N00618:61
A good master well served. A brief discourse on the necessary properties & practices…
A good master well served. A brief discourse on the necessary properties & practices of a good servant in every-kind of servitude: and of the methods that should be taken by the heads of a family, to obtain such a servant. / By Cotton Mather. ; [Two lines from Joel]
printed by B. Green, 1696
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
It has been among the Wretchednesses of Mankind, that Servants have ordinarily been so had, as to bring a Discredit upon the very Names, which were once innocently and agreeably used, for all that rank of people. Some Names, that formerly signified no more than Servants, now carry all the Dishonesties of Knavery and Villainy in their signification, because that Servants have so often been Dishonest. But now may God help you, Our Servants, instead of bringing a Blemish upon your own poor Names, to bring a Glory unto the Name of that Lord, whose Name indeed is Exalted far above all Blessing and Praise.
It has been among the Wretchednesses of Mankind, that Servants have ordinarily been so had, as to bring a Discredit upon the very Names, which were once innocently and agreeably used, for all that rank of people. Some Names, that formerly signified no more than Servants, now carry all the Dishonesties of Knavery and Villa•y in their signification, because that Servants have so often been Dishonest. But now may God help you, Our Servants, instead of bringing a Blemish upon your own poor Names, to bring a Glory unto the Name of that Lord, whose Name indeed is Exalted far above all Blessing and Praise.
It is brought, as a Great Motive to make a Good Servant, in Tit. 2. 10. That they may Adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour, in all Things: and in 1 Tim. 6. 1, 2. That the Name of God, and His Doctrine he not Blasphemed. Let me tell you, Servants, The Glory of God your Saviour, is very much concerned, in your Conforming to the Laws, which are given for Servants, in the Doctrine of that Lord. If Servants behave themselves holily and usefully, according to the Laws of this Doctrine, What will Ensue upon it? Why Servants do usually carry La•horns before us; Truly, You Servants will by a wise Carriage, have your Light so shining before men, that others will Glorify your Master in Heaven, upon your Account. But, if you that are Servants, professing a subjection unto the Lord Jesus Christ, shall allow