A FAMILIAR EXPLANATION OF AN INDENTURE OF APPRENTICESHIP.
This Indenture witnesseth, That__R. B.__ Son of__J. B.__, Citizen of London, doth put himself (that is, by his own free and voluntary choice) apprentice to __A. A.__ Citizen and ____ of London, to learn his Art, and with him after the manner of an Apprentice to serve (that is, to live with him in the capacity of a learner and servant, doing all such work as belongs to his trade, and as Apprentices by custom are obliged to do) from the date hereof, unto the full end and term of ____ years from thence next following to be fully complete and ended; that is, not at the beginning only, or for part of the time, but so long as his Indenture shall continue in force, which must be for seven years at least.
During which term the said Apprentice his said Master faithfully shall serve; that is, he shall be true and just to his Master in all his dealings, both in word and deed; he must not only keep his hands from picking and stealing, and his tongue from lying and slandering; he must not only abstain from doing him any manner of injury, by idleness, negligence, or carelessness; by deceiving, defaming, or any kind of evil speaking: but, he must learn and labour to do him true and real service.
Ye must be faithful in all things. 1 Tim. i.
In all your labours let no iniquity be found. Hosea xii. 8.
Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. Lev. xix. 11.
Speak every man truth to his neighbour. Eph. iv. 25.
All that do unrighteously are an abomination to the Lord thy God. Deut. xxv. 16.
He that uttereth a slander is a fool. Prov. x. 18.
The lip of truth shall be established for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment; for the mouth of them who speak lies shall be stopped. Chap. xii. 19.