A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

Secondly, As God did in infinite wisdom make every thing, and placed every §2thing in that sphere that was most fit for it, so it is the highest excellency of the creature to shine in his orb, and be regular in his motion. I mean, It is every one's duty and excellency to fill up that place and relation, that God hath set him in, with duty. The whole World is a great Army, and God is the General of this Army, and he appoints every one their station and rank, and in keeping of it exactly is security, honour and reward. God makes one a King, another ⟨p. 444⟩a Subject; one a Master, another a Servant; one rich, another poor; and he is really most excellent, that is so in the faithful discharge of the state and relation he is in. A good Servant is far better than a bad Master; a good Subject than a wicked Prince; he that is not relatively good is not really good. He that breaks his rank to get a higher and safe place, may be likelier to meet with destruction than promotion. Adam's loss of Paradise, and the Angel's loss of Heaven, are sufficient demonstrations of this truth. The World is a Stage, saith the Stoic, and in it every one hath his part to act, and it's our commendation and wisdom to act our part well, whether it be a Prince or a Beggar, a Father or a Child, a Master or a Servant. ¹This was holy David's care and resolution; He would behave himself wisely in a perfect way; and how shall that be done better than by walking before God in his house with a perfect heart? What was Abraham commended for more than his faithfulness? and was this the least act of his faithfulness to instruct bis Family, and teach them the fear of God? Joshua was a man of great gallantry and resolution, but I am ready to think he never acted both more bravely, ²than when he said, As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Socrates laughed at them for fools, that endeavoured to persuade him to leave instructing the youth; God (saith he) hath set me in this station, and how can I leave it? O how few Christians exceed this Heathen? nay who almost comes near him, if he lived as well as he spake? It's too true a proof, that there is but little wisdom and Religion worth calling so in the world, in that so few (blessed be God some there are) are good in their Relations. Where are Magistrates to be found that are God's Vicegerents in their places?