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

3. This Diligence requires the Employing the substance of your Time in the affairs of your Trades. As the Servant's Time is his Master's, so the Master's Time is God's, and not his own; and accordingly to be justly bestowed betwixt his Temporal and Spiritual Calling, Hours having wings, and every moment flies up to the Author of Time, and carries news of our usage of it. And here you have that commendable instance of Jacob, Gen. 31. 40. Thus I was, in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from mine eyes. And it is recorded to the praise of Ru•h, chap. 2. 17. She gleaned in the Field until Even and of the virtuous Woman, Prov. 31. 15, 18. She riseth also while it is yet night,—and perceiving that her Merchandise is good; her Candle goeth not out by Night. By all which Instances it is ⟨p. 80⟩evident, that the conscientious Tradesman is bound (if health permits him) to be stirring early about his lawful occasions, and continue therein with a cheerful diligence all the day long, except such time as his Soul or Body must be refreshed. For the necessary Duties of Religion, as they take up but a little time, so they lose none; and moderate refreshment must be allowed. But as Prayer and Provender hinder no Journey, so Meal and Matins gain time, and waste it not. The Diligent Tradesman hath always something to do, either to lay in or to lay out, either to be learning or teaching; his Shop or his Books are always calling him. He is as wary in his expense of Time as of Money, knowing that his Time is but short; short for the work he hath to do for his Soul, for his Livelihood, for his Family, for his Friends, and for the Public: And that it is also uncertain. For Man also knoweth not his time, as the Fishes that are taken in an evil Net; Eccles. 9. 12. That, death is lurking in some part or other of his Body, and it will be cold comfort, if it seize him out of his Calling: But, Blessed is the Servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing: Mat. 24. 46. He considers also that Time when spent is irrecoverable, no Prayers, nor Tears, nor Money can fetch it back again; and many times, that which might have been dispatched yesterday, cannot be done to day. As the Hebrew Phrase is, the work of a day is best in its day.