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

But he that knows himself to be at God's disposal, and not at his own, will quiet his Mind in his present Condition, and will not budge, till God that called him to it, do call him out of it. For as he that goes to Sea, hath resolved beforehand that he must have Storms and Enemies to meet him in that Seafaring Life; so the Tradesman must reckon upon Discouragements and Difficulties, (such there's also in all other Callings) and must not be affrighted by them. How often have I in travelling along one side of a dirty Lane, verily thought that the other side, if I could cross over to it, was fair and even? but when with much difficulty I have crossed over the Road unto it, have found it equally deep and dirty, as that I left. And even so you imagine that some other Employment would be far more convenient for you, and it looks so at a distance; but you will find, it may be by too late Experience, that every Calling hath its Troubles and Inconveniences; and if you cannot live upon that wherein you have ⟨p. 183⟩been educated, and the Mysteries whereof you know, it is very unlikely you should make better shift in a way wherein you have far less, and perhaps no Experience at all. And therefore Divines do conclude that it is unsafe for any Man to change his Calling, unless it be occasioned by his Private Necessity, or for the Public Good, wherein also he will never do wisely or piously, unless he proceed by the Advice of judicious and upright persons.

But he that knows himself to be at God's disposal, and not at his own, will quiet his Mind in his present Condition, and will not budg, till God that called him to it, do call him out of it. For as he that goes to Sea, hath resolved beforehand that he must have Storms and Enemies to meet him in that Seafaring Life; so the Tradesman must reckon upon Discouragements and Difficulties, (such there's also in all other Callings) and must not be affrighted by them. How often have I in travelling along one side of a dirty Lane, verily thought that the other side, if I could cross over to it, was fair and even? but when with much difficulty I have crost over the Road unto it, have found it equally deep and dirty, as that I left. And even so you imagine that some other Imployment would be far more convenient for you, and it looks so at a distance; but you will find, it may be by too late Experience, that every Calling hath its Troubles and Inconveniences; and if you cannot live upon that wherein you have ⟨p. 183⟩