The Power of Godliness, Treatise · Part 3 · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI. The ſeventh direction, for the attaining of the Power of Godlineſſe, viz. the choice of ſome grace, wherein wee deſire to bee moſt eminent in, and ſeveral rules to direct our choice.
IT is a very good way for the attaining of the perfection of Holineſs, to chuſe ſome grace from among others, wherein thou deſireſt to attain the greateſt eminencies, and moſt to exerciſe thy ſelf in; not but that thou oughteſt to attain eminent degrees of every grace: But as Miniſters endeavour to get all manner of learning, as to bee skilful in language, Church hiſtory, in all the Arts and Sciences, to read Phyloſophers, School Divines, Caſuiſts, Commentators, &c. yet generally there is one or other of theſe, wherein they endeavour after greateſt eminency; and their greateſt endeavour ſhould bee, to attain a clear and full underſtanding of the Word of God: And wee read of the Saints in Scripture, though they neglected the practiſe of no grace, yet they were generally moſt eminent in ſome one; as Abraham in Faith, Moſes in Meekneſs, Job in Patience, and Elias in Zeal. Now the rules to guide thee in the choice of that grace, that thou ſhouldeſt moſt ſtrive for eminency in, are theſe.
1. Chuſe that grace which is of moſt univerſal and ſpecial uſe, as Faith, Humility, Meekneſs, &c. for though ſome other grace ſhould bee more excellent in it ſelf, yet that which is of more univerſal and continual uſe; will bee better in that reſpect for thee; as Patience is an excellent grace, but the eſpecial uſe of it is in adverſity, and in times of affliction, which are not alwayes, for in times of comforts, and abundance, there is little uſe of patience, but alwayes of humility; wee muſt bee humble in afflictions, and humble in comforts, for wee muſt rejoyce with trembling: Sugar is more excellent and ſweet than Salt, but wee have more continual need of Salt than of Sugar, and generally ſpend more of the one, than of the other.
2. Chuſe that grace which is moſt ſuitable unto thy calling: Art thou a Magiſtrate, a Miniſter, a Tradeſman? There are ſeveral graces which are moſt ſuitable to theſe ſeveral imployments; diſtributive juſtice more ſuitable to a Magiſtrate; commutative juſtice to a tradeſman; ſpiritual charity to a Miniſter, inſtructing, reproving, comforting, and exhorting thoſe that are under his charge.
3. Chuſe that grace that is moſt ſuitable to thy relations: Art thou a Virgin, Widdow, or married, a Parent, or a Childe, or a ſervant? Theſe ſeveral relations do require ſeveral graces, as an humble obedience and humility, for ſervants and children, and thoſe that are under government, a prudent, keeping authority over children, for Parents.
4. Conſider what is thy Maſter ſin, and chuſe eſpecially the contrary vertue; as if thy Maſters ſin bee covetouſneſs, practiſe liberality; if it bee pride, practiſe abjection, and abaſing of thy ſelf, and humble familiarity with thy inferiours, and with the pooreſt.
5. Conſider to what temptations thy condition of life, thy imployments, the place wherein, and the perſons with whom thou liveſt, do incline thee. Abraham b… ing to leave his Fathers houſe, and his Kindred, to leave all, and wholly to depend upon the providence, directions, and eſpecial commands of God, was moſt eminent in the grace of Faith, which was moſt ſuitable to thoſe temptations, to which hee was moſt incident, by reaſon of that his condition of life: Moſes having to do with a ſtiff-neck'd, and perverſe people, who by their continual obſtinacy and rebellions, would often provoke him to anger and impatience, was moſt eminent in meekneſs. Elias living in times of ſo great idolatry, and general Apoſtacy, was moſt eminent in zeal. Solomon (having a great people to judge, and hee being but young, about twelve years of age) deſired eſpecially to bee eminent in wiſdome.
Now, as I ſaid before, my meaning is not, that the choice of any of theſe graces ſhould bee with the neglect of others, but as in embroyderies, there are divers colours and materials, purple, blue, and Scarlet, Silk, Gold, and Pearles, &c. but the ground is but one; ſo this one grace which thou chuſeſt, muſt bee imbroidered with all other graces and duties. Now where two or three, or more of theſe rules do concur, that grace is to bee choſe; the more rules concur in your choice of any grace, the better; if it might bee, it were beſt, that all theſe might agree in the grace that you moſt deſire to exerciſe, and excel in.