Knowledge and Practice, Part 2 · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII. Of the Duties of Maſters and Servants. Firſt, Of the Duties of Maſters.
MAſters ought to be careful of theſe things.
I. To inſtruct their Servants, to inform them in the right knowledge of God, and the things that concern their ſalvation: To Catechize them, to pray with them, and for them; to bring them to the publick Ordinances, and cauſe them to obſerve the Lords Day; To exhort them to private prayer and reading the Word, and to be diligent and conſcientious in their places, &c. Gen. 18.19. I know that my ſervant Abraham will teach his Family. But of this I have ſpoken more in the Tenth Chapter of the Duties of Governours of Families.
II. To give them a good example. A wife Carriage, and a pious, honeſt, unblameable Converſation does much tend to the bettering of ſervants. If the Maſter be a ſwearer, a company keeper, a prophaner of the Lords day, have no prayers in his Family, be a ſlighter and neglecter of Gods Worſhip and Service, 'tis madneſſe for ſuch an one to expect a ſober Family.
III. To command them onelyonly just and lawful things (things equal as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Col. 4.1.) and to require of them only ſuch ſervice as they may well do, with moderate care, and induſtry; and that which other ſervants of like condition with them uſually perform. A Maſter muſt not overtask his Servants, nor oppreſs them with labours, ſo that they ſhall have no time to beſtow on their ſouls; which is a ruling over them with rigour, as 'tis called, Lev. 25.43.
IV. To allow them wholſom, fitting, and ſufficient food, convenient reſt, and moderate refreſhment, that they may do their work with the more cheerfulneſſe.
V. In time of ſickneſſe, to take care that things neceſſary for their recovery be not wanting to them; ſuch as fitting Diet, Phyſick, and Attendance. A Maſter at ſuch a time, is in place of a Parent, Mat. 8.5, 6, The Centurion went to Chriſt to heal his ſervant.
VI. To encourage them in well-doing, by uſing them with that kindneſſe and bounty, which their Piety, faithfulneſſe and diligence deſerves.
VII. To admoniſh and reprove them, when they do amiſſe; and that not only in faults against themſelves (wherein few Maſters are backward) but alſo and more eſpecially, in faults against God, whereat every Maſter ought to be more troubled, than at thoſe which tend only to his own loſſe or inconvenience. The diſhonour of God, or the hazard of the meaneſt mans ſoul, being infinitely more worthy our diſquiet, than any thing of the other kind can be. Therefore when Maſters or Miſtreſses are preſently on fire for any little negligence and fault of a ſervant towards themſelves, and yet can without trouble ſee them run into great ſins and miſcarriages againſt God, 'tis a ſign they conſider their own concernments too much, and Gods Honour and their ſervants ſouls too little.
But as 'tis the duty of Maſters to admoniſh and reprove their ſervants in caſe of fault, ſo they muſt alſo look to do it in a due manner, i. e. ſo, as may be moſt likely to do good; not in paſſion and rage, which can never work the ſervant to any thing but the deſpiſing and hating of them. Their rebukes muſt be just, ſparing, moderate, Eph 6 9. Forbearing threatning, or moderating threatning, as ſome render the Word. They muſt reprove in ſuch a ſober and grave manner as may convince them of their faults, and may plainly ſhew them that 'tis love and good will to their ſouls, and a deſire of their amendment that makes them thus reprove them. But if no warnings nor reproofs will reſtrain them from ill courſes, neither will they be corrected by words, as 'tis, Prov. 29.19. then (in due circumſtances) moderate correction of another ſort, may not be inexpedient.
VIII. To liſten to their just grievances, and redreſſe them, Job 31.13. If I did deſpiſe the cauſe of my man-ſervant, or of my maid-ſervant, when they contended with me. v. 14. What then ſhall I do when God riſeth up? and when he viſiteth, what ſhall I anſwer him?
IX. And Laſtly, to pay them their wages, and juſtly to perform to them thoſe conditions on which they were hired.
And that Maſters may be the more careful and conſcientious in theſe things, let them conſider,
1. They have a Maſter in Heaven, who is Omniſcient, righteous, and just, to whom they muſt give an account of the uſage of their meaneſt ſervant on earth, Eph. 6.9. And ye Maſters, do the ſame things to your ſervants, farbearing threatning; knowing that your Maſter alſo is in Heaven, neither is there reſpect of perſons with him. Do the ſame things, i. e. That which is good and right, and ſhall be rewarded of the Lord. For Service, give due recompenſe; for good will in ſerving, return good will by encouraging; if Servants be faithful, be ye good and gentle; if they obey you in the Lord, do ye command them in the Lord, i. e. Only things just, equal, and pleaſing to God.
2. They and their Servants are of the ſame mould, all of the earth as to the body; and their Servants have reaſonable ſouls, capable of Grace here, and Glory hereafter, as well as they. They ſhould not therefore uſe them like ſlaves. They ſhould not carry themſelves imperiouſly, harſhly, churliſhly, and Nabal-like unto them.
3. Thoſe Servants that are truly gracious, are Gods freemen, and ſo fellow ſervants with their converted Maſters, in reſpect of God. They are members of the ſame myſtical body, whereof Christ is the Head; and may have a greater meaſure of Grace here, and ſo a higher place in Heaven, a greater degree of Glory hereafter than their Maſters.
4. And Laſtly, let them conſider how eaſily God could have ſet them in their ſervants place, and their ſervants in theirs. And therefore let them give them ſuch uſage as themſelves would think fit and reaſonable, had God diſpoſed them into the condition of Servants.
Pſal. 101.2. I will behave my ſelf wiſely in a perfect way; I will walk within my houſe with a perfect heart.
V. 6. Mine eies ſhall be upon the faithful of the Land, that they may dwell with me; he that walketh in a perfect way, he ſhall ſerve me.
V. 7. He that worketh deceit ſhall not dwell within my houſe, he that telleth lies ſhall not tarry in my ſight.
Col. 4.1. Maſters give unto your ſervants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye alſo have a Maſter in Heaven.
Eph. 6 9. And ye Maſters do the ſame things unto them, forbearing threatning; knowing that your Maſter alſo is in Heaven, neither is there reſpect of perſons with him.
Exod. 21.26. And if a man ſmite the eye of his ſervant, or the eye of his maid, that it periſh, he ſhall let him go free for his eies ſake.
V. 27. And if he ſmite out his man-ſervants tooth, or his maid ſervants tooth, he ſhall let him go free for his tooths ſake.
Lev. 25 43. Thou ſhalt not rule over him with rigour, but ſhalt fear thy God.
So much of the Duties of Maſters.
I now come to ſpeak of thoſe that belong to Servants.
Servants owe to their Maſters theſe four Duties,
1. Reverence.
2. Obedience.
3. Faithfulneſſe.
4. Diligence.
I. All due Reverence, and that of three ſorts.
1. In their hearts; honouring them, and fearing to give them any just occaſion of diſtaſt.
2. In their 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 ſuperiority, power, and authority they have over them, 1 Tim. 6.1. Let as many ſervants as are under the yoke, count their own Maſters worthy of all honour, &c. Mal. 1.6. — If I be a Maſter, where is my fear? &c. 1 Pet. 3.18. Servants be ſubject to your own Maſters with all fear, &c. Not with a ſlaviſh, but a Chriſtian, 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 obſerving their inſtructions and counſels. eſpecially thoſe given them for the good of their ſouls.
2. In performing and executing their lawful and just Commands. This is expreſly required by the Apoſtle, Tit. 2.9. Exhort ſervants to be obedient to their own Maſters, and to pleaſe them well in all things, &c. And this obedience muſt not be a grumbling, unwilling one, but ready and chearful, as 'tis, Eph. 6.7. With good will doing ſervice.
And to help them herein, they are to conſider, It is to the Lord, and not only unto men, (as 'tis in the next Words) that they pay this obedience, which may make them the more cheerful in it. Chriſtian Servants ſhould look beyond their Maſters unto God, who hath placed them in that condition, and enjoyned them this obedience. Whatſoever ye do, ſaith the Apoſtle, Col. 3.23. (i. e. Of your own duty, or your Maſters buſineſſe) do it heartily, as unto the Lord, i. e. as before God, and in his ſight, deſiring to glorifie God, and approve your hearts unto him. Let not Servants therefore diſpute their lawful commands, but do them; and that with an eye to Gods Command. If their Maſters ſhould command any thing, though lawful, yet imprudent, let them humbly offer their reaſons to the contrary; but if they perſiſt, let them not finally refuſe to obey them.
3. In patiently and meekly ſubmitting to their reproofs, when they do amiſſe, not anſwering again, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Tit. 2.9. i. e. Not making ſuch ſurly and rude replies as may encreaſe their Maſters diſpleaſure. A thing too frequent among Servants, even in the juſtest reprehenſions. Whereas St. Peter directs them to ſuffer patiently the most undeſerved correction, even when they do well, and yet ſuffer for it, 1 Pet. 2.20. And further, they must know, that the giving their Maſters the hearing, & the patient ſuffering of rebuke, is not all that is required of them in this matter; but they muſt ſpeedily amend the faults they are rebuked for, and reform what has been amiſſe.
III. Faithfulneſs. They muſt be true and faithful.
1. In their words, ſpeaking the truth alwaies. Lying doubles a fault. A lying tongue is an abomination to the Lord, Prov. 6.17. & Rev. 21.8. Lyars are of the number of thoſe that ſhall be ſhut out of the new Jeruſalem, & ſhall have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimſtone. When therefore they are charged with a fault (if they be guilty) let them remember, that an humble ingenuous confeſſion, with promiſe of amendment, is the beſt and moſt pacifying excuſe, they can poſſibly make.
2. In their actions: 1. In not purloining, as the Apoſtle commands, Tit. 2.10. not converting that which is their Maſters to their own uſe, or diſpoſing of any thing that is His, without his leave; contenting themſelves with ſuch things as are fit for a ſervant to have, and not ſecretly filching ſuch things as they know are not allowed them by their Maſter, or appointed for them. Where the fear of God is in the heart, there will be a care of theſe things; Where 'tis not, ſervants think they may do any thing, what they pleaſe. 2. In not waſting and imbeziling their Maſters goods, (as the unjuſt Steward was accuſed to have done, Luke 16.6.) by their neglect and careleſneſſe. Every Maſter is ſuppoſed to intruſt his affairs, as well to the care, as to the honeſty of his ſervant; therefore unfaithfulneſſe is a great ſin, and (in ſome reſpects) worſe then common theft, by how much there is a greater truſt repoſed, the betraying whereof adds to the crime.
3. They must be faithfull in their work and buſineſſe, and in the managing all things intruſted to them, labouring to preſerve and increaſe their Maſters eſtate, by all good and lawfull means. This the Apoſtle hints in thoſe words, Tit. 2.10 Shewing all good fidelity. And with what uprightneſſe and integrity ſervants ſhould carry themſelves herein, the ſame Apoſtle tels us in thoſe words, Col. 3.22. In ſingleneſſe of heart, fearing God. If the fear of God be in the heart, that will make ſervants faithfull. Such a ſervant was Eleezer, that wife, faithfull, praying ſervant, of whom we reade, Gen. 24. And ſuch honeſt, upright ſervants were Jacob and Joſeph, who were great bleſsings to the Maſters whom they ſerved.
4. They muſt be faithfull in reſpect of their Maſters children, (if any care of them be committed to them) endeavouring their good and welfare every kind of way; infuſing good principles into them, and the ſeeds of piety and vertue, and abhorring to ſpeak or do any thing before them, that may tend to corrupt or deprave them. They muſt not conceale their faults and miſcarriages, much leſſe be acceſſary to the drawing them into any evil courſe, or be any way inſtrumentall to their ruine, as too many ſervants are.
5. They muſt do all the good they can to their fellow-ſervants, by prudent ſuggeſtions, a good example, and an unblameable converſation.
6. They muſt preſerve (by all good means) the reputation of their Maſter and his family; and not like idle tale-bearers, divulge every thing done in the houſe, which is an unfaithfulneſs an honeſt ſervant ſhould abhorre.
IV. Diligence; conſtantly attending to all thoſe things that are the duties of their place, and not giving themſelves to idleneſſe and ſloth, remembring their time is their Masters, and therefore not to be ſquandred away or miſpent. They muſt do all true ſervice to their Maſters, not only when their eye is over them, but when they are abſent, and not like to diſcern their failings. Not with eye ſervice, Eph. 6.6. Good ſervants, when their Maſters eye is not upon them, ſee him that is inviſible; and deſire to perform the duties of their places carefully and conſcientiouſly, that they may eſcape, not only their Maſters, but Gods anger, who will call them to account.
So much of the duties of ſervants.
The Motives to incourage them to a cheerfull performance of them are theſe two:
1. By performing their duties in this manner, they will adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, Tit. 2.10. The world will then ſee True Religion is not meerly a Name, but a powerfull thing, rendring men good in all their relations. It will render Religion amiable to the World.
2. They ſhall not loſe their reward. God will plentifully reward them, if out of conſcience to his command they be faithfull. Eph. 6.8. Knowing that whatſoever good thing any man doth, the ſame ſhall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Col. 3.24. Knowing that of the Lord ye ſhall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye ſerve the Lord Christ.
Let ſervants therefore ſet theſe two motives alwaies before their eyes, to make them faithfull and cheerfull in their duties.
Eph. 6.5. Servants be obedient to them that are your Masters, according to the fleſh, with fear and trembling, in ſingleneſs of your heart, as unto Chriſt.
V. 6. Not with eye-ſervice, as men-pleaſers, but as the ſervants of Chriſt, doing the will of God from the heart.
V. 7. With good will doing ſervice, as to the Lord and not to men.
V. 8. Knowing, that whatſoever good thing any man doth, the ſame ſhall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Col. 3.22. Servants, obey in all things your Maſters according to the fleſh, not with eie ſervice, as men pleaſers, but in ſingleneſſe of heart, fearing God.
V. 23. And whatſoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.
V. 24. Knowing, that of the Lord ye ſhall receive the reward of inheritance; for ye ſerve the Lord Christ.
V. 25. But he that doth wrong, ſhall receive for the wrong which he hath done, and there is no reſpect of perſons.
1 Tim. 6.1. Let as many ſervants as are under the yoke, count their own Maſters worthy of all honour, that the Name of God and his Doctrine be not blaſphemed.
V. 2. And they that have believing Maſters, let them not deſpiſe them becauſe they are brethren, but rather do them ſervice, becauſe they are believing and beloved, partakers of the benefit: Theſe things teach and exhort.
Tit. 2.9. Exhort Servants to be obedient to their own Maſters, and to pleaſe them well in all things, not anſwering again,
V. 10. Not purloyning, but ſhewing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
1 Pet. 2.18. Servants, be ſubject to your Maſters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but alſo to the froward.
V. 19. For this is thank-worthy, if a man for Conſcience toward God endure grief, ſuffering wrongfully.
V. 20. For what Glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye ſhall take it patiently? but if when ye do well, and ſuffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
Mat. 8.9. For I am a man under authority, having Souldiers under me, and I ſay to this man, go, and he goeth, and to another, come, and he cometh, and to my ſervant, do this, and he doeth it.
Luke 16.2. —Give an account of thy Stewardſhip, &c.
Prov. 30.21. For three things the earth is diſquieted, &c.
V. 22. For a Servant when he reigneth, &c.