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

10. This Godly Wisdom will help you, To dispose your Outward in subordination to you Spiritual Calling. That is, so to order the particular duties which belong to each of them, that in the instances of practice, they may not clash or jostle with one another; but sweetly agree and be furtherances each to other. I know that some Callings are of that nature, and some Tradesmen again so necessitous, that it is difficult to find Conveniences for the Worship of God and good of the Soul. But Wisdom here is profitable to direct; hereby the pious Tradesman after a due consideration of all Circumstances, and of his necessary business within doors and without, fixes a time for prayer, for reading, and hearing, as well as for working and bargaining; and tho he cannot assign ⟨p. 73⟩so much as others can, yet he doth it with a right good-will; and he takes care, that neither of these Affairs do intrench upon the other, nor prejudice the other. His Devotion disposes him for his business, and his Diligence in his business renders his acts of Devotion welcome. And it is imprudence as well as want of zeal, which occasions the confusion in Families in these matters. The uncertainty of Time, or undue fixing of other Circumstances, doth commonly thrust out those Exercises of Religion, which if prudently and sincerely performed, would bring a blessing with them both on Soul and Body. But of these hereafter in a more proper place.

10. This Godly Wisdom will help you, To dispose your Outward in subordination to you Spirituel Calling. That is, so to order the particular duties which belong to each of them, that in the instances of practice, they may not clash or justle with one another; but sweetly agree and be furtherances each to other. I know that some Callings are of that nature, and some Tradesmen again so necessitous, that it is difficult to find Conveniences for the Worship of God and good of the Soul. But Wisdom here is profitable to direct; hereby the pious Tradesman after a due consideration of all Circumstances, and of his necessary business within doors and without, fixes a time for prayer, for reading, and hearing, as well as for working and bargaining; and tho he cannot assign ⟨p. 73⟩so much as others can, yet he doth it with a right good-will; and he takes care, that neither of these Affairs do intrench upon the other, nor prejudice the other. His Devotion disposes him for his business, and his Diligence in his business renders his acts of Devotion welcome. And it is imprudence as well as want of zeal, which occasions the confusion in Families in these matters. The uncertainty of Time, or undue fixing of other Circumstances, doth commonly thrust out those Exercises of Religion, which if prudently and sincerely perform'd, would bring a blessing with them both on Soul and Body. But of these hereafter in a more proper place.