The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 05 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 05 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
And if other people in their several stations, were to imitate his
example, in such a manner as suited their particular state of life,
they would certainly find the same happy effects from it.
10. *If _masters_, for instance, were to remember their _servants_
in their prayers, beseeching God to bless them, and suiting their
petitions to the particular wants of their servants; letting no day
pass, without a _full performance_ of this part of devotion; the
benefit would be as great to themselves as to their servants.
No way so likely as this, to inspire them with a true sense of that
power which they have in their hands, to make them delight in doing
good, and become exemplary in all the parts of a wise and good master.
*The presenting their servants so often before God, as equally
related to God, and intitled to the same heaven as themselves,
would incline them to treat them not only with such _humanity_
as became _fellow-creatures_, but with such _tenderness_, _care_,
and _generosity_, as became _fellow-heirs_ of the same glory. This
devotion would make masters inclined to every thing that was good
towards their servants; be watchful of their behaviour, and as ready
to require of them an exact observance of the duties of Christianity
as of the duties of their service.
*This would teach them to consider their servants as God’s servants,
to desire their perfection, to do nothing before them that might
corrupt their minds, to impose no business upon them that should
lessen their sense of religion, or hinder them from their full
share of devotion, both public and private. This praying for them,
would make them as glad to see their servants eminent in piety as
themselves, and contrive that they should have all opportunities
and encouragements, both to know and perform all the duties of the
Christian life.
11. How natural would it be for such a master, to perform every part
of family devotion; to have constant prayers; to excuse no one’s
absence from them; to have the scriptures, and books of piety, often
read among his servants; take all opportunities of instructing them,
of raising their minds to God, and teaching them to do all their
business, as a service to God, and upon the hopes and expectations
of another life?
*How natural would it be for such a one to pity their weakness and
ignorance, to bear with the dulness of their understandings, or the
perverseness of their tempers; to reprove them with tenderness, exhort
them with affection, as hoping that God would hear his prayers for
them?
How impossible would it be for a master, that thus interceeded with
God for his servants, to use any unkind threatenings towards them, to
damn and curse them as _dogs_ and scoundrels, and treat them only as
dregs of the creation?
This devotion would give them another spirit, and make them consider
how to make proper returns of care, kindness, and protection to those,
who had spent their strength and time in service and attendance upon
them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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