A61398:310
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 5: Of Contentedness 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.
III. I proceed, in the third place, to show to the Tradesman, wherein this Contentedness is to be practised by him.
III. I proceed, in the third place, to shew to the Tradesman, wherein this Contentedness is to be practis'd by him.
And that, 1. In a cheerful undergoing the Inconveniences, and Difficulties in his Trade. There are some Inconveniences in a trading Life in general, ⟨p. 166⟩compared with some other Callings; what Condition in this World is wholly free from them? One Inconvenience is, that your Business lies among all sorts of Men, where you meet with much Falseness and Wickedness, Deceit and Disappointments. This meeting with a discontented Spirit, makes it outwardly to flame, or inwardly to smother. And the Man cries, Who would lead such a Life? never was Man thus vexed perpetually; this Misery is never to be endured, &c. But now Contentment prevents, or pacifies this Disquiet; and concludes, what cannot be cured must be endured: If I cannot make others better, yet they must not make we worse; I will mourn for that which I cannot mend; tho I am sorry that the World is so bad, yet I congratulate my Hopes of a better, and I know that this Life is my State of Exercise, and not of Rest, and so will be content.
And that, 1. In a chearful undergoing the Inconveniencies, and Difficulties in his Trade. There are some Inconveniences in a trading Life in general, ⟨p. 166⟩compar'd with some other Callings; what Condition in this World is wholly free from them? One Inconvenience is, that your Business lies among all sorts of Men, where you meet with much Falseness and Wickedness, Deceit and Disappointments. This meeting with a discontented Spirit, makes it outwardly to flame, or inwardly to smother. And the Man cries, Who would lead such a Life? never was Man thus vext perpetually; this Misery is never to be indured, &c. But now Contentment prevents, or pacifies this Disquiet; and concludes, what cannot be cur'd must be indur'd: If I cannot make others better, yet they must not make we worse; I will mourn for that which I cannot mend; tho I am sorry that the World is so bad, yet I congratulate my Hopes of a better, and I know that this Life is my State of Exercise, and not of Rest, and so will be content.