The law unsealed

Answ. I will not altogether condemn Chaplains, for certainly, Masters may make use of helps, and God as often blessed it, and that practise of Levites being in Families, Deut. 12. verse 13. 18, 19▪ (though it was a snare through his own fault to that Levite, who went seeking a place to sojourn in Judg. 17. in Micahs house) seemeth to insinuate that there hath been, and might have been, somewhat of this, and good if well improved; yet when putting the charge upon Chaplains, either merely for Masters of Families their own ease, and when they think themselves altogether exoned of that burden, because they have such with them, or when ⟨image 87⟩it's because they think less of, and undervalue that duty themselves, or account it below them to catechize and instruct servants, or to pray in their Families, or because they cannot bestow so much time on these duties, who yet can bestow much more idly, that is utterly culpable and inexcusable; the burden lieth on the Master primarily and chiefly, and therefore he can never denude himself wholly of it, more then of his other necessary affairs, except when more public affairs call him, or when infirmities impede him; for here the Command saith, thou, to wit, Master, nor thy Son, nor Servant, &c. it speaketh directly and immediately to him, because the performance of the duty is especially called for from him; so in that example of Abraham it's he that commandeth his household to keep the way of the Lord, Job himself offereth the sacrifice, David will not send home, but goeth himself to bless his house (though they had other ways much employment if that could excuse) and the man that is to be chosen an elder, is such as ruleth his own house well; having of a Chaplain, will give no great proof of the Masters own dexterity, yet we say, that one may for the better effectuating the end take help, though he cannot altogether devolve the burden on another; yea, we think when the Master is negligent or absent, Duty falleth to be performed by these of the Family, on whom the weight of his affairs doth in his failing or falling short, lye, if qualified; so that amongst other defects they should make up this, or in such a Case the most fit and best qualified in the family ought to be pitched on for this.