office of angels in the service of your God and Saviour. It is your privilege also to expect your wages from him. What you receive from man, is for your body only : but you shall have wages for your soul also, even " the reward of an eternal inheritance11." This is represented as the state even of slaves, and of those who were called to serve Jewish or Heathen masters : how much more then is it the happy state of you who live in Christian families, and especially where God in Christ Jesus is loved and feared ! Yes, " whether ye be bond or free, your Master, your work, your wages are the same0." Act then agreeably to this exalted view of your station. Even though you should have " froward and unkind masters," still act the same : and, if your work is thereby rendered the more difficult, your reward shall be proportionably ad- vanced p.]
2. Of masters —
[As your servants are to put you in the place of Christ, so are you to be as in the place of Christ to them: and exactly such a master as he, if in your place, would be, such are ye to be to those who are under your command. Would he never be unreasonable in his expectations or commands ? So neither are ye to be. Would he be kind and indulgent ? So must ye be. Would he delight to make his servants happy; and would he consult in all things their eternal welfare ? So are you to act, " doing in your station the same thing to them," as they in theirs are required to do to youq. Especially must you " forbear all threatening" words or looks ; " remembering that you also have a Master in heaven, with whom there is no respect of persons," and who, as their avenger, will call you to an account for all acts of unkindness or oppression towards the meanest of mankind. In a word, see how your God directs and governs you ; and let him be your model for your government of those whom he has graciously committed to your care.]
We may see here,
1. The extent and excellence of true religion —
[Religion enters into every situation and relation of life. It finds the whole world disordered like a body, every joint of which from head to foot is dislocated : but by its operation on the hearts of men it sets every joint in its place, and diffuses through the whole a divine unction, whereby every joint is set at liberty, and performs with ease its proper functions. Those in a higher and more honourable station despise not those
11 See the text. ° Eph. vi. 8.
p 1 Pet. ii. 18—20. n Eph. vi. 9.