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inferiors or equals, is honourable; for they fhine moft beautifully that shine in their own fphere. And there is no perfon on whom God has not beftowed fomething of his own, for which that perfon is to be honoured even by his fuperiors; efteemed inwardly in the heart, which is to be vented by a refpectful outward carriage to them.

For the further opening of these words, take notice,

1. That this command, whofe fcope is the performance of relative duties, is the first of the fecond table. In which the wifdom of God is to be adored, this command having a general influence on all the reft, fo that we cannot tranfgrefs the reft but we tranfgrefs this in the first place. And it is worthy of obfervation, that fuch as bring themfelves to an ill end by murder, adultery, theft, &c. ordinarily pitch on difobedience to their parents as the inlet to all these, Prov. xxx. 17.

2. That as the fourth command is particularly directed to fuperiors, fo this is to inferiors; particularly because fubjection and fubmiffion is that which goes worst down with the proud hearts of the children of men; and therefore God doth the more exprefsly require it.

3. That fuperiors are ftyled fathers and mothers. And that is, (1.) To teach fuperiors their duty towards their inferiors, that they owe them fuch tenderness and kindness as parents to their own children, Num. xi. 12. (2.) To make inferiors the more chearfully and willingly to give due honour to them, 1 Cor. iv. 14. 15.

In difcourfing from this fubject, I fhall fhew,
I. What is required in this fifth commandment.
II. What is forbidden in it.

III. The reafon annexed to it.

IV. Make fome improvement, as I go along.

I, I am to hew what is required in this command,

According to our catechifm, it requires "the prefer"ving the honour, and performing the duties, belong"ing to every one in their feveral places and rela"tions; as fuperiors, inferiors, or equals." In fpeaking to this, I fhall,

1. Take notice of God's appointment of feveral places and relations.

2. Confider the neceffity of the performance of relative duties in the general.

3. Shew the duties of the particular relations wherein we severally stand.

FIRST, I am to take notice of God's appointment of feveral places and relations. Obferve, that a difference of places and relations amongst the children of men is of divine appointment. All are not alike. Some God will have to be fuperiors, others inferiors, others equals; yea, the fame perfons fuperiors in respect of fome, and inferiors in refpect of others. This command fuppofeth this, as the eighth doth a propriety of goods. God is a God of order, not of confufion: fo that the levelling defign is levelled against the divine will. It ferves,

1. To manifeft the fovereignty of God, that invefts one man more than another with dominion and honour, though all are of one blood; takes one piece of clay and fets it on a throne, and fets another piece of the fame on a dunghill. He himfelt is the King of the world, and the fountain of honour.

2. To beautify the world. God that has made the natural body of man not all one lump, but confisting of feveral members, fome more, fome lefs honourable, for the beauty of the whole, has fo fhewed his wisdom in the political body.

3. It is neceffary in this ftate of fin, especially for the preferving of the world, which without rules and government in familes, churches, and states, would be like a fhip without a pilot amongst dangerous rocks.

Ufe. Let every one then be content with his place affigned him by the divine providence. Are worle than

yourselves fet above you? God has done it; fay you Amen to your own poft. And do the duty of your place and relation; and that will be your greatest hoThe moon fhining by night is very beautiful, but in the day there is little beauty with her. As little is there in thofe who forfaking their own place and the duties thereof, thrust themselves into that of another, and act without their proper fpheres.

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SECONDLY, Let us confider the neceffity of performance of relative duties in general. Obferve that the confcientious performance of relative duties is a neceffary piece of true religion. The fifth commandment requireth the preferving the honour, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their "feveral places and relations." True religion confifts of faith and holiness; and true holiness is made up of perfonal and relative holiness. Do not think that religion has no concern in thy domeftic and civil affairs. All of us are in fome relations, husbands, wives, children, fervants, neighbours. Each of thefe has its own train of duties. Be thou mafter, fervant, c. here are thy inftructions fent down from heaven, how to carry in thy place and relation. Thou wilt fay, Who is concerned how I carry to my relations? I tell you, God is concerned, and he will require it. His commands are like a man's fhadow; where ever he goes, they follow him. The neceffity thereof is

apparent.

1. The confcientious performance of relative duties is neceflary in refpect of the command of God. The command for them is the firft command of the fecond table. God who hath placed us in these relations, binds us by his fovereign authority to perform the duties of the fame. The fame ftamp of divine authority is on these commands, that is upon the command to pray, &c. And he will not fit with our overlooking our duty.

2. It is neceffary to evidence us to be Chriftians indeed. No man can juftly pretend to be a new crea

ture, that does not make confcience of relative duties, 2 Cor. v. 17. Saving grace goes through all relations like leaven in a lump, and fets men right in them. It makes the man not only a good man, but a good neighbour, husband, fervant, &c. the woman a good neighbour, wife, fervant, &c. For,

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(1.) Relative duties are an integral part of true godliness; they are a part of the new man, Eph. iv. 24. 25. A body that wants a leg or an arm is no complete body; and a man that wants relative holinefs, is no complete Chriftian, no evangelically-complete Chriftian, 2 Pet. i. 7. 9.

(2.) Relative holinefs is an effential part of true godlinefs; it cannot be without it, more than the body can live without the foul, 2 Pet. i. 7. 9. Shew me thy faith by thy works, fays the apoftle; and fo may we fay, Shew me thy perfonal holiness by thy relative holiness, Eph. v. 9.

(3.) Relative duties are the great trying points of the work of Chriftianity, which, if any thing, will try what metal people are of. A man is that really which he is relatively. If there be any dirt on the hand, it will readily be found on the joints. And if there be any defect in a profeffor of religion, search for it in his relations, and it will readily be found in one or all of them. The pride of mens hearts makes them often very difficult; fuperiors thro' their pride of heart are apt to tyrannize; inferiors through theirs think themfelves as good, and cannot comport with fubjection. Every man naturally loves to be mafter, and feeks himfelf; hence there is no dutifulnefs to equals.

3. It is neceffary as a piece of conformity to the Lord Jefus Chrift. He is not a complete Chriftian that has not received of Chrift grace for grace. We must prove our union with him by our conformity to him, 1 John ii. 6. He flood in various relations, and therein was a pattern to us. He is a loving Husband to his church, Eph. v. 25.; a faithful fervant to his VOL. II. 4 E

Father; a kind and affectionate Mafter to his fervants; a dutiful fubject to the magiftrate; and an obedient child, Luke ii. 51.

4. It is neceffary to make an ufeful Chriftian. Cumber-grounds must be cut down, Luke xiii. 7. An ufelefs Chriftian is like the vine, which if it bear not fruit, is good for nothing but the fire, Ezek. xv. Now fhall we be useless in the world? And useful we cannot be but in our feveral places and relations, dif charging the duties of the fame; and ufeful we are, if we do the duties of the relations wherein we stand. How is the eye, the tongue, &c. ufeful? Why, if they remain in their proper place, and do their proper office: whereas if they either be removed out of their place, or in it do not their office, they are uselefs. Let us make a help meet for man, faid God, when he brought the firft relation into the world. So that relative duties as we ftand in relation to others, in family, church, or ftate, are the proper orb of usefulness. They that are useful there are ufeful indeed; and they who are useless there, are useless altogether in the world.

5. It is neceffary to make a straight Chriftian. If we will go ftraight in religion, we must go as it were with these two legs, perfonal duties and relative duties. If either of these be wanting, then our way is like the legs of the lame that are not equal, Prov. xxvi. 7. An unequal pulfe fhews a diftempered body. How many fuch crooked profeffors are there, faints abroad, but devils at home? But fee Pfal. cxxv. 5. As for fuch as turn afide unto their crooked ways, the Lord fhall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity.

6. Lastly, It is neceffary for perfonal holiness. These are like two live-coals; put them together, and they will burn; but put them afunder, and they will both go out, 1 Pet. iii. 7. A fad evidence of this is to be feen in many, who while they were fingle gave good hopes of themselves, and had fair bloffoms of religion; but being married, and making no conscience

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