I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Sermon XI.

INSTANCE, VIII. Object. Either men think they are not called forth to work for God, or they want abilities, or they have no success, therefore. Page 285 Answ. negatively: For 1 Is Family work nothing? There is a three-fold sweat saith Luther, Political, Ecclesiastical, Domestical. Page 286 2 Is it nothing to be trusted with the work of your Christian Station? ibid. 3 Is it nothing to be employed to comfort others? ibid. Object. 1. But God doth not employ me in the world, I am an useless Creature, therefore &c. ib. Answ. 1 It is a great blessing to be employed in any Service of God ibid. 2 The more a man doth for God, the more he doth honour God Page 287 3 By being employed, we are kept from Temptations. ibid. 4 Great employment is the mercy promised. ibid. 5 The more serviceable a man is for God, the more will God be apt to pardon his failings. Page 288 ⟨image 293⟩6 If a man be faithful in Gods work, God will bless him. Page 288 7 The serviceable man for God is the only man that doth live and speak when he is dead. ibid. I may be Gods Servant, though I am not employed by him in his Service: For Page 289 1 The Service of God is two-fold; either public, or private. The private Service is the saving Service, though we have no public employment. ibid. 2 Special, or public employment, is various also; either in a mean, or a great employment. ibid. 3 Though God do not use me at present, he may use me afterwards. Page 290 4 A man may be so employed, and yet go to Hell; and he may not be employed, and yet go to Heaven. ibid. 5 You must rejoice when others are employed. ibid. Object. 2. But I want abilities, therefore &c. Page 291 Answ. negatively; For 1 Gods greatest works are not always done by the greatest abilities ibid. 2 Our best abilities are from God ibid. 3 The Spirit of God, doth not always breath alike. Page 292 4 If God call you to a work, he will give you needful assistance in that time. ibid. Object. 3. I fear I intrude into Gods work because I want abilities. ibid. Answ. Negatively. 1 God sometimes first calls a man, and then gives abilities afterward. ibid. 2 If Gods door-keepers do judg you able, you must rest on their judgment. Page 293 Though I am to judg of mine own grace, yet others, and not I, must judg of my abilities. ibid. Object. 4. I fear I am an intruder, because I meet with so many difficulties. ibid. Answ. 1 What good action doth not? ibid.