiours and they dutiful to him 3. The Author of all blessings to them all of health and strength to follow their labours and of successe and comfort in them if they agree not together to joyne in worship of that their Lord and in tendering Prayers and Praises for such things as they expect and receive from him But now how visible how common is the neglect of this service of God How many or rather how few families are there that keep this course How many goe to bed like their Swine and rise again like their Dog without ever calling upon Gods Name to give thanks for mercies received or pray for what they want The very Lords Prayer which runs in the plural implyes this a dayly duty of every man and being a society it requires it of all together that can meet to say Our Father c. and thine is the Kingdome c. The House is a little Church and so may be called an House of Prayer 2. Reading and hearing of the word 2 Reading and hearing of the word is another commanded service as by every person single so by all together in the family It concerns the Master of the family to see this done Deut. 11.18 c. is expressed for this to make the Scriptures known to their houshold speaking of it to them writing it upon the posts and gates and reading of it is now the readiest way But now how many Families have not one Chapter read from years end to years end at least from Sabbath to Sabbath How shall they understand the word in publick Col. 3.16 that are not acquainted with it in private The Apostle commands Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdome teaching and admonishing one another c. And it was the commendation of Timothius Parents that he knew he holy Scripturs from a child which onely are able to make a man wise to salvation In many families and they great ones we may finde Play-Books and amorous lacivious discourses frequently read but rarely a Chapter of the Bible all the week long Is it any wonder then that wives children servants are so bad 3. Catechising and instructing of those under their charge 3 Catechising is another Service of God Deut. 6.6 Thou shalt whet them upon thy Children c. or sharpen them by often repeating and the best meanes to work knowledge of God and his service in the hearts of inferiours Traine up a childe and servant in the trade of his youth and when he is old he shall not depart from it Thus did David drop Religion into Solomon while a childe Pro. 4.3 4. and so did his mother Bathsheba Pro. 31.1 2. c. Timothies did the like 2 Tim. 2. But how is this every where neglected Few children or servants are taught the Catechisme the first principles of Religion Hence the unprofitablenesse under the best publick preaching Hence so many are seduced into so many grosse errors and heresies and profanesse 4 Singing of Psalms 4. Singing of Psalmes is another service of God in the family as well as in the publick See Col. 3.16 Teaching and admonishing one another with Psalmes and Hymnes and spiritual Songs making melody in your hearts to God We heare Ballads and Jigs and filthy Songs sung in families but not a Psalme all the year long 5. Grace before and after meales 5 Grace at meales is a part of Prayer and Praises due to God but shamefully neglected in families or but a meer formality if used without any reverence Is it any wonder children servants be so bad to them when they are so bad to God that they do as the children of Israel did Sit down to eat and drink and rise up to play and that play was Idolatry Our blessed Saviour himselfe never eat himselfe or fed others at his Table but he blessed and gave thanks Mark 8.6 7. the Apostle Paul amongst Heathens observed the same Acts 27.35 And the same Apostle speaking of meats particulary God hath created them to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe know the truth For every creature of God is good if it be received with thanksgiving For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer 1 Tim. 4.3 4 5. As if it were not good if not sanctified by prayer and thanksgiving but may prove a Serpent even a poyson to soul or body And the neglect hereof argues in the Apostles Logick that such persons neither believe nor know the truth Let them consider it 6 Sanctification of the Sabbath 6. Lastly Sanctification of the Sabbath by the whole family in all or most of the duties aforesaid publickly and privately is the care of the chief housholder as in the fourth Commandment Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day Thou Master and thy sonne and daughter manservant and maidservant What need so particular enumeration if there were not a great weight in the performance thereof But where shall we finde the family that doth all this when the Housholders themselves neglect or profane it by their own example and imploy their children and servants in businesses to keep them from the publick Congregation or leave them to come or goe at their own pleasure or to spend the day in Idelnesse or Sports pastimes that day How can these men say truly I and my
Parents over them A fearing love and a loving fear Q. What are the duties of children to Parents A. Two Reverence and Obedience Q. Wherein consists their Reverence A. In their speech and gest re Q. How doth reverence appear in speech A. 1. In a modest forbearance to speak in their presence Job 22.9 10 21 till Parents give leave 2. In right framing their words when they do speak Q. How may they frame their words aright A. 1. Their words must be honourable to them or of them giving them their Titles of Father Lord Sir Mother Gen. 22.7 1 Kin. 2.20 2. They must bee few onely as occasion is offered 3. They must bee meek and humble as Jonathan to his Father 1 Sam. 19.4 4. They must observe fit opportunities 1 Sam. 19.9 and 20 30. when their Parents are not busie or in passion 5. A ready pleasing in their answers as 1 Sam. 3 4 6. Matth. 21.30 Q. How must they expresse Reverence in their gesture or carriage A. 1. In tendering obeysance Gen. 46 29. 1 Kin. 2.19 Gen. 46.12 uncovering the head standing up bowing the body or knee 2. In modesty and bashfulnesse in their countenances and carriage 3. in taking the lower place 4. In asking their blessing Gen. 27.19.34 Q. What obedience is due to Parents A. Both Passive and Active 1 Pet. 1.14 Q. Wherein must Passive obedience appear A. In forbearance to do any thing of moment without consent of Parents As In choice of a Calling Gen. 28.2 2. In marriage Deut. 7.3 1 Cor. 7 36 37. Gen. 24.67 and 29.18 Judg. 14.2 3. In disposing of their goods Gal 4.1 4. In ordering their apparel Gen. 37.3 2 Sam. 13.18 4. In vowing Num. 30.4 Q. Whereby must their Atctive obedience bee manifested A. 1 In obeying their commands to come or go or do any thing required Gen. 28.5 and 49.1 1 Sam. 17.19 20. 2. In hearkening to their instructions Prov. 1.8 9. and 4.1 3. 3. In patient bearing their reproofes Gen. 37.10 1 Sam. 20.30 with amendment Ezod 18.17 contra 1 Sam. 2.25 Pro. 13.1 4 In submission to their corrections Heb. 12 9. and reforming Prov. 29.7 5. In recompencing their care love and kindnesse if God makes them able 1 Tim. 5.4 by protection provision Joh. 19.17 support comfort c. 1 Sam. 22.3 4. Genes 37.35 and 47.8.47.12 Q. What more is required A. 1. In natural infirmities inward or outward they are to beare them patiently and cover them carefully from others Gen. 9 23. Luke 2.51 contra Pro. 30.17 2. In casual necessities upon their bodies or estates they are to their power to relieve them Q. Doe children owe any Duties to their deceased Parents A. 1. Yes A decent and honourabble burial as they are able Gen. 25.9 and 35.29 2. In paying their debts if the State will bear it 3. To suppresse evil reports of them 4. 1 Kin. 3.3 and 15 12 To imitate their good examples these are a part of that honour due to their Parents Q. What is the extent of their obedience A. The Text saith in all things that is in all lawful things in the Lord Eph. 6.1 In things indifferent bringing their wils to their Parents Q. What motives are there to enforce these duties upon children A. 1. This is well pleasing to the Lord and the cantrary displeasing 2. Parents are in Gods stead to them and in doing their duties to them they doe it unto God and contra 3 The promises made to their obedience of long life Eph. 6.1 2 3. and happinesse in this world in their persons estates posterity by their Parents blessings Deut. 5.16 and the contrary threatnings and curses to undutiful children Prov. 30.17 4 This Obedience to their parents on earth shall be a good evidence they are childen to God their Father in heaven Q. Are there not some besides natural Parents that children owe duty to A. Yes Such as are in the place of parents to them which may be three wayes 1. Fathers or mothers in Law by marriage 2. Guardiars the next of kin when Parents are dead 3. Tutors and School-masters intrusted with them Q. What duties do children owe to their fathers or mothers in Law A. The same for the most part that they owe to their natural Parents As 1. Reverence Exod 18.7 2. Subjection Luc. 2.51 3 Recompence as Ruth 1. and 2. chap. Q. Vpon what grounds are these due A. 1. The marriage bond maketh man and wife one flesh and so to be accounted by them 2. It is an honour to the natural Parent for children to respect the other party that is now one flesh with them Q. What duty owe they to Guardians and Tutors c. A. A subjection and reverence because they have the trust and charge of Parents to them as Esth 2.20 2 Kings 2.12 15. Gal. 4.2 Chapter 2. The Duties of parents to their children Ephes 6.4 And ye Fathers provoke not your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Col. 3.21 Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged Q. WHat are the parts of those Texts A. Three 1. A prohibition provoke not your children to wrath 2. A reason thereof lest they be discouraged 3. A Precept but bring them up c. Q. What duties are here enjoyned A. 1. To nourish or breed them up with food apparel and other necessaries 2. To nurture them viz. with good discipline 3. To instruct them in the wayes of God in admonition of the Lord. Q. What is the foundation of Parents duties to their children A. Love as in other relations Tit. 2.4 by reason of the paine paines care and cost which nothing but Love will beare out Q. What vices are contrary to this love A. 1. Want of natural affection in the defect Rom. 1.30 Tit. 3.3 2. Doating on them and fondnesse in the excesse with too much indulgence 1 Sam. 2.29 Q. What are the general duties at all times to be done by Parents A. 1. Faithful and fervent prayers for them 1 Thes 5.17 from beginning to end 2. Upright walking with God before them Psal 112.2 Prov. 20.7 and 13.22 3. A provident care for their childrens good all their dayes both temporal and spiritual good Q. What is the duty of mothers to their children in their infancy A. 1 Before it is borne care for the safe carriage delivery of it 2 When it is borne 1. provision of necessaries for it Luke 2.7 2. Nursing it her selfe if God make her able Gen. 21.7 Sarah and Hannah 1 Sam. 1.22 Psal 22.9 3. Procuring of right Baptism which concerns also and chiefly the father as in circumcision Q. What duties concerne them in childhood A. A special care in bringing them up and in putting of them forth when fit Q. What must Parents aime at in bringing of them up A. 1. At their temporal good in first nourishing them well providing all needful things for life and
health Math. 7.9 19. Gen. 37.3 Zech. 8.5 Joh. 4.47 2. Nurturing them with good manners Prov. 22.6 Levit. 19.32 Prov. 25.6 Luk. 14.8 and in some honest Calling Gan. 4.2 and 37.12 Exod. 2.16 c. 2. At their spiritual good in admonition of the Lord Deut. 4.9 Gen. 18.19 Prov. 4.4 2 Tim. 1.5 In reading the word 2 Tim. 3.15 Catechising Deut. 6.7 and by an exemplary life Josh 22.15 Q. what are the meanes of Nurture A. 1. Frequent admonition to fasten their instructions Deut. 6.7 wheting them 2. Correction both in words of reproofe Prov. 6. 23. and 15.32 and in stripes if needful Prov. 22.15 and 23.13 14. Q. What duties do Parents owe to children at riper age past childhood A. 1. Provision of fit callings as afore 2. Provision of fit matches in marriage as Abraham and Isacc did for theirs both which require preparation of a Stock and Portion Q. What are the duties of Parents at the time of their death A. 1. Good counsel precepts directions as Isaac and Jacob did 2. Faithful prayers and blessings of them commending them into the hands of God 3. Commending them to some faithful friend to oversee them and supply their losse Esth 2.15 4. To settle their estate by Will to prevent divisions amongst children Isa 38.1 Q. Are there not some besides natural Parents that owe duty to children A. Yes those that are in stead of Parents which are as afore fathers or mothers in Law guardians and tutors or scoolmasters Q. What duties do fathers and mothers in Law owe to children A. The same for the most part that natural Parents owe to them Luk. 2.48 Exod. 18.1 Ruth 3.1 Q. What reason is there for this A. 1. Marriage making man and wife one flesh they ought to love each others children as part of themselves 2. It 's a signe of entire love to each other Love me and love my childe c. 3. It 's a special means to preserve love betwixt them Q. What duties do Guardians owe to the children entrusted with them A. The same some few excepted that natural Parents owe them Esth 2 7 11 20 22. and 4.13 1 Tim. 5.8 Q. What are the special duties A. 1. To look carefully to their education 2. To preserve their patrimony c. Q. What is the duty of Tutors c A. 1. To instruct them well in Piety or Religion 2. In learning 3. In good manners Chapter 3. The Duties of Servants to their Masters Eph. 6.5 Col. 3.22 Servants obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh not with eye-service c Q. WHat are the particulars of these Texts A. Four 1. The kindes of their duties 2. The manner 3. The extent 4. the motives Q. What are the kindes of servants duties A. Two Inward and outward Q. What are the inward A. 1. In judgement to he perswaded of their Masters Superiority over them 2. In a special affâ—ction of feare not a slavish but reverential feare counting them worthy of all honour Mal. 1.6 Eph. 6.5 1 Pet. 2.18 Q. What are their outward duties A. Two Reverence and Obedience Q. Wherein appeares their Reverence A. 1. In speech 2. In their carriage Q. How in their speech A. 1. In forbearing to speak in their presence attending to what they say 2. In ordering their speech aright when they do speak where their words must be 1. Reverent giving their titles Lord Master c. 2. Few 3. Meek and humble 4. Seasonable Mark 4.10 5 Ready to answer Job 19.16 6 True without lying 7. Good of them in absence as contrarily Ziba of his Master 2 Sam. 16.3 Q How in their carriage A. 1. By obeysance 2. Standing before them 3. Heads uncovered 4. Sober and modest countenance 5. Modesty of apparel sutable to their estate and place Q. What are the parts of their obedience A. 1. Negative or passive to forbear what is forbidden or denied them as 1. Not to goe when and whether they list 2. Nor doe their own but their Masters businesse 3. Nor dispose of their goods without leave Prov. 31.15 Exod. 21.4 4. Nor marry without their consent 5. Nor goe away before their time expired 2. Affirmative or Active and that expressed 1. In doing their commands Luke 17.7 8. 2. In hearkning to their instructions both Religious and Civil 3 By patient bearing their reproofes or corrections 1 Pet. 2.18 though unjust Tit. 2.9 with speedy amendment Prov 27.22 Q. In what manner must all their duties be performed A. 1. In singlenesse of heart Col. 3.22 and heartily v. 23. or from the heart not with eye-service or as men-pleasers as Geheri c. 2. In conscience as fearing God as unto Christ as serving the Lord Christ Eph. 6. 3. With good will which implyes four things 1. Cheerfulnesse 2. Quicknesse or readinesse 3. Diligence and activenesse in it 4. Faithfulnesse 1 Cor. 4.1 Tit. 2.10 In respect of 1. Their Masters goods both in keeping them as Jacob and increasing them as they that had the Tallents contra Tit. 2.20 2. Their businesses dispatching them well as Gen. 24.2 12 26 33.56 3. Their secrets especially their infirmities by concealing them Jerem. 38.27 4. Good example to their fellowes to make them faithful diligent c. contra Math. 24.48 49. 5. Loving and careful of their children to procure their good of soul and body Q. What is the extent of their obedience A. In all things that is in all lawful things in the Lord to bring their judgement to their Masters in all indifferent things For which end let them chuse to serve Religious Masters Q. What are the motives used to perswade servants to doe their duties A. 1. The place of a Master he stands in Christs stead and so Christ is served or neglected in him 2. The honour of their own place and condition they are Christs servants and freemen 1. Cor. 7.22 3. The Recompence of their service from God Col. 3.24 Q. What is that Recompence A. Reward or punishment Q. What reward is promised to them A. 1. Temporal many blessings First from their Masters as Joseph Mordecai c. 2. From strangers that behold their good service 3. He will bless their labours when they come to deal for themselves Gen. 43.23 as he did Jacob. 4. And give them such good servants as they have been 2. Eternal of the Lord receive the reward of inheritance with their Masters verse 24. Q. What punishment is threatned A. The contrary to the Reward Temporal sending them hard Masters or bad servants when they are Masters or curse their labours And eternal v. 25. He that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong he hath done Q. Are there any other motives A. Yes 1. If their Masters reward them not God will if they wrong them God will right them upon their Masters He that doth wrong though a Master shall receive for the wrong he hath done No respect of persons with God 2. By being good servants they shall
the cure In his default the Officers of the Church must make supply by their discipline And in their neglect either the civil Magistrate must reforme both Church and Families and single persons or expect nothing but ruine and destruction of all Now seeing as was said it is not possible or not very probable for us Ministers to perswade every single person to a serious and through Reformation of himselfe It remaines to us in the second place to try how far we can prevaile with chief Housholders to act their part to make their Families good so all good who have both power in their hands and all good reason to move them thereunto as shall appear hereafter For this purpose I have chosen this text as a worthy Instance of an Exemplary Resolution in a great and good Housholder that renowned Joshua by name Who leaving others to their choice for himselfe and family undertakes to be Religious Doe you sayes he as you please chuse what Gods you will serve But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Parts of the text In the words we may without much curiosity of Division consider these general parts 1. The Epitome of all Religion expressed in these words To serve the Lord which is the summe of both Tables of the Law especially of the first 2. Joshuahs Resolution to serve the Lord wherein we have three particulars 1. His appropriation of it to himselfe As for me I will serve the Lord. 2. The extension of his Religion to his family As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. 3. The Order of it First himselfe will be Religious and then his house I and my house c. 1. For the first The service of God to be the sum of all Religion 1 The Epitome of Religion it appears by those places of Scripture where true Religion is commanded Exod. 23 25. Ye shall serve the Lord your God To serve God Deut. 10.12 What doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to serve him with all thy heart and all thy soul How To keep the Commandements of the Lord c. That is all his Commandements of both Tables Some there are who distinguish Worship and Service making Worship the object of the first Table and Service of the second but without any ground of Scripture for that holds out Service as more general and including Worship as a more special part of Gods Service as is evident in the texts above cited and many more like unto them We may better distinguish the Service of God into Imediate which is properly called Worship in the fiâ—st Table and Mediate by men which is called Righteousnesse in the second Table for though we do not properly worship God by doing the works of righteousnesse yet are we said to serve God in doing to men the duties of the second Table As the Apostle sayes of servants That in obeying their Masters they serve the Lord Christ Col. 3.24 We note this because it will be of use anone 2 Joshua's Resolution 2. For the particulars of the second part Joshuahs resolution many things might be obseved but we shall wave them all and look at him onely as an Housholder with Relation to his family I and my house will serve the Lord and draw out this one Observation That it is the property Observation and duty of a good Housholder to provide and taks care that all under his charge doe serve the Lord that is be religious and righteous the one towards God the other towards men 1 Proved We shall first confirme it and then apply it confirme it 1. In general 1 In general by examples And here we have first the commended example of Abraham the father of the faithful by God himselfe Gen. 18.19 I know Abraham that he will command his children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgement c. Which also he practised Gen. 14.14 where we heare of his trained or instructed catechised servants And Gen. 17.23 being entered into Covenant himselfe and circumcised he circumcised the same day Ishmael his sonne and all that were borne in his house Gen. 35.2 Jacob purgeth his family and bought with money This Family Religion or Reformation is graciously and couragiously resolved on by David Psal 101.2 c. I will behave my selfe wisely in a perfect way I will walke within my house with a perfect heart c. And marke his wisdom both in the constitution and ordering of his Family ver 3. I will set no wicked thing a thing of Belial the discription of a wicked person before mine eyes I hate the work of them that turn aside c. I will not know a wicked person ver 4. as if said None such shall come into my house He that worketh deceit shall not dwell in my house or if he doe unawares come in he that telleth lyes shall not tarry in my sight ver 7. Who then shall serve him he that will serve God with him Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the Land that they may dwell with me He that walketh in a perfect way as I resolved to do ver 2. he shall serve me Hence it is observable in the New Testament that as a proper consequence of the Housholders conversion when any such believed his Family believed with him Joh. 4.53 it s said of that Nobleman Himselfe believed and his whole house So Acts 16.15 Lydia was converted baptized and her houshold and ver 33. the Jaylor was baptized he and all his as if they had learn'd Joshuahs resolution As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. This for the general 2 Specially in two Respects 2. We shall look more specially and particularly at those Duties which concern the good Housholder to performe and practice and that with Respect either to his Relations or to the particular Services required in the Family 1 To the several Relations in the Family As 1. In respect to his several Relations in the Family which oftentimes if not alwayes are of three sorts 1. As anâ— Husband to a wife 2. As a Parent to children 3. As a Master to servants The same person may stand in this threefold Relation and in all these the Duty lies upon him to see that all under his charge do serve the Lord See the particulars 1. As an Husband to a Wife 1 As an Husband to a Wife And the Apostle hath instructed him in that 1 Pet. 3.7 Likewise ye Husbands dwell with them your wives according to knowledge c. That is being able and ready to instruct and guide them in the service and wayes of God This is implied also 1 Cor. 14.35 If wives will learn any thing let them ask their Husbands at home and ver 34. they are commanded obedience as also saith the Law which implyes he hath power to command them
to know and serve God How else can an Husband say as Joshua I and my house will serve the Lord when one principal party is at liberty to serve the Devil without controle 2 As a father to children 2. As a Father or in his death or absence a Mother unto children The Scripture is expresse for this and full Deut. 6.7 8. These words which I command thee shall be in thine heart And thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children and thou shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up The same is repeated again to note the excellency and necessity and common neglect of this duty Deut. 11.18 with this addition in both places Thou shalt write them upon the dooreposts of thy house and upon thy gates to make them know and remember them the better So Pro. 22.6 Train up a childe in the way he should goe and when he is old he will not depart from it The New Testament speaks the same language Eph 6 And ye Parents bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 3. As a Master to servants 3 As a Master to servants Abrahams example is here recorded for imitation He will command his houshold as well as his children that is his servants and they shall keep the way of the Lord c. That Psal 101. is Davids profession for ordering his servants He will have all his servants faithful and religious or make them such or else eject and turn them out of doores The Masters of families Exod. 12.44 were to see that their servants did eat the Passeover and did sanctifie the Sabbath Exod. 20. in the fourth Commandâ—â—ent Thus in respect to his Relations 2 To the kinds of service of God 2. In respect to the several kinds of Services of God to be maintained in the Family and they are as we said of two sorts 1 Immediate in the first Table 1. Immediate service of God in the first Table of the law called specially Worship and that according to the four Commandments thereof 1. To know feare love trust delight in God required in the first Commandement 2. To cause them to know and attend upon all instituted Ordinances of worship as Prayers Reading hearing the word Grace Thanksgiving at Meales Sacraments c 3. To Reverence Gods Name in not taking it in vain and reverent using of all his Ordinances and Creatures 4. To sanctifie his Sabbath These the chief Housholder is to take care of in all in his Family as the places afore-cited manifest 2. Mediate Service 2 Mediate in the second is that which at second-hand redounds to God by serving of men according to the Commandements of the second Table Teaching them to be obedient to Superiours to be meek quiet peaceable To be chast and temperate To be just and righteous in their dealings To be true and faithful in their words And to be moderate in their desires contented with their own estate c. In doing these things men are said by reflexion and at last result to serve God as is clearely spoken of servants Col. 3.24 and Eph. 6.6 Not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart And ver 7. With good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men God is pleased to esteem himselfe served and worshipped in faithfull performance of the works of our callings and duties of the second Table to our neighbour as well as in our Immediate worship of himselfe in the first Table 3. By Reason Thus have we both explained and confirmed the Doctrine by light and proofes of Scripture we shall adde the light and strength of Reason 1. He is Gods Deputy 1. The chief Housholder is in his family Gods Deputy or Vice-roy yea a God to his Wife children and servants as Moses was to Aaron Exod. 4.16 Liberis suis Pater Dei vice est Greg. Naz. And therefore to manage his Authority for God in promoting his service in the little World or Kingdom of his own House He hath Gods Titles of Father and Lord put upon him and so the Supreame power in the family to command all his subjects for so they are in a sense for God As was said of Abraham he will command his Houshold c. He is also called the Head of the Family though chiefly of his wife to oversee and guide the body that little Domestical body 2. The Chief housholder Christian is in Christs stead 2 In Christ stead in all his offices As to his family And hence it is said of dutiful servants that in serving their Masters they serve the Lord Christ Col. 3.24 whose Deputies Masters are to them Whereupon they are invested with all his Offices as every good Christian is to himselfe Rev. 1.6 1 Pet. 2. of Prophet Priest and King These three Offices met all in one man at the beginning as in Adam to be sure he was all these to his Family afterwards they were severed and distributed into several persons one a Prophet another a Priest another a King Sometimes two of them met in one person a Priest a King as Melchisedeck a Prophet and a Priest as Samuel a Prophet and a King as David But they never met all in one person till Christ the Second Adam was anointed above his fellowes and recovered that which the first Adam lost And this Oyntment descended to the skirts of his garments the meanest of his Members but especially to Houshlders as their primitive right to be in one person a Prophet a Priest and a King to his Family Touch but the particulars 1. A Prophet 1. A Prophet to teach and instruct his Houshold Deut. 6.6 Thou shalt diligently teach them c. Eph. 6.6 Every Housholder is a Preacher to his own family a Minister in a sense to read and expound with modesty the word of God to Catechise and instruct his wife children servants 2. A Priest 2 A Priest to offâ—r Sacrifice for them and with them as Job did for his Both propitiatory sacrifice after a sort that is praying for pardon of their sins and for grace and Peace-offerings or Eucharistical Sacrifices of Praises and Thanksgiving for them and with them as for himselfe 1 Pet. 2.9 Ye are a royal Priest-hood that ye should shew forth the praises of him Heb. 13.15 who hath called you out of darknesse into his marvelous light 3. A King 3. A King to rule and command as well as to protect his family Abraham will command his Houshold c. And the Coercive and correcting power over his family argues his authority to be King-like The very Heathens acknowledged this truth by the light of Nature Eph. 1. last That every man should beare rule in his own house It is spoken with respect to the Wife
may make their Families religious with themselves 1. Begin at home 1. Begin at home and make themselves examples to their Families as Joshua here observes the right order I first and then my house shall serve the Lord Inferiours look more at what Superiours doe then what they say The wickednesse of the Heathens was from the lewdnesse of their gods and goddesses as the Poets described them Jupâ—ter adulterous Venus a wanton Bacchus a revelling drunkard c. Who will care to be better then his God what servant will be more religious than his Master or maid than her Lady or Mistresse Nay it is a shame to a Parent or Master to have his children or servants better then himself And this is the reason why dissolute and wicked Masters will not endure religious servants because their life is a real reproof Solomons experience tells us When a Ruler of House or Town or Nation hearkens to lyes all his servants are wicked Pro 29.12 It 's true in other vices of Superiours when they are Drunkards Vnchast Profane their servants are so too or will quickly be made such If you would have your families in all Relations religious and holy be you holy in all manner of conversation if you be wicked it s in vain to offer to make them good It will be said Physitian heal thy self Nothing either silences or duls the edg of instructions reproofs corrections more then to hear Thou that teachest another teachest thou not thy selfe Thou that sayest thy Wife Childe Servant should not commit Adultery be drunk be a profaner of the Sabbath lye swear c. dost thou do all or any of these things As one candle cannot light another if it selfe be out so nor shall an housholder inform or inflame his family with the love of God and godliness if himselfe want it or reforme those that walk disorderly if himselfe need Reformation Reformation never sticks but as they say in fleying of a beast at the Head When one told Sigismund the Emperour Let the Reformation begin from the Minorites a kind of Fryars No sayes he if ever it be done it must begin at the Majorites We heard afore when the chief Housholder was converted believâ—d all his house believed also 2. Look to the constitution of the Family 2. Look well to the constitution of your Families as some say of Churches the house being to be a lesser Church that they be at least visible Saints that is apparently religious though perhaps secret hypocrites That is look well when you first set up a family whom you admit into that society Especially for a wife servants for Children cannot be chosen but given as a gift from God If in choice of a Wife men look either onely or chiefly at Beauty Parentage Portion it matters not for Râ—ligion if they be vexed with an ill piece of Housholdstuffe they may thank themselves and make the Reformation of the Family very difficult if not impossible When the Husband shall call to prayers and the Wife to playing Carding Dice what hope of Reformation or Religion there When Mical shall scâ—ffe at Davids devotion what can be expected that 's good Woe be to him that hath a Philistine in his bosome as Sampson had So if in choice of a servant men shall look onely at their own service for such an imployment never care for the Religion or godlinesse of that servant the lesse of that the better is it any wonder they complaine of ill servants and bad services can you look they should be faithfull to you when they and you are unfaithful to God Mark and imitate Davids choice Psalm 101.4 I will not know a wicked person v. 6. Mine eyes shall bee upon the faithful that they may dwell with me c. 3. Set up Religion in earnest 3. Set up and keep up Family Religion in earnest and not in formality only Instruction Catechising Reading of the word praying sanctification of the Sabbath c. in your selves and yours And resolve to exercise and execute Family-discipline upon those that are incorrigible If admonition reproofe correction will not amend them proceed to the censure of houshold Excomunication the house being a lesser Church So David resolved Psal 10.4 5 7. A froward heart shall depart from me He that privily slandereth his neighbour him will I cut off He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight in my house Let no Swearer Drunkard Vnclean person c. dwel or tarry in your houses Tell them As for me and my house we will serve the Lord if you will not serve the Lord with me you shall not serve me 4. Keep out as much as you can all wicked Companions from your houses 4. Keep out It s not possible to keep Religion up in your Families in power and purity when Swearers Drunkards c Atheists and Scorners of godlinesse may have entertainment and countenance therein These will corrupt your children and servants and well if not your wives These will scoffe you out of your Religion or coole and quench your devotion Prayers and Reading c must bee sometimes intermitted to gratifie them Sabbaths must be profaned for their sakes Say then you Masters of houses Away from me ye wicked I will keep the commandements of my God even Strangers of old were to be kept from profaning of the Sabbath as in the fourth Commandement the stranger that is within thy gates or if not to be turned out of doores out of the gates Nehem. 13.17 21. If they will not observe the religious services of the house nor goe with you to Gods house let them not lodge in your houses Say then peremptorily say and hold it As for you doe as you think good be wicked profane c. it is like you But as for me and my house we wâ—ll serve the Lord. Lastly to conclude all Here might have been added a short exhortation to all sorts of Inferiours in the Family relations Inferiors to submit to this way as wives children servants to submit to this Religious Ordering or Reformation by the Governour of the house If he must necessarily command they ought conscientiously to obey that so the family Town Church State may be happily reformed and blessed Chapter 1. The Duties of Children to their Parents Col. 3.20 Children obey your Parents in all things for that is well pleasing to the Lord. Q. WHat are the parts of this Text A. Three 1. A duty Obey your parents 2. The extent of it in all things 3. The reason or motive For this is well pleasing to the Lord. Q. What is meant by children and Parents A. By children are especially meant such as proceed by natural generation by Parents natural Parents both father and mother Q. What are the grounds of childrens duties to Parents contra 2 Tim. 3.3 A. A mixture of love and fear love from the affections of Parents to them and fear from the authority of
be fitted to make good Masters 3. And prove themselves good servants to God and truly gracious Tit. 2.10 11. and adorne the Gospel and Religion Chapter 4. The Duties of Masters to their Servants Eph. 6.9 Masters do ye the same things to them forbearing threatning knowing that your Master also is in heaven Col. 4.1 Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven Q. WHat are the parts of these Texts A. Two 1. The duties in general Justice and Equity 2. The reason knowing that ye have a Master in heaven Q. What duties concern Masters A. 1. Care in chusing good servants as Psal 101. at large especially godly and religious 2. Conscience in using them well Q. Wherein doth this last consist A. 1. In a wise maintaining their authority as the authority of God 2. In a right managing of it Q. How may they maintaine wisely their Authority A. 1. By a good example and worthy carriage Josh 24.15 Psalm 101.1 2. 2. By an awful carriage that servants may stand in fear of them 3. By keeping a distance from them least familiarity breed contempt Prov. 30.22 29.21 Q. What is the extent of their Authority A. 1. In their commands restrained to the Laws of God and exercised in execution of Gods commands as Abraham Gen. 19. Levit. 25.43 2. In their corrections which must be moderate and discreet in consideration of the age sexe fault of the person c. Q. How may they manage rightly their Authority A. By Justice and Equity as the Text. Q. What doth Justice respect A. 1. The souls of their servants in their edification and salvation Josh 24.15 to serve the Lord by teaching them Principles of Religion bringing to publick worship calling them to account and praying with them and for them Jer. 10.25 2. Their bodies cherishing them with wholsome food fit apparel Pro. 31.21 Deut. 5.14 moderate labour convenient rest vales and in sicknesse physick needful Matth. 8 6. 3. Their estate that they may have a calling and that they may live of themselves Gen. 30.30 Q. What doth Equity require of them A. 1. A good esteem of them not as slaves but as children rather 2 Kin. 5.13 1 Cor. 7.22 2. Taking notice of their goodnesse with approbation and kind acceptance Matth. 25.21 Rom. 13.3 well done good servant 3. Rewarding the good when goe away as Deut. 15.13 Q. What motives are there to enforce these duties upon them A. 1. They have a Master over them and this will be a spure to incite them to their duty and a curb to do no wrong to them because he takes notice of both 2. Their Equality in regard of God ye also have a Master and so fellow-servants Math. 24 49. 3. In heaven servants are admitted there no respect of persons with God And yet there is far greater distance between God and them than betwen them and their servants Chapter 5. Of Marriage in general Heb. 13.4 Marriage is honourable among all c. Q. WHerein appears the honour of Marriage A. 1. In the Author God himselfe 2. In the place Paradise Gen. 2.18 21. c. 3. In the time in Innocency 4. In the persons the first Parents of all 5. In the manner consultation c. Q. What are required to Marriage A. 1. A right conjunction of man and woman 2. The common and mutual duties which concern them both alike 3. The particular duties of each party Q. Who are accounted Husband and Wife A. They who are rightly joyned together in marriage and of two made one flesh Q. Who are parties fit to marry A. They who having ripnesse of years and wisdom to chuse no way made impotent to marriage duties 1 Cor. 7.36 Q. Who are to be accounted impotent A. Born or made Eunuchs by any occasion Mat. 19.12 or dangerously diseased Q. May all sorts of person but such marry A. Yes all Heb. 13.4 1 Tim. 4.1 3. as the disease of Concupiscence is common to all 1 Cor. 7.2 9. Q. In choice of a person what is required A. Choice of a fit helper Gen. 2.18 Q. What makes a fit helper A. 1. One not within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity prohibited 2. Equality in Age Condition Estate and Piety Luk. 1.6 Q. How may a godly person be known A. 1. By their religious education and their answerable walking 2. By the report and fame with the good 3. By the lookes if modest and chast c. 4. By the speech if sparing and humble 5. By the Apparel 1 Pet. 3. 6. By the Companions like will to like Q. After what manner are fit persons to be joyned together A. 1. By a mutual liking of each other Gen 24.58 2. By an actual contract Gen. 19.14 18. Luk. 1.27 a promise of marriage in due time 3. By a publick solemnization of the marriage Q. What are the ends of marriage A. 1. To be fit helpers one of another 2. Propagation of an holy posterity 3. To avoid fornication 1 Cor. 7.2 Q. What are those mutual and commâ—n duties concerning both parties alike A. 1. Such as concern them between themselves 2. Joyntly with respect to others Q. What are the duties that concern them between themselves A. 1. Such as respect the very being of marriage 2. Or such as respect the well being of it Q. What are those mutual duties to one another which respâ—ct the being of marriage A. 1. Matrimonial unity accounting one another to be one flâ—sh and that without desertion of one another except in case of Death or Adultery Math. 1. Cor. 7.10 11. c. 2. Matrimonial chastity or faithfulnesse in the Covenant of marriage Mal. 2.14 15. Tit. 2.5 Q. What reasons are there for this chastity A. 1 It s one end of marriage 1 Cor. 7.2 2 It preserves an holy posterity Mal. 2.15 3 It s the honour of marriage Heb. 13.4 Q. What is the best remedy against unchastity A. The rendering mutually to each other due benevolence 1 Cor. 7.3 4 c. Q. What are those mutual duties which tend to the well being of marriage A. 1 Mutual love or entire affection one towards another Epp. 5. last Tit. 2.4 1 Cor. 16.14 This is the ground of all their duties 2 Mutual concord and. peace by unity of minds Eph. 4.3 avoiding contentions Pro. 21.9 Q. What are the best meanes to preserve love and peace between them A. 1. All offences must be carefuly prevented 2. If given by one not taken by the other forbearing one another Eph. 4.2 and forgiving v. 32. 3. Beware of jealousie or occasions of it 4. Study to please one another 1 Cor. 7.33 34. Q. What other common duties concern both A. In general a provident care for one anothers good Q. What are the means to promote that care A. 1. Cohabitation or dwelling together forsaking all others Psal 45.10 1 Cor. 7.12 1 Pet. 3.7 2. Prayers not onely singly
her honour 2. Equity as agreeable to the Law of God of Nature and to the Gospel Q. What meanes those words In the Lord A. It implyes 1. A limitation 2. A direction And 3. A motive Q. What is the limitation A. A Wife must submit and obey but in the Lord that is in lawful things Q. What is the Direction A. To do all her duties to her Husband with an eye to the Lord as unto Christ Eph. 5.22 Q. How is it a Motive A. 1. In doing her duty to her husband she does it to Christ and he takes it so 2. In refusing or neglecting it to him she does the same to Christ Chapter 7. The Duties of Husbands to their Wives Col. 3.19 Husbands love your wives and be not bitter against them Q. WHat are the parts of this Text A. Two 1. The Duty of an husband To love his wife 2. The manner of performance with mildnesse expressed by forbidding the contrary and be not bitter to them Q. Why doth the Apostle comprehend the whole duty of the husband in love Eph. 5.25 28 33. A. 1. Otherwise no duty can be well performed from one to another 1 Cor. 16.14 2 The Wife is the chiefest object of love above friends châ—â—de parents must leave all for her as she all for him therefore must love her most Deut. 13.6 wife or his bosome 3 Least his Superiority and Authority over her should degenerate into Tyranny 4 She the weaker Sexe and apt to offend but love will cover all 5 To provoke her to love him because he first loves her as Christ the Church Q. What particular duties of the Husband do proceed from Love 1 Pet. 3.7 According to knowledge A. Two 1. A wife maintaining of his Authority 2. A right managing of the same Q. Why must an Husband maintaine his Authority A. 1. This maintaines Gods and Christs Authority who entrust him with it 2. This most promotes the good of his wife and the whole family Q. How may he maintaine his authority A. By being an example to them in Love Gravity Piety Honesty which cause a reverent respect in Wife and Family 1 Tim. 4.2 Q. How is this authority to be managed A. 1. By a tender respect of her 2. By a provident care for her Q. What is that tender respect of her A. It is either inward or outward Q. Wherein consists his inward respect A. 1. In regard of his Opinion of her 2. In regard of his affection to her Q. What opinion must he have of her A. 1. In regard of her place 1 Pet. 3.7 Giving honour to her he must esteeme her not as a servant but as his yoke-fellow and companion a little lower then himselfe as neerest to equality 2. In regard of her person so he must esteeme his own wife fittest and best for him as provided by God Prov. 19.14 and 18.22 Q. What affection must he bear to her A. It must be with the greatest delight in her as the delight of his eyes as Ezek. 24.19 ravisht modestly with her love Prov. 5.18 19. Q. Wherein appears his outward respect A. 1. In avoiding offences to her 2. In wisely ordering her offences to him Q. How may he avoid offences to her A. 1. In taking her duty tendered to him 2. In tendering his own to her Q. What is to be done in taking hers A. 1. A kind acceptation of it as Abraham did Sarahs Gen. 21.8 1 Sam. 1.23 2. Commending and rewarding her for it as Prov. 31.28 31. Esth 5.3 1 Kin. 1.28 c. Q. How must he tender his duty to her to avoid offences A. In mildnesse a special fruit of love which the Apostle intends in these words Be not bitter to them which is expressed 1 In his speeches whether giving her Titles as Wife Love c. or instrutions commands or reproofes all with meeknesse Gal. 6.1 Prov. 25.15 2 In his countenance which must be amiable and pleasing 3 In his gestures with a kind of modest familiarity as Isaac to Rebecca Gen. 26.8 4 In his Actions by favours and gifts as 1 Sam. 1.4 5. Elkanah did to his Q. What is required in ordering her offences to him A. To passâ— them by with meekenesse and patiently to bear with her weaknesse Pâ—ov 19.11 1 Pet. 3 7. Q. Wherein appears his provident care for her A. 1. In providing things needful for her as her Head 1 Sam. 1.3 4 7. and 2.19 both for her soul in privaâ—e and publick meanes of her edification and also for her body both in health and sicknesse especially in the time of child-bearing and this not onely in his life time but after death 1 Kin. 1.21 setling a comfortable and suitable maintenance on her 2. In protecting her from danger in her person and name 1 Sam. 27.3 and 30.18 Q. What motives have Husbands to love their Wives and do all these duties to them A. Beside the command of God these two 1. The example of Christ in loving his Church and therein themselves if godly Eph. 5.25 Now Christ loveth first 1 Joh. 4.19 Indeed and in truth giving himselfe for it Eph. 5.26 Freely Deut. 7.7 8. Purely to sanctifie it v. 27. Constantly Joh. 13.1 Hos 2.19 so may they 2. The example of ones selfe Eph. 5.28 29 A wife is himselfe they are one flesh FINIS