Massachusetts General Laws Part II. Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations (Ch. 183-210) Ch. 205, § 27

If the principal in the bond is a resident of the commonwealth at the commencement of the action, and is not made a defendant therein or is not served with process, the court may, at the request of any of the sureties, continue or postpone the action so long as may be necessary to summon or bring in the principal as provided in the following section.