A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 199 (Question 74 cont.)
SERMON CXCIX.
Queſt. 3. WHAT is requiſite, to the honest Exerciſe of a lawful Calling
Anſw. WE are here to obſerve, That if the Calling it ſelf be not Lawful, it is impoſſible for us to follow it Honeſtly, but it muſt be avoided: But on the other hand, the Calling it ſelf may be both Lawful in it ſelf, and Lawful for us; and yet, if we have not a Care to our ſelves, we follow it Unlawfully, and ſo Sin, and procure a Blaſt of Heaven upon it. For the Word of God hath not only directed us about the Callings themſelves, but alſo the manner of out Employing our ſelves in them; for theſe alſo come under the Regulation of the Moral Law, and we are to ſerve God in them.
I ſhall not here point at all the Rules which are given by Divines on this Account, but only ſuch as properly refer to the Man himſelf, conſidered as he is more immediately concerned to procure an honeſt Livelihood; for, as to the Honeſty to be uſed in his Tranſaction with others, it will come under an after Conſideration. And there are Four Duties here mainly to be obſerved:
1. GOD requires of every Man Diligence in his Calling. He is to make it his Buſineſs, and lay himſelf out in the purſuit of it. The Word of God every where commends this Diligence, as that which God both expects and approves: Hence thoſe Paſſages, Prov. 27.23. … thou diligent to know the ſtate of thy ſtocks, and look well to thy berds. And, 12.24. The hand of the diligent ſhall bear rule: but the ſlothful ſhall be under tribute. 27. The ſlothful man r…steth not that which he took in hunting: but the ſubſtance of a diligent man is precious. And that is one thing intended in, Gen. 3.19. In the ſ…eat of thy face ſhall thou eat bread. Now this Diligence is his making of his Calling his Buſineſs, and his Improving of his Time about it; and it contains in it, both his Contriving of his Work for the beſt Advantage, and his purſuing of it with Sedulity; ſo that both the Labour of the Head and the Hands is included in it. This is not ſo to be underſtood, as if it were Unlawful for a Man to Divert from his Work, and ſolace himſelf with neceſſary Refreſhment under it. God hath allowed to Man a Time to Eat and Drink, elſe his Sprits would be Tired, and he incapacitated for his Buſineſs. And He hath allowed him a Time for his natural Reſt with Sleep, without which he cannot Subſiſt, (Pſal. 104.23.) And one next end of Man's Labour is, to Support his Body, and that implys that he muſt have a ſuitable Time for his ordinary Repoſe: Hence that, Eccl. 5.18. Behold that which I have ſeen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that the taketh under the ſon, all the days of his uſe, which God gives him: for it is his portion. There is alſo a Relaxation which God allows Mens, for the moderate uſe of Recreation, for the Recruiting of his tired Spirits, that with freſh Vig… he may attend his Employment; which is a Moderation of the Curſe. But it intends a careful Attendance on the Work which God calls the Man to, in all the proper Seaſon of it; and this, as it refers to the Man's ſerving to the deſigns of the preſent Life, properly belong to this Command.
2. IT requires a prudent Obſervation & Improvement of the proper Seaſons & Advantage for his doing the Work of his Calling. We … of the good Man, Pſal. 112.5. He will guide his Affairs with Diſcretion. And we are aſſured, that God hath appointed to every Work under the Sun, it's Seaſon, Eccl. 3. …. The Providence of God over-rules and orders the Affairs of Men; and there are ſome ſtated Seaſons laid out by this Providence, which when ſlipt by, are irrecoverable. Hence that, Prov. 20.4. The ſtu…gard will not ſlow by reaſon of the cold, therefore ſhall be beg in harveſt, and have nothing. And there are other Seaſons not ſtated, but are emergent Opportunities, which are to be obſerved from the Circumſtances of things wherein great Advantage is offered, which if neglected, may not come any more: Hence that, Eccl. 8.6. To every purpoſe there is time, and judgment, … the taking Notice of, and carefully Impro… ſuch Seaſons, belongs to that Prudence which God hath made our Duty to exerciſe in … outward Affairs; and it is a Sin as well as a Puniſhment to be void of it, and not to partice it: Hence that, Iſa. 28.26. For his God doth inſtruct him to diſcretion, and doth … him
3. IT muſt be followed with a due Diference on the Governing Providence of God, as to the Succeſs. We are indeed to Labour th… we may Live in the World; but this is a ſubordinate End, and muſt be Regulated by one that is beyond it, which is the Glory of God; 1 Cor. 10.31. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatſoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. The great End of all Callings is, that we may ſerve God in them, and therein teſtify our Obedience to Him, who calls us to it. And tho' it is Lawful to hope to ſpeed, and a Duty to Pray to God, that we may do ſo; yet it muſt be with a ſubmitting of our Labours, to His alwiſe Diſpoſal: Hence that in, Eccl. 11.6. In the morning ſow thy ſeed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowneſt not whether ſhall proſper, either this or that, or whether they both ſhall be alike good. The Scripture every where condemns Covetouſneſs, and that not only intends all Sins which proceed from original Concupiſcence, (as Iſa. 57.17.) but as it is an Inordinate Craving after the good things of this Life: as, Luke 12.15. And he ſaid unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetouſneſs: for a men's life conſiſteth in the abundance of the things which be …eth. And w… have the Nature of it well …cterized, together with the Danger of it Tim. 6.10. The love of money is the ro…t lev… which while ſome covered after, they erred from the ſaith, and pierced themſelves …gh with amny ſorrows. Now that which is …ary to this, and a due Comportment this Precept, is a Cheerful following of our …neſs, and a ready ſubmitting of the Succeſs to the all-governing Will of God. And … we have ſuch a Direction given us in this …rd, Jam. 4.13, 15. Go to now, ye that ſay, …y or to morrow we will go into ſuch …y, … there a year, and buy, and … and again. For that ye ought to ſay, If the Lord … we ſhall live, and do this, or that.
… A due …rance of a ſuitable pr…ertion of …, for the Duties of our General …ng, is … alſo required. That every Calling is to followed, flows from the very Nature of a …ing, as it is laid upon the Man. That every … hath a Genera., as well as a Particular …ing hath before been obſerved, and is irre…gably argued from Man's Frame or Conſti…on, which conſiſts of Soul and Body. As …re … is Work to be done for the ſupplying of … Body, ſo there is a Work incumbent on us … the Salvation of our Souls; hence that, Phil. … 12. Work out your own ſalvation with fear … trambling. Now all humane Actions or …ks require Time for the doing of them; … a ſequeſtration of ſome Time, for a Work … ſuch Infinite Importance, as this is: But … there is no Contradiction between theſe two things, yet there is a Difference and a Subor…tion. A Man may ſerve to his great End, following his outward Employment, whilſt … doth it for God, and according to His Pre…t; and every gracious Perſon doth ſo: Yet …ere are the diſtinct Duties of this general Cal… which muſt be attended, elſe we cannot …ly ſeve God in following of the other. There … ſtated Sabbath in which God hath made it … Duty, to ſequeſter the Time and our ſelves …it, to attend Religious Worſhip, and inter…t our own Work, or ſervile Labour; as hath …n obſerved under the Fourth Command. … there are …e Calls in Providence, which …ite us to ſet apart Days for Faſting and …yer; and theſe ought not to be neglected: …d there are times for our daily Reading the ſcriptures; and Prayer, in our Cloſets, and our …milies, which the Word of God abundantly …forms us of. And it is the Duty of all to …y to God this tribute of Time, if they expect … have His Bleſſing upon their Worldly Con…us.
II. IT now follows that we proceed to the …er way in which an Eſtate is gotten more …diately by Others. Not that the former was …ſolutely immediate, but purely mediate … to …e Providence of God; but that it was ſo with …ſpect unto Men, more than the other. And …ere are here alſo diverſe ways in which this …ay be compaſſed.
As,
1. A Man way obtain an Eſtate by Pat…n…y, or Inberuance. That there is an …j…table Deſcent of Eſtates from the P…e…s to their Succeſſors, is indiſputable; the Light of Nature Dictates it, and the Laws of Civilized Nations have confirmed it, and the Word of God aſſsures us of it: But how or after what manner they are to Derive, is matter of Diſpute. In the Judical Laws of Moſes about this, there was ſomething Ceremonial or Typical, and ſomething …ral, which too many, for want of di… … …ave confounded. There was a …w …rp…ſaving Inheritances in their Tribes, and that the haſt h…r… ſhould have the …ble Portion; and that all Real Eſtates ſhould revert to the Firſt Owners, or their p…per …lei… in the Year of Jub…e…; but theſe things were I…tive, and had a Myſti…ai meaning in them, and were tied to that Nation; but hte Mor…ty of them, is hard to make evident. The Laws of Nations have alſo provided for the D…ſ…ſure of the Eſtates of Men Deceaſed who have not provided for it during their Lives, but left them Undiſp…ſed at their Death. And there is a Necceſſary for this, to prevent endleſs Controverſies which would otherwiſe a…ſe from pretenders to a Title: But the Righteouſneſs or Equity of theſe, depends upon their agreeableneſs to the Moral Law, which is the Rule of Juſtice. That every Man hath a power of Diſpoſing whatſoever Eſtate he holds in his own Right, according to the Rules of Diſcretion, is agreeable to that known Maxim, A Man may do with his own, according to his Prudence. Hence the Diſpoſure of Men's Eſtates, by their laſt Will and Teſtament, hath been acknowledged by all Men; and ſuch Teſtaments have been accounted Sacred, and if they did it in their right Minds Invi…lable, according to Gal. 3.15. Only it is here to be obſerved, that the Light of Nature teacheth us, that Children have a Right in a convenient part of the Eſtates of their Parents; and it would be Unnatural for them to give what they have, away to Strangers or to Publick Uſes; for that is a Scripture Truth, 1 Tim. 5.8. If any provide not for his own, and ſpecially for th…ſe of his own houſe, be hath denied the ſaith, and is worſe than an infidel. 2 Cor. 12.14. Children ought not to lay up for the Parents, but the Parents forth Children. So that ſuch an Eſtate ſo deſcending, is lawfully Poſſeſſed; and cannot with Juſtice be detained from thoſe to whom it is ſo Conv…yed: Only, Reaſon and Equity requires, that it he freed from Incumbrances; for no doubt, whatſoever a Man Poſſeſſeth in his own Right, ought to be liable to defray his honeſt Debts.
2. A Perſon may come by atrue Right to an Eſtate, by Gift or Donat…n. We are wo…t to ſay, what is freer than Gift? A Man either in his Life time, or by his laſt Teſtament, may introduce a Stranger into a lawful Title to a Portion of theſe things, which he could otherwiſe have laid no Claim unto: Hence there is a Right by Adoption uſual among Men, who having no near Kindred to Bequeath their Subſtance unto, do make Choice of a Perſon, whom they are pleaſed to introduce etrie by a D…ed of Gift, or by their laſt Will … we find that the Owen of … made a … Preſent to Salow…. … 1….12. And the Wal… Man tells us, Pro. …. Every man … …jr…n… to him that given g…ſ…s. Only this Rule is … to be obſerved, that he who gives, muſt give of that which is his Own, and what he hath come by H…neſlly, elſe he cannot make a juſt Conveyance of it over to another: And if the Perſon to whom the Donation is made, be convinced in his own Conſcience, that it was … juſ…y gained, be cannot with ſafety to himſelf receive it, but may expect a Blaſt of Heaven upon it, for doubtleſs, the Curſe of God is out againſt … that is I… gotten.
3. Men may come by a juſt Title to, and Peſi… of on …late, in the way of Commerce. And under this Title of commerce. I underſtand all ſuch lawful ways in which Men Tranſact one with another, in way of Exchange: which comes under the general name of Traffick; and the deſign of it is, that by this Courſe Men get honeſt Gain, and advance their Eſtates by it. And here the Rules of Commutative Juſtice are more peculiarly to be conſidered, becauſe in the way of Commerce, there is a Contract made between Perſons, in which one thing is Exchanged for another, which comes under the Regulation of the Rules of Righteouſneſs.
NOW there are ſeveral ways, in which this Commerce between Men may be conſidered, and we may take a diſtinct Account of them; in all of which there is a reſpect had to the Gain of the Perſons concerned, ſo far as it hath a reſpect to this Precept; and is therefore here to be no further Conſidered.
AND here in general, let theſe two things be obſerved;
1. THAT mutual Commerce in ſome way or other, between Mankind, is Lawful & Neceſſary. And it is therefore Lawful, becauſe it is Neceſſary, & there is no other upholding of human Society: No Man is in himſelf ſufficient for his own Comfortable Support, with ſuch things as are requiſite for his convenient Living in the World, which it would be ſuperflu…s to prove, ſince daily Experience gives us the Proof of it. There are ſo many things requiſite for Food and Raiment, and the other Conveniencies of …afe, that one Man cannot provide them all for himſelf, but muſt have ſupply from others; and becauſe God hath given every Man a Property in his own, it muſt become another's either by Gift or Exchange: Nor is a Man bound to give away his own to another, unleſs there be ſpecial Reaſons for it, which will be conſidered hereafter: We therefore read, that Abrabam purchaſed a Field; and Jacob a price of Land to pitch his Tents; and ſert down into Egypt to buy Corn; ſo that the thing it ſelf is indiſputable: Th… what ſorts of Commerce are ſo, muſt be looked into in the ſequel.
2. THAT there is a Lawful Gain to be aimed of, and made, in the way of Commerce That there may be Unlawful Gain, if Men do not follow the Rule, is undeniable: We therefore read of the … of Oppreſſ…es. Iſa … …ſo …eft Goo…, …ick. … that there is an H…neſt …. and alſo, that … leſs Men do reg…late themſelves by the R… of Honeſty, they may eaſily tranſ… … Bounds, and render themſelves guilty in this regard And that there are ſuch Rules is be… neceſſarily inſerted, elſe there world be… … ference between H…neſt and Inſ….
PUT we may proceed to the Conſideration of the ſeveral ways, … watch there may be a Lawful Commerce between Man and Man.
AND here,
(I.) THERE is a Righteouſneſs requeired … the Commerce between icrſ…ns Huring & … or the Labourer, and him who …prays … There is nothing more common or neceſſary, than for one Man to Employ another in …ſneſ upon Hire; and ſometimes Men and …ired by the Day, Week, Month, Year; and ſometimes they agree to do ſuch a price of Work by the Lump: And there is a Ro…e of Juſtice to be obſerved by theſe on eithes …, in Obedidence to this Command, to which C… ſcience is obliged.
(1.) IN reſpect of the Labourer, or his who is Hired. There are three things which peculiarly concern him.
1. NO Man right to undertake any Work, but ſuch as he is Skilful in. The Reaſon of th… is manifeſt. becauſe he muſt needs Wrong the Perſon for whom he doth it, by ſpoiling the thing which he undertakes, for want of inſight into … and by this way, the Man is diſappointed of his juſt Expectation: Beſides that, we forcedly obſerved, that it properly belongs to a Perſons; engaging in any Calling that he be Skilled in it: And it is certain, that to Man ought to ſick his …n Gain, to another's neceſſary Da…ge, as this Man doth.
2. HE ought to uſe …enſcience in his Demands of Hire, for his La…ar. There is do… leſs a proportion between Work and If …es: and it is not left at every Man's Liberty to take all Advantages to make his Gain upon another, or to make a Prey of his Neighbours Nece… ty; which is a thing too much practiſed. Every Man ought to endeavour after an Honeſt Livelihood by his Labour; but the Foot …e … to turn Oppreſſ…s, to make themſelves Ru…; or to ſeek Gain to n…riſh their Luſts, by wronging others whom they have to deal withal, by asking Unconſe…nable Wages. It is true, The Labourer is worthy of his Hire, Luk. 10 …. But then his Hire muſt bear proportion to his Labour, elſe it will not bear: And when Tradesmen, and Day Labourers ſerve up their Wages to the heighth, it is not only a Wrong done to thoſe that make uſe of them, but in reality a Publick Nuſance. and uſually ſerves only to nouriſh Pride and Luxury.
3. THEY are to exerciſe Faithfulneſs it their Labour. They are in a ſenſe Servants … them that Employ them; and Fidelity is a neceſlary Qualification in ſuch as do Service to others. And there are divers reſpects in which this Faith …ſs is to … …ed on this Acount.
THEY ought to be Faithful in H…shanding of their Time for the Uſe and …fit of … as Hire them: the Time is not their own, but his who Employs them, and they if …orld improve it to the beſt Advantage: They ſhould come ſ…ſonably to it, and f…llow it diligently w…lſt the… are at it; and keep to it till it is ſeaſonable to break off. He that receives Wages for a Day's Labour, ought to give a … Labour for it: and not ſpend any pat… of it by …irneſs, or Diverſions to other mat….
THEY ought alſo to be Faithful in a frugal improvement of the Subſtance of him who …p…oys them, to the beſt Advantge, and not prodigally Waſte it; for want of which Care. …o often doth the Owner ſuffer more than the Wages of the Perſon comes to: He ought therefore in this, to do as he would be d… …, and be as Frugal for his Employer, as he would … for hemſe…f in the ſame Caſe
THEY ought alſo the uſe Fidelity in the Work it ſelf they do; they m…ſt do it Well, and ſo as may anſwer the …d and deſign of it, and not fraudulently: And though this ought to be obſerved in all their Labour, yet …lly in Work taken by the Great, as they old it, when they Bargain to do ſuch a piece of Work, at ſuch a Price; they ought not to …er it over, and do it Deceitfully, that ſo they may make the greater Gain by it, whilſt he for whom they do it, is a great Sufferer … it: They muſt not only Do the Work, but they muſt do it Well, that it may anſwer the …nd of it, elſe it is meer Cheat.
Finally, THEY muſt be Faithful in their Time, and ſtand to their Word on that ac…: If they know that they cannot do their Work in the Time agreed upon, they ought … to Promiſe; and if they Promiſe, when they are aſſured they cannot Perform, they Tr…ſgreſs the Ninth Command; and if thus they fail, and ſo diſappoint the juſt Expectation of the Perſon, they break this Command, thing him Wrong in his Eſtate.
(2.) THERE is alſo Righteouſneſs to be observed by ſuch as Hire and Employ others in Labour for them. As the former ought to deal juſtly by them, ſo ought they to be juſt to theſe: And there is no leſs danger of Injury … this ha…d, than there is on the other.
AND here, there are theſe Rules to be obſerved;
1. THEY ought to …gree with them upon fair and honeſt Stipends. Men's Labour is for their …hord; and tho' there is no reaſon to Comply with them for their Maintenance in … and Drunkenneſs, and living in as good a G…rb and P…rt as the Rich; yet, that they may have Food and Raiment, ſuitable to the Order which God's Providence hath put them in. Tho' the levelling Spirit. which the World prompts Men to, is not to be indulged; yet certainly it ought to be ſuch as that they …ay with Frugality, be able to Support themſelves withal. Not as tho', becauſe one hath a greater Charge to maintain, he may ask, and the other is …und …i…d, …, for … Wages than another ſhould have, for …e ſame Labour: for comm…n …any …, that the ſ…me Labour deſerves the ſame Hi…e: and if the Perſon cannot Support his Charge with it, he is the Object of a Public… …. And if the …pleye… give him …. it …uld not be for his Work, but for his P…rty; not as if ages. but … an al…s of Liberality; that he may be al…le to ſay as Matth. 20.15. Is it … for me is … what I … …h …e …un? I… there eye evil becauſe I …m g… Nevertheleſs, there is an …quity to be of ſerved, and he who Employs another, ought not to take Advantage of him, and beat him down ſo as to enjoy his Labour …nlerſory, and for that which is next to n…thing: And when he Indents for Work by the W…e, he ought to conſider want is Convenient, and ſo as that he may not be a real Loſer by it, but may be Encouraged to do his Work cheerfully, in expectation of his Wages; and if th…o Miſtake he hath brought his Neighbour under Obligations, which he is convinced that he hath does his Work honeſtly, and is an u…eidable Loſer by it; tho' he cannot right himſelf in a Courſe of Cr…! Law, yet Conſ…ence obligeth him to Confider him, and make him a Compenſation; and this comes under that general …ule, Deut. 24.14. The… ſta… … … preſs … …red ſervant that is po…r and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy …gers that are in thy land within thy gates.
2. THEY ought to deal Honeſtly will them in the payment of their Wages. And here great Care is to be uſed, Hence that Precept, Let. 19.13. Thou ſhalt not d…rand thy neighbour, neither rob him. And for this end, he is not only to Pay him, but according to …on…ſt Agreement; and that in Spe…, if the Bargain be ſo made, unleſs he can ſatisfy him in that which is as good. He is not to put him off with that, which is no way anſwerable to has Neceſſity, not will Succ… him in his needful Occaſions, for ſo is he fruſtrated of the End of his Labour: Not is he ſo to put him off with that which is Corrupt and will do him no good; but give him that which is Current, and Paſſable between Man and Man: Nor yet is he to S…r…e upon him in the Price of what he Pays him for his Wages; but he ought to have it as Good, Cheap, as he would part with it to another; for, as we ſhall afterwards more par…iula…ly Conſider, there ought to be one fixed Price of all things which paſs between Man and Man; and if the M…n is to Pay more for what be receives for Wages, than he might have for ready Money, he is Det…anded. No… can there be any F…enſe brought that will juſtify it, as may in it's proper Place be wei… had.
3. THEY …ught … the W… of the Labourer in i…s …ue and pr…per Se…. N…t that there may not he Agreements for Time, as is uſually, and may lawfully …pract …ed, and if the Lab…res …. is to be able … ſtay for his Wages …ill … …iece of Word had …e, and chuſeth and a…renth ſo to do, thing is no wrang d…ne him in it; but it is t… … that the l…h …ater hath d…le dep… lince for his Here; and to be delayed that, is an I…u…y done ſo him, and his Family. Now it is not ſufficient, to Pay him to any time, but it muſt be in the proper time. Hence we have that joyned to the former, Lev. 19.12. — The wages of him that is …red ſhall was not ab…de with thee all night an…l the n…r…ng. As therefore there is a Who againſt them that deny Wages for Work, (Jer 22. 12.) ſo to ſuch as keep it back by …ud, (Jun. 5.4.) So that theſe things are not a matter of an difference, but belong to that Live which God requires of us one to another; and … what moment it is, we are told, 1. Jov. 2.
(II.) THERE is a Righteouſneſs between Perſons, on the account of Borrowing & Lending. That this belongs to Commerce in the general Nation of it, is not to be queſtioned; for in it, that which is one Mans Right, raſſeth to be for another Mans Uſe; and that cannot Lawfully he. without the Conſent of the proper Ow…er, either Actual or Implicite. That there is … of Borrowing and Lending, for the maintaining of Civil Commerce between Men, no Man who Converſath among Men can deny, unleſs he will contradict his own Experience: And tho' ſome Men are ſo fore handed in the World, that they rarely have occaſion for it, being furniſhed with that in hand, by which they may Purchaſe whatſover their Occaſions call for; yet there are hat a few, who are always in ſuch a Condition but that they do frequently need thus to be ſupplied by their Neighbours; and that when that Poverty is not ſuch as calls for an Alms; but their Affairs are ſo involved, that without at they m…ſurder greatly, and by this means they may be advantaged in their Affairs. Now, tho' there may be, and is, ſuch a B…r t…n and Lending, as is meerly Neighbourly and common Civility and Courteſy require in and without which Men cannot Love together, as becomes Humanity, much leſs Chriſt…nity; one being ſupplied with that which another hath not; and there bring many things, which our Poor Neighbour cannot furniſh himſelf withal, and it would be Unk… to deny him, and it would be Cr…lty to Ex… upon him for the Loan: Only here it is t…h obſerved, that as it is a Duty of …r…ty to Lend freely in many Caſes …t is Juſtice that the borr…wer be Hono… and … the thing B…rr not in the … and the want of Care in doing, bee… m…a Loſs to the Lender, and is many i…m …lite …ragement to him.
NOW under this Head are to be conſidered whatſoever things are Lend to another, not only t…his preſent and tranſerent Uſe to be preſently Returned again: but alſo ſuch tui…ns, as … lent to another, for his more comm…ed and Improvement: And he hath a power, by vert…s of this Loan, to make uſe of it, as his Own, for his occasions, only under the Obligation of returned, it again in the ſet time either in Speace to the Satis…i on of the Lender. Now the great Queſtion here is, Whether the Lender may Lawfuly c…nytract with the Borrower, for Gain by the thing ſo Lent' But that muſt be adjourned for a more deliberate Conſideration.
[MAY 1. 1705]