1. That we are Stewards.

2. What it is to be fo.

I. We are to confider, That we are Stewards; fuch we are, and we are no more but fuch, Stewards to God. How Rich, or how High foever we are, whatever is our Rank or Degree, whatever Dignity, Preheminence, or Privilege above fome others, we are to know our felves to be God's Stewards, and no more.

This is a thing which needs little Proof, but a great deal of Confideration. It will quickly appear, that we are fo; but what we are to infer thence, in order to our well governing of our Selves, we are not very apt to confider.

That we are all of us God's Stewards appears thus:

1. It is certain that we here live in the World, which is God's great Family, and here we poffefs and enjoy many good things of fundry forts, fuch as will come to be more particular confidered

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2. It is as certain, That we neither have our Life, nor any thing elfe of all that which we how poffefs of our felves, nor of any other, but of God, who (as hath been faid) is the Rich LORD of us, and all things.

3. It is also certain, That whatfoever God giveth us, he cannot lofe his own propriety in it. He can give nothing to any one who is not himself

himself his. We are his own, and whatever he giveth us is no lefs his for being ours, because we our felves are his ftill. God giveth much to us, but he can give nothing from himself. He cannot cease to be God, i. e. the abfolute LORD and Soveraign Difpofer and Commander of all things

4. Whatfoever he hath given us, is ours only fo far, for fuch Ends and Ufes, and on fuch Terms, and with fuch Referves and Limitations, as he pleaseth. And we are to use all according to his Directions, and therefore hath he given us certain Laws and Rules, whereby we are to order our felves, and every thing that he hath committed to our Management, and God in all things is to be glorified. Pet. 4. 11.

5. We are not therefore unaccountable for any thing that we have; but God hath affur'd us, That he takes Notice of our whole behaviour, and will call us to an Account, and Punish or Reward us accordingly as we now behave our felves in our Office and Truft.

From all this it is very plain, that whatever we are, or have, we are no more but God's Stewards.

II. We are next to confider, what it is to be fo. That as we have seen this to be our condition in the World, and Relation to God; fo we may understand our Duty and Bufinefs too whilft we live in the World.

A Steward then, fuch as is here meant, is a Servant unto whofe care and management his Ma

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fter hath committed any part of his Family or Eftate. He is fet over, and hath the ordering of fome Portion, more or lefs, of his Lords Goods, which he is to manage according to his Master's Will and Pleasure, and to give up an account of all unto him, whenfoever he pleaseth to call for it. A Steward then, how much a Gentleman soever he be, is but another's Servant. How rich foever he seems to be in Wealth, he is not the owner of it, but that other whofe Servant he is. How great a Command foever he hath over others, yet is it no greater than by his Mafter's Authority is given him. His Office is during the pleasure of his Lord, and no longer. He can use no part of the Goods which he hath in his Hand, but only fo far as his Mafter giveth him Leave. He is arbitrary in nothing, but as much under the Command of bis Mafter, how much foever he may be advanced above others, as the pooreft Creature that belongs unto him. And to make one a good Steward, these three Qualifications are neceflary. First, That he be a Man of good Understanding in his Business which he undertakes, that he have Wifdom enough for his Office, and know how to manage all the Con→ cerns of his Mafter to good advantage. He ought to be a Person of fome knowledge and difcretion. Secondly, That he be diligent and careful; that he watch over his Master's Affairs, and have his Eyes upon every thing intrufted to him, and keeping very exact accounts by him. He must be no negligent, careless or flothful Perfon. And Thirdly, That he be honest, just and faithful in his Truft, doing no wrong to any one with whom he hath to do, nor deceiving his Mafter,! but doing his Will in every Thing, and conful

ting his Honour and Intereft in his whole Conduct. This is all that I think now needful to be faid for our Information. What it is to be a

Steward, fuch as we all are to God.

Let us now fee, what Inferences are hence to be made, in order to our well governing of our felves, as we are God's Stewards.

Who

St. Paul tells us, That it is required in Stewards, that a Man be found faithful. 1 Cor. 4. 2. then is that faithful and wife Servant (as our Saviour fpeaks, Luk. 12.42.) who is worthy to be accounted a good Steward of God's Goods? Who is he, that is fo faithful to God, fo wife for himfelf, as to Husband all things at once to his Master's Honour, and his own Advantage? Such Men I hope there are yet amongst us; but not every where to be found. From what hath been said, thefe Things do neceffarily follow.

1. Nothing that we have is fimply, and abfolutely our own; but all is his, whofe Stewards we are. It is as falfe, as impious an Opinion, that too many seem to have, who have no Saying more commonly in their Mouths than this: What I bave is mine own, and I may do what I will with my own. When indeed, all that we have is God's, and we are to do with it what he will, and not what we will our felves. We are like good Stewards, in every Thing go about, to confult the Will of God our Mafter, and to difpofe of whatever we have,according to the Directions which he hath given us in his Word; and to lay afide all regard to our own Wills and Lufts.

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2. Not

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2. Not one amongst us all, how great and Lordly foever he would appear in the World, is his own Master, or fimply at his own Command, or Difpofal. He is but God's Steward, and abfolutely in his power, and bound to obferve all his Commands, as much as the meaneft Begger in the World; and may whenever it pleaseth God, be reduced to his needy, low, and defpifed Eftate, without doing him any wrong at all.

3. Thence doth it alfo follow, that no one, whatever pre-eminence he hath attain'd unto, hath any Arbitrary or Abfolute Sovereignty, or Command over others, nor can expect any more than a limited Obedience to his Will. He is, whatever else he be, God's Steward, and his Mafter's Will is his Law, and binds him to Duty as much as any other, and all others, fo far, as that they owe the Servant, how foever dignified, no Obedience contrary to his Mafter's Will. And hence all that are in any kind of Authority over others may learn their Duty, and what becomes them in every of their Stations as God's Stewards; which is principally to regard the Honour of God their great Mafter, in the upholding of Religion, and feeing his Laws of Piety, Honefty and Sobriety, fo far as in them lieth, put in Execution, and univerfally obey'd by all over whom they have any Command. If they do not this, they are unfaithful Stewards, preferring their own Wills and Lufts before their Mafter's Honour and Right.

4.. If we be all God's Stewards, we ought every one to be contented with his Condition, and