A•sw. Are you sure of that? Luther tells us of a certain man that was given to anger, and to avoid ⟨p. 55⟩provocation, he would go live alone, as an Hermit; and going to the Well with his Pitcher, somewhat displeased him, and he threw down his Pitcher, and he broke it in Anger, which when he had done, and reflecting on himself, and his own actions, he said, Well, now I see it is not in my condition, but in my heart and self, that doth cause anger and provocation; therefore I will return to my cal•ing again. And when men speak at the rate of that Objection, What do th•y do? but lay the fault of their anger and provocation, upon their condition, and excuse themselves. But our Saviour saith, That that comes from within, that defiles the man, not that which comes from without. 'Tis not the condition or the place, or the employment or calling that defiles the man, but that that comes from within, that defiles the man. Mr. Greenham being asked whether a man might avoid the doing of a thing whereunto he is called;1 because he feels corruption in himself. He said, In avoiding Society, you shall cover, but not cure your infirmities; and though you depart from men, you cannot go out of your self, 'tis not the use of the Creatures, but the love of the Creatures, that hinder from good. I never look said be, for a better estate then that wherein I am; but I oft prepare for a worse. And I pray tell me, Beloved, was not Joshua (when Moses dyed, and he was to lead the people into Canaan) a man of great employment. Yet even then (saith the Lord to him) this book of the Law, shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night. Josh. 1.8. And was not David a man of great employments? ⟨p. 56⟩yet, says he, At Evening, Morning, and at Noonday will I pray, yea seven times a day; yea I meditate on thy Law all the day long. Surely therefore our hinderance to good, doth not lye in our calling, place, or employment; but it lies within our selves. And therefore why should we lay down our callings to be rid thereof.
- 1Greenham on Calling.
