§. Sect. 1 Of the general duties required in the fifth Commande∣ment.
WEE haue more largely intreated of charity, righteousnesse, and sobriety, as those generall vertues and duties, which comprize in them the whole summe of the second Table, be∣cause wee would more briefly touch the particular duties which vnder them are contained, referring the Reader vnto such Catechismes and Common places of diuinity as handle them more fully and perfectly, especially to those exact Tables vpon the Comman∣dements, lately published by the right reuerend, and my most honoured and deare brother, from whose full and liuing fountaine, I haue in a great part deriued these streames: Not that I take any pleasure in doing that againe, which was much better done before, but because this Treatise of a godly life should haue beene maimed, if I had not in some manner hand∣led the maine parts and principall duties required vnto it; and I could adde no more vnto that exact abstract in so short a discourse, then light vnto the Sunne, by setting vp a dimme shining candle; nor alter the method and manner of it, vnlesse I could haue beene content for varieties sake to haue made it worse, and to goe out of the right way, because I would not trauaile in the beaten path. The duties and vertues then required, and the vices and sinnes forbidden in the second Table, are either peculiar to su∣periours and inferiours in the fifth Commandement, or common to all in the fiue other. The duties and vertues required in the fifth Comman∣dement, are, either common to all superiours and inferiours; or peculiar to the diuers sorts of them. The generall duties belonging to all supe∣riours, are first to approoue themselues worthy of honour, both in respect of their own vertues and good parts, & also in their carriage towards their inferiours; and as they desire the honour of parents, so to performe the du∣ties which belong vnto them. Secondly, to behaue themselues moderate∣ly, modestly, and grauely towards their inferiours, and not with proud insolency and vaine lightnesse. Thirdly, to goe before them, according to knowledge, and to shine vnto them in a good example, and the light of a godly life. The duties common to all inferiours, are both inwardly to esteeme reuerently of them according to their place, acknowledging Gods Image in them, & honoring those gifts of excellency which he hath bestowed vpon them: and also outwardly to shew reuerence and respect of them both, in all signes of honour; as rising vp to them, putting off the hat, bowing the knee, going to meete them, giuing them precedence both in place and speech, and vsing vnto them words of reuerence and due respect; and also by our approouing of the inward reuerence of our hearts, and the outward reuerence shewed in these signes and comple∣ments, in truth and substance by all our actions, when we haue any occasi∣on of performing this reall reuerence.