First, we must be subject to the Counsel of 1Christ, that is, to think his ways, and what he commands, to be the wisest and the best way. And this is one thing a Wife owes to her Husband, to be subject to his opinion: and Paul, when he would express his obedience, says, I consulted not with flesh and blood, that is, with my own reason; but I brought my mind into subjection to Christs mind: I was willing to think his way the best, in 2 Cor. 10. 5. This is called Subjection, namely, 2the bringing of every thought into subjection. The original of disobedience is refractoriness of thoughts, whereby a man thinks his way better then God's way, and therefore chooseth it, for every man doth what he thinks best, and therefore in Pro. 23. 4. Solomon counselling men not to 3labour to be rich, because a man would say in his own thoughts, why, it is good to be rich, therefore says he, Cease from thine own Wisdom, that is, submit thy wisdom to Gods, he knows what ⟨p. 84⟩is better for thee: walk in thy calling without seeking inordinately to be rich; and if God cast riches upon thee, so it is. And so likewise a man that thinks credit in regard of gifts, learning, parts, a goodly thing, cease from thine own wisdom, it being but as the Apostle saith [Greek or Hebrew] an empty thing, a thing blown up by mens breathes: seek not after it, follow his counsel. And thirdly, so for pleasure, thou thinkest this or that thing to be most pleasant, cease from thy own wisdom, abstain from it, and thou shalt have it some other way.
First, wee must be subject to the Counsell of 1Christ, that is, to thinke his wayes, and what hee commands, to be the wisest and the best way. And this is one thing a Wife owes to her Hasband, to be subject to his opinion: and Paul, when hee would expresse his obedience, sayes, I consulted not with flesh and bloud, that is, with my owne reason; but I brought my mind into subjection to Christs mind: I was willing to thinke his way the best, in 2 Cor. 10. 5. This is called Subjection, namely, 2the bringing of every thought into subjection. The originall of disobedience is refractorinesse of thoughts, whereby a man thinkes his way better then God's way, and therefore chooseth it, for every man doth what hee thinkes best, and therefore in Pro. 23. 4. Salomon counselling men not to 3labour to be rich, because a man would say in his owne thoughts, why, it is good to be rich, therefore sayes he, Cease from thine owne Wisdome, that is, submit thy wisdome to Gods, hee knowes what ⟨p. 84⟩is better for thee: walke in thy calling without seeking inordinately to be rich; and if God cast riches upon thee, so it is. And so likewise a man that thinkes credit in regard of gifts, learning, parts, a goodly thing, cease from thine owne wisedome, it being but as the Apostle saith 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 an empty thing, a thińg blowne up by mens breathes: seeke not after it, follow his counsell. And thirdly, so for pleasure, thou thinkest this or that thing to be most pleasant, cease from thy own wisedome, abstaine from it, and thou shalt have it some other way.
- 11 The counsel of Christ.
- 22 Cor. 10. 5.
- 3Pro. 23. 4.
