Seven treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holy Scriptures, leading…Seuen treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holie Scriptures, leading…

But another reason why this course is alleged to be absurd,¹ and inconvenient, is this: that mens labours should hereby be hindered, and their callings neglected; and so poverty grow upon the land, and many evils thereby: which where absurd, and not to be suffered. To the which it may be answered, that godly thrift, and Christian gaining, and lawful prospering in the world,² do arise from hence: when a man doth so go to work in the world, and follow his dealings, that he be sure, that he goeth about them with a mind §Dwhich is at peace with God, and well ordered, that is, guided by him;³ and when he doth faithfully and devoutly commend himself and his affairs every day to Gods providence, and rest therein quietly; & when he doth as it were arm himself with circumspect heed-taking and wise regard, that he behave not himself profanely in the world, nor after the manner of men, but according to that which is written: Whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, ⁴do all to the glory of God. And when for these purposes he shall resolve with himself, in the most convenient sort that he can, to begin the day in some Christian and godly manner, as I have set down in the daily direction, that all the rest of the day following, he may savour of the same; he shall in his duties §Edoing about the world, please God, and he shall also (as far as God shall see it expedient) prosper in the same, as it is written:⁵ First seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and other things shall be cast upon you. And this is the labour, which should go with religion. This ought Christians to endeavour to come unto: wherein although all which fear God, have not a like measure of wisdom and grace, yet let them all, wherein they want and be behind in any part of duty, therein be willing to see their failings and ⟨p. 580⟩