A Saint or a Brute, Part 1 · Doctrine 4
IV. Queſt. But is nothing neceſſary but this One? Are not other things alſo Needfull in their places?
Anſw. I told you that other things are not other, ſo far as they ſtand in due ſubordination to this one, or are the parts of it: He that ſaith to a ſick man, [You would do well if you had ſuch a skilfull man for your Phyſicion] doth not by theſe words intend to exclude his Apothecary, or his medicines, or the taking of them, or the inſtruments and means by which they are applyed; but rather includeth and implyeth all theſe in the One thing mentioned to which they do ſubſerve. So all Gods graces, and all the means of grace, and Chriſtian duties, are contained or implyed in the One thing Neceſſary, or ſuppoſed to it. Becauſe it is One thing that is neceſſary as the End, therefore many means are neceſſary to the obtaining of it: Though there be alſo a kind of unity (as hath been ſhewed) among thoſe means.
Queſt. But are not outward things alſo neceſſary: Muſt we not have food and rayment? and muſt we not labour and provide it, and take care for our families, and follow our callings? Muſt we not by lawfull means avoid reproach and poverty in the world?
Anſw. In the way of Duty it is as neceſſary that we labour in our callings, and provide things honeſt, and ſubſerve Gods providence for the maintenance of our ſelves and others; And the things of this life and Needful ſo far as Life is needful, that we may have Time and ſtrength to do our works, and be ſupported while we ſeek the One thing needful. But that which is not Neceſſary for it ſelf, but for another thing, is not ſimply or principally Neceſſary. So far as Heaven may be obtained, and the work of Chriſtianity done without the accommodations of the fleſh, ſo far theſe worldly things are needleſs. There is no Neceſſity that you be Rich or Honourable, or that you live in Health or Wealth; or that you eſcape the hatred, and reproach, and trouble of a malicious world: There is no Neceſſity that you ſhould ſave your lives when Chriſt requireth them: For he that ſo ſaveth his life, ſhall loſe it, Matth. 16. 25. And that Uſefulneſs (which you may in a lower ſenſe call Neceſſity) that any of theſe things are of, is but in their reſpect to the One thing Neceſſary, as they are ſanctified means to the ſervice of God and our ſalvation: If your daily bread be to be called Neceſſary, it is not for it ſelf, or for your fl…ſhly pleaſure, nor ultimately for your life it ſelf; but to ſuſtain your life while you are ſeeking after life eternal, and ſerving him that is the Lord of life: Your Credit, or Honour, or Pleaſure in the world, are no further Neceſſary or Uſefull to you, then they promote this great End for your ſelves or others: Nothing but God is ſimply Neceſſary for himſelf, and Nothing elſe is any way truly Neceſſary but for him.
And therefore as by Neceſſity of precept you muſt labour in your Callings, and ſeek proviſion for your ſelves and families, you muſt moſt carefully watch your Hearts that your deſires and labours be not carnal, as tending only to carnal ends; …ut that you ſincerely ſubject the things deſired, to the One thing neceſſary, for which you muſt deſire them; and therefore that you deſire but ſuch meaſures and proportions as are moſt ſuitable to that End which is only for it ſelf deſireable: Even life it ſelf muſt not be deſired ſimply and ultimately for it ſelf.
As you muſt pray but for your daily bread, and be content with food and rayment, ſo you muſt ſee, that theſe be but for better things; even in order to the doing of the Will of God, the promoting of his Kingdom, and the Hallowing of his Name, which muſt be firſt and moſt deſired. The order of your duty is, to ſeek firſt the Kingdom of God and his Righteouſneſs, and then other things are promiſed with it, Matth. 6. 33. and therefore for it, muſt be deſired and ſought.
And if your very food and life muſt be deſired but for this everlaſting End, then it is ſtill but one thing that is neceſſary, and finally to be deſired. For the Means is willed but with an imperfect willing, becauſe not for it ſelf; and that only hath our full and perfect Love, which is Loved for it ſelf: Even in the act of Love unto the Means, it is more properly the End that is Loved then the Means, and the Means is choſen for that End. So that you ſee that for all the neceſſity of creatures, and of diligence in our Callings, the truth is ſtill clear, that it is only One thing that is truly Neceſſary.