III. Diligence in our Callings, is another means on our part to be performed, for the practising of charity. He that would be charitable to the poor in their needs and necessities; must be diligent and industrious in his calling, so that he may have wherewithal to express his charity;1 for mens diligence in their callings is usually crowned with a blessing, according to that of the wise man, the hand of the diligent maketh rich: And again, The soul of the diligent shall be made fat, that is, shall be enriched with outward blessings; and the Greeks say, that plentifulness follows painfulness, and that all things are made Servants to care and industry? And therefore the Apostle Paul prescribeth diligence and industry in a lawful calling as a means of charity; Let him that stole, steal no more, but rather let him labour, working with his own hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs. This is one end we should propound to our selves, in the works of our callings, namely that through Gods blessing on our pains and endeavours, we may have, not only sufficient ⟨p. 297⟩for our own livelihood, and of them that belong unto us, but also somewhat for the relief of others; Solomon describing the virtuous woman, saith in the first place, that she seeks wool and flax, 2and works willingly with her hands; And then, that she stretches out her hands to the Poor, yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
III. Diligence in our Callings, is another means on our part to be performed, for the practising of charity. Hee that would be charitable to the poor in their needs and necessities; must be diligent and industrious in his calling, so that hee may have wherewithall to express his charity;1 for mens diligence in their callings is usually crowned with a blessing, according to that of the wise man, the hand of the dil•gent maketh rich: And again, The soul of the diligent shall bee made fat, that is, shall be inriched with outward blessings; and the Greeks say, that plentifulness follows painfulness, and that all things are made Servants to care and industry? And therefore the Apostle Paul prescribeth diligence and industry in a lawful calling as a means of charity; Let him that stole, steal no more, but rather let him labour, working with his own hands the thing which is good, that hee may have to give to him that needs. This is one end we should propound to our selves, in the works of our callings, namely that through Gods blessing on our pains and endeavours, we may have, not only sufficient ⟨p. 297⟩for our own livelihood, and of them that belong unto us, but also somewhat for the releif of others; Solomon describing the vertuous woman, saith in the first place, that shee seeks wooll and flax, 2and works willingly with her hands; And then, that shee stretches out her hands to the Poor, yea, shee reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
- 1Prov. 10.4. Prov. 13.4. [Greek or Hebrew]. Ephes. 4.28.Prov. 10.4. Prov. 13.4. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Ephes. 4.28.
- 2Prov. 31.13.
