N07105:123
The well-ordered family
The well-ordered family: wherein the duties of it's [sic] various members are described and urged. A small, but very comprehensive piece, suitable to be in the hand of every householder [sic]; and may be especially seasonable in the present day. / By that eminently pious and learned divine, Mr. Isaac Ambrose, Minister of the Gospel at Preston. ; [Two lines from John]The well-ordered family: wherein the duties of it's [sic] various members are described and urged. A small, but very comprehensive piece, suitable to be in the hand of every housholder [sic]; and may be especially seasonable in the present day. / By that eminently pious and learned divine, Mr. Isaac Ambrose, Minister of the Gospel at Preston. ; [Two lines from John]
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland, 1762
The Well-Ordered Family. › Section 7: Of the Duties of Servants to their Masters.
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.
2. Obedience; which hath Respect to the Commands, Instructions, Reproofs & Corrections of their Masters, 1 Pet. 2.18, 19, 20. But here's a Case or two of Conscience:
1. How far they must obey; or what is the extent of Servants Obedience to Masters? — The Apostle answers, Servants obey in all Things your Masters according to the Flesh, Col. 3.22. It is not sufficient that Servants perform well their Duties in some Things; they must do it in all Things; yea in Things that may be against their own Mind and Liking, if their Masters will have it so: This is clear in the Example of Joab, the King commands him to number the People: Joab declares himself, that he thinks it a very unmeet Thing. Why doth my Lord the King delight (saith he) in this Thing? 2 Sam. 24.2, &c. Yet against his Judgment he yields unto the King's peremptory Command, The King's Word prevailed against Joab. Look as Peter, when Christ bid him launch out into the Deep, and let down his Net for a Draught, He answered and said, Master, We have toiled all the Night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy Word, I will let down the Net. So must Servants say, when they have a peremptory Command, tho' contrary to their own Judgments, this or that in all Humility, I suppose, or I propound to you; Nevertheless, at your Word I will let down the Net; I will do as you please.
2. But what if God and Master should command contrary Things? In such a Case the Apostle sets down an excellent Limitation in these four Phrases, [1. As unto Christ. 2. As the Servants of Christ. 3. Doing the Will of God. 4. As to the Lord.] All these imply, That if Masters command their Servants any Thing contrary to Christ, they may not yield to it: Upon this Ground the Midwives of the Hebrew Women, would not kill the Hebrew Children, They feared God (saith the Text) and did not as the King commanded them,