The Substance of Christian Religion, Lecture 39
The thirty nineth Lords day.
Exod. 20. 12.
Honour thy Father and thy Mother: That thy dayes may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
IN the fifth command of the Decalogue that duty is handled, which is due to our Neighbour, in regard of his rank, degree, or quality, that he is of: A…d it is expounded by the Synecdoche, that denominates one special for all the kind; which is honour: For honour is a principal part of this duty, and also an impulsive cause unto other parts of it. For by honour is understood a just and right esteem, and respect of worth (what ever it be) which appeareth in our Neighbour, whether he be our Superiour, or our inferiour, or our equal. Yet (as we said) it hath its special denomination from that special respect, which we owe unto them, in whome some singular and eminent excellency appears. Whence it is also, that the degree of our Neighbour, in regard whereof, honour is to be given him, is by like Synecdoche signified to us, by the titles of Father, and Mother, in whom nature it self, however very corrupt, yet doth evidently acknowledge, a rank and degree of dignity, whereunto honour is due. The sanction of this command is in a promise of long life, because the continuation of our life, and of all our quietnesse thereof, depends on the preservation of the societies of mankind; whereof the first, and source of all the rest almost, is between parents and children; and this also is the true reason, why this command hath the first place in the second Table.
Doct. 1. All men whatsoever are in some sort or other to be honoured by us.
It is hence gathered, in that all precepts of the second Table regard our Neighbour, whatever he be, according to Mat. 22. where the summe of this Table is made, Thou shalt love th… Neighbour, &c. Though therefore this honour is referred by name to Father and Mother, as its chief objects; yet in some sort it is to be extended unto every Neighbour; that is, unto all mankind.
Reas. 1. Because none is found so base and vile, but that he hath something in him, that ought to be esteemed by us, and much valued. For if nothing else could be remarked in one, yet the very common nature of man hath that worth and dignity in it, as unto it regard should▪ be had, and the party not altogether contemined, or accounted less of than indeed he deserveth; and in such respect some honour is contained.
Reas. 2. Seeing all men are either our Superiours, or Inferiours, or our equals; religion, charity, and natute it self in a sort, leads us thither, that we should honour all Superiours, because they are superiour to us, as Parents; as by the very phrase of this command appears, where all Superiours are called Fathers and Mothers, and by a like reason, all Inferiours should be respected by us like sonnes; and equals, as brothers or sisters.
Reas. 3. Because such honour makes much for advancing of love, and mutual duties of all kinds. For all do the more willingly performe their duties, when they see themselves and what they do, to be had in some respect.
Use, Of Reproof, against that barbarous pride, which so possesses the mindes of many, that they can finde but very few, that they think worthy of any honour from them. Whether are such to be from hence excepted, as make some such poor shew of respect towards others, by their Puppit and Moris-like behaviours, as signs of the honour forsooth, that they do you; but they go no further▪ unto any reality. For the honour here commanded ought to have sound roots in our hearts, and to bring forth some found fruits, and not onelyonly colours, and pre… and lying shews.
Doct. 2. A special honour is due to our Superiours, and that according to the nature and quality wherein they are superiour to us.
This is contained in naming of Father and Mother specially to be honoured, in the general duty of honour due to all.
Reas. 1. Justice requires that to every one his due be given; and Superiours have a special worth and excellency, unto which a special esteem, and respect of honour is due.
Reas. 2. Religion commands that we acknowledge that special manner of Gods image, which appears in every supereminence of dignity; whence it is also, that all such respect towards Superiours, is called piety, partly because by piety, or religion towards God it is in special manner commanded; partly also, because it hath some likenesse of that piety and worship, that is due unto God.
Reas. 3. Charity and thankfulnesse perswade the same also, as from Superiours to Inferiours some good thing ordinarily useth to descend, if it were but from the rank and order; by reason whereof a special sort of honour is due to them, even from such, as in their owne proper persons perhaps receive no particular good from them.
Reas. 4. Because, even for the society of mankinde, nature teacheth us to honour them that deserve well of others, though we should receive no profit by them.
Use 1. Of Admonition, that we take heed of such barbarous and uncivill manners, whereby respect towards Superiours is taken away.
Use 2. Of Direction, that we alwayes give reverence to such, as in authority or power are superiour, as to the Fathers of the Country, the Fathers of our bodies, the Fathers of families, Fathers in Christ, and the like.
Doct. 3. Superiours owe a kinde of honour to their Inferiours, suitable to their place.
This is hence gathered, in that Father and Mother are put here by a Synecdoche. 1. For all Superiours. 2. For all Neighbours, as hath been said. So men are commanded to honour their wives, 1 Pet. 3. 7. The meaning is, that so they ought to behave themselves towards their Inferiours, that their Inferiours may chearfully acknowledge that degree of dignity they have over them, and shew the same.
Reas. 1. Because this is but that general and universal justice, whereby every one is bound to render to another his due.
Reas. 2. Because humility inclines all godly men, that as farre as conveniently may be, they condescend to Inferiours, and as it were lift them up rather to themselves, than stand too much upon their owne title, or superiority.
Reas 3. Because that esteeme and respect which descends from the superior to the inferior hath much more weight than that which ascends from the inferior to the superior, and therefore makes more for preserving of the safety of mankinde in its right order.
Use 1. That Superiours uphold with their dignity, that resemblance of God, which they ought to carry before there inferiours.
2. That they have a care of going before them in a right way and by a good example.
3. That they alway use all their wisedome, authority, and power, that they have, to the procuring of the good of them that are under them▪
Doct. 4. This mutuall honouring of each other makes much for the prolonging, and making our lives the more pleasant in this world, and improving of our hope about the life eternal.
This is clear from the promise that is subjoyned to the precept.
Reas. 1. Because the conformation of humane society tends derectly to the conservation of the life and livelihood of each one in particular.
Reas. 2. Because sins that are committed against parents, by whom we received this life are most sutably punished by the losse of this life, and of the comforts thereof; and there is a like reason sinnes against such, as are placed in stead of parents.
Use. Is of Exhortation, That by this and the like considerations we stir up our selves to a generall care of the performance of this duty.