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Mafters here are to be confidered, agreeably to what was obferved in the former discourse respecting fervants, either as claiming property in their fervants, or as having an authority over them that was the re fult of mutual compact. These are called mafters according to the flesh, to remind both them and their fervants of the great God, who is afterwards faid to be their Mufter in heaven. So fervants are taught to have re. gard to the divine authority in the obedience they render to their mafters and mafters, on the other hand, are taught to exercife humanity and condefcenfion to their fervants. Although they are their fuperiors in regard of condition, they are upon an equality with them in regard of nature. And whatever authority they claim over their bodies, that authority cannot extend to their nobler part, the foul. They are and can be only masters according to the flesh, Secondly, We are next to confider the duties enjoined on masters.

These are all included in the general idea of doing the fame things unto them, that is, acting upon the fame principles of equity nd bene volence, as those on which fervants are required to act in their obedience to them. If it is their duty to be faithful, honeft, and just, it is the duty of masters to be fo too. If the late ter are not to be injured in their perfons, characters, or property, fo neither are the former. "Mafters,"

fays the apostle elsewhere, "give unto your fervants "that which is just and equal *" Let them have fuch food, wages, protection, and commendation as their fervices merit, and as by pofitive agreement you Band engaged to render them.

But it is not the rule of justice only but that of benevolence also, which is to govern the conduct of mafters towards their Tervants. They are to treat them with all humanity, moderation and gentleness, forbearing threatening. Some explain the word here ufed *, of remitting oft the evils threatened, which, if it were the fenfe, would feem to allow of threatening. But furely the apostle' could not mean to countenance a practice fo improper in itself, and fo oppofite to the mildnefs and generofity of the gofpel, which is not only averfe to a vindictive temper, but to all that violence and paffion, which is ufually expreffed in loud and menaffing language. And it is probable he had in his eye the treatment which bond-fervants or flaves commonly met with, who were confidered as their master's abfolute property, and to be difpofed of according to their pleafure'; which treatment therefore he reprobates.

Thirdly, We have the next argument with which thefe duties are enforced.

They are in general infinuated in the manner the duties themselves are defcribed, that is to fay, it is right and fit that men should do unto others as they would have others do to them; and therefore mafters fhould on this ground confider themselves obliged to the duties recommended. And then, masters by being addreffed as Chriftians, are reminded of the equity, humanity and benevolence of the Chriftian feheme, and fo by these truly noble and exaltéd motives, urged to their duty.

But the confideration more directly held up to their view, is that of their knowing that their mafter alfois in heaven, neither is there refpect of perfons with him.

T

inslags bas dag All ranks of men are alike fervants of the great God,

and amenable to him; and it is mon08 109 11 most certain that he is ftrictly juft, and will not fhew a partial regard to any on account of the fuperior ftations they hold in Arin add mor 9978fquilds pd life. This they fhould remember. But perhaps the

dont has beebi qwed of apoftle has Chrift here more immediately in his

and by fpeaking of him as being in heaven would re916 abfolute aumind them that he has a greater and more

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thority over them, than they can by any laws whatever be supposed to have over their fervants. And as he is their mafter, and will by and by calf them to an account, fo they should charge it upon themselves frequently to realize the folemnities of the last judgment, which will be conducted according to the frict rules of truth and juflice.

The text thus explained, we proceed to a more full difcuffion of the fubject before us. But, previous to a particular enumeration of the duties required of maf. ters, let us spend a few moments in fhewing the great importance of their taking every proper meafure to fecure to themselves the reverence and affection of their fervants. Thefe two points, once gained, will have a confiderable effect to facilitate the feveral duties to be hereafter recommended,

1. It should be the care of masters to establish in the breafts of their fervants a due reverence for their authority.

Without this it will be impoffible that the one fhould govern, or the other ferve aright. No authority can avail that is held in contempt: its exertions will be feeble, and its effect nugatory. A malter has a right to command, and a fervant thould know it, and know too that he is refolved to affert it. Proper

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ty, rank and confent give power. But of what use is 3 power, if not applied to the purpose for which it was

given? If, through pufillanimity, ill-breeding, or want of fenfe, mafters fuffer all idea of their fuperiority to be obliterated from the minds of their fervants, is it to be wondered that fuch fervants

grow familiar with them, that this familiarity breeds pertnefs and confidence, that thefe are followed with obftinacy and difobedience, and fo all the ends of their office as fervants are defeated? It can scarce be otherwife. Poffefling this power, therefore, mafters fhould have fpirit to claim it, particularly when fervants enter their families. This will fix fuch impreffions of humility, fear, and reverence, upon their minds, as will have the most important effect to guard them against indecency, idleness, and neglect. They will not dare to treat their mafters orders with indifference, or by a confident behaviour to put them to the blush before ftrangers.

But by what kind of deportment are mafters to fecure to themselves fuch refpect from their fervants? Not by affuming a power they have no right to. Not by arrogating the authority of a haughty defpot. Not by accuftoming themfelves to a proud, fupercilious, diftant carriage. We mean nothing of this kind. Such a behaviour is carrying the matter to an extreme as pernicious as the contrary. No; what I mean is a propriety and dignity of conduct refulting from a juft fenfe of their fuperiority, How do fome heads of families let themselves down in the opinion of their fervants, by allowing them the like familiarity they do their children or their particular friends! Can this be right? Have mafters reafon to expect their domef

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tics will revere them, if no attention is paid to the tural and proper forms, which the common sense and custom of all nations have adopted? If, for instance, they allow them to be talkative, to answer again, to take place by their fide, or to be covered in thein pre fence; can they wonder that their fervants quickly for get their character and station, and fo become indif. pofed to their duty? Is the fervant aboven his "Lord *." To juftify fuch imprudences on the ground of humility and condefcenfion, is weak to the laft degree, if not abfolutely criminal. Our Lord himself condemns it, when he fays in one of his difcourfes," Which of you having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will fay unto him by and by, when "he is come from the field, Go and fit down to meat ; "and will not rather fay unto him, Make ready "wherewith I may fup, and gird thyself, and serve till I have eaten and drunken: and afterwards "thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that fervant because he did the things that were command. "ed him? I trow not ."-On the other hand,

me,

2. Mafters fhould be alike anxious to fecure to themfelves the cordial affection of their fervants.

As to God, love is of as much confequence to influence and regulate our obedience to him as reverence. No one that does not affectionately esteem that great Being, will render him acceptable and effectual fervice. Such is the case with respect to servants. If they have no cordial attachment to their masters, but poffefs only, the abject awe and reverence of flaves, however they may do what they are bid, they will not do it, well; and their mafters will find their business

*Mat. X. 24.

Luke xvii. 7, 8, 9.