Observations Divine and Moral, Chapter 27
CAP. XXVII. Of Callings.
THE effectuall calling of a Christian is that by which the Lord first differenceth actually, and in the person himself, the elect from the reprobate: and by which the called approacheth, and draweth nigh unto God that calleth him: and that takes away his sin, which separated betweene the Lord, and him; both by justifying, and sanctifying him.
This generall calling of a Christian is incomparably more excellent, and honourable, then any particular calling, and state whatsoever. By it we are blessed with all Ephes. 1.spirituall blessings in heauenly things both for grace, & glory. It alone is properly an holy calling, hallowing all other1 Cor. 7. callings: which also are so far lawfull, and lawfully used, as they further it; and not otherwise. If the excellency of it were well weighed, & rightly prized, no man honoured therewith should be thought worthy to be despised for any other meannesse; nor without, it to be envyed for any other excellency how glorious soever in the worlds ey.
These two mayn priveledges of Gods providence the elect before their effectuall calling are made partakers of, aboue others. The former that into what other, or howsoever otherwise greivous sins they fall, yet they are kept by the power of the Lord, from sinning against the Holy Ghost, of which there is no forgivenes: And this the Apostle insinuates, where he testifyes of himself, that before his calling by grace, he was a blasphemer, 1 Tim. 1.and pers quuter; but doing it of ignorance, in unbeleif, he obteyned mercy: which if he had done of malicious knowledg, he could not possibly have done. The second priveledg is, that though such a man may fall into great dangers, so as there is oft but a step between him and death; yet still God will rescue, and keep him alive, till he be effectually called to the participation of his grace in Christ: witnesse the Iaylour in Philippi. God calls aAct. 16. man actually in tyme, as he hath chosen him in his eternall decree; that is, as he hath purposed to call, and save him in due tyme. And if there be a particular, and effectuall calling of some above others, then was there undoubtedly a particular election, or purpose from eternity in God so to do: except we will say, that God doth that in tyme, which he did not from eternity purpose to doe. And if the Lord work no otherwise in calling of any to the grace of Christ, then by outward means, and motives, so leaving them, as some say, to the freedom of their will to determine it self by chusing, or refuseing the grace offered in the gospell; then are many wicked men, so liveing and dying, more bound to the Lord for his work of grace towards them, then are divers his holy, and faythfull servants. The reason is, because many of the former have been made partakers of the outward means, and motives of grace, in preaching of the gospell, godly examples, and education, in far greater measure, and more ample, and excellent; then many of the latter have been: Neyther are the true servants of God, by this doctrine, to go so far in humble thankfulnes to God, as did the prowd Pharisee in the Gospell; who thanked God, that he was not like the Publican, and other sinners. For whatsoeverLuke 18. els they have cause to thank God for; by these mens gospell, they have cause to thank themselves, and not God, that they are not like other men, who hauehave been made partakers of as great, and ample outward means, and provokations of grace, as they have been.
A lawfull calling is necessarie for every lawfull work: the generall calling of a Christian, before we can perform any Christian work aright: and so a particular calling to this, or that state of life, before we perform the works thereof. The inward calling is requisite in regard of God, who knows the inwards of the man, and with what heart, and affection he undertakes any state, or action: so is the outward also, because God is the God of order. Also, when a man knows himself to be orderly called to a condition of life, he both sets himself more chearfully, and roundly to the works thereof, wherein he is assured he servs Gods providence by his order, and appoyntment: and with fayth expects a blessing from God upon his endeavours in that course of life, in which his hand hath set him; and with all, bears with comfort the crosses befalling him therein: as wee see in David; whose sheild of comfort against all darts of danger was, that God had selected him Psalm. …. and 3.unto himself, and annoynted him his king upon Sion the mountayn of his holynes.
Litle account is made by many of a lawfull outward calling: whereas indeed it is that alone, by which all states (save those that are naturall, and so are subject neyther to election nor change) are both constituted, and continued. For what makes him, who yesterday was none, to day to be a magistrate in the common wealth; minister in the Church; steward in the family, or any other officer, or member in any orderly society, but an orderly outward calling by them, who have lawfull authority to confer that state upon him? This being neglected opens a gap to all confusion in all states. The gifts of a man enable him to his office; his grace sanctifyes both the gifts, and office to the person; his inward calling perswades his heart to undertake the outward in desire to glorify God, and in love to Calvin.men; his exequution of it in the works thereof presuppose it; and testify his faythfulnes in it: but onelyonly the outward orderly calling confers the outward state, and condition of life.
Abilitie for a mans calling is greatly to be desired for many reasons. For, first, it is a thing well-pleasing in Gods sight, specially in the most serviceable courses of life, as we may see in Salomon, who being called to the state of1 King. 3. a King, desired above all other things, kingly endowments, and therein pleased God greatly. Secondly, He whom God calls to a place, or sets over a busines, he enables accordingly; as he did the same Salomon, being set over a people many in number, as the sand by the sea shore, with Chap. 4.wisdom, and largenes of heart, as the sand by the sea-shore. Thirdly, It is great case to a man, when he is mayster of his place, and course, and able to play with it: otherwise, if he be compelled to strive continually with it; it will both make his life burthensome; and force him at some time, or other, to let fall the works thereof, as unable to weild it. Yet if such a one be willing, and able to bear it out, it is a good way for him to grow to great perfection, by daily improveing his abilitie to the full: as Milo by using to bear a calf every day, proved able to bear him, when he was grown an oxe. Fourthly, It is an honour to a man to be excellent in his faculty, yea though it be mean in it self. And so men excelling in mean trades, or callings are more regarded, then those who are mean in more excellent faculties. One sayth truly, that even plowmen and sheep-heards being excellent are applauded. Lastly,Pindarus. the unskilfulnes of the artisan dishonours the art it self how excellent soever, in the eyes of many: although in reason it should not so be; seeing that the more excellent Erasmus▪any profession is, it finds the fewer, whose worth can answer its excellencie.
Although callings most usefull, and necessarie, are most despised by prowd folks; both because they are ordinary and common; and followed by mean, and ordinary persons: yet it stands with a good conscience to provide, that our course of life be such, as in which we benefit humayne societyes. And an uncomfortable thing it is to him, that hath any either feare of God, or love to men, to spend his dayes, and labour in such a course, as by which more hurt then good comes to the world.
It is a good and godly course for a person diligently to read, and seriously to meditate upon such places of holy Scripture, as concern his, or her speciall calling: as, for the magistrate diligently to read Deut. 1. 16. &c. the minister 1 Tim. 3. and so for husband, and wife; father, and childe; mayster and servant; and the rest: that by so doing we may both more fully learn, and better remember, and conscionably practise the particular duetyes, in which God would have us exercise our generall christian graces.