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self for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works, Tit. ii. 13. 14.

"He suffered. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him, Heb. v. 8, 9.

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of GoD, &c. Heb. xii. 14,

15.

"The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, &c. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? 2 Pet. iii. 10, 11.".

203

CHAP. IX.

OF LEAVING OUR CALLINGS..

WE come in the last place to consider in what cases it is allowable and fit

for persons to leave their callings. Necessary and important occasions may detain or divert the Tradesman from his. business, as the restoration of his health, and various other occurrences which happen in life; or he may for wise reasons contract his trade, and lessen the cares and labours that attend it: but what I mean, is the wholly forsaking of business; which is a great and important affair, and should never be done without due consideration and advice. Present impulses, or the tolerable inconveniencies of trade, can never justify such a conduct, unless the rules of wisdom and prudence concur. How far wealth, or the love of a retired life may

justify it, was considered in the first part of this essay. In some cases no doubt it' is allowable:

1st. When superior authority requires it, as being called and advanced to some place of honourable employment and trust in the government, may lawfully leave his former calling. In like manner when persons are put under restraint or confinement, either by the magistrate, or by the suit of an adversary, he is so long at least discharged from his former calling, and possibly rendered incapable thereby from ever following it again.

2d. When persons are totally disabled by the diseases of body or mind. It is not every distemper or pain of body, which will justify the deserting our stations in life; for diseases are inseparable from some constitutions and from some callings too. And considering the curious frame of the bodies of men, and the irregularities of their appetites and passions: we have more cause to admire at one day's vigour and health, than an hundred days sickness and pain: But the aged or infirm Tradesman may, like the pilot in the ship, be serviceable in his profession by his advice and direction, when he cannot employ his

active powers of strength and labour. The disability only releases the Tradesman from his calling, which renders him incapable of following it to those ends for which they are managed. When his body suffers on the one hand, and his employment on the other, and there is no rational prospect of being restored to a capacity for it in this case, GOD by his providence releases him from his calling; it becomes a necessary cessation, and not a criminal indulgence. Let the younger Tradesman consider this, and be provident for the future; let him not spend his income as fast as it arises, but in dépendence upon the divine providence, and in a prudent and charitable use of what he possesses; let him remember the days of evil, for they may be many. Particularly let him be watchful against that intemperance and vice, which ruins both health and substance too.

3d. Incapacity of mind, may also discharge persons from their stations and callings. Not that every trouble of mind will excuse us from attending to the proper business of life: the means must be used, and remedies applied; the divine, and the physician consulted, and it may be, no remedy is more successful for the cure, (unS

der the blessing of heaven) than an honest diligence in our callings. But when reason is utterly clouded, or the faculties so enfeebled, that there is no prospect of future capacity, that is a sufficient discharge. Since this is an affliction so grievous in its nature, and hurtful in its consequences, let the Tradesman beware of those things which introduce it. Subdue high passions, either of love, anger, or fear. Provoke not GOD and conscience, by violations of truth, justice and religion. Beware of worldly sorrow, pour not upon losses and disappointments. Grasp not at more business than your minds or sircumstances can bear. Abuse not your parts, nor meddle with ab strue speculations, or things that are too high for you; but be humble. Maintain an innocent cheerfulness in every condition; labour to insure to yourselves the comforts of religion; and habituate yourselves to temperance and exercise of body, and you will be safe from this calamity, which renders so many a terror to themselves, and a grief to all around them.

4th. When misfortunes in trade have rendered them incapable of being carried on. It is not every loss or abatement of trade or substance, that will justify the for

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