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How desirable that every husband love his wife as Christ loves the Church!

138. What are the appropriate duties of wives?

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.- Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of GOD of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in GoD, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Prov. 31. 1012. 1 Pet. 3. 1--6. || Tit. 2. 4, 5. Prov. 19. 14. and 31. 30, 31. Eph. 5. 22, 23. Col. 3. 18.

How much the Scriptures have elevated the rank of a wife? How thankfully and cheerfully should the wife conform to these precepts?

139. What are the duties of parents?

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the, nurture and admonition of the Lord.And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 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.- For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born: who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in GoD, and not forget the works of GOD, but keep his commandments. Eph. 6. 4. Deut. 6. 6, 7. Ps. 78. 5—7. || Deut. 32. 46, 47. 2 Cor. 12. 14. 1 Tim. 5. 8. Prov. 29. 17, 15.

How great the responsibility of parents? How arduous their duties?

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140. What promises are made to faithful parents?

And I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.- For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the watercourses. Jer. 32. 39. Ps. 37. 25, 28. Prov. 20.7. Is. 44. 3, 4. Ps. 112. 1, 2. Acts 2. 38, 39. Prov. 22. 6. and 23. 13, 14. What more encouragement to fidelity could parents ask? How can any parents neglect their children's souls?

141. Does God visit in judgment the families of negligent, and unfaithful parents?

And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him, that I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knoweth: because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. 1 Sam. 3. 11-14. || and 4. 12-18. Ex. 34. 6, 7. 1 Kin. 1. 5, 6. How cutting must have been the reflections of Eli? How keen must be the anguish of unfaithful parents who meet their children in the regions of despair?

142. What are the duties of children?

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.- Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother, (which is the first commandment with promise.) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Prov. 1. 8, 9. Eph. 6. 1-3. || Lev. 19. 3. Jer. 35. 18, 19. Col. 3. 20.

Have you as children rendered all that affection and obedience to parents which the Scriptures enjoin? How base and criminal to do otherwise?

143. How oan children best repay the kindness and rejoice the hearts of their anxious parents?

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine., Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begeteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. 3 John 4. Prov. 23. 15,16, 19, 23-25. || and 10. 1. 1 Kin. 1. 47, 48.

Have you done all in your power to rejoice the hearts of pious parents? Can they rejoice over you as truly pious?

144. What are the consequences of wickedness and disobedience in children?

A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. 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 eagles shall eat it.- Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother and all the people shall say, Amen. Prov. 17. 25. and 30. 11, 17. Deut. 27. 16. Prov. 19. 13, 26. and 28. 7. Deut. 21. 18-21.

Are none of you exposed to the curse of GoD in consequence of your treatment of parents? Shall not such children immedi ately seek the pardoning mercy of God?

145. What are the duties of masters?

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.- Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour, but shalt fear thy Gon.- Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates.- And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.If I did despise the cause of my man-servant, or of my maid-servant, when they contended with me; What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?- Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth; and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Col. 4. 1. Lev. 25. 43. Deut. 24. 14. Eph. 6. 9. Job 31. 15, 14. Jam. 5. 4.

How much the condition of servants would be improved if all masters were such as the Scriptures require them to be? Had you servants, how would you treat them?

146. What are the duties of servants?

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; net only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward Gon en dure grief, suffering wrongfully. 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.- Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing Gon: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong, shall receive for the wrong which he hath done and there is no respect of persons.- Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of GoD and his doctrine be not blasphemed, And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.- Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidel ity; that they may adorn the doctrine of GoD our Saviour in all things. Eph. 6. 5-8. 1 Pet. 2. 18-20. Col. 3. 22-25. 1 Tim. 6. 1, 2. Tit. 2. 9, 10.

Have you been faithful in service from love and obedience to Christ? What an inestimable blessing to have pious servants?

147. What are the duties of magistrates?

Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all, thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment. Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons,

neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Thus saith the Lord; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place. Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD. Deut. 16, 18-20. Jer. 22. 3. Ez. 45. 9. || Deut. 1. 16, 17. Ps. 82. 3, 4. Deut. 25. 1. and 19. 16-19.

How desirable to have magistrates govern by the rules of Scripture? How important in elective governments that the pious only be raised to places of power and trust.

148. What are the consequences of having wicked magistrates?

And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judg ment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, GoD shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Is. 59. 14. Eccl. 3. 16, 17. Ps. 12. 8. Prov. 29. 2. || Amos 5. 12, 13. Is. 19. 14. Prov. 28. 15, 16.

Have we not reason to lament that there are no more righteous men in authority in this land? Have we not reason to be thankful there are so many?

149. What are the duties of subjects?

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of Gon: the powers that be are ordained of GOD. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of GoD: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 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: For he is the minister of Gon to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of GOD, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject,

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