1It is necessary that a man have some calling, some profitable employment, by which he is able with the common benefit of others to maintain his own self and family, and to uphold his estate. It is a promise, Thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands. Lo, labour must get our food, else we have not the good mans blessing: In the sweat of thy brow shalt thou get thy bread. This is a punishment, so far as it tendeth to inflict disquietment and troublesomeness upon men in their labours, but so far as it enjoineth labour, it is not a punishment, but a precept: He that tilleth his ground shall have bread enough. Tilling of ones ground, that is, diligent following of ones honest calling is required; and how shall a man follow that which he hath not? Also nature teacheth this plainly enough: the contrary also is full of danger to the soul, exposing a man to many temptations, and filling the heart with noisome lust, and making it harder to escape, and to walk in a Christian manner of life. Wherefore those that have imitated Esau rather than Jacob, and have given themselves to sports and vanity, so that they be not able to do any thing for their maintenance, if need required, have much to answer for before God, and have brought ⟨p. 45⟩much misery on themselves, in regard they are in greater difficulty of being saved than other men, in giving Satan and flesh an exceeding great advantage against their souls: He that hath no calling is in danger to be a follower of idle companions, and the troupes of such persons lead not in the way to heaven. Therefore I call upon all you that are Parents, and all you children that are come to years of discretion, requiring you to be careful of your children's education, and to train them up for some due vocation and calling; and you children to be obsequious to your Parents in this behalf, yielding your selves to their directions; and this exhortation I would enforce not only upon the poorer sort, whose belly craveth it of them, as Solomon saith, but even on the wealthier sort too, whose souls I am sure do as much crave it of them. For there is no man of so great birth and blood, but that there is some noble study or other, and some honourable employment, wherein it will be to his honour to be skilful and conversant.
1It is necessary that a man have some calling, some profitable employment, by which he is able with the common benefit of others to maintain his own selfe and family, and to uphold his estate. It is a promise, Thou shalt eate the labour of thine hands. Loe, labour must get our food, else we have not the good mans blessing: In the sweat of thy brow shalt thou get thy bread. This is a punishment, so far as it tendeth to inflict disquietment and troublesomenesse upon men in their labours, but so far as it enjoyneth labour, it is not a punishment, but a precept: He that tilleth his ground shall have bread enough. Tilling of ones ground, that is, diligent following of ones honest calling is required; and how shall a man follow that which he hath not? Also nature teacheth this plainly enough: the contrary also is full of danger to the soule, exposing a man to many temptations, and filling the heart with noysome lust, and making it harder to escape, and to walk in a Christian manner of life. Wherefore those that have imitated Esau rather than Iacob, and have given themselves to sports and vanity, so that they be not able to doe any thing for their maintenance, if need required, have much to answer for before God, and have brought ⟨p. 45⟩much misery on themselves, in regard they are in greater difficulty of being saved than other men, in giving Satan and flesh an exceeding great advantage against their soules: He that hath no calling is in danger to be a follower of idle companions, and the troupes of such persons leade not in the way to heaven. Therefore I call upon all you that are Parents, and all you children that are come to yeares of discretion, requiring you to be carefull of your childrens education, and to traine them up for some due vocation and calling; and you children to be obsequious to your Parents in this behalfe, yeelding your selves to their directions; and this exhortation I would inforce not only upon the poorer sort, whose belly craveth it of them, as Solomon saith, but even on the wealthier sort too, whose soules I am sure doe as much crave it of them. For there is no man of so great birth and blood, but that there is some noble study or other, and some honourable employment, wherein it will be to his honour to be skilfull and conversant.
- 1Every one must follow some calling.
