A20559:402
The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…
The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A familiar and learned exposition on the ten commandments gathered from the mouth of a faithful pastor by a gracious young man, sometime scholar in Cambridge.The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A familiar and learned exposition on the ten commandements gathered from the mouth of a faithfull pastor by a gracious young man, sometime scholler in Cambridge.
London: printed by John Harison for Thomas Man, 1603London: printed by Iohn Harison for Thomas Man, 1603
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thus much concerning the duties of servants; the duties of the master follow. For as God binds the inferior to his duty, so he requires that the superior be careful in his place and calling too. Now the masters duties consist in two main points. ⟨image 114⟩Namely, in choosing them with wisdom and discretion, and in using them with a good conscience, a good wise choice and a christian and honest use. Now for choosing the main duty and the chief thing to be regarded is, that they get such under their roof as be the servants of God, such as have grace and virtue in their harts, & carry a good conscience with them. This duty is confirmed by the example of David, Psal. 101. where his example sets down a rule how every one should order his family. He shows that for wicked persons, telltales, proud persons, swaggerers, such as have great looks & no grace, he would have none of them for his servants, but those that were religious upright, such should be his servants. And there is good reason why one should be careful to take none into his family but Christians, for if they be not faithful to God, as sure as God lives they will never be faithful to their master. For all obedience and faithfulness flows from the first table, & begins there, but if a man neglect his duty where he hath more hands to tie him to it, he will be much more slack where he hath fewer bands. Secondly, a wicked person is very contagious, and will infect the children with his lewdness and evil behaviour; and indeed many can tell by experience, that the ill example, and the vile persuasions of one ungodly, will do more harm to the children, then all that many good servants can do, will do them good. So that this is even to bring a leprous person among the whole, and a contagious man among the sound. Thirdly, a wicked person doth bring Gods curse upon the family, even as a good servant hath Gods blessing going with him as we see in Joseph. So when an ungodly sinful fellow hath the fingering and and dealing in a matter, the curse of God pursues and follows him, for so it is said: The curse of God is upon the house of the swearer, and upon the house of the thieves, not only upon his own heart, but even upon the house and habitation, where such an one is kept and maintained and countenanced. But shall I be plagued and punished for my servants sins? yes and justly too;
Thus much concerning the duties of seruants; the duties of the master follow. For as God binds the inferiour to his duty, so he requires that the superiour be carefull in his place and calling too. Now the masters duties consist in two maine points.