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

(2.) Your own Mortality: A great Argument to Contentedness. Whatever Exceptions you have unto, or Disasters in your Callings, yet this may quiet you, that your time in this World is but short, in comparison of Eternity. This makes the Apprentice content with all his Hardship, that after his seven Years, he hopes to live happily. You know not whether your Straits, and Troubles, or Life shall last so long; and then afterwards you have the prospect of a far longer Felicity. If you fear God, there is but one Life between you and a Crown of Glory, and that Life is wearing away apace. When a few Years are come, then (says Job) I shall go to the place, where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary be at rest: Job 3. 17.

(3.) Your own Comfort. For Contentedness produces that inward Comfort and Tranquillity of Heart, which is not to be found in the great Houses, Shops, and Wealth of those that are above you. It is the poor Tradesman's Riches; It fills his Table, warms his Bed, trims his Apparel, gives him Music, it is his Country-house, ⟨p. 165⟩makes his Shop a Palace, his Work pleasant, and his Sleep sweet: When he can get no Money, no Trade, no Trust, yet this Grace supports him, and gives him Songs in the Night. In short, there is no outward Comfort which you want, but Contentment supplies it: Whereas on the contrary, if this be wanting; the best Trade, House, or Estate will not make a Man happy. You see the Merchants fine Clothes, but you see not the Disquiet of his Mind; your Neighbour hath a great House, a fuller Table, a softer Bed; but if he have not this Furniture, this Dish, this Pillow, his Life is but a burden to him. This always makes the best of a bad matter, believes God's Promises, hopes for the performance, considers his own Unworthiness, sees the Emptiness of all outward things; looks not at those that are above him, but at those below him, and studiously keeps a Calm within, whatever Troubles he meets with abroad. It is so needful to a Christian, that the Apostle, 1 Tim. 6. 6