A29369:192
Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons
Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons ... by that learned and judicious divine, Mr. William Bridge ...
London : Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock Senior and Junior ..., 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. There is no calling either of employment or condition, but God may be served and enjoyed therein. No calling or employment so mean, but a man may honourably serve, and comfortably enjoy God therein. Art thou called being a Servant, care not saith the Apostle; Why! For he that is call ed being a Servant, is the Lords Free-man. verse 22. Likewise also, he that is called being free, is the Lords Servant. I remember I heard a Preacher say some 25. years since, that a man is never ashamed of his Calling though it be never so mean, but a man is ashamed of his sin, although he be never so great. If says he, you call a man Tinker or Cobbler, yet he is not ashamed thereof, because it is his Calling; but if you call a man Drunkard, or Adulterer, he is ashamed thereof, because that is none of his Calling. A man may honourably serve God in his Calling, though it be never so mean, and he may comfortably enjoy God in his Calling although it be never so great.
2. There is no calling either of employment or condition, but God may be served and enjoyed therein. No calling or employment so mean, but a man may honourably serve, and comfortably enjoy God therein. Art thou called being a Servant, care not saith the Apostle; Why! For he that is cal ed being a Servant, is the Lords Free-man. verse 22. Likewise also, he that is called being free, is the Lords Servant. I rem•mber I heard a Preacher say some 25. years since, that a man is never ashamed of his Calling though it be never so mean, but a man is ashamed of his sin, although he be never so great. If says he, you call a man Tincker or Cobler, yet he is not ashamed thereof, because it is his Calling; but if you call a man Drunkard, or Adulterer, he is ashamed thereof, because that is none of his Calling. A man may honourably serve God in his Calling, though it be never so mean, and he may comfortably enjoy God in his Calling although it be never so great.
Object. But that is the reason why I would lay down my Calling, because I cannot serve God so well therein. I meet with many Temptations, Provocations, and Impediments, which hinder me in the service of God; if I were free from this Calling, then I should be more free for God, and should be more free from those snares and provocations that I now meet with. But for answer: