CHAPTER II.

Of choosing a Calling.

I. The lawfulness of a calling to be attended to in the choice of it; and its suitableness to the abilities of body and mind, education and circumstances. Consideration recommended therein. Respect to the advice of others. And the interest of the soul. Dependence upon Divine Providence; and regard to a particular inclination. Scriptures suitable. II. Due dispositions and views, as necessary as a proper choice. Religious principles. Steady resolutions. Humility and faithfulness. The study of the sacred scriptures. And prayer to Almighty God, recommended, &c.

I. HAVING considered the obligations to a life of business, and advantages of it; the next thing that presents itself to us is, the proper choice of it. This, at first view, must appear to every one a momentous concern, as so much of the comfort and happiness of an after life depends upon it. As to children and youth, it is commonly under the direction of parents or guardians; but the inclination of the person to be disposed of is not to be disregarded. The directions necessary under this head may be comprised in these two, that the calling we choose be lawful and suitable.

1. Both the disposers and disposed must agree to choose a calling that is lawful. To do

a sinful act is bad enough, but to make a trade of sin, and employ our lives in one continued scene of disobedience to God, is a condition that cannot be thought of without the utmost abhorrence, by any one in whom the principles of virtue and religion are not wholly extinguished; as the continual curse of God must necessarily be attendant upon them. The prospect of gain may blind the eyes of men, and carry them on in such a course without reflecting; but it is often seen that the divine resentment follows them, even in this life, by blasting their hopes and aims, and causing wealth thus gotten by vanity to be diminished; but should this not be the case, God does not forget, nor lose the right to punish, those crimes on which he does not animadvert in this world. It is a plain, though a lamentable case, that men are now disposed to take great liberties with their consciences, and make a light matter of religion, as if it was confined to a few outward acts of piety, without having any thing to do with their general conduct; in such an age it would be difficult to point out those callings that come under the character of criminal, without censure: yet every one must acknowledge that those employments are certainly evil, that tend to lessen the reverence and duty we owe to Almighty God; or obstruct the general good of mankind; that are either the necessary occasions of sin to ourselves, or the certain incen

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tives to it in others. Those only are lawful in which we can reasonably ask for the blessing of God, and expect his favour and acceptance. This, indeed, is the best rule we can form_to ourselves by which to judge of every doubtful action.

2. The employment or calling we choose, must be suitable or fit. Rashness and negligence herein, has often been the ruin of particular persons, and sometimes a public mischief. Those who have capacities and endowments above their callings, grow uneasy and discontented in them. Those who have employments above their capacities, after some weak and unsuccessful attempts, are discouraged; and if they are placed in more exalted stations of life, render their weakness the more conspicuous, and prove a shame and reproach unto them.

Let, therefore, the abilities of body and mind, be considered. As to the mind; never thrust one of a dull capacity, bad memory, shallow judgment, or ungovernable passions, into an ingenious, especially into a religious, profession; for though some of mean abilities have proved useful in church and state, yet as that seldom happens, so the divine goodness in making them successful, will not justify the folly and rashness of man, in making such an unadvised choice. The Almighty God may do what he will, we

must do what we ought; that is, fit the means to the end, and for an ingenious calling, choose an ingenious person. On the other hand, it is great pity to confine a bright genius to a sordid employment. This is like thrusting those to the oar, that might sit at the helm. God, by giving to some excellent and large capacities, tacitly appoints them to employments suited thereto, if other circumstances concur; for his method of calling men now, is not by audible words, but by bestowing real and suitable gifts. The employment should likewise be fitted to the strength of body. A robust and healthy constitution, where the endowments of the mind are small, is fittest for a laborious calling; and those of weaker and more tender constitutions should be placed in easier stations of life.

Let the education and circumstances be regarded. A genteel or liberal education, directs to a genteel or liberal calling, if other things concur. A plain employment, very well suits a plain education; but it will require uncommon wisdom and humility, for persons of learning and ingenuity, to stoop to low and servile employments, and be easy in them. Those, likewise, who have been tenderly educated, should not be placed under too much severity, lest such new wine, being put into old bottles, it be spilt and lost. The circumstances of persons are also to be considered in the choice of a calling. It is absurd to set those to follow a plough, who, by

the fortune they are to receive, might be qualified to fill the chair. But it is to be feared people more frequently err on the other side. Vanity and pride lead persons to choose for themselves, or those they are concerned for, callings superior to their substance, in hopes of some imaginary, fortuitous events, which seldom come to pass; upon this presumption, they either enter into business upon a false foundation, and so sink into ruin at any considerable disappointment; or else, for want of a capital to engage in trade, they are obliged to remain in a state of servitude and dependance all their days. In order to a happy choice, therefore

1st. Let due consideration be used. It is highly absurd to fix upon such a weighty affair as a condition for life, without the serious exercise of reason and thought; and yet we too often find that humour and fancy are the guides that are chiefly consulted in this momentous concern. Persons promising themselves ease or honour, pleasure or gain, in this or the other employment, rush into it, and their promises exceeding the bound of reasonable expectation, and disappointing their hopes, they grow restless and weary of their choice. Consider then, is the calling I am about to choose lawful in itself, and suitable for me? have I means proportioned to the end, capacity sufficient to attain the knowledge of it; strength and patience