Godly and Learned Treatises, Treatise 1

Godly and Learned Treatises · Treatise 1

THE ORDER OF HOVSholde, methodicallie deſcribed out of the word of God, with the contrarie abuſes found in the world.

THE order of an houſhold called oeconomia, it is an order for the governmēt of an houshold according to the word of God. 1. Tim. 4. Which governeth his houſe well and excellently. Pſal. 10.1. I will walke in the perfect way, in the vprightnes of my ſoule in the middeſt of mine houſe. Which declareth, there is a perfect way which commeth from God onelyonly, as all perfection doth; wherein is required the vprightnes of ones ſoule, & whereof he ſetteth downe ſome part afterward. Prou. 24, 3.4. By wiſedome the houſe is built, and eſtabliſhed by vnderſtanding, and by knowledge, the roomes ſhalbe filled with all precious and pleſant ſubſtance.

Nowe the wiſedome meant in this book is, that which is allowed of Gods worde: eſpeciallie p. 2when he joyned ſuch bleſsing vntounto it.

The houſhold order hath 2. parts

The firſt, of thoſe which concerne the governours of the familie.

The ſecōd, of thoſe which are gouerned in the ſame.

[1. Tim. 5.8. If one care not for his owne, eſpeciallie thoſe of his houſe:] which ſheweth an eſpeciall rule of mutual duetie betwen theſe two. Alſo the wiſdome of the holie Ghoſt, in ſetting down mutuall dueties vntounto them [Prou. 31. Ephe. 6. 2. Honor thy father & thy Mother, which is the firſt commandement, with promiſe. 3 That it may be well with thee, and that thou maieſt liue long on earth. 4. And ye Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them vp in inſtruction and information of the lord. 5 Servants, be obedient vntounto them that are your maiſters according to the fleſh, with feare and humbling, in ſinglenes of your hearts, as vntounto Chriſt. 6 Not with ſervice to the eie, as men pleaſers, but as the ſervants of Chriſt, doing the wil of God from the heart. Coloſ. 4.20.21.22.23.24.]

Thoſe which governe the familie, are thoſe ſuperiors who hauehave authoritie in the ſame. Their generall and common duetie is, to order their houſe according to the p. 3former rule. Yet one may (being vrged by the great care of a Magiſtracie, or for ſuch like) hauehave a ſteward, that is, one to governe his houſhold, according to the rules he preſcribeth. Contrarie to this, is the common and whole caſting off of this care, vnleſſe in worldly matters. The firſt part of this rule is prooved by theſe places. [I will hauehave the yonger woman to marie, and govern their houſhold. 1. Tim. 5. If one rule not his houſhold wel, how ſhal he care for the Church, 1. Tim. 3.5. The exāple of David, Pſal. 101.4.1. Salomons mother. Pro. 31.1.2.3. &c]

The ſecond part of this rule, is prooved by the example of Abraham, who had his elder ſervant in his houſe, who was over all that he had, and to whome hee committed the waightie dutie of providing a wife for his ſonne. [Geneſ. 24.2. Then Abraham ſpake vntounto the elder ſervaunt of his houſhold, which was over all that he had, ſaying: Put now thy hand vnderunder my thigh. 3 that I may binde thee with an othe, by the Lord God of heaven, & God of the earth, that thou wilt not take a wife vntounto my ſon of the daughters of the Cananits, amongſt whom I dwell. 4. But that thou wilt goe vntounto my countrie, & vntounto my kindred, and take a wife for my ſonne Iſaac.] So Ioſeph in Putiphars houſe.

p. 4This government muſt bee perfourmed with all comelineſſe fit for the houſhould, which is, that agreable fitneſſe or cōveniencie, which woorthily becommeth the diverſitie of perſons in the familie; as Superiors, inferiors, equals: of ſexe, male, female: of age, childhood, youth, ripe age, old years: of matters, as ſome concerning God, ſome man: of time, the day, the night. For all theſe hauehave not one and the ſame rule of decencie: therefore the Apoſtle ſaith: [Which ruleth his houſe, which kepeth his children in ſubjection, with all comelines, 1. Tim. 3.4.] Nowe as there is comelineſſe peculiar to the ſubjection of Children, ſo of ſervauntes: And as there is comlineſſe for ſubjection, ſo for equalitie: and as for behauior of thoſe of the houſe, ſo to thoſe not of the houſe, & ſo likewiſe in all other the former reſpects, as ſhal appeare by the ſhining light or eie of this general rule in everie part of houſholde government.

Of the duties of ordering the houſhold, by the chiefe of the ſame. There are two ſorts: The firſt, regardeth thoſe in the houſhould. The other, ſtrangers or gueſts, comming into the ſame.

[1. Tim. 5.10. If ſhe hauehave brought vp her children wel: If ſhe hauehave bin giuen to hoſpitalitie. Iob. 31.31. If the men of my tent p. 5hauehave not ſaide: O that ſome woulde giuegive vsus of this fleſh, wee are not ſatisfied, becauſe the ſtraunger did not lodge abroad; I opened my dores to the waifairing man.] So he cauſed his ſeruants to giuegive place to ſtrangers, which ſheweth this diverſitie of duties.

Now both of theſe are in regard of

Chriſtian holines.

The things of this life.

[Pro. 31.15. She openeth her mouth in wiſdom, and the doctrin of mercy is on her tongue. And riſing while it is yet night, ſhe giveth meat to her houſe, & a taske to her maides. And Exod. 18.5. And Iethro the father in law of Moſche, comming with his children, and with his wife vntounto Moſche, into that deſert where hee had placed his tents; to wit, to the mount of God. 6. He ſaid vntounto Moſche: I thy father in lawe Iethro, do come vntounto thee: alſo thy wife and her two ſonnes with her. 7 Then Moſche went foorth to meet his father in law, and bowing himſelfe, hee kiſſed him, and they asked one another of his welfare: afterterward, they went into his Tent. 8 Where Moſche declaring vntounto his father in lawe, whatſoever things the Lord had done vntounto Pharaoh and the Aegyptians for Iſraell: & al the troubles which had happened vntounto p. 6them in that way, from whence the Lord had delivered them. 9 Iethro rejoiced for all thoſe benefits which the Lord had done vntounto Iſrael, becauſe he had delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians. 10 And Iethro ſaid: Bleſſed be the Lord God, which hath delivered you out of the hands of the Aegyptians, and out of the hands of Pharaoh: Which hath delivered his people from vnderunder the hands of the Aegyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lorde is greater than all goddes: for in that thing wherein they wer proud, he is aboue thē. 12 Therefore Iethro the father in law of Moſche, tooke and offered ſacrifices, and a burnt offering vntounto God, and Aaron and all the Elders of Iſrael, came to eat meat with Iethro, Moſche his father in lawe before God. 13 And it came to paſſe the next day, Moſche ſitting to judge the people, when as the people ſtood about Moſche from the morning of that day vntounto the evening. 14 That the Father in law of Moſche beheld all that he did vntounto the people, and ſaid: What is this that thou doeſt vntounto this people? Why ſitteſt thou alone, and al the people ſtand before thee, from the morning vntounto the evening? 15 Then Moſche ſaid vntounto his father in law: Becauſe this people come vntounto me to aske counſell at God. 16 When p. 7there is any buſines betwen thē, everie one commeth vntounto mee, that I may judge betweene both, and I make knowne the Statutes of God and his lawes. 17 But Iethro his father in law ſaid: the thing is not good which thou doeſt. 18 Thou wilt altogether faint, both thou, and the people that is with thee, for this thing is too heavie for thee, thou canſt not performe it alone.]

And this ariſeth from a double reſpect: the commoditie they receiue, and the dutie they owe to the cōmon ſtate wherein they are: that as they hauehave of their children, ſervants, gueſts, not onelie bodilie ſervice and friendſhip, but that which is of conſcience, and commeth from their faith and religion, and their praier, and the bleſsing in them, Math. 10.41. ſo they muſt giuegive them this double recompence.

Alſo to the common ſtate, they are boūd by covenant, not onelyonly as much as in them lieth, by their houſhold government, to further the peace and tranquillity of the common wealth, but alſo of religion & true holineſſe. 2. King. 11.17. Contrarie to this is, their beſt care, to be moſt exquiſit in the latter, and altogether negligent in the former, which is the chiefeſt: So that their adminiſtration of houſhold matters, is altogether civill, not religious.

p. 8For the familie, the dutie which regardeth them is, to keepe them in ſubjection, for the performance of al duties of holines and religion, and for the diligent performance of thoſe woorks and labors, which are fit for everie one.

[1. Tim. 3.4. Which may governe well his houſe, which may keepe his children in ſubjection, with all honeſtie. 1. Tim. 3. If any be vnblameable, the husbande of one wife, having faithfull children, which are not ſlaundered of riot, either ſtubborne. Pſal. 101.1. I will ſing merciemercy & judgment vntounto thee ô Lord, will I ſing. 2 I wil mark (in an vpright way) when thou ſhalt come vntounto me, I wil cōtinuallie walk in the ſoundneſſe of my mind, in the middeſt of mine houſe. 3 I will not ſet before mine eies a wicked thing: I hauehave hated the workes of them that decline, it ſhall not cleaue vntounto me. 4 A froward minde ſhal depart from me: I will not acknowledge evill. 5 The tongue that privilie hurteth his neighbour I will cut out: him that is proud in his eies, and ſwelling in his mind, I ſhal not be able to ſuffer. 6 Mine eies ſhall waite vponupon the faithfull of the land, that they may abide with me: He that walketh in the ſounde way, ſhall miniſter vntounto me. 8 The deceitfull man ſhall not dwell within mine houſe; p. 9he that telleth lies, ſhall not be eſtabliſhed before mine eies.]

Now for the performance of this general duetie, two ſorts are required: which are,

Such as wher they moſt cōmonly go before them & direct them.

Such as they muſt performe vntounto them.

[Gen. 35.2. Wherfore Iacob gaue commandement vntounto his familie, & to all that were with him: Put away the goddes of the people, which are amongſt you, & cleanſe your ſelues, changing your garmēts. 3 Afterward ariſing let vsus aſcend to Bethel, that there I may make an Altar to that ſtrong God, which heard me in the day of my diſtreſſe, and was preſent with me in the way wherein I went. 4 Which when they had given vntounto Iacob all the gods of the ſtrāge people which were in their hands, and the earings which were in their eares: Iacob hid them vnderunder that Oke which is beſide Shechem.

Where we ſee, that Iacob doth both inſtruct them what to doe, and in the dooing of theſe things directeth them.

Such as wherein they muſt only goe before them and direct them, are thoſe which only ought to be done jointlie of the whol familie, and then the ſuperiours muſt bee p. 10there, the chiefe directors of them: otherwiſe, when they are abſent, they muſt cauſe them to be done, as in prayer before and after their labor, in thankſgiving, before & after meate. [Iam. 5.13. Is any amongſt you ſick in mind? Let him pray. Is any man cheerefull? Let him ſing. Pſal. 127. Vnleſſe the Lord build the houſe, their labour is but loſt that builde it: Vnleſſe the Lorde keep the citie, the keeper is diligent in vain. 2. Let them bee in vaine vntounto you, which riſe betimes, which ſit down ſlowlie, which are fed with the meat of ſorrowes, ſo he giveth ſleepe to his beloved. Pſal. 55.18. In the evening and morning, and at noon dayes, will I meditate and make a noiſe, vntill he hath heard my voice. 1. Tim. 4.4 For whatſoever God hath created is good, neither is anie thing to be refuſed, if it bee taken with thankſgiving. Luke. 22.17. And he tooke the cup, and when hee had given thanks, he ſaid, take this, and devide it amongſt you. So Abrahams ſervaunt ſaide, Gen. 24.12. O Lord God of my maiſter Abraham, cauſe I beſeech thee, that it com vntounto me this day, and exerciſe this goodneſſe towardes my maiſter Abraham. 48 And I bowed downe and worſhipped the Lord, & bleſſed the Lorde God of my maiſter Abraham, becauſe he had brought me p. 11by the right way, to take my maiſters brothers daughter for his ſonne.] And vponupon any great judgment on the familie, Church or common wealth, to direct them in faſtings and praiers, with readings, meditations, and vſe of the woord, as may ſerue to giuegive eſpeciall cauſe of humbling, and eſpecial cauſe fit of cōfort for that work. [Heſt. 4.16. Goe gather together all the Iewes which are at Suſan, and faſt for me, & neither eat nor drinke thoſe three daies, night nor day: I likewiſe and my maides wil faſt: ſo at length, I will goe in to the King, which is not according to the commandement: and when I ſhall periſh, I will periſh. Nehe. 1.4. And it came to paſſe, when I hearde theſe wordes, I ſate downe and wept, and mourned certaine daies, in which I faſted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5. And I ſaid: I beſeech thee, ô Lord God of heaven, moſt ſtrong God, greateſt, & chieflie to be feared: Keeping covenant & merciemercy, to them that louelove him and keepe his cōmandemēts. 6. Let thine eare be attētiue, & thine eies be open, to harkē to the praier of thy ſervaunt, which I pray before thee at this time, day & night, for the Iſraelites thy ſervants: & I confeſſe the ſins of the Iſraelits, wherwith we hauehave ſinned againſt thee: I alſo, & the houſe of my fathers, &c.] p. 12For as it is their duety, in their own private faſt to doe this by themſelues, ſo to direct others in the ſame, when they doe it with them. Contrarie to this, is the vnchriſtian prophaneſſe in ſuch caſes: Alſo the vnchriſtian ſhamfaſtnes of ſome, and common negligence in others in theſe duties.

Such as they muſt perform vntounto them, are duties of

Inſtruction.

Reforming.

[Pro. 13.24. He which keepeth back his rod, hateth his ſonne, but he which loveth him, doth giuegive him inſtructions betimes. Pro. 15.32. He which withdraweth himſelfe from inſtruction, diſpiſeth his ſoule: but he that hearkeneth vntounto rebuke, poſſeſſeth his ſoule.]

The dueties of inſtruction are, that by a familiar & moſt plaine maner of teaching, they may growe in the knowledge of that truth which is according to godlines. [Gē. 18.19. When as I hauehave knowne him, ſhuld I not reveale it for this cauſe, that hee may command his children and houſhold after him, that they may keepe the way of the Lord, by exerciſing righteouſneſſe & judgment, and that the Lord may performe vntounto Abraham, that which he hath promiſed vntounto him. Geneſ. 14.14. When Abraham had heard that his kinſman was taken, p. 13hee armed his men, inſtructed 318. and followed them vntounto Dan. Deut. 20.] They are for

Continuall daily inſtruction.

That which reſpecteth the publike miniſterie.

Exod. 12.25.26. Let it be therefore, when ye ſhal come into the land which the Lord ſhall giuegive vntounto you, as he hath ſaid, & ſhall obſerue this worſhip. Let it be (I ſay) when your children ask you: what ſignifieth this worſhip vntounto you? that ye ſay it is the Sacrifice, the paſſeover of the Lord, who paſsing by the houſes of the children of Iſrael in Egypt, when he ſlew the Egiptians, he deliuered our families. Exod. 13.14. And let it be when thy ſonne ſhall ask thee hereafter, ſaying, what meaneth this? that thou ſay vntounto him, with a ſtrong hand hath the Lord brought vsus out of Egypt, out of the houſe of ſervaunts. For it came to paſſe whē Pharao ſhewed himſelf cruel in letting vsus go, that the Lord ſlewe every firſt borne of men, vntounto the firſt borne of beaſts. Therfore I kill vntounto the Lorde, the males of all that open the womb: but every firſt borne of my children I redeeme]

Dueties for daily inſtruction, are

Inſtruction out of the Scriptures.

Inſtruction drawen frō Gods workes

p. 14[Pſalm. 87.1. Receiue with your eares (my people) my doctrine, incline your eare vntounto the words of my mouth. 2. I will open my mouth in a parable, I wil powre foorth hid things, which hauehave bene of olde tyme. 3. which wee hauehave heard and knowne, as our Elders hauehave told vntounto vsus. 4. wee will not hide it from their children, the after generation. 5. being about to declare the praiſes of the Lord, his might, and his wonders which he hath done. For he hath ſet a teſtimonie in Iacob, and put a lawe in Iſrael: which he commanded our Elders to make knowne to their Children. 6. That the after generation, the ſonnes which ſhould be borne, riſing vppe, might declare it to their ſonnes. 7. And they may ſette their hope on God, nor might forget the woorkes of the ſtrong God: but keepe his commandements. 8. Nor that they bee not as their elders, a ſtubborn and rebellious generation: a generation which hath not prepared their minde, and whoſe ſpirit was not conſtant towardes the ſtrong God.

Inſtruction out of the ſcripture, is by the dailie reading of the ſame with them, both to make them acquainted with the courſe of them, ſo that they may marke the ſame for their better profiting, by the allegations of the publike miniſtery, alſo to refer p. 15thoſe things which are plaine and eaſie, or which they hauehave learned from the publike miniſterie, vntounto ſuch plaine inſtruction as they inſtructed, may vnderſtand & know how to bring it in vſe. [2. Tim. 3.15. Thou haſt knowne the Scriptures from a childe] which can not be ſpoken of a thorow knowledge, no not ſuch as belongeth to the olde men, who ſhould bee ſound in faith: much leſſe ſuch as belongeth to a miniſter: but ſuch as this, in being made acquainted with it, and cauſed to marke as he was able, the courſe of it, and to learne for vſe and practiſe, ſuch as his parents were able to note vntounto him, and he fit to receiue by dailie practiſe [Deu. 6.6. And let theſe words which I command thee this day, be in thy heart. 7 And put them pearcinglie into thy children, and ſpeake of them, when thou ſitteſt in thine houſe, when thou walkeſt by any way, when thou lieſt down, and when thou riſeſt vp. 8 Alſo, bind thē for a ſigne vponupon thine hand, & let them be for frontlets between thine eies. 9 Brieflie, write them on the poſtes of thine houſe, & on thy gates.]

Contrarie to this is, firſt, that they are vtterly negligent & ignorāt how they ſhuld doe this: Then, that ſome preſume aboue this rule, and goe beyond their calling: & eſpeciallie that their houſholde is not trained p. 16by this meanes, nor made fit for the publike miniſterie, & to amend their liues by ſuch Chriſtian exerciſes.

Inſtruction drawen from Gods works is, by applying the works of God, paſt or preſent, to mooue them the better to confidence, and truſt in God, by workes of his merciemercy: to feare to offend God: by works of his juſtice, and ſo to ſowe the verie ſeed of true religion and good conſcience in them. [Gen. 18.19. When as I hauehave knowen him, ſhoulde I not reveale it? For this cauſe, that he may commaund his children & houſhold after him, that they keepe the way of the Lord, by exerciſing juſtice & judgment, that the Lord may performe vntounto Abraham, that which he hath promiſed vntounto him.]

The dutie which reſpecteth the publike miniſterie, is

Double,

Firſt, concerning the obeying of it.

The ſecōd cōcerning the vſe of it

Firſt concernig the obeying of it, they muſt (if it be poſsible) in their place & calling, adjoyn them to a ſet miniſterie, if not, to beſtow at leaſt the Sabboth daies, yea, other alſo, in ſeeking to the miniſters and prophets of God, to hear the word of God. This is manifeſt, firſt: Becauſe we muſt firſte p. 17ſeek the kingdom of God; wherof this is a part, [Eſa 32.1. Beholde, a king ſhall rule juſtlie, and excellent ones ſhal govern according to the rule: the eies of them who ſee ſhall not wink, but the eares of them who hear, ſhal hearken: the mind of the haſtie ſhall vnderſtand knowledge, and the tongue of the ſtutterer, ſhall readilie ſpeake ſhining thinges. When Saviors, to wit, miniſters of the doctrin of ſalvation, ſhall aſcende in the mountaine of the Lord, to judge the mountain of Eſau, the kingdome ſhall bee to the Lorde. Hobad. 21. Divers adminiſtrations, but one Lord. 1. Cor. 12. Wee are the Embaſſadors of Chriſt, to beſeech you to be reconciled. 2. Cor. 5. Secondly, it is the ordinarie meanes to beget and nouriſh faith in vsus. How can they beleeue, except they hear: how can they heare, without a Preacher: how can hee preach without he bee ſent? Rom. 10. He hath given Paſtors & Doctors, for the gathering together of the church the worke of the miniſterie, and building them vp to a perfect age in Chriſt, that they be not as children wavering, and caried about with everie wind of doctrine. Ephe. 4. Attend to reading, exhortation and doctrine; in theſe continue, in theſe things bee, for in ſo dooing, thou ſhalt ſaue thy ſelfe and others. 1. Tim. 4.]

Secondly, becauſe it is the greateſt bleſsing to hauehave it, and the greateſt plague to want it. Iere. 23. having threatned them that they feed not the people, he ſaith after, [I will gather the reſt p. 18of my ſheepe out of all the land whither I had driven them, and I will bring them backe vntounto their ſheepcots, where they ſhall multiplie and increaſe, and I wil ſet over them Paſtors, which ſhall feed them: ſo that they ſhal feare no more nor ſhall be wāting, ſaith the Lord. Ier. 3. I will bring you to Sion, where I wil giuegive you Paſtors after my hart, who ſhal feed you with knowledg and vnderſtanding. God will giuegive you indeed the bread of affliction & water of oppreſsion, but none of my teachers ſhall, bee ſhut vp anie more in a corner, but thy eies ſhall ſee thy teachers, and thy eares ſhall heare a voice behinde vsus, ſaying, Here is the way, walk in it. Eſa. 30.20. A famine of breade, nor a thirſte of water, but hearing the word of the Lord, &c. Mat. 8. But when he ſaw the multitude, he had compaſsion on them, becauſe they were diſperſed and ſcattered abroad as ſheep having no Shepherd; Then he ſaid, Surely the harveſt is great, but the labourers few, &c.] Which ſheweth howe miſerable they are which want this benefite: It alloweth alſo this dutie of ſeeking. 2. King. 4.22. And he ſaid, wherefore wilt thou goe to him (meaning the Prophet) to day? It is neither newe Moone nor Sabboth day. Which ſheweth, that in the ſcarcitie of the preaching miniſterie, they went on thoſe dayes to the Prophetes to heare the word of God. The ſecond dutie is, to cauſe them to doe that which is commanded them in the third Commandement to that purpoſe. p. 19Which, although it be not proper to this place yet for the ſimpler ſort, it is thus ſet downe. Firſt, to prepare themſelues to the preaching of the worde, by conſideration of Gods ordinance and promiſe, and their corruption: ſo that laying aſide al ſuperfluitie of evil, that they may with all meekneſſe receiue the word. Iam. 1.17. Luk. 8.8. Take heed therefore howe ye heare: for whoſoever hath, it ſhall be given vntounto him, and who ſo hath not, euen that which he ſeemeth to hauehave, ſhal be taken from him: And for the Sacramentes, to conſider Gods inſtitution, their miniſterie, his merciemercy in Chriſt, their faith, their repentāce and their wants: and ſo ſeeking the aſſurance of grace, of reconciliation and comfort, to com vntounto the table of the Lord. [1. Cor. 11.28. But let everie one prooue himſelfe, and ſo let him eate of that bread, and drinke of that cup. Eſa. 1.16. Waſh your ſelues, purifie your ſelues, put away the wickedneſſe of your actions, and ceaſe to doe evill before mine eies. Eſa. 66.2. But vppon him doe I looke that is poore and contrite in ſpirite, and trembleth at my words. Mat. 5.23. Therefore if thou haſt brought thy gift to the altar, and there remembreſt that thy brother hath ought againſt thee. 24 Leaue there thy gift before the altar, & go thy waies: Firſt, bee reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.]

Secondly, in the workes themſelues, with reverence & vnderſtanding to heare and receiue p. 20the word, to be touched according to the matter, and with joy and aſſurance of fayth receiue ſolace and increaſe of grace, by the right vſe of the Sacraments; and after, to cal to minde and try by the Scripture thinges delivered, and ſo hold faſt the good, & to applie the comfort of the ſacraments vntounto al temptations afterward. [Pſal. 78.2. Heare my doctrine, O my people, incline thine eare to the wordes of my mouth. Nehem. 8.10. After Nehemiah (to witte, the Kinges Embaſſadour) and Ezra the Prieſt and Scribe, and the Levits teaching the people, ſaid vntounto al the people. This is the day ſanctified vntounto the Lord your God: mourne not, neither weepe: (for all the people wept when they hard the words of the Law) 1. Theſſ. 1.5. Becauſe our Goſpel abode with you, not in ſpeach only, but alſo in power: both in the holy Ghoſt, as alſo with much ſure perſuaſion, as ye hauehave knowne what maner of men we hauehave bin amongſt you for your ſakes. Math. 26. And when they had ſong a Pſalme, they went out into the mount Olivet. 1. Theſſ. 5.20. Quench not the Spirit: Set not light by preaching: Trie al things: Hold faſt that which is good.]

For obedience of life, it behooveth them to teach them, call on them, and ſee them do this which they learn, that the publike miniſterie, & private vſe of the word be not contemned, neglected, vnprofitable vntounto them, and ſo God provoked, not onelyonly againſt their familie, but alſo p. 21the Church of which they are. Cōtrarie to this, is, that men both themſelues and their families goe to the publike miniſterie, as to a common matter, let it fall after to the ground, without any looking into the certaintie of doctrine, the power & practiſe of it; and ſome with the miniſterie of the the word become worſe, both they and their houſholdes, than thoſe which neuer heard it. [Exod. 13.1. And declare vntounto thy ſon in that day, ſaying: For this hath the Lorde done theſe thinges vntounto me, when I went out of Aegypt. 9 So ſhal it bee vntounto thee for a ſigne vponupon thine hand, & for a monument betweene thine eies, that the doctrine of the Lord may be in thy mouth: to wit, that the Lord with a ſtrōg hand brought thee out of Aegypt.] Which with the reſt of the law ſheweth, that at thoſe times this muſt be done, and that ſo throughlie, that this worke by this meanes, may bee a liuelie ſigne, and the doctrine be ſo vnderſtood, that it may more fruitfullie and liuelie be communicated by conference one to another. Alſo [Act. 10.24. And the other day after, they entred into Caeſarea. And Cornelius waited for them, having gathered together his kinſmen and ſpeciall friendes. Nehem. 8.13. And all the people came to eate and drinke, and to ſende portions, and to make great joy, becauſe they vnderſtood thoſe words which they had made knowen vntounto thē. 1. King. 13.31. And it came to paſſe, after they had buried him; that he gaue p. 22commandement vntounto his ſonnes, ſaying; When I ſhall be dead, burie me likewiſe in the ſepulchre, in the which that man of God is buried: place my bones beſides his bones. 33. For ſurely the things which he hath foreſhewed by the worde of the Lord, againſt the altar which is at Bethel, & againſt all the high places which are in the Cities of Schomron, ſhall come to paſſe. Iob. 1.5 After it came to paſſe, when they had finiſhed the daies of the banquet, that Iob ſent and ſanctified them, and riſing early, he offered a ſacrifice according to the number of them al. For Iob ſaid, Peradventure my ſonnes hauehave ſinned, or curſed God in their heart. So Iob did every of thoſe daies.] Which ſheweth, he called on them to do their duties, in ſanctifying them ſelues and their families, and preparing them according to the manner preſcribed.

The duties in reforming, are thoſe duties wherby they muſt labor to reform everie thing amiſſe, which is eſpied, for Gods glorie & their good, and leaſt it creepe further. Contrarie to this is, that many corruptions are not accounted of, that they are winked at.

[Iob. 1.5 Pſal. 101.3.4.5. I will not ſet before mine eies a wicked thing, I hate the works of thoſe that decline, it ſhal not cleaue vntounto me. A froward mind ſhal depart from me: I wil not acknowledge evill. That tongue that privilie hurteth his neighbor, I will cut out: Him that is proude in look, & ſwelling in mind I cannot p. 23ſuffer] The rule of this muſt be the meaning of the the ten commandements, which becauſe it is neceſſarie for the ſimple, though not ſo proper for this place, it is brieflie ſet downe. They ſhal ſuffer none in their houſe vnrefourmed: which aaPhil. 1.9.10 Col. 1.10 11.Phil 1:9Phil 1:10Col 1:10either in judgmēt is known to erre from the truth of the worde of God, or in maners, from the practiſe of the ſame: But if any bbCommand. 1. Ierem. 9.24.Jer 9:24delight in the ignorāce of god, be careles to approue himſelfe as one that ccDeut. 6.4.5.12 13. Heb. 12.28. Gen- 17.1.Deut 6:4Deut 6:5Deut 6:12Heb 12:28wholly depēdeth on him, loveth him, feareth him, reverenceth him, laboreth to approue al his waies before him: ddCommand. 2. Deut. 12.31.32 Eſa. 29 13.14 Math. 15. Col. 2 23. Pſal. …19. Pſal. 26.8. Act. ….42.Deut 12:31Deut 12:32Isa 29:13Isa 29:14Matt 15Col 2:23Ps 19Ps 26:8If any be given to idolatrie, ſuperſtition, &c. and careth not in everie part of the worſhip of God, to follow his revealed wil: or if in any the partes commanded, he appear negligent and cold. eeIohn. 4.22. 2. King 18.4. Act 10.26. Act. 14.13. Exod. 33.24. Roman. 1.23. Hoſ. 2.27. Eſa. 30.22.John 4:222 Kgs 18:4Acts 10:26Acts 14:13Exod 33:24Hos 2:27Isa 30:22Or to put them to any other vſe than is commanded, or be given to images, ſuperſtitious monuments, cuſtomes, occaſions, or ſuch like. If any diſhonor the name of God, either ffCommand. 3. Math. 5.34. Iam. 5.12Matt 5:34Jas 5:12in the vnreverent vſing, or abuſing, or perverting, and not vſing with that preparation before, feeling at the preſent time, & fruite after which is preſcribed, his titles,ggAct. 9.15·Acts 9:15 Word, hhGeneſ. ….2… ▪ Mal. 1.11.12. [praep.] 2. Chron. 24.2. Eccleſ. 5.2. Gen. 24.5. Luk. 8, 18. Eccl. 5.1▪ 1. Cor. 11.28. [Feeling] 2. Chron 24.22. Ier. 4.2. 1. Theſ. 2.13 Neh. 8 10.Mal 1:11Mal 1:122 Chr 24:2Eccl 5:2Gen 24:5Luke 8:18Eccl 5:11 Cor 11:282 Chr 24:22Jer 4:21 Thess 2:13Neh 8:10Sacraments,ii… [fruit] Hebr. 6.16. 1. Theſ. 5 20. Act. 17.11. Pſal. …1.9.Heb 6:161 Thess 5:20Acts 17:11Ps 1:9 works, p. 24And if any kkComm. 4prophane his Sabboth, by vain paſtimes, going to plaies, orllEſa. 58.13. Amos 8.5.Isa 58:13Amos 8:5 giuegive not him ſelf to the exerciſes appointed on that day, out of the word: mmCommand. 5. Mark. 7.10 Rom. 13.7 Rom. 1.31.32. 1. Tim. 5.8.Mark 7:10Rom 13:7Rom 1:31Rom 1:321 Tim 5:8If any neglect eſpecial duties towards their equals, nnLeuit. 19.32 Iob. 32.6. Rom. 12.6. 1. pet. 5, 2.Lev 19:32Job 32:6Rom 12:6Rom 12:1ſuperior or inferior in years, gifts, authothority, as maiſters, parents, miniſters, ſervāts, childrē or people. If any declare not a cōſciēce to fly ooComm. 6 Math. 5.21 22. Levit. 19.17. Ex. 21.19.Matt 5:21Lev 19:17Exod 21:19evil, anger, malice, contention, quarelling, fighting, or any hurting of the perſon of a man, either in ſoule or body: not being carefull to ſuccour the ſame according to his calling: ppComm. 7 Ephe. 5.3. Mat. 5.28. 1. pet. 4, Iob 31.1.Eph 5:3Matt 5:28Matt 5:1Job 31:1If any be found▪ vnchaſt, in body, words, countenance or geſture: vntemperat in diet, in apparel diſſolute, not caring to maintaine the contrary holines in himſelf and others: qqComm. 8 Exod. 26.14.15 1. Theſ. 4.4Exod 26:14Exod 26:151 Thess 4:4If any care not for the goodes of another man, but by falſhood, flatterie, oppreſsion, &c. diminiſh the ſame. rrComm. 9. Ephe. 4.28. pro. 28.19.Eph 4:28If he be negligent in increaſing of his own, by honeſt & lawful means: if he miſpend it at cardes, dice, gaming, &c. ſſCom. 10. pſal. 15.3. Tit. 3. 1. Cor. 13.4 pro 25.13.Titus 31 Cor 13:4If any care not to maintaine the good name of others, but bee givē vntounto vnneceſsarie blaſing of other mens infirmities, by lying, ſlandering, backbiting, tanting, &c. ttIam. 1.23 Gal. 5.24.Jas 1:23Gal 5:24If any ſhewe himſelf careles to reſtrain the motiōs, & intiſemēts vntounto ſin, & the luſts of the ſame: Thē they ſhall vſe the means following to redreſſe them.

p. 25The dueties which are to be applied to this rule, are theſe:

Thoſe which they muſt do by themſelues.

Thoſe which they muſt procure to be done by others.

[Iam. 5.15. And the prayer of faith ſhall ſaue the ſick, and the Lord ſhal raiſe him vp: and if he hauehave committed ſinnes, they ſhall be forgiuen him:] As this muſt be done for him in ſicknes, ſo in health: & as in this, ſo in any other of the like nature.

The dueties they muſt do by themſelues, muſt hauehave two properties:

They muſt bee done with wiſedom, fit for thoſe duties.

Patiencie fit.

Wiſedom is, that the cauſes may be thorowly ſifted, & ſoundly reproued out of the worde of God. According vntounto this wiſedome alſo, vntill a fitter occaſion, this duetie may bee lette paſſe, and with keeping the authoritie of the chiefe of the familie, bee winked at for a time. [Eccleſ. 7.21. Applie not thy minde to all the wordes that are ſpoken, ſeeing thou oughteſt not to heir thy ſervaunt curſing thee. 22. For alſo, many times thy minde is priuie that thou haſt curſed others. Prou. 20.21. Hee which bringeth vp his ſervants delicatlie, ſhall in the end be depriued of his Children.]

Patience fit for it is, with keeping the authoritie of the chiefe of the familie, to heare what can be alledged, and by equitie alſo, to allowe or diſſallowe the ſame. Contrary to which is, p. 26haſtines without diſcretion, & making the matter plaine, that the conſcience may be touched for the fault. Alſo pride not to heare any excuſe or defence deliuered in duetie, ſubmiſsion and obedience of child or ſervaunt. Finallie bitterneſſe, which may provoke wrath rather then cauſe amendement [Colloſ. 3.21. Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, leaſt they bee diſcouraged. Iob. 31.13. If I contemned the cauſe of my ſeruaunt or mine handmaid when they pleaded with me. 14. For what ſhoulde I doe, if the ſtrong God ſhould riſe? or if he ſhuld viſite, what ſhould I anſwere him? Nomb. 22.26 After the Angell of the Lord went forwarde, & ſtoode in a narrowe place, where there was no place to decline, either to the right hand or to the left. 27. And when the Aſſe ſeeing the Angel of the Lord God, lay downe vnderunder Baalam, Balaam being kindled with wrath, ſmote the Aſſe with his ſtaffe. 28. And the Lorde opened the mouth of the Aſſe, which ſaid vntounto Baalam: what hauehave I done vntounto thee, that thou haſt ſmitten me nowe three times? Baalam ſaid vntounto the Aſſe, becauſe thou haſt mocked me. I woulde there were a ſworde in my hand, for euen nowe would I kill thee. Ephe. 6. And ye maiſters do the ſame things towards them, letting paſſe threatnings: knowing alſo that your maiſter is in heauen, neither that there is reſpect of perſons with him.]

And theſe are the properties of thoſe duties. p. 27The divers ſortes are,

Rebuke.

Correction.

[Prou. 22.15. The fooliſhnes which is bound vntounto the hart of a Childe, the rodde of inſtruction will remoue farre from him. Prou. 23.13. Withdraw not correction from thy ſon, when as thou ſhalt ſtrike him with the rodde, he ſhall not die thereof. 14. Strike him with the rod, and thou ſhalt deliuer his ſoul from the graue. Prou. 20.30. Horſcombes are for the evil man, blewnes, wounds, and ſtripes, pearcing throgh the inner partes of the bellie. Prou. 29.15. The rod and rebuke giueth wiſdome, but the child let alone to himſelf, ſhameth his mother.]

Rebuke is a ſharp, admonition to take heed of the euill reprooued aright, as is gathered out of that before.

Correction is, when with a ſharpe rebuk of inſtruction, puniſhment is inflicted or laid vponupon the offender, according to their diſcretion, cō ſideration being had of the fault, & all circumſtances of the ſame. Yet if this at any time, for ſome cauſes, be omitted, a greter is to be threatened and performed, when they ſhall next deſerue the ſame. [Prou. 19.19. Be thou greate in the fervencie of anger, in forgiuing the faulte, ſaying, that if thou ſhalt deliuer him, thou wilt further puniſhe him afterwarde.] Contrary to this, is too much lenitie, alſo immoderate correction. [Prou. 19. The rod and rebuke giueth p. 28wiſedome, but a ſonne permitted to himſelfe, ſhamed his mother. Prou. 29.16. Chaſtiſe thy childe, and he ſhall bring thee reſt, he ſhall delight thy ſoule. Prou. 29.19. A ſervaunt is not chaſtiſed with wordes, &c.]

That which they muſt procure to bee done by other, is, that when the former meanes will not ſerue, they do according to S. Iames his rule, ſend for the elders of the Churche, that they may by new admonitions, rebukes, and cenſures of the Church, draw them to repentance: and if that ſerue not, to bring them to the Magiſtrate, and ſo (thoſe which they may) to diſcharge them from the familie, vnleſſe they amend: and thoſe which they may not, to kepe them in ſuch order, till God or the commonwealth cut them of. Iam. 5.15. And the praier of fayth ſhall ſaue the ſicke: and the Lorde ſhall raiſe him vp: and if hee hauehave committed ſinnes, they ſhalbe forgiven him. Mat. 18.16. But if he ſhal not hear thee, take yet with thee, one or two, that of the mouth of two or three witneſſes, the whole matter may be confirmed. Deut. 21.18. If any man ſhall hauehave a ſtubburne and rebellious ſonne, which hearkeneth not vntounto the voice of his father, nor to the voice of his mother, although they hauehave chaſtiſed him, yet he hearkeneth not vntounto them. 19. At length his father and his mother taking him, let them bring him to the Elders of their Cittie, and to the gate of their place: 20. And let them ſay p. 29vntounto the elders of their Cittie: This our ſonne is ſtubburne and rebellious, he hearkeneth not vntounto our voice, hee is a riotous perſon, and a drunkard. 21. Then lette all the Citizens overwhelme him with ſtones, that he may die, and take away that evill out of the middeſt of thee, that al the Iſraelites may heare and feare. Pſal. 101.7 He that worketh deceit, ſhall not dwell within mine houſe: he that ſpeaketh lies ſhall not be eſtabliſhed before mine eies.]

And hitherto of the firſt ſort of duties concerning Chriſtian holineſſe in the familie.

The other, concerning the thinges of this life, is, convenientlie to provide the neceſſarie things of this life, as that they hauehave convenient clothing, food, reſt, & (if on certain cauſes need be) recreatiō [1. Tim. 5.8. But if any mā provide not for his, & eſpecially thoſe of his houſe, he hath denied his faith, and is worſe than an infidell. Pro. 31.21. She feareth not for her familie becauſe of the ſnow, for all her family is cloathed with double cloakes. Pro. 12.9. The juſte man regardeth the life of his beaſt, but the cō paſsions of the wicked, are the compaſsions of the cruell.]

And then much more the maiſter muſt care for the ſervantes, that they may hauehave even that refreſhing and eaſe which is meete. And thus much for the generall duties, and of their ſpeciall duties toward thoſe which ſhal be continually, or ordinarily vnderunder their governmēt in the family.

p. 30Now followeth the other, which is the entertainment of ſtraungers: whoſe property is, the louelove of entertaining of gueſtes. [1. Tim. 3.2. Therfore a Biſhop muſt be vnreprooueable, the husbande of one wife, watching, ſober, modeſt, given to hoſpitalitie, &c. Heb. 13.2. Bee not vnmindefull of entertaining gueſtes: for hereby certain vnawares hauehave entertained Angelles. 1. Pet. Be harberous one towards another, without grudging.]

The firſt duty required of this worke is, a liberall and chearful miniſtring of protection & al things which ſerue for the neceſsity & comfort of this life, as is meete for the abilitie of them which receiue, and the condition of thoſe who are received. [Gen. 18.2. For when lifting vp his eies he looked, behold three men ſtood before him, whome whileſt he ſaw, hee runneth to meete them from the doore of the Tent, and bowed himſelfe to the earth. And he ſaid: My Lorde: If now I hauehave found favour in thine eies, paſſe not I pray thee from thy ſervāt. 4 Let there now bee taken a litle water, & waſh your feet, & fit downe vnderunder this tree. 5 In the meane time, I will take and bring a morſell of bread, and refreſh your heart, afterward ye ſhall go forwarde, ſeeing for this cauſe you paſſe by your ſervant: which ſaid: Do ſo as thou haſt ſpoken. 6 Therfore Abraham going haſtily into the tent vntounto Sara, ſaid: Make readie at once three meaſures of corne: Take fine meale, p. 31knead it, & make cakes baked vnderunder the aſhes. 7 But Abraham running to the heard, tooke a ſucking calfe, tender and good, and gaue it to a ſervant, which made haſt to prepare it. 8 Therfore taking butter and milk, and the calf which he had prepared, he ſet them before them, who did eat, he ſtanding by thē vnderunder the ſame tree, Gen. 19.1. And thoſe two Angels comming vntounto Sodome in the evening. Lot ſat at the gate of Sodom: whom when Lot ſaw, he riſing went to meet them, & bowed himſelfe with his face to the ground. 2 And he ſaid: Behold now my Lords, turn I pray you into the hous of your ſervant, and waſh your feete,For protection ſee a notable example of Lot. Gen. 19.2.3.4.5.6.7, 8. & Iudg. 19.16.17 18.Gen 19:2Gen 19:3Gen 19:4Gen 19:5Gen 19:6Gen 19:7Gen 19:8Judg 19:16Judg 19:17 after riſing in the morning, ye ſhall go your way. Which ſaid: Not ſo, we pray thee, for we can lodge all night in the ſtreets. 3 But when he was inſtant vponupon them exceedinglie, they turning vntounto him, entred into his houſe: which made thē a banquet and did bake vnleavened breade, and they did eate. 1. Tim 5.10. Being decked with a fit teſtimonie in good woorks, if ſhe hauehave brought vp her children, if ſhe hauehave bene harberous, if ſhe hauehave waſhed the Saints feet, if ſhe hauehave ſuccoured the afflicted, if ſhee hauehave followed everie good woorke diligentlie.]

The other is, as occaſion ſerveth, mutuallie to edifie one another, by calling to minde Gods workes, mutual inſtructions and exhortations: Alſo by bringing them to the publik ſeruice of p. 32God, and cauſing them to keep with them the Sabboth, as appeareth by the example aboue, Rom. 1.10 Alwaies in my praiers beſeeching, that (if by any means) at length a proſperous iourney by the wil of God might be giuen me to come vntounto you. 11. For I long to ſee you, that I might impart to you a ſpirituall gift, that you may be eſtabliſhed.

Contrarie to this, is nigardlines, ſuch as was in Nabal, in receiving of gueſts. Alſo ſuffring God to be diſhonored, his word or Sabboth neglected, or any ſuch abuſe to be cōmited by their gueſts, and not labor by good means to amend them, or remoue them from the familie.

And hitherto of the chiefe of the family, and their duties, as are generall to all.

Now for the moſt part, the chief of the familie are maried folke, and ſo in common, the governours of the houſe. They are called maried folkes, becauſe of the bande of mariage. Mariage is that joyning of one man & one woman together by the covenāt of God, that they may be one fleſh vntill they end their life. [Gen. 2.24. Therefore ſhall man leaue his father & his mother, and cleaue to his wife, and they ſhal be one fleſh. Levit. 18.18. Take not one woman vntounto another to vexe her, by vncovering the ſhame of her that is maried vppon this, in her life. Pro. 2.17. Which forſaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God Malach. 2.14. But you ſay, Wherefore? Becauſe the Lord hath witneſſed between thee and the p. 33wife of thy youth, againſt whom thou doeſt vnfaithfully: yet ſhe is thy companion & wife covenanted vntounto thee. 1. Cor. 7.30. The wife is bound by the law, as long as her husband liveth, but if her husband be dead, ſhe is free to marie vntounto whom ſhee will, onelyonly in the Lord. Rom. 7.1. Know ye not brethren (for I ſpeak to them that knowe the law) that the law doth beare rule over a man as long as hee liveth? 2. For the woman being ſubject vntounto the man being aliue, is boūd by the law: but if her husbād be dead, ſhe is delivered frō the law of the man. 3. Therefore whileſt the man liveth, ſhe ſhall be called an adultreſſe, if ſhe becom another mans but if her husband be dead, ſhe is free from the law, that ſhe is not an adultereſſe, thogh ſhe become another mans.]

To be one fleſh, by a part put for the whole, is that moſt near and holy ſociety with the power and vſe of the bodies one of another in purity, whereby the man in an eſpeciall manner is become the head of the wife, and the wife another help to the husband likewiſe. [Gen. 2.28. And the Lord ſaid: It is not good that the man ſhoulde be alone, I wil make him an help meet for him. Pro. 2 17. Which forſaketh the guide of her youh, & forgetteth the covenant of her God. Math. 19.9. Therefore they are no more two, but one fleſh: That therefore which God hath ioyned together, let no man ſeperate. Epheſ. 5.21. Therefore ſhall man leaue father and mother, and ſhall bee ioyned to his wife, and they p. 34which were two, ſhal become one fleſh.] Therefore, in the whol government of the familie,

The husband is the chiefe, or fore-governour.

The wife is a fellowe helper.

To be a fore-governour is, in the whole adminiſtration of houſhold government, to be over all perſons and matters in the houſe, and even the wife, 1. Tim. 3.5. For if any man knoweth not how to governe his owne houſe, how ſhal he care for the Church of God? And to looke as the chief owner, to al revenews, & the eſtate of the good things of this life; eſpecially, to care for the keeping & increaſing of it. Diligently know the eſtate of thy heardes, &c. Prov. 27.23.

To be a fellow helper, is, to yeeld help to her husband, eſpecially at home, in all the matters of the familie. [1. Tim. 5.14. I wil therfore, that the yonger women marie, and bring forth children, and gouerne the houſe, and giuegive no occaſion vntounto the adverſarie, to ſpeake evil. Tit. 2.5. That they be temperate, pure, tarying at home, good, ſubject to their husbands, leaſt that the word of God be blaſphemed. Iudg. 5.24. Bleſſed be Iahel the wife of Ghebar the Kenite, before all women which abide in the tents. Pro. 31.5. Who ſhall find a woman of ſtrength, ſeeing her price farre exceedeth the Carbu…cles? 12. She doth him good, & not evil, all the daies of her life. Gen. 18.6. Therefore Abraham going haſtily into the tent vntounto Sarah, ſaid: Make p. 35ready at once, three meaſures of corn, take fine meale, kneade it, and make cakes baked vnderunder the aſhes, &c.]

Contrarie to which is, that we keepe not authority and chiefdome in all matters: that women vſurp any part of it: that they be given to gadding, & to meddle with matters not fit for their labor & travel. 1. Tim. 5. They will go from houſe, &c. Pro. 7.11. Her feet dwell not in the houſe. The dutyes of maried folk in the familie, are of two ſorts,

Firſt, mutuall.

Then towardes others.

Pro. 31.12.15. Who ſhal find a ſtrong woman, whē as her price exceedeth the Carbuncles? And riſing whileſt it is yet night, ſhe giveth food to her houſe, and a taske vntounto her maides.

Mutual duties, are thoſe which are to be performed one to another of them.

They are

Common to both.

Proper to each.

[Exod. 21.10. If he ſhall take another vntounto himſelf, let him not diminiſh her food, her clothing, & benevolence due vntounto her. Tit. 2.3. Likewiſe vntounto the old women, that they weare ſuch apparell as may become holines, not ſlanderers, not given to much wine, but teachers of honeſt things. 4. That they may make the yong women wiſe, that they may louelove their husbāds and children. 5. That they may bee temperate & chaſt, tarying at home, good, ſubject to their husbāds, that the word of God be not blaſphemed.]

p. 36Common to both, is that which both owe to each other, and it is dwelling together Mutual good proceedinges from thence.

[1. Cor. 7.12. If any brother hauehave an vnbeleeving wife, and ſhe be content to dwell with him, let him not forſake her. 13. And the wife which hath an vnbeleeving husband, which is contēt to dwel with her, let her not forſak him]

Dwelling together, is to be ordinarilie in a dwelling place, for the better perfourmance of each other mutuall duties. [Math. 1.18. For his mother Marie was betrothed to Ioſeph, before they came together, ſhee was founde with childe by the holie Ghoſt. 1. Cor. 7.10. And to the maried I command, not I, but the Lord: Let not the wife ſeperat her ſelfe from her huſband. But to the rēnant I ſay, and not the Lord, if any brother hauehave an vnbeleeving wife, & ſhe be content to dwell with him, let him not forſake her. 13. And the wife which hath an vnbeleeving husband, which is content to dwell with her, let her not forſake him. 1. Pet. 3.7. Likewiſe let the men dwell together, as becommeth them that hauehave knowledge, giving honor vntounto the womans veſſell, as to the weaker, that whē as ye be heires jointlie, of the grace of life, your praiers be not interrupted. Ruth. 4.11. VntoUnto whom al the people that were in the gate, & the Elders ſaid, we are witneſſes: the Lord make this woman which ſhal come into thine houſe, p. 37like vntounto Rahel & Leah, which both, did build the houſe of Iſraell, and get thou the riches of Ephrata, and let the name of Bethlehem be renowmed. 12. Let thine houſe be as the houſe of Peretz whom Thamar bare vntounto Iudah, of that ſeed which the lord ſhal giuegive thee of this maid]

Yet the Scripture alloweth vppon neceſſarie occaſiō of warfar, ſervice to the cōmon wealth, church, or neceſſarie affaires of their own, ſomtimes a long abſence. [Deut. 20.7. What man ſoever hath eſpouſed a wife, and yet hath not maried her, let him go and return to his houſe, that he die not in this battell, and another man marie her. 8. And let the Governors proceed further to ſpeake vntounto the people: What man is he that is ſoft and fearefull in heart, let him depart and returne to his houſe, that he make not the hearts of his brethren to melte as doth his heart. 9. Then when the Governors ſhall ceaſe to ſpeake vntounto the people, they ſhal make princes of bandes of warre, in the heads of the people. 2. Sam. 11.11. And Vriah ſaide vntounto David: The Arke, and Iſrael, and Iuda abide in the tentes, and Ioab my Lord, and the ſervantes of my Lord, hauehave their Tents in the plain field, and ſhould I enter into mine houſe to eate and drinke, and lie with my wife? As thou liveſt, and as thy ſoule liveth, I wil not do this thing. Pro. 17.19. For mine husband is not at home, hee is gone a farre jorney, at the appointed day he wil returne againe.]

p. 38Contrarie to this, is the ordinarie abuſe and negligence of this dutie, which bringeth manifolde inconueniences.

The mutual good, proceeding frō dwelling together, is that which conſiſteth in a ſweet cō municating of the perſons and goods, for the mutuall neceſsitie and conſolation one of another [1. Cor. 7.3. Let the husband giuegive vntounto the wife due benevolēce, and likewiſe the wife vntounto the husband. 4. The wife hath not power over her owne bodie, but the husband: and likewiſe the husband hath not power over his own bodie, but the wife. 5. Defraud not one another, vnleſſe it be by conſent for a time, that ye may applie your ſelues to faſting & praier, & come together againe, leaſt Sathan tēpt you for your incontinencie. It is not good for man to be alone. Geneſ. 2.]

Here alſo muſt be conſidered, the parts of this dutie: firſt, due benevolence, which is the honorable poſseſsion of their veſſels in holineſſe one towards another, for avoiding of ſin, bringing forth a ſeede of God, and the honeſt and proper delight, which ought to bee betweene the man and the wife. [Hebr. 13.4. Mariage is honorable among all men, and the bed vndefiled: but whoremongers, and adulterers, God ſhall condemne. Mala. 2.14. And ye ſay, wherefore? Becauſe the Lord hath witneſſed between thee and the wife of thy youth, againſt whome thou doſt vnfaithfully, whereas ſhe is thy companion, p. 39and joyned in covenant vntounto thee. Eſa. 62.7. As when a young man marieth a virgin, when thy children doe marie wiues, as in the joy (I ſay) of the bridegrome with the bride, ſo ſhall the Lord rejoice with thee. Geneſ. 26.8. And it came to paſſe, when they had bene there many daies, that Abimileck, king of the Philiſtims, looked by the window, and ſaw that, behold, Iſaak played with Rebekka his wife, wherfore calling Iſaak, he ſaid to him: Surely, behold ſhe is thy wife. Pro. 5.18. Let thy fountaine bee bleſſed, and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. 19. Let her be as the loving Hind, and pleaſant wilde goate: let her breaſtes ſatisfie thee at all times, and wander in her louelove continuallie. 20 And wherefore ſhouldeſt thou wander my ſon with a ſtrange woman, or imbrace the boſome of a ſtranger?]

Contrarie to this is, the abuſe of their libertie between themſelues, communicating that which is proper to the husband, to other, in whoring, dancing, vncomely familiaritie with other.

The ſecond is, their mutual helpe or labour one towards another, in word, deed, and communicating of good things, for the mutual noriſhing one of another. [Epheſ. 5.29. For no man ever hated his owne fleſh, but nouriſheth & cheriſheth it, as Chriſt alſo doth the Church. Pro. 31.28. Her children do riſe, and call her bleſſed, her husbād alſo doth praiſe her, ſaying; p. 40Many women hauehave done ſtoutly, but thou exceedeſt them all.]

And theſe are the common duties of one towards another: the proper do follow: They are duties one of them in ſeverall to another.

They are of the

Husband to the wife.

Wife to the husband.

[Epheſ. 5.33. But alſo particularly, everie one ſo louelove his wife as himſelfe, and let the wife feare her husband.] The proper duties of the husbād are,

A proper care for his wife.

The applying of the generall dutie of all men towards their wiues.

[1. Pet. 3.7. Likewiſe let men dwell together with them: giving honor vntounto the womans veſſel, as vntounto the weaker, ſeeing that ye are heires together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered.]

The proper care for the wife is, to cover her, that is, to provide all thinges meete for a mate ſo neerely joyned in full bleſsing to him, and thus according to their condition, to giuegive honour to her, as the fitteſt for him, in heauen & in earth, with a patient covering or bearing of her infirmities. [1. Pet. 3.7. Exod. 21. If hee ſhall take another vntounto him, let him not diminiſh her foode, her cloathing and benevolence due vntounto her. Gene. 30.16. And vntounto Sarah he ſaid, Behold, I hauehave given a thouſand Cicles of ſilver vntounto thy brother: behold, he is the covering of thine eies amongſt all that are with p. 41thee: Let it be knowen amongſt all, and be thou inſtructed. Ruth. 3.9. VntoUnto whom he ſaid: who art thou? which ſaid: I am Ruth thy handmaid: that thou maiſt ſpreade thy wing over thine handmaid, becauſe thou art the kinſman. Eſa. 3 28. In that day ſhall ſeven women take hold of one man, ſaying: We will eate our owne meate, and put on our owne cloathes: onelyonly that wee may be called by thy name: Take away our reproch.

The applying of the general dutie of al men, in regard of care towards his wife, is, when in a ſpecial maner, the image of Gods glorie and wiſdome, doth ſhine in the government of the husband towards his wife, & the glorie which God hath in the ſame, ſhineth in the honor and glory which the man in al thinges taketh from the wife. [1. Cor. 11.3. I wil that you knowe, that Chriſt is the heade of every man, and the man the womans head, & God is Chriſts head. 7. For the man ought not to cover his head, becauſe he is the image & glory of God, but the woman is the glorie of the man. 8. For the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man, &c.]

Contrary to this is, when men are vndiſcreet, childiſh, fond, loſe their authoritie, or keepe it not, but alſo their hardneſſe, bitternes, want of wiſdom in framing them to perfection in obedience.

p. 42The proper duties of the wife, are,

Recōpence of her husbands care

The applying of that general duty of al womē in regard of men, in peculiar maner to him which is called, to hauehave him that covering of her eies before al men.

The recompence of the husbands care is, by obeying him in all good things, and by her adviſe, ſweet counſel, labor and travell, to be a cō fort and help vntounto him. [Pro. 31.11. The ſoul of her husband doth truſt her, and the ſpoiles do not faile. 12. She doth him good, and not evil all the daies of her life. 13. She ſeeketh woolle or flax, & maketh it for the pleaſure of her huſband. 14. She is like to the marchants ſhips, ſhe bringeth meat from far. 17. Shee girdeth her loines with ſtrength, & confirmeth her armes. She taſting her merchandize to bee good, her candle is not put out by night. She putteth her handes to the wharue, and her maides do hold the ſpindle.] The labor is double

Either in matters of this life: or

Chriſtian holines.

Pro. 31.26. She openeth her mouth wiſely, and the doctrine of merciemercy ſitteth on her tongue. 28. She beholdeth the waies of her family, and eateth not the bread of ſlothfulnes.

The matters of this life are, her labour,

In regard of her family.

And her owne worke.

p. 43For the family, ſhe muſt ouerſee all the waies of them, and both ſet them worke and taske, & alſo giuegive them their meat, and other neceſſaries in due ſeaſon. [Pro. 31.15. And riſing whileſt it is yet night, ſhe giveth food to her houſe, and a taske to her maides. 16. She conſidereth a field, and taketh it, of the fruites of her hands ſhe planteth a vineyard. 17. Shee girdeth her loynes with ſtrength, & confirmeth her armes. 21. She is not afraid of her houſhold, becauſe of the ſnow, for al her houſhold is clothed with double cloakes.]

Her own worke is to labour diligentlie, early and late, in ſomething of profite for the familie. Pro. 31.13.14.15.17.19.22.

Her labour for Chriſtian holines is, to ſee all duties accompliſhed at the commandement of her husband; for which Chriſtian watchfulnes, proper to a miſtreſſe of the houſe, it requireth euen to be his eies, foot and mouth, when hee is away: in eſpying, looking, admoniſhing, rebuking, & alſo giving almes to the poore. [Pro. 31.20. She openeth the palm of her hand vntounto the poore, & ſhe ſtretcheth out her hands vntounto the needie. 26. She openeth her mouth wiſelie, & the doctrine of merciemercy is ſet on her tongue.]

The ſecond eſpeciall dutie of the wife, ſo called by the ſigne of it, is to bee an image of the authoritie and wiſedom of her husband, in her whole adminiſtration, and ſo to be his glorie & honor: and from a meek and quiet ſpirit in all p. 44her behavior of words, deedes, apparel countenance, geſture, &c. to ſignifie plainely, ſhe hath a feeling of him in her heart, as of the image of Gods majeſtie, glorie, and perfection. Gen. 24.63. (For Iſaac had gone forth to pray in a certaine field in the evening) and when hee lifted vp his eies and beheld, Behold, the Cammelles came. 64. Rebekka alſo lifting vp her eies, whē ſhe ſaw Iſaak, ſhe diſcended from the Cammel. 65. For Rebekkah ſaying vntounto the ſervant, who is that man which walketh by the field to meet vsus? The ſervant anſwered, It is my maiſter. And ſhe took a vaile, and covered her ſelfe. Gen. 20.16. And vntounto Sarah he ſaid: Behold, I hauehave given a thouſande Cicles of ſilver vntounto thy brother: behold, he is vntounto thee a covering of the eies anongſt all that are with thee. 1. Pet. 3.6. As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, whoſe daughters ye are made, as long as ye doe wel, evē whē ye are not terrified with any fear.]

Where Sarah ſpeaking of her husband but in her heart: the Apoſtle ſaith, ſhee did as of her Lord. Contrarie to this is, the pride and vntamed affection of the wife, their vncomely geſtures, their hot and chiding anſweres towards their husbands, their vnſhamefaſt and vnequallike lookes: finally, whatſoever is contrarie to the former rules.

And hitherto of the duties which are betweene themſelues, now followe the duties towards others. p. 45They are double,

As they are parents.

As they are maiſters and maiſtreſſes.

Coloſ. 3.21. Fathers, prouoke not your children to wrath, leaſt they be diſcouraged. Col. 4.1. Ye maſters, giuegive right and equalitie vntounto your ſervants, knowing that you hauehave a maiſter in heaven. Tit. 2.4.

The duty of parents muſt be performed moderately of the father, with great gravitie & authority. [Gene. 22.7. And Iſaak ſpeaking vntounto Abraham his father, ſaid: My father: which ſaid Behold, here I am my ſonne. Then ſaid Iſaak: Behold, here is fire and wood, but where is the ſmall beaſt for the ſacrifice? VntoUnto whom Abraham ſaide: God ſhal provide for himſelf a ſmal beaſt for the ſacrifice my ſon: when they went both together, Pro. 4.3. When I was a ſon with my father, tender, and only beloved before my mother. 4. He teaching me, ſaid vntounto me: Let thy mind hold my words, keep my commandements and liue. 5. Get wiſdome, get vnderſtanding, forget not, neither decline from the word of my mouth.] Of a mother, with that chearful eaſines of a mother which keepeth her authoritie. [Pro. 31.1. The gathering together of the words of Lemuel the king, wherewith his mother had inſtructed him. 2. What ſhall I ſay, my ſonne? What thing, ô ſonne of my wombe? And what, ô ſonne of my deſires? 3. GiueGive not thy ſtrength vntounto women, & to thoſe that work that kings may be aboliſhed.

p. 46The duties are

Common to both.

Proper to each.

Common to both, from the firſt conception of children, to take care of them, euen to the end of their liues, as appeareth by the partes following.

The ſpecial parts of this duty are theſe.

Which reſpect

Their tender age.

Their youth.

[Gal. 4.1. This I ſay, the heire as long as he is a child, differeth not from a ſervant, though he be Lord of all. 2. But is vnderunder tutors and governors, vntil the time appointed of his father.]

The duty in their tender age, is, according to their yeares and abiltie, to nurſe them vp in diſcipline fit for children, and admonitions of the Lord. [Ephe. 6.4. And you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them vp in doctrines and admonitions of the Lord. Prov. 22.6. Inſtruct thy childe according to his capacitie, yea when he ſhall be olde, it ſhall not depart from him.]

Diſcipline fit for children is, when by intiſements, allurements, corrections, &c. fit for thē, they are framed to good: The giving of the admonitions is, by litle and litle, by often repetitions, in greateſt plainneſſe which may bee, to make them vnderſtand ſome chiefe grounds & ſeeds of religion, of good maners, and behavior towards al, and ſo to begin ſome conſcience in them. [Eſay. 28.10 When as there ſhall bee p. 47added precept vntounto precept, precept vntounto precept, line vntounto line, line vntounto line, here a litle, ther a litle. 2. Timoth. 3.15. That thou haſt learned the holy Scriptures of a childe, which are able to make thee wiſe vntounto ſalvation, which is in Chriſt Ieſus. Heb. 5.12. For you, which for a time ought to be better learned, hauehave need to bee taught againe, what are the principles of the worde of God, and ye are become thoſe, which had need of milk, & not of ſtrong meat. 13. For everie one that vſeth milke, is vnexpert of the word of righteouſneſſe, for he is a babe. Pro. 20.11. Let a child make himſelf knowne in his works, whether his work▪ be pure & right.]

Contrary to this is, to let them hauehave their wil from the beginning: to diſcourage them by ſeveritie: to let the common ignoraunce of the world be rooted in them, and not in this care, to frame them to trueth and goodneſſe, and to prepare them to be apt to receiue profite from the publike miniſterie.

Their duty towardes them in their youth is,

Either in the entrance of their youth,

Or in their ripe age.

Their dutie in the entrance of their youth is, according to their gifts & diverſity of them, to prepare them vntounto ſom profitable calling in the Church, by applying them vntounto it, beating into them the gifts and conſcionable vſe of the gifts which is required. [1. Chron. 28.9. Then alſo Salomon my ſonne, know the God of thy father, and p. 48worſhip him with an vndefiled body, and with a careful mind, becauſe God doth ſearch all hearts, and doth vnderſtand euerie imagination of the thoughts: if thou ſhalt ſeeke him, he will be found of thee, but if thou ſhalt forſake him, he wil forſake thee for euer. 10. Behold now, ſeeing the Lord hath choſen thee to build an houſe for a Sanctuarie, bee thou ſtrong and doe it. 11. Then Dauid gaue to Salomon the patern of the porch, and of the houſes thereof, and the treaſure houſes thereof, and of the parloure thereof, and of the inner chambers thereof, and of the place of the merciemercy-ſeat. Pro. 31.1. The gathering together of the words of Lemuell the king, wherein his mother had inſtructed him. 2. What ſhall I ſay my ſonne? What thing O ſonne of my wombe? And what, O ſonn of my deſires? 3. GiueGive not thy ſtrength vntounto women, and to thoſe that worke, that kinges may be aboliſhed.

Here the Church may not bee deprived for honour, gaine, or ſuch fleſhly reſpectes of meet Miniſters.

In their ripe age, their dutie is to giuegive their children that which may help them in this life, and alſo, if they hauehave not the gift of continencie, to counſel them, to governe them vntounto a fit and religious wife, ſuch as is fit for the duties afore-named.

[1. Cor. 12.14. For I ſeek not yours, but you; For children ought not to gather treaſures for their prarents, but the parēts for the children. Gen. 24.2. Put thine hand vnderunder my thigh. 3. That I may bind thee with an oth by the Lord p. 49God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou wilt not take a wife vntounto my ſonne, of the daughters of the Cananites, amongſt whom I dwel. 3. But that thou wilt goe vntounto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife vntounto my ſonne Izhak. Ruth. 3.1. Afterward Naomi her mother in law, ſaid vntounto her. Should I not ſeeke reſt vntounto thee, that it may be well with thee? So 1. Cor. 7. &c.]

Contrarie to this, is the neglect of their life to come, to make matches, only for carnall reſpects, ſuffering them to liue wantonlie and vncleanly, & not ſeeking the remedie appointed,

The proper duties of both, is commonly towards them in their infancie. The fathers dutie is, with al convenient ſpeed that may be, according to the aſſemblie of the cōgregatiō, to preſent the child for the firſt Sacrament, and there to giuegive a name in the mother tongue, which may hauehave a godly ſignificatiō, fit for that work.

Contrarie to this is, deferring of that work, for trifles or vnmeet cauſes, a giving of a name in another tongue, a prophane name. [Gen. 25 25. And the firſte came foorth roughe, being all over, as an hairy gowne, and they called his name Eſau. 26. Afterwards, his brother came forth, whoſe hand held the heele of Eſau; therfore everie one called his name Iacob. Luke. 1.59. And it was ſo on the eight day, they came to circumciſe the babe, and called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 62. Then they p. 50made ſignes to his father, how hee would hauehave him called. 63. So he asked for writing tables, and wrote, ſaying: His name is Iohn: and they marveiled all. Gen. 4.25. And after Adam knew his wife, which brought foorth a ſon, and called his name Sheth: For ſaid ſhe: God hath laid vp for mee another ſeede for Abel, whome Kain ſlew. Gen. 19.11. Furthermore, the Angel of the Lord ſaid vntounto her: Behold, thou art with child, and thou ſhalt ſhortly bear a ſonne, therfore call his name Iſmael, becauſe the Lord conſidereth thine affliction. 15. Therfore Hagar brought foorth vntounto Abraham a ſonne, & Abraham called the name of the ſonne which Agar brought foorth vntounto him, Iſmael.]

So the Greekes in Greek, as Timothie, The feare of God, [Act. 16. Then came he to Derbe, and to Liſtra, and behold, a certain Diſciple was there, named Timotheus, a womans ſon which was a Ieweſſe, but his father was a Grecian.]

And the Latines in Latine, as Tertius, [Rom. 16.22. I Tertius which wrote out this Epiſtle, ſalute you in the Lord.]

The proper dutie of the mother is, to nouriſh it vp, if ſhe be able, with her owne milke, and to waine it, and performe all ſuch motherly care and dutie. [1. Tim. 5.10. If ſhe hauehave nouriſhed her children, if ſhe hauehave lodged ſtrangers, &c. Gen. 21.7. Furthermore, ſhe ſaid: Who would hauehave ſaid vntounto Abraham, Surely Sarah ſhal giuegive children ſucke: but I hauehave borne a ſonne in his p. 51old age. 8 And the babe grew and was wayned, & Abraham made a great feaſt, what day Iſaac was wained. 1. Sam. 1.29. So the woman abode that ſhee might nurſe her ſonne vntill ſhee had brought him vp. Luc. 2.12. And this ſhall bee a ſigne vntounto you: you ſhal finde the child ſwadled and laid in a cratch.]

Contrarie to this is, the tenderneſſe of many mothers, that bring on them the threatning of the Prophet willinglie, of barren breaſts, which ſhould go only with a barren womb.

Hitherto of their duties, as they be parents.

Now followeth their duties as they bee maiſters and maiſtreſſes, where beſides theſe, common both to children and ſervants, this is proper in regard of ſervants; that not onelyonly according to juſtice they pay them their due wages, but alſo otherwiſe helpe them, comfort them, liberally reward them, as far as chriſtianitie, liberalitie in equalitie ſhall binde them.

Contrary to this is, to retain their wages, to exact of them, to oppreſſe thē, or onelyonly reward them ſtrictly, according to the exact deſerving. Coloſſ. 4.1. Ye maiſters, doe vntounto your ſeruauntes that which is iuſt and equal, knowing that ye alſo hauehave a maiſter in heauen. And theſe are the duties which they muſt performe in their life time. Al which muſt be ſhut vp with ſetting order for al things at their death, with eſpeciall exhortations and praiers for religion, for vprightnes in their callings, for peace & order after them. p. 52[Eſai 38.1. In thoſe daies Hezechiah was ſicke vntounto death: Eſaiah the ſonne of Amos the Prophet came, and ſaid vntounto him: ſo ſaith the Lord, GiueGive precepts vntounto thy familie, for thou ſhalt ſhortly die, and ſhalt not liue. 1. King. 2.1. And when the daies of David drewe neere, that hee ſhould die, he commanded Schelomon his ſon, ſaying: 2. I ſhall ſhortly depart after the maner of all the world: but be ſtrong and be a man. 3. And keep the ordinances of the Lord thy God, by walking in his waies, keeping his ſtatutes, & commandements, and his judgments, and his teſtimonies, as it is written in the lawe of Moſes: that thou maieſt proſper in whatſoever thou ſhalt doe, and whither ſoever thou ſhalt turne thy ſelfe. 4. That the Lord may perform the woorde which hee promiſed mee, ſaying: If thy children ſhall keepe my way, by walking before me in faith from their whole heart, and their whole mind, ſaying; I ſay, there ſhall not be cut off vntounto thee a man from the ſeate of Iſraell. 5. Moreover, thou knoweſt what Ioab the ſonne of Zerviah hath done vntounto me, what he hath done to the two Captaines of the hoſte of Iſraell, Abner the ſonne of Ner, and Hamaſa the ſonne of Iether, whom he ſlewe; appointing ſlaughter of warre in peace, as he hath put the bloud of ſlaughter of warre on his girdle, which was about his loines, and in his ſhoes which were vponupon his feete. 6. Wherefore, doe according to thy wiſedome, neither ſuffer his p. 53white head to goe down to the graue in peace. 7. But exerciſe merciemercy, towardes the ſonnes of Barzillai the Gileadite, & let them be amongſt thoſe that eat meate at thy table, becauſe likewiſe they came vntounto me, when I fled from Abſolon thy brother. 8. To be ſhort, Schimmhi the ſonne of Gera be in thy remembrance, which curſed me, with a moſt bitter curſe, what day I went to Machananijm, who diſcending to meet me, to Iordan; I hauehave ſworne vntounto him by the Lord, ſaying: I wil not ſlay thee with the ſword. 9. But now diſcharge not him being guilty, ſeeing thou art a wiſe man, but know what thou ſhalt doe vntounto him, that thou maiſt bring down his white head vntounto the graue with bloud. 10. After David ſlept with his fathers, and was buried in the citie of David. Gene. 49.30. Then he commanded & charged them, ſaying; When I ſhal be gathered to my people, burie me with my fathers, in the caue which is in the field of Hephron the Hittite.]

Hitherto of the firſte parte of houſholders, which concerneth the government of the ſame by the ſuperiors in it.

Now followeth the duty of the inferiours.

The inferiours, are thoſe which are vnderunder the reſt in the houſhold, & are called of Peter, thoſe of the houſhold, or houſhold fellowes. Their duties are towards

The houſholde governours.

Or others.

p. 54Tit. 1.6. If any be vnreprooueable, the huſband of one wife hauing faithful children, which are not ſlandered of riot, neither are diſobedient. Toward the houſhold governors, to

Be helpful to them in outward behaviour.

Be in ſubjection and obedience.

Luk. 2.51. Then he went downe with them, & came to Nazareth, and was ſubiect to them.

The firſt is, by outward behaviour to acknowledge their authority, ſuch as ſhal be preſcribed vntounto them, as of cap, legge, maner of ſpeaking.

Contrary to this is, vnmanerlines, anſwering again, giving cutted anſwers, &c. [1. Tim. 6.2. And they which hauehave beleeving maiſters, let them nor diſpiſe thē, becauſe they are brethrē, but rather doe ſervice, becauſe they are faithfull and beloved, and partakers of the benefite. Tit. 2.9. Let ſervāts be ſubject to their maiſters in all things, not anſwering again. 10. Neither pickers, but that they ſhew all faithfulnes, that they may adorne the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 1. Pet. 2.18. Servants be ſubject to your maiſters with all feare, not only to the good & curteous, but alſo to the froward.]

The ſecond duty of obedience is, in all commandements cōcernig the aforenamed duties, of the ſuperiors towards them, willingly to perfourme them, and to ſubmit themſelues to rebukes, to admonitions, corrections, & ſuch like with meeknes. [Pro. 4.1. Heare ô children the p. 55inſtruction of the father, and giuegive eare to learn vnderſtanding. 2. For I giuegive vntounto you good diſcipline, forſake not my doctrine. 20. My ſon, attend vntounto my words, and incline thine eare to my ſpeach. Nomb. 12.14. And the Lorde ſpake vntounto Moſes: If her father had ſpit in her face, ſhuld ſhe not hauehave bene aſhamed 7. daies.]

The dutie to be helpfull, is, by their example and perſwaſions one to another, and by revealing things, which by admonition wil not be amended, to be helpful to the Superiours in the former duties.

Contrary to this is, evill example, evill perſwaſions, hiding things which ought to be revealed. [Gen. 37.2. Ioſeph being 17. year old, fed the flocke with his brethren (for hee was a child) with the ſonnes of Bilhah, and with the ſonnes of Zilpah, the wiues of their father, and he brought vntounto his father their evill reporte. Gen. 27.44. And when it had bene tolde vntounto Ribkah all the wordes of Heſau her eldeſt ſon, ſhe ſending, called Iacob her youngeſt ſonne, and ſaid vntounto him, &c.]

The duties towards others, is,

Amongſt themſelues.

Towards other beſides thē ſelues.

Amongſt themſelues, that with peace and quietneſſe, they hauehave their mutuall equalitie, beare one with another, and help one another as far as is lawfull. Contrarie to which is, vnquiet mindes, pride, jarres, lifting vp aboue others, p. 56not keping the place or difference made by the chiefe of the familie.

Towards others is, that they ſo order themſelues towards al, as they are taught out of the commandements, and towards gueſts & ſtrangers: rich and poore, high and low, as they bee taught out of the fift cōmandement: And thus of the common duties of all inferiors of the family, and this is prooved by the commaundements and ſentences going before. [Geneſſ. 45.24. And letting his brethren goe, he ſaide vntounto thē: be not mooved or ſtirred one againſt another in the way.]

Inferiors in the family are,

Children,

Servantes.

Childrens dutie is, from their beginning to their ending, to be ſubject, obedient, and helpfull to their parents. Contrarie to this, is the rejecting of theſe duties at ſome yeares. [Luke. 2.51. And he deſcended with them, and came to Nazereth, and was ſubject to them. Ioh. 19.26. When Ieſus therfore ſaw his mother, and the Diſciple ſtanding whom he loved, he ſaid vntounto his mother: Woman, behold thy ſon. 1. King. 2.19. And when Bathſhebah came vntounto the king, that ſhe might ſpeake vntounto him for Adonijah, the King roſe to meet her, and bowed himſelfe to her; ſitting in his throne, he commaunded a throne to be placed for the mother of the king, which ſate at his right hand. Gen. 47.29. And p. 57whē the daies of Iſrael drew nigh, that he ſhuld die, he ſent for his ſonne Ioſeph, and ſaide vntounto him: If now I hauehave found favour in thine eies, put, I pray thee, thine hand vnderunder my thigh, & exerciſe this kindnes & faith towards me: bury me not in Aegypt; but when I ſhall reſt with my fathers, carie me out of Aegypt, and burie me in their ſepulchre: Which ſaid; I will doe according to thy word. Gen. 49.29. After he willed and commanded them, ſaying: When I ſhall be gathered to my people, burie mee with my fathers, in that caue which is in the fielde of Hephron the Hittite. 30. In that caue which is in the field of Macpela, which is on the other ſide of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the fielde of Hephron the Hittite, for a poſſeſsion to burie in.]

The proper or eſpeciall partes of this dutie, is, in their proper

Obedience.

Recompence which they muſt make.

The proper obediēce, is that which ſpringeth from a cheerfull, naturall, continuall, & childlike louelove and reverence.

Contrarie to this is, diſobedience, vnnaturall behaviours or affections, &c. [2. Tim. 3.2. For men ſhall bee lovers of themſelues, covetous, boaſters, proud, evill ſpeakers, diſobedient to parents, vnthankfull, prophane. Colloſ. 3.20. Children, harken vntounto your parēts in al things, for this is acceptable vntounto the Lord. Ephe. 6.1. p. 58Children, giuegive eare vntounto your parentes in the Lord, for that is juſt.]

This obedience muſt ſhewe it ſelf, eſpeciallie in being governed by them in the matter of calling, & mariage, according to the rules preſcribed in the word of God, & all ſuch matters of waight and moment. Chiefly vntill by the fathers authority and conſent, more full power be geven to their childrē, becauſe of their yeers and diſcretion. [Nomb. 30.4. When a woman hath vowed a vow vntounto the Lord, or bound her ſelf by a bond at her fathers hous in her youth, 5. If when her father heareth her vowe, or the bond wherewith ſhe hath bound her ſelfe, and her father hold his peace concerning her, let it be eſtabliſhed. 6. But if her father ſhall make her to breake it, in what day he ſhal heare it, let none of her vowes or bandes wherewith ſhee hath bound her ſelfe be eſtabliſhed, & the Lord ſhal forgiue her, becauſe her father hath made that ſhe ſhould breake it. 1. Cor. 7.36. But if any man thinke hee hauehave committed ſome vncomely thing againſt his virgin, if ſhe paſſe the flower of her age, and that it ought to be done, let him doe what he wil, he ſinneth not. Let thē be joyned in mariage. 37. But hee which abideth firme in heart, neither is driven by neceſſitie, but hath his owne will in his power, and hath decreed this in his heart, that he may keep his virgine, he doth well. 38. Therefore he that giveth her in mariage doth wel, but he that giveth p. 59her not in mariage, doth better. Gen. 24.51. Behold, Ribkah is before thee, take her and go thy way, that ſhe may be a wife vntounto the ſon of thy Lord, as the Lord hath ſpoken.]

Laban the ſonne, having the goverment of his father being olde, was the chiefe in this buſineſſe. Gen. 24.55. And the brother of Ribkah, & her mother ſaid, let this maid tary with vsus a few daies, at the leaſt ten, afterward goe thy wayes. 57. Then they ſaid, let vsus call the maide, & aske of her mouth.

Their eſpeciall recompence is, to relieue and maintain them, or any other, which is knit vntounto them in any eſpeciall care and dutie, as farre as their ability or duty towardes the wife, and care of the familie will ſuffer.

Contrarie to this is, contempt of your parēts, grieving of them, neglecting to help & ſuccour them, &c. [1. Tim. 5.4. But if any widow hauehave children or Nephewes, let them learne, firſt to ſhew godlines towards their own houſe, and to recompence their owne kindred, for that is an honeſt thing, and acceptable before God. Mat. 15.4. For God hath commanded ſaying: Honour thy father and thy mother: and hee that curſeth father or mother, let him die the death 5. But ye ſay, whoſoever ſhall ſay to father and mother, by the gift that is offered by me, thou maiſt hauehave profite. 6. Though hee honour not his father or his mother, ſhall be free; thus hauehave you made the commandemēt of God of none authority by your traditions. Gen. 47.12. And p. 60Ioſeph nouriſhed his father, and his brethren, and all the houſhould of his father with meat, as putting it into the mouth of the children.]

The eſpeciall dutie of ſervantes is, to doe all thinges which their maiſter ſhal, according to Gods wil, giuegive them in charge. [Col. 3.22. Servants, be obedient to them that are your maiſters, according to the fleſh, in all thinges; not with eie-ſervice, as men-pleaſers, but in ſingleneſſe of heart, fearing God. Luk. 17.7. Who is it alſo of you, that hauing a ſervant plowing, or feeding cattell, would ſay vntounto him by and by, when he were come frō field, goe and ſit down at the table. 8. And would not rather ſay vntounto him, Dreſſe wherwith I may ſupp, and gird thy ſelfe, and ſerue mee till I hauehave eaten and drunken, and after eat thou, & drink thou. 9. Doth he thank that ſeruāt, becauſe he did that which was commanded him? I trowe not.]

Contrarie to which is, that ſome will do one thing only at this time, and which pleaſeth him.

The manner of dooing this, hath two partes,

Diligence.

Faithfulneſſe.

Tit. 2.9. Let ſeruants be ſubiect to their maiſters, and pleaſe them in al things, not anſwering again: neither pickers, but that they ſhew all good faithfulneſſe, that they may adorne the doctrine of God our Saviour in all thinges.

Their diligence is in a ſingle heart, as to the Lord, not only by labour and travel, but praier, p. 61religious care, and all good means to perform the things laid on them.

Contrarie to this is, eie-ſervice. [Col. 3.22. Servants be obedient to thē that are your maiſhers according to the fleſh in all thinges, not with eie-ſervice, as men-pleaſers, but with ſinglenes of heart, fearing God. 23. And whatſoever ye doe, do it hartily, as to the Lord, and not vntounto men. Ephe. 6.5. Servants, be obedient vntounto them which are your maiſters, according to the fleſh, with feare and trembling, in ſinglenes of your hearts, as vntounto Chriſt. 6. Not with ſervice to the eie, as men-pleaſers, but as the ſervants of Chriſt, doing the wil of God from the hart. 7. With good wil, ſerving the Lord & not men. Gen. 24.9. Therefore, the ſervant putting his hand vnderunder his thigh, ſware vntounto him concerning this matter. 10. Afterward, the ſervant tooke ten Camels, of the Camels of his maiſter, that he might goe on his journey: (for hee had al the goods of his maiſter in his hand) And riſing, he went vntounto Syria between the rivers, vntounto the citie of Nachor. 11. Where, cauſing the Camels to reſt without the citie, beſide a wel of water, in the evening, at what time the woman came foorth to draw. 12. And he ſaid: O Lord God of my maiſter Abraham, bring to paſſe I pray thee, that it may come to paſſe vntounto mee this day, and ſhew this merciemercy vntounto my maiſter Abraham. 26. And he inclined his face to the ground, & bowed himſelfe to the Lord, ſaying: p. 62Bleſſed bee the Lorde of my maiſter Abraham, which hath not left his mercy and faithfulneſſe towards my maiſter.]

His diligence alſo appeared greatly, when he ſaid: I wil not eat til I hauehave ſpoken my words, or matter, ver. 33. & in making ſpeed he ſaid: Stay me not, ſeeing the Lord hath proſpered my way. Send me backe that I may goe vntounto my Lord, &c.

Faithfulnes in their labor & charges, to ſeeke the vttermoſt they can, the commodity and benefite of their maiſters. Contrary to which, is, picking, turning another way, in banquetting, feaſting, riot. &c.

This appeareth moſt liuely in the deſcription which Iacob doth make of his faithfull ſervice to Laban. This is the twentith yeare ſince I hauehave bene with you, thy ſheep & thy goats hauehave not left their young, and the rammes of thy flocke hauehave I not eaten. The torne I brought vntounto thee, but made it good my ſelfe, at my hand thou diddeſt require it. Likewiſe, the ſtolen by day, and the ſtolen by night. I was about my woorke when the heat conſumed mee by day, and the froſt by night, and ſleepe departed from mine eies. Gen. 31.38.39.40.

And thus much for the order of houſhold, which is preſcribed by the word of God.