the honour and good name of his wife and therefore he is not willingly to accuse and blame his wife in the presence of others otherwise it will be verie offensiue and vnpleasant vnto her Lastly 6. as the husband is to condemne vices and sinnes amiffe so is he to commend and praise such vertues and good things as he seeth in her This is a course not onely warranted by God but sauoureth of loue and may serue to incourage her in good and to turne her away from that which is euill 4. Special dutie of the husband to his wire is that he do deale honorably with her in al things Q. What is the fourth dutie of the husband to the wife A. Although the Husbande bee the Wiues heade and superiour yet is hee not to contemne her or deale with her as a base person or vassall But because God hath created her out of a principall part of himselfe and â—oyned her so neere vnto him he is to honour her and in all things to gouerne her in a reuerend manner preferring her before all others euen his owne children and them that are most neerely allied vnto him remembring alwaies that as she is not the head so is she not the foote but an excellent creature partaker with him of many graces and prerogatiues pertaining to this life and to the life to come and therefore he is not onely to carrie a reuerend estimation of her in his heart 5. Special dutie of the husband toward the wife is that he is to be cheerefull with her not withstanding anie in combrances that the married estaâ—e may briâ—g with it but to deale with her after the same manner that the soule being a principall part of man doeth vse in gouerning the bodie Q. What is a man lastly to doe A. If any trouble euill or incomberance falleth out in marriage he is not to blame the holy institution of marriage for the same or to ascribe or impute it to the wife but rather to accuse his owne sinnes as the cause thereof The duties of the wife to her husband and therefore he is not onely to humble himselfe to God by true repentance but to labour that the image of God may be restored to him that so marriage may be sweete and comfortable to him as it was to Adam before the transgression Q. Hauing said somewhat of the duties of the Husband to the wife Let vs passe ouer to the duties of the wife which are they A. They are diuers And first of all it is the dutie of the wife to beare and bring forth children according to the ordinance of God Gen. 1.28 Q. If the woman had not transgressed The duties to be performed of the wife to the husband are 7. as they are henceforth set downe this dutie would haue beene performed with ease and comfort but now the Lord hath decreed as a punishment that woman should be are and bring forth children in sorrowe and paine Gen. 3.16 Q. What is to be said to this A. She must notwithstanding this patieÌ„tly beare al trials 1. Dutie is to beare and bring forth children submit her selfe to the ordinance of God which he hath appointed for the increasing vpholding and continuance of mankind vnto the ende of the world Q. What reasons may incourage her hereunto There are 3. Reasons whence the wife may be incouraged to beare children to her husband 1. Reason A. First of all for that it is no reproach for a married woman to beare children but rather a crowne and honour Againe God might haue pursued the sinne of the woman with a greater punishment in her selfe and in all her sexe and posteritie 2. Reason Lastly it is no meanes to hinder women from saluation and the kingdome of God 3. Reason but rather to further them as appeareth 1. Tim. 1.15 2. Dutie of the wife toward her husband is to nurse and bring vp her children Q. What is secondly required in the woman A. She must nurse and bring vp her children Q. How is it warranted that Mothers must nurse their children A. First by the example of many holy women in the holy Scripture There are 5. Reasons to moue Mothers to nurse their owne childreÌ„ 1. Reason as Sarah Gen. 22.7 Hannah the Mother of Samuel 1. Sam. 1.23 and such like who performed this dutie and are commended for the same by the Holy Ghost Besides the nursing of children is set downe as the note of a faithfull woman 2. 1. Tim. 5. Furthermore 3. naturall equitie doeth require it for is it not reason that the woman should nurse that creature which is a part of her selfe and were it reason that seeing she did giue the child nourishment when it was in her wombe she should now forsake it when it is brought forth committed to her care tuition Fourthly 4. to what end doeth the prouidence of God yeeld vnto the woman two Pappes as it were fountaines and that in the most comely and fit place of her bodie besides that filled them with most sweet and pretious liquor is it that these excellent things should be dried vp destroyed not rather that they shuld minister fit nourishmeÌ„t vnto the infant so set forth the glorie of God 4. Reason mouing mothers to nurse their owne children the great and most wise Creator Lastly the holy ghost doth coÌ„deÌ„ne certain vnreasonable creatures as vnnaturall monstrous for that they will not tender nourish their yong ones as appeareth Iob. 39.17.18 19. much more monstrous and vnnaturall in a mother indued with reason if she cast off her young one who doeth wholy depend vpon her If the mother haue any necessarie hinderance that she cannot nourse her childe God will of his goodnes spare her therein The mothers dutie is to be as carefull to bring vp childreÌ„ vn to God in his nourture and feare as willing to bring them forth into the world The proofe of it Q. But what if the woman through defect or any other great and weightie cause cannot performe this dutie A. Then is she dispensed withal for why necessitie hath no law But this doeth not discharge them that are able to doe their dutie Q. Is there no further thing required of the woman in this respect A. Yes she must bring vp her children in the knowledge of God and good manners Q. Why that is a dutie belonging to the Husband A. Yea and to the wife also and especially to her so long as the children remaine vnder her hand power and disposition which was well knowne to the Mother of Salomon and to the Mother and grandmother of Salomon and to the mother and grandmother of Timothie as appeareth by their practise set downe Pro. 4.31 1. Tim. chapter 1. 3. Q. Haue you nothing else for confirmation A. Yes Kings are vsually set downe in the holy hystorie with their mothers to the praise of the
tenne that hath a peculiar promise of a long and comfortable life yea and the onely Commandemēt of all the sixe of the second Table that hath any promise at all annexed vnto it O therefore that there were in men professing that they will heare and do the will of God the like heart to feare him to keep all and among all of the second Table specially this his cōmaundement alwaies that it might go well with them and with their children for euer But to conclude seeing God by his good prouidēce hath stirred vp this vigilant Pastor holy man of God while he yet liued to take such paines in writing this Explanation which he had often gone ouer in his publike Ministerie neglect not I pray thee the reading of such a sound fruitfull Treatise which will teach thee to retaine and encrease thine owne honour and dignitie to giue to euery sexe age calling condition of men the honour and dignitie which is due to them Now the Lord giue a gratious blessing hereunto to all other thy holy exercises and meditations euen for his onely begotten Sonnes sake Christ Iesus our only Mediator and Aduocate who together with the Father and the holy Ghost be blessed and praised for euermore S. Egerton THE DOCTRINE of Superioritie and Subiection contained in the fift Commaundement of Almightie God WEE haue by the grace of God passed through the first Table of the Cōmandements of God and now are wee come to the second Table Q. What speciall difference doe you see betweene the one and the other The special difference betweene the two Tables of the law of God Answ In the first Table the Lord as a most wise and holy Housholder and Lord of his Church doth first of all prouide for all duties concerning himselfe Who are to be accoūted Superiors In the second hee doth prescribe what duties his people are to performe one towards another Wherein appeareth his singular wisedome and goodnesse in that he is not content alone to haue a care of his owne glorie but also taketh order for the welfare and good estate of his people Q. How many sortes of duties are contained in the second Table Two sortes of duties cōtained in the 2. Table of the law of God A. Two Namely speciall duties pertaining to some speciall persons And generall which all men in generall are to performe one towarde another Q. Where are the speciall duties contained A. In the fift Commandement Q. What are the words A. Honour thy father and thy mother that they may prolong thy dayes in the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee Two things to be obserued in the 5. commandement Q. How many things doe you obserue therein A. Two 1. The Precept First of all the precept it selfe Who are to be accoūted Superiours 2. A reason Two things shew the dignitie of this commandement Secondly A reason adioyned to perswade to the practise thereof Q. Why is this Commandement placed foremost in the second Table and hath a promise which the rest of the Commandements contained therein haue not 1. Because it hath the first place in the 2. Table A. To shew the excellencie and necessitie thereof Q. By what reasons may we further bee perswaded of this 2. Because it hath a promise annexed vnto it A. First of all it doth in certaine infe riour persons traine men vp as it were in a certaine inferior Schoole The dignitie of the 5. commandement may be further discerned by 3. reasōs The first reason to rise vp to the knowledge of the soueraigne Lord and to giue vnto him the reuerence and honour due to his diuine Maiestie Secondly it vpholdeth and continueth all those estates degrees and orders whereby the societie The second reason or fellowship of man is as it were by certaine ioynts and sinewes ioyned and knit togither and without which it would by a certaine pernicious confusion be cleane dissolued and vtterly perish Who are to be accoūted Superiours Thirdly if the duties of this Commaundement bee not performed the generall duties of the other Commaundementes must needes faile The third reason For he that will not performe a dutie toward him to whom hee is bound by a cartaine straight and peculiar band much lesse will hee perform duties to them that are further remooued Q In what words is the Precept contained The words of the precept A. In these Honour thy Father and thy Mother Q. How manie things are wee to note herein Two things to be noted in the precept 1. Person 2. Things due vnto them A. Two First of all certaine persons Secondly the thing due to those persons Q. Which are the persons A. Father and Mother Al superiors are comprehended vnder the titles of Father and Mother 1. Naturall parents Q. What meane you by Father Mother A. They are to speake properly only those which God in his singular wisedome doeth vse as instruments and meanes to giue men life and being in this world Who are to be accoūted Superiours for who is so ignorant which knoweth not that the Father begetteth and the Mother conceiueth and bringeth forth Q. Why are these two ioyned together in regard of honour and dutie The mother is copertner with the father in honour for two causes A. First because they meete together in the worke of procreation Secondly to preuent and meete with the corruption and partialitie of children who otherwise would either contemne the Mother and yeeld all honour and dutie to the Father by reason of his principalitie or els because the Mother doth beare them nourish them and is most tēderly affected toward them would be wholy addicted vnto her excluding and making no account of the Father Q. How may it appeare that this is the reason A. By many cleare places of the worde as Leuit. 19.3 Prou. 13.12 and chap. 10. vers 1. Ephes 6.1 2. Col. 3.10 Q. Are no other persons contained vnder these A. Yes all such as are in stead of Parents not onely in regard of superioritie but also for that they are to prouide for the good and benefite of their inferiours both in soule and bodie For so wise and mercifull is the Lord that are hee hath appoynted naturall Parents to begette and bring foorth children and thereby to giue them simplie a beeing in this life so hath hee ordayned other persons as it were Parents to tender and giue them a well and happy being 2. Kings all ciuil magistrates vnder them Q. Who are those persons which you meane 3. Ministers of the word A. Kings Princes and Magistrates Ministers of the worde of GOD 4. Housholders Housholders Schoole-maisters and Teachers 5. Schoole-maisters 6. They that excell in any vertue Those that are indued with any excellent grace and gift aboue others 7. They that exceed other in age Lastly the aged
offence For if they fall into any extremitie it is a meane to harden the heart of the child and cause him to contemne and make no account of correction Q. What are Parents yet to doe in this respect 5. Things to be obserued of parents in their correcting of their childreÌ„ A. They are wisely to consider the age the strength the capacitie qualitie and nature of their children for why they are not to correct theÌ„ being infants and verie small in the measure which agreeth to theÌ„ when they are further growne nor deale so seuerely with them that are ignorant as with such as know their dutie nor with them that are weake and sickely as with them that are healthfull and strong nor with timerous and mild natures as with those that are bold and stubborne Q. If Parents would obserue and vse this discretion in correcting their children they should reape better fruites then commonlie they doe But let vs proceede to the next dutie What is that A. Parents must carry before their children a good example of life and conuersation 4. General dutie which pareÌ„ts are to performe toward their children is that they go before them in a good course and godly example of life Q. What reason haue you for it A. First children are naturally giuen to follow imitate or counterterfeite the behauiour and actions of their Parents especially if they be euill by reason of the general corruption and peruersnesse of man wherby he is prone to euill vntoward to all things that are good Q. But can the euill behauiour of Christians hurt their children The euil example of Parents is exceedingly daÌ„gerous to corrupt their childreÌ„ There are 2. special Reasons thereof 1. Reason A. Yea a great deale more then of any other by reason that their children think that whatsoeuer they do is good and lawfull Q. What is your second reason A. If Parents instruct their children neuer so well and diligently and correct as seuerely as may be yet all this labour is lost except they conforme themselues to the worde and will of God For otherwise they shall cast downe with their euill and Iewde exemple as they build vp by their godly doctrine and seueritie Lamentable experâ—ence hereof wee haue in diuerse Families and houses 5. Generall dutie to be performed of parents toward their children is a tender care of noursing bringing them vp in their yonger more tender yeares 6. General dutie to be performed of parents to ward their children is moderate prouisioÌ„ for reliefe of their necesties against the future hardnes and difficulties of this world which though they professe the worde of God yet for want of the practise thereof by the Parents and Gouernours as euill or worse children proceede from thence as from the houses that neuer heard or knew what Christian Religion meant Q. What is the fift dutie A. Parents are to yeeld to their children in their minoritie and while they are not able to prouide for themselues all things necessarie for their nursing and bringing vp otherwise they should bee worse then bruit vnreasonable creatures who haue a certaine care and regarde to prouide for the necessitie of their yong ones till they be able to support and maintaine themselues Q. What is the sixt dutie A. They are to prouide and lay vp for their children euen when they are come to ripe age and yeares such goods and possessions as may maintaine them in good estate not onely in their life time but when they are departed from them Q. What warrant haue you for this A. Nor onely expresse doctrines 1. Tim. 5. and 2. Cor. 12. But also the example of Abraham the father of the faithfull Gen. 25. Who before his ende prouided for the welfare and comfort of his children after his death Q. But may Parents gather and lay vp for their Children what they thinke good Parents in laying vp goods in store for their childreÌ„ must obserue 3. Cautions A. In no wise for the goods which they lay vp for their children must be obtained and gathered First of all by lawfull meanes Secondly without hindering of themselues in the obtaining folowing of heauenly things pertaining to their owne saluation 1. 2. Lastly 3. Caution that in prouiding for their children they doe not withdrawe such duties as the Lorde hath commanded them to performe and bestow out of their goods to the vpholding and comforting of others Q. What is the seuenth dutie 7. Dutie of parents toward their children is that they haue meete care to see them well bestowed in marriage A. Parents must haue a great and especiall care to prouide for the comfort holinesse and chastitie of their children by the honourable estate of marriage Q. Where is that approued and commended A. In verie many places of the holy Scripture and namely in these Gen. 24. and 26. Deut. 7. Iudg. 14. Gen. 29.19 Cor. 7. and such like Q. Why may not children prouide and make choise for themselues in Marriage but that their parents must haue a stroke therein There are 3. good iust Reason why pareÌ„ts are to haue a chiefe stroke in the marriages of their childreÌ„ 1. Reason A. There be verie good and iust reasons thereof For first of all children are a part of their Parents and the chiefest treasures they haue amongest other worldly goods and therefore not to bee bestowed and conueied away without their free consent 2. Reason Againe parents doe carrie a more sincere and vpright affection to the welfare and benefite of their children then they themselues doe being blinded and misled with corrupt and headie respects Lastly they can see and discerne by reason of their knowledge and long experience 3. Reason what is good and meet for the benefite and comfort of their children farre better then they themselues can Q. But may Parents do what they list in bestowing their children in marriage Neuertheles the authority of pareÌ„ts is limited in 3. cases 1. LimitatioÌ„ A. No for they haue their limitation from the word of God and therfore they are not to inforce their children to marrie whom they list against their wils Againe they are not to cause their children to marrie before they knowe what marriage meaneth and the duties thereof as many giue their children in marriage almost before the time they knowe their right hande from their left which is the cause afterward of many mischiefes and inormities Lastly they are not to deferre or put off the mariage of their children too long a time which was the fault of Iudah toward his daughter in lawe Thamar which in the end brought vpon him great hearts smarte and confusion as appeareth Gen. 38.18 Q. What is the last dutie of Parents A. They are earnestly and with all feruencie of Spirit to pray to God for their children 8. Dutie of parents toward their children is that they doe pray earnestlie and
and gray-headed Q. Howe can you prooue that these are contayned vnder the titles of Parents That all Superiors are to be comprehended vnder the title of Father mother it is proued by 3. reasons The first reason The second reason The third reason A. First for that as in all the rest of the Commaundements vnder one generall are contained all speciall things of the same nature so it is in this Commandement Secondly if these persons be not heere vnderstood they are contayned properly in no Commaundement which were a great defect and disgrace to the perfection of the Lawe Thirdly these persons are tearmed by the name of Father and Mother in diuerse places of the holie Scripture as Kinges Queenes and Magistrates are called by the name of Nursing Fathers and Nurses Isai Chap. 49. ver 23. In regarde heereof some of the Heathen called their Kinges Abimelech which signifieth My Father the King Ministers of the word of God are called by the name of Fathers 2. Cor. Chap. 4. ver 15.2 King Why Superiours are called Father and Mother Chap. 13. ver 14. Maisters are so called 2. King 5.15 Chap. 2. ver 12. Q. Why is the name of Father and Mother giuen to Superiors The titles of Father and Mother are giuen to all Superiours to allure all inferiours to giue al meet and conuenient honour vnto them A. To drawe and allure men to the willing obedience and practise of this Commaundement and that not without cause For first as we are vntoward by nature to the practise of any Commaundement so especially of this because it so greatly importeth the glory of God and the benefit of man Againe the crooked heart of man will hardly stoope vnto superioritie First by reason of a certaine naturall pride whereby all men do desire to be aloft and vnder none other Or the which also there are many causes Secondly for that Superiors in this corrupt and miserable world do oftentimes abuse their authoritie to the hurt of others therefore to subdue men to the ordinance of God he hath set vpon all Superiors the sweet and amiable name of Father and Mother Honour is due to al Superiours and the reasons why it is so Q. We haue spoken of the Persons the first thing noted in the Precept what is the thing due to those Persons What is meant by Honour in the generall signification of it A. Honour Vnder which are conteined all meanes and effects whereby the preheminence of the Superiours is acknowledged vpheld and graced Q. What reason or equitie is there that this should be yeelded vnto Superiors Honour is due to al Superiours for 2. reasons A. First of all for that manie and the same very excellent benefites and commodities do flowe and proceed from them as from some plentifull fountaine vnto their inferiors Secondly the Lord hath set and as it were ingrauen vpon them liuely markes and resemblances of his owne Maiestie Q. How is that An illustration of the 2. reasons Kings and Inferiour Magistrats A. In Kings Princes Magistrates appeareth not only the greatnes and soueraigne authoritie of God but also that he is the high and supreame Iudge of the world Ministers of the word In Ministers of the word is shadowed out that God is the originall teacher instructer of his Church In Housholders that he is the great Lord and Maister that prouideth for the welfare and benefite of all creatures Housholders In Husbands Husbands that he hath ioyned to himselfe and as it were married in a speciall couenant of mercie and compassion al the faithfull and elect ones so that he is the head and husband of his people In those that are able to instruct others in Artes Artizans Learning Sciences it is euident that God is the fountaine not only of wisedome but also of euery other excellent and necessarie grace Aged persons all resemble the diuine Maiestie of God In the Aged and Gray-headed we may descrie the eternitie of God whereby we may gather that Superiors by certaine sparkes of glory which they haue receiued from the Lord doe shine as it were bright starres in the middest of mankind Q. What is the effect thereof A. That inferiours doe depend vpon them as vpon those that are to guide them and to prouide for their welfare By which meanes the societie of man is vpheld in a comely and profitable order Q. Let vs now come from the words of the Precept to the generall reason which is annexed to it to perswade to the performance and practise of all the duties conteined in the Precept what are the words of the reason The Lord perswadeth to the obedience of this 5. A. That they may prolong thy daies in the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thee Q. How can it be truly said that Parents doe prolong the life of the child Com. by the great benefit which commeth by it seeing that life much more long life is the gift of God A. They may be said to prolong the obedient child his life three waies Parents prolong the liues of their children 3. waies First of all in bringing them vp in pietie and godlines which hath the promises of this life and of the life to come Secondly in praying for and blessing that is wishing all good vnto the child that is dutifull vnto them according to the example of the auncient Fathers and seruants of God Thirdly the Parents being decked and as it were crowned with the dutifulnes of a godly and holy childe they are occasions to moue the Lord to remember the child and to bestowe vpon him the blessing promised in this fift Commaundement Q. It seemeth that the reason is not very strong and forcible seeing it is grounded vpon the promise of a thing which seemeth euery way so miserable For naturall life it selfe much more the continuance thereof is fraught with manifold miseries and calamities Three reasons to proue long life to be a singular great benefit and therefore it is doubtfull whether it should be refused or desired What say you hereunto A. Long life take it at the worst is a singular treasure for why it is a mean or occasion of many excellent blessings The. 1. reason As first men thereby do know vnderstand and enioy the manifold workes and graces of God to their great comfort admiration which they who do die vntimely doe want Secondly thereby they may in vsing good meanes make themselues fit for eternall life Lastly The. 2. The. 3. they may more plentifully serue and glorifie God in this long extent of time then they can which are cut off in their tender yeares In regard whereof the holy seruants of God which otherwise feared not death yet when death was presented to them they desired earnestly longer continuance of life as we may see in Dauid Psal 6. Hezekiah Isa 38. And doubtles as in euerie place of
for the prouision and maintenance of the Ministers as may appeare 2. Chron. 31. from verse 3. to the end And in many other places Q. What is the last generall dutie A. The people are to pray earnestly for their Minister 4. General dutie to bee performed of people to their ministers it is prayer to God for thē Q. Where is that required A. By the Apostle Paul in diuers of his Epistles And practised by the Prophet Dauid Psal 132.9 And good reason thereof for without this dutie the studies and labours of the Ministers shall haue small successe The duties of Parents toward their children We haue a threefolde proofe that the naturall Parents are to performe duties toward their children 1. Proofe is from the light of nature 2. Is frō the equitie of it 3. Is by the word of God The duties of Parents toward their children are generally 8. these also haue their seuerall particulars contained in thē 1. Generall dutie is loue We are now come to the duties of Parents toward their children and after that to the duties of children towardes their Parents Q. Do Parents owe dutie to their children A. Yea in nature equitie and by the word of God Q. What are the duties which Parents are to performe toward their children A. They are diuers The first whereof is Loue. Q. Are Parents to loue their children A. Yea no doubt Q. Where is that proued A. Titus chap. 2. ver 4. Q. Yea but that is spoken onely of the Mother A. I grant but in all equitie and by iust proportion it extendeth also vnto the father Q. What should cause you to thinke so A. Because God hath planted in the hearts of both Parents as well the man as the woman certaine seedes and sparkes of loue and tender affection towards their children which were in vaine and to no purpose if Parents should not actually loue their children Q. What thinke you therefore if parents loue not their children A. They are worse then bruit beasts who by a certaine blind instinct and affinitie of Nature doe so tender and loue their young ones as that they will hazard their bodies and loose their liues to deliuer them from danger There are 2. sortes of reasōs to moue Parents to loue their children 1. Sort common to the heathen with vs. 2. Sort peculiar to vs Christians Of the 1. sort of Reasons there are 3. Q. What reasons should moue Parents to loue their children A. Diuerse reasons and that of two sorts The First whereof are cōmon with the heathen and meer naturall men The second are particular to Christians and such as are borne in the Church of God A. Speake of these in order A. The heathen and meere naturall men doe loue their children for three causes First because they are made and ingendred of their owne nature and substance and so consequently flesh of their flesh bone of their bone now none are so outragious monstrous to hate their owne flesh but rather to loue and to cherish it Secondly children doe carrie the image and person of their Parents insomuch that they may beholde themselues in their children whilest they liue and after a sort liue in them when they are dead Thirdly that if childrē be brought vp in any good manner they afterwarde yeelde vnto their Parents great benefite comfort and reliefe especially in their old age and necessitie Q. But what speciall reasons haue Christians to loue their children Of the 2. sort of Reasons there are also 3. 1. Reason A. Not onely the former but also other of greater weight And first of all their children are borne within the couenant of God and therefore his sonnes and daughters Eze. 16. Secondly 2. Reason their children are parts and members of the misticall bodie of Christ as appeareth for that the Sacrament of Baptisme belongeth to them so consequently they are free denisons and heires of the kingdome of God Thirdly 3. they are appointed and sanctified euen in their birth to glorifie and worship the Lord as also to profit and do good to the Church Q. If Parents would looke vpon their children in this glasse they could not but be moued to loue them but what if they be not moued A. It is a fearefull signe which doth declare that they are become vnnatural giuē vp vnto a reprobat mind Q. But may not the loue of Parents degenerate and grow so farre out of square by reason of the corruption and disorder of their affections as of a good and lawfull thing to become wicked and pernicious A. Yes no doubt Q. What meanes or cautions are to bee obserued to keepe it in the right forme or temper A. Three cautions are required thervnto First Parents are not to loue the bodies of their children better then their soules 3. Cautions are required to the moderating wel ordering of the loue of parēts toward their children 1. Caution nor to make more carefull prouision for their estate in this life then for their happinesse in the life to come which is the common course of the world as wee may see daily by wofull experience Secondly they are to loue and preferre their children 2. Caution neither aboue God his glory neither yet before their own bodies soules This was the great fault of Ely as appeareth 1. Sam. 2. Thirdly 3. Caution they are to discouer their loue to their children neither too much nor too litle For the first therof doth giue children incouragement to contemne and loathe their Parents as also to take the raines to run forth into all dissolutenesse to their vtter destruction The other doth discourage childrē is the cause of many mischiefs therfore iustly cōdemned by the holy Ghost Ephe. 6.4 Col. 3.21 Q. What is the second generall dutie of parents toward their children The 2. general dutie of parents toward their children is that they teach instruct them 1. In the knowledge of God and his word 2. In good manners 3. In good Artes and trades of liuing A. They are to teach instruct thē Q. In how many things A. In three things Namely in the knowledge of God and of his word Secondly in ciuilitie and good maners Thirdly in good Arts trades and professions wherby they may maintain thēselues do good to others Q. Where is the first commanded A. In many places both of the old new Testament as namely Exod. 12. 13. Deut. 4.11 Iosh 4. Ephe. 6. Q. What Parents haue practised these commaundements A. The best and most notable amongst the seruants of God Q. Who are they Examples of parents carefull to instruct their children A. Abraham Gen. 18. Dauid Bathsheba Pro. 4. ch v. 3. 4. ca. 31. the parents of Timothie 2. Tim. 1. 3. Q. Are all Christians bound to followe these examples A. Yea for to that end are they recorded in in the holy Scriptures Q.
What reasons should moue them therevnto There are 7. important reasons to moue parēts to teach their children the true knowledge and feare of god 1. Reason A. Diuerse both in regard of their children and of themselues Q. What is the first A. Their childrē are not borne without reasō but capable of knowledge and vnderstanding and theefore are parents to enlighten them as with humane knowledge so especially with the knowledge of God and his will that so they may excell the children of Pagans Secondly Parents are to be especially carefull 2. Reason that their children may be deliuered from the wrath of God brought into his fauour but this cannot be without teaching and instructing for faith cōmeth by hearing of the word of God how shal men hear without teaching and instruction 3. Reason Thirdly if Parents instruct their children it is a way or means for the Lord to teach them and to increase their knowledge that by the free grace promise of God see Gen. 18. Fourthly as the Lord doeth enlighten the hearts of parents by the ministerie of the word 4. Reason and other good meanes so are they to impart of the same grace vnto others and to whom if not to their children Fiftly the fruit which commeth of teaching children in their youth 5. Reason is great and excellent which is set downe Prou. 22.6 Teach a child in the trade of his way and when he is old he shall not depart from it Which is a verie true sentence for why A childe is as a newe vessell which not onely doth easily receiue good liquor but doth a long time retaine and keepe the sauour thereof If men growe old before they be taught instructed and called by reason of their dulnes and hardnesse of heart they will hardly euer attain to any great measure of knowledge and repentance 6. Reason Furthermore it will bee a wofull and fearefull thing for Parents to see their Children beaten downe to hell by the flaming fire of Iesus Christ comming to iudgement but this shall be the case of all both old yong that are thē found ignorant of God and of his truth 7. Reason Lastly if the children of Christians perish for want of teaching their bloud shall be required at the hands of their parents Q. The reasons which you haue brought forth do seeme to be of weight to proue that parents are bound to traine vp their children in the knowledge of God and of his will But many Parents doe thinke themselues discharged if they send their children to the publike Ministrie where all sorts and ages are to learne the will of God No diligēce of others can exempt or discharge naturall parents from their holie endeuor to teach their childrē the knowledge and feare of god There are 4. reasons of it A. All this doth not exempt parents from doing that dutie which the Lord hath so plainely commaunded and laid vpon them in his holy word especially seeing they haue so many opportunities occasions and furtherances to allure and incourage them therevnto Q. What are they A. First by reason of continuance with their children they haue more time and occasion to teach them then others Againe the loue and affection which children haue toward their Parents doeth cause them to like and willingly entertaine that which proceedeth from their Parents Furthermore Parents knowe better then strangers the nature strēgth and capacitie of their children and therefore can best and most fitly apply themselues vnto them Lastly when they teach their children they doe the will of God and so please him The consideration whereof cannot but be verie comfortable and take away all tediousnes from performing this dutie Q. How long are Parents to teach instruct and aduise their children Parents are constantly to teach and exhort their childrē to the true knowledge feare and obedience of God A. Not onely in the minoritie and tender age of their children but so long as they haue need to be taught admonished and instructed and as the Parents may and are able to doe their dutie therein For age and processe of time doeth neither dissolue the bondes of nature nor defeate the duties which are laid vpon men by the law of God And therefore the wisest of the seruants of God continued the practise of exhorting and instructing their children to the true feare and obedience of God euen then when they were come vnto the ripenes of their yeares 2. Instructiō which parents are to acquainte their childrē withall is cōcerning ciuilitie mannerlie or comely behauiour This kinde of the Parēts instruction is of no small weight in manie respects 1. Respect which maketh it of great moment yea so long as they enioyed life together Q Wherein are Parents next to instruct their children A. In ciuilitie and good maners or behauiour Q. This seemeth not to be a matter of so great weight seeing it doeth concerne but the body and outward estate of man A. Yea but for all that it is not to be neglected being of great momēt and cōsequence that in diuers respects Q. What are those respects which moue you to say so A. First it were an heauie case that the body limbs of a child which are created comely beautiful shuld by the negligence retchlesnes of the Parents be deformed and the vse and motion thereof vtterly peruerted which is nothing else but an inuirie and disgrace cast vpon the workmanship of God Secondly euil manners behauiour doe cause religion it selfe to be basely accounted of in the heartes of many 2. Respect as we may see by experiēce in diuers otherwise good professors who yet are of an vncomely rude behauiour 3. Respect Besides euil bringing vp doth corrupt the mind and heart of children bring them to an euill disposition as to be proud churlish hard harted without compassion towards others such like And therfore one by the light of nature saith very well That good liberall education doeth mollifie the manners and not suffer them to be cruell and sauage 4. Respect Againe good bringing vp behauiour is as the foundation and ornament of all duties trades professions giuing them their due grace and commendation Lastly comely good behauiour is pleasant and acceptable in the eies of God men 5. Respect as it is cleare 1. Kings 10. where it is recorded that when the Queene of the South did behold the comely and gratious behauiour of the seruants of Salomon she was greatly rauished therewith And this also doeth the Holy Ghost commend as an excellent vertue Q. It cannot otherwise be for why the Lord God is not the author of confusion vncomelines and disorder But what say you of them that bring vp their children I will not say as wild and sauage people but little differing from bruite beastes Is is a great sinne for Parents to neglect to
teach their childrē good manners as may appeare in all their actions and gesture A. They doe that which is vnpleasant in the eies of God and his Angels 3. Instructiō which parēts are to giue their childrē is cōcerning some honest science or profitable trade of life offensiue to men and to the vndoing of them whom they should frame in the most comely manner Q. What is the third thing wherein Parents are to instruct their children A. In good Artes Sciences and occupations Q. What are the reasons to perswade them hereunto 5. Good reasons alledged to this purpose 1. Reason A. First Artes and Sciences were in vaine inuented and brought to light by the Lord if so be they be not vpheld and continued from the father to the child 2. Reason Againe God doeth commaund that all men that are able fit therevnto should maintaine and vphold themselues by the sweat of their browes Gen. 3. But this cannot be without some trade or calling 3. Reason Besides whosoeuer wil be accounted a true member of Christ and partaker of the fellowship of Saintes he must by some gift and calling as it were an holy meane conuey vnto others some grace or benefite 4. Reason Furthermore as the Lord hath promised to blesse defend and comfort both by himselfe and his Angels such as are in their waies to wit walking in some lawfull calling or dutie so contrariwise such as liue idely and without a lawful trade he hath laide open as a prey to the diuell and to manifolde plagues iudgemēts Q. What say you further in the last place for the reason hereof 5. Reason A. That when men doe want lawfull meanes and Sciences to maintaine their liues withall they are driuen through necessitie to euill shifts and deuises and that oftentimes to their open shame and destruction Q. Your reasons are good and duly to be regarded We haue also sundry no table exāples hereof recorded in the holie scriptures of God But who haue bin moued to doe their duties herein A. Diuers of the ancient Fathers who brought vp their children not simple in Trades and Sciences but in such as were lawfull and profitable As appeareth in the sonnes of Adam and the Patriarkes in Moses Yea euen in the children of wicked Caine. Q. What is the third generall dutie of Parents toward their children 3. Generall dutie to be performed of parents toward their children it is Correction or Chastisement A. Parents are to correct and chastise them Q. Where is that warranted and commaunded A. In many places of the holy Scripture but most plentifully and earnestly in the Prouerbs of Salomon as appeareth Prou. chap. 13.24 and chap. 19.18 and 22.15 and 23.13.14 and 29.15.17.19 Q. This is an hard thing for Parents to performe by reason of their excessiue affection and tendernes toward their children with what reasons therefore are they to ouercome themselues A. The reasons are of two sortes The First is in respect of their children The secōd is in regard of thēselues Q. What say you of the first It is good for the children themselues that their parents doe giue thē discreet and due chastisement or correction and that for 3. Causes 1. Cause A. That is many waies The first is takē frō Pro. 22.6 Foolishnes is bound vp in the heart of the child which the rod of correctiō wil driue away The meaning is that there lieth in the heart of the child such a bundell or sea of naughtines as wil bring him to vtter destruction if it be not diminished or at the leastwise restrained Now ther is no other mean to bring that to passe then correction Therefore if Parēts loue their childrē they wil not deny or keep frō them so excellent a remedie Againe without correction all teaching instruction and admonition is altogether in vaine 3. Cause why parents are to correct their childrē euen in respect of the children themselues for why children will contemne and abuse the wordes of their Parents be they neuer so excellent if correction and discipline be not added to make them effectuall as we may see daily by wofull experience There are likewise 3. Reasons to moue parents wisely to correct their childrē in respect of their owne selues euen because of 3. special cōmodities which come to them thereby Lastly correction and due chastisement will keepe saue the child from open shame reproach and manifold miseries into which he will runne and cast himselfe willingly if he be let alone and suffered to liue as he list in dissolutenes and impunitie Example hereof in the sonnes of Ely Q. What say you now in respect of parents A. They shall reape diuers commodities by performing their dutie in vsing dissipline ouer their children 1. Cōmodity For first of all when by instruction and chastisement they haue preuailed with their children they shall see daily matter of comfort and reioycing in their beholding of the good behauiour and conuersation of their sonnes and daughters and the blessing of God as a consequent thereof Againe 2. Cōmodity they shall auoid the displeasure and inudgements of God due for the neglect of their dutie and for suffring their children by means thereof to runne headlong to ruine and destruction Lastly 3. cōmodity if they cannot preuaile by this meanes with their children yet shall they haue the peace of a good conscience for doing their dutie and the approbation and testimonie of GOD and of his Church Q. You affirmed of late that Parents ought to correct their children and proued the same by diuerse good reasons and authorities out of the worde of God Nowe because that men through blindnesse of mind and corrupt affection may abuse so excellent a meane and turne it to the hurt of their children let vs enquire wherin the right practise or vse of the same doth consist To the ende Parents may correct their children in the right mannner 5. things are to be obserued The 1. thing to be obserued A. To the right maner of correction of childrē diuers things are required For first of all they are not to correct them without iust cause otherwise it were iniury iniquitie which the Lord doth abhorre Secondly they are to make their fault knowne vnto them by laying forth the greatnesse thereof out of the word of God that so they may the better be humbled for their offence 2. Thing and beare their punishment the more patiently and quietly Furthermore 3. Thing Parents are not to correct their children in wrath and reuenge but in loue and with a desire to doe them good if they looke for the blessing of God vpō the chastisement which they inflict Q. What is further required A. 4. Thing They are to correct their children in equitie and proportion and that is when their correction is neither too little nor too much but according to the qualitie and measure of the
constantly to God for his all-sufficient blessings vpon them as Abraham Dauid and the rest of the holy seruants of God haue done And that not without great cause for hereby they doe obtaine not onely a blessing vpon all the duties which they performance toward their children but also all other graces they stand in neede of both in regard of this life and of the life to come OF THE DVTIES of children toward their Parents Q. ARe children to performe duties toward their Parents Childrē are by the commandement of the Lord to performe 4. special duties to their parents A. Yea no doubt for why the Lord hath cōmaunded in the fift Commandement that children should Honour their Father and Mother vnder which word Honour are contained all duties which children are to yeeld to their Parents Q. What are those duties The first of them is loue A. They are diuers the first whereof is Loue. Q. Are children then to loue their Parents And it is a most necessary dutie A. Yea loue is so necessarie a vertue in the hearts of children that without it they will neuer yeeld other duties vnto Parents or if they do yet can they not please God for why the Lord doeth abhorre all duties be they neuer so excellent that proceede not of loue There is no doubt but that all children generally are backward to this dutie Q. What reasons therefore may perswade them thereunto A. Diuers and those effectuall 6. Reasons are alledged to moue children to loue their parents For first of all the Lord hath commaunded children to loue all men how farre remoued so euer they be in regard of any band or coniunction therefore much more their Parents 1. Reason to whom they are so neere linked in nature 2. Reason Againe God hath put his owne person vpon Parents and giuen them his owne amiable titles which originally and directly are proper to himselfe whereupon it followeth that if children haue any sparke of goodnes and pietie to God they cannot but beare a tender affection toward their Parents 3. Reason Thirdly God hath planted in them a certaine naturall affection inclination toward their Parents which if they do labour to extinguish suppresse they are worse thē bruit beasts who being moued with nothing els but a certaine instinct of nature do depend wholy vpō those that ingendred them seeme to preferre them before all other 4. Reason Besides Parents are the authors and causes of the life and beeing of their children and therefore are they vnworthy of life being that carry not a louing heart toward their Parents Furthermore Parents are the causes and as it were fountaines 5. Reason whereby al good graces and giftes are conueied vnto children bodily and spirituall concerning this life the life to come and therefore what horrible vnthankfulnes were it if childrē shuld not loue such excellent instruments 6. Reason mouing children to loue their parents It may be perceiued by 4. Reasons that the loue of Parents is great toward their childrē Lastly Parents do loue their children and therefore are children to yeeld the like vnto their Parents for loue doth deserue and ought to procure loue Q. But how is it manifested that Parents loue their children A. Diuers waies And first in that they doe so tenderly nurse and bring them vp Againe for that they do so carefully and diligently watch ouer them against all dangers Besides how patiently doe they take and put vp many troubles annoyances and vexations at the hands of their children Furthermore they do often euen with cheerfulnes defraud themselues of many necessaries which they thēselues stand in need of for their childrens sake as meate drinke apparell sleepe and such like Q. By all that you haue said I see it is great reason that children should loue their Parents and that euen of conscience But haue you any examples that any haue so done The examples of louing childrē may be a 7. Reason to moue vs to loue our parents A. Yea many of the deare children of God in times past and many also at this day as may appeare by diuers signes and effects whose worthy examples all other ought to imitate and follow Q. What if Parents be churlish and vnnaturall A. They are tenderly to loue their Parents for all that Q. What is your reason Children are to loue their Parēts thogh they be churlish to them The Reason of it A. Because that a vice or fault in the person of the Parents cannot dissolue that naturall bond wherewith children are knit vnto them much lesse abolish the dutie that God hath laid vpon children Q. What other autie do children owe to their Parents A. Reuerence or an honourable estimation of them 2. Dutie which children stand bounde to performe to their Parēts is a reuerēd and honorable estimation of them Q. Must this needes be ioyned with Loue A. Yea that it may well gouerne and temper it least it degenerate into contempt Q. What reasons haue you to proue that children are to reuerence their Parents There are 2. reasons why it should be so A. First of all Parents do after a sort carrie the image of God therefore it cannot be auoided but that if children contemne their Parents 1. Reason they contemne God himselfe 2. Reason Againe Parents are Superiors vnto their children both in yeares and tract of time as also in authoritie and gouernment for why God hath subiected children vnder the hand and direction of their Parents The inward Reuerence of children to their parents is outwardly to be expressed 2. wayes 1. In speech 2. In gesture Inward reuerence is outwardly to be expressed 2. waies 1. In presēce 2. In absence Q Are children onely to retaine reuerence to their Parents inwardly in their hearts A. No they are outwardly to vtter and practise it and that two waies in Speech and Gesture Q. How in Speech A. Two waies First in the presence of their Parents Secondly in their absence Q. What rules are to be obserued for the first A. First they are to giue to their Parents such termes 3. Rules are to be obserued of children in speaking to or in the presence of their parents 1. Rule 2. Rule titles and phrases of speech as may declare the reuerence of their affections Secondly they are not to preuent their Parents in speech without some great and weightie cause but to speake when they haue leaue and fit occasion Thirdly they are not to be excessiue in speech before their Parēts but sparing and continent as those that desire rather to heare then to speake themselues Q. What are they to doe in the absence of their Parents Children are to speake reuerently of their parents in their absence or out of their hearing Children are to behaue themselues reuērentlie also in their outward gesture toward their parents This is expressed 3. waies 1. 2. 3.
things which concerne the preseruation of the Church of God in Egipt whereof he was ignorant before Gen. 37. ch 45. Our Sauiour Christ Our Sauiour Iesus Christ although he were subiect in all things to Ioseph and Marie as to his parents as appeareth Luk. 2.51 yet did hee reforme them both in things wherein they erred v. 49. Q. What are children furthermore to yeeld 3. Fruite of childrens thankfulnes to their parents A. They are to visite their Parents in their sickenesse and procure all good meanes for their health and recouerie Q. What say you lastly in this respect A. Children are to succour relieue 4. Fruit. and helpe their Parents in their pouertie want and necessitie Q. You say well for this is a duety which both nature and equitie do require A. Yea and therefore the seruants of the Lord haue beene most readie to performe this dutie as for example ExaÌ„ples of it howe tenderlie and carefullie did Ioseph nourish and prouide for his Father Ioseph and all his Familie in the time of dearth and scarcitie Dauid was more carefull to procure the maintenance and safetie of his Parents then of himselfe although hee were then in great distresse as wee may reade 1. Sam. 22.1.3.4 Our Sauiour Christ But how full of heauenly pietie was our Sauiour Christ towarde his mother who hanging vppon the Crosse had euen in the middest of the torments and sorowes of death a care of the good estate of his mother Mary after his death Ioh. 19. Q. What generall reasons should moue children to yeeld all these duties to their Parents There are 4. Reasons to moue children to be thankfull to their parents whereof you haue spoken A. First for that PareÌ„ts haue yeelded them all or the most part therof before to their children and therefore children are to requite the like to their Parents 1. Reason Againe the verie Heathen by the light of nature 2. Reason performed the most of them What shall wee say 3. Reason that euen diuerse bruit and vnreasonable creatures The duties mutually pertaining to husbands their wiues haue answered in their kind the benefites which they haue receiued of such as ingendred them as it is recorded of the Storke such like But the greatest reason of all is the gratious blessing of God 4. Reason the chiefe of all the rest promised to all dutifull children and contrariwise his curse and vengeance thundred out against the contrarie WE ARE NOW TO speake of the duties of Husbands toward their Wiues and of Wiues toward their Husbands Q. WHat heard you the last time thereof A. That the duties are either generall and common The duties of husbands wiues are of 2. sorts 1. General of the which there are 7. 2 Particular or particular and proper Q. What call you generall duties A. Those which both parties are indifferently to performe both one to another and in diuers respects Q What is the first dutie A. Loue. 1. General dutie which the husband oweth to the wife and the wife againe to the husbaÌ„d it is loue Q. Is this a common dutie betweene man and wife A. Yea for as the husband is to loue his wife so is the wife to loue her husband Q. Where is the first commanded A. Ephe. 5.25 Q. Where the Second A. Titus 2.4 Q. Is loue necessarie betweene man and wife It is a dutie necessarie to be mutuallie performed A. Yea for it is not onely the fountaine and cause but also the director and life of all duties For where it is wanting either no duties wil be performed or vntowardly and from the teeth outward or not continually There are 4. Reasons to moue husband wife to this mutual loue 1 Reason Q. What reasons be there to moue Husband and Wife to loue one another A. First of all their coniunction in marriage Q. But there be many coniunctions in the world amongst men A. True but yet none so excellent for why the Lord God did not onely knit and ioyne man and woman together in paradise but with so nigh and streight a bond that of two they are made one flesh Mat. 19.5 wherevpon the man and the woman are called by one selfe same name to wit Adam to note the nigh and streight coniunction betweene them Hereupon the Holy Ghost doeth conclude two things First that although the child be neerly knit by flesh and nature vnto his Parents yet must he forsake them both and cleaue vnto his wife Secondly vnlesse he will hate his owne flesh he must loue his wife Q. What is your second reason A. The wife and the husband are yoke fellowes in one estate 2. Reason whether it be aduersitie or prosperitie whereby the griefe and tediousnes of the one is allaied and the ioy and comfort of the other is increased Q. What say you thirdly A. They are ioynt companions in many workes and duties which serue to the glorie of God and to the benefite of the Church in diuers respects 3. Reason as in the exercises of religion bringing vp of children and in dâ—ing good to others that haue of need reliefe and compassion This heauenly companion-ship cannot but moue them to loue one another Q. What say you in the last place A. The vertues which one doe see to be in another 4. Reason being well and duly considered will cause the husband to loue the wife and the wife the husband for vertue and the graces of God haue in them a certaine nature and vertue of alluring and drawing to themselues Q. Doe these reasons onely serue to perswade maried folkes to begin to loue one another Loue ought 〈◊〉 be constaÌ„t A. No for they are also being vnchangable and constant a sure and vnshaken foundation of loue whereas if it be built vpon Beautie Riches Wealth and such like vanishing and changeable things it cannot indure but faileth when the foundation is taken away Q. What is the second generall dutie 2. Generall and mutuall dutie is the ioynt care eache of others saluation A. Man and wife must haue a mutuall care and regard to the saluation one of another Q. How is that proued A. It is certaine that God did not ioyne man and woman together in marriage to please the eye The proofe of it or serue the lust one of another or to procure the worldly commoditie and welfare one of another for this end were partly brutish and partly heathenish but the speciall end that the Lord respected in this estate was that one might further another in the true knowledge feare of God that so they might ioyntly attaine vnto eternall happines For it were a miserable and wofull case that of two lying in one bed the one should be chosen and the other refused the one should inherite the kingdome of God the other should lie in the eternall torment of hell fire To auoide which
auncient men to performe The duties of the Elder are 4. A. They are to instruct informe yong men in the knowledge of God and of his most holy will Againe they are to exhort and incourage them to all good and vertuous duties to God and man Besides this they are to disswade them from euill and to censure them when they swarue from a right course And in conclusion they are to expresse all good vertues which they haue learned either by the word of God or their owne experience in their liues and conuersation Q. What will follow of all this The fruit following both vertues and duties of the Elder sort A. Great fruit and benefit to the yonger sort and their graie haires shal be a crowne of glorie to themselues OF THE DVTIES Of the yonger sort vnto their Elders The duties of the yonger to the Elder are of 2. sortes Q. LEt vs proceede vnto the duties of the younger sort vnto their Elders A. Those duties doe consist first of all in the inward affection The duties of the yonger to the Elder Secondly in outward behauiour Q. What meane you by the first A. That yong men and women 1. Sorte 1. Loue. 2. Reuerēce Of this there are 3. Reasons should in their hearts and affections loue honour and reuerence their elders And there is great reason thereof For first of all they doe represent part of the image of God 1. to wit continuance of daies and eternitie Againe 2. by reason of long life they are furnished with wisedome knowledge vertue graces farre aboue the yonger sort who cannot attaine therunto for want of long continuance in this life 3. Reason why the yonger shuld reuerēce their Elders Lastly God hath appointed them to be as Fathers Mothers in care in loue and in tendernes toward the yonger sort which cannot well prouide for themselues 2. Sort of the duties of the yonger to the Elder They are 3.1 Q. What outward duties doe you require A. Diuers First of all they are to heare with attention and reuerence the counsell and instruction which vpon occasion they shall deliuer to them therefore they are not boldly to speake in their presence 2. much lesse to vsurpe the first place of speech 3. A worthie example thereof we haue in Elihu Iob. 32.11.12 Secondly they are not to contemne or deride the persons of the aged least that the hoate vengeance of God fall vpon them as it did vpon the euill brought vp children of Bethel that mocked the Prophet Elisha in regard of one effect or propertie of olde age namely baldnesse 2. King 2.23.24 Thirdly insteed hereof they are to yeeld vnto their auncients all outward signes tokens of n = * An example whereof we may see euē amongst the Heathen for whē the Lacedemoniās being presēt at a solemne shewe vpon the Theatre at Athens an olde man being neere to them they all stoode vp in token of reuerēce and one of their cōpany yeelding his seate to him himselfe stāding by him Whereby they did correct the vnreuerent behauiour of the Athenians towards the Aged one of them saying that the Athenians may knowe what is fit to be done but that they will not doe it Cicer. in Lib. de Senect reuerence and honour as vncouering their heades bending their knee and such like according to the manner of the countrie where they liue according as the Lord hath commanded Leuit 19.32 Thou shalt rise vp before the horehead and honour the person of the old man and dread thy God I am the Lord. Q. What if so be the yonger sort are driuen to admonish or rebuke the Elder sort A. They are to performe that dutie in a most louing and reuerent manner as appeareth 1. Tim. 5.1 Rebuke not an Elder but exhort him as a Father and the yonger men as brethren The Elder women as Mothers the yonger as sisters with all purenes Lastly as old persons haue bin comforters supporters of the yonger sort in the weaknes and infirmitie of their infancie and childhood so are they to helpe and relieue the weake and decrepit old age of their auncients Q. What say you of that time when as youth for the most part doe contemne and make light account of old age A. I say first of all that is a signe of a notable confusion which commonly springeth out of euill and vngodly education Secondly that it doth foretell some notable Iudgement of God to come vpon that land where this euill is practised FINIS