Prototypes, or, The primary precedent presidents out of the book of Genesis showing, the…Prototypes, or, The primarie precedent presidents out of the booke of Genesis shewing, the…

Lo, he would not deal so unjustly with his kinsman, as to take his labour and service for nothing, but is willing to give him such convenient satisfaction as he should demand.

Loe, he would not deale so unjustly with his kinsman, as to take his labour and service for nothing, but is willing to give him such convenient satisfaction as he should demand.

This is such a point of righteousness and equity, as even nature it self doth teach, and a mere natural man, not too much over run with worldliness of mind, may practise towards others. For seeing every man must make himself the measure of his dealing with his neighbour, and that it cannot but seem unrighteous to any man, if he be driven to work for nothing, surely he cannot but conclude, that himself also is bound to recompense the labour and service of another. And this justice was so well known to Laban, and he had so much goodness remaining in him afterwards too, that he continues to exercise it after Jacob had finished his fourteen years service, and was now to make a new bargain, as you shall read Chap. 30. ver. 25. and 35. For when Jacob requested his good will to return home, because he knew how faithfully he had served, he acknowledges his painfulness, and trustiness, and his good success too, and therefore requests him to tarry with him, and makes him this offer, saying, Appoint me thy wages and I will give it; and when Jacob made a reasonable motion, (that for the clearing of his innocency, and preventing of all mistakings, he might have for his wages the speckled and spotted amongst the Goats, and the brown amongst the Sheep, that should after be yeaned he meaneth) he agrees to the condition, and so Jacob was willing to serve him on these terms. Here you see justice in Laban, he is willing to give his servant due wages for his work. This point of equity is written in nature, and little goodness is left in him that doth not know and follow it.

This is such a point of righteousnesse and equity, as even nature it selfe doth teach, and a meere naturall man, not too much over run with worldlinesse of minde, may practise towards others. For seeing every man must make himselfe the measure of his dealing with his neighbour, and that it cannot but seeme unrighteous to any man, if he bee driven to worke for nothing, surely he cannot but conclude, that himselfe also is bound to recompence the labour and service of another. And this justice was so well knowne to Laban, and hee had so much goodnesse remaining in him afterwards too, that hee continues to exercise it after Iacob had finished his fourteene yeares service, and was now to make a new bargaine, as you shall reade Chap. 30. ver. 25. and 35. For when Iacob requested his good will to returne home, because hee knew how faithfully hee had served, hee acknowledges his painfulnesse, and trustinesse, and his good successe too, and therefore requests him to tarry with him, and makes him this offer, saying, Appoint mee thy wages and I will give it; and when Iacob made a reasonable motion, (that for the clearing of his innocency, and preventing of all mistakings, hee might have for his wages the speckled and spotted amongst the Goates, and the browne amongst the Sheepe, that should after bee yeaned hee meaneth) he agrees to the condition, and so Iacob was willing to serve him on these termes. Here you see justice in Laban, hee is willing to give his servant due wages for his worke. This point of equity is written in nature, and little goodnesse is left in him that doth not know and follow it.