How to live, and that well in all estates and times, specially when helps…How to liue, and that well in all estates and times, specially when helps…

In the labour and work of our calling there is required a double action of saith. The first is to order our labours, that they be done in good manner, that is, in obedience, and to good ends, that is, to Gods glory, and to the good of men with whom we live.¹ In this respect is Nohe said to build an Ark by faith, and good princes to order their common wealths, & in way of protection to make war with their enemies:² and thus must every man of every office, calling, trade, occupation, do his duty by faith. The second action of faith is, ⟨p. 49⟩in our daily labours to restrain & moderate our care. Men commonly take upon them a double care; one is to do the works and labours of their callings; the other is to procure a blessing & good success to their foresaid labours. But faith in Gods word where it reigns, it stirs up the hearts of men only to the first care, which is in the performance of their painful labours and duties, and it restrains them from the second, causing them to leave it to God. For when men have done the duty that appertains unto them, then faith makes them without any more ado, to wait for a blessing on god. To this purpose the holy Ghost saith, ⟨p. 50⟩Cast thy burden on the Lord and he shall nourish thee. ³Again,⁴ Be nothing careful, but in all things let your requests be showed unto God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving: &,⁵ Cast your care on God. Now this faith, whereby we depend on God for the success of our labours, hath an infallible ground, namely, That God best knows our wants, and he will give unto us all things which he in his wisdom knows to be necessary. Christ saith,⁶ Your heavenly father knoweth that you have need of these things, that is, food and raiment.