Question 64

What is the subject of this fifth Commandment, or who are the persons of whom the Duties of this Commandment are required?

The subject of the fifth Commandment, or the persons of whom the duties of this Commandment are required, are Relations, especially Children, and all Inferiours in reference to their Parents, and Superiours, and inclusively Superiours in reference to their Inferiours, and equals also in reference one to another.

Whom are we to understand by Inferiours?

By Inferiours we are to understand, not only Children, but also Wives, Servants, People, Subjects, the Younger, and the Weaker in Gifts or Graces.

Whom are we to understand by Superiours?

By Superiours under the Name of Father and Mother, we are to understand not onely Parents, but also Husbands, Masters, Ministers, Magistrates; The Aged, and stronger in Gifts or Graces.

Whom are we to understand by Equals?

By Equals we may understand Brethren, Sisters, Kindred, Friends, and any acquaintance between whom there is no great distance or difference in regard of Age, Estate, Place or Dignity.

What are the Duties of Children to their Parents?

The Duties of Children to their Parents comprehended in the general Precept, Honour thy Father and thy Mother, are, 1. Inward Honour, Reverence, and Estimation; A Son honoureth his Father,^a Ye shall fear every man his Mother and his Father, I am the Lord your God.^b 2. Outward reverent Carriage and Behaviour, Her Children arise up and call her Blessed,^c The King arose up to meet her, and bowed himself to her, and caused a Seat to be set for the Kings Mother, and she sat on his right hand.^d 3. Diligent hearkening to their Instructions, Hear ye Children the Instructions of a Father, and attend to know understanding,^e My Son attend on my wisdom, and bow thine Ear to my understanding.^f 4. Willing Obedience unto all their lawful Commands, Children obey your Parents in the Lord, for this is right,^g Children obey your Parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord.^h 5. Meek and Patient bearing their Reproofs and Corrections, with amendment of the Faults they are reproved and corrected for, We have had Fathers of our Flesh, who corrected us, and we gave them reverence,ⁱ He that heareth Reproof, getteth understanding.^j 6. Ready following their reasonable counsel, in reference to their calling, station, marriage, and any great affairs of their lives, So Moses hearkened unto the voice of his Father in Law, and did all that he had said,^k And he came to his Father and Mother, and said, I have seen a woman of Timnath, get her for me to wife.^l 7. Grateful kindness to them in nourishing them, providing for them, and bearing with their Infirmities when Aged and fallen into Want and Poverty, He shall be unto thee a Restorer of thy Life, and a Nourisher of thine old Age,^m And Joseph nourished his Father with Bread,ⁿ Despise not thy Mother when she is old.^o

What are the duties of Parents to their Children?

The Duties of Parents to their Children are, 1. Tender love and care of them, especially when Infants, and helpless; particularly Mothers ought to give suck to their Children if they are able, Can a Woman forget her Sucking Child, that she should not have compassion on the Son of her womb?^p 2. Training them up in the knowledge of the Scriptures, and Principles of Religion, and giving them good Instructions in the Laws and Ways of the Lord, so soon as they are capable of receiving them, And ye Fathers bring up your Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord,^q Train up your Child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it,^r From a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures.^s 3. Prayer for them, and giving good Examples of Holiness, Temperance, and Righteousness unto them, Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the Morning, and offered burnt Offerings according to the number of them all,^t I will walk within my House with a perfect heart; I will set no wicked thing before mine Eyes.^u 4. Keeping them under Subjection whilst young, yet requiring nothing of them but what is agreeable to the Laws of the Lord, And he went down with them, and was subject unto them;^v as Children must obey, so Parents must command in the Lord,^w 5. Encouragement of them by kind looks, and speeches, and rewards in well doing, together with Discountenance, Reproof, and Loving, and seasonable Correction of them for evil doing, And David said to Solomon his Son, be strong, and of good courage, &c.^x Chasten thy Son whilst there is hope, and let not thy Soul spare for his crying,^y The Rod and reproof give wisdom, but a Child left to himself, bringeth his Mother to shame: Correct thy Son, and he shall give thee rest, yea, he shall give delight unto thy Soul?^z 6. Provision for them, of what is needful for the present; as also laying up for them, according to the proportion of what they have for the future, If any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own House, he hath denied the Faith, and is worse than an Infidel.^aa For the Children ought not to lay up for the Parents, but the Parents for the Children.^bb 7. Disposal of them to Trades, Callings, and in Marriage, when grown up, as may be most for their good; therein using no force, but consulting, and considering their capacity and inclination, And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bare Cain. And she again bare his Brother Abel; and Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.^cc But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomly towards his Virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will he sinneth not, let them marry; so then, he that giveth her in marriage doth well.^dd

What are the duties of Wives to their Husbands?

The duties of Wives to their Husbands are, 1. Love of them above all other persons in the world, That they teach the young women to be sober, to love their Husbands, to love their Children?^ee 2. Loyalty and Faithfulness, in reference unto the Bed and Estate, and any secrets entrusted with them, Marriage is honourable in all, and the Bed undefiled.^ff Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.^gg 3. Reverence and fear of offending them, Let the wife see that she reverence her Husband.^hh 4. Subjection unto them in things lawful under Christ, Wives submit your selves unto your own Husbands, as unto the Lord. As the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the Wives be to their own Husbands in every thing.ⁱⁱ 5. Care to please them, suting themselves to their disposition, and all things to their liking, She that is married, careth for the things of the World, how she may please her Husband.^jj 6. Helping them to bear their burdens, and in making provision for their Family, And the Lord said, It is not good that the man should be alone, I will make him a help meet for him.^kk She looketh well to the ways of her Houshold: and eateth not the bread of Idleness.^ll 7. Giving ear to, and complying with the Counsels of their Husbands, if good, for their souls welfare; and endeavouring with meekness & wisdom, with kindness and loving admonitions, and a chast, sweet conversation, to win over their Husbands to the ways of God, when they are wicked, 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 Wife, whilst they behold your chast conversation coupled with fear.^mm

What are the duties of Husbands to their Wives?

The duties of Husbands to their Wives are, 1. Most endeared love of them, like unto the love of Christ to his Church, Husbands, love your Wives, even as Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it.ⁿⁿ 2. Dwelling with them, and that according to knowledge, honouring them, and delighting in their Company, For this cause shall a man leave his Father and Mother, and be joyned to his wife,^oo Husbands dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife as the weaker Vessel.^pp Rejoyce with the Wife of thy Youth: Let her be as the loving Hinds, and pleasant Roe: Let her breasts satisfie thee at all times, and be thou ravisht always with her love.^qq 3. Tenderness towards them, and careful provision of Food and Rayment, and all things necessary for them, as for their own Bodies, So ought men to love their Wives as their own bodies, he that loveth his wife loveth himself; for no man yet ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it.^rr 4. Fidelity to them in keeping the Marriage covenant, so as to forbear the use of any other besides themselves, Thou shalt not be for another man, so will I also be for thee.^ss 5. Protection of them from injuries, and covering of their infirmities, with the wing of Love, And David rescued his two Wives,^tt For Charity or love shall cover the multitude of sins.^uu 6. Care to please them in things lawful, and fit; and praise of them when they do well, He that is married, careth for the things that are of the World, how he may please his Wife.^vv 7. Prayer with them, and for them, counsel and admonition of them, and every way helping them, especially in reference to their Souls, walking with them in the ways and Ordinancies of the Lord, Ye Husbands dwell with them according to knowledg, as being Heirs together of the Grace of Life, that your Prayers be not hindered.^ww And they both were righteous before God, walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless.^xx

What are the duties of Servants to their Masters?

The duties of Servants to their Masters are, 1. Honour of their Masters in Heart, Speech, and Behaviour, A Servant honoureth his Master.^yy Let as many Servants as are under the Yoke, count their own Masters worthy of all honour.^zz 2. Service of them with diligence, willingness, fear, and out of obedience unto Christ, Servants be obedient unto them that are your Masters according to the Flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of 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 man.^aaa 3. Faithfulness to them in their Estate, and any trust committed to them, with endeavours to please them well in all things, Exhort Servants to please their own Masters well in all things, shewing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.^bbb 4. Meekness, and Patience, under reproof and stroaks, and that not only when they do deserve them, but also when they are innocent, Servants be subject to your Masters with all fear, not only to the good and Gentle, but also to the froward: For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience towards God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it if when ye be buffeted by 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.^ccc

What are the duties of Masters to their Servants?

The duties of Masters to their Servants are, 1. Wisdom and gentleness in their guidance, and Government of their Servants, and acceptance of their diligence and willingness in their service, not threatning for every fault; remembring that they also are Servants to Christ, and have many faults to be covered, And ye Masters do the same things unto them, forbearing (or moderating) threatning, knowing that your Master is in Heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.^ddd 2. Provision of convenient and sufficient food for them, Thou shalt have enough for thy food, for the food of thy Houshold and for the maintenance of thy Maidens.^eee 3. Payment of their Wages in full, and at the promised time, Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal.^fff Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant, at his day thou shalt give him his hire, for he is poor and setteth his heart upon it, lest he cry against thee to the Lord, and it be sin to thee.^ggg 4. Reproof of them for sin, and Correction of them with more than words; for some faults, A Servant will not be Corrected by words, for though he understand, he will not answer.^hhh 5. Instruction of them in the ways of God, worshipping God with them; allowance of time every day for worshipping God by themselves; restraining them as much as they can from every sin, especially from external breach of the Sabbath; exhortation and perswasion of them unto the obedience and service of the Lord, and therein to be both Examples unto, and Companions with them, I know him that he will command his houshold, and they shall keep the ways of God.ⁱⁱⁱ As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.^jjj A devout man, and one that feared God, with all his house.^kkk

What are the duties of the people to their Ministers?

The duties of People to their Ministers are, 1. High estimation of them, and endeared love to them for their Work’s sake, And we beseech you Brethren to know them which labour amongst you, and are over you in the Lord; and to esteem them very highly in love, for their Work’s sake.^lll Ye received me as an Angel of God, even as Christ Jesus; for I bear you record, that if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and given them to me.^mmm 2. Diligent attendance upon the Word preached, and other Ordinances administred by them, He that heareth you heareth me.ⁿⁿⁿ 3. Meek and patient suffering the Word of Reproof, and ready Obedience unto the Word of Command, which Ministers shall from the Scriptures make known unto them, together with submission unto the Discipline entrusted with them by the Lord, Receive with meekness the engrafted Word, &c.^ooo Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit your selves, for they watch for your Souls.^ppp 4. Communicating to them of their Temporals, The Lord hath ordained, that they that preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel,^qqq Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.^rrr 5. Prayer for them, Now I beseech you Brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that yee strive together with me in your Prayers to God for me,^sss Brethren pray for us.^ttt 6. Shutting their Ear against Reproaches and Slanders, believing nothing without proof, and standing up in their defence against an ungodly World, and many false Brethren, and rotten-hearted Hypocrites, who are made use of by the Devil to cast dirt upon them, that thereby people receiving prejudices against them, might be kept either from Hearing them, or receiving benefit by their Doctrine, and so be either drawn to ways of Error, or hardned in ways of Profaneness, Against an Elder receive not an Accusation, but before two or three witnesses.^uuu

What are the duties of Ministers to their People?

The Duties of Ministers to their people are, 1. Dear and tender Love to their Souls, We were gentle amongst you, as a Nurse cherisheth her Children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted to you not the Gospel only, but also our own Souls, because you were dear unto us;^vvv 2. Diligent Sincere, and frequent Preaching the Word unto them, with Administration of all Ordinances, For our Exhortation was not of Deceit, or in Guile; but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God which trieth our hearts,^www Preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine.^xxx 3. Watchfulness over them, with willingness and chearfulness, Feed the Flock of God which is amongst you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.^yyy 4. Prayer for them, and praise for the grace of God which is in them, Wherefore I also, after I heard of your Faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all Saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my Prayers.^zzz 5. Shewing themselves an example of holiness and good works unto them, In all things shewing thy self a pattern of good works,^aaaa Be thou an example of the Believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in Spirit, in faith, in purity.^bbbb

What are the duties of Subjects to their Magistrates?

The duties of Subjects to their Magistrates are: 1. High Estimation and Honour of them, Fear God, Honour the King.^cccc 3. Subjection to them, and Obedience unto their Laws, so far as they are not contrary to the Laws of Christ, Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.^dddd 3. Ready Payment of their dues, Render to all their Dues, Tribute to whom Tribute is due, Custome to whom Custom.^eeee 4. Defence of them in danger, Wherefore hast thou not kept the Lord the King, for there came in one to destroy the King thy Lord.^ffff 5. Prayer and Thanksgiving for them, I exhort that Prayers and giving of Thanks be made for all men, for Kings and for all that are in Authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.^gggg

What are the duties of Magistrates to their Subjects?

The duties of Magistrates to their Subjects are, 1. Government of their Subjects under Christ with Wisdom, Justice, and Clemency, endeavouring above all things to promote the interest of Religion amongst them, Give me wisdom and Knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this People,^hhhh And Solomon determined to build a house for the Name of the Lord, and an house for his Kingdom.ⁱⁱⁱⁱ 2. Making good Laws for the benefit of their Subjects, and appointing faithful Officers with charge of due execution of them, And he set Judges in the Land, and said, take heed what ye do, for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, for there is no Iniquity with the Lord our God nor respect of Person, nor taking of Gifts.^jjjj 3. Care of the common safety of their Subjects, And Jehosaphat reigned in his stead; And he placed Forces in all the fenced Cities of Judah, and set Garisons in the Land of Judah.^kkkk 4. Encouragement of them that do well by their example, countenance, and rewards; together with discouragement and punishment of evil doers, Governours are for the punishment of Evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well.^llll

What are the duties of the Younger, and Inferiour in Gifts and Graces to the Aged and Superiour?

The duties of the Younger and Inferiour in Gifts and Graces to the Elder and Superiour are, 1. To rise up before them, and give place to them with reverence and respect, Thou shalt rise up before the Hoary Head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God.^mmmm 2. Humble submission to them, so as to follow their wise counsels, Likewise ye Younger submit your selves unto the Elder.ⁿⁿⁿⁿ 3. Imitation of them in their Graces, and holy Conversation, Be ye also followers of me even as I also am of Christ.^oooo

What are the duties of the Aged and Superiour in Gifts and Graces, unto the Younger and Inferiour?

The duties of the Aged and Superiour in Gifts and Graces, unto the Younger and Inferiour are, 1. To adorn their old Age, and shew forth the power of their Grace in a holy and examplary Conversation, That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in Faith, in Charity, in Patience: the aged woman likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, teachers of good things.^pppp

What are the duties of Equals one to another?

The duties of equals one to another are, 1. To live in peace with, and sincere love one to another, preferring each other in honour, Be at peace amongst your selves,^qqqq Let Love be without dissimulation. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour, preferring one another.^rrrr 2. To be pittiful, courtious and affable, and ready to promote one anothers good, and to rejoyce therein, Love as Brethren; be pittiful, be courtious,^ssss Let no man seek his own, but every man anothers wealth,^tttt Rejoyce with them that Rejoyce.^uuuu