Their duty.)

ple are commonly very fond of acting this character, from the lust of power which rages in corrupted nature: But to command, under a sense of God's authority, the things which are just, and equal, and not to be lifted up with the pride and passion of pre-eminence; this is to give a proof, that the heart indeed lives as in God's presence, and that worldly superiority, which generally, begets insolence, can be maintained with true meekness and humility. But how can he, whom grace hath not made master of his own corruptions, expect obedience from others with all readiness and sincerity?

And in a higher case, so in this it may be asked of every Christian master, Who maketh thee to differ from another? Surely, God's providencenever raised men into power, that they might show their pride only, but that they might do good, and carry on, as far as their power may extend, the welfare of society. If any people act otherwise, they must one day be deeply convinced, that all the little distinctions of men have no natural, though a necessary political reality in them, and that there is one common Master in heaven, with whom there is no such thing as respect of persons.

Many professing masters are exceedingly deficient in one great duty to their servants. They give them perhaps plenty of bread, and furnish them well in earthly things; but they neglect to hold out the best of all subsistence, the bread of life, to their souls. The omission of family-worship cannot be excused on any account. This (as one said) like the hem of a garment, keeps all things together, and prevents other duties and affairs from ravelling out. Servants cannot have

Christian servants.

grace indeed, but by God's mercy; but they can easily see, if their masters do not live graciously, and will readily notice it too; nay, sometimes make from their failures an apology, though a bad apology, for themselves. If masters would live and demean themselves like Christians indeed, and walk in the fear of God; their servants would mend their manners, if nothing more, and we should have fewer complaints than we have, to the disgrace of religion and the discomfort of our lives. The wickedness of superiors, like a contaminating disease, infects the ranks beneath them, and hath often brought a whole society or nation to the pitch of destruction.

CHAP. XI.

ON THE DUTY OF CHRISTIAN SERVANTS.

་་

A PROFESSING servant should get by heart the following rule of the apostle, and in all his business keep it in mind: Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ: Not with eye-service, asmen-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good-will doing service, as to the LORD, and not to men.

Our proud hearts do not naturally love obedi⚫ence. We would be all masters, and set up for ourselves; and if God suffered this, corrupt as we now are, we should soon be undone. Is the master a man of the world? The Christian servant's light should so shine before him,

Their duty.

that though he might hate him for his religion, he must respect him for his diligence, dutifulness, uprightness, and truth. Some masters have been won to God by the gracious and upright conduct and conversation of their servants; and how do those servants live who say, that they shall not be so blessed? If the master be harsh, it is not likely that a servant's sauciness should reclaim his mind, or do good to himself, or bring honour to the cause of God. Let all be done, which can be done, without murmurings and disputings; and, if there be no other remedy, it is better to part than to commit the sins of impertinence, or to live in the sins of anger and of strife.

Is the master a real Christian? The faithful servant will render him double honour, and rejoice to obey him on a higher principle; both because providence hath made such an one his master, and grace his brother and friend. If he take any unhandsome liberties on that account, forgetting his own place and duty; he breaks the order and disposal of God, and lays for his own mind a foundation of much uneasiness. It is a sad mistake of their duty, when truly serious servants imagine, that by the grace of God they are to take up a new sort of natural boldness towards their superiors, and that, instead of putting on the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, they have from grace a privilege to be insolent, froward, rough, and disobedient, as though they believed, that rudeness or impertinence were distinguishing properties of gospel-grace or gospelliberty. But it is a proud heart, that will not know, or pay due respect to, a superior. What a wretched thing is it to be said in the world, as it often is, "I had rather have any kind of ser

Particular caution.

vants, than professors of religion, because they are always lazy or unruly:" Or, "I had rather have any one for my master or mistress, than those who talk about godliness; they are always so gloomy, humorsome, and perverse: In their places of worship they seem saints; but at home they are wolves, and bears, and very devils."O this is a sad light indeed before men ; rather an unshining taper, that reeks only in a smoke and a stink for disgrace and annoyance!

I am sorry for the occasion to observe, that the giving away without leave a master's property, whether meat, drink, clothing, &c. is really neither more nor less than a species of robbery. It may be done under the mistaken notion of charity; but a theft, or disallowed bounty, from another's property, can never be real charity or goodness. It would be very easy, though not safe, to be liberal in this way, with what costs a person nothing; but is the servant willing to administer relief at his own expense? If not he is guilty of purloining, which surely very il suits the character or profession of a Christian. He must be just, before he can be truly generous. The like remark will also extend to the waste, or idle application of a master's property, or the improper spending of his time; all of which are paid for by the master, and cannot be thrown away or mispent, without injustice and sin.

The laws of this country, above all others, are so much in favour of servants and the poor, that the Christian servant is obliged, in gratitude both to God and man, to conduct himself with the more zeal in his service to both. Servants here

Christian calling.

are considered by the laws as equally free in person with their masters, and not to be defrauded or abused. How then should the Christian bless. God, that he hath placed him in such a country as this, where the gospel is freely preached and freely heard, and where he can enjoy his conscience with comfort and liberty? If he hath more work than his master (though that is not always the case) he hath less care, fewer distractions, and is more out of the way of many deceitful and dangerous temptations..

CHAP. XII.

ON THE CHRISTIAN'S DUTY IN HIS CALLING.

IN the conduct of all things, whether spiritual or temporal, a Christian is called, not unto uncleanness, but unto holiness, and to be blameless and harmless, the Son of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. The methods and practices of evil men are to be no rule with him; but, on the contrary, his outward life and conduct should be a luminous example unto them. He should remember, that though they cannot see or know his inward life or principle of action, yet they are very able judges of the action itself, and can easily discern whether his temper, honesty, sincerity, goodness, and charity, be such as become his profession.

The Christian's station, therefore, in this life, should be carefully maintained for his master's glory; for that is his chief business, not only in