Then & Now · 16 of 19

15. Of the Master

CHAP. 15.

Of the Master.

15. Of the Master

NExt vnto parents and children, wherby the family is increased, is a second sort of couples, which are helpes therunto. And they are Masters and seruants.

Next unto parents and children, whereby the family is increased, is a second sort of couples, which are helps thereunto. And they are masters and servants.

The Master is a member in the familie, which hath power and beareth rule ouer the seruant. And his dutie stands principally in three things.

The master is a member in the family, which hath power and beareth rule over the servant. And his duty stands principally in three things.

p. 153 First, To make a good choice of his seruants; which is then done, when he inquireth first after such as feare God, and be willing to serue him. Paul makes the seruice and feare of God the maine ground of true obedience in seruants, Ephes. 6. 5. 6. 7. Colos. 3. 22. It was the rule of Dauids choice, Psal. 101. 6. Hee that walketh in the perfect way, he shall serue me. Abrahams chiefe seruāt of his house, was a man that feared God, as appeareth, in that he made conscience of his oath, Gen. 24. 2. 3. and prayed also for successe in the busines whereabout he was sent. Gen. 24. 12. O Lord God of my Master Abraham, I beseech thee send mee good speed this day, and shew mercie to my Master Abraham. Cornelius of Caesarea, the Captaine of the Italian band, had a souldier that daily attended on him, who feared God, and seruants also beside him, to whom hee made knowne the heauenly vision which hee saw, Act. 10. 7.

First, To make a good choice of his servants; which is then done, when he inquireth first after such as fear God, and be willing to serve him. Paul makes the service and fear of God the main ground of true obedience in servants, Eph 6:‸5, 6, 7. Col 3:‸22. It was the rule of David’s choice, Ps 101:‸6. He that walketh in the perfect way, he shall serve me. Abraham’s chief servant of his house, was a man that feared God, as appeareth, in that he made conscience of his oath, Gen‸ 24:‸2, 3. And prayed also for success in the business whereabout he was sent. Gen‸ 24:‸12. O Lord God of my master Abraham, I beseech thee send me good speed this day, and show mercy to my master Abraham. Cornelius of Caesarea, the Captain of the Italian band, had a soldier that daily attended on him, who feared God, and servants also beside him, to whom he made known the heavenly vision which he saw, Acts 10:‸7.

Secondly, To enioyne them labour, and not to require more of them, then their strength will beare. The master is p. 154 to rule ouer the seruant in iustice. And then is his cōmandement vniust, whē it will not stād with the course of nature, with the abilitie of his seruant, or with the word of God. Therefore he is to require labour at their hāds proportionable to their strength, & yeeld thē sometimes intercession & rest. Leuit. 25. 46. Ouer your brethen the children of Israel, ye shall not rule ouer one another with crueltie. 1. Pet. 3. 8. Bee pitifull, bee courteous, one beare with another. And for the furtherance of busines, it is conuenient that the master be oftentimes present with the seruāts in their works. Prou. 27. 23. Be diligent to know the state of thy flock, and take heed to thy heards. The good matron ouerseeth the waies of her houshold, Prou. 31. 27.⁷¹ A man of Libya being asked, what it was that might make a horse fat; he answered, The masters eye.

71. Arist. Oeconom. 7.

Secondly, To enjoin them labour, and not to require more of them, then their strength will bear. The master is to rule over the servant in justice. And then is his commandment unjust, when it will not stand with the course of nature, with the ability of his servant, or with the word of God. Therefore he is to require labour at their hands proportionable to their strength, & yield them sometimes intercession & rest. Lev 25:‸46. Over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule over one another with cruelty. 1‸ Pet‸ 3:‸8. Be pitiful, be courteous, one bear with another. And for the furtherance of business, it is convenient that the master be oftentimes present with the servants in their works. Prov‸ 27:‸23. Be diligent to know the state of thy flock, and take heed to thy herds. The good matron overseeth the ways of her household, Prov‸ 31:‸27.⁷⁰ A man of Libya being asked, what it was that might make a horse fat; he answered, The master’s eye.

70. Arist. Oeconom. 7.

Thirdly, To recompence the diligence and paines of his seruant, and that three waies.

Thirdly, To recompense the diligence and pains of his servant, and that three ways.

First, by giuing him his due of meat and drinke for the present. The good matron giueth the portion to her houshold, p. 155 and the ordinary to her maids, Prou. 31. 15.

First, by giving him his due of meat and drink for the present. The good matron giveth the portion to her household, and the ordinary to her maids, Prov‸ 31:‸15.

Secondly, by paying him his hire in the end of his seruice: The labourer is worthie of his wages. Luk. 10. 7. Well done, good seruant and faithfull; thou hast been faithfull in little, I will make thee ruler ouer much; enter into thy masters ioy. Mat. 25. 21.

Secondly, by paying him his hire in the end of his service: The labourer is worthy of his wages. Luke 10:‸7. Well done, good servant and faithful; thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much; enter into thy master’s joy. Matt 25:‸21.

Heere three caueats are to be obserued. I. That the wages be proportionable to the work. II. That it be paid in due time, without deferring. So the Master of the vine-yard, when euen was come, called his seruants together, to giue thē their hire, Mat. 20. 8. III. That the seruāt be not defrauded of any part of his due. For this is a crying sin; Deut. 24. 15. Thou shalt giue him his hire for his day, neither shall the Sunne go downe vpon it—lest hee crie against thee vnto the Lord, and it bee sinne vnto thee. Iam. 5. 4. Behold, the hire of the labourers which haue reaped your fields, which is kept backe by fraud, crieth, and the cries of them which haue reaped, are entred into the eares of the Lord of hosts.

Here three caveats are to be observed. I. That the wages be proportionable to the work. II. That it be paid in due time, without deferring. So the master of the vine-yard, when even was come, called his servants together, to give them their hire, Matt 20:‸8. III. That the servant be not defrauded of any part of his due. For this is a crying sin; Deut‸ 24. 15. Thou shalt give him his hire for his day, neither shall the Sun go down upon it—lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee. Jas 5:‸4. Behold, the hire of the labourers which have reaped your fields, which is kept back by fraud, crieth, and the cries of them which have reaped, are entered into the ears of the Lord of hosts.

Thirdly, if the seruant in time of his seruice be sicke, the masters care must p. 156 be by all means possible to procure his recouery. Equitie must be the rule in these cases; and masters are to do to their seruants that which is iust and equall. Col. 4. 1. Now the seruant haplie falles sicke by and in his seruice, and his health yeelds not only profit to his master, but incouragement also to himselfe. The good Centurion in case of his seruants sicknesse, tooke the best course to haue him restored, Matth. 8. 6.

Thirdly, if the servant in time of his service be sick, the master’s care must be by all means possible to procure his recovery. Equity must be the rule in these cases; and masters are to do to their servants that which is just and equal. Col‸ 4:‸1. Now the servant haply falls sick by and in his service, and his health yields not only profit to his master, but encouragement also to himself. The good Centurion in case of his servant’s sickness, took the best course to have him restored, Matt 8:‸6.