Fourthly, It causeth diligence, care, uprightness, and faithfulness in all the works, actions and business of our calling,1 as knowing that whilst we walk honestly therein, we do service to the Lord Jesus. It is noted ⟨p. 402⟩of the virtuous, wise, faithful and godly woman, that she seeketh wool, 2and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands: She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household. Faith awakeneth the sluggard, rouseth the lazy, maketh the idle lay his bones to work, and him that was a purloiner to deal truly, justly and honestly. It is the best cock to call up the drowsy: for it ringeth in his ear; when wilt thou arise? lo the Lord calleth thee to thy task; why tarriest thou so long, stirrest so slowly? The Sun rejoiceth as a Giant to run his race: why sharpenest not thou thy self to the work which God hath laid upon thee? It it the willingest messenger to be sent upon any business; the trustiest overseer of any labour, the most free undergoer of any toil or pains,3 you need not call him to reckoning who accounts with faith: nor hast him forward who moveth by faith: nor chain him to his work, who by faith undertaketh it.4 For he is assured he doth it unto God, who calleth upon him, and from whom he must expect recompense, if he walk cheerfully, and in singleness of heart. When a man is persuaded that his calling is approved of God, and profitable to men, by helping to maintain the state of the Church or commonwealth, and that it is that, in which God will be served of him; then he takes it in hand, not like a drudge or droile who doth his wo•k for fear of the whip, nor like an hireling, who works only for wages; nor like eye-servants who leave their business when the masters eye is turned aside: but with good will, diligence and singleness of heart, he addresseth himself to his work, being assured of Gods assistance and furtherance therein, whom he serves in his vocation. This persuasion that we serve the Lord in our callings, who is a bountiful pay-master, and hath promised a large blessing unto us, forceth to go willingly about that work, which otherwise would seem toilsome and unpleasant.
Fourthly, It causeth diligence, care, vprightnesse, and faithfulnesse in all the workes, actions and businesse of our calling,1 as knowing that whilest wee walke honestly therein, wee doe seruice to the Lord Iesus. It is noted ⟨p. 402⟩of the vertuous, wise, faithfull and godly woman, that shee seeketh wooll, 2and flaxe, and worketh willingly with her hands: She riseth also while it is yet night, and giueth meate to her houshold. Faith awakeneth the sluggard, rowseth the laisie, maketh the idle lay his bones to worke, and him that was a purloyner to deale truely, iustly and honestly. It is the best cocke to call vp the drowsie: for it ringeth in his eare; when wilt thou arise? loe the Lord calleth thee to thy taske; why tariest thou so long, stirrest so slowly? The Sunne reioyceth as a Gyant to runne his race: why sharpenest not thou thy selfe to the worke which God hath laid vpon thee? It it the willingest messenger to bee sent vpon any businesse; the trustiest ouerseer of any labour, the most free vndergoer of any toyle or paines,3 you neede not call him to reckoning who accounts with faith: nor hast him forward who moueth by faith: nor chaine him to his worke, who by faith vndertaketh it.4 For he is assured he doth it vnto God, who calleth vpon him, and from whom hee must expect recompence, if hee walke chearefully, and in singlenesse of heart. When a man is perswaded that his calling is approued of God, and profitable to men, by helping to maintaine the state of the Church or commonwealth, and that it is that, in which God will be serued of him; then he takes it in hand, not like a drudge or droile who doth his wo•k for feare of the whip, nor like an hireling, who workes onely for wages; nor like eye-seruants who leaue their businesse when the masters eye is turned aside: but with good will, diligence and singlenesse of heart, he addresseth himselfe to his worke, being assured of Gods assistance and furtherance therein, whom hee serues in his vocation. This perswasion that we serue the Lord in our callings, who is a bountifull pay-master, and hath promised a large blessing vnto vs, forceth to goe willingly about that worke, which otherwise would seeme toylesome and vnpleasant.
- 1Psal. 128.2. Ephe. 6.5, 6.2.
- 2Pro. 31.13.15.
- 3• Chron. 34.12.
- 4Eph. 6.8.
