CONCERNING SERVANTS.
Servants also, they have a work to do for G.o.d, in their place and station among men.
The apostles a.s.sert masters under a threefold consideration. First, The believing master. Second, The unbelieving master. Third, The froward master.
For all which, servants are furnished with counsel and advice in the word, for the demeaning of themselves, under each of them.
But before I speak in particular to any of these, I will in general show you the duty of servants.
1. Thou art to look upon thyself as thou art; that is, as a servant, not a child, nor a wife; thou art inferior to these; wherefore count thyself under them, and be content with that station. "For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear." One is "a servant when he reigneth" (Prov 30:21, 22). It is out of thy place, either to talk or do, as one that reigneth.
2. Consider, that thou being a servant, what is under thy hand is not thy own but thy master"s. Now, because it is not thy own thou oughtest not to dispose of it; but because it is thy master"s, thou oughtest to be faithful. Thus it was with Joseph (Gen 39:8, 9). But if thou do otherwise, know that thou shalt receive of G.o.d for the wrong that thou dost; and there is with G.o.d "no respect of persons" (Col 3:25). Wherefore,
3. Touching thy work and employment, thou art to do it as unto the Lord, and not for man; and, indeed, then servants do their business as becomes them, when they do all in obedience to the Lord, as knowing that the place in which they now are, it is the place where Christ hath put them, and in which he expecteth they should be faithful.
"Servants," saith Paul, "be obedient to them that are your master"s,--with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart as unto Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of G.o.d from the heart" (Eph 6:5, 6).
Observe a little the word of G.o.d to servants. 1. Servants must be obedient; yet, 2. Not with that obedience that will serve man only. Servants must have their eye on the Lord, in the work they do for their masters. 3. That their work in this service is the will and ordinance of G.o.d. From which I conclude, that thy work in thy place and station, as thou art a servant, is as really G.o.d"s ordinance, and as acceptable to him, in its kind, as is preaching, or any other work, for G.o.d; and that thou art as sure to receive a reward for thy labour, as he that hangs or is burnt for the gospel.
Wherefore, saith the apostle to servants, "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Col 3:23, 24). And now touching the three sorts of masters mentioned before.
First, For the believing master; saith Paul, "They that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, and partakers, with the servants, "of the" heavenly "benefit" (1 Tim 6:2). Servants, if they have not a care of their hearts, will be so much in the consideration of the relation that is betwixt their masters and they, as brethren, that they will forget the relation that is between them as masters and servants. Now, though they ought to remember the one, yet let them take heed of forgetting the other. Know thy place, as a servant, while thou considerest that thy master and thee are brethren, and do thy work for him faithfully, humbly, and with meekness, because he is a master faithful and beloved, and partaker of the heavenly benefit. "If any man teach otherwise," saith the apostle Paul, "and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to G.o.dliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions, and strifes of words; whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and dest.i.tute of the truth, supposing that gain is G.o.dliness: from such withdraw thyself" (1 Tim 6:3-5).
Second, For the unbelieving masters, for of them Paul speaks in the first verse of the 6th of Timothy, "Let as many servants," saith he, "as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of G.o.d and his doctrine be not blasphemed."
Servants living with unbelieving masters, are greatly engaged to be both watchful, faithful, and trusty. Engaged, I say, 1. From the consideration of the condition of their master; for he being unbelieving, will have an evil eye upon thee, and upon thy doings, and so much the more because thou professest. As in the case of Saul and David (1 Sam 18:8, 9 &c). 2. Thou art engaged because of the profession thou makest of the word of G.o.d; for by thy profession thou dost lay both G.o.d and his word before thy master, and he hath no other wit but to blaspheme them, if thou behave thyself unworthily. Wherefore Paul bids t.i.tus "exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, and to please them well in all things, not answering again;" not giving parroting answers, or such as are cross or provoking, not purloining, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of G.o.d our Saviour in all things"
(t.i.tus 2:9, 10). That servant, who in an unbeliever"s family doth his work before G.o.d, as G.o.d"s ordinance, he shall adorn the doctrine of G.o.d, if not save his master by so doing; but if he doth otherwise, he shall both stumble the unbeliever, dishonour G.o.d, offend the faithful, and bring guilt upon his own soul.
Third, For the froward master, though I distinguish him from the unbeliever, yet it is not because he may not be such, but because every unbeliever doth not properly go under that name. Now with this froward and peevish fellow, thou art to serve as faithfully for the time thou standest bound, as with the most pleasant and rational master in the world: "Servants," saith Peter, "be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward" (1 Peter 2:18). And if thy peevish master will still be froward, either out of spite to thy religion, or because he is without reason concerning thy labour thou to the utmost of thy power labouring faithfully G.o.d then reckoneth thee a sufferer for well-doing, as truly as if thou wert called upon the stage of this world before men, for the matters of thy faith. Wherefore Peter adds this encouragement to servants, to the exhortation he gave them before: "This is thank worthy," saith he, "if a man for conscience toward G.o.d endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 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 G.o.d" (1 Peter 2:19, 20).
Wherefore be comforted concerning thy condition, with considering that G.o.d looks upon thee, as on Jacob in the family of Laban; and will right all thy wrongs, and recompense thee for thy faithful, wise, and G.o.dly behaviour, before, and in the service of thy froward master. Wherefore, be patient, I say, and abound in faithfulness in thy place and calling, till G.o.d make a way for thy escape from this place; and when thou mayest be made free, use it rather (1 Cor 7:21).
DUTIES OF NEIGHBOURS EACH TO OTHER.
Having thus in few words showed you what is duty under your several relations, I shall now at last speak, in a word or two, touching good neighbourhood, and then draw towards a conclusion. Touching neighbourhood, there are these things to be considered and practised, if thou wilt be found in the practical part of good neighbourhood.
First, Thou must be of a good and sound conversation in thy own family, place, and station, showing to all, the power that the gospel and the things of another world hath in thy heart, "That ye may be blameless, and harmless, the sons of G.o.d, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Phil 2:15, 16).
Second, As persons must be of good behavior at home, that will be good neighbours, so they must be full of courtesy and charity to them that have need about them (Luke 10:36, 37). Right good neighbourhood is for men readily to communicate, as of their spirituals, so of their temporalities, as food, raiment, and help to those that have need; to be giving to the poor as thou seest them go by thee, or to inquire after their condition, and according to thy capacity to send unto them (Job 31:15-17, &c).
Third, Thou must be always humble and meek among them, as also grave and gracious; not light and frothy, but by thy words and carriage ministering "grace to the hearers" (Eph 4:29). Thus also Job honoured G.o.d among his neighbours (Job 29:6-12).
Fourth, Thy wisdom will be, rightly to discountenance sin, and to reprove thy neighbour for the same (Lev 19:17), denying thyself in some things, for the preventing an injury to thy neighbour, that thou mayest please him for his edification (Rom 15:2).
Fifth, If thou wouldest be a good neighbour, take heed of thy tongue upon two accounts.
1. That thou with it give no offensive language to thy neighbour, to the provoking of him to anger. Bear much, put up wrongs, and say little: "It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling" (Prov 20: 3). And again, "He loveth transgression that loveth strife" (Prov 17:19).
2. And as thou shouldest take heed that thou be not the original of contention and anger, so also take heed that thou be not an instrument to beget it between parties, by tale-bearing and a gossiping spirit: "He that pa.s.seth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife" (Prov 26:17-21). I do observe two things very odious in many professors; the one is a head-strong and stiff-necked spirit, that will have its own way; and the other is, a great deal of tattling and talk about religion, and but a very little, if anything, of those Christian deeds that carry in them the cross of a Christian in the doing thereof, and profit to my neighbour.
(1.) When I say a head-strong and stiff-necked spirit, I mean, they are for pleasing themselves and their own fancies, in things of no weight, though their so doing be as the very slaughter-knife to the weak conscience of a brother or neighbour. Now this is base. A Christian, in all such things as intrench not the matters of faith and worship, should be full of self-denial, and seek to please others rather than themselves; "Give none offence--to the Jews, nor to the 18 Greeks, nor to the church of G.o.d:--not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved"
(1 Cor 10:32, 33).
(2.) And the second is as bad, to wit, when professors are great prattlers and talkers, and disputers, but do little of anything that bespeaketh love to the poor, or self-denial in outward things.
Some people think religion is made up of words; a very wide mistake!
Words without deeds is but a half-faced religion: "Pure religion, and undefiled before G.o.d and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). Again, "If a brother or sister be naked, and dest.i.tute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," which are very fine words, yet if you "give them not those things that are needful to the body, what doth it profit?" (James 2:15, 16).
[Sins which interfere with the duties of Christian Brotherhood and Civil Neighbourhood.]
Now then, before I go any farther, I will here take an occasion to touch a little upon those sins that are so rife in many professors in this day: and they are, covetousness, pride, and uncleanness.
I would speak a word to them in this place, the rather because they are they which spoil both Christian brotherhood, and civil neighbourhood, in too great a measure.
OF COVETOUSNESS.
First, For Covetousness.
1. Covetousness; it is all one with desire; he that desires, covets, whether the thing he desires be evil or good. Wherefore that which is called coveting, in Exodus 20:17, is called desire, in Deuteronomy 5:21. As the apostle also saith, "I had not known l.u.s.t, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet" (Rom 7:7). That is, I had not known l.u.s.t to be a sin, unless the law had forbid it. Wherefore, though lawful desires are good (1 Cor 12:31), and to be commended, yet covetousness, as commonly understood, is to be fled from, and abhorred, as of the devil.
2. Covetousness, or evil desire, it is the first mover, and giveth to every sin its call, as I may say, both to move and act; as was said before, the apostle had not known sin, except the law had said, Thou shalt not desire or covet; for where there is no desire to sin, there appears no sin.
3. Therefore covetousness carrieth in it every sinwe speak of sins against the second tableeven as a serpent carrieth her young ones in her belly. This the scripture affirms, where it saith, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour"s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his a.s.s, nor anything that is thy neighbour"s" (Exo 20:17). Covetousness will meddle with anything.
Now, there are in my mind at present these eight notes of covetousness, which hinder good works, and a Christian coversation among men, wherever they are harboured.
(1.) When men, to whom G.o.d hath given a comfortable livelihood, are yet not content therewith. This is against the apostle, where he saith, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb 13:5).
(2.) It is covetousness in the seller, that puts him to say of his traffic, it is better than it is, that he may heighten the price of it; and covetousness in the buyer, that prompts him to say worse of a thing than he thinks in his conscience it is, and that for an abatement of a reasonable price. This is that which the apostle forbids under the name of defraud, 1 Corinthians 6:8, and that which Solomon condemns (Prov 20:14).
(3.) It is through covetousness that men think much of that which goeth beside their own mouth, though possibly it goeth to those that have more need than themselves, and also that better deserve it than they.
(4.) It argueth covetousness, when men will deprive themselves, and those under them, of the privileges of the gospel, for more of this world; and is condemned by Christ (Luke 14:18-20).
(5.) It argueth covetousness, when men that have it, can go by, or hear of the poor, and shut up their bowels and compa.s.sions from them (1 John 3:17).
(6.) Also when men are convinced it is their duty to communicate to such and such that have need, yet they defer it, and if not quite forget it, yet linger away the time, as being loth to distribute to the necessities of those in want. This is forbidden by the Holy Ghost: "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." Now, it is due from thee to the poor, by the commandment of G.o.d, if they want, and thou hast it; "Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee" (Prov 3:27, 28).
(7.) It argueth a greedy mind also, when, after men have cast in their minds what to give, they then from that will be pinching and clipping, and taking away; whereas the Holy Ghost saith, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for G.o.d loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Cor 9:7).
(8.) And lastly, It argueth a filthy greedy heart also, when a man, after he hath done any good, then in his heart to repent, and secretly wish that he had not so done, or at least, that he had not done so much: this is to be weary of well-doing; (I speak now of communicating,) and carrieth in it two evils, First, It spoileth the work done. And, secondly, It, if entertained, spoileth the heart for doing any more so. "The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful," for "the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand"
(Isa 32:5, 8). Now then, to dissuade all from this poisonous sin, observe, that above all sins in the New Testament, this is called idolatry (Eph 5:5; Col 3:5). And therefore G.o.d"s people should be so far from being taken with it, that they should be much afraid of the naming of it one among another, lest it should, as adulterous thoughts, infect the heart, by the talking of it (Eph 5:3).
Quest.
But why is covetousness called idolatry?
Answer.
1. Because it engageth the very heart of man in it, to mind earthly things; it gets our love, which should be set on G.o.d; and sets it upon poor empty creatures; it puts our affections out of heaven, where they should be, and sets them on earth, where they should not be (Eze 33:31; Phil 3:18, 19; Col 3:1-3). Thus it changeth the object on which the heart should be set, and setteth it on that on which it should not. It makes a man forsake G.o.d, "the fountain of living waters," and causeth him to hew to himself "cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water" (Jer 2:11-13). For,
2. It rejecteth the care, government, and providence of G.o.d towards us, and causeth us to make of our care and industry a G.o.d, to whom, instead of G.o.d, we fly continually, both for the keeping what we have and for getting more. This was Israel"s idolatry of old, and the original of all her idolatrous practices. "For their mother hath played the harlot," that is, committed idolatry: "she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that gave me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink" (Hosea 2:5).
3. It disalloweth of G.o.d"s way of disposing his creatures, and would have them ordered and disposed of otherwise than his heavenly wisdom seemeth meet; and hence ariseth all discontents about G.o.d"s dealing with us. Covetousness never yet said, It is the Lord, let him do what he pleaseth; but is ever objecting, like a G.o.d, against everything that goeth against it; and it is that which, like a G.o.d, draweth away the heart and soul from the true G.o.d, and his Son Jesus Christ: "And he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions" (Matt 19:16-22). Now then, that which engageth the heart, that rejecteth the providence of G.o.d, and that is for ordering and disposing of things contrary to G.o.d, and for breaking with G.o.d upon these terms, is idolatry; and all these do covetousness. "The wicked boasteth of his heart"s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth" (Psa 10:3). Now the way to remedy this disease is, to learn the lesson which Paul had got by heart; to wit, "In whatsoever state you are, therewith to be content" (Phil 4:11).