Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons

4. If you would walk with God in your calling, then you must not be too familiar with your calling. God hath given you a calling that it may be a Nurse to you, and your grace. Children sometimes are so fond of their Nurse, that they regard not their Parents; ⟨p. 62⟩and if you be too fond of your calling, you will forget the God of your calling. Let him that marrieth be as if he married not, says the Apostle, and he that useth the world, as if he used it not. You will go with an Apron into your shop, that you may keep your Cloths clean. And hath not your Soul as much need of an Apron when you are in your shop and your calling. If the Ivy clings too close unto the Oak, it hindereth the growth of the Oak. So if your callings cling too close to you, •nd you to your callings, it will hinder your spiritual growth. The world may be well used at a distance; it is not evil to meddle with the world, but to mingle with it. Would ye therefore walk with God in your place, then you must not be too familiar with the world and the things thereof. Thus Negatively. Now Affirmatively.

Affirmatively. 1. If you would walk with God in your place and calling, then you must observe what those snares and temptations are, that are incident unto your calling, and take heed thereof; such there are for s•ys the Apostle in chap. 7. verse 32. He that ••married, careth for the things that belong to the •ord, how he may please the Lord; but he that is married, careth for the things of the world, how he may please his wife. And this saith he verse 35. I speak for your own profit, not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction. Plainly then there are Snares and Temptations that are incident unto all, and the best conditions and callings; and if we would attend unto •od without distractions, we must observe what these Snares and Temptations are, and take heed thereof.