zard of the meanest mans foul, being infinitely more I worthy our difquiet, than any thing of the other kind can be. Therefore when Mafters or MiStreßes are prefently on fire for any little negligence and fault of a fervant towards themselves, and yet can without trouble fee them run into great fins and mifcarriages against God, 'tis a fign they confider their own concernments too much, and Gods Honour and their fervants fouls too little.

But as 'cis the duty of Mafters to admonish and reprove their fervants in cafe of fault, fo they muft alfo look to do it in a due manner, i. e. fo as may be most likely to do good; not in paffion and rage, which can never work the fervant to any thing but the defpifing and hating of them. Their rebukes must be just, paring, moderate, Eph 6 9. Forbearing threatning, or moderating threatning, as fome render the Word. They must reprove in fuch a fober and grave manner as may convince them of their faults, and may plainly fhew them that 'tis love and good will to their fouls, and a defire of their amendment that makes them thus reprove. them. But if no warnings nor reproofs will reftrain them from ill courfes, neither will they be corrected by words, as 'tis. Prov. 29.19. then (in due circumstances) moderate correction of another fort, may not be inexpedient.

VIII. To listen to their just grievances, and redreffe them, Fob 31. 13. If I did defpife the

caufe of my man-fervant, or of my maid for when they contended with me. v. 14. When Shall I do when God rifeth up? and when he s teth, what shall 1 answer him?

IX. And Laftly, to pay them their se and justly to perform to them thofe condition. which they were hired,

And that Mafters may be the more and confcientious in these things, let them fider,

1. They have a Mafter in Heaven, s Omniscient, righteous, and just, to whom must give an account of the ufage of their fervant on earth, Eph. 6.9. And ye Mate the fame things to your fervants, farbeng tata ning; knowing that your Mafter alfo is initates neither is there respect of perfons with him. Di Jame things, i. e. That which is good andış and fhall be rewarded of the Lord. For Ser give due recompenfe, for good will in fervir turn good will by encouraging; if Serv faithful, be ye good and gentle; if they in the Lord, do ye command them in the La Only things just, equal, and pleafing to God.

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2. They and their Servants are of the mould, all of the earth as to the body; and Servants have reasonable fouls, capable of G here, and Glory hereafter, as well as they. T fhould not therefore use them like flaves. The fhould not carry themselves imperionfly, he

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churlifbly, and Nabal-like unto them.

3. Thofe Servants that are truly gracious, are Gods freemen, and fo fellow fervants with their converted Mafters, in respect of God. They are members of the fame mystical body, whereof Christ is the Head; and may have a greater meafure of Grace here,and fo a higher place in Heaven, a greater degree of Glory hereafter than their The Masters.

4. And Laftly, let them confider how easily God could have fet them in their fervants place, and their fervants in theirs. And therefore let them give them fuch ufage as themselves would think fit and reasonable, had God difpofed them into the condition of Servants.

Pfal.101.1. I will behave my self wifely in a perfect way; I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

V.6. Mine eies fhall be upon the faithful of the Land, that they may dwell with me; he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall ferve me. V.7. He that worketh deceit fhall not dwell within my house, he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my fight.

Col. 4.1. Mafters give unto your fervants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven.

Eph.6 9. And ye Mafters do the fame things unto them, forbearing threatning; knowing that

your

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your Mafter alfo is in Heaven, neither is there respect of perfons with him.

Exod.21.26. And if a man fmite the eye of his fervant, or the eye of his maid, that it perifh, he ball let him go free for his eies fake.

V.27. And if he fmite out his man- fervants tooth, or his maid fervants tooth, he shall let him go free for his tooths fake.

Lev.25.43 Thou shalt not rule over him withri gour, but fhalt fear thy God.

So much of the Duties of Mafters.

I now come to speak of thofe that belong to

Servants.

Servants owe to their Ma

fters thefe four Duties,

I. All due Reverence,

forts.

1. Reverence.
2. obedience.

3. Faithfulneffe.
4. Diligence.
and that of three

1. In their hearts; honouring them, and fearing to give them any just occafion of diftaft. 2. Intheir words, speaking respectfully to them, and to others of them.

3. In their behaviour, carrying themselves with due regard and respect towards them; remembring the fuperiority, power, and authority they have over them, 1 Tim.6.1. Let as many fervants as are under the yoke, count their own Masters worthy of all honour, &c. Mal. 1, 6.

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If

If I be a Mafter,where is my fear? &c. 1 Pet.2.18. Servants be fubject to your own Masters with all fear, &c. Not with a flavish, but a Chriftis an, ingenuous fear, which makes a man careful not to neglect any duty, he is bound to perform, nor to offend, or provoke any person whom he ought to please.

II. obedience.

1. In carefully minding and obferving their inftructions and counfels. efpecially thole given them for the good of their fouls.

2. In performing and executing their lawful and just Commands. This is exprefly required by the Apostle, Tit. 2. 9. Exhort fervants to be obedient to their own Mafters, and to please them well in all things, &c. And this obedience muft not be a grumbling, unwilling one, but ready and chearful, as 'tis, Eph.6.7. With good will doing Service.

And to belp them herein, they are to confider, It is to the Lord, and not only unto men,(as 'cis in the next Words) that they pay this obedience, which may make them the more cheerful in it. "Chriftian Servants should look beyond their Mafters unto God, who hath placed them in that condition, and enjoyned them this obedience. Whatfoever ye do, faith the Apostle, Col.3.23. (i. e. of your own duty, or your Mafters bufineffe) do it heartily, as unto the Lord, i. e. as before God, and in his fight, defiring to glorifie God, and ap