my beloved brethren, hath not God cho fen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have defpifed the poor. Do not rich men opprefs you, and draw you before the judgment-feats? Do they not blafpheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law, according to the fcripture, Thou fhalt love thy neighbour as thyfelf, ye do well: but if ye have refpect to perfons, ye commit fin, and are convinced of the law as tranfgreffors.

Q. Though that be indeed fufficient to reprove the different ranks among Chriftians, upon the account of riches or birth: yet is there not a relative refpect among Chriftians, as betwixt mafter and fervant: what admonition gives the apostle in this cafe?

A. Servants, be obedient to them that Eph. 6. are your masters, according to the flesh, 5, to 9. with fear and trembling, in fingleness of your heart, as unto Chrift: not with eyefervice, as men-pleasers, but as the fervants of Chrift, doing the will of God from the heart; with good-will doing fervice, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatfoever good thing any man doeth, the fame fhall he receive of the Lord, whe

ther

Col. 3.

ther he be bond or free. And ye mafters, do the fame things unto them, forbearing threatening, knowing that your master also is in heaven; neither is there refpect of perfons with him.

Servants, obey in all things your masters, 22 to 25 according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleafers, but in fingleness of heart, fearing God and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye fhall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye ferve the Lord Chrift. But he that doeth wrong, fhall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of perfons.

Col.4.I.

1 Tim.

Mafters, give unto your fervants that which is juft and equal, knowing that ye alfo have a master in heaven.

Let as many fervants as are under the 6. I, 2. yoke, count their own masters worthy of all honour; that the name of God, and his doctrine, be not blafphemed. And they that have believing mafters, let them not defpife 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 fervants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in

all

all things; not anfwering again, not purloining, but fhewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God in all things.

18 to 21

Servants, be fubject to your masters with Pet. 2 all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward: for this is thankworthy, if a man for confcience toward God endure grief, fuffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye fhall take it patiently? But if when ye do well, and fuffer for it, ye take it patiently; this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called, because Chrift alfo fuffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye fhould follow his steps.

Q. What good admonitions give the fcripture, as to the relation betwixt parents and children?

I

A. Children, obey your parents in the Eph. 6. Lord, for this is right. Honour thy father 1 to 4. and mother (which is the first commandment with promife) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayft live long on the earth. And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Children, obey your parents in all things; col. 3. for 20, 21.

I

James

3.13,

through God, to the pulling down of ftrong holds, cafting down imaginations, and every high thing, that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Chrift..

Q. Ought ftrife and envy to be among Chriftians?

to 18. knowledge among you?

James

4. I, 2.

A. Who is a wife man, and endued with Let him fhew out of a good converfation, his works with meeknefs of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and ftrife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom defcendeth not from above, but is earthly, fenfual, devilifh. For where envying and ftrife is, there is confufion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above, is firft pure, then peaceable, gentle, and eafy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrify. And the fruit of righteousness is fown in peace, of them that make peace.

Q. Ought wars to be among Chriftians? From whence proceed they?

A. From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even from your lufts, that war in your members? Ye luft, and have not; ye kill, and defire to have, and cannot obtain; ye

fight

fight and war, yét ye afk not.

have not, becaufe Je

Q. What faith Chrift even of defenfive war? Matt. A. But I fay unto you, that ye refist not 5. 39. evil; but whofoever fhall fmite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other alfo.

But I fay unto you which hear, Love Luke 6. your enemies; do good to them which 27 to 29. hate you blefs them that curfe you, and. pray for them which defpitefully ufe you. And unto him that fmiteth thee on the one cheek, offer alfo the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat alfo.

Q. What fay the apostles?

12.17.

A. Recompenfe to no man evil for evil. Róm. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing 1 Pet. for railing; but contrariwife, bleffing; 3.9. knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye fhould inherit a bleffing.

See that none render evil for evil unto 1 Thef. any man; but ever follow that which is 5.15. good, both among yourselves, and to all

men.

Q. It was lawful of old to fear; and an oath for confirmation was to them an end of all frife: Is it not lawful for Chriftians alfo to fwear?

A. Again, ye have heard that it hath Mat. 5. been faid by them of old time, Thou fhalt 33 to 37 not forfwear thyfelf, but fhalt perform unto

13

the