A fruite of thankefulnesse in respect of the maintenance of such elder vvomen as be in outward vvant such especially as haue liued as becommeth good and Christian matrons it followeth in the third verse of the same Chapter Honour vvidowes which are widowes indeed Duties to ancients in grace Superiours are to honour their inferiours Finally touching prayer for our elders reade Lamentation of Ieremy the whole where the Prophet pitifully bewailing the ouerthrow of all estates noble of low degree parent and child young and old in the ende he prayeth for all estates Turne thou vs vnto thee Prayer ô Lord and we shall be turned renew our dayes as of old chapter 5.21 Thus then we see in the whole discourse how all degrees of superiours are according to the commandement of God to be honoured of their inferiours whether they be such as be so in respect of the order which God hath set in nature or in pollicy To the which also we cannot but adde that order which he hath set in aunciencie of spirituall gifts and graces according as we see the Apostle Paule to giue it the note of honour Reade Romans 16.1.2.3.4.5.6.7 c. and 1. Cor. 16.15.16 Now brethren I beseech yee be obedient to such And Paule himselfe prayeth for such 2. Timothie 1.16.17.18 Behold therefore the manifold bond whereby we stand bound to giue honour vnto other in humbling of our selues c. But not onely are inferiours to honour their superiours but superiours also must know that God requireth of them that they do yeeld a certaine honour to their inferiours and deale honourably and well with them according to the duties of their seuerall places and degrees For there is no doubt but the Lord requireth them at their hands as hath bene partly declared in the interpretation of the fourth Commaundement wherefore it is to good purpose that in this place we do lay them forth in a more full discourse as followeth To speake generally they are these First faithfulnesse in gouerning according to true iustice and iudgement in the feare of God who is the iudge of all superiours and gouernours Secondly loue toward the people of God with a parent-like affection Thirdly Duties of Superiours to their inferiors liberall incouraging and rewarding of such as deale faithfully in anie speciall dutie or seruice Fourthly grauitie and constancie both in word and deed as may best beseeme the credit of that place and office which euerie one beareth Fiftly modest and humble behauiour both in word and gesture yet so againe as may best beseeme the honour of the person which any sustaineth and as may likewise stand with that holy courage and seueritie which his office requireth Sixtly a mercifull tollerating or bearing with infirmities by moderating the strict rigour of ciuill lawes and penalties vpon reasonable considerations so farre as may stand with a currant and inoffensiue course of iustice These are the duties in generall More particularly The duties of naturall Parents toward their children are that they 1. Nourish and bring them vp 2. Prouide all things meete and conuenient for them 2. Cor. 12.14 Ruth 31. 3. Defend them against iniuries 4. Instruct them in the waies and commandements of God And this is their chiefe dutie as hath bene noted in the fourth Commandement 5. Pray heartily and continually to God for them and the rather because in this respect God hath after a sort put the blessing of the childs long life into the hands of the naturall parents as the words of the Commandement That they may prolong c. do giue to vnderstand 6. Gouerne and rule them by a godly and Christian course of houshold nourture and discipline according to that Hebr. chap. 12.7 What sonne is there whome the father doth not chasten The precept hereof is often in the holy Prouerbes Duties of Superiors to inferiors The duties of kings and soueraigne Princes are 1. That they commaund their subiects to obserue the whole Law of God and to worship him in that maner onely which he hath prescribed 2. That they punish the transgressours of either table according to the qualitie and degree of the trespasse and contrariwise that they defend and incourage all that are dutifull and obedient 3. That they fit all their ciuill lawes and penalties thereunto 4. That they place good magistrates vnder them and take order that the people may haue good and faithfull Ministers of the word of God spiritually to teach and gouerne them and that they displace the contrarie as King Salomon deposed Abiathar 1. Kings 2.26 Reade also 2. Chron. chap. 17.7 c. and chap. 19.5.6.7.8 c. 5. That they pray vnto God for their Subiects after the example of king Dauid 2. Sam. 24.17 and of king Hezekiah 2. Chron. 30.18.19.20 and Isa chap. 37.14.15 c. and chapt 38. and of king Iehoshapat 2. Chron. 20.5 c. What the duties of Ministers of the word are reade Deut. 33.10 Ezek. 33.7 c. and chap. 34.4 Iohn 21.15.16.17 Act. 20.28 and 1. Thessalonians chapter 2. and 1. Timothy 3. and Titus 1. The duties of Maisters of liberall Arts and sciences and also of handie labours are 1. That they do wisely faithfully and diligently teach and instruct those that are committed to them according as their capacitie will beare 2. That they order and gouern them by such a course of discipline and nourture as may best further their learning and that they incourage them to learne and labour with as much facilitie and ease and with as great delight as may be 3. Moreouer that maisters of occupations do prouide meet foode clothing and lodging for their apprentises and that they pay their hired seruants their due wages c. The duties of the husband toward his wife are 1. To keepe the mariage couenant faithfully 2. To loue cherish and defend her 3. Patience to beare with her infirmities 4. Wisely to gouerne and further her in the way of saluation The duties of the wife toward her husband are to loue reuerence and obey him and in the care of gouerning and prospering the family to be an helper to him The duties of the Captaine in warre are to tender the life of his souldiers so as he do not hazard them in needlesse or desperate attempts that he yeeld them their iust and ordinarie pay that he be of good courage comfort to them in time of necessarie daunger finally that he make them partakers in the spoile of the victorie Genesis 14.24 1. Sam. 30.22.23 c. The duties of the Lawier are that he do willingly accept further good and honest sutes specially the sutes and causes of the poore the widow the fatherlesse and the stranger that he earnestly disswade euill and litigious sutes or quarrels and that as much as lyeth in him he further friendly composition and agreement that he deale faithfully on the behalfe of his client without delatorie excuses and that he content himselfe with
Prayer And concerning prayer the Apostle Paule exhorteth that in the Church of God and in the holy meetings of his people first of all supplications prayers intercessions with giuing of thankes be made for all men For Kings and all that are in authority that we may leade a quiet and a peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty 1. Timothie 2.1.2 Here let vs obserue that the same honour which is due to soueraigne Kings is due also to Queenes when they haue by Gods speciall prouidence soueraignty of gouernement The inferiority of their sexe must not in this case preiudice their authority ouer their subiects no more then it must diminish the honour which children owe to their naturall mother whom therefore the Lord doth in his Law mention aswell as the father And Leuit. 19.3 he putteth her before the other Duties to Mâ—nisters of thâ— word that it might the rather be obserued But leauing this point let vs proceed What is the honour which God hath commanded his people to giue to their pastors and teachers The same duties in such maner as followeth He that heareth you sayth our Sauiour Christ heareth me Reuerence and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luke 10.16 Whereupon sayth the Apostle Paule Let a man so thinke of vs as of the Ministers of Christ and disposers of the secrets of God 1. Cor. 4 1. In the 13. chap. of the Epistle to the Heb. verse 17. Obediencâ— Obey them that haue the ouersight of you and submit your selues for they watch for your soules as they that must giue accounts c. Touching prayers for the Ministers of the word Prayer Pray for vs sayth the Apostle Paule that the vvord of the Lord may haue free passage and be glorified 2. Thessal 3.1 And againe Ephesians 6.18 Reade also Hebr. 13.18 Pray for vs for we are assured that we haue a good conscience in all things desiring to liue honestly And for conuenient maintenance Thankefâ—â—nesse and euery other duty of honour belonging to the Ministers of the Gospell we reade what the will of God is 1. Tim. 5.17.18 The elders that rule well are worthy of double honour specially they which labour in the word and doctrine For the Scripture sayth thou shalt not mouzell the mouth of the oxe that treadeth out the corne and the labourer is worthy of his wages This is the honour which by the commandement of God belongeth to the Pastors and teachers of the Church wherein also schoole-maisters and teachers of the liberall Arts haue their portion to whom not onely their scholers themselues but also the parents of the scholers owe reuerence and thanks with good and liberall recompence Now what is the honour which God requireth that seruants should yeeld to their maisters according to the flesh as the Apostle calleth them in regard of their bodily seruice which they owe them Duties to maisters of families c. Let as many seruants as be vnder the yoake count their maisters worthy of all honor Reuerence that the name of God and his doctrine be not euill spoken of And they which haue beleeuing maisters let them not despise them because they are brethren but rather do seruice because they are faithfull and beloued and partakers of the benefit These things sayth the Apostle to Timothy teach and exhort 1. Tim. chap. 6.1.2 Obedience Seruants be ye obedient to them that are your maisters according to the flesh with feare and trembling in singlenesse of your harts as vnto Christ Not with seruice to the eye as men pleasers but as the seruants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart With good-will seruing the Lord and not men Ephesi 6.5.6.7 And the same againe Coloss chap. 3.22.23 Moreouer in the second chapter to Titus verses 9.10 Let seruants be subiect to their maisters and please them in all things not answering againe Neither pickers but that they shew all good faithfulnesse that they may adorne the doctrine of God our Sauiour in all things Prayer For prayer we haue the example of Abrahams seruants Gen. 24.12.13.14 and verse 48. Thankefulnesse For thankefulnesse Ioseph is a notable example for all seruants to follow Gen. 39. verses 8.9.10 And Iaacob for diligence and faithfulnesse yea though he serued an vnkind kinsman Gen. 29.15 c. Let vs peruse these places of holy Scripture and first Gen. 24.12 c. The Like honour in all good reason and proportion and from the equity of this Commandement as it followeth to be considered is due from the souldier to his Captaine for he is his maister and martiall Magistrate from the patient to his good Phisition or Surgion who are as nouicing fathers to his bodily health as it is well expressed Ecclesiasticus 38.1 c. Honour the Phisitian with the honour that is due vnto him because of necessity for the Lord hath created him Duties to elders in yeares that is to say he hath appointed this calling and giuen this gift and skill to him c. The like honour is due from the client to his faithfull Counsellour and pleader at Law seeing he is a father in the defence of his outward estate and iust title and right and froÌ„ the beneficiarie to his liberall benefactor whether to man as to Gaius or to woman as to Dorcas c. And note also that in obedience to this Commaundement the wife is to reuerence her husband Eph. 5.22 c. 33. and Coloss 3.18 Maid-seruants are likewise to submit themselues to their dames and mistresses Gen. 16.9 To conclude this point What is that honour which God commandeth the younger in yeares to giue to their auncients and elders Thou shalt rise vp before the horehead Reuerence a fruite and declaration whereof is this rising vp and honour the person of the old man sayth the Lord and dread thy God I am the Lord Leuit. 19.32 A fruite also of the which honour is the silence of the younger in reuerend regard of the experience and vvisedome of their elders Iob. 12.12 And as vve reade againe Iob. 32.4 Elihu waited till Iob and the rest had spoken because they vvere more auncient in yeares then he And verse 6. he sayth I am young in yeares and ye are auncient therefore I doubted and was afraide to shew you my opinion Reade also Psalme 107.32 Ye younger sayth the Apostle Peter submit your selues vnto the elders Obedience and submit your selues euery man one to another decke your selues inwardly vvith lowlinesse of minde for God resisteth the proud giueth grace to the humble 1. Epistle chapter 5.5 Yea the Minister of the word though he himselfe be an Elder in respect of his office yet must he not checke his elder in yeares but exhort him as a father and the yonger men as brethren the elder women as mothers the younger as sisters with all purenesse 1. Tim. 5.1.2 And further
deceiue poore ignorant soules and hath more shew of carnall reason whereby subtile heads may more plausibly contend for the maintenance of the same according as the Apostle reasoneth against the false Apostles which made shew as if they had bene faithfull Ministers of the Gospell where notwithstanding they subtilly laboured to bring in the ceremonies of the Law and the worshipping of Angels a Philosophicall kind of preaching c. into the faith and worship of the Gospell 2. Cor. chap. 11.1 c. Col. chap. 2. and in the Epistle to the Galathians But more to this purpose reade Reue. chap. 17. Wherefore that which is truly sayd of the Popish artolatrie or worship of the bread in their Sacrament of the Altar that it is the most abominable idolatry of all other because it doth most nearly ouerthrow the truth of Religion and the purity of the worship which God in it requireth vnder the greatest pretence of Religion that may be so may it be sayd of the rest of the Popish idolatrie being compared with the idolatries of the heathen which were more grosse and further remoued from the appearance of true worship which Popish worship seemeth to haue And what though it pleased the Lord sometime to manifest himselfe and his holy Angels by outward similitudes and likenesse of things as of men c. to Abraham to Moses to Isaiah to Ezekiel to Daniel Yet seeing Israel was forbidden to make any such representations to themselues by the art of caruing casting in the mould grauing painting needle worke or any other way it followeth by like strength of good reason that howsoeuer since that time the holy Ghost by the appearance of clouen tongues and Christ being glorified after his ascension shewed himselfe to Paule and Iohn and though before that at the transfiguration of our Sauior Christ Moses Elias appeared in visiō to Peter Ieames Iohn it followeth I say by like strength of good reason that they are not to be artificially pictured resembled to any religious vse and worship among Christians no more then the other were among the Iewes Nay seeing Christ himselfe while he was vpon the earth was not worshipped with religious worship but onely then when he gaue some token of his diuine power and glory And Paul and Barnabas vehemently forbad all that diuine worship which the heathen idolaters would haue honoured them withall and Peter forbiddeth Cornelius exceeding measure in his bowing to him and the Angell forbiddeth Iohn to worship him though he appeared in great glory before him much lesse are their images though they were neuer so liuely and gorgeously pictured set forth and aduanced to be worshipped with any religious worship either higher or lower with Doulia or Latria c. The onely pictures which the Lord alloweth as seruing to teach and instruct in the right way of his worship are his owne works according to that in the 19. Psal 1. c. and Ioh. 5.17.36 and the preaching of the Gospell Rom. 10.18 by an allusion to the former Scripture in the Psal and Gal. 3.1 Yet so as the Lord will not haue the works of his owne hands worshipped but himselfe onely who created and made them according to the example of Abraham Gen. 14.22 Reade also Deut. 4.19 Acts 17.24 and Ier. 8.1.2 and Zeph. 1.5 Finally if we will please God in representing his diuine Maiestie by any image we our selues must be the image of him walking in true righteousnesse and holinesse according to his most righteous and holy lawes and commandements which is our onely true wisedome whereby we are renewed according to the image of God and shall shine as lights in the middest of a wicked generation Hitherto therefore of the euill things forbidden in the second Commandement Now on the contrary I would gladly heare of you which are the good duties commanded First the Lord commandeth that we willingly admit and imbrace his owne word works for our only rule of all our knowledge of God to direct vs how he wil be worshipped serued not only inwardly with spirituall worship wherof we haue answered before but also in the outward declaratiō exercises therof Secondly that from a wise faithfull louing zealous reuerend and dutifull heart we do both priuately and publikely professe practise asmuch as lieth in vs euery one in his calling place both Christiā Prince Magistrate Minister of the word and euery other gouernour and maister of family Duties commanded both ioyntly as it were with one shoulder and apart by euery mans particular indeuour and constancy in labour to promote further and aduance the same the diuine seruice and worship of God according to the prescript rule of his word And that all of vs be carefull to profit our selues and helpe forward one another in knowledge faith and repentance and in all other spirituall graces by the externall actions and exercises thereof Thirdly God commandeth that we do very carefully shun auoyd and watch against all meanes and occasions whatsoeuer would endanger vs to idolatry or any false superstitious worship Fourthly that to the same end we hold our most neare friendship and familiarity and our onely religious Communion and societie with those that professe and declare themselues to be the true worshippers of God we altogether constantly frequenting the places appointed for the holy assemblies and meetings of the people of God Fiftly that euery of vs all with one consent chiefly the ciuill Magistrates and Ministers of the Gospell shew approue our selues wisely discretely zealous against all idolatry euery point of false superstitious worship to the quite abolishing and rooting of it out from among his people to the vttermost of our power Finally that as touching indifferent things as they are called that is to say such things as be not of idolatrous superstitious institution and inuention but yet haue in their kind bene superstitiously idolatrously abused be not of necessary vse for the worship of God that the Christian Magistrate in commanding or not commanding and the stronger Christian whether Minister of the word or any other in the vsing or not vsing of them be charitably wise and carefull that thereby he giue no offence or cause of stumbling to the weake and that they preiudice not the Christiā libertie wherwith Christ hath set vs free And that the weaker more tender conscienced Christians labour after that soundnesse of knowledge perswasion in such cases actions as may well be construed that they stumble at no causlesse offence whereby their comfortable and zealous proceeding in the wayes of the Lords pure worship seruice should be slacked or hindred That according to the first part of this answer the word of God and his works both of creation and gouernement in the world and also of regeneration and sanctificatiō in his Church according to the instructions of the word must be the rule of our knowledge it may