their father spake unto them, and

Q. 129. What is required of superiors towards their inferiors? A. It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love', pray fork, and bless their inferiors'; to instructm, counsel and admonish them"; countenancing', commend ing', and rewarding such as do well?; and discountenancing',

reproving, 129. i Col. iii. 19. Husbands, love

them when thou sittest in thine Four wives, and be not bitter against house, and when thou walkest by them. Tit. ïi. 4. That they may

the way, and when thou liest down, teach the young women to be sober, and when thou risest up. to love their husbands, to love their n Eph. vi. 4. And, ye fathers, prochildren.

voke not your children to wrath: kl Sam. xii. 23. Moreover, as for

but bring them up in the nurture me, God forbid that I should sin and admonition of the Lord. against the Lord in ceasing to pray

1 Pet. iii. 7. Likewise, ye hus... for

you: but I will teach you the bands, dwell with them according to good and the right way. job i. 5. knowledge, giving honour unto the And it was so, when the days of wife as unto

the weaker vessel, and were gone about, that as being heirs together of the grace Job sent and sanctified them, and

of life; that your prayers be not fose up early in the morning, and

hindered. offered burnt-offerings, according to

Pi Pet. ii. 14. Or unto governors, the number of them all; for Job

as unto them that are sent by him for said, It may be that my sons have the punishment of evil-doers, and sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.

for the praise of them that do well.

Rom. xiii. 3. For rulers are not a ter!1 Kings viii. 55. And he stood,

ror to good works, but to the evil. and blessed all the congregation of Wilt thou then not be afraid of the Israel with a loud voice, saying, power? do that which is good, and Ver. 56. Blessed be the Lord, that

thou shalt have praise of the same. hath given rest unto his people Israel,

9 Esth. vi. 3. And the king said, according to all that he promised:

What honour and dignity hath been there hath not failed-Heb. vii. 7.

done to Mordecai for this? Then And, without all contradiction, the less is blessed of the better. Gen.

said the king's servants that minister

ed unto him, There is nothing done xlix

. 28. All these are the twelve for him. tribes of Israel; and this is it that

Rom. xiii. 3. For rulers are not

a terror to good works, but to the blessed them; every one according to

evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid his blessing he blessed them.

of the power ? do that which is h. Deut. vi. 6. And these words, good, and thou shalt have praise of which ! command thee this day, the same : Ver. 4. For he is the shall be in thine heart; Ver. 7. And

minister of God to thee for good. thou shalt teach them diligently But if thou do that which is evil

, unto thy children; and shalt talk of be afraid ; for he beareth not the

N.5

sword

their feasting,

Thus did Job continually.

reproving, and chastising such as do ill $; protecting', and person

, die providing for them all things necessary for soul" and body": unling and by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to pro- perform cure glory to God, honour to themselves ', and so to preserve that authority which God hath put upon them ?.

Q. 130. What are the sins of superiors ?

1. The sins of superiors are, besides the neglect of the med duties required of them?, an inordinate seeking of them

selves,

letter P.]

sword in vain : for he is the mini w 1 Tim. y. 8. But if any provide šter of God, a revenger to execute

not for his own, and specially for wrath upon him that doeth evil.

those of his own house, he hath des Prov. xxix. 15. The rod and re nied the faith, and is worse than an proof give wisdom: but a child left infidel. to himself bringeth his mother to * 1 Tim. iv. 12. Let no man deshame.. 1 Pet. ii. 14. (See above in

spise thy youth ; but be thou an ex

ample of the believers, in word, in t Job xxix. 12. Because I delivered conversation, in charity, in spirit, in the poor that cried, and the father faith, in purity. Tit. ii. 3. The aged less, and him that had none to help

women likewise, that they be in behim. Ver. 13. The blessing of him haviour as becometh holiness, not that was ready to perish came upon

false accusers, not given to much me: and I caused the widow's heart wine, teachers of good things ; to sing for joy. Ver. 14. I put on

Ver. 4. That they may teach the righteousness, and it clothed me: my

young women to be sober, to love judgment was as a robe and a dia

their husbands, to love their children, den. Ver. 15. I was eyes to the

Ver. 5. To be discreet, chaste, keep it blind, and feet was I to the lame. Ver. 16. I was a father to the poor :

ers at home, good, obedient to their

own husbands, that the word of God and the cause which I knew not I be not blasphemed.

Ver. 17. And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked

Y 1 Kings iii. 28. And all Israel

heard of the judgment which the the spoil out of his teeth. Isa. i. 10. Hear the word of the Lord, ye

king had judged, and they feared

the king: for they rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the

wisdom of God was in hini to do law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. Ver. 17. Learn to do well,

judgment. seek judgment, relieve the oppress

Z Tit. ii. 15. These things speak ed, judge the fatherless, plead for

and exhort, and rebuke with all the widow.

authority. Let no man despise thee.

130. ^ Ez . xxxiv. 2. Son of man, u Eph. vi. 4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath :

prophesy against the shepherds of but bring them up in the nurture

Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, and admonition of the Lord.

Thus saith the Lord God unto the
shepherds, Woe be to the shepherds

searched out.

saw that the

com

selves “, their own glory“, ease, profit, or pleasured; manding things unlawful, or not in the power of inferiors to perform'; counsellings, encouraging", or favouring

them

ye

ye bound

of Israel that do feed themselves ! ed, 0 people, nations, and languages, should not the shepherds feed the Ver. 5. That at what time ye hear flocks ? Ver. 3. Ye eat the fat, and the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, clothe

you with the wool, ye kill sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all them that are fed: but ye feed not

kinds of musick, ye fall down and the flock. Ver. 4. The diseased have worship the golden image that Neye not strengthened, neither have ye buchadnezzar the king hath set up. healed that which was sick, neither Ver. 6. And whoso falleth rot down have

up that which was and worshippeth, shall the same broken, neither have ye brought hour be cast into the midst of a again that which was driven away, burning fiery furnace. Acts iv. 17. neither have ye sought that which But that it spread no further among was lost; but with force and with the people, let us straitly threaten cruelty have

ye
ruled them.

them, that they speak henceforth to b Phil. ii. 21. For all seek their no man in this name. Ver. 18. And own, not the things which are Jesus

they called them, and commanded. Christ's.

thiem, not to speak at all, nor teach, © John v. 44. How can ye believe,

in the name of Jesus. which receive honour one of another,

f Exod. v. from Verse 10. to. 18. and seek not the honour that cometh And the task-masters of the people from God only? John vii. 18. He

went out, and their officers, and . that speaketh of himself, seeketh his they spake to the people, saying, own glory: but he that seeketh his Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not i glory that sent him, the same is true,

give you straw, &c. Mat. xxiii. 2. and no uprighteousness is in him.

Saying, The scribes and Pharisees d Isa, lvi. 10. His watchmen are sit in Moses' seat. Ver. 4. For they blind: they are all ignorant, they bind licavy burdens, and grievous to : are all dumb dogs, they cannot

be borne, bark; sleeping, lying down, loving

8 Mat. xiv. 8. And she, being bea to slumber. Ver. 11. Yea, they are

fore instructed of her mother, said, greedy dogs, which can never have Give me here John Baptist's head enough, and they are shepherds that

in a charger. Compared with Mark cannot understand: they all look

vi. 24. And she went forth, and said to their own way, every one for

unto her mother, What shall I ask ?? his gain from his quarter.

Deut And she said, The head of John the xvii. 17. Neither shall be multiply Baptist. wives to hiniself; that his heart

h 2 Sam. xiii. 28. Now Absalona turn not away; neither shall he had commanded his servants, saygreatly multiply to himself silver and

ing, Mark ye now when Amnon's gold.

heart is merry with wine; and when : © Dan. iii. 4. Then an herald

I say unto you, Smite Amnon, then cried aloud, To you it is commmand

kill him, fear not: have not I com-
N6

manded a

them in that which is evil'; dissuading, discouraging, or discountenancing them in that which is goodk; correcting them unduly'; careless exposing, or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and danger"; provoking them to wrath"; or any way dishonouring themselves, or lessening their authority, by an unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behaviour".

Q. 151. What

ness.

more. Acts

manded you? be courageous, and

Deut. xxv. 3. Forty stripes he be valiant.

may give him, and not exceed: lest, il Sam. ïï. 13. For I have told if he should exceed, and beat him him, that I will judge his house for above these with many stripes, then ever, for the iniquity which he thy brother should seeni vile unto thee. knoweth; because his sons made

m Gen. xxxviii. 11. Then said Juthemselves vile, and he restrained dah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, them rict.

Remain a widow at thy father's house k John vii. 46. The officers an till-Shelah my son be grown: (for swered, Never man spake like this

he said, Lesc peradventure he die man. Ver. 47. Then answered them also as his brethren did :) and Tamar the Pliarisees, Are ye also deceived ?

went and dwelt in her father's house. Ver. 48. Have any of the rulers, or

Ver, 26. And Judah acknowledged of the Pharisées, believed on him?

them, and said, She hath been more Ver. 49. But this people who know- righteous than 1; because that I gave eth not the law are cursed. Col.

her not to Shelah my son. And he u. 21. Fathers, provoke not your knew her again no children to anger, lest they be dis

xviii. 17. Then all the Greeks took couraged. Exod. v. 17. But he

Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the said, Ye are idle, ye are idle; therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacri

synagogue, and beat him before the

judgment-seat : and Gallio cared for fice to the Lord.

none of those things. ti Pet. ii. 18. Servants, be sub

Eph. vi. 4. And, ye fathers, project to your masters with all fear;

voke not your children to wrath: but not only to the good and gentle, but bring them up in the nurture and also to the froward, Ver. ;3. For adnionition of the Lord.. this is chank-worthy, if a man for

o Gen. ix. 21. And he drank of conscience toward God endure grief, the wine, and was drunken; and suffering wrongfully. Ver. 20. For

he was uncovered within his tent. what glory is it, if, when ye be huffeted for your faults, ye shall take (Rehoboam) answered the people

1 Kings xii. 13. And the king it patiently ? but if, when ye do well

, roughly, and forsook the old men's and suffer for it, ye take it paciently; this is acceptable with God.

coursel that they gave him; Ver. 14.

Heb. xii. 10. For they verily for a few

And spake to them after the coun. Jays chastened us after their own

sel of the young men, saying, My pleasure ; but he for our profit, that

father made your yoke heavy, and we might be partakers of his' holi

I will add to your yoke ; my father also chastised you with whips

, but

n

Q. 131. What are the duties of equals ?

A. The duties of equals are, to regard the dignity and worth of each other p, in giving honour to go one before another?; and to rejoice in each others gifts and advancement, as their own?

Q. 132. What are the sins of equals?

A. The sins of equals are, besides the neglect of the duties required', the undervaluing of the worth', envying the gifts", grieving at the advancement or prosperity

one

but I will chastise you with scor

131. P i Pet. i. 17. Honour all pions. Ver. 15. Wherefore the king mien.

Love the brotherhood. Fear hearkened not unto the people ; for God. Honour the king. the cause was from the Lord. Ver, 9 Rom. xii, 10. Be kindly affec16. So, when all Israel saw that the tioned one to another with brotherly king hearkened not unto them, the love; in honour preferring one anpeople answered the king, saying, other. What portion have we in David ?

* Rom. xii. 15. Rejoice with them neither have we inheritance in the

that do rejoice, and weep with them son of Jesse : to your tents, O Israel :

that weep. Ver. 16. Be of the same now see to thine own house, David. mind one towards another. Mind So Israel departed unto their tents.

not high things, but condescend to 1 Kings i. 6. And his father had not

men of low estate. Be not wise in displeased him (viz. Adonijah) at any

your own conceits. Phil. ii. 3. Let time, in saying, Why hast thou done nothing be done through strife or so? 1 Sam. ii. 29. Wherefore kick vain-glory; but in lowliness of mind pe at my sacrifices, and at mine of let each esteen other better than fering which I have commanded in

themselves. Ver. 4. Look not every my habitation, and honourest thy man on his own things, but every sons above me, to make yourselves

man also on the things of others. fat with the chiefest of all the offer

132. S kom. xiii, 8. Owe no man ings of Israel my people ? Ver. 30.

any thing, but to love one another : Wherefore the Lord God of Israel

for he that loveth another hath ful. saith, I said indeed, that thy house, filled the law. and the house of thy father, should

t 2 Tim. iii. 3. Without natural walk before me for ever: but now

affection, truce-breakers, false accuthe Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that'honour me I will ho

sers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of

those that are good. nour, and they that despise me shall

u Acts vii. 9. And the patriarchs, be lightly esteemed. Ver. 31. Be

moved with envy, sold Joseph into hold, the days come, that I will cut

Egypt; but was with him. off thine arm, and the arm of thy Gay.V. 26. Let us not be desirous of father's house, that there shall not be vain-glory, provoking one another, an old man in thine house.

envying one another.

W Numb.