A61398:135
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.
4. This Prudence stands in Proportioning the Affairs of your Trade unto your Abilities:
(1.) Of Mind: So as not to over-charge either your Understandings, Memories, nor Hearts with your Business; lest they, like a Bow overbent, be broke in pieces. Some have stronger and larger Capacities than others, but no Man's Faculties are infinite. A Ship that's well built, rigged and balanced, will carry a great Burden; but it may be over-laden, and then it sinks: and so is it with the Mind of Man; when your Business distracts you, that you cannot eat, or sleep, or be cheerful, or pray, it's time to abate and draw in your Sails.
(1.) Of Mind: So as not to over-charge either your Understandings, Memories, nor Hearts with your Business; lest they, like a Bow overbent, be broke in pieces. Some have stronger and larger Capacities than others, but no Man's Faculties are infinite. A Ship that's well built, rigg'd and ballanc'd, will carry a great Burden; but it may be over-laden, and then it sinks: and so is it with the Mind of Man; when your Business distracts you, that you cannot eat, or sleep, or be cheerful, or pray, it's time to abate and draw in your Sails.
(2.) Of Body: That is, to undertake no more Work, than you are able to perform. This commonly proceeds from Covetousness, whereby a Man would grasp at more than his share; and thereby becomes a Slave to his Calling; and must of necessity either injure his Correspondent by disappointing him; or else himself, by over-toiling himself. You should therefore consider, that God requires no more from any Man than what is ⟨p. 60⟩possible, and consistent with those Duties he owes to his Maker, and to himself. And that the holy God will never allow, that that Body which is the Temple of the Holy Ghost, should be a Drudge and Slave to the World.