N01223:104
Bonifacius. An essay upon the good, that is to be devised and designed, by…
Bonifacius. An essay upon the good, that is to be devised and designed, by those who desire to answer the great end of life, and to do good while they live. A book offered, first, in general, unto all Christians, in a personal capacity, or in a relative. Then more particularly, unto ministers, unto physicians, unto lawyers, unto schoolmasters [sic], unto wealthy gentlemen, unto several sorts of officers, unto churches, and unto all societies of a religious character and intention. With humble proposals, of unexceptionable methods, to do good in the world. : [Two lines from Ephesians]Bonifacius. An essay upon the good, that is to be devised and designed, by those who desire to answer the great end of life, and to do good while they live. A book offered, first, in general, unto all Christians, in a personal capacity, or in a relative. Then more particularly, unto ministers, unto physicians, unto lawyers, unto scholemasters [sic], unto wealthy gentlemen, unto several sorts of officers, unto churches, and unto all societies of a religious character and intention. With humble proposals, of unexceptionable methods, to do good in the world. : [Two lines from Ephesians]
printed by B. Green for Samuel Gerrish, 1710
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
I have somewhere met with a Paper under this Title, The RESOLUTION of a MASTER; which may here afford an agreeable Paragraph and Parenthesis.
I. I would always Remember, that my Servants are in some sort my Children. In a Care, That they may want nothing that may be good for them, I would make them as my Children. And, as far as the Methods of Instilling Piety, which I use with my Children, may be Properly and Prudently used with these, they shall be Partakers in them. Nor will I leave them Ignorant of any thing, wherein I may Instruct them to be useful in their Generation. II. I will see that my Servants be furnished with Bibles, and Able and Careful to Read the Lively Oracles. I will put both Bibles and other Good and Fit Books into their Hands; and allow them Time to Read, but assure my self that they don't Misspend this Time. If I can discover any Wicked Books in their Hands, I will take away from them, those Pestilential Instruments of Wickedness. They shall also Write as well as Read, if I can bring them to it. And I will set them now and then such Things to Write, as may be for their greatest Advantage. III. I will have my Servants present at the Religious Exercises of my Family; and let fall either in the Speeches, or in the Prayers, of the Daily Sacrifice in the Family, such Passages, as may have a Tendency to quicken a Sense of Religion in them. IV. The Catechising Stroke as far as the Age or State of the Servants will permit that it may be ⟨p. 70⟩done with Decency, shall Extend unto them also. And they shall be concerned in the Conferences, wherein the Repetition of the Public Sermons, may engage me with my Family. If any of them, when they come to me, have not Learnt the Catechism, I will see to it, that they shall do it; and give them a Reward when they have done it. V. I will be very Inquisitive and Solicitous about the Company chosen by my Servants; and with all possible Cogency rescue them from the Snares of Evil Company: forbid their being the Companions of Fools. VI. Such of my Servants as may be Employed for that purpose, I will Employ to Teach Lessons of Piety unto my Children; and Recompense them for doing so But I would with a particular Artifice contrive them to be such Lessons, as may be for their own Edification too. VII. I will sometimes call my Servants alone; Talk with them about the State of their Souls; Tell them how to close with their only Saviour, Charge them to Do well, and Lay hold on Eternal Life;