joy, gives them the more also to answer for; if it give others the more to labour, gives them the more also to hope for by the change. For though there be this difference of stations, there is, as the apostle here assures us, no respect of persons. And the day is at hand, when they, who in the lowest office serve faithfully their Saviour Christ, will be in no degree behind those who have served Him faithfully in the highest. Let us then look earnestly for that day with patience and with hope. And mean

while let us behave to each other as fellowlabourers in the same work, joint heirs of the same inheritance, and brethren of the same Lord who made Himself for our sakes the servant of all.

4. On parting with a Servant for falsehood.

Read Psalm 101.8-10.

THIS rule is what David set himself in the ordering of his household. This ought to be the rule of every Christian who is the master of a family.

1. First he will choose for his servants those whom he judges to be in earnest good Christians. He cannot indeed have in this matter any certainty, for he cannot see their hearts. But he will take all pains he can to be assured of their true piety. He will reckon it the most important point in their character, that they have a right Christian faith. And such servants he must prefer to the faithless and ungodly, though for experience and skill they may less suit his convenience. Thus his eyes look upon,

that is, look out for, such as are faithful in the land, that they may dwell with him.

2. Secondly, he is not content with the lively profession of a right faith; he is concerned to have this proved by a holy practice. He takes account therefore of the actions of his servants; not merely as regards his own business, but to see whether they do or do not live according to their Christian profession. He is bound to exhort them to do so; to reprove them if they do not; to instruct them that they may do so daily more and more. Thus he fulfils the second point in the resolution of David, "Whoso leadeth a godly life he shall be my servant."

3. Thirdly, we are here taught what is the duty of a Christian master, in case his servants transgress God's law. The sins mentioned are deceitfulness and telling lies; probably because there are none to which servants are so often tempted, none of which they are so commonly guilty. But whether in these sins, or in any other, they persist in disobedience to God, the duty of their master is the same; he is bound to remove them from his family. He must do what David here resolves, "There shall no deceitful person dwell in my house, he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight." He is not indeed bound to turn them off at once. David says, shall not "dwell," shall not tarry;" shall not continue in the family, if they continue in their sin. A Christian master must never forget Christian love; but must be ready to forgive, as he hopes to be forgiven. He therefore bears with his servants, in their trans

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structing them, and exhorting them to amend. And this he does more or less, according to their age, and knowledge, and proficiency; according as he most has hope of their improvement, or fear of their corrupting the rest of his family. But if they hear not his warning, if they heed not his exhortation, if they persist in any ungodly practice, then must he at length resolve that they shall not dwell in his house, nor tarry in his sight.