joyments; but to be contented and thankful with that portion of them, which God hath allotted us; cheerfully submitting to His good. pleasure, and taking all things well that He ordereth for us.

I

Lord, I confess myself guilty of innumerable transgressions of this commandment, Pardon me, I beseech Thee, for Jesus Christ's sake: and let Thy grace so prevent and follow me for the future, that may never be guilty of the like offences again; but may make it my sincere and constant endeavour to forsake and avoid every sin forbidden, and to observe and practise every duty enjoined by this Thy most righteous law.

The chief relations to which the fifth Commandment may be referred, and the relative duties to which we in consequence stand obliged * are those of

1. Children-2. Subjects-3. Scholars-4. Ordinary Christians-5. Servants-6. Wives-7. Inferiors-8. Parents -9. Magistrates-10. Teachers-11. Spiritual Pastors12. Masters-13. Husbands-14. Superiors.

The duty of Children towards their Parents is to be respectful and dutiful in their beha

* See note, page 369.

viour towards them; to reverence their persons, to hearken to their instructions, and obey their orders; to bear with their infirmities, and submit to their correction; to promote their comfort and welfare by all fitting means: and if they need, and their children are able, to provide for and support them.

The duty of Subjects towards those whom God has set in Authority over them,

is to submit to their laws; to be faithful to their interests, and obedient to them in all their just commands: to live quietly under their government; and to contribute, according to their capacity, towards the support and defence of it, by their counsel, their estate, and, if need be, by venturing their very lives for their service.

The duty of Scholars towards their Teachers is to reverence their authority, and respect their persons: to attend upon their instructions with care and diligence: to submit themselves to their conduct in those things wherein they are set over them: and to reward them according to their several stations, and the nature of the work they are engaged in.

The duty of ordinary Christians towards their spiritual Rulers and Guides

is to consider them as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God, and to esteem them very highly for their work's sake, to treat them with respect and reverence: to attend constantly upon their public teachings; and to advise with them in private in all dubious cases, relating to the care or state of their souls: to submit cheerfully to all their godly judgments, and admonitions: to pray to God for them, that they may be furnished with all those gifts and graces, and blessed with such assistances of His Holy Spirit, as may enable them to discharge their weighty office faithfully and successfully to pay them their dues conscientiously, and without grudging; and where need is, and they are able, to contribute more liberally towards their comfortable subsistence.

The duty of Servants towards their Masters and Mistresses

is to be diligent in their business; true and just to what they are intrusted withal; careful in the management of their concerns, as if it were for themselves: not profuse or extrava

b

1 Cor. iv. 1.

1 Thess. v. 13.

gant in any thing which is committed to their care, but thrifty and watchful not to be eyeservants, but to use the same industry and integrity in their master's absence, as they would do if he were present with them.

The duty of the Wife towards her Husband is faithfully to observe her marriage vow and covenant: to love, honour, and obey him: to be true and just to him in all his concerns: to order his house with prudence and discretion: to bring up his children in the nurture and fear of the Lord: to instil good principles betimes into them, and root out bad ones: not to forsake him in any troubles or adversities that may fall upon him; but to continue faithful and united to him in person and affection to her life's end.

The duty of those who are in a lower degree, towards such as are in fortune and quality above them,

is to give them honour suitable to the difference of their ranks and stations: not to envy or backbite them: not to wish or do them any evil, out of any malice or enmity against them, for what they enjoy in character or estate beyond themselves.

The duty of Parents towards their Children is to breed them up carefully whilst they are young, and as soon as they are capable of discerning between good and evil, to instruct them in the principles and duties of religion to love them with a tender and prudent affection: to provide according to their ability for their comfortable subsistence in the world to bring them up to some honest and useful employment to encourage them when they do well, and to correct them when they do amiss: to be gentle and courteous towards them, and not by their passion or perversenes to provoke them to anger, and alienate their affections from them.

The duty of the Civil Magistrate towards his People

is to order all his counsels, designs, and enterprises, as much as in him lies, to the public good to be faithful to the trust committed to him, so as never to vex or oppress his subjects, but to rule them with an exact justice and equity, and to be gentle and moderate in the exercise of his authority; but above all, to take care of the service of God; and see that the true religion be maintained and protected in his dominions and to use his utmost en