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

But now if these three Ingredients of Fitness do not concur, or if they clash one with another, how shall a right Choice be made? For Example, if a Person hath had an Education for a nobler Calling, but neither his Abilities nor Inclination are agreeable thereto; Or, if his Inclination to a Calling be strong, and his Abilities weak: Or, if his Parts be sufficient, and yet he hath no Disposition to it. In all these Cases, every Man should study to find out God's Will, where his Call lies; and he ought to conform himself thereunto without any hesitation or disputing. Now Abilities are the most signal Testimony of God's Will in this Case. A Man may have been unhappy in his Education, a Man may be humoursome in his Inclinations; but a Man's present Parts or Gifts do most unquestionably determine what he is fit for: But here, All Persons, especially Young Persons, are not competent Judges of their own Abilities; and therefore it is their Wisdom ⟨p. 33⟩and their Duty to be concluded by the Advice of their Faithful Friends and Relations, who most commonly are the fittest Judges, in what Cases Education, Abilities, and Inclinations shall, when they concur not, give place to one another. And let these ever consult with the Wisest of the Calling which they are about, who can best acquaint them with the Fitness of it: And above all Address must be made unto God by earnest Prayer, to direct and incline to what is best. For if God should choose our Inheritance for us, Psal. 47. 4. Then surely it's best that he choose our Calling for us; and doubtless the great matter to be inquired into and regarded in this Affair, is, to know in what Employment God would have us to be; for there we shall be sure to have his Blessing which is all in all.

But now if these three Ingredients of Fitness do not concur, or if they clash one with another, how shall a right Choice be made? For Example, if a Person hath had an Education for a nobler Calling, but neither his Abilities nor Inclination are agreeable thereto; Or, if his Inclination to a Calling be strong, and his Abilities weak: Or, if his Parts be sufficient, and yet he hath no Disposition to it. In all these Cases, every Man should study to find out God's Will, where his Call lies; and he ought to conform himself thereunto without any hesitation or disputing. Now Abilities are the most signal Testimony of God's Will in this Case. A Man may have been unhappy in his Education, a Man may be humoursom in his Inclinations; but a Man's present Parts or Gifts do most unquestionably determine what he is fit for: But here, All Persons, especially Young Persons, are not competent Judges of their own Abilities; and therefore it is their Wisdom