For he that soweth to his Flesh shall of the Flesh reap Corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life Everlasting And let us not be weary in well-doing for in due Season we shall reap if we faint not Gal. 6. 7. Brethren be not weary in well-doing 2 Thess 3. 13. God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of Love which ye have shewed toward his name in that ye have minister'd to the Saints and do minister And we desire that every one of you do shew the same Diligence to the full Assurance of Hope unto the end That ye be not Slothful but Followers of them who thro' Faith and Patience inherit the Promises Heb. 6. 10. Work out your own Salvation with Fear and Trembling Phil. 2. 12. Know ye not that they which run in a Race run all but one receiveth the Prize So run that ye may obtain And every Man that striveth for the Mastery is temperate in all things Now they do it to obtain a corruptible Crown but we an incorruptible I therefore so run not as uncertainly So fight I not as one that beateth the Air But I keep under my Body and bring it into Subjection lest that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a Cast-away 1 Cor. 9. 24 c. Many are called but few are chosen Mat. 22. 14. Wherefore the rather Brethren give Diligence to make your Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1. 19. See that ye walk circumspectly not as Fools but as Wise redeeming the time because the Days are Evil Eph. 5. 15. She that liveth in Pleasure or delicately is dead while she liveth 1 Tim. 5. 6. The time past of our Life may suffice us to have wrought the Will of the Gentiles when we walked in Laciviousness Lusts Excess of Wine Revellings Banquetings and abominable Idolatries Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same Excess of Riot speaking evil of you 1 Pet. 4. 3. They shall receive the Reward of Vnrighteousness as they that count it Pleasure to riot in the Day-time Spots they are and blemishes sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you 2 Pet. 13. How much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much Torment and Sorrow give her Rev. 18. 7. Thus speaks the Rule and so Positive and Large it is in pressing all to be Watchful and to take Pains in working out their Salvation that there must be own'd a Necessity of a Christian Life being an Industrious and Laborious Life Let but these Heads be duly reflected on First The Life of Christ and the Example he has given us both in what he did and what he suffer'd 2dly The Great Perfection of those Vertues which God demands of us 3dly The Corruption of our Nature which renders us averse to all these and strongly inclines us to Evil. 4thly The Variety of Temptations which draw us out of the way 5thly The great Encouragement to Evil from Authority and Custom 6thly The industrious Subtilty of the Devil 7thly The Uncertainty of the time granted us for doing this great Work 8thly The irrecoverable Ruin attending a Miscarriage Lastly The variety of Delusions to which we are expos'd thro' the Violence and Contrivance of our Passions Let but these Heads I say be duly reflected on and it must be confess'd that Salvation is a Work of Difficulty such as requires a constant Watchfulness persevering Endeavors and the best of our Care and that as for those who live on as if they had nothing to do but to contrive how to drink sleep and play away their Time and leave Salvation to the Chance follow not the Directions so often press'd to them in the Gospel and therefore whatever their suppos'd Innocence may be are not in a way of of doing the Work of the Gospel What hopes then can they have from hence where they see unprofitable Servants not rewarded but condemn'd Where they see great Crimes charg'd upon them and eternal Wo's prepar'd in Punishment of their reputed Innocence It must then be remember'd that the Gospel of Jesus Christ requires of all his Followers a Watchful Life and that Idleness Sloth and a constant Dissipation of Mind are contrary to it and therefore to be avoided CHAP. XVII Of Immodesty Q. WHAT Directions does the Gospel give as to this point A. It shews it to be very displeasing to God and strictly cautions all against it Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time Thou shalt not commit Adultery But I say unto you that whosoever looketh on a Woman to lust after her hath committed Adultery with her already in his Heart And if thy right Eye offend thee pluck it out and cast it from thee for it is profitable for thee that one of thy Members should perish and not thy whole Body should be cast into Hell Mat. 5. 27. Let not Sin therefore Reign in your mortal Body that ye should obey it in the Lusts thereof Rom. 6. 12. When they knew God they glorified him not as God wherefore God also gave them up to Vncleanness thro' the Lusts of their own Hearts to dishonor their own Bodies For this Cause God gave them up unto vile Affections Rom. 1. 21 24 26. I beseech you Brethren by the Mercies of God that ye present your Bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable Service and be not conformed to this World Rom. 12. 1. To be carnally minded is Death because the carnal Man is Enmity against God We are Debters not to the Flesh to live after the Flesh for if ye live after the Flesh ye shall die But if ye thro' the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the Body ye shall live Rom. 8. 6 7 c. They that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts Gal. 5. 24. This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the Vanity of their Mind having the Vnderstanding darkned being alienated from the Life of God who being past feeling have given themselves over unto Lasciviousness to work all Vncleanness with greediness But ye have not so learned Christ if so be that ye have heard him that ye put off concerning the former Conversation the Old Man which is Corrupt according to the deceitful Lusts Let no corrupt Communication proceed out of your Mouth Eph. 4. 17 c. But Fornication and all Vncleanness or Covetousness let it not be once named amongst you as becometh Saints neither Filthiness nor foolish Talking nor Jesting which are not convenient but rather giving of Thanks For this ye know that no Whoremonger nor unclean Person nor Covetous Man who is an Idolater hath any Inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God Have no Fellowship with the unfruitful Works of Darkness but rather reprove them for it is a shame
Rom. 8. 12. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ Shall tribulation or distress or persecution Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors thro' him that loved us Rom. 8. 35. If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection Knowing this that our Old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Now if we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with him Rom. 6. 5 8. I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service and be not conformed to this world But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God Rom. 12. 1. Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things Now they do it to obtain a corruptible Crown but we an incorruptible I therefore so run not as uncertainly so fight I not as one that beateth the air But I keep unto my body and bring it under subjection lest that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast-away 1 Cor. 9. 25. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus Christ that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body 2 Cor. 4. 10. He died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are past away behold all things are become new 2 Cor. 5. 15 17. I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me And the life which I now live in the Flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2. 20. Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh If we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the spirit They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5. 16 24. Henceforth let no man trouble me for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Gal. 6. 17. 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 That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead Phil. 3. 8. Put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Eph. 4. 22. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2. 12. Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the earth Fornication Vncleanness inordinate Affection in the which ye also walked some time when ye lived in them But now you also put off all these and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him Col. 3. 5. Flee also youthful lusts But follow righteousness Faith Charity Peace 2 Tim. 2. 22. Thus speaks the Rule whence it is plain above all dispute that those who follow their Inclinations do not follow this Rule We have all an inheritance of Corruption which bends us to sin this is entail'd on us from Adam and is call'd the Old Man this the Gospel commands us to put off all such then as strictly examin their Inclinations Affections and Desires and resolutely stand against those which they perceive to be sinful or can suspect as leading to sin are the Persons who live by the Rule which they profess and if they study to improve those better Impressions which are the effects of Grace it cannot be question'd but they will be cloath'd with the New Man and while in the Flesh even live by the Spirit But this cannot be their Character who being subject to great variety of Worldly and Sensual Inclinations who finding no Relish in their Souls but of what is in favor of their Pride Vanity Idleness and of Self-love in all its Shapes are so far from using due means for suppressing them that their whole Life is an Obedience to their demands for certainly these have no regard to what the Gospel prescribes their Life is a Contradiction to its Rules they indulge their Corruption which God commands them to resist and therefore being found under the Subjecti of the old Man can never expect while under this Slavery to come to the Liberty of the Children of God Either do what the Gospel requires or else look for no other Portion but with Unbelievers CHAP. XIX Of Suffering Affliction or Persecution Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to these Points A. It speaks very largely of them and shews with what Spirit a Christian ought to submit Blessed are they which are persecuted for Righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Blessed are ye when Men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your Reward in Heaven For so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you Mat. 5. 10. Ye have heard that it hath been said an Eye for an Eye and a Tooth for a Tooth but I say unto you that ye resist not Evil but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right Cheek turn him the other also Mat. 5. 38. He that taketh not his Cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me He that findeth his Life shall lose it and he that loseth his Life for my sake shall find it Fear not them which kill the Body but are not able to kill the Soul but rather fear him which is able to destroy both Soul and Body in Hell Are not two Sparrows Sold for a Farthing And one of them shall not fall on the Ground without your Father But the very Hairs of your Head are all number'd Fear ye not therefore ye are of more Value than many Sparrows Whosoever therefore shall confess me before Men him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven Think not that I am come to send Peace on Earth I came not to send Peace but a Sword Mat. 10. 38 28. Behold I send you forth as Sheep
there not Salvation for such as do thus A. They are certainly out of the way of Salvation Q. How so A. Because Christ is the only Mediator of the new Testament thro' whom alone we can hope for Mercy and how then can they be in the way of Salvation who live in the Neglect and Contempt of him 2dly Christ is the Light of the World and by his Gospel he communicates his Light to Men they then who neglect and despise this Light walk in Darkness and this Darkness cannot lead to Life everlasting 3dly Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life and in his Gospel is manifested this Way this Truth and this Life they then who neglect and despise the Doctrin of the Gospel cannot be in the way they follow a Lie instead of Truth and must meet with Death instead of Life 4thly It is by the Spirit of Christ every one must live that belongs to Christ and expects everlasting Happiness and without this Spirit all Hopes are vain If any Man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8. 9. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked 1 Joh. 2. 6. Now if this Spirit of Christ be necessary how can they be suppos'd to have it who walk not by the Gospel in which this Spirit is taught but by despising or neglecting it give Demonstration of the Spirit of Christ being not in them Q. What does this prove A. It proves that no Salvation can be expected but thro' Christ that none can have a part in Christ but such only as observe his Law that his Law being deliver'd in the Gospel there can be no Salvation but for those who sincerely make it their Endeavor to live as Christ has prescrib'd in the Gospel Q. Then the Gospel must be observ'd but what is it to observe or follow the Gospel A. It is to make the Gospel our Rule for discerning the Will of God and knowing what is pleasing or displeasing to him It is to take Direction from that What we are to desire and what to fear what we are to value and what to despise It is to consult that in all we propose or do It is to take from thence the Determination of Right and Wrong of what we are carefully to perform or with Solicitude to avoid Q. Then they who do not thus do not follow the Gospel A. No they do not They may have a Faith in what the Gospel teaches but if they do not the Works of the Gospel their Faith is dead Jam. 2. 26. It is such Faith as is in Hell and even the Devils have Ib. v. 19. These may know the Will of God but they do it not these may honor God with their Lips but their Heart is far from him And what will this avail or how is this following the Gospel when the Gospel teaches That the Servant who knows his Lord's Will and does it not shall be beaten with many Stripes Luke 12. 47. And 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 who is in Heaven Mat. 7. 21 Q. Then there is to be no Confidence of Salvation upon a Faith in Christ only or in being a Member of his Church A. Faith is necessary to Salvation for without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11. 6. But a Faith in what God teaches without doing the Will of God can never bring any to the Possession of God Bliss is promis'd to such only as Hear the Word of God and keep it Luke 11. 28. It is not enough therefore to be call'd by Faith for many are call'd but few chosen Matth. 20. 16. It is not enough to be planted in Christ's Vineyard For every Tree that brings not forth good Fruit is cut down and cast into the Fire Mat. 7. 19. Q. Then you think many of those who have a Faith in Christ and believe all that he teaches are lost eternally A. As many of these as do not the Will of God in following the Gospel but depart from it and live in a general Disobedience to his Law Such as these must expect no Favor in Consideration of their Faith but rather a deeper Damnation for their Ingratitude and Abuse of God's Blessings for knowing thro' Mercy the Will of God and not doing it Q. What now is this Chapter in short A. That the only Means of Salvation is to Believe and Do as Christ teaches in his holy Gospel All his Disciples are to hear him Ipsum audite Hear ye him as the Voice from Heaven publish'd it on the Mount Mat. 17. 5. All of his Flock hear his Voice My sheep hear my Voice and follow me Jo. 10. 27. As many as do thus are in the way to Salvation having Christ their Teacher and the Shepherd of their Souls And they who do not thus cannot have their hopes in him CHAP. II. Of our own Inclinations Q. MAY we not follow our own Inclinations A. Christ is to be the Christian's Rule if then our Inclinations are according to what Christ teaches we may safely follow them but if they are contrary to what Christ teaches then to follow them is to forsake our Rule who is Christ Q. And what are our natural Inclinations A. They arise from a corrupt Nature and therefore are generally corrupt they are the Effect of Sin and therefore are generally either sinful or leading to Sin Q. Then a Christian is not to follow them A. No he is to be so far from following that it must be his daily Care to stand against them Q. Why so A. Because being corrupt and sinful if they are not resisted they draw Persons from Christ and that is to forsake their Rule Q. Is it the evident Duty of a Christian to stand against these Inclinations A. It is for so Christ himself teaches in requiring Self-denial as a necessary Condition for becoming his Disciple If any Man will come after me let him deny himself Luk. 9. 23. Q. Is not this press'd more particularly in holy Scripture A. Yes by St. Paul who stiling these Inclinations the Old Man Concupiscence the Carnal Man the Desires of the Flesh c. positively declares the necessity of resisting them and that otherwise it is not possible to please God Q. As where A. Put off the old man which is corrupt Eph. 4. 22. We are debtors not to the Flesh to live after the Flesh for if ye live after the Flesh ye shall die But if you thro' the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the Body ye shall live Rom. 8. 12 13. To be carnally minded is Death because the carnal Man is Enmity against God ib. v. 6 7. The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary to one another They that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts Gal. 5. 17 24.
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
rendring Evil for Evil or Railing for Railing but contrariwise Blessing knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing 1 Pet. 3. 10 11 8 9. Follow Peace with all men and Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord Looking diligently lest any man fail of the Grace of God lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled Heb. 12. 14 15. Let us walk honestly as in the day not in strife and envying but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 13. 13. Let nothing be done thro' strife Do all things without murmurings and disputings that ye may be blameless and harmless the Sons of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation Phil. 2. 3 14. By love serve one another for all the Law is fulfilled in one word even in this Thou shalt thy Neighbor as thy self But if ye bite and devour one another take heed that ye be not consum'd one of another The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit Now the Works of the Flesh are manifest which are these Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies Envyings Murthers and such like of the which I tell you before as I have also told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Meekness against such there is no Law And they that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh Let us not be desirous of Vain-glory provoking one another envying one another Gal. 5. 13 c. Bear ye one another's Burthens and so fulfil the Law of Christ Gal. 6. 2. If ye have bitter Envying and Strife in your Hearts glory not and lie not against the Truth This Wisdom descendeth not from above but is Earthly Sensual Devilish For where Envying and Strife is there is Confusion and every evil Work But the Wisdom that is from above is first Pure then Peaceable Gentle and easie to be Entreated full of Mercy and good Fruits without Partiality and without Hypocrisie And the Fruit of Righteousness is sown in Peace of them that make Peace Jam. 3. 14 c. Be yâ— also patient stablish your Hearts Grudge not one against another Brethren lest ye be condemned Jam. 5. 8 9. The Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of Men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for Peace and things wherewith one may edifie another Rom. 14. 17 c. Wherefore laying aside all Malice and all Guile and Hypocrisies and Envies and all evil Speakings as new-born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word 1 Pet. 2. 1. If any Man seem to be contentious we have no such Custom neither the Churches of God 1 Cor. 11. 16. Thus the Rule and this Christians say they follow and if so then who would not expect to find Christians all living in a free Correspondence of Charity and Peace exempt from the Confusions of Passion Provocation Contention and Revenge all mutually bearing with one another and forgiving one another according to the Example Christ has given them and for the securing their Eternal Peace Thus certainly it ought to be and those who live not according to this Method it is certain they transgress their Rule See then what thy Practice is and learn to follow Christ Remember that the Gospel forbids all Contentions Quarrelling Uncharitable Debates Reproaching Grudging and all the other Effects of Passion Malice Ill-will or Dislike It commands thee to study Peace and keep it with all Men as much as is possible and that for this end thou art to be Gentle Patient Compassionate forbearing all Provocations and receiving all that are given thee with Mildness without returning Evil for Evil or Railing for Railing but overcoming Evil with Good Thus thou art commanded labor daily to bring thy self to this Temper of the Gospel and then thou mayest hope for the Rewards of the Gospel CHAP. XIII Of Anger and Mildness Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to these Points A. These have been already mention'd in the foregoing Chapters But hear again how expresly they are spoke to I say unto you that whosoever is angry with his Brother without a Cause shall be in danger of the Judgment and whosoever shall say to his Brother Raca shall be in danger of the Council But whosoever shall say Thou Fool shall be in danger of Hell-fire Mat. 5. 22. Be ye angry and sin not let not the Sun go down upon your Wrath neither give place to the Devil Eph. 4. 26. But now you also put off all these Anger Wrath Malice Blasphemy Filthy Communication out of your Mouth Lie not to one another seeing that ye have put off the Old Man with his Deeds Col. 3. 8. Let all Bitterness and Wrath and Anger and Clamor and evil Speaking be put away from you with all Malice And be ye kind to one another tender-hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you Eph. 4. 31 32. My beloved Brethren let every Man be swift to hear slow to speak slow to Wrath for the Wrath of Man worketh not the Righteousness of God Jam. 1. 19 20. I say unto you that ye resist not Evil but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right Cheek turn to him the other also Matth. 5. 39. Beloved avenge not your selves but rather give place unto Wrath For it is written Vengeance is mine I will repay it saith the Lord. Be not overcome of Evil but overcome Evil with Good Rom. 12. 19 21. See that none render Evil for Evil unto any Man but ever follow that which is good 1 Thess 5. 15. Be at Peace among your selves warn them that are unruly comfort the feeble-minded support the weak be patient toward all Men Ib. 14. The Fruit of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Meekness against such there is no Law Gal. 5. 22. I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called with all Lowliness and Meekness with Long-suffering forbearing one another in Love Eph. 4. 1 2. Thou O Man of God flee these things and follow after Righteousness Godliness Faith Love Patience Meekness 1 Tim. 6. 11. Blessed are the Meek for they shall inherit the Earth Mat. 5. 5. Take my Yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in Heart and ye shall find rest unto your Souls for my Yoke is easie and my Burthen light Mat. 11. 29 30. Put on therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloved Bowels of Mercies Kindness Humbleness of Mind Meekness Long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any Man have a Quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye Col. 3. 12 13. Put them in mind to speak evil
even to speak of those things which are done of them in Secret Eph. 5. 3 c. Mortifie therefore your Members which are upon the Earth Fornication Vncleanness inordinate Affection evil Concupiscence and Covetousness which is Idolatry For which things sake the Wrath of God cometh on the Children of Disobedience But now you also put off all these Anger Wrath Malice Blasphemy Filthy Communication out of your Mouth Col. 3. 5 c. 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 For God hath not called us unto Vncleanness but unto Holiness 1 Thes 4. 3 c. Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the Lust of the Flesh Now the Works of the Flesh are manifest which are these Adultery Fornication Vncleanness Laciviousness and such like of the which I tell you before as I have also told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Gal. 5. 16 19. Dearly beloved I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from fleshly Lusts which War against the Soul Having your Conversation honest among the Gentiles 1 Pet. 2. 11. Let us live honestly as in the Day not in Rioting and Drunkenness not in Chambering and Wantonness not in Strife and Envying but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not Provision for the Flesh to fulfil the Lusts thereof Rom. 13. 13. Dearly Beloved let us cleanse our selves from all Filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. If any Man love the World the Love of the Father is not in him For all that is in the World the Lust of the Flesh and the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life is not of the Father but is of the World And the World passeth away and the Lust thereof but he that doeth the Will of God abideth for ever 1 Joh. 2. 15 c. Every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lust and enticed Then when Lust hath conceived it bringeth forth Sin and Sin when it is finished bringeth forth Death Jam. 1. 14. Now I have written unto you not to keep Company if any Man that is called a Brother be a Fornicator or Covetous or an Idolater or a Railer or a Drunkard or an Extortioner with such an one no not to eat 1 Cor. 5. 11. Be not deceived neither Fornicators nor Idolaters nor Adulterers nor Effeminate nor Abusers of themselves with Mankind shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 9. Marriage is honorable in all and the Bed undefiled But Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Heb. 13. 4. As you have yielded your Members Servants to Vncleanness and to Iniquity unto Iniquity even so now yield your Members Servants to Righteousness unto Holiness What Fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed For the end of those things is Death Rom. 6. 19 21. Thus speaks the Rule And is not here expresly declar'd how criminal all kind of Impurity is in the sight of God whether it be in the Heart only or Desire or by Inordinate Affections or in the Eyes or in the Tongue or in Actions All kind of Sensuality and Uncleanness both of Mind and Body are here forbid and mark'd with the Infamous Character of being the Sins of the Gentiles or Heathens who knew not God who for their unworthiness were given up to a Reprobate Sense It is evident then that all such Offences are an Absolute transgression of the Christian's Rule and that to live in the Practice of them is to live as a Heathen What then must be done The Christian must remember that the Promise of seeing God is made to the Pure and Clean of heart that without this he can have no part in this Promise That therefore he must dailyl labor to bring his Heart to this happy disposition He must resist evil avoid Ill company keep a watch upon his Eyes upon his Tongue and upon his Heart he must put a restraint upon himself as to all kind of dangerous liberties and avoid all that can defile if he truly desires that his Heart should be Clean. And is this the Gospel How few then are Chosen Examin thy self by what the Apostle has said The Lust of the flesh the Lust of the eyes the Pride of life are not of the Father 1 Jo. 2. 15. Do'st thou belong to him CHAP. XVIII Of Self-denial Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as in this Point A. The Gospel declares it to be absolutely necessary for all Christians Jesus said to his Disciples 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 Mat. 16. 24. Whosoever will come after me let him deny himself Mar. 8. 34. If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me 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 For which of you intending to build a Tower sitteth not down first and counteth the cost whether he have sufficient to finish it So likewise whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath he cannot be my Disciple Luk. 14. 26 33. If thy right hand offend thee cut it off and cast it from thee for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body should be cast into Hell Mat. 5. 30. He that loveth his life shall lose it and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal Jo. 12. 25. Reckon ye also your selves to be dead indeed unto Sin but alive unto God thro' Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin Rom. 6. 11. I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Rom. 7. 23. Brethren we are debtors not to the flesh to live after the flesh For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die But if ye thro' the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God
Father of Spirits and live For they verily for a few Days chastened us after their own Pleasure but he for our Profit that we might be Partakers of his Holiness Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable Fruit of Righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby Wherefore lift up the Hands which hang down and the feeble Knees and make straight Paths for your Feet lest that which is lame be turned out of the way but let it rather be healed Heb. 12. 1. Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel confirming the Souls of the Disciples and exhorting them to continue in the Faith and that we must thro' much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God Act. 14. 22. And now behold I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem not knowing the things that shall befal me there save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every City saying that Bonds and Afflictions abide me But none of these things move me neither count I my Life dear unto my self so that I might finish my Course with Joy and the Ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus Act. 20. 22. Then Paul answered What mean ye to weep and to break my Heart For I am ready not to be bound only but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus Acts 21. 13. My Brethren count it all Joy when ye fall into divers Temptations knowing this that the trying of your Faith worketh Patience But let Patience have her perfect Work that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing 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. 2 12. Take my Brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the Name of the Lord for an Example of suffering Affliction and of Patience Behold we count them happy which endure Ye have heard of the Patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy Jam. 5. 10. This is thank-worthy if a Man for Conscience toward God endure Grief suffering wrongfully For what Glory is it if when ye be buffetted for your Faults ye shall take it patiently But if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that ye should follow his steps who did no Sin neither was Guile found in his Mouth who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously who his own self bare our Sins in his own Body on the Tree that we being dead to Sin should live unto Righteousness by whose Stripes ye were healed 1 Pet. 2. 19. Who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good But and if ye suffer for Righteousness sake happy are ye and be not afraid of their Terror neither be troubled but sanctifie the Lord God in your Hearts for it is better if the Will of God be so that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing For Christ also hath once suffered for Sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the Flesh but quickned by the Spirit 1 Pet. 3. 13 17. Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as tho' same strange thing happen'd unto you but rejoice in as much as ye are Partakers of Christ's Sufferings that when his Glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding Joy If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you on their part he is evil spoken of but on your part he is glorified But let none of you suffer as a Murtherer or as a Thief or as an evil Doer or as a Busie-body in other Men's Matters Yet if any Man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorifie God on this behalf For the time is come that Judgment must begin at the House of God and if it first begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God And if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the Vngodly and the Sinner appear Wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4. 12. What are these which are arrayed in white Robes And whence came they And I said unto him Sir thou knowest And he said to me These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the Throne of God and serve him Day and Night in his Temple and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes Rev. 7. 13. Thus speaks the Rule so full and plain that a Christian must hence see what Judgment he is to frame of all the Afflictions of this Life and what use he is to make of them He is to consider them as the Effect of the Divine Will as the Trial and Improvement of Virtue as the Exercise of Patience as the Portion which Christ chose for himself and for his best Servants and hence that by a due Submission to them they may be very serviceable in the gaining an eternal Crown Therefore in practice he is neither to murmur nor sink in Spirit under them as under Misfortunes but first endeavor to submit with Resolution as to the certain Ordinance of the Divine Will and then even to receive with Comfort what God knows to be best for him and may be very advantageous to him for obtaining Mercy and Glory Thus the Gospel directs Such then as sincerely desire to be Followers of it must labour to compose their Spirits in this manner under all kind of Afflictions that is with Meekness Patience Humility Submission and Comfort for this is the Spirit of the Gospel and they who take no Pains or very little to come into this Method but yield to the Inclinations of Nature in grieving fretting murmuring c. it is plain as far as they wilfully or affectedly follow Nature in this Point so far they depart from the Gospel CHAP. XX. Of Temptations Q. DO's the Gospel give any Directions in this Point A. It do's and such as ought to be observ'd The Devil taketh him up into an exceeding high Mountain and sheweth him all the Kingdoms of the World and the Glory of them and saith unto him All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me Then saith Jesus unto him Get thee hence Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve
commanded saying Honor thy Father and Mother And he that curseth Father or Mother let him die the Death But ye say whosoever shall say to his Father or his Mother it is a Gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me and honor not his Father or his Mother he shall be free Thus have ye made the Commandment of God of none Effect by your Tradition Mat. 15. 3. The Precept of God commanding all to Honor Father and Mother is not to be transgressed under the Cover of pretended Piety Such Glosses are a Violence to the Law of God His Mother said unto him Son why hast thou thus dealt with us Behold thy Father and I have sought thee sorrowing And he said unto them how is it that ye sought me Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's Business Luk. 2. 48. God is the first Father and to be obey'd in the first place All that is created must give place to his Will whatever is not consistent with this must yield He said unto another follow me But he said Lord suffer me first to go and bury my Father Jesus said unto him Let the Dead bury their Dead but go thou and preach the Kingdom of God And another also said Lord I will follow thee But let me first go bid them farewel which are at Home at my House And Jesus said unto him no Man having put his Hand to the Plough and looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God Luk. 9. 59. Domestic Duties are to give place to greater And he Jesus went down with them his Parents and came to Nazareth and was subject unto them Luk. 2. A good Example of Obedience And when he came to himself he said I will arise and go to my Father and will say unto him Father I have sinned against Heaven and before thee Luk. 15. 17. Children sensible of their undue Ways ought to have recourse to their Parents with Confidence and Humility according to the Example of the Prodigal Son When therefore Jesus saw his Mother and the Disciple standing by whom he loved he saith unto his Mother Woman behold thy Son Then saith he to the Disciple behold thy Mother And from that Hour that Disciple took her unto his own Home Jo. 19. 26. Children ought to be mindful of their Parents especially at the Hour of Death with a Recommendation to their best Friends Children obey your Parents in the Lord For this is right Honor thy Father and Mother which is the first Commandment with Promise that it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long on the Earth Eph. 6. 1. A general Duty of Children to obey and honor their Parents in all that is not Sin With a Blessing annext to it Children obey your Parents in all things For this is well-pleasing unto the Lord Col. 3. 20. If ye endure chastening God dealeth with you as with Sons For what Son is he whom the Father chasteneth not We have had Fathers of our Flesh which corrected us and we gave them Reverence Shall we not much rather be in Subjection unto the Father of Spirits and live For they verily for a few Days chastened us after their own Pleasure but he for our profit that we might be Partakers of his Holiness Heb. 12. 7 9. Children even when Chastized by Parents after their own Pleasure ought not to lose the Reverence due to them but submit with respect If any Widow have Children or Nephews let them learn first to shew Piety at Home and to requite their Parents For that is good and acceptable before God 1 Tim. 5. 4. An express Duty of Children to be Respectful and Dutiful at Home and by such Arguments of Gratitude to make some acknowledgment of the great Obligation to their Parents This cannot be expected from little Ones who are not capable of these Sentiments and therefore this must be spoke to Children when now grown up and at an Age of giving this Comfort to their Parents Here it cannot be unseasonable to make some Additions out of the Old Testament Honor thy Father and thy Mother That thy Days may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Exod. 20. 12. He that smiteth his Father or his Mother shall be surely put to Death Exod. 21. 15. Ye shall fear every Man his Mother and his Father and keep my Sabbaths I am the Lord your God Levit. 19. 3. Every one that curseth his Father or his Mother shall be surely put to Death He hath cursed his Father or his Mother his Blood shall be upon him Levit. 20. 9. Honor thy Father and thy Mother as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee that thy Days may be prolonged and that it may go well with thee in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Deut. 5. 16. And the Levites shall speak and say unto all the Men of Israel with a loud Voice cursed be he that setteth Light by his Father or his Mother And all the People shall say Amen Deut. 27. 14 16. Notwithstanding they the Sons of Eli hearkened not unto the Voice of their Father because the Lord would slay them 1 Sam. 2. 25. Bathsheba therefore went unto King Solomon to speak unto him for Adonijah And the King rose up to meet her and bowed himself unto her and sat down on his Throne and caused a Seat to be set for the King's Mother and she sat on his right Hand 1 Kin. 2. 19. Esther had not yet shewed her Kindred nor her People as Modecai had charged her For Esther did the Commandment of Mordecai like as when she was brought up with him Esth 2. 20. A wise Son maketh a glad Father but a foolish Son is the Heaviness of his Mother Prov. 10. 1. A Fool despiseth his Father's Instruction But he that regardeth Reproof is Prudent Prov. 15. 5. A foolish Son is a Grief to his Father and Bitterness to her that bare him Prov. 17. 25. He that wasteth his Father and chaseth away his Mother is a Son that causeth Shame and bringeth Reproach Cease my Son to hear the Instruction that causeth to err from the Words of Knowledge Prov. 19. 26. Hearken unto thy Father that begat thee and despise not thy Mother when she is old Prov. 23. 22. Whoso robbeth his Father or his Mother and saith it is no Transgression the same is the Companion of a Destroyer Prov. 28. 24. The Eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the Valley shall pick it out and the young Eagle shall eat it Prov. 30. 17. Jeremiah said unto the House of the Rechabites thus saith the Lord of Hosts the God of Israel because ye have obeyed the Commandment of Jonadab your Father and kept all his Precepts and done according unto all that he hath commanded you Therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts the God of Israel Jonadab the Son of Rechab shall not want a Man to stand before
in Perils in the City in Perils in the Wilderness in Perils in the Sea in Perils among false Brethren In Damascus the Governor under Aretas the King kept the City of the Damascens with a Garison desirous to apprehend me and thro' a Window in a Basket was I let down by the Wall and escaped his Hands 2 Cor. 11. 20 23. Lest I should be exalted above Measure thro' the abundance of the Revelations there was given to me a Thorn in the Flesh the Messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I should be exalted above Measure For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me And he said unto me my Grace is sufficient for thee For my Strength is made perfect in Weakness Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my Infirmities that the Power of Christ may rest upon me Therefore I take Pleasure in Infirmities in Reproaches in Necessities in Persecutions in Distresses for Christ's sake For when I am weak then am I strong 2 Cor. 12. 7. 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 him Phil. 3. 7. I have learned in whatever State I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound Everywhere 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 Phil. 4. 11. Whereof of the Gospel I Paul am made a Minister 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. We our selves glory in you in the Churches of God for your Patience and Faith in all your Persecutions and Tribulations that ye endure which is a manifest Token of the Righteous Judgment of God that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which ye also suffer seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence Tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us 2 Thess 1. 4. 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 Elect's sakes that they may also obtain the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus with Eternal Glory It is a faithful Saying for if we be dead with him we shall also live with him if we suffer we shall also reign with him if we deny him he also will deny us 2 Tim. 2. 9. Thou hast fully known my Doctrine manner of Life Purpose Faith Long-suffering Charity Patience Persecutions Afflictions which came unto me at Antioch at Iconium at Lystra what Persecutions I endured but out of them all the Lord delivered me yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution 2 Tim. 3. 10. We see Jesus who was made a little lower than the Angels for the suffering of Death crowned with Glory and Honour that he by the Grace of God should taste Death for every Man For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many Sons unto Glory to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect thro' Sufferings Heb. 2. 9. Tho' he were a Son yet learned he Obedience by the things which he suffered and being made perfect he became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 5. 8. It is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the living God but call to Remembrance the former Days in which after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fight of Afflictions partly whilst ye were made a gazing-stock both by Reproaches and Afflictions and partly whilst ye became Companions of them that were so used For ye had Compassion of me in my Bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your Goods knowing in your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring Substance Cast not away therefore your Confidence which hath great Recompence of Reward For ye have need of Patience that after ye have done the Will of God ye might receive the Promise For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Now the just shall live by Faith but if any Man draw back my Soul shall have no Pleasure in him But we are not of them who draw back unto Perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the Soul Heb. 10. 31. By Faith Moses when he was come to Years refused to be called the Son of Pharoah's Daughter chusing rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a season esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater Riches than the Treasures of Egypt for he had Respect unto the Recompence of the Reward What shall I more say of the Prophets who thro' Faith subdued Kingdoms wrought Righteousness obtain'd Promises stopped the Mouths of Lions quenched the Violence of Fire Others were tortured not accepting Deliverance that they might obtain a better Resurrection And others had Trial of cruel Mockings and Scourgings yea moreover of Bonds and Imprisonment They were stoned they were sawn asunder were tempted were slain with the Sword they wander'd about in Sheep-skins and Goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented of whom the World was not worthy they wander'd in Desarts and in Mountains and in Dens and Caves of the Earth Heb. 11. 23 32. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a Cloud of Witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the Sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with Patience the Race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who for the Joy that was set before him endured tbe Cross despising the Shame and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God For consider him that endured such Contradiction of Sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your Minds Ye have not yet resisted unto Blood striving against Sin And ye have forgotten the Exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto Children My Son despise not thou the chastening of the Lord nor faint when thou art rebuked of him for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth If ye endure chastening God dealeth with you as with Sons for what Son is he whom the Father chasteneth not But if ye be without Chastisement whereof all are Partakers then are ye Bastards and not Sons Furthermore we have had Fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them Reverence shall we not much rather be in Subjection unto the