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

CHAP. IV. Concerning the right Entrance into a Calling.

I Come now, in the fourth place, to speak of the right Entrance into a Calling, when you have made a discreet Choice. For in all matters, a right beginning is half the Business done; and he that misses his way at setting out, strays still further to the end of his Journey. We may justly impute the Miscarriage of thousands to their rash Atheistical Entrance into their Callings. How many go to the Universities, and to Trades without any Sense of Religion, of their Duty, of their Dangers, and the Temptations that are before them? And being thus unarmed, are soon surprised with Temptations, and blown up to the Grief of their Friends, and their own Ruin. It's true, the most hopeful beginning may end sadly, but what End then may we expect from a careless Entrance?

I Come now, in the fourth place, to speak of the right Entrance into a Calling, when you have made a discreet Choice. For in all matters, a right beginning is half the Business done; and he that misses his way at setting out, strays still further to the end of his Journey. We may justly impute the Miscarriage of thousands to their rash Atheistical Entrance into their Callings. How many go to the Ʋniversities, and to Trades without any Sense of Religion, of their Duty, of their Dangers, and the Temptations that are before them? And being thus unarm'd, are soon surpriz'd with Temptations, and blown up to the Grief of their Friends, and their own Ruine. It's true, the most hopeful beginning may end sadly, but what End then may we expect from a careless Entrance?

Let all Persons then at their first starting out, be careful,