A61398:232
The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a…
The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a calling in general : and directions for the right managing of the tradesman's calling in particular / by Richard Steele ...
London: printed by J.D. for Samuel Sprint, 1684
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE Tradesman's Calling. › Chapter 5 › Section 3: Of Justice in a Trade.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
10. The Tradesman should be just in making due Provision for his Wife and Children, if he have those Blessings, for there is Justice herein. The Wife hath brought a considerable Portion, in prospect of a comfortable Provision; or else hath been helpful to get or keep your Estates, and govern your Household-Affairs, or however is Bone of your Bone, and Flesh of your Flesh. She hath forsaken her Parents, and all her Friends, and cast her self upon the Love and Care of her Husband; Is it not just therefore that she be provided for? Your Children are pieces of your selves; in whom, as far as can be, you are perpetuated; and by whom your Name, and God's Name, which is more, must be upheld. These you have brought into the World in a helpless Condition: And is it just in you so to leave them? And yet such is the Idleness and Negligence of some Tradesmen, such the palate-pleasing in others, and in others such foolish Bargains, and improvident Courses, that they leave little to their Families, but Misery and Tears. The Goods are prized, but they are old and useless: the Books are searched, and they speak no Comfort. The poor Wife runs and shifts one way, the Children they flee another. Nothing for the Creditor, nothing for the Wife, nothing for the Children. O wretched Injustice! the Name of such Men must rot: ⟨p. 123⟩Their Posterity cannot rise up, and call them Blessed. Will it excuse such Men, that they have been just to all Men, when they have been unjust to their own Flesh? Not at all. Limit your selves therefore in your Expenses; abate of your daily Superfluities in Clothes, Diet, and Furniture, that you may leave your Wives better than you found them; that you may leave your Children above the Charity of their Friends; that you may not die like the Brutes, who have no care of those they leave behind them. Prov. 13. 22. A good Man leaveth an Inheritance to his Children's Children. Psal. 112. 3. Wealth and Riches shall be in his House, and his Righteousness endureth for ever.
10. The Tradesman should be just in making due Provision for his Wife and Children, if he have those Blessings, for there is Justice herein. The Wife hath brought a considerable Portion, in prospect of a comfortable Provision; or else hath been helpful to get or keep your Estates, and govern your Houshold-Affairs, or however is Bone of your Bone, and Flesh of your Flesh. She hath forsaken her Parents, and all her Friends, and cast her self upon the Love and Care of her Husband; Is it not just therefore that she be provided for? Your Children are pieces of your selves; in whom, as far as can be, you are perpetuated; and by whom your Name, and God's Name, which is more, must be upheld. These you have brought into the World in a helpless Condition: And is it just in you so to leave them? And yet such is the Idleness and Negligence of some Tradesmen, such the palate-pleasing in others, and in others such foolish Bargains, and improvident Courses, that they leave little to their Families, but Misery and Tears. The Goods are priz'd, but they are old and useless: the Books are searcht, and they speak no Comfort. The poor Wife runs and shifts one way, the Children they flee another. Nothing for the Creditor, nothing for the Wife, nothing for the Children. O wretched Injustice! the Name of such Men must rot: