The strong helper, offering to beare euery mans burthen. Or, A treatise, teaching in all troubles how to cast our burden vpon God but chiefly deliuering infallible grounds of comfort for quieting of troubled consciences. By Iohn Haivvard.

CHAP. XI.

THE fourth and last branch of our secular burdens, is the burden of difficulties that fol∣low the duties of our callings. The callings themselues, whether supe∣riour or inferiour, whether in a priuate house, or in an ample Citie, in the whole kingdome, or in the Church of God are the ordinances of God, as Paul saith of the magistrate; The powers that bee, are

ordained of God; and as might be shewed for all other callings from the highest to the lowest. Therefore they are hono∣rable, and in them we serue the Lord, as so many officers in his house. And the offices that we are tied to performe by the nature & condition of our callings, they are inioyned vnto vs (to euery cal∣ling distinctly) by God himselfe in his word, wherein is set downe, what the King, the Iudge, and euery Maiestrate, what the Minister, the husband, the wife, the father, the childe, the Maister and seruant, must doe; and therefore those officers are holy. The ends of them are, the glory of God, the peace of the king∣dome, the edification of the Church, and the prosperitie & good of euery priuate person: and therefore it is honorable to vs to be imployed in those callings and to performe those good offices; for in those callings and offices, we serue God (whose seruice is perfect freedome) while others, neglecting to serue in these callings, and to performe these offices, serue their owne lustes, the world, and the Diuell, to their dishonour. Yet those offices so holy and so honorable, by rea∣son

of certaine difficulties that accom∣pany and follow them, doe bring a hea∣uie burden of troubles vpon vs.

Sometime wee are vnsufficient for those callings, and vnable to performe those offices. And that happeneth either by our own fault, or by the fault of some others. By our owne fault, either in our entrance, ambitiously or couetously thrusting into callings (for the honor and fee of them) that we were neuer fit for: or after our entrance, losing our gifts through sloth and idlenes, and so growing vnsufficient, as an instrument that is become rustie for want of vse. By the fault of others, when they which had power to call and admit vnto any place, & perhaps authoritie to impose, hauing a go•…•…d opinion of thy gifts, haue sing∣led thee foorth somewhat too soone, be∣ing willing rather to wait for a suller growth of thy gifts, then to lose a man of so great hope. In all these cases of our insufficiencie th•…•… duties of our cal∣lings proue a heauie burden vnto vs.

Sometime wee are sufficient for the seruice that our callings bind vs vnto, and we vse faithfull diligence; but some

froward men oppose against vs, as Eli∣mas the sorcerer with-stood the preach∣ing of Paul. By meanes of which oppo∣sition, & crosse working of those men, it commeth to passe, that either thou canst not bring to prosperous issue the good things that thou labourest in, or thou effectest them with much more labour. This maketh the seruices of thy calling to be much more heauie vnto thee.

Sometime thou art sufficient, and art diligent, and hast effected things happi∣ly to thy minde: but then enuious men misconstrue, mistake wittingly, and mis∣report thy doings, as the Scribes and Pharises mistake and mis-reported the holy and most absolute workes of the Lord Iesus. And then insteed of loue and commendation, which thou didst looke for, thou art blamed; and insteede of reward and incouragement, which thou didst deserue, thou art in danger to be punished: this proues a great bur∣den. In all these cases, yee see how hea∣uie burdens grow from honorable and honest callings, besides the continuall care that euery good man hath to doe his dutie in his place. Let vs see how

we may cast these burdens vpon God to be eased.

If thou be insufficient through thine owne fault, ambitiously or couetously intruding into thy calling, to possesse thy selfe of the honor of the place, or of the fee that belongeth vnto it, without ex∣amining thy strength how able thou were to doe the seruice of it, or not re∣garding, though thou knowest thy strength to be altogether insufficient; of which sort are many men both in the common wealth and Church. Such are many antient men, that hauing plentie of wealth, and p•…•…nury of wisdome, that for their worship, make meanes to be in the commission for the peace, hauing no knowledge (or very little) of the lawes of the kingdome, to helpe to compound the controuersies of the people. And such are young gentlemen, brought vp in idle pleasures, that being younger brethren, for their better maintenance, make suite to haue the charge and lead∣ing of companies for the war, & would be Captaines the first day, hauing neuer yet beene good souldiers; they knowe how to behaue themselues in the house

and among friends, but they know not how to behaue themselues in the field and against enimies. And such are many ignorant and slothfull men, that seeke to be admitted into the ministrie, and to get a good benefice, that they may liue easily, and eate the milke of the flocke, hauing no abilitie to seede the flocke, yea no care thereof. These men, when they are called and vrged to the seruices of their places, then begins their burden to waie heauie, and their insufficiencie makes them subiect to danger and dis∣grace. How shall these men cast their burden vpon God, for their ease?

If thou be not very far from suffici∣encie, but that counsell from others, thine owne studie and trauell, the view of other mens doings, some practice made by thy selfe, and other like good meanes, blessed of God (whose helpe thou must pray for) may bring thee vn∣to some reasonable dexteritie in time, vse and apply all these meanes, and let prayer be vsed with euery other meanes, and remember what thou hast vnder∣taken, and that thou canst not without danger neglect the worke of the Lord,

and God will second thy desire and tra∣uaile with his blessing. The twelue, when they were first called, and admitted of the Lord Iesus, were not so fit for their places; as afterward they proued. I speake not these things to imbolden any man to thrust into •…•… calling without due pre∣paration, but onely to aduise for the best, those that are already entred, them∣selues being hitherto very vnreadie. Let them vse good meanes, and make triall of Gods mercie. It hath fallen out, that men very raw at their first entring, by diligence after vsed, haue growne ve∣ry fit, while others, of good fitnes at their entring, by negligence and idlenes haue lost their giftes, and become very vn∣profitable.

But if thou be far from sufficiencie, so that after thy entrance, all thy diligence assisted with prayer vnto God, cannot inable thee, at least in some mediocritie to doe thy dutie; then know that God hath not called thee to that place. Then the onely way of casting thy burden vp∣on God, i•…•…, in the feare of God to giue ouer that calling, to resigne that place, and no longer, either for honors, sake or

wealths, to stand a blanke, a cypher, •…•… blot, and an impediment either in com∣mon wealth or Church, and to be an of∣fence in the eye both of God & all good men: and to seeke to get his liuing by honest labour in some other calling, that he hath bene better fitted for, as Zacha∣rie reporteth the words of some idle Prophets▪ in their repentance; as name∣ly, That he should no more weare a rough garment (that is the robe of the Pro∣phets profession that he was vnfit for) and he should say I am no Prophet, I am an husband man▪ for man taught me to be an heardman from my youth. That is, I was neuer brought vp and fitted for the seruice of a Prophet, where into I did foolishly thrust my selfe, and therefore I will leaue that calling vnto more suffici∣ent men: and whereas I was brought vp to the trade of a husband-man & heard-man, I will henceforth follow that cal∣ling, that I may eate my bread with a good conscience, & with Gods blessing, though my reputation and maintenance be lesse. This is to cast thy burden vpon God.

If thy ambition and couetousnes did

not make thee intrude, but men had good opinion of thy sufficiencie, as Pha∣rao had of Iosephs wisdome, & thou hast vsed no cunning to draw them to haue such opinion of thee, but they simplie, out of their owne obseruation iudged well of thee, and imposed a charge vpon thee, not being yet so ripe in iudgemēt, and otherwise, as thou wouldest be, and hadst neede to bee: in this case there is a good calling of God, to giue thee hope of his further helpe, though as yet thou be but as Dauid was, the youngest among many brethren. And the testi∣monie of thine owne conscience, cle•…•…∣ring thee from intrusion, is some ease of thy burden. Plead thine honest calling, plead thy cleere conscience before God, and craue his fauour: and if they that did chuse thee will not discharge thee, pray to God for increase of strength, & craue the helpe of their prayers, that laid the burden vpon thee, and bend thy selfe with good hope vnto thy busines. It is written, that out of the mouthes of babes and sucklings, God ordaineth strength, hope well therefore, in thy diligent in∣deuour, of the assistance of God, and

remember what the Lord Iesus answe∣red to Paul, my grace is sufficient for thee, my power is made perfect through weaknes: and what the Apostle saith of himselfe assisted with this sufficient grace of Iesus Christ. I am able to doe all things, through the helpe of Christ that strength∣neth me: and make vse of these testimo∣nies, studying, striuing, praying, and vsing all meanes and helps for increase of sufficiencie. And take that as spoken to thee, that Paul spake to Timothi•…•…, These things exercise, and giue thy selfe vnto them, that it may be seene how thou profitest among allmen. This is the waie of casting this burden vpon God.

If thy sufficiencie be good, and thy diligence answerable, so that thy con∣science witnesseth, that thy labour in the Lords Vineyard is faithfull labour, but the effect answereth not, and the work goeth not forward, because the re are that oppose their vtter most power against thy labours, to crosse the suc∣cesse of them. And there is scarce any one good worke, that a man of publike calling can take in hand, but the Diuell hath one instrument or other to crosse

the attempt, and hinder the successe: so did the Sorcerers of Egypt withstand the message of Moses and Aaron, comming vnto Pharao in the name of the Lord. So did Rehum and Simshai, with their companions with Tatuai, and Sauballat and T•…•…biah withstand to their vttermost power and cunning the worke of the Iewes, in building the Temple & wales of Ierusalem, after their returne from the captiutie. When Elias had slaine the Priestes of Baal, and sought to bring backe Israel to the worship of the Lord, Iesabel opposed hi•…•… selfe, and made Elias to flie for his life. And while the A∣postles preached the Gospell of Christ to the Gentiles, the vnbeleeuing Iewes stir∣ring vp the Gentiles, withstood them in all places: as the Apostle chargeth them saying, They haue persecuted vs, and God, they please not, and are contrarie to all men, and forbid vs to preach vnto the Gentiles, that they might be saued. Thus vsually, through Sathans enuie, it falleth out, that scarce any attempteth any com∣mendable worke, but that one or other instrument of Sathan ariseth, opposing himselfe against it, to hinder the per∣formance

of it, increasing his burden that trauelleth about it. How shall men thus vexed, cast their burden vpon the Lord?

First, when thou seest their mallice and opposition, be not driuen from thy pa∣tience and peaceable minde, lest thou also shouldest either say or doe amisse in thy vnquiet passion. Secondly, vnto this patience ioyne prayer vnto God, and in thy prayer craue these things of God. First, that God will oppose his helpe a∣gainst their opposition, and hinder their hindring attempts, as the Prophet doeth saying. Let not the wicked haue his desire O Lord, performe not his wicked thoughts. Secondly craue the assistance of Gods hand vpon thy labour, & good indeuor, to helpe thee against thine opposites; as the Prophet doeth, saying, Giue vs helpe against trouble, for vaine is the helpe of man, through God we shall doe valiantly. Lastly that he will take thy good enter∣prise into his hand, and vse thee as his instrument to effect so good a worke by; as also the Prophet doth, saying, Let the beautie of the Lord our God be vpon vs, and direct the worke of our hands vpon vs▪

euen direct the worke of our handes. Surely in this case, this is to cast our burden vp∣on God: if withall, when we see the end to fall out contrarie to our godly pur∣pose, we glorifie God therein, supposing, that as God would not let Dauid build his Temple, but reserued it to be per∣formed afterward by Salomon: so God for some secret cause will not haue that good worke finished by thee, but re∣s•…•…rueth it for some other time, and some other person.

Lastly, if thy sufficiencie be good, and thy diligence answereable to thy suffici∣encie, and the worke effected through Gods helpe, be answereable to thy dili∣gence, but the malice of mē misconstrue thy worke, and misreport it, & so bring thee into danger and trouble: as Ama∣ziah the wicked Priest of Bethel, misre∣ported the godly seruice of the Prophet Amos, and accused him to the King, say∣ing, Amos hath conspired against thee, in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to beare all his words. So see∣king, betray his life into the handes of cruelty vnder shewes of iustice.

Then the casting of our burden vpon

God is first, in his name to protest ou•…•… innocencie, and that we haue done our dutie with an honest heart as God com∣maunded vs. So did Amos after Ama∣ziah had accused him, saying for him∣selfe, The Lord tooke me as I followed the stocke, and said vnto me, Goe, prophecie to my people Israel. That is, I haue in those sermons which you call Conspiracie, faithfully followed the commandement of the God of Israel. So also did Ieremy, when the Priestes and false Prophets, and the multitude of the people had laid hands vpon him in the Temple, and went about to kill him for his preach∣ing, he protested his innocencie saying. The Lord hath sent me to prophecie a∣gainst this house & against this Citie, all the things that you haue heard. And thine innocency being thus protested & made knowne, then secondly turne thee vnto God, appeale to his iudgemē•…•…▪ & rest vp∣on him. He is the true discerner of all mens doings, to whō it is manifest both what things are done, and with what mind they are done: and he is the iudge of all men and of their doings, and he will reward them that truly serue him:

therefore taking no discomfort at the vniustice and vnthankfulnes of men, pray God to iustifie thy well doing a∣gainst misreporters. Thou hast a pro∣mise of such mercie, made by the Pro∣phet, saying, He shall bring forth thy righteousnes as the light, and thy iudge∣ment as the noone day: and pray him to re∣member thee, and giue thee thy reward in heauen, because on earth good ser∣uices are not worthily valowed: and in expectation of that reward at Gods hands, comfort thy soule in this case. And thus haue we spoken of the fower secular burdens, wherein immediately we haue to doe with men, in matters concerning this life, and shewed how the burdens may be, & ought to be cast vpon God for the •…•…ase of our soules.

Notes

• The fourth secular bur∣den, diffi∣culties of our callings.
• Rom. 13. 1.
• If we be insufficient
• If we be sufficient, but are crossed.
• If we doe well and be misconstru∣ed.
• I•…•… we be insufficient by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 owne fault.
• And be not far from •…•… sufficiencie▪
• If we be far from suffi∣ciencie.
• Zechar. 13 5.
• If we be not insuffi∣cient by our own faults.
• Psal. 8. 2.
• 2. Cor. 1•…•…. 9.
• Phil. 4. 15.
• 2. Tim. 4. 15.
• If we be sufficient, but crossed, what then to doe.
• 1. Thes. 2. 15.
• Psal 140. •…•….
• Psal. 108. 12.
• Psal. 90. 17.
• If thy deed be miscon∣strued, what to do•…•….
• Amos. 7. 10.
• Amos. 7. 15.
• Iere. 26. 12
• Psal. 37▪ 6.