:

the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up,' ," Deut. vi. 7. And, ver. 20, 21, “When thy son asketh thee, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord our God commanded you? Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand." This testimony God gave of Abraham before the law was given; "For I know Abraham, that he will command his children, and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord," Gen. xviii. 19. To this purpose, St. Augustine says, that the master of the family does after a sort, and in his measure, perform the office of a bishop within his own house.

2. See that thou make provision for thy family, both food and raiment. "If any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel," 1 Tim. v. 8. "The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. And thou shalt have goat's milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens," Prov. xxvii. 26, 27.

3. Look that you keep good order, and exercise good discipline in the family. If children be stubborn, you are to correct them, and chastise them according to the nature of their offence, and the state and condition of the person, having first admonished them.

4. See that you perform all duty about your servants conscientiously, which consisteth in two things : -In respect of your choosing them; and, in respect of your conduct towards them.

(1.) In the choice of servants, have regard to these things:

[1] As to the number of servants, see that it be proportionable to your estate, revenues, calling, and employments. It is great folly to make ostentation of many servants merely through vanity. A man is no way the happier by having many servants.

[2.] As to the quality of servants, you must either take good servants, or labour to make them such. If one Achan troubleth a land, how may one irreligious servant trouble an house? God blessed Potiphar and Laban, for Joseph's and Jacob's sakes. You should beware of entertaining such servants who have neither conscience, nor the fear of God, and by whose wicked conversation your children may be soon corrupted.

[3.] For capacity. It is necessary that in a servant there should be ability to discharge his office; for every one that is honest, hath not ability to undergo all kinds of business. Our abilities are limited as well as our minds; and, every one hath his particular talent, which must be known by those that will make use of him. To this end inquire where they have lived, get good testimony concerning them, and try before you trust.

[4.] See that you take such servants as are faithful. Faithfulness is one of the qualities which the gospel gives of a good servant: you have reason to require it, and discreetly to make trial of it, not by suspicions and jealousies, which only serve to provoke such as have a disposition to do well. A man is oftentimes made faithful, by being thought faithful; and many through continual fear of being deceived, have taught others to cheat and deceive, justifying their deceit by their own distrust. As the Roman philosopher says, "You must allow your officers what their several duties require; not quarrelling with

them every minute for trifles:" notwithstanding you must carefully reserve the state of your affairs for your private knowledge; for it is an equal fault, indifferently to trust all, or to distrust all.

(2.) As to your conduct towards them.

When you have made a good choice, the government of them is not hard; for St. Augustine says, "Nothing is so easy as to persuade those unto good, who have a great desire to put it in practice."

[1] Banish all vice and scandal from your house; let not wantonness and uncleanness come near it. Let not surfeiting, drunkenness, or excess know so much as the gate thereof; suffer not proud persons, liars, slanderers, and workers of deceit to dwell with you; and cause froward and wicked persons to depart from you. This was David's practice, Psa. ci. For as Nebuchadnezzar made the pages that attended on him learn his language; so the devil teaches his dialect to those of his acquaintance.

[2.] And having banished vice, accustom your family to devotion; cause them diligently to hear the word on the Lord's day, and on other occasions offered; bring them to the house of God, and see that they do there both religiously and reverently behave themselves, during the time of the public worship and that being ended, and the congregation dismissed, examine them touching what thy have heard, that they may profit both in knowledge and obedience. Assemble them in the evening, or some convenient time in the day, to some devout and pious exercise; and see how they are instructed in Divine truth.

[3.] Behave yourselves wisely and sincerely before your children and servants; for your example will do more than all your words. The life and conver

sation of a good master and mistress, is a good monitor in a house. We live in an age wherein we have more need of patterns than precepts. Servants adhere to the pillars of an house, as ivy to great trees. It is good that ye be liberal according to your means; in ordering your family, be liberal in such expenses as are requisite both for necessity and decorum. For as nets are useful to take fishes, liberality is a golden hook to take men. Manage your dignity and place in such a way, as is neither harsh, imperious, nor arrogant; but let your conduct be mild, affable, and communicative. Show love and tenderness to your servants. A Christian servant must be in the place of a beloved brother, or sister; and so is received, Philem. 16. Think, also, how you may do them good, as well as how to be benefited by their service. God required the Israelites, that they should not rule over their servants with rigour, Lev. xxv. 43. You must temper your power with mercy, laying aside threatening to your servants, Eph. vi. 9; not menacing them for every trifle. For many severe masters and mistresses can scarcely speak to their servants, but they must abuse them. This kind of threatening the apostle forbids. But, on the other hand, take heed lest, through indiscretion, you run out of one extreme into another; for he that brings up a servant daintily, shall have enough of it, Prov. xxix. 21. Let me advise you also, to retain a decent and moderate gravity in your deportment, that the stamp which God sets on those he calls to offices and places of government, may not be defaced.

5. Finally, in all your affairs, invoke God's assistance, and to give you wisdom to know what is pleasing to him, and that you may put it in execution. If

your project or enterprise have good issue, give the praise unto God, and be an example of modesty unto your neighbour. But if business keep not time to your will, learn to keep time to the Divine Providence, which makes harmony in the world. Though you may have power over your designs, yet you have no power over events. But, above all, look into yourself, as the first piece of your government; let your conscience be pure and peaceable; and herein do you exercise yourself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men, speaking and doing everything with much consideration, and never slighting or despising the counsel of those that are able to advise you. Keep the thoughts of God's presence always in your thoughts, and testify it by the desire you have to please him in all places, occasions, and actions. Dedicate all your works to him before you begin them; and having finished them, remember always to set upon them the seal of thanksgiving due to his Divine Majesty.

SECTION XXVI.

RULES ABOUT EATING AND DRINKING.

BEWARE of excess in eating and drinking, either in reference to the quality or quantity of meats and drinks.

1. As to the quality or kinds of meats and drinks, be content with those that are necessary and useful, for the preservation of the health and strength of your bodies, and do not insatiably desire those meats