6 A godly man is a servant of God,1 and not a servant of men. This Character hath two distinct branches, I shall speak of both in order.
- A godly man is a servant of God,2 Ezra 5. 11. We are the servants of the God of Heaven. Col. 4. 12. Epaphras a servant of Christ.
Quest. In what sense is a godly man a servant of God?
Answ. In seven respects.
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A servant leaves all other, and confines himself to one Master: so a godly man leaves the service of sin, and betakes himself […]o the service of God, Rom. 6. 22. Sin is a tyrannizing thing; a sinner is a slave, when he sins with most3 freedome: The wages which sin gives, may deter us from its service, Rom. […]. 23. The wages of sin is death. Here is damnable pay! A godly man Lists himself […] Gods Family, and is one of his menial servants, Psalm 116. 16. O Lord, truly I am thy servant, I am thy servant. David useth an ingemination; as if he had said, Lord, I have taken earnest, none else can lay claim to me; […]y ear is bored to thy service.
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A servant is not sui juris, at his own dispose, but at the dispose of his Master: A servant must not do what he please, but […]e at the will of his Lord. Thus a godly […]an is Gods servant, he is wholly at Gods dispose, he hath no will of his own. Thy will […] done on earth. Some will say to the godly, why cannot you do as others? Why will not you drink, and swear, and prophane the Sabbath as others do? The godly are Gods servants, they must not do what they will, but be under the rules of the Family; they must do nothing but what they can show their Masters hand for.
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A servant is bound, there are Covenants and Indentures sealed between him and his Master. Thus there are Indentures drawn in Baptisme; and in Conversion, the Indentures are renewed and sealed; we do there bind our selves to God to be his sworn servants, Psal. 119. 106. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous Iudgements. A godly man hath tyed himself to the Lord by (Psalm 56. 12) Vow, and he makes conscience of his vow; he had rather die by Persecution, than live by Perjury.
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A servant doth not only wear his Masters Livery, but do his work: Thus a godly man works for God; S. Paul did spend, and was spent for Christ, 2 Cor. 12. 15. He outwrought all the other Apostles, 1 Cor. 15. 10. A godly man is active for God to his last breath, Psalm 119. 112. only, The dead rest from their labours.
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A servant follows his Master; thus a godly man is a servant of God, while others wonder after the (Revel. 13. 3) beast, he follows after the (Revel. 14. 4) Lamb. He will tread in the steps of Christ: If a Master leap over hedge and ditch, the servant will follow him: A godly man will follow Christ through afflictions, Luk. 9. 23. If any man will come after me, let him take up his Cross daily, and follow me. Peter would follow Christ upon the water: A godly man will follow Christ though it be death every step; he will keep his goodness, when others are bad; as all the water in the salt Sea cannot make the Fish salt, but still they retain their freshness; so all the wickedness in the world cannot make a godly man wicked, but still he retains his piety; he will follow Christ in the worst times.
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A servant is satisfied with his Masters allowance; he doth not say, I will have such provisions made ready, if he hath short commons he doth not find fault; he knows he is a servant, and is at his Masters carving: In this sense a godly man is Gods servant; he is willing to be at Gods allowance; if he hath but some leavings he doth not grumble. Paul knew he was a servant, therefore whether more or less fell to his share, he was indifferent, Phil. 4. When Christians murmure at their condition, they forget that they are servants, and must be at the allowance of their Heavenly Master: Thou that hast the least bit from God, wilt die in his debt.
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A servant will stand up for the honor of his Master; he cannot hear his Master reproached, but will vindicate his credit. Thus every godly man will stand up for the honor of his Master Christ, Psal. 119. 139. My zeal hath consumed me. A servant of God appears for his truths: They who can hear Gods Name reproached, and his ways spoken against, yet be silent, God will be ashamed of such servants, and discard them before men and Angels.