A61398:383
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 6: Of Religiousness 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.
6. This Religion will teach the Tradesman, To observe the Christian Sabbath in a holy manner. Indeed this is one of the first things that God's Grace reforms in a serious Christian. No sooner doth he begin to look towards Heaven in sober Sadness, but he begins to value, and use the Lord's day in another manner than before: Hence, Ezek. 20. 12. I gave them my Sabbaths to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. Remember the Sabbath before it comes: And, if possibly you can, dismiss your Affairs a little the sooner the day before, that you may have time over night, to reflect on your Works the Week past, as God did on his at the six days end, and to bewail your Sins therein; ⟨p. 207⟩that you may have time to consider, what Mercies you have to acknowledge, and what Blessings to beg on the Day following; that you may solemnly renounce all your Sins, and wholly dismiss all your worldly Business, and the thoughts thereof, till the Sabbath be past. Let not the Guilt, nor the Love of any one Sin enter with you into the holy Ground; but wash you Hands in Innocence, and so compass the Altar of God.
6. This Religion will teach the Tradesman, To observe the Christian Sabbath in a holy manner. Indeed this is one of the first things that God's Grace reforms in a serious Christian. No sooner doth he begin to look towards Heaven in sober Sadness, but he begins to value, and use the Lord'sday in another manner than before: Hence, Ezek. 20. 12. I gave them my Sabbaths to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. Remember the Sabbath before it comes: And, if possibly you can, dismiss your Affairs a little the sooner the day before, that you may have time over night, to reflect on your Works the Week past, as God did on his at the six days end, and to bewail your Sins therein; ⟨p. 207⟩that you may have time to consider, what Mercies you have to acknowledg, and what Blessings to beg on the Day following; that you may solemnly renounce all your Sins, and wholly dismiss all your worldly Business, and the thoughts thereof, till the Sabbath be past. Let not the Guilt, nor the Love of any one Sin enter with you into the holy Ground; but wash you Hands in Innocence, and so compass the Altar of God.