A61398:314
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.
These are some of the Inconveniences that are common to most Trades: But besides these, particular Trades have their proper Inconveniences; and every Tradesman is apt to enlarge and pore upon his own, because he feels them, and smarts under them; not considering that there may be far greater Troubles, which belong to others, and that every Man hath his Load. And tho these are the Fruits of Sin, yet the infinite Goodness of God permits and ordains these to be occasions for the Exercise of Grace, and Means to wean us from this World, and to prepare us for a better.
The like is to be said of the Difficulties which the Tradesman meets with. Some Trades require hard Labour, others continual Care; sometimes he hath too much Work, and sometimes too little. One day a Bill is brought him, and he wants Money; next day, he goes to dun his Debtors, and can get nothing. Now there is no Relief in these cases, but Christian Patience and Contentedness. You must go out of this World, if you would be free from Difficulties: For Man is born unto Trouble, as the Sparks fly upward; Job 5. 7. Shall the Earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the Rock be removed out of his place? Job 18. 4. Must a new kind of World be created to give give you Satisfaction? No, no, your business is ⟨p. 169⟩to employ your Wit, your Time, and your Strength in that Condition wherein you are placed, and humbly to submit to the Providence of God; and to assure your selves, that God will either lighten your Burden, or strengthen your shoulder; that no Evil shall befall you, out of which he will not bring some good to you; and in short, that innocent Troubles are better than sinful Triumphs.
The like is to be said of the Difficulties which the Tradesman meets with. Some Trades require hard Labour, others continual Care; sometimes he hath too much Work, and sometimes too little. One day a Bill is brought him, and he wants Money; next day, he goes to dun his Debtors, and can get nothing. Now there is no Relief in these cases, but Christian Patience and Contentedness. You must go out of this World, if you would be free from Difficulties: For Man is born unto Trouble, as the Sparks flie upward;