the hand and power of sin Satan death and hell bring them into his Church and kingdome by effectual calling and regeneration and to govern them by his word and spirit to life everlasting John 10.16 Haggai 2 7. Ezek. 34.23 24. Also there must be a particular and distinct knowledge in some measure of the moral law of God and of the Sacraments Of the law of God a brief sum of which we have contained in the Decalogue or Ten Commandments which contains the duty we doe owe to God and Man what is evil and what we are to repent of shun and avoid and what we are to do and practice how we are to carry our selves both towards God in all duties of piety and holiness and towards man our selves and others in the duties of mercy justice and equity The Sacraments also There must be a particular knowledge of the Sacraments of the new Testament viz. Baptism the Lords Supper Baptism is a Sacrament of our ingrafting into Christ communion with him and entrance into the Church Mat. 28.19 Rom. 6.3 4. It signifies the washing away of sin from the Soul by the blood of Christ and the renewing graces of his Spirit and so our justification and forgiveness of sinnes and our sanctification Mark 1.4 Acts 2.38 Titus 3.5 And binds all that have been baptized to believe in Christ forsake sin and live holy according to the command of God Acts 8.37 38. Mat. 3.8 Rom. 6.3 4 5. Baptism it a priviledge which belongs to all the Infants of believing Christian Parents Mark 10.13 14. When some would have hindred the Parents from bringing their young children to Christ to bless them his Disciples rebuked those that brought them but when Jesus saw it he was much displeased and said Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of these and such like is the kingdome of God If little children 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Infants Children new borne as Luke hath it Luke 18.15 be within the Covenant as they are then they ought to have the Seal of the Covenant and if they be of Gods kingdome his subjects then they must wear his Livery and badge Infants are now as capable of receiving Baptism and the benefits of it as the Infants of the Jews were to receive Circumcision and what is now objected against Infant-baptism might as well have been alleadged against the Jews circumcising their children therefore to lay aside or deny Infant-baptism to the children of believing Christians is in effect to make themselves wiser then God I will add but one argument That which was commanded and practised by the people of God for two thousand years yea and much more was approved and commanded of God and is no where forbidden or repealed is still to be used but the sealing of the Infants of believers with the first seal of the Covenant was commanded practised by the people of God so long also approved and commanded of God and 't is no where repealed or forbidden shew it if any can therefore it is still a duty to be observed by Christian believing Parents Object It is objected that Infant-baptism is no where commanded in the new Testament nor any express example and we must do nothing without divine warrant Answ True but this is sufficient warrant to give the first seal of the Covenant to Infants was expresly commanded in the old Testament and is no where repealed or forbidden therefore a duty still as the observation of the Lords day or Christian Sabbath is by the fourth Commandment Besides there are express general commands to baptize Infants in the New Testament as Mat. 28.19 Act. 2.38 39. and general examples of whole housholds and 't is much more then probable there were many children in them let them prove the contrary if they can men had need to have cleer express Scripture to lay aside a duty commanded and approved of God so long practised by the godly by the whole Church of God It troubles me to see and hear that any professing godliness should be so far deceived and be so injurious to themselves their poor Infants as to deny to give them that priviledge and favour which undoubtedly Christ allows and intends whose grace and priviledges are not less to the children under the Gospel then to them under the Law but rather much more That place most think is full Rom. 11.17 The Gentiles being ingrafted into the true Olive-tree do partake of the root and fatness of the Olive-tree of all the priviledges of the Jews the true Church of God whereof Abraham was the root and father of which to be within the Covenant to be members of the Church of God and have the first Seal of the Covenant which now is baptism is one and when they come to years the Sacrament of the Lords supper also I will add but this If Christ under the Gospel hath barred Infants of believing Parents of the Sacrament of Baptism then it is either in mercy or in judgement let them that deny Infant-Baptism make their answer I know readily what to reply But I now study brevity brief hints onely not large treatises 2. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is also an ordinance instituded by Jesus Christ in the same night in which he was betrayed to be a Sacrament of our continuance and growth in Christ to represent and signifie the body and blood of Christ crucifyed for our sins together with all the benefits of his suffering and death 1 Cor. 10.16 and 11.23 24 25 26. To be a special token and pledge of his great love in suffering and dying for lost and miserable sinners and enemies Rom. 5.6 7 8. The end is to confirm our faith in Christ communion with him and all saving graces in us but it cannot confirm these where they are not to keep in remembrance the Lords death until he come again and to testify our love one to another 1 Cor. 10.16 1 Cor. 11.24 26. 1 Cor. 12.13 These and all other grounds and principles of the Christian Religion at least those which are absolutely necessary to life and salvation must be known and understood for without a particular distinct knowledge of these doctrines of faith and godliness in some measure there can be neither saving faith nor repentance nor love nor holiness in truth without which there can be no salvation John 17.3 Isai 53.11 This is life eternal to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Prov. 19.2 Without knowledge the minde is not good Hos 4.6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledg Particularly concerning the Sacrament consider 1 Cor. 11.27 29. Whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord and eateth and drinketh damnation to himself Mark the reason in the next words not discerning the Lords body
own salvation But be careful to hear with humble hearts with much attention to remember believe love and practice what you hear for not the hearers but the doers of the Law are blessed Rom. 2.13 Jam. 1.22 23 25. And be earnest with God in behalf of your Minister that he may be a useful instrument of God to your soules and esteem him highly in love for the works sake 1 Thes 5.12 13. 3. Meditate often on the word you hear and read 1 Tim. 4.15 Meditate on these things for blessed is the man that doth meditate therein day and night Psal 1.1 2. Oh how I love thy Law said David Psal 119.97 It is my meditation all the day Meditate often 1. Of your sins and what they deserve 2. Of your death 3. Of the day of judgement 4. Of the joys of Heaven 5. Of the torments of Hell And 6. Of God especially of the omniscience omnipresence power justice and mercy of God and of the merit of Christ Dr. Vsher has an excellent treatise of meditation on Prov. 18. Meditation is of great use to further our knowledge and understanding in the things of God to help our memories stir up affections help faith repentance love and every grace put on to practice and to bring in much sweet comfort and spiritual thought 4. Be careful conscientiously to keep the Christian sabbath or Lords day holy for we are expresly so commanded Exod. 20.8 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy viz. in all the duties of Gods worship publick private and secret the whole day is the Lords but for our spiritual advantage and benefit who allows us six daies for our worldly business reserving only some small portions of them at our best advantage to seek his blessing on our undertakings and one whole day in seven for his service for us to exercise our selves in the works of piety and holyness works of mercy and charity and works of present and urgent necessity that is such as could not be foreseen and done before nor cannot be put off to another day as the feeding of the beasts watering them quenching of fire broke out helping a poor beast fallen into a ditch and such like It is the Lords day not ours set apart not for our worldly business actions recreations or discourse but his service God allows us six dayes for them and this day one in seven and the first day of the week for his service as may be clearly concluded and proved from the fourth Commandment Christs resurrection and resting from the great work of our redemption the practice of the Apostles and the whole Church of God to this day He that makes no conscience of keeping the Lords day holy will make as little conscience of any other duty of piety towards God or dealing with men 5. Pray frequently fervently and constantly in publick in private and in secret also daily 1 Thes 5.17 Pray without ceasing that is daily instantly and constantly not that we should spend all our time in praying and do nothing else but keep a constant course of prayer at the most convenient seasons daily and be also ready to pray whensoever there shall be a fit opportunity offered have alwayes a praying frame of heart as much as may be Luk. 18.1 Our Saviour put forth a Parable sayes the Evangelist to this end that men should pray alwayes that is constantly and importunately and not faint Eph. 6.18 Praying alwayes i. e. on all seasons and fit opportunities 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pray at least twice a day morning and evening the Jews had their morning and evening sacrifices and incense offer'd a type of prayer Daniel notwithstanding his great and weighty imployments and publick business prayed three times a day solemnly on his knees Dan. 6.10 David seven times a day Psal 119.164 But many are like Heathens and like the bruite beasts have no prayer in the Family daily or none in private and some onely at night in a short curtal drowsy manner without faith c. In the morning when you wake let your first serious thoughts be of God and his goodness towards your selves and others the night past and heartily praise God for them Psal 103.12 Praise thou the Lord O my soul and all that is within me praise his holy name Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits i.e. not any of them Consider well Psal 92.1 2. And when you are up and dressed first addresse your selves to God by humble and hearty praises and prayer for grace and power against sin and to live holily for preservation from evils both of sin and suffering also for a blessing on your lawful undertakings and thankfully acknowledge his goodness and benefits and so labour to have your hearts filled with a sense of Gods goodness and holy resolutions to walk with God as Enoch did Also at night consider what has been done that day past and how bless God for what hath been well done for mercies received and evils prevented his blessings on your undertakings and assistance of you in your callings humbly acknowledging and bewailing what has been done amiss beg pardon and commit your selves and all to his protection and care for the night and time to come in well doing Use all kinds of prayer confession deprecation petition and thanksgiving 1. Confession confess your sins daily humbly and unfeignedly to God with sorrow and shame and purpose of reforming what has been amiss Prov. 28.13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall have mercy 2. Deprecation pray to God to remove evils felt and prevent evils fear'd both of affliction and trouble but especially the evil of sin 3. Supplication petition to God for mercy pardon power against sin and for good things needful both for soul and body this life and that to come for your selves and others especially for those to whom you stand in a more special relation be earnest with God for Magistrates and for your Ministers as you love your own good and welfare of soul and body 4. Thanksgiving and praises be thankful to God for every mercy and good thing privative and positive for evils prevented and removed and for good things bestowed and promised for soul and body for your selves and others for this life and that to come Psal 103.1 2. Ephes 618. Praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance supplication for all Saints 1 Tim. 2.1 2. I exhort first of all that supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for Kings and all that are in Authority that we may lead ae quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty 6. Singing of Psalms Davids Psalms especially and above all others is an ancient an heavenly spiritual comfortable soul-refreshing Christian duty frequently practised by the people of God both under the old and new Testament in the
to get sound knowledge of the thigns that concern your everlasting welfare Be diligent to get sound knowledg saving Grace true justifying faith sincerely to repent love God and make conscience of serving him daily and faithfully according to his revealed will in his word If you first that is chiefly and above all worldly things seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness the righteousness of Jesus Christ for your justification and the righteousness of an holy and upright conversation all outward things shall be given to you of God you have Christs own word for it Mat. 6.33 you being careful and diligent to use lawful means in some honest imployment Object Alas may some say we are poor have no time all our time is little enough to get a sorry livelybood and poor rayment otherwise had we time we should be willing Answ Yea Why hath not God set apart a whole day the Christian Sabbath or Lords day one day in seven in a special manner to provide for your precious and immortal Souls Spend that well and conscientiously in using the means to get knowledge and Grace and you will have no cause to complain of the want of time So that this is but an idle excuse of an unwilling mind in too many Besides you may ply your worldly calling on the six days and yet have many an opportunity in the six days to think of better things of what you have read or heard on the Lords day and to put up many a request to God for knowledge grace and holiness 2. That namely to neglect the Sabbath and other opportunities on the week days is the way to be always ignorant poor miserable and cursed also If you do neglect God no wonder if he neglect you but if you seek him and to your power craving assistance from him to serve him to the best of your power he will be found of you and provide for you Mat. 7.7 8 9. 3. Know that to learn to know God and his will and to serve him daily and faithfully out of conscience love and obedience is the only necessary thing absolutely necessary to serve God and so to save your own souls the great end of your creation living and being in the world neglect this and you do nothing at all that is absolutely good and necessary that will stand you in any stead or do you any good when you must die and to eternity Without this no obtaining Heaven or escaping Hell Whatsoever you get in the world yet without true piety and holiness you must perish eternally Oh! that word eternally is the most astonishing to be always for ever and ever in the torments of hell with the Devils after ten hundred thousand years are past to be as far from an end of misery as the first day it began because it never shall have an end Oh! that will be ten thousand times worse than to be always very poor and miserable in this world Therefore 1. whatsoever you do I beseech you for the Lord Christs sake do not neglect this one necessary thing to learn and practice daily to serve and glorifie God and to enjoy him for ever 2. And be also diligent in some honest and lawful imployment careful and provident to get keep and save what you honestly get for your comfortable being while you are here Cast off all distrustful carking cares shun idleness laziness vain and unnecessary spending of what you honestly get be diligent and provident Pro. 10.4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand but the hand of the diligent maketh rich Prov. 12.24 The slothful shall be under tribute but the hand of the diligent shall be made fat Prov. 13.4 Read also Pro. 21.5 and 22.29 And be always truly thankful for and contented with what you have whatsoever it be 1 Tim. 6.6 Godliness with contentment is great gain Pray daily for a blessing on your labour serve him faithfully and he will provide for you This is the way to have always so much as the most wise God and gratious Father seeth best for his people Mat. 6.33 Psal 84.11 And be sure in what want or strait you shall at any time be to use no unlawful or unwarrantable means to help your selves as lying stealing defrauding over-reaching for that is the way to be always poor and cursed also of God in your souls body and name I have observed some sorts of poor people which I cannot but much pity blame and condemn as they justly deserve 1. One sort is those that are ignorant pitiful ignorant many of them loose also and prophane and are content and willing to be so will take no pains to know and serve God as they ought and might and be better These are like to perish eternally These also bring up their children in ignorance and irreligion and many times idly also so help to fill the world with persons ignorant loose prophane ungodly and beggars also to the great shame of Christianity and great impoverishing the Common-wealth they live in increasing the number of Atheists prophane persons and the Devils Kingdom and hell in the end The Lord open their eyes and awaken their consciences to see whither they are going before it be too late 2. A second sort is of those that are idle lazie trifle away a considerable part of their time sometimes half a day a whole day and more in a week God says Six days shalt thou labour Exod. 20.9 Solomon says What thy hand findeth to do do it with all thy might Eccles 9.10 The Apostle says He that will not labour neither let him eat that is do not pity him do not relieve him unless in case of extreme want 2 Thes 3.10 3. A third sort are those that will work hard and as soon as they get a little mony will go to the Ale-house and spend it there to the dishonor of God abuse of his creatures and themselves mispence of necessary and pretious time bringing guilt on their Souls distempers and sometimes death by drinking or quarrelling on their bodies and wrong their poor wives and children who at home pinch hard for it which otherwise might be comfortably provided for It is great pity a severe Law is not made and put in due execution against such guzling fellows and on the Ale-houses and persons that harbor the very sinks of sin irreligion and Atheism many of them 4. A fourth sort are those that are given to fingering and filching any thing of other mens which they can lay hand on and fairly carry away and think all is gained that is so gotten whereas alas they little consider that for this very thing God may and often doth blast and curse that little they have gotten honestly 'T is Godliness only that with contentment is great gain 1 Tim. 6.6 for it hath the promise of this life the good things of this life and that which is to come 5. I may add a fifth sort some few which
Church of God above two thousand it may be three thousand years in the publick worship of God and in private Families also particularly at the Passeover the Jews used to sing six Psalms together beginning at Psalm 111 some think Psalm 112 and so on as the Jewish Rabbins and other learned Divines do think called the solemn Hymne and the great Hallelujah Further how antient singing of Psalms is Read Exod. 15.1 c. How excellent Psal 30.1 2 4. and 92.1 and 147.1 How warrantable under the New Testament See also Ephes 5.18 19 20. Col. 3.16 Jam. 5.13 Psal 147.1 Which custome 't is probable our blessed Saviour observed after the Passeover and his Supper were performed Mat. 26.30 and his Disciples It was used even in mixt multitudes and so commanded Psa 66.1 2 3 4. 68.32 96.1 2. and 98.1 2 4 5. Knowing what I do know I wonder that any sober Christians should scruple at it and lay it aside it was not wont to be so till of late years the Enemie hath sown his tares among the good Corn thereby hoping to corrupt us with his many foul errors and so to divide and destroy us and the Protestant Religion and Verity which the God of truth forbid and rebuke the Enemie 7. In performing these and all other religious duties have a special care and eye to the manner of doing them as well as to the Ordinances and duties themselves namely to perform them 1. Humbly and self-denyingly looking unto Christ both for assistance and acceptance without whom you can do nothing so himself saith John 15.5 and we find it true by experience 2 Cor. 3.5 that is nothing rightly and acceptably by our own abilities but only by the assistance and for the merit and intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. Also do all duties with all the strength of your intention and affections Eccles 9.10 What thy hand findeth to do do it with all thy might Most necessary in performing Religious duties not coldly carelesly with wandring thoughts or dead drowsie affections but with the heart kept close to the duty and with God in the duty 3. Also look to a right end for the manner and end of doing duties is that which God chiefly looks at requires and accepts Many by-respects and ends may put on to duties but to do them in a right manner and to a right end principally to the Glory of God and good of Souls is that which is the heart soul and life of a duty argues our faith in God love to him and obedience to his Sovereign Authority as most wise just and good without this the best duties are not regarded but despised rejected and many times cursed and punished as the Jews services and offerings Isa 1.11 12 13 14 15. Isa 66.7 and Jehu his good works Hos 1.4 8. Obey Magistrates them that have Authority over you with all humility cheerfulness observing their commands for conscience sake for so we are commanded and Nature teacheth us Rom. 13.1 2 5. Tit. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.13 14. For they are the Ministers of God the Powers that are are ordained of God And yet the Rulers that then were in being were wicked men Tyrants and Heathens whom the Prophet Jeremiah Jer. 29.7 and the Apostles commanded to pray for as Nebuchadnezzar Nero and those under them much more ought we to pray for and obey Christian Magistrates And in case any thing should be commanded which God forbid I speak by way of supposition which upon serious consideration you cannot be perswaded can stand with your obedience to God the Supreme Lord the peace of a good conscience forbear to act yet with all humble respect to Authority submitting willingly to suffer rather than to sin as the three Noble men did Dan 3.16 17 18. and Daniel chapt 6. ver 7 10 11. and the Apostles Act. 4.19 In all other things obey the Magistrate Supreme and Sub-ordinate readily and chearfully and thereby give good proof of your Loyalty and that you are not stubborn and refractory so that if any should maliciously slander you or falsely accuse you you may say as Paul Act. 24.13 They cannot prove the things whereof they now accuse me and as Daniel Innocencie is found before me and also before thee O King have I done no burt Dan. 6.22 and as it is Act. 24.16 I do exercise my self to have always a good conscience void of offence towards God and towards men and as it is 2 Corinth 1.12 Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world Also pray heartily daily for the King and all in Authority under him that under them ye may live a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty for so we are commanded as a thing well-pleasing unto God 1 Tim. 2.1 2 3. That so doing ye may put to silence the ignorance and malice of foolish men 1 Pet. 2.15 especially Popish persons who are ready to say they are enemies to Kings Magistrates and Government stubborn disobedient and self-willed rebels to Authority the great and common Argument some men use against those that are most quiet conscientious and do most heartily pray for Kings and all in Authority desiring their good every way and the publike welfare and prosperity 1 Pet. 4.3 4. 9. Have a lawful calling and use it lawfully Have a lawful calling some honest imployment especially such as will conduce to the publike good as well as to your own particular benefit such a calling as is of good report and sutable to your means parts abilities and condition This I speak to them that are yet to chuse a calling yet such imployments as are sinful so some are ought to be cast off And in a lawful calling be faithful careful just and diligent in it avoyding idleness wastfulness and covetousness This duty God laid on man in the state of innocencie to keep him honestly imployed and his mind busied but after the fall toylsome labour came in as a punishment for sin Gen. 3.17 18 19. In the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat thy bread till thou return unto the ground Exod. 20.9 Six days thou shalt labour God allows no person whatsoever to live without a lawful calling and imployment that is capable of doing something Idleness was one of the sins of Sodom An idle person est pulvinar diaboli the Devils cushion on which he delights to sit and his anvil on which he uses to hammer mischief Of such an active nature are our spirits that if we do not busie them about that which is good the devil will be sure to set them about that which is evil You read what sad temptations befel David when he was idle and what sad doings followed 2 Sam. 11.2 c. but it cost him very dear 2 Sam. 12 9 c. compared with Psal 51. Deal justly and faithfully with all men whether they
one the other that is yet uncalled and in the state of nature to grace and holiness faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his commandments to prevent sin in one another and to preserve and help forward the work of Grace begun by your mutual hearty prayers loving advice counsel encouragement commendation good example and all other ways and so much the more because that is the chief end of marriage and their most neer relation binds them the Soul being the most pretious thing more worth than the whole world and the salvation of the soul of far greater concernment than any other thing in the world than any outward estate than bodies lives And he that truly loves his yoke-fellow cannot but much desire and rejoyce each in others Souls welfare A duty generally neglected by most husbands wives sometimes much hindred by the other yoke-fellow but very sad will be the account such hinderers and neglecters must make ere long to God for neglecting much more for hindring their yoke-fellows salvation neglecting their own duty and doing the Devil work for so it is See Act. 13.9 10 11. in discouraging or hindring any that do mind and seek the good of their own or others Souls The faithful discharge of these common duties is the way to have marriage a merry age a blessing indeed and a great comfort and help one to another The neglect brings many a cross trouble and often a curse and proves the most grievous yoke each to other which they cannot be freed from as long as they live The Husbands particular duties are these and such like 1. To dwell with his wife according to knowledge as is commanded 1 Pet. 3.7 that is to be able and ready to govern her wisely go before her instruct inform and counsel her as he is her head and Governour It is to be lamented that many marry before they know or can govern themselves and many husbands are much more fit to be taught and governed themselves than to govern others Such must bewail their ignorance and give all diligence to be inabled to discharge their duty and then to do it in love not rigorously and imperiously Sic volo ste jubeo I will and command you Such Language rather becomes absolute Lords over slaves not husbands to their wives Col. 3 19. Husbands love your wives and be not bitter unto them Love and meekness sweetens every condition and relation every command counsel is pleasant to the heart as sugar to the taste it makes even hard things to be easily taken and undergone as bitter pills in sweet syrrop or pap of Apples 2. To love and delight in his wife in a special manner as his own body his other self Ephes 5.28 He that loveth his wife loveth himself no man ever hated his own flesh And this he must manifest by his loving speeches to her and of her courteous carriage towards her bearing with her and kindly accepting of her courtesie and readiness to yeeld to her in things reasonable 3. Not to exact or require of her any thing that is unhonest unjust evil or cannot stand with the peace of a good Conscience or that is above her ability or unfit and unseemly for her to do unless in case of necessity Nor forbid her any thing but what is evil and unlawful unseemly or that will be of ill consequence or have some evil effect If her conscience be erronious he must meekly inform her of her error out of the word of God 1 Pet. 3.7 4. To bear with her infirmities as the weaker vessel 1. Pet. 3.7 5. To provide for her all things needful and convenient to be liberal to her to maintain her according to his degree and ability readily and cheerfully not niggardly penuriously and grutchingly but liberally that she may if need require shew particular favours to win and incourage others under and about her She is his second self and her credit and comfort is his 6. To honour her by giving all due respects to her especially before others children and servants 1 Pet. 3.7 7. To allow her liberty being discreet and careful to dispose of goods and order matters of the house as she thinks meet as Elkanah did to Hannah 1 Sam. 1.23 for wives are commanded to guide the house 1 Tim. 5.14 whereby it appeareth that the businesses of the house doth belong and are most proper to the wife as to order the keeping trimming of the house disposing the provision of the family governing the young children and maid-servants in which respect she is called The house-wife Mater-familias 8. In case there be just cause of blame and reproof in a wife which may not without neglect of love care and good conscience be wholly winked at and past by in silence then to reprove her privately alone in love and meekness convincing her by Scripture and good reason that so she may see her error and his love and tender respect to her Gal. 6.1 9. To countenance and encourage her in all well-doing commending and praising her as the husband of the good wife in the Proverbs trusting in her Prov. 31.11 28. But above all to encourage her and be a helper to her for her Souls good praying daily with her and for her minding her of the concerns of her Soul instructing counselling comforting and allowing her sufficient and fit time for private and publike duties of Religion It is a wicked thing to discourage and hinder honest hearts that desire to serve God truly and faithfully when Reason and Religion call on them The wives particular duties are these 1. To be subject to her husband in all things lawful and honest so far as may stand with her obedience to God and the peace of a good Conscience Ephes 5.22 23 24. Wives submit your selves to your own husbands as to the Lord for the husband is head of the wife as Christ is head of the Church and saviour of the body There is a double reason to move the wife so to do the Authority her husband hath over her as her head the con for t she hath by him as a saviour of the body to protect and defend her and provide all things needful for her And the manner of her subjection and obedience to him is laid down in the words as to the Lord that is willingly readily cheerfully to obey him by doing what he requires and forbearing what he forbids coming at his call c. so far as he requires nothing contrary to the will of God See 1 Sam. 20.31 c. 2. To reverence her husband as her head and saviour in some respects as Christ is to the Church Eph. 5.32 33. And the wife see that she reverence her husband by her inward esteem of him as worthy of honour on her part as her head under Christ yea though before and otherwise in himself her inferior much and unworthy having before God and men given him by her Matrimonial Covenant
that may tend to the glory of God and their Masters good for soul body or outward being in the world not in things sinful for we may not think that God would have any servant to obey his earthly Master contrary to his own will and rule who is the Supreme and absolute Lord over men and Creatures And when I say and use the word Masters I understand as the Apostle doth both Sexes the Mistress and Dame also as well as the man And great is the benefit servants procure to themselves by faithful obedience to their Masters Now for the manner of your obedience I must put you in mind of what the Spirit of God hath set down for your direction and practice 1. With fear and trembling Eph. 6.5 that is with an awful fear of offending or displeasing them in doing what is required for matter or manner for a slavish fear or dread is not here meant or allowed especially in Christian servants who are spiritually free but a careful reverential fear a fear of punishment or just displeasure as aforesaid is to be used Rom. 13.3 4. 2. In singleness of heart Ephes 6.5 Col. 3.22 that is truly sincerely from the heart not hypocritically or in dissimulation but heartily as in the sight of God who seeth and knoweth your hearts 3. Not with eye-service as men pleasers Ephes 6.6 that is not with a meer outward service only to satisfie the eye of man and to please man which is hypocritical or to be diligent nimble and careful while the Masters eye is upon them and when his back is turned and he gone to be idle lazie careless doing nothing at all or little or to halves which is Pharisaical a defrauding deceiving of the Master both which are hateful to God and displeasing to man A servant ought to do his Masters will and command heartily as to the Lord with care diligence and faithfulness when he is absent and far off as well as when he is present and looketh on because God requires it and seeth and will call him to account 4. With good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men Ephes 6.7 that is not only in singleness but also readily cheerfully and desiring that it may be for the Masters profit and benefit which argues a good will to their Masters 5. Not answering again Titus 2.9 that is not gainsaying reasoning and arguing cavilling against it yet may a servant and ought in some cases humbly to shew his reason against the doing of this or that or after this or that manner when he verily beleeves it to be sinful and unlawful or tending to his Masters prejudice and disadvantage as Naamans servants did 2 Kin. 5.3 13. 2. Be careful to serve your Masters with all faithfulness Tit. 2.10 1 Cor. 4.2 as it is said of Moses Heb. 3.5 Moses was faithful as a servant that is with faithfulness diligence and care to manage your Masters business as may be most for his benefit as Joseph did This faithfulness must appear in dealing truly with him in all things endeavoring carefully to keep preserve and manage your Masters goods to his advantage look to his cattle children person credit keep his secrets and do all things faithfully that you are intrusted to do not purloining imbezeling wasting or unnecessarily spending your Masters goods for that is dishonesty next door to robbery not suffering through your carelessness or negligence any hurt or damage to come to your Master or to any person or thing he hath for that is unfaithfulness and as you deal with others others no doubt will hereafter deal with you 3. Be careful to give all due reverence and respects hear what the Apostle saith 1 Tim. 6.1 2. Let as many servants as be under the yoke count their own Masters worthy of all honour Observe and understand that many of those Masters the Apostle then spake of were Infidels Heathens Idolaters and otherwise laid on heavy yokes which he expresses by the word yoke and their slavery by being under the yoke and though their servitude was an heavy burden a yoke to serve them which were Idolaters and enemies to the true God and Jesus Christ whom the Christian servants beleeved in loved honoured and served in their spirits and perhaps many of them in other respects very unworthy men yet being and while they were their Masters the Christian servants must count them and accordingly carry themselves towards them as worthy of all honor from them as their Masters and next under God over them And observe his reason which is very good That the Name of God and his Doctrine be not blasphemed v. 1. that is evil spoken of by the Heathen Masters for if they should refuse to serve their Masters or to reverence them though Infidels under pretence of their Christian liberty this would occasion their Infidel Masters to reproach the Christian Religion as if it taught them disobedience pride and undutifulness Much more then should Christian servants cheerfully and gladly serve and honour beleeving Christian-Masters especially such as are truly religious godly and conscientious as ver 2. shews And they which have beleeving Masters c. And this reverence must be inward in the heart otherwise it is hypocritical and must be expressed outwardly in their speech and words to them and of them behind their backs it must be also sparing humble mild the truth and at a fit season by forbearing to speak when the Master seems to be unwilling they should speak any more at that time Also in their behaviour and carriage dutiful submissive obeysance or courtefie to them standing modestly decently and humbly before them uncovered and the like usual reverend respectful carriages All which reverence and humble respects is due also from children to their Parents yea and also from wives in some degree to their own husbands who in many things have a joynt authority power with their husbands Eph. 5.33 therefore the rather is due from servants to their own Masters who are in a far inferiour condition thâ—n wives Wherefore sawciness boldness in speaking without respect as if equals replying again and again stoutness crosness that will not answer when they are spoketo or crosly or flee away in a passion or slap him in the mouth with a lye pride in not giving the title due to the Master because it may be he is poor or mean or not very wise muttering and murmuring are carriages very unworthy to be condemned though from a Christian servant to a Heathen Master much more if to a Christian Master worst of all if to a godly Master 4. Patiently bear reproofs and correction also if you meet with them even when you do well much more if for evil doing it is both a sin and shame to murmur complain or be impatient 1 Pet. 2.18 19. Servants be subject to your masters with all fear not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward for this is