A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 198 (Question 74 cont.)
SERMON CXCVIII.
WE have Conſidered ſome General Rules for our right underſtanding of the Affirmative part of this Precept. It follows, that we proceed to a more particular laying open of the Principal and Comprehentive D…ties that we are enjoyned in by it.
IN the Anſwer before us, we may obſerve,
1. The Object about which this Precept is concerned, viz. Wea…th or outward Estate: Which comprehends under it, whatſoever may be ſerviceable for the Neceſſity, Convenience or Comfort of the Body, or any way ſerve the Advantage of the Temporal Life of the Man.
2. The Subject concerned in this Precept, Our ſelves and others, i.e. other Men; for it refers to the Love that we owe to our Neighbour; and we formerly obſerved, that every Man oweth this Love to Himſelf in the firſt place, and is by it to regulate his Love to his Neighbour.
3. The Duty it ſelf, comprehenſively laid down in two things, viz. The Lawful Procuring, and Furthering of it: Intimating, that there is an Unlawful doing this, which Men are in danger of, if they do not take the greater heed to themſelves; and giving us to underſtand, that God hath in the Moral Law, circumſcribed this matter, and given Rules about it, which we ought, with greateſt Circumſpection to heed, in all our Management of theſe outward Concerns.
FOR the better laying open the Duties here required, we may reduce the whole, to Two comprehenſive Heads.
1. The righteous Obtaining and Poſſeſſing of our share in theſe things.
2. The righteous Improvement that we are to make of them; for this alſo comes within the Comprehenſion of this Precept.
Here then,
Firſt, THERE is a Righteouſneſs to be obſerved in the Obtaining and Poſſeſſing of our ſhare in theſe things. We formerly took notice, that Mankind in general are entitu…ed to theſe things, by an Act of Divine Beneficence, from Him who is the firſt Proprietor, and Lord Pa…omount over all things, viz. GOD Himſelf: But then, there is a Way in which Men come to have their particular ſhare in theſe things, preſcribed by God Himſelf; and this is that which we are now concerned to enquire after; it being our Directory in out Proſecution of theſe things.
AND here in general, We have then a lawful …laim to theſe things, when we Gain them ſo as that we neither violate our own Conſciences, nor offer any Wrong to others, either by Violence or Fraud.
BUT this may be more particularly & diſtinctly laid open. And here, a Man may come to have Right of Property in an Eſtate, either more Immediately by himſelf, or more Mediately by others; which may be conſidered ſeverally.
1. A Man may obtain this Right more Immediately by himſelf. And here, there are Three ways, in which he may lawfully get an Eſtate. And here I ſhall not ſp…ak diſtinctly about the difference between a Real and Perſonal Eſta…e; for whatſoever difference Civil Laws and Cuſtoms have made between theſ…, upon grounds of Prudence or Policy; yet the Righteouſneſs in coming by a Property in it, and a Power of Diſpoſing of it, is the ſame: and that is the proper Theological Conſideration of it.
And,
1. BY an orderly Si…ure of that which before was no Man…s particular Prop…rty, but …y in Common. When I ſay no Man…s, I intend, that it neither belonged to an particular Perſon, not to any Community of Men aſſociated in a Civil C…neſs And the Reaſon of this is in the Law of Nature, and is confirmed by God's firſt Conſtitution, Gen. 1.28. And renewed after the F…ood, Gen. 9.1. God a firſt gave to Adam, as the common Head of Mankind, and ſo in him to his Poſterity, a common Claim to …heſe things. And when afterwards the World was laid waſt by the Flood, and Noah was the Head of the Renoration of Men, for t…e new Peopling of the deſolate World, He Confirmed it: We are therefore told, Pſal. 111.16. —The earth hath be given to the children of men. And it is obſervable, that the Word Subdue, in Gen. 1.26. properly ſignifies, In bring a thing under one's Power, i. e. To ſie… it for Uſe: So that it is evident, that ſuch a Portion of the Earth, … is not Poſſeſſed by any other, is without a… particular Lord, and is a Vacuum Domi…ili…, and lies ready for any Man's Service, who ſhall fix upon it, and make Uſe of it as his own: And the ſame C…aim lies open for any Place, which, tho' formerly Poſſeſſed, is utterly Deſerted: (Hence that in, 1 …. 4.39, 40.) And they who thus ſieze and Occupy it, have a good Time of Poſſeſſion, Ratified to them by the Charter of Heaven. Hither alſo belongs the finding of Treaſures, in or on the Earth, which have no Proprietor; but, God Provide …a…ly leads theſe to them, or makes a diſcovery of them Caſually: Theſe alſo may lawfully be ſiezed, and taken P…ſſeſſion of by the Finder; for they were before Common, and came within the Privilege of the former: Only this may not he extended to Lest Goods, which have another Ownner; and Juſtice requires, that Endeavours be uſed, that they may be reſtored; but if no ſu…h can be found, who ſhall ſhew a better Claim than the Finder?
2. BY Spoils lawfully taken in a juſt War. Touching the Lawfulneſs of Wi…, we conſidered under the Sixth Command; where alſo we took Notice, when a War may be accounted Juſt. Now it is certain, that when God delivers up an Enemy into the hands of thoſe who fou…ht againſt them, in a lawful and neceſſary Quarrel, not only their Pe…ſons, but their Eſtates do fall into the lawful Poſſeſſion of the Conqueror; for they have by this made a Forfeiture: And …s it is Ce…ency to ſpare them, ſo it is Juſtice that they ſuffer, for their injurious treating their Neighbours. Hence the Word of God Warrants this, Numb. 31.12. 1 Sam. 30.23. Deut. 20 14. Only obſerve, that becauſe War is to be made by lawful Authority, it therefore follows, that there is a Diviſion to be made according to …uity; but the Prey …s lawful, and every one hath a ſhare in it: And it is allowable that the Souldiers ſhould have a Liberty to take ſomething for themſelves, beſides what is to …e to a …uſt Dividend: Hence that, Numb. … 53. Though in this Caſe, Humanity is to … uſed, and all unneceſſary Cruelty to be …ided, as was formerly obſerved.
3. BY Labour or Induſtry in a lawful Cal…ing. all this Immediate, not in reſpect of the Providence of God, for it is a Medium appointed … Him, to be uſed by us, in order to our ob…ing the Conveniencies and Comforts of …is Life; but with reſpect to Men, becauſe …rein his Immediate Dependance is upon God … His Bleſſing upon his own Diligence in his employments.
AND here I ſhall take the liberty to Com…ate; becauſe all, both Men, Women and children are concerned in it; and neither …ch nor Poor, Noble nor Ignoble are diſcharged from it.
HERE then we may Enquire, 1. Wherein … appears that every one ought to be Occupied in ſome lawful outward Calling? 2 What …ay be accounted a lawful Calling? 3. What … required to the honeſt Exerciſe of a lawful …lling or the following it Lawfully.
Queſt I. WHEREIN it appears that Every … ought to be Occupied in ſome Lawful outward …lling?
Anſw. THE word Calling is variouſly uſed: … we know that ſometimes it is put for …e S…ate into which a Perſon is put by Con…ſion, which is Spiritual; but that is not …ere intended: I therefore ſay an outward Calling, and by it I underſtand ſome honeſt Employment, wherein Perſons do Occupy themſelves for the convenient Support of the Affairs of this Life, in the Poſt that God's Providence ſets them in: And by the Affairs of this Life, I intend, not only his Private and Perſonal Concerns but alſo the Common Benefit of Mankind among whom he lives, and the Body Politick or Eccleſiaſtical whereof he is a Member: For every Man is bound to do hi ſhare for the Support of theſe, as well as of himſelf and his Family.
NOW there is a twofold Calling which all Men are concerned in, General and Particular.
THE former is called General, becauſe All Men are equally bound to it, and it is one and the ſame to all; and that is, the Devoting of themſelves to the Service of God, and the …king out of their own Salvation: The …eſs of it is, to ſerve to the great End they …re made for, and in it to obtain Eternal Life: Hence that Advice, Phil. 2.12. Work … your own ſalvation with fear and trembling. This is never to be neglected; for everyone …h 2 Soul to ſave, and hath a Rule given …m, how he may attain it.
THE Particular Calling is that which newly concerns this Life, and the Affairs of that immediately; tho' it is to be ſubſervient to the other, becauſe Man is to be ultimately …d for the Glory of God: But becauſe it is that Wherein the Man is to uphold his preſent Sunſiſtence, and be Beneficial in his Generation to Mankind, it ſo hath a reference to this Life. Now becauſe Mankind are made for Society, and they h…ve… mu…ual Dependance one upon another, and there are … at many Employments requiſite for t…s End; hence particular Callings are …ive…, … no one Man can purſue them all But that every Man ought to Employed in ſome one or other, is the thing under Conſideration: and this both the Light of Nature and the Word of God give their evidence unto. My meaning is, that Man is made for Labour, and not for Idleneſs; and that nothing elſe can Excuſe from it, but when the Providence of God diſableth him for it, by ſome Infirmity of Body or Mind, which makes him incapable of it; as Sickneſs, broken Bones, or Diſtraction. And many Evidences may be given for this, which I ſhall only mention.
1. THAT God required this of Man in his State of Integrity. When God made Man at firſt, and had given him the Lordſhip over the Earth and Sea; yet we read, Gen. 2.15. The Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dreſs it, and to keep it. Which ſaith that He found Buſineſs for him, to take Care of his Bodily Concerns; and this was agreeable to the Nature and Conſtitution of Man, and the Active Powers which were put into him at firſt; ſo that this was not a fruit of the Curſe, but a Moral Duty laid upon him as he was a Creature put into ſuch an Order of Being. It is true we read in, Gen. 3.19. In the ſweat of thy face ſhalt thou eat bread. But this doth not intimate that Labour and Diligence was of the Curſe, but only the Toil, and Travail, and Weariſomeneſs attending it, which had he not Fallen, would have been Pleaſant and Delightful, and no way l…kſome.
2. THE Word of God every where requires it of Man, as the way … Proſper…, and forbids the neglect of it with Threatning We have the Apoſtles Precept, 1 Theſ. 4.11▪12. And ſtudy to be quiet, and to do your own buſineſs, and to work with your own hand… (as we commanded you) That ye may walk …neſtly toward them that are without and that ye may have lack of nothing. And his Caution in, 2 Theſ. 3 10. If any would not …o…k, neither ſhould be eat. And it is given as one part of the Character of a Virtuous Woman, Prov. 31 16. Sec. and Ver. 24. It is therefore recommended as the way to Proſper, Prov 10 4. 13 4. 22 29.
3. THUS only can a Man be Profitable, in all the Civil Relations that he bears. This is the only way for him to live Honeſtly in the Place that God hath ſet him in: And this is the way for him to Support himſelf, and not be a Peſt to the Community he lives among. This is neceſſary that he may Provide for his Family, and Support them honourably and comfortably; and prevent his uſing diſhoneſt and unlawful Courſes for it: Thus only can he ſerve the Publick, and contribute to the upholding of Church and State; and prevent his being a D…n… in the H…e: And he owes not only … Wealth in pr…p…tion, … himſelf alſo to the Publick, and we are t…l…, I …m … If any … provide … for his …, and ſ… y… thoſe …: de…ied the f…lt, and is … an inſide….
4. THE Pr…ice of all … and …ll Regulated Governments … eſtabliſh this. Among the G…i…ns, not only did Drac… 's Laws that were written in Blood, puniſh Idleneſs with Death; but the more mild Laws o… Ly…urg… and S…on, provide that no Man ſhould Live out of Buſineſs; that Children, as ſoon as capable, ſhould be carefully Educated in ſome Employment; and that every Man ſhould once in a Year, give a true Account in what way he had Maintained himſelf, and his Charged; and put a Nice of Diſgrace on all that could not make it appear that it was in a Lawful Calling.
5. THE Irrational Creatures preac… this Leiſure. All of which in their Kind, by an Inſtinct of Nature are diligent for their own Supply: And the Spirit of God ſends Slothful Perſons to School, to Learn of them, Prov. 6.6, 7, 8. And Experience tells us, that in the Common wealth of Bees, no Drone is ſuffered, but is driven out of the Hive, as a thing unprofitable: Hence that of the Poet, Ignav… ſ…rmas, &c.
6. WITHOUT ſ…s Employment, Mankind is expoſed to all manner of ſinful Temptations. We formerly took Notice, what influence Idleneſs hath into the Breach of the Seventh Command; and it may be applied to all the reſt of the Precepts of the Second Table: So that for Men not to Live in an honeſt Employment, is the way to all Miſchief. Well then did one ſ…y, 'Doubtleſs, the wilfully uſeleſs Man had "better to be in the Earth, than upon the Earth. But I ſhall not here further inſiſt.
Queſt. 2. WHAT may be counted a Lawful Calling?
Anſw. IT is neceſſary, that we a little Comm…ra… here; for tho' in ſtrictneſs, nothing can be juſtly denominated a Calling, but that which is Lawful; for, by a Calling, Men properly underſtand, ſuch an Employment as God approves of, and calls Men in His Providence to apply themſelves to; yet there are thoſe Employments, which too many addict themſelves to, which have no Divine Warrant; and therefore we had need to be well informed in this Affair.
AND here let us obſerve, that a Calling or Employment, with reſpect to it's Lawfulneſs, may come under a double Conſideration, either as it is conſidered in it ſelf, or with reſi…ct to this or that Perſon.
(1.) WHEN may a Calling be Lawful in It ſelf?
A. A Calling is then Lawful in Itſelf, when it Anſwers the Ends of it, according to the Rules preſcribed in the Word of God. God hath not only commanded Employment to Men, but He hath limited what is Right, and what is wrong: and he cannot Tranſgreſs the Limits ſet, without Sin.
AND here obſerve theſe Rules,
1. IT muſt be a Calling in which a M… may …e… and …ray …r …. Proſperity in any Employment … …ods … Gods Bleſſing, (Iſal. …. 7. begin … …d we … to Pray over our Affairs, that …d will So … us in them; and we muſt Pray in Faith, … we would Speed with Him Nothing therefore … be Lawful, but what God hath e…en a Promiſe to us about, in our faithful ſerving Him … If therefore, we cannot ſerve Him in our following of it, we may be ſure it is Un…awful … us, and to be avoided.
2. IT muſt be ſuch a Calling as is conſ… with our obſerving the …th…r Precepts …f Gods Law. None of the Commands of God do C… one with another, …or …ay a neceſſity on … brea… one, for the obſervation of …ther: We are by this Command, b…d to W…k for … Livelihood and ſupport of all … and Cencerns but it is not enough that in this way we ſee a… rational Probability of advancing an Eſtate … this World, but if by ſo doing we muſt vio… any other Precept, that tells us, it is not Lawful: If we cannot Worſhip God, and Serve H… in it, and ſhew all th… Love to our Neighnour which is required in the Second Table, it is … Lawful for us to follow it, J…m. 2.1….
3. IT muſt be ſuch a Calling, as is of … … to others. It is not ſufficient that we ha… a proſpect of Gain to Our ſelves, by it. b… … muſt have a reſpect to the Common Good … Mankind. Such V…ations only are Law… wherein we may Advantage our ſelves with… real Harm to others, or neceſſary Damage … the Publick. For we are not to Live for … ſelves only, but for others too; and that g… ral Precept is ever to be attended by us, M… 22.39. Thou ſhal… love thy Neighbour as … ſelf. And that Golden Rule given by our S… viour, Matth. 7.12. All things whatſoever y… would that m…n ſhould do to you, do ye eve… … to them.
4. IT muſt be a Calling of Good Rep… It is true, there are ſome Callings more H… ble, others more Deſpicable; but this is not … thing I here intend; but there is a Moral … ſpect here to be had, and all Chriſtians ou… to have a regard to it, for the Honour of G… and their own Good Name. Some Callings have an Ill Report among ſober Men, not … the mean…ſs of them, bu… for the ſcandalouſ… cleaving to them; and ſuch a Calling no … that ſtands upon the Credit of Religion, or … own Repute, will willingly follow: He… that, Phil 4.6. If whatſoever things are of … Report—. But theſe things may be … particularly Exemplifyed, when we com… the Negative part of this Command.
(2.) WE may now Enquire, when a … ling may be Lawful for th…s or that Perſon …
Anſw. IT is here to be taken for gra… that a Calling in it's own Nature, may be Lawful and Laudable; and yet it may be a Si… this or that Perſon to undertake it, as will pear in the ſequel. Here then we may ta… ſhort Account of lawful Vocations. Obſ… th…n, ſome are Publick, others are Privi… … PUBLICK …anges are ſuch, wherein … do ſerve in a Publick Station, and for the … Benefit immediately. And theſe are …der Civil or Religious: and they compre… all ſuch as are, by vertue of their Office, …ged to lay out their Time & Care, in ſerving … Publick; and for that end, there is a ſuffi… … … honourable Support due to them, from the publick whom they ſo ſerve. And this is the … and immediate End of theſe Callings, ſo … as they refer to this Command, inaſmuch as … hath appointed Labour to be the Modium, … which we are to maintain our ſelves & ours; … it is Wages due to us from you, for whom … …y out our Time & Strength. To the for… of theſe belong all Civil & Military Offi… who are kept in actual Service;as alſo all ſuch as are employed for the Education of Chil… in good Literature: To the latter, all ſuch … we called to ſerve at the Alta…; and ſo lay … themſelves for the good of the Souls of …; and to theſe alſo there is a Maintenance … due, as the Apoſtle proves, both from it … of Nature, and the Law of God 1 Cor. 9.
2. PRIVATE Callings or ſuch, wherein … do nextly ſerve the Providence of God, for their particular ſupport, & ſupply of the things of this life. Tho' theſe alſo are to ſerve ultimately to the Glory of God, and the common … of Mankind, of whom they are Members; and theſe comprehend under them, all the other Employments, which come within the Rules of Lawful, before given us, which would be end… here to enumerate. And here we may in …d obſerve, that it would be neither for a … own advantage, nor for the common benefit of Men, for all to follow, one & the ſame Calling; and for all to aſpire after it. becauſe they think it more hounourable, more profitable, or … eaſy; is a falſe meaſure, and tends to the time of humane Society. Hence it follows, that every Man ought to obſerve a Call in God's Pro…nce, to direct him in his ſeeking & engaging … particular Calling if he expects God's a… p…ation and bleſſing in it. And for this …e …ght to be well ſatisfied, that he hath a Call of … according to Scripture Rules; and therefore to bring it to, and try it by them. Now God calls Men to this or that Occupation, either …ordinarily or Ordinarily.
1. THERE is an Extraordinary Call, which …d gives ſome Men to ſome Employment; and … more peculiarty reſpect the Publick Employments of Men. Thus in former times God … more Immediately: Thus were Moſes and A…ron called & impowred: Thus was Saul … to the Kingdom; and thus were the Prop…e…s of old to that function. Thus the Prophets, Apoſtles & Evangeliſts in the Primitive …es of the Goſpel Chruch, Gal. 1.1. And it is to be obſerved, that as God made His mind …n to them by Immediate Revelation, ſo there … not required Amecedent Fitneſs for it, but with the Call, God beſtowed it on them. Hence we read. 1 Sam. 10.9. J…r 1.9. Luke 24.45. … theſe are for the preſent in moſt part, if … wholly ceaſed.
2. ORDINARY: And this is to be kn…wn by us Mediately; not by inſpiration, but by ſearching the mind of God about … and is g… verned by His Mediate Providence. And …re I ſhall only offer,
(1.) IN regard of Publick Employments, there muſt be a… Call by Men. I diſpute not here the particular Way or Mode of this Introduction, which is a Prudential and is very different among Men; and the conſideration of that belongs to the Fifth Command. But, tho' God hath given to Men Directions, for the Qualifications of Men: yet the Determination of it, upon this or that Perſon. is nextly Humane: Nor can any Fitneſs in the Perſon introduce him unleſs he be ſo Called, nor can he impoſe himſelf Th…s therefore was one Maxime acknowledged, 2 Sam. 16.18. Where the Lord and this people & all the men of Iſrael cho…ſe, his will I be, and with him will Parade.
2. IN both Publick & Private Callings, every Man is to have regard, to his own Fitneſs to Diſcharge ſuch an Employment. There are Gifts to be regarded, which if a Man have not, neither a deſire of, nor an Invitation by Men to ſuch a Service, ought to ſatisfy him; and the reaſon of this is very plain, becauſe they have no Promiſe that God will give them Gifts Immediately, upon their daring to undertake in it; and without theſe Gifts, they can never ſerve God, nor profit Men nor keep a good Conſcience, in purſuing ſuch an Employment. And this is true, not only in regard of Publick Callings, the Miſery of bringing Perſons unqualified into which, whether through their Ambitious Winding themſelves in, or the Prejudices of Men concerned in the affair; is too notoriouſly experienced among Men, to need any other Proof given o…i. But alſo in private Occupations, when Perſons …ave neither a Faculty for it, nor were ever Educated to it, meddle with a Buſineſs in which they are unskilled; and muſt therefore unavoidably, either hurt themſelves, or others, or both; and ſo cannot comply with the Rules of Commutative Juſtice. Thus therefore it is neceſſary, that either the Calling be ſuch, as the Man may by a Natural Genius take unto, (as ſome there are) or hath been inſtructed in, by a laudable ſerving to ſuch a Trade, and is acquainted with the Rules of it. Hence that, Prov. 14.8. Th… wiſdom of the prudent is to underſtand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. And if a Man hath a Will to be honeſt, yet if he hath not a Sk…ll in his Calling, he muſt needs err, in the occupying himſelf in it. And this will ſerve to reprove the folly of thoſe that neglect their Children in their Youth; and do not take care to bring them up to ſuch things, as may Qualify them for the ſerving of their Generation, in ſuch a Poſt as the Providence of God ſhall ſee meet to ſet them in.
[APRIL 3. 1705.]