Instructions for apprentices and servants·

SECT. II. Of Fidelity, in duly performing what they undertake. (Book 2)

Q. WHat is the Fidelity belonging to Ser∣vants?

A. 'Tis a Duty, by which they are oblig'd to be Faithful in all, whatever belongs to their Charge.

Q. In what does this chiefly consist?

A. It consists chiefly in two Points; that is, in duly performing what they un∣dertake; and in managing with Care whatever is entrusted with them.

Q. How are they to satisfie the first Part, of duly performing what they undertake?

A. S. Paul tells them how, Ephes. 6. 6. They are to do all, Not with Eye-Service, as pleasing Men, but as the Servants of Christ, doing the Will of God from the Heart. Do∣ing their Service with good Will, as to the Lord, and not as to Men; knowing, that

whatever Good thing Man does, the same he shall receive of our Lord, whether he be Bond or Free.

Q. What does S. Paul teach Servants in these Words?

A. He teaches them several things: First, That they ought to look on them∣selves, as the Servants of God. 2dly, That in whatever Service they perform, they are to endeavor, not only to please the Eye of Men, but do all with that Care, as to please the Eye of God. 3dly, That the Motive in all they do, ought to be, to comply with the Will of God. 4thly, That the Comfort of all their La∣bors is to be; that the most difficult La∣bors are due to God; that God will be the Recompence of whatever is done faithfully, who has no Respect of Persons, but will reward the Servant, according to his Works, as well as the Master.

Now if Servants are to do all things, not as pleasing the Eye of Men, but as pleasing God; it is very plain, that Ser∣vants are not only to be Careful and Ex∣act in what they do, when their Master's Eye is to examin their Work; but like∣wise when they have no Eye over them, to commend their Diligence, or reprove their Neglect: Because the Work they undertake is their Duty, and ought to be

done for Duty sake, and because God always sees them. This is the Fidelity belonging to Servants, as to this Point, and is the Meaning of S. Paul's Words, when he bids them do all, not with Eye-Service, as pleasing Men, but as the Ser∣vants of Christ, and doing the Will of God from the Heart. And if they follow his Direction, they may be sure, besides the Yearly Wages from their Master, they will have God to reward them.

Whence 'tis very evident, those Ser∣vants are wanting to their Duty, and commit a Sin, who are then only care∣ful, when they have an Eye over them, or know what they do will be seen; but in other Circumstances, when they have no Witness, and apprehend no Reproof of their Neglect, do their Work carelesly, or leave it undone; for these are only Eye-Servants, they forget that they are the Servants of God, and instead of a Reward, will find him the Punisher of their Neglect.