Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 2 · Part 49
This commandement being Affirmatiue; I will first stand on the Affirmatiue part of it.
Quest. What is required and commanded in this fift Commandement?
Answ. In generall thus much; it requires all due respect, and all due carriage of inferiours towards their superiours; and by necessary consequent of superiours also towards their inferiours, and of equalls among themselues; that eueryevery one carry themselues as becomes him, in regard of that relation that hee hath to others; either as a superiour, an inferiour, or equall.
Of this in generall, and then more particularly.
Quest. Wherein standeth that due respect, and due carriage of inferiours in generall, towards their superiours.
Answ. In two things; first in yeelding to them due reuerence, both inward and outward: and secondly, in a care and endeuour to deserue well of them.
Quest. What is that inward reuerence that inferiours are to yeeld to their superiours?
Answ: This it is; a reuerent opinion and estimation of them;Leuit. 19.3. 1 Sam. 10.26. Rom. 13.1.2. Ephes. 6.5. that they thinke and esteeme of them reuerently, in regard of Gods Ordinance, in setting them ouer them: and because they beare Gods Image.
Quest: What is that outward reuerence, that inferiours are to yeeld to their superiours?
1 Sam. 1.15. Leuit. 19.32. Gen. 18.2. Mark. 10.17. Exod. 18.13. 1 King. 2.19.Answ. It is a manifestation of their inward reuerence, both by word and deede, both by reuerent speeches, and by reuerent behauiour; as by rising vp before them, baring the head, bowing the knee, giuing them the chiefe seat; and the like.
Quest. Wherein stands that care and endeauour of inferiours, to deserue well of their superiours?
Answ: In yeelding two things to them; obedience and thankfulnesse.
Quest. What is that obedience that inferiours are to yeeld to their superiours?
1 Pet. 2.13.14. Heb. 13.17. Pro. 15.5.Answ. This; they are willing to submit themselues to their lawfull commandements, and to their admonitions, reproofes, and corrections.
Quest. What is that thankfulnesse that inferiours are to yeeld to their superiours?
Answ. This; they are not only in words, thankfully to acknowledge their goodnesse towards them;Gen: 47.25. 1. King: 5.417. but to indeauour also to requite them by doing good to them againe. They are only to be reuerenced, but to be thankfully recompenced.
Quest. How are inferiours by way of requitall to doe good againe to their superiours?
Quest. Two waies.
First, by yeelding them their helpe in outward things;Rom: 13.6.7. Gal: 6.6. 1. King: 2.1.2. if they stand in neede of it.
Secondly, by praying for them.
Quest. What if superiours be vnworthy of honour, and faile in their duty; are not inferiours then discharged from yeelding honour to them?
Answ: No they are not: for inferiours are to looke, not only to the persons of their superiours, or to their actions alone, but to the ordinance of God; who hath placed them aboue them. And the failing of inferiours in their duty, is not excused by the fayling of their superiours.
Quest: Wherein stands that due respect and due carriage of superiours in generall whatsoeuer they bee towards their inferiours?
Answ. It standeth either in yeelding that which is due from them to all that are any way inferiour to them in age, place or gifts; or in yeelding that which is due from them towards such as are inferiours to them, more specially in respect of place, and are vnderunder their power and gouernment.
Quest: What are the things that are due from superiours to all that are any way inferiour to them?
Answ. They are three in number.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This:Iob 29.7.8. Philip: 3.17. Tit: 2.7. 1. Pet: 5.3. superiours are to goe before their inferiours in an holy conuersation and good example, shewing forth all grauitie according to their place by their countenances, gestures, words and deeds.
Quest. VVhat is the second thing due from superiours towards their inferiours?
Answ. This; superiours are in meekenesse of Spirit to yeeld to their inferiours in good things, respecting them as their brethren, Deut: 17.20.Deut: 17.20. The Kings heart must not be lifted vp aboue his brethren, 2. King: 5.13.14.2. King: 5.13.14.
Quest. What is the third thing due from superiours towards their inferiours?
Iob 31.13. Rom: 14.3.Answ. This; superiours (keeping and maintaining their state and place) are to be affraid to wrong or despise the meanest of their inferiours.
Quest. VVhat are the things that are due from superiours towards their inferiours that bee vnderunder their power and gouernment?
Answ. They likewise are three in number.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Deut: 17.19. 1. Sam. 2.30. 2. King: 23.1.2.3.Answ. This; they are to rule them in the Lord, and to endeauour that God may bee honoured by all that are vnderunder their gouernment. God reprooues Eli for letting his sonnes dishonour him.
Quest. What is the second thing due from superiours towards their inferiours, that be vnderunder their power and gouernment?
Rom: 13.4. Isai: 49.23. Numb: 11.12. Gen: 18.19. Gen: 9.26.27. Heb: 11:20;Answ: This; they are to seek the good of their inferiours, the good of their bodies, and the good of their soules by prouiding good things for them, by protecting and supporting them, by giuing them good instructions, commandements, and counsels, by praying for them, and blessing them according to the power they receiue from God.
Quest. VVhat is the third thing due from superiours towards their inferiours, that be vnderunder their power and gouernment?
Psal: 101 6.7. Rom: 13.3.4.Answ. This; they are in wisedome and discretion to vse their authoritie ouer their inferiours, to the fauouring, countenancing, and rewarding the good and such as doe well, and to the discountenancing and punishing the bad and euill doers according to their faults and offences.
Quest. VVherein stands that due respect and due carriage of equals amongst themselues in generall whatsoeuer they be?
Philip: 2.3. Rom: 12.10.Answ. In a modest preferring each other before themselues both in opinion and practice.