The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…

Now when they part, the masters duty is to look that he send not his servant away empty, but do something for him according to the blessing of God upon him by his servants labour, & according to his own ability; and look how much longer time the servant hath been with him, and how much more ⟨p. 19⟩faithful service he hath done to him, by so much more must he be frank and bountiful in respecting and believing him. Contrary to this is the dealing of those shifters, that must have new servants every year, for that either they be so bad themselves as none will stay with them longer then needs they must, or else they entertain such ungodly persons into there family, as it is not sit that they should tarry long in any place. And those that take in such manner servants as deserve no recompense, because they employ their labour about such things, as the family hath no benefit by them, but are fit only to serve their Masters lust, in vanity and foolishness: for such it is just that though they dwell many years in a place they should have no reward given them, because their labour hath brought no good to the family, no body hath been a gainer or bettered by it. but here was a great fault on both parts; for both the Master was a fool to give harbour to such unprofitable companions, and the servant was a fool, to spend his time and pains about such base service as could be benefit to no body; and here it is just that both should be losers. But when one hath had a servant that hath been with him a long time and done him faithful service, so employing his labour and spending both his days and strength as that some profit and commodity redounds to the family; And the masters estate hath been better by his careful diligence; now by continuance of time and by this profitable society they had, the servant should grow to be unto him as a child, and he if he will seem to be one of a good nature upon so long experience of his faithful and loving carriage, should put on the affection of father to him. For indeed nature shows that it is a shame for one to put away his old servant, that hath worn out his body in his service, without bestowing his liberality upon him in some measure, according to his own ability and his servants labours.

Now when they part, the masters duty is to looke that he send not his seruant away emptie, but doe something for him according to the blessing of God vpon him by his seruants labour, & according to his owne abilitie; and looke how much longer time the seruant hath beene with him, and howe much more