Thirdly, common reason and equity showeth it to be a necessary duty; for the happy and prosperous estate of the family, which consisteth in the mutual love and agreement of the Man and Wife, in the dutiful obedience of ⟨p. 4⟩children to their parents, and in the faithful service of servants to their Masters, wholly dependeth upon the grace and blessing of God, and this blessing is annexed to his worship: for 1. Tim. 4. 8. Godliness hath the promises of this life, and the life to come. Psalm. 127. 1. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build; except the Lord keep the City, the keeper watcheth in vain. Vers. 2. It is in vain for you to rise early, and to lie down late, and eat the bread of sorrow, but he will surely give rest to his beloved. Vers. 3. Behold, children are the inheritance of Jehovah, and the fruit of the womb his reward. Psalm. 128. 1. Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord, and walketh in his ways. Vers. 2. When thou eatest the labours of thy hands thou shalt be blessed, and it shall be well with thee. Vers. 3. Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine upon the sides of thy house, and thy children like Olive plants round about thy table. Vers. 6. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel. 1. Sam. 1. 27. I prayed (saith Hannah) for this child, and the Lord hath given me ⟨p. 5⟩my desire which I asked of him.
Thirdly, common reason and equitie sheweth it to be a necessarie dutie; for the happie and prosperous estate of the familie, which consisteth in the mutuall loue and agreement of the Man and Wife, in the dutifull obedience of ⟨p. 4⟩children to their parents, and in the faithfull seruice of seruants to their Masters, wholly dependeth vpon the grace and blessing of God, and this blessing is annexed to his worship: for 1. Tim. 4. 8. Godlinesse hath the promises of this life, and the life to come. Psalm. 127. 1. Except the Lord builde the house, they labour in vaine that builde; except the Lord keepe the Citie, the keeper watcheth in vaine. Vers. 2. It is in vaine for you to rise early, and to lie downe late, and eate the bread of sorrow, but he will surely giue rest to his beloued. Vers. 3. Beholde, children are the inheritance of Iehouah, and the fruite of the wombe his rewarde. Psalm. 128. 1. Blessed is euery one that feareth the Lord, and walketh in his waies. Vers. 2. When thou eatest the labours of thy hands thou shalt be blessed, and it shall bee well with thee. Vers. 3. Thy wife shall be as the fruitefull vine vpon the sides of thy house, and thy children like Oliue plants round about thy table. Vers. 6. Yea, thou shalt see thy childrens children, and peace vpon Israel. 1. Sam. 1. 27. I prayed (saith Hannah) for this childe, and the Lord hath giuen mee ⟨p. 5⟩my desire which I asked of him.
