Exposition on John 5, Ephesians 6 · Verse 9
EPHES. 6, Verſ. 9.
And, yee maſters, doe the ſame things vntounto them▪ putting away thr…atnings: and knowe that euen your Maſter alſo is in heau…n, neither is there reſpect of perſons with him.
WE are now come to the laſt order in the family, viz. of maſters, which although it be laſt, according to the Apoſtles order, is in dignity the chiefe. But the Apoſtle firſt ſets downe the orders of inferiority; to ſhew, that the duties of ſubiection are hard…r to be p…rform…d, then thoſe of gouernment and authority.
For the meaning of the words, it is thus: By maſters, are meant all that hauehave authority ouer particular p…rſons▪ that are att…ndant v…to t…em▪ whether they bee chiefe, or ſuch as being vn…r others, hauehave ſeruants vnderunder them.
(Them) that is, to …eruant…, befo…e m…ntion…d. (Doe the ſame things) This ſe…meth a ſtrang phraſe. What may ſome ſa…, muſt maſt…rs ob… an… reuerence their ſe…uant…, &c? No, t…is may be… vnd…rſtood,
1 With r…rence to … duti… aforegoing, namely, not vntounto thoſ… proper duti…s that b…long to ſ…ruants, but to thoſe common rul…s of equity, t…at belong both to maſ…rs and …ruants, as to do… a…l things in ſimplicity of …, &c.
2 Or to the v…rſ. imm…diatly afor…going, that being a generall …u…e belonging to all ſorts, to doe the good thing that belongs vntounto th…m, in their place a…d calling.
3 Without reference: and ſo it is meant of a mutuall, reciprocall, and proportio…all duty that ought to paſſe betweene them; that is, in generall, that duties are to be perform…d of both one to the oth…r, aſw…ll maſters to ſeruants, as o… ſeruants to maſters.
All theſe do not croſſe one another, but … a common equity betweene maſters and ſerua… ▪ a mutuall duty though not an equality. This is …xpr…ſed by the Apoſtle, Col. 4.1. And this is expr…ſſ…d, to meete with a conceit of many maſters, that thi…k… inde…d their ſeruants are bo…nd to them: but t…at th…m…lues are not tied to their ſeruants, … to ſ…eke the good of their ſeruants … gou…nment aſwell as ſeruants are to ſeeke their maſt…rs by the…r obedience.
(Putting away threatning) not that this is ſimply a vic…, and ſo forbid…n: for it is lawfull, and ſometim… to be vſed, but the exc…ſſ… is …o…bidd…n. The reaſon of mentioning of this vice of maſt…rs rath…r then any other, is,
1 Becauſe men in authority, are exceeding giuen by nature to this vice, thinking that their authority is not ſhewne, vnleſſe they be rigorous. Thus are husbands forbidden to bee bitter to their wiues, …ol. 3.19. And alſo Fath…rs to prouoke their childr…n, ver. 4.
2 Becauſe Infidels a…d heathen men thoug…t they had an abſolute power ouer ſerua…ts, of life and d…ath; th…rfore leſt theſe newly conuerted to Chriſtianity, ſhould re…aine any ſuch conceit, hee bidde…h them forbeare rigour.
But for the furth…r meaning of the word, wee are to conſid…r, that by th…eatning is m…ant a…l rigour in thoughts, count…nance, lookes, word and actions: ſo that by forb…aring of it, all exceſſe is forbidden: as 1 In continuance, when maſters ſhall be too frequent in correcting vponupon eueryevery occaſion. 2 In meaſure, when the… are furious, fierce and violent. 3 In execution, not alwaies to execute puniſhment, if there be repentance, an… hope of am…ndm…nt. In all theſe, m…ſters are to moderate their threatning.
Furth…rmore, vnderunder the forbidding of this vice, th… contrary vertue is commanded, viz. Gentleneſſe and mildeneſſe.
(Know yee) here followes the reaſon, which the Apoſtle takes for a matt…r graunted; therefore he ſaith▪ Know y…e.
Your maſter) Some copies hauehave both yours and th…irs. Very, fitly for the ſenc…, bu… the particle foreign, Euen, doth imply as much. The argument is drawne from the place of the maſters ſubiection, that they hauehave not an abſol…te autho…ity, but are vnderunder the authority of anoth…r Maſt…r, to whom they muſt giuegive an accompt, and therefore to take h…ed, leſt if they p…rforme not their owne duties, the… prouoke this their Maſter to wrath. Now He is d…ſcrib…d, 1 By the place where he is: in heauen) Which implies, 1 That he is higher, than the higheſt, ſo that all are vnderunder him, Eccleſ. 5.7. Pſal 33.15. … 15.3. that h…e ſeeth and doth take no…ice o… all▪ … that h… is an Almighty God, able to ex…cut… ven…nce on all ſuch as oppreſſe others, Pſalm. 113.4, 5. Deut. 24.14.2. His property: that he is no accepter of perſons. The Hebrew word is Face. and ſo ſignifi…th the Greek, foreign. Now the face is out ward, but God doth behold the heart, 1 Sam. 16.15. and by p…rſon i… Scripture is meant, the outward quality and co…dition of men, in regard of greatneſſ…, mean…neſſe, ſuperiority, or inf…riority, &c. as Iob 34.19. which things though men reſpect, yet God doth not. This phraſe is taken from ſuch as ſit in iudgement, who muſt reſpect the cauſe only: for whatſoeuer is beſide it, is called …erſon; and ther…fo…e did the Ar…opagitae iudge in the darke, &c.
This is noted to me…te with another conceit of maſt…rs, that might thinke, that God would reſpect them being grea…, and in place of authority, rather than their ſ…ruants who were meane and baſe. Hauing ſeene the meaning of the words, it followeth to handle them in order. The ſumme of them is a direction for maſters, how to carry themſelues towards their ſeruants. The parts are two:
1 The duties to be performed.
2 The reaſons to vrge them.
Concerning the duties, wee are to conſider, 1 The ground of them, that maſters doe owe a duty. (Doe the ſame thing.) 2 The duties themſelues in their ſeuerall branches.
1 Ground. Doct. That maſters doe owe a duty euen to their ſeruants: a point cleare by the Law of God▪ as the precepts giuen vntounto maſters he…re, and in oth…r places doe t…ſtifie; and by the Law of nature: for this is one of thoſe bonds of miniſtration which are ſpoken of. Whereby we are bound as well to doe good to others, as to receiue good from them: like as the members of the body do one to another. B… the Law of nations: for wiſe States hauehave alwaies from time to time ordained Lawes for to curbe and reſtraine maſters, by equity: for good receiued, r…quires good to bee done againe. And laſtly, by the Law of the Land. In Indentures the maſt…r is bound to the ſeruant, as well as he to his maſter.
Vſe is for maſters to take notice of this, That ſeeing in generall ſeruants are no more bound to th…m than they to their ſeruants; ther…fore to be carefull for the performa…ce of …heir owne dutie, as they would looke for dutie from their ſeruants; and to conſider if the failing of their ſeruants in their duties, ariſe not f…om the neglect of their owne in themſelu…s.
2 For miniſt…rs, that they be not partiall in vrging theſe duties, but pr…ſſe them vponupon the maſters, as well as on the ſeruants: and the rather, …ecauſe there are not ſuch outward meanes to conſtraine maſters to performe their duties, as there are for ſeruants.
2 The dut…es may all be referred to two heads: the firſt whereof concerneth the choyce of ſeruants, the ſecond, the good gou…rnement of them.
1 For the choyce: the duty is, that maſters be carefull to chooſe ſuch ſeruants as be good: ſuch was the care of Dauid, Pſalm. 101.6. And if this care be in maſters, it ſhewes plainly that they hauehave a care to the good both of their family, and of Church and Commonwealth; whereof the family is the ſeminary. 2 This will be a meanes, that maſters ſhall receiue more good from their ſ…ruants: as alſo doe more good vntounto them. 3 It ſhewes, that maſters hauehave as great a care to hauehave their ſeruants about t…em good, as to h…ue any thing elſe good whatſoeuer. Directions for the choyce of good ſeruants are theſe.
1 That they chooſe ſeruants that feare the Lord: as Dauid did, Pſal. 101 6. for Piety and Religion is the ground of r…u…rence, of obedience, of faithfulneſſe, and a…l other duties. 2 Such ſeruants wi…l pray for a bleſſing on their maſters buſineſſe. 3 And alſo they bring the bleſſing of God with them vponupon the family.
2 That they chooſe ſuch as be fit for that worke wh…eunto they will put th…m. This moo…d Saul to chooſe Dauid for h…s ſ…rua…, 1 Sam. 16.18.
3 To choo…e … as they may … chooſi…g of them, ſh…wes a worke of char…ty; … ar… poo…e and h…lpeleſſe: for this wil… b… a mo…iu… to m…k… t…m to …e dili…ent and ſ…uiceable to th…ir m…ſt…rs, becauſ… they depe…d onelyonly vp…n them, and know not what courſe to tak… elſe. Now▪ a…though we may be d…ceiued notwithſtanding all thi…, yet muſt we not be d…ceiu…d willingly, but vſe circumſpection, and tak… tryall of them before w… enter into cou…nant with th…, as Laban, with Iacob, Gen. 29.14.
Contrary is the pra…tice of ſuch, who chooſe wicked and prophan…, ſwearing and ſwaggering ſeruants, or popiſh, &c and ſo bring a curſe and ſnare vponupon their family, and a plague to inf…ct their children, and the r…ſt of their family: …o regarding neither it, nor Church, nor Commonwealth.
2 Of ſuch as will chooſe none but rich mens ſonnes, that may bring a great portion with them, who indeed prooue moſt vnſeruiceable of all other, ſcorning to doe …ny worke, &c. whereas poore mens ſonnes, knowing they muſt truſt to their trade, will be diligent, &c.
2 Concerning their good gouernment, and authority ouer them: it is ſeene in two points.
1 That they hauehave a care to maintaine and countenance their authority, 1 Tim. 3.4. For that may be applyed to maſters; and this is a commendatio… of the Centurion, Ma…h. 8.9.
Reaſon is, 1 A maſter by vertue his …ace doth carry the Image of God; th…refore to maintaine his authority, is to magnifie Gods Image, and …o honou… him; and the contrary is …o defac… this Image.
2 This is a ſp…cia…l m…anes to hauehave more diligent ſeruice perform…d b… the…r ſeruants, towards themſelues.
3 As of …oi…g …ore good vntounto …heir ſerua…ts.
Directio…s how this m…y bee performed▪ are,
1 That they carry themſelues worthy of their calling, and anſwerable vntounto it, by hauing a ſpeciall care to their owne duties, to performe them faithfully, that ſo they may be a patterne and example to their ſeruants, 1 Tim. 4.12. For this will gaine honour to them, as it did to I…b, Iob 29.89. So Dauid ſaith, he will walke in integrity in the midſt of his houſe.
2 To keepe ſeruants in awe and feare. That euill ſeruant was kept in awe, though he made no good vſe of it, Math. 25.25. yet is it noted for a commendation of his maſter.
3 What they doe, to doe it with authority and grauity: as did the Centurion, Math. 8. Tit. 2.15.
Contrary is that of thoſe, who carry themſelues baſely, and abiectly in their houſe before their ſeruants, being vaine, fooliſh, wicked, &c. This makes ſeruants to contemne and to deſpiſe them. This made Michol deſpiſe Dauid who in her conceit had debaſed himſe…fe, 2 S…. 6.20. And heerein Da…id offended in too much mourning for his ſonne, 2 Sam. 19.5, &c.
2 Of ſuch as carry themſelues too remiſſely, praying their ſeruants; as Prethee doe this, &c. And if it be not done, th…n patience, and do it them…lues. Th…s, …ough towards equ…s it bee gentleneſſe, yet in ſuch as are in authority, … is baſeneſſe.
3 Of ſuch as make their ſeruants their fellowes, and companions to play with them, to drinke with them, and the like; whereby they become very preſumptuous; for all are ambitious, and, giuegive an Inch, they take an Ell.
4 Of ſuch as conſpire with their ſeruants, to deceiue their maſters or miſtreſſes of their goods: ſo to ride abroad & ſpend, and do other things without their priuity; for hereby they make themſe…ues ſlaues to their ſeruant, snot daring to ſpeake of their ſeruants wickedneſſe, for feare leſt they diſcouer their owne practices.
5 When maſters will ſuffer themſelues to be ouer-ruled in things vniuſt, vnmeet and vnlawfull: as Zedek…ah was by the Princes, Ierem. 38.5. Thus they loſe their authority, and their ſeruants become their maſt…rs: a thing intolerable, E…cleſ. 10.7.
6 In the other extreme, when men are too imperious and rigorous, that ſeruants dare ſcarce appeare in their pr…ſence▪ but are glad when they are from them: this was Daui…s fault, when his word preuailed, 2 Sam. chap. 24. and of churliſh Nabal, 1 Sam. 25.17. Much vnlike to I…b, chap. …1.13. or Naaman, 2 King. 5.13. whoſe ſeruants perſwad…d them.
The ſ…cond point is in well managing of their authority. This conſiſteth in two things expreſſed, Col. 4.1. Maſters, giuegive vntounto your ſeruants that which is iuſt and equall. Iuſt, reſpects the place and worke of ſeruants, and therefore it is to be done to all. Equall, reſpects the minde of the ſeruant, when he doth ſeruice with good will, in ſingleneſſe of heart, in abſence as in preſence, &c. Here muſt be foreign equity, to louelove them, to recompence them ſomewhat aboue that which the Law requires.
This Iuſtice reſpects, 1 The ſoule of the ſeruant, 2 The bod…, 3 His eſtate. In all th…ſe, maſters are bound by iuſtice to doe good vntounto them.
1 Touching their ſoule: …he duty of maſters is to inſtruct their ſeruants in the wayes of ſa…uation: as Abraham, Gen. 18.19. Thus did Ioſhua, chap. 24. and Zacheus; Therefore Chriſt ſaid, Saluation is come to his houſe, becauſe hee knew, that Zacheus being now conu…rted, would inſtruct his ſeruants. So Iohn 4.53. the ſeruants be…eeu…d, though they ſaw not the miracle, becauſe the Centurion inſtructed them in faith. So A…ts 10.2. and 16.34. in this regard is there ſaid to be a Church in the houſe of Aquila and Priſcill… ▪ and of …hilemon.
This ought to be performed, 1 In regard of God, who commanded. 2 Of themſ…lues: their office requir…s it: for maſters are as well Prieſts and Prophets to pr…y for, and to inſtruct their family, as Kings to gouerne it. And further, this will be a meanes that they ſhall hauehave more faithful ſeruice, if they can plant Religion in the hearts of their ſeruants. 3 Of ſeruants; for if the maſter will doe any good for his ſeruant, this is the great…ſt good hee can doe: and ſo if it be truly wrought in the ſeruant, hee will acknowledge hee could not hauehave receiued a greater good. 4 Of Church and Commonwealth; for being faithfull in the family, they wil… be faithfull in the other alſo: and this alſo will make them to inſtruct their owne ſeruants another day.
Dire…tions are, 1 That there be daily inſtruction, information and ctaechizing; and if this courſe continue, though it be but a little at a time, yet great profit and increaſe of knowlege will come thereby.
2 To cauſe them to come to the p…blique m…niſtery of the Word, Exod. 34.23. Thus Chriſt came to the Temple and Synagogue with his Diſciples, who were his ſeruants & attendants on him: So did Cornelius, Act. 10.33. We are all here, &c. And this is expreſly commanded in the 4 Commandement: for this will ſtrengthen their faith, when they heare thoſe things publikely taught, which they hauehave learned in priuate.
3 And as to come to the Church, ſo alſo to cauſe them to tarry there.
4 To pray for them, that both the priuate and publike meanes may be …ffectuall.
Contrary is, 1 The practice of moſt maſters, whoſe conceit is, that they are not bound vntounto this duty, but if they pay them their wages, &c. it is enough. They will obiect, Why? wee made no ſuch couenant with them to catechize them, and the like.
Anſw. There is a double bond w…ereby they are bound vntounto their ſeruants. 1 Of compact and couenant. And thus wages, &c. is due to ſeruants. 2 Of their place and office, what it is that God requireth at their hands. And thus th…y hauehave couenanted no ſuch thing with ſeruants, yet muſt they inſtruct them, becauſe God hath command…d, and their off…ce r…quireth it.
2 They faile heerein, who lay ſo much worke vponupon their ſeruants, that they can hauehave no time for religious exerciſ…s.
3 Thoſ… that k…pe their ſ…ruants from Church, and ſend th…m hi…her and thither on the Sabbath day.
4 Such as make fe…ts in their houſes on the Sabbath day. And h…nce it is, that in many houſ…s, inferiour offic…rs …r goe to Church, but once in a ye…re to rec…e.
5 Thoſe …hat …re ſo long a dreſsing, &c. tha… the… come to C…u…ch in no time; their ſ…ruants alſo tending on th…m.
6 Such as will hauehave their ſeruants attend on them to the Church, but th…n th…y ma… goe whither they will, ſo they com… when ſeruice is done, to bring them home againe.
7 Such as neuer examine them how they profit, &c.
For their body. 1 In health; the duty is to allow them that which is meet for the preſeruation of h…a…th, as to a…ford them food: for quantity; ſu…ficient, for quality, wholſome, mans m…at; as wee ſay, for time ſeaſonable. 2 Apparell n…ceſſary againſt heate and cold, and alſo dec…nt and comely. 3 For labour, that it be moderate, not too much to oppr…ſſe them. 4 To allow them r…ſt at thoſe two ordinary times, the night, and on the Sabbath day.
Contrary is, when maſters regard not their ſeruants health, but care not how they vſe them in all the former points.
2 In ſickneſſe, to prouide things needfull for them; to vſe the beſt meanes of recouery; and if th…y die, to bury them according to their place.
For their eſtate. The 1 duty is, That maſters pay vntounto ſeruants their wages. Here is requir…d, 1 that their wages bee according to equity, ſufficient for them to prouide things neceſſary. 2 That it bee paid in ſeaſon, at the time couenant…d, yea in kindn…ſſe, if neede bee, before-hand. 3 To pay it with the moſt.
Contrary is, 1 When as maſters vniuſtly detaine their ſeruants wages, and neuer pay them; this is a crying ſinne. 2 When they …oath to pay it, and long in holding it backe, that ſeruants muſt aske, and aske againe, till they bee aſhamed. 3 When they alter their ſeruants wages, and ſeeke to diminiſh them: as Laban did toward Iacob.
2 Duty is, ſo to diſpoſe of their ſeruants and order them, that after their time is out, they may liue of themſelues: & therf…re, 1 to keep them ſtill imployed. 2 In ſuch things, as may be profitable to them hereafter. 3 To vſe inſpection ouer them, to ſee that they performe their duty. 4 To ſuffer them to ſet vp after their time is out.
Aberrations are, 1 When the maſter hath no car… for the time, and ſo harbors Idle-packes in his houſe, that hauehave no imployment. 2 Such as enuy to their ſeruants the myſtery of their trade. 3 Such as will vſe all means to hinder their ſeruants from ſetting vp of themſelues, indeauouring to keepe them ſtill ſeruants as long as they liue.
Equity (the ſecond point) is ſhewne in this, that maſt…rs doe diſtinguiſh and put a difference between… good and bad ſeruants; and if they bee good indeed, to reſpect them accordingly, and to hauehave them in price and good eſt…eme, to commend them, to recompence them, to paſſe by and winke at an offence; when they are going away, not to ſuffer them to goe away empty, but to helpe them in their ſetting vp and in their marriage.
Contrary is, when maſters make all alike, yea, a ſeruant that hath beene a long time good and faithfull vntounto them, at his going away, they will picke a quarrell againſt him, and ſo turne him away with nothing.
In regard of the power that maſters hauehave, this is their duty, That they keepe within comp…ſſe of their powe…, not to go beyond it; as not to cōmand a…ything vn…awfull or vnmeete, in regard o… t…e a…e, ſ…x…, co… dition, or conſcience of th…ir ſerua…ts, or any thing that may end…nger their life: for they hauehave no power ouer it. 3 That the maſter let his ſeruant b…e free in his marriage, not inforcing him to take one or other. 4 In putting him off to another maſter (which hee hath power to doe) that the maſter bee carefull to make choice of ſuch a one as ſhould d…ale with him, as himſelfe would hauehave done, that this change may bee for the good of the ſeruant.
Contrary aberrations bee: 1 When the maſter makes his will a rule. 2 When hee ſhall cauſe the vntimely death of his ſeruant, not onelyonly by open murder, but by being an occaſion to bring him within danger of the law: or by thruſting him to maintaine quarrells, or ſo beating of him, that death doe follow. 3 When hee ſhall inforce marriage vponupon his ſeruants. 4 To paſſe them ouer to men vngodly and wicked, either of no calling, or of an vnlawfull calling.
And knowe euen your Maſter alſo, &c.
Hauing finiſhed the duties, there comes in the next place to bee conſidered, the Reaſons to moue maſters to performe: which are layd downe in theſe words. The argument in generall, is drawne from that place of ſub…ection wherein maſters are, and it is amplified by circumſtances. 1 Implyed, viz. that the Maſter of maſters is a common Maſter both to maſters and ſeruants. (Euen your.)
2 Expreſſed. 1 Of the place wherein this Maſter is, viz. heauen. 2 Of a property belonging to him, that hee is no reſpecter of perſons.
Doct. They who are maſters, hauehave a Maſter: this is notably ſet forth by Ioſeph, Gen. 50.19. foreign vnderunder, or in ſtead, Eccl…ſ. 5 8. In this reſpect he is called, as Deu. 10.17. 1 Tim 6.15.
Reaſon is, becauſe man is prone to inſolency; and if hee were not vnderunder authority, hee would growe intolerable: for this cauſe, God retaines in his hand, a power, authority, and command ouer him.
V…e. … main… vſe int…nd…d by the Apoſtle, is, that as ſe…uants ſhould do… their duti… to their maſters, which they r…quire: ſo maſt…rs ſhould doe thoſe duties to their ſeruants, which God r…quires at their hands.
2 This is alſo a ground to reſtraine maſt…rs that they doe nothing to their ſeruants, but what they will iuſtifie before their great Maſt…r. This moued Ioſeph to let goe his brethren, when h…e had them in hold, Gen. 42.18. and Nehemiah to deale well with the people, Neh. 5.14, 15. and I…b, chap. 31.13, 14. Wherefore maſters are to thinke of this, when they exact any thing of their ſeruants that is not fit; when they are furious and incenſed againſt them: wh…n they detaine any thing from them, and opp…ſſe th…m, let them then thinke how the… will iuſtifie this, when their greater Maſter ſhall call them to account.
Doct. 2 Maſt…rs and ſeruants hauehave both one, and the ſame Maſter. Mal. 2.10. Iob 31.15. 1 Cor. 7.22. Whence it followes, That howſoeuer for orders ſake and good of outward gouernment, there is a difference betweene maſters and ſerua…ts, yet in reſpect of God, they are both as fellow-ſeruants: as appeares by comparing of Luk. 18.42. with M…t. 24.49.
This ſerues further to curbe and brid…e the inſolency of maſters, a…d it aggrauates greatly their cruelty towards their ſeruants.
The place where this Maſter is, is heauen; becauſe there and from thence, hee doth manifeſt his glory after a ſp…ciall and peculiar manner; the reaſons why it is here expreſſed are, 1 To ſhew that this Maſt…r is a maſter of great glory, excellency and maieſty, ſo that there is no proportion between him & maſters here on earth, Pſal. 113.4. 2. To ſhew that the eyes of the Lord are vponupon all his ſeruants: as one in a high place may eaſily behold all things below, Pſal. 11.4 a…d 33.13. and the reaſon of this, Pſal. 102.2….
3 To ſhew his might and power in rewarding, and rendring vengeance. Pſalm. 123.1. (as an argument) Eccleſ. 5.8.
All theſe may be ſo many motiues, to vrge and preſſe the duties of maſters 1 If God be ſo g…orious and excellent, how then ought maſters to r…ſp…ct him, and the rather to be mooued to performe th…ir duties vntounto their ſeruants: as we ſee the ſ…ruants of great men, a…d Noble men, are moſt dutifull and r…ady in their ſeruice? 2 Let no maſters deceiue themſelues in this conceit, that whatſoeuer they doe to their ſeruants, is within their owne houſe, no bodie ſees them, and their ſeruants dare not complaine: For God is in heauen, and he beholds them, Prou. 15.3. 3 God not onelyonly ſees them, but he wil take vengeance of them; and this vengeance will be heauy, as comming from God; therefore this ought to moue them to deale gently with their ſeruants.
Doct. 3 From Gods property. This great Lord and Maſter is not mooued with any outward reſpect, but is a iuſt, vnchangeab…e and vnpartia…l Iudge, Iob 34.19. for there is no paſſion in God, nor alteration of affection, Iob 10.4.
Vſe is to teach maſters to ſhake off all vaine hopes and pretences, that God will reſpect them more than their ſeruants, becauſe they are great, and hauehave friends, &c. their ſeruants are but baſe and meane, &c. 2 This is for imitation of Magiſtrates accordingly to carry themſelues. 3 It teacheth mi…iſters not to vrge or to keepe cloſe matters in reſpect of perſons, but vnpartially to preſſe the duties of all ſorts.
Further, marke the inference of this reaſon vponupon the duety: the Apoſtle bids them forbeare threatning, becauſe they hauehave a Maſter that is ouer them. Whence obſerue that ignorance of that place of ſubie…tion wherein we are, & of that authority vnderunder which we are, makes vsus inſolent and cruell. This appeares in Pharaoh, who was cruell to the Iſraelites, becauſe hee knew not God, Exod. 5.2. and Sennac…e…b, 2 Kings 18.33, 34, 35. becauſe men conceit they hauehave an abſolute authority. This is the ground of pride in That man of ſinne, 2 Theſ. 2.4.
Now, whereas the Apoſtle, in ſetting downe the duty of maſters, bringeth ſuch a ſtrong reaſon to moue them, and yet in the duties of husbands and wiues, parents and children, doth not ſo: the reaſon is, becauſe in husbands and parents there is a naturall louelove and affection, which doth moue them; but in maſters there is no ſuch thing: and therefore hee layeth downe a thundring reaſon, bringing them to the Iudgement-ſeate of God, ſo to terifie them.