In these places it is clear, 1. That Ruling of their own House is meant not only in outward & temporal things, but also, if not mainly, in what concerneth the honour, service and worship, of worship of God; for 1. it's the Ruling of Servants & Children together, 1 Tim. 3. v. 4, 5. Now it is clear that Children are to be brought up in the fear of the Lord. 2. It's a Ruling that commendeth them as gracious, which no Ruling in temporal things will do; seeing many mere natural men, are wiser in their own Generation that way, than the Children of light. 3. Many much less fit for Ruling in these things, may yet be fit to Rule in Gods House, as experience cleareth. 4. These words, having Children in subjection in all gravity, speak out a Christian and Religious Rule and order to be kept in the House or Family in reference to a Religious end, which cannot but take-in Family-worship; yet it is also clear, that he meaneth not simply of inability to rule, but mainly of defectiveness in the improving the ability which God had given for Ruling; therefore it is not said here, He that cannot Rule his House (though that be in part truth) but he that doth not Rule; and it is ranked with excessive drinking, striking, pride, and other gross ills; it having that same effect that they had, to wit, to declare incapacity for such Offices; Hence this is not to be the Rule of trial, if he can Rule his own house well, as having gifts sitting him for it, but (supposing him to have these) it's to be inquired if he doth actually Rule it well, which is the evidence of the right improving of his gifts; therefore here Ruling in the mans own house, and ruling in the Church or House of God, are looked on as two degrees of one thing of the same nature, because both take in not only gifts fitting for the discharge of the duty of this respective ruling it, but conscience and faithfulness in the improving of them. We shall not here to this purpose insist on the frequent mention that is made in the Scripture of Churches being in Families; But shall proceed to add to what we have said, Six or Seven Reasons or grounds that will further prove and clear the thing.
In these places it is clear, 1. That Ruling of their own House is meant not only in outward & temporal things, but also, if not mainly, in what concerneth the honour, service and worship, of worship of God; for 1. it's the Ruling of Servants & Children together, 1 Tim. 3. v. 4, 5. Now it is clear that Children are to be brought up in the fear of the Lord. 2. It's a Ruling that commendeth them as gracious, which no Ruling in temporal things will do; seeing many meere natural men, are wiser in their own Generation that way, than the Children of light. 3. Many much less fit for Ruling in these things, may yet be fit to Rule in Gods House, as experience cleareth. 4. These words, having Children in subjection in all gravity, speak out a Christian and Religious Rule and order to be kept in the House or Family in reference to a Religious end, which cannot but take-in Family-worship; yet it is also clear, that he meaneth not simply of inability to rule, but mainly of defectiveness in the improving the ability which God had given for Ruling; therefore it is not said here, He that cannot Rule his House (though that be in part truth) but he that doth not Rule; and it is ranked with excessive drinking, striking, pride, and other grosse ills; it having that same effect that they had, to wit, to declare incapacity for such Offices; Hence this is not to be the Rule of tryal, if he can Rule his own house well, as having gifts sitting him for it, but (supposing him to have these) it's to be inquired if he doth actually Rule it well, which is the evidence of the right improving of his gifts; therefore here Ruling in the mans own house, and ruling in the Church or House of God, are looked on as two degrees of one thing of the same nature, because both take in not only gifts fitting for the discharge of the duty of this respective ruling it, but conscience and faithfulness in the improving of them. We shall not here to this purpose insist on the frequent mention that is made in the Scripture of Churches being in Families; But shall proceed to add to what we have said, Six or Seven Reasons or grounds that will further prove and clear the thing.
