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
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
of no Man to be no Brawler but Gentle shewing all Meekness unto all Men Tit. 3. 2. And the Servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all Men apt to teach patient in Meekness instructing those that oppose themselves 2 Tim. 2. 24. Thus speaks the Rule and by it are commended to us Gentleness Meekness Moderation Patience and by the same are forbid all Passion undue Anger Roughness Quarrelling Impatience with our Neighbor c. These are Evils the former are to be our Ornaments What then must be judg'd of all such as take Exceptions at every accident who easily Fret fall into Passion use reproachful Language will bear nothing excuse nothing but let every trifling Occasion be enough to disturb their own Peace and their Neighbors Do these follow the Gospel It is too evident they do not and therefore are under a strict Obligation of daily laboring to bring themselves to a more Christian Temper If Nature be difficult yet Grace is more powerful and by this all Difficulties may be overcome and those who strive not to gain this Victory are without Excuse CHAP. XIV Of Humility and Pride Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to Humility and Pride A. It declares the great Value of the one and the Mischiefs of the other so that whatever be the Judgment of the World yet 't is plain what is the Judgment of the Gospel and there can be no Excuse for those who do not follow it Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5. 3. 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 Mat. 11. 29. Whosoever shall humble himself as this little Child the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 18. 4. They which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them and their great Ones exercise Authority upon them But so it shall not be among you But whosoever will be great among you shall be your Minister And whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be Servant of all For even the Son of Man came not to be minister'd unto but to minister and to give his Life a Ransom for many Mar. 10. 42 c. All their Works they the Pharisees do for to be seen of Men They make broad their Phylacteries and enlarge the Borders of their Garments and love the uppermost Rooms at Feasts and the chief Seats in the Synagogues and Greetings in the Markets and to be called of Men Rabbi Rabbi But be not ye called Rabbi for one is your Master even Christ and all ye are Brethren Neither be ye called Masters for one is your Master even Christ But he that is greatest among you shall be your Servant And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted Mat. 23. 5 c. He hath regarded the low Estate of his Handmaiden for behold from henceforth all Generations shall call me blessed He hath scatter'd the Proud in the Imagination of their Hearts he hath put down the Mighty from their Seats and exalted them of low Degree Luk. 1. 48 51. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself God I thank thee that I am not as other Men are Extortioners Vnjust Adulterers or even as this Publican I fast twice in the Week I give Tythes of all that I possess And the Publican standing afar off would not lift up so much as his Eyes unto Heaven but smote upon his Breast saying God be merciful to me a Sinner I tell you This Man went down to his House justified rather than the other for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted Luk. 18. 11. And thou Capernaum which art exalted to Heaven shalt be thrust down to Hell Luk. 10. 15. Be not high minded but fear for if God spared not the natural Branches take heed lest he also spare not thee Rom. 11. 20. Mind not high things but condescend to Men of low Estate be not wise in your own Conceits Rom. 12. 16. That ye might learn in us not to think of Men above that which is written that no one of you be puffed up for one against another For who maketh thee to differ from another And what hast thou that thou didst not receive Now if thou didst receive it why do'st thou glory as if thou hadst not receiv'd it We are made a Spectacle unto the World and to Angels and to Men. We are Fools for Christ's sake but ye are wise in Christ we are weak but ye are strong ye are honorable but we are despised We are made as the Filth of the World and are the Off-scouring of all things unto this Day 1 Cor. 4. 6 c. Let nothing be done thro' Strife or Vain-Glory but in Lowliness of Mind let each esteem other better than themselves Let this Mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no Reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Men and being found in fashion as a Man he humbled himself and became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a Name which is above every Name Phil. 2. 3 5 c. Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the Earth Eph. 4. 9. Put on therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved Bowels of Mercies Kindness Humbleness of Mind Meekness Long-suffering Col. 3. 12. Yea all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with Humility for God resisteth the Proud and giveth Grace to the Humble Humble your selves therefore under the mighty Hand of God that he may exalt you in due time 1 Pet. 5. 5 6. Humble your selves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up Jam. 4. 10. In the last Days perillous times shall come for Men shall be Lovers of their own selves Boasters Proud Vnthankful Fierce Despisers of those that are Good Heady High-minded 2 Tim. 3. 1 c. I beseech you to walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called with all Lowliness and Meekness with Long-suffering Eph. 4. 1 2. 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 that no Flesh should glory in his Presence He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 27. For not he that commendeth himself is approved but whom the Lord commendeth 2 Cor. 10. 18. Ye are they which justifie your selves before Men but God knoweth your Hearts
begin to beat the Men-servants and Maidens and to eat and drink and to be drunken the Lord of that Servant will come in a Day when he looketh not for him and at an Hour when he is not aware and will cut him in sunder and will appoint him his Portion with the Vnbelievers Luk. 12. 35 c. Take heed to your selves lest at any time your Hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting and Drunkenness and Cares of this Life and so that Day come upon you unawares For as a Snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the Face of the whole Earth Watch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man Luk. 21. 34. Take ye heed watch and pray for ye know not when the time is For the Son of Man is as a Man taking a far Journey who left his House and gave Authority to his Servants and to every Man his Work and commanded the Porter to watch Watch ye therefore for ye know not when the Master of the House cometh at Even or at Midnight or at the Cock-crowing or in the Morning lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping and what I say unto you I say unto all watch Mar. 13. 33 c. Watch therefore for ye know neither the Day nor the Hour wherein the Son of Man cometh For the Kingdom of Heaven is as a Man travelling into a far Country who called his own Servants and delivered unto them his Goods Then he that had received the Five Talents went and traded with the same and made them other Five Talents But he that had received one went and digged in the Earth and hid his Lord's Money After a long time the Lord of those Servants cometh and reckoneth with them And so he that had received Five Talents came and brought other five Talents saying Lord thou deliveredst unto me Five Talents behold I have gained besides them Five Talents more His Lord said unto him 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. Then he which had received the one Talent came His Lord said unto him Thou wicked and slothful Servant Take therefore the Talent from him and give it unto him which hath Ten Talents and cast ye the unprofitable Servant into outer Darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 25. 13. And now also the Ax is laid unto the Root of the Trees therefore every Tree which bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fire Mat. 3. 10. A certain Man had a Fig-tree planted in his Vineyard and he came and sought Fruit thereon and found none Then said he unto the Dresser of his Vineyard Behold these Three Years I come seeking Fruit on this Fig-tree and find none Cut it down why cumbreth it the Ground And he answering said unto him Lord let it alone this Year also till I shall dig about it and dung it and if it bear Fruit well and if not then after that thou shalt cut it down Luk. 13. 6. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 7. 21. Strive to enter in at the strait Gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able Luk. 13. 24. Enter ye in at the strait Gate for wide is the Gate and broad is the Way that leadeth to Destruction and many there be which go in thereat because strait is the Gate and narrow is the Way which leadeth unto Life and few there are that find it Mat. 7. 13. Seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you Mat. 7. 7. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness Mat. 6. 33. The Kingdom af Heaven suffereth Violence and the violent take it by force Mat. 11. 12. If any Man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me For whosoever will save his Life shall lose it but whosoever will lose his Life for my sake the same shall save it Luk. 9. 23. If any Man come to me and hate not his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and his own Life also he cannot be my Disciple And whosoever doth not bear his Cross and come after me cannot be my Disciple Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath he cannot be my Disciple Luk. 14. 26 33. A certain Man made a great Supper and bade many and sent his Servant at Supper-time to say to them that were bidden Come for all things are now ready And they all with one consent began to make excuse Then the Master of the House being angry said I say unto you that none of those Men that were bidden shall taste of my Supper Luk. 13. 16 c. Watch ye stand fast in the Faith quit you like Men be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall 1 Cor. 10. 12. Awake to Righteousness and sin not 1 Cor. 15. 34. Be Sober be Vigilant because your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour Whom resist stedfast in Faith 1 Pet. 5. 8. My Brethren be strong in the Lord and in the Power of his Might put on the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the Wills of the Devil For we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood but against Principalities against Powers against the Rulers of the darkness of this World Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil Day and having done all to stand Stand therefore having your Loins girt about with Truth and having on the Breast-plate of Righteousness and your Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace above all taking the Shield of Faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery Darts of the Wicked And take the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all Perseverance Eph. 6. 10. Let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober 1 Thess 5. 6. If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a Thief and thou shalt not know what Hour I will come upon thee Rev. 3. 3. Therefore my beloved Brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the Work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. Be not deceived God is not mocked For whatsoever a Man soweth that shall he also reap
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
alone and the Fatherless hath not eaten thereof If I have seen any perish for want of Cloathing or any Poor without Covering If his Loins have not blessed me and if he were not warmed with the Fleece of my Sheep If I have lift up my Hand against the Fatherless when I saw my help in the Gate Then let mine Arm fall from my Shoulder-blade and mine Arm be broken from the Bone Job 31. 16. Blessed is he that considereth the Poor the Lord will deliver him in the time of Trouble The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive and he shall be blessed upon the Earth and thou wilt not deliver him unto the Will of his Enemies The Lord will strengthen him upon the Bed of Languishing thou wilt make all his Bed in his Sickness Psal 41. 1. Is not this the Fast that I have chosen To loose the Bonds of Wickedness to undo the heavy Burthens and to let the Oppressed go free and that ye break every Yoke Is it not to deal thy Bread to the Hungry and that thou bring the Poor that are cast out to thy House When thou seest the Naked that thou cover him and that thou hide not thy self from thine own Flesh Then shall thy Light break forth as the Morning and thine Health shall spring forth speedily and thy Righteousness shall go before thee the Glory of the Lord shall be thy Reward Then shalt thou call and the Lord shall answer thou shalt cry and he shall say here I am If thou take away from the midst of thee the Yoke the putting forth of the Finger and speaking Vanity And if thou draw out thy Soul to the Hungry and satisfie the afflicted Soul then shall thy Light rise in Obscurity and thy Darkness be as the Noon-day And the Lord shall guide thee continually and satisfie thy Soul in drought and make fat thy Bones And thou shalt be like a watered Garden and like a Spring of Water whose Waters fail not Isa 58. 6. God having spoke so at large to those who possess the Riches of this World having made so many Promises to them of everlasting Blessings if they let the Plenty he has given them be the Relief of the Poor It must be here acknowledg'd that such as have Wealth have in this a great Opportunity put into their Hands of engaging God to them by making that good use of it as he has directed 2dly That such as instead of this good Use Hoard up their Money either for the Love of it or for the unreasonable Apprehensions of Want are more Solicitous for this World than the next and chuse to take their Chance for Hell rather then venture the Imaginary Dangers suggested by their immoderate Love of the Earth and themselves 3dly That such as turn their Plenty to the Service of Vanity Self-love and seeking human Greatness abuse the Gifts of God and give Demonstration of their Concern being more for this World than the next and that Salvation is not the thing they seek Lastly That such as prostitute their Plenty to vicious Extravagancies have in Fact renounc'd their Faith since they have no regard either to the Promises of God's Mercy or to the Threats of his Justice and hence have too much Reason to apprehend the Lot of being cast out with Unbelievers Riches in the right Use of them are a certain Blessing but abus'd are a Curse CHAP. XXXIV Of the Poor Q. DO's the Gospel take notice of these A. It do's and instructs them for their Comfort Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5. 3. Take no Thought saying what shall we eat Or what shall we drink Or wherewithal shall we be cloathed For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Mat. 6. 31. Jesus answered and said unto them go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see The Blind receive their Sight and the Lame Walk the Lepers are Cleansed and the Deaf Hear the Dead are raised up and the Poor have the Gospel preached to them Mat. 11. 4. A certain Scribe came and said unto him Master I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest And Jesus saith unto him the Foxes have Holes and the Birds of the Air have Nests But the Son of Man hath not where to lay his Head Mat. 8. 19. Peter began to say unto him lo we have left all and have followed thee And Jesus answered and said verily I say unto you there is no Man that hath left House or Brethren or Sisters or Father or Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for my sake and the Gospel's but he shall receive an hundred-fold now in this time and in the World to come eternal Life But many that are first shall be last And and the last first Mar. 10. 28. And there came a certain poor Widow and she threw in two Mites which make a Farthing And he called unto him his Disciples and saith unto them Verily I say unto you that this poor Widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the Treasury For all they did cast in of their abundance but she of her want did cast in all that she had even all her Living Mar. 12. 42. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor he hath sent me to heal the Broken-hearted to preach Deliverance to the Captives and recovering of Sight to the Blind to set at Liberty them that are bruised to preach the acceptable Year of the Lord. And he began to say unto them this Day is this Scripture fulfilled in your Ears Luk. 4. 18 21. He lifted up his Eyes on his Disciples and said Blessed be ye Poor for yours is the Kingdom of God Blessed are ye that hunger now for ye shall be filled Blessed are ye that weep now for ye shall laugh Luk. 6. 20. Then the Master of the House being Angry said to his Servant Go out quickly into the Streets and Lanes of the City and bring in hither the Poor and the Maimed and the Halt and the Blind And the Servant said Lord it is done as thou hast commanded and yet there is room And the Lord said unto the Servant Go out into the High-ways and Hedges and compel them to come in that my House may be filled For I say unto you that none of those Men which were bidden shall taste of my Supper Luk. 14. 21. There was a certain Beggar named Lazarus which was laid at his Gate full of Sores and desiring to be fed with the Crumbs which fell from the rich Man's Table moreover the Dogs came and licked his Sores And it came to pass that the Beggar died and was carried by the Angels into Abraham's Bosom
Luk. 16. 20. 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 1 Cor. 1. 26. Moreover Brethren we do you to wit of the Grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia How that in a great Trial of Affliction the Abundance of their Joy and their deep Poverty abounded unto the riches of their Liberality For to their Power I bear record yea and beyond their Power they were willing of themselves praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the Gift Ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that tho' he was Rich yet for your sakes he became Poor that ye thro' his Poverty might be Rich 2 Cor. 8. 1 9. Let this mind be in you which was also in Jesus Christ who being in the form of God thought it not Robbery to be equal with God But made himself of no Reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Men And being found in fashion as a Man he Humbled himself and became Obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him Phil. 2. 5. Godliness with Contentment is great Gain For we brought nothing into this World and it is certain we can carry nothing out And having Food and Raiment let us be therewith content But they that will be Rich fall into Temptation 1 Tim. 6. 6. 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 So that we may boldly say the Lord is my Helper and I will not fear what Man shall do unto me Heb. 13. 5. Humble your selves therefore under the mighty Hand of God that he may exalt you in due time casting all your Care upon him for he careth for you 1 Pet. 5. 6. Let the Brother of low Degree rejoice in that he is exalted Blessed is the Man that endureth Temptation For when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1. 9 12. 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 Jam. 2. 5. Not that I speak in respect of Want for I have learned in whatsoever State I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound Every-where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need I can do all things thro' Christ which strengtheneth me Notwithstanding ye have well done that ye did communicate with my Affliction Phil. 4. 11. These things saith the First and the Last which was dead and is alive I know thy Works and Tribulation and Poverty but thou art Rich. Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have Tribulation ten Days Be thou Faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2. 8. Some additions out of the Old Testament I would seek unto God and unto God would I commit my Cause He saveth the Poor from the Sword from their Mouth and from the Hand of the Mighty So the Poor hath Hope and Iniquity stoppeth her Mouth Job 5. 15. The Lord also will be a Refuge for the Oppressed a Refuge in times of Trouble And they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee For thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee Psal 9. 9 10. The Needy shall not alway be forgotten the Expectation of the Poor shall not perish for ever v. 18. Why standest thou afar off O Lord Why hidest thou thy self in times of Trouble The Wicked in his Pride doth persecute the Poor Let them be taken in the Devices that they have imagined Arise O Lord O God lift up thine Hand forget not the Humble Wherefore doth the Wicked contemn God He hath said in his Heart thou wilt not require it Thou hast seen it for thou beholdest Mischief and Spite to requite it with thy Hand The Poor committeth himself unto thee thou art the Helper of the Fatherless Lord thou hast heard the Desire of the Humble Thou wilt prepare their Heart thou wilt cause thine Ear to hear To judge the Fatherless and the Oppressed that the Man of the Earth may no more oppress Psal 10. 1 12 17. I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my Fears This Poor Man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his Troubles The Angel of our Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them O taste and see that the Lord is good blessed is the Man that trusteth in him O fear the Lord ye his Saints For there is no want to them that fear him The Righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their Troubles The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken Heart and saveth such as be of a contrite Spirit Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all He keepeth all his Bones not one of them is broken The Lord redeemeth the Soul of his Servants and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate Psal 34. 4 6 17. Trust in the Lord and do good so shalt thou dwell in the Land and verily thou shalt be fed Delight thy self also in the Lord and he shall give thee the Desires of thine Heart Commit thy Way unto the Lord and he shall bring it to pass Rest in the Lord and wait patiently Fret not thy self because of him who prospereth in his Way for evil Doers shall be cut off but those that wait upon the Lord they shall inherit the Earth A little that a righteous Man hath is better than the Riches of many Wicked The Lord knoweth the Days of the Vpright and their Inheritance shall be for ever They shall not be ashamed in the evil Time and in the Days of Famine they shall be satisfied The Steps of a good Man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his Way Tho' he fall he shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholdeth him with his Hand I have been young and now am old Yet have I not seen the Righteous forsaken nor his Seed begging Bread Psal 37. 3 7 16 18 23. Why art thou cast down O my Soul And why art thou disquieted within me Hope in God for I shall yet praise him who
Voice Jo. 10. 1. They are to consider their Vocation I am the good Shepherd The good Shepherd giveth his Life for the Sheep But he that is an Hireling and not the Shepherd whose own the Sheep are not seeth the Wolf coming and leaveth the Sheep and fleeth And the Wolf catcheth them and scattereth the Sheep The Hireling fleeth because he is an Hireling and careth not for the Sheep I am the good Shepherd and know my Sheep and am known of mine Jo. 10. 11. They are to employ and give their Life for the good of their Flock Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordain'd you that ye should go and bring forth Fruit and that your Fruit should remain Jo. 15. 16. They are to remember the end of their being call'd Jesus saith to Simon Peter Simon Son of Jonas lovest thou me more than these He saith unto him yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee he saith unto him Feed my Lambs He saith to him again the second time Simon Son of Jonas lovest thou me He saith unto him Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee He saith unto him Feed my Sheep Jo. 21. 15. The Love of Jesus the necessary Preparation for taking charge of their Flock As they ministred to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the Work whereunto I have called them And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their Hands on them they sent them away Acts 13. 2. Good Dispositions for undertaking the Care of the Flock Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the Flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood For I know this that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock Also of your own selves shall Men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them Therefore watch and remember that by the space of three Years I ceased not to warn every one Night and Day with Tears Acts 20. 28. Vigilance and Fidelity necessary for Pastors This is a true Saying if a Man desire the Office of a Bishop he desireth a good Work A Bishop then must be blameless the Husband of one Wife Vigilant Sober of good Behavior given to Hospitality apt to Teach not given to Wine no Striker not greedy of filthy Lucre but Patient not a Brawler not Covetous one that ruleth well his own House having his Children in Subjection with all Gravity for if a Man know not how to rule his own House how shall he take Care of the Church of God Not a Novice lest being lifted up with Pride he fall into the Condemnation of the Devil Moreover he must have a good Report of them which are without lest he fall into Reproach and the Snare of the Devil 1 Tim. 3. 1. Necessary Qualifications of Pastors If thou put the Brethren in Remembrance of these things thou shalt be a good Minister of Jesus Christ nourished up in the Words of Faith and of good Doctrin whereunto thou hast attained But refuse profane and old Wives Fables and exercise thy self rather unto Godliness For Bodily Exercise profiteth little but Godliness is profitable unto all things having Promise of the Life that now is and of that which is to come Let no Man despise thy Youth but be thou an Example of the Believers in VVord in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity Till I come give attendance to Reading to Exhortation to Doctrin Neglect not the Gift that is in thee which was given thee by Prophecy with the laying on of the Hands of the Presbytery Meditate upon these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear to all Take heed unto thy self and unto thy Doctrin continue in them For in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee 1 Tim. 4. 6 12. Excellent Instructions 1. To be nourish'd by Faith 2. To avoid Fables 3. To follow Piety 4. To give good Example 5. To Read and Teach 6. Not to neglect Grace 7. To Meditate 8. To be watchful over themselves and their Flock Lastly To persevere in Duty Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a Father and the younger Men as Brethren the elder Women as Mothers the Younger as Sisters with all Purity 1 Tim. 5. 1. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect Angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another doing nothing by Partiality Lay Hands suddenly on no Man neither be Partaker of other Mens Sins Keep thy self pure v. 21. How strict a charge against all kind of Partiality Them that Sin rebuke before all that others also may fear v. 20. Public Sin to be reprov'd in Public O Timothy keep that which is committed to thy Trust avoiding prophane and vain Bablings and Oppositions of Science falsly so called VVhich some professing have erred concerning the Faith 1 Tim. 6. 20. They are faithfully to keep what is deliver'd avoid unprofitable Disputes Hold fast the form of sound VVords 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. Thou therefore my Son be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus And the things that thou hast heard of me among many Witnesses the same commit thou to faithful Men who shall be able to teach others also Thou therefore endure Hardness as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ No Man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this Life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a Soldier 2 Tim. 2. 1. They are to be strong in Grace Faithful Deliverers of the Truths receiv'd Courageous in all the Difficulties of their Ministry Not engag'd in worldly Affairs Of these things put them in Remembrance charging them before the Lord that they strive not about Words to no profit but to the subverting of the Hearers Study to shew thy self approved unto God a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth But shun prophane and vain Bablings for they will encrease unto more Vngodliness Flee also youthful Lusts but follow Righteousness Faith Charity Peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure Heart But foolish and unlearned Questions avoid knowing that they do gender Strifes And the Servant of the Lord must not strive but be Gentle unto all Men apt to Teach Patient in Meekness instructing those that oppose themselves if God Peradventure will give them Repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth and that they may recover themselves out of the Snare of the Devil who are taken Captive by him at his Will 2 Tim. 2. 14 22. They are to banish Disputes of Words 2. Be Irreproachable in their Lives 3. Dispence
worthily the Word of God 4. Suppress corrupt Discourse 5. Subdue their own Passions and follow the Spirit of the new Man 6. Decline impertinent Contentions 7. Be Meek to all and ready to give their Help 8. Be moderate in Reproving and Arguing Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them and that from a Child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee Wise unto Salvation thro' Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrin for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good Works 2 Tim. 3. 14. They are to be stedfast in Faith knowing in the Holy Scriptures make use of these for the Conduct of themselves for instructing correcting and leading others in Ways of Piety and Justice I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the Quick and the Dead at his appearing and his Kingdom Preach the Word be instant in Season out of Season reprove rebuke exhort with all Long-suffering and Doctrin For the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrin but after their own Lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers having itching Ears And they shall turn away their Ears from the Truth and shall be turned unto Fables But watch thou in all things endure Afflictions do the Work of an Evangelist make full proof of thy Ministry 2 Tim. 4. 1. They are to employ their Preaching Reproof Prayer Threats and Patience for the Salvation of their Flock They are to be Watchful bear patiently the Troubles of their Ministry and by discharging all Duties fully satisfie it For this Cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in Order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee If any be Blameless the Husband of one Wife having faithful Children not accused of Riot or Vnruly For a Bishop must be Blameless as the Steward of God not Self-willed not soon Angry not given to Wine no Striker not given to filthy Lucre but a Lover of Hospitality a Lover of good Men Sober Just Holy Temperate holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrin both to exhort and to convince the Gainsayers Tit. 1. 5. Qualifications of such as undertake this Charge These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all Authority Let no Man despise thee Tit. 2. 15. They are to exhort and reprove as having Authority Their Conduct ought to be such as to be despis'd by none Avoid foolish Questions and Genealogies and Contentions and Strivings about the Law for they are unprofitable and vain A Man that is an Heretick after the first and second Admonition reject Knowing that he that is such is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself Tit. 3. 9. They are to decline unprofitable Disputes and declar'd Hereticks The Elders which are among you I exhort who am also an Elder and a Witness of the Sufferings of Christ and also a Partaker of the Glory that shall be revealed Feed the Flock of God which is among you taking the Oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy Lucre but of a ready Mind neither as being Lords over God's Heritage but being Ensamples to the Flock And when the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall reeeive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 1. The true Shepherds not for their own Interest but for the Good of the Flock watch over it they lead it without lording it and are themselves an Example to it Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die For I have not found thy Works perfect before God Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a Thief Revel 3. 2. Thus speaks the chief Shepherd to all those who under him have taken upon them the Care of his Flock and from whom should they learn the Obligations of their Charge but from him Happy they who give ear to him §. II. As to Teaching the Flock Jesus came and spake unto them saying All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Mat. 28. 19. The Commission for teaching and preaching Christ must be from Christ and no other Confidence of teaching Truth but from him As ye go preach saying The Kingdom of heaven is at Hand Heal the Sick cleanse the Lepers raise the Dead cast out Devils freely ye have received freely give Mat. 10. 7. They are to be dis-interessed Do all good and not look for a Reward from Man but from God He that heareth you heareth me And he that despiseth you despiseth me And he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luk. 10. 16. Christ speaks to his Flock by those whom he has set over it and appointed to teach Christ is injur'd in the contempt of them In the day-time he was teaching in the Temple and at night he went out and abode in the Mount that is called the Mount of Olives Luk. 21. 37. They who teach others are to have their time of frequent Retreat from the World I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive Jo. 14. 16. When the Spirit of Truth is come he will guide you into all Truth Jo. 16. 13. No Security of Truth from Learning but from the Spirit of God What Gratitude due from the Flock to God whilst those who were to Teach it were to be led by this Spirit Then the Twelve called the multitude of the Disciples unto them and said It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve Tables Act. 6. 2. To be engag'd in temporal Affairs is a hindrance to those who are to Teach When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small Dissension and Disputation with them they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question Act. 15. 2. And the Apostles and Elders came together for to consider of this matter V. 6. When Questions arise they are not determin'd by Paul and Barnabas but are referr'd to the Apostles and Elders of the Church who assemble and consider of it Then pleased it the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send chosen Men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas and