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they follow the works of their callings with diligence, Prov. 31: 27. that they be careful to instruct them, and give them direction therein, Exod. 35: 34. that they be careful to give them just reproof and correction for their faults, Prov. 29: 19. and 19: 26. and that they look carefully to them, when they are sick, Matth. 8: 5, 6.

Neo. And what is the duty of wives toward their hus bands?

Evan. Why, the Lord in this commandment requires, that wives do carry in their hearts an inward opinion, and esteem of their husbands, Eph. 5: 33. which they are to express in their speeches, by giving them reverent titles and terms, 1 Pet. 3: 6. and in their countenance and behavior, by their modesty, shamefacedness, and sobriety, 1 Tim. 2: 9. and in being willing to yield themselves to be commanded, governed and directed by their husbands in all things honest and lawful, Gen. 31:4,16, 17. 2 Kings 4:22. they are also required to love their husbands, Tit. 2: 4. and to express their love by their chastity and faithfulness to their husbands, both in body and mind, Tit. 2: 5. 1 Tim. 3: 11. and by their using the best means they can to keep their husbands' bodies in health, Gen. 27:9. they are also required to be helpful in the government of the family, and to be provident for their estate, by exercising themselves in some profitable employment, Prov. 31: 13, 15, 19. and they are to stir up their husbands to good duties, join with them in the performance, 2 Kings 4: 9, 10. and to pray for them, 1 Tim. 2: 12.

Neo. And what is the duty of husbands to their wives? Evan. Why, the Lord in this commandment requires, that husbands be careful to choose religious wives, 2 Cor. 6: 14. that they dwell with them as men of knowledge, 1 Pet. 3: 7. that they cleave unto them with true love and affection, Col. 3: 19. yea, and that they content themselves with the love of their own wives, and keep themselves to them both in mind and body, Prov. 5: 19, 20. they are also to be careful to maintain their authority over them, Eph. 5: 23. to live cheerfully and familiarly with them, Prov. 5: 19. to be careful to provide all things needful and fitting for their maintenance, 1 Tim. 5: 8. to teach, instruct and admonish them, touching the best

things, 1 Sam. 1:8. to pray with them and for them, 1 Pet. 8: 7. and endeavor to reform and amend what they see amiss in them, by seasonable and loving admonition and reproof, Gen. 30: 2. and wisely and patiently to bear with their natural infirmities, Gal. 6: 2.

Neo. And what is the duty of subjects towards their magistrates?

Evan. Why, the Lord in this commandment requires, that subjects think of and esteem reverently their magistrates, 2 Sam. 10: 16, 17. and that they carry in their hearts a reverent awe and fear of them, Prov. 24: 21. which they are to express by outward reverent behavior towards them, both in word and deed, 2 Sam. 9: 6, 8.. by an humble, ready, and willing submission to their commands, either to do, or to suffer; 1 Pet. 2: 13. and by yielding a loyal and sound heart to love them, in not shrinking from them when they have need, but defending them with their goods, bodies, and lives, if occasion require, 2 Sam. 18: 3. and 21: 27. also they are required to make their prayers unto God for them, 1 Tim. 2: 12.

Neo. And what is the duty of magistrates towards their subjects?

Evan. Why, the Lord in this commandment requires, that magistrates be careful to establish good laws in their kingdoms, and good order amongst their subjects, 2 Kings 18: 4. Rom. 12: 17. that they be careful to see them duly and impartially executed, Jer. 38: 4, 6. Rom. 13: 3, 4. that they be careful to provide for the peace, safety, quietness and outward welfare of their subjects, Rom. 13: 4. 1 Tim. 2: 2. and not oppress them with taxations and grievances, 1 Kings 12: 14.

Neo. And what duties are people to perform towards their ministers?

Evan. Why, the Lord in this commandment requires, that people have their minister in reverent account and estimation, 1 Cor. 4. 1. that they humbly and willingly yield themselves to be taught and directed in their spiritual affairs by him, Heb. 12: 17. that they pray for him, that the Lord would enable him to do his duty, Rom. 15: 30, 31. that they do their best to defend him against the wrongs of wicked men, Rom. 16: 4. and that they yield

unto him double honor,* that is, both singular love for his work's sake, and sufficient maintenance, both in regard of his person and calling, 1 Tim. 5: 17, 18. Gal. 4: 15.

Neo. And what is the duty of a minister towards the people?

Evan. Why, the Lord in this commandment requires, that ministers diligently and faithfully preach the pure word of God to their people, both in season and out of season, 1 Cor. 9:16. 2 Kings 4: 2. that they so truly and plainly expound the same, that the people may understand it, that they pour out their souls to God in prayer, for the spiritual good of the people, 1 Thess. 1:2. and that they go before them, as a pattern of imitation in all holiness of conversation, Phil. 4: 9.

Neo. And what is the duty of equals?

Evan. Why, the Lord in this commandment requires, that equals regard the dignity and worth of each other, carry themselves modestly one towards another, and in giving honor, go one before another, Eph. 5: 21. Rom 12: 20. And thus having showed you the duties required in this commandment, I pray you, neighbor Nomologista, tell me whether you think you have kept it perfectly or no?

Nom. Sir, though I have not kept it perfectly, yet I am persuaded I have gone very near it; for when I was a child, I loved and reverenced my parents, and was obedient to them: when I was a servant, I reverenced and feared my master, and did him faithful service; and since I became a man, I have, I hope, carried myself well towards my wife, and towards my servants; yea, and done my duty both to magistrates and ministers.

Evan. Aye, but I must still tell you, the Lord requires, that you do them in obedience unto him; that is, in conscience to God's commandment, or for his sake, even because he requires it. Therefore, although you did your duty to your parents when you were a child, and to your master, when you were a servant; yet, if you did it either for the praise of men, or for fear of their corrections, or to procure a greater portion, or greater wages, and not be cause the Lord saith, Eph. 6: 4. "Children, obey your

* Elton on the Com. p. 161.

parents in the Lord." And because he saith to servants, Col. 3: 2. "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" you have not, in so doing, kept this commandment: and though you have loved your wife, and every way carried yourself well towards her, yet, if it has been either because she is come of rich parents, or because she is beautiful, or because she brought you a good portion, or because she someway serves and pleases you after the flesh; not because the Lord saith, "Husbands love your wives," Eph. 5: 25. you have not therein kept this commandment: and though you have carried yourself never so well towards your servants; yet, if it have been, that they might praise you, or to make them follow your business more diligently and faithfully; and not because the Lord saith, "Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal," you have not therein kept this commandment. And though you have done your duty never so well towards your magistrate; yet, if it have been for fear of his wrath, and not for conscience' sake, viz. because the Lord saith, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers," you have not therein kept this commandment: and though you have given your minister his due maintenance, and invited him often to your table, and carried yourself never so well towards him; yet, if it have been, that he or others might think you a good christian, and a kind man, and not because the Lord saith, Gal. 6: 6. "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things," you have not therein kept this commandment.

Neo. Well sir, I cannot tell what my neighbor Nomologista has done, but for mine own part, I am sure, I have come far short of doing my duty in any relation I have had to others; for when I was a child, I remember I was many times stubborn and disobedient to my parents, and vexed if I might not have my will, and slighted their admonitions, and was impatient at their corrections, and sometimes despised and contemned them in my heart, because of some infirmity, especially when they grew old; neither did I pray for them, as it seems I ought to have done: and the truth is, if I did yield any obedience to them at all, it was for fear of their corrections, or some

such by-respects, and not for conscience towards God. And when I was a servant, I did not think so reverently, nor esteem my master and mistress so highly, as I should have done, but was subject to slight and despise them, and did not yield such humble, reverent, and cheerful obedience, as I should have done; neither did I patiently and contentedly bear their checks and rebukes, but had divers times risings and swellings in my heart against them; neither was I so careful to maintain their good name and credit, as I ought to have been; neither did I pray unto the Lord for them as I ought to have done; and the very truth is, all the subjection which I yielded them, was for fear of their reproofs and corrections, or for the praise of men, rather than in conscience to the Lord's commandment.

And when I entered into the married state, I was not careful to choose a religious wife: no, I aimed at beauty more than piety; and I have not dwelt with my wife as a man of knowledge; no, I have expressed much ignorance and folly in my carriage towards her; neither have I loved her as a husband ought to love his wife; for though true, I have had much fond affection for her, yet have I had little true affection towards her, as has been evident, in that I have been easily provoked to anger and wrath against her; and have not carried myself patiently towards her; neither have I been careful to maintain mine authori ty over her, but have lost it by my childish and indiscreet carriage; neither have I lived so cheerfully and delightfully with her as I ought to have done, but very heavily, discontentedly, and uncomfortably have I carried myself towards her; neither have I been so careful to instruct and admonish her as I ought; and though I have now and then reproved her, yet for the most part it has been in a passion, and not with the spirit of meekness, pity, and compassion; neither have I prayed for her, either so often, or so fervently as I ought; and whatever I have done, that has been well, I have been moved thereunto (in former times especially) rather by something in her, or done by ber, than by the commandment of God. And since I be eame a father and a master, I have neither done my duty to my children nor servants as I ought, for I have not had

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