The Book of Confessions - The Presbyterian Leader

Q. 128. What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors?
A. The sins of inferiors against their superiors are: all neglect of the duties required
toward them; (1454) envying at, (1455) contempt of, (1456) and rebellion (1457) against their
persons (1458) and places, (1459) in their lawful counsels, (1460) commands, and
corrections; (1461) cursing, mocking, (1462) and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as
proves a shame and dishonor to them and their government. (1463)
Q. 129. What is required of superiors towards their inferiors?
A. It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and
that relation wherein they stand, to love, (1464) pray for, (1465) and bless their inferiors; (1466)
to instruct, (1467) counsel, and admonish them; (1468) countenancing, (1469) commending,
and rewarding such as do well; (1470) and discountenancing, (1471) reproving, and chastising
such as do ill; (1472) protecting, and providing for them all things necessary for soul and
body; (1473) and, by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to procure glory to
God, (1474) honor to themselves, (1475) and so to preserve that authority which God hath
put upon them. (1476)
Q. 130. What are the sins of superiors?
A. The sins of superiors are, besides the neglect of the duties required of them (1477)
an inordinate seeking of themselves, (1478) their own glory, (1479) ease, profit or
pleasure; (1480) commanding things unlawful, (1481) or not in the power of inferiors to
perform; (1482) counseling, (1483) encouraging, (1484) or favoring them in that which is
evil; (1485) dissuading, discouraging, or discountenancing them in that which is good; (1486)
correcting them unduly; (1487) careless exposing or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and
danger; (1488) provoking them to wrath; (1489) or any way dishonoring themselves, or
lessening their authority, by an unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behavior. (1490)
Q. 131. What are the duties of equals?
A. The duties of equals are: to regard the dignity and worth of each other, (1491) in
giving honor to go one before another, (1492) and to rejoice in each other's gifts and
advancement as their own. (1493)
Q. 132. What are the sins of equals?
A. The sins of equals are, besides the neglect of the duties required, (1494) the
undervaluing of the worth, (1495) envying the gifts, (1496) grieving at the advancement or
prosperity one of another, (1497) and usurping pre-eminence one over another. (1498)
Q. 133. What is the reason annexed to the Fifth Commandment the more to
enforce it?
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