A61398:81
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 3: Of the Choice of a 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.
2. You must consider their Abilities; and that both of Mind and Body.
(1.) For the Mind. Never thrust one of a dull Capacity, brittle Memory, shallow Judgment, or ungovernable Passions into an ingenious, especially into a religious Profession; for as such will disgrace the Employment, so they will disgrace and expose themselves. They will be but like the Ass in the Fable, the more derided for her costly Trappings. You may object, that some of mean Abilities have proved very useful in Church and State. But as that seldom falls out, so the Wisdom and Goodness of God will not justify Men's Folly in such preposterous Disposals. For God may do what he will, but we must do what we ought; and that is, to fit the Means to the End, and for an ingenious Calling, choose out an ingenious Person. And so on the other side, it is great Pity to cramp one of great Parts into a sordid Employment: it is like thrusting one to the Oars, that might serve at the Helm. God by giving to some ⟨p. 31⟩pregnant and excellent Parts, doth tacitly appoint them to Professions suitable thereunto; his way of calling Men (now) is not by audible Words, but by bestowing real Gifts.
(1.) For the Mind. Never thrust one of a dull Capacity, brittle Memory, shallow Judgment, or ungovernable Passions into an ingenious, especially into a religious Profession; for as such will disgrace the Imployment, so they will disgrace and expose themselves. They will be but like the Ass in the Fable, the more derided for her costly Trappings. You may object, that some of mean Abilities have proved very useful in Church and State. But as that seldom falls out, so the Wisdom and Goodness of God will not justify Men's Folly in such preposterous Disposals. For God may do what he will, but we must do what we ought; and that is, to fit the Means to the End, and for an ingenious Calling, chuse out an ingenious Person. And so on the other side, it is great Pity to cramp one of great Parts into a sordid Imployment: it is like thrusting one to the Oars, that might serve at the Helm. God by giving to some ⟨p. 31⟩