4 An Enquiry after a mans efgate. Fourthly, we are teachers, and therefore we mull know the eflate of our people : otherwife we are ignorant what doc`Irine to provide for them, what points to handle among them: Paul in this Epiflie to the Coloßïans, knowing onely their dine in the general}. delivereth abundance of general! precepts and ex- hortarions unto them :he defcribeth unto them the myflery of Chrifl, admonilheth them to continue fledfall therein, to em- brace the preaching of the Word,to beware of l'hilofophy and the vain traditions and fophitlry of men ; take heed of doting upon ceremonies, which are all ended in Chrht, to let their af. fcFlions on heaven, to mortifie the deeds oftie fiefh,!o put off the old man ; he warneth them to be loving and humble : he biddeth wives 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 mailers to deal well with their fervants ; all to continue in prayer,watchfulnefl'e ; thankfgiving ; to walk wifely towards them that are without, to be careful! of godly and holy com- munication : Thus knowing their eitate only for the general he teacheth them in general, and therfore now he concludeth, as if he Ihould fay, 1 fpeak fo ewhat generally becaufe I do not know your e.s`lates in particularand therefore I fend to you Tychicus, a faithful good minifier, that he may learn your eflates in particular, and deal with you anfwerab y. It may befome of you want corro- fives ; it may be fame of you want cordials ; it may be fome have need to be fearched and humbled, force of you to be encouraged and comforted : 1 have fent him to enquire into your Oates in par- ticular , that he may do accordingly, Whom 1 have fent unto you for the fame purpofe, that he may know your ell ateand comfort your hearts. The ufe of this is threefold. Firfl, for initruftion. Hence we may fee that a Miniflerdoth but his duty when he enquireth into mens dilates how they (land before God : It is not prying into other mens matters; it is not buti.bodineffe in other mens affairs; it is not a fpiritof meddling : No, a Minifler Both but his duty when he doth.It, How,
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