A61398:9
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.
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.
Friendly Reader,
FOR as much as the Pains and Trouble of writing Books is (unto some Tempers I am sure) very great, unless animated thereunto by some Opposition, Gain, vain-Glory, or such like Motives; and the Age we live in so curious, if not censorious; it is meet that I give some account of this present Endeavour, which plainly is, only to guide the honest-minded Tradesman in the right way to Heaven. It is evident, that there are vast ⟨image 3⟩numbers of People, that are employed in some Trade or other; and I reckoned their some Directions and Cautions about their Carriage therein, would not be an unuseful undertaking. Surely an Affair that takes up six parts of seven of their Time, doth require more Rules, and admits more Cases of Conscience, than are digested into any one Treatise yet extant.
FOR as much as the Pains and Trouble of writing Books is (unto some Tempers I am sure) very great, unless animated thereunto by some Opposition, Gain, vain-Glory, or such like Motives; and the Age we live in so curious, if not censorious; it is meet that I give some account of this present Endeavour, which plainly is, only to guide the honest-minded Tradesman in the right way to Heaven. It is evident, that there are vast ⟨image 3⟩numbers of People, that are imployed in some Trade or other; and I reckoned their some Directions and Cautions about their Carriage therein, would not be an unuseful undertaking. Surely an Affair that takes up six parts of seven of their Time, doth require more Rules, and admits more Cases of Conscience, than are digested into any one Treatise yet extant.
Whilst others therefore are canvassing more doubtful Points in Doctrine or Worship, my present Province shall be to direct the Mind and Practice of the conscientious Christian in his daily Employment, where certainly he hath most Temptations, and without God's Grace falls into most Sins, and where he hath need of all the Assistance that God or Man shall impart, unto him. For it is not sufficient to be devout in Prayer in the Morning, and at Night, and leave Conscience asleep all the Day; no, those Religious Duties are only the Means whereby to procure that Wisdom, Faith, Patience,