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

6. This Diligent Care consists, In Rejecting those Avocations which would divert you from your Affairs. In general, you should endeavour to be as much in your Shops, Ware-houses, or places where your most constant business is, as possibly you can: yea, ye ought to delight to be there, as every thing doth to be in its place, and to be restless when you are necessitated thence, until your return thereunto. For there is your place, where you may most confidently expect the Presence and Blessing of God. Where did Peter and Andrew and James and John meet with Christ, but in their Ships, fishing or mending their Nets? As therefore it must be a weighty Cause, that will excuse the Clergy-man in his Non-residence, if ever his Conscience do consider that repeated charge to Peter, Feed my Sheep: Joh. 21. 17. So must it be a considerable matter that will justify a Tradesman's pleasing and reposing himself at his Country house, while his Affairs and Family at home are left at sixes and sevens. How many hopeful Youths have been undone hereby, being left by their Masters to their own wills, and so in that unhappy opportunity trapanned either by bad Men or Women unto all kind of Sins? Hath the Minister the charge of Souls in his Place, which being a personal Trust, cannot be devolved upon another; and so have you in your Family; your Apprentices Parents confiding in your personal ⟨p. 84⟩worth and care, have entrusted their Children with you; and woe to you, if by your Non-residence they miscarry. If you be grown too high for your Trades, or that they be grown too hard for you, it is better to resign them unto more diligent hands, than to neglect them to the offence of God, and hurt of others.

6. This Diligent Care consists, In Rejecting those Avocations which would divert you from your Affairs. In general, you should indeavour to be as much in your Shops, Ware-houses, or places where your most constant business is, as possibly you can: yea, ye ought to delight to be there, as every thing doth to be in its place, and to be restless when you are necessitated thence, until your return thereunto. For there is your place, where you may most confidently expect the Presence and Blessing of God. Where did Peter and Andrew and James and John meet with Christ, but in their Ships, fishing or mending their Nets? As therefore it must be a weighty Cause, that will excuse the Clergy-man in his Non-residence, if ever his Conscience do consider that repeated charge to Peter, Feed my Sheep: