Sixthly, Take heed of bitterness and threatening, of cruelty and injustice, §6of wronging them in meat, drink, clothing, or lodging; and neglecting them when they are sick, and denying them that tendance, physic, and care that is fit for them at such a time. Take heed of calling them names, and cursing them, and of correcting them with unreasonable weapons, for slight or no faults; and using them worse than a merciful man would do his beast. Are not your Servants of the same metal with your selves? they have sense and feeling as well as you; their flesh is not iron, nor their bones brass; Would you have God give you such mercy as you give your Servants? If he should mark what you do amiss, what would soon become of you? Did you never read the woes that God denounceth against oppressors? and do you think God threatens in jest? can't he easily give life and execution to his woes? and where are you then man? What if God should curse when you curse? what if he should strike as well as you? are you able to bear the strokes that his hand can lay on? can thy heart endure, or thy back bear what he can inflict? when you are just lifting up your hand, consider a little the nature of the fault, and do as thou wouldst have God do by thee, and then be outrageous and cruel if you can. Remember your Servants are God's Servants, and you must not rule them with rigour:1 read those Scriptures which you find quoted in the Margin. Some may wonder that I insist upon this caution so long; but I wish the empty bellies, the thin checks, the black and blew skins of many poor Servants did not give me too good reason for what I say.2 I shall desire such Masters to ask themselves sometimes, Whose Soul do I now properly possess, a Tyrant's, a Mad-man's, or a Beast's? Suppose your Servant is not so wise, strong, and active as you would have him, it may be for this, he more needs pity than blows or curses. But if he be really faulty, were you never so too? and when punishment is due, remember that Religion, Reason, and Humanity must always measure punishment. Think not they are in your power, and poor, and friendless, and that they have none that can or will right them. If this were a good warrant for oppressing another, how many are there who would soon crush you to pieces?
Sixthly, Take heed of bitterness and threatning, of cruelty and injustice, §6of wronging them in meat, drink, clothing, or lodging; and neglecting them when they are sick, and denying them that tendance, physick, and care that is fit for them at such a time. Take heed of calling them names, and cursing them, and of correcting them with unreasonable weapons, for slight or no faults; and using them worse than a merciful man would do his beast. Are not your Servants of the same mettal with your selves? they have sense and feeling as well as you; their flesh is not iron, nor their bones brass; Would you have God give you such mercy as you give your Servants? If he should mark what you do amiss, what would soon become of you? Did you never read the woes that God denounceth against oppressors? and do you think God threatens in jest? can't he easily give life and execution to his woes? and where are you then man? What if God should curse when you curse? what if he should strike as well as you? are you able to bear the strokes that his hand can lay on? can thy heart endure, or thy back bear what he can inflict? when you are just lifting up your hand, consider a little the nature of the fault, and do as thou would'st have God do by thee, and then be outragious and cruel if you can. Remember your Servants are God's Servants, and you must not rule them with rigour:1 read those Scriptures which you find quoted in the Margent. Some may wonder that I insist upon this caution so long; but I wish the empty bellies, the thin checks, the black and blew skins of many poor Servants did not give me too good reason for what I say.2 I shall desire such Masters to ask themselves sometimes, Whose Soul do I now properly possess, a Tyrant's, a Mad-man's, or a Beast's? Suppose your Servant is not so wise, strong, and active as you would have him, it may be for this, he more needs pity than blows or curses. But if he be really faulty, were you never so too? and when punishment is due, remember that Religion, Reason, and Humanity must always measure punishment. Think not they are in your power, and poor, and friendless, and that they have none that can or will right them. If this were a good warrant for oppressing another, how many are there who would soon crush you to pieces?
- 1Lev. 25.42, 43 Deut. 24.14. Jam. 5.4.
- 2Anton. l. 5. […]. & l. 6. n. 21.Anton. l. 5. 〈…〉. & l. 6. n. 21.
