1A like conceit unto this is, when as the flesh persuadeth us that we may neglect good duties, or commit and live in divers sins because we live in such callings as do force us to take these courses, without which we could not maintain our charge. Thus it persuadeth shopkeepers, that they should not be able to live in their trades, if they should not use lying and deceit; and other tradesmen as Cooks, Tailors, Shoemakers, Vintners, Butchers, Carriers, and such like, that they may be dispensed with, though they neglect the service of God, and labour in the works of their callings on the Lords Sabbaths, because otherwise they should loose their custom, together with those gains, by which they are enabled to maintain themselves and theirs. Yea and thus it persuadeth others to live in unlawful callings, because they have no other means, as Players and Playmakers, gan•esters, and those who keep gaming houses, and such like. But let the former know that no particular calling should withdraw us from performing the duties which belong to the general calling of a Christian; that they shall in the end find those gains the greatest losses, when to keep a market for our body and sta••, ⟨p. 150⟩we neglect the spiritual market of our souls, & the means whereby we might attain unto the riches of saving graces and heavenly happiness. That those who seek to compass riches by unlawful means, they either fail of their end, and so labour in vain, or together with them get a curse, which will make them moulder and consume away, or if they continue, will bring to the possessors but small comfort, when they must leave their riches behind them and carry their sin with them before their judge. Let them know that no man in any lawful calling is brought into such straits, but that if there be prudence, providence and wise forecast joined with it, he may find some time and opportunity for the service of God and the feeding of his soul: and though he do not use the means of thriving in his calling as others do, who so earnestly follow their worldly business that they neglect all holy duties, yet may they expect from God upon their weaker endeavours a greater blessing, which may make their state become 2as fat and in as good liking, as those children were in their bodies who fed only upon pulse & water:
1A like conceipt vnto this is, when as the flesh perswadeth vs that we may neglect good duties, or commit and liue in diuers sinnes because we liue in such callings as doe force vs to take these courses, without which we could not maintaine our charge. Thus it perswadeth shopkeepers, that they should not be able to liue in their trades, if they should not vse lying and deceipt; and other tradesmen as Cookes, Taylors, Shoomakers, Vintners, Butchers, Carriers, and such like, that they may be dispensed with, though they neglect the seruice of God, and labour in the workes of their callings on the Lords Sabbaths, because otherwise they should loose their custome, together with those gaines, by which they are inabled to maintaine themselues and theirs. Yea and thus it perswadeth others to liue in vnlawfull callings, because they haue no other meanes, as Players and Playmakers, gan•esters, and those who keepe gaming houses, and such like. But let the former know that no particular calling should withdraw vs from performing the duties which belong to the generall calling of a Christian; that they shall in the end finde those gaines the greatest losses, when to keepe a market for our body and sta••, ⟨p. 150⟩we neglect the spirituall market of our soules, & the meanes whereby we might attaine vnto the riches of sauing graces and heauenly happinesse. That those who seek to compasse riches by vnlawfull meanes, they either faile of their end, and so labour in vaine, or together with them get a curse, which will make them moulder and consume away, or if they continue, will bring to the possessors but small comfort, when they must leaue their riches behinde them and carry their sinne with them before their iudge. Let them know that no man in any lawfull calling is brought into such streights, but that if there be prudence, prouidence and wise forecast ioyned with it, he may finde some time and opportunity for the seruice of God and the feeding of his soule: and though he doe not vse the meanes of thriuing in his calling as others doe, who so earnestly follow their worldly businesse that they neglect all holy duties, yet may they expect from God vpon their weaker indeauours a greater blessing, which may make their state become 2as fat and in as good liking, as those children were in their bodies who fed onely vpon pulse & water:
- 1§. Sect. 5. The fourth policy is to pretend a necessity of living in our sins by reason of our calling.§. Sect. 5. The fourth policie is to pretend a necessitie of liuing in our sins by reason of our calling.
- 2Dan. 1. 15
