Job xxiv, 3, 9. They drive away the ass of the fatherless; they take the widow's ox for a pledge; They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor. Prov. xi, 15. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; and he that hateth suretiship is sure. Amos li, 8. And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god. CAUTIONRY. Gen. xlii, 37. And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again. Gen. xliii. 9. I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever. Gen. xliv, 32, 33. For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bond-man to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. Job xvii, 3. Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me? Prov. xi, 15. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; and he that hateth suretiship is sure. Prov. xvii, 18. A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. Prov. xx, 16. Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. Prov. xxii, 26. Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. Prov. xxvii, 13. Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. RELATION OF BORROWER AND LENDER. Deut. xv, 6, 8. For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee. But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sullicient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Deut. xxviii, 12, 43, 44. The LORD | found favour in thine eyes, tarry: shall open unto thee his good for I have learned by experience treasure, the heaven to give the that the LORD hath blessed me for rain unto thy land in his season, thy sake. And he said, Appoint and to bless all the work of thine me thy wages, and I will give it. hand: and thou shalt lend unto And he said unto him, Thou many nations, and thou shalt not knowest how I have served thee, borrow. The stranger that is and how thy cattle was with me. within thee shall get up above And he said, What shall I give thee very high, and thou shalt thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt come down very low. He shall not give me any thing. If thou lend to thee, and thou shalt not wilt do this thing for me, I will and thou shalt be the tail. lend to him; he shall be the head, again feed and keep thy flock. I will pass through all thy flock to-day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and of such shall be my hire. So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me. Laban said, Behold, I would it And might be according to thy word. 2 Kings iv, 7. Then she came said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy dren of the rest. P3. xxxvii, 21, 26. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: Ps. cxii, 5. A good man sheweth his affairs with discretion. Prov. xxii, 7. The rich ruleth Matth. v, 42. Give to him that V. LAW OF MASTER AND SERVANT. SUPERIORITY OF MASTER. Prov. xii, 9. He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. Luke xxii, 27. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sit teth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. John xiii, 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. PRECEPTS. Lev. xxv, 43. Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour, but shalt fear thy God. Prov. xxix, 21. He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child, shall have him become his son at the length. Job xiv, 6. Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day. Ps. ci, 6, 7. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. WAGES. Thus hath deceived me, and changed Lev. xix, 13. Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. Deut. xxiv, 14, 15. Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee. Eph. vi, 9. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that Jer. xxii, 13. Woe unto him that your Master also is in heaven; nei-buildeth his house by unrighteousther is there respect of persons with him. CONTRACT. Gen. xxx, 27-29,31-34. And Laban said unto him, I pray thee if I have ness, and his chambers by wrong that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work. Mal, lii, 5. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. Col. iv, 1. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. and maidens, and had servant | That he shall make him ruler over Mark xiv, 66. And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest. BAD SERVANTS AND Deut. xxiii, 15, 16. Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee. He shall dwell Luke xii, 42--44. And the Lord with thee, eren among you, in said, Who then is that faithful that place which he shall choose and wise steward, whom his lord in one of thy gates, where it shall make ruler over his house-liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him. RELATION OF MASTER AND hold, to give them their portion of SERVANT. Gen. xxiv, 10, 34. And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and departed; (for all the goods of his master were in his hand:) and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. And he said, I am Abraham's servant. 2 Sam. ix, 2, 9-12. And there meat in due season? Blessed is 1 Cor. iv, 1, 2. Let a man so ac- be found faithful. EXEMPLARY SERVANTS. 1 Sam. xxv, 10. And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? There be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. 1 Kings ii, 39, 40. And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Manchah king of Gath: and they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath. And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimel went, and brought his servants from Gath. was of the house of Saul a servant, whose name cas Ziba; and when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him. Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul, and to all his house. Thou therefore, and thy sons, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, though he understand he will not Gen. xxxi, 6. And ye know, that Gen. xxxix, 1-5. And Joseph bought him of the hands of the Prov. xxix, 19. A sorvant will not be corrected by words: for answer. Zeph, 1, 9. In the same day also will punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit. thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now the house of his master the Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty Egyptian. And his master saw Matth. xxiv, 48-51. But and if servants. Then said Ziba unto that the LORD was with him, and that evil servant shall say in his the king, According to all that my that the LORD made all that he heart, My lord delayeth his comlord the king hath commanded his did to prosper in his hand. Anding; And shall begin to smite his servant, so shall thy servant do. Joseph found grace in his sight, fellow-servants, and to eat and As for Mephibosheth, said the and he served him; and he made drink with the drunken; The lord king, he shall eat at my table, as him overseer over his house, and of that servant shall come in a day one of the king's sors. And all that he had he put into his when he looketh not for him, and Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micah; and all hand. And it came to pass, from that dwelt in the house of Ziba the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all were servants unto Mephibosh-that he had, that the LORD blessed eth. 1 Kings iv, 27, 28. And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge. 1 Kings ix, 23. These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work. Prov. xiii, 17. A wicked mesBenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. Eccles. ii, 7. I got me servants the Egyptian's house for Joseph's Prov. xvii, 2. A wise servant brethren. Prov. xxvii, 18. Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof, so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. Matth. xxiv, 45-47. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. V I. ANCIENT SLAVERY. Gen. xliii, 18. And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that h may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. Gen. xliv, 9-12, 16, 17. With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bond-men. And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless. Then they speedily took down | every man his suck to the ground, and opened every man his sack. And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found. And he said, God forbid that I should do so; but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father. Exod. xxi, 1, 2, 16. Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set befere them. If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve; and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. Lev. xxv, 42, 44-46. For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen. Both thy bond-men and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bond-matids. Moreover, of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land; and they shall be your possession: And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bond-men for ever: but over your brethren, the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour. Deut. xxiv, 7. If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you. Deut. xxvill, 68. And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bond-men and bond-women, and no man shall buy you. We, after our ability, have re- the time of an hired servant shall deemed our brethren the Jews it be with him. If there be yet which were sold unto the heathen; many years behind, according unto and will ye even sell your breth-them he shall give again the price ren? or shall they be sold unto of his redemption out of the us? Then held they their peace, money that he was bought for. and found nothing to answer. And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubilee, then he shall count with him, and according unto his years shall be give him again the price of his redemp tion. And as a yearly hired serother shall not rule with rigour vant shall he be with him; and the over him in thy sight. Ezek. xxvii, 13. Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market. Amos. viii, 6. That we may buy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the poor for silver, and the needy the refuse of the wheat? VOLUNTARY Servitude. Deut. xv, 16, 17. And it shall Isa. lil, 3. For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money. Jer. xxxiv, 9-12, 14-17. That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to rit, of a Jew his brother. Now, when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his man-servant, and every one his maid-servant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more; PROTECTIVE LAW. then they obeyed, and let them go. But afterward they turned, and Exod. xxi, 20, 21, 26. 27. 32. And caused the servants and the handif a man smite his servant, or his maids, whom they had let go free, maid, with a rod, and he die under to return, and brought them into his hand; he shall be surely pun-subjection for servants and for ished. Notwithstanding, if he handmaids. Therefore the word continue a day or two, he shall of the LORD came to Jeremiah not be punished: for he is his from the LORD, saying, At the end money. And if a man smite the of seven years let ye go every eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish, he shall hath been sold unto thee; and man his brother an Hebrew, which let him go free for his eye's sake. when he hath served thee six And if he smite out his man-ser-years, thou shalt let him go free vant's tooth, or his maid-servant's tooth; he shall let him go free for bis tooth's sake. If the ox shall push a man-servant or maid servant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned. REDEMPTION. Lev. xxv, 47-53. And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family: After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him: Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his 1 Kings ix, 22. But of the chil-family may redeem him; or, if he dren of Israel did Solon 01 make no bond-men: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen. Nel. v, 8. And I said unto them, be able, he may redeem himself. from hearkened not unto me, neither COMPENSATION. this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians. willingly. For perhaps he there- use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's free man: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. Eph. vi, 5-7. Servants be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. Exod. xi, 2, 3. Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and own hand, I will repay it: albeit I every woman of her neighbour, do not say to thee how thou owest jewels of silver, and jewels of unto me even thine own self begold. And the LORD gave the sides. Yea, brother, let me have people favour in the sight of the joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my Egyptians. Moreover, the man bowels in the Lord. Having conMoses was very great in the landfidence in thy obedience I wrote of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's unto thee, knowing that thou wilt Col. iii, 22-25. Servants, obey in servants, and in the sight of the also do more than I say. But all things your masters according withal prepare me also a lodging: to the fleshi: not with eye-service, people. for I trust that through your pray-as men-pleasers; but in singleness ers I shall be given unto you. of heart, fearing God: And whatThere salute thee Epaphras, my soever ye do, do it heartily, as to fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus; the Lord. and not unto men; Marcus, Demas. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall Aristarchus, Ecod. xii, 35, 36. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment. And the LORD gave the people Lucas, my fellow-labourers. favour in the sight of the E-yp-grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be tians, so that they lent unto thein with your spirit. Amen. such things as they required: and they spoiled the Egyptians. REMARKABLE INSTANCE. Philem.1-25. Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, Yet, for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son MANUMISSION. The receive the reward of the inherit ance; for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. 1 Tim. vi, 1, 2. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blas Exod. xxi, 3, 4 If he came in by Deut. xv, 12-15, 18. And if thy Egypt, and the LORD thy God serving thee six years: and the NEW TESTAMENT O: esimus, whom I have begot- And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. Titus ii, 9, 10. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; good fidelity; that they may adorn Not purloining, but shewing all the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 1 Peter ii, 18-20. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. ALLUSIONS. after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. For ye are not as yet come to the rest, and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you. John viii, 32--34. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth ein is the servant of sin. the poor reproacheth his Maker, Jer. lii, 16. But Nebuzar-adan, Mark xiv,7. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. maketh himself rich, yet hath Prov. xlii, 7, 8. There is that nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. The ransom of a man's Deut. xxviii. 17. Cursed shall de life are his riches: but the poor thy basket and thy store. heareth not rebuke. Job xv, 29. He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth. BEGGARY. Ps. xxxvii, 25. I have been Luke xviii, 35. And it came to pass, that, as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way-side begging. Rom. vi, 16-22. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin; but ye have obeyed young, and now am old; yet have from the heart that form of doc-I not seen the righteous forsaken, trine which was delivered you. nor his seed begging bread. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh; for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness, and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But being now, free made from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Gal. v, 13. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 1 Peter ii, 16. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. VII. Prov. xiv, 20. The poor is hated even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath many friends. Prov. xv, 16. Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure, and trouble therewith. Prov, xvi, 8. Better is little with righteousness, than great revenues without right. Prov. xviii, 23. The poor useth entreaties: but the rich answereth roughly. Prov xix, 1-4, 22. Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. The fool1shness of man perverteth his Way; and his heart fretteth against the LORD. Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated of a man is his kindness; and a from his neighbour. The desire poor man is better than a liar. Acts iii, 2-6. And a certain man, lame from his mother's womb,was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked an alins. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I Prov. xxviii, 6, 11. Better is the none; but such as I have give I poor that walketh in his uprightthee: In the name of Jesus Christness, than he that is perverse in of Nazareth rise up and walk. BOUNTY LEVIED. his ways, though he be rich. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. Eccles. iv, 6. Better is an handhands full with travail and vexation of spirit. Mark xii, 41--44. And Jesus sat 1 Sam. xxv, 5-9. And David sent out ten young men and David said unto the young men, ful with quietness, than both the Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: And thus shall ye say to him that 2 Peter ii, 19. While they pro-liveth in prosperity Peace be both mise them liberty,they themselves to thee and peace be to thine house, are the servants of corruption: and peace be unto all that thou for of whom a man is overcome, hast. And now I have heard of the same is he brought in that thou hast shearers: now thy bondage. shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel. Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee: wherefore let the young men find favour in thine Deut. xv, 11. For the poor shall eyes; (for we come in a good day;) never cease out of the land: give, I pray thee, whatsoever therefore I command thee, say- cometh to thine hand unto thy ing, Thou shalt open thine hand servants, and to thy son David. wide unto thy brother, to thy And when David's young men poor, and to thy needy, in thy came, they spake to Nabal acland. cording to all those words in the Prov, xvii, 5. Whoso mocketh name of David, and ceased. POOR LAW. POVERTY AN INEVITABLE STATE OF SOCIETY. over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Luke xix, 25. 26. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hathi |