A61398:332
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.
Against this Temptation you must vigorously arm your selves, by acting Faith upon the Promises of God; who hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, Heb. 13. 5. That tho the Lions do lack, and suffer hunger; yet they that seek; the Lord, shall not want any good thing; Psal. 34. 10. So that if an affluence of outward things be good for you, ye shall not want it. You are to know that God hath all Men and Things in his Hands, and orders them with perfect Wisdom and Goodness: That he sometimes permits his dearest Children to come to Straits, to try their Faith, Hope, and Patience, and their Dependence on him; whereof the Grasshopper is an Emblem, who is represented sucking Dew and singing; I content ⟨p. 180⟩me with this, and hope for better. You must know your Happiness consists in the Favour and Grace of God: So that, although the Figtree shall not blossom, neither shall Fruit be in the Vine, yet you may and ought to rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of your Salvation. Withal you should consider, That this Dejection is the ready way to let in Melancholy, and also Despair, which are miserable Companions; and which will make you a burden to your selves, and to all your Friends. Rouse up therefore your fainting Spirits. Attend still upon your Calling, make your Complaint to God, spread all your Case before him. If you knew what God can do, you would bear up. They that know his Name, will put their trust in him, for he has never forsaken them that seek him: Psal. 9. 10. Therefore wait on the Lord, be of good Courage, and he shall strengthen they Heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.
Against this Temptation you must vigorously arm your selves, by acting Faith upon the Promises of God; who hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, Heb. 13. 5. That tho the Lions do lack, and suffer hunger; yet they that seek; the Lord, shall not want any good thing; Psal. 34. 10. So that if an affluence of outward things be good for you, ye shall not want it. You are to know that God hath all Men and Things in his Hands, and orders them with perfect Wisdom and Goodness: That he sometimes permits his dearest Children to come to Straits, to try their Faith, Hope, and Patience, and their Dependance on him; whereof the Grashopper is an Emblem, who is represented sucking Dew and singing; I content