Instruction to them that are appointed to be messengers, or to Use. 1 perform any other service of like nature, that they consider that they deal not only for others, but principally for themselves. If they be false or careless, the greatest hurt will be their own: if they do their duty as it becometh them, their travel will turn most to their own commodity. And therefore it shall be expedient for them, to be well appointed and furnished with those graces whereof his faithfulness is compounded. Among the which, trueth doth duly challenge an especial place. Truth must be in the heart, trueth must be in the hands, trueth must be in the lips, trueth must be in their labour, all their desires and speeches and actions, must be seasoned with trueth. To this must be adjoined wisdom and discretion, whereby their affairs may be the better graced, & furthered, and a way made for the accomplishment of their desires. What is so dangerous that wisdom cannot escape? what is so difficult that wisdom cannot effect? And what is so intricate that wisdom cannot find out? And it is meet that these should be accompanied with boldness, that they which have a good cause committed unto them, should manage it with an undanted courage, against frownings and threatenings, and all manner of impediments and peril. And now speediness may and ought to come into the number, when wisdom is present to put rashness back: for lingering and delay is usually very dangerous and hurtful, and some be in as great fault for doing their duty too late, as others be for practising evil too soon. If mischief be to be prevented or removed, a good messenger should imitate the Angels of God, which are said to be winged and as it were fly to minister help: and in such hast Elisha sent his man before, and followed after himself to restore the Shunamites son to life. If any good chare be to be done, let Abraham's trusty servant be a president for expedition, who would neither1 eat nor drink, before he had set his masters business on foot, ⟨p. 51⟩and make a speedy return home, so soon as he had well dispatched his work. If comforts are to be brought, why should any stay be made to refresh the harts of them that are in fear, or sorrow, or in any kind of affliction?
Jnstruction to them that are appointed to be messengers, or to Vse. 1 performe any other seruice of like nature, that they consider that they deale not only for others, but principally for themselues. If they be false or carelesse, the greatest hurt will be their owne: if they doe their duty as it becommeth them, their trauell will turne most to their owne commodity. And therefore it shall be expedient for them, to be well appointed and furnished with those graces whereof his faithfulnesse is compounded. Among the which, trueth doth duly challenge an especiall place. Truth must be in the heart, trueth must be in the hands, trueth must be in the lips, trueth must be in their labour, all their desires and speeches and actions, must be seasoned with trueth. To this must be adioyned wisedome and discretion, whereby their affaires may be the better graced, & furthered, and a way made for the accomplishment of their desires. What is so daungerous that wisedome cannot escape? what is so difficult that wisedome cannot effect? And what is so intricate that wisedome cannot find out? And it is meet that these should be accompanied with boldnes, that they which haue a good cause committed vnto them, should manage it with an vndanted courage, against frownings and threatnings, and all manner of impediments and perill. And now speedinesse may and ought to come into the number, when wisedome is present to put rashnesse back: for lingring and delay is vsually verie dangerous and hurtfull, and some be in as great fault for doing their duety too late, as others be for practising euill too soone. Jf mischiefe be to be preuented or remoued, a good messenger should imitate the Angells of God, which are sayd to be winged and as it were fly to minister helpe: and in such hast Elisha sent his man before, and followed after himselfe to restore the Shunamites sonne to life. If any good chare be to be done, let Abrahams trusty seruant be a president for expedition, who would neither1 eate nor drinke, before he had set his masters businesse on foote, ⟨p. 51⟩and make a speedy returne home, so soone as he had well dispatched his worke. If comforts are to be brought, why should any stay be made to refresh the harts of them that are in feare, or sorow, or in any kind of affliction?
- 1Gen. 24.
