VeR. 4.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 181
contention and unneighbourly quarrels. There must be a calling, and a work to do.
3. This work is given them by God. He appointeth to every one his task, and will be gloriiied by no works but what are by himself assigned to them in their station : — (1.) By his word ; (2.) By his providence.
[1.] By his word. There is no calling and course of service good but what is agreeable to the word of God : Ps. cxix. 105, ' Thy word is a light unto my feet and a lamp unto my paths.' We must not settle in a sinful course of life. Men may tolerate evil callings, but God never appointed them. As for instance, if any calling and course of life be against piety, temperance, justice, it is against the word : Titus ii. 12, ' Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.' Against piety ; as to be an idolatrous priest, or to make shrines for idols, which was Demetrius his calling in Ephesus ; and Tertullian, in his book De Idololatria, showeth this was the practice of many christians to get their livings by making statues and images and other ornaments to sell to heathen idolaters. Against justice ; as piracy, usury, and other oppressive courses. Against sobriety ; as such callings as merely tend to feed the luxury, pride, and vanity of men, so mountebanks, comedians, stage-players. It were endless to instance in all. In general, the calling must be good and lawful.
[2.] By his providence, which ruleth in everything that falleth out, even to the least matters ; especially hath the Lord a great hand in callings, and appointing to every one his estate and condition of life. In paradise, God set Adam his work to dress and prune the trees of the garden, Gen. ii. 15 ; and still he doth not only give abilities and special inclinations, but also disposeth of the education of the parent, and the passages of men's lives to bring them to such a calling : Isa. liv. 16, ' Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work.' Com- mon trades and crafts are from the Lord. The heathens had a several god for every several trade, as the Papists now have a tutelar saint ; but they rob God of his honour, he giveth the faculty and the blessing : Isa. xxviii, 26-29, ' His God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him,' &c. He giveth the state, and appointeth the work. Your particular estate and condition of life doth not come by chance, or by the care, will, and pleasure of man, but the ordination of God, without whom a sparrow cannot fall to the ground. In the higher callings of ministry and magistracy there is a greater solemnity.
But how should a man glorify God in his place and station wherein God hath set him ?
Ans. [1.] Be content with it, God is the master of the scenes, and appoints which part to act. We must not prescribe to providence, at what rate we will be maintained, nor what we will do, but keep v/ithia the bounds of our place. If you do anything that is not within the compass of your calling, you can have no warrant that it pleaseth God. Christ would not intermeddle out of his calling : Luke xii. 14, ' Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? ' Uzzah's put- ting his hand to the ark cost him dear. If troubles arise, we cannot
182 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [SeR. V.
suflfer them comfortably, we are out of God's way. Most of our late mischiefs came from invading callings; as there are confusions in nature when elements are out of their places. God is glorified and served in a lower calling as well as in a higlier ; poor servants may ' adorn the gospel of God our Saviour in all things/ Titus ii. 10.
Aois. [2.] With patience digest the inconveniences of your calling. Affliction attendeth every state and condition of life, but we must go through cheerfully when in our way and place.
4. This work must be finished and perfected ; we must be working till God call us off by death or irresistible providences. We must persist, hold out in God's way without defection : Rev. ii. 10, ' Be thou faithful unto the death ; I will give thee a crown of life.' Get the gift of perseverance ; happy are they that have passed such a tempestuous sea with safety. He was a foolish builder who laid the foundation of a stately fabric and was not able to finish it. Oh ! when this is done, we may resign up ourselves to the mercy of God : 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8, ' I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day ; and not to me only, but unto them also that love his appearing.' It is an excel- lent thing, after such a dangerous voyage, to come safe to shore. How sweet is it to enjoy our past lives, and yield up our spirits to God, say- ing, Lord, I have made it my study to glorify thee : Isa. xxxviii. 3, ' Eemember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.' Other souls are taken away, but yours are resigned.