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By way of encouragement to servants, the Apostle says, "with good will do service as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free." In Christ Jesus there is no distinction of bond or free, rich or poor: They are all one in him.

Mankind are called to serve God in various stations and capacities. Some act in a larger, and some in a narrower sphere. Some are appointed to higher, and some to humbler services. But all are the servants of God; all are accountable to him; all should walk, not as pleasing men, but God who searcheth the heart. We esteem and regard our fellow men very much according to external distinctions of rank and fortune. God looks on their hearts-he approves or condemns them according to the difference of real characters. The servant, who from the heart does God's will, and acts with fidelity and diligence in his humble station, aiming in all things to please the Supreme Lord, and in obedience to him, serving his earthly master, and hoping for acceptance through the atonement of the great redeemer, this man is as highly approved, and will be as surely rewarded in heaven, as if he had acted on the most conspicuous theatre, or moved in the largest circle. Our future happiness depends not on external circumstances, but on the holy dispositions and tempers of the hidden man of the heart. While the unbelieving master, or the impious monarch, is rejected of God; the believing servant, who acts in singleness of heart to the Lord; the humble and contented beggar, rich in faith, shall receive of the Lord an inheritance in the kingdom prepared for them who love him.

Secondly. We pass now to consider the duty of masters to their servants. The Apostle says, "Ye masters, do the same things to them."-Shew to them the same benevolence and faithfulness in your place, as

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"For

they, in theirs, are required to shew to you.
bear threatening." Let your government be mild and
prudent; not passionate and severe.
"And know,

that your master also is in heaven ;" and to him you
must give an account of your conduct toward servants,
as well as they of their conduct toward you;
"And
there is no respect of persons with him."

In the epistle to the Colossians, this precept is thus expressed: "Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven."

The terms, justice and equity, are often used in the same sense; but sometimes they express different ideas. To give a servant that which is just, is to deal with him according to contract or agreement. To give him that which is equal, is to treat him fairly, honestly, kindly, according to reason and conscience; whether we are bound by an explicit bargain or not. And as there are different sorts of servants, so these two terms are chosen to express all that variety of obligations, which we may be under to them, according to their various conditions.

With respect to apprentices, the contract binds the master not only to give them a comfortable support, or such part of it as the contract specifies, but also to instruct them in his business and profession. They give their time and labor for his art and skill. If he withholds from them that skill for which they agree to serve him; or conceals from them any part of it through negligence or design; or employs them in other business so far, that they have not opportunity to acquire the necessary knowledge of his art, he is guilty of injustice and fraud. He violates the engagement which he made either expressly, or according to the natural understanding of the parties.

With respect to laborers, who in scripture are called hired servants, justice obliges us to give them the stipulated wages, when they have faithfully performed the VOL. III.

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promised service. Thus it is enjoined in the law of Moses. "Thou shalt not oppress the hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of the strangers that are within thy gates; at his day shalt thou give him his hire, (for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it) lest he cry against thee to the Lord, and it be sin unto thee."

And with respect to all servants of every denomination, equity requires, that we treat them with humanity and kindness-that we endeavor to make their service easy, and their condition comfortable, that we forbear rash and passionate language-that we overlook accidental errors, and remit trivial faults-that we impose only such labor as is reasonable in itself, and suitable to their capacity that our reproofs be calm, and our counsels well timed-that the restraints we lay upon them be prudent and salutary-that we allow them reasonable time for rest and refreshment, for the culture of their minds, and for attendance on the worship of God that we set before them a virtuous example, instil into them useful principles, warn them against wickedness of every kind, especially against the sin which most easily besets them-that we afford them opportunity for reading and private devotion, and furnish them with the necessary means of learning the way of salvation-that we attend to the preservation of their health, and have compassion on them in sickness; and, in a word, that we contribute all proper assistance to render them useful, virtuous and happy.

These are the principal duties comprised in the Apostle's direction, "Ye masters do the same things -and give to your servants that which is just and equal."

To engage the master in the performance of these duties, let him consider, that whatever worldly distinction there may be between him and those who serve him, they are men as well as he; they are partakers of the same rational nature, and of the same flesh and

blood; they are creatures of the same God, and under the care of the same Providence. Job felt the force of this argument. "If I despised the cause of my manservant, or of my maidservant, when they contended with me, what shall I do when God riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? Did not he that made me in the womb, make him? And did not one fashion us both?

Let the master also consider, that he himself has a master in heaven, with whom there is no respect of persons; to whom bond and free are both alike; to whom the servant is as dear as the master; by whom all will be judged with the same impartiality; and from whom each will receive according to his works.

Let him remember, that his heavenly master, when he was on earth, took on him the form of a servant, and was among his own disciples as one who served; that he honored the lowest conditions in life by appearing in them, and recommended humility, meekness and condescension by his own example; that nothing can raise men to his favor, but pure and undissembled religion; that with this the lowest of the human race are truly honorable-without it the highest are vile and contemptible.

Let us learn then to disregard worldly distinctions, and be solicitous to possess the temper of Christ's divine religion. This teaches us how to behave in every condition-this affords support in every trouble-this will give patience and fortitude in every trial-this will enable us to close life with hope and joy.

SERMON XLVII.

The Christian Warfare.

EPHESIANS vi. 10-14.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood; but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and above all taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

THE Apostle, having stated the doctrines and duties of the Christian religion and proved its truth and importance, subjoins this animated exhortation to constancy and perseverence in it, whatever opposition might arise either from flesh and blood, or from the powers of the kingdom of darkness.

The words now read contain.

An exhortation to fortitude-a warning of the enemies to be opposed-and a description of the armor to be used.

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