(2.) Positively. I confess it may be done; for that place, 1 Cor. vii. 20, ' Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he is called ; ' the meaning is, the place wherein religion finds us is not to be changed merely upon receiving religion. It is true, a servant may become free ; Amos was an herdsman, yet was made a prophet; Christ's disciples were fishermen. There are cases which may clear up the will of God to a man's conscience. Private necessity and public good may make a man change his calling. Private necessity, as when the former calling ceaseth to be useful, and to minister supply to us, as framing instru- ments of war in a time of peace, or when the course of trading is altered. Public good, as when a man may be more useful, if by mistake or the carnal affection of parents he have been diverted to another course of life.
[3.] Whether a man may offer himself to a calling, being sensible of his inward call, and after trial of strength of gifts, or should expect till he be invited by others ?
A71S. He may desire it ; therefore in a modest manner he may manifest his desire to whom it concerneth : 1 Tim. iii. 1, ' If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work ; ' if a man be entrusted with fitting gifts, and set apart by God, he may offer himself
V ER. 8] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 241
to a lawful trial, without a presumption of his strength or a haughty ambition, hut out of the conscience of an inward call, to employ his talent in the service of the Lord. Moses' tergiversation had like to cost him dear : Exod. iv. 14, ' And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses.'
Thirdly, I shall now apply the text to a personal calling, or a call to such a i)lace, where we may exercise our talents and abilities for the glory of God, and the good of others.
This case is weighty, and necessary to be resolved —
1. Because the place falletli under a call, as Avell as the office itself. The apostles had not only a commission, but a passport ; upon every removal or resting they ever depend on the call of God. Paul was warned by oracle to tarry in Corinth : Acts xviii. 10, ' I have much people in this city ; ' and by vision he was called into Macedonia : Acts xvi. 9, 'And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.' Nay, when they purposed to go to one place, out of the judgment of reason, they were diverted to another by revelation : Acts xvi. 7, ' After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit suffered them not.' It is true, we cannot expect oracles, nor must we expect extraordinary dreams, — our removes are not of such consequence, and these are God's ancient ways ; yet our goings fliU under a providence : Ps. xxxvii. 23, ' The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way.' And it is not comfortable and safe to shift from place to place till we see God before us ; as the Israelites moved by the motion of the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. And it is said, Acts xvii. 26, " He hath determined the times beforehand, and the bounds of their habitation.'' As their course of life, so also their place and dwelling are ordered by God.
2. "We cannot else expect a blessing. There where God hath set us, there will he be with us, and bless us. This keepeth up our dependence upon him : Ezra viii. 21, ' Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance ; ' and ver. 31, ' Then w^e departed from the river Ahava, on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem ; and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.' They went on cheerfully, and found God in the journey. Here he hath fixed me, and here will I expect his blessing.
3. It is necessary to still murmurings when we are reduced to straits. God trieth his people with difficulties and inconveniences ; though we have God's warrant for our way, we cannot expect an absolute freedom from them. Now if they light upon us in God's way, and the place where he hath called us, we may bear them with the more patience. As suppose poverty, troubles from ill neighbours, or sickness, if we have not asked God's leave and blessing, conscience will turn upon us, and sting us with remorse. But when we are persuaded that God hath called us, faith quiets the heart, and worketh a humble submission. The disciples were all sent to sea by Christ: Mat. xiv. 21, 'Jesus con-