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with circumstantial alterations, suit the case of apprentices, labourers, and all who are employed by others, according to the degree and nature of the trust reposed in them.'

On the other hand, masters are also instructed in their duties, by directions and examples in the holy Scriptures. The christian's principles will influence him to consider true piety as an invaluable accession to the character of a servant, who suits him in other respects; and to seek the blessing with fervent prayer, and by making his place desirable to such persons. If he be thus favoured, he will endeavour to behave to his servant, as to a brother in the faith: he will make proper allowances for mistakes and defects; and value one who, on the whole is faithful, upright, diligent, and peaceable, though not without faults; knowing how much the comfort of his family and the best interests of his children depend on such domesticks. If he meet with bad servants, he will strive to repress his anger, to avoid reproaches, and to behave well to them till he can change them. If his servants suit him in other respects, but are strangers to religion, he will use all proper means of conciliating their minds to it. In general, such a master will not expect more work from his servants than they can well perform; nor deprive them of time for relaxation and retirement. He will deem it his duty to give them adequate wages,

1 Gen. xxiv.

and to make their situation as comfortable as he can. He will provide them with things suitable to their station when in health, and be very tender to them in sickness; procuring them help in their work under slighter indispositions, and proper advice, if he can, in more acute diseases.' He will not think himself justified by custom, in turning away a faithful sevant, by sending him to an hospital, because he cannot do his work, if it be in his power to prevent it; but will consider, that he who has the benefit of his skill and labour when well, ought to submit to trouble and expence for him, when sick. Nay, if he can afford it, he will copy the example of the Lord, in respect of the aged; as He does not forsake his servants in their old age, or when their strength faileth. "Remembering "that he also hath a master in heaven," he will consult the interests of his servants, and be a sincere and faithful friend to them, in whatever may tend to their comfortable settlement in life. He will not keep them at a disdainful distance, or answer them with harshness, even when they are mistaken or unreasonable; nor express discouraging suspicions of them, or descant on their faults to others.

The same principles will influence him, to consider the souls of his domesticks as entrusted to his He will, therefore, order his affairs so as may give them most leisure and opportunity for

care.

'Matt. viii. 5-9.

hallowing the Lord's day, and use his authority in enforcing such observance of it.' He will read the Scriptures to them, and join with them in family-prayer; and he will arrange his daily plans in subserviency to that grand concern, and avoid whatever may prejudice their minds against it. He will watch over their morals and principles, and exclude from among them infectious companions as much as possible. Thus he will make family-religion the cement of family peace; and not only aim to influence his servants by love to willing obedience, but to give them cause to bless the day when they entered his doors, both in this world and for ever.'

Many other relative duties might be discussed; but this topic has already occupied a full proportion of the limits prescribed to these Essays.Subjects are required to obey the lawful commands of magistrates, to respect their persons, and revere their authority as God's ordinance; not to speak evil of them: to pay them tribute conscientiously;

to pray for them; and to study to be quiet and mind the duties of their station. The duty of rulers and magistrates, as far as it falls under our plan, will be mentioned in an Essay on the improvement of talents.4 The poor should behave

1 Gen. xviii. 19.

Acts, x. 7. 22. Eph. vi. 9. Col. iv. 1. 3 See Impartial Statement of Scripture Doctrine, in respect of Civil Government and the Duties of Subjects, by the Author. Vol.

3. of this Collection.

4 Essay xxii.

with respect to the rich, without envying, coveting, or repining. The rich should be courteous, condescending, compassionate, and liberal to the poor; and set them an edifying example of piety. The young should behave with modesty, deference, and attention to the old, especially to such as are godly, however poor they may be. The aged should temper gravity and seriousness with cheerfulness and kindness, in their conduct to the young. The faithful pastor will study from young.—The the Scriptures, his duty to his flock; and the consistent christian, will, even in this relaxed day, consider himself as bound to honour, love, and attend to his faithful pastor-In a word, true christianity will influence every man to fill up his station, in the family, in the church, and in the community, to the glory of God, and the common benefit of the whole: and all that comes short of this, is the effect of remaining contrariety to its heavenly principles, in the judgment and dispositions of true christians, and among those "who "name the name of Christ, but depart not from "iniquity."

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ESSAY XXII.

On the Christian's improvement of his Talents.

WHEN the humble penitent has obtained peace

of conscience by faith in Christ, and enjoys a prevailing hope of eternal life; he will be disposed, in proportion as his views are distinct and consistent, to enquire seriously, by what means he may most effectually glorify the God of his salvation, and do the greatest good to mankind, during the remainder of his days. For," the love of "Christ" in dying on the cross to deliver sinners from the wrath to come, and to purchase for them everlasting felicity; and in calling him to partake of so inestimable a blessing, "will con"strain him-to live no longer to himself, but to "Him who died for him and rose again." will induce him to consider very attentively, what advantages or opportunities his situation affords, of promoting the honour of the Redeemer's name; the peace, purity, and enlargement of his kingdom; the comfort and edification of his people; and the welfare, temporal and eternal, of the human species. These opportunities and advantages are commonly called talents, from the parable which our Lord

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