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

(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, Luke 16. 3. I cannot dig, to beg I am ashamed. Answ. I take not upon me to be Judg of Men's Capacities or Abilities; but are you fit for nothing? have ye neither Nerves nor Brains? God is too wise and good to make any Man wholly unprofitable. Do not you render your selves useless, lest ye be dealt with like unsavoury Salt, which being good for nothing, is cast out and trodden under Foot of Men. Object. I cannot attain any Calling, I would be in ⟨p. 24⟩an Employment, but cannot meet with any. Answ. 1. See that this Disappointment be not a just Judgment of God upon you for your Negligence heretofore. Perhaps you have been unfaithful, or unthankful in your former Station; and therefore God now justly keeps you out of his Service, and you are to be readmitted only upon your sound Repentance. 2. See that Pride or Sloth be not now the true Hinderance: Your Purse is too low for an high Employment, and your Spirit too high for a low one. Or, it may be, you would have a Livelihood without any Labour; you would enjoy Plenty, but would take no Pains: whereas you should resign your selves to God's Disposal, and be contented to be an Hand, yea, a Finger, yea, a Toe in the Body, rather than to be an Excrescence and no useful Part of it.