A61398:27
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 1: Of the Nature and Kinds of Callings.
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.
In the abovesaid Description, consider, 1. The Author of a Particular Calling, which is God. So the Apostle, 1 Cor. 7. 17. But as God hath distributed to every Man; as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. Hence certainly these Employments are named Callings, because every Man must be called of God unto them: He directs Men to them, he inclines them, he enables them for them. Now God calls unto them, 1. Immediately by himself: so he called Adam to be an Husbandman, Gen. 2. 15. Amos to be a Prophet, Amos 7. 15. Paul to be an Apostle, Acts 9. But this Method he rarely useth in these latter days. They that will pretend to an immediate Calling, must produce extraordinary Gifts and Qualifications, else it is but Conceit and Delusion. 2. God calls Men mediately by Instruments, such as Parents, Guardians, and in some cases Magistrates. By those that have a Right, either by the Law of Nature or Municipal Laws, to dispose of others, God doth as really call to this or that Employment, as if he did it immediately. For tho the Lord God, who hath sole Right and Authority over all his Creatures, doth never demise his Property to any other, yet he doth delegate Parents, and such Superiors, to act under him, and to dispose those that are under their Care, according to his Will; and he ratifies all that they regularly perform in that behalf. There is besides, also an inward Call of God, which consists in Abilities of Body, and Mind, ⟨p. 4⟩and Inclinations: of which more hereafter.
In the abovesaid Description, consider, 1. The Author of a Particular Calling, which is God. So the Apostle, 1 Cor. 7. 17. But as God hath distributed to every Man; as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. Hence certainly these Imployments are named Callings, because every Man must be called of God unto them: He directs Men to them, he inclines them, he enables them for them. Now God calls unto them, 1. Immediately by himself: so he called Adam to be an Husbandman,