Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 2 · Part 65
Now to that relation of certaine persons; either of superioritie or inferioritie in the common wealth, which is in regard of care.
Quest. What is that relation of certaine persons, either of superioritie or inferioritie in the common wealth, which is in regard of care.
Answ. It is that which is betweene such as hauehave care of others, or shew forth their care for the good and benefit of others, as Schoolemasters, Patrons, benefactors and such like, and those that receiue benefit, or may receiue benefit from others.
Quest. Wherein stands the due respect and due carriage of that doe, or may receiue benefit from others?
Answ. In a kinde acceptance of the least benefit,Gen: 40.23. 2. Chron: 24.21.22. Act: 22.3. Rom: 16.2.3.4 and a thankfull acknowledgement of it, and a louing remembrance of them for it as any occasion is offered: and in vsing it to Gods glory, and to their owne best good.
Quest. Wherein stands the due respect and due carriage of such as hauehave care of others, or shewe foreth their care for the benefit of others towards those that doe or may receiue benefit from them?
King: 2.9. b: 29.16. ct: 22.3.Answ: In taking the best and wisest course that they can that the benefit they intend to reach out to others, may bee most profitable to them that are, or shall bee partakers of it: as Schoolemasters are to take the wisest course they can for the good of their Scholars.
The Negatiue part of this Commandement.
Quest. What doth the fift Commandement forbid.
Answ. Two things in generall.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. The want or neglect of due respect, and of due courage of inferiours towards their superiours, and by consequent of superiours towards their inferiours, and of equals amongst themselues, and so the omission of any of those duties that are required of inferiours, superiours, or equals one towards another; whether generall, or particular.
Quest. What is the second thing forbidden in this Commandement?
Answ. Whatsoeuer is contrary to the due respect, and due carriage of inferiours towards their superiours, and of superiours towards inferiours, and of equalles one towards another, and doth diminish or impeach the dignitie that God hath bestowed on others.
Of these seuerally.
Quest. What are the things that are contrary to the due respect and due carriage of inferiours towards their superiours?
Answ. Two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Leuit: 20.19. Deut: 27.16. Gen: 9.22. Prou: 30.11.17. Iud: vers: 8. Exod: 22.28. Eccles: 10.20. 1. Tim: 5.19.Answ. This; a light and a base esteeming, a despising and contemning of superiours, as the Anabaptists doe in their iudgment & opinion, shewing forth that light estimation, & that contempt of them by contemptuous words, gestures or deedes; as by wishing ill to them, by mocking and scorning of them, by speaking ill of them, and reuiling them, by smiting of them or the like.
Quest. What is the second thing that is contrary to the due respect and due carriage of inferiours towards their superiours?
Ans. This; disobedience to superiors;Deut: 21.18. Rom: 1.30. when inferiours are stubborne, and refuse to yeeld obedience to their superiours as they ought.
Quest. Wherein doe inferiours shew foorth their disobedience towards their superiours?
Answ. In two things.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This;Gen: 28.8.9. 2. Sam: 15.10.11.12. Mat: 21.30. Tit: 2.15. in resisting the lawfull authoritie of their superiours, refusing to bee gouerned by them, and in contemning their good counsels, and their iust and lawfull commandements.
Quest. What is the second thing wherein inferiours doe shew forth their disobedience towards their superiours?
Answ. This;Gen: 16.6.9. Deut: 21.18. Prou: 13.1. Tit: 2.9. in resisting their superiours when they exercise their power ouer them, in admonishing, reprouing, or correcting them; then murmuring, or rising vp against them, or flying from them.
Quest. What are the things that are contrary to the due respect and due carriage of superiours towards their inferiours?
Answ. Two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; a light, vaine,2. Sam. 6.20. Zeph: 3.4. Rom: 2.17. to 26. Tit: 2.15. wicked and vnseemely carriage of themselues in the sight of their inferiours; when superiours carry themselues lightly, vainely and wickedly, and vnseeming them in respect of their age, place or gifts before their inferiours, and thereby not onelyonly bringing dishonour to God, in whose place and roome they stand as they be superiours; but bring also iust disgrace and contempt on their owne persons, or on their places or gifts.
Quest: What is the second thing that is contrary to the due respect and due carriage of superieurs towards their inferiours?
Ans. This;Prou: 28.15. Zeph: 3.3. Coloss: 3.19: 1. Pet: 5.3. the abuse of that authoritie & power that God hath put into their hands ouer their inferiours: when superiours abuse and peruert that authoritie and power that God hath giuen them for the good of those ouer whom they are set, to the hurt and wrong of those that be vnderunder them.
Quest. How doe superiours abuse that authoritie and power that God hath put into their hands ouer their inferiours?
Answ. Two wayes.
Quest: What is the first of those?
1. King: 12.31. 2. Chron: 13.9. Eccles: 10.5.6.7 Micha: 3.2. Isai: 5.23. Ezech: 13.18.21.Answ: This; when they exercise it to the fauouring, countenancing, and aduancing of the wicked and vnworthy, and the discountenancing, disgracing, and putting downe, and keeping vnderunder of the godly and well deseruing.
Quest. What is the second way by which superiours abuse that authoritie and power God hath put into their hands ouer their inferiours?
1. Sam: 2.23. Ephes. 6.4.9. Coloss. 3.21.Answ. This; when they exercise it, either with too much lenitie, or with too much seueritie.
Quest. What is that which is contrary to the due respect and due carriage of equals amongst themselues?
Mat: 20 24. Mat: 23.6.Answ. This; the aduancing and preferring themselues one aboue another, either in opinion or practise, and disdayning one another.
Quest. Whence is it that inferiours, superiours, or equals doe things contrary to the due respect and due carriage that they owe one to another?
Prou: 13.10. Num: 12.1.2. Ioh: 19.10. 2. Tim: 3.2.3.4. Zach: 11:16. 1. Tim: 5.13. 1. Pet: 4.15.Answ. It proceedes, either out of pride and arrogancy, or selfe-louelove, or carelesnesse, not to know their duty, or knowing it not to practise it; or curiositie, men busying themselues with the duties of others, and medling with things not appertayning to them.
The confirmation of the fift Commandement.