Knowledge and Practice, Part 2 · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII. Of the Duties of Parents and Children.
FIrſt, Of the Duties belonging to Parents, which are theſe Nine.
I. To dedicate their children to Chriſt in their infancy, and by the Sacrament of Baptiſm to enter them into his Family. This is a Duty Parents ought not to delay: It being moſt reaſonable, that they who have been inſtruments to convey the ſtain and pollution of ſin to their poor Infants, ſhould be careful early to bring them to Chriſt, and give them up to him, to be waſhed with his blood, and to be ſanctified by his holy Spirit. For Infants ſtand in need of Chriſt for their Saviour: They are capable of Grace, and the principle of a new life, as well as of Original ſin: They are capable of the Spirit of Chriſt, of being united to him; of being bleſſed by him: They are capable of receiving a Sacrament (viz, Baptiſm, the Circumciſion made without hands, Col. 2.11, 12.) as well as the Infants of the Jewes, who were Circumciſed, and thereby admitted viſible members of that Church, and ſeal'd and marked (as it were) for God. And 'tis plain, the Covenant of Grace ſtands now in force to the Children of Believers under the Goſpel, Act. 2.39. The promiſe is to y… and to your Children. Were it not ſo, the converted Jewes ſhould have loſſe by believing in Christ, if their children ſhould be excluded from the promiſe, who ſtood in it two thouſand years before, under the other adminiſtration. And how then could the bleſſing of Abraham come on the Gentiles? According to Galat. 3.14. Which bleſſing was, I will be a God to thee and to thy Seed, Gen. 17.7. How could Believers be Heirs according to the promiſe, as 'tis, Gal. 3.29. if their Children ſhould be excluded from the promiſe? For the Childrens right to the promiſe, is part of the Fathers inheritance. The promiſe is, I will be a God to thee and to thy ſeed. Further conſider how the Covenant of Grace (for ſubſtance though not for manner of adminiſtration) hath alwaies been one and the ſame: And in the Old Teſtament it took in Children, And can we think, it leaves them out now under the Goſpel? Therefore ſeeing the Children of Believing and Chriſtian Parents are within the Covenant, they ought to partake of the Seal of the Covenant, and to be admitted viſible Church-members by Baptiſme; the only way under the Goſpel of admitting members into the Church. Gods Seal is to be put upon them in their Infancy; and when they come to riper years, they are to ratifie and confirm their engagement. If they will own that Maſter and faithfully ſerve him, into whoſe Family they were liſted when young; they may enjoy many happy priviledges thereby; if not, they ſhall be ſure to ſmart for their falling off and Apoſtacy. Therefore Chriſtian Parents ſhould early bring their Children to Chriſt, and by Baptiſm enter them, and enroll them into his Family; humbly beſeeching him to receive them into his Favour and Love, into his Care and Protection; to unite them to himſelf by his holy Spirit, to regenerate them, to deſtroy the old Adam, the corrupt nature in them, and to renew them after his own Image, in knowledge, holineſſe and righteouſneſſe; and laſtly, to ſtrengthen them by his Grace, that they may reſiſt and prevail againſt the world, the fleſh, and the Devil, and may ſerve the Lord in newneſs of life all their daies. And if this be the duty of Believers and Chriſtian Parents under the Goſpel, it will thence follow, that thoſe that wilfully neglect it (as much as in them lies) do withhold their Children from Chriſt, debar them of the blood of Sprinkling, keep them from the bleſſing, leave them under the curſe, caſt them out of Gods Family, and dangerouſly expoſe them to the Adverſary both of God and man.
II. The Second Duty of Parents is to teach and inſtruct their children, to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Eph. 6.4. Having given them up to Chriſt by Baptiſm, let them imagine they hear our bleſsed Saviour ſaying to them, as Pharoahs Daughter ſaid to Moſes's Mother, Exod. 2.19. Bring up this child for me, &c. They muſt as Solomon ſpeaks, Prov. 22.6. Train up their Children in the way they ſhould go. They muſt have a ſpecial care to provide that they may be rightly inſtructed and educated. As ſoon therefore as they come to the uſe of reaſon, they are to be inſtructed in thoſe things that concern their everlaſting welfare. They are by little and little to be taught all thoſe things which God hath commanded them as their duty to perform; As alſo what abundance of joy and comfort they will find in the practiſe of them; and what glorious rewards God hath provided for them, if they do them; and what grievous puniſhments if they do them not. Theſe things ought to be early inſtilled into their minds, which like new veſſels do uſually keep the ſavour of that which is firſt put into them. The ſeeds and principles of Religion and vertue, are to be ſown in them betimes, and their minds poſſeſs'd with a love of goodneſſe, and an abhorrence and deteſtation of evil and wickedneſſe, as that which is ſhamefull and abominable. If they be not thus early acquainted with the waies of God, the devil (that arch enemy of ſouls) will be ready and forward enough to inſtill his wicked principles into them, and to blow up the corruption of their natures, and hurry them on in waies leading down to endleſſe perdition. And what a ſad account will thoſe Parents give to God, who have neglected their duty in this kinde, ſuffering their children to remain almoſt as rude and ignorant, and unacquainted with the principles of Chriſtian Religion, and their duty to God and man, as if they had been born among Pagans and Infidels?
III. A Third duty of Parents is, To bleſs their children; and that 1. By their prayers. They ſhould by daily and earneſt prayers commend them to Gods favour and bleſsing, craving all needfull mercies, both temporal and ſpiritual for them. Children of many prayers ſeldom miſcarry. 2. By labouring to be ſuch perſons themſelves, (ſo truly Religious) that a bleſsing may deſcend from them on their poſterity. This is frequently promiſed in the Scripture to Godly men, That their ſeed ſhall be bleſſed. The beſt courſe any Parents can take to intail a bleſsing on their children, is to be truly gracious themſelves.
IV. They ought to ſet them a good example, elſe all their precepts and counſels will do no good. How many Parents are there, that by their wicked converſation do corrupt and deprave their own children? This Conſideration laies a moſt ſtrict tie and obligation upon all Parents, to lead an holy and religious life; elſe they do not only hazzard their own ſouls, but indanger their childrens alſo; And what an inhumane cruelty is that?
V. They muſt watch over them, and by a prudent diſcipline govern them, and guard their education. 1. Encouraging them when they do well, and winning them by love, and a fair and kind carriage, that they may delight to do their duties. Some Parents by too much austerity and harſhneſſe, and a rigorous uſe of their parentall authority, provoke and exaſperate their children, ſo that they dread coming into their preſence, and have no heart to ſtudy to pleaſe them, ſeeing they will afford them no countenance. This is contrary to what the Apostle preſcribes, Col. 3.21. Parents provoke not your children to wrath, &c. 2. If fair means, perſwaſions, and encouragements will not prevail, nor make them mind their duties, then another courſe muſt be taken. Sober, yet ſharp reproof muſt be uſed: If that fail too, then correction becomes neceſſary: For in this caſe, as Solomon ſaies, He that ſpareth his rod hateth his ſon, Prov. 13.24. 'Tis a cruell and fooliſh fondneſſe to ſpare ſtripes, when all other means have been unſucceſsfull. But this correction ſhould be 1. Timely, before children have been ſuffered to run on ſo long, that they have got a habit to evil, and have contracted a ſtubbornneſſe of Will. 2. Moderate, not exceeding the quality of the fault, nor the tenderneſſe of the child. 3. Not inflicted in anger, for then the Child will think he is corrected not ſo much for his fault, as becauſe his Father is angry. He muſt therefore be made ſenſible of his fault, ſhewed the evil and danger of it, and directed how to amend it, and this is the way (with Gods bleſſing) to reform him.
VI. They muſt maintain them, and allow them a competency (according to their eſtates) for their comfortable ſubſiſtence. Some Parents are of ſuch a covetous humour, they cannot abide to part with any thing (almoſt) as long as they live. And thereby, 1. Leſſen their Childrens Affection towards them, ſo that ſome have proceeded ſo far, as to wiſh their Parents death; Which, though it be ſuch a horrible ſin, as no provocation from a Parent can excuſe in a child, yet 'tis alſo a fault in a Parent to give ſuch a temptation. 2. It puts them upon ſhifts, and ſharking tricks, to maintain themſelves, and acquaints them with bad company, and makes them ſurfeit the ſooner, when they come to their eſtates. 3. The Parents hereby looſe that contentment which they might have, in ſeeing their Children live proſperouſly and comfortably, which is ſuch a joy and contentment, that none but a Miſer, or Earth-worm would exchange for that poor pleaſure of having Money in the Cheſt.
VII. They muſt provide ſome good and honeſt profeſſion, or ſome fit way of employment for them, that ſo they may be ſerviceable in their generation to God and the World, and may avoid Idleneſs that great ſnare of the Devil.
VIII. They muſt lay up for them, and provide for them as God ſhall give means, as 'tis, 2 Cor. 12.14. — The children ought not to lay up for the Parents, but the Parents for the children. But let the Parent be careful to get that wealth honeſtly, which he makes his childes portion, leſt a curſe go along with it. Let him ſatisfie himſelf to make ſuch proviſions for his children, as God ſhall enable him honeſtly to make. A little honeſtly got being better than great riches gotten unjuſtly and unrighteouſly, Prov. 16.8. Better is a little with righteouſneſſe, than great revenues without right.
IX. And laſtly, they muſt command them only lawful and reaſonable things; uſing their power and authority over them with equity and moderation, and with a gentle hand. In all things of moment they require of them, let them conſider the real good and benefit of their children, (and guide themſelves by that) and not meerly their own advantage or pleaſure, or the exerciſe of their own authority. This is a Rule (as one ſaies well) whereof Parents may often have uſe; but eſpecially in the buſineſſe of marrying their children; wherein many Parents out of a covetous humour to beſtow them wealthily, have forc'd them to marry againſt their inclinations, and where they could not love (which is a horrible Tyranny) and thereby have betrayed them to infinite miſchiefs, ſuch as all the wealth in the world cannot repair. There are two things therefore (ſaies the ſame Author) that Parents ought eſpecially to conſider in the matching of their children. 1. That they may live Chriſtianly; and to that purpoſe to chuſe a pious and vertuous perſon to link them with, that may not be like to hinder but to further them on in the way to Heaven. This ought principally (and above all other things) to be minded. 2. That they may live comfortably and cheerfully in this world: And to that end, though a competency of eſtate may be neceſſary to be regarded, yet ſurely abundance is not requiſite; and therefore that ſhould not be too vehemently ſought after. That which much more tends to the happineſs of that State is the mutual kindneſſe and liking of the parties; without which, marriage is (of all other) the moſt uncomfortable condition; therefore no Parent ought to force a child into it.
Eph. 6.4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Col. 3.21. Fathers provoke not your children to anger, lest they be diſcouraged.
2 Cor. 12.14. — For the children ought not to lay up for the Parents, but the Parents for the children.
1 Tim. 5.8. But if any provide not for his own, eſpecially for thoſe of his own houſe, he hath denied the faith, and is worſe then an Infidell.
Deut. 6.7. And thou ſhalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and ſhalt talk of them when thou ſitteſt in thine houſe, and when thou walkeſt by the way, and when thou lieſt down, and when thou riſeſt up.
Prov. 19.18. Chaſten thy ſon while there is hope, and let not thy ſoul ſpare for his crying.
Prov. 13.24. He that ſpareth his rod, hateth his ſon; but he that loveth him, chaſteneth him betimes.
Prov. 29.17. Correct thy ſon and he ſhall give thee reſt: yea, he ſhall give delight unto thy ſoul.
Prov. 22.15. Fooliſhneſſe is bound in the heart of a child: but the rod of correction ſhall drive it far from him.
Prov. 10.1. —A wiſe ſon maketh a glad father, but a fooliſh ſon is the heavineſſe of his mother.
Prov. 1.8. My ſon hear the inſtruction of thy father, and forſake not the law of thy mother.
Deut. 4.9. OnelyOnly take heed to thy ſelf, and keep thy ſoul diligently, leſt thou forget the things which thine eyes have ſeen, and leſt they depart from thy heart all the daies of thy life; but teach them thy ſons, and thy Sons ſons.
Duties of Children towards their Parents.
Children owe to their Parents theſe three duties eſpecially,
1. Reverence.
2. Obedience.
3. Thankfulneſſe.
I. Reverence; which they muſt expreſſe,
1. By honouring them in their hearts, bearing not only an awe and reſpect, but a kindneſſe and affection towards them; loving their perſons, fearing to do any thing may juſtly provoke them; and highly eſteeming them, as the inſtruments under God of their being, Lev. 19.3. Ye ſhall fear every man his Mother and his Father. The Mother is placed firſt, becauſe children, though they ſtand moſt in need of their Mothers in their younger years, yet when they are grown up (many times) do moſt wickedly neglect and deſpiſe them. But how curſed a thing it is to ſet light by Parents, and even in our ſecreteſt thoughts to deſpiſe them, God himſelf declares, Deut. 27.16. Curſed be he that ſetteth light by his Father, or his Mother, and all the people ſhall ſay, Amen.
2. By ſpeaking to them with due reſpect and regard, and to others of them. What a heinous ſin then is mocking Parents? Prov. 30.17. The eye that mocketh at his Father, and deſpiſeth to obey his Mother, the Ravens of the valley ſhall pick it out, and the young Eagle ſhall eat it. But there is a more horrid Crime than that, which is curſing Parents, Exod. 21.17. And he that curſeth his Father or his Mother, ſhall ſurely be put to death. And to this Head we may refer that great and high offence that thoſe wretched Children are guilty of, who either through impatience of the Government, or greedineſſe of the poſseſſions of their Parents, do wiſh their deaths; And let them not think to excuſe themſelves, by ſaying, they wiſh them in Heaven; for that they do it, not ſo much that they may have eaſe and reſt at their journies end, as becauſe they muſt needs take death in the way. But whoever does thus embrue his ſoul in bloudy wiſhes of his Parents death, let him know, there is one above that ſees and obſerves that great wickedneſs: And if long life be promiſed as a reward of honouring Parents, 'tis very agreeable to Divine Juſtice, that untimely death be the puniſhment of the contrary. And ſo they who ſo eagerly deſire the death of their Parents, take the direct courſe (untimely) to meet with their own.
3. By giving them (in their outward carriage) all due reſpect and obſervance; behaving themſelves with humility towards them, and giving them all thoſe ſigns and expreſſions of civil honour which are to be paid by Inferiours to Superiours. How contrary to this is that deteſtable ſin of ſmiting Parents? Exod. 21.15. And he that ſmiteth his Father or his Mother, ſhall be ſurely put to death. The puniſhment the Heathens inflicted on ſuch unnatural children, was to ſew them in a ſack with a dog, cat, viper, and ape (as emblems of unnaturalneſs) and ſo drown'd them together: So much doth the very Light of Nature abhor ſuch monſtrous undutifulneſs.
II. Obedience, which they muſt manifeſt,
1. By hearkning to their inſtructions, and carefully laying up their precepts in their hearts; eſpecially thoſe that concern the welfare of their Souls. There is ordinarily ſuch a pride, and headineſſe in youth, that they are apt to ſlight the counſels and directions of their Elders, and to look upon them as proceeding either from too much ſeverity, or from dotage, when they are indeed the fruits of wiſdom, ſobriety & experience. To ſuch the counſell of Solomon is neceſſary, Prov. 23.22. Hearken unto thy Father that begat thee, and deſpiſe not thy Mother when ſhe is old. Many more Texts there are in that book to this purpoſe, that ſhew how the wiſeſt of men have thought it neceſſary, that Children ſhould carefully attend to the Counſel of their Parents.
2. By obeying their lawful Commands; moſt gladly and chearfully doing thoſe things that may bring joy and comfort to them, and carefully avoiding what they apprehend will grieve or afflict them. And that out of Conſcience, and in obedience to God who enjoyns it, and not meerly from ſome outward advantages or benefits to themſelves, as too many children do. This is not only contained in the fifth Commandment, but expreſly enjoyned in other places of Scripture, Col. 3.20. Children obey your Parents in all things, for this is well pleaſing unto the Lord. Eph. 6.1. Children obey your Parents in the Lord, for this is right. In the former place 'tis in all things: In the other, in the Lord, i. e. If their commands are not contrary to Gods; for in that caſe, our duty to God muſt be preferred. If any Parent ſhall be ſo wicked as to command his Child to ſteal, or lie, or do any wicked thing, the Child does not offend againſt his Duty, if he diſobeys; Only let him do it in ſuch a modeſt and reſpectful manner, that it may appear, that 'tis Conſcience, and not ſtubbornneſſe that moves him to refuſe Obedience.
3. In bearing patiently their reproofs, and ſubmitting to their corrections, and reforming thereupon what is amiſſe. Prov. 29.17. Correct thy ſon, and he ſhall give thee reſt; yea he ſhall give delight unto thy ſoul. Heb. 12.9. Furthermore, we have had Fathers of our fleſh, which corrected us, and we gave them reverence; Shall we not much more be in ſubjection to the Father of Spirits, and live? Prov. 13.1. A wiſe Son heareth his Fathers inſtruction; but a ſcorner heareth not rebuke.
4. In forbearing to do any thing of moment without craving their advice and counſel; eſpecially in the buſineſſe of marriage: For of all acts of diſobedience that of marrying againſt the conſent of Parents, is one of the higheſt. For (as a late Author well obſerves) Children are ſo much the goods & poſseſsions of their Parents, that they cannot (without a kind of theft) giveaway themſelves without the allowance of thoſe that have ſuch a right in them. And therefore we ſee under the Law, the Maid that had made any vow, was not ſuffered to perform it without the conſent of her Parent, Numb. 30.5. The right of the Parent was thought of force enough to cancell and make void the Obligation even of a vow; and therefore ſurely it ought to be ſo much conſidered by Children, as to keep them from making any Contract whereby that right is infringed.
III. Gratitude and Thankfulneſſe, which they muſt expreſſe,
1. In a hearty affectionate acknowledgment of their love and care over them. Certainly thoſe Children that duly weigh, how their Parents have been the Inſtruments under God, not only of bringing them into the world, but of ſuſteining and ſupporting them after, and do further conſider the cares and fears that go to the bringing up of a Child, will judge, that thankfulneſſe is but a moderate return for ſo great benefits.
2. In miniſtring to their neceſſities of what kind ſoever; whether weakneſs or ſickneſs of body, decayedneſſe of underſtanding, poverty and lowneſſe of eſtate: In all theſe caſes the Child is bound according to his ability, to relieve and help his Parents; and thereby (as much as in him lies) to recompence their care, love, and kindneſs towards him. As his Parent bare with him when a child, ſo he muſt bear with his Parent, though froward, and twice a Child; and though God ſhould raiſe him in dignity above him, yet that muſt not cancel his Duty towards him, nor make him (with ſome baſe diſpoſition'd and wicked Children) aſhamed to own him. In Gen. 47 12. we find that wealthy Joſeph nouriſhed his Father and Brethren in want; and the ſame duty the Apoſtle enjoyns, 1 Tim. 5.4. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn firſt to ſhew Piety at home, and to requite their Parents; for that is good and acceptable before God. And our Saviour himſelf when he left this world, commended his Mother to the care of his Beloved Diſciple, Joh. 19.26, 27.
There is one thing more, (which I may couch under this Head) wherein ſuch children as are really good and truly religious themſelves, may expreſſe a high degree of Gratitude, if the caſe ſo be (as it ſometimes happens) that their Parents are as yet unacquainted with, or negligent of the great concernments of their ſouls. Now in ſuch a caſe as this, What a high Office of filial Duty is it, for a child in a wiſe and humble manner to inſinuate into his Parent ſuch things as may (with the bleſſing of God) tend to his everlaſting welfare; and ſo be an inſtrument of his new birth, who (under God) gave him his first birth and being in this world? This is a Duty wherein ſome Children ſhould take themſelves more concern'd, than uſually they do.
3. In praying for them. The debt Children owe to their Parents is ſo great, that they being not able to ſatisfie it themſelves, they ought earneſtly to beg of the Lord, that he would pleaſe to recompence it) by multiplying his Graces in them and his bleſſings both ſpiritual and temporal upon them, and to requite their care and love a thouſand fold into their boſoms.
4. In covering their infirmities. 'Tis the Duty, and will be the endeavour of good and ingenuous children, to cover and conceal the infirmities of their Parents (with Shem and Japhet) and not with curſed Cham to publiſh and diſcloſe them, Gen. 9.23. How deteſtable is it for Children to deride and ſcoffe at the infirmities of their Parents?
5. And laſtly, By imitating their good example. Whatever was good, vertuous, and commendable in their Parents, let Children imitate: But their vices and miſcarriages let them decline, and not entail them on their poſterity. Let them remember what a diſmal ſound is in thoſe words, Jeroboam the ſon of Nebat who made Iſrael to ſin, 2 King. 3.3.
There are two great Motives to preſſe Children to a careful obſervance of theſe things.
1. 'Tis right and juſt, and that which ſhould be, Eph 6.1. And 'tis well pleaſing to the Lord, Col. 3.20.
2. It has a promiſe of reward, Eph. 6.2, 3. Honour thy Father and Mother (which is the firſt Commandment with promiſe) that it may be well with thee, and that thou maiſt live long on the earth. The words in Exod. 20.12. may be rendred, Honour thy Father and thy Mother, that they (viz. By their prayers) may prolong thy daies: Parents prayers are great bleſſings to children. And further conſider what Solomon ſaith, Prov. 10.27. The fear of the Lord prolongeth daies. And Godlineſſe hath the promiſe of this life, and that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.8. If God take away ſome good and dutiful children betimes out of this life, they are no loſers by it. For God is better to them than his promiſe: In ſtead of a long leaſe in this life, he gives them preſent poſſeſſion of a free-hold of much better value in the Kingdom above.
Col. 3.20. Children obey your Parents in all things, for this is well pleaſing unto the Lord.
Eph. 6.1. Children obey your Parents in the Lord, for this is right.
V. 2. Honour thy Father and thy Mother (which is the first Commandment with promiſe.
V. 3. That it may be well with thee, and thou maiſt live long on the earth.
Prov. 23.22. Hearken unto thy Father that begat thee. and deſpiſe not thy Mother when ſhe is old.
Prov. 1.8. My Son hear the Inſtruction of thy Father, and forſake not the Law of thy Mother.
V. 9. For they ſhall be an Ornament of Grace unto thine Head, and chains about thy neck.
Luke 2.51. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was ſubject unto them.
Heb. 12.7. If ye endure chaſtning, God dealeth with you as with Sons, for what ſon is he, whom the Father chaſteneth not?
V 9. Furthermore we have had Fathers of our fleſh, which corrected us, and we gave them reverence; ſhall we not much more be in ſubjection unto the Father of Spirits, and live.
Mal. 1.6. A Son honoureth his Father, and a ſervant his Maſter: If I then be a Father, where is mine honour? and if I be a Maſter, where is my fear? ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, &c.
1 King. 2.19. Bathſheba therefore went unto King Solomon, to ſpeak unto him for Adonijah, and the King roſe up to meet her, and bowed himſelf unto her—
Gen. 27.34. And when Eſau heard the words of his Father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and ſaid unto his Father, bleſſe me, even me alſo, O my Father.
Mat. 15.4. For God commanded ſaying, Honour thy Father and Mother, and he that curſeth Father or Mother, let him die the death.
Prov. 30.17. The eye that mocketh at his Father, and deſpiſeth to obey his Mother, the ravens of the valley ſhall pick it out, and the young Eagle ſhall eat it.
Lev. 20.9. For every one that curſeth his Father or his mother, ſhall ſurely be put to death; he hath curſed his Father or his Mother, his blood ſhall be upon him.
Exod. 21.15. And he that ſmiteth his Father or his Mother, ſhall be ſurely put to death.
Prov. 20.20. Whoſo curſeth his Father or his Mother, his Lamp ſhall be put out, in obſcure darkneſs.
Prov. 13.1. A wiſe ſon heareth his Fathers inſtruction, but a ſcorner heareth not rebuke.
1 Sam. 2.25. — Notwithſtanding they hearkened not unto the voyce of their Father, becauſe the Lord would ſlay them.
Gen. 47.12. And Joſeph nouriſhed his Father and his Brethren, and all his Fathers houſhold with bread, according to their Families.
1 Tim. 5.4. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn firſt to ſhew Piety at home, and to requite their Parents, for that is good and acceptable before God.
Mat. 15.5. But ye ſay, whoſoever ſhall ſay to his Father, or his Mother, it is a gift, by whatſoever thou mightest be profited by me,
V. 6. And honour not his Father or Mother, he ſhall be free, thus have ye made the Commandments of God of none effect by your Traditions