is confessedly Sacramental that the pretenders have more to do then they can perform in satisfying one another where it is best for them and least obnoxious to say that they are to be found For 1. As touching Confirmation their greatest Clerks cannot agree about the institution of it as neither when nor by whom it was instituted as whether by Christ either before or after his resurrection for some there are that teach the one of these and some the other or whether by his Apostles or whether by some Council for some have affirmed the one of these also and others the other but no marvel is it if they agree no better about the institution of this imaginary Sacrament when as the Scriptures which any one party of them fancieth and insisteth on for proof of this institution are so scant impertinent and irrelative to their purpose that their arguing and concluding from them are broadly obnoxious to the fancies yea to the reasons and judgements of others of their own But the opinion that either this or any other Sacrament should be instituted by any Council one or more is it seems now generally antiquated amongst them it being the current Doctrine of this Church that the institution of Sacraments appertaineth prerogative-wise unto Christ only So 2. for their Sacrament of Penance the institution hereof in a Sacramental notion or consideration is so far to seek that some of their Doctors run one way and some another to finde it and that which the most quick-sighted and withal the most diligent seekers amongst them do upon this account finde doth not satisfie many of their fellows having indeed nothing more in it of any likeness unto a Sacramental Institution then is to be found in every precept or command with a promise annexed Besides if Penance or Repentance be a Sacrament it must be a Sacrament of the Old Testament rather then of the New it having been instituted and commanded there yea and practised in the times thereof long before any mention made of it in the New Levit. 5.5 Ezek. 14.6.18.30 31.2 Sam. 12.13 Concerning the third of their five supernumerary Sacraments Extreme Unction neither hath this so much as an hairs breadth of Sacramental ground in the Scriptures Yea that place James 5.14 15. in which as in a glass Bellarmine with others of his perswasion strongly imagine that they see the Unction we speak of compleatly drest up by the Holy Ghost in Sacramental Habiliments and thus set forth and commended unto the Christian world Casetan another Cardinal Doctor of the same Church no whit inferior in parts and learning unto him upon better grounds carrieth another way clearly evincing from several particulars in the words that there is no institution of any such Sacrament lodged there It is much more worthy consideration whether that anointing of the Sick with Oyl by the Elders of the Church praying likewise over them which the Apostle there adviseth unto ought not or at least might not with the desirable success here mentioned promise-wise be at this day practised in the Churchs of the Saints There are several Arguments of no easie solution strongly perswading this way And 4. For that of their five by Sacraments which they call Order or as some of them who pretend to a more distinctive exactness in speaking then their Fellows had rather call it Ordination neither is the Institution or Appointment of this by Christ any whit more Sacramental then of the former For if Ordination be a Sacrament there being several kindes of Ordination especially distinct as the Ordination of Apostles of Prophets of Evangelists of Pastors and Teachers of Deacons for we hear nothing of any Ordination of Bishops as of a Superior degree unto or of a distinct Office from Presbyters or Pastors and Teachers made or appointed by Christ there must in reason be as many distinct kinde of Sacraments besides the other six as there are distinct kindes of Ordination and so the seven will be multiplyed unto a Bakers Dozen Besides if Ordination were a Sacrament why should it not be a Sacrament of the Old Testament as well as or rather then of the New considering that the first Institution of it was under that Heb. 5.1.8.3 However there is no proportion or similitude between the matter of this supposed Sacrament whatever it be deemed to be hands or imposition of hands and the spiritual Grace exhibited herein whether this be a right or a regular power publickly to teach or whether it be an inward ability or gift for the work of teaching Nor is there in any Institution of it any Word of God to be found which declareth or intimateth any such Analogy or resemblance between them and consequently it can be no more then only a Sacrament falsly so called For concerning the former of these the saying of Austine Si Sacramenta quandam similitudinem earum rerum quarum Sacramenta sunt non haberent omninò Sacramenta non essent often cited with approbation by Divines of both perswasions is positive and express If Sacraments he means in respect of that which is elementary or visible in them have not some kinde of similitude with those things of which they are Sacraments they could in no wise be Sacraments at all 5. And lastly By what cords of reason Matrimony of all the rest should be drawn into the number of Sacraments especially of Sacraments of the New Testament where there is no Institution of it at all for of the Old Testament where the Institution of it is found it was never I suppose reputed a Sacrament by any requires a very comprehensive fancy to imagine For is a man of an ordinary genius able to conceive that so many metaphysical Disputants who take upon them to be masters in Israel should reason thus Paul speaking concerning the relation between Christ and the Church saith This is a great mystery Therefore Matrimony is a Sacrament Or is not this passage of the Apostle extant Eph. 5.32 only upon an occasional mention of the conjugal tye preceding the best Sanctuary they have to save their Doctrine of a Matrimonial Sacrament out of the hand of those that oppose it And if Matrimony be a Sacrament why do they judge it as an unclean and unholy thing for their holy persons their Priests and Clergy men and all of both Sexes whom they have tempted into a profession of any of those Superstitious Orders by themselves called Religious amongst them to partake of it Are not all Sacraments Pearls of the Gospel And are the Religious Votaries in the Romish Church all of them in our Saviours Metaphors Mat. 7.6 either Swine before whom these Pearls are not to be cast or Dogs to whom these holy things are not to be given But there are too many inconsistencies and these palpable and broad between Matrimony and the nature of a Sacrament to be so much as mentioned here So that the Sacraments properly so called under the New Testament exceed not
give a better account the best way and most agreeable to the intimation of the words of the Commandement as was lately noted to compute the beginning and the end of the Christian Sabbath is to estimate them by the time when labouring men in the climate or country where we live do ordinarily begin and end their daily work or labour Quest 71. What is the surname of the fifth Commandement Answ That every person of mankind capable of the knowledge of the Law behave himself towards all others whether Superiours inferiours or equals according to the natural proper and due exigency of these relations in their severall kinds and degrees respectively unto them and consequently that they be diligent and careful to inform themselves of what is due from them unto men by vertue of and right of claim from these relations as also to prepare inable and fit themselves for the performance of all things accordingly Quest 72. What are the duties or some of the chief of them which inferiours owe unto their superiours Answ Superiours are of different kinds as either natural civill or ecclesiastique If then you ask concerning the duties which are due in common unto all these from their respective inferiours they are these and the like To pray for them to honour and reverence them Not to neglect or despise them for wants or weaknesses incident unto men but to cast a covering of love over them not to envie or grudg them the preheminence which God hath given them but to stand up and plead their cause as farre as with truth and a good conscience they may against those that shall disparage them or speak evill of them c. If you desire to know the duties which are more particularly due unto the several kinds of superiours mentioned from their Inferiors respectively it were better to propound distinct Questions concerning them Quest 73. What are then the duties which the superiour which you terme Natural may justly and his due expect from his inferiours Answ Under the three generall heads or kinds of Superiours mentioned there are several distinct and more particular species of superiours comprehended and according to the difference of those contained under every of the said heads some difference there may be in the duties due from their Inferiours unto them which difference of duties may be sufficiently apprehended partly by the light of nature and partly by the written word of God Of that kind of superiour whom nature and the law thereof makes such concerning which you now require natural Parents Fathers and Mothers by whom we received our lives and being in the world are the chief Some of the principal duties which their Inferiours their Children owe unto them are these and the like being specialities of those generall duties which as was even now declared belong in common to all the kinds of superiours to be content with such provisions or allowances in outward things as meat drink apparel lodging liberty for recreation company placing out to trades or callings c. as they their Parents are either able or judg meet to make for them to accept of chastisement from them for their misdoings not muttering repining or waxing sullen but giving them reverence to be ready and cheerful to do what they command them in things that are lawful not to grieve or discontent them by any unduebehaviour as by giving them froward or cross answers by stubbornesse idlenesse wastfulnesse keeping vain company neglecting what they entrust them with or the like so also to ponder and treasure up their wholsome counsells and instructions and to practise them as occasion shall be to imitate their vertues not to seem to take notice of their infirmities unlesse it be to cover them not to despise them for their Age Poverty or Sufferings but to be so much the more respectful of them and helpful unto them not to dispose of themselves in marriage without their consent not to disclose their secrets not to hold familiarity with their known Adversaries c. Quest 74. Is there any other species or under-kind of that sort or kind of Superiour which you call naturall Answ He that is aged is a kind of Superiour and such by nature unto him whose years are but few comparatively The Superiority of the husband in respect of the wife is best referred to this kind also He that excelleth in spiritual guifts and abilities for edification is a kind of superiour likewise in respect of those who are beneath him in such endowments That of Masters in respect of their servants more properly belongeth to the second which we called politique Quest 75. What are the duties which younger persons owe unto those that are ancient Answ To rise up before them to give them precedency of place and liberty to speak first or before them to submit themselves unto them c. But these are to be reputed duties belonging to the younger in reference to the aged only in ordinary cases and when either both the one and the other are private persons or at least when the younger is such For otherwise if the younger be either in respect of some political or ecclesiastical office superiour to him that is ancient and a private man which is a case that frequently occurrs the order of nature in this Case is to give place to the order as well of Civill as of Ecclesiastical or Church-constitution and the duties mentioned to enterchange givers and receivers Quest 76. What are the duties wherein the wife stands bound unto the Husband To submit her self and to be subjet unto him in every thing as unto the Lord. Eph. 5.22.24 to reverence and honour him to be helpful and faithful unto him to delight in his presence to please him in all things that are honest and comely not to provoke or grieve him in any thing as by froward or crosse answers by sharp or loud speaking by repeating matters of former discontent by sullennesse by sowrenesse or lowringnesse of countenance by aptnesse to take offence at his words or actions by neglecting his counsells or desires his kinred or friends by wastfulnesse of his estate by slothfulnesse or carelesnesse in those houshold affairs which appertain to her inspection and care by impatience or discontentednesse under such troubles or crosses which are daily incident unto the best families by an unseemly fiercenesse or sharpnesse of carriage towards children or servant by affecting over-costly or garish attire by any leight wanton or suspicious behaviour by frequenting places or company which he disliketh by any expressions of a prophane or ungracious spirit by not giving her best assistance unto him that God may be daily and duely worshipped in the family with other the like Quest 77. What is required of those that inferior in guifts or abilities for edification as in wisdome knowledge utterance tongues c. by way of duty towards those whom God in such endowments hath made superiour to them Answ They ought to honour and
say which are more their own and wherein their propriety is larger and more compleat then those in either kind which are lesse their own So then Parents and there is a like consideration of other superiours in reference to their inferiors respectively being naturally more inclined to act the parts of Parents towards their Children and to do that which becommeth them in reference unto them then Children are to perform their duties towards their Parents this may be somwhat of the reason why God in this Commandement so expresly chargeth Children with their duty towards their Parents and Parents implicitly only and consequentially with theirs towards their Children Quest 83. Now if you please declare with what brevity you can the duties which God in this Commandement requireth of superiours in all the three kinds you mentioned towards their inferiours respectively beginning with the duties of those who are by nature such and so proceeding unto the others And first what are the duties of Parents Fathers and Mothers towards their Children Answ To be affectionately inclined towards them and to manifest and manage such their affections by a conscientious and constant ingagement of themselves in the use of all good and likely means both to make their condition good and prosperous in this world and happy and blessed also in that which is to come as by a timely consecrating them unto the service of God by Baptism by frequent and fervent prayer unto God for them by bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord by a Christian honest and discreet behaviour of themselves before them by keeping them under government and in subjection with love wisdome and gravity not provoking or discouraging them by training them up to some honest course of life or calling by correcting them for their misdoings seasonably and with moderation not with anger or fiercenesse but with compassion by allowing them convenient food raiment and liberty by a timely providing for them fitting consorts in marriage if need be by reserving and laying up somewhat if they be able to leave unto them c. It lyeth upon Mothers by way of duty to become nurses if they be able to their own Children after the example of Sarah who in her old age performed that service unto her son Isaac making none other account as it seems but that it was a duty as it were of course for her so to do Gen. 21.7 Quest 84. What doth God require of those by way of duty towards the younger whom the priviledge of age hath made their Superiours as hath been said Answ That they be ready to assist them with their counsell when desired or when they see occasion otherwise that they countenance and incourage them in and unto all well doing that they admonish them with wisdome love and tendernesse when they doe amisse that they walk before them as ensamples of sobriety gravity temperance faith love patience c. that they despise them not because of their youth or set light by them because of some weaknesses incident to their years c. Quest 85. What are the duties of Husbands towards their Wives Answ To love them dearly as their own bodies and as Christ loved his Church giving himself for it Ephe. 5.25.28 To dwell with them according to knowledge that is as the knowledge of the will of God concerning their behaviour towards them in all things as it is made known in the Scriptures directeth them and requireth of them not according to humour passion lightnesse of Spirit or the like to give honour unto them as unto the weaker vessels that is as persons serviceable unto God and used by him as well as themselves although not made for such services which require the like strength either of body or of mind with those for which men are made to bear with their infirmities to take special notice of all their good services their loialty their subjection and all expressions of affection towards them from time to time and to return the same or better measure unto them both in words and in deeds discreetly and in great love and tendernesse to admonish them to instruct them in things appertaining unto God and salvation not to be bitter fierce or sharp unto them at any time but to delight in their presence to give them none occasion of jealousie to provide for them things necessary according to their state and calling to allow them convenient maintenance and liberty to stand by them in the exercise of that authority in the familie as over children and servants which belongeth unto them to protect them from affronts and injuries c. Quest 86. What is required of Superiours in guifts towards weaker Christians Answ That they bear their infirmities that is that they depise them not nor estrange themselves from them because of them this being to constrain them to bear them themselves Rom. 15.1 that they use not their liberty to their offence nor to the enboldening of them to do that which otherwise they scruple or know no sufficient ground on which to judge it lawful that they be of a condescending spirit unto them willing and ready upon all occasions to instruct and teach them as they are able to bear not giving them strong meat to eat when they are able to digest milk only c. Quest 77. What is required of the Politique superiour whether magistrate or master in reference unto those that are under them and subject unto them r spectively Answ First God imposeth this for a Law upon all magistrates zealously to desire and accordingly to endeavour by a faithful and diligent exercise of the authority and power committed unto them the wellfare and prosperity of the people under them as by procuring as much as lyeth in them wholesome necessary and just laws and such as these only to be made for the government of them by seeing justice duely executed without partiality or respect of persons by punishing those who being entrusted with the administration of justice either for reward favour ill-will or the like abuse the trust committed unto them and pervert judgment by taking an effectual course for the suppressing of evill doers and all such who contrary to the good Laws under which they live injure or molest any the members of their community by encouraging and protecting those that do well and are diligent and active in due order to promote the honour safety and wellfare of the publique by procuring all former laws to be repealed which by experience are found to be either un-necessary or ensnaring or burthensome unto the people by an honourable frugality and moderation in their expences that so they may have no occasion or temptation upon them to grind their people by hard impositions or levies of money or by any other dishonourable and un-princely courses by taking such into their nearest acquaintance and counsells who are men of wisdome and vvorth of approved integrity and publique Spirits by being vigilant and