Saints by calling: or Called to be saints A godly treatise of our holy calling to Christ, by the gospell. With the seuerall gifts proper vnto the called: and their counterfeits in the hypocrites which are not partakers of this effectuall calling. Written by Thomas Wilson, minister of Gods word, at S. Georges Church in Canterbury.

Of such good workes as concerne our Neighbour.

Aquila.

SIR, ye are well met here, shall I tell you what I feele in my selfe. Me thinkes it fareth with me, as it vseth to doe with a trauelling Horse, which the neerer hee drawes to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eyes end, the more he takes heart to him, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more couragiously, in hope to come shortly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 baiting and resting place; so it is with me, I find myself now more eagar and sharpe set vpon this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then when we began: for I haue good hope, that wee shall at this our meeting and conference, draw it to a conclusion. We are come now to those workes of grace, which the true beleeuers are to doe towards their Neighbours; I pray you Sir, which are these, and 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

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amongst these being many, what shall wee first take vp to deale in?

Apollos.

I could be well content our hands were eased of this labour, for I begin to feele my selfe scarse well; but it wil not be laide out of hand I doubt so soone as you make reckoning of: for with my good will, there shall not be one peculiar grace of Gods Elect, but some thing shall be saide of it. My desire is, as much as lyeth in vs, that this our glasse shall discouer to a Christian all his dignity by his calling; and all his duty (being called) towards his Caller. To proceede therefore in our pur∣pose, all our duty to man is comprehended in this one word Righteousnesse; as godlinesse compriseth all our duty towards God, whereof as wee find sundry bran∣ches, so hath Righteousnesse many members; as Gal. 5. Paul there rehearseth loue, ioy, peace, long suffering, gentle∣nesse, goodnesse, faith, meeknesse, and temperance: and Co∣los, 3. 12. besides these, there are reckoned vp, mercy, kindnesse, humblenesse of mind, forbearing, and forgiuing one another. Also in 2 Peter 1. 5. we find there vertue, pa∣tience, brotherly kindnesse: in Iames 3. 13. meekenesse of wisdome; in Titus 2. grauity and chastity: in Ephe. 4. spea∣king truth: in Heb. 13. 5. contenteanesse; in Acts 20. 19. modesty. Vnto all which, wee must adde all respectiue graces and workes which are to be done of vs, in respect of some degree which is put vpon vs; as we be Parents, or Children, Masters or Seruants, Husbands or Wiues, Subiects or Gouernours, &c. Now the Scripture nameth all these graces in one place, the fruits of the Spirit; Ga∣lat. 5. 22. In another, exhorteth the Elect of God, to put them on; Col. 3: in a third, telleth vs that who so hath them, he shall neuer fall; 2 Pet 1. 7, 8. By all which, it is

manifest, that they be such graces as are proper to the regenerate, and which none but Gods chosen children can haue. The appearance and shadow of them is to be found in others, who (as Apes doe Men) would imi∣tate the godly in these vertues, and yet haue them not, because they haue not faith, the roote of them.

Aquila,

I see there is more worke behind then I was aware of, yet it doth no whit discourage me; let vs pro∣secute our purpose, time and diligence with a little pa∣tience will ouercome great matters. And tell me now I pray you, would not these graces be handled in that order as ye haue named them? otherwise, how thinke ye good we should proceed? ye haue found vs stuffe for a new conference, ye must also deuise the frame to.

Apollos.

Let me alone with that, though I be no good builder, yet I will endeauour to haue this matter put in good for me. I thinke it meete to speake first of the ge∣nerall, then of the specials; and amongst these, first of them that in common belong vnto all men and after∣wards, of such duties as are to be performed, in respect of a degre put vpon vs.

Aquila.

Let vs then take our beginning at Righteous∣nesse, touching which, declare vnto me what it may im∣port, as it doth respect mutuall dealing of men amongst themselues; and what difference there is herein between good men and euill?