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fruit of their well-doing, Prov. xxxi. 31. (8.) When they do evil, rebuke them more or less, according to the nature of their fault: but never with bitterness, Col. iii. 19 - 21, Eph. vi. 9, by railing at, or reviling them, in terms of disdain and contempt. There should be always more strength of reason in your words to convince them of their sin, and to make them see their danger, and to know how to be reformed, than heat of anger, in uttering your own displeasure. (9.) If admonitions and words will reclaim them, then proceed not to correction and blows; but if they regard not your reproofs, then according to the nature of the fault, and condition of the person, and the limits of your authority, you must, in mercy to their soul, give them sufficient but not excessive punishment, Prov. xxix. 15 - 19. (10.) When you have done thus, and have waited a convenient time for their amendment, but find none; when they thus declare themselves to be rebellious, you must seek the help of higher authority, Deut. xxi. 18 - 21.

That you may govern according to these directions: consider well and often, first, that those whom you govern, are such whom you must not oppress, neither may you rule over them with rigour, Lev. xxv. 39 - 43; because they now are, or maybe heirs of the same grace together with you, 1 Peter iii. 7.

Secondly, Remember often, that you have a Superior in heaven, Eph. vi. 9, Col. iv. 1; that you are his servant and deputy, governing under him; that all your authority is from him, and that, at last, a time will come when you must give account to him of your government.

II. As you are under authority, Exod. xx. 12. (1.) You must honour and reverence all whom God has set over you. (2.) You must obey them, Eph. v. 24, vi. 1 - 5, Heb. xiii. 17, in all such their lawful commands as are within the compass of their authority and commission, and that with fidelity, and singleness of heart, for the Lord's sake, 1 Pet. ii. 13, 14, Eph. vi. 5, 6. (3.) You must submit to their reproofs, corrections, and just restraints with patience, without mur-