Z I Z H. IV. V. VI. Qtiejfivn.r,andCaf ès. .vfConcience pup. z;' hypocrifie : Hence Mr. Perkins faith, Though a man be endued with excellent gifts, and be able to fpeak well to conceive prayer , and with fome reverence heir the Word, and receive the Sacraments , yet if he praEtice nit the duties of Godlineffe within his own calling, all is but hypocrifie. See Bolton firfi Vol. Quell. How may we live by _faith in the exercife ofour particular cal- lings ? 11nfw. When confidering that its Cods Ordinance that men fbould labour in fome honeff vocation for their private maintenance , and the common good, we believe the promifes that he hath made of protection , and ble1 ng us therein. The Texts of Scripture are plaine ffr both , Gen. 2. 15. and .3.19. gpkef.4.aS. I ('crinth. 7. lb. I Thef. 4. II, íz. 2 Thef. 3. Io, II, I2. Prov. Ie. 4. and I2. 17. and 13. II. and Ia. 24. and 22. 29. Pfalme 91. I I. Quell. Wí')ü-itn :ceffary that wefpould live byfetith in them? Anfre. To prevent the evils which beret us in our ordinary callings, as covetoufneffe, rniußice, impatience and difirabting care. Naturally men ate apt to incumber themselves with fuperfluous bufineffes,and trouble themfeives about the event and fucceffe : they content not themfelves with their lot and condition , but defire to heap up riches above meafure : they forecaft many things in their heads long before ,, and know noend of their cares. The trou- ble which we meet with in the world, begets love of the world , and whe- ther ìr be croffed or profper , themore they be exercifed about the things of this life , the more they follow after themwith greedineffe, vexation , difcon- tent, plotting how to compafle their,defrgries, whether by right or wrong , by fraud or oppreffion. Now theSovereigne remedy againfl there, and fuch o- ther mifchiefs,is a lively faith, which tiftethup the heart to betterthings , quietly i fubmitting to the good pleafureofGod,commending the.fucceffe of all their ho- ned employments to his Highneffe , and telling upon his grace for prevent help and future fupply in the ufe Of Tuch meanes as he bath ordained, Heb. i i . 6. Queft.What are the atis offaith" in tlisparticular e4nfw. Firft, it informeth us to make choice ofanbond/ calling for which we are fitted', and into which we mayenter bydirest, good, and lawful means Prov. 16.20. Secondly,fairh inf ra6leth us not tomeddle aboveout knowledge, but to lean upon theliving Lord, not on our own skill and canning,., Prov. 3. s, 6. For if we do, either it !hall not effect what. we do intend , :or stwe bring'; it to pafìe, yet ir fisall not fuccee 1, oravail tothole honefl tiresWhich eveintended; Pfalme I 27.1,2. Hag. T.6,9. Ecc1.9.11. Thirdly,it quickens the moll skilful workman co flrive with' Godinprayer,that the work he fers uponmay fucceed and profper. . Fourthly, it caufethdiligence, care,liprightnefle, and faithfulneffe in allelic bufineflè of our calling, as knowing that whrlelt we walkhoneftly therein ,do fervice to the Lord ]iefus, Pfal.r2iá.2. Lpb6.5,6. Faith awakens:.tl flugg rd, rowfeth the lazie, makes the idle layhis bones to'work,.Prett.;i..,I3it.5. and himi that was a purloiner to deal truly, jtifily,andhonaflly:. Fifthly,it encourageth to the moflpainful, difficult ,and(intheWotlditieen3) the mot+ difgracef lworks of our callings: Diliruft breeds niceneffe., kzte and fluggiihneffc , but faith produceth hardineffe, valour,and ativit}i ;,(obita> of divine protection and good fucceffe;Ifae7.4. 7'-5 Pew/411.4. am w. I.7,S,9..heb.tI.7. alark,6. I HekI L9,eO. Sixthly, it firengthens againfl manifold troubles} difgeaces, oppadldoas s and difcouragements that wet eet within oucplaces: andenablesuntogodlfru
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=