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
coarse Apparel is commended in the Baptist a Modest Dress is recommended to Women accompanied with Shamefacedness Sobriety and a Meek Spirit Outward Adorning with Gold Pearls or Costly Apparel is reprov'd Inward Adorning with Virtue is requir'd All that is suggested in Dressing by Vanity Pride Envy or for pleasing the World is forbid All that is Immoderate whether as to the Expence of Time or Money is not allow'd In this it is very easie to discern what is the Spirit of the Gospel And if it be discern'd then all those who desire in Truth to be the Followers of Christ know what they are to do They must approve only that which their Rule approves and as for all whatever Inclination or the World recommends beyond that they must shut their hearts against it and say the Gospel is our Rule and this only we must follow CHAP. VI. Of Eating and Drinking Q. WHAT direction do's the Gospel give as to Eating and Drinking A. There is enough mention'd to serve for a Christian's Rule First Gluttony and Drunkenness are positively Forbid Take heed to your selves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting and Drunkenness Luk. 21. 34. Let us walk honestly as in the day not in Rioting and Drunkenness Rom. 13. 13. Wo unto you that are full for ye shall hunger Luk. 6. 25. Drunkards shall not inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 10. The Works of the Flesh are manifest Drunkenness Revellings of the which I tell you that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God Gal. 5. 19 21. Be not Drunk with wine wherein is excess but be fill'd with the Spirit Eph. 5. 18. Secondly It is particularly observ'd in the Rich Glutton that he Fared sumptuously every day Luk. 16. 19. It is a good thing that the heart be establish'd with Grace not with Meats which have not profitted them that have been occupied therein Heb. 13. 9. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace Rom. 14. 17. Many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ whose end is destruction whose God is their Belly and whose Glory is their Shame Phil. 3. 18 19. Thirdly Temperance and Sobriety are recommended Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2. 12. Wherefore gird up your loins be sober and hope to the end 1 Pet. 1. 13. Be sober be vigilant 1 Pet. 5. 8. Let your Moderation be known to all men Phil. 4. 5. He shall be great in the sight of the Lord and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink Luk. 1. 15. His Meat was Locusts and wild Honey Mat. 3. 4. Let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober Let us who are of the day be sober 1 Thess 5. 6 8. Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the Glory of God 1 Cor. 10. 31. Having Food and Raiment let us be therewith content 1 Tim. 6. 8. Fourthly Fasting is commanded Jesus Fasted Forty Days and Forty Nights Mat. 4. 2. Anna departed not from the Temple but served God with Fastings and Prayer Night and Day Luk. 2. 37. This kind of Devil can come forth by nothing but by Prayer and Fasting Mar. 19. 29. The Days will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken away from them and then shall they fast in those Days Luk. â— 35. They administred to the Lord and fasted And when they had fasted and pray'd and laid their Hands on them they sent them away Acts 13. 2 3. When they had ordain'd them Elders in every Church and had prayed with fasting they commended them to the Lord Act. 14. 23. In this may be discern'd the Spirit of the Gospel in this Point that while it approves Eating and Drinking for the Support of Nature it requires that this be done Soberly and with Moderation and to the Glory of God It commends Abstinence and Fasting It reproves Faring Sumptuously It condemns the Solicitude of pleasing the Appetite and making the Belly a God It declares Surfeiting Rioting Revelling and Drunkenness to be such Crimes that their Guilt excludes from Heaven If these be the Dictates of the Christian's Rule then it is very easie to observe how far the Gospel allows as to Eating and Drinking and how far it disapproves And hence it is obvious what they are to do who follow the Gospel They are to think nothing allowable but as it is here approv'd and must not by deceitful Constructions pretend to justifie that which is here condemn'd Especially where the Sentence is so positive and the Guilt shall live For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 13 14. Put off concerning the former Conversation the old Man which is corrupt according to the deceitful Lusts Eph. 4. 22. I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from fleshly Lusts which war against the Soul 1 Pet. 2. 11. If any Man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow me For whosoever will save his Life shall lose it and whosoever will lose his Life for my sake shall find it For what is a Man profitted if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own Soul Or what shall a Man give in Exchange for his Soul Mat. 16. 24 25 26. He that loveth his Life shall lose it and he that hateth his Life in this World shall keep it unto Life eternal If any Man serve me let him follow me Jo. 12. 25 26. By this shall all Men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another Jo. 13. 35. I say unto you love your Enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitely use you and persecute you Mat. 5. 44. Love not the world neither the things that are in the world 1 Jo. 2. 15. Put on as the elect of God holy and beloved Bowels of mercies Kindnesses Humbleness of mind Meekness Long-suffering Forbearing one another and Forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye And above all things put on Charity which is the bond of perfectness and let the peace of God rule in your hearts And be ye thankful Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all Wisdom and whatever ye do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Col. 3. 12 13 14 15 16 17. What things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ Yea doubtless and I do count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord For whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ and be found in
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 Fear of the Lord is the Instruction of Wisdom and before Honor is Humility 33. Every one that is Proud in Heart is an Abomination to the Lord Prov. 16. 5. The High-way of the Vpright is to depart from Evil He that keepeth his Way preserveth his Soul v. 17. Pride goeth before Destruction And a haughty Spirit before a fall v. 18. A froward Man soweth Strife and a Whisperer separateth chief Friends 28. A Reproof entereth more into a wise Man than an hundred Stripes into a Fool Prov. 17. 10. The beginning of Strife is as when one letteth out Water Therefore leave off Contention before it be medled with 14. He that hath Knowledge spareth his Words Even a Fool when he holdeth his Peace is counted Wise 27 28. A Fool 's Lips enter into Contention The words of a Tale-bearer are as wounds Prov. 18. 6 8. Before Destruction the Heart of Man is haughty 12. Death and Life are in the Power of the Tongue 21. The Discretion of a Man differeth his Anger and it is his Glory to pass over a Transgression Prov. 19. 11. Slothfulness casteth into a deep Sleep and an Idle Soul shall suffer Hunger 15. He that hath pity upon the Poor lendeth unto the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again 17. Hear Counsel and receive Instruction that thou mayest be wise in thy latter End 20. Reprove one that hath Vnderstanding and he will understand Knowledge 25. VVine is a Mocker strong Drink is Raging And whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise Prov. 20. 1. It is an Honor for a Man to cease from Strife But every Fool will be medling 3. Love not Sleep lest thou come to Poverty 13. He that goeth about as a Tale-bearer revealeth Secrets 19. An high Look and a proud Heart and the plowing of the Wicked is Sin Prov. 21. 4. He that loveth Pleasure shall be a poor Man 17. The Mouth of a strange Women is a deep Pit he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein Prov. 22. 14. Hear thou my Son and be wise and guide thine Heart in the Way Be not amongst Wine-bibbers amongst Rioters Eaters of Flesh For the Drunkard and the Glutton shall come to Poverty and Drowsiness shall Cloath a Man with Rags Prov. 23. 19. Who hath Wo Who hath Sorrow Who hath Contentions Who hath Babling Who hath Wounds without Cause Who hath Redness of Eyes They that tarry long at the Wine at the last it biteth like a Serpent and stingeth like an Adder Thine Eyes shall behold strange Women and thine Heart shall utter perverse Things Yea thou shalt be as he that lyeth down in the midst of the Sea or as he that lyeth upon the top of a Mast 23 29. Rejoice O young Man in thy Youth and let thy Heart cheer thee in the Days of thy Youth and walk in the Ways of thy Heart and in the Sight of thine Eyes But know thou that for all these things God will bring thee unto Judgment Childhood and Youth are Vanity Eccl. 11. 9. Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth while the evil Days come not nor the Years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no Pleasure in them Eccl. 12. 1. It is good for a Man that he bear the Yoke in his Youth Lam. 3. 27. These are Instructions given by the Spirit of God and particularly directed to Youth which if followed will lead to true Wisdom but if neglected the Fruit must be Destruction The Difficulties of youthful Years are generally very great for when the Strength of Passions carries them on and there is neither Experience or Apprehension to Stem the Violence of them they run as naturally into Mischief as a Boat adrift down the Stream Upon this Consideration is here often press'd the Necessity of their heark'ning to Instruction taking Counsel admitting of Reproof as the most effectual Means for their Security This Advice is given them by the Spirit of God himself who best knows what is necessary for them Here they have his own Words and such particular Directions as their State requires if they read them often and are Solicitous to make them their Rule they will with them find Life but if they despise them they despise their own Souls and the Effects of his Goodness who has thus mercifully taken Care of them CHAP. XXVII Of Masters and Mistresses of Families Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give to these A. Such as they ought carefully to observe and are as follows Behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a Dream saying Arise and take the young Child and his Mother and flee into Egypt Mat. 2. 13. They are to be watchful against all Dangers that threaten their Families The Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a Man which sowed good Seed in his Field But while Men slept his Enemy came and sowed Tares among the VVheat The Servants said unto him wilt thou then that we go and gather them up But he said nay lest while ye gather up the Tares ye root up also the VVheat with them Mat. 13. 24 28. If they are not very Watchful variety of Disorders will insensibly creep into their Families both as to themselves their Children and Servants And it is their Sloth Sleeping and Neglect is the general Occasion of it For reforming such great Discretion is necessary and this they must earnestly beg of him who is the Father of Light and Fountain of all Wisdom The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Man that is an Housholder which went out early in the Morning to hire Labourers into his Vineyard And when he had agreed with the Labourers when Even was come the Lord of the Vineyard saith unto his Steward Call the Labourers and give them their Hire Mat. 20. 1 1. Three Points proper for this State 1. To be Watchful and Early 2. To consider and look into the Business they have to do and prudently prepare for the effecting it 3. To make just Payments according to Agreement and without delay This last is often of so great Concern that the Neglect of it is attended with so many Inconveniencies as to deserve no better Name than of Injustice and Oppression If any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own House he hath denied the Faith and is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 5. 8. How great the Obligation is of providing for Family may be understood from the frightful Character here given of those who neglect to do it O God how unhappy is their Condition who lye under this Guilt I wish all Heads of Families would seriously consider it that terrified with it they might be affraid 〈…〉 what should be the Comfort and Provision of their Family Do's not this want considering when it is scarce look'd upon as a Fault to throw away Summs upon Humor and Sport and to let Idleness and Intemperance eat out Estates This is no less in