indeavour and unto him and to his grace I commend thee Christian Reader resting Thine in him THOMAS COBBET Lyn in New-England this 1. of Novemb. 1654. The heads of the Chapters the particular Contents whereof stand in the Margin of the Book at their proper places they refer to Chap. 1. Of the Explication of the fift Commandement Where 1. The Terms of the fifth Commandement are explaned and it is shewed that by Father and Mother are principally intended all naturall parents in generall and such who are in covenant and Church estate in speciall and that By Honour is understood both Honour in generall and Honour in special both in a direct way as honour of Respect of Reverence of Obedience of Recompence in a reflect way in being such and carrying of it so as maketh for parents especially good parents honour 2. The weight of the duty of honour of parents is shewed Chap. 2. Of Honour in generall due to Parents Where Is shewed Negatively what honour is not due to parents Affirmatively what Honour is due to parents Use is made for Reproof Of Childrens dishonouring of parents instancing in 7. wayes whereby it is done and 4. mischiefs attending it Of Parents undermining that their honour and that 7. wayes Of corrupters of youth Examination where are 5. marks given of due honour given to parents Exhortation To parents to further this their honour and that 7. wayes To Children to give parents that honour where are Motives 6. Helps 7. Chap. 3. Of Honour of Respect due to Parents Where It is set forth as consisting in eight things Use is made for Reproof Of Childrens unnaturalness to Parents Of parents too much occasioning the Alienation of their childrens hearts from them and that 5. wayes Exhortation To children to cherish due respects to parents where are propounded Motives 3. Helps 5. Cautions To parents to carry it so as may win respect from Children and that 5. wayes Chap. 4. Of Honour of Reverence due to parents Where Is set forth The outward Reverence due in 7. things The inward Reverence due in 7. things Use is made for Reproof Of Childrens Irreverence to parents Of parents undermining that Filial Reverence 4. wayes Exhortation To Children to Reverence parents where are Motives 3. Helps 3. To parents to further filial Reverence and that six wayes Chap. 5. Of Honour of Obedience due to Parents Where It is set forth as consisting in 5. things The manner of it is shewed in 5. particulars Three Reasons are given for it Use is made for Reproof Of Childrens Meerly pretended Obedience Disobedience Of parents occasioning childrens disobedience and that 3. wayes Examination where are given 6. marks of true and due filiall obedience Exhortation To parents to further due filial obedience and that six wayes To Children to yeeld that obedience where are Motives 6. Helps 5. Chap. 6. Of Honour of Recompence due to Parents Where It is set forth as consisting especially in 5. things The manner of it also is shewed 4. Reasons of it are given Use is made for Reproof of Childrens ingratitude in Generall 4. Particulars Exhortation To Parents to further that Filial gratitude and that 5. wayes To Children to recompence Parents gratefully where are 3. Motives 2. Helps 3. Cautions 3. Marks Chap. 7. Of Honour in a reflect way due to Parents or of childrens being such and carrying of it so as maketh for even Godly Parents Honour Where It is set forth as consisting in 10. things the two later whereof are most urged 2. Generall Reasons are given thereof in which are sundry particulars Use is made for Reproof Of Parents too much furthering Childrens dishonourable carriages and courses and that 6. wayes Of Childrens reflecting dishonour upon Parents yea and godly Parents yea and some of those Children formerly hopefully good which is done many wayes the last of them namely degeneration of the Children of the godly being largely urged wherein are shewed The Evils attending such degeneration and those both Of Sin and In Children of the godly in generall and that in 6. things In hopefull ones in speciall and that in 8. things Of sorrow where respecting the Former sort are 7. Later sort are 5. Exhortation To Parents to further their Childrens being an honour to them in the chiefest wayes thereof which parents do five wayes but the first is most insisted upon namely good Education of Children where are Rules 7. Motives 4. To Children to strive to be such an honour to parents in the best way Herein are Motives 3. Helps 3. AN EXPOSITION OF THE FIFTH COMMANDEMENT SHEWING The principall duties of Children to Parents firstly therein intended and what God also requireth in regard thereof from Parents towards their children CHAP. I. OF the weight of the duty of Childrens Honouring of their Parents Exod. 20. 12. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee The words which I have Read are obvious to every common eye and intelligible by every ordinary understanding and therefore time need not be spent in any large opening of any obscurity of phrase in them The parts of the Text also are as plainly manifest to be two First a Precept Honour thy Father and thy Mother Secondly a promise incouraging to obey that precept that thy daies may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee In the precept you have First the duty it self injoyned Honour Secondly the persons to whom the duty is injoyned even the children to these Fathers and Mothers yea each Child of what ranck or condition soever who is yet in the Land of the living is required to perform this duty to living Father and Mother and therefore it is put in the second person singular Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may be long c. Thirdly the persons who by divine command are to be honoured by each Child namely each Childs Father yea and as well each Childs Mother Honour thy Father and thy Mother The main terms then to be further considered of are First that of Father and Mother Secondly that of Honour and then we shall briefly explain the promise By Father and Mother most interpreters understand all superiours First such as are above others yet without Authory properly over them as such as are others superiours by much in years as are Antient men and women to those that are young 1 Tim. 5. 1. or such as are others betters by much in eminency of parts powesse experience bounty grace c. Gen. 45. 8. Job 31. 18. 1 Chron. 4. 14 21. 2 Rings 13. 14 15. Secondly such as are others superiours having Authority over them whether private And that either by the Law of nature as naturall Fathers Who are firstly here intended by Father and Mother even naturall Parents and Mothers who are principally here intended Or by way of private contract as Husbands who are wives superiours specially Masters whether
noteth that Gods command is for honouring not the Father onely but the Mother God saith not Honour thy Father but addeth and thy Mother the Mother indeed is the Fathers inferiour according to the Law of conjugall subjection and likewise she is by nature and Sex the weaker vessell but the Child is not thence to draw an argument that he must think the more despicably of his Mother for that difference that is made in wedlock betwixt the husband and the wife appertaineth not to him but he must look to that relation which is betwixt Mother and Son what ever she be in respect of her husband to thee she is a Mother and together with thy Father to be equally honoured since that for this that thou might'st be born she did equally cooperate yea rather much more for who can weigh sufficiently what a heap of troubles the womb big with Child bringeth along with it how great are the sorrows of bringing forth how many and great are the perils so that it is not in vain said in sorrow shalt thou bring forth Lastly how cumbersome is the suckling of the Child and the care of it whil'st in the Cradle so that they greatly sin which transfer all the Honour due in common to their Parents unto their Father onely and care not how they set by their Mothers so they can but gratifie their Father thus far Musculus and verily in Prov. 1. 8. Both are given in equall charge My Son hear the instruction of thy Father and forsake not the Law of thy Mother so in Prov. 6. 20. My Son keep thy Fathers Commandements and forsake not the Law of thy Mother And why else is there an equall reward even long life equally promised to the Honour of Mothers as to that of Fathers if the Honour of the one be not equall to that of the other or why else is the dishonour of the Mother as well as of the Father equally put under the same curse Deut. 27. 16. Cursed be he that setteth light by his Father or his Mother and all the people shall say Amen Or why is the same punishment of Justice to be equally inflicted for smiting the Mother as well as the Father being made equally death Ex. 20. 15. or for cursing the Mother as well as the Father or for stubbornness in not obeying the Mothers voice as well as the Fathers being also equally made deaht Exod. 24. 17. Deut. 21. 18 19 20 21. If the Honour of the Mother by the Childe be not equall to that of the Father where there is by God himself one and the same reward of grace equally promised as to the Honour and the same punishment of Justice equally threatned as to the dishonour as well of the Mother as of the Father there is the same Honour equally due by the will of God to the Mother as is to the Father but to the former Scriptures shew that God equally promiseth the same reward of grace to the Childs Honour and equally threatens the same punishment of Justice to the Childs dishonour as well of the Mother as of the Father therefore the Honour due according to God from the Child as a Child to his Mother as is to his Father is equall and equally due 3. It must not be a bare pretended and formall 3. Meerly formall and in pretence onely kind of Honour of Parents Such was that in Absolom who feignedly pretendeth such Honour of respect to his Father that he had rather die then not to be reconciled to his Father and enjoy his Fathers favour 2 Sam. 14. 32. Wherefore saith he to Joab am I come up from Geshur It had been good for me to have been there still now therefore let me see the Kings face and if there be iniquity in me let him kill me but his devilish plot so soon after against his Father Chap. 15. 7. 10. shewed that all that was but bare pretence and not reality of respect to his Father So in that young man professing to Christ that he had kept all the Commandements and so the fifth instanced in Matth. 19. 19 20. and that from his youth up he had begun the practice of Honour of Father Mother betimes and to that day continued it but the issue shewed that he never conscientiously sincerely and really Honour'd his Father and Mother but in a meer formal and outside way and manner even in the same sort as he kept the other Commandements being never the nearer entrance into heaven notwithstanding all that like him in the parable of the two sons Matth. 21. 28. 30. that pretendeth Honour of obedience to his Father for when his Father saith to him Son go to work to day in my Vineyard he readily and humbly in shew at least answereth I go Sir but went not It was onely pretence and dissimulation 4. Look that it be not a base selfish self-ended 4. Meerly Selfish Honouring of Father or Mother for hope of gain by them and so making much of them whil'st some requests or desires of the Child are answered his ends furthered or fulfilled some large Portions gotten out of their hands or large fleeces gain'd out of their outward estates like the yonger Son in the parable that will be giving his Father's Titles of Honour whil'st he hath fingred his Portion as he calleth it Luke 15. 12 Father give me my Portion but vers 13. not many day after he gathereth up all he hath and leaveth his Father Now his Father is not in such request with him the Text saith he took his journey but not a word of this that he asketh his Father leave or asketh his Fathers advice that way Father shall I take such a journey no verily let his Father like it or dislike it he now careth not he hath gotten what he looked for from him and now fare him well he careth to be under his Fathers watch no more he regardeth neither his Company nor his Counsell c. so Absolom Oh! his Fathers face and presence it is all in all to him he cannot live without it one would think if he speak his heart 2 Sam. 14. let me see the Kings face or if iniquity be in me let him kill me and vers 33. when permitted to come into his Fathers presence he boweth himself on his very face to the ground before him what would you have more in a Son ah but all this was for base and by ends Absoloms ambitious designes reaches and ends could not so well be furthered by living as retired and exiled from the Court though come to Jerusalem but at the Court and near the place of judicature whither the subjects from all parts of the Kingdome repair frequently for Justice there he hath opportunity to lay his traines 2 Sam. 15. 2. without suspition of any he sitteth by the gate the place of judicature and resort and he asketh each one of what tribe art thou ver 3. and biddeth them look that thy
that you are paid in your own Coyn from your own Children 2. By bringing any just blast upon their Children 2. By bringing some blast upon their Children and posterity through some other daring sins against God or man so that even their posterity in Gods just Judgement become every way the worse even in the matter of sin also against the first and second Table thus also God visiteth the iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth generation according as is threatned for sins against the second Commandemandement As we see also in that fearfull example of the Jews rejected together with all their posterity and left unto all manner of wickedness against God or man for the Parents rejecting of Christ Rom. 11. 20. 1 Thessal 2. 14 15 16. So God threatneth Esay 14. 20. That the seed of evill doers shall never be renowned and so not honoured so much before God or men as to become true honourers of Parents So Esay 9. 13. 16. That for the peoples stubborn going on in sin threfore he will have no delight in their young men vers 17. The posterity of Cain Cham Ishmael and Esau are dreadfull examples of such a judiciall blast of posterity even in their very morals for the high-handed sins of their Ancestours 3. By neglect of good and pious education of 3. By neglect of pious education children when Parents bring up their Children rudely and profanely carnally and carelesly or to meer world and the like it causeth all kind of disorders in them it corrupteth them in their morals and you may thank your selves if you have unnatural irreverent disobedient or ingratefull Children of them hence in the old world when good education had been long neglected in the very Families which came of Seth who were of the Church Sons of God they also care not for their Parents Authority or Authoritative interests in their disposall in marriage but they took them wives of all that they themselves liked albeit those Wifes were of the Daughters of men of Cains brood outlaries from the Church as in Gen. 6. 1 2. oft occasionally mentioned So in Sodom when good education was neglected see how base the younger sort also were Gen. 19. 4. from the youngest to the eldest they came to have forced those strangers as they took them to be at Lots house and v. 14. Lots grave and godly Counsell to his Sons in Law who had espoused his Daughters It is derided by them Hence in that sad time of the Apostacy of Judah when the good man was perished out of the earth and there was none upright amongst men and so none in comparison that made conscience of that Parentall duty of good education of Children then was the time when as the Son dishonoured the Father and the Daughter riseth up against her Mother as is expressed Mic. 7. comparing v. 2. and 6. together 4. By foolish humouring of their Children in their lusts either in their Pride or voluptuousness 4. By humouring Children in vanity or the like Isaac himself smarted for it for suffering his Son Esau to give himself more to his sport in hunting than any other better Imployment for afterwards Esau slighting his Father and Mothers Authority and peculiar right in the matter of the choice of a Wife for him as for their own Son he without them chooseth himself a Wife yea two wives and that of the a cursed brood of the Hittites which were a grief of mind to Isaac and to Rebeckah Gen. 25. 27. Compared with Gen. 26. 34 35. How many in greater Cities by such foolish humouring of their Children have them prove deboist 5. By discontented harsh and rigid carriages 5. By harshness to them before or at least towards Children When the Apostle had charged Children to honour Parents Eph. 6. 2 3. he addeth And ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath namely by your harsh and austere carriages towards them For that will undermine Parents honour of respect from their Children by alienating their hearts more from their Parents and likewise their honour of Reverence hardning their hearts against their Parents threats or blowes so that they will grow more regardless of that displeasure and anger of their Parents which they see so readily so frequently and sometimes in a manner so causelesly to be expressed and likewise their Honour of Obedience and therefore in Col. 3. 20. When Paul had charged Children to obey their Parents vers 21. Fathers saith he provoke not your Children to anger lest they be discouraged or wax heartlesse and hopelesse to do or to set about any thing you require of them so as to give you content and so grow regardlesse whether they do or neglect to do what you command them perceiving that it is all one their Fathers will he froward hasty harsh and rigid towards them when they have many times done their best for them and they can be no worse think they if we do lesser if we do nothing yea if we do contrary to their Command And this will also undermine Parents honour of recompence from their Children which remembring Parents harsh carriages towards them when they were young may have strong temptations to do the lesse for them in their age or decaies when they need their Childrens help But more of this possibly when we come to particulars 6. By discords and uncomfortable breaches 6. By discord betwixt Parents themselves hard speeches cross carriages and discontents betwixt Fathers and Mothers hence Prov. 19. 13. those two are joyned A foolish Son is the calamity of his Father and the contentions of a Wife are a continuall dropping where there are waearing and wasting contentions ever and anon betwixt Wife and Husband there will be also such a foolish Son of such a Husband and Wife who will be a calamity to his Father Such miscarriage betwixt Father and Mother undermineth your Wisdome Gravity and Authority in your Childrens eyes who behold the same and even tempteth them the more to disrespect you and your Authority 7. By suffering Children too much to have 7. By leaving their Children to their own wils their wills and not seasonably and frequently to break them of their own head-strong wills and to cross them in their own wilful desires or designes Pro. 29. 15. A Child left in this sense also to himself to have his own will and lust bringeth his Mother to shame proveth so stubbon and rude that he is very a disgrace to her that bare him who of the two Parents is the most ready and apt to let her Child have its will too much 3. This use reproveth such also who either by 3. Reproofe to all Corrupters of Youth distilling corrupt principles into the younger sort or by any lewd counsells or the like do intentionally or actually withdraw Children from due Honour of their Parents of the former sort are such like as those false teachers among
precious daughter Ruth said even to her Mother in Law Naomi whither thou goest I will go and where thou lodgest I will lodge thy people shall be my people and thy God my God the Lord do so to me and more also if ought but death part thee and me Ruth 1. 16 17. so and much more if more may be would become every Son and Daughter even to ingage themselves and that for term of life to Honour their own Fathers and Mothers both in way of direct Honour by sharing with them in doing and suffering and by being tenderly respective and observant of them and usefull and serviceable to them wherever they become or into what condition soever the Lord may cast them and in a way of reflect Honour by personall and reall owning of their Godly Fathers and Mothers God and people that they shall be theirs And as Ruth fulfilled actually what she so solemnly ingaged that way so should any one Son or daughter much rather be to their own Father and Mother better every way than seven Sons Ruth 4. 15. Joseph also did not onely Honour his Father when he was a youth but continued honouring of his Father to the last so long as he had a Father left to Honour albeit long after he was married and so highly exalted witness that Gen. 46. 29. and 47. 31. and 48. 12. 3. It must be compleat and full not alone outwardly 3. Compleat but inwardly not in some lawfull and good things or way but in all and that in all places and upon all occasions yea every part of them which is capable of giving Honour to Parents must do their part of filiall homage and contribute their share to this common treasury of Honour in generall due to Parents Parents have been Fathers of the Childrens bodies and preparatory and effective instruments of the being of their souls in their bodies so that head tongue eyes cares hand and knee feet and the like bodily parts in their way and likewise the mind in its thoughts the understanding and judgement in its conceptions and apprehensions dictates and esteem the heart and will in its dispositions and affections c. All and each of these must render their proportions of due Honour to the instruments of their being hence that before mentioned of Solomon to his Son Prov. 23. 26. My Son give me thy heart and let thine eyes observe my wayes heart and eyes soul and body must joyn in filiall homage of his Son to him as his Father 4. It must be impartiall without respect to 4. Impartiall them as rich onely or otherwise great in the world or the like for if very poor their Honour from their Children must be never a whit the less if Mary the Mother of Christ be the espoused wife of Joseph a poor Carpenter it is all one to Christ as if she had been a Princes spouse he is subject to them as a child Luk. 2. 51. he went down with them to Nazareth and was subject to them the command of God knoweth no persons distinguisheth not of such a Father or such and such a Mother but chargeth the Child Honour thou thy Father and thy Mother be he or she poor or rich noble or ignoble high or low of meaner parts or of more accomplished abilities comely and personable or deformed and in stature more despicable yea be they of better and sweeter tempers or be they of a more harsh hasty and rigid disposition yet as servants must be subject to their Masters with all fear not onely to the good and gentle but also to the froward 1 Pet. 2. 18. so must Children much rather give Honour to their Parents whether of better or worser tempers 5. It must be in a way of eminency being such 5. In a way of eminency Honour as is next in order to that Honour due to God himself the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 applied to persons or things in a way of good most frequently signifieth to make weighty in honour or glory or to give some eminent and transcendent measure of Honour and Glory hence that phrase 2 Cor. 4. 17. weight of glory Speaking of that surpassing glory of heaven the same Hebrew verb which is used in my Text is sometimes used for magnifying of God Psal 22. 23. Magnifie him all ye seed of Jacob as the Geneva translation well rendereth it or make him great ponderous weighty in glory but by our New translation it is commonly rendered glorisie or make glorious or eminently Honour So Psal 86. 9. they shall glorifie thy name and vers 12. I will glorifie thy name and Psal 50. 23. he glorifies me Levit. 10. 3. I will be glorified So. Ezek. 28. 22. The same verb here made use of to express the Honour of Parents as is to express the glory of God It sheweth evidently that it is no ordinary measure of Honour which Children owe to their Parents the very name and relation of a Father and Mother is a glorious thing and hath glory and excellency in it the word derived from this verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Text is used to denominate and point out peculiar excellency as Exod. 28. 2. Aarons garment must be made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for glory or garments of peculiar excellency Gen. 45. 13. shew him all my glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my eminency of Honours Authority Respect and the like and the verb it self is made such use of Esay 43. 3 4. thou hast been honourable or glorious as others render it or most eminent in Honour in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Psal 87. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 glorious things or matters of transcendent and renouned excellency are spoken of thee now the same word used here must needs note peculiar eminency of Honour of Parents to be due from their Children Let us now make application of what hath been spoken The use serveth 1. For Reproof and that 1. Use of Reproof 1. Of Children for dishonour of Parents 1. Of Children for their dishonouring slighting and despising of their Fathers and Mothers It was of old reproved sharply in those of Jerusalem in Ezek. 22. 7. Formerly mentioned In thee they have set light by Father and Mother Solomon brandeth the fool or unregenerate person for this as his vile property Prov. 15. 20. the foolish man despiseth his Mother this is point blanck crosse to the fifth Commandement It is highest injustice not to give even your Parents their due one should think none should cut their Parents short of their right now this Honour is their right and therefore it is highest injustice in any Child to debar them of their right The word in Ezek. 22. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is directly opposite to the Hebrew word used in my Text And it signifieth to make lighter or to make abatement of due weight or measure of any thing as say of Honour of credit of commodities or the like
Fathers curse light especially upon his posterity by Canaan than Sem himself is exempted from his Father Noahs blessing though he were also blessed in his posterity especially by his Son Eber and so Terah Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Yea this sin putteth you under the dint of the imprecation of the Church and Saints of God Deut. 17. 16. Cursed be he that setteth light by his Father or his Mother and all the people shall say Amen Ah miserable case of such as you are who are by Gods command to be cursed by all the people of God! 3. It brings the exclusion of you and of your 3. It brings exclusion from Gods Church posterity from the Church of God and the priviledges thereof Cham a dishonour of his Father is in that respect as an outlary and God will not have his Church to have any near civill much less Sacred and Church-Communion with his posterity by Canaan Deut. 7. Cain who flung off his Fathers Counsels commands rebukes and watch and went from his Fathers house like a very vagrand Gen. 4. 16. His posterity are in opposition to those of the Church stiled the sons and daughters of men not of God Ishmael who regarded not his Father Abrahams displeasure witness his mocking at his dearly beloved Son Isaac he and his are cast out and aftewards left out as outlaries from the Church of Abraham Esau likewise who honoured not his Parents witness his cross matching against their minds he and the Edomites which came from him are excluded Church priviledges The Moabites and Ammonites of Lots daughters who so vilely dishonoured their Father Lot were also by Gods command excluded Gods congregation for many generations 4. It bringeth commonly with it the vilest 4. It brings vilest outward conditions outward conditions either for reproach under which such Children by Gods just hand do lie Shame is the portion of such who resuse instruction especially of Parents Prov. 13. 18. Or for poverty poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction ibid. Like as to him in the Parable Luke 15. Who was brought to less than a morsell of bread to husks and draff Or for extreamest and basest servitude like that prodigall scornfull Son that would have been glad of the meanest hired servants place with that Citizen Luke 15. 15. And is set about as mean imployment to feed his swine and as for his food he must either eat with the swine or fast and sterve vers 16 17. Thus Cham in his posterity by Canaan the beginner in that vile act of dishonour to Noah he is destinated to become the vilest of servants or a servant of servants Gen. 9. 2â— Prov. 17. 2. a wise servant shall have rule over a Son that causeth shame A Son that any way dishonoureth or reproacheth his Parents shall be put under the rule of a servant made a servant of a servant Or finally this bringeth vilest conditions in respect of hasty and vilest deaths and ends following the same as was hinted before from Prov. 30. 17. and as is manifest in Absoloms end 2 Sam. 18. 2. This use serveth for reproof of Parents who 2. Reproof of Parents undermining this Honour of theirs 1. By bad examples of theirs any way undermine this Honour in generall which is due to them from their Children And that 1. By giving them bad examples of dishonour to their own Parents So did Cain to his posterity and thence also was it that they were so bad every way both to God-ward and likewise to man-ward their measure of sin was full Gen. 6. 5. And so the flood swept that whole generation away yea the posterity of Seth did the like at that time witness their taking wives of all that they themselves liked not Honouring their Parents with their proper right namely to choose wives for their Sons when fit to be disposed in marriage Gen. 6. 1 2. And no wonder that their Children begotten in that 120. years space of Gods patience vers 3. they prove no better than those their Parents for a little before the very entrance of Noah into the Ark Noah onely is seen righteous of all that generation Gen. 7. 1. and all the rest of the generation Fathers and Children perished Cham the Grand-father and Canaan the Father of the cursed race of the Canaanites were both derisive spectators and informers of old Noahs nakedness and thence also the Canaanites their cursed posterity they became in after times so notorious and shameless in that very way and sin of dishonour of Parents for hence is it that Levit. 20. 9. When God had forbidden Cursing of Father and Mother and vers 11. The uncovering of a mans own Fathers wifes nakedness or that of a mans own Mothers Sisters nakedness vers 9. vers 23. He chargeth the Jewes not to walk in the manners of the Nations which he casteth out before them namely the Canaanites for they committed all these things namely which were mentioned from vers 9. to 22. Amongst which were those Acts of highest dishonour to Parents ' even now instanced in for which the Lord abhorred and rejected the Canaanites The like might be said of the posterity of Ishmael Esau like Parents for exemplary dishonour to Parents like Children and posterity or rather each posterity successively worse that way than their Fathers As it was in Jobs case that Father or chief ruler sometimes of the people he was had in derision of some younger men Job 30. 1. And no wonder for vers 8. he saith they were Children of fooles and of base men who were more vile than the earth their Parents therefore being as vile in their manners as in their outward estates no wonder that their Children had their civill Father in derision So if Parents are vile towards their own naturall Fathers and Mothers their Children commonly prove as bad that way also as themselves And it were good for Parents when to their grief they see their Children are ready to curse or slight or any way dishonour them to consider whether they themselves have done as much to their Parents and so beside the evill example which they possibly set before their very children that way they have thereby provoked God to mete out to them by their children according to that measure of dishonour that their Parents had from them According to that word of Christ Luke 6. 37 38. With the same measure that yee mete withall it shall be measured to you again And like as Solomon telleth Masters when they hear that their servants dishonour or curse them that oftentimes their own hearts know that themselves likewise have cursed others even that were their Masters also Eccles 7. 21. And so they might the less wonder at such hard measures from their servants the like might be said to Parents in cases of their dishonour from their Children that if your hearts know that you have been faulty that way towards your Parents it is no wonder
hath spoken so bad of me Plutarch surely he knoweth cause enough to do so else he would not have done it an imitable example of an heathen but ingenious Child to his Father 5. Improve choycer seasons of getting good 5. Improve seasons of soul-good that you may come to be true Honourers of God and then no doubt but you will be Honourers of Parents make God only to be your God first worship him aright and sanctifie his name c. and then you will Honour Father and Mother Levit. â—9 2. Be ye holy saith God as I am holy and then vers 3. chargeth fear yea every man his Father and his Mother be pious to God-wards and you will be pious towards Parents the fear of God is the beginning of such wisdome also Prov. 10. 5. As he that sleepeth in harvest the season of reaping good soul-good also is a Son that causeth shame to Parents also so by rule of opposition he that gathereth in summer is a wise Son or one that will cause Honour to Parents as well as himself or others 6. Set often before your eyes studdy much and 6. Eye good examples this way make utmost improvement of choycer Scripture examples of persons eminen t for honor of parents as that of Shem Abraham Isaack Jacob Joseph yea Jesse himself Luke 2. 51. 7. Inure your selves betimes to Honour Fathers and Mothers without Authority as Aged persons 7. Honour aged persons Levit. 19. 32. Honour the face of the Old man Teleuchus being asked why at Sparte the younger Plut arch sort use to rise up before the aged answered that by giving Honour to others they might learn to Honour their own Parents CHAP. III. Of Honour in speciall due to Parents and that in a direct way and therein of Honour of respect and love due to Parents HAving spoken of Honour in generall required by the 5. Commandement from Children to Parents we come now to speak of Honour in speciall due to them first of that which is in a direct way and therein according to the Method propounded in the first Chapter 1. Of Honour of respect and love due to Parents that Honour is so taken in Scripture we there gave Scripture instances That honour of respect to Parents is due proved and need not now repeat them we may then note as a branch of the general point That Children are bound to Honour their Parents with the Honour of choycest respect and love Honour thy Father and Mother saith Exod. 20. 12. But having them in choycest respect and love is Honouring of them say other Scriptures therfore Children must most highly respect and love their Parents For our better handling of this branch of Honour let us only shew wherein this commanded respect and love to Parents doth consist or what is required of Children in this that they are required so highly to respect and love their Parents and then afterwards apply it by way of use To the former we answer that Children 1. They are to be delighted greatly in their This respect consisteth 1. In delighting Parents Fathers presence to be much affected with the very sight of a Father or Mother See how Joseph plotteth to have his Father near him when he could not be so near his Father Gen. 45. 10. Thou shalt be near to me c. And when he commeth to the sight of his Father after some years inforced absence of his from his Father he 's even overjoy'd as we say to see him He is as one transported for he falleth on his Fathers neck having first humbly presented himself to him Gen. 46. 29. And he wept for very extasie of joy on his neck a good while his heart was so overcome with strength of affections that for a good space he can silently weep but not utter a word that we read of till afterwards till his good old Father first brake that deep silence vers 30. and then Joseph also speaketh vers 31. As Children are to their Parents the desire of their eyes and that whereupon they set their minds their Sons and their Daughters Ezek. 24. 25. So should Parents be to Children Jacob had enough if his Son Joseph be alive and well he is content to die if God so pleased Gen. 46. 30. Let the sight of absent long absent Parents be to Children even as dear and precious and delighting as their very lives if not more as it is in that precedentall love and respect of the genuine Children of the Father of Spirits Oh the sight of his face the injoyment of his presence especially after some space of the want of his blessed presence what is it not to such Childrens hearts Such for the nature at least of our respect and love should be Childrens love to their Parents 2. They are not forward to part with 2. Backwardnesse to paâ—â— wâ—â—h them their Parents but as urged in a sort forced by any speciall call or providence of God and if sometimes called to be absent from them for a time yet to be longing in a moderate and regular way after their Company againe Both these paticulars are clear in instances the former in Ruth when her Sister Orpha left her Mother with tears in her eyes Ruth 1. 14. And they lift up their voice and wept again and Orpha kissed her Mother in Law but Ruth clave to her yea when urged by Naomi to return after her Sister-in-Law vers 15. Yet saith she vers 19. Intreat me not to leave thee for whither thou goest I will go and where thou lodged I will lodge She will share with her in wealth and woe and nothing but death shall part them vers 17. 2 King 19. 20. Elisha must needs go and kiss his Father and Mother and then he will foolow Elijah God will have the poore captive Woman when her Master liketh her for his Wife yet to bewaile her Father and Mother for a Moneth Deut. 21. 13. Such loathness God will have Children to express to part with dear Parents as Parents are wonderous loath to part with their Children living or dying unless urged by Gods Call like good old Jacob first Gen. 42. 38. My Son saith he of Benjamin shall not go down with you for his Brother is dead and he is left alone if mischief befall him by the way ye go then shall ye bring down my gray haires with sorrow to the grave and Cap. 43. 22 c. And their Father Israel said if it must needs be so then do this c. So should Children not part with their Parents till they must needs till God some way calleth them from them as the genuine Children of God such is their love to him that it is as death to part with him though but for a time Oh if it might be their Fathers pleasure they would never be from him nor have him from them So in the nature of our love to Parents should it be expressed
worship In case of grosse Idolatry or the like then zealous Levi saith to his Father and to his Mother I have not seen him Deut. 33. 9. And Asaph an highest Civill Ruler called to do justice without respect of persons he removeth Maacha his Idolatrous Mother from her Regency 1 King 15. 13. 5. That it be not so as when you are called Or 5. Such as for them to neglect just respects to others to maried conditions then for Parents sakes to neglect just respects to your spouses and regard to your Families welfare Gen. 30. 30. in that case Jacob will say to Laban his Father-in-Law when shall I provide for my house and that Law Gen. 2. 24. taketh here place for this cause shall a man forsake Father and Mother and cleave to his Wife 2. Of exhortation to Parents to carry it so 2. To Parents to carry it so as may win respect as may even win and gain such respect and love from your Children which is due from them as for instance 1. Be frequently instructing your Children in the best things in their Soul-matters this won Solomons heart the more to his Father David insomuch that he keepeth a honourable record of his Fathers instructions Prov. 4 4 5 6 c. The bond of love is doubled when natural Fathers by Gods blessing upon their instructions and admonitions become spirituall Fathers of their Children and a twofold cord is not easily broken 2. Be ever and anon incouraging your Children 1. By incouraging them in good in any good thing hence that Allusion Isa 66. 13. as on whom his Mother comforteth which as they are more abundantly encouraged by them so enlarged also in affections to them Famous is the example of William Hunters Mother as he was leading to the stake for Christ Son William saith she I think thee as well bestowed as ever any Mr. Fox Acts and Mon. Child that I bare in my womb and that example of the Mother of that little Child which was Martyred with Romanus who stood by incouraging her Child and when all others almost wept to see the Childs tortures she stood by rejoycing and when that fatall act of cruelly was to be done upon the Child to take away its Head after she had taken her Child and kissed it she stood by singing All laud and praise with heart and voice O Lord we yield to thee To whom the death of all thy Saints We know most dear to be bidding the Child also to remember the children of Bethlehem who were martyr'd for Christ 3. Be ready to defend and vindicate Children 3. By defending them in a just cause in any just cause as Joash did his Son Gedeon against those that complained of him for throwing down Baals Altar Judg. 6. 29 30 31. and Joash said to them will yee plead for Baal will ye save him he that will plead for him let him be put to death if he be a God let him plead for himself the blind-mans Parents did not thus who out of a base fear put off all to their Son he is old enough let him answer for himself John 9. 21. yea let Parents vindicate their children from unjust slanders as the Father of the wronged Damsel was to do Deut. 22. 13. to 9. this must needs win love 4. Be conscionable sollicitous of your childrens 4. By care of their outward weal. outward welfare as was Jacob of his Sons Ge. 37. 14. and Jesse of his Son 1 Sam. 17. 17. this also much gaineth upon childrens hearts 5. Carry it towards your children with much 5. By Compassionatness toward them tenderness and bowels as need and prudence requireth Numb 11. 12. Carry them in thy bosom as a nursing Father the sucking child Psal 103. 13. as a Father patieth his children Mal. 3. 17. as a Father spareth his Son that serveth him this as it breaketh every way-ward heart of a child so it winneth the Son as it is in the fruit of Gods bowels expressed to his children so in mens to theirs CHAP. IV. Of Honour of Reverence due from children to Parents WE have handled that first branch of Honour of Parents in a direct way we now proceed to the second which is the Honour of Reverence for so Honour is taken as we shewed in the 1. Chapter Observe then as a second branch of the generall point that Children are to Honour their Parents with the Honour of Reverence Levit. 19. 3. Ye shall fear Honour of Reverence due to Parents every man his Mother and every man his Father Heb. 12. 9. the Fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them due reverence For the better handling of this part of Childrens duty we shall first shew wherein this Reverence of Parents consisteth and is expressed and 2. Make use of it Touching the first we say this Reverence due to Parents is either outward or inward 1. Then outward Reverence is due from children 1. Outward as to Parents and so 1. Children are to rise up and to stand bare before their Parents when they come to them or speak to them for if of Fathers in age God saith Rise up before the hoary head and Honour the face of the old man Levit. 19. 31. Rising to Parents he surely requireth it of children to their own Parents Henre the excuse of Rachel though a married woman from unavoidable necessity as reason why she rose not up to her Father Laban Gen. 31. 35. And Rachel said to her Father Let it not displease my Lord that I cannot rise up before thee for the custome of women is upon me it must be some avoidable necessity that must be a just reason that children rise not up before their Parents else Parents have just reason to be displeased when Achsah daughter to Caleb is to request a thing of her Father she keepeth not her posture of sitting in which she was before but lighteth off the beast she rode upon and then speaketh her mind to her Father Judg. 1. 13 14 15. It stands not with Parents Honour for children to sit and speak but rather they should stand up when they speak to Parents 2. If Parents be comming towards children they 2. To meet parents comming are to prevent them and meet them 1 Kings 2. 19. Bathsheba went to Salomon to speak for Adonijah and the King rose up to meet her 3. They are to bow to them so Salomon 1 Kings 3. To bow to them 2. 19. he bowed himself to his Mother So Joseph Gen. 48. 12. and Joseph brought them out from between his Fathers knees and he bowed himself with his face to the earth So Moses to his Father-in-Law did obey sance and all these their Sons were great men yet not too great or high to stoop in way of Honour of Reverence to Parents 4. They must speak Reverently both to their 4. To speak to them and of them reverently Parents and of them
yea also in those spirituall matters of their souls in the things and comforts of God and of his word and seals and services c. The way to have body and soul to do well and prosper yea the way to have God himself shining and smiling upon children to have Gods blessing upon childrens reading hearing and meditating of the word to have God answering even their prayers to have God ordering all things for good to them which befall them to have God to be with them and bless all they do take in hand to do well by them in life and death is to yeeld due and true obedience to Parents Prov. 15. 5. is verified in obedientiall hearkning to Parents counsels or rebukes the eare that heareth reproof abideth among the wise It is amonst the number of them else that care or person would not hearken but which is more it abideth among them such an one doth not apostatize from the company and condition of persons truly wise I fear if the bottom of the Apostasie of many promising professors now a daies were searched into this would be found there they were or are disobedient children to their parents but as for the obedient God is so well pleased with them that he thinks he can never deal well enough with them Now in the third place we shall make use of 1. Use of reproof of childrens this branch even of siliall obedience the use whereof serveth 1. For reproof and that first of children 1. Of such who in shew express obedience to 1. Pretended obedience your Parents commands but in reality do it not like the Son in the Parable who when bid by his Father to go and work in his Vineyard he saith I go Sir but went not Matth. 21. 30. Or if you do any thing which for the matter of it is injoyned by your Parents yet formally and properly it s not filial obedience but rather yeelding obedience to some lust of your own which biddeth you do such and such things which Parents enjoyn As when a covetous lust will put you on to do your Fathers will and work that you may have the gain of it or the like or if you do at length what Parents require in a better manner yet it may abase you that you did it not more readily and seasonably you first were too disobedient in your carriage like the Son in the parable that said at first he would not Matth. 21. 28 29. Afterward indeed he repented and went and so at last did the will of his Father But it was to him and by proportion should be to you a ground of penitent shame and sorrow that at first you were so disobedient 2. Of such children who are plainly disobedient 2. Disobedience to parents to your Parents and persist in it or at least continue too long in it without repentance for the same Some there are that when their Parents do even stoop somewhat below themselves and not command so much as intreat them to do this or that lawfull thing at their request yet will boldly deny their parents desires like the Elder Son in the Parable who when his Father commeth out to him and intreateth him to come in will not come in Luk. 15. 28 29. Some when their Parents would have them of an honest calling or course of life as more fit for that and such as may be more serviceable to God and men in it yet will not be ruled no they must take to some other course that their foolish hearts like better or else their Parents cannot be in quiet like Adonijah that contrary to God and his Father Davids mind would needs be a King when yet he was no way fitted for it 1 King 1. Some will like those in Gen. 6. 2. be matching but as themselves only foolishly fansie and Parents cannot be at rest for them but they must needs have such a one like Sampson Judg. 14. 2. He came and told his Father and Mother saying I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistins now therefore get her for me to wife and when his Parents wisely and faithfully replyed vers 3. Is there never a daughter among all my people that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistins Sampson saith to his Father get her for me for she pleaseth me or is right enough in mine eyes Some children are grown to such an height of disobedience as they are grown stubborn resolute wilful in their disobedience they are long habituated in it they will not now be counselled commanded reproved or corrected by Parents they are above that they are past that they will be no longer curbed or controlled not they by Mother or Father either but little do you consider what a black brand you do carry herein upon your selves of your reprobation and as a token thereof of your judiciall hardening It was said of Esau Esau have I hated or in my counsell rejected Rom. 9. and what a grief of mind was he to his Parents by disobedient carriage in his matches Gen. 26. When God hath a mind to ruinate Elies Sons as men of Belial whom he abhorred 1 Sam. 2. 25. It s said they hearkened not to the voyce of their Father they would on in their course say the old man what he will to the contrary because the Lord would slay them Their counsels commands checks rebukes yea and corrections too are not hearkened to but all slighted to make way for the fatall ruin of children devoted and destinated to saddest ends either by the hand of some enemies as in the case of Hophni and Phineas 1 Sam. 2. 25. compar'd with Chap. 4. 11. or by the hand of civill justice as Deut. 21. 20 21. they bring out their stubborn Son that will not be ruled by them and he is stoned to death sometimes by some more immediate hand of God as that disobedient yong man which would none of the voyce of his teachers parents or others he hated their reproofs c. He is smitten by dreadfull horror of conscience inwardly whence that dolefull mourning at last when it is too late Prov. 5. 11 12 13. and with lothsome diseases outwardly he even rotteth above ground and pineth away his flesh and body is consumed ibid. And hence we might give instances of very dreadfull examples of the lives and deaths of stubborn and disobedient children and what other can be expected when they are in that black rowl of persons given up of God to a reprobate mind Rom. 1. 28. He gave them up to a mind void of judgement to do those things which are not convenient being filled with all unrighteousness v. 29 c. disobedient to parents v. 30. 2. It serveth to reprove parents who any way 2. Of parents occasioning childrens disobedience 1. By abusing their Authority occasion disobedience in children 1. By abusing their authority in giving out unjust commands to them which the
shall be an ornament to a Sons head and as precious chaines about his neck a badg and pledg of honour in the eyes of his people Prov. 13. 18. He that hearkneth to reproof of a Parent especially shall be honoured Hence God causeth so honourable a Record to be kept in Scripture of the Acts of obedience to Parents in Isaac Jacob Joseph and others Memorable is that Jer. 35. 18 19. Where God chargeth Jeremiah to tell the Rechabites Because you have obeyed the commandement of Jonadab your Father and kept all his precepts and done according to all that he hath commanded you therefore thus saith the Lord the God of Israel Jonadab the Son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever namely so long as that state and Church of Judah should stand as they should not he rooted out as Jer 31. 36. There is the like phrase in a like sense so they should be be honourably imployed according to that phrase in a like sense Jer. 33. 17 18. 2. That the Lord sometimes taketh occasion 2. God manifesteth great things to such in such a way to manifest such speciall grace to children whilest in this way of filial obedience as either was not at all or not in that measure shewed to them before Observable is that in Jacob whose journey to Padan Aram is put upon the account of his filial obedience even by his malicious Brother Esau Gen. 28. 7. now as he in his obediential way journyed from Bershebah towards Haran v. 10 11. there he seeth the ladder set upon the earth and the top of it reached to heaven and behold the Angels of God ascending and descending upon it and behold the Lord stood above it and said I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac thy Father the land whereon thou liest will I give it to thee and to thy seed v. 12 13. and vers 14. He promiseth to multiply his seed and that in him and his seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed and vers 15. Behold I am with thee saith God and I will keep thee in all places whither thou goest and will bring thee again to this land for I will not leave thee untill I have done that which I have spoken to thee of and vers 16 17. Jacob awoke and said Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not this is none other then the house of God this is the gate of heaven Never had Jacob that we finde before this time so glorious a manifestation of the promised Messiah to be God and man in one person as that one Ladder with its top reaching to heaven and its bottome on earth to be as a blessed Medium and Mediator by which God and Man heaven and earth should be joyned together as by a Ladder set on earth yet reaching up to heaven to be he by whom the Angels minister unto us and by whom all graces and spirituall blessings descend upon us and our hearts and spirits our prayers praises and other holy services yea and our whole persons one day ascend up to Heaven Never had Jacob such glorious promises of blessing upon him and his seed before Never was he in such a Corner of Heaven before And who then would not be incouraged to filial obedience and to be found in the way there of wherein others have found more of God and Christ than ever before 3. That Gods speciall presence and blessing 3. Gods special presence and blessing is with such is with you in a way of filial obedience to your parents so in this Scripture mentioned Jacob had Gods gracious promise of his presence with him and preservation of him in all places whither he went and that his seed with him should be blessed 4. Promises made to children with their parents come by that meanes to be fulfilled 4. That it tendeth to the ratification and accomplishment of the promises made to you in your godly parents As to Abrahams children in case of their obedience of his godly commands Gen. 18. 19. I know Abraham that he will command his Children and household after him And they in obedience to his command shall keep the way of the Lord that the Lord may bring upon Abraham even in his children after him that which he hath spoken of him even his promises respecting him and his seed Deut. 32. 46. Set your hearts to all the words which I testifie among you this day which you shall command your children to observe to do all the words of this Law vers 47. For this is not a vain thing for you because it is your life and through this thing you shall prolong your daies in the land which yee go to possess Albeit God had made so many promises of their injoyment of Canaan and many blessings of grace protection peace and the plenty there upon them and their posterity yet the meanes of accomplishment of all must be 1. That parents themselves must set themselves to obey all Gods Commands 2. They must lay their authority upon their Children to require of them also obedience to all Gods Commands 3. The Children in obedience to their parents commands under God they must observe to do all the words of that Law 1 King 2. 1 2 3. David chargeth his Son Solomon saying Keep the charge of the Lord thy God to walk in all his waies c. that by keeping this charge of God as given in charge by me thy Father according to God thou maiest prosper in all thou doest and vers 4. that the Lord may confirm his word which he spake concerning me namely in respect to my Children saying If thy Children take heed to their way to walk before me in truth with all their heart and soul there shall not fail thee said he a man on the throne of Israel 5. That your examples of filial obedience in 5. It will be a meanes of the like obedience in other Children you may be a meanes to work somewhat at least upon other Children yea even upon disobedient ones as Jacobs did upon Esau Gen. 28. 6 7 8. He never considered his disobedient course of matching with Canaanites against his parents minde But when he saw that Isaac his father had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Padan Aram to take him a Wife from thence and not to take a Wife of the Daughters of Canaan and that Jacob obeyed his Father and Mother and was gone to Padan Aram and Esau seeing the Daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaack his father vers 9. Then went Esau to Ishmael and took Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abrahams Son to wife Now he thought his matching thus unto the family of Abraham might better please his Father and so did it 6. In that else in a contrary way of dishonour 6. The contrary will expose the very place where they are to Gods curse of parents you will what in you lieth
that good of grace as of faith 9. By imitating all that was truly good in them love and holiness righteousness patience meekness courage constancy humility zeal of Gods glory holy fervency diligence fidelity and the like which children have beheld and seen in their parents Prov. 4. 12. Saith David to Solomon I have led thee in the right paths even by holy example also Joh. 8. 39. If ye were Abraham's children ye would do the works of Abraham if they were genuine children of Abraham they would shew it by the honour they really put upon him by making him an holy exemplar and pattern to themselves how to walk before the Lord and to be upright It was a noble speech of a good daughter-in-Law to her Mother Naomi a godly Matron Ruth 2. 16. Thy God shall be my God and thy people my people she would honour all that was honourable in her her Religion her faith in God and worship and service of him and obedience to him as also her union and communion with the Church and love to them and the like 10. Not to suffer themselves to be drawn aside 10. By cleaving to their good wayes without degenerating and Apostatising or to Apostatise or degenerate from that of God and Christ and his grace truth worship and wayes which their Parents have held forth to them in word and deed precept and practice and have frequenrly given in charge to their children This is charged upon children Prov. 6. 20. My Son keep tby Fathers Commandements and forsake not the Law of thy Mother And Prov. 4. 2. Forsake you not my Law Prov. 1. 8. My Son hear the instructions of thy Father and forsake not the Law of thy Mother This was commended in those of Judah the posterity of godly Ancestors Hos 11. 12. Judah ruleth yet with God and comparatively to Israel is faithfull to the Saints viz. their godly Ancestors who delivered their faith to their successors to be kept and carryed and conveyed to posterity successively according as they had taught them by precept and practice It s faithfulness to Ancestors and so honoureth Ancestors when posterity continueth to hold out what was most honourable in them and doth not degenerate them-from Hence that also Jer. 35. 13 14. will you not hearken to my words saith the Lord The words of Jonadab the Son of Rechab that he commanded his Sons are performed for unto this day they drink no wine but obey their Fathers Commandement As if he had said they put this Honour upon their Ancestors from Jonadabs time who first practised it and gave it in charge to his children who also left it as their practice and precept to their Children and so successively from Parent to Child it hath been observed without alteration to this day nor will they by any temptation or triall even of Jeremiah himself be drawn aside from that their mortified practice of weanedness from the worlds delights and contentments but you will not Honour me so much as to follow the Counsels and godly examples of my Prophets by whom time after time I have called upon you to wayes of holy obedience These two last wayes of Reflect Honour of Parents by their Children being the main we shall therefore in the prosecution of the point chiefly attend them The Reason hereof may be taken from the titles Reasons hereof from childrens Titles calling for it given to Children in Scripture which hold forth as much that in Gods appointment Children as child should be an honor to their parents 1. Hence they are called Parents and Ancestors Crowns Prov. 17. 6. Childrens Children are the Crown of old men A badge and pledge of their holy royalty dignity and excellency as Crowns are to Princes heads and Hos 9. 11. They are called Parents glory their glory shall flee away viz. their Children from the birth womb and conception v. 12. I will bereave them of their Children which they bring up 2. They are called Stars Gen. 37. 9 10. The glory of the firmament where they are the Families where they are albeit not of equall glory to the Father and Mother of the Family which are theirs as the Sun and Moon as Jacob and his wife and eleven Sons are in Josephs dream the Sun Moon and eleven Stars 3. They are Parents rewards from God and so appointed to be as rewards are to others for their Honour so are they in Gods intent godly Parents heritage and heritages redound to the possessors Honour 4. They are in Gods appointment to be as Olive plants about their Table a badge and pledge of Honour to their Parents such as from whom commeth that which will make their parents faces to shine as Oyle-olive will a mans face They are as Arrows in the hand of a Gyant which become instrumental to many an honourable Trophe and Lawrell Crown of theirs such as Parents need not beashamed of but glory in even in despite of envy and malice it self Psal 127. 4. 5. As Arrows are in the hand of a Gyant so are Children of youth happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them they shall not be ashamed but they shall speak with the enemies in the Gate 5. Children are in Scripture account builders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he hath built Isay 49. 17. Genev. Transl not only in respect of holding up the Family and the like but in that their work is to contrive compose advance adorn replensh or occasionally to repair that goodly piece their Parents Honour as well as safety comfort peace prosperity or the like 6. Children are in Scripture account as polished stones of a Palace Psal 144. 22. redounding much to the Honour of Parents who instrumentally formed and framed them Reason 2. May be taken from Parents they are 2. From Times of Parents in Scripture their Childrens glory Prov. 17. 6. and the glory of Children are their Fathers and if good Parents are such an Honour to their Children Children should be a glory and Honour to their godly Parents yea the Honour put upon Parents redounds to their Children the more glory is upon the Parent the more is upon the Children whose glory their Fathers are so that the more Honour Children are to Parents and the better they carry it in way of Honour to their Parents the more Honour they put thereby upon themselves The use of this point serveth first for reproof Use 1. For Reproof and that and that first of Parents who are many of you too guilty of your Childrens dishonourable courses and carriages namely 1. When you unadvisedly expose your Children 1. Of Parents too much furthering Childrens dishonourable carriages and courses to dishonourable practices or temptations thereunto as Gen. 19. 8. I have two daughters saith Lot to those beastly Sodomites which have not known man let me I pray you bring them out to you and do yee to them as is good in your own
Children have nothing to give Parents to be a temptation to bribe their affections to them nor are they of any power to curb them any way to enforce respects to them and so they are more pure Whereas in both these regards Childrens respects to Parents may be leavened Yea Parents as Parents are instruments in Gods hands of their Childrens Souls being in their bodies and so of the faculties of their Souls and so of their naturall affections in them and of that affection of love and fear amongst the rest and therefore they may well chalenge the honourable improvement of them to themselves so far as God alloweth the same To conclude Children will never honour Parents with the honour of Reverence Obedience or Recompence or the like unlesse they give the honour of respect love due to them therefore give them this their due Now that Children may be helped and furthered in doing this Helps to it 1 Dread of the vile sin of unnaturalnesse 1. Possesse your hearts with a deep sense and dread of the heinous nature of the sin of unnaturalness which is wont to be accompanied with the vilest sins against God and Man as by comparing Rom. 2. 28 29 30 31 32. and 2 Tim. 3. 2 3 4. may be discerned Such persons who are without naturall affections commonly proving Blasphemous against God ingrateful to God and men unholy truce and Covenant-breakers whisperers back-biters false accusers of others they are commonly given to uncleanness and wantonness they are fierce and furious of a cruell Salvage unmercifull implacable spirit they are despisers of those that are good they are even haters of God they are haters of other men of a spightfull malicious quarrelsome and envious Spirit in a word They are full of all unrighteousnesse and deceit themselves and inventors of evill things evill opinions evill practises ringleaders in sin authors of sin to others If sundry of these scandalous persons in old and new England were closely search'd into they would be found to be persons who have been are unnaturall to their Parents 2. Take heed of any leading causes which breed and feed unnaturalness and undermine naturall 2. Avoiding causes of unnaturalnesse of affection as 1. Ignorance affection to Parents such as are 1. Ignorance of God and of his word and of the matters of Religion Rom 1. 31. without understanding without naturall affection if without understanding what wonder if without naturall affection 2. Self-love for they that are so full of self-love 2. Self-love have never a due proportion of love left for God or man for Parents or others 2 Tim. 3. 2. For men shall be lovers of themselves and verse 3. without naturall affection 3. A worldly covetous Spirit ibid. Covetous 3. Covetousnesse without naturall affection a Spirit of the love of the world will eat out as the love of the Father of our Spirits John 2. 15. so that of the Father of our flesh also whose Fatherhood is an Image of that in God Such if they shew respect to Parents it is but for their own advantage and gaine and if the respect to them may not stand with their gain or must be to their outward losse then adieu respect to Parents 4. A proud Spirit 2 Tim. 3. 3 4. Without naturall affection high-minded Absolom who was so Pride high-minded what wonder is it if he prove so unnaturall to his Father 5. A Voluptuous Spirit ibid. Without naturall affection lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God Voluptuousnesse They that respect their pleasures so much they never respect God as they shold nor their parents Esaus inordinatenesse of affection to his hunting brings him to that Gen. 25. that he despiseth his birth-right as his Fathers eldest Son and therein virtually despiseth his Father and his voluptuous desires after the Canaanitish women make him carelesse of grieving his Father and Mother and so far unnaturall to them Gen. 26. 3. Getting their hearts truly turned to the Lord. 3. Labour to get your hearts turned to God effectually and in love with him as a Father and then whatsoever alienations of heart there were in you from your Parents before yet then Childrens hearts will be also turned fully to your good Parents Ma. 4. 6. Jo. Baptist its said by the blessing of grace upon his Ministry turning persons to the Lord to the faith to the wisedome of the Just as Luke hath said it Luk. 1. 17. he shall turn the hearts of the Children to their good Fathers which whilest the Children were wicked they could not well abide to be controuled reproved curbed and corrected as they were by them and so their good Fathers also whose hearts were much taken off from those Children for their vilenesse should be turned towards their Children or as some say the unnaturall distances bred betwixt Parents and Children by many sects and opinions too rife among the Jewes when by sound doctrine they were brought to rights and to the truth those alienations should be healed Only Cautions about Childrens love to Parents 1. Not such as to approve sin in Parents in the love of Children to Parents let these cautions be observed 1. Look that it be not such as to approve of the evill saiyings principles or practises of your ungodly or of your seducing or seduced Parents It s blamed in them Psal 40. 13. their posterity approve their sayings Jer. 7. 18. The Children gather wood and the Fathers kindle a fire and the women knead the dough to make Cakes to the Queen of heaven 2 King 15. 13. Asaph loved his Mother well as his Mother but he hateth her Idol he destroyeth and burneth it Abraham loveth his Father Terah well but will not go after his way of Idol-worship Josh 24. 2 3. God commendeth it in the Son who seeth all his fathers sins and considereth and doth not such like Ezek. 18. 14. 2. Let it not be such as to follow their evill Of 2. Such as to follow their sinfull Counsell Counsel in any thing as Ahaziah who walked in the waies of Ahab for his Mother was his Consellour 2 Chron. 22. 3. And as Herodias who being before instructed of her Mother said to Herod give me here John Baptists head in a charger Mat. 14. 8. 3. Let it not be so as to keep their dangerous Or 3. Such as to keep their sinfull Counsel and wicked Counsel in any way of wickednesse but rather seasonably to reveal it Michol Sauls Daughter did well in this to tell her husband David of her Fathers Sauls bloody design against him so that he escaped 1 Sam. 19. 11 12. The like did Jonathan to David Cap. 20 3 4. 4. That it be not so as when you are called of Or 4. Not to bear seasonable witness against their evils God to it then not to bear seasonable witnesse against their sin as in case of Parents seducing Children from the Lord and his
recompence to be given to Parents proved thankful recompence Christ himself ratifieth this as commanded of God and as injoyned also virtually in the fifth Commandement and that if a Son do nothing for his Father and his Mother in their need they break that Commandement and such as are instruments to hinder them from it they make the word of God of none effect Mark 7. 10. Moses said honour thy Father and thy Mother vers 12. and ye suffer a man no more to do ought for his Father or Mother vers 13. making the word of God of none effect 1 Tim. 5. 4. But if any Widdow have Children or Nephewes let them that is the Adult Children of such ancient widdowes learn to shew piety or kindnesse at home and to requite their parents that this is the meaning is evident from the scope of the Apostle who is speaking of what Widdowes are to be honoured and owned by the Church imployed and maintained by the Church viz. such as are Widdowes indeed vers 3. namely as vers 5. expoundeth every way desolate not only in respect of want or deprivall of an husband to provide for her but of Children or near kindred to take care of her or minister supply to her As for any other Widdow as vers 4. expresseth who hath Children or Nephewes to provide for her the Apostle would not have the Church charged with them but injoyneth it from God as the Childrens duty if such be living or near kinsfolkes duty to shew piety or kindness to them and especially the Children they must learn to shew piety to them at home and to requite their parents And its observable that the Holy Ghost saith not let them only shew piety requite Parents but let them learn to do it there is an holy skill and art of doing it to know wherein and how and when and for what ends to do it every one knoweth not the right art of doing it And he that hath any holy skill that way may be a daily proficient in it there is some mystery in it and it would be learned by all every one must be teachable and willing and desirous to understand his duty this way and to know it more and more and the more each one practiseth according to the Rules of God this commendable art the better artist no doubt he will prove therein I shall endevour according to that small measure which I have received to give some few directions which may be of some use this way Let us then first consider wherein or in what way this filial gratefull recompence is to be made to Parents 2. Why it is to be made 3. Make such use of it as may both discover any thing contrary to it or any hinderance in it and likewise what may any way further either the Theorie or Practice of it In all which we shall make much use of that fundamentall notion as I may call it which the Holy Ghost giveth us for this end in the very phrase he useth to express the duty it self 1 Tim. 5. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vicem rependere as Beza and others render it parentibus or to progenitours as it is in the Greek whether next parents or Grand-Fathers and Grand-Mothers or the like there must be a thankful retaliation as much as may be though perfectly and fully it cannot be for parents have given their children their beings under God and their very life and existence which the children can never do to them but as much as may be they must repay them like for like Touching the first thing propounded in what way children must recompence parents I answer 1. In way of gratefull serving of them and It consisteth in childrens 1. Gratefull serving of their parents their good as thereunto called of God Paul alludeth to this in Phil. 2. 22. for as a Son with the Father hath he served with me in the Gospell Mal. 3. 17. his Son that serveth him In case especially of parents meanness as with us generally in New England there is need that some of their children at least should even work for them Jesus Christ when on earth he wrought hard with his reputed Father for the maintenance of his poor Mother Mark 6. 3. Is not this the Carpenter say they the Son of Mary And I say in way of grateful serving of parents they must do that in a way of gratitude which their parents in way of parentall love did for them they must vicem reddere as I said the phrase is in Tim. 5. 4. give like for like How did parents work and labour Working for them out of love to them for them Answ 1. They did it with much tender respect and affection to children for love of them rather than themselves they had many a bowel-pang and thought of their children carrying them on to and in their toyles and labours Alas thought they many and many a time if we take not such and such pains if we use not such and such diligence in our callings our poor helpless babes our poor children will want this and that for the back and for the belly c. As Jacob said Gen. 30. 30. when shall I be for mine own house also He looketh not so much to provide for himself as for his wives as an husband for his children as a Father children do you like for like If servants in some cases will continue serving their Masters because they love them whence that boring of such a servants ear Exod. 21. 5 6. then do you children much more out of respect to your parents this serving of parents and labouring for them and that out of respect to them is all but due debt on your part You have reason to look backward to what is past and lyeth already in banck on your parents part and what Bils or Bonds on their part which requir greater disbursments this way than ever you can make if you should serve them all your daies And if you pay in now a little and then a little as you are able and as your parents needs call for it yet may you very well have low thoughts of all such petty payments as yet are so exceedingly short of that vast sum of service and ministration which is due to your parents 2. Parents did what service of love they did for their children with a great deal of Alacrity With alacrity and freeness with heart and good will as we use to say Children do you the like for them even servants are to serve their Masters with good will Eph. 6. 7. and to do what they do for them ex animo heartily Col. 3. 23. Much more should children do so in what you do for your parents Farents good hearts they did nothing they did for children grudgingly though never so harsh to flesh and blood though very toilsome no it never deared them as we say knowing that their poor children should have the benefit
Concerning the first such children especially are bound 1. To be observing minding prising and treasuring up such parents good speeches as so many oracles of God which will evidence to all that their Children honour them Job 15. 18. which wise men have told from their Fathers and have not hid it a sign then that those wise Children minded well and stored up their godly Fathers counsels so Psal 44. 1 2. We have heard with our ears Oh God our Fathers have told us what thou didst in their dayes c. So Psal 78. 2 3. I will utter mysterious sayings of old which we have heard and known and our Fathers have told us Prov. 4. 3 4. For I was my Fathers Son he taught me also and said to me retain my words keep my Commandements and live Get wisdome yet understanding c. To which purpose also children must in case of any difficulty or doubt arising to them repair firstly to their godly parents for counsell and resolution How oft is that mentioned when thy Son asketh thee in time to come saying what mean the Testimonies and the Statutes which the Lord our God hath Commanded you then thou shalt say thus and thus to thy Son c. Deut. 6. 20 21 22 23 24 25. So Exod. 13. 14. Josh 4. 6 21. This reflecteth much Honour upon parents wisdome and ability that they are able to give forth Gods mind to their children and upon their piety and fidelity that they make conscience to do it and upon their holy industry and vigilancy that they are ready to take all occasions to help on their Children in the things of God 2. To acquaint parents in the first place with 2. By acquainting them with their secrets all their Secrets which are of weight It s implyed in Sampsons speech speaking of his Riddle Judg. 14. 16. I have not told my Father nor my Mother and should I tell it thee This evidenceth that Children magnifie their parents wisdome and fidelity above others that their breasts shall be the only prime Cabinet of the Childrens Secrets 3. To ask leave of their parents at least whil'st 3 By asking their leave for what they do Children are under their tuition for what they do Ruth 2. 2. Let me go I pray thee saith Ruth to Naomi to glean in his field in whose eyes I shall find favour and she said go my Daughter Exod. 4. 18. Let me go saith Moses to Jethro and return to my brethren which are in Egypt and see whether they be yet alive and Jethro said to Moses go in peace 2 Sam. 13. 26. Let my brother Ammon go with us saith Absolom to David though out of a bad end and Chap. 15. 17. Let me go I pray thee and pay my vow unto the Lord in Hebron saith Absolom to his Father though out of a base end If Dinah as its probable did without leave from her parents go to see the daughters of the Country then was it no wonder that being out of her way she so miscarried as Genesis 34. 1 2. Shechem saw her took her and lay with her and defiled her This also redounds to the Honour of the Parents Authority that Children shew thereby that they dare not attempt any thing without their likings yea and their wisdome-fidelity is hereby honoured that they know better what is meet for Children to do than themselves and will order their wayes better than they can do themselves 4. To set forth to parents praise what is good in 4. By setting forth the praise worthiness in parents them as occasion requireth and to maintain their names even when they are dead all they can Prov. 31. 28. Her Children rise up and call her blessed 5. To vindicate any wrongs injury or dishonor 5. By vindicating parents wrongs done to parents so far as it lyeth in the compass of Childrens calls places thus Amaziah 2 Kings 14. 5. as soon as confirmed in his Kingdome he slew his servants who had slain Jehoash his Father 6. To do parents all the honour they can at 6. By honouring them at their death their death Genes 25. 9. Abrahams Sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the Cave of Machpelah So Gen. 35. 29. Isaacs Sons Esau and Jacob buried him Gen. 50. 8. And Joseph went up to bury his Father and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh and all the Elders of his house and all the Elders of Egypt and all the house of Joseph and his Brethren and his Fathers house only they left their little ones their flocks and herds in the land of Goshen they and their wives also went so 7. By thankfull rendring notable mercies shewed to parents great a journey to solemnize the old Fathers Funerall and to do him Honour there 7. To maintain a thankfull remembrance of remarkable mercies extended to parents or Ancestors Esay 38. 19. The living the living he shall praise thee as I do this day saith Hezekiah when he recovered from so great a death the Father to the Children shall make known thy truth God would have them of old to perpetuate their Ancestors deliverance out of Egypts bondage Exod. 13. 8 9 10. From the slaughter of their first born there which to the succeeding posterity were also Fathers Exod. 12. 25 26 27. So Est 9. 21 22 23 24 26 27. Care was taken for the perpetuation of a thankfull remembrance succesfully for their Ancestors delivery from the mischiefs of Hammons bloody plot And if our Fathers had more Honour put upon them in our thankfull solemnizing the memoriall of their deliverance from the horrid mischief of that devilish Powder-plot in the year 1605. it might do well Surely it redoundeth to parents Honour if they are of so high esteem and respect in their Childrens eyes that any notable mercy extended to them shall be for ever kept in thankfull remembrance by their posterity 8. To improve godly persons interest in the 8. To make best improvement of the holy interests Lord and in his Covenant by faith and to plead them in their prayers this act of Children redoundeth exceedingly to parents Honour holding forth their parents to be persons so highly honoured of God as to be deeply interested in him in his Covenant and Grace and to be of such faith in God and in his Covenant thus did David twice Psalm 116. 16. Truly Lord I am thy servant the Son of thy handmaid Psal 86. 16. give thy strength to thy servant and save the Son of thy handmaid In the former he in a holy wise glorieth in his Mothers interest in the latter he pleadeth her interest in the Lord 1 Kings 8. 25 26. Therefore now Oh Lord God of Israel keep with thy servant David my Father that which thou promis'dst him So Jacob pleaded his Grand-Fathers and his Fathers interest Gen. 32. 5. And Jacob said Oh God of my Father Abram God of my Father Isaac c. 9. To imitate all
that we may preserve seed of our Father So in Tamars case from Judahs neglect of bestowing his Son Shelah upon her according to his own promise and consent pretended at least Gen. 38. 11. and vers 14. When Tamar saw that Shelah was grown and she was not given to him to wife then she went and sate in the way where Judah should come with her veil as if she had been some strumpet and vers 26. Judah confesseth it as his fault that such incest was committed to the shame indeed of his and of his Fathers house She hath been saith he more righteous than I because I gave her not to Shelah my Son Hence the Apostles counsell to Parents to dispose seasonably of their Virgins in marriage 1 Cor. 7. 36. If any man thinketh that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin if she pass the flower of her age and need so requires it let them marry 5. When you lay up ill gotten goods as gain 5. By laying up ill gotten goods for mem of oppression deceit violence or any injustice this layeth your Children open to reproachfull courses to themselves and you even by the just hand of God against such injust gain Hab. 2. 9 10. Woe to him that coveteth an evill covetousness to his house vers 10. Thou hast consulted shame to thine own house 6. When Christian you suffer others yea it 6. By suffering their judgements to be corrupted may be too forward your selves to be distilling into them corrupt principles of Religion or furthering them in the practice thereof but Oh how dishonourable must this needs prove to your selves by the sad and sorrowfull consequences thereof in your Children like that sad effect of Idolatry in those Children Jer. 17. 2. Whil'st vers 2. the Children remember their Fathers groves and altars or like Ahaziah 2 Chro. 22. 3. He walked in all Ahabs wayes for his Mother was his counsellor to do wickedly Thus Micahs Mother put him upon making that Idoll Judg. 17. 2 3 4 c. and Oh that in these Apostatising dayes the seed of the degenerating of the posterity of Godly Ancestors and of all their loose and scandalous courses to the shame of their Fathers houses had not been first laid in them by their own Parents leavening them with corrupt opinions 2. It serveth for reproof unto Children or 2. It reproeth children especially those of good parents persons in the relation of Children especially the Children of godly parents the Children of the Church that even you are every way a dishonour to your parents and reflect and put much dishonour upon them and so sharply reproveth 1. Such of you as scoff at and deride such of 1. For deriding their good brethren or sisters your godly Brethren or Sisters whom your Parents most respect or do any wrong to your Brethren or Sisters of one or both Parents of the former sort was Ishmael Abrahams Son by Hagar the Egyptian whom Sarah saw mocking of Isaac that beloved Childe of the promise Gen. 21. 9. Of the Latter sort were Josephs brethren who before their conversion envied godly Joseph who brought their evill report unto Jacob Gen. 37. 2. because Jacob loved him above them vers 3 4. and because God had shewed him in two severall dreams that he would so highly exalt him above them vers 8. And out of Envy sold him afterwards into Egypt Acts 7. 7. Such an one was Abimelech Gedeons Son who slew his 70. Brethren and the Holy Ghost reckoneth it as a wicked and vile fact done to his very Father Judg. 9. 56. Gen. 42. 36. Jacob telleth his Sons that they had bereaved him of his Children Joseph is not Simeon is not and you will take away Benjamin all these things are against me Such who trample upon and rend away good Children they trample upon and rend away their Fathers Crown and Glory for such are Children unto Parents Prov. 17. 6. Hos 9. 11 12. Such reflect dishonour upon their godly parents wisdome and zeal as if they did misplace their respects upon those Children who deserved not the same But God hath been wont to abase such proud envious malicious Spirits and to put as much or more dishonour upon them Ishmael and his whole posterity was cast out of the Church for it Gen. 21 9 10 11 12 13. Jacobs Sons were brought very low inwardly and outwardly when so roughly handled in Egypt and for a time imprisoned Gen. 72. 17 30 33. Abimelech came to a vile and dishonourable end by a Stone hurled upon him from a Tower by the hand of a woman together with his Armour-bearers sword Judg. 9. 57. and 56. Thus God rendred the wickedness of Abimelech which he did unto his Father in slaying his 70. Brethren 2. Such Children of Christian Parents who neglect the best time of your good under the good 2. For neglecting their opportunities of good whil'st with their good parents education of your Parents under a godly Ministry of whom it may be said as Jer. 8. 20. The Harvest is past the Summer is ended and they are not saved now such a Son that sleepeth in that blessed Harvest time of reaping so much soul-good is a Son that causeth shame even to his very Parents also as well as to himself Prov. 10. 5. Others who know you will be ready to censure or at least to suspect that your Parents were not so conscionable in this matter of their education did not pray enough or not so seriously for you and so your Parents names suffer by such unprofitable burthens of the Church as you are but let me tell you that it very frequently happeneth that those who get no good under the Tuition of their godly Parents they are left to vilest courses and that without recovery It s more rare if they come to good who had not some godly seeds thereof in their godly Parents Families if bred up to adult age there nor Cain nor Cham nor Esau nor Nadab nor Abihu nor Abimelech nor Hophni nor Phineas nor Ammon nor Absolom nor Adonijah nor such like which were not good nor had seeds of good in them whil'st under their good Parents wing were ever good after And you must dearly answer one day for those Talents of good education and opportunities of good in your Parents Families God will say as in another case Prov. 17. 16. wherefore was there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdome since he had no heart to it And all those helps and seasons of good which you had in such Families will be as oyle to make your tormenting flames burn the more fiercely and as pricks to stir up that raging vexing gnawing worm within you as in that poor forlorn young man in awakenings of his conscience listen what it is that he howleth and roareth over 1 Prov. 5. 11 12 13. Oh it is the instruction which he hath had from Parents and others but hated and thou mourn at
last saying how have I hated instruction It is the reproof he hath had but despised how hath my heart despised reproof it is the voyce of his teachers which he hath heard but not obeyed I have not obeyed the voyce of my Teachers If one might lay ones ear in the other world at the mouth of the bottomless pit one should hear many such desperate moans and yellings out such complaints so that though poor Parents suffer by such wretches as you are at the present yet a time will come when you your selves shall thus clear them and condemn your selves 3. Such Children of Christian Parents who take to deboist company and take up any Ruffianly 3. For deboist company and courses customs or courses in your hair in your garb in your jovialling and rioting Prov. 17. 2. A wise servant shall have rule over a Son that causeth shame a deboist Son who is not fit to be trusted with any business of his Fathers putteth shame even upon his Father and Family as well as upon himself Christians are spiritual Priests unto God 1 Pet. 2. 5. truly as it was of old Num 21. 9. the daughter of any Priest if she profane her self she profaneth her Father so it is here such profane Children as you are you do even profane your very good Parents Or as it is in the case of Elders of Churches it s put upon their account of blame if their Children be accused of Riot or are unruly and therefore it s said Tit. 1. 6 7. If he be blameless having Children not accused of riot or unruly for a Bishop must he blameless c. So is it true of other godly Parents some blemish and blame reflecteth upon them when their Children are so culpable such scandalous Children of the Church as you are It is no wonder that you get no good by your Education if given to such loose companions and their Counsels this is the cause of the other as it was in Rehoboam when those young blades gave him that boisterous counsell 2 Chron. 11. 4. He slighted the grave counsell of those Ancient Fathers of the State so it is here hang it will such companions say what needst thou care what the old man saith nor is it likely that ever such a Son should be better so long as knit to such comrades Prov. 9. 6. Forsake the foolish and live and go in the way of understanding yea but first those companions must be cashiered yea this also is the cause of the first branch of dishonour cast upon your Parents by deriding of their good Children Psal 1. 1. There is a gradation 1. A man walketh in the counsell of the ungodly 2. Then he standeth in the way of sinners then 3. He taketh up his chair he sitteth in the seat of the scorners such snares are there in the way of the froward to others as well as to themselves Prov. 22. 5. And so true is it that evill communication corrupteth good manners 4. Such Children as match dishonourably to 4. For matching dishonourably your Parents even to your Christian Parents profession and gracious interests so did that posterity of Seth the Children of the Church in matching with the posterity of out-cast Cain Gen. 6. 2. The Sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair and took them wives of all which they chose thus did Esau dishonour that blessed stock of which he came to match into the cursed brood and Family of Cham Gen. 26. 34 35. And Judah did too much this way Gen. 38. 2. and God put dishonour upon him in that vile brood which came of his Canaanitish wife Shuah even Er and Onan whose vile wickedness God immediately revenged Vers 7 9 10. And no wonder since he so much dishonoured his Father and Fathers house by that match and so mingled the holy seed with the people of the lands as it s called Ezra 9. 2. And they said truly though they spake it guilefully Gen. 34. 14. We cannot give our Sister to one that is uncircumcised for that were a reproach when such matches are made by your selves yet your Parents are supposed if not censured by others either to abuse their parentall Authority in way of Commission contrary to Gods Rules forbidding such unequall matchings or to neglect their Authority in way of sin of omission of duty for prevention of such an evill and so your Parents come hereby to suffet reproach besides by such unworthy matches vile practices come to arise which yet were more reflect upon your godly Parents Honour As was too evident in that posterity of the Sons of God and Daughters of men Gen. 6. 2 3 4 5. and in Judahs brood by Shuah now mentioned and in that mungrell generation which spake half the Jewes Language and half the Language of Ashdod This also tendeth to undermine those direct Acts of Honour due to your Parents such bad Husbands will be hindring the wives due respect to her good Parents or any due reverence to them or filiall obedience to them or any filiall recompence of them and the like mischief will a bad wife do in that way to her husband to withdraw him from giving due Honour to his good Father or Mother as too common experience maketh it good but God will pay such of you home either by laying you as low as hell in troubling and terrifying your consciences for such courses of which there are sometimes examples or if not that way yet by some notable judgements of his exposing you to contempt as he did those of the old world 5. Such persons are especially to be reproved 5. For degerating from the good precepts and practices of their godly parents and Ancestors who being Children of the Church Children of godly Parents and Ancestors yet walk not after the precepts which they often gave you nor in the blessed paths wherein they exemplary led you yea you steer a contrary course unto that of your gracious Fathers or Mothers Grand-fathers or Grand-mothers yea some of you who possibly have been convinced of the evill of your State by nature and have been so far wrought upon as to give good hops of the best things to bebegun in you yet you also come afterwards to degenerate like those Sons of God Sons of the Church Gen. 6. 2. who receive not so much as the Footsteps of any of the gracious wayes of their good Ancestors such a generation are spoken of Judg. 2. 7 10 12 17. And the people served God all the daies of Joshuah and all the dayes of the Elders that outlived Joshuah And all that generation died and there arose another generation after them which knew not the Lord. And they forsook the Lord God of their Fathers they turned quickly out of the way which their Fathers walked in obeying the Commandements of the Lord but they did not so Your Parents and Ancestors made conscience of reading and hearing the word of God
in the Family 2 Kings 5. 13. or in the School and College 2 Kings 2. 12. who are as Fathers to to their Servants Scholars and Pupils Or Secondly publick even such as have more publick Authority over others either in the Common-wealth as civill Rulers Esay 22. 21. 1 Sam. 24. 12. or in the Church as Church officers teaching and ruling Acts 22. 1. Judg. 18. 19. 2 Kings 6. 21. Now though with Musculus I will not restrain the meaning of the 5th Commandement as only intending naturall Fathers Mothers and the honour due to them from their Children yet because it is undeniable to all that these are principally intended here the other onely in a second place and respect I shall therefore God willing in the insuing discourse attend to that as firstly and mainly aimed at here and plainly and simply expressed in the very letter of the Text. Touching the other word Honour It is to be What is meant by Honour Even considered both in generall and in a restrained sense All meet honour and every kind of regular honour being due from Children to Parents The Lord doth not say love thy Father and thy Mother or fear them or obey them or recompence them or be an honour to them any one of these being too narrow to reach so large a duty as parentall relations call for from their children and each of these being separable from the other and may be in other relations where all the other are not so properly requisite yet no one of these are excluded but all and every of them included in the notion of Honour Filiall Honour is the center wherein they all meet and whence again they are all drawn out to their respective objects Father and Mother Filiall honour must season them each must savour of Honour Filial Honour must regulate them all they must go so far as that goeth and no further Filial honour Honour in the Generall and Honour in speciall both must be their common stamp the impression whereof each must bear Due Filial honour must be their touchstone by which they must receive their triall Honour then in the Generall is Parents due from their children So is Honour in speciall whether that which is more direct or that which is in a more reflect way Honour in a direct way is in Scripture language 1. Direct fourfold even Honour First of Respect Secondly of Reverence Thirdly of Obedience Fourthly of Recompence and are all and each of them included in this generall term Honour 1. Honour of high Respect and love is understood as 1. Honour of Respect in that Psal 15. 4. He honoureth them that fear the Lord that is he highly esteemeth and respecteth he most dearly loveth and affecteth them 1 Tim. 5. 17. The Elders that Rule well count them worthy of double Honour i. e. of respect as well as that of Recompence 1 Pet. 3. 7. Giving Honour to them as to the weaker vessels i. e. having a tender respect to them 2 Sam. 6. 22. Of them shall I be had in Honour i. e. highly esteemed respected and intirely beloved So here Honour thy Father and thy Mother i. e. highly prise and respect and most dearly love thy Father thy mother yea so as it be in a way of Honour to them as Parents and not barely as others not so nearly related 2. Honour is taken in Scripture for Honour of Reverence and fear So when God speaketh of 2. Honour of Reverence his Honour as to a Master he calleth it fear Mal. 1. 6. if I am a Master where is my fear or Honour as a Master hence that of Saul to Samuel 1 Sam. 15. 30. Yet Honour me before the people or let the people see that thou doest reverence me Hence that Levit. 19. 32. honour the face of the old man i. e. reverence it So here Honour thy Father and thy Mother i. e. reverence and awe them in an honourable way to them as Parents and not as others meerly not so nearly related 3. Honour is taken in Scripture for Honour of 3. Honour of Obedience Obedience So Mat. 1. 6 if I am a Father where is my Honour i. e. of obedience It being spoken to those Respectless Awless and also disobedient Priests and People there mentioned So Eph. 6. 1. to prove that Children should obey their Parents in the Lord the Apostle brings in the fifth Commandement v. 2. Honour thy Father and thy Mother because if to Honour Father and Mother then to obey them for obedience is in part the honor due to them only they are to obey them so as Honour of Parents may be seen and read as in large Characters in all the Acts and passages of that obedience 4. Honour is taken in Scripture for Honour of 4. Honour of Recompence Recompence and thankfulness Numb 22. 37. cannot I Honour or recompence thee Honourably saith Balack to Balaam It is the same Hebrew word with this in Exod. 20. 12. Judg. 13. 17. That when this is come to pass I may Honour thee i. e. make thee some gratefull recompence 1 Tim. 5. 17. Count them worthy of double Honour i. e. that of Recompence as well as that of respect So here Honour thy Father and thy Mother 2. Reflect Honour or being an Honour to them and carrying of it so as maketh for Parents Honour i. e. as they need and as thou art able hast opportunity make them thankfull recompence onely so as all may be as Honour to them as Parents and not in the least savouring or holding forth any dishonour to them Honour in a Reflect way is to be such or to carry it so as may redound to anothers Honour whom we are bound to Honour 1 Sam. 15. 30. Honour me before the people i. e. carry it so before them as may not redound to my disgrace but honour So in that also if I am a Father where is my Honour Mal. 1. 6. i. e. why are not you as my Children an Honour to me not such a dishonour to my name that my holy name and ordinances suffer reproach and contempt by you or why do not you carry it more honourably so as may make for my honour and not so basely as maketh for my great dishonour Ester 6 6. The man whom the King will honour i. e. enact and do something making for his Honour Judg. 13. 17. that I may do thee Honour i. e. do something making for thine Honour It is the same Hebrew word and in the same conjugation with this verb in Exod. 20. 12. So here Honour thy Father and thy Mother i. e. be an honour to them carry it so as may redound to their honour and no way to their disgrace The promise followeth That thy daies The promise explained may belong in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee this further declareth who are firstly concerned in the precept namely such whose God the