A61398:388
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.
And especially watch against the Temptations of your particular Calling; for every Trade hath some particular Snare, as every Constitution hath some particular Sin, and it is the Wisdom of a Man to keep constant Watch against it. But the Temptations that are most common to all Trades, are either Debauchery on the one hand, or Worldliness on the other. Your greatest Temptation to the former, besides what is common to you with other Men, is the obliging of your Customers or Chapmen; when to get or keep them, you will break with God, distemper your Body, Head, Hear, tand all: Now how can you expect that Gain to be blessed, which is procured by Sin? No, no; if you deal with wise Men, it is the Punctualness of your Word, the Goodness and Cheapness of your Commodity, that will oblige them sufficiently; and sooner or later, I am sure, this will do the business▪ but if you deal with Fools, whom Wine and Drink do chiefly oblige, they'll disappoint you at last, and leave you in the lurch.
And especially watch against the Temptations of your particular Calling; for every Trade hath some particular Snare, as every Constitution hath some particular Sin, and it is the Wisdom of a Man to keep constant Watch against it. But the Temptations that are most common to all Trades, are either Debnuchery on the one hand, or Worldliness on the other. Your greatest Temptation to the former, besides what is common to you with other Men, is the obliging of your Customers or Chapmen; when to get or keep them, you will break with God, distemper your Body, Head, Hear, tand all: Now how can you expect that Gain to be blessed, which is procur'd by Sin? No, no; if you deal with wise Men, it is the Punctualness of your Word, the Goodness and Cheapness of your Commodity, that will oblige them sufficiently; and sooner or later, I am sure, this will do the business▪ but if you deal with Fools, whom Wine and Drink do chiefly oblige, they'l disappoint you at last, and leave you in the lurch.
And on the other hand; Take heed of Worldliness, beware of the love of Money, or of loving ⟨p. 211⟩