the servants and apprentices Titus 2.9 is to be well pleasing to seek to please their Masters and Mistresses Gen. 13.8 and fellow servants in all lawfull and good things as Brethren and Sisters Gen. 24.33 34 35. Gen. 24.37 41. and keep quietnesse in the Family and to performe their Covenants to and with their Masters and Mistresss es when they are with them and to Respect them as their Fathers and late Antient a Masters when they are freemen and departed from them yet then to have an honourable respect of them as is comely in the Lord. Question 24. You have manifested the duties of Servants and Apprentices towards their Masters and Mistresses now declare I pray you what light the Lord Christ hath held forth in Scripture to discover the sinnes of servants and Apprentices contrary to these duties Answ The Scripture and Christ in the Scripture revealeth divers sins of servants and Apprentices as First the Servants and Apprentices doe sinne in not loving and honouring their Masters and Mistresses 1 Tim. 6.1 2 3 4 5. Rom. 13.7 or in any way hating of them despising dishonouring or discrediting of them especially refusing or not receiving Instruction Pro. 13.18 Psal 50.17 but hating it from Masters and Mistresses or in not submitting to be Catechized by them in the truth of Christ and their duties Prov. 15.32 according to the word of God and that light their Masters and Mistresses have received from Christ Jesus If Abrahams duty be to Catechize his Family and command them to know the Lord and his will Gen. 18.18 19. Matt. 8.8 9. Job 19.16 Mâ—tt 24.48 49.50 c. Ephes 6. With good wâ—ll doe service as to the Lord not men 1 Cor. 15.33 Judg. 5 9 Titus 2 9. 2 Cor. 9 7. Matt. 25.26 Rom. 11.12 Prov. 10.4 Prov. 12.24 Prov. 18 9 Prov. 6.6 Prov. 10.26 Jerem. 23.24 Titus 2.10 Luke 16.1.2 8. Zacâ—ar 5.4 Ephes 4.28 Ephes 6.5.6 John 8.44 Psal 101.7 Levit. 19.11 Coloss 3.9 2 Sam. 16.3 2 Sam. 19 27. Jere. 17.9 Revel 2.23 Revel 21.8 Revel 22.15 Acts 5.31 then the servants and apprentices duty is to learn and submit to be Catechized and Instructed by them and the contrary is sinne in any whosoever Secondly it is a sinne in servants and apprentices to be rebellious or disobedient to the just commands of their Masters or Mistresses or to do their commands and directions unwillingly and grudgingly or with murmurings and repining with denyings or evill words which câ—rrupt good manners and manifeâ—â— their disobedience which is sinne as contrary to the Rule of Christ by the Apostle God cannot abide unwilling or grudging service Thirdly servants and apprentices sinne in being idle carelesse sluggards negligent or sloathfull to do service or to performe the will direction and lawâ—ull orders of their Masters and Mistresses without diligence and faithfull endevotr in absence as well as presence of Superiors Fourthly servants and apprentices sinne in doing their service unfaithfully and unâ—ustly when they purloine rob and steale from their Masters or Mistresses when they waste or mispend their Masters goods or embezell them any manner of way Fifthly the servants and apprentices sinne in not serving their Masters in sincerity and truth in word or deed but with lying fraud and deceit a servant must not tell his Master an untruth he must not lie for or against his Masters profit but speake truth as knowing that the Lord knoweth the heart least with lying Gehezi hee get the curse of a Leprosie to his shame and hell for his portion except God give graces of faith and Repentance in Christ Jesus Sixthly Malac. 1.6 the servants sinne in not keeping all their Masters counsells and secrets which ought not to be revealed or in dishonouring or seeking the discredit of their Masters or Mistresses 1 Pet. 2.18 19. or their disprofit contrary to the true and lawfull trust reposed in them and not subjecting to fit correction if they faile in duty Seventhly Titus 2.9 Ch istian example Rom. 15.1 2 3. Rom. 1.30 31. Hester 2.7.20 Hester 8.1 the servants and apprentices sinne in not endevouring to please but wilfully or carelessely displeasing them nor performing their covenants with their Masters while they are with them not honouring them when they are departed from them as good servants ought to honour those who have nourished taught and respected them as good and wise Masters ought to respect servants and apprentices and as children their foster Parents to honour them when they are from them as Queene Hester did to Mordecai Quest 25. You have given a light for servants and apprentices to see their duties and their sinnes and failings now what light have you from Christ to reveale how servants and apprentices may get not onely assurance of pardon for their sinnes but wisdome and power to performe these duties and avoid these sinnes and failings that so they may walke comfortably with Christ in their callings and course of their lives Ans Onely in and by Christ who is made unto us of God Wisedome 1 Cor. 1.30 and Righteousnesse and sanctification and Redemption Therefore Servants and apprentices must seeke unto and waite upon Christ in the Gospell as to the fountaine opened to the house of David for sinne Zâ—ch 13.1 1 Iohn 1.7 and for uncleannesse that by his Bloud they may be cleansed from all sinne Secondly they must seeke to Christ as to the Tree of life in the middest of the Paradise of God that beareth fruit every month Revel 2.22 and the leaves are good to heal the nations with Seek to Christ for health of soule and life power to strengthen and quicken them with wisdome and strength of grace to performe their duties Thirdly Gen. 24.12 26.27 servants and apprentices they must imitate that Religious practize of Abrahams faithfull servant John 16.23 pray to God to blesse their endeavours as he did O Lord God of my Master Abraham I pray thee send me good speed this day thus seeking in the name of Christ they shall finde a blessing to their comfort Quest 26. But what if in all these meanes and performances of duties on each part Husbands cannot find good Wives nor Wives finde good Husbands Parents not finde good children or children good Parents Masters not finde good servants nor servants although they performe their duties cannot find good masters what is the duty of each one in such condition Ans The Husband is to pray for his Wife and the Wife for her Husband the Parents are to seeke the Lord for their children and the children for their Parents the Masters for their servants and the servants for their Masters and to use all good meanes that in and by Christ their hearts may be changed their corruptions mortified Luke 9.23 and their infirmities healed and to beare their crosse Heb. 12.2 and endure the affliction with patience looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of
Parents or Guardians to take care of them as of Children as Tutors and Pupills Masters and Schollers and such like First Husbands as the head of the wife and superiour and the wife as inferiour in respect of Gods Ordinance Gen. 3.16 although in some respect she be her Husbands equall 1 Pet. 3.7 as being a fellow Heire of the Grace of life in Christ Iesus Secondly in the Ecclesiasticall or Church Estate First 1 Cor. 12.28 Acts 20.28 Pastors and Preachers of the Gospell who have the over-sight and rule of the flock they are superiours and the flock and people committed unto their Charge to teach rule and direct according to Gods word they are the inferiours as Children to their spirituall Fathers Secondly the ruling Elders who are fellow helpers to assist the Pastors and Teachers in Government 1 Tim. 5.17 and over-sight of the Flock they are superiours though Brethren in Christ Heb. 13.17 and the Members of the Church in particular they are inferiours in order all though Brethren in Christ and duties to be performed both of superiours and inferiours each to other and amongst themselves respectively according to the word of God Thirdly Masters as superiours Apprentices and Servants as inferiours to honour and obey their Masters and Mistresses according to the Commandement of the Lord in the Politicall or Common wealth estate the Civill Magistrate King or Governours are superiours and Subjects are inferiours and duties are to be performed reciprocally each to other according to their Relations and the word of God Quest 25. You have shewed who are superiours and inferiours in order according to Gods Ordinance both in the Oeconomicall Politicall and Ecclesiasticall Estate now what I Pray you are Generall Duties both of superiours towards inferiours and of inferiours towards superiours for you said before that there are duties of superiours as well as inferiours required in this Commandement and first what are the Generall Duties of superiours respectively towards their inferiours Answ It is true when the Lord requireth Inferiours to Honour their Superiours he doth likewise require Superiours to carry themselves honourably and as becometh Parents and Superiours to the Children and inferiours as is evident in divers places of Scripture in which the holy Ghost doth further interpret and explaine this Commandement and to Answer your present question there are divers duties which Superiours in Generall are to perform towards their inferiours Quest 26. What an these duties I desire you to expresse them and what light Christ hath revealed in the word concerning these Answ First Superiours Parents and others ought to behave themselves towards their inferiours as considering that they themselves are inferiours to the Lord they are but under God Rom. 13.4 and he that is higher then the highest of them considers the matter Eccles 5.8 and there be higher then they therefore they ought to carry themselves as such as over their inferiours only in the Lord as Parents 1 Thes 5 12. 1 Tim. 5.17 or Elders that Rule well and so worthy of Honour indeed Secondly Leviticus 25.43 Deut. 17 18 19 20. Superiours ought not to Rule with Rigour or to Tyrannize over their inferiours but to behave themselves Sincerely Psal 78.70.72 1 Tim. 5.1.2 c. Eccles 33.31 2 Chron. 19.7 Modestly and Prudently withdue respect as Fathers and Brethren not as Enemies or Tyrants over inferiours not according to their own wills but according to the will and word of God Thirdly Superiours ought to behave themselves Gravely as becometh Fathers Antients Titus 2.1 2 3. Job 2â— 7 8 9 10. or Elders in the Church of Christ that inferiours may be moved to Reverence them for their Gravity and Honourable Behaviour 2 Cor. 12.14 2 Chron. 19.6 7. Philip. 1. â—7 Fourthly Superiours they ought as Parents to take care for their inferiours as for Children and to Walke in the feare of God to be of blamelesse life and conversation giving good examples to their inferiours walking before them and with them as men of knowledge Titus 1.6 1 Pet 3.7 1 Sam. 2.30 yea as lights in all Godlinesse and honesty that God may have honour and their inferiours comfort by their Rule over them Quest 27. You have shewed the duty of Superiours towards inferiours now what art the sinnes contrary to these Answ Superiours sinne first when they take more upon them then is due unto them Zephan 3.3 as Lions in the way not considering that although they be Gods Psal 82.6 yet they shall dye like men Secondly when they take lesse upon them then they ought 1 Sam. 2.29 Nehem. 13.17.29 as Eli praying his Sonnes when he should have commanded and compelled to a reformation Thirdly when they carry themselves lghtly Zephan 3.4 as the wicked prophets of Israel did defiling their places of superiority as Elies Sons or any other wayes 1 Sam. 2.22 doing Violence to the Law that gives them Power in their places either the Law of God or men Fourthly Superiours may sinne not providently taking care for inferiours good 1 Tim. 5.8 according to their relations and places walking Ignorantly or Scandalously to the dishonour of God and evill example of such as are inferiour unto them Rom. 2.24 to cause the name of God James 2.7 and their Honourable Places to be evill-spoken off in the world to the griefe and offence of the Saints of the most High Quest 28. You have declared the Duties of Superiours towards inferiours and their sinnes in failing now what are the Duties of Inferiours in Generall towards their Superiours and what light from Christ is there in the Scriptures to hold forth this unto us Answ There are divers particular Duties due from Inferiours towards all Superiours in Generall and first inwardly Levit. 19.3 all inferiours ought to have a reverent estimation Rom. 13.7 Ephes 5.33 and honourable respect of all Superiours and obedience according to their place and dignity in respect of Birth Age and Worthynesse 1 Tim. 6.1 and especially of the Grace and Image of Christ shining in them 1 Thes 5.13 Heb. 13.17 esteeming them very highly for their dignity and work sake and obeying them in the Lord. Secondly outwardly all inferiours ought to declare and manifest their reverent respect and honourable esteem of their Superiours in all words and acts of Reverence and Honour according to place time and manner of the Countrey where they live not contrary but agreeble to the word of God and this in divers particulars Quest 29. What are these particular expressions of Respect and Honour towards Superiours and what light from Christ for these Answ I Answer First at the entrance or appearance and presence of Parents and superiours to rise or stand up in a reverent respect of them as the aged and much more the younger did when Religious father Job passed by in the street Job 29.7 8 or came to take his
place in their presence or as men of right civill much more of Religious breeding use to do when the Judges or Justices of assize come to the Bench or seate of judgement or the Lord Major or Governour of a City to his place Secondly when a superiour commeth towards an inferiour then in an honorable respect to goe to meete them and give them that honour that is due to them and becommeth their place and dignity Gen. 18.1 2 c. uncovering the head and bending the knee or bowing downe a mans selfe towards the ground in civill reverence of them as Religious Abraham did when three men came towards him which proved Angels and one of them the Lord Christ Malachy 3.1 Gen. 23.7.12 the Angell of the covenant as the Prophet Malachy calleth the Lord Jesus or as Abraham did to the children of Heth. Thirdly the duty of the inferiour in respect to the superiour as of children to Parents servants to Masters or the like is to stand up before them and waite upon them as place and dignity and occasion require Job 29.8 Gen. 18.8 as those did in Iobs presence or as Abraham waited on his honorable guests giving all civill respects due to each person according to place and calling Fourthly the inferiour as children to parents or any other in like relation ought to declare their respects in giving precedency in place giving the right hand and any the like honour as King Solomon did to his Mother he rose up to meet her 1 Kings 19 2. he bowed himselfe to her he caused a seate to be set for her and preferred her to sit on his right hand an excellent example for all children to honour and respect their Mothers as well as Fathers and so servants and all others in their severall Relations Fifthly the younger and inferiours are to declare their respect to superiours in a wise silence holding their peace and to refrain from talking whiles their ancients are in speaking Job 29.9 10. or in place as the Princes did before Iob except as Syracides in his excellent Ethicks giveth leave and wisely directs young men how to behave themselves Eccl. 32.7 8 Speake young man if there be need of thee and yet scarce when thou art twise asked Let thy speech be short comprehending much in few words be as one one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue Sixthly inferiours ought to keepe themselves in a right distance from superiours not making themselves equall to those that are above them in age place or dignity Eccl. 32.9 Rom. 12 16. It is the sum of Syrahs morall counsell and well comprehended under this command of the morall Law or Law of good manners becomming a Christian If thou be amongst great men make not thy selfe equall with them and when ancient men are in place use not many words coloss 4.6 and as Apostle saith let your speech be alwayes With grace seasoned with salt that you may know how to answer every man Seventhly inferiours ought to give words of reverence and respect to superiours children to parents 1 Pet. 3.6 Gen. 31.35 servants to Masters and so others in their respective relations Gen. 42.10 as Sarah obeyed her husband Abraham calliag him Lord and as Rachel spake honorably to her Father let it not displease my Lord and Iosephs brethren to him as to a Rule calling him Lord and so a reverent regard is to be had of superiours even in our words 1 Sam. 1.15 as Hanna to Samuel the Prophet shee called him Lord giving Gods Minister the honour of his place Lastly I will name no more here Inferiours ought to be ready to serve thâ—ir superiours in love and duty Mat. 8.9 Coloss 3. â—2 according to their severall relations and respects with readinesse singlenesse of heart as unto Christ As the Centurians servants I say to this man go and he goeth and to another man come and he commeth Saith he not as those two sonnes the one said to his Father when he sent him into his Vineyard I go Sir but he went not The other sayd I will not go yet went and in this did the will of his father that hee did go but yet sinned in his behaviour saying he would not goe the children and servants and inferiours ought to honour and serve their Parents Rom. 12.10 and Masters and Superiours both in word and deede in giving honour to go one before another And thus you have the generall duty of Inferiours towards their superiours Quest 30. What now are the sins contrary to these or any of these Ans I need not expresse them in particular each one who maketh conscience to find out and performe his or her duty may consider whether his carriage be answerable to these directions or in an unmannerly way contrary to them manifesting any disrespect or disobedience which is a sin The Thirty three Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have declared sufficiently the generall duties both of superiours towards inferiours and of inferiours towards superiours in generall Now I pray you what are the particular duties of each to other according to their particular estates Relations and Callings And first in the Oeconomicall or household estate what are the duties of the Husband towards his Wife and of the Wife towards her husband First the common duties of Husbands towards his Wife Ans But first of the common duties of the Husband towards the Wife and of the Wife towards the Hushand and of these I note these First Love a Roote uniting grace their soules and hearts and affections must be married together as well as their bodies Gen. 2.24 Ephe. 5.25 the Husband must love his wife and the Wife ought to love her Husband above all others in the world Secondly mutuall good will or conjugall benevolence to be communicated each to other as the Scripture holdeth forth unto us i Cor. 7.1 2 3 4 5. Prov. 5.18 19. Prov. 2.16 17 18. Malac. 2 15 Jer. 23.24 Thirdly conjugall fidelity not communicating their bodies to any other as the strange woman But preserving each others chastity according to the mariage covenant in thought word and deed as being alwayes in Gods presence Fourthly in the mutuall communication of their goods and all endevours for the due mutuall good Eph. 5.33 comfort and benefit one of another both for soules and body Gen. 2.18 1 Pet. 3.7 and good name and fame as becommeth the Gospell of Christ and those that are fellow helpers one of another and fellow heires of the grace of life Lastly mutuall cohabitation dwelling one with another that they may be more conveniently helpefull each to other upon all occasions with mutuall love and respect to each other 1 Pet. 3.7 1 Cor. 7.10 Ex. 18.7 8 Ruth 1.16 Parents and kindred Quest 2. You have declared the common and mutuall duties of Husband to Wife and of Wife to Husband now
are the sinnes of Children contrary to these duties of children to their Parents Answ First Mat. 10.37 for children to love their Parents above Christ is a sinne against Christ and no true love to their Parents Secondly not to love or to hate Levit. 20.9 Prov. 20.20 Deut. 27.16 Prov. 15.20 Prov. 23.22 Gen. 9.22.24 c. Prov. 30.17 curse revile or dishonour despise disgrace or be ashamed of his Parents is a sinne a fearfull sinne cursed is he that seteth light by his Father or his Mother and let all the people say Amen Thirdly To mock scorn or deride Parents is a fearefull sinne yea not to cover but to scorn or deride or despise them in their infirmities this is sinne Fourthly Deut. 21.18 19 20. c. Rom. 1.30 2 Tim. 3.2 Prov. 30.17 1 Sam. 2.25 for children to be rebellious and to disobey and slight the lawfull and good Commandements and directions of Parents is as sinne yea to despise to obey their Mother is a fearfull sinne and hath a terrible curse foretold to fall upon such children The eye that mocketh his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the Valley shall pick it out and the young Eagles shall eate it Fifthly Prov. 5.1 children sinne in not subjecting themselves to the good instructions and good correcting of their parents Prov. 5.11 12 13. Levit. 9.3 Prov. 31.1 2 3 4. Deut. 21 20. Prov. 28.24 Gen. 26.34 35. Gens 54.50 51. Numb 39.3 4 5. 1 Cor. 7.35 38. yea of Mother and Father Sixthly children sinne in Robbing of their Parents in diminishig any of their Parents goods in Drunkennesse Gaming or any other way whatsoever who so Robbeth his Father or his Mother and saith it is no transgression the same is the companion of a destroyer it is a sin Seventhly it is a sinne to vow and promise or to settle mariage affections or for children to marry contrary to their Parents good advise and against their good will and approbation especially being under their government it was the practise of prophane Esau himselfe to his Parents for the Father hath the right to give his daughter in mariage Gen. 74.12 John 19.27 Eightly children sinne in being unthankfull and unkind to their Parents not taking care for them as Ioseph for old Jacob and Christ for his Mother but neglecting Parents contrary to the order both of nature and grace Mat. 15.5 6. Ninthly to be without naturall affection to Parents Rom. 1.31 or to disrespect their prayer and blessing is a sin Gen. 27.34 Hest 2.7 20. and they worse then Esau Tenthly for children not to obey as Hester did Mordecia but to disrespect or despise or disobey their Tutors or Governours or Parents for their wise just and wholesome commands 2 Chron. 24.2.17 22. Gen. 12.5 Gen. 13.8 Prov. 18.19 Psal 33. 1 2 3. Gen. 27.41 counsells and admonitions or to be unkinde or unthankfull to any of them or theirs for their care over them or to be without love to Brethren or Sister much more to be unkinde unquiet or contentious to quarrell or as Esau to malice or hate one another all this is sinne and subjects to the curse of God Quest 19. Now have received from Christ the great Prophet out of the holy Scripture of truth what is the duties of Parents to children and of children to their Parents declare I pray you by light from Christ what is the meanes to inable children to practize these duties to Gods glory and their Parents comfort and comfort of their own soules Ans It is not in man to direct his steps Jer. 10.23 neither can Parents or children performe their duties by strength of their owne therefore both Parents and children must waite on Christ in his Ordinances Iohn 1.12 Iohn 1.16 Iohn 15.5 Phil. 4.13 Malac. 4.2 and receive dayly strength of grace from Christ to walke comfortably with Christ in their duties for without Christ wee can doe nothing but in and by Christ wee may doe all things as the Apostles witnesseth of himselfe Christ is the Sunne of Righteousnesse who commeth with healing in his Wings not onely to heale our natures but to enlighten and warme and quicken the soules of his children in the performance of every duty Grace in children is the best riches the best portion the same in Parents Quest 20. The mutuall dutiet of Parents to children and of children to Parents being thus held forth declare I pray you the duties of masters and mistresses to their servants and apprentises Gen. 18.19 2 Kings 5 23. Coloss 3.22 Ans Masters and Fathers of Families are in the nature and place of Parents to their servants whilest they are under their charge and ought to be carefull of their servants and apprentises to Catechize and instruct them in the knowledge of God of Christ and of themselves and their duties out of Gods Word that they may doe them service in the feare of God not with eye service Gen. 24.1 56. but in singlenesse of heart as unto Christ For how should Masters or Mistresses expect faithfull service from their servants and apprentises when they never take care to teach them what their duty is out of Gods Word Secondly Job 13 31 Coloss 4.1 Masters ought to rule their servants with Justice and equity according to the Apostles direction Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equall knowing that yee also have a Master in Heaven Thirdly the commandes of Masters and Mistresses to their servants and apprentises must be honest and lawfull agreeable not contrary to the Word of God else they are not to be obeyed 2 Sam. 11 14 15. David sinned in commanding Ioab to to set Vriah in the hottest of the Battell that he might be smitten and die 1 Sam. 22 17. and Ioab sinned in obeying David and Saul sinned in commanding his footmen to to kill the Lords Priests and Saules foot-men did not sinne in disobeying the unlawfull commands of the King their Master Fourthly Gen. 24.5 8. Masters ought to command their Servants and Apprentises things possible for them to do proportionable to their abilities actings of their best endevours not beyond them faithfull Abraham a good Master required no more of his servant Rom. 12.17 1 Tim. 5.8 Fifthly the Masters duty is to provide for his Servants and Apprentices convenient food and rayment and to Grant them necessary rest 2 King 5.13 and refreshing that they may be able to doe their Masters Service with cheerefulnesse as unto living Parents Sixthly the duty of Masters towards their Servants Ephes 6.9 is to correct them when necessity requireth with wisedom and moderation and to forbear cruell threatnings knowing that they have a Master in heaven neither is their respect of persons with him Seventhly the Masters and Mistresses duty Gen. 29.15.21 Gen. 30.28 Exod. 2 9. Prov. 22.6 Deut. 15.12 13 14. towards their
themselves or others Wives or Daughters unto filthinesse all wicked whoredome and all Baudes or keepers of brotherly houses for meeting base whores abhorminable and odious to God and good men occasions of theft murther and Gods judgement curse and hell in the end Quest 6. Since there are so many duties required in Husbands Wives and others concerning chastity in the married and single estate and so many sinnes forbidden deserving Gods wrath and curse temporall spirituall and eternall what use should all make of this holy Law of God and what light from Christ to lead us unto Christ for profit hereby Ans Truly this light from Christ and his spirit should leade unto Christ Heb. 13.4 to see the sinfulnesse of all impurity and uncleannesse both in the married and single estate and to see and be sensible of the wrath of God due to this sinne and every branch of it 1 Cor. 30 so to finde and and feele an extreame need of Chirst both as a justifyer and as a sanctifyer 2 Pet. 1.10 11. And to fly dayly to Christ as for a more full assurance of pardon and peace Eph. 5.1 2 so for power to walke in all chastity and holy purity of soule and body before God Rom. 12.1 2. offering up our selves our soules and bodies a living sacrifice acceptable to God in Jesus Christ walking holily before God John 15.5 Phil. 4.13 not like the World but like Saints And this not by our own vertue and strength but by the vertue of Christ Quest 7. Now you have declared duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden in the seventh Commandement and so far how to walke comfortably with Christ by the power of Christ according to the Rule and light of Christ and his spirit in the light of this Law or commanding part of Gods word Psal 119.105 which I pray you are the Duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden in the eight Commandement which is the next in order Thou shalt not steale Ans The Lord requireth that every man woman and child according to capacity of instruction now and ever shall study and endevour by all lawfull and good meanes Mat. 5.43 44 45 c. Acts 7.60 Ex. 23.4 5 justly and with equity and right to preserve his owne Galat. 6.10 and his Neighbours yea his enemies goods Ex. 23.6 7. children servants or estate from all wrong and all injustice whatsoever their owne alwayes and their Neighbours when God puts it into the power of their hands to do it Luk. 10.33 34 35 c. by word or by deede to manifest we love our Neighbour as our selves Quest 8. What are the sinnes contrary to this duty required in the sixt Cmmandement Ans To do unjustly any manner of way to the wrong of himslfe or his neighbour Prov. 20.25 Malac. 3.8 9. to commit sacriledge or rob God in robbing or stealing of that which is religiously and rightly appointed by God or given to Gods worship or the maintenance of Gods Ministers or any that pertaine to his sanctuary Deut. 19.14 Prov. 22.28 Ex. 21.16 1 Tim. 1.10 Eph. 4.6 7. Thess 4.2.8.1 Ezek. 22.13 Prov. 19.26 Prov. 28.24 Exod. 22. Levit. 19.13 2 Thess 3.6.10 11 c. John 6.12 to remove the ancient land markes or to steale either persons children or servants ot any goods or chatells or the like either by fraud and cozenage or by force either secretly or openly under pretence of Law or unlawfully or other wayes either from stranges or from Parents or Masters and Mistresses is sin all dishonest gain and all unrighteousnesse in contracts bargaines buying selling in any manner of Covenant whatsoever all oppression extortion detaining of goods lent or lost is sinfull theft and all wicked walking disorderly and mispending or wasting of a mans owne estate or others especially Parents or Masters in drunkennesse idlenesse Prov. 23.21 whoring or the like wickednesse yea by rash and desperate entring into suretiship to the undoing of himselfe wife Prov. 23.29 Deut. 15.7 8 to 16. children or any other is sin and not to do our selves or to others for the good of our own estate or theirs poor brother or servant as wee would they should in justice mercy Mat. 7.12 and equity according to Gods word doe unto us is a sin and a breach of this eight Commandement of Jehova our God Quest 9. Certainly here are many duties required and many sinnes forbidden in a few words in this Commandement wherein doth the light of grace from Christ direct us to make a right use of this light and rule of life in this Commandement Ans This may still preach unto a poore soule an extreme neede of Christ both as a justifyer and a sanctifyer 1 Cor 1.30 and teach iis to waite dayly on Christ in his ordinances Iohn 1.9 Iohn 12.5 Iohn 15.5 and seeke dayly to Christ for light and direction and for vertue and power from Christ to glorifie God in walking justly and righteously in our callings and cariages to God and men Zach. 5.3 4. least we sin against God and procure a curse upon our labours instead of a blessing Quest 10. Now you have thus briefly givtn a light from Christ for direction and helpe if the eight Commandement what I pray you are the duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden in the ninth Commandement Thou shalt not be are false witnesse against thy Neighbour Ans The Lord requireth and commandeth faithfull Testimony Prov. 14.5 25. Psal 15.2 Prov. 12.19 Epla 4.15 when men are called to witnesse truth and upon all occasions to speake the truth as it is in the heart that the heart and tongue should agree to declare the truth when it is to Gods glory and good of our neighbour Deut. 1.16 17. Exod. 23.2.6 when rightly and lawfully wee are called to it for Judges and Magistrates to give righteous judgement Ministers to Preach truth Rom. 9.11 Zach. 8.16 17. for Lawyers to speake truth in pleading the causes of poore or rich not to hinder but to further justice and equity Prov. 22.1 Mat. 10.16 1 Cor. 10.31 Prov. 23. to preserve the good name of a mans selfe or neighbour in truth and righteousnesse with the right ordering of our tongues in wisdome and truth upon all occasions to Gods glory and good of our selves and others superiors or inferiors or equalls Psal 119.128 with love of truth and hate of falshood and deceit Quest 11. What are the sinnes forhidden in this Commandement Deut. 5.20 Mat. 19.18 Mat. 26.5 Psal 52.3 4 5. Psal 5.3 1 Sam. 22.9 10. Ans All false witnesse bearing upon Oath or otherwise all procuring of false witnesses and all vaine lying or uncharitable speaking to the diffamation or hurt of our owne good name or the good of any other Levit. 5.1 2. 2 Sam. 10.1 2. Mat. 7.1 2. Ezek. 22.28 John 7.24.51 Ex. 23.2 Deut. 16.18 19. Prov. 17.23 Ex.