In which he doth not only show what commodity a mans labour and diligence in his calling bringeth, and contrariwise: but especially commendeth painfulness and travel, how good, and beseeming Christians they be. He alloweth not (we see) sloth, idleness, and over-reaching heads, in the servants of God; but showeth, that it agreeth well with the best of them to be diligent and well occupied: and that it is not too base and unbeseeming the honour of their profession, to labour and take pains; which the devil too readily persuadeth many: yea, and therefore he saith in another place, (seeing a mean and poor estate might be thought reproachful) that better is a little, 1even a dish of green herbs with peace and love, then a stalled ox with an unquiet §Cconscience and strife. It is the more lamentable to see how numbers degenerate in this point to their own great hurt, and drawing others after them. Some not so well advised and stayed as were meet for them, are ever meddling in other mens matters, and leaving off their own calling spend much time in prying and searching into other mens living, titles of their lands and leases: and busying themselves needlessly, yea and oft times to the great hurt, offence and just complaint of them, with whom they live and seek to have to do. Others, as busy-bodies, and as though religion consisted therein,2 do as it were make a trade of observing other mens faults, neglecting too much their own: and sow dissension, and set debate betwixt neighbours, and with §Dtheir evil tongues, bite and reproach such as are better then themselves. Others trifle out their precious time in seeking of acquaintance, not such whereby they may take good or do good, but spend it in play, jesting and merry-making amiss and profanely, &c. Others occupy themselves in dealings and merchandise, not appertaining unto them, but far above their ability,3 yea, and skill also many times, occupying their trades with other mens goods; and whiles they keep within no bounds, by aiming at great matters without any warrant, do gain less then nothing for their labour, and disable themselves to their own calling: besides this, that their unwise dealings that way, and departing from that business, which they were more fit for, and §Eappointed unto, doth injury, yea, and undo others ofttimes as well as spoil themselves, till they come to this:
In which he doth not onely shew what commoditie a mans labour and diligence in his calling bringeth, and contrariwise: but especially commendeth painefulnesse and trauell, how good, and beseeming Christians they be. He alloweth not (we see) slouth, idlenesse, and ouer-reaching heads, in the seruants of God; but sheweth, that it agreeth well with the best of them to be diligent and well occupied: and that it is not too base and vnbeseeming the honour of their profession, to labour and take paines; which the diuell too readily perswadeth many: yea, and therefore he saith in another place, (seeing a meane and poore estate might be thought reprochfull) that better is a litle, 1euen a dish of greene hearbes with peace and loue, then a stalled oxe with an vnquiet §Cconscience and strife. It is the more lamentable to see how numbers degenerate in this point to their owne great hurt, and drawing others after them. Some not so well aduised and stayed as were meete for them, are euer medling in other mens matters, and leauing off their owne calling spend much time in prying and searching into other mens liuing, titles of their lands and leases: and busying themselues needlesly, yea and oft times to the great hurt, offence and iust complaint of them, with whom they liue and seeke to haue to do. Others, as busie-bodies, and as though religion consisted therein,2 do as it were make a trade of obseruing other mens faults, neglecting too much their owne: and sow dissention, and set debate betwixt neighbours, and with §Dtheir euill tongues, bite and reproch such as are better then themselues. Others trifle out their precious time in seeking of acquaintance, not such wherby they may take good or do good, but spend it in play, ieasting and merry-making amisse and prophanely, &c. Others occupie themselues in dealings and merchandize, not appertaining vnto them, but farre aboue their abilitie,3 yea, and skill also many times, occupying their trades with other mens goods; and whiles they keepe within no bounds, by ayming at great matters without any warrant, do gaine lesse then nothing for their labour, and disable themselues to their owne calling: besides this, that their vnwise dealings that way, and departing from that businesse, which they were more fit for, and §Eappointed vnto, doth iniurie, yea, and vndo others oftimes as well as spoile themselues, till they come to this:
- 1Prou. 15.16.17. L. pro. 17.1.
- 2Ill parts in neighbours, hindering diligence in mens callings.Ill parts in neighbours, hindering diligence in mēs callings.
- 3Men should not deal above their ability.Men should not deale aboue their abilitie.
