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

In some cases, indeed it may be lawful for one Person to follow two or three Trades. But then, 1. A just necessity must compel you to it; not a greediness of the World, but a just desire to have a Livelihood, which the one in some Cases ⟨p. 181⟩and Places will not afford. And, 2. They must not be inconsistent; if the one do hinder the other, or both together distract and hinder you from other indispensable Duties, they are to be esteemed Snares, and to be cashiered accordingly. The Apostles would not serve Tables, that is, take care about the Poor, when it hindered them in the Ministry of the Word and Prayer: Acts 6. 4. Yea, 3. You may not follow them, to the prejudice of the common Good; for you must not love your selves so, as thereby to exclude your Love to your Neighbour. Many a poor Family perhaps is sustained by the Trade, which you can live well enough without. Unless therefore you proceed with these Cautions, you discover a covetous Discontent in your Calling; and the wise and just God, who hath more Children besides you to provide for, will not hold you guiltless. In like manner, you must beware of Invading any thing else, that is proper to your Neighbour: If his House, or Shop be never so convenient and desirable for your purpose, you must neither desire nor endeavour to procure it, to his Prejudice and your Advantage: you must not only avoid any unjust, but any scandalous course to settle your self in it. The wise God hath placed him there, and woe to him that supplants him against God's revealed Will, that is, against Justice, Equity and Charity.

In some cases, indeed it may be lawful for one Person to follow two or three Trades. But then, 1. A just necessity must compel you to it; not a greediness of the World, but a just desire to have a Livelihood, which the one in some Cases ⟨p. 181⟩and Places will not afford. And, 2. They must not be inconsistent; if the one do hinder the other, or both together distract and hinder you from other indispensable Duties, they are to be esteemed Snares, and to be cashier'd accordingly. The Apostles would not serve Tables, that is, take care about the Poor, when it hindred them in the Ministry of the Word and Prayer: Acts 6. 4