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

(2.) This meets with Idle Beggars: A sort of People that live without Law, and without Gospel; that are neither useful to the Public Good, nor careful of their own; but be like Wens upon the Body Politic, and Sinks of all Uncleanness. Happy for them, if fewer People spent their foolish Pity upon their Bodies, and if more showed some wise Compassion upon their Souls. If they be any ways able, doubtless they should be employed; if they be altogether impotent, certainly they should be pitied and maintained: but in the mean time they are wholly neglected by the Church, and the excellent Laws in force for their reclaiming, are generally disused by the Common-wealth.

(2.) This meets with Idle Beggars: A sort of People that live without Law, and without Gospel; that are neither useful to the Publick Good, nor careful of their own; but be like Wens upon the Body Politick, and Sinks of all Uncleanness. Happy for them, if fewer People spent their foolish Pity upon their Bodies, and if more shew'd some wise Compassion upon their Souls. If they be any ways able, doubtless they should be imploy'd; if they be altogether impotent, certainly they should be pitied and maintain'd: but in the mean time they are wholly neglected by the Church, and the excellent Laws in force for their reclaiming, are generally disused by the Common-wealth.

(3.) This reaches all lazy Christians, of what Rank and Quality soever: That live like the Leviathan in the Sea, as if made only to play therein: what Account can you give at Night to your own Consciences? What Account can you give at last unto the great God? He that hath lent you Talents, hath also said, Occupy till I come; Luke 19. 13. Your Strength is a Talent, your Parts are Talents, and so is your Time: How is it that ye stand all the day idle? Why do you like those vain Athenians, who spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or hear some new thing? Acts 17. 21. What is Mankind the better for you? What Gap do you stop? Or, what miss will there be of you from off the Earth? You are like Ministers sine Titulo, like wandering Stars that move in no proper Orb, to whom is reserved (if ye reform not) the Blackness of Darkness for ever. Object. Yea, but we do some good, this way and that. Answ. Ay, but are you in a Calling? hath God called you to this lazy Life that you live? Nothing will pass in any Man's Accounts, except it be done in the way of his Calling. Object. The truth is, I cannot work, as that sorry Steward said,