A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 179 (Question 64 cont.)
SERMON CLXXIX.
[1] WE proceed to confider the Relation which is made between the Maſe … Servant; which alſo belongs to the …onital Order, and goeth into the Conſti… of a Family; tho' not ſo principally and …fa…ily as the former; and therefore it is put … after that. And here we are to obſerve, that Maſter is not to be taken excluſively …i…cluſtvely of the Miſtreſs, who alſo hath …p…wer of Authority over Servants; it was obſerved under the former.
BEFORE we proceed to confider the Duties …ging to the Correlates in this Order, it is re…i…ts that we enquire firſt into the ground or …dation of the Relation it ſelf; whether it be …inted by God; when, & how, & how far it is … reduced to the Law of Nature, & Moral Law. Th… there is ſuch a Relation, de facts, is appa…; but how it came about, is maſter of Diſ…; ſome aſſerting that the Relation between … and Servant, is as Natural as that between Parents and Children, others conſtantly …ting, that the Relation it ſelf is made by Man's corrupt Wills, and that it is unlawful ſo …y to take to himſelf the Authority of a …ſter, or for any to ſubmit to the Condition is Servent: Whereas others goon in a middle …, which is more agreable to Truth: And … the diſtinct taking up of this matter, I ſhall … offer the following Obſervations;
1. THAT the Order … conſideration, is C…omical. The Titles of Lord and Servant, … ſometimes uſed fo… every ſort of Relation between Superiors and Inferious: But the …ore and Quality of the Subjection is diverſe in …, and to be meaſured from the Relation in ſelf, and the End or Deſign of it. But more peculiarly we are here to diſtinguiſh it from the …ſhip and Service between Civil Rulers and their Subjects.
2. HENCE the Right of Dominion, and the Duty of Sa…tude, is limited to that which is proper to a Fam…ly. A Family indeed is ſometimes conſidered more largely, and ſo it comprehends not only a Tribe, but alſo a Nation. as we find it often uſed in Scripture; but in a more ſtrict and appropriate ſenſe, it intends a Private …ciet… of Mankind, which is Domeſtick: to the compleatneſs whereof there are Three Orde… combined. Huſband and Wife. Parents and Children, Maſters and Ser…nts: Which Orders being different, there are the diverſe Rules which belong to them. And becauſe no Society can conſiſt or attain the End of it, without Order, and every Member of it ought to be obliged to Order, there muſt be Duties anſwer…ble lying upon …. And this the very Light of Nature will give Teſtimony unto: Hence that 1. Tim. 3.4. Our that ruleth w…ll his own houſe, having his children is ſubjection with all growty. But theſe Duties muſt hold … ſubordination to, and not either, claſh with or encra…ch upon thoſe that are proper to Pubtick Societies, … Civil Government.
3. THAT ſuch a State of Servitude, as is Oeconomical, was incompatible with Men's State of, …tigrity. For altho' there would have been inequality among Men neceſſarily following from the Relations that God placed Men is: yet ſuch a Relation as this is, was neither neceſſary not adapted to the State of Innocence. Men was Created in a State of Liberty compleatly furniſhed with the Image of God, and made … Dominion over Inferi… Creatures of the Viſible Creation, Gen. 1.26. Which Dominion would have belonged to every Man, when grown to the uſe of Reaſon; who was then to be at his own diſpoſe; whereas the moſt eaſy Servitude Oeconomical, hath that i… it, that the Servant is not at his own diſpoſed, but is at the caſt and back of another, who is to Govern and Order him in his Actions; as, Mat…. 8. 9 Nor would there have been any need of it, Man's Condition would have been e…pleat for this well-being without it.
4. THAT this Dominion & Serv…s …re broug… in by the Apoſtasy, and are …ſ… of the Curſe. The Reaſon why the Pagan Philosophers aſcribed it to the Law of Nature is plain, viz. Becauſe they were altogether ignorant of Man's primitive State of Perfection, and conſidered Mankind in the Condition which they found b… in, which was under the Ruin… of the Apoſtasy; which had they known, they … otherwiſe minded. And wh… great Divines do ſay that the Law of Nature requires this Relation, they do not intend is of the primeval right, but of the p…mability of it, in regard of Man's preſent Condition, which they call a ſecondary Right; ſuppoſing truly, that in this Law, Proviſion was made not only for the Relations which were at firſt made; but alſo for all ſuch, as might afterwards be int…duced, either by the Providence of God, or by a poſitive Law. Hence,
5. THE Miſery conſequent on Man's Full, hath made this Relation neceſſary and unavoidable. Tho' a State of Service, which naturally infers it's Correlate, was no ways agreeable in Man; Pri…itive Perfection; yet it is ſuch as the Condition of fallen Man, under his unhappy Circumſtances, cannot be without; which readers it both … pro…t…ble to Hu… Soci…y; and not only in the …, but alſo in the F…ly. All Servitude began in the Curſe, but it is ſo ordered in the Providence uſ God, … it b… Be…id to Mankind. And ſuch is the …dition of ſome that they do f…ll u…ably under this State and are … Serv… of ot… Meverthede…, God in His … Wiſdom, … it provides for the Su…cco… … Adran… both of Maſters and Servants and it is now of the le… Mo…the upbolding … armi…tion, and providing … Conſert of many Livers.
6. HEN…E …, preſcriding and freiring the Duties b…ging to this Relation given by God. Th…t there are ſuch, the Wood of God ac…qui…ts us, and the Neceſſity of Mankind called for it, elſe there would have been no Family Order, which would ſoon have brounght … upon the World. The End of this Order is for Man's Benefit, tho' it alſo cary an it a Note of the Apoſtacy; and this Benefit would ſom cauſe, were not both Maſters and Servants under the … of Reſt…ant; at is …ldent from the …eakings out of wickedacſo in many, this notwithſtanding.
7. THe Rober of Dowes reſerving to this Relation, are … to… Law of Nature, or the Moral Law Th… Law not only lai… Com… on Men, conſidered in, and in things agr…ble to the ſtate of Integrity; but was a … of Government, and therefore extendable …o every Condition that Man might be in. And the Fi… Command requires that Man receive the Command from God, in whatſoever be ſhall at any time ma…e known His Preceptive Will in becauſe. He is our Lord and Lawgiver; and In…e Wiſdom could not but accommodate the Rule; ſo as to comp… in it every State which Man might be brought into; and made this or that to be …is Duty in ſuch and Hypotheſis. Hence the Light of Nature, or right Reaſon, which is the Medium by which we are to ſpall out the Law of Nature, will tell Men upon ſearch, that ſuch a Relation, being to be uſed for the Glory of God and Uſe of Mankind, hath ſuch inſepa…ble Davis …emling upon it: And when God … His Will concerning this in His Word, … ſay, It is highly Rational; and doe…loſs … …ral Rule, rightly applied, will … inſer it, Matth. 7.12. Therefore all things whatſorver ye would that men …ould do to you, do ye even ſo to them: for this is the …ath and the prophets.
8. THAT it is very l…ful for ſome to be …ſ…ers, and ſome to be Servants in a Family. For, tho' Sin made it neceſary, yet that neceſſity fulls … the Governing Providence of God, and is made capable of being improved to His Glory. It is therofore a Condition, in which God may be glorified; and for that reaſon we are commanded to uſe it ſo; and …ervan… are bidden on this account to be content in it, and carry it with a due regard herein, 1 Cor. 7.20, 21, 22. And the Apoſtle aſſerts the juſt dominion of Philemon over his Servant Oneſimus, Phil. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
9. THERE are diſſerent degrees of this ſtminion & Serv…. The word Servo… thought to be borrowed from the ſaving … ſ… in War; but it is applied to all ſuch … Pa…nity as are under the Command of a … and owe to him Sabjection: And we know … Experience, that theſe are not all of … come under the ſame degree of Servitude; … are more Free, and others more in … bence the word Servant is ſometimes … common lauguage, diſtributive with that … Stove. Now the ground of this difference … ſeth from the divers ways in which this … tion is brought about; and theſe may be … ced into four Heads, viz.
1. BY Compact or Agreement. And … are the moſt honourable ſort of Servants: … theſe are ſuch as are originally Free, and other by theſelves or by their Parents or O… ſeers Indent with their Maſters, between whe… there are match Obligations; …ch as … ces bound to Trades, … hired Servants … ſhorter or longer Time; of this ſort of Ser… there are few that make any diſpute … Laufuboeſs of it, being apareatly noce…ary.
2. BY ſelf; Alunation, through H…rrvy … Forſeitu…. When Men are reduced to ſuch Exigence, as they either Sell themſe;v… … Children to their Neighbours; or …m … ſelves in Debt and have nothing to Pay; … ſome pec…i…ry Crimes are ſold; ſuch … allowed by the Laws of Nations, and the … ture ſeems to approve the Equity of this; … was Civilly practiſed in Iſra…l, 2. Kings 4.5 And it ſeems to be grounded on that Law, … 13.12. And may be argoed from the So… that Parable, Matth, 18.25. Levi…. …
3. BY Cop…vity in War. This alſo both … reckoned to Jur Gentium, and accounted … gence to ſuch as might have been … was allowed by God to his People If… … this Account he gave a Law about it: See, …. And theſe are reekohed to the Man's … proper Goods, and a right of buying and … ling them was allowed to them; L…v 25.44, …
4. BY Natural Ge…tion. For, … Men are not naturally Servants as they … Men; yet Men may be born Servants, … deſcended of ſuch Parents us are ſo. And … alſo hath a Divine Approbation, Gen. 14.14. 17.12. So that all theſe ſorts of Serva… … under our preſent Couſideration: And I … endeavour to give a general Account of the comprehenſive Duties belonging to …ch.
(1) THERE is a Duty of Love which Maſters owe to their Servants. And tho' … is a diverſe Government of them according to the different ground of their Servitude; yet there in an Honour, Love and Reſpect which they owe to all; and the po…veſt Slave … right to it: The meaneſt Servant is in ſome … ſpect as good as his Maſter, altho' Providen… made far Inſeriour to him. They had both … Father; are made of the ſame Motal, and … in the ſame Mold of Humanity; ſo Job acknowledgeth, Joh 31.15. Did not be that made … the womb, make him? and did not one faſhion as …. They have both one Supre… lord and Matter, to whom they muſt give up their Account; hence that, Ver. 1…. Wh…t … ſtall I d…b… God r…ſ…th up? and when he …ith, w…, ſhall I anſwer him? Hence that. Eph. 6.9 …wing that your maſter a ſo is in haven. And they have both Immortal Souls equally capable of being made partakers in Eternal Glory: So that this difference in Concision is only temporary; and hence the Duties of Maſter to their Servants may be red u…ced to Two Heads.
1. Reſpecting their Command over them.
2. Reſpecting their Ore they ſhould have of them.
[1.] RESPECTING their Command over then. That they have a right of Command, is very evident from the Nature of the Relation; elſe they could in no true ſenſe be called Servants. And as the Power over Ser… upon Compact is limited by the Articles of it; ſo in the other, which ſeem to be more Arbitrary, it is bounded by the Rules both of Natural and Revealed Religion: And here in general, (Negatively,) no Maſter as ſuch, hath as Arbitrary Power over his Servant, as to Life and Death; this would be to encroach upon the Civil Government, to whom it belongs to do Juſtice between Maſters and Servants: Hence that Law Exod. 21.20. Nor…ding, if be continue a day or two, be ſhall … be puniſhed: for be is his money. And what …ows in the next Verſe was an Indulgence of the Judicial Law to that People. And here theſe particular Daties are to be obſerved,
1. THEY are to Command them nothing but … it juſt and right. And here a difference is to be made; there are Services which in themſelves are lawful, but are alſo in eſteem ſ…did, and not agreeable to ſome, who are of a more ingenious Education; and yet ne…ry requires them to be done; but are fitter … ſuch as are of a more Servile Condition: But that which I here mainly intend, is, that there a… ſome things which are in themſelves Laxful, and others that are Sinful, being a direct breach of ſome Moral Command. Now the Law of God is to bound their Authority, and they may not Tranſgreſs it. And it is certain, that to Command a Servant to do a thing that is forbidden of God, is to be a Guilty …aker of other Men's Sins, and to be a Moral Cauſe of them, which is univerſally …idden, 1 Tim. 5.22.
2. THEY are to forhear ſcurrilous & undue …reatnings. See, Eph. 6.9. Maſters forbear …eatning. The word ſorbearing, properly …ifys to remit or moderate a thing. Not … all Threatnings are here interdicted; for there are that belong to Diſcipline, and are … Means to prevent Diſobedience, or humble them when in a Fault: But thoſe unjuſt …earnings, which carry in them the indication of fury and unbridled paſſions, are to be …trained: for they both diſcover an ungraci… frame in him that uſeth them, and tend more to harden Per…ons in their wickedneſs, than to reſtrain or reform them, which is the ne… … all F…lly Diſcipline, which requires. Mod…ation.
3. THEY are to Corect them with Prudence and Humanity. That Corrections, whether by Reproofs or Chaſtiſements, are not only a Privilege belonging to the Superiority of Maſters, but a Duty incumbent on them, in caſe that need calls for it, both for the maintaining of their Authority in the Family, and the real Good of ſuch Servants, is certain: And altho' there is to be a different Adminiſtration of it to ſome ſorts of Servants, and others; yet theſe two things mentioned, are to govern them in the application … to any, even ſuch over whom they have …e greateſt Juriſdiction, viz. It muſt be done with Prudence; in which Prudence there are two things to be obſerved, viz. They ought not to do it, except there be a Juſt Fr…voration; not then always, unleſs the Cireu…ſtances, make it needful. Extream Rigour here, is extream wrong. Utmoſt Severity is not to be uſed, when more gentle Treatment is as probable to attain the end: We read, Prov. 26.3. A whip for the horſe, a bridle for the aſs, and a rod for the fools back. And we are not to make Aſſes of our Servants, whilſt they may be treated as Men. And when Prudence calls for it, Humanity o…ht to Govern it. They muſt avoid all Cruelty, both in words and blows; and rather keep within the bounds of Severity, than go beyond the Limits of it: and for this reaſon it ought not to be done in a Paroxiſm of Ungovern'd Rage; but when Pathons are under the Government of Diſcretion. It was a laudable and imitable Expreſſion of a Pagan, which Moral Philoſophy had taught him, who ſaid to his offending Servant, I would Beat thee, if I were not in a Paſſion.
4. TO Allow them a full liberty to plead their Innocency. What ſolemn Profeſſion doth Job make of his Integrity on this Account, Job 31.13. if I did deſpiſe the cauſe of my menſervant, or of my maid-ſervant, when they contended with me. The end of Reproof and Correction is to convince the Subject of a fault, if therefore they are Guiltleſs, they deſe…e it not; and therefore a due enquiry into the Caſe ought to precede. And it is their due, ſoberly to vindicate themſelves if they are able; and are not therefore to be terrified with Menaces, and forbidden to ſpeak for themſelves. And if they have been wronged by a raſh treating of them, it is a neceſſry Duty to do them right, tho' the manner of it is to be wifely managed, ſo as not go g… them occaſion to inſult; and the Obliga… in theſe two laſt reſpects, is to be gather… from the equity of the Law, Exod 1.26, 27,
[2.] PESPECTING the Care which the ſhou…d take of them. They are Members on the Family, and … af… en… … the Cove of the Head of it: A…ais … be exerciſed both in … S…s and Bodies.
1. IN regard of th… … And here is their principal Care to … All the Members in a Family are therein equal, in that they have Souls equally capable of being ſaved or loſt: And the Soul of a Slave is, in it…s nature, of as much worth, as the Soul of his Maſter, having the ſame noble Faculties and Powers, and being alike Immortal; and being alike Precious to Chriſt, who paid as great a Price for the Redemption of the Soul of this Perſon, as of the other, Ezeck. 18.5. Col. 3.11. Now every Houſholder is a ſort of Prieſt in his Family; every Soul in it is put under his Charge, and he is bound to ſeek the Salvation of it, and muſt give an Account for it another Day, when God ſhall demand, Where are the Souls that I betruſted thee withal? Hence they are bound to take Care for their Inſtruction in the fear of God, and allow them the liberty of the Ordinances, and give them their ſeaſons for Reading the Word; and ſecret Religious Performances; and to have neglected them in this, will be a bitter Remorce on their Conſciences another Day, Gen. 18.19. For I know him, that be will command his children and his houſhold after him, and they ſhall keep the way of the Lord.
2. IN regard of their Bodies. And the ſummary Duty here is to do that for them which is fuſt & equal, Col. 4.1. And tho' we cannot put a particular ſtint to this, but it much depends on the Diſcretion of Maſter, and Condition of Servants; yet it is certain, that this is not leſt wholly to their Arbitrary Pleaſure: Doubtleſs there is a Caution againſt an over dilicate Proviſion for ſuch, included in that Adage, Prov. 29.21. He that delicately bringeth up his ſervant from a child ſhall have him become his ſon at the length. But there is the leaſt danger on this hand. As to Servants by Compact, they have a Relief againſt Oppreſſion by their Articles, eſpecially Apprentices; as to others, it is a Duty lying on Maſters, to ſee that they have wholeſome, ſufficient and ſeaſonable Food, whereby they may be ſtrengthned and encouraged to do their Work; and that they have ſuitable Apparel to cover their nakedneſs, and defend them from the injury of the Seaſons; and if they have been Faithful to them in their Service to do ſomething more for their Encouragement: And they owe to them a tender Care that they want for nothing that is proper for them in a time of Sickneſs: It is recorded for the Commendation of that Centurion, Matth. & 5, 6.
(2.) THERE is a Reciprocal Duty of Servants towards their Maſter: And it into be paid to them, …o Nomine, becauſe they are their Maſters, let them be otherwiſe wh… they will; and they are to adore the Providence of God, in diſpoſing them to a better or worſe Condition in this regard; and if they ſuffer hard things in it, to conſider, that Servitude it ſelf was …ro't in by Sin, and is a part of that Death which Good as well as Bad muſt undergo in this World; hence that, 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. And the principal and moſt comprehenſive Duties incumbent on ſuch, are theſe that follow;
1. THEY ought to enteri…is in their hearts, a Reverential Fear of them. Fph. 6.5. Servants, be obedient to them that are your maſters according to the fleſh, with fear & trembling, in ſingleneſs of heart as unto Chriſt. We obſerved under the former, that there is a Fear … Reverence due from every ſort of Inferiour, … the Superiour, which ought to be a Principle influencing them to the practice of their Duty; without which, they will either not do it at all, or do it Hypocritically: But that this Fear … diverſifyed according to the Nature of the Relation which they ſtand in: The Apoſtle therefore here ſubjoyns trembling, to expreſs the kind of Fear belonging to Men in this Order, implying a ſenſe of their Subjection, and the Power their Maſters have over them; and the Corruption of their Hearts making this Con… dition uneaſy to them, which ſhould make them the more careful to watch themſelves, and fortify againſt the Temptation, which Pride and impatience of Servitude is apt to urge upon them: God therefore uſeth ſuch an Expreſſion as this, Mal. 1.6. If I be a maſter, where is my Fear?
2. CHEERFUL Obedience to their Lawful Commands. Not reſiſting or fretting; T…. 2.9. Exhort ſervants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to pleaſe them well in all things; not anſwering again. They are to remember. that they ſerve God, in ſerving their Maſters; and therefore ſhould do it willingly; Eph. 6.5. With good will, doing ſervice, as to the Di… not to men. It is true, if they Command the… to Sin, they muſt humbly refuſe; for both their Maſters and they are God's Servants, and they muſt not diſobey Him to pleaſe Men; but no lawful Command, tho' poſſibly in it ſelf ingra… ful, ſhould be refuſed by them, not diſpu… againſt by them, nor done with a murm…i…ng and diſcontented mind.
3. DILIGENCE and Faithfulneſs in …ſcharging of the Service that is incumbent on them. They ought to be as diligent in ſerving their Maſters, as if they were doing for themſelves; and indeed they do ſo in a true account. They ſhould account their Maſter's Profit as their own, & be as much concerned for it; and for that reaſon they ought to uſe chearfulneſs in all they do for this reaſon they are forbidden Eye-ſervice, Eph. 6.6. Not with eye-ſervice, as men-pleaſers, but as the ſervants of Chriſt, doing the will of God free the heart. It is a good Motive to ſerve God faithfully, becauſe His Eye is ever upon us; hence that, Matth. 6.6. Thy Father ſeeth i… ſecret. But the Maſter's Eye cannot be always upon his Servant; but his Conſcience ſhould be his Moniter, which is to conſider his, Duty, and that Account he muſt give to God of his Service: He ought therefore to beware, that his Maſters Affairs do not ſuffer by him, either by Purloining or Neglect, Tit. 2.10. Not p… loining, but ſhewing all good fidelity; that the… may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
4. PATIENCE & Submiſſon. He m…y poſſibly ſerve an hard Maſter, who Rules … with Rigour: And this hinders not, but if he be injuriouſly treated, he may make his Orderly application to the Civil Magiſtrate, whoſe Duty it is impartially to afford him a redreſs, upon a clear Proof of it: Nevertheleſs, he is not to riſe up againſt his Maſter; or by any way, take his own Revenge upon him: And if he i…e…o door open to obtain regular Succour from Men, he ought with Patience to commit it to God, who hath ſaid, that He is the Avenger of all ſuch.
USE, LET all ſuch as ſtand in this Relation, Take heed to themſelves, that they do ſerve God that in it, as they hope to give up their Account with Joy another Day. Let Maſters conſider, They have a Maſter in Heaven, who will reckon with them e…re long; and if they have abuſed their Power, or neglected their Duty, it will be ill for them. And let Servants remember, That whatſoever Entertainment their Service f… from their Earthly Maſters, God will accept and crown their Faithfulneſs in it; and if they have ſerved Chriſt, and done it as to …, great will be their Reward in Heaven: And how hard ſoever it may at preſent ſeem unto them, yet when Chriſt ſhall ſay, Well done good and faithful Servant, it will never Repent them.
[AUGUST 24. 1703.]