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.
Waie Examples hereof Ioseph A. They are to speake reuerently of them but aboue all things to take heed that they doe not hinder or impaire the good name estimation or authoritie of their Parents by vttering and blazing abroad their faults and infirmities For which two wicked caytifes are condemned in the word of God namely Cham. Gen. 9.22 and Absalom 2. Sam. 15.4 5.6 Q. How must children behaue themselues toward their Parents in gesture A. First they are to rise vp to them Secondly they must bow their bodies vncouer their heads bend their knees and such like Thirdly they must yeelde the chiefe place vnto their Parents Two notable examples hereof we haue in the word of God to wit Ioseph as appeareth Gen. 48.12 Salomon 1. Kin. 2. chap. 19. ver Q. But what shall we say Salomon if children bee so farre off from performance of these duties that contrariwise they will not sticke to curse and reuile their Parents with their mouthes strike them with their hands laugh them to scorne to their faces and shamefully abuse them otherwise They are verie wicked childreÌ„ who are contemptuous against their parents A. The diuell hath strongly possessed such and because they deface the image of God in their Parents shew themselues vnthankfull for so great benefites and fight against the principles of nature ingrauen in their hearts they are cursed Monsters who should not be suffred to liue breath vnder heauen according as the Lord God hath commaunded that they should bee put to death by the sword of his owne lieutenant the Magistrate Q What say you generally of such children as coÌ„temne and despise their pareÌ„ts They are in a most woefull and miserable estate A. Their case is fearefull for why although they escape the hand of man yet will the Lord either pursue them from heauen with some notable iudgement or else requite them with the like in their graceles posterity 3. Generall dutie to be performed of childreÌ„ to their parents is Obedience Q. What is the third dutie A. Obedience and Subiection Q. How proue you that children are to obey their Parents A. By the word of God and namely Ephes 6.1 Col. 4.20 Q. What reason is there that children should practise these Commandements There are 4. Reasons to moue them herevnto A. Great reason for why The Lord hath giuen parents authoritie to coÌ„mand and therefore it is the dutie of children to obey otherwise their authoritie were giuen in vaine Secondly the holy Ghost doth vse two reasons to perswade children to this obedience out of the places before alledged The first is that it is iust therfore vnlesse children will coÌ„mit iniustice and iniquitie they must obey their Parents Again Obedience is said to be well pleasing to the Lord and therefore if children will delight and please the Lord they must perform this dutie Lastly the examples of diuers holy seruants of God may serue for a reason who haue not refused to obey their parents in diuers things against which they might haue takeÌ„ exceptioÌ„s either in regard of the absurdity or difficulties therof in som respects Q. Doth the stubbornnesse and obedience of children displease the Lord This also may be an other special reason from the contrarie disobedieÌ„ce A. Yea so greatly that he hath awarded no lesse punishment then death against the stubborne and disobedient child Q. What if the hand of the Magistrate ceaseth A. Yet will the Lord be reuenged as we may see in the sonnes of Eli. Q. In what manner are children to obey and practise the commandements of their Parents The right manner of childrens obedience to their parents consisteth in 2. things 1. In willing nes 2. In truth H. First of all willingly and from their hearts Secondly in deed and truth not in outward countenance and promise Q. You haue said and proued well that children are to obey the commandements of their Parents But are they to perform that duty absolutely without exceptioÌ„ A. No for the obedience of Children hath a limitation Childrens obedience as wel as pareÌ„ts authoritie is limited by God as appeareth Ephes 6.1 So that if Parents doe commaund or enioyne their children any thing contrarie to the worde of God expressed in the holy Scripture they are not to obey them And there is good reason There are 3. reasons of it for although the authoritie of Parents be great yet the authoritie of God is greater And though they owe much to their Parents and are bound to hear them yet owe they more vnto God their Creator and Sauiour and are much more bound to heare him then either men or Angels Lastly although they are to loue their Parents yet are they to preferre the Lord GOD before their Parents in loue and affection according to that which our Sauiour Christ saith Mat. 10. He that loueth Father or Mother more then me is not worthie of me Q Hath any godly childe mooued with these reasons denied obedience to parents when they haue commaunded things vnlawfull And heereof is Ionathan a notable example A. Yea for good Ionathan would not execute the will and pleasure of his wicked Father Saul against innocent Dauid as appeareth 1. Sam. 19.1 c. Q. But now what say you in the conclusion of this point A. I say that euen if wicked Parents commaund any thing not contrarie to the word of God although it bee not onely difficult 4. General dutie which God coÌ„mandeth childreÌ„ to yeelde to their parents is Thankefulnes This general thankâ—â—lnes doth vttâ—r it selfe in 4. â—â—â—cial â—â—â—â—â—s or duties of it 1. Fruit. but also ioyned with some blemish or absurditie yet is the childe bounde without contradiction or resistance to obey them Q. What is the fourth dutie that children are to yeeld to their Parents A. Thankefulnesse Q. In what fruits or duties is this thankfulnesse to shew it selfe A. In diuerse And first of all children are to coÌ„fort cheere and solace the hearts of their parents when they are wouÌ„ded and cast downe with any great sorrow heauinesse or anguish Q. This is indeed a dutie verie natural and requisite But who hath performed it at any time A. The sonnes and daughters of Iacob toward their father ExaÌ„ples of it as wee may read Gen. 37. â—5 Q. What is the second fruit or dutie 2. Fruit. A. When children doe knowe their Parents to bee so ignorant as that they vnderstand not how to bee saued nor to serue God according to his will they are to teach informe them so farre as they may and necessitie doth require Q. What examples haue you hereof A. Faithfull Abraham who reported to his father Terah ExaÌ„ples of it Abraham what hee had learned not onely concerning the will of God for his departure out of his Country c but also touching the euerlasting saluation and happinesse of them both So Ioseph instructed his father Iacob Ioseph in those
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
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
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
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
miserie the Holy Ghost in diuers places doeth exhort married folkes to win and drawe one another vnto saluation 1. Cor. 7.16 1. Pet. 3.1 Q. What is the third generall dutie of man and wife 3. General and mutual duty betwixt man wife is the iointe care each of others coÌ„iugal chastitie A. They must be meanes or helpes to keepe and preserue the bodies and mindes one of another from the filthines of whoredome and vncleannes Q. Where is this dutie warranted The proofe of it A. In the foure first verses of the vii chap. of the 1. Epist to the Corinthians where it is by the Apostle Paul verie largely handled and inforced Q. What if married folkes will not yeeld vnto this Commaundement It is very daÌ„gerous to neglect this dutie on either part 4. General mutual duty is a iointe assistance in their household gouernment A. They ouerthrowe an especiall end of marriage and are the cause of many grieuous and fearefull mischiefes as Adulterie Murther excessiue Iealousie and such like Q. What is the fourth generall dutie A. They must ioyne together and assist one another in houshold gouernment for the gouernment and beweelding of a family is a principal matter and subiect whereabout the care and indeuour of man and wife is to be occupied and that in diuers respects This dutie is mutuallie to be performed in 3. Respects First to ouersee the behauiour of their seruants and children that nothing be done to the dishonour of God and contrarie to dutie Secondly to prouide all such things as may serue for their honest and sufficient maintenance Lastly to preserue and increase such goods and riches as God of his mercie shall put into their hands The proofe of it It is dangerous for either part to neglect this dutie 5. Gâ—neral mutual dutie is a ioint assistaÌ„ce for the natural welfare of their estate and persons Q. Wher is this required approued A. For the husband Pro. 10.2.3.4.5 and 26. Chap. 13 14.15 verses for the wife Prou. 14.1 and 37. almost the whole Chapter Q. What if either of the parties neglect their dutie A. All will to hauocke and pouertie commeth like an armed man Q. What is the fift generall dutie A. The husband wife must assist and comfort one another not onely in sicknesse but in all miseries sorrowes and calamities Q. What is the reason The reason of it A. It is a speciall end of marriage that the husband and wife should be mutuall helpes and comforts one to another and where can this appeare so well as in aduersitie according to that of the holy Ghost A friend is borne for aduersitie Wherefore the holy seruants of God liuing in marriage haue in all estates stucke one to another and cheerefully performed al duties of helpe and comfort Whereas Iobs wife is greatly condemned by the holy Ghost as a wicked woman who for that when her husband was in miserie she did not onely increase the anguish of his soule Iob. 2.9 19.7 but also left and for sooke him Q. What furthermore are married folkes to performe ioyntly together 6. Generall and mutuall dutie is a iointe care of peace and A. They are to maintaine peace and agreement amongst themselues and to remoue all disagreement and dissention Q. What reasons moue you thus to say A. Verie good reasons of weight and importance For first of all where discord and dissention doeth beare sway 3. Weightie Reasons moue heerevnto there the Lord God of peace is not present but rather Sathan the Diuell the father of all discord and mischiefe 1. Reason hath there his seate and abode Secondly 2. Reason where the man and wife are rent asunder there prayer and other exercises of Religion can haue no place at the least-wise no successe and blessing 1. Pet. 3.7 Thirdly 3. Reason where discord and dissention betweene married folkes do take place there nothing doth prosper for the Lord withdrawing his blessing all things goe backward yea waste and consume away as snowe or waxe against the heate of the Sunne therefore there is great reason that the husband shoulde liue in peace and vnitie with his wife and the wife with her husband Q. What is the last generall dutie A. Husbands and wiues are to pray one for another 7. Which is the last general and mutual dutie is most earnest and continual praier one for and with another There are 5. special duties to be performed of the husband to the wife 1. Special dutie of the husband toward the wife is the louing applying of all his gifts graces to the coÌ„fort benefit of his wife Such as are these 4. gifts following Q. You say well for this is warranted by examples in the holy Scripture But what are they to aske A. Not onely for the graces of Gods spirit and the increase thereof one vpon another but that their maried estate may be blessed and comforble vnto them both Q. Wee haue alreadie spoken of the generall or common duties betweene man and wife Now let vs come to the speciall and proper duties of the one toward the other And first of all what duties is the husband to performe to his wife A. They are diuerse and in the first place it is to be considered that as the husband is the wiues head so hath GOD endued him with excellent giftes and graces which hee is in tender loue to bestowe for the comfort and benefite of the wife Q. And what first The duties of the husband to his wife A. Hee is to imploy that courage and authoritie which hee hath in greater measure then the woman 1. Courage vppon her safetie and defence against all euils and daungers of soule and bodie against all outward violence that might hurt her person or impaire her life Of soule against al wicked persons who might allure and drawe her to commit any sinne to the dishonour of GOD and her owne destruction This was well knowne vnto the verie Heathen as appeareth in Abimelech speaking to Sarah Genes 20.16 in these wordes Beholde hee meaning Abraham is the vaile of thine eyes to all that are with thee and to all others So when the man is ioyned to the woman in marriage hee is saide to spread the wing of his garment ouer her Ruth 3.9 By which phrase it is meant that the Husband must bee to the Wife as it were a tower or wall of defence agaynst all euill Q. What secondly is required A. As the Husband is indued with greater strength and euerie way more fit for labour and all meanes to get and obtaine riches wealth 2. Strength so is hee to bestowe that his gift in all lawfull labours and trades not onely for the maintenaunce but for the vse and imployment of the care and faithfulnesse of his wife Q. But hath he no further to doe A. Yes 3. Wisdome as GOD hath bestowed vppon
and decay whereof will arise many troubles and mischiefes WE HAVE HItherto spoken of diuers Persons contained in the fist Commandement and now let vs speake of the duties of Maisters and seruants Three reasons doe shew that Maisters of families owe dutie toward their Seruants Q. DO Masters owe duties to their seruants how may that be proued A. By the order that God hath appointed betweene Maisters and seruants for why The Maister is set in a Superior degree ouer the seruant 1. reason and therefore as in a naturall bodie the principall members haue a speciall care ouer the base and inferiour so ought the maister ouer the seruant Besides The 2. reason seruants are helpfull and beneficiall vnto their Maisters for why they serue not onely for their comfort and defence but also for their honor game and commoditie and therefore in all equitie they are bound in some sort to requite their seruants The 3. reason Lastly the duties of Maisters are as clearely and fully described and set downe in the word of God as appeareth in the old new Testamēt and namely Prou. Exod. 21. Deut. 15. Ephes 6. Col. 4. as the duties of seruants all which were to no purpose if Christian housholders ought nothing vnto their seruants Q. what are the duties that they do owe A. Diuers And First of al housholders are to care and bring vp their seruants in the true knowledge of God and his sincere religion that so they may not only worship the Lord aright The 1. dutie of the Maister is to bring vp his seruants in the true knowledge and religion of God There are 4. reasons mouing hereunto but also attaine vnto eternall happines in heauen which is the chiefe end of the life of man and of all the graces of God bestowed vpon him Q. What reasons haue you to proue that this ought to be performed by Housholders to their seruants A. First if euerie Christian ought to haue a care of the saluation one of another 1. and to that end to imploy all good meanes that they can both by themselues and by others then are Maisters more to doe the same to their seruants because ther is a more straight bond betweene the Maister and the seruant then betweene Christians one toward another for why in the Fift Comandement as Housholders are contained vnder the name of Parents so vnder the title of children are seruants comprehended Againe there is no doubt 2. but that when the Lord commanded his people that they should whet his word and law continually vpon their children as appeareh 2 Deut. 6. 11. vnder the name of children he also containeth seruants Furthermore 3 Abraham was not ignorant of his dutie in this respect for why the Holy Ghost doth commend him Gen. 18. for that he both did and would teach and instruct his houshold in the knowledge and obedience of the will of God Lastly 4. Reason al that faithful seruants of God continually followed his example as may appeare that many in the Scripture are not only cōmended for that they themselues did knowe serue and feare the Lord but for that their houshold by their meanes did the same were in the like happie estate Examples of Maisters carefull to traine vp their seruants in the true feare and religion of God Q. Where doeth this appeare A. Acts. 10. in Cornelius Rom. 16. in the houshold of Aquila Priscilla the like we read of the Iaylor his family Act 16. of diuers others amongst which Ioshua saith confidently I and mine houshold will serue the Lord. Q. You haue said very well but what if all these reasons will not preuaile with Maisters and Housholders A. Then let their owne gaine and commoditie moue them This may be a 5. reason to the former purpose The religious seruant is the most profitable seruant It is proued to be so by 3. reasons Q. What meane you by this A. Doubtlesse they can neuer haue good faithfull seruants seruing for their commoditie without religion and the true feare of God Q. How can you make that manifest A. First a religious seruant that feareth God doth tremble is afraid to do any thing that may hurt or indamage his Maister 1. yea to do so much as offend him Againe 2. he wil be as diligēt to procure the comfort cōmoditie of his Maister as his owne therefore is as faithfull in the absēce of his Maister as whē he is presēt example whereof we haue in the seruāt of Abrahā Gen. 24 Lastly 3. Reason the Lord wil blesse the house where such a seruant is and will prosper and giue successe to all that he taketh in hand Q. You speake the truth for this appeareth in Ioseph Iacob Dauid and such like But what is the Maister to doe to bring his seruant to that passe and estate you speake of It is the dutie of Masters toward their seruants to vse all means that they may to bring them to the true knowledge and feare of God 1. meanes A. Although he is not to vsurpe and take vpon him the functions and duties proper to the publicke Minister of the word of God for that were to bring woe and confusion vpon himselfe yet may he lawfully and with the blessing of God performe diuers duties and yet keepe within his owne limits and compasse Q. What are they A. He is to exhort and inforce his seruants to resorte to the publicke Ministerie of the word Secondly 2 he is to read himselfe or cause to be read in his house continually the holy Scriptures Thirdly 3 he may impart to his seruants the things which he hath learned either by reading or hearing Fourthly 4 he must examine and make triall how they profit by the publicke exercises of religion Furthermore 5 he is daily to pray with and for his seruants that God may giue them knowledge and faith in his holy word Lastly by his holy and Christian example and conuersation he is to bring them to a loue and delight in the knowledge and practise of true religion Q. But what if seruants will not profit but cōtemne the word of God all good admonitions continuing stil vnfaithfull to their Maisters and rebellious against God 2. dutie of Maisters toward their Seruants is correction if they deserue it what is the Maister then to do as a further dutie A. He is to vse correction and discipline Q. But may a Maister correct his seruant A. Yea no doubt for it is a thing warranted both by the word of God and light of nature as also by the consent of all nations To the vsing of the correction of seruants arigh◠foure rules are to be obserued 1. Rule Q That he may performe that dutie in the right manner what rules are to be obserued therein A. He is to put a differēce amongst his seruants in regard of
the Scripture long life is accounted a blessing so shorte life a curse Q. Doeth God bestowe this blessing vpon all good and obedient children simply and without exception God doth sometimes make short life a great blessing to obedient children A. No he bestoweth it no further then may make for their good for when he seeth that it may hurt them he taketh away some of them in their yong yeares that is when he knoweth that by their frailtie and weaknes they may be carried away with the generall corruption of the time wherein they liue or else will shewe his tender loue toward them in taking them vp vnto himselfe before euill daies do come Examples hereof we haue in the sonne of Ieroboham 1. Kings 14. In Iosiah Enoch and such like Q. Is God then true in his word and Promise A. Yea no doubt because God giueth more then he promiseth to wit not only an happie life for a miserable life and eternall life for a short and vncertaine life but also taketh away his children betimes that they may the longer enioy his presence Q But euill and disobedient children do enioy long life as well as the obedient Whensoeuer God giueth long life to wicked children they so continuing without repentance it is a wofull curse and no blessing A. Seldome and although they doe yet is their long life so replenished with miseries plagues and the iudgements of God that it seemeth rather to be a death drawne out at length then long life here promised Q. What doe you conclude from all this Two sorts of Superiours A. Two things First of all that vndoubtedly all those that performe the duties of this Commandement shall haue a long and a blessed life as is proued and confirmed both by the word of God and continued experience of all ages Secondly that euill and disobedient children shall either liue a short life or in great miserie here after in the extreame torments of hel-fire with the rebellious diuels and the damned reprobates Q. Thus hauing obened the meaning of the Commaundement and as it were laide the ground let vs now come to the things that arise out of the same What are they A. They are all particular duties of Superiours to their inferiours and of inferiours to their Superiours Q. How many sorts are there of Superiours A. Two sorts namely publique and priuate Q. What meane you by publique Superiours A. Such as haue a more large and greater care and charge committed to them by the Lord. Publike Superiours Q. What by priuate Superiours A. Such whose care and charge is cōtained within narower straighter bounds Priuate Superiours There are also two sortes of Publike Superious Q. What say you of the first sort A. Some of them haue respect and are especially occupied about the outward ciuill 1. Ciuil Magistrates ciuill and politicall estate of the Church and these are Kinges Princes and Magistrates Others doe especially watch and haue regard to the spirituall estate of men not so much procuring worldly peace and commoditie as the eternall saluation and happines of them who are committed to their charge and these are Ministers and Preachers of the word 2. Ministers of the word Q. But because that Magistrates are in the highest degree of preheminence next vnto God aboue all other persons order requireth that we first speake of them and of the things perteining vnto them And are not all men to giue diligent care to the Doctrine concerning the Magistracie It is a doctrine to bee diligently hearkned vnto A. Yes no doubt and first of all The doctrine of Superioritie is to be diligently hearkened vnto of all inferiors for three causes Magistrates themselues that they may thereby learne what duties they are to performe themselues and to looke for at the hands of others But besides these inferiours haue speciall cause to be acquainted with this kind of doctrine The first cause First of all to stirre vp their hearts to be thankfull to God for that hee hath so mercifully and graciously euery way prouided for their safetie and comfort by means of the sacred ordinance of Magistracie The second cause Secondly that they may learne what iust and great cause they haue daily and continually to pray vnto God for the good and prosperous estate of Magistrates as it is commanded 1. Tim. 2. The third cause Thirdly to allure and perswade them to yeeld themselues in obedience and to performe all willing duties to their soueraigne Gouernours and Superiours God is the author of al Magistracy Q. Let vs then proceed to the Treatise it selfe which is to go forward in this order It is proued two wayes that God is the author of Magistracy A. First of all we will inquire who is the authour and principall cause of magistracie Secondly what speciall qualities and graces 1. By the law of Nature and gifts are required in Magistrates themselues and in such persons as do belong to them 2. By the word of God Thirdly what duties they are to perfor me Q. Who is the vndoubted Authour and efficient cause of Magistracie A. No other but God himselfe as may appeare It may three wayes as it were by an increase of certain steps and degrees appeare that magistracie is acknowledged to be of God euē by the lawe and light of Nature First of all by the law of Nature but more effectually and euidently by the word of God Q. Make the first argument more cleare and manifest A. There is no doubt but that God hath planted naturally in the heart of man a certaine sense and knowledge of Magistracie the commondities thereof as may appeare First of all in that there was neuer people or Nation so barbarous and sauage The 1. way or meane and steppe neuer assembly of men so void of the light and knowledge of God which hath not onely desired but also set ouer them some Prince or Superior to the end that they might not onely bee gouerned and directed by him as their head but yeeld dutie and homage to him A matter cleare by the experience of all times The 2. way or meane and steppe Againe the wise and best learned amongst the heathen haue expresly affirmed in their writings that kings Princes and Magistrates do proceed from God The 3. way or meane and steppe Lastly they do greatly commend magistracie and doe bewaile and condemne the state of them that are without that benefit and in conclusion some of them haue set downe rules and orders for ciuill gouernment The same is most surely and plentifully proued by holy Scriptures Q. What testimonies besides haue you out of the Scripture to proue this point A. Verie manie both in the old and new Testament Q. What remember you out of the old Testament 1. Of the old Testament Vertues required to be in a magistrate A. Pro.
say you of the second namely Reuerence in speech A. It consisteth in two things First in giuing to the Magistrate such honorable magnificeÌ„t titles or nams as do agree vnto his present estate Secondly to speake to him in such a phrase or forme of speech as beseemeth his presence and hearing Q. What say you of reuerence in silence The 3. in Silence this also in two things A. A man in the companie of the Magistrate is not to preuent him in speech but to tarrie till he hath spoken and offered occasion Againe standing before the iudgmeÌ„t seat as guiltie he is not to speake without permission Acts. 26.1 Q. What duty is the subiect to performe when he is absent from the Magistrate Foure duties are to be performed toward the magistrate in his absence The 1. A. He is neither to thinke speake nor doe any thing to the dishonor disgrace or reproach of the Magistrate but rather the quite contrarie Hitherto pertaineth that which is written Eccles 10.20 Q. What other duetie A. Willingly obedience to all his decrees commaundements The 2. without respect ease or commoditie So do the children of Israel offer themselues to Ioshua Ioshua 1. Q. Is a man bound to this simplie and without exception A. In no wise but so farre as his commaundementes are consonant and agreeable with the word of God Q. What further dutie is required of the subiect The 3. dutie in the abfecce of the magistrate A. Not onely to couer and wisely to interpret the infirmities of the Magistrate but also patieÌ„tly to beare and vndergoe all such punishments and chastisementes as shal be inflicted vpon him by his authoritie and commaundement Q. This is a verie hard case how shall he in this sort beare that which is so shamefull and grieuous to flesh and blood A. Verie well if he consider his own deserts and the manifold benefites which he is to reape thereby Q. What are they A. First of all the euill doer shal be stayed and restrained from running further into sinne and be moued to repentance Againe by his punishment the wrath and iudgements of God shal be remoued And lastly others shall be admonished and forewarned not to fall into the like offence Q. But what if a man do suffer punishment vniustly and without desert A. He is in no wise to resist authoritie nor to vse euill meanes to relieue his cause but for redresse hee is either to appeale to a higher Magistrate heere vpon earth according to the example of the Apostle Paul Act. 25.13 Or if that remedy faile he must commit his cause to the highest Iudge the Lord of heauen and earth as the holy Ghost doth counsaile 1. Pet. 3. Which the best of the seruants of God haue practised from time to time The 4. dutie to be performed toward the Magistrate thogh hee be absent from him is Thankefulnes Q. What is the last dutie A Thankfulnesse Q. Is that due A. Yea no doubt in regard of the manifolde benefites which the subiect receiueth from the Magistrate For where benefites are receiued there thankefulnesse is due and the greater the benefites are the more thankefulnesse is required And therefore the subiect is not to bee thankfull in a generall manner but to manifest his thankfulnesse by particular duties as fruites of the same Thankfulnes is to be declared by fiue fruits or effectes thereof 1. Fruite of thankfulnes Q. What is the first fruit A. That the subiect bee tender and charie ouer the life and person of his Soueraigne and therefore hee is not onely to preuent all perils and daungers but also to perswade to all such meanes as whereby the life and good estate of his sacred Maiestie may be preserued and continued Q. There is good reason hereof seeing that the liues and safetie of so many doe depend vpon his life and safetie but by whom hath this beene practised A. By the subiects of Dauid as appeareth 2. Sam. 21.17 1. Kin. 1.2.3 2. Fruite of thankfulnes Q. What is the second fruit or dutie A. The subiect is to venter hazard himselfe and al that he hath for the benefite comfort and reliefe of the Magistrate as may bee seene in the Nobles and worthie seruants of Dauid 2. Sam. 23. And there is good reason seeing the Magistrate doth venter himselfe and all that he hath for the good of his subiects Q. What furthermore The 3. fruite of thankfulnes A. The subiect is to bring offer to the Magistrate gifts and presents not onely as tokens of loue affection towardes him but also in acknowledgement of the great benefits they receiue by his means and so consequently to incourage him to goe on in the cheerfull performance of his duty This is practised by the people of God as is euideÌ„t in many places Q. What besides all this is to bee performed The 4. fruite of thankfulnes A. The subiect is to play willingly yeeld all such taxes customes subsidies other such paiments as are leuied coÌ„manded and imposed for the maintenaunce of the Magistrate and common benefite of the land Rom. 13. Q. What lastly and principally A. Lastly hee is to make prayers and intercessions for the Magistrate as is commaunded by the holie Ghost The 5. fruit of thankfulnes to the Magistrate Three great and weighty reasons why the subiect is to pray for the magistrate Reason 1. Reason 2. Reason 3. 1. Tim. 2. Q. What reasons are there why a man should obey this Commandement A. Verie great for why First of all the Magistrate by reason of the spite and malice of the diuel and his lims as also in regard of other occasions is continually in greater hazard then priuate persons Againe greater gifts are required in Magistrates then in others Lastly whatsoeuer they take in hand the successe thereof dependeth vpoÌ„ the blessing of God which must bee obtained by prayer Therefore wee are not onely to pray for Princes and Magistrates but in greater measure and more feruently then other common persons and that not onely for Christian Magistrates but for Heathens and Pagans and such as are aliens from the true religion of God Q. What will be the fruit of practising all these duties A. Comfort to our owne coÌ„sciences and many other blessings of God in this life There is much comfort and manifold fruite arising to the good subiect from his obedience to the magistrate There is much and great euill growing to the euil Subiect from his disobedieÌ„ce In treating of the Minister of the word we are to consider 1. His qualities 2. His duties Many excellent qualâ—ties ought to bee in a Minister of the Word for diuerse endes purposes as they followe expressed Q. What will the omitting hereof or practising the cleane contrarie bring A. Many grieuous plagues in this life and the eternall wrath and vengeance of God in the life to come Q. Hauing spoken before of
first of all preaching of the word The Publike duties of the minister are foure with application thereof by admonition and exhortation 1. Tim. 4. the 2. Epist 4 Secondly 1. Preaching the publicke administration of the Sacramentes 2. Administr of the Sacra n = 3 3. He must pray in the publike assembly 3. Prayer for this is a special dutie pertaining to his calling Gen. 20. Act. 6. and practised in all times by wise and faithfull Ministers 4. Execution of the church centures Fourthly he must execute the sentence of suspention and excommunication in the preseÌ„ce of the whole Church gathered together against such as are lawfully conuicted in the consistorie Theâ—r priuaâ—e dutie of the Minister is that he be resident and liue among his people Where vnto beloÌ„g manie other to the number of 10. as they are hereafter set downe Q. We are now come to priuate duites what is the first and â—s it were the way and enterance vnto the rest A. He must liue and continually lie as it were in his watch tower among his people Q. What reasons are to perswade him thereunto A. Not onely the weaknes corruption and deceitfulnes of mâ—â—s heart whereby he is readie vpon euerie occasion to forsake and departe from the truth but also the inumerable and the same most malitious enemies both spirituall and corporall which continually lie in waite for to ouerthrowe the Church of Christ euery member thereof And besides this no Minister can fulfill his office if he be absent from his charge neither ought he to be absent except necessitie or some great and weightie cause doe inforce the same Q. But is he to content himselfe with his residences A. No he is to performe diuers duties and not to abuse his watch tower to sleeping and idlenes Q What are those duties A. Diuers and manifold whereof we will rehearse some principall The 1. priuate dutie First he is to instruct and catechise them of his people whose ignorances are manifest to him and who cannot sufficiently profite by publike teaching Act. 20. Secondly 2. he is to prepare and fit them for the holy Sacramentes by trying their knowledge and admonishing them of any fault which may disable them Ezech 22. Thirdly 3. he is to knowe and haue good experience of the state and disposition of his people that so hee may preach and apply his doctrine the more fitly to their vse Fourthly 4. he is to defend and preserue them against all Heretickes and corrupt men who as rauening wolues would prey vpon deuour his flocke And this he is to doe by the euidence and power of the word of God Fiftly 5. he is to comfort the feeble minded and to rebuke the vnruly person the euil doer 1. Thes 5.14 Sixtly 6. he is to prouoke and stirre vp them that are cold and sloathfull in duties as also contrariwise to restraine and call backe them that run on too fast in a rash zeale without knowledge Seuenthly 7. hee is to ende dissentions variances and discords and labour to maintaine peace amongst his people Mat. 5. Cen. 14. Besides 8. he must visite the sicke both to instruct and prepare them by heauenly doctrines and exhortations for death and if they liue to profite by their visitations as also pray for theÌ„ publikely priuately Isa 38.1 King 1. Iames 5. Q. What furthermore A. 9. He must in the time of persecution not forsake his flocke but sticke to them to incourage and comfort them and if neede be to seale vp the truth of his doctrine with the losse of his owne life bloud Q. What lastly 10. Priuate dutie of the Minister A. Hee must by a holy godly example commend his doctrine and whole ministerie vnto the people Q. Is it to any purpose that the people should know these duties of the Minister These duties belonging to Ministers are to bee knowne of the people whereof there are 3. Reasons A. Yea doubtlesse to great purpose For first of all they are a part of the counsell of God and therefore all people ought to knowe and learne them and that to speciall vse for first they shal therby discerne a good and faithfull Minister from one that is wicked and vnfaithfull Secondly 1. Reason they shal learne how to make choise for themselues 2. Reason when occasion requireth The duties of people to their ministers Lastly they shall see great cause not onely to pray feruently for the Ministers of the word 3. Reason but to be thankfull to God for so heauenly and gratious an ordinance Q. In our last Treatise we spake of the dueties belonging to the Minister or preacher of the word may we not now likewise speake of the dueties of the people or flocke towardes their Minister The duties of the ministers to the people doe binde the people to be dutifull vnto them A. Yes and that not without good reason for why one doeth follow of an other and is the cause of an other in equitie and relation for as the Minister is to performe duties to the people so the people owe dutie to their Minister or Pastor The duties of the people to their ministers are of two series 1. Inward 2. Outward Q. Of how many sortes are these duties A. Of two sorts Inward outward Q. What are the inward duties or vertues A. They are such as are hidden and doe rest in the heart or soule as the proper subiect Q. Why doe you begin first with that part A. Because if that being the founâ—aine of all actions be not first well framed and disposed either men wil performe no actions at all The inward duties are the principall grounds of the outward or if they doe it will be in hypocrisie that is without a right and sincere affecâ—ion Q. How many duties doe you consider in the soule A. Two The first wherof is Loue The inward duties are 2.1 Loue. the people must loue their Minister or Pastor Q Where is that commanded A. In the first epist to the Thes 5.13 Q. How must they loue him A. Not coldly nor feebly but most feruently and aboundantly This Loue must be an earnest loue as the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there vsed doth signifie Q. What should moue men herevnto A. The worke of the Ministerie committed vnto them by the Lord. Q. The fruites and benefits of that worke are not expressed in that place to perswade them to loue A. True they are left there in generall but particularly specified in other places of the Scripture Q. As how A. First they are called Spirituall Fathers There are 4. great reasons to moue people to loue their ministers 1. Reason because they begette and change men anewe by the effectuall preaching of the Gospell to bee the sonnes of God and heires of the kingdome of heauen as appeareth 1.
And first of all by giuing to them their iust Titles Q. What Titles A. Such as serue not onely to expresse and set forth the excellencie of their calling but also the nature of the duties which they are to performe Q. What examples haue you hereof A. Very many in the word of God for there we may see that Obadiah and the Shunamite calleth the Prophets Elah and Elisah by the name of Lordes The Prophets are euery where called Seers and men of God The Ministers of the word are both in the Old and new Testament not onely called Pastors and Feeders but Maisters Ambassadors and such like Q. What is to be auoided herein Yet heerein also as well excesse as defect is carefully to be auoyded The 2. dutie concerning reuerence in speech is that the people giue a true testimony of the graces of their ministers A. Both Defect and Eccesse as was said before in the gesture or outward behauiour of the bodie Q. What is the second respect you spake of of how many things doth that consist A. Of two things for first of al they are not to raile nor speake contemptuously and slanderously of the person or office of the Minister in his absence Secondly they are to speake reuerently of him and in all truth and faithfulnes to defend his cause The first whereof is a grieuous fault condemned in the word of God euen in regard of priuate men This is the verie propertie of hypocrites and malitious enemies against the truth The contrarie is a note of hypocrits malitious wicked men Ahab Priests Scribes Pharises Good men speake well of their good ministers Ichoshaphat Nicodemus 3. Dutie in respect of reuerence concerning speeche that they do charitablie rather lessen then ouer-hardly to censure their infirmities as appeareth in Ahab toward Michaiah and in the high Priestes Scribes and Pharises with their adherents against Iohn Bahtist Christ Iesus and his Apostles The other is a dutie practised by them that had felt sweetnes and profited by the Ministerie of the word as by Ichosaphat Nicodemus and diuers others specified in the Euangelists Q. What say you to the third A. The people are not by speech to discouer blase abroad or publish vnto others especially enemies of the truth the fault and infirmities of their Teachers Q. Why not A. Because first of all it were to play the parte of cursed Cham who discouered the nakednes and shame of his father as also of those helhounds the yong childreÌ„ of Bethel who vpbraideth the Prophet by his baldnes Yea it were diuellish ingratitude for any to lay open the faultes and offences of him who desireth with all indeuour to heale and couer their sinnes and transgressions both before God and men Q. What is the second generall dutie of the people to their Minister The 2. general duâ—ie of people to be performed to their mâ—nisters it is Obedience Wherevnto 3 things are required 1. Thing is that they be willing to suffer iust reproofe A. They are to obey and submit themselues to him according as it is commaunded by the Holy Ghost Heb. 13. Q. What is required herein A. First they are willingly to yeelde themselues to be gouerned and ruled yea to be admonished reproued and censured by him And that not without good reason and equitie for seeing God requireth those duties at the handes of the Minister it is good reason that the people should yeelde thereunto Q. Who hath done so A. The best and greatest persons amongst the seruants of God as Dauid Ichosaphat and diuers other Q. What is the second thing required A. The people must be content with their owne places and duties 2. They must not presume to intermeddle with any publike dutie proper to the minister such as are preaching of the word c and not vsurpe and incroach vpon the office and duties proper peculiar to the publike Ministers of the word Q. What are these duties A. First of all the Preaching opening and Interpreting of the holy Scriptures Secondly Publike Prayer Thirdly the Administration of the holy Sacraments 3 Reasons why the people may not intermeddle with the duties of the minisers office Q. Why may not the people meddle with these things A. First because God in his wisedome hath distinguished euery calling with the duties thereof from all other containing them so within their limits that one is not to incroach vpon another 1. Reason Secondly 2. Reason the Ministerie of the word is so holy a thing and doeth import the Lord himselfe so nigh that no man may take it vpon him except he be called of God Lastly 3. Reason if euery man might vsurpe the duties of the Minister it would opeÌ„ a way for a number of mischiefes and that to the ruine and ouerthrow of the saluation of man in regard whereof the Lord from time to time hath bin most seuerely reuenged vpon the persons of them that haue intruded themselues into the office of the Minister as it is manifest in Saul and King Vzziah Touching Obedience the people are in the 3. place dutifully to heare and embrace the truth of all their holy doctrine Q. What is the third thing required as belonging to the submission of the people to the Minister A. The people are humbly readily and chearefully without pride and contradiction to heare imbrace and practise the doctrine which the Ministers doe deliuer according to the example of the Bereans Thessalonians and such like among the seruants of God Q. Is this simplie to be performed and without exception A. No for the people are to examine the Ministers doctrine whether it be agreeable with the word of God or no a thing not onely commaunded by the Holy Ghost as appeareth 1. Thessa 5. 1. Ioh. 4.1 but also practised by the seruants of God Q. What is the third generall dutie which the people owe to their Minister A. They are to maintaine and sustaine him and his familie with all necessaries 3. Generall dutie to be performed of people to their ministers it is maintenance of them and their families The proofes of it are sundrie testimonies of holy scripture according to their abilitie Q. Where is this warranted and commaunded A. In many places both of the old and new Testament Q. What reason should moue men to the practise hereof A. First of all naturall equitie that is The labourer is worthie of his hire Secondly the excellencie of the thinges which the people reape at the handes of the Minister 3. Reasons drawne froÌ„ the same according to that of the Apostle 1. Cor. 9.11 If we haue sowne vnto you spirituall thinges is it a great thing if we reape your carnall things Thirdly the sweete promises of God made to the performance of this dutie and his heauie iudgements threatned against the contrarie Many examples recorded therein Lastly the examples of the worthie seruants of God who haue bin verie carefull
him more sharpenesse and quickenesse of witte with greater insight forecast then the woman so is he to vse it to gouerne and to order her in all things Q. What if so be the husband doth enioy worldly wealth and riches A. Hee is to impart 4. Riches and make them common to the vse of his wife The proofe of it by 3. Reasons Q. How is that proued A. First marriage maketh all things common betweene the man and the wife 1. Reason Againe 2. Reason the wife must as well exercise and confirme her faith in shewing mercie and doing good workes that so she may heare that sweete voyce of Christ at the day of iudgement Come yee blessed of my Father When I was an hungred yee gaue mee meate c. euen as well as the husband But this cannot bee if outward meanes bee denied and withdrawne Lastly 3. Reason examples in the holie Scripture are cleare in this poynt Pro. 31.20 Luk. 8.3 Q. What if so be that the husband will not performe these things that you haue spoken of The husbandes neglect of the imploying of the former gifts to the benefit of his wife is dishonorable and displeasing in the sight of God A. Hee doeth not onely despise and make light of the example of our Sauiour Christ who hath bestowed his wisedome strength riches and euen his heart blood vppon his Church but also sheweth that hee is no true and natururall heade but rather an Image yea a blocke void of life and sense Q. What is the second speciall dutie of husbands toward their wiues A. They must dwell with them as the holie Ghost commaundeth 1. Pet. 3.7 As men of knowledge giuing honour to the woman 2. Special dutie of the husband toward the wife is that he dwell with her as a maÌ„ of knowledge c. To the ende a man may liue with his wife as a maÌ„ of knowledge two things are to be practised 1. That he is to auoyd all occasions offences And of these there are 6. rehearsed as they follow 1. Occasion as the weaker vessell Q. What is the Husband to doe that he may rightly practise this commaundement A. Two things For first he is to auoyde all occasions and offences which may stirre vp prouoke the woman to passe her bounds commit some sinne Q. What are those occasions you speake of A. First when the Husband doeth spend his time in idlenesse and vnthriftily doeth waste and consume his substaunce This will greatly pierce and wound the heart of the wife Secondly when hee keepeth or haunteth ill suspitious coÌ„panie for she may gather thereby that hee is no better then the persons are in whom he doth delight Thirdly an angry vnpleasant and fierce couÌ„tenance cast vpoÌ„ the wife will greatly terrifie and prouoke her Q. But will not reuiling bitter and reproachfull words doe the like A. Yes and therefore the husband is forbidden to vse them Colos 3.19 in these wordes Husbandes loue your wiues and bee not bitter vnto them Q. Proceede A. Besides all this vniust and excessiue iealousie is to bee auoyded for why It causeth the woman not onlie to contemne her husband as no true Christian but to rise vp vndutifully to the maintenance of her good name 6 Occasion of offence 2. Thing that the husband is to do that he may liue with his wife as a man of knowledge is that he doe beare with manifold infirmities which he findeth to be in her Lastly when the husband medleth with the duties that are peculiar vnto the wife hee seemeth to doubt either of her wisedome or of her faithfulnesse which cannot bee but a great disquieting to a Christian woman Q. What is the second generall thing that the husband is to doe that he may dwel with his wife as a man of knowledge A. When the wife doth behaue her selfe vndutifully the husband is not to wracke and reuenge himselfe vppon her by intemperate speeches or violent actions but hee is patiently to beare and put vp at her handes many iniuries and abuses as also labour by all good meanes to maintaine peace and to reape that comforte and benefite by her wherevnto shee was giuen him of God Q. What reasons should moue the husband to behaue himselfe in this manner to his wife The Reasons why he ought to doe so are 4. A. Diuerse And first of all God hath not ioyned the man and the wife together to the ende that the man should oppresse and tyrannize ouer the woman 1. Reason whereby she may be made worse but rather by wise and milde wayes to make her better and so fitte her for his comfort Againe 2. albeeit she bee a weake and fraile vessell yet is shee an excellent gift of God seruing for many excellent ends and purposes therfore men are to deale with them in a tender and charie manner as men deale with glasses and with tender vessels that are brittle Furthermore 3 the wife is a fellow heire as saith the Apostle with him of the kingdome of God and therefore the husband is not to abuse her who is equall in dignitie and glorie with him Lastly 4. where the husband and wife are diuided and at dissention there prayer and religion is greatly hindered therefore the husband is to beare many things yea to denie himselfe to giue way and free passage to so pretious a thing 3. Speciall dutie of the husband toward the wife is to to rule and gouerne her 6. Thiâ—gs are required that the husband may rule his wife as he ought Q. But to come to the third dutie seeing that the Husband is the â—iâ—es head may he not gouerne and order her A. Yes he may and ought and besides that admonish and rebuke her for her faultes Q. But may he do that simply and without respect A. No but diuers things are to be obserued in the performance of that dutie And first of all hee must bee more forward and earnest in reprouing faultes committed directly against God then such as are committed against himselfe or any other according to the example of Iacob Gen. 32. Iob. chap. 2.10 Whereby is condemned the contrarie practise of a great number Secondly 2. the husband is not to admonish and rebuke his wife in bitternes and reuenge but with a signification of loue and good will for otherwise he doth vtterly loose all his labour Thirdly 3. he is herewithall to remoue the stumbling blocke or cause whereat the wife is either grieued or falleth into any sinne this did Abraham Gen. 21.12.13.14 Fourthly 4. he is not to rebuke his wife of the same sinne whereof he himselfe is guiltie but rather practise the contrarie vertue that so he may winne and drawe her from sinne otherwise it wil be said Physition heale thy selfe and his admonition will be ridiculous Furthermore in reproofe 5. the husband is to haue a tender regard to
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
mother if the child were vertuous to the reproofe of her carelesnesse and negligence if he were vitious naughtie Q. You speake of a troublesome and painfull dutie A. True but if the woman will indeuour to performe it she shall not onely haue the peace of a good conscience but also the hād of the Lord readie to assist and further her Q. What is the third dutie of the married woman The third dutie of the wite to her husband is Subiection A. Subiection The woman must be subiect vnto her husband as vnto her head Q. Where is this warranted and commaunded The proofe of it A. Gen. 3.16 Ephe. 5.22 24. 1. Pet. 3.1 Q. What meane you by subiection A. When the woman dependeth vpon yeeldeth her selfe vnto the will What is meant by the subiection of the wife direction and discretion of her husband and therefore doeth presume neither to ouermaister him neither to control and make vile account of his speeches and actions neither appoint and command him what he should doe or leaue vndone neither yet render checke for check The holy women of antient time are paterns of such subiection to their husbands rebuke for rebuke reproach for reproach from which and the like the holy women of God haue euer been farre of as may appeare 1. Pet. 3.6 Q. What reason had they to do so A. They knew very well that it is as monstrous and vnnatural a thing for the woman to vsurpe ouer the man No wisedome or any other excellent gift in the wife ought to imbolden her to shake off subiection and so to breake the ordinance of God as the feete to direct the eye or the loines to rise vp and set themselues in place of the head Q. But sometimes the wife is wiser more discreete and prouident then the Husband A. It is true but yet this doeth not ouerthrowe the superioritie of the man and therefore if occasion be offered to admonish and aduise her husband she is to performe this dutie with humilitie and reuerence shewing her selfe more willing to heare then to speake to be ruled thē to rule and gouerne her husband 4 Dutie of the wife to the husband is obedience Q. What is the fourth dutie of the wife toward the Husband A. Obedience Q. Is the wife to obey her Husband A. Yea no doubt it is a vertue commended by the Holy Ghost in Sarah Abrahams wife 1. Pet. 3.6 What is meant by obedience Q. What meane you by obeying A. It is to do and practise the commaundements of the husband Q. Must she performe all his commandemēts without exception limitation The wiues obedience to her husband is limited by the word of God A. Not so but so farre forth as they are consonant agreeable with the word of God therfore if he doeth commaund any thing contrarie vnto the will of God she is not to obey him Q. Why Sarah did twise dissemble at the request of her Husband A. It is true but that was her great fault which was rebuked and condemned euen by an heathen man Gen. 25. Q What say you for a fift dutie The 5. dutie of the wife to her husband is to frame her selfe to be like affected with him A. She is to frame and dispose her selfe to the affection desire disposition of her husband Q. How is that A. She is to practise that excellent precept of the holy Ghost Rom. 12.15 whervnto al Christians are boūd as namely Reioyce with her hasbād when he reioyceth and weepe with him when he weepeth therefore she is not frowardly to crosse him in any lawful and indifferēt thing or action as the manner of some is who loue to lowre when their husband is cheerefull and to be merry when he is heauy and to draw back when he is forward to any good thing which behauior as it proceedeth frō a cankred nature so it agreeth not with the holy consent of marriage and is the cause of many mischiefes Q. What is the sixt dutie of the wife A. She must keepe at home or in her house Q. Where is this warranted The 6. dutie of the wife toward her husband is to keepe at home to ouersee his familie The proofe of it There are three causes which moue vnto it A. First of all by the light of nature experience hereof we haue among the heathen Secondly more effectually by the word of God Tit. 2. chap. 5. ver Q. To what end is this required A. For sundrie causes first of all not onely for the preseruation of goods and substance but also for keeping the houshold in good order in the absence of her husband Againe by that meanes to take occasion to doe good for the glorie of God the benefit of the Church which thing appeareth in Iael the wife of Hebr. Iudg. 5 24.25 Lastly to auoid suspition of euill all occasiō that might drawe allure her to commit any vnlawfull act The wife is not to be in her house as in a prison without all libertie of going abroad Q. But is the wife so bound to her house as she is to liue therein as in a perpetuall prison A. That is not the mind of the Holy Ghost but rather an abuse of an holy precept for why there be diuers reasons or causes why the wife should depart out of her house go abroad The wife is to haue her libertie to goe abroad to three endes and purposes 1. End Examples of such holy libertie Q. What are those reasons or ends A. The first is to prouide for her soule eternal good by the publicke Ministerie of the word by christian conuersation amongst the faithfull Q. What examples haue you hereof A. In the noble woman wherof mention is made 1. Kings 4.22 as also in diuers holy and noble women Luke 8. and diuers other places Q. What is your second reason 2. End A. Secondly that the wife may performe the duties of loue and mercy and compassion which are inioyned by the Lord to euerie Christian Q. What lastly 3. End A. She may and ought to goe abroad sometime for the health of her bodie solace of her mind that so she may be the better able to performe all other duties so that place Titus 25. rightly vnderstood maketh nothing for the imperiours husband or the slothful sluggish wife The duties of the Maisters toward their Seruants Q. What is she to consider in the last place A. The wife must be contented to be attired and maintained according to the proportion of her husbands abilitie and estate The 7. dutie of the husband toward the wife Q. What if she labour to exceed it A. She doth not only giue cause to her husband to suspect that she laboureth to please the eye of another rather then his owne but also indeed wasteth and consumeth his goods to his great impouerishment