A61398:41
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 2: Of the Necessity of a Particular Calling.
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.
I Proceed then, in the second place, to show, That every Man and Woman, that is capable thereof, should have, besides their General and Spiritual, a Particular and Temporal Calling.
I Proceed then, in the second place, to shew, That every Man and Woman, that is capable thereof, should have, besides their General and Spiritual, a Particular and Temporal Calling.
This I prove, 1. From the Light of Nature; this teaches us, That every Man must endeavour to live; that Sustenance drops not immediately out of the Clouds; that it is unreasonable to live upon others; that Motion is natural to Mankind, so that if Idleness were enacted by Authority, it is thought very many would pay their Mulct that they might work; that Man is not only an active Creature, but he hath Brains and Strength, which were given to no Man to be useless; and the very Pagans will addict themselves to some Employment or other, for their own and others good. Hence Pharaoh's first Question to Joseph's Brethren was, What is your Occupation? Gen. 47. 3. This instructed Jubal to ⟨p. 14⟩teach Music, and Tubal-Cain to be an Artificer in Brass and Iron, Gen. 4. 21. In a word, God's giving Men Hands as well as Mouths, tells us, that they who eat, should also work. And the Inclination and Aptitude to this or that Employment, which the God of Nature hath put into Men's Minds, if they would observe and excite the same, is a plain Indication and Proof, that every Man should settle himself to be some way useful in the World.
This I prove, 1. From the Light of Nature; this teaches us, That every Man must endeavour to live; that Sustenance drops not immediately out of the Clouds; that it is unreasonable to live upon others; that Motion is natural to Mankind, so that if Idleness were enacted by Authority, it is thought very many would pay their Mulct that they might work; that Man is not only an active Creature, but he hath Brains and Strength, which were given to no Man to be useless; and the very Pagans will addict themselves to some Imployment or other, for their own and others good. Hence Pharaoh's first Question to Joseph's Brethren was, What is your Occupation?