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

And on the other side, we may hereby discern which are unlawful Callings.

Namely, 1. Such as directly tend to God's Dishonour; as the Craft of Demetrius, that consisted ⟨p. 28⟩in making Silver Shrines for an Idol, Acts 19. 24. And those curious or magical Arts mentioned Vers. 19. of that Chapter. I say, which have this explicit and plain Tendency; for otherwise a Man may be innocently employed in those things, which others may wickedly abuse; as may be instanced in most Callings in the World.

Namely, 1. Such as directly tend to God's Dishonour; as the Craft of Demetrius, that consisted ⟨p. 28⟩in making Silver Shrines for an Idol, Acts 19. 24. And those curious or magical Arts mentioned Vers. 19. of that Chapter. I say, which have this explicite and plain Tendency; for otherwise a Man may be innocently imployed in those things, which others may wickedly abuse; as may be instanced in most Callings in the World.

So, 2. Such Callings as directly tend to the hurt of Man, either in Body, Soul, Estate, or any way else; these are unlawful Callings, and were never appointed by God, who is Holiness and Goodness it self. Such are all Knights of the Post▪ Bawds, Cheats, Ballad-makers, mere Gamesters, and in the Judgment of the Ancient Church, Stageplayers. These, and such like, are not lawful for a Christian, who hath renounced the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, and is devoted to the Service of an holy God. And they that are fondest of them, and gain most by them, will reap no Fruit in the Issue from them, but Shame, if they repent; and Death, if they do not.