The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

Thirdly, Carry this general to thy particular Calling; see how Christ is Lord there: What diligence doest thou show there? What care and conscience doest thou express there? Your Lord hath Rules for mens particular Callings: Do you know what they are, and doth your heart stand in awe of them? Do you lay his Rule to your buying and selling, to your commerce and dealing with men? There are other Rules, but I only instance in these: Alas, these are low things, say you: Then, say I, they are easily observed by you, I hope, if they be so low in your esteem: but I have found some as high as they have been in their Gospel notions, and very frequent at private Fasts, yet very tardy in these low things. Diligence in our Callings is a thing that light of Nature, as well as light of Scripture, doth teach: Some think it a high attainment in Religion, that they can go up and down to duties, to meetings, though through their laziness and idleness in their particular Callings, their families at home do suffer; Trencher-Christians, ⟨p. 270⟩that serve their bellies by good discourses: Those who have Estates, and can spare the time, it is well done: Those who work the harder, rise the earlier, as the old Essex Christians would do, that they might enjoy an opportunity for their Souls, without detriment to their Families, have acted like Christians indeed: but some I have enquired after, and find a habit of laziness and idleness hath taken them, but they must go for very good Christians, because frequent at Fasts: I like not this Christianity. An honourable and virtuous Lady was once commending of her Gardiner to Mr. Dod (that holy man) what a good man he was, how much good discourse he had, how helpful to others in the family, to teach them to read, &c. But Madam, said Mr. Dod, what is this man in his particular Calling? for God looks on us as we are in our particular Callings. Here the good Lady could not then give any answer being new come, but forced soon after to turn him away, being an idle Jack. I do not speak of a Christian at his first coming home, when his Conscience being newly awakened, and his danger felt, that now he bestows more time in holy duties than afterwards: Nor do I speak of any poor Christian, that may be abused by their own darkness, and Satan's subtlety: As one good woman, because the Text saith, Pray continually, 1 Thes. 5.

Thirdly, Carry this general to thy particular Calling; see how Christ is Lord there: What diligence doest thou shew there? What care and conscience doest thou express there? Your Lord hath Rules for mens particular Callings: Do you know what they are, and doth your heart stand in aw of them? Do you lay his Rule to your buying and selling, to your commerce and dealing with men? There are other Rules, but I only instance in these: Alas, these are low things, say you: Then, say I, they are easily observed by you, I hope, if they be so low in your esteem: but I have found some as high as they have been in their Gospel notions, and very frequent at private Fasts, yet very tardy in these low things. Diligence in our Callings is a thing that light of Nature, as well as light of Scripture, doth teach: Some think it a high attainment in Religion, that they can go up and down to duties, to meetings, though through their laziness and idleness in their particular Callings, their families at home do suffer; Trencher-Christians,