God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother. Matt. xv. 4-6. Mark vii. 10. 12.

Honour thy father and thy mother. Matt. xix. 19. Luke xviii. 20. Honour thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise. Eph. vi. 1, 2.

Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Col. iii. 20.

We have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits and live? Heb. xii. 9. How are you to discharge your duty in this respect ? 1. By obeying their commands.

2. By bearing with their infirmities. 3. By attending to their instructions. 4. By submitting to their correction.

5. By endeavouring to promote their comfort and welfare,

Scripture furnishes us with some striking proofs of filial affection, as well as with several base instances of unkindness and disobedience to parents, and the signal punishment by which God showed his hatred of such conduct. A curse was pronounced on Ham for exposing his father's weakness, and a blessing on Shem and Japheth, because they refused to join in the contempt he showed. Gen. ix. 22-25.

King Solomon's respectful conduct to his mother. 1 Kings ii. 19. A promise to the Rechabites for their obedience to their father, Jer. xxxv. 17-19.

Jesus came to Nazareth, and was subject to his parents. Luke ii. 51.

The affectionate attention of Jesus to his mother, while nailed upon the cross. John xix. 26, 27.

Disobedience to parents is mentioned by St. Paul as one of the worst instances of depravity.

In the last days perilous times shall come. disobedient to parents, &c. 2 Tim. iii. 1, 2.

For men shall be

2. We are to honour and obey the civil authority, by living quietly in obedience to the laws, and paying proper respect to rulers, magistrates, and other persons by whom this authority is exercised.

Thou shalt not curse the ruler of thy people. Exod. xxii. 28. According to the sentence of the law, thou shalt do. Deut.

xvii. 11.

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. Prov. viii. 15. Jesus said, Render unto Cesar, the things which are Cesar's, Matt. xxii. 21. Mark xii. 17.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Rom. xiii. 1, 2.

For, for this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Rom, xiii, 6. Render, therefore, tribute to whom tribute is due; honour to whom honour. Rom. xiii. 7.

I exhort that prayers be made for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2.

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates. Tit. iii. 1.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake; whether it be to the king as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him, &c.

the will of God. 1 Pet, ii, 13-15.

Fear God. Honour the king. 1 Pet. ii. 17.

For so is

They are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 2 Pet. ii. 10. These filthy dreamers despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Jude 8.

3. "To submit myself to all my governors, teachers, spiritual pastors," i. e. ministers of God's word and ordi

nances.

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Cor. iv. 1.

Receive him (Epaphroditus) therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation. Phil. ii. 29.

Know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you; and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. 1 Thess. v. 12, 13.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 1 Tim. v. 17.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy. Heb. xiii. 7. 17.

Reverence them, as Joash, king of Israel, did the prophet Elisha, (2 Kings xiii. 14,) and as Elisha himself did his master Elijah, and especially if they can say of you as St. Paul could of the Corinthians, (1 Cor. iv. 15,) In Christ Jesus have I begotten you through the Gospel. When the Jews mocked the messengers of God, and despised his word, and misused his prophets, the wrath of the Lord arose against his people till there was no remedy. 2 Chron. xxxvi. 16.

He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God. 1 Thess. iv. 8. And our Lord says,

He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me, Luke x. 16.

4. We are to submit ourselves to our "masters."

Servants owe very important duties to their masters; and every one who has an opportunity of choosing whom he will serve, should prefer such a one as fears God, and will be willing to promote the salvation of the souls of those who obey him. It is hard work to keep religion alive, even with the greatest helps; and it is more especially hard, to swim against the stream of example and authority. But, however wicked and however harsh a master may be, it is a servant's duty to obey him in all things lawful, endeavouring to overcome his unkindness by meekness, patience, and respectful attention, and to give him a good opinion of religion by the propriety of his own behaviour under the greatest provocation.

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters-in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. Eph. vi. 5, 6.

Not with eye service, as men-pleasers

and whatsoever ye do, not unto men. Col. iii.

do it heartily, as to the Lord, and 22, 23. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour. 1 Tim. xi. 1, 2.

If any teach otherwise-he is proud, knowing nothing. 1 Tim. vi. 3, 4.

Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purfoining, but showing all good fidelity. Tit. ii. 9, 10.

Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 1 Pet. ii. 18. Remember the blessing that Naaman received by means of a religious servant. 2 Kings v.

5. "To order myself lowly and reverently to all my betters."

Young persons ought to respect and honour the elder, and those in lower stations should behave respectfully to their superiors, not envying their apparent advantages, but considering, that in every state of life, there are inconve

niences unknown to others.

Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man. Lev. xix. 32.

Ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. 1 Pet. v. 5. This commandment also includes the duty of superiors to inferiors, and parents are to discharge the duties they owe to their children, viz.

1. To bring them up carefully and religiously. Train up a child in the way he should go. Prov. xxii. 6.

Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. vi. 4.

2. To encourage them when they do well.

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Col. iii. 21.

3. To correct them when they do amiss. Chasten thy son while there is hope. Prov. xix. 18. 4. To treat them with gentleness and love.

Like as a father pitieth his children. Ps. ciii. 13.

I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Mal. iii. 17.

If your parents do not discharge their duty to you, are you therefore at liberty to neglect your duty to them?

Certainly not.

What is the promise made to those who keep this Commandment?

That thy days may be long in the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the earth. Eph. vi. 2, 3.

It applies to the land of Canaan, and of course could be fulfilled literally in the case of the Jews only. Yet it marks the Lord's approbation of the conduct required by this commandment; for length of days was considered by the Israelites as the chief blessing. Let us also be obedient, and this promise shall be fulfilled towards us, if it be for our good. If it be denied us, it will be in mercy, and we shall receive an abundant compensation in being admitted into the heavenly Canaan, that better inheritance, where far greater and more durable joys await us, and where our abode shall no longer be measured by days, and months, and years, but shall extend throughout eternity.

We see, also, that government and subordination is God's ordinance. A proud, seditious conduct leads to contention and every evil work. People should not listen to men who rail against those in authority, and endeavour to set the hearts of subjects against their governors. The powers that be are ordained of God. Rulers are appointed to dispense justice by his authority; and insults levelled at them are offered to God himself, and will assuredly be avenged by him, either in this world, or at the day of judgment. Seditious persons are generally those who are restrained by no fear of God,-atheists and

blasphemers, to whom religion is as hateful, as are just laws and good government.

But you should not only abstain from all acts of sedition and rebellion, or from associating with seditious and rebellious people, but should observe the utmost respect in your deportment towards all your superiors.

You should especially love and respect your spiritual pastors and teachers, who watch over your souls, as those that must give an account, and not grieve them by negligence or contempt of their instructions. You should also serve your masters and employers faithfully, not with eyeservice only, but from the heart; obeying their orders diligently and cheerfully, not purloining, nor loitering away your time, but showing all good fidelity. Above all, you should love, honour, and succour your parents, and not give them the slightest reason to complain of your conduct towards them. It has frequently been remarked, that undutiful children seldom prosper in this world, and their punishment will be among the severest that can be inflicted in the next. See then, that you do not incur the curse denounced against such unnatural conduct. Misconduct on the part of your parents will be no excuse for your unkind treatment of them. You are to bear with their infirmities, and to pray for, and endeavour to reclaim them from their sins: not to quarrel with them, neglect them, or forsake them. Show by your observance of this commandment, that you love God with all your heart, and mind, and soul, and strength, and your neighbour as yourself. So shall you be adopted as a child of God, and become an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven.

ON THE COMMANDMENTS.

§ 7. SIXTH COMMANDMENT.

WHAT is the sixth Commandment?

Thou shalt do no murder.

What is murder?

Taking away the life of another WILFULLY and UNLAW

FULLY.

It was an affront to God, being an attack on man, who was made in the image of God. Gen. ix. 6.