neither ought the things he does to be for himself. Both his person and his actions are all his master's; and the will of his master is his rule. In particular, servants, 1. May not go whither they will, but only where they are ordered, or, at least, permitted to go. 2. They ought not to do their own business. When Jacob was Laban's servant, though he had flocks of his own, yet he fed his master's flocks, and committed his own to his sons, Gen. xxx. 35, 36. 3. They are not to do what business they please themselves, but what is allotted them by their master. 4. They ought not to marry, while the time of their service lasts, without the consent of their master. 5. They may not, before their covenanted time expires, go away from their master.

6. The second part of a servant's obedience, is, to do whatever his master commands. To "look to the hand of his master," (as David speaks,) ready to execute any thing he would have done. He is also to obey, by hearkening to his instructions, not only in matters of his secular calling, but likewise in the things of God, in whatever concerns his christian calling.

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7. The manner, wherein this obedience is to be performed, is largely declared by both the Apostles. Obey your masters, (saith St. Paul,) with fear and trembling.' This, indeed, is not to be taken literally: it is a proverbial expression, denoting the utmost care, watchfulness, and diligence. Do it fearing God; from a principle of loving fear, a fear of offending your Master, who is in heaven. "Be subject to your masters with all fear," saith St. Peter, with earnest, tender reverence, with a constant fear, either of injuring, grieving, or displeasing them, by any part of your behaviour.

" If

8. So proper is this fear of his master in a servant, that the want of it is a denial of his master's place and power.* This God intimates in that expostulation, Mal. i. 6, I be a master," where is my fear?" That is, you plainly shew, you do not account me your master, because there

* See Mr. Gonge.

is no fear of me in your heart. But wherever it is, it will draw servants on to perform all duty. And the more it abounds, the more desire and endeavour there will be to do all things well.

9. An especial mean to create and preserve this fear, is, a due consideration of the ground of their master's place and power; which is the appointment of God. God has placed them in his stead, and in part given them his power. They are the deputies and ministers of God; and, therefore, in Scripture, the title LORD, is after a peculiar manner, given them. There can, therefore, be no excuse for despising them, though they should be poor, mean, weak, or aged. The poorest and weakest have the same place and authority, which the richest and strongest have. All bear the image of God: therefore, to despise them, shews, that you regard not God's image at all.

10. This fear may be shewn either in speech or behaviour: in the former, 1, By sparing to speak in the presence of their master, without some necessary cause. 2, By forbearing to reply, when they observe their masters unwilling they should speak any more: 3, By attending to what their masters speak: shewing such a respect to them, as Samuel did to God, when he said, "Speak; for thy servant heareth." When they have just occasion to speak, this fear may be shewn, 1, By giving proper titles to their masters. 2, By not talking more than the occasion requires. 3, By speaking in a meek and humble manner. 4, By choosing a fit season, both when he is at leisure to hear, and when his mind is calm, not troubled with any passion and lastly, By giving a present and ready answer, to whatever their master says to them.

11. Servants should shew a due fear of their masters in their behaviour, 1, By such dutiful and submissive obeisance, as becomes their sex and place, according to the custom of the country and place where they are, when they have occasion to come to them, to go from them, or to receive any charge of them. 2, By standing in their master's presence. 3, By uncovering their heads before him, and, 4, By sobri

ety and modesty both in countenance and in their whole carriage. And from the same principle you should endeavour "to please them well in all things," Tit. ii. 9. Do every thing in the most obliging manner. If it be possible, please them in every thing: study to give them satisfaction in whatever you do. Do it in the way which they like best: labour that your whole service, your whole behaviour, may be acceptable to them. And do all this with good-will, Eph. vi. 7, with cordial benevolence, with love to them, springing from love to God: with an earnest desire to make their lives as easy, and happy, and comfortable as you can.

12. Yet all this time, beware that you do not act as menpleasers, as having no further design than to please men, to gain their approbation or esteem, to be well thought of, and well spoken of; or to acquire any temporal advantage which may result from their favour or good-will. Serve not with eye-service, (a certain consequence of serving as men-pleasers,) but do just the same in the absence of your master, as you do when under his eye. Let his absence or presence make no difference in your industry and activity. You may examine yourself by this rule: there is no surer guard against self-deceit. Do I labour in the very same manner at other times, as when my master is looking on? If I do not, I am no better than a man-pleaser, I am a vile eye-servant in the sight of God.

13. An infallible way of avoiding this, is to obey them with singleness of heart, that is, without any temporal motive, with a single eye, with the one view of pleasing God. The Apostle insists upon this over and over, and that in the strongest manner. "Obey your masters in the singleness of your heart as unto Christ, not with eye-service, but as the servants of Christ, doing service unto the Lord, not unto men." And again, "Servants, obey your masters in all things, with singleness of heart: and whatsoever ye do, do it as unto the Lord, not unto men." "For" in whatsoever you do with a single eye, "ye serve the Lord Christ." Whatsoever is thus done to an earthly master, he accounts done unto himself. And for all this, he will say to you in

that day, "Well done, good and faithful servants; inasmuch as ye have done it to one of these, for my sake, ye have done it unto me."

14. Therefore, in all things which ye do for your masters, consider yourselves as "doing the will of God.” The will of your master is the will of God to you. His voice is, as it were, the voice of God. His work is to you the work of God, whom you obey in obeying him. But in all this there is one restriction to be observed: masters as well as parents are to be obeyed only in the Lord: only so far as their commands are not contrary to the commands of God. If ever this should be the case, you cannot obey them: you must obey God rather than man. You must humbly and respectfully declare, that in all things else you are ready to obey; but that this you apprehend to be contrary to the plain Word of God, and, therefore, you dare not do it. Neither may you refrain from obeying a plain command of God, because your master forbids you so to do. You must at some times, (if not so often as you otherwise would,) hear the Word of God, join in public prayer, attend the table of the Lord, and call upon him in private. And if any master violently hinders you from so doing, you should, at all hazards, quit his service as soon as possible. Let no gain, no temporal consideration whatever induce you to continue therein. For "what is a man profited, if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

15. But "whatsoever ye do," that is not contrary to the commands of God, " do it heartily,' εκ ψυχης, from your soul, your whole soul, from the bottom of your heart. This naturally results from the "doing it as unto the Lord," and is, therefore, twice mentioned in the same sentence with it. Whatsoever ye do, do it with your might, do it as quick as you can, and as well as you can. Do it at least as well as you would do, if it were for yourself. If you are hired by the day, do as much work in each day as you can. The custom of the trade is nothing to you, nor the example of those that work with you. Do as much to-day as you can without hurting yourself, or disabling you from doing the

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same to-morrow: and just as much as you would if it were your own work, or if you were to be paid by the piece. Do the same thing, if you are an household servant; putting forth all your strength, ridding away all the business that you can, and using therein all the understanding which God has given you, in order to do every thing in the most excellent manner whereof you are capable.

16. These general directions all servants are to observe, of conscience toward God, and that whether their masters be good or bad, heathens, (in fact, if not in name,) or Christians. For the character of the master, while he is such, does not vacate the duty of the servant. Suppose they are mere heathens, men that neither love, nor fear, nor serve God, (a very possible case even in what we call a Christian country ;) still "let as many servants as are under the yoke, (for the service of these is a yoke indeed) count their masters worthy of all honour," 1 Tim. vi. 1. Though they are unbelieving and unholy, yet in consideration of the place which God has assigned them, for his sake, and in obedience to his appointment, "count them worthy of all the honour" above described. Pay them all the reverence in your heart, and shew them all that outward respect, both in word and action, "that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed" by those ungodly men, who would not fail to lay the blame of your neglect on the religion which you profess. On the other hand, "as many as have faithful masters," real believers in Christ, let not this administer any pretence for less exactness in their duty. Let them not despise them, because they are brethren. Let them not on this account abate any thing of the inward reverence they owe, or of their outward respect and obedience: "but rather do them service," observing the preceding directions with regard to them, more earnestly and exactly, "because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit;" enjoying the same communion with God on earth, and looking for the same inheritance in heaven.

17. But besides these general ones, there are several particular directions given by the Apostle to all Christian