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

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.

3. Of Estate: That is, to lanch forth no further, than you can feel firm Ground under you. For tho in some cases, as when the Gain is certain, or extreamly probable, it may be lawful and prudent enough to inlarge 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 ingage 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 chearfully 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.