Page:Prayer book for families and private persons (1).pdf/22

 great peace and strong consolation that by doing their work from a principle of faith and love to Christ Jesus, they may stand as high in thy favour, and grow as rich towards God, as if their condition entitled them to all respect from the world. And may they never imagine they are religious and Christians altogether, any longer than they abstain from all their frauds and deceits which they are tempted to use for filthy lucre's sake.

Be merciful and gracious. O God, to all heads and governers of families. Save them from haughtiness of carriage, from passionate reproaches. and every kind of unchristain treatment of their inferiors and dependents. O! convince the rich that it is not their merit, but thy providence alone that makes the difference of station; and appoints the subordination : not that they should be as tyrants in their houses, and imperious to their servants, but that they should add to the comfort of those who are under them. Enable them, therefore, carefully to avoid hurting those who labour for them, by their forwardness, and behaving towards them with such rudeness as they would be ashamed to shew to any equal. Imprint upon their minds a lively remembrance that they have a master in heaven, who is no respector of the persons of men, before whom both masters and servants must give a strict and solemn account of their behaviour to each other. Inspire all who preside in families not only with justice, but with mercy and piety towards thein servants. Like the good centurion, whose praise is in the gospel, may they sympathize with them in all their afflictions, be glad to alleviate their burden, when sickness and old age oppress them, and to sweeten the bitter cup that is appointed them to drink: Give them grace to teach their servants.