A68107:849
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.
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.
Answ. It will faithfully endeavour to do what it can: and that honest and utmost endeavour Christ graciously accepteth for a perfect performance of all.
Answ. It will faithfully endeuour to doe what it can: and that honest and vtmost endeuour Christ graciously accepteth for a perfect performance of all.
In that it is here taken for grant, that the Church is subject to Christ; I may, as from a general to particular, infer that
In that it is here taken for grant, that the Church is subiect to Christ; I may, as from a generall to particular, infer that
Whosoever is of the true Catholic Church is subject to Christ, and yieldeth obedience to his word. We will run after thee, 1saith the Church to Christ. My sheep hear my voice and follow 2me, saith Christ of that flock, which is his Church.3
Whosoeuer is of the true Catholike Church is subiect to Christ, and yeeldeth obedience to his word. We will runne after thee, 1saith the Church to Christ. My sheepe heare my voice and follow 2me, saith Christ of that flocke, which is his Church.3
For Christ conveyeth his own spirit into his mystical body the Church, and into every member thereof: which spirit is 1much more operative, and lively then the soul of man. If therefore mans soul quickening every part of the natural body, make them subject to the head, much more will the spirit of Christ bring the members of his mystical body in subjection to himself. If the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, 2shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by the spirit that dwelleth in you.
For Christ conueyeth his owne spirit into his mysticall body the Church, and into every member thereof: which spirit is 1much more operatiue, and liuely then the soule of man. If therefore mans soule quickning euery part of the naturall body, make them subiect to the head, much more will the spirit of Christ bring the members of his mysticall body in subiection to himselfe. If the spirit of him that raised vp Iesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised vp Christ from the dead, 2shall also quicken your mortall bodies, by the spirit that dwelleth in you.
Hereby let trial be made of particular visible Churches and of particular persons, whether they are in deed of this true Catholic 1Church or no. Those visible Churches which refuse to be governed by Christs word, and are wholly governed by humane traditions, which rise against Christ and play the adulteresses ⟨p. 42⟩by committing Idolatry, are not of this Catholic Church which is subject to Christ. No more are Infidels that defy Christ, Heretics that deny him, ignorant persons that know not his will, profane persons that despise him, worldlings that lightly esteem him, nor any that persecute or scorn him in his members. By this we may see that many have a name that they are of the Church, who in deed are not.
Hereby let triall be made of particular visible Churches and of particular persons, whether they are in deed of this true Catholike 1Church or no. Those visible Churches which refuse to be gouerned by Christs word, and are wholly gouerned by humane traditions, which rise against Christ and play the adulteresses ⟨p. 42⟩by committing Idolatry, are not of this Catholike Church which is subiect to Christ. No more are Infidels that defie Christ, Heretiques that deny him, ignorant persons that know not his will, profane persons that despise him, wordlings that lightly esteeme him, nor any that persecute or scorne him in his members. By this we may see that many haue a name that they are of the Church, who in deed are not.
Object. Many such persons may belong to Gods election, and so be of that body whereof Christ is a Saviour.
Obiect. Many such persons may belong to Gods election, and so be of that body whereof Christ is a Sauiour.
Answ. Election in deed giveth them a title to Christ, but they cannot reap any benefit by that title till they have a possession of Christ by virtue of their spiritual union with him. Neither can they have any assurance of their election, till they find by the quickening virtue of the spirit, that they are united unto Christ. Wherefore so long as men remain destitute of the Spirit of Christ, and are possessed with a contrary spirit, they may well be judged for the present to be none of this body, nor to have any part in Christ, their future estate being referred to him who only knoweth what it shall be.
Answ. Election in deed giueth them a title to Christ, but they cannot reape any benefit by that title till they haue a possession of Christ by vertue of their spirituall vnion with him. Neither can they haue any assurance of their election, till they finde by the quickning vertue of the spirit, that they are vnited vnto Christ. Wherefore so long as men remaine destitute of the Spirit of Christ, and are possessed with a contrary spirit, they may well be iudged for the present to be none of this body, nor to haue any part in Christ, their future estate being referred to him who only knoweth what it shall be.
The extent of the Churches subjection to Christ is without any restraint at all, in every thing. For there is nothing which Christ requireth of her, but she may with a good conscience, and must in obedience yield unto. Just, and pure, and perfect are all his commandments, there is no error in any of them: no mischief or inconvenience can follow upon the keeping of them. This extent being here taken for grant, I may further infer that
The extent of the Churches subiection to Christ is without any restraint at all, in every thing. For there is nothing which Christ requireth of her, but she may with a good conscience, and must in obedience yeeld unto. Iust, and pure, and perfect are all his commandements, there is no error in any of them: no mischiefe or inconuenience can follow vpon the keeping of them. This extent being here taken for grant, I may further inferre that
They who are of the true Catholic Church will yield universal 1obedience to Christ: they will obey him in all and every of his commandments. David turned not aside from any thing that 2the Lord commanded him. Josiah turned to the Lord with all his 3heart according to all the law: and Zechariah, and Elizabeth, walked in all the commandments of God. All these were of this Church: and of their mind are all others that are of this Church.
They who are of the true Catholike Church will yeeld vniuersall 1obedience to Christ: they will obey him in all and euery of his commandements. Dauid turned not aside from any thing that 2the Lord commanded him. Iosiah turned to the Lord with all his 3heart according to all the law: and Zacharias, and Elizabeth, walked in all the commandements of God. All these were of this Church: and of their minde are all others that are of this Church.
For the spirit of Christ which is in them worketh a thorough ⟨p. 43⟩1reformation: even as the flesh leadeth a natural man on to every sin, so the spirit of Christ stirreth him up to every good duty. In which respect it is said, that whosoever is borne of God 2doth not commit sin.
For the spirit of Christ which is in them worketh a thorow ⟨p. 43⟩1reformation: euen as the flesh leadeth a naturall man on to euery sinne, so the spirit of Christ stirreth him vp to euery good duty. In which respect it is said, that whosoeuer is borne of God 2doth not commit sinne.
Answ. Their sins though grievous, have not wilfully in open rebellion against Christ been committed, but they have slipped from them partly through their own weakness, and partly through the violence of some temptation. So as that which the Apostle saith of himself, may be applied to all that are of the body of Christ, That which I do I allow not: Now then 1is it no more I that do it, but the sin that dwelleth in me.
Answ. Their sinnes though grieuous, haue not wilfully in open rebellion against Christ beene committed, but they haue slipped from them partly through their owne weaknesse, and partly through the violence of some temptation. So as that which the Apostle saith of himselfe, may be applied to all that are of the body of Christ, That which I doe I allow not: Now then 1is it no more I that doe it, but the sinne that dwelleth in me.
This extent is a good proof of the truth of subjection, for 1herein lieth a main difference betwixt the upright, and the hypocrite; yea betwixt restraining and renewing grace. That restraining grace which is in many hypocrites stirreth them to do many things which Christ commandeth, if at least they cross not their honour, profit, ease, and the like. Herod that notorious hypocrite did many things. None that beareth the 2name of the Church, but will be subject in somethings. But none but the upright, who are indeed renewed by the sanctifying spirit of Christ, will in all things make Christs will their rule, and in every thing hold close to it, preferring it before their pleasure, profit, preferment, or any other outward allurement. They who so do, give good evidence that they are of the body of Christ, and may rest upon it, that Christ is their Saviour.
This extent is a good proofe of the truth of subiection, for 1herein lieth a maine difference betwixt the vpright, and the hypocrite; yea betwixt restraining and renewing grace. That restraining grace which is in many hypocrites stirreth them to doe many things which Christ commandeth, if at least they crosse not their honour, profit, ease, and the like. Herod that notorious hypocrite did many things. None that beareth the 2name of the Church, but will be subiect in somethings. But none but the vpright, who are indeed renewed by the sanctifying spirit of Christ, will in all things make Christs will their rule, and in euery thing hold close to it, preferring it before their pleasure, profit, preferment, or any other outward allurement. They who so doe, giue good euidence that they are of the body of Christ, and may rest vpon it, that Christ is their Sauiour.
EPHES. 5. 25. 25. Husbands love your Wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it.
EPHES. 5. 25. 25. Husbands loue your Wiues, euen as Christ also loued the Church, and gaue himselfe for it.
