and condition to be always good and useful as David who served his generation Act. 13 36. and so fulfilled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the wills of God ver 22. 20. Vse Recreations when nature requires in conventent places fit company and at convenient times and seasons not in times of mourning fasting or publike calamity never on the Lords day which is to be imployed in holy exercises Read and consider Isa 22.12 13. Exod. 20.8 and use them lawfully as recreations not as a trade or calling to refresh and make you more fit for the duties of your calling civil and religious not like him that is all day or a great part of it whetting his sythe but cuts down nothing or little But always let your recreations be only such as are lawful honest harmless of good report and sutable to the end you use them gravely and soberly as Christians Dicing carding mixt-dancing scurrilous sports and stage-plays are unbecoming the piety and gravity Christians should exercise in all their act on s if not simply unlawful for Christ ans 21. Think often of and prepare daily for suffering and death For our Saviour commands all that will be his Disciples to deny themselves and take up his cross and so follow him Luke 9.23 in respect of preparation and expectation for as Solomon tells us We know not what a day may bring forth Prov. 27.1 And the Apostle James also Chap. 4. ver 14. Therefore labour to get and clear up to your selves that you have true saving faith truly repented of your sins and have all other renewing and sanctifying Graces that you have an interest in Jesus Christ that your sins are pardoned the sting of death pulled out and all sufferings shall work together for your spiritual and eternal good See before in Adversity And then for death Know and consider that when where or howsoever it cometh it is to a true believer to a godly man only a means to put off the body of sin and to free the Soul from all sin both actual and original from Satans temptations from all worldly cares sufferings and sorrows from all toil and labour from all diseases distempers weaknesses and imperfections both of body and Soul a passage from natural life to eternal life from earth to Heaven from the company of evil and ungodly men and enemies for so many are in this world to have immediate and full communion with God the Father Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit and all the holy Angels Patriarks Prophets Apostles Martyrs and all other Saints departed in the faith And though you must part with many things desirable in this world and lovely as friends relations and some with riches honour and greatness in the world yet remember it is but for a time and to enjoy a far better estate incomparably better far better friends the most blessed and glorious Lord God the Heavenly Father Jesus Christ your husband Head Redeemer Justifier elder Brother the blessed Spirit your sanctifier and comforter godly relations and all the spirits of just men made perfect in Heaven and free from all the infirmities and corruptions they had while on earth which sometimes made the meetings of beloved and desired friends uncomfortable yea bitter as that of Paul and Barnabas two most godly persons and dear friends and companions Act. 15 37 38 39. And though the body shall go to the grave and see corruption yet it is but for a time God will destroy death it self and the grave raise up the body and glorifie it with the Soul to live for ever in Heaven in glory and happiness Hos 13.14 Phil. 3.21 1 Thes 4 15 16 17. Who after wearisome labour all day is unwilling to go to bed and rest Isa 57.1 2. why should any be unwilling to part with the worse for a state and condition that is every way incomparably better and everlasting wherefore comfort your selves and one another with these things and in an holy humble manner triumph over death and all worldly evils as the Apostle did 1 Corinth 15.54 c. 22. Married persons husbands and wives you know you are one flesh Gen. 2.24 And therefore your duty in common is 1. To dwell together that you may be mutual helpers one to another and to live chastly keeping each to other only keeping your bodies undefiled Adultery is a great sin to be punished with death Levit. 20.10 16. Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge Heb. 13.4 Consider Prov. 5.15 16 17 18 20 21. Drink waters out of thine own cistern c. 2. In a special manner to love one another above all other persons in the world and delight one in another above all others in respect of Gods command and because of their near union In this respect Solomon and God by him counselleth Prov. 5.18 Rejoyce with the wife of thy youth let her be as the loving Hand and pleasant Roe let her brest satisfie thee at all times This is the wives duty as well as the Husbands Love is the ground of all other duties and good carriages the bond of perfection it bindeth together all those duties that do or ought to pass between man and wife neighbour and neighbour Love provoketh constraineth to all duties where this is wanting all other duties will be wanting and often altogether neglected or slightly performed and where true love is there all other duties will be readily performed 3. To bear one with another and bear one anothers infirmities Gal. 6.2 Bear ye one anothers burden and so fulfil the Royal Law Jam. 2.8 4. To defend protect and preserve one anothers person good name credit and chastity 5. To nourish and cherish one another Eph. 5.29 No man hateth his own flesh but nourisheth cherisheth it Now husband and wife are one flesh and thus doing they do in effect preserve their own persons lives chastity credit comfort and nourish their own bodies This duty lieth on them at all times and in all estates and conditions in sickness and weakness in health in poverty lameness c. as well as in time of health strength beauty prosperity yea though the other party be not able or wilfully wanting to do his or her duty because of Gods command their near conjunction and solemn Matrimonial covenant to take one another for better for worse for richer for poorer c. 6. To be diligent provident careful to increase preserve that estate which God hath or shall give you the command of God reason and your own common interest mutually bind both to be as careful of the goods of the family as if they were their particular own goods and therein also to be helpful one to another 7. To govern the children servants and whole family wisely and discreetly for the good of the whole family and therein also to be helpful one to another 8. Especially to be the helpers one to another for the good of your Souls using all loving means to win and draw
the hand and power of sin Satan death and hell bring them into his Church and kingdome by effectual calling and regeneration and to govern them by his word and spirit to life everlasting John 10.16 Haggai 2 7. Ezek. 34.23 24. Also there must be a particular and distinct knowledge in some measure of the moral law of God and of the Sacraments Of the law of God a brief sum of which we have contained in the Decalogue or Ten Commandments which contains the duty we doe owe to God and Man what is evil and what we are to repent of shun and avoid and what we are to do and practice how we are to carry our selves both towards God in all duties of piety and holiness and towards man our selves and others in the duties of mercy justice and equity The Sacraments also There must be a particular knowledge of the Sacraments of the new Testament viz. Baptism the Lords Supper Baptism is a Sacrament of our ingrafting into Christ communion with him and entrance into the Church Mat. 28.19 Rom. 6.3 4. It signifies the washing away of sin from the Soul by the blood of Christ and the renewing graces of his Spirit and so our justification and forgiveness of sinnes and our sanctification Mark 1.4 Acts 2.38 Titus 3.5 And binds all that have been baptized to believe in Christ forsake sin and live holy according to the command of God Acts 8.37 38. Mat. 3.8 Rom. 6.3 4 5. Baptism it a priviledge which belongs to all the Infants of believing Christian Parents Mark 10.13 14. When some would have hindred the Parents from bringing their young children to Christ to bless them his Disciples rebuked those that brought them but when Jesus saw it he was much displeased and said Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of these and such like is the kingdome of God If little children 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Infants Children new borne as Luke hath it Luke 18.15 be within the Covenant as they are then they ought to have the Seal of the Covenant and if they be of Gods kingdome his subjects then they must wear his Livery and badge Infants are now as capable of receiving Baptism and the benefits of it as the Infants of the Jews were to receive Circumcision and what is now objected against Infant-baptism might as well have been alleadged against the Jews circumcising their children therefore to lay aside or deny Infant-baptism to the children of believing Christians is in effect to make themselves wiser then God I will add but one argument That which was commanded and practised by the people of God for two thousand years yea and much more was approved and commanded of God and is no where forbidden or repealed is still to be used but the sealing of the Infants of believers with the first seal of the Covenant was commanded practised by the people of God so long also approved and commanded of God and 't is no where repealed or forbidden shew it if any can therefore it is still a duty to be observed by Christian believing Parents Object It is objected that Infant-baptism is no where commanded in the new Testament nor any express example and we must do nothing without divine warrant Answ True but this is sufficient warrant to give the first seal of the Covenant to Infants was expresly commanded in the old Testament and is no where repealed or forbidden therefore a duty still as the observation of the Lords day or Christian Sabbath is by the fourth Commandment Besides there are express general commands to baptize Infants in the New Testament as Mat. 28.19 Act. 2.38 39. and general examples of whole housholds and 't is much more then probable there were many children in them let them prove the contrary if they can men had need to have cleer express Scripture to lay aside a duty commanded and approved of God so long practised by the godly by the whole Church of God It troubles me to see and hear that any professing godliness should be so far deceived and be so injurious to themselves their poor Infants as to deny to give them that priviledge and favour which undoubtedly Christ allows and intends whose grace and priviledges are not less to the children under the Gospel then to them under the Law but rather much more That place most think is full Rom. 11.17 The Gentiles being ingrafted into the true Olive-tree do partake of the root and fatness of the Olive-tree of all the priviledges of the Jews the true Church of God whereof Abraham was the root and father of which to be within the Covenant to be members of the Church of God and have the first Seal of the Covenant which now is baptism is one and when they come to years the Sacrament of the Lords supper also I will add but this If Christ under the Gospel hath barred Infants of believing Parents of the Sacrament of Baptism then it is either in mercy or in judgement let them that deny Infant-Baptism make their answer I know readily what to reply But I now study brevity brief hints onely not large treatises 2. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is also an ordinance instituded by Jesus Christ in the same night in which he was betrayed to be a Sacrament of our continuance and growth in Christ to represent and signifie the body and blood of Christ crucifyed for our sins together with all the benefits of his suffering and death 1 Cor. 10.16 and 11.23 24 25 26. To be a special token and pledge of his great love in suffering and dying for lost and miserable sinners and enemies Rom. 5.6 7 8. The end is to confirm our faith in Christ communion with him and all saving graces in us but it cannot confirm these where they are not to keep in remembrance the Lords death until he come again and to testify our love one to another 1 Cor. 10.16 1 Cor. 11.24 26. 1 Cor. 12.13 These and all other grounds and principles of the Christian Religion at least those which are absolutely necessary to life and salvation must be known and understood for without a particular distinct knowledge of these doctrines of faith and godliness in some measure there can be neither saving faith nor repentance nor love nor holiness in truth without which there can be no salvation John 17.3 Isai 53.11 This is life eternal to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Prov. 19.2 Without knowledge the minde is not good Hos 4.6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledg Particularly concerning the Sacrament consider 1 Cor. 11.27 29. Whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord and eateth and drinketh damnation to himself Mark the reason in the next words not discerning the Lords body
are those that having by their labour gotten a little money either lavish it out in some finery or dainty fare and strong drink above their ability in a moderate way at some special time is not to be blamed And so feasting as it were one day and then are forced to fait or go with an empty belly two or three days after whereas a wise husbanding that little they get might supply their wants at all times something comfortably Thus living and walking according to these and the former rules and directions none need to fear either want or death but may comfortably say with David The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want Psal 23.1 and apply that of Isaiah Isa 57.2 He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds None need to fear want that hath an All-sufficient God and a most tender Father to provide for them nor need to fear death seeing to die to a Godly man is to enter into peace and rest in his bed none fear to go to bed when they know they shall rest Object Thus to live perhaps some will say or at least think were to banish all joy and comfort and to live an heavy mopish melancholy life Ans 1. The world is much mistaken and deceived The Godly man is forbidden or debarred no joy natural or worldly that is lawful and convenient for matter and other circumstances but only meer carnal sensual delights and others when and so far as they are evil in respect of circumstances which worldly delights so far worldly and voluptuous men must and will repent of when they shall give an account of themselves and their sinful pleasures and delights unto God 2. None under Heaven have so much true joy delight and content as the truly Godly man hath or may have even the most strict and most religious of them But indeed their joy and delights are not carnal but spiritual not outward in the face voice and lungs but inward in the heart a true sound solid joy but the joy of worldlings is a slight superficial underling joy of the bo y not of the soul like the flash of a bavin in the fire or straw it will make a great flame and noise but yeeld little hear it doth scorch rather than heat kindly and is quickly gone and out but the Godly mans joy is in his soul Luk. 1.46 47. Psal 13.5 and 33.21 a substantial hearty and lasting joy What greater joy can there be What greater comfort and cause of rejoycing than to know and be assured or have some comfortable grounds of hope that they are freed from the reigning and condemning power of sin from the destroying power of the devil death and hell have their sins pardoned God reconciled Christ to be their Saviour God to be their Father the Holy Ghost to be their sanctifier instructer guide and comforter and Heaven to be their everlasting inheritance and that in the mean time all things even the worst shall work together for their spiritual and everlasting good comfort and happiness the all wise and over-ruling gratious Providence of God Rom. 8.28 Psal 25.10 Therefore says the Apostle Phil. 4.4 Rejoyce in the Lord always and again I say Rejoyce Such a joy as the world can neither give nor take away nor understand Isa 9.3 Prov. 14.10 John 16.22 Object 2. Yet again p ssibly some may think this seems to be too much preciseness and niceness more than needs What shall none go to Heaven but such as live very precisely and strictly Answ I cannot deny but many shall go to Heaven yea all that are truly Godly and live holily though they are not of so strict a life as some are But 2. I never heard or read of so much as one in all my life that was truly Godly that thought himself too holy and strict but of many no doubt truly Godly strict who have complained and were troubled that they were no more holy and conformable to the will and Law of God and to Jesus Christ Read and consider David Psal 119.5.14 15 16 33 34. and many other places Paul also Rom. 7.18 19 c. and Phil. 3.9 10 12 13 14. 3. I say also that even wicked loose prophane persons when themselves come to die if the eyes of their understandings be truly open and conscience awaked they will justifie the most holy strict Christians and heartily wish that themselves had lived so I have heard and seen some do so on their sick beds when they had dying thoughts 4. Consider what Christ saith and commandeth us and all men Mat. 5.48 Be ye perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect and what the Apostle saith and enjoyns in the name of God 1 Pet. 1.15 16. As he which has called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation Because it is written Be ye holy for I that is God or Christ am holy Now who can be perfect in this life for degree as God our Father in Heaven is Holy And who can be so holy in all manner of conversation while in the state of mortality as Jesus Christ is holy yet this we are all commanded to endeavour after here And now dear Friends and Christians give me leave to add only a few choice places of Scripture to be always ready at hand and before your eyes Ephes 4.22 23 c. Put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts And be you renewed in the spirit of your mind and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Wherefore putting away lying speak every man truth with his neighbour for we are members one of another Be angry namely when there is a just cause but sin not let not the Sun go down upon your wrath neither give place to the Devil Let him that stole steal no more but labour with his own hands the thing which is good that he may have to give to him that needeth Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouths but that which is good for edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby you are souled up unto the day of redemption Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice And be ye kind to one another tender hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christ sake hath or as you desire God should forgive you Phil. 2.1 2 to 7. If there be any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship in the Spirit if any bowels of mercy fulfil ye my joy that ye be like minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind Let nothing be done through strife and vain-glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of another Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Rom. 12.1 2 I beseech you by the mercies of God Brethren that ye present your selves a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service and be not conformed to the world but be ye transformed in the renewing of your minds Phil. 4.8 Whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue if there be any praise think on these things 1 Pet. 3.8 9 10 11. Be all of one mind having compassion one of another love as Brethren be pitiful be courteous not rendring evil for evil or railing for railing but contrariwise blessing knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing For he that will love life and see good days let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no guile For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil Colos 3.12 13. Put on therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of minde meekness long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel one against another even as Christ forgave you so also do ye And above all things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to the which ye are called in one body and be ye thankful Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ giving thanks unto God and the Father by him Act. 20.32 And now Brethren I commend you to God and the word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified 2 Cor. 13.11 Finally Brethren farewel be perfect be of good comfort be of one mind live in peace and the God of peace and love shall be with you Heb. 13.18 20 21. Pray for us for we trust we have a good conscience in all things willing to live honestly Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 5.10 11. And the God of all Grace who hath called us to his eternal Glory by or in Jesus Christ after that ye have suffered a while make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you To whom be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen Now dear Christians Brethren and friends consider what I have written and the Lord give you understanding in all things and forget not to pray for him and his who is April 1670. Your very affectionate kinsman and friend to love and serve your Souls good while he is T. M.
false way ver 113. I hate lying vanities but thy Law do I love Psal 40.8 I delight to do thy will O God yea thy Law is within my heart Psal 119.113 I hate vain thoughts but thy way do I love and as Paul Rom. 7 22. I delight in the Law of God after the inward man Rom. 8.6 7. To be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace 5. Look also to your thoughts that they be good useful holy heavenly spiritual of good things yea as much as may be on the best things to desire them labour for them love them delight and rejoyce in them And on evil things especially of sin to shun avoid and abhor them Prov. 22.3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil hideth himself but the simple pass on and are punished Be careful to watch against and avoid vain foolish idle thoughts but much more vile wicked thoughts envious malicious unclean revengeful proud and all other ungodly thoughts You read what a reproof God gave Jerusalem Jer. 4.14 Oh Jerusalem wash thy heart from wickedness that thou mayest be saved how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge in thee 6. Above all look to your hearts they are the spring and fountain of all good and evil thoughts affâ—ctions words and actions Therefore the Wiseman counselleth Prov. 4.25 Keep thy heart with all diligence the Hebrew is above all keeping mark his reason for out of it are the issues of life All good holy gratious thoughts desires affections words and actions spring from a good and holy heart and all evil and wirked from an evil and wicked heart Make the heart good and all will be good if that it be naught all is naught Tit. 1.15 To the unclean all things are unclean Mat. 12.34 35. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things and an evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things And then remember that God always sees you and his eyes are upon you Prov. 15.3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good The thoughts of some eminent grave person standing by as Cato Laelius or Scipio would be a means to keep men from doing any uncomely thing as the Heathens supposed and so adjudged Seneca How much more will the believing that the All-seeing holy and righteous Lord is always present The Rabbins were wont to say that if a man did remember three things he should not sin viz. 1 His creation that he came from the dust 2. His end he must return to the dust and 3. the strict account he must give The Hebrews have another like saying to that purpose That if a man did think of three things he would not sin viz. 1. Of the Eye that sees all 2. of the Ear that hears all and 3. of the Book in which all his faults are written 17. Study to carry your selves affably courteously neighbourly to all persons as well to the poor as to the rich to be beneficially publike spirited and ready to do good to all persons charitable open-handed to the poor when they come hid them welcome sit down Job professes he did not eat his morsel alone but the fatherless eat thereof he was to him as a father the loyns of the poor blessed him and he was warmed with the fleece of his sheep Job 31.17 18 20. Humility affability Charity do much adorn Religion put a beauty and lustre on it honor our conversation stop the mouths of evil men are pleasing to God good and profitable to men gain the esteem and good will of many and a good report in the world Luk. 7.5 Act. 10.22 oftentimes make friends of foes at least sweeten their sour natures and stop the mouths of such as would otherwise be open against Professors and Religion it self But a sour high losty slighting carriage scarce bidding a poor or mean Neighbour drink or sit down or perhaps as some proud persons scarce speak to them or take notice of them doth very much unbecome civil persons much more persons professing Christianity and loseth them much in their hearts and affections and often gives occasion to slight and speak evil of them and of Religion for their sakes While God gives and I have it I would not willingly let any poor Neighbour go away without some refreshing unasked or other expressions of charity and neighbourliness I have often seen the good fruit of it and am sure Christ Luk. 6.38 saith Give and it shall be given to you again good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosoms Matth. 10.42 Whosoever shall give a cup of cold water only in the name of a Disciple verily I say unto you he shall not lose his reward Remember also that loving courteous words to them and of them though they be never so inferiour and bad also is as cheap as evil harsh surly or churlish words and only pleasing to God and men words of contempt are commonly returned in the like kind full measure running over by some others Not railing or evil-speaking but let every one of us please his Neighbour for good saith the Apostle Rom. 15.2 But what good office soever you do do it heartily as to the Lord and not to man Gal. 3.23 Ephes 6.5 18. Vse moderation at all times in all things and to all persons Phil. 4.5 Let your moderation be known to all men the Lord is at hand Be not only temperate and moderate but let it appear abhorring vain-glory in all things and always so that all that know you and your conversation may see it and be gained by you not unlike to that of our Saviour Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven This the Apostle exhorts to in the word sober 1 Thes 5.6 8. 1 Pet. 1.13 and 4.7 and 5.8 one of the three great lessons the Gospel teacheth Titus 2.11 12. Vse a moderation in the use of meat drink and apparel for the quantity the quality and the fashionableness that it be not too much too rich or costly nor too conformable to the world and garish but always within the bounds of Religion reason your estate calling degree and condition of life never beyond but alas the devil pride and self have so blinded all sorts and ranks of men and women and almost all of all sorts that our eyes are almost out that we cannot see wood for trees but take one for another vice for virtue Vse a moderation in spending and laying out your estate if you have never so great an overplus there are other ways and uses that may be laid out more to the Glory of God the good of others and much more to your own advantage whereas vain and lavish spending in the former or any
negligence I might say the prophaness of most Parents Masters and Governours of families who have no duties of Religion performed in the family not so much as prayer but live like Heathens and Infidels only work eat drink sleep play and the like worldly things but no service of God or very rarely sometimes some have a short heartless prayer at night yea it is to be feared and I have too much reason to think that some even whom I know and no doubt many others and I therefore mention it that they might see their sin such I say which make a fair profession of Religion and do attend I think constantly on some of the best Preachers and yet have no family-duties or but seldom This is very sad that that which should be minded principally the worship and service of God in the family is either wholly neglected or least minded It was otherwise with Abraham Joshua Job David Daniel and all that ever truly feared God Gen. 18.19 Josh 24.15 Daniel three times a day Dan. 6.10 11 12. David seven times a day Psal 119.64 5. Imploy them well in lawful imployments but do not over-burden them A good man is merciful unto his beast saith Solomon much more to his servant 6. Be careful for them both in health and sickness provide all things needful and convenient for them and in due seasons Allow them convenient time for rest recreations and to mend their apparel and allow them for their work a sutable reward the laborer is worthy of his hire Let poor labouring men especially be fully paid for their work whether they work with you or for you God hates oppression Do not work on the poor mans necessity you would not be willing to be so served your selves Do nothing in this kind but that which is just and honest before God and all men Remember you have a Master in Heaven to whom you must give an account and there is no respect of persons with God Ephes 6.9 And though some poor labouring men will be glad at some times to do any thing to get a peny to supply necessaries yet sure no honest man or that fears God will work on such a man or womans necessity to pinch men that labour of their necessary and convenient food apparel or wages to deny them their just due defer them when they stand in need of it abridge them of their necessary rest abate them in their wages or work on poor mens necessity as the manner of some wretched Masters is to do is hateful to God who is merciful and will surely avenge the poor that cry unto him and severely punish such wretched Masters 7. Teach them their Trade who are put as Apprentices to you It is a great sin to keep them ignorant of the lawful ways and the managing of their Calling a robbing of them and frustrating the end for which they were put to you As for the Mysteries or rather mysterious iniquities many men use in the managing of their Trades and Callings let the wicked keep to themselves whereby many to wonderment quickly grow rich but fear you God It is an old saying Plain dealing is a Jewel but he that useth it shall die a beggar but it is better to die a beggar than a knave to die poor and go to Heaven than to die very rich and go to hell 1 Cor. 6 9 10. The only sure way under Heaven to have a blessing on whatsoever a man hath and Gods favour whose loving kindness is better than life is to deal truly justly and faithfully with all men in all things I will not condemn any whom I see or hear of that suddenly get great estates but I cannot imagine how some men should get such vast estates as they do in a few years if they do not use some subtleties or ways more than are honest But they stand or fall to their great Master I do but give some men an Item God grant the faulty may make use of it I touch not others unless by way of caution 8. Teach them also to be careful diligent and provident for themselves in an honest way that they may see you mind their good as well as your own it will both do them good and make them more careful to manage your business for your comfort and benefit 9. When you have a good servant especially one that feareth God and makes conscience of his ways esteem highly of him or her bless God for and make much of such and use him as a brother or her as a sister in Christ and a good gift of God Philemon v. 16. 26. Servants you that are actually engaged or yet free and intend to be such let me mind you also of your duties and make Conscience of performing them as you tender your own good First as much as in you lieth while you are free or when you shall be free and intend to engage again make choice of a Godly family of such Masters Mistresses or Dames and samilies where piety and good Conscience are exercised and Religious duties constantly performed and encouraged as you tender the everlasting good and welfare of your precious and immortal Souls Be not so deluded as for a little no nor for a great deal of worldly wages or respect to neglect your precious souls Evil and ungodly families have undone many a hopeful servant both in soul and body yet most endeavor to get into families where they may get most wages or other worldly respects without any regard to piety the best things Gods glory or their eternal estate and prove accordingly and many repent sore when it is too late when they are called by death to give an account of themselves and their time unto God the Judge of all the world Secondly Having made a good choice or being in a Religious Conscientious family bless God for it be willing ready and forward to joyn with them in all Religious duties and to learn of them improve your opportunities and continue there so long as you intend to be servants to others if you may continue change not for worldly respects and advantages only to your prejudice in spiritual things Thirdly Being servants of whatsoever rank sort or condition birth or estate you were before yet being servants know and make conscience of the duty God and Nature require of you As 1. Be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh that is to fleshly and bodily Masters of the same common nature with your selves in all things lawful and that may stand with your obedience unto Christ your heavenly Master and absolute Lord so God himself expresly commandeth Ephes 6.5 Colos 3.22 Yea though they were before inferior to yourselves in divers respects and are still froward harsh cruel ungodly 1 Pet. 2.18 not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward in all things So Colos 3.22 that is in all things lawful all things that may stand with Gods command