A61398:316
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.
2. This Contentedness of the Tradesman is showed, In a thankful Acknowledgement of the Excellencies and Advantages of his Calling. For herein God hath in great Wisdom set the one over against the other (Conveniences to balance Inconveniences) to the end, that Man should find nothing after him; Eccles. 7. 14. no just cause to complain of his Proceedings. And tho the Tradesman must be content to give place to some other Callings, that move in a Sphere above him; the Stars do not envy the Sun and Moon; yet he hath many Advantages, let him not grow proud by them, above others that are below him. And these you ought to take thankful notice of, since it is both a sign and means of your Contentedness.
2. This Contentedness of the Tradesman is shewed, In a thankful Acknowledgment of the Excellencies and Advantages of his Calling. For herein God hath in great Wisdom set the one over against the other (Conveniences to ballance Inconveniences) to the end, that Man should find nothing after him; Eccles. 7. 14. no just cause to complain of his Proceedings. And tho the Tradesman must be content to give place to some other Callings, that move in a Sphere above him; the Stars do not envy the Sun and Moon; yet he hath many Advantages, let him not grow proud by them, above others that are below him. And these you ought to take thankful notice of, since it is both a sign and means of your Contentedness.
And, first in general, The Calling of a Tradesman is more comfortable for the Body, than divers other Callings: unless it be some of the more servile Trades, for the most part, you meet with less Toil than the poor Husband-man, and less Danger than the Soldier. There are few of you that are kept from sleep by the Aches of your Bones in daily Labour, or that will be content with the Fare or Apparel of the Country-man; you know ⟨p. 170⟩best how it is within, but one may easily see by your outside, that you have the advantage of him every way; and therefore you may be well content.