Question 64

Are all sorts of Relations comprehended under the words [Father and Mother] in the fifth Commandment?

Yes.

And all sorts of duties in the word [Honour]?

Yes.

What doth this Commandment require with reverence to our Relations?

Preserving the honour, and performing the duty belonging to them.

How many sorts of Relations be there?

Three, Superiors, Inferiors, and Equals.

What do you mean by superiors?

Such as are any way above us, whether in Family, Church, or State.

Are all that are above us, whether in Power, or Wealth, or age, or gifts, Superiors?

Yes.

Doth this Commandment require reverence, respect, submission, and obedience towards Parents, Masters, Husbands, Magistrates, Ministers, &c. as being Superiors?

Yes.

What do you mean by Inferiors?

Such as are below us in Gifts, Place, Estate, or otherwise.

Are Subjects, Wives, Children, Servants, Hearers, the Poor, the weak in grace or knowledg, comprehended under the name of Inferiors?

Yes.

And must their Superiors be careful in performing their duties towards them; by caring for their bodies and souls, governing them with meekness and gentleness, correcting and reproving with moderation and wisdom?

Yes.

Are there duties to be performed to our equals?

Yes.

May we slight them, and carry our selves scornfully towards them?

No.

Doth this Command require kindness and affableness towards our Equals, readiness to yield to them, and prefer them before our selves?

Yes.