The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a…

As to the former, it is unquestionably a Sin against God. Tho you had nothing with them, yea tho you had bought them of their Parents for seven Years; yet God, who is your Master, hath charged you, Levit. 25. 43. Thou shalt not rule over him with Rigour; but shalt fear thy God; which he repeats again, Vers. 46. But over your Brethren the Children of Israel, ye shall not rule over one another with Rigour. And as the Sin is great, so the Danger is evident, for such usage hath driven hundreds of Youths to desperate Resolutions; wherein, tho they cannot be justified, yet for giving them such occasion, you shall be condemned. Forbear then all imperious Carriage towards then; I would have you to maintain your Authority; but that is sufficiently preserved by a grave and religious course of Life, which will beget a Veneration in your Inferiors; whereas any discerned Sin in you degrades you, and breeds an inward Contempt of you in them that see it. Fix in your Hearts an unfeigned love to them, and that will both guide you in all your Behaviour towards them, and dispose you to bear with their Frailties and Imperfections: and certainly if we own this debt of Love to every Man, we ought to pay a greater measure of it to those that are so near us. Be sure, that they have Food, and Raiment, and Rest convenient for them. For ⟨p. 120⟩Quality, let them have that which is suitable to their Condition: For Quantity, let them have what is sufficient for their necessity. For Time and Season, let them have it in such due season, as may be for their Health and Comfort. You should scorn to squeeze an Estate out of your Apprentices Bellies, or rent it from off their Backs. And then impose not too heavy Tasks upon them; make not their Lives grievou, lest they cry unto the Lord, and he be wrath with you, and blast all your Affairs. Charge them not with Faults without cause, neither refuse to hear their just Apologies: read and think of that Scripture, Job 31. 13, 14, 15. If I did despise the cause of my Man-Servant, or of my Maid-Servant, when they contended with me, what then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? Did not he that made me in the Womb, make him? and did not one fashion us in the Womb? And in case of Correction, let it be the last Expedient;

As to the former, it is unquestionably a Sin against God. Tho you had nothing with them, yea tho you had bought them of their Parents for seven Years; yet God, who is your Master, hath charg'd you,