B. The manner of it.
(3) The third time of resigning is the time of death. For when God calls us from this life, we then receive a discharge from our particular callings. For after this life, the children of God cease from their labors, and in their death, they begin their perpetual and eternal
Sabbath. For the time of this life, by God's commandment, we rest every seventh day, and labor in the other six. But after, we shall continually, without ceasing, do that which now for substance we do on the Sabbath day: that is, honor and praise, and glorify the name of God, in everlasting joy.
(4) The fourth time of resigning is at the Last Day of JUDGMENT, for those who are still alive; that is, the general time of all resignations.
For as Paul says, Christ Jesus must then resign his kingdom up into his Father's hands,1Cor 15.24 and put down all human rule, authority, and power. For then, civil, ecclesiastic, and economic states and callings, in regard to government, must have an end. Yes, Christ himself, in regard to the manner of his regiment, must give up his
Kingly office; and the execution both of his Priesthood, and his Prophetic office, must then also have an end — though the virtue and fruit of these offices shall abide forever. Then there will be no more prince nor people; magistrate nor subject; master and servant; parents and children; but God shall be all in all to the elect.1Cor 15.28
Thus we see the time of resigning a calling; the manner follows.
B. The manner of it.
The manner is to resign our callings in and with the testimony of a good conscience; which is when our consciences bear witness that we have, in the works of our callings, kept ourselves unblameable, and have endeavored in all things to do the will of God. We have examples of this in the Scripture.
When Samuel was no longer able to judge the people, he called the whole congregation of the Israelites, protesting to them that he had not taken any man's ox or ass, received any bribes, or done any man wrong; but in all things, he had kept a good conscience (1Sam 12.3).
And in agreement with this protestation was the people's testimony.
And Paul, when he drew near the end of his days, says he had now