A Light from Christ Leading Unto Christ, Classis 32
The Thirty two Claſſis, or company of Queſtions.
Queſtion 1.
YOu have profitably and plainely endevoured to declare the duties commaded, and the ſinnes forbidden in the firſt Table of the Law of God, and held them forth as a light to the feete of Gods Saints by the helpe of the ſpirit of Chriſt; And in the performance of our Duties and Declaration of our more immediate love unto our God in Chriſt; Now what I pray you do you call the ſecond Table of the Law of God, and what are the Commandemtnts comprehended in this ſecond Table, what light from Chriſt to teach this?
Anſ. This ſecond Table is that which holdeth forth rules for the manifeſtation of our love to our Neighbour,Mat. …2.38, 39, 40. in and for God as our ſelves; and theſe Rules are comprehended in the ſix laſt Commandements of the Decalogue or ten words of Gods Minde to his people.Ex. 34.28.
Queſt. 2. What then you doe conceive to be the generall duties of this ſecond Taeble of the Law?
Anſ. That which the Lord Chriſt and the ſpirit of Chriſt in the Prophets,Mat. 22.39 Levit. 19.18. Rom. 13.8, 9. and Apoſtles holdeth forth unto us, namely to love our Neighbour as our ſelves.
Queſt. 3. What is the ſinne contrary to this duty of loving our Neighbour as our ſelves?
Anſ. Not to do as we would be done be done by;Mat. 7.12 Levit. 19.17, 18. Iſai. 58.7 or inſtead of love to hate our Neighbour and to hide our ſelves from our own fleſh.
Queſt. 4. You ſay the Lord requireth that we ſhould love our Neighbours as our ſelves: Therefore it ſeemeth to mee that the Lord requireth his child to love himſelfe; Now what is this love of a mans ſelfe according to which hee ought to love his Neighhour?
Anſ. Certainly the Lord doth require that a man ſhould in a right manner love himſelfe,M…t. 22 37, 38, 39. Ph…l. 2.12 Eph. 5.29 and this love of a man towards himſelfe is that love wherewith a Believer ſhould in and for, and after God love his owne ſoule and body in ſeeking the temporall and eternall good of both, for Gods glory and his owne eternall happineſſe and ſalvation.
Queſt. 5. What are ſinnes contrary to this true and right ordered love of a Man or Womans ſelfe?
Anſ. There are diverſe ſins contrary to a right and true love of a mans ſelf; firſt a perverſe and wicked hatred of Mans ſelfe,Acts 18.6 either of a Mans ſoule and body by an obſtinate rejecting of grace and meanes of grace, or willfull Rebellion againſt God, or hatred of his body and life by a Mans deſperate rejecting and refuſing the meanes of preſerving the body and health and life of it, or by a deſparate deſtroying of the body and life by any meanes whatſoever.
An example of this I have ſeen in divers who in ſtrength and violence of Satans temptations, or a kinde of frenſie and braine diſtemper have utterly rejected meanes of comfort, ſome for the ſoule, ſome for the body, ſome for both, as Francis Spira did in Germany after his fall from the Goſpell,Hiſtory of Francis Spirra. to ſubſcribe to Popery, continuing in that ſad condition to the day of his death. I ſay nothing of Ahitophel and Iudas, 2 Sam. 17.23. Mat. 27.5who wickedly deſtroyed themſelves contrary to the ſixt Commandement, of which I ſhall ſpeak in its place.
Queſt. 6. What is a ſecond ſinne contrary to the true love of a mans ſelfe?
Anſ. Philauty or corrupt and inordinate love of a mans ſelfe,foreign. either above God, which is a wicked Idolatrous love making an Idoll of a mans ſelfe and ſetting up an Idoll in his heart, and preferring that above God;2 Tim. 3.2 Or to be ſo inebriated and drunk with ſelfe love, as to admire onelyonly himſelfe; and turne his affections of love wholy into himſelfe, as that Miſanthrop…s, who hated every man but himſelfe.
… Cor. 4.14Thirdly, to love a mans ſelfe from and for himſelfe, not from and for God in Chriſt, or from Chriſt.
Queſt. 7. But may there not be a good and holy hatred of a mans ſelfe?
Anſ. We muſt diſtinguiſh of a mans ſelfe, there is a threeford ſelfe.
Firſt, a mans ſoule and body or perſon, conſiſting of both conſidered in themſelves as Gods creatures.1 Theſſ. 5.23.
Secondly, the old Adam in a mans ſelfe, or the corruption of ſoule and body by ſinne,Rom. 6.6 either originall or actuall, that Law or power of corruption in our members rebelling againſt the Law of our minds; or
Thirdly, a mans ſpirituall ſelfe or the new Adam and image of Chriſt in the ſoule, the regenerate part,Galat. 5.14 the ſpirit that fighteth againſt the fleſh.
Now to hate the firſt of theſe ſelfe, our ſoule or body, or perſon, is againſt nature;Epheſ. 5.29 no man ought to hate himſelfe though he may looſe himſelfe for Chriſt; which is love, and no hatred. And to hate the third the ſelfe of grace or grace of Chriſt in a mans ſelfe, The life of grace in us, this is againſt grace; this ſelf muſt be loved and cheriſhed by all means in and through Chriſt.
But for the ſecond ſelfe ſpoken of, namely our corrupt old Adam in us our body of ſinne,Coloſſ. 3.5 This ought to be hated as the enemy of the well being both of ſoule and bodie for ever,Job. 42.6 as Iob abhorred himſelf, and Paul chaſtiſed his body, and the converted People of God loathed themſelves as they were loathſome to God in their ſinnefull corruption.Ezek. 36.31
Queſt. 8. You have ſatisfied mee in this queſtion, how a man ought to love, and not to love himſelfe; now what ſay you in generall of the love of our Neighbour, before we come to the Commandements in particular?
Anſ. I have deſcribed that in generall before, That we muſt love our neighbour in God and for God as our ſelves.
Queſt. 9. Who is our Neighbour towards whom we ought to exerciſe our Chriſtian love and Charity?
Anſ. All that ſtand in neede of our helpe or love, whether they be our own kindred or ſtrangers,Luk. 10.36, 37. 1 Tim. 5.8. Mat. 5.48. Prov. 25.21. Galat. 6.10 yea, our very enemies, and eſpecially the houſehold of faith, but all in the Lord for Gods glory.
Queſt. What is the ſin contrary unto this love?
Anſ. Firſt, not to love our Neighbour, or not to declare our love unto our Neighbour,1 Cor. 13.1. James 2.15, 16. 1 John 3.3 when he needs, and we may do it.
Secondly, to hate our Neighbour, much more to hate our Friends, Brethren, Siſters, Husband, Wife, Children, Parents, and eſpecially and that be Gods children or of the houſehold of Faith.
Thirdly, to love Husband, Wife, Parents, Children, Friends or any creature above God and Jeſus Chriſt whom he he hath ſent, or againſt God or Gods glory and revealed wil, eſpecially to love them that hate Lord.
Fourthly,1 Sam. 2.30 2 Chron. 19.2. any inordinate or hypocriticall love, love in ſhew and not indeed, diſembling love; all this is ſinne. Eſpecially to love them that hate the Lord,2 Sam. 20.9.10. or any inordinate or hypocriticall love, love in ſhew, not in deede, diſſembling love.
Queſt. 11. May a child of God hate any man?
Anſ. As he may hate himſelfe that is his own Corrupt ſinfull conditions againſt or contrary to Gods holy nature and at emnity with God,Pſal. 139.20, 21, 22. ſo he may hate them that hate God as they are enemies to God and haters of God and his Saints and ſervants; But yet with humility, love and piety, deſiring and endeavouring their converſion if it be Gods will, and ſo to love them and ſeeke their good.
Queſt. 12. What are the ſpeciall graces in which this Chriſtan love and charity, is to bee exerciſed towards our Neighbour?
Anſ. There are divers; you may obſerve theſe.
Firſt, Chriſtian Humanity by which in Offices of civility, hoſpitality, peaceableneſſe and good Neighbourhood, doing as wee would be done by,Iſaia. 16.3, 4. Rom. 12.15, 16, 17 18. Rom. 16.2. 2 Cor. 5.14 15. in counſells, comfort, viſiting in affliction or any other manner of aſſiſtance, we helpe and ſo declare our love to our Neighbour, and win our Neighbours love and reſpect againe unto us, and all this as in and from that kinde reſpect of God to us in Chriſt.
Queſt. 13. What is a ſinne contrary unto this?
1 Sam. 25.14, 25. Mat. 7, 8, Z…ch. 1.14, 15. Amos 1.9 Mat. 7.12.Anſ. Inhumanity, incivility, churliſh unquietneſſe, or any kind of ill Neighbourhood, neglecting or refuſing to viſit in affliction, or to aſſiſt with counſell, or comfort; much more they ſinne who do any way rejoyce in miſery of Neighbours, or helpe forward their afflictions, doing ill offices againſt Charity, Religion and the rules of good Neighbourhood held forth in holy Scriptures, when men do not as they would be done by.
Queſt. 14. What is a ſecond grace in Chriſtian friendſhip?
Anſ. Benevolence or good will, in which in God and for God,Iſaia. 66.10 Luk. 15.10 wee deſire and endeavour the good of our Neighbour When occaſion is offered, and congratulate our Neighbours proſperity from our very hearts,Rom. 12.15. John. 3.2.3 as Chriſtians rejoycing in the good one of another.
Queſt. 15 What is the ſin centrary unto this?
Anſ. Wicked envy at the proſperity of our Neighbour,Gen. 26.14 Mat. 20.11 Acts 13.45 James 3.14, 15, 16. or malevolent ill will or unfriendlineſſe towards our Neghbour any manner of way againſt the Word of God.
Queſt. 16. What other Graces are there in which our love may be declared to our Neighbour?
Anſ. There are diverſe other in particular which I refer to a Chriſtians ſearch in the Scripture, and ſhall handle many in the particular Commandements of this ſecond Table onelyonly; one I note this is true Chriſtian Juſtice or righteouſneſſe to be exerciſed towards our Neighbour.
Queſt. 17. What is this Chriſtian Juſtice and righteouſneſſe required in this ſecond Table?
Anſ. Juſtice is a vertue by which a man doth give to every man his right; and Chriſtian Juſtice is a gratious vertue or a grace by which a believing man or woman by vertue and grace of Chriſt doth in a right manner according to Gods Word from a right Principle Gods love in Chriſt to the Chriſtians, and to a right end Gods glory, give right and due to every one.
Queſt. 18. How manifold is this Chriſtian Juſtice, or righteouſneſſe to be practized of Saints?
Anſ Divines divide it into two parts, firſt, diſtributive righteouſneſſe which is exerciſed in diſtribution of good things, and of rewards and puniſhments in a due proportion and order, according to the condition, merit and worth, or deſert of every perſon, as will appeare further in the unfoulding of the particular Commandements.
Queſt. 19. What is the ſecond?
Anſ. Commutative Juſtice or Righteouſneſſe is that which is to be communicated to every one according to the equality or inequality of things or matters concerned, or according to right and Juſtice to be communicated, as will alſo appeare further with the ſinnes contrary to Juſtice in the duties commanded, and ſinne forbidden in the particular commands of the ſecond Table.
Queſt. 20. Which is the firſt Command of the ſecond Table.
Anſw. The firſt Commandement in Order of the Decalogue, namely, as it is expreſſed in the twentieth Chapter of Exodus verſe 12. Honour thy Father, and thy Mother, that thy dayes may belong in the Land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Queſt. 21. What may be obſerved, for the unfoulding of this fifth Commandement?
Anſw. Three things eſpecially. Firſt, the Duty required, Honour.
Secondly, the Perſons to be honoured; all Superiours, ſet down here under the names of Father and Mother.
Thirdly, the reaſon or Motive to draw to a willing obedience, the bleſſing of long life; that thy Dayes may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Queſt. 22. What is meant, or to be underſtood by Honour?
Anſw. Firſt, an inward reverent reſpect, and Honourable eſteem of a Superiour in Age, Birth, Place,Rom. 13 7. or Worth, according as is due to ſuch a Superiour.
Secondly, an outward manifeſtation of this R…verence and Honourable reſpect in words, actions and fitting behaviour upon all occaſions, as becometh inferiours toward their Superiours in Birth, Age, Place, or Worth, both in a Civill and Chri…tian relation, and in particular expreſſions and examples will be further manifeſt.
Queſt. 23. What Perſons are underſtood by Father and Mother, as ſuperiours unto whom honour muſt be given as a duty?
Anſw. All Parents, and thoſe that are in place of Parents, in Naturall, Civill or Spirituall Relation.
Queſt. 24 What are thoſe Parents and Perſons in particular States and Conditions to be honoured as ſuperiours? and what are the particular inferiours, who relatively are bound in duty to give honour unto theſe as to their ſuperiours, and what light from Chriſt revealing theſe?
Anſw. Firſt, in the Oeconomicall or Houſhold Eſtate,1 Husbands. the Perſons are, Firſt, huſbands wives &c. ſecondly, naturall parents, Father and Mother; theſe are the ſuperiours to be honoured; and the inferiours are their Children, Sonnes and Daughters by Nature, Adoption, or Tuition, as are Committed to them as to Parents or Guardians to take care of them as of Children; as Tutors and Pupills, Maſters and Schollers, and ſuch like.
Firſt, Husbands, as the head of the wife and ſuperiour, and the wife as inferiour in reſpect of Gods Ordinance.Gen. 3.16. although in ſome reſpect ſhe be her Husbands equall,1 Pet. 3.7. as being a fellow Heire of the Grace of life in Chriſt Ieſus.
Secondly, in the Eccleſiaſticall or Church Eſtate, Firſt,1 Cor. 12.28. Acts 20.28. Paſtors and Preachers of the Goſpell, who have the over-ſight and rule of the flock, they are ſuperiours; and the flock and people committed unto their Charge to teach, rule, and direct according to Gods word, they are the inferiours, as Children to their ſpirituall Fathers. Secondly, the ruling Elders who are fellow helpers to aſſiſt the Paſtors and Teachers in Government,1 Tim. 5.17. and over-ſight of the Flock, they are ſuperiours though Brethren in Chriſt;Heb. 13.17 and the Members of the Church in particular they are inferiours in order all though Brethren in Chriſt; and duties to be performed both of ſuperiours, and inferiours each to other, and amongſt themſelves reſpectively according to the word of God.
Thirdly, Maſters as ſuperiours; Apprentices and Servants as inferiours, to honour and obey their Maſters and Miſtreſſes according to the Commandement of the Lord in the Politicall or Common wealth eſtate; the Civill Magiſtrate, King, or Governours are ſuperiours, and Subjects are inferiours; and duties are to be performed reciprocally each to other, according to their Relations, and the word of God.
Queſt. 25. You have ſhewed who are ſuperiours and inferiours in order according to Gods Ordinance both in the Oeconomicall, Politicall, and Eccleſiaſticall Eſtate, now what I Pray you are Generall Duties both of ſuperiours towards inferiours, and of inferiours towards ſuperiours? for you ſaid before, that there are duties of ſuperiours as well as inferiours required in this Commandement; and firſt, what are the Generall Duties of ſuperiours reſpectively towards their inferiours?
Anſw. It is true, when the Lord requireth Inferiours to Honour their Superiours, he doth likewiſe require Superiours to carry themſelves honourably and as becometh Parents and Superiours to the Children and inferiours, as is evident in divers places of Scripture, in which the holy Ghoſt doth further interpret and explaine this Commandement; and to Anſwer your preſent queſtion, there are divers duties which Superiours in Generall, are to perform towards their inferiours.
Queſt. 26. What an theſe duties, I deſire you to expreſſe them; and what light Chriſt hath revealed in the word, concerning theſe?
Anſw. Firſt Superiours, Parents, and others ought to behave themſelves towards their inferiours, as conſidering that they themſelves are inferiours to the Lord, they are but under God;Rom. 13.4. and he that is higher then the higheſt of them, conſiders the matter,Eccleſ. 5.8. and there be higher then they; therefore they ought to carry themſelves as ſuch as over their inferiours only in the Lord, as Parents,1 Theſ. 5 12. 1 Tim. 5.17. or Elders that Rule well, and ſo worthy of Honour indeed.
Secondly,Leviticus. 25.43. Deut. 17, 18, 19, 20. Superiours ought not to Rule with Rigour, or to Tyrannize over their inferiours, but to behave themſelves Sincerely,Pſal. 78.70.72. 1 Tim. 5.1.2. &c. Eccleſ. 33.31. 2 Chron. 19.7. Modeſtly, and Prudently withdue reſpect, as Fathers and Brethren; not as Enemies, or Tyrants over inferiours; not according to their own wills, but according to the will and word of God.
Thirdly, Superiours ought to behave themſelves Gravely as becometh Fathers Antients,Titus. 2.1, 2, 3. Job. 2…. 7, 8, 9, 10. or Elders in the Church of Chriſt, that inferiours may be moved to Reverence them for their Gravity, and Honourable Behaviour.
2 Cor. 12.14. 2 Chron. 19.6, 7. Philip. 1.…7.Fourthly, Superiours they ought as Parents, to take care for their inferiours as for Children, and to Walke in the feare of God, to be of blameleſſe life and converſation, giving good examples to their inferiours, walking before them, and with them, as men of knowledge,Titus 1.6. 1 Pet 3.7. 1 Sam. 2.30. yea, as lights in all Godlineſſe and honeſty, that God may have honour, and their inferiours comfort by their Rule over them.
Queſt. 27. You have ſhewed the duty of Superiours towards inferiours; now what art the ſinnes contrary to theſe?
Anſw. Superiours ſinne, firſt, when they take more upon them then is due unto them,Zephan. 3.3. as Lions in the way, not conſidering that although they be Gods,Pſal. 82.6. yet they ſhall dye like men. Secondly, when they take leſſe upon them then they ought,1 Sam. 2.29. Nehem. 13.17.29. as Eli praying his Sonnes when he ſhould have commanded and compelled to a reformation.
Thirdly when they carry themſelves lghtly,Zephan. 3.4. as the wicked prophets of Iſrael did, defiling their places of ſuperiority, as Elies Sons, or any other wayes,1 Sam. 2.22. doing Violence to the Law, that gives them Power in their places, either the Law of God or men.
Fourthly, Superiours may ſinne not providently taking care for inferiours good,1 Tim. 5.8. according to their relations and places, walking Ignorantly or Scandalouſly, to the diſhonour of God, and evill example of ſuch as are inferiour unto them,Rom. 2.24 to cauſe the name of God,James 2.7. and their Honourable Places to be evill-ſpoken off in the world, to the griefe and offence of the Saints of the moſt High.
Queſt. 28. You have declared the Duties of Superiours towards inferiours, and their ſinnes in failing; now what are the Duties of Inferiours in Generall, towards their Superiours, and what light from Chriſt is there in the Scriptures to hold forth this unto us?
Anſw. There are divers particular Duties due from Inferiours towards all Superiours in Generall; and firſt inwardly,Levit. 19.3. all inferiours ought to have a reverent eſtimation,Rom. 13.7. Epheſ. 5.33 and honourable reſpect of all Superiours, and obedience, according to their place and dignity, in reſpect of Birth, Age, and Worthyneſſe,1 Tim. 6.1 and eſpecially of the Grace, and Image of Chriſt ſhining in them,1 Theſ. 5.13. Heb. 13.17. eſteeming them very highly for their dignity, and work ſake, and obeying them in the Lord. Secondly, outwardly, all inferiours ought to declare, and manifeſt their reverent reſpect, and honourable eſteem of their Superiours in all words, and acts of Reverence and Honour, according to place, time and manner of the Countrey, where they live not contrary but agreeble to the word of God, and this in divers particulars.
Queſt. 29. What are theſe particular expreſſions of Reſpect and Honour, towards Superiours, and what light from Chriſt for theſe?
Anſw. I Anſwer, Firſt at the entrance or appearance and preſence of Parents and ſuperiours to riſe or ſtand up in a reverent reſpect of them, as the aged, and much more the younger did when Religious father Job paſſed by in the ſtreet,Job. 29.7, 8 or came to take his place in their preſence, or as men of right civill much more of Religious breeding uſe to do when the Judges or Juſtices of aſſize come to the Bench, or ſeate of judgement, or the Lord Major or Governour of a City to his place.
Secondly, when a ſuperiour commeth towards an inferiour, then in an honorable reſpect to goe to meete them and give them that honour that is due to them, and becommeth their place and dignity,Gen. 18.1, 2, &c. uncovering the head and bending the knee or bowing downe a mans ſelfe towards the ground in civill reverence of them, as Religious Abraham did when three men came towards him, which proved Angels and one of them the Lord Chriſt,Malachy 3.1. Gen. 23.7.12. the Angell of the covenant, as the Prophet Malachy calleth the Lord Jeſus, or as Abraham did to the children of Heth.
Thirdly, the duty of the inferiour in reſpect to the ſuperiour, as of children to Parents, ſervants to Maſters or the like, is to ſtand up before them, and waite upon them as place and dignity, and occaſion require,Job. 29.8 Gen. 18.8 as thoſe did in Iobs preſence, or as Abraham waited on his honorable gueſts giving all civill reſpects due to each perſon according to place and calling.
Fourthly, the inferiour as children to parents, or any other in like relation, ought to declare their reſpects in giving precedency in place giving the right hand and any the like honour as King Solomon did to his Mother, he roſe up to meet her,1 Kings 19 2. he bowed himſelfe to her, he cauſed a ſeate to be ſet for her, and preferred her to ſit on his right hand; an excellent example for all children to honour and reſpect their Mothers as well as Fathers, and ſo ſervants and all others in their ſeverall Relations.
Fifthly, the younger and inferiours are to declare their reſpect to ſuperiours in a wiſe ſilence holding their peace, and to refrain from talking whiles their ancients are in ſpeaking,Job. 29.9, 10. or in place, as the Princes did before Iob; except as Syracides in his excellent Ethicks giveth leave and wiſely directs young men how to behave themſelves.Eccl. 32.7, 8 Speake young man if there be need of thee: and yet ſcarce when thou art twiſe asked: Let thy ſpeech be ſhort, comprehending much in few words; be as one one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.
Sixthly, inferiours ought to keepe themſelves in a right diſtance from ſuperiours, not making themſelves equall to thoſe that are above them in age place or dignity;Eccl. 32.9 Rom. 12 16. It is the ſum of Syrahs morall counſell, and well comprehended under this command of the morall Law, or Law of good manners becomming a Chriſtian; If thou be amongſt great men, make not thy ſelfe equall with them, and when ancient men are in place, uſe not many words;coloſſ. 4.6 and as Apoſtle ſaith, let your ſpeech be alwayes With grace ſeaſoned with ſalt that you may know how to anſwer every man.
Seventhly, inferiours ought to give words of reverence and reſpect to ſuperiours, children to parents,1 Pet. 3.6 Gen. 31.35ſervants to Maſters, and ſo others in their reſpective relations,Gen. 42.10 as Sarah obeyed her husband Abraham calliag him Lord, and as Rachel ſpake honorably to her Father, let it not diſpleaſe my Lord; and Ioſephs brethren to him as to a Rule, calling him Lord; and ſo a reverent regard is to be had of ſuperiours even in our words,1 Sam. 1.15 as Hanna to Samuel the Prophet ſhee called him Lord, giving Gods Miniſter the honour of his place.
Laſtly, I will name no more here. Inferiours ought to be ready to ſerve th…ir ſuperiours in love and duty,Mat. 8.9. Coloſſ. 3.…2. according to their ſeverall relations and reſpects with readineſſe & ſingleneſſe of heart as unto Chriſt; As the Centurians ſervants I ſay to this man go and he goeth, and to another man come and he commeth. Saith he; not as thoſe two ſonnes the one ſaid to his Father, when he ſent him into his Vineyard, I go Sir, but he went not; The other ſayd I will not go, yet went and in this did the will of his father that hee did go, but yet ſinned in his behaviour, ſaying he would not goe; the children and ſervants and inferiours ought to honour and ſerve their Parents,Rom. 12.10. and Maſters and Superiours both in word and deede, in giving honour to go one before another; And thus you have the generall duty of Inferiours towards their ſuperiours.
Queſt. 30. What now are the ſins contrary to theſe or any of theſe?
Anſ. I need not expreſſe them in particular; each one, who maketh conſcience to find out and performe his or her duty, may conſider whether his carriage be anſwerable to theſe directions, or in an unmannerly way contrary to them, manifeſting any diſreſpect or diſobedience which is a ſin.