time and skill. Consistency will require him to prefer the credit, advantage, or comfort of his master or family, to his own ease or indulgence, and especially to manifest sympathy and tenderness in times of sickness and affliction; to speak exact truth on all occasions; not to purloin, or join with those who defraud his master in small matters; or even connive at such petty dishonesty, however sanctioned by custom, or whatever contempt and ill-will he may incur by his conscientiousness. It will dispose him to strict frugality, and to see that no waste be made; and also to consult his master's inclination in the manner of doing his work. If he be justly blamed, he will learn to bear it quietly, owning himself wrong, and doing better another time: if he be blamed without cause, or rebuked with harshness, (not to speak of more outrageous treatment,) he will endeavour to recollect the scriptural rule, " of not answering again," the neglect of which is productive of innumerable evils, especially to servants themselves (Tit. ii. 9, 10); and that the apostle says, "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward" (1 Pet. ii. 18-25); for though such usage may excite his passions, he will not on recollection say, "I do well to be angry;" but will consider him who, "when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered he threatened not;" for we are called to copy his example, to show the reality and excellency of our religion, by doing well and suffering patiently; and however such a servant may be neglected by an austere, injurious, earthly master, yet he shall certainly receive a gracious recompense from the Lord (Eph. vi. 5—8; Col. iii. 22-25). Thus his principles teach him not to be an eye-servant and a man-pleaser, attentive to his business only in his master's presence; but in singleness of

heart to do the will of God, and to refer every thing to the honour of the Lord Jesus, and the credit of his gospel; not so much fearing man's displeasure, as disgracing the cause of evangelical religion by his misconduct.

Such habitual behaviour, in a servant professing the gospel, will not only conduce to his own interest, credit, and comfort, but will procure attention to any serious remark he may make, or commendation he may give to a book or a preacher: and this will discountenance vice and impiety; nay perhaps it may dispose some to examine the nature of that religion which produces such excellent fruits: whilst violent and zealous disputes for doctrines, in him whose conduct is disobliging and impertinent, not to say slothful and disho nest, expose to contempt the very truths for which he contends. The same principles will also lead a man to follow after peace with his fellow-servants: he will not indeed silently see his master defrauded, or join with others in riot; but he will avoid a morose and invidious conduct; not reporting, or even protesting against trifles, but only against manifest evils; endeavouring by kindness, patience when ridiculed, and forgiveness when injured, to win their attention to calm discourse on divine things. He will also take care never to seek his own interest by countenancing children in misconduct to their parents, or each other, though he will oblige them for their good. He will not treat indigent relations or dependents with galling neglect, or attend on them with grudging. If he be obliged to refuse obedience to an improper command, he will do it with mildness and respect. If his time be too much taken up on the Lord's day, he will endeavour to redeem what remains more diligently; and if he be constrained to leave his place, he will be careful how he needlessly lessens his master's character in his own vindication. The

same rules, with circumstantial alterations, suit the case of apprentices and labourers; and all who are employed by others, according to the degree and nature of the trust reposed in them (Gen. xxiv.).

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 a brother in the faith; he will make proper allowances for mistakes and defects; and value a servant who, on the whole, is faithful, upright, diligent, and peaceable, though he be not without faults; knowing how much the comfort of his family and the best interests of his children de.. pend on such domestics. 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, 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 sickness (Matt. viii. 1-9). He will not think himself justified by custom in turning away a faithful servant, by sending him to an hospital, because he cannot do his work, if he

have it 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 expense 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 their interests, 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 domestics as intrusted to his care. He will, therefore, order his affairs so as may give them most leisure and opportunity for hallowing the Lord's day; and use his authority in enforcing that observance (Gen. xviii. 19). He will read the scriptures to them, and join with them in family prayer; 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 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 (Acts x. 7-22; Eph. vi. 9; Col. iv. 1). 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 reverence 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. The poor should behave 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 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 one word, true Christianity will influence every man to fill up his station in the family, the church, and 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.

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