Of Domestical Duties, Treatise 5 · Section 64
§. 64. Of Gods promiſe mouing children to obey their parents.
The fourth reaſon taken from Gods promiſe, is both generally propounded and particularly exemplified. Propounded in this clauſe (firſt with promiſe.) Exemplified in the third verſe.
For the Generall. Gods promiſe made to the performance of any duty, cannot but be a ſtrong motiue to ſtirre vsus vp to performe it. Men hereby doe ſtirre vp, and prouoke one another Promiſe of reward a great motiue.to performe any thing. Thus Kings when they would faine hauehave their ſubiects doe this or that, promiſe ſuch and ſuch rewards vntounto them: Thus maſters incite their ſeruants, parents their children, and one man another. If the promiſes of men incourage vsus to performe the things which they giuegive vsus in charge, how much more ought the promiſe of God? Men How Gods promiſe is a ſtronger motiue then any mans.…re deceitfull, and may deale doubly, pretending one thing with their mouthes, and intending another with their heart, …nd neuer meane to performe what they promiſe: But God is faithfull and true: his words are as deeds: his promiſes as performances; ſo as he neuer maketh ſhew of more then he means …o performe. Againe, mans power is limited; though he truly …tend what he promiſeth, yet in the performance he may faile …ither in that he knew not his owne power, but thought when …e made the promiſe he could hauehave done more then in the e…ent he findeth he can doe; or in that he is after wards by ſome occaſion hindered, or diſabled. But Gods power cannot be ſo …aitned, or hindered. Beſides, men may be taken away before …etime of performing their promiſe is come: but God euer …eth, and changeth not. If then mans promiſes be any moues to any thing, much more Gods who euer remaineth the …me. Betwixt God and man there is no proportion, no com…riſon.How Gods promiſe commendeth Gods louelove.
This motiue doth exceedingly commend Gods fatherly indulgencie towards vsus, and the earneſt deſire he hath of our good. For he hath ſuch power and authoritie ouer all his creatures, that the very knowledge of his will ought to prouoke them to performe any dutie which he ſhall command: and if they obey not, he might preſently execute vengeance vponupon them. But conſidering that we are his children, and need many allurements to draw vsus on by little and little, he accordingly dealeth with vsus. He ſtandeth not wholly and only vponupon his authoritie, but addeth promiſes thereto: (for this is a commandement with promiſe.) If notwithſtanding all this, children refuſe to obey their parents, may not the Lord iuſtly expoſtulate the matter with them, as ſometimes in another caſe he did with the Iſraelites, and ſay, Iudge betweene me and theſe children: Iſa. 5. 3, 4.what could I hauehave done more that I hauehave not done? I gaue them an expreſſe charge to honour their parents: I laid it downe in the firſt place as a maine and principall charge: to incourage them to keepe it, I added a promiſe of good to redound to themſelues: what could I doe more? Doe not they iustly deſerue vengeance that regard none of theſe? Thus, in that this is a commandement with promiſe, we ſee how children diſobedient to their parents are both rebellious againſt God in regard of the commandement which they tranſgreſſe, and iniurious to themſelues in regard of the promiſe which they make to be void and of no effect. Of this particular promiſe ſee more in the firſt treatiſe, §. 97, 98, &c.