with the Drunken The Lord of that Servant shall come in a Day when he looketh not for him and in an Hour that he is not ware of and shall cut him asunder and appoint him his Portion with the Hypocrites There shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 24. 45. Fidelity Prudence and Moderation is here commended to Servants and their Guilt is here declar'd who are Imperious over their Fellow-servants deal harshly with them or wast what belongs to those whom they serve Well done thou good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Mat. 25. 21 30. A Reward is here promis'd to the faithful and industrious Servant who is truly Zealous in his Master's Interest And Punishment declar'd against the Slothful and Faithless who are not Solicitous for their Master's Advantage Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching Luk. 12. 37. Their Fidelity is rewarded who in the Master's Absence are Solicitous to discharge their Duty well That servant which knew his Lord's will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes But he that knew not and did commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes For unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required and to whom Men have committed much of him they will ask the more Luk. 12. 47. The Servant's Rule is the Will of the Master in all that is not Sin He is the best Servant who not only do's according to his Master's Orders but also according to his Desires But he that knows his Master's Will and yet do's it not is not true to what he has undertaken I am resolv'd what to do that when I am put out of the Stewardship they may receive me into their houses Luke 16. 4. So said this Steward and accordingly rais'd himself Friends at his Master's Cost But this being the unjust Steward it is a thing which Servants are not to imitate but avoid as an Injustice He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much And he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much Luk. 16. 10. To be Faithful in little things is an Argument of true Fidelity Servants be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh with Fear and Trembling in singleness of your 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 with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to Men Knowing that whatsoever good thing any Man doeth the same shall he receive of the Lord whether he be Bond or Free Eph. 6. 5. Servants obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh not with eye-service as Men-pleasers but in singleness of heart fearing God And whatsoever ye do do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto Men knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance For ye serve the Lord Christ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done And there is no respect of Persons Col. 3. 22. This Lesson thus repeated by S. Paul ought to be considered Word by Word if it were read every Day by Servants this would not be too often Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own Masters worthy of all honor that the Name of God and his Doctrin be not blasphemed And they that have believing Masters let them not despise them because they are brethren but rather do them service because they are faithful and beloved partakers of the benefit 1 Tim. 6. 1. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own Masters and to please them well in all things not answering again not purloining but shewing all good fidelity that they may adorn the doctrin of God our Saviour in all things Tit. 2. 9. Servants be subject to your Masters with all Fear not only to the Good and Gentle but also to the Froward For this is thank-worthy if a Man for Conscience toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully For what glory is it if when ye be buffetted for your faults ye shall take it patiently But if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God For even hereunto were ye called Because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that ye should follow his steps who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth Who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously 1 Pet. 2. 18. Thus speaks the Rule both to the Instruction and Comfort of Servants It requires them to be Careful and Faithful in their Duty not with Eye-service but as serving God is always Present and Witness whether of their Fidelity or Sloth It requires them to give Respect and be Obedient to their Masters and this not only if they are Gentle and Mild but even if they are Froward and Uneasie It requires them to suffer with Patience not only the Labor of their State but likewise all Trials as are frequent in their Circumstances such as are Reproofs Reproaches or even Blows and these not only when they are deserved by their Faults but even when they have done well and therefore deserv'd them not For their Encouragement the Apostle lays before them the Example of Christ and lets them know that God is not a Respecter of Persons and therefore that if they serve faithfully as to the Lord and suffer patiently according to the Example of Christ they may confide in God as their faithful Rewarder Such as do thus are Christian Servants and in as good a Way of being Great in the Kingdom of Heaven as those whom they serve But then if they follow not this Advice are Eye-servants are neither Careful in what they are to do nor Patient in what they suffer how unhappy are they A kind of Slaves here and little Hopes of being better hereafter CHAP. XXIX Of Merchants Shopkeepers and all Dealers WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give to Persons of this Profession A. It lays down some Principles which it is their Duty to observe As ye would that Men should do to you do ye also to them likewise Luk. 6. 31. All things whatsoever ye would that Men should do to you do ye even so to them For this is the Law and the Prophets Mat. 7. 12. This is the Will of God that no Man go beyond and defraud his Brother in any matter because that the Lord is the Avenger of all such as we also have forewarned you and testified 1 Thess 4. 3 6. He that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath
who now rejoice in my Sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Col. 1. 23. To suffer for the Truth ought to be the Joy and Comfort of him that has undertaken to be the Minister of Truth How much then do they forget their Vocation who upon meeting with Discouragements lose all Comfort and repent of their Labor Whom we preach warning every Man and teaching every Man in all Wisdom that we may present every Man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. The only design of an Apostolic Teacher is to form Jesus in every one of his Flock and to make all perfect in him Say to Archippus take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfil it Col. 4. 17. They who consider not well the Duties of their Charge will soon neglect them Fulfil the Duties of the Ministry of Jesus Christ What Pastor do's not tremble at this Word Your selves Brethren know our Entrance in unto you that it was not in vain But even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated as ye know at Philippi we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God with much Contention For our Exhortation was not of Deceit nor of Vncleanness nor in Guile But as we were allowed of God to be put in Trust with the Gospel even so we speak not as pleasing Men but God which trieth our Hearts For neither at any time used we flattering Words as ye know nor a Cloak of Covetousness God is Witness Nor of Men sought we Glory neither of you nor yet of others when we might have been burdensome as the Apostles of Christ But we were Gentle among you even as a Nurse cherisheth her Children So being affectionately desirous of you we were willing to have imparted unto you not the Gospel of God only but also our own Souls because ye were dear unto us For ye remember Brethren our Labor and Travel For laboring Night and Day because we would not be chargeable unto any of you we preached unto you the Gospel of God Ye are Witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that believe as you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a Father doth his Children that ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory 1 Thess 2. 1. Every Word a Lesson to Preachers What a Mercy to the World if they would study and follow this Spirit Be not thou therefore ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord nor of me his Prisoner but be thou Partaker of the Afflictions of the Gospel according to the Power of God 2 Tim. 1. 8. Great Courage is necessary for standing by the Truth and the Ministers of it Hold fast the form of sound Words which thou hast heard of me in Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us 2 Tim. 1. 13. Great Fidelity requir'd of the Pastors of God's Church The Holy Ghost promis'd to them for this end Thou therefore endure Hardness as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ No Man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this Life 2 Tim. 2. 3. I suffer trouble as an evil Doer even unto Bonds but the Word of God is not bound Therefore I endure all things for the Elects sake v. 9. To suffer with Courage all Difficulties is the Obligation of a Pastor And if he suffer as a Criminal as this is most humbling so it brings him nearer to the Resemblance of Jesus Christ They are of the World therefore speak they of the World and the World heareth them 1 Jo. 4. 5. Unhappy Teachers whose Character this is CHAP. XXXVI Of the Flock Q. WHat Directions do's the Gospel give to the Flock in Regard of those whom God has put over them A. It speaks very particularly to them but that I may end this last Chapter with such Instructions as the Gospel gives I will first set down some Injunctions of God in the Old Law which as it was a Figure of the New so it may lead us to such Duties as God expects from the Flock in this better Constitution which is the Church of Christ And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian Woman whom he had married And they said hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses Hath he not spoken also by us And the Lord heard it Wherefore then were not ye afraid to speak against my Servant Moses And the Anger of the Lord was kindled against them and he departed Num. 12. 1 8. God shews his displeasure against those who murmur at such as he has set over them And all the Children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron And the Lord said unto Moses How long will this People provoke me Surely they shall not see the Land which I sware unto their Fathers neither shall any of them that provoked me see it Num. 14. 2 11 23. Great are the Judgments of God upon those who murmur against such as are over them Now Korah and Dathan and Abiram took men and they rose up before Moses with certain of the Children of Israel two hundred and fifty Princes of the assembly famous in the Congregation Men of renown And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said unto them Ye take too much upon you seeing all the Congregation are holy every one of them and the Lord is among them Wherefore then lift you up your selves above the Congregation of the Lord And when Moses heard it he fell upon his Face And he spake unto the Congregation saying Depart I pray you from tbe Tents of these wicked Men and touch nothing of theirs lest ye be consumed in all their Sins And the Earth opened her Mouth and swallowed them up and their Houses and all the Men that appertained unto Korah and all their goods And there came out a fire from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty Men that offered Incense Num. 16. 1 26 32 35. The Congregation being holy Exempts them not from their Obedience enjoin'd The Authority of Princes of the Congregation Men Famous and of Renown is not enough for questioning the Authority of Moses and Aaron whom God had commanded all to hear and obey Their offering Incense to God is not accepted while divided from Moses and Aaron they are under the guilt of Disobedience Thou shalt come unto the Priests the Levites and unto the Judge that shall be in those days and enquire and they shall shew thee the Sentence of Judgment And thou shalt do according to the Sentence which they of that place which the Lord shall chuse shall shew thee and thou shalt observe to do according to all that
if ye do good to them which do good to you what thank have ye For Sinners also do even the same And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive what thank have ye For Sinners lend to Sinners to receive as much again But love ye your enemies and do good and lend hoping for nothing again and your reward shall be great and ye shall be the Children of the Highest for he is kind unto the Vnthankful and to the Evil. Be ye therefore Merciful as your Father also is Merciful Luk. 6. 27 28 c. Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they do Luk. 23. 34. Stephen kneeled down and cried with a loud voice Lord lay not this sin to their charge Act. 7. 60. Dearly beloved avenge not your selves but rather give place unto wrath for it is written Vengeance is mine I will repay it saith the Lord. Therefore if thine Enemy hunger feed him if he thirst give him drink For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good Rom. 12. 19 20 21. Bless them which persecute you bless and curse not Recompence no Man evil for evil Rom. 12. 14 17. See that none render evil for evil unto any man but ever follow that which is good both among your selves and to all men 1 Thes 5. 15. Be Pitiful be Courteous not rendring evil for evil or railing for railing but contrariwise blessing knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing 1 Pet. 3. 8 9. Here is the Rule and it must be follow'd To dispence with it is to break it to hearken to Inclination is to forsake it The Difficulty of its Practice must be own'd and this more particularly in some Tempers but Difficulties must not carry us against the Commands of God in our undertaking to serve him there was no Proviso made for our Ease or Inclination but our Profession was Absolute how then can we pretend to follow Nature when God's Will is known to us If the Lord be our God it is mockery if we do not follow him CHAP. XI Of Forgiving Injuries Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to Forgiving Injuries A. It speaks plainly to the Point Forgive us our debts as we forgive our Debtors Mat. 6. 12. Then came Peter to him and said Lord how oft shall my Brother sin against me and I forgive him Till seven times Jesus said unto him I say not unto thee until seven times But until seventy times seven Mat. 18. 21 22. Then his Lord said unto him O thou wicked servant I forgave thee all that debt because thou desired'st me Should'st not thou also have had compassion on thy Fellow-servant even as I had pity on thee And his Lord was wroth and deliver'd him to the tormenters till he should pay all that was due unto him So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses Mat. 18. 32 c. If thy brother trespass against thee rebuke him and if he repent forgive him And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day and seven times in a day turn again to thee saying I repent thou shalt forgive him Luk. 17. 3 4. Let all Bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice And be ye kind one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you Eph. 4. 31 32. Put on therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind meekness long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye Colos 3. 12 13. For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses Mat. 6. 14. 15. And when ye stand praying Forgive if ye have ought against any that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses But if ye do not forgive neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses Mar. 11. 25 26. Forgive and ye shall be forgiven for with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measur'd to you again Luk. 6. 37. He shall have Judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy Jam. 2. 13. Charity suffereth long is not easily provok'd thinketh no evil beareth all things endureth all things 1 Cor. 13. 4 c. Thus says the Christian's Rule and there are no Promises but what requireth the Observance of it Let then all degrees of Malice Revenge Hatred Ill-will Animosities Resentments Provocations Grudgings Want of Neighborly Correspondence with all the train of such like Interior Disorders be examined by the Gospel and upon the evidence of their being not allow'd upon any account but absolutely condemn'd the Christian must conclude that either he must make this his Rule or else have no part in the Promises of the Gospel What then O God must I fear of my self who am so easie in admitting and so careless in overcoming what is thus contrary to my Profession I profess the Gospel but follow Inclination and is this to be a Christian CHAP. XII Of making and keeping Peace Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to avoiding Contention and keeping Peace A. It speaks so plain in this Point that no Christian can be ignorant of his Obligation Blessed are the Peace-makers for they shall be called the Children of God Mat. 5. 9. If thou bring thy Gift to the Altar and there remembrest that thy Brother hath ought against thee leave there thy Gift before the Altar and go thy way first be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy Gift Mat. 5. 23 24. A new Commandment I give unto you that ye love one another By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another Jo. 13. 34 35. Have salt in your selves and have Peace one with another Mar. 9. 50. Be of the same mind one towards another If it be possible as much as lyeth in you live peaceably with all men Dearly beloved avenge not your selves but give place unto wrath Rom. 12. 16 18. I beseech to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called With all lowliness and meekness with long-suffering forbearing one another in love endeavouring to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Eph. 4. 1 2 3. For God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace 1 Cor. 14. 33. He that will love life and see good days let him refrain his tongue from evil let him seek Peace and ensue it Be ye all of one mind having compassion one of another love as Brethren be Pitiful be Courteous not
rendring Evil for Evil or Railing for Railing but contrariwise Blessing knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing 1 Pet. 3. 10 11 8 9. Follow Peace with all men and Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord Looking diligently lest any man fail of the Grace of God lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled Heb. 12. 14 15. Let us walk honestly as in the day not in strife and envying but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 13. 13. Let nothing be done thro' strife Do all things without murmurings and disputings that ye may be blameless and harmless the Sons of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation Phil. 2. 3 14. By love serve one another for all the Law is fulfilled in one word even in this Thou shalt thy Neighbor as thy self But if ye bite and devour one another take heed that ye be not consum'd one of another The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit Now the Works of the Flesh are manifest which are these Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies Envyings Murthers and such like of the which I tell you before as I have also told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Meekness against such there is no Law And they that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh Let us not be desirous of Vain-glory provoking one another envying one another Gal. 5. 13 c. Bear ye one another's Burthens and so fulfil the Law of Christ Gal. 6. 2. If ye have bitter Envying and Strife in your Hearts glory not and lie not against the Truth This Wisdom descendeth not from above but is Earthly Sensual Devilish For where Envying and Strife is there is Confusion and every evil Work But the Wisdom that is from above is first Pure then Peaceable Gentle and easie to be Entreated full of Mercy and good Fruits without Partiality and without Hypocrisie And the Fruit of Righteousness is sown in Peace of them that make Peace Jam. 3. 14 c. Be yâ— also patient stablish your Hearts Grudge not one against another Brethren lest ye be condemned Jam. 5. 8 9. The Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of Men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for Peace and things wherewith one may edifie another Rom. 14. 17 c. Wherefore laying aside all Malice and all Guile and Hypocrisies and Envies and all evil Speakings as new-born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word 1 Pet. 2. 1. If any Man seem to be contentious we have no such Custom neither the Churches of God 1 Cor. 11. 16. Thus the Rule and this Christians say they follow and if so then who would not expect to find Christians all living in a free Correspondence of Charity and Peace exempt from the Confusions of Passion Provocation Contention and Revenge all mutually bearing with one another and forgiving one another according to the Example Christ has given them and for the securing their Eternal Peace Thus certainly it ought to be and those who live not according to this Method it is certain they transgress their Rule See then what thy Practice is and learn to follow Christ Remember that the Gospel forbids all Contentions Quarrelling Uncharitable Debates Reproaching Grudging and all the other Effects of Passion Malice Ill-will or Dislike It commands thee to study Peace and keep it with all Men as much as is possible and that for this end thou art to be Gentle Patient Compassionate forbearing all Provocations and receiving all that are given thee with Mildness without returning Evil for Evil or Railing for Railing but overcoming Evil with Good Thus thou art commanded labor daily to bring thy self to this Temper of the Gospel and then thou mayest hope for the Rewards of the Gospel CHAP. XIII Of Anger and Mildness Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to these Points A. These have been already mention'd in the foregoing Chapters But hear again how expresly they are spoke to I say unto you that whosoever is angry with his Brother without a Cause shall be in danger of the Judgment and whosoever shall say to his Brother Raca shall be in danger of the Council But whosoever shall say Thou Fool shall be in danger of Hell-fire Mat. 5. 22. Be ye angry and sin not let not the Sun go down upon your Wrath neither give place to the Devil Eph. 4. 26. But now you also put off all these Anger Wrath Malice Blasphemy Filthy Communication out of your Mouth Lie not to one another seeing that ye have put off the Old Man with his Deeds Col. 3. 8. Let all Bitterness and Wrath and Anger and Clamor and evil Speaking be put away from you with all Malice And be ye kind to one another tender-hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you Eph. 4. 31 32. My beloved Brethren let every Man be swift to hear slow to speak slow to Wrath for the Wrath of Man worketh not the Righteousness of God Jam. 1. 19 20. I say unto you that ye resist not Evil but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right Cheek turn to him the other also Matth. 5. 39. Beloved avenge not your selves but rather give place unto Wrath For it is written Vengeance is mine I will repay it saith the Lord. Be not overcome of Evil but overcome Evil with Good Rom. 12. 19 21. See that none render Evil for Evil unto any Man but ever follow that which is good 1 Thess 5. 15. Be at Peace among your selves warn them that are unruly comfort the feeble-minded support the weak be patient toward all Men Ib. 14. The Fruit of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Meekness against such there is no Law Gal. 5. 22. I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called with all Lowliness and Meekness with Long-suffering forbearing one another in Love Eph. 4. 1 2. Thou O Man of God flee these things and follow after Righteousness Godliness Faith Love Patience Meekness 1 Tim. 6. 11. Blessed are the Meek for they shall inherit the Earth Mat. 5. 5. Take my Yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in Heart and ye shall find rest unto your Souls for my Yoke is easie and my Burthen light Mat. 11. 29 30. Put on therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloved Bowels of Mercies Kindness Humbleness of Mind Meekness Long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any Man have a Quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye Col. 3. 12 13. Put them in mind to speak evil
the Husband hath not Power of his own Body but the Wife Defraud you not one the other except it be with consent for a Time that ye may give your selves to Fasting and Prayer and come together again that Satan tempt you not for your Incontinency But I speak this by Permission and not of Commandment 1 Cor. 7. 3. 4thly That they may and ought to live holily There was in the Days of Herod the King of Judea a certain Priest named Zacharias of the Course of Abia And his Wife was of the Daughters of Aaron and her Name was Elizabeth And they were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless and they had no Child because that Elizabeth was barren and they both were now well stricken in years Luk. 1. 5. This I say Brethren the time is short It remaineth that both they that have Wives be as tho' they had none and they that weep as tho' they wept not and they that rejoice as tho' they rejoiced not and they that buy as tho' they possessed not and they that use this World as not abusing it For the fashion of this World passeth away 1 Cor. 7. 29. We beseech you Brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God so ye would abound more and more For ye know what Commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus For this is the Will of God even your Sanctification that ye should abstain from Fornication That every one of you should know how to possess his Vessel in Sanctification and Honor not in the Lust of Concupiscence even as the Gentiles which know not God 1 Thess 4. 1. Marriage is honorable in all and the Bed undefiled But Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Let your Conversation be without Covetousness and be content with such things as ye have For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13. 4. 5thly That there are great Duties of mutual Love and Support belonging to them and that Order is to be observ'd which God has appointed between them I would have you know that the Head of every Man is Christ and the Head of the Woman is the Man and the Head of Christ is God A Man indeed ought not to cover his Head praying for as much as he is the Image and Glory of God But the Woman is the Glory of the Man For the Man is not of the Woman but the Woman of the Man Neither was the Man created for the Woman but the Woman for the Man For this Cause ought the Woman to have Power on her Head because of the Angels Nevertheless neither is the Man without the Woman neither the Woman without the Man in the Lord. For as the Woman is of the Man even so is the Man also by the Woman but all things of God 1 Cor. 11. 3 7. Submitting your selves one to another in the Fear of God Wives submit your selves unto your own Husbands as unto the Lord. For the Husband is the Head of the Wife even as Christ is Head of the Church And he is the Saviour of the Body Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ so let the Wives be to their own Husbands in every thing Husbands love your Wives even as Christ loved the Church and also gave himself for it That he might sanctifie and cleanse it 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 For we are Members of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones For this Cause shall a Man leave his Father and Mother and shall be joined unto his Wife and they two shall be one Flesh This is a great Mystery But I speak concerning Christ and the Church Nevertheless Let every one of you in particular so love his Wife even as himself and the Wife see that she reverence her Husband Eph. 5. 21 28. Wives submit your selves unto your own Husbands as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands love your Wives and be not bitter against them Col. 3. 18. Ye Wives be in Subjection to your own Husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be won by the Conversation of the Wives while they behold your chaste Conversation coupled with Fear Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the Hair and of wearing of Gold or of putting on of Apparel but let it be the hidden Man of the Heart in that which is not corruptible even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit which is in the Sight of God of great Price For after this manner in the Old Time the holy Women also who trusted in God adorned themselves being in Subjection unto their own Husbands even as Sara obeyed Abraham calling him Lord Whose Daughters ye are as long as ye do well and are not affraid with any Amazement 1 Pet. 3. 1. Likewise ye Husbands dwell with them according to Knowledge giving Honor unto the Wife as unto the weaker Vessel and as being Heirs together of the Grace of Life that your Prayers be not hinder'd 1 Pet. 3. 7. Teach the young Women to be sober to love their Husbands to love their Children to be Discreet Chaste keepers at Home good obedient to their own Husbands that the Word of God be not blasphemed Tit. 2. 4. Young Men likewise exhort to be Sober-minded Tit. 2. 6. That the aged Men be Sober Grave Temperate Sound in Faith in Charity in Patience Tit. 2. 2. The aged Women likewise that they be in Behavior as becometh Holiness not false Accusers not given to much Wine Teachers of good things Tit. 2. 3. I will that Men pray every where lifting up holy Hands without Wrath and Doubting 1 Tim. 2. 8. In like manner also that Women adorn themselves in modest Apparel with Shamefacedness and Sobriety Not broider'd Hair or Gold or Pearls or costly Array but which becometh Women professing Godliness with good Works Let the Women learn in silence with all Subjection But I suffer not a Woman to teach nor to usurp Authority over the Man but to be in silence For Adam was first formed then Eve And Adam was not deceived but the Woman being deceived was in the Transgression Notwithstanding she shall be saved in Child-bearing if they continue in Faith and Charity and Holiness with Sobriety 1 Tim. 2. 9. Let your Women keep silence in the Churches For it is not permitted unto them to speak but they are commanded to be under Obedience as also saith the Law And if they will learn any thing let them ask their Husbands at Home For it is a Shame for Women to speak in the Church 1 Cor. 14. 34. Thus speaks the Rule and so particularly that there can be no
commanded saying Honor thy Father and Mother And he that curseth Father or Mother let him die the Death But ye say whosoever shall say to his Father or his Mother it is a Gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me and honor not his Father or his Mother he shall be free Thus have ye made the Commandment of God of none Effect by your Tradition Mat. 15. 3. The Precept of God commanding all to Honor Father and Mother is not to be transgressed under the Cover of pretended Piety Such Glosses are a Violence to the Law of God His Mother said unto him Son why hast thou thus dealt with us Behold thy Father and I have sought thee sorrowing And he said unto them how is it that ye sought me Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's Business Luk. 2. 48. God is the first Father and to be obey'd in the first place All that is created must give place to his Will whatever is not consistent with this must yield He said unto another follow me But he said Lord suffer me first to go and bury my Father Jesus said unto him Let the Dead bury their Dead but go thou and preach the Kingdom of God And another also said Lord I will follow thee But let me first go bid them farewel which are at Home at my House And Jesus said unto him no Man having put his Hand to the Plough and looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God Luk. 9. 59. Domestic Duties are to give place to greater And he Jesus went down with them his Parents and came to Nazareth and was subject unto them Luk. 2. A good Example of Obedience And when he came to himself he said I will arise and go to my Father and will say unto him Father I have sinned against Heaven and before thee Luk. 15. 17. Children sensible of their undue Ways ought to have recourse to their Parents with Confidence and Humility according to the Example of the Prodigal Son When therefore Jesus saw his Mother and the Disciple standing by whom he loved he saith unto his Mother Woman behold thy Son Then saith he to the Disciple behold thy Mother And from that Hour that Disciple took her unto his own Home Jo. 19. 26. Children ought to be mindful of their Parents especially at the Hour of Death with a Recommendation to their best Friends Children obey your Parents in the Lord For this is right Honor thy Father and Mother which is the first Commandment with Promise that it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long on the Earth Eph. 6. 1. A general Duty of Children to obey and honor their Parents in all that is not Sin With a Blessing annext to it Children obey your Parents in all things For this is well-pleasing unto the Lord Col. 3. 20. If ye endure chastening God dealeth with you as with Sons For what Son is he whom the Father chasteneth not We have had Fathers of our Flesh which corrected us and we gave them Reverence Shall we not much rather be in Subjection unto the Father of Spirits and live For they verily for a few Days chastened us after their own Pleasure but he for our profit that we might be Partakers of his Holiness Heb. 12. 7 9. Children even when Chastized by Parents after their own Pleasure ought not to lose the Reverence due to them but submit with respect If any Widow have Children or Nephews let them learn first to shew Piety at Home and to requite their Parents For that is good and acceptable before God 1 Tim. 5. 4. An express Duty of Children to be Respectful and Dutiful at Home and by such Arguments of Gratitude to make some acknowledgment of the great Obligation to their Parents This cannot be expected from little Ones who are not capable of these Sentiments and therefore this must be spoke to Children when now grown up and at an Age of giving this Comfort to their Parents Here it cannot be unseasonable to make some Additions out of the Old Testament Honor thy Father and thy Mother That thy Days may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Exod. 20. 12. He that smiteth his Father or his Mother shall be surely put to Death Exod. 21. 15. Ye shall fear every Man his Mother and his Father and keep my Sabbaths I am the Lord your God Levit. 19. 3. Every one that curseth his Father or his Mother shall be surely put to Death He hath cursed his Father or his Mother his Blood shall be upon him Levit. 20. 9. Honor thy Father and thy Mother as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee that thy Days may be prolonged and that it may go well with thee in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Deut. 5. 16. And the Levites shall speak and say unto all the Men of Israel with a loud Voice cursed be he that setteth Light by his Father or his Mother And all the People shall say Amen Deut. 27. 14 16. Notwithstanding they the Sons of Eli hearkened not unto the Voice of their Father because the Lord would slay them 1 Sam. 2. 25. Bathsheba therefore went unto King Solomon to speak unto him for Adonijah And the King rose up to meet her and bowed himself unto her and sat down on his Throne and caused a Seat to be set for the King's Mother and she sat on his right Hand 1 Kin. 2. 19. Esther had not yet shewed her Kindred nor her People as Modecai had charged her For Esther did the Commandment of Mordecai like as when she was brought up with him Esth 2. 20. A wise Son maketh a glad Father but a foolish Son is the Heaviness of his Mother Prov. 10. 1. A Fool despiseth his Father's Instruction But he that regardeth Reproof is Prudent Prov. 15. 5. A foolish Son is a Grief to his Father and Bitterness to her that bare him Prov. 17. 25. He that wasteth his Father and chaseth away his Mother is a Son that causeth Shame and bringeth Reproach Cease my Son to hear the Instruction that causeth to err from the Words of Knowledge Prov. 19. 26. Hearken unto thy Father that begat thee and despise not thy Mother when she is old Prov. 23. 22. Whoso robbeth his Father or his Mother and saith it is no Transgression the same is the Companion of a Destroyer Prov. 28. 24. The Eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the Valley shall pick it out and the young Eagle shall eat it Prov. 30. 17. Jeremiah said unto the House of the Rechabites thus saith the Lord of Hosts the God of Israel because ye have obeyed the Commandment of Jonadab your Father and kept all his Precepts and done according unto all that he hath commanded you Therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts the God of Israel Jonadab the Son of Rechab shall not want a Man to stand before
me for ever Jer. 35. 18. Thus speaks the Rule the Will of God is manifest in it and the doing his Will being the only Secure Way wherein a Christian is to walk Children have no other Means of coming to their Heavenly Father but by doing his Will here on Earth and with a particular Care observing whatever charge he has given them in Relation to their Parents The Precept is repeated so often that there can be no dispute of it And yet to see with how little Respect some Parents are treated how much others are slighted and neglected and that many have no greater affliction in the World than what is given them by the Children of their own Bowels and this at an Age when Parents stand most in need of Comfort and Children being at years of Discretion cannot be Ignorant of their Duty To see this I say one would think God had never spoke in the Case or not manifested his Will What then must be said but that Christians have a Rule but have little concern in following it and that upon this account they cannot rationally expect the Blessings God has promis'd to the Observers of it This is the First Commandment as the Apostle says with Promise and it cannot be question'd but as the Observance of it is so particularly enforced with a Promise of God's Favor so the Contempt of it must be the Forfeiture of all such Expectation must provoke God's Displeasure and be follow'd with Judgment CHAP. XXVI Of Youth Q. HAving now spoken of the Duties of Children to their Parents Pray tell me are there not some Instructions particularly directed to Persons while yet in their Youth for such seem very much to want them A. Yes there are such Behold one came and said unto him Good Master what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal Life And he said unto him why callest thou me Good There is none Good but one that is God But if thou wilt enter into Life keep the Commandments He saith unto him which Jesus said Thou shalt do no Murther Thou shalt not commit Adultery Thou shalt not Steal Thou shalt not bear false Witness Honor thy Father and thy Mother and thou shalt love thy Neighbor as thy self The young Man saith unto him all these things have I kept from my Youth up What lack I yet Jesus said unto him if thou wilt be perfect go and Sell what thou hast and give to the Poor and thou shalt have Treasure in Heaven and come and follow me But when the Young Man heard that Saying he went away Sorrowful for he had great Possessions Mat. 19. 16. The Commandments are to be kept by all Persons in their Youth and even then they are to consider which is the Way to eternal Life and whether they walk in it and what is yet wanting to them It is said of this Young Man that Jesus beholding him loved him Mar. 10. 21. And thus only can Youth expect the Love of Jesus If this be true then what is the unhappy State of those great Numbers who have their Thoughts Desires Affections so confin'd to Self-love and the Love of the World that they scarce think of another Life Grant them O God a better Spirit And the Child grew and waxed strong in Spirit filled with Wisdom and the Grace of God was upon him And when he was twelve years Old they went up to Jerusalem after three Days they found him in the Temple sitting in the midst of the Doctors both bearing them and asking them questions Luk. 2. 40 42 46. And Jesus increased in Wisdom and Stature and in favor with God and Man v. 52. Youth ought to seek the best Company by whose Conversation they may be advanced in Virtue and all true Wisdom How wretchedly then do they go out of the Way who avoiding these seek and love none but those from whom they can learn nothing but Folly or Vice Young Men likewise exhort to be Sober-minded Tit. 2. 6. Likewise ye Younger submit your selves unto the Elder 1 Pet. 5. 5. I here add something out of the Old Testament Thou shalt rise up before the hoary Head and honor the Face of the old Man and fear thy God I am the Lord Levit. 19. 32. My Son forget not my Law but let thine Heart keep my Commandments Prov. 3. 1. Let not Mercy and Truth forsake thee 3. Trust in the Lord with all thine Heart and lean not on own thine own Vnderstanding 5. Be not wise in thine own Eyes fear the Lord and depart from Evil 7. Get Wisdom get Vnderstanding Forget it not neither decline from the Woods of my Mouth Forsake her not and she shall preserve thee love her and she shall keep thee VVisdom is the principal thing therefore get VVisdom And with all thy getting get Vnderstanding Pro. 4. 5. Take fast hold of Instruction let her not go keep her for she is thy Life Enter not into the Path of the VVicked and go not into the VVay of evil Men. Avoid it pass not by it turn from it and pass away v. 13. He is in the VVay of Life that keepeth Instruction But he that refuseth Reproof erreth Prov. 10. 17. VVhoso loveth Instruction loveth Knowledge but he that hateth Reproof is brutish Prov. 12. 1. A Man shall be commended acording to his VVisdom but he that is of a perverse Heart shall be despised Prov. 12. 8. The way of a Fool is right in his own Eyes but he that hearkeneth unto Counsel is wise v. 15. Lying Lips are Abomination to the Lord but they that deal truly are his delight v. 22. A wise Son heareth his Father's Instruction But a Scorner heareth not Rebuke Prov. 13. 1. He that keepeth his Mouth keepeth his Life But he that openeth wide his Lips shall have Destruction v. 3. Poverty and Shame shall be to him that refuseth Instruction But he that regardeth Reproof shall be honored v. 18. He that walketh with wise Men shall be Wise But a Companion of Fools shall be destroyed v. 20. He that walketh in his Vprightness feareth the Lord but he that is perverse in his Ways despiseth him Prov. 14. 2. Go from the Presence of a foolish Man when thou perceivest not in him the Lips of Knowledge v. 7. Fools Mock at Sin v. 9. There is a Way which seemeth right unto a Man but the end thereof are the Ways of Death v. 12. He that is slow to Wrath is of great Vnderstanding but he that is hasty of Spirit exalteth Folly v. 29. The Way of the Wicked is an Abomination unto the Lord but he loveth him that followeth after Righteousness Prov. 15. 9. A Scorner loveth not one that reproveth him neither will he go unto the Wise v. 12. The Lord will destroy the House of the Proud v. 25. The Thoughts of the Wicked are an Abomination to the Lord v. 26. He that refuseth Instruction hateth his own Soul but he that heareth Reproof getteth Vnderstanding 32.
the Apostle's account than renouncing Christianity and turning Heathen and yet how common is this among those who esteem themselves Christians The Book of Proverbs describing the vertuous and industrious Woman in her Family I here and some part of it Who can find a vertuous Woman For her Price is far above Rubies The Heart of her Husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall have no need of spoil she will do him good and not evil all the Days of her Life She seeketh Wooll and Flax and worketh willingly with her Hands She is like the Merchant's Ship she bringeth her Food from afar she riseth also while it is yet Night and giveth Meat to her Houshold and a Portion to her Maidens She layeth her Hands to the Spindle and her Hands hold the Distaff She stretcheth out her Hand to the Poor yea she reacheth forth her Hands to the Needy She maketh fine Linnen and selleth it and delivereth Girdles unto the Merchant Strength and Honor are her cloathing and she shall rejoice in time to come She openeth her Mouth with Wisdom and in her Tongue is the Law of Kindness She looketh well to the Ways of her Houshold and eateth not the Bread of Idleness Her Children arise up and call her Blessed her Husband also and he praiseth her Favor is deceitful and Beauty is vain But a Woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised Prov. 31. 10. An excellent Copy I wish all would set it before them and endeavor to come as near it as their Circumstances will allow Resolution and Virtue will make many things very Practicable which Sloth and Niceness will not allow to be Possible As to Servants When Jesus was entered into Capernaum there came unto him a Centurion beseeching him and saying Lord my Servant lyeth at Home Sick of the Palsie grievously tormented And Jesus saith unto him I will come and heal him Mat. 8. 5. It is a very commendable Charity in them to be careful of their Servants especially in time of Sickness Servants be Obedient to your Masters with good Will doing Service as to the Lord and not to Men knowing that whatsoever good thing any Man doeth the same shall be receive of the Lord whether he be Bond or Free And ye Masters do the same things unto them forbearing threatning knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of Persons with him Eph. 6. 5 7. Masters give unto your Servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven Col. 4. 1. I beseech thee for my Son Onesimus which in time past was to thee unprofitable but now profitable to thee and to me whom I have sent again Thou therefore receive him that is mine own Bowels For perhaps he therefore departed for a Season that thou shouldest receive him for ever not now as a Servant but above a Servant a Brother beloved especially to me but how much more unto thee both in the Flesh and in the Lord. If thou count me therefore a Partner receive him as my self If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee Ought put that on mine Account I Paul have written it with mine own Hand I will repay it Phil. 10. See how S. Paul shews favor to a poor Servant and pleads for him Behold the Hire of the Labourers which have reaped down your Fields which is of you kept back by Fraud crieth and the Cries of them which have reaped are entred into the Ears of the Lord of Sabbath Jam. 5. 4. I add something from the Old Testament The Hebrew Servant which thou hast brought unto us come in unto me to mock me Gen. 39. 17. This was a false Accusation of Potipher 's Wife and ought to be a Caution against laying Faults upon Servants which are not theirs They did set over them Task-masters to afflict them with their Burthens And the Egyptians made the Children of Israel to serve with Rigor And they made their Lives bitter with hard Bondage Exod. 1. 11 13. To insult over Servants to overcharge them with Labor to give them a perpetual Uneasiness is not a Christian but the Egyptian Method Thus saith the Lord God of Israel let my People go that they may hold a Feast unto me in the Wilderness Exod. 5. 1. To hinder Servants from the Worship of God and to think all that time lost which for this end is taken from their Work is to follow Pharaoh 's Copy The Wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all Night until the Morning Lev. 19. 13. Six Days shalt thou Labour and do all thy Work But the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt not do any Work thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter nor thy Man-servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thine Ox nor thine Ass nor any of thy Cattle nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates that thy Man-servant and thy Maid-servant may rest as well thou Deut. 5. 13. To keep the Sabbath is the Duty of Servants as well as Masters Thou shalt not oppress an hired Servant that is Poor and Needy whether he be of thy Brethren or of thy Strangers that are in thy Land within thy Gates At this Day thou shalt give him his Hire neither shall the Sun go down upon it for he is Poor and setteth his Heart upon it lest he cry against thee unto the Lord and it be Sin unto thee Deut. 24. 14. If I did despise the Cause of my Man-servant or of my Maid-servant when they contended with me what then shall I do when God riseth up and when he visiteth what shall I answer him Did not he that made me in the Womb make him And did not one fashion us in the Womb Job 31. 13. The just Complaints of Servants to be heard with Patience and Justice to be done them Here are Instructions for all that have the Care of Families and Servants enough to let them see what God expects from them Those who are Solicitous to please God will endeavor to make these their Rule and this is the Duty of all who profess themselves Christians But to follow the Inclinations of Nature and to govern by Passion in cases where God has manifested his Will is not the part of a Disciple of Christ CHAP. XXVIII Of Servants Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give to Christians of this State A. It speaks directly to them and in such a manner that it is their great Concern to know and remember it Who then is a faithful and wise Servant whom his Lord hath made Ruler over his Houshold to give them Meat in due Season Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Verily I say unto you that he shall make him Ruler over all his Goods But and if that evil Servant shall say in his Heart My Lord delayeth his Coming and shall begin to smite his Fellow-servants and to eat and drink