' The evangelist applies these words to Christ, Mat. xii. 15-18. Christ is called God's servant in regard of his human nature, and in regard of his office of mediatorahip. » Sophocles, Phocilides, &c. [Qu. Philoctetes, as be/ore.— G.]
Mat. VI. 6.] the privy key of heaven. 217
if their masters be unconverted, and in ' the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity ;' and that for these five reasons.
[1.] First, Because this may be a means to prevent m^ueh sin on the masters side. Masters that are in their unregenerate estate are very apt to storm, and take on, and let fly against God, and Christ, and religion, and profession, &c., when they see their servants spend that time in private prayer, or in any other religious exercise, wbich, ac- cording to their understanding, is their time, and ought to be wholly spent in following their businesses. Now gracious servants should have that honourable respect, and that tender affection, and that Chris- tian compassion to their masters' souls, as to do to the utmost all that lies in them to prevent their masters from contracting guilt upon their souls, or from making work for repentance, for hell, or for the physician of souls, Jude 22, 23.
The Persians, the Turks, and many Indians are so compassionate, that they erect hospitals not only for lame and diseased men, but also for birds, beasts, and dogs that are either aged, starved, or hurt. Oh then, what tender compassions should gracious servants exercise to- wards their masters' souls, which are jewels more worth than heaven and earth ! But,
[2.] Secondly, Because this m,ay he a mMins to convince the judg- ments and consciences of their masters, that there is some worth, some excellency, some sweetness. &c., to be found in private prayer, and in other closet-duties; for when masters shall observe their servants to redeem time for closet duties, from their very sleep, recreations, dinners, suppers, they will be ready to conclude, that certainly there is more worth, more goodness, more sweetness, more excellency, more glory, more gain in closet duties, than ever they have understood, felt, or expe- rienced, &c., and that their very poor servants are better and more right- eous than themselves. Sozomen reports, that the devout life of a poor captive Christian woman, made a king and all his family embrace the faith of Jesus Christ. Good works convince more than miracles them- selves.
I have read of one Pachomius, a soldier under Constantine the em- peror, how that his army being almost starved for want of necessary provision, he came to a city of Christians, and they of their own charity relieved them speedily and freely ; he wondering at their free and noble charity, inquired what kind of people they werewhom he saw so bountiful? It was answered that they were Christians, whose profession it is to hurt no man, and do good to every man. Hereupon Pachomius, convinced of the excellency of this religion, threw away his arms, and became a Christian, a saint.^ Look as husbands sometimes are won by the con- versation of their wives without the word, 1 Peter iii. 1,2; so masters may sometimes be won by the gracious carriage and conversation of their servants, without the word. The servant's redeeming of time for private duties, upon the hardest and severest terms, may be so blessed to the master, that it may issue in his conviction, conversion, and salva- tion. There is a may-be for it ; and a very may-be should be a suffi- cient encouragement for every gracious servant to do all he can to save the* soul of his master from going down into the infernal pit. But, • Sozomen H.E. III. et alibi.— G.
218 THE PRIVY KEY OF HEAVEN. [MaT. VI. 6.
[3.] Thirdly, Because the servant's redeeming of time from his sleep, recreations, meals, for private prayer, will most clearly and abundantly evidence the singular love, the great delight, and the high esteem that lie liath of private prayer. We say those children love their books well, and delight much in learning, who will be at their books when others are gone to their beds, and who will be at their books be- fore others can get out of their beds. Certainly they love private prayer well, and they delight much in closet communion with God, who will be a-praying when others are a-sleeping, and who will be a-dressing their souls before God m a corner, before their mistress is a-dressiug of herself at the glass, or their fellow-servants a-dressiug themselves in the shop. But,
[4.] Fourthly, Because the servant's redeeming of time for privaie prayer, from his sleep, set meals, recreations, &c., may be of most use to other fellow-servants, both to awaken them, and to convince them that the things of religion are of the greatest and highest importance, and that there is no trade, or pleasure, or profit, to that private trade that is driven between God and a mans own soul ; and also to keep them from trifling, or fooling away of that time, which is truly and pro- perly their masters' time, and by the royal law of heaven ought to be spent solely and wholly in their service and business. For what inge- nuous servant is there in the world but will argue thus ? I see that such and such of my fellow-servants will redeem time for private prayer, and for other closet-services, from their very sleep, meals, recreations, &c.; rather than they will borrow, or make bold with that time which my master saith is his, &c. ; and why then should 1 be so foolish, so brutish, so mad, to trifle, or idle, or play, or toy away that time which should be spent in my master's service, and for my master's advantage ? But,