Christian behaviour, or, The fruits of true Christianity shewing the ground from whence they flow in their godlike order in the duty of relations, as husbands, wives, parents, children, masters, servants &c. : with a word of direction to all backsliders / by John Bunyan.

Of Masters to Servants.

MAsters also have a work to do as they stand related to their Ser∣vants.

And first, If possible they can, to get them that fear God. He that worketh de∣ceit, saith David, shall not dwell within my House; and he that telleth lies, shall not tar∣ry in my sight, Psal. 101. 7.

Secondly, But if none at the present but unbelievers can be got to do thy la∣bour; Then,

1. Know that it is thy duty so to be∣have thy self to thy Servant, that thy ser∣vice may not only be for thy good, but for the good of thy Servant, and that both in body and soul: Wherefore deal with him, as to admonition, as with thy Children; give him the same Bread of

God thou givest to them; & who knows, but that if thou with spiritual Dilicates bringest up thy Servant, but he may be∣come thy spiritual Son in the end, Prov. 29. 21.

2. Take heed thou do not turn thy Servants into slaves by over-charging them in thy work, thorow thy greediness. To make men serve with rigor, is more like to Israels enemies than Christian Masters, Exod. 1. 14.

3. Take heed thou carry not thy self to thy Servant, as he of whom it is said, he is such a Son of Belial, that his Ser∣vants could not speak to him; 1 Sam. 25. 14, 15, 16, 17.

And the Apostle bids you forbear, to threaten them, because you also have a Master in Heaven, Ephes. 6. 9. as who should say, your Servants cannot be guil∣ty of so many miscariages against you, as you are guilty of against Christ: where∣fore do wi••h, and to your Servants, as you would have your Master do with you.

4. Take heed that thou neither circum∣vent him at his coming into thy service, ••o•• at his going out.

1. Servants at their going into ser∣vice, may be beguised two wayes.

First, By their Masters lying unto them, saying, their work is so small, and so easie, when it is indeed, if not too bur∣densome, yet far beyond what at first was said of it. This is beguiling of them.

Secondly, The other way is, whe•• Masters greedily seek to wier-draw their Servants to such wages, as indeed is too little and inconsiderable for such work and labour. Both these the Apostle op∣poseth, where he saith, Masters give un∣to your Servants that which is just, just la∣bour, and just wages, knowing that you also have a Master in Heaven, Col. 4. 1.

2. As Servants may be circumvented at their coming into their labour, so al∣so they may be at their going out. Which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 done by Masters that either change ••••eir wages, like heathenish Laban, Gen, 31. 7. or by keeping it back, like thos•• against whom God will be a swift Wit∣••ess, Mal. 3. 5.

3. Take heed that thou make not a gain of thy place because thou art gracious,

or livest conveniently for the means of Grace.

Servants that are truly godly, they care not how cheap they serve their Masters, provided they may get into godly Fami∣lies, or where they may be convenient for the Word. But now, if a Master or Mistris should take this opportunity to make a prey of their Servant, this is a∣bominable; this is making a gain of God∣liness, and merchandize of the things of God (1 Tim. 6. 5.) and of the soul of thy Brother.

I have heard some poor Servants say, That in some carnal families, they have had more liberty to God's things, and more fairness of dealing, than among Professors. But this stinketh: and as Jacob said concerning the cruelty of his two Sons, so may I say of such Masters, they make Religion stink before the in∣habitants of the Land, Gen. 34. 30.

In a word, learn of the Lord Jesus to carry your selves well to your Servants, that your Servants also may learn some∣thing of the kindness of Christ by your

deportment to them: Servants are g••∣ers aswel as comers; take heed that thou give them no occasion to scandal the Gospel when they are gone, for what they observed thee unrighteously to do when they were with thee.

Then Masters carry it rightly toward their Servants, when they labour both in word and life to convince them, that the things of God are the One thing necessa∣ry.

That which Servants are commanded to do, touching their fear, their single∣ness of heart, their doing what they d•• as to the Lord, and not to men; the Ma∣ster is commanded to do the same things unto them, Ephes. 5. 6, 7, 8, 9.