Sermons Volume 4, Sermon on Zechariah
A SERMON On ZECHARIAH. xiv.20, 21.
In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness unto the Lord; and the pots in the Lords house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
Yea, every pot in Ierusalem and in Iudah shall be Holiness unto the Lord of hosts.
THESE words describe the Purity and Holiness of the Gospel-Church in such Termes and Notions as are proper to the Old Testament Dispensation. In them observe,
1. The Inscription or Impress.
2. The things on which it is ingraven.
3. The time when it is done.
1. The Inscription or Impress, Holyness to the Lord. This was of old written on the Priests Mitre, Exod. 28.36. And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it like the ingravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. To shew that he was a Person Sacred, and designed for special Holy Uses; therein he was a Type of Christ. Now what was upon the High Priests Frontlet, was inscribed on every thing, to shew they should consecrate their all to God.
2. The things inscribed particularly enumerated, first the horse-bells, or the Ornaments of their Horses. Secondly, Their bowles, or basons. Thirdly, Their pots.
1. What was used in the Kitchings of the Temple.
2. The Utensils of every ordinary House and Family. There were Kitchins belonged to the Temple, wherein the Thank-Offerings were dressed for their Sacred Feasts. The Bowles of the Altar were for an higher use, namely, to receive the Blood of the Sacrifices to make the sprinklings, as Solomon made an hundred basons of Gold for that use, 2 Chron. 4.8.
3. The Time, in that day; he speaketh not of any peculiar time, but the whole State of things under the Gospel, which is as it were but one day: And it is called that day by way of excellency. Thus the time of the Gospel are dayes indeed full of Light and Grace; and that day by way of limitation, it should be reserved for this day; and not found in such a degree and measure at any other time, even then when there should be no Sacrifices, no Altars, then the Bells, Pots, and Basons should be sanctified or separated from a common, and dedicated to an Holy Use; that is, there shall be such special Universal Holiness, as if it were so done upon all these things.
But you will say, When and where is it? Alas! considering the degenerate state of the Christian World, where is this Universal Holiness to be found? How shall we make it good?
Answer 1. Prophesies of things belonging to our Obedience are to be understood many times quoad officium, of our Duty rather than quoad eventum, of the event; it is their Duty to be thus Holy in all their Imployments and Affairs; that dispensation requireth it as our Duty.
2. As to the Event it is to be understood comparatively, not absolutely; to shew that there shall be a far greater Holyness under the Gospel, than under the Law ▪ both intensive, as to the degree of the Holyness it self; and extensive, as to the Persons sanctified. Intensively, the Holiness its self is greater, because the Ordinances of the Gospel are Rational, and not Typical, and the Duties of it Moral more than Ceremonial; God taught them by Ceremonies; to hate Sin by the Types of legal uncleanness, to devote themselves to God by offering their Beasts in Sacrifice. Theirs was like a training, ours a real War, as much as the difference is between shooting at a Puppet or painted Castle, and fighting with an Enemy. And because more of the Spirit is poured out, now Grace is not given upon trust, but the price is actually paid. Extensively, more Persons are sanctified, as the Pale is inlarged, and the Gospel prevaileth on them, Rev. 5.9. Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Mark 16.15. Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.
3. The Gospel-State hath its ebbs and flowes in several Ages. Sometimes there is a notable vigour and power of Godliness, at other times a great Increase of Wickedness, and Men do so far corrupt their way, that we are forced to put another sense upon words, or expect a better time when the Prophesie shall be more amply fulfilled. We can hardly reconcile the words with the state of the times.
Doct. God in and by the Gospel will effect an eminent and notable sanctification, both of Things and Persons.
1. Let us consider how Gospel Holiness is set forth in this Prophesie.
2. I shall speak of Holiness in the General.
3. Give you the Reasons.
I. That degree of Holiness which is here prophesied of.
1. All such things as were before imployed against God, should be then imployed and converted to his service; for the Horse-Bells shall be inscribed. He speaketh before of Horses imployed against the Church, which God would overthrow, verse 15. It was the fashion of those Oriental Countreys to adorn their War-Horses and Camels with Golden Chains and Bells; Iudges 8.26. This Prophesie intimateth, that now these Bells should be converted to another use, to make Golden-Pots and Bowles for the Temple, and be inscribed by Gods Motto and Impress. In our Natural Estate we imployed our Time, and Wit, and Parts, and Strength against God; but if converted, then for him. As one of the Fathers glosseth upon Eves seducing Adam, She was a Rib, but she proved a Dart. We fight against God by his own Weapons, but Conversion maketh a change, Rom. 6.13. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield your selves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. The foreign, the Weapons or Instruments of unrighteousness are become foreign, instruments of righteousness. So verse 22. For now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness. There is a manifest change in the use of all things.
2. Upon all the Utensils of the Temple there shall be Holiness to the Lord, whether Pots or Bowles: The great and immediate Duties of the Worship of God should have special Holiness in them, for God will be sanctified in all that draw nigh unto him, Levit. 10.3. I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. There should be a special Awe and Reverence upon our Hearts in our conversing with God, when the Blood of the Sacrifice is presented to him as it was in the Bowles, or the Flesh of the Sacrifice eaten by our selves, as it was by the Priests when it was sodden in the Pots of the Lords House. We read of discerning the Lords body, 1 Cor. 11.29. We receive it not in an Holy manner, if our eating be not in a different manner from eating our ordinary Meal. The Impression of our great end should be upon our ordinary and common Actions, but in Worship the Nature of the Work is Holy, and the Manner of our Deportment should be very reverend and serious.
3. The Expressions imply a proficiency and growth in Holiness. For the Pots of the Kitchen of the Temple shall become as the Bowles of the Altar, for purity and Holiness. There were degrees of Holiness in the several Vessels belonging to the Temple; the meanest things in Sacred use shall be advanced to an higher degree of Esteem and Holy Employment than before, which some understand thus, that the meanest things in the Christian Church shall be as precious as the most glorious things in the Iewish Church; rather that Holiness should be upon the growing hand, and increasing from degree to degree, till all be perfected in the Everlasting Estate. The Bells or Neck-Ornaments of their Horses shall be turned into Pots of the Lords House, and the Pots in the Kitchen become as the Bowles on the Altar. Oh Christians! the Holiness of the Gospel is a growing Holiness, we should go on from strength to strength, Psalm 84.7. from glory to glory, 2 Cor. 3.28. The inner Man must be renewed day by day, 2 Cor. 4.16. There should be a continuance in Gospel-Holiness. Carnal Men seek to grow greater and greater, and higher and higher, and attain further degrees of their Worldly Happiness, and shall not we seek to grow better and better? One dramm of Holiness is worth a whole World of Greatness; Holiness is the Glory of Saints, the Beauty of Angels, the Delight of God, you cannot be too holy. But alas! Many lose ground in Religion, Holiness is in the wane, not in the increase, Sin is not so hateful as it was before; What will this come to at length? How can he be rich who groweth every day poorer? Or reach the Goal, who goeth every day a step back? who loose their Zeal, and the elder they grow, live in more indulgence to the Flesh?
4. As it is a progressive Holiness, so it is also a diffusive Holiness, that spreadeth its self throughout all Actions, Civil and Sacred; in things which belong to Peace and War. (1.) In things Civil, and Sacred, all the Pots of the Lords House, and all the Pots in Ierusalem. (2.) In things of War and Peace, for here are Horse-Bells, and Pots; all things should now become Holy, and holily used. In every point and ordinary Action of the Christian Life, a Christian should devote himself to God: True Holiness will extend its self, and shine forth in a Mans most common things and imployments, and the sincere Man referreth all to God, even in his ordinary Conversation, as if he were about immediate Worship. 1 Pet. 1.15. For as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy, foreign, in all manner of conversation. In every creek and turning of your Lives, or in every particular passage of your Christian Course. Oh what a blessed thing is it, when Godliness runneth through a Mans whole Life, as the Woof through the Web! when our whole Conversation savoureth of Godliness and True Holiness; and our Common and Civil Actions are done in the Lord, and for his Glory; and upon all occasions you shew your selves haters of Sin, and lovers of what is good. Every thing that passeth Gods Hand, discovereth the Author; there is not a Gnat, or a Pile of Grass, but you may see God in it, as well as in the more stupendious Works of the Creation: So should a Christian in every condition, prosperous and adverse, in an high or low Condition, whether he be abased or do abound, carry himself like a Christian, Phil. 4.12. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound, every where, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry, both to abound, and suffer need. Hosea 7.8. Ephraim is a cake not turned, baked but on one side, and dough on the other. So in every Action, Civil, or Sacred, there must not only be a Spirit of Holiness breathing in our Duties, but shining forth in our ordinary Employments and Recreations. Every Action morally considered, is in its self a step forward to Hell, or to Heaven. In every Relation, in Love to our Maker, in Duty to our fellow Creatures, Acts 24.16. And herein do I exercise my self, to have alwaies a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. To all Men, and to our fellow Saints, 2 Pet. 1.7. And to godliness brotherly-kindness, to brotherly-kindness charity. In Justice and Charity. When the Web is one thing, and the Woof another, the Lord abhorreth it.
II. Of Holyness in the general, What it is? It may be considered relatively, or positively.
1. Relatively. So that Thing or Person is Holy, which is set apart from a Common to a Holy use.
2. Positively. So it implyeth the Renovation of our Natures, and the Rectitude of our Actions: For Holiness may be applyed to Persons, or Actions; an Action is Holy by its Conformity to the Rule; a Person by the prevalency of his Principle. Holiness with respect to our Actions is an Universal Endeavour of Conformity to the Will of God. A Person is Holy by the prevalency of his Principle, when his Heart by those Divine Qualities, which we call Graces, is constantly bent, and powerfully inclined to please God in all things.
1. For Holiness Relatively considered, or with respect to our Relation to God. These four thing are in it.
1. An inclination towards God. There is a new bias upon the Heart, which bends it to God, which before bended and tended towards Carnal Vanities. Conversion is a turning to God, and the Holy Life is a living to God, Gal. 2.19. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. The great work of Grace is to set and fix the Heart towards him, from whom we departed by our Folly and Sin, that we may serve, please, and glorifie him in all things, and finally come to injoy him as our chief happiness, 1 Chron. 22.19. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God.
2. From this tendency towards God ariseth a Dedication of our selves, and all that we have to the Lords Use and Service, 2 Cor. 8.5. But first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God, Rom. 6.13. But yield your selves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God, Rom. 12.1. I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. They are ashamed they have so long kept God out of his right, therefore now they resign themselves, to be what he will have them to be, and to do what he will have them to do.
3. From this Dedication there results a Relation of the Persons so dedicated to God, so that from that time forth they are not their own, but the Lords, Ezek. 16.8. Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold! thy time was the time of love, and I spred my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness, yea I sware unto thee, and entred into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine, Rom. 14.7, 8. For none of us liveth to himself; and no man dyeth to himself; for whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we dye, we die unto the Lord; whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lords.
4. There is another thing, and that is the actual using of our selves for God. We are Vessels set apart for the Masters use, 2 Tim. 2.21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the masters use, and prepared unto every good work. And according we must live, not to our selves but unto God; it resulteth from all the former, 2 Cor. 5.15. And that he dyed for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which dyed for them. If we love God, and have a thankful sense of his love and kindness to us, we will do so; there needeth no other law to bind this upon us but our Love. Love is the poise which inclineth the Soul to God. If we are dedicated to God, the sincerity of our Dedication is known by our use, many give up themselves to God, but in the use of themselves there appeareth no such matter, they use their Tongues as their own, their Hearts as their own, their Bodies as their own, their Wealth, Strength, and Time as their own; but a sincere Christian maketh Conscience of his Dedication, 1 Cor. 6.15. Know you not, that your bodies are the members of Christ; shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid! Our Members are Members of Christ, as we are in Covenant with him, in point of fidelity, we must not do so. And his Interest in us obligeth us, Matth. 22.21. Render therefore to Caesar the things which are Caesars, and to God the things which are Gods. We are not our own, but Gods: 1 Cor. 6.19, 20. Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price, therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit, which are Gods. Do not rob God of his own, you should make Conscience of alienating that which is the Lords.
Once more, this is bound upon us by another Argument, the certainty of our future account, Luke 19.23. Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have received my own with usury. He will require his own with Usury. We should keep a constant and faithful reckoning, how we lay out our selves for God; we must not spare God something only, but the main drift and business of our lives must be to honour God, he must have a share in all things we have and do.
I might add, as another binding Consideration, the constancy of Divine Inspection. We are alwayes in the Eye and Presence of the Great God, who still looketh upon us, and considereth whose business we are about, his, or our own, Luke 1.75. In holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of our life. We are alwaies before him, and observed by him.
2. Positive Holyness may be considered, either with respect to our Persons or Actions.
1. Our Persons, When Ye are renewed by the Spirit, or there is an inward principle of Sanctification wrought in our Hearts. Other things when dedicated to God, are changed only in their Use, as Gold, Silver, and Goats Hair; but when Man is dedicated to God, he is changed in his Nature; there is not only a difference between him and others, but a difference between him and himself. There is a difference between him and others, not only as he is set apart for God, and dedicated to an Holy Use, the Godly are set apart for God, Psalm 4.3. But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is Godly for himself: But as he is cleansed, purified, and renewed by the Holy Ghost, and so there is a difference between him and himself, 1 Cor. 6.11. And such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Iesus, and by the spirit of our God. Now this is necessary, that a Man should be Holy before his Actions shall be Holy; for till a Man be Regenerated, and act from a Principle of Grace in his Heart, all that he doth is but the shadow and imperfect imitation of a good Action, as an Ape would imitate a Man, or as a violent Motion doth resemble that which is Natural. We are bidden to be Holy as God is Holy, 1 Pet. 1.15. But as he that hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. God as to his Essence and Being is Holy, and all his Acts carry a condecency with his Nature. He is righteous in all his wayes, and holy in all his works, Psalm 145.17. So we are made partakers of a divine nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. and so live and walk in a God-like manner, 2 Pet. 1.3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and Godliness. Grace is given to beget Life, and then we are visibly to express it in a course of Godly walking: Grace is planted in the Heart, and then the influence of it is defused throughout all the parts of his Life: First, there is Internal Holiness in the hatred of Sin, and the love of that which is good; and then External Holiness is expressed in avoiding the one, and pursuing after the other. In short, Actions without Life are the motions of Puppets, not living Creatures; on the other side, if there be a change of Heart, there must be fruits becoming it. Habits are known by their Acts, and Resolution by our Practice, and the new Nature by newness of Conversation. A Principle of Grace there must be, and a prevalent Principle, such as gets the Mastery of Sin, before a Man can be denominated Holy: There are mixt Principles, and mixt Operations in a Christian, but one is in praedominancy; though there be a mixture of Principles, and of Operations, yet there is not a mixture of Interests, there is but one chief good, their great design is to please God in all things.
2. As a Person is Holy by his Principle, so an Action is Holy by the Rule, when it agreeth with it as to Manner, and Matter, and End. The substance of the Matter must be such as is warranted by the Law of God, which melteth and sets out the bounds of Sin and Duty: For by the law is the knowledge of sin, Rom. 3.20. Rom. 12.2. That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Gal. 6.16. As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. So for the Manner, it must be done in such a way as will suit with the Nature of the Action we are about: A Man may sin in doing good, when he doth not do it well, Luke 8.18. Take heed how you hear. Eccl. 5.1. Keep thy foot when thou goest into the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they consider not that they do evil. And in our ordinary Conversation, Eph. 5.15. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise; Prov. 4.26. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy wayes be established. The end must be to glorifie God, 1 Cor. 10.31. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Coloss. 3.17. Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Iesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. A common Rule for all our Actions, that they be undertaken in Christs Name, and Thanks be given unto God for the event and success of them. In short, to be ruled by Christs Command, depending on his help, aiming at his Glory, the Heart must be habitually inclined to all things in him and for him, so as in the issue and close of their Actions to yield them matter of Thanksgiving to God; this is that Universal Holiness, which is required of all Christians.
III. Reasons why this Eminent Holiness, both of Persons and Actions, should take place in the Gospel, above the times of the Law?
1. Because of our Principle, the new Nature wrought in us by the Spirit of God, which is suited to the whole Will of God, Eph. 4.24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness, and true holiness. As thou art a Creature, thou art bound to do the whole Will of God, for no Creature can be exempted from subjection to his Creator: But now as New Creatures so are we fitted and prepared, or put into a capacity to serve and please God in all things: Eph. 2.10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Iesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Every Creature is fitted for the Operations which belong to that Life which it hath; so the New Creature, if created a new, is fitted a new, and therefore the New Nature must shew it self in all our Actions towards God and Men. The New Nature must still shew it self in all our Actions with God, our Neighbour, and our selves, Titus 2.12. Teaching us, that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world. In our Worship, taking all occasions of conversing with God; as Cornelious, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much almes to the people, and prayed to God alway. Acts 10.2. In our dealings with Men, Rom. 12.17. Provide things honest in the sight of all men: In Charity, Acts 9.36. Dorcas a Devout Woman, full of good works, and alms-deeds which she did. Nay in our Recreations, and Delights of the present Life, use them still in order to God, 1 Tim. 4.4, 5. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the word of God, and Prayer. Gods Permission, and Prayer calling for a Blessing on it. The Word sheweth what is commanded as necessary, what is lawful or indifferent; Prayer on all things sheweth the seriousness of a Christian, in lesser Matters he would go about nothing, but what is recommended to God.
2. Because of the Exactness of our Rule, which teacheth us how to walk in our several Businesses and Imployments. A Christian in his Walk, either as to Faith, or Manners, is not left indifferent to choose what Rule pleaseth him best; but there is a fixed determinate Measure of all our Actions, how we shall enter into a state of Grace, how we should behave our selves in it, Micah 6.8. He hath shewed thee, O man! what is good, and what doth the Lord God require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God: And Psalm 119.105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path, Carnality is a walking, foreign, according to the course of this world, Eph. 2.2. Holiness is walking, foreign, according to the rule, Gal. 6.16. The one according to the fashions of Men, and the guise of fleshly minded Creatures; the other according to the Holy Will of God, Rom. 12.2. Proving what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God: Or, as becometh the gospel, Phil. 2.27. A Conversation strict, Spiritual, and Heavenly.
3. Because of our Pattern and Example, Jesus Christ, who was exact in all his Actions. He declared himself to be the Son of God, useful in all his Converses, still aiming at the Honour of his Father, Iohn 8.50. I seek not mine own glory, there is one that seeketh and judgeth. He was careful to please him in all things. Christ came from Heaven, not only to expiate our Offences, but to give us an Example: And he that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked, 1 Iohn 2.6. Wherein lyeth this Example? He telleth us he came not to do his own will, but the will of him that sent him, Iohn 5.30. In Temptations, Sufferings, Reproaches, in the midst of the Ingratitude of Men, and poverty and meanness of Condition, in all his Fastings, Labours and Death, he sought still to please his Father, and promote his Will, Iohn 8.29. For I do alwayes those things that please him. This is your Pattern, Christians! And it is true Religion to imitate him whom we worship, Likewise to him is the true Note of our Communion with him; if your Life be such a Life, then there is Holiness to the Lord written upon it from first to last.
4. Our Obligations to Christ, partly because of his Dominion, as the Lord Redeemer by right of purchase, Rom. 14.9. For to this end Christ both dyed, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of dead and living. In all Conditions and States of Life he hath a Right in us, therefore in every state of Life we should glorifie him. Partly from our gratitude to Christ as a Saviour, as well as a Lord: What doth he expect from thee, when he hath done so much for thee already, and will do much more, but that thou shouldest love him, and live to him? 2 Cor. 5.14, 15. For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, That if one dyed for all, then were all dead. And that he dyed for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who dyed for them, and rose again. What hadst thou been were it not for his Love? What wouldst thou have answered to an accusing Conscience in the midst of thy griefs and fears? How wouldest thou have looked God the Judge of all the World in the face? Who could free thee from the Curse of the Law, and the Flames of Hell, but the Son of God who parted with all his Glory that he might redeem thee to God? And if thou wilt not part with thy Sins thou justly deservest to suffer for them. Thou lookest for more from him than ever yet thou hast received, to live with God for ever; what then is thy business, but to glorifie him upon Earth, that thou mayest be glorified with him for evermore? Partly by thine own Covenant-Vow; thou art Baptized in his Name, and hast often ratified the Bond of the Oath into which thou art entred, and what is Baptisme but a Dedication unto God, not to be thine own, but his? Acts 27.2…. Whose I am, and whom I serve. If thou art this, thy whole Life should be Christs. We are debtors not to the flesh to live after the flesh. Rom. 8.12, with Gal. 5.3. I testifie to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtour to do the whole law.
VSE. Is to perswade you to this Universal Obedience. None enter upon Gods Service, but with a Consecration; and none intirely give up themselves to God, unless they give up all things with themselves, not one thing reserved; and if nothing be reserved, nothing must be used but for his Glory, otherwise the Dedication is a mockery. The Considerations are plain. Now I shall give you sundry Directions, and they will most what come to the same purpose, but altogether will bind this Holiness upon you.
1. Undertake nothing but what will bear this Inscription upon it, HOLINESS TO THE LORD; This question should be put to our selves, can I dedicate this to God? In Worship, am I now acting for God or for my self? In your Callings, is this for God? Is it inconsistent with my great end, or impertinent to it? If it be inconsistent, it is plain Treachery to my Covenant-Vow; if impertinent, it is a diversion, not voluntarily to be allowed, 2 Cor. 5.9. Wherefore we labour that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. In your Sports and Delights, Eccl. 2.2. What doth it? When you are carding away your precious time, or your substance, which might be better imployed, is this Holiness to the Lord? That should be legible in all you are and do. In the choice of your Relations, disposal of your Condition of Life, here is your Measure still.
2. Be sure to exercise your general Calling in your particular; your general Calling is to be a Christian, your particular Calling is, that way of Life to which God hath designed you by your Abilities and Education for the common good; now the one falleth into the other, I am to guide my self in my Calling by the general Duty of a Christian, as a Minister, Magistrate, Gentleman, or Tradesman, as one fearing and loving God, Iohn 17.4. I have glorified thee upon earth, I have finished the work thou gavest me to do, Acts 13.36. David served his generation by the will of God: As an instrument of Providence, I must consider how my particular Calling will serve my great End. 1 Cor. 7.21, 22. Art thou called being a servant, care not for it, but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lords freeman; likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christs servant, Nehem. 1.12. The Lord shew me favour in the sight of this man, for I was the Kings cup-bearer. He had improved his place for God.
3. Turn all second Table Duties into first Table Duties, Heb. 13.16. But to do good, and to communicate, forget not, for with such Sacrifices God is well-pleased: Sacrifice is a first Table Duty, yet relieving the Poor is called a well-pleasing Sacrifice, Iam. 1.27. Pure religion, foreign, worship, and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction. Whatever we do must be a Sacrifice; then in serving Men you serve the Lord Christ. This is to turn Common Pots into Temple Pots, and Pots into Bowles of the Altar, Eph. 5.21. Submitting your selves one to another in the fear of God. Be conscientiously careful and tender of your Duty to Man, Col. 3.22. Servants obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service as m…n-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. Wives submit your selves to your own husbands, as unto the Lord, Eph. 5.22. Out of love to Christ, Eph. 6.1. Children obey your parents in the Lord.
4. Go about your Earthly Business with an Heavenly Mind, Phil. 3.20. But our conversation is in heaven. All is a Journey thither, look to the unseen World.
5. Content not your selves with the Natural Use of the Creature, as Brute Beasts doe, but see God in all. The Creature is as a Glass, and Image wherein to read your Creators Goodness, and as helps and means to inable you to his Service, therefore still they must be received with Thanksgiving, 1 Tim. 4.3. For every crea…ure of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. Man is to use the Inferiour Creatures for God, not as the Lord of them, but as the Steward of the Creator, to whom he is accountable for that use; not to sacrifice them to his own pleasure and Will, and to gratifie his fleshly Mind: They are neither his, nor for him, but for God, for he hath not the right of a Lord, but a Servant.
6. In all your wayes acknowledge God, depending upon him for Direction and Success; and consulting with him, and approving thy Heart and Life unto him, Prov. 3.6. In all thy wayes acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Especially Duties must be done by vertue of influence from Christ, Phil. 2.13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Gal. 2.20. I live by the faith of the son of God. In our ordinary Actions, we must still ask his Leave, Counsel, and Blessing, acknowledging his Dominion over us, and all that we do; there we must call in his help, and aim at his Glory; 1 Cor. 10.31. Whether you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. That doing things by him, we may do them for him.
7. God should be worshipped by every Faithful Person in his own House, in as God like a manner, as he was worshipped by the Iews in the Temple. A Christian must be alike every where, at home, and abroad, Phil. 2.12. Wherefore my beloved! as ye alwaies have obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. So David. Psalm 101.2. I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. There where we familiarly converse, we should shew most of Holiness, ordering all our Affairs and Actions, as may best demonstrate the sincerity of our Hearts.