An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

When the Apostle Paul had a call to preach the gospel of Christ, which once he persecuted, Immediately (saith he, Gal. 1.16.) I conferred not with flesh and blood; he made no delays, much less any excuses, least of all any denials, but was obedient to the heavenly Vision. As soon as he had that vision and call from God to go and preach the Gospel, he never stood reasoning and conferring with flesh and blood, he put no questions, he asked not this or that mans opinion, whether it were best for him to go or not; neither ⟨p. 265⟩did he confer with the flesh and blood in his own heart, he conferred not with himself, he consulted not his own safety, nor any carnal interests, but did as he was commanded. And unless we do thus, not only will the ordinary practise of servants to Masters rise up in judgement against us (Mat. 8.9. I am a man under authority (said the Centurion) having soldiers under me; I have a superior officer, and I have inferior soldiers, and I say to one go, and he goeth; and to another come, and he cometh: Such is or ought to be the carriage of soldiers and servants towards their Superiors. Now I say, unless we readily obey the voice of God, not only will the daily practise of servants, but the practise (if I may so speak) of the lightnings from the clouds, will rise up in judgement against us and condemn us. Shall a servant say, Here I am, at the call of man? Shall the lightning say, here I am, at the call of God? and shall not man say so at Gods call? Shall men put questions to Gods commands? Shall they query, Will the world bear it if I do this? or, will this stand with my ease and profit, with my credit or commodity, when God requires it? If any do so, the lightning may flash in the face of their consciences, and not only blast them as stubborn and disobedient, but brand them for foolish and unwise, or, at least, for want of wisdom; about which the question is put to Job in the next verse.

When the Apostle Paul had a call to preach the gospel of Christ, which once he persecuted, Immediately (saith he, Gal. 1.16.) I conferred not with flesh and blood; he made no delayes, much less any excuses, least of all any d•nials, but was obedient to the heavenly Vision. As soon as he had that vision and call from God to go and preach the Gospel, he never stood reasoning and conferring with flesh and blood, he put no questions, he asked not this or that mans opinion, whether it were best for him to go or not; neither