A61398:132
The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a…
The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a calling in general : and directions for the right managing of the tradesman's calling in particular / by Richard Steele ...
London: printed by J.D. for Samuel Sprint, 1684
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE Tradesman's Calling. › Chapter 5 › Section 1: Of Prudence in a Trade.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
(2.) For Place. It is said of the virtuous Woman, Prov. 31. 16. She considereth a Field, and buyeth it. So the Tradesman must consider, what Place is most fit and proper for his Calling, and fix there, and he must suffer the Conveniences of his Family, to give place to the Conveniences of his Trade, and permit his Fancy to be directed by his Judgment therein.
(2.) For Place. It is said of the vertuous Woman, Prov. 31. 16. She considereth a Field, and buyeth it. So the Tradesman must consider, what Place is most fit and proper for his Calling, and fix there, and he must suffer the Conveniences of his Family, to give place to the Conveniences of his Trade, and permit his Fancy to be directed by his Judgment therein.
(3.) For Persons. You had need of Prudence to discern, 1. Whom to deal with, to wit, Men of Conscience, or at least of moral Honesty; and common Fame will usually acquaint you where and who they be. For such you may rely upon with more Security, than upon others; and it is more creditable to have Correspondence with honest Men, than with Knaves. 2. Whom to trust: Here you have need of all the godly Wisdom that you can get; for Man is a deceitful Creature, and the Metal that glisters most, is not always the richest. It is with many Men, as it is with many Fowls, that look fair and large, but stripped of their Feathers, their Substance is little. As that Faith is often soundest, that is accompanied with doubting, at least with inquiring and questioning; So it is better for you to be at the Cost and Pains of a diligent Inquiry, than at the Grief and Pain of a sad Experience. It is most certain, that as it may be Prudence to trust some Persons, and Charity to trust others; so there are many, whom it is neither Wisdom nor Charity to trust at all. 3. Whom to be familiar with. Herein you have need of your discreet Prudence: For tho you must be friendly to all, yet you must be familiar but with few; and they must be those ⟨p. 58⟩