good will, (or universal love and benevolence to all mankind) submission to injuries, dependence upon God, &c. which—though general doctrines—are amply and sufficiently efficacious indeed, for the particular reformation of all conditions of men, when sincerity is not wanting in the application of them; but the principal intention of the whole system is evidently to draw men from the cares and anxieties of this present life, to a better hope in the life to come, which is Christ's proper kingdom: Christian servants, therefore, were of course instructed to be patient, to be humble and submissive to their masters, "not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward." So that even ill usage does not justify perverseness of behavior in Christian slaves.
The apostle Paul also frequently insists upon the absolute necessity of an unfeigned obedience in the behavior of Christian servants to their masters. "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." "Art thou called being a servant? care not for it;" &c. 1 Cor. vii. 21. And again, "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 servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free," Ephes. vi. 5—8. Again, "Servants obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God: and whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." Colos. iii. 22, 23.—The same apostle instructs Timothy to recommend obedience to servants: "Let as many servants," says the apostle, 'as are under the yoke, count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 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.
