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

(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. ranks it with Godliness; Godliness with Contentment is great Gain; as if, even Godliness it self, were not sufficient without Contentment. Many other Arguments to press this matter might be used, but they are fully insisted on by Others, that I need to enlarge no further hereupon.

(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 Musick, 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,