A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 187 (Question 64 cont.)
SERMON CLXXXVII.
WE have taken a brief Account of the Chief and m…ſt Comprehenſive Duties, Relative between Superiours and Inſeriours, both Natural and V…tical. There are ſome when Differences in Providence between Men, which tho they do not rive a Civil Power to the one, or require a Civil Subjection from the other, yet, as God do… put a Dificience, ſo ſhould they acknowledge it, and demean themſelves each to other accordingly: One of theſe, us. That of Age and Youth, in which the Light of Nature ſpeaks ſo much, and about which the Word of God ſpeaks ſo much, we t…k: ſome Account of. There are ſome others, which I ſhall but touch at, and paſs.
I. THERE is a Difference in Birth, which God's Providence is p…e…ſed to put between ſome and others. Tho' all Mankind have one Original having one Firſt Father, whoſe Apoſtacy hath brought Diſgrace equally upon all his Poſterity, who do equally bear the bl…t of his Rebe… in their Eſcutcheon, Eph. 2.3.— By Nature the …ren …crath. Nevertheleſs, There is a Civil Diſtinction made between Families, which makes ſome to be of an …ngher, others of Th…er Degree. Pſal. 62.9. God's Pleaſure Orders it to be ſo, and the well …cing of Humane Societies requires it: And theſe muſt Live together; when intimates, That there ſhould be mo…al Reſpect and Honour paid each to other in this Regard alſo.
And here,
1. IT is the Duty of theſe that are well-deſcended, to endeavour to Commend themſelves is others, in a Carriage worthy their Deſcent. There is a Civility and Courteſy, which theſe one to the Meaneſt, which is the only way for them to retain a Report among Men. Thoſe that would maintain the Reſpect paid to their Anceſtors, moſt ſee that they imitate the praiſeworthy Vertues, for which they were had in …eem: They ought not to deſ…iſe ſuch as are …er, but to ſet before them an Example of Good Behaviour; which is to expreſs it ſelf, in a Meek, Affable, Humble Converſation; and that is the way to purchaſe Honour to themſelves; and for want of it, they will ſoon fall … laſgrace among Men. It was the Honour … Timothy, not that he ſpra… of Good Parents. … that he Imitated them in their Vertues, 1 Tim. 1.5.
2. IT is the Duty of ſuch as are of a meaner Deſcent, to acknowledge it by putting a ſuitable … upon the other, according to their …rth There is an Honour derived to them; and God …ures that it be p…d to them, Rom. 12.7. …ender honour to wh… honour is due. And the …re worthily they carry themſelves of it, the more care there ſhould be to expreſs it. There … a Civil Deference to be paid them and a Preference to be allowed to them; and that, tho' …e Providence of God may bring them into …verty: The neglect of this is therefore Threat… …. 3.5 — The … behave … …nd the baſe againſt …. Not but that ſuch may forfeit this Reſpect from Men by the r…vile Car…tage; but the F…wns of Providence on them, in the Affairs of this Life, do not pro…re it.
II. ANOTHER Inequality, which the Providence of God puts between Men, is that of Riches & Poverty. And this, in the World's eſteem, is greater than it ſhould be, inaſmuch as it makes Men neither better nor worſe, being an External Thing. Nevertheleſs, It is to be obſerved becauſe it is of the Over-ruling Hand of God: Hence that in Prov. 22.2. The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all. And here,
[1.] THE Principal Duties of the Rich are, 1. TO take b…ed that they Deſpiſe not the Poor. becauſe they are ſo. It is a thing too frequent for ſuch, eſpecially if they are raiſed from the Dunghill, to Scorn, Deſpiſe, and look with Contempt upon their Poor Neighbours, as if they were of another Species: But this is to abuſe the Favour of God, by whoſe Bleſſing they gained their Wealth. To be Rich and Humble, is a deſirable, but a very rare Combination. We are tall Prov. 17.5. Wh…ſ… m…cketh the poor, repreacheth …is maker: and he that is glad at calamities, ſhal not be unpuniſhed. And ſuch are they, who taunt the Poor with their Poverty, as if it were their ſhame; and they muſt not open their Months before them: Such ſhould remember, That their Wealth makes them not better Men; Wealth and Folly do too frequently dwell under the ſame Roof, and a Rich F…l is no better than an Aſs in Fine Trappings. They ſhould alſo conſider, That they Pride themſelves in a thing of nothing, and which may in the Turn of an Hand forſake them; and then, their former Pride will expoſe them to the greater Contempt. Hence that, Prov. 23.5. W…l thou ſet thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themſelves wings, they …y away as an ca…e towards heaven. 2. TO Relieve & Succour the Poor, out of their Abundance. No Man is Lord-Proprietor of his Eſtate; but is made a Steward of it by God. whoſe it is. Wealth is one of thoſe Talents which God beſt we upon Men, which they are to Occupy for Him, whereof they muſt give an Account to Him another Pay: And He hath made the Poor to be the Objects of their Charity; and hath given theſe Charge concerning them, 1 Tim. e. 17 18 Change them … are rich in this world, that they be not highmanded, nor … in uncertain riches, but in the living God, … giveth us ri…ly all things to en…y: that they …; that they be … good works, ready … r…bute willing to communicate. And if they w…h lay out all upon gratifying their own L…ſts, and mean while ſhut up their Bowels, againſt ſuch as are in Want, and let them Starve, rather than Deny themſelves of their Super…nities, it will expoſe them to an un…rfortable R…k…ning another Day.
… …ill Duties of the Poor on the other … are …nc…all…. 1. NOT …ery …al… Re…e in the Pr…ſ…y of … Wealthy …. It is … much a Fault among Men that they can hardly bear to ſee others Proſper, and themſelves in Adverſings and here a not only ſhew their … …tent at the Providence of God, as unequal, but all to bear a Prejudied Spirit againſt them & be alway fre…ing at them and ſeeking to undermine them. But they ought on the other hand to Rejoyce with them; Rom. 12.15. and to Thankfull to God that He Bleſſeth them. Env…ing therefore s…koned among the Works of …e Heſh, Gal. …. 21. And hence it is forbidden in reſpect of anothers Proſperity, Pſal. 27.7. What if God will give another more in the World, than He will give to us, may He not do with His own, as He ſees Good? And ſhall out Eye be Evil, becauſe He is Good. 2. TO pay them a due Acknowledgement for all the Kindneſs they receive from them. There is a ſort of Subjection due from the Poor to the Rich, inaſmuch as they have a ſuberdinate Dependance on them: We are therefore told, Prov. 22.7. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is ſervant to the lender. When therefore God inclines their Hearts to Improve their Eſtates, either for the Publick Benefit, or for their Private Support and Supply, they ought not only to Bleſs God for it, but alſo for them; and acknowledge them in it, for which they ſhould Love and Commend them and Cordially Pray for God's Bleſſing to be upon them.
III. ANOTHER Inequality which God makes between Men, is in regard of Gifts, Whether Natural or Acquired. There are Diverſities of theſe which God Diſtributes among Men according to His Pleaſure. Some have large Natural Abilities, and theſe alſo advantaged with great Attainments of Skill, Knowledge and Prudence; whereas others are low in both regards: Theſe Gifts alſo are diverſly diſtributed, 1 Cor. 12. begin. And theſe are conferred by God, to render Men Publickly Serviceable, and the better fitted to Profit others. Now,
1. THOSE that do Excell in Gifts, ought to improve them readily for the Benefit of others, who need the Help of them. God hath beſtowed them for that end; and made them the Stewards thereof, 1 Pet. 4.10. And if they do not thus Improve them, they hide their Talent in a Napkin. This ſhould keep them Humble, and make them not to deſpiſe thoſe that are Weaker than themſelves, but acknowledge God's Kindneſs, in making this difference, and thus uſing them to His Glory by being Profitable: And this is to uſe them to the End for which they were Conferred, 1 Cor. 12.7. And this will be the way to Honour themſelves, and do Good in their Generation.
2. THOSE that are Inſeriour in Gifts, ſhould highty V… the others, and thankfully make Improvement of them. Man was made a Sabbath … Cr…tur… and … hath ſeen mee… that …e ſhould …d the help of a…b… When therefore God makes any Uſeful by thoſe Abilities which … confers upon them, and de…n… of them to Serv… others with them th…y are not to be d…ſp…ted or malig…d, but prized: doubtleſs herein they really Excell. We are told. Eccl. …. 1. Who is as the wiſe man? and who knoweth the …rp… tation of a thing … a man's wiſdom maketh his ta…e to ſhane, and the boldneſs of his face ſhall be changed. And we ought to account them Bleſſings; to be willing to learn of them, and take Opportunities of Converſing with them … …quiting of them; for we are told, Prov. 20.5. …anſel… in the heart of man, is like deep utter; but a man of underſtanding well draw it out. And ſince God hath divided theſe Gifts, there ſhould be a mutual Preference accordingly; which ſeems to be the mind of, Phil. 2.3. Let nothing be d…ne …r…ugh ſtriſe, or vainglory, but in …neſs of mind, …et each eſteem other be…r than themſelves.
AND this may ſuffice to have been ſpoke concerning thoſe Orders, between which their is a Superiority and inferiority.
IN the next place, Our Catechiſm informes us. That the Relation between …u…ls, doth of come under the Comperehenſion of this Command That all Mankind do, in ſome way or other, ſtand related each to other, is certain; and whereſoever there is a Relation, there is as Obligation which follows from it, and is accommodated to it.
NOW there are ſome Conſiderations upon which Men ſtand upon … and, there is no Superiority in them: And this Conſideration may be there, where in other reſpects there may be a diſtance in Degree, as is evident.
NOW this Equality may come under a double Conſideration, viz. Either Common or Special:
1. THERE is a Common Equality, which there is between one Neighbour and another, conſidered as Neighbours. Neighbour and Neighbour come under the ſame Denomination, and in that Regard ſtand upon one Ground; and ſuch eſpecially are thoſe who ſtand upon a Level, and their Degrees are Equal. This alſo comprehends under it, Men that bear the ſome Breadth in the Place which they are in: And ſo are ſome Men in Authority alike, as well as Men of the Common ſort. Now there is a Love which theſe owe each to other; for the Comprehenſion of the Second Table is expreſt by Chriſt, Matth 22.39. Thou ſhalt love thy Neighbour as thy ſ…ſ…. And this Love hath a Reſpect, not only to the Five following Precepts, but alſo to this, in paying Honour one to another.
AND the more ſpecial Duties here are,
1. TO maintain a due Reſpect each for other by acknowledging each others Worth & Excellency. And this is ſuppoſed to be mainly intended in the forcited, Pſal 2.2. There is an Emulation which ſuch are apt to entertain, by which they ſeek to depreciate their Neighbour, …elevate themſelves above them. Whereas thus Command requires the contrary. There is hardly any Neighbour, but we may ſee (if we look with Charitable Eyes) ſomething in him for which he is to be Commended, and wherein he out-doeth us; and we ſhould readily give him the Preference in it, and be always ready to Commend him for it: Hence that in Rom. 12.10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another. And when we hear them Commended for ſuch things, we ought to be glad of it; and be ſo for from Detracting from it, as to give our ready and cheerful Aſſent to it: Yea, if they ſhould be Preferred before us, not to Malign them, but to be well-ſatisfied in it.
2. TO maintain a Civil, Courteous and Neighbourly Converſation, one with another To avoid Eſtrangedneſs, Scorn & Moroſity: As in the fare-cited, Rom. 12.10. Which is to be espreſſed in their mutual Behaviour. Neighbours ſhould Live together as Neighbours, and … as Enemies; giving one another good Words, … not ſnarling & ſnapping; and ought to be ready to do one another good Turns, when occaſion offers, as well as to receive them: This is the any to uphold the Ends of Civil Society, and preſerve the Happineſs of it; which, for want of this, will be very much impeded. Yea, They ſhould account it an Honour rather to Serve … be Served; rather to Give, than Receive; rather to pay Reſpect to others than receive it from them: And indeed this is the moſt Rational way to be Reſpected, Honoured and Served by … Neighbour, and be well-eſteemed by all this we Live among.
II. THERE is a Special Equality made between ſome, which doth not ariſe from Nature, i… Combination; and this is that which is called Friendſhip: which is Recommended to us, not only by Moral Philoſophy, but alſo by the Word of God. And the Truth is, The Neceſſity of Mankind, for their Well-being, calls for it; … there is no Living well in this World without it: He that hath not a Friend to whom he may upon his Secrets, unburden his Griefs, & of whom he may ask and receive Advice and Help at all Times, is Miſerable. And true Friendſhip Wiſely laid, and duely maintained, is the greateſt outward Felicity that can be here enjoyed: This therefore the Pſalmiſt aggravates his Affection by, Pſal. 88. ult. Lover and friend haſt th… past far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkneſs. Now whatſoever Diſparity there may be between Friends, in their Condition …ove; yet as they are Friends, ſo there muſt be a Parity. I ſhall not here ſpeak all that might be, of this Noble Subject: only obſerve the Special Duties lying upon Men in this Relation.
1. THE Love & Kindneſs between Friends, …ght not to be Common, but Special. They miſtake, who think that we ought to Love all alike; for we have obſerved, That the Love is to be Calculated according to the Relation: Now this is a peculiar Relation, and calls for the moſt intenſe Affection. The Wiſe Man tells us, Prov. 18.24. A man that hath friends, muſt ſhew himſelf friendly: and there is a friend that ſticketh cloſer than a brother. And it is a Commendation which David gives to Jonathan, 2 Sam. 1.26. I am diſtreſſed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleaſant …aſt thou been unto me; thy love to me was wonderful, paſſing the love of women. And the reaſon of this will further appear, when we come to conſider the things wherein this Friendſhip is to be employed. A Man ſhould Love and Honour all Men; but True Friendſhip is a contracted thing, and extendible to but a very few. He who ſeeks to make many Friends, doth therein practically ſay, that he indeed ſeeks none at all; but is willing to reſt contented in a common Love. The Scripture uſually mentions a Friend, in the ſingular Number.
2. EVERY Prudent Man ought to be very Cautious in the Choice of a Friend. We obſerved, That this Relation is purely Elective; and therefore it calls for Deliberation, and is not to be taken up Raſhly, and enter'd upon Inconſiderately. Every Man that may be fit for Human, nay Chriſtian Converſation, is not qualified for being our Cloſe Companion. It is tru…, We may be miſtaken in Men; and our Friendſhip may be betrayed by them, whoſe Hearts are falſe, whilſt their Words and Carriages are moſt ſmooth and obliging: this David proved to his ſorrow in Achitophel, Pſal. 55.13, 14. But for all this, He that ſtrikes up a Friendſhip in Haſte, is likely to repent of it a… Leiſure; for there are ſpecial Qualities to be ſought in a Perſon, whom we may expect to be able to make uſe of as a Friend on all occaſions. And tho' there is often a ſort of Natural Aptitude between ſuch & ſuch, for this Cloſe Combination; yet there are thoſe things, which are further to be enquired after, the want whereof will unfit them for it.
3. THERE can be no true Chriſtian Friendſhip, where there is not the Fear of God. It is His Glory, that ought to be the laſt End of it; and all other Deſigns in it, ought to bear a due Subordination to that: ſo that tho' this Godlineſs be not all that is to be ſought in it, yet it ought to be the Baſis of all the reſt. A Combination between Perſons, ſeparate from that, is not a Friendſhip, but a Conſpiracy, and will not tend to the Good, but the real Hurt of thoſe that are engaged in it. It was a cloſe Reprimand given by the Prophet to him, 2 Chron. 19.2. And John the ſon of Hanani the ſeer, went out to meet him, and ſaid to king J…h…ſhaphat, Shouldeſt thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.
4. THE Special Duties between Friends, are ſuch as theſe:
1. THEY muſt make great Allowances for Human Frailties. There are none to be found in this World without them, and if Friendſhip be broken on account of theſe, it muſt be very ſhort-liv'd. This is neceſſary in all Relations, and peculiarly in this, elſe Jealouſies will be eaſily raiſed and ſomented; whereas C…dour calls for Charitable Conſtructions, and the beſt Interpretations: And it is the nature of Love to … many Frailties; and the more intenſe it is, the greater Allowances it will be willing to make.
2. THEY ought to ſtick by each other, in Times of the greateſt Adverſity. It is the Wiſe Man's Obſervation, Prov. 17.17. A friend … veth at all times, and a brother is br… for adverſity In Times of Proſp…rity, many will ſee… friendſhip with a Man, and pretend to the greateſt Reſpect, and readineſs to Serve him: But he that will keep faſt at all Time; and when the Man is reduced to Diſtreſs, and all Men withdraw and forſake him, will be the ſame that he ever was, this is a Friend indeed; and ſuch an one was Jonathan to David. The Wiſe Man obſerves, Prove. 19.4. Wealth maketh many friends. But one that will not be aſhamed of or afraid to ſtand by us, in our deepeſt Troubles, is more worth than all of them, though they were as many more.
3. THEY ſhould readily open their Souls into e…h others boſom. Here is the great Benefit of having a Friend: to him we may freely and without fear diſcloſe our Mind, in things which it would be our folly to publiſh to the World. A Friend is called a ſecond Self; and there are thoſe things that are Secret, which we either greatly need Counſel about; or which oppreſs our Hearts, as long as they are kept pent up. And he that is now thy of his Friend, doth herein ſay, That he counts him not to be a Friend: Hence that, 2 Sam. 13.4. And he ſaid unto him, Why art thou, being the kings ſon, lean from day to day? … thou not tell me?
4. THEY ought to keep each others Secrets Faithfully. And this neceſſarily follows from the former; elſe it would be Frenzy to impart our Secrets to another, if we could not Confide in him that they were as ſafe, as if we had kept them lock'd in the Cabinet of our own Boſom. He that cannot keep Counſel, is uncapable of being a Friend indeed: Hence that, Prov. 11.13. A t… e-hearer revealeth ſecrets: but he that is of a ſaithful ſpirit concealeth the matter. A Man lays his Credit and Safety to Pawn, when he truſts another with his inward Thoughts; and if he Betrays them, he is not fit for Humane Society, much leſs for Intimate Familiarity.
5. THEY ought to hear each others Burdens, and be at all Times ready to Conj…ct & Counſel one the other. A Friend ſhould make his Friends Condition his own; and Reſent it as if he were himſelf in the ſame. David herein ſhews the Vi…eneſs of his Adverſaries, by telling how he carried it to them in their Trouble, in which he ſhews the Character of a Friend Pſal. 35.13, 14, 15. But as for …, when they were …i….—I humbled my ſoul with Faſting: — I be…aved my ſelf as though he had been my Friend or Brother.—But in min… Adverſity they re…i…ed —. He is not worthy of the Title of a Friend, that hath not a tender Companion upon us, & will readily expreſs it when he ſees us in Diſtreſs, and bowed down under Tr…ubles: Hence that in Joh 6.14. To … that is f…ed f…r … f…ed from his friend. And …ow Pari…tical… that Exp… l…tion, Chap. 19.21. … p…y upon … pray upon …. O ye my friends, for the h… of God hath tr…ed …
6. THEY ought to deal …er…ly & F…fu…y one work another. Nor can Friendſhip be ſerver Improved, or more kindly Applyed that by this, which is one principal Benefit of it, A Man cannot poſſibly be a …tterer and a Friend too; and he that cannot hear a Rebuke from a Friend, is altogether or w…rthy of one: David reckoned it the greateſt Kindneſs to be thus ſmitten, Pſal. 1…1.5. …t the Righteous ſmite me, it ſhall be a kindneſs; and … reprove me, it ſhall be an excellent ey…, which ſhall not break my head: for yet my pr…yer alſo ſhall be in their calamities. And the Wiſe Man hath ſuch a Remark, Prov. 27.6. Faithful are the wounds of a ſ…, but the kiſſes of an e… my are …e…rful. And ſaith, Ver. 14. He that bleſſeth his friend with a le…d … r…ſing … in the morning, it ſhall be r…ted courſe to him. Though we ſhould not Betray our Friend is Diſgrace, yet we ought to give him Warning of his Danger: And if it be Hatred to a Neighbour, to ſuffer Sin upon him, for want of giving him a ſeaſonable Rebuke, (I…. 19.17) much more is it to a Friend, who confides in us on this Account.
7. THEY ſhou… …elight in each others frequent Converſe. There muſt be the gre… Freedom between Friends; and they ſhould be often Refr…ſhing each other, by fa… and open hearted Communion: hence that, Prov. 27.9. & 17. O…ntment and perfume … j…yce the heart: …o d…th the …tneſs of a … fri…nd by hearty counſel. Iron ſ…r…neth …, ſo a man ſh…rpneth the countenance of his fr…d. It is of the nature of Love, to ſeek much Intimacy with the Beloved, and accordingly to be as often as they can together; and a Neglect in this regard, will both hinder the Ends of this Relation, and tend to Diſtance and A… nation, which will in a little Time break the Bond aſunder: They ſhould therefore avoid all that would tend to breed Strangeneſs, eſpecially U…b…ſp…rers and I…b…rers, who often ſeparate chief Friends, Prov. 16 28.
8. THEY ſhould maintain e…h others E… tation. He is not worthy the Name of a Friend, that will not ſtand up for his Friend when he hears him Repro…ched, Reviled, Slandered; and will not as deeply Reſent it, as if done to himſelf. It is true, He ought not to Lye for his Friend, or do any Sinful thing in his behalf; …ut when he is wronged in his Name, and expoſed by the Va…evol…t Tongues of others, he ſhould ſhew himſelf, by taking his part, defending his Innocence, and excuſing his Imp…rſe…tions; ſuch was Jonathan 1 Sam. 19.4. & 2….22.
9. THEY. muſt Near… this Friendſhip with all good Offices. W… are adv…ſ…d, Pr…v. 18.24. A man that hath friends, mu…t …hew b…ſ frie…d…y. There are the Teſtimonials of Kindneſs, … …f…on … Noriſh the Ard…s of … Love … muſt be matual. There are in the Nature of Fallen Man. Jeal uſes too, caſely kindled, … are as Water caſt upon the Faire of Love; and every Slight, or for…mi…g, Unkindneſs, is … to ſome of them: The loſt way to prevent … to take all Advantages, to continue Nor Takens of our Conſtant and unſhaken Friendſhip. And having ſuch a Friend, let us not be given to Change; but endeavour to keep it ſ… to the end; taking his Advice, Prov. 27.10. U…ne …n friend and … ſ… …; re…i…g … …der of uſe in the day of thy …; ſ… …r is a neighbour that is near, than … that ſ….
THUS have we briefly conſidered the …ff…rmance part of this Command; which well thought of, will ſerve to H…mi…le us for our ſhort-comings; and drive us to CHRIST for His Grave to holy, and Righteouſneſs to cover the Imperfection of our own.
[MAY 2. 1704.]