Domestical Duties

As there are two vocations whereunto it hath pleased God to call every one; one general, by virture whereof certain common duties which are to be performed of all men, are required, [as knowledge, faith, obedience, repentance, love, mercy, justice, truth, etc.] the other particular, by virture whereof certain peculiar duties are required of several persons, according to those distinct places wherein the Divine Providence hath set them in Commonwealth, Church or family; so ought God's Ministers to be careful in instructing God's people in both kinds of duties; both those which concern their general, and those also which concern their particular calling. Accordinly Paul (who, as Moses, was faithful in all the house of God (Num 12:7) after he had sufficiently instructed God's 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 particuar 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 the particulars: laying down atransition betwixt them, in these words, Submit 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 itself being the very same which is used in 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 perfefct transition which looketh both ways, both to that which is past, and to that which cometh on, as it is very elegant, so it is frequent with this our Apostle. Whereby he teacheth us, so 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: otherwise, if (as one nail driveth out another) one precept maketh another to be forgotten, it will be altogether in vain to add line unto line, or precept unto precept.