[3.] Affectation of vanity ; for a vain woman will never attend to these household duties which belong to conjugal subjection, but will either be gadding abroad to see and to be seen, affecting great pomp of living, as costly array, vanity of fashions, and other things than will stand with the profit of the family. The vain woman is described, Prov. vii. 12, ' Now she is without, now she is in the street, waiting in every corner.' Now they that are sick of vanities care neither for husband, children, nor family ; and therefore let women watch against this evil. The apostle directeth them to adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, 2 Tim. ii. 9.
[4.] Want of self-denial. Self-denial, as it maketh churches and ikingdoms happy, so it maketh families happy, when every one in their place is willing to bear a part of the burden ; this maketh us fit to serve one another ; as the apostle : 1 Cor. x. 33, ' As I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own things, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.' So mutatis mutandis, proportionably should the christian wife say. When we can deny self-will and self-ends, no duties will be burdensome to us. Now self-denial is so essential to Christianity, and, though it be troublesome to the flesh, bringeth such comfort and peace into our consciences, that no good christian should be without it ; especially the woman, who by her state of life is not ordinarily exposed to public hazards, should not be without this cha- racter of Christ's disciples, self-denial.
2. Motives.
[1.] It is easier and safer to obey than to prescribe and direct, and more felicity is found in obedience than in commands ; and in the event it is found more safe ; as Zipporah, by obeying her husband in circum- cising the child, saved his life, Exod. iv. 26.
[2.] It is better to give the husband occasion of thanksgiving than of complaining : James v. 9, ' Grudge not one against another, lest ye be condemned,' fjurj arevd^ere ; especially in superiors : Heb. xiii. 7, '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
446 SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. [SeR. XXVIIL
do it with joy, and not with j^rief : for that is unprofitable for you/ So in other relations God expecteth honour : Prov. xviii. 22, ' Whoso findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour from the Lord ; ' Prov. xix. 14, 'Houses and riches are the inheritance of our fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.'
[3.] Your own peace, that your ' prayers may not be interrupted,' 1 Peter iii. 7.
[4.] Honour to God. (L) It takes away the reproach of the gospel : Titus ii. 5, ' Obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God h& not blasphemed ; ' that christian religion may not be thought to im- pose anything contrary to moral virtues. (2.) That gainsayers may be won to God: 1 Peter iii. 1, ' Ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands, that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives.'
SERMON XXVIIL
J^or the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church ; and he is the saviour of the hody. — Eph. v. 23.
The words contain a reason of the foregoing precept, both of the matter and manner of the duty. Why subject to their ' own husbands ? ' Why, ' as unto the Lord ? ' The reason is taken from the resemblance which the husband carrieth in family government to Christ.
In them observe three things — (1.) What the husband is to the wife ; (2.) What Christ is to the church ; (3.) The resemblance between the one and the other, ' Even as Christ.' There is a similitude, though not an exact equality in the case.
In handling of this scripture, we must first speak of Christ's relation to his church, and then of the husband's relation to the wife ; for first we must consider the pattern before we can state the resemblance.
In the pattern two relations are mentioned ; ' Christ is the head of the church, and lie is the saviour of the body.' These titles which are given to Christ I shall speak of — (1.) Conjunctly; (2.) Separately and apart.
1. Conjunctly. Christ is both head and saviour ; he is a head to rul'e and govern his people, and a saviour to help, succour, and protect them. The word head showeth the power wherewith he is invested ta command, direct, and order the church. And the other word, saviour, implieth our benefit, and the good that we have by his government. He is such a saviour that lie is also a head ; such a head that he is also a saviour. It is obvious and easy to observe, in Christ's style and title, a mixture of words that imply power and sovereignty and also goodness and mercy ; some that intimate privilege to us, others that bespeak duty and obedience ; as Acts ii. 36, ' Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified^ both lord and Christ.' He is Lord, supreme