Seven Treatises, Treatise 4 · Chapter 14
CHAP. 14. Of the declaration of the third dutie, about our callings.
THE third dutie concerneth our callings and particular trades, the which we may be fit and readie to enter vponupon, when our minds be thus well prepared, as in the two former duties hath bene declared. Know we therefore that with this well ordered heart we are to take the ſame in hand, eueryevery one as he is to be employed, throughout the day ſo long as is expedient, that we may ſafely and comfortably bring it to an end. About the which argument my purpoſe is not to write a treatiſe of all matters appertaining hereto, but ſo farre to ſpeake of it, as I may ſhew that which I intended, namely this: ſeeing it is a great part of our life, to doe the workes of our callings, and a chiefe part of a godly life to do them aright, therefore to direct a Chriſtian how to pleaſe God in the ſame; contrarie to the opinion of many, (and thoſe not of the worſt) who imagine (but moſt vniuſtly) that their calling is ſuch a let to them from the practiſe of religion, that thereby (though they had no other) they are hindred from ſeruing God aright. But they ſhall better be anſwered hereafter.
Firſt therefore I will proue,Three points handled in this chapter. that all Chriſtians muſt liue in ſome lawfull vocation.
Secondly, that they muſt with practiſe of other godly duties, faithfully and diligently walke in the ſame.
Thirdly, (which will follow vponupon the two former) that they who do ſo, which the children of God only can do, may highly pleaſe God therein, and find great helpe and furtherance thereby to paſſe the other parts of the day well and chriſtianly.
And for the firſt of theſe three,The firſt point: All muſt liue in ſome lawfull calling. Gen. 3.19. Epheſ. 4.28. it is cleare by the words of the Lord himſelfe (In the ſweate of thy face thou ſhalt eate thy bread:) that all men are bound to trauell and labour (though not with the hands) in ſome painefull eſtate of life, wherein they may ſerue God, and if need be, they may prouide for themſelues and theirs. At leaſt wiſe, they may be good members in the Church and Commonwealth, as is meete for them to be, not idle and vnprofitable. VntoUnto the which rule the higheſt magiſtrates do ſubmit themſelues, being appointed of God to their places, that the people may liue a quiet and peaceable life in all godlineſſe and honeſtie: and therefore very vnmeete it were, that any inferiour to them,2. Theſ. 3.6. ſhould raunge and liue without compaſſe in the world inordinately, as though they were exempt from the Lords gouernment. But I, as I hauehave ſet my ſelfe to do throughout this booke, will deale onelyonly with thoſe who hauing ſubmitted themſelues vntounto the will of God in other things, are therefore readie to heare his voice in this.
All ſuch muſt know and religiouſly perſwade themſelues, if through ignorance and long cuſtome therin they ſhold think otherwiſe, that they muſt of conſcience betake themſelues to ſuch an eſtate of life, leſt otherwiſe liuing without a calling, as rogues, theeues, couſiners, cōmon gameſters, paraſites, & other diſguized perſons,The daunger of not liuing ſo. they ſhould loath labour, liue vponupon others, & waxe idle; and ſo runne either into hereſie, ſects, curious queſtions, and fond opinions, or elſe into looſe behauiour, and wicked companie: and then finding no ſauour in their religion, ſhould fall away from the truth, and grow ſenſleſſe, and frozen in their dregges and filthineſſe. As, not onelyonly we may reade in the Scriptures, that ſome hauehave done, which alſo were members of the Church: but hauehave ſeene many carrying good ſhew of zeale, and hauing many good parts in them, whereof ſome became prophane and vaine in their liues: others held ſtraunge opinions, and ſeparated themſelues from the Church of God, amongſt whome they had liued familiarly before; neither were they to be blamed by men with any reprochfull crime, which might be like to bring them thereunto, ſaue onelyonly this, that they exerciſed no calling, but went about from place to place, and ſetled themſelues in none, neither could be perſwaded by the deareſt of their friends ſo to do. But although a man could aſſure himſelfe,All ſhould abhorre the liuing without a calling. that he ſhould neuer fall to ſuch a depth of ſinne, through the neglect of a vocation and following of a lawfull trade of life (as there ſeldome cōmeth any better fruite therof:) yet, what man wold but ſo much as liue vnprofitably (if he may be well employed) when God hath made him for a farre more excellent end? and bring diſcredite and ill report, and that iuſtly, vponupon himſelfe, hauing bene had in good account before of his godly neighbours and brethren; or liue inordinately, and ſo voide of comfort, and that for neglecting the ordinance of God?
The 2. point: Men muſt labour diligently therein.But to ſay no more of this firſt point: the next and the nigheſt degree hereunto, that may be, is; that many walke looſely and careleſly in their calling, and are ſlouthfull and negligent in the performance of the duties thereof (whereas they ſhould faithfully and diligently be taken vp in their honeſt and lawful vocation:) which comming either of the ignorance of their duty, or of a mind too much giuen to ſeeke carnall libertie, or of both; cannot be without daungerous diſcommodities. For what ſhould the multitude of Chriſtians do through the whole yeare, if they ſhould not eueryevery one walke and be daily occupied in ſome certaine eſtate, ſome at home, ſome abroad, and therein hauehave triall of their faith, patience, and obedience? not that they might thereby waxe worldly minded and the further from God, but get encouragement to ſerue him better as ſhall be ſaid afterwards. For God in appointing but one Sabbath of all the ſeuen dayes,Men ought to be diligent therein, ſeeing they hauehave ſixe dayes thereto in the weeke, and but one Sabbath. hath ſufficiently declared, that they cannot attend onelyonly to ſpirituall actions, as prayer, meditation, reading, and ſuch like: and therefore hath for the moſt part of the weeke appointed them to ſhew foorth their knowledge and religious keeping of a good conſcience, in being occupied about things of this life in their honeſt calling, wherein they may hauehave worke enough to be employed and taken vp. Of the which matter as the Scripture ſpeaketh many things to great purpoſe, ſo the Apoſtle chargeth eueryevery man to abide in that ſame vocation, 1. Cor. 7.20.wherein he was called: and commaundeth them in the name of our Lord Ieſus, 2. Theſ. 3.6.to withdraw themſelues from eueryevery brother that walketh without labouring, that ſo he might be aſhamed. And that one place of Salomon is worthy our conſideration, to the perſwading of vsus to faithfulneſſe and diligence in our calling, and to loath ſlouth and idleneſſe, where he ſaith: The ſluggard luſteth, but his ſoule hath nothing: Prou. 13.4.11. Prou. 20.4.but the ſoule of the diligent ſhall hauehave plentie. And againe: The riches of vanitie ſhall diminiſh: but he that gathereth them with the hand, that is, with his owne labour, ſhall increaſe them. And againe:L. pro. 18.9. & ca. 24.30, &c. The ſlouthfull man will not plough becauſe of winter, therefore he ſhall beg in ſommer but hauehave nothing: yet a woman that hath a diligent hand, buildeth and vpholdeth her houſe: with many other ſuch like. In which he doth not onelyonly ſhew what commoditie a mans labour and diligence in his calling bringeth, and contrariwiſe: but eſpecially commendeth painefulneſſe and trauell, how good, and beſeeming Chriſtians they be. He alloweth not (we ſee) ſlouth, idleneſſe, and ouer-reaching heads, in the ſeruants of God; but ſheweth, that it agreeth well with the beſt of them to be diligent and well occupied: and that it is not too baſe and vnbeſeeming the honour of their profeſſion, to labour and take paines; which the diuell too readily perſwadeth many: yea, and therefore he ſaith in another place, (ſeeing a meane and poore eſtate might be thought reprochfull) that better is a litle, Prou. 15.16.17. L. pro. 17.1.euen a diſh of greene hearbes with peace and louelove, then a ſtalled oxe with an vnquiet conſcience and ſtrife. It is the more lamentable to ſee how numbers degenerate in this point to their owne great hurt, and drawing others after them. Some not ſo well aduiſed and ſtayed as were meete for them, are euer medling in other mens matters, and leauing off their owne calling ſpend much time in prying and ſearching into other mens liuing, titles of their lands and leaſes: and buſying themſelues needleſly, yea and oft times to the great hurt, offence and iuſt complaint of them, with whom they liue and ſeeke to hauehave to do. Others, as buſie-bodies, and as though religion conſiſted therein,Ill parts in neighbours, hindering diligence in mēs callings. do as it were make a trade of obſeruing other mens faults, neglecting too much their owne: and ſow diſſention, and ſet debate betwixt neighbours, and with their euill tongues, bite and reproch ſuch as are better then themſelues. Others trifle out their precious time in ſeeking of acquaintance, not ſuch wherby they may take good or do good, but ſpend it in play, ieaſting and merry-making amiſſe and prophanely, &c. Others occupie themſelues in dealings and merchandize, not appertaining vntounto them, but farre aboue their abilitie,Men ſhould not deale aboue their abilitie. yea, and skill alſo many times, occupying their trades with other mens goods; and whiles they keepe within no bounds, by ayming at great matters without any warrant, do gaine leſſe then nothing for their labour, and diſable themſelues to their owne calling: beſides this, that their vnwiſe dealings that way, and departing from that buſineſſe, which they were more fit for, and appointed vntounto, doth iniurie, yea, and vndo others oftimes as well as ſpoile themſelues, till they come to this: that they cannot digge, and to begge they are aſhamed. There are many other waies beſide theſe, drawing men from their callings, which ſeeme pleaſant, but the iſſue thereof proueth farre otherwiſe: whereby many and thoſe alſo of good hope, hauehave giuen themſelues to ſeeke their libertie, and to be vnburthened from their callings, wherein whiles they remained they thought themſelues to be in a kind of priſon; and therefore till fooliſh experience had taught them how they had bene deceiued, could in no wiſe be perſwaded to ſerue God in them, as had bene moſt meete for them to hauehave done. Theſe men and ſuch like, of which ſort there are many in the world, might hauehave kept both peace to their conſciences, and good report, and bene freed from many euils, if they would hauehave hearkened to the voyce of God,2. Theſ. 3.10. which ſaith: He that laboureth not, let him not eate. And again: that man is borne to labour, as the bird to flying. But they depart from the ordinance of God, and ſhew that (howſoeuer they profeſſe themſelues to be religious) they fell to theſe indirect courſes from diligence in their callings for want of religion, which onelyonly doth rightly direct men how to follow them, as it doth to order all other things aright. But it may well be a dutie of ſome account commaunded of God, to make conſcience of diligence in our particular callings, it is ſo few mens caſes to performe it.
But whiles I commend faithfulneſſe in mens calling, and find fault with negligence therein, I attribute no godlineſſe to the very act of labouring; neither defend,EueryEvery good labourer is not a good Chriſtian. that they are good Chriſtians all, who are diligent workemen, and painefull labourers in any calling; magiſtracie, miniſterie, or any other. I hauehave ſaid otherwiſe to them which marke well my words: onelyonly this I ſay, that to a faithfull Chriſtian who reformeth and ſtudieth daily more and more to amend his life, diligence in his outward calling is no ſmall helpe to liue well and godly, and to keepe him from many euils: but otherwiſe, if there be not good gouernment ouer the heart and life daily, he may find ſorrow and miſerie enough, ſeeing he will not take his direction from God.
The third point: that our walking in our calling diligently, pleaſeth God.But the right following of our calling (to enter into the third branch) is in ſuch manner and ſort to vſe and walke in it, that it may be no let nor hinderance to vsus from exerciſes of religion, and growing in grace thereby: for no ſuch labour doth God approoue of. But contrariwiſe, we muſt ſo play the good husbands, that we become not worldlings, and ſuch as find more ſweetneſſe and pleaſure in our earthly dealings and the comming in of our profites,VVe muſt ſo vſe earthly dealings, that we neglect not ſpirituall duties. 1. Cor. 10.24. then in our heauenly trafficke through the practiſe of Chriſtianitie: we muſt ſo follow our owne buſineſſe, and ſhunne medling in other mens matters vnneceſſarily, that we be not ſhut vp in our owne, without regard of our brethren, or care for their matters (when cauſe ſhal require:) for that were great vnkindneſſe and want of charitie towards them, ioyned with too much ſelfe louelove toward our ſelues. To be ſhort, we muſt ſo vſe the world, as though we vſed it not: not lifting vp our hearts when we proſper, nor caſting them downe with deadly ſorrow, when we ſuſtaine loſſes and diſcommodities; but ſo carie our ſelues throughout, that we may be patternes and examples to other of right vſing the world: for ſo hath the Lord appointed men to liue in, and vſe their vocations.
And this kind of walking in them, is highly pleaſing and acceptable to him. For they who thus ſet vponupon common actions and worldly buſineſſe are not caried after their owne earthly minds, as men of the world; but ſet the Lord before them, and looke what he will hauehave done: they bridle their deſires, which would elſe carie them after them. So Moſes was faithfull in all Gods houſe: and Ioſua in his place: and Iob who had much to do in matters of profite and commoditie, yet was a rare patterne to all men of vſing the world aright; euen earthly things with an heauenly mind: that they may hauehave the more to accuſe them, and that iuſtly, who will not in farre meaner affaires take him for their example. This regard muſt be had of all Chriſtians, and of all ſorts both of rich and poore, one and another, in their earthly dealings, (though it be a leſſon moſt hardly learned) that whiles we auoide ſlouth and idleneſſe on the one ſide; yet walking in our callings we be not worldly minded on the other ſide: that it may come to paſſe, that our calling being one part of Chriſtian obedience and dutie to God, may not onelyonly for the time while we are occupied in it, witneſſe well to vsus, that we pleaſe him; but alſo make vsus more fit to other chriſtian duties after: and that we ſeeing this maner of paſſing our time to be enioyned of God, (who hath promiſed bleſſing thereto, and ſeeth what is good for eueryevery one) and conſidering duly with our ſelues the infinite fruite that commeth thereof, we may more willingly, and of conſcience betake our ſelues thereunto: that ſo we may find in this faithfull walking in our calling, a peaceable courſe of liuing here, which may bring happines with it in the end.
The neceſſitie and benefite of this in a Chriſtian, few do ſufficiently know or conſider. For all are naturally giuen to ſeeke libertie amiſſe,Pro. 9.17. and ſtolne waters (as it is in the Prouerbe) are ſweet: and many who zealouſly profeſſe a godly life, not painefully following ſome lawfull calling, doe by wofull practiſe proue this to be true; and ſo ſhall find much ſorrow in their dayes, which others ſhall be free from.
Now to the end we may thus chearefully go about them, as knowing that God alloweth ſuch workes of ours, and ſo thereby be diſpoſed more readily to other parts of dutie, (which we ſee to be no common thing in the world) firſt this muſt be conſidered:Ioſ. 1.8. that it is the Lord that ſetteth vsus in our callings, and hath promiſed to be with vsus, and to giuegive vsus good ſucceſſe in them, and to helpe vsus beare all tediouſneſſe therein; and further,By what means our callings may further vsus in godlineſſe. Coloſ. 3.24. that he hath willed vsus to do all ſuch duties for his ſake, in ſuch manner as if we did them vntounto him, and from him to looke for a reward. Now what true Chriſtian is there, who, if he beleeue this, is not encouraged to do his buſineſſe readily and willingly? who would not be glad to do any thing which might pleaſe God? and whoſe heart ſhould not be ioyfull to go about the Lords worke, whereby tediouſneſſe, vnquietneſſe and manifold vnſetlings are remoued? And ſo ſhould we not grow out of frame, but hauehave our minds readily prepared to other duties. And moſt ſure it is, that mens callings and labours are ſo burthenſome vntounto them, euen for this cauſe, that they do not thinke thus of them. Neither are ſuch chearefull at their worke, but onelyonly for the gaine, that moueth thē, or for that they muſt needs: & being ſo vnwillingly & corruptly occupied in them, neither are they fit for any good thing or dutie after.The Miniſter hardly delighteth in reading as heauenly a calling as he is in. The Miniſter who is conſecrated by the Lord euen to diuine ſtudies and paſſings of his time, and hath it enioyned him for his calling that he attend daily to reading priuately, and to doctrine and exhortation publikely; how hardly obtaineth he it of himſelfe (as heauenly and ſweet a calling as it is) to abide and hold out therein? yea and how few do it, (I ſpeake euen of ſuch as hauehave receiued good gifts of God, not of the worſer ſorts onelyonly,) but trifle out their precious time as other do? As though it were litle to be regarded which is written: He that winneth ſoules is wiſe: and they that hauehave inſtructed others, ſhall ſhine as the ſtarres. Dan. 12.3. And therefore of others whoſe calling is not to be occupied through the day in that heauenly maner, how were it to be looked for; if they ſhould not of conſcience tye themſelues thereto, and walke chearefully and faithfully therein? But when men ſhall know, and may be bold to remember and conſider,There are many encouragements, to follow our callings diligently. that they are appointed by God to beſtow the moſt part of the time in their callings, (though they be not meerly ſpirituall actions) to the end that they may with better appetite returne to exerciſes of religion againe after; and that they hauehave a promiſe of bleſſing therein:The firſt. with what peace may they be occupied in them, and ouercome that tediouſneſſe and weariſomeneſſe, which would otherwiſe cleaue vntounto them? Thus I could wiſh, that Chriſtian men tooke their callings to be in ſuch ſort enioyned them of God, that they neither durſt neglect them, nor yet find them burdenſome and weariſome to them: but that they could wiſely ſee, how, when, and why to intermit them, that is to ſay, for neceſſarie and profitable cauſes and conſiderations; as, for the miniſterie of the word, the viſiting of friends, moderate, lawfull and neceſſarie refreſhings of themſelues: and in good ſort to returne to them againe more fitly.The ſecond. Furthermore, we ſhall not be vnſetled by the workes of our callings, nor weariſomely caſt them off, when we ſhall be able to ſee, that we hauehave practiſe of moſt duties in Chriſtianitie therein, as diligence, obedience, faith, patience, truth, &c. and thereby learne experience, that God who hath giuen vsus wiſedome, chearefulneſſe, patience, and the reſt heretofore, to beare the burthen of them contentedly and willingly, when in the prayer of faith we asked it of him, will doe the like for vsus, and miniſter the ſame grace to vsus, for the time to come.
The third.Thirdly, we ſhall not be hindred from dutie by our labours, but furthered thereby in the waies of godlineſſe, when we conſider that the Lord hath made them the chiefe meanes of our maintenance, aſſuring vsus, that we ſhall be fed: that ſo we may put away diſtruſt, and depend vponupon God ioyfully, and not be driuen to depend vponupon vnconſcionable men for neceſſaries.
The fourth.Laſtly, Gods people, by a faithfull and diligent walking in their calling, hauehave proofe how God keepeth them in the way to eternall life, and in the way of peace, and freeth them from many dangers and ſinnes (which fret as a canker:) for whiles they be diligent in their callings, they commit themſelues and the courſe of their dealings to God, who hath promiſed to keepe them in all their wayes; and therefore to free them from the euils which meete with others, and ſo to hold them on in their way. Their good ſucceſſe they aſcribe to God; therefore it is a double comfort to them: their croſſes which ariſe, they know are ſent vponupon them by his prouidence for their good; therefore though they be bitter to the fleſh, yet they (who are well aduiſed vnderunder them) reſolue, that they are neceſſarie for them. And the hardeſt which can befall them, while they offer themſelues to be guided by God therein, is euer to be borne and gone vnderunder, rather then the ordinarie euents, which follow the idle and ill husbands, as we call them. And a man would thinke, that it were an eſtate to be wiſhed and choſen to liue in (if it be well conſidered what plagues meete with the rangers and diſordered perſons, who are not ſubiect to God) to be in account and fauour with God, as godly Chriſtians walking in their calling religiouſly, are; ſeeing it is ſayd of them, Deut. 28. Bleſſed are they in the field, and in the houſe, their ſtocke and ſtore, &c. Now I hauehave ſayd that which I purpoſed of this point, for the directing of them who ſtand in need of this inſtruction, how to vſe their callings aright: a litle I will adde, to anſwer ſuch doubts as may ariſe in ſome minds, from that which hath bene ſpoken.
And firſt it may be demanded, whether gentlemen,Obiection. and other who are bleſſed with abundance of things neceſſarie for this preſent life,VVhether gentlemen are tyed to a calling. ſhall be bound to ſome certaine calling, wherein they ſhould ſerue God by their trauell therein, benefit others thereby, and keepe themſelues from the dangers before mentioned accompanying thoſe who liue without a calling. Or whether it be not their calling, to liue as gentlemen vſe to do: in riding and going vp and downe, to ſpend their liues in paſtimes, pleaſure, and doing what they liſt. I anſwer, as in all the reſt,Anſwer. I ſpeake to ſuch as are willing to be reformed: and to ſuch I ſay, If they be called to beare any office,VVhat they ſhould do, who beare office. let them attend vponupon it, and ſeeke to be fit for it, and worthily diſcharge it: and therefore let ſuch be acquainted with the lawes of the Realme, as well as with the lawes of God; and be counſellors and helpers to their neighbours about them: that they may be beloued of them, when they ſhall ſee, that with chriſtian conuerſation they ſhall inioy other parts of good neighbourhood by them alſo. And let them labour to ſee their families well gouerned, and be carefull (as Chriſtians may with good conſciences) to vphold their outward eſtate, and to continue it to their poſteritie. And ſuch as beare no office, let them (being exempted from the labour about the executing of it, which is inioyned to the others) be occupied as they.
And ſeeing they are to ſerue their Prince and countrey with body and goods, aduice and counſell, both in peace and warre;VVhat they, vvho beare none. they ought by all meanes to ſtudie how to prepare themſelues to turne the many houres and dayes, which the moſt of that eſtate ſpend in games and paſtimes, to other more profitable and neceſſarie vſes. Let them alſo be the firſt who ſhall prouide and take order for the maintenance of the poore, to ſee good order in in their towne, helpe to beate downe ſinne, and puniſh euill doers, and ſet at one ſuch as are at variance, and hauehave their hand reached out oftner and more liberally then all ſhall behold, and yet for example ſake, go before others in doing good according to their abilitie, not refuſing to exhort and ſtirre vp, as occaſion ſhall be offered, to louelove and to good things*Heb. 10.24.. Theſe, one or other of them, are the workes of their calling: wherein they ſhall be lights to other, render a good fruite of their wealth to God, and cauſe many to bleſſe God for their louelove and labour. And what can they leſſe do then this, if they do but conſider, that of them moſt ſhall be required who hauehave receiued moſt*Amos 3.2.?
And for the better and more happie effecting of that which I hauehave ſayd, let them labour by all meanes to prouide, that good teaching may be inioyed and well vſed while they may, and put in practiſe that which is in the Prouerbe, 23.23. Buy wiſedome whatſoeuer it coſt: but ſell it not whatſoeuer yee may hauehave for it. And if they be wiſe, let them inioy the more libertie in the reading daily of the Scriptures and other good bookes: which is, with other ſuch like exerciſes of ſtudie, the chiefeſt and principalleſt commoditie, which they reape by their riches: I ſpeake wiſedome to them, which are ſound hearted to receiue it. But if they thinke, that God hath made their portion greater then other mens to the end they may runne the further out of order, and that they may ſpend their pretious time idlely, vainely, and at their pleaſure, without rendring account thereof; I am ſure they prouide worſt for themſelues, and ſhall wiſh they had bene poore men, who would hauehave made no ſuch queſtions about the beſtowing of their time, but would willingly in that meane eſtate hauehave ſerued God without reaſoning. As for their lawfull and honeſt recreations which are onelyonly in good ſort and maner to be vſed, as I ſhall ſay in the next Chapter; they not making the ſame an occupation, nor themſelues ſlaues to ther luſts and pleaſures, this which I ſay, withholdeth them not from the right vſe thereof. But of this inough: ſeeing my purpoſe is not to make treatiſes of eueryevery matter I touch.
The ſecond obiection.I will proceed to another obiection: The poore Chriſtians would (they ſay) take pains willingly in their callings, but can by no means maintaine their charge:Anſvver. what therefore ſhall they do? To whom, as I can ſay no leſſe, but that they muſt not for all this, caſt away their confidence, but beleeue that God hath many wayes to deliuer and prouide for his, and that it hath not bene lightly ſeene that God hath bene wanting to his, no not in their outward need; and therefore though their triall ſhould be vntounto death, yet to truſt by lawfull meanes to find helpe:The poore vvho cannot follovv a calling, muſt be relieued. ſo I muſt further ſay to others, who (neglecting their duty) do ſuffer them to want & might relieue them; that God will iuſtly bring it againſt them, & lay it to their charge: ſuch (I meane) as both by that good & chriſtian law of this land (worthy with al care & conſcience euer to be executed) are made ouer-ſeers of the poore;By the vviſe care of the diſtributes or ouer-ſeers. Deut. 15.11. And by other vvho hauehave more then needfull. Iam. 2.13. & ſuch alſo as hauing ſuperfluity, & much more then neceſſarie food & apparell, yet are not rich in good workes, neither do good to the poore, which are amongſt them for that purpoſe. Iudgement ſhall be to ſuch without mercy, becauſe they ſhew no merciemercy: who if they be liuing members of Chriſts body, which is the Church, muſt pity the bowels, and glad the hearts of their poore brethren. But rare are they, who do any more this way then they needs muſt; though mens left hand ſhould not know what their right hand doth: but they ſtriue and fall out one with another, euen for that they are inioyned by authoritie to giuegive that litle which they do. And for the poore themſelues, as they may make their mone to ſuch as are fitteſt and readieſt to relieue them: ſo they muſt beare their burden the more eaſily, becauſe they hauehave hope in Chriſt, and are by him exalted higher then moſt of their betters (I ſpeake of the godly:) conſidering that all Gods ſeruants hauehave their ſeuerall croſſes, to make them meete for the Lord.
I am ſory to ſpeake it, but it is too true, that of ſuch as need the helpe of others to the maintaining of them, there are too few who hauehave eares to heare that which I hauehave to ſay to them from the Lord, Ierem. 5.4. For they are fooliſh,Ier. 5.4. as the Prophet ſaith: and know not the wayes of the Lord, nor the iudgements of their God. But for the few that do feare God, I ſay: let them ſo go to their worke,Perſvvaſion to the poore to contentment. as I hauehave taught al true chriſtians to do; that is, that they make it not an vncomfortable toile, but waite for the promiſe, that they ſhall be fed*Pſal. 33.19.: and ſtay vp themſelues by the examples of the poore widow, and the word that ſaith: Man liueth not by bread only: and againe,Deut. 8.3. 2. King. 4.7. & 1. King. 17.14. Pſal. 34.10. The Lyons ſhall be hunger-bitten, but they that feare him ſhall not want: and againe, The Lord hath many wayes to deliuer his: and know they thereby, that ſooner ſhall the ſtones be turned into loaues of bread, then they ſhall be forgotten, and ſtarue for hunger; or elſe, he will prouide better for them.
But to leaue this, I may not omit one other obiection,The third obiection. which is much amongſt men: that whereas I hauehave taught, that if a man be neuer ſo good a labourer, and diligent husband, and ſo walke painefully in his calling, yet none of all this commendeth him to God, if he be not religious alſo; men reply and ſay, that ſuch of all other are moſt negligent in their buſineſſe; as ſeruants by name, who (they ſay) when their minds ſhould be vponupon their worke,Some vvill hauehave no ſeruants that are religious, to do their vvorke. are found oftentimes at their booke and at prayer; other of them ſitting idly, and litle regarding their maiſters aduantage: whereas they who occupie not themſelues about religion, but are held in by feare, or drawne on by hope of reward, are for their maiſters profit, and go to their worke luſtily. Wherupon ſome hauehave gone ſo far, that they hauehave vſually vttered this ſpeech: that whē ſoeuer they make choice of ſeruants, they will neuer chuſe any which are religious. Which latter ſpeech (I anſwer) if it were not added,Anſvver. the former part might more charitably be interpreted.
For it is not to be denied, but that as in other ſtates,Many ſeruants that profeſſe, are hypocrites. 2. King. 5. ſo there are many hypocrites among ſeruants, who make profeſſion of religion, as Gehazai and many did whom we reade of: againſt whom I denounce by the word of the Lord, that they ſhall beare the puniſhment of their iniquitie: But to grow to this abſurditie from thence, that all religious ſeruants are ſuch, and that they would not chuſe ſuch to be ſeruants to them; the leaſt ſinne that it can be made, is: that it is a raſh and a carnall ſpeech, and ſo much the more faultie, by how much he that vttereth it, goeth for the better Proteſtant. For ſuch declare that ſo their buſineſſe be done, they can beare any rudeneſſe, brutiſhneſſe and diſorder in their ſeruants, and ſo the diſhonoring of God thereby: for all ſuch behauiour muſt be looked for, more or leſſe, in ſuch as are not religious. But commonly ſuch maiſters are iuſtly met with by the ſeruants, whom they ſo preferre before thoſe which are religious.
Againe, whereas they in that ſpeech condemne all which profeſſe, it is well knowne, that there are manie ſeruants who in their particular calling, in that they are ſeruants; as well as in their generall, that they are Chriſtians, do glorifie God highly, and ſhine as lights in their places to the ſhame of their accuſers. And yet ſuch maiſters might iudge of their ſeruants religious and chriſtian practiſe by their owne, that all dutie is not by and by to be looked for at their hands, which hauehave ſome louelove and liking of the Goſpell. Are they themſelues ſo vnblameable in their whole courſe, that others may not ſee as great wants and faults in them, as they ſee in ſeruants? It is to be feared, that ſuch (who will ſo ſpeake as I hauehave ſhewed) do not giuegive them alwayes the beſt example: but if they do; let them catechiſe them alſo, beſide the publicke teaching which they inioy, who being alreadie willing to liue chriſtianly, yet if they be not diligently and louingly taught, cannot ſo ſoone be brought to any great perfection. And this being done let them proue, whether religious or prophane, be the beſt ſeruants.
Laſtly, of mens vocation this I adde: that I hauehave not ſo vrged the neceſſitie of laboring in it, but that if ſome through extreame pouerty & want of ſtocke be inforced to giuegive ouer occupying, as hauing no other remedie (through the hardneſſe of their harts, who will forgo nothing to the reliefe & ſetting vp of ſuch & the multitude of other poore folke) if it be thus (I ſay) that they hauehave no other remedie, nor be able to labour in any lawfull calling, they may with the peace of their conſcience receiue almes & pleaſe God therein, keepe their confidence in him, and grow forward in the further knowledge & practiſe of their dutie, as other Chriſtians do (though this which I ſay, ought to be no ſhelter for the ſlouthful and idle.) Which thi…g if many were perſwaded of (as it is pity that any ſhould doubt of) they ſhould beare their poore eſtate more indifferently; and the ſhame that many hauehave of it, more cōtentedly then now they do.Note. For that is now their calling to truſt in God, and to hope for that reliefe, which ſhall be ſufficient for them, as they did before their decay.
Furthermore, neither would I hauehave any to thinke, that this which hath bin ſpoken, doth ſimply denie a chriſtian man libertie to alter and change his calling: which although it ought not haſtily nor lightly be done (ſeeing it is very probable, that a man may be beſt able to deale in that, wherein he hath bene trained vp and experienced) yet vponupon neceſſitie and the decay of his former trade*Luke 16.3., and vponupon other ſufficient and waightie conſiderations (of which ſort there may fall out many) he may inioy libertie ſo to do: which to ſet downe in this place, were too farre a departing from the point in hand.
And thus much be ſayd of this matter concerning mens outward vocatiō: whereby among other things this may be ſeene, that although the moſt do complaine that they are much hindred from a fruitfull walking with God, by their earthly callings; yet that is their error, or ſome way their great ſinne: for a man fearing God may preſerue faith and godlineſſe by a warie & Chriſtian walking in them, & practiſe many chriſtian duties in the ſame; as patience, & truſt in God, &c. and conſequently may pleaſe him therein to the great contentment of his owne hart. And therfore, if any man find his calling to be a let vntounto him from ſeruing God religiouſly, and well ſpending of the day, let him know, that the hinderance of him frō this is in himſelf: euen ſome vntowardneſſe, intemperancie, and rebellion of his hart, either becauſe he knoweth not how to vſe his calling aright; or elſe, becauſe he hath giuen himſelfe too much liberty to depart frō folowing that which he knoweth. But otherwiſe, if he indeuor to incourage himſelf by the afore mētioned perſwaſiōs, to vſe it aright, he ſhal ſee eueryevery day more clearly much cauſe to praiſe God for the proofe of his louelove to him and bleſſing ſo many wayes therein (ſo farre off ſhall it be from being an encombrance vntounto him, as moſt complaine that they find it:) yea, I dare be bold to aſſure him, and that by the Lords owne teſtimonie, (for to him that hath, ſhall be giuen, and he ſhall hauehave abundance) that he ſhall find by a conſcionable diſcharging of dutie in it, much libertie and holy boldneſſe with God. So that, this third rule of a religious walking in our calling, reaching to ſo great a part of our life, though it may ſometime be omitted,*Luke 8.18. is (we ſee) much to be regarded; and other duties of equall neceſſitie, when that muſt wholly or in part be intermitted, muſt be performed. But this is to be vnderſtood according to the helpes and incouragements, that eueryevery man hath one more then another, thereafter he muſt be more fruitfull: that none may be diſcouraged on the one ſide, whē he cannot do as he wold; or made ſlouthfull and negligent (when he might do much more) on the other. Thereafter (I ſay) ought euerie man both in his particular vocation, and in all other points of Chriſtianitie, bring foorth more fruite: as,The miniſter hath more meanes to further him by his calling, then a priuate man. the Miniſter in reſpect of his calling, which is to be occupied in reading and teaching of other, and whoſe labour is a meane to helpe him forward in a godly life, becauſe it is an acquainting of him with the Scriptures and the mind of God ſo properly, as cannot be ſayd of other mens labours: the miniſter (I ſay) in ſuch reſpects, oweth more dutie to God (which he may alſo be able to performe) then the priuate man. So the wealthy man,So the vvealthy, rather then the poore. in that he needeth not be carefull or penſiue about neceſſaries, (but it is his great ſinne if he be) hath more liberty to remember God, and to ſet vponupon duty with chearfulneſſe, more then the poore; who is through meere neceſſitie conſtrained to his great griefe, to cut off many times of reading, conference, and of publike hearing (which for the moſt part, the other need not:) though he be not thereby diſcharged from fearing to offend God, &c.
And whereas men alleadge, that the rich is letted by reaſon of his wealth, and therefore cannot ſo eaſily apply himſelfe to walke in a ſound courſe: not what he doth, but what he ought and may do, is to be conſidered. For as he ſhall ſhew himſelfe vnthankfull to God in groſſe manner, who ſhall thus go about to make Gods bleſſings, ſtumbling blockes and hinderances from hartie louelove and obedience to him, and from libertie in his ſeruice more then others can hauehave: ſo he ſhall neuer do it but to his great coſt. In like maner they, which dwell among many good neighbours, who are as watchmen to them, and hauehave an ordinarie teaching miniſterie that can build them vp, are to ſhew themſelues more rich and plentifull both in the exerciſes of religion, and in the particular duties which belong to Chriſtians, then they can do, which want either the moſt, or all of the meanes which others enioy.
And according to this equitie, the auncient Chriſtian, who through long experience is better acquainted with the louing kindneſſe of the Lord, ought in better ſort diſcharge himſelfe of the fore-mentioned and other duties, then he who is a nouice, and a young ſouldier in this ſpirituall warfare. Therefore Saint Iohn writing to the elder Chriſtians to put them in mind,1. Iohn. 2.14. vrgeth them by the ſame reaſon, ſaying: I write vntounto you fathers, becauſe ye hauehave knowne him which is from the beginning. As if he ſhould ſay: Ye hauehave experience, that it is no labor loſt to ſerue him: but ye hauing had acquaintance with the godly life, and the bleſſed fruite of it from your youth, ye are able vponupon ſo good and long triall, both to proceed conſtantly your ſelues in your courſe, and alſo to hearten on the yonger.
And the ſame I ſay of all others, whoſe part hath bene greater in peace, health, freedome from diſeaſes, in holy fellowſhip (eſpecially of mariage) or in whatſoeuer other bleſſings of God:Note. they (I ſay) who hauehave inioyed more bleſſings of God then other of their good brethren, ought by good right to go farre before them as ſhining lights, both in variety of duties, and in more gracious performance of the ſame; and ſooner returne when they perceiue themſelues to hauehave wandred, and more firmely to ſettle themſelues to hold out in their good courſe. And therefore it behooueth them to gaine all occaſions, which others neglect, to the redeeming of the time from idleneſſe, wandring dreames of earthly happineſſe, and needleſſe and filthie ſpeech, and ſuch other like: alſo to pray oftner, then at ſet and appointed times: to ſtirre vp their faith in the manifold and rich promiſes of God, taking comfort thereby vſually: and while they may and while God giueth them oportunitie, to refreſh and do good to many by compaſſion, louelove, counſell, reliefe; and with all theſe to keepe a proportion in their particular vocation, ſo as they may hauehave it an helpe, and not a let to them: that ſo the Lord may ſay to them,Mat. 25.23. Well good and faithfull ſeruants, becauſe ye hauehave bene faithfull, &c. enter into your Maiſters ioy.