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
It is good for a Man not to touch a Woman Nevertheless to avoid Fornication let every Man have his own Wife and let every Woman have her own Husband But I speak this by Permission and not of Commandment For I would that all Men were even as I my self But every Man hath his proper Gift of God one after this manner and another after that I say therefore to the Vnmarried and Widows it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain let them Marry For it is better to Marry than to Burn. But as God hath distributed to every Man as the Lord hath called every one so let him walk and so ordain I in all the Churches Now concerning Virgins I have no Commandment of the Lord Yet I give my Judgment as one that hath obtained Mercy of the Lord to be faithful I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress I say that it is good for a Man so to be Art thou bound unto a Wife Seek not to be loosed Art thou loosed from a Wife Seek not a Wife But I would have you without Carefulness He that is Vnmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord how he may please the Lord But he that is Married careth for the things that are of the World how he may please his Wife Thee is difference also between a Wife and a Virgin The unmarried Woman careth for the things of the Lord that she may be holy both in Body and Spirit But she that is Married careth for the things of the World how she may please her Husband And this I speak for your own profit not that I may cast a Snare upon you but for that which is comely and that you may attend upon the Lord without Distraction But if any Man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his Virgin if she pass the Flower of her Age and need so require let him do what he will he sinneth not Let them Marry Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his Heart having no Necessity but hath Power over his own will and hath so decreed in his Heart that he will keep his Virgin doth well So then he that giveth her in Marriage doth well but he that giveth her not in Marriage doth better 1 Cor 7. 1 6 17 25. I looked and lo a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion and with him an hundred forty and four thousand having his Father's Name written in their Foreheads And they sung as it were a new Song before the Throne and before the four Beasts and the Elders And no Man could learn that Song but the hundred and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the Earth These are they which were not defiled with Women for they are Virgins These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth These were redeemed from among Men being the First-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their Mouth was found no Guile For they are without Fault before the Throne of God Rev. 14. 1 3. Thus the Rule In which these Particulars are declar'd First That it is lawful and good to Marry but that it is better to remain Unmarried 2dly That the Unmarried State has much the Advantage of the other for tending upon the Lord with less Distraction 3dly That there are Persons which remain Unmarried for gaining the Kingdom of Heaven Lastly That if such are not duly watchful in preparing for the coming of the Spouse they are not Wise and will be shut out with Unbelievers CHAP. XXII Of Married Persons Husband and Wife Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to the State of Marriage and to those which are engag'd in it A. It speaks very particularly upon this Subject and what ought to be well consider'd by all concern'd First That it is not to be dissolv'd The Pharisees also came unto him tempting him and saying unto him Is it lawful for a Man to put away his Wife for every Cause And he answered and said unto them have you not read that he which made them at the beginning made them Male and Female And said for this Cause shall a Man leave Father and Mother and shall cleave to his Wife and they twain shall be one Flesh Wherefore they are no more twain but one Flesh What therefore God hath joined together let not Man put asunder Moses because of the Hardness of your Hearts suffered you to put away your Wives but from the beginning it was not so And I say unto you whosoever shall put away his Wife except it be for Fornication and shall Marry another committeth Adultery and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit Adultery Mat. 19. 3. Vnto the Married I command yet not I but the Lord let not the Wife depart from her Husband But and if she depart let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her Husband And let not the Husband put away his Wife 1 Cor. 7. 10. The Woman which hath an Husband is bound by the Law to her Husband so long as he liveth But if the Husband be dead she is loosed from the Law of her Husband So then if while her Husband liveth she be Married to another Man she shall be called an Adulteress But if her Husband be dead she is free from that Law so that she is no Adulteress tho' she be Married to another Man Rom. 7. 2. The Wife is bound by the Law as long as her Husband liveth But if her Husband he dead she is at Liberty to be Married to whom she will only in the Lord. But she is happier if she so abide after my Judgment And I think also that I have the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 7. 39. 2dly As to difference of Religion in Man and Wife S. Paul thus gives his Judgment To the rest speak I not the Lord if any Brother hath a Wife that believeth not and she be pleased to dwell with him let him not put her away And the Woman which hath an Husband that believeth not and if he be pleased to dwell with her let her not leave him For the unbelieving Husband is sanctified by the Wife and the unbelieving Wife is sanctified by the Husband Else were your Children unclean but now they are holy But if the unbelieving depart let him depart A Brother or a Sister is not under Bondage in such Cases But God hath called us to Peace For what knowest thou O Wife whether thou shalt save thy Husband Or how knowest thou O Man whether thou shalt save thy Wife But as God hath distributed to every Man as the Lord hath called every one so let him walk And so ordain I in all the Churches 1 Cor. 7. 12. 3dly As to one part of their mutual Obligation Let the Husband render unto the Wife due Benevolence And likewise also the Wife unto the Husband The Wife hath not Power of her own Body but the Husband And likewise also
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
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
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
compliance with them Then cried they all again saying not this Man but Barabbas Now Barabbas was a Robber Jo. 18. 40. The Multitude blinded with Passion Their Affection or Judgment is no direction for doing Justice Jesus answered thou couldest have no Power at all against me except it were given thee from above Jo. 19. 11. The Power of Judges is from God From thenceforth Pilate sought to release him But the Jews cried out saying if thou let this Man go thou art not Cesar's Friend Whosoever maketh himself a King speaketh against Cesar When Pilate therefore heard that Saying he brought Jesus forth Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified Jo. 19. 12. To condemn the Innocent for fear of displeasing the Prince is not Just but a Weakness There was in a City a Judge which feared not God neither regarded Men. And there was a Widow in that City and she came unto him saying Avenge me of mine Adversary and he would not for a while Luk. 18. 2. To neglect the Cause of the Widow is part of his Character who fear'd not God nor regarded Man One of the Company said unto him Master speak to my Brother that he divide the Inheritance with me And he said unto him Man who made me a Judge or a Divider over you Luk. 12. 13. The Commission or Power is not to be exceeded Paul said unto him the High-priest God shall smite thee thou whited Wall For sittest thou to judge me after the Law and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the Law And they that stood by said revilest thou God's High-priest Then said Paul I wist not Brethren that he was the High-priest For it is written thou shalt not speak evil of the Ruler of thy People Acts 23. 3. Magistrates not to be revil'd even when they act contrary to Justice No Punishment just before Sentence We have found this Man a pestilent Fellow and a mover of Sedition among all the Jews throughout the World and a ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazarenes Who also hath gone about to profane the Temple Whom we took and would have judged according to Law And the Jews also assented saying that these things were so Then Paul after that the Governor had beckened unto him to speak answered Acts 24. 5. A severe Charge is drawn up against Innocence when Malice or false Zeal influence the Informers But a just Judge is not made a Party but hears with Patience and judges according to Equity Felix trembled and answered Go thy Way for this time when I have a convenient Season I will call for thee He hoped also that Money should have been given him of Paul that he might loose him Wherefore he sent for him the oftner and communed with him But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix room And Felix willing to shew the Jews a pleasure left Paul bound Acts 24. 25. To prolong a Cause for Interest is not just to wait for Money where Innocence pleads for a Discharge is not just To gratifie a People by the Oppression of Innocence is not just When Felix heard these things the Plea made by the Apostle having more perfect Knowledge of that Way he deferred them Acts 24. 22. The Clamor and Violence of Accusers prevail nothing with a Judge who has a true Knowledge of the Cause He will not let an ill Name be enough for punishing the Innocent Judge not according to the appearance but judge righteous Judgment Jo. 7. 24. Do ye not know that the Saints shall judge the World And if the World shall be judged by you are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters 1 Cor. 6. 2. Holiness an excellent Preparation for judging according to Justice When Gallio was Deputy of Achaia the Jews made Insurrection with one accord against Paul and brought him to the Judgment-seat saying This Fellow perswadeth Men to worship God contrary to the Law And when Paul was now about to open his Mouth Gallio said unto the Jews If it were a matter of Wrong or wicked Lewdness O ye Jews reason would that I should bear with you But if it be a question of Words and Names and of your Law look ye to it for I will be no Judge of such Matters And he drove them from the Judgment-seat Acts 18. 12. Violence brings some to the Barr who are no Criminals the Justice of the Bench is to distinguish Against Law is in some Cases to be in the right The Bench judges not of Causes which belong to another Court Something may be here inserted out of the Old Testament When Moses Father in-law saw all that he did to the People he said what is this thing that thou doest to the People Why sittest thou thy self alone and all the People stand by thee from Morning unto Even Exod. 18. 14. To make the People wait one Day is here reproved what would have been the Censure of Causes delay'd with endless Expence Thou shalt provide out of all the People able Men such as fear God Men of Truth hating Covetousness and place such over them Exod. 18. 21. Good Directions for the Choice of Magistrates Thou shalt not raise or receive a false Report Put not thine Hand with the Wicked to be an unrighteous Witness Thou shalt not follow a Multitude to do Evil Neither shalt thou speak in a Cause to incline after many to wrest Judgment Neither shalt thou countenance a poor Man in his Cause Thou shalt not wrest the Judgment of thy Poor in his Cause Keep thee far from a false Matter and the Innocent and Righteous slay thou not For I will not justifie the Wicked And thou shalt take no Gift for the Gift blindeth the Wise and perverteth the Words of the Righteous Also thou shalt not oppress a Stranger Exod. 23. 1 6. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in Judgment thou shalt not respect the Person of the Poor nor honor the Person of the Mighty But in Righteousness shalt thou judge thy Neighbor Levit. 19. 15. I charged your Judges at that time saying hear the Causes between your Brethren and judge righteously between every Man and his Brother and the Stranger that is with him Ye shall not respect Persons in Judgment but you shall hear the Small as well as the Great you shall not be affraid of the Face of Man for the Judgment is God's Deut. 1. 16. Judges and Officers shalt thou make thee in all thy Gates which the Lord thy God giveth thee throughout the Tribes and they shall judge the People with just Judgment Thou shalt not wrest Judgment thou shalt respect Persons neither take a Gift For a Gift doth blind the Eyes of the Wise and pervert the Words of the Righteous That which is altogether Just shalt thou follow that thou mayest live and inherit the Land Deut. 16. 18. One VVitness shall not rise up against a Man for any Iniquity or for any Sin in any Sin that he sinneth At the mouth
of two VVitnesses or at the mouth of three VVitnesses shall the matter be established Deut. 19. 15. If there be a Controversie between Men and they come unto Judgment that the Judges may judge them then they shall justifie the Righteous and condemn the VVicked Deut. 25. 1. Cursed be he that perverteth the Judgment of the Stranger Fatherless and VVidow And all the People shall say Amen Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent Person Deut. 27. 19 25. And it came to pass when Samuel was Old that he made his Sons Judges over Israel And his Sons walked not in his VVays but turned aside after Lucre and took Bribes and perswaded Judgment 1 Sam. 8. 1 3. And Samuel said unto all Israel Behold here I am VVitness against me before the Lord and before his Anointed VVhose Ox have I taken Or whose Ass have I taken Or whom have I defrauded VVhom have I oppressed Or of whose Hand have I received any Bribe to blind mine Eyes therewith And I will restore it And they said thou hast not defrauded us nor oppressed us neither hast thou taken ought of any Man's Hand 1 Sam. 12. 1 3. And he Jehoshaphat set Judges in the Land throughout all the fenced Cities of Judah City by City and he said to the Judges take heed what ye do for ye judge not for Man but for the Lord who is with you in the Judgment VVherefore now let the Fear of the Lord be upon you take heed and do it For there is no Iniquity with the Lord our God nor respect of Persons nor taking of Gifts And he charged them saying thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord faithfully and with a perfect Heart Deal courageously and the Lord shall be with the Good 2 Chron. 19. 5 9 11. VVhoso rewardeth Evil for Good Evil shall not depart from his House Prov. 17. 13. He that justifieth the Wicked and he that condemneth the Just even they both are Abomination to the Lord v. 15. A wicked Man taketh a Gift out of the Bosom to pervert the Ways of Judgment v. 23. Rob not the poor because he is poor Neither oppress the afflicted in the Gate For the Lord will plead their Cause and spoil the Soul of those that spoiled them Prov. 22. 22. To have respect of Persons is not good For for a piece of Bread that Man will transgress Prov. 28. 21. Learn to do Well seek Judgment relieve the Oppressed judge the Fatherless plead for the Widow Isa 1. 17. How is the faithful City become an Harlot It was full of Judgment Righteousness lodged in it but now Murtherers Thy Princes are Rebellious and Companions of Thieves Every one loveth Gifts and followeth after Rewards They judge not the Fatherless neither doth the Cause of the Widow come unto them Therefore saith the Lord I will turn my Hand upon thee Isa 1. 21. Wo unto them that call evil good and good evil VVhich justifie the VVicked for Reward and take away the Righteousness of the Righteous from him Because they have cast away the Law of the Lord of Hosts therefore is the Anger of the Lord kindled against his People Isa 5. 20 23. VVo unto them that decree unrighteous Decrees and that write Grievousness which they have prescribed To turn aside the Needy from Judgment and to take away the Right from the Poor of my People that Widows may be their prey and that they may rob the Fatherless And what will you do in the Day of Visitation and in the Desolation which shall come Isa 10. 1. I know your manifold Transgressions and your mighty Sins They afflict the Just they take a Bribe and they turn aside tbe Poor in the Gate from their Right Hate the Evil and love the Good and establish Judgment in the Gate It may be that the Lord of Hosts will be gracious unto the Remnant of Joseph Amos 5. 12. The Good Man is perished out of the Earth And there is none Vpright among Men They all lye in wait for Blood They hunt every Man his Brother with a Net That they may do Evil with both Hands earnestly the Prince asketh and the Judge asketh for a Reward And the great Man he uttereth his mischievous Desire Mic. 7. 2. Why dost thou shew me Iniquity and cause me to behold Grievance For Spoiling and Violence are before me and there are that raise up Strife and Contention Therefore the Law is slacked and Judgment doth never go forth For the Wicked doth compass about the Righteous Therefore wrong Judgment proceedeth Behold ye among the Heathen and regard and wonder marvelously for I will work a Work in your Days which ye will not believe tho' it be told you Hab. 1. 3. These are the things that ye shall do speak ye every Man the Truth to his Neighbor Execute the Judgment of Truth and Peace in your Gates And let none of you imagin evil in your Hearts against his Neighbor and love no false Oath for all these are things that I hate saith the Lord Zech. 8. 16. CHAP. XXXI Of Subjects Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give to Persons in this Station A. It expresly mentions several Duties belonging to them and gives the Charge with great Strictness When they were come to Capernaum they that received Tribute-money came to Peter and said doth not your Master pay Tribute He saith Yes Mat. 17. 24. Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's and unto God the things that are God's Mat. 22. 21. And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the Name of Jesus But Peter and John answered and said unto them whether it be right in the Sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge ye Acts 4. 18. They that stood by said revilest thou God's High-priest Then said Paul I wist not Brethren that he was the High-priest for it is written thou shalt not speak Evil of the Ruler of thy People Acts 23. 4. Let every Soul be subject unto the higher Powers for there is no Power but of God The Powers that be are ordained of God Whosoever therefore resisteth the Power resisteth the Ordinance of God And they that resist shall receive to themselves Damnation For Rulers are not a Terror to good Works but to the Evil. Wilt thou then not he affraid of the Power Do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same For he is the Minister of God to thee for good But if thou do that which is evil be affraid for he beareth not the Sword in vain for he is the Minister of God a Revenger to execute Wrath upon him that doeth Evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject not only for Wrath but also for Conscience sake For for this Cause pay you Tribute also For they are God's Ministers attending continually upon this very thing Render therefore to all their Dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custom
Directions in the Gospel for Persons of this Rank A. Some Instructions there are which it may not be improper for these to consider which I will set down here but they being likewise concern'd in the next Chapter I must recommend that to their perusal Ye see your Calling Brethren how that not many wise men after the Flesh not many mighty not many noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things which are mighty and base things of the World and things which are despised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to nought things that are That no Flesh should glory in his presence But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption That according as it is written he that glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 26. God makes not choice of Persons from their Greatness Wisdom or Nobility he chose the contemptible things of this World to confound all Confidence and Glory except that which is in God alone My Brethren have not the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory with respect of Persons For if there come unto your Assembly a Man with a gold Ring in goodly Apparel and there come in also a poor Man in vile Raiment and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay Cloathing and say unto him sit thou here in a good place and say to the Poor stand thou there or sit here under my Footstool Are ye not then Partial in your selves and are become Judges of evil Thoughts Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the Poor of this World rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him But ye have despised the Poor Do not rich Men oppress you and draw you before the Judgment-seats Do not they blaspheme the worthy Name by the which ye are called Jam. 2. 1. To be Partial in the Respect of Persons the Spirit of God disapproves Humane Greatness has no Preference with God To be Honorable in the Gospel-scheme is to do that which the Gospel most recommends and for which a Soul shall find Honor with God They who do this are truly Honorable Some additions may be here made out of the Old Testament David went out whithersoever Saul sent him and behaved himself wisely 1 Sam. 18. 5. A vertuous and prudent Conduct is a sure Step to Honor this cannot fail of being valued But great Titles Retinue and Riches join'd with a light Head and Indiscretion help to make a Person more remarkably Contemptible The King David said and where is thy Master's Son And Ziba said unto the King behold he abideth at Jerusalem For he said to Day shall the House of Israel restore me the Kingdom of my Father Then said the King to Ziba behold thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth 2 Sam. 16. 3. A Servant thus made his Court to the King by falsly accusing his Master and disgracing him with his Prince Such a Step to Honor is base only fit for a treacherous Servant and cannot be attempted without Infamy And Barzillai said unto the King how long have I to live that I should go up with the King unto Jerusalem 2 Sam. 19. 34. To retire from Court and public Business for making a Preparation for Death is Christian Discretion Solicitude of Business and Variety of Engagements are not a Help for dying well Persons so taken up do not leave the World but are torn from it Why boastest thou thy self in Mischief O mighty Man The Goodness of God endureth continually Thy Tongue deviseth Mischiefs like a sharp Razor working deceitfully Thou lovest Evil more than Good and Lying rather than to speak Righteousness Thou lovest all devouring O thou deceitful Tongue God shall likewise destroy thee for ever Psal 52. 1. There is Meanness in Boasting in Malice in Detraction and Lying which is not consistent with true Honor. Where there is Quality there ought to be an Abhorrence of all that is thus Base and nothing can be more degrading than to be familiar with it What are then Titles State and Birth where there is a Familiarity with Lying Detraction Malice and Vanity Such may make a Shew at a Distance but more nearly examin'd they are certainly Contemptible Without Repentance their Fate must be to be despis'd and trampled on by Devils Seest thou a Man diligent in his Business He shall stand before Kings he shall not stand before mean Men Prov. 22. 29. Sloth is unbecoming all States and where is the Honor of being a Drone Industry with a low Birth is more Honorable than useless Quality Is he Idle and Lazy Say no more whatever his Blood be he is Infamous Daniel purposed in his Heart that he would not defile himself with the Portion of the King's Meat nor with the Wine which he drank Therefore he requested of the Prince of the Eunuchs that he might not defile himself Dan. 1. 8. True Greatness of Mind not to transgress the Law of God in Compliance with the King Such Fidelity proof against Interest and Flattery is truly Honorable But what degree then of contemptible Meanness is in all those who knowing their Duty to God and the Honor of their Nature have not Strength of Mind to withstand ordinary Attempts but surrender upon every Breath of Flattery or Reproach They make the King glad with their Wickedness and the Princes with their Lies They are all Adulterers Hos 7. 3. This was the Provocation of Israel Hear this word ye Kine of Bashan that are in the Mountain of Samaria which oppress the Poor which crush the Needy which say to their Masters bring and let us drink Amos 4. 1. This was the Crime of the great Ones of Israel Oppression and Excess Wo to them that are at ease in Zion and trust in the Mountain of Samaria ye that put far away the evil Day and cause the Seat of Violence to come near that lye upon Beds of Ivory and stretch themselves upon their Couches and eat the Lambs out of the Flock and the Calves out of the midst of the Stall that chant to the Sound of the Viol and invent to themselves Instruments of Music like David that drink Wine in Bowls and anoint themselves with the chief Ointments but they are not grieved for the Affliction of Joseph Therefore now shall they go Captive with the first that go Captive and the Banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed The Lord God hath sworn by himself saith the Lord the God of Hosts I abhorr the Excellency of Jacob and hate his Palaces Therefore will I deliver up the City with all that is therein Amos 6. 1 3. The Prophet reckons up the Provocations of Israel their Life of Ease of Oppression of expensive
done and there is no Respect of Persons Col. 3. 25. Thou knowest the Commandments do not commit adultery do not kill do not steal do not bear false witness defraud not honor thy Father and Mother Mar. 10. 19. Nay you do wrong and defraud and that your brethren Know ye not that the Vnrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Be not deceived neither Fornicators nor Idolaters nor Thieves shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 8. God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient Being filled with all Vnrighteousness Fornication Covetousness Maliciousness full of Envy Debate Deceit Malignity Despiteful Proud Boasters Covenant-breakers Rom. 1. 28 29. Wherefore putting away Lying speak every Man Truth with his Neighbor for we are members one of another Neither give place to the Devil let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with the hands the thing which is good Eph. 4. 25 27. 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 entered into the ears of the Lord Jam. 5. 4. Neither is he that planteth any thing neither he that watereth but God that giveth the encrease 1 Cor. 3. 7. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Mat. 6. 33. No Man can serve two Masters Ye cannot serve God and Mamon v. 24. VVhat shall it profit a Man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul Or what shall a Man give in exchange for his soul Mar. 8. 36. Take heed and beware of Covetousness For a Man's Life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth Luk. 12. 15. They that will be rich fall into Temptation and a Snare and into many foolish and hurtful Lusts which drown Men in Destruction and Perdition For the Love of Money is the root of all evil 1 Tim. 6. 9. This I say Brethren the time is short It remaineth that they that buy be as though 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 30. With what measure you mete it shall be measured to you again Mat. 7. 2. I here add something out of the Old Testament Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment in Mete-yard in VVeight or in Measure Just Ballances just VVeights a just Ephah and a just Hin shall ye have I am the Lord your God Therefore shall ye observe all my Statutes and all my Judgments and do them I am the Lord Levit. 19. 35. Thou shalt not have in thy Bag divers VVeights a great and a small Thou shalt not have in thine House divers Measures a great and a small But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight a perfect and just measure shalt thou have That thy Days may be lengthened in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee For all that do such things and all that do unrighteously are an Abomination unto the Lord thy God Deut. 25. 13. A false Ballance is Abomination to the Lord But a just VVeight is his Delight Prov. 11. 1. He that withholdeth Corn the People shall Curse him But Blessing shall be upon the Head of him that selleth it v. 26. Divers weights and divers measures both of them are alike Abomination to the Lord Prov. 20. 10. Hear this O ye that swallow up the Needy even to make the Poor of the Land to fail saying when will the new Moon be gone that we may sell Corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth VVheat making the Ephah small and the Sheckel great and falsifying the Ballances by Deceit That we may buy the Poor for Silver and the Needy for a pair of Shoes yea and sell the Refuse of the VVheat The Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob surely I will never forget any of their works Shall not the Land tremble for this and every one mourn that dwelleth therein Amos 8. 4. The Lord's Voice crieth unto the City and the Men of VVisdom shall see thy Name hear ye the Rod and who hath appointed it Are there yet the Treasures of Wickedness in the House of the Wicked and the scant measure that is abominable Shall I count them pure with the wicked Ballances and with the Bag of deceitful VVeights For the rich Men thereof are full of Violence and the Inhabitants thereof have spoken Lies and their Tongue is deceitful in their Mouth Therefore also will I make thee Sick in smiting thee in making thee desolate because of thy Sins Mic. 6. 9. Thus speaks the Rule and in such plain and positive Terms has God here manifested his Will that there can be no doubt in such as desire to follow it He expresly forbids all kind of Fraud or Over-reaching or doing any Wrong to our Neighbor in buying or selling He expresly forbids all kinds of false Weights and Measures He expresly forbids all such Monopoly as raises the price of Necessaries and oppresses the Poor He expresly forbids all kinds of Lying and Covetousness Those who in earnest hope for Salvation of God must be Solicitous to do his Will and since he himself has declar'd that those who do otherwise in these Particulars do what is an Abomination to him they cannot doubt of their being in an ill Way even in the displeasure of God Now examin the general Practice of Christians in all manner of Dealing with one another and thence guess whether God has Forbid all Fraud and Over-reaching amongst them And if he has whether they believe him or have any regard to his Precepts CHAP. XXX Of Magistrates and Officers of Justice Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give to Persons in this Station A. There are several Particulars proper for their Instruction Now the chief Priests and Elders and all the Counsel sought false witness against Jesus to put him to Death Mat. 26. 59. Then the High-priest rent his Cloaths saying He hath spoken Blasphemy what farther need have we of witnesses Behold now ye have heard his Blasphemy What think ye v. 65. Innocence is not to be oppress'd by Calumny or false Witnesses neither is Caiphas to be imitated who being Judge made himself a Party The chief Priests and Elders perswaded the Multitude that they should ask Barabbas and destroy Jesus Mat. 27. 20. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing but that rather a tumult was made he took Water and washed his Hands before the Multitude saying I am Innocent of the Blood of this just Person See ye to it Then released he Barabbas unto them And when he had scourged Jesus he delivered him to be crucified v. 24 26. No Party to be made against the Innocent Passion and Violence carry away the Multitude to Injustice The Innocent is not to be condemn'd in