[4.] As to equals, there is a submitting ourselves one to another': Bom. xii. 10, ' Be kindly afi'ectioned one to another, with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another ; ' Phil. ii. 3, ' Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.' We are better acquainted with ourselves than others ; we want some perfection and accomplishment God hath given to them. We ought to speak of our own gifts with modesty, of theirs with charity ; to be severe at home, where we can examine and sift all circumstances, but charitable abroad, where a modest superficial view of things doth best, without a jealous inquiry.
[5.] We are to speak to one another by way of instruction and reproof: Col. iii. 16, 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another ; ' Lev. xix. 17, ' Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart, thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neigh-
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bour, and not suffer sin upon him.' Now it is a submission to take it well : Ps. cxli. 5, ' Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness ; and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil/ Now our yielding to private admonition is an argument of our condescension, and sub- mitting ourselves to one another. But the business is —
Whether an inferior may reprove a superior ?
I answer — It is not a work of mastery, but of christian charity, which lieth upon all ; and when it is modestly managed, it is lawful. The reproof of a superior is an act of justice, of an inferior an act of charity, that we may not sulTer evil upon a brother. Naaman's servants reproved their master, but with great reverence : 2 Kings v. 13, ' My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldst thou not have done it ? How much rather then when he saith to thee, wash and be clean ? ' Now when this is wisely and prudently managed, the elder should take it well from the younger : Job xxxii, 4, ' Now Elihu had ■waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.' Master from the servant, as Naaman did, and magistrates from their subjects, and all superiors from their inferiors,
II. The graces which are necessary foi- this, to submit ourselves one to another. It is required that we be filled with the Spirit. But I answer —
1. Love, which is the cement of human society ; for where love reigneth, there will be mutual service and submission : Gal. v. 13, ' But by love serve one another ; ' Eom. xii. 10, ' Be kindly afFectioned one to another, with brotherly love.^ Christians should be made up of per- fect kindness. Where there is love in superiors and inferiors, they will respect each other's good and profit ; and so all christians, none excepted, will be servants one to another ; as being members of the same body, they ought not to live to themselves only, but promote the good of the body, and every member thereof : 1 Cor. xii. 27, ' Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.' In their place and calling every one will do his part, and therefore love sweeteneth all things, and will make us stoop, though to serve the meanest person in the world.
2. Humility, which is opposite to fastidiousness, disdain, and con- tempt : 1 Peter v. 5, ' Ye all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility ; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.* As occasion serveth we should humble ourselves to perform the meanest offices to our brethren. Proud lofty spirits look upon every duty towards their neigbour as below them ; they think it is a vile debasing a man's self ; pride and arrogancy cannot endure any such subjection. Now humility is required of all, of whatsoever age, estate, and condition, of the highest as well as the meanest, like a spire, minimus in summo, when at highest, casts the least shadow ; and laden boughs hang the head.
3. ' The fear of God,' that is in the text. Now this ev ^o/3a) Qeov, * in the fear of God ' —
[1.] Noteth the impulsive cause, that obedience to this precept flow- eth from this cause. It is done in conscience to his command, and then it is acceptable to God. In singleness of heart fearing God. Nothing is sincerely done toward God and men but what is done in conscience to his command, and with respect to his glory ; therefore inferiors must
VeB. 21.] SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 433
obey their superiors ia all lawful things upon God's command, and superiors must condescend to all duties toward their inferiors upon God's command : Gen. xlii. 18, 'I fear God,' saith Joseph, and there- fore he durst not oppress his brethren.
[2.] The fear of God is the rule and measure of this submission. As it influenceth, so it limiteth it : ' Submit to one another,' but usque ad aras, where it entrencheth not upon our duty, not doing anything to please men, which is forbidden by the law of God : Acts v. 29, ' Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.' Therefore the fear of God must regulate the acts of this condescension in good and lawful things, not to flatter and serve our neighbour in his iniquity, but only to please others so far as is con- sistent with the fear of God.