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

You must also be equally watchful against the other extreme, which is a weak Softness, or dangerous Indulgence. The Authority wherewith you are invested, is God's, and therefore you have no right to lose or part with it, but ought to ⟨p. 121⟩preserve and improve it both for the good of your Apprentices, and your own Comfort. God is a God of order, and therefore you should let them understand, that you are placed in a Sphere above them, and that they must observe a due respect toward you, both in their Words and other Behaviour. Indulge them in no known Evil, especially not in lying or scoffing at Religion. Teach them none of the wicked Crafts in your Calling, but still recommend to them Equity and Honesty. Above all, do your utmost to keep them out of bad Company; and to that end, take an exact account of their time, when they are out of your sight; for 'tis then that they contract their mischievous Acquaintance; and particularly on the Lord's-day, a day appointed of God for the good of the Soul, but abused very often by poor Apprentices both to the ruin of their Souls and Bodies. Keep them that day under your Eye; and the same Authority that ye assume over them on the week-day, exercise the same to keep them from evil, and in good Duties on the Sabbath day; or else God may justly reproach you for your Selfishness and Hypocrisy. Some Relaxation ye ought to allow them, but let it be at such Times and Places, and with such Company, that may be safe for them; that they may be refreshed, but not infected. And tho they grudge at this restraint, for the present; yet the time will come, that if they through their Obstinacy come not to curse themselves for their own Folly, they will bless you, and bless God for your Care about them. And one other Caution here is needful, which is to beware how you send them into Foreign ⟨p. 122⟩Parts without some competent furniture both of Wisdom, Counsel and good Books; whereby they may be there secured from the Temptations, which raw and unprincipled Youth do often fall into: For what will it profit them or you to gain the whole World, and lose the precious Soul?

You must also be equally watchful against the other extream, which is a weak Softness, or dangerous Indulgence. The Authority wherewith you are invested, is God's, and therefore you have no right to lose or part with it, but ought to ⟨p. 121⟩