2. TO DO A WORK IN CONSTANCY. The Second thing required in doing the works of a man’s
calling in a good manner, which also serves for a good continuance in the calling, is constancy.
And it is nothing else than a perseverance in good duties, which is needed all the more because it
is no commendation for us to choose a good and fit calling, and enter into it, unless we see its
duties through to the end.1 For even as the soldier in the field must not change his place in
which he is placed by the General, but must abide by it, even to giving his life; so must the
Christian continue and abide in his calling without change or alteration.
There is a certain lightness in the nature of man whereby it comes to pass that many like other
men’s callings better than their own; and hereupon they are moved by every light occasion to
alter their calling. But in the text in hand, the Holy Spirit meets with this lightness by
commanding every man to continue constant in doing the duties of his particular calling; Let
every man abide in that vocation in which he was called. And we must be careful to avoid,
Three impediments to Constancy: A. Ambition, B. Envy, and C. Impatience.
A. Ambition. This is a vice whereby any man, thinking better of himself than there is cause
that he should, becomes malcontent with his particular calling, and seeks for himself a higher
place and a better estate. We have an example of this Ambition in our first parents, who by
Satan’s allurement, became malcontent with that estate in which they were created, and sought
to attain to the condition of God Himself.Gen 3.5 And this sin of theirs clings fast to the nature of
every man, and by it we are easily carried to a dislike of our condition. Thus Absalom through
Ambition was moved to seek his father’s kingdom, judging basely of his present estate; for out of
natural self-love springs Ambition.
And to better redress this vice in ourselves, every man must enter into consideration of his own
estate: we must think to ourselves that in respect to our bodies we are but dust and ashes,Gen 18.27
and to dust we must return again Ecc 3.20 — that in respect to the disposition of our hearts, being
altogether set upon sin, we are far more wretched than any other creature; and also that of
ourselves, we do not have any sufficiency for doing the least and smallest duty of the basest
calling in the world. For of ourselves, we are not sufficient to think one good thought, much less
to perform one good duty that is acceptable to God, in any calling whatsoever. And therefore we
must consider with ourselves that in our particular callings, we are but weak instruments in the
hand of the Lord, who is the principal worker and agent. These and like meditations might move
us to contentment in the calling in which God has placed us.
B. Envy. The second impediment to Constancy is Envy, which is a pining away of the heart
when we see others placed in better callings and conditions than ourselves. This is a common
sin, and it is the cause of great dissension in the Commonwealth. It is one of Machiavelli’s2
policies that in a Commonwealth it is necessary for men of various degrees and callings to envy
and malign each other. But contrariwise, it is indeed a manifest hindrance to constancy in good
duties, and hurtful to both Church and Commonwealth. And to better redress this fault, we are
to consider that the greatest callings are not ordained to maintain pride, or for the private
benefit of men, but for the common good. Secondly, those who are placed in the greatest callings
have the greatest charges, and therefore they are to give the greatest account to God.Luk 12.48
774
C. Impatience. The third impediment to Constancy is Impatience, which is a disquiet of mind
arising from the continual troubles that are incident to all callings, especially when men are not
able to bear them, nor brook the injuries that are commonly done to them in word or deed. This
very sin makes many a man leave his place. Those who go to sea for their delight, choose fair and
calm days. Afterward, being sick, indeed tossed by wind and weather, and in some danger of
losing their lives, they wish themselves on land again. They are grieved that they ever came
onboard ship, professing that if they make it back to land, they will never go to sea anymore.
It fares even so with many men, both in the Church and the Commonwealth, that they take a
liking to this or that calling; they enter into it hoping for pleasure, wealth, and the approval of
men. Then afterward, upon finding themselves disappointed in their expectation, and having to
walk in their callings with many troubles and discomforts, they become impatient, and either do
indeed, or greatly wish to, leave their callings.
Now, to remedy this vice, we must resolve to go on doing the duties of our callings, to go through
to the end despite all crosses or calamities1 that may befall us in any way — arming ourselves
with all fit and necessary patience. Thus Christ commanded his disciples to possess their souls
with patience. Luk 21.19 And Paul charges the Philippians to let their patient and equal minds be
known to all men.2 The Surgeon who is to cut his patient, goes on to launch and work his cure,
however much his patient cries: so must we in our particular callings go on with courage and
constancy, to do the works of it for the glory of God and the good of men, even though there are
ever so many causes and impediments to hinder us. And as Paul says, to pass through good
report and bad report, through shame and rebuke.
2Cor 6.8
