Divine Conduct, or The Mystery of Providence

In directing you to a Calling in your Youth, and not suffering you to live an idle, useless and sinful life, as many do, who are but burdens to the Earth, fruges consumer nati, the Wens of the body politic, serving only to disfigure and drain it, to eat what others earn. Sin brought in sweat, Gen. 3. 19. but now, not to sweat increaseth sin, 2 Thess. 3. 12. He that lives idly, cannot live honestly; as is plainly enough intimated, 1 Thess. 4. 11, 12. But when God puts men into a lawful Calling, wherein the labours of their hands or heads is sufficient for them, it is a very valuable mercy: for thereby they eat their own bread, 2 Thess. 3. 12. Many a sad Temptation is happily prevented; and they are ordinarily furnished by it, for works of mercy to others, and surely it is more blessed to give, than to receive.

In directing you to a Calling in your Youth, and not suffering you to live an idle, useless and sinful life, as many do, who are but burthens to the Earth, fruges consumere nati, the Wens of the body politick, serving only to disfigure and drein it, to eat what others earn. Sin brought in sweat, Gen. 3. 19. but now, not to sweat increaseth sin, 2 Thess. 3. 12. He that lives idly, cannot live honestly; as is plainly enough intimated, 1 Thess. 4. 11, 12. But when God puts men into a lawful Calling, wherein the labours of their hands or heads is sufficient for them, it is a very valuable mercy: for thereby they eat their own bread, 2 Thess. 3. 12. Many a sad Temptation is happily prevented; and they are ordinarily furnished by it, for works of mercy to others, and surely it is more blessed to give, than to receive.