The Marrow of Divinity, Religious treatise · Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII. Questions, and Cases of Conscience about our Callings, and Vocations.
Quest. OUght every man to have a Calling?
Answ. Yea, as may appear by these Scriptures, Eccles. 1.13. Ephes. 4.18. Christ himself had one, Mark 6.3. 1 Thes. 4.11.
Quest. Is it a sufficient calling for a man to attend upon another, as serving men do?
Answ. To attend upon the persons of Magistrates and Nobles is a warrantable calling, especially having some particular employment annexed to it, as to be Cook, Butler, Clerk, Croome, &c. So had Cornelius servants, Acts 10.7.
Quest. How must we behave our selves in our particular callings?
Answ. We must be diligent, painful, and faithful therein, Genes. 3.19. Psalm. 128.2. Prov. 10.4. and 13.4. and 22.29. 2 Thes. 3.10. Gen. 31.40.
Quest. Suppose a man have enough to maintain him, and his without a calling?
Answ. Yet if he be able, he must employ himself in some particular calling, either in Church or State, and be diligent therein: He must eat his bread either in the sweat of his brain, or of his brow. Adam himself must work, Gen. 2.15. See Elton on the Commandments.
Quest. How else may we prove that all must have callings?
Answ. From the Examples of Gods Saints in all ages: as of Abel, &c. before the flood: the Patriarchs after the flood, and many under the Gospel.
Quest. Why must we use faithfulnesse and diligence therein?
Answ. First, because he that is slothful, and negligent therein, or walks loosly, and carlesly, is neere a kin to him that lives without a Calling: yea, he is brother to him that is a great waster, Prov. 18.9.
Secondly, diligence in a calling, is the work of the Lord: and therefore he that doth it negligently is accursed, Jer. 48.10.
Thirdly, God of his rich mercy hath allowed us six days, not to loiter, but to labour, and dispatch our businesse in, Exod. 20.9.
Fourthly without diligence in a particular calling Superiours could not govern and provide for their inferiours: nor inferiors serve, and please their superiours according to the fifth Commandment: nor either of both provide for their health according to the sixth Commandment: Nor avoid idlenesse, and the fruits thereof according to the seventh Commandment: Nor shun the crime of theft forbidden in the eighth Commandment: Nor preserve their good names provided for in the ninth Commandment: but be ever coveting, and full of discontent forbidden in the tenth Commandment. Jndeed its not possible to reckon up all the sins, and dangerous discomodities that attend upon them that either live without a calling, or that deale negligently, and carelesly in their calling: as appeares. Pro. 6.11.13.14. and 24.30.
Quest. How may this be proved?
Answ. By the wofull experience of such as have either used unlawful callings, as Thieves, Cheaters, Gamesters, Parasites, Stage-players, &c. Or else that have lived without a calling, who besides that they are commonly unprofitable Caterpillers, yea burthensom, and chargeable to others, they either grow profane in their lives, or fall away from the truth of religion into damnable sects, and erronious doctrines.
Quest. How may we prove that diligent walking in our callings is so acceptable to God?
Answ. Because as he that hath no lawful calling, or that walketh negligently in one that is lawful, transgresseth all the Commandments of the second Table, thereby highly displeasing God, and pulling a curse upon himself: So he that walketh diligently in a lawful calling, keeps Gods Commandments, and so hath a promise of a blessing annexed to it, Lev. 20.26. Deut. 28.8. Prov. 10.4, 22.
Quest. Do all that walk painfully in a lawful calling please God?
Answ. No, except withal they observe these rules.
1. That such be true beleevers, without which its impossible to please God, Heb. 11.6. and such as are careful daily to amend their lives.
2. They must follow their earthly businesses with heavenly mindes: and see that their worldly affaires do not justle out the seasonable performance of holy duties: that so they may also thrive in grace, and be good husbands for their souls.
3. That they so shunne unnecessary medling with other mens matters, that withal they be not so shut up in their bowels, as to neglect their brethrens causes, when duty and conscience calls for their asistance.
Quest. How is conscionable walking in our callings a furtherance to a godly life.
Answ. Because therein we follow God in doing that which he requires at our hands, and imitate the example of the godly that went before us, who have found the benefit and comfort of it.
Practice of Christianity.
Quest. Why else must we have, and attend upon our particular callings?
Answ. First, God hath commanded us to labour the six dayes, and to do all our work, Exod. 20.9, 10.
Secondly, Particular callings are Gods appointment for our own good, of our persons, family, estate, and for the benefit of others also, and God gives us wisdome, and ability to mannage them, as he did to Bezaleel, Exod. 31.2. &c. So Isa. 28.24. &c. and 54.16.
Thirdly, Its the means whereby God hath ordained that we should get our living, Gen. 3.19. 1 Thes. 4.11. and such as will not work, must not eat, 2 Thes. 3.10. &c. Its a character of a good woman, Prov. 31.27. Idelness is disorder, 2 Thes. 3.8.
Fourthly, The promise of plenty, comfort, and blessing is made to the diligent, Prov. 10.4. and 13.4. and 12.27. Hence Psal. 128.1, 2. Isa. 3.10. Mr. Reyners Precepts.
Fifthly, Man is born to travell, and labour, Job. 5.7.
Quest. What else may move us to diligence in our particular callings?
Answ. Remember that God who hath set us in our callings, hath promised also to be with us therein, to give us good successe, to help us to bear out the tediousnesse which sin hath brought upon our labour, to give us his protection in these our wayes, to feed and maintaine us by his blessing upon our labour, in the house, in the field, in our stock, and store, whereas poverty arresteth the idle person, Prov. 28.19. and 10.4. See also, Jos. 1.8.
Secondly, whereas all other creatures live to themselves, man was appointed to live to others as well as to himself; the Church, his Countrey, family, the poor: Every one challengeth a part in him.
Thirdly, an honest calling is a School of Christianity. For,
1. As we send little children to School to keep them out of harmes way, and unhappy turnes: so diligence in our callings fenceth us against Satans tentations: and it's a bridle to restraine our own leud desires, abating wicked lusts, abandoning loose commpany, and fitting us for the Lords coming, when we are in his service.
2. Whilest in this School we perform duties for the Lords sake, we have daily practise and encrease of graces, such, as faith, obedience, patience, meeknesse, constancy, truth, invocation, thanksgiving, and by experience of Gods goodnesse for the time pas…, we are the better enabled to depend upon him for the time to come.
3. In this School also we learn to be teachers of others, and to be patterns to others of the right use of the world, whilest our selves use it daily, as not using it: whilest we so play the good husbands, as that we keep our selves from being worldlings: not laying aside our heavenly minds, whilest we are about our worldly businesses.
Fourthly, consider the danger of those that stand idle all the day long, passing their time in voluptuousnesse. Paul saith, that such as live in pleasure are dead while they live: They are out of Gods protection, never out of Satans snares: their heart, like the field of the sluggard, its overgrown with the nettles of lusts, &c. As rust frets iron unused, and moths garments unworne, so good things are shaken out of the hearts of idle persons; their souls are but as salt to keep their bodies from stinking: It shall one day be said to them, Take that unprofitable servant, &c. Mat. 25.30. Tailor on Titus.
Quest. May not a man change his particular calling if he dislike it, and like another better?
Answ. Every one ought to continue constantly, and conscionably in his particular calling; wherein their calling to grace did find them if it be warrantable, and lawful, as we see, 1 Cor. 7.10. No comfortable change of a calling can be made but in these cases.
1. Of private necessity, when a man is disenabled to follow it, or cannot get a subsistance by it.
2. Or for the common good, and that truely so, not hypocritically pretended, and for by-respects. If any man then upon the giving of his name to religion, shall grow into neglect, distaste, or dereliction of his honest particular calling, we may ever strongly suspect him of hollownesse, and hypocrisie: Hence Mr. Perkins saith, Though a man be endued with excellent gifts, and be able to speak well, to conceive prayer, and with some reverence hear the Word, and receive the Sacraments, yet if he practice not the duties of Godlinesse within his own calling, all is but hypocrisie. See Boltons first Vol.
Quest. How may we live by faith in the exercise of our particular callings?
Answ. When considering that its Gods Ordinance that men should labour in some honest vocation for their private maintenance, and the common good, we believe the promises that he hath made of protection, and blessing us therein. The Texts of Scripture are plaine for both, Gen. 2.15. and 3.19. Ephes. 4.28. 1 Corinth. 7.10. 1 Thes. 4.11, 12. 2 Thes. 3.10, 11, 12. Prov. 10.4. and 12.17. and 13.11. and 12.24. and 22.29. Psalme 91.11.
Quest. Why is it necessary that we should live by faith in them?
Answ. To prevent the evils which beset us in our ordinary callings, as covetousnesse, injustice, impatience and distracting care. Naturally men are apt to incumber themselves with superfluous businesses, and trouble themselves about the event and successe: they content not themselves with their lot and condition, but desire to heap up riches above measure: they forecast many things in their heads long before, and know no end of their cares. The trouble which we meet with in the world, begets love of the world, and whether it be crossed or prosper, the more they be exercised about the things of this life, the more they follow after them with greedinesse, vexation, discontent, plotting how to compasse their designes, whether by right or wrong, by fraud or oppression. Now the Sovereigne remedy against these, and such other mischiefs is a lively faith, which lifteth up the heart to better things, quietly submitting to the good pleasure of God, commending the successe of all their honest employments to his Highnesse, and resting upon his grace for present help and future supply in the use of such meanes as he hath ordained, Heb. 11.6.
Quest. What are the acts of faith in this particular?
Answ. First, it informeth us to make choice of an honest calling for which we are fitted, and into which we may enter by direct, good, and lawful means, Prov. 16.20.
Secondly, faith instructeth not to meddle above our knowledge, but to lean upon the living Lord, not on our own skill and cunning, Prov. 3.5, 6. For if we do, either it shall not effect what we do intend, or if we bring it to passe, yet it shall not succeed, or avail to those honest uses which we intended, Psalme 127.1, 2. Hag. 1.6, 9. Eccl. 9.11.
Thirdly, it quickens the most skilful workman to strive with God in prayer, that the work he sets upon may succeed and prosper.
Fourthly, it causeth diligence, care, uprightnesse, and faithfulnesse in all the businesse of our calling, as knowing that whilest we walk honestly therein, we do service to the Lord Jesus, Psal. 128.2. Eph. 6.5, 6. Faith awakens the sluggard, rowseth the lazie, makes the idle lay his bones to work, Prov. 31.13, 15. and him that was a purloiner to deal truly, justly, and honestly.
Fifthly, it encourageth to the most painful, difficult, and (in the Worlds esteem) the most disgraceful works of our callings. Distrust breeds nicenesse, feare and sluggishnesse, but faith produceth hardinesse, valour, and activity; for it assures of divine protection and good successe, Isa. 7.4. Jos. 7.5. Prov. 31.17. 2 Tim. 1.7, 8, 9. Heb. 11.7. Mark 6.18. Heb. 11.9, 10.
Sixthly, it strengthens against manifold troubles, disgraces, oppositions, and discouragements that we meet with in our places: and enables us to go through ill report, and good report, honour and disgrace, Heb. 11.35, 36, 37. 1 Cor. 4.3. 1 Thes. 2.6, 9. Phil. 3.7, 8. It directs us to order the affaires of our callings wisely, and to go about them in a good manner, i. e. in obedience to God, to right ends, and with an heavenly mind, exercising the graces that God hath bestowed on us, Eccl. 2.26. 1 Sam. 18.14.
Eighthly, it teaches to moderate our cares, confine desires of earthly things, and to commit our selves to God for the successe of our work, as Psal. 55.22. Mat. 6.32. 1 Pet. 5.7. Psal. 127.…. Prov. 16.3.
Ninthly, it supporteth with strength patiently to bear the miseries, and calamities which accompany us in our callings, which ever since the fall of Adam we are subject unto, and worketh the soul to contentation in every estate, Phil. 4.11, 12.
Tenthly, it restraineth distrustful cares about the successe of our labours, but is not slack to crave Gods blessing upon our labours, Phil. 4.6.
Eleventhly, if we finde wished successe, it makes us vigilant, frugal, humble, merciful, and thankful: For it receives blessings as gifts of grace to be employed according to Gods Will, and appointment, to the glory of his Name, and comfort of his people, and teaches so to use the world, as willing to renounce it, &c. 1 Cor. 7.31. Prov. 21.25, 26. Psal. 112.9.
Twelfthly, Faith coupleth the labours of our callings with the practice of Christianity. For God hath commanded us both to seek his Kingdome, to work out our salvation, to make our election sure, to exercise our selves in good works, to walk in love, and to exercise our selves honestly in our particular callings, which faith will not separate.
Quest. But how may we live by faith touching the successe of our labours, which we finde too much above our strength or means?
Answ. First, faith in such cases causes self-denial in respect of our judgement, wisdome, and power, Prov. 3.5. and 16.2. and 21.2. Jer. 10.23. Lam. 3.37.
Secondly, it teaches submission to Gods direction, and dependeth upon his help and assistance: and asks counsel at his Word, Jude 1.1. and 20.18, 23, 28. Isa. 8.20. It chooses what God approves, though to humane wisdome it seems bootlesse, and improbable. It trusteth God for ability to the work, provision of the means, the disposition of them, and the good successe to come by them, Mat. 6.25. and 10.19. Psal. 32.8. Ezra. 5.5.
Thirdly, it brings forth industry and endeavour to serve Gods providence: He that is most confident to speed, is most vigilant to take all opportunities, and most diligent to use all lawful means.
Fourthly, it cannot be silent in such a case, but sends us to God by prayer, 2 Chron. 20.12. Psal. 5.2, 3.
Fifthly, it puts life and hardinesse in us to play the men, Judg. 5.8.
Sixthly, it waits upon God for good successe, and triumpheth before the victory, Prov. 16.3.
Seventhly, its ready and forward to praise God for good successe, Psa. 103.1, 2. Judg. 5.9, 10, 11. See Ball on Faith.
Quest. How many sorts of men transgresse about their callings?
Answ. First, such as run into callings before God sends them. Many such intruders there are into the Ministry.
Secondly, such as live by such ways as God calls them from: as by usury, lottery, deceit, oppression, &c.
Thirdly, such as do the work of their calling at an unlawful time: as on the Sabbath, &c.
Fourthly, such as abide not in their Callings.
Fifthly, such as meddle with many callings: being called but to one.
Sixthly, such as live without a calling.
Seventhly, such as are slothful in the execution of the Callings wherein God hath set them. Mr. Byfield on Peter.
Quest. What must we propose to our selves in following the duties of our particular callings?
Answ. We must not make gain our end therein, as Heathens and Turks do, and all that do so are servants and drudges to Mammon, but Christians ought to follow their work, because God hath so appointed, aiming also at the good of the Church and Common-wealth, and our own gain must come in on the by, as it shall please God to send it. We must follow our callings as a means God hath appointed to keep us from idlenesse, and to humble us thereby, and that we may be instruments of the common good. Rogers on Pet.
Quest. What other Rules are to be observed in our particular callings?
Answ. First, that our calling be lawful and agreeable to Gods Will, and Word: such an one as our labour in it may tend to Gods glory, and to the good of the Church and Common-wealth, and the furthering, not only of our temporal, but our spiritual good, and the eternal salvation of our souls.
Secondly, that we be in some measure qualified with such gifts as are fit for our callings: for when God calleth men to any place, he furnisheth them with such competency of gifts, as that they may profitably performe the duties required in it: that we may with cheerfulnesse and comfort go on in it, expecting his blessing upon our labours, and in the end of our lives a rich reward for doing him therein faithful service.
Thirdly, our mindes and hearts must be setled in our callings, so as not to shift, and change them, unlesse it be upon weighty and necessary causes, nor to intrude, and busie our selves in the callings of others, which would overthrow all order, and bring confusion both in Church and State, and crosse Gods wise providence in the government of the world, who gives variety of gifts to be exercised in variety of callings; therefore we must follow the Apostles rule, 1 Cor. 7.20, 24.
Fourthly, We must so behave our selves in our callings as may be for Gods glory, the good of others, and our own welfare: for which end,
1. For our persons we must be regenerate, and sanctified: for our persons must be accepted, before our works can please God, Tit. 1.15. To the pure all things are pure, &c. All that a wicked man doth is abominable, Prov. 21.27.4. neither can such expect a blessing upon their labours, Ps. 1.3. and 112.1, 2, &c. and 128.1. Gods promise belongs only to the righteous as appears in those Texts. 2. The duties of our callings must be performed in faith: as was shewed before, Heb. 11.6. Joh. 15.5. Rom. 14.23.
2. They must proceed out of unfeigned love to God and our neighbours, which is the fountain of all true obedience, and not principally from self-love, and love of the world: the love of God will move us to consecrate our lives, and labours wholly unto him, and love unto our neighbours will make us to seek their good as well as our own, 1 Cor. 13.5. Gal. 5.13.
3. They must be directed to right ends: As
1. Principally to Gods glory, which we should advance in every thing, 1 Cor. 10.31.
2. The good of the Church and Common-wealth, which we should prefer before our private good.
3. So to aime at our own profit, as that we joyn there with the welfare, and benefit of our neighbours, and not raise our gaine out of their losses.
4. Our care must be to performe the duties of our callings after a right manner: For which end we must, first follow our earthly businesses with heavenly mindes, and affections; as Citizens of Heaven, and pilgrims on earth, longing after the joyes of our own countrey, Phil. 3.20. Coll. 3.1, 2. especially in the midst of our ordinary businesses, we should oft lift up our hearts to God, craving his blessing in, and giving him praise at the end of our work, not forgetting Christs Counsel, Mat. 6.33. Secondly, we must sanctifie them by the Word and prayer: The first is done when we labour to see our warrant out of Scripture for all we do: doing all things both for substance and manner as Gods Word requireth and directeth: The second is done when by prayer we desire Gods blessing upon all our labours, and returne him thanks when we have obtained it, Col. 3.17. For its Gods blessing only that makes rich, Prov. 10.22. Deut. 8.13.18. He gives, and he takes away, Job 1.21. 1 Sam. 2.8. Psal. 113.7. Abraham and Lot by Gods blessing waxed rich, Gen. 13.5, 6. and Isaac, Gen. 26.3.12. and Jacob, Gen. 32.10. without which all our labour is in vain, Psal. 127.1, 2. God will blow upon it, Hag. 1.6, 9.
5. There are sundry virtues to be exercised in the right and religious performance of the duties of our callings: As,
(1) Knowledge, and judgement, whereby we are enabled to discerne between good, and evil, right, and wrong, without which we walk in darknesse, and shall be apt to commit many errors.
(2) Affiance in God, whereby we cast our selves upon his promise, and providence in the use of lawful means: as Psal. 37.5. Commit thy way to the Lord, trust in him, and he shall bring it to passe. For which end remember that▪ God takes care of the fowles, cloaths the lilies, Mat. 6.25, 28.
(3) Get and use a good conscience both towards God and man, as Paul, Act. 24.16. Heb. 13.18. this willl keep us from all secret sins, and crafty conveyances, whereby we are naturally apt to wrong our neighbours for our private advantage.
(4) We must get contentation, being in all things contented with Gods good pleasure, judging that condition best wherein he hath placed us, indifferently welcoming poverty, or riches, prosperity or adversity, gain or losse, because they are sent of God, Phil. 4.12. If we get this, we shall not be discontented with the basenesse of our callings, nor envy others their great preferments, their lesse labour, and more gains, &c. It will also keep us from base covetousness, knowing that godlinesse is the greatest gain, 1 Tim. 6.6. Hence, Heb. 13.5.
(5) We must possess our souls with patience, which we have need to do, considering that we are daily subject to many crosses, and miscarriages which would otherwise discourage us from going on.
(6) We must have our hearts replenished with thankfulness to God being always ready, when we observe his love in blessing our labours, to render him the praise of all, Gen, 32.10. Not sacrificing to our own nets, as Hab. 1.16. But seeing all comes from God, to returne all praise to God, 1 Cor. 4.7.
(7) We must perform the duties of our calling with alacrity, and cheerfulnesse, doing it heartily as to the Lord, Col. 3.23, 24. who will reward our labours with an heavenly inheritance: and this will make all our labours more easie, and to be more acceptable to God.
(8) We must observe justice in all the duties of our callings, doing nothing in them but what may advance our neighbours good as well as our own, 1 Thes. 4.6. dealing with others as we would that they should deal with us.
Mr. Downams Guide to Godlinesse.