1. Every creature is God's servant, and hath his work to do wherein to glorify God ; some in one calling, some in another : Neither rich nor poor are exempted ; for a lawful calling is not a matter of necessity, but duty, enforced by a commandment. What our callings should be is determined by providence giving gifts and education, and obtruding us upon such a course of life. But it is a mistake to think that bare necessity maketh a calling ; no, it is obedience. And if we be with- out such necessity, we may live idly, without any calling. No ; every man and woman hath their labour and service ; for God made no man or woman in vain. Would the wise and almighty God make so noble a thing as a rational human creature onlv to eat. and drink, and sleep,
Vers, 26, 27.] sermons upon matthew xxv. 481
and rise and dress themselves, that they may show themselves to com- pany, and impertinently chat away their hours and precious time ? No ; lie hath ordained them for some service, which at length they are to give an account of ; as the Mediator did of his work : John xvii. 4, ' I have glorified thee on earth, and have finished the work thou gayest me to do.'
2. This work is not of one sort. Some are called to a higher, some to a lower employment, some noble, some citizens, some fathers of families, others matrons or mothers of families, some are magistrates, some ministers ; but every one must do their duty in their place. Christianity falleth in with natural relations : 1 Cor. vii. 20, ' Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.' God gives every man his work : Mark xiii. 34, ' The Son of man is like a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work.'
3. The work of our callings must be constantly and diligently attended upon. A rich man cannot say, I have no need ; therefore I will attend upon my calling at my pleasure. You must not consider your present need, but your future account. The baseness of a man's calling must not be a discouragement to a poor man, seeing God counteth himself honoured in the lowest service as well as in the highest, and hath promised the reward of the inheritance to servants as well as nobles : Col. iii. 24, ' Knowing that ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance ; for ye serve the Lord Christ.'
4. Every one that feeleth any tediousness growing upon him in his work should often rouse up himself by considering —
[1.] The active nature of man was never made to be idle ; and shall we cross the law of our creation ? When the beasts lie down in their dens, ' Man goeth forth to his labour and work till the evening/ Ps. civ. 23.
[2.] The preciousness of time, which is too good to be loitered away upon mere nothing. We should buy it at any price, not waste it : Eph. v. 16, 'Kedeem the time/ We shall wish we had done so when it is too late.
[3.] The eye of God, who observeth every man in his station, how he acquitteth himself with good fidelity. Eye-service, with respect to man, maketh us unfaithful : Eph. vi. 6 ; but eye-service with respect to God is the great ground of diligence, Col. iii. 22, 23.
[4.] The near approach of death. Would we be found eating, drink- ing, playing, sporting away our precious time, or diligently employing ourselves in our callings, at that day ? Luke xii. 43, ' Blessed is that servant whom when his lord cometh he shall find so doing/
[5.] Our accounts, which mainly concerneth — (1.) Our particular calling, and that course of living wherein we were set to glorify God. The unprofitable servant will be cast into utter darkness, Mat. xxv. 30. God will judge all according to what they have done in their places ; and then what will become of the idle and the slothful ? (2.) In our general calling, as Christians. Take heed of being naughty and slothful servants.
First, Let us inquire who may be characterised with this brand.
1. Who ? Those who complain for want of strength, yet do not
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482 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SeR. XVI.
diligently use the means whereby they may be quickened and strength- ened : they are idle, and lie upon the bed of ease, and complain that God doth not give grace ; languish for comfort, rather than set about the work of obedience. Christ telleth his disciples, John xiv. 21, 'He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me ; and he that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father ; and I will love him, and manifest myself to him.'
2. That content themselves with a loitering profession, when their hearts swarm with noisome lusts, and are unfurnished of faith and love, and other necessary graces ; and yet think a lazy profession will serve the turn : Mat. vii. 22, ' Many shall say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, we have prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works : and then will I pro- fess, I never knew them.' Because they pray, and hear, and receive sacraments, they think all is well, and they have no more to care for. Is this ' working out our salvation with fear and trembling' ? Phil. ii. 12 ; ' Serving God instantly day and night' ? Actsxxvi. 7 ; ' Labour- ing for the meat that perisheth not ' ? John vi. 27 ; ' Denying our- selves ' ? Luke xiv7. 26.