this needs bring to thee, poor heart, in thy fears and faintings. Paul had many enemies at Ephesus to oppose him ; but having ' an effectual door opened unto him,' for his encouragement, he went on undauntedly, 1 Cor. xvi. 9. As an army after stubborn resistance by the eneni}', who labour what the}^ can to keep them out, the gate of the city flies open, then the soldiers press in amain with a shout ; thus, after much wrestling with God for pardon of sin, or strength against sin, the door of the promise flies open, and God comes in with some assisting, comforting presence : now hope takes heart, and makes the soul fall on with double zeal,
CHAPTER IV.
SHEWETH HOW HOPE MAKES THE CHRISTIAN CONTENT WITH AND FAITHFUL IN THE MEANEST PLACE AND LOWEST EMPLOYMENT THAT GOD ORDERS FOR HIM.
Secondly, as hope raiseth the Christian's spirit to attempt great exploits, so it makes him faithful in the meanest and lowest services that the providence of God calls him to : for the same Providence lays out every one his work and calling, which sets bounds for their habitations on the earth. Some he sets on the high places of the earth, and appoints them honourable employment : others he pitcheth on lower ground, and orders them, in some obscure corner, to employ themselves about work of an inferior nature all their life ; and we need not be ashamed to do that work which the great God sets us about. The Italians truly say. No man fouls his hands by exercising his own calling. Now, to encourage every Christian to be faithful in his particular place, he hath made promises that are applicable to them all. Promises are like the beams of the sun ; they shine as freely in at the window of the poor man's cottage as of the prince's palace ; and these hope trades with, and these animate the Christian at his work. Indeed, we are no more faithful in our callings than as we are influenced by faith and hope therein. Now, observe, God lays his promise so that it may strengthen our hands and hearts against the chief discouragement that weakens them in their callings. The great discouragement of those high employments (magistracy and ministry) is the difficulty of the pi'ovince, and the opposition they find from the angiy world : these, therefore, are guarded and sujjported with such promises as may fortify their hearts against the force and fury with which the world comes forth to oppose them : ' I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee ; be strong and of good courage,' Joshua i. 5, 6. This promise was given to Israel's chief magistrate ; and the minister's promise suits well with tliis, as having ordinarily the same difticidties, enemies, and discouragements, — ' Go, teach all nations ; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,' Matt, xxviii. 19, 20. Again, the temptation that usually haunts per- sons in low and ignoble callings, is the meanness of them, which occasions discontent and envy in some, to see themselves on the floor, and their brother preferred to more honourable services : in others, dejection of spirit, as if they were, like the eunuch, but dry trees, unprofitable, and brought no glory to God, while others, by their more eminent places and callings, have the advantage of being highly serviceable to God in their generations. Now, to arm the Chris- tian against this temptation, and remove this discouragement, God hath annexed as great a reward in the promise to his faithfulness in the meanest employment as the most honourable is capable of. What is there more mean and despicable than the servants' employment? yet no less than heaven itself is promised to them, if faithful. Col. iii. 23, he is speaking to such : ' Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men ; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance : for ye serve the Lord Christ.' Where observe. First, What honour he puts on the poor servant's work ! — ' he serves the Lord Chi-ist;' yea, in the lowest piece of work that belongs to his office : his drudgery is divine service, as well as his praying and hearing ; for he saith, 'Whatever ye do.' Again, observe the reward that is laid up for such; and that is as great as he shall receive who hath been faithful in ruling kingdoms,— ' The reward of the inheritance.' As if God had said, Be not, O my child, out of love with thy homely work ; ere long thou shalt sit as high as he that sways sceptres ; though your employment now be not the same with his, yet your acceptation is the same, and so shall vour reward also. Thus we see, as
AND TAKE THE HELJIET OF SALVATION. 5g3