A68107:688
Of domesticall duties eight treatises. I. An exposition of that part of Scripture out…
Of domesticall duties eight treatises. I. An exposition of that part of Scripture out of which domesticall duties are raised. ... VIII. Duties of masters. By William Gouge.
London: printed by John Haviland for William Bladen, 1622London: printed by Iohn Haviland for William Bladen, 1622
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.
The private vocations of a family, and functions appertaining 1thereto, are such as Christians are called unto by God, and in the exercising whereof, they may and must employ some part of their time. For can we think that the Holy Ghost (who, as the Philosophers speak of nature, doth nothing in vain) would so distinctly set down these private duties, & so forcibly urge them, if they did not well become, and nearly concern Christians? All the places in Scripture which require family-duties, are proofs of the truth of this doctrine.
The priuate vocations of a family, and functions appertaining 1thereto, are such as Christians are called vnto by God, and in the exercising whereof, they may and must imploy some part of their time. For can we thinke that the Holy Ghost (who, as the Philosophers speake of nature, doth nothing in vaine) would so distinctly set downe these priuate duties, & so forcibly vrge them, if they did not well become, and neerely concerne Christians? All the places in Scripture which require family-duties, are proofs of the truth of this doctrine.
- 12 Doctr. Private duties of the family well beseem any Christian. [Greek or Hebrew]. Arist. Polit. lib. 12 Doctr. Priuate duties of the familie well beseeme any Christian. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Arist. Polit. lib. 1
The reasons of this doctrine are clear; for the family is 1a seminary of the Church and common-wealth. It is as a Bee-hive, in which is the stock, and out of which are sent many swarms of Bees: for in families are all sorts of people bred and brought up: and out of families are they sent into the Church and common-wealth. The first beginning of mankind, and of his increase, was out of a family. For first did God join in marriage Adam and Eve, made them husband and wife, and then gave them children: so as husband and wife, parent and child, (which are parts of a family) were before magistrate and subject, minister and people, which are the parts of a Common-wealth, and a Church. When by the general deluge all public societies were destroyed, a family, even the family of Noah, was