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

6. This Prudence is to be used, In a frequent Inspection into the state of your Affairs; that you may know whether, and how much you thrive or languish in your Estates. This is chiefly to be done about the State of your Souls; and the neglect of it, renders a Man either very uncomfortable, or a very Bankrupt in Religion. It is also greatly requisite in your outward Affairs, to take a Survey either monthly, quarterly, or at least yearly, of your Condition: Prov. 27. 33. Be thou diligent to know the State of thy Flocks, and look well to thy Herds; and so in other Callings: and for that end, to observe an exact Method in keeping your Books of Account, that you may readily and certainly take a view of the Posture of your Affairs. If you improve in your Way; this will fill your Heart with Comfort, & your Mouth with Thanksgiving unto God, and you will be encouraged to drive the Nail that is going. If you find Things at a stay; this will quicken you to more Industry and Frugality, before it be too late. If you find that you run backward; this will oblige you to search by what Leak your Estate wastes; what Excess or Improvidence you, or any that belong ⟨p. 63⟩to you, are guilty of; wherein you have not lived so soberly, righteously, and godly as you ought to have done, for which God may justly blast you; you will discern what Sin doth waste you: for as the Thief in the Candle wastes it more, than the proper Week doth; so it will cost more to maintain one Lust, than many Children. And by this means you may see a flat necessity of stopping and altering your Course, and thereby save your Estate and your Soul also. As that Man that is not welcome into his own Conscience, can be truly merry nowhere in the World; so that Tradesman that dare not look into, and cast up his own Books, can look into no other Book with comfort. As we say to careless People concerning their Souls, they must give an Account, and therefore it is needful that they take an Account of themselves: he that judges not himself, will be judged of the Lord: So it will be far more safe and comfortable, that you survey your Shops and Books, than that Commissioners should do it for you, which is the common Issue of such Carelessness.

6. This Prudence is to be used, In a frequent Inspection into the state of your Affairs; that you may know whether, and how much you thrive or languish in your Estates. This is chiefly to be done about the State of your Souls; and the neglect of it, renders a Man either very uncomfortable, or a very Bankrupt in Religion. It is also greatly requisit in your outward Affairs, to take a Survey either monthly, quarterly, or at least yearly, of your Condition: Prov. 27. 33. Be thou diligent to know the State of thy Flocks, and look well to thy Herds; and so in other Callings: and for that end, to observe an exact Method in keeping your Books of Account, that you may readily and certainly take a view of the Posture of your Affairs. If you improve in your Way; this will fill your Heart with Comfort, & your Mouth with Thanksgiving unto God, and you will be encouraged to drive the Nail that is going. If you find Things at a stay; this will quicken you to more Industry and Frugality, before it be too late. If you find that you run backward; this will oblige you to search by what Leak your Estate wastes; what Excess or Improvidence you, or any that belong