2. We may observe, that no other duty whatever is expressly placed in the same series, order, or rank with it; which makes it evident, that it is singled out to be professed as a token and pledge of our sincerity in all other parts of our Obedience unto God. It is by Christ himself made the instance, for the trial of our sincerity in our Universal Obedience, which gives no small honour unto it. The Apostle puts great weight on the Fifth Commandment, Honour thy Father and Mother, because it is the first Commandment with promise, Ephes. 6. 2. All the Commandments indeed had a promise, Do this and live; life was promised to the observance of them all: But this is the first that had a peculiar promise annexed unto it, and accompanying of it. And it was such a Promise, as had a peculiar foundation through Gods Ordinance in the thing it self. It is, that the Parents should prolong the lives of their Children that were obedient. [Greek or Hebrew] Exod. 20. 11. They shall prolong thy days; that is, by praying for their prosperity, blessing them in the name of God, and directing them in those ways of Obedience, whereby they might live and possess the Land. And this Promise is now translated from the Covenant of Canaan, into the Covenant of Grace. The blessing of Parents going far towards the interesting their Children in the Promise thereof, and so prolonging their days unto eternity, though their days in this world should be of little continuance. So it is said of our Saviour, that he should see his seed, and prolong his days, Isa. 53. 10. Which hath carried over that Word, and that which is signified by it, unto eternal things. But this by the way. As the singular Promise made to that Command, renders it singular, so doth this especial instancing in this duty in our prayer, render it also. For though as all the Commandments had a Promise, so we are to carry a Testimony with us of our sincerity in Universal Obedience in our addresses unto God: yet the singling out of this instance renders it exceeding remarkable; and shows what a value God puts upon it, and how well he is pleased with it.
2. We may observe, that no other duty whatever is expresly placed in the same series, order, or rank with it; which makes it evident, that it is singled out to be professed as a token and pledge of our sincerity in all other parts of our Obedience unto God. It is by Christ himself made the instance, for the tryal of our sincerity in our Universal Obedience, which gives no small honour unto it. The Apostle puts great weight on the Fifth Commandment, Honour thy Father and Mother, because it is the first Commandment with promise, Ephes. 6. 2. All the Commandments indeed had a promise, Do this and live; life was promised to the observance of them all: But this is the first that had a peculiar promise annexed unto it, and accompanying of it. And it was such a Promise, as had a peculiar foundation through Gods Ordinance in the thing it self. It is, that the Parents should prolong the lives of their Children that were obedient. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Exod. 20. 11. They shall prolong thy dayes; that is, by praying for their prosperity, blessing them in the name of God, and directing them in those wayes of Obedience, whereby they might live and possess the Land. And this Promise is now translated from the Covenant of Canaan, into the Covenant of Grace. The blessing of Parents going far towards the interesting their Children in the Promise thereof, and so prolonging their dayes unto eternity, though their dayes in this world should be of little continuance. So it is said of our Saviour, that he should see his seed, and prolong his dayes, Isa. 53. 10. Which hath carried over that Word, and that which is signified by it, unto eternal things. But this by the way. As the singular Promise made to that Command, renders it singular, so doth this especial instancing in this duty in our prayer, render it also. For though as all the Commandments had a Promise, so we are to carry a Testimony with us of our sincerity in Universal Obedience in our addresses unto God: yet the singling out of this instance renders it exceeding remarkable; and shewes what a value God puts upon it, and how well he is pleased with it.
