NOL
The confession of faith

Chapter 320

V. 1 7. Let the elders thit rule well

be cotuited worthy of double honoMr, esj^ecially they who labour in tiie word and doctrine. Ver. I-*^. For the scripture saitii, Thou shalt not
•zle the ox tint treadeth out the
:: and, The Ubourcr is worchy cl hh reward. Gal. vi. 6. l^^t hini that is taught in the word comnujni- cate unto him that teacheth in ail good tilings. Gen. xlv. H. And
there will I nourish' th"t , ^ .
there are hve years of fimujf,; I »c ' th:)n, luid thy household, and all that thou h.ist, cor>ie to poverty. Gen. xlvii. 12. A::d Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families.
w 1 Pet. ii. 1 8. Servants, be sub-
not only to the good and gentle, but also to the frcward. Prov. xxiii. 22, Hecrken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy motlier when fhe is oid. Giiii. ix. 23. And S'lem a.id J.iphfth took a garment, and laid it up.m boih their siiouUiers, and wert backward, ar.d covered the nakedp.esa of tlieir fatlxT ; and their fjc«s were b-ickward, and they saw v.nr il L^r f-.'aer's naL&d»
* P,al. > K idren are
an heritage <>) Jiic juoi^ii ; ;ind thi: fruit of the v,'o:;>b is his. reward. Ver. 4. As arrows arc in the h iml of a mighty man ; so are children of the youth. Ver. 5. Huppy is tlu' n.an that hath hi»qi:ivcr full of ili.- ; they hhwii not be aslronied, but they shall soeak with the e:ier^.ie3 in the gate. prov. x.tx'. 23. H«;r husband is known in the gates, when he »::- teth among tjie eid-.rs c»f the hnd.
128. y J via t. XV. 4. For God conv maitdcd, su\i;ig, Iiojii»:ir my father nnd mother; and. He ti at curserh fanher or mother, Itt him die the
N 4 := ••-
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at% contempt of % and rebellion ^ against, their persons
and
m their lawful counsels *^, commands, and
places ",
corrections^; cursing, mocking 5, and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonour to them and their government ^.
Q. 129. What
ileath. Vor. 5. But ye say, Whoso- ever shall say to his father or his mo- ther, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me ; Ver. 6. And honour not his father or his mo- ther, he shall be free. Thus have ye made tlie commandment of CJod of none effect by your tradition.
^Numb. xi. 28. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, mit: «>f hi« vmjntT *»7»r>, sfr^v/ercd and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. Ver. 29. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them.
* 1 Sam. viii. 7. And the Lord said vmto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee : for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. Isa. iii. 5. And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neigh- bour : the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.
b2 Sam. XV. from Verse \. to 12. And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him diariots, and horses, \5 :.
^ Exod. xx:. 15. And he that smit- €th his father or his moilier shall surely be put to death.
ti 1 Sam. X. 27. But the children of Kellal said, How shall this man
save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents: but he held his peace.
^ 1 Sam. ii. 25. — Notwithstand- ing they (vlx. the sons of Eli) hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.
i Deut. xxi. 18. If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them ; Ver. 1 9. Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and imto the gate of his place : Ver. 20. And they shall say unto tlie elders of his city. This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice ; he is a glutton and a drunk- ard. Ver. 2L And all the men of his city sh^dl stone him with stones, that he die ; so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
6 Prov. XXX. 1 1 . There is a gene- ration that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. Ver. 1 7. I'he eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
1> Prov. xix. 26\ He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mo- ther, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
129. iCol.
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►. 129. What is required of superiors totcards their inferiors? A. It is required of superiors, according to that j)ower they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love', pray for S and bless their inferiors ' ; to instruct"*, counsel and admonish them"; countenancing", commend- ing % and re warding such as do well''; and discountenancing^
reproving,
129. JCol. iii. 19. Husbands, love your wives, and be rot bitter against them. Tit. ii. 4. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.
J' 1 Sam. xii. '23. Moreover, as for me, Gud forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you : but I will teach you the good and the right way. Job i. 5. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and scuictified them, and lose up early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings, according to the number of them all; for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
' 1 Kings viii. 55. Aud he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, sayir.g, Ver. 56. Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised : there hath not failed — Heb. vii. 7. And, without all contradiction, the less is blessed of the better. Gen. xhx, 28. All these are the twelve tribes of Israel; and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
^^Deut. vi. 6. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in tliine heart ; Ver. 7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children ; and shalt talk of
them when thou sittest in thine hou&c, and when t!:ou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
" Eph. vi. 4. And, ye fathers, pro- voke not your children to wrath : but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the I^ord.
" J Pet. iii. 7. Likewise, ye hiis- band^, tiwell with them according to knowledge, giving hon.iur unto the wife as unto the weuktr vessel, and as beitig heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
P 1 Pet. ii. 14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. Rom. xiiL iJ. for rulers are not a ter- ror to good works, but to the evjL Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power ? do that which is good, and thou slialt have praise of the same.
•1 Esth. vi. 3. And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this ? Then said the king's servants that minister- ed unto him, There is nothing done for him.
""Rom. xiii. 3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power ? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same : Ver. 4. For he is the miuister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid ; for he beareth not the N 5 sword
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reproving, and chastising such as do ill ' ; protecting \ find providing for them all things necessary for soul" and hodj'"': and by grave, wise, holy, and exem})lary carriage, to j)ro- cure glory to God"", honour to themselves^', and so to pre- serve that authority which God hath put upon them ^
Q. 150. What are the sins of superiors?
A. The sins of sujieriors are, besides the neglect of the duties required of them % an inordinate seeking of them-
selvesj
•nvord in vain : for he is the mini- ster of God, a re\'^nger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil
^ Prov. xxix. 1 5. The rod and re- proof give wisdom : but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to 6hame. ■ ] Pet, ii. 14. [^See above hi letter P.]
^ Job xxix. 1 2. Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the father- less, and him that had none to help him. Ver 13. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me : and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. Ver. 14. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment v?as as a robe and a dia- dem. Ver, 15, I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. Ver. 1 6. I was a father to the poor : and the cause which I knew not I searched out. Ver, 17. And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. Isa. i. 10. Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom ; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Go- morrah. Ver. 17. Learn to do well, seek judgment, relieve the oppress- ed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
"Eph. vi. 4. And, ye fathers, pro- voke not your children to wrath : but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
w 1 Tim. v. 8. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath de- nied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
^ 1 Tim. iv. 1 2. Let no man de- spise thy youth ; but be thou an ex- ample of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Tit. ii. 3. The aged women likewise, that they be in be- haviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things ; Ver. 4. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, Ver. 5. To be discreet, chaste, keep- ers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
y 1 Kings iii. 28. And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged, and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to d« judgment.
^Tit. ii. 15. These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
130. ^Ez. . xxxiv. 2. Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds, Woe be to the shepherds
oi
'290
l)r
mandin^ things unlawful % or not in the power of inferiors
I
perform ^ ; counselling % encouraging
or favouring thcia
Israel that do feed themselves ! should not the shepherds feed the flocks ? Ver. S. Ye eat the fat, and \e clothe you with tlie wool, ye kill
Ntn that are fed : but ye feed not ^ock. Ver. 4. The diseased have ^ot strengthened, neither have ye led that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which wa.s broken, neither have ye brought ajjain that which was driven away, neither li«ve ye sought that which was lost ; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
Phil. ii. '21. For all seek their •. nnt the thir.jTs \vhich are J-
wl;::h r.-ciVi; !:o;'«:ur oue t-i hi.i :h'.r,
ai5d seek not the hoiioui that con'.eth
from God only? John vii. 18. Ke
that speaUeth of himself, ^eektth hi«
own jriory : hut he (hat seekcth his
jflory that stnt him, the same is true,
i.r.(] no urri;^!>teouMurs is in him.
^ Isa. Ivi, 10. His watchmen are
i: they are all igncmnt, they
all dumb t'ojjs, they c3ni>ot
c; sleepinj;, lying t'own, loving
to ^lun•.ber. Ver. 1 1. Yea, they are
greedy do^s, which can never have
they all look every one for
cannot understand :
%o their own way,
Ms gain from his quarter. Dcut,
xvii. 17. Neitlier shall he multiply
\L'3 to himself, th.at his heart ; not away ; neither shall he gnatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
*= Dan. iii. 4. Then an herald wied aloud, To you it is commmand-
ed, O people, nation';, and languages, Ver. 5. 'I'hat af what tiiv.e ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of mu-ick, ye f.sll down and worship the golden image that Ne- buchadnezzar the king liath set up. Ver. 6. And whoso f.illeth not down and worshippeth, shiU the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery funiace. Acts iv. 17. U'.it that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that th^y speak henceforth to no man in this name. Ver. 18. And they called them, and commanded tlicm* not to spe:ik at all, nor teach, in thf name of Jesus.
f Kxod. S. from rerse 10. to IB. And the task-masters of the people went oiu, and their officers, and tliey spake to the people, saying, 'J bus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw, \ffc. Mat xxiii. 2. Saying, 'i"he scribes and Pharisees ■sit in Mosl.-8* seat. Ver. 4. For they hind liciv^' burdens, and grievous to be borne, —
S M;it xiv. 8. And she, being be- fore instructed of her mother, said. Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. Compared ivith Mark vi. 2-\. And she went lorth, and said unto I'.er mother. What shall I ask I Atid she said. The head of John the Baptist.
h '2 Sam. xiii. 28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, say- ing, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine ; and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon, then kill him, fear not : have not I com- NjS soandei
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them in that which is evil'; dissuadin^r, discouraoing, or dis- countenancing them in that which is good''; correcting them imduly ' ; careless exposing, or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and danger "" ; provoking them to wrath " ; or any way dishonouring themselves, or lessening their autho- rity, by an unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behaviour".
Q. 151. What
na-idi'd you? be courageous, and be valiant.
J I Sam. iii. 1;3. For I have told him, that I will judj^e his house for ever, for the iniquity which he Icnovveth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
^ John vii. 46. The officers an- swered, Ntiver man spake like this man. Ver 47. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived ? Yer. 4S. Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees, believed on him ? Ver. 49. But this people who know- eth not the law are cursed. Col. iii. 21. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be dis- couraged. Exod. v. ] 7. But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle ; there- fore ye say, I^et us go and do sacri- fice to the Lord.
I 1 Pet. ii. 1 8. Servants, be sub- ject to your masters with all fear ; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. Ver. "tO. For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. Ver. 20. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently; this is acceptable with God- Fleb. xii. 10. For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure ; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of liis holi-
ness. Dent. XXV. S. Forty stripes he p. iy give him, and not exceed : lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee. ™ Gen. xxxviii. IJ. Then said Ju- dah to Tamar his daughter-in-law. Remain a widow at thy father's house till Shelah my son be grown : (for he said, Ixst peradventure he die also as his brethren did :) and Tamar went and dvvelt in her father's house. Ver. 26". And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been mere righteous than I ; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he- knew her again no more. Acts xviii. 17. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the syn.lgogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat : and Gallio cared for none of those things.
" Eph. vi. 4. And, ye fathers, pro- voke not your children to wniih: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
" Gen. ix. 21. And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent_. 1 Kings xii. 13. And the king (Rchhoam) answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's couT:sf i that they gave him ; Ver. 14. And spake to them after the coun- sel of the young men, saying. My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke ; my fa- ther also chastised you with whips,
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131. What art lh> duties of eq^iah ? The duties of equals are, to regard the dignity and worth of each otlier^, in giving honour to go one b. fore anotlier'^ ; and to rejoice in each others gifts and advance- ment, as tlieir own \
Q. 132. What are the sins of equals? A. The sins of equals are, besides the neglect of the du- ties required', the undervaluing of the worth ^, envy- ing the gifts ''5 grieving at the advancement or prosperity
one
1 will chastise you with scor- pions. Ver. 15. Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people ; for the c:mse was from the Lord. — Ver. 1 6. So, when all Israel snw tha: the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David ? neither have we inheritance in the SOB of Jesse : to your tents, O Israel : now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. 1 Kings i. 6. And his father had not displeased him (viz. AJonijah J At any time, in saying. Why hast thou drne so? 1 Sum. ii. 29. Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifices, and at mine of- fering which I have commanded in >ny habitation, and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chicfest of all the ofTer- ings of Israel my people ? Ver. 30. Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed, that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord sciith. Be it far from me ; for them that honour me I will ho- nour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Ver. .31. Be- hold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shaii not be an old man in thine house.
131.^1 Pet. ii. 17. Honour all men. Lovi the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
^ Rom. xii. 10. Be kindly af!tc- tioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one an- other.
' Rom. xii. 15. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Ver. 16. Be of the same mind one towards another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Phil. ii. 3. Let r.othing be done through strife or vain-glcry ; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Ver. 4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
132. * Koni. xiii. 8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another : for he that lovcth another hath ful- filled the law.
t 2 Tim. iii. 3. Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accu- sers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.
" Acts vii. 9. And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt; but God was with him. Gal. v. 2C. Let us not be desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one anoihei.
^ Numb,
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one of another ''' ; and usurping pre-eminence one over another ".
Q.-133. What is the reason annexed to the fifth command-' ment, the more to enforce it ?
A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, in these words, That thy days may he long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee >', is an express promise of long life and prosperity, as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good, to all such as keep this commandment "•.
Q. 134. Which is the sixth commandment ?
A. The sixth commandment is. Thou shah not kill ^
Q. 135. What are the duties required in the sixth command- ment ?
A: The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and ia^iul endeavours, to preserve the life of ourselves ^ and others % by resisting all thoughts and pur- poses,
'^ Numb. xli. 2. And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses ? hath he not spoken also hy us ? And the Lord heard it. Esth. vi. 1 2. And Mordecai came again to the king's gate : but Haman liasted to his house, mourning, and having his head covered. Ver. LS. And Ha- man told Zeresh his wife, and all his friends, every thing that hi>d befallen him. Then said his wise men, and Zeresh his wife, unto him. If Morde- ■cai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against liim, but ehalt surely fall before him.
^ 3 John. Ver. 9. I wrote unto the church : but Diotrephes, who lovtth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not. Luke xxii. 24. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be ac- counted the greatest,
133. y Exod. XX. 12.
^ Deut. V. 16. Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord t.hy God hath comniaaded thee , that tb y days
may be prolonged, and that it may go well with tKee in the laud which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 1 Kings viii. 25. Therefore now, Lord God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou protnisedst him, saying. There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel ; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me. Eph. vi. 2. Ho- nour thy father and thy mother, (which is the first comniandment with promise,) Ver. 3. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
] 34.* Exod. XX. 13.
135. b Eph. v. 28. So ought men to love theit wives as their own bodies: he that loveth his wife lov- eth himsvilf. Ver. 29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh ; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.
*^ 1 Kings xviii. 4. For it was so, v/hen Jezebel cut oiF the prophets
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poses '^ subduing all passions % and avoiding all^ccasions '^, ^ j temptations '', and |)ract!ces, which tend to tlio unJ^^kt takiiv^ * ' the lite ol 'any ^ ; by just defence thereof a^ai i
violence,
of the I.ord, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid thtm by fifry in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.
' Jer. xxvi. 15. But know ye for ain, that if ye put me to deiith, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the Lord hath sent me un- to you, to sp-ak all these words in your ears. Ver. 16". Then said the princes, and all the people, unto the priests, and to the prophets, This man is not worthy to die : for he hath «poken to us in tlie name of the Lord our God. Acts xxiii. 12. And when it was day, certain of the Jews band- ed together, and bound themselves under a curse, suyinjj. That they would neither eat nor drii^k till they liad killed Paul. Ver. 16. And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lyin^ in wait, he went and entered 1 the castle, and told Paul. Ver.
. Then Paul called one of the cen- turions unto him, and said. Bring this young man unto the chief cap- tain : for he hath a certain thing to tell him. Ver. 2L But do not thou peld unto them : for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound them- selves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him : and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. Ver. 27. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them : then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
* Eph. iv. ?6. Be ye angry, and sitt not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath : Ver. 27. Neither give place to the devil.
f H Sam. ii. 22. And |Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me : wherefore should I smite thee to the ground f Deut. xxii. 8. When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battle- ment for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.
6 Mat. iv. 6. And saith unto him. If thou be the Son of God, cast thy- self down : — Ver. 7. Jesus said untb him. It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Prov. i. 10. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Ver. 11. If they say. Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Ver. 15. My son, walk not thou in the way with them ; refrain thy foot from their path. Ver. 16. For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
h 1 Sam. xxiv. 12. The Lord judge between me and thee, and the I.ord avenge me of thee; but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 1 Sam. xxvi. 9. And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not : for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless ? Ver. 1 0. David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him, or his day shall come to die, or lie shall descend into battle and perish. Ver.