In short, observe the strain and current of the whole Scriptures, 1and you shall find very few or none of those Family-Governors, that were really converted themselves, but they gave this excellent testimony of the Truth, and soundness of the Grace of God in them, viz. in being careful and solicitous to beget and breed it in the hearts of those that were under their roof and charge. If Esther fasts, so shall her Maids too, Esth. 4.16. And in the New Testament we find the Masters interest and duty taken to be so great for the Conversion of the rest, that as he was not to content himself with his own Conversion, but to labour presently that his household should join with him, that so the whole Family at once might be devoted to God. So God did bless his own Order and Ordinance to that end. And where he imposed duty on Masters, he usually gave such success that commonly the whole Family was converted and baptized with the Ruler of the Family. So we read Act. 10.2. Cornelius a Centurion, a godly Captain, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house: to whom the Angel promised that Peter should tell him words whereby he and all his household should be saved, Acts 11.14. Doth the Lord open Lydia's heart to attend to the things spoken by Paul? It follows instantly, she was baptized, and her household. Doth the Gaoler believe on the Lord Jesus? Paul assures him that he shall be saved, and his house; and so it was, for he, and all his, were baptized straightway, for he believed in God with all his house, Acts 16.32, 33, 34. Christ no sooner comes to Zacheus his Soul, but Salvation comes to Zacheus house, Luke 19.9. Crispus believes on the Lord with all his house, Acts 18.8. The Noble man himself believed and his whole house, John 4.53. These Family-Governors, it seems, took special care of the welfare of their Servants Souls; did not act like Turks, who mind nothing about their Slaves but their doing their own work. These judged that if it were cruelty not to allow their servants bodily food, much more savage and bloody to starve their Souls: And therefore it might well be said of those happy Servants whom Providence sixth under their Conduct, as the Queen of Sheba of Solomon's Servants, 1 Kings 10.8. Happy are these thy servants which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.
In short, observe the strain and current of the whole Scriptures, 1and you shall find very few or none of those Family-Governours, that were really converted themselves, but they gave this excellent testimony of the Truth, and soundness of the Grace of God in them, viz. in being careful and sollicitous to beget and breed it in the hearts of those that were under their roof and charge. If Esther fasts, so shall her Maids too, Esth. 4.16. And in the New Testament we find the Masters interest and duty taken to be so great for the Conversion of the rest, that as he was not to content himself with his own Conversion, but to labour presently that his houshold should join with him, that so the whole Family at once might be devoted to God. So God did bless his own Order and Ordinance to that end. And where he imposed duty on Masters, he usually gave such success that commonly the whole Family was converted and baptized with the Ruler of the Family. So we read Act. 10.2. Cornelius a Centurion, a godly Captain, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house: to whom the Angel promised that Peter should tell him words whereby he and all his houshold should be saved, Acts 11.14. Doth the Lord open Lydia's heart to attend to the things spoken by Paul? It follows instantly, she was baptized, and her houshold. Doth the Gaoler believe on the Lord Jesus? Paul assuxes him that he shall be saved, and his house; and so it was, for he, and all his, were baptized streightway, for he believed in God with all his house, Acts 16.32, 33, 34. Christ no sooner comes to Zacheus his Soul, but Salvation comes to Zacheus house, Luke 19.9. Crispus believes on the Lord with all his house, Acts 18.8. The Noble man himself believed and his whole house, John 4.53. These Family-Governours, it seems, took special care of the welfare of their Servants Souls; did not act like Turks, who mind nothing about their Slaves but their doing their own work. These judg'd that if it were cruelty not to allow their servants bodily food, much more savage and bloody to starve their Souls: And therefore it might well be said of those happy Servants whom Providence fixt under their Conduct, as the Queen of Sheba of Solomon's Servants,
- 1Dr. Jacom • Dom. Deo Jun. •07.
