The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a…

(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.

(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 Correspendent 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 Drudg and Slave to the World.

3. Of Estate: That is, to launch forth no further, than you can feel firm Ground under you. For tho in some cases, as when the Gain is certain, or extremely probable, it may be lawful and prudent enough to enlarge a Man's Trade beyond his own Stock; yet a religious and wise Tradesman must be very cautious in this matter; partly, that his Motives be right, that Ambition and Covetousness do not engage him in it; and partly, that he venture not more than his own Estate, in any such hazard, as may undo others without their own Consent. But Discretion will teach the Tradesman to keep himself ordinarily within his own Bounds; for as that Water which will merrily turn one Mill, when parted into two, will make them go but heavily about: So that Stock, with which a Man may cheerfully drive an ordinary Trade, will fill the Mind with anxious Cares, when it must carry on a far greater; when with the same Straw, you must make a double Tale of Brick, and when the same Stream must carry a Vessel of a double Burden: And oftentimes the Story ends sadly; and he that was not content with his own Stock, must be glad to live upon others Charity.