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

(3.) When a Man is disabled in his Estate to follow his Calling, then he is plainly released from it. You must not give it up for every Loss, nor for every Abatement in your Estate. God is pleased sometimes to try the Faith and Patience of his dearest Children, by Ebbs and Tides in their Estates; and many who have been reduced to a very small scantling, have recovered again in a wonderful manner. But if a Man's Estate be reduced to nothing, and that his Calling is such, as requires an Estate to manage it, then he is discharged; he doth not properly leave his Calling, ⟨p. 236⟩but his Calling leaves him. But it highly concerns this Man to review his Carriage both towards God, and towards Men; and to find out, wherefore God hath taken his Talent from him. He should consider, whether he have served his Master with all his Strength, whether he hath not lived in some Omission, or indulged some Transgression or other? Whether he hath employed his utmost Wisdom, Strength, and Skill, in his Vocation? Whether he hath not been unjust, or uncharitable towards others? And in case he find himself faulty, to deplore his Sin, and implore the Mercy of God in Jesus Christ; lest those Sins which drive him out of his Shop, keep him out of Heaven also. But in this case, he and his Calling must live no longer together; he is starved out of it, and must seek another. For God will not give his Consent, that he should be idle. He must be content to be a Servant, when he cannot be a Master; and to be helpful in another's Shop, when he cannot keep open his own. And this is rather to be chosen, than to wander into Employments foreign to his own: for tho it may be less creditable and more laborious; yet he is within the Purlieus of his own Calling, and if he can get Food and Raiment, he ought therewith to be content.

(3.) When a Man is disabled in his Estate to follow his Calling, then he is plainly released from it. You must not give it up for every Loss, nor for every Abatement in your Estate. God is pleased sometimes to try the Faith and Patience of his dearest Children, by Ebbs and Tides in their Estates; and many who have been reduced to a very small scantling, have recovered again in a wonderful manner. But if a Man's Estate be reduced to nothing, and that his Calling is such, as requires an Estate to manage it, then he is discharg'd; he doth not properly leave his Calling, ⟨p. 236⟩but his Calling leaves him. But it highly concerns this Man to review his Carriage both towards God, and towards Men; and to find out, wherefore God hath taken his Talent from him. He should consider, whether he have served his Master with all his Strength, whether he hath not liv'd in some Omission, or indulg'd some Transgression or other? Whether he hath imploy'd his utmost Wisdom, Strength, and Skill, in his Vocation? Whether he hath not been unjust, or uncharitable towards others? And in case he find himself faulty, to deplore his Sin, and implore the Mercy of God in Jesus Christ; lest those Sins which drive him out of his Shop, keep him out of Heaven also. But in this case, he and his Calling must live no longer together; he is starv'd out of it, and must seek another. For God will not give his Consent, that he should be idle. He must be content to be a Servant, when he cannot be a Master; and to be helpful in anothers Shop, when he cannot keep open his own. And this is rather to be chosen, than to wander into Imployments foreign to his own: for tho it may be less creditable and more laborious; yet he is within the Purlieus of his own Calling, and if he can get Food and Raiment, he ought therewith to be content.