4 I AnEnquiryafter a manse ate. Col. 4. S. Z'fes. I . Inflruc`l. Fourthly, we are teachers, and therefore we mutt know the ettate ofour people : otl:erwife we are ignorant what doctrine to provide for them, what points to handle among them. Paul in this Epiftle to the Colofíians, knowing onely their elate in the genefall, delivereth abundanceof general! precepts and ex- hortations unto them : he defcribethunto them the myttery of Chrift, admonifheth them to continue aedfatt therein, to em- brace the preaching ofthe Word,tobeware ofPhilofophy and the vain traditionsand fophiltry of men ; take heed of doting upon ceremonies, which are all ended in Chriít, to fet their af- fections on heaven, tomortifie the deeds ofthe fleth, to put off the old man ; he warneth them to be loving and humble : he biddethwives do their duties to their husbands, and husbands to love their wives; children to obey their parents, and parents to encourage their children ; fervants to obey their matters, and matters to deal well with their fervants ; all to continue in prayer,watchfulneffe,thankfgiving ; to walkwifely towards them that are without, to be careful! of godly and holy com- munication : Thus knowing their ettateonly for the general he teacheth them in general, and therfore now he concludeth, as if he Ihould fay, l peak, fomewhat generally becaufe I do not know your ellate,: inparticular;and therefore Ifend toyouTychicus, a faithful goodminifler, that he may learn your eflates inparticular, and deal withyou anfiveraby. It may befome of you want corro- fives ; it may beforce of you want cordials ; it maybe force have need to be fearched and humbled, forceof you to be encouraged and comforted : I have feet him to enquire intoyour Oates inpar- ticular, that he may do accordingly, Whom I have fens unto you for the fame purpoCe, that he may knowyour eflate and comfort your hearts. The ufe of this is threefold. Firft, for inttrudion. Hencewe may fee that a Minuter doth but his dutywhen he enquireth into mens effaces bow they Rand before God : It is not prying into other mens matters; it is not bufi.bodineffe in other mens affairs; it is not a fpirit of meddling : No, a Minifter doth but his duty when he doth it. How
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