A42350:30
The Christians labour and reward, or, A sermon, part of which was preached at…
The Christians labour and reward, or, A sermon, part of which was preached at the funeral of the Right Honourable the Lady Mary Vere, relict of Sir Horace Vere, Baron of Tilbury, on the 10th of January, 1671, at Castle Heviningham in Essex by William Gurnall ...
London: printed by J.M. for Ralph Smith, 1672
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.
now to private, then to public; now to reprove, then to encourage or comfort his Brother. As one that hath a Shop full of divers Tools, all necessary for his Calling, but this for that purpose, and that for this in it; now if he should cut with his Axe, when he should smooth with his Plain, he would soon spoil his work; that which is at one time a Duty, would, if done, at another be a Sin. Diligence in our worldly Calling on the week day is the work of the Lord; ⟨p. 22⟩but the same on the Lords day would be Satan's; no doubt as many a fair Child hath been lost by an untimely Birth, so many a good Work spoiled by an unseasonable performance; and to discern time and judgment for our actions, requireth both wisdom and care, and these labour and pains.
now to private, then to publick; now to reprove, then to encourage or comfort his Brother. As one that hath a Shop full of divers Tools, all necessary for his Calling, but this for that purpose, and that for this in it; now if he should cut with his Axe, when he should smooth with his Plain, he would soon spoil his work; that which is at one time a Duty, would, if done, at another be a Sin. Diligence in our worldly Calling on the week day is the work of the Lord; ⟨p. 22⟩but the same on the Lords day would be Satans; no doubt as many a fair Child hath been lost by an untimely Birth, so many a good Work spoiled by an unseasonable performance; and to discern time and judgment for our actions, requireth both wisdom and care, and these labour and pains.
Thirdly, The difficulty the Christian finds to order his Conversation, so that his care for one part of his work may not hinder him in another. Now the reason of this difficulty, is the seeming contrariety of some duties to others: Seeming, I say, not real, indeed it is in Satan's service only (not in Gods) that there is a real contrariety of work: Errors have their opposites; he that maintains one, cannot, if he understands himself, hold some others; so in Practical Lusts, some are at such a feud, that when one is in the Throne, the other is kept under, but all Truths agree lovingly together, being all but one Faith; and so do the Graces of a Christian, being all the effect of one and