A20559:386
The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…
The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A familiar and learned exposition on the ten commandments gathered from the mouth of a faithful pastor by a gracious young man, sometime scholar in Cambridge.The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A familiar and learned exposition on the ten commandements gathered from the mouth of a faithfull pastor by a gracious young man, sometime scholler in Cambridge.
London: printed by John Harison for Thomas Man, 1603London: printed by Iohn Harison for Thomas Man, 1603
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Lastly for disposing, let this be the first and main rule, that those be used best, which are best, and those have most goods given them, that have more grace in their hearts. So Jacob had the blessing, though Esau was the first borne, and Joseph had the double portion, though he was the youngest but one of twelve. For grace makes the younger to be the elder, and ⟨p. 11⟩sin makes the elder the younger; therefore he was indeed the right heir; for every one of the former ten had stained themselves with some soul and gross sin, which did put them out, and therefore they were justly disinherited. So Solomon was not Davids eldest son, but he was the son of his age; yet he succeeded him in the kingdom, because the other were proud, and undutiful, and there was no hope that they would do any good in Church or common weal. This must be the first then, that grace have the first place; virtue must make the heir. Secondly, the other also must have their portion proportionably; not one all, and all the rest never a whit, as is contrary to the common practise, that the eldest must go away with the whole, and the rest have just nothing, as though he only were a lawful child, and the rest not legitimate; and hence grows much hurt and much heart burning, and emulation among brethren. Now God saith, parents must lay up for their children, not for one child only. And others that if they have no heir male, but all daughters, the heritage must be put away from them and given to some other; and why so forsooth? because of the name sake, that the name might continue; but how know you that he shall continue to keep up your name, or how know you that he may not live so, as that he shall be a blot to your name and to your self, rather then a credit? why then should one for a foolish regard of name, break both Gods law, and the law of nature too? For God hath appointed, Numbers. 27. That if there be no son the land and heritage shall be divided among the daughters. And thus much for the duties both of parents and children. So much for the duties of parents and children.
Lastly for disposing, let this be the first and maine rule, that those be vsed best, which are best, and those haue most goods giuen them, that haue more grace in their hearts. So Iacob had the blessing, though Esau was the first borne, and Ioseph had the double portion, though he was the youngest but one of twelue. For grace makes the younger to be the elder, and