AS there are two vocations whereunto it hath pleased God to call every one; one General, by virtue whereof certain common duties which are to be performed of all men, are required, (as knowledge, faith, obedience, repentance, love, mercy, justice, truth, &c.) the other Particular, by virtue whereof certain peculiar duties are required of several persons, according to those distinct places wherein the Divine Providence hath set them in Common-wealth, Church, or family; so ought Gods Ministers to be careful in instructing ⟨p. 2⟩Gods people in both kinds of duties; both those which concern their general, and those also which concern their particular calling. Accordingly S. Paul (who, as aMoses, was faithful in all the house of God) after he had sufficiently instructed Gods Church in such general duties, as belong to all Christians, of what sex, state, degree, or condition soever they be, proceedeth to lay down certain particular duties, which appertain to particular callings and conditions: among which, he maketh choice of those which God hath established in a family. With excellent Art doth he pass from those generals, to these particulars: laying down a transition betwixt them, in these words, Submitting your selves one to another in the fear of God; which words have reference both to that which goeth before, and also to that which followeth after. The form and manner of setting down this verse, with a participle thus, submitting, showeth that it dependeth on that which went before, and so hath reference thereunto. Again, the word it self being the very same which is used 2in the next verse following, showeth, that this verse containeth the sum of that which followeth, and so hath reference thereunto, as a general unto particulars. This manner of passing from one point to another, by a perfect transition which looketh both ways, both to that which is past, and to that which cometh on, as it is very elegant, so is it frequent with this our Apostle. Whereby he teacheth us, 3so to give heed to that which followeth, as we forget not that which is past: as we must give diligent attention to that which remaineth, so we must well retain that which we have heard, and not let it slip:
AS there are two vocations whereunto it hath pleased God to call euery one; one Generall, by vertue whereof certaine common duties which are to be performed of all men, are required, (as knowledge, faith, obedience, repentance, loue, mercie, iustice, truth, &c.) the other Particular, by vertue whereof certaine peculiar duties are required of seuerall persons, according to those distinct places wherein the Diuine Prouidence hath set them in Common-wealth, Church, or family; so ought Gods Ministers to be carefull in instructing ⟨p. 2⟩Gods people in both kindes of duties; both those which concerne their generall, and those also which concerne their particular calling. Accordingly S. Paul (who, as aMoses, was faithfull in all the house of God) after he had sufficiently instructed Gods Church in such generall duties, as belong to all Christians, of what sex, state, degree, or condition soeuer they be, proceedeth to lay downe certaine particular duties, which appertaine to particular callings and conditions: among which, he maketh choise of those which God hath established in a family. With excellent Art doth he passe from those generals, to these particulars: laying downe a transition betwixt them, in these words, Submitting your selues one to another in the feare of God; which words haue reference both to that which goeth before, and also to that which followeth after. The forme and manner of setting downe this verse, with a participle thus, submitting, sheweth that it dependeth on that which went before, and so hath reference thereunto. Againe, the word it selfe being the very same which is vsed 2in the next verse following, sheweth, that this verse containeth the summe of that which followeth, and so hath reference thereunto, as a generall vnto particulars. This manner of passing from one point to another, by a perfect transition which looketh both wayes, both to that which is past, and to that which commeth on, as it is very elegant, so is it frequent with this our Apostle. Whereby he teacheth vs, 3so to giue heed to that which followeth, as we forget not that which is past: as we must giue diligent attention to that which remaineth, so we must well retaine that which we haue heard, and not let it slip:
- aNum. 12. 7.
- 2[Greek or Hebrew], submitting. [Greek or Hebrew], submit.〈non-Latin alphabet〉, submitting. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, submit.
- 3Note.
