BEeing laboured much ( beloued in him who is blessed for euer ) to preach at this assembly , I was no little time before I could meete with a Text answering the persons and occasions : At length I found this Scripture , and haue laboured the same , I hope according to the true & geminine sence thereof , & for your profit , so that I shall neither wrong you nor it , in the handling thereof . In it , we haue a commendation both of the antiquity , necessity , and lawfulnes of your Trade : though in posterity of Lamech , no disparagement thereof , God bringing light out of darkenes , and good out of euill : so heerein ordering and disposing this posterity of Kain , that though they wil not giue themselues to the worship of God , yet by them he bringeth forth skill , both in liberall arts , and mechanicall trades , for the good of all : of liberall arts in Iuball : of mechanicall , trades in Tubalkin , in this Text mencioned : who is commended vnto vs by his parentage , and that on both sides , by Father who was Lamech , by Mother who was Zillah , his second wife , in whome Poligamy , or Bigamy , bebegan : Secondly by his trade or calling , in which fower things are to be considered : First , that hee was not idle but had a calling : Secondly , that he wrought in his calling : Thirdly , the perfection he did growe to and labour after , in these words He wrought cunningly : Fourthly , what his calling was , to worke in Brasse and Iron . In these haue we seene the speciall things in this Scripture to be considered : for the words , there is some difference betweene the originall and translation , which is to be obserued for the clearing of the Text , and the making of better way , to the doctrine and instructions . The difference is heerein , Whereas the translation is , Hee wrought cunningly , the originall ( according to the learned translaters ) is verbatim , he sharpened , or put an edge to Brasse and Iron , metaphorically speaking , that as a man finding a blunt knife or toole , doth set an edge therevpon ; so did Tubalkain , finding this work , he laboured to bring it to a better perfection then it was before . That it was before , it is very probable , if not out of question , as Tremelius and Iunius heereupon with others obserue , because Kain tilled the ground before , which hee could not doe without Iron instruments , especially the ground being accursed : so that the meaning of it is , he brought this trade to a greater perfection , and laboured more in it then before was laboured therein : From which we will hasten to the seueral doctrines from the same deducted . And first we will obserue somewhat more generally , considering him a wicked man , yea the sonne of Lamech , by whome Poligamy or Bigamy first came in , one of Cains brood , seperated and remoued with the rest ( as in place , so in profession ) from the feare of God , yet had he riches and a trade , yea he excelled al others in his trade , bringing it to a greater perfection then before it was . That a wicked man should be thus graced and outwardly furnished , we obserue this doctrine , that the wicked may equallize , Doct. yea out goe the godly and deare seruants of God in these outward things , in hauing wiues , children , riches , skill in trades , and the like ; which in generall the Preacher experimentally confirmeth : saying in his ninth chapter , the 1. & 2. verses , I haue surely giuen my heart to all this , and to declare all this that the iust and the wise , and their workes are in the hands of God : and no man knoweth either loue or hatred of all that is before him . All things come alike to all : and the same condition is to the iust and to the wicked : to the good and to the pure , and to the polluted : and to him that sacrificeth , and to him that sacrificeth not : as is the good so is the sinner : he that sweareth , as he that feareth an oath . If this doe not sufficiently bring light to the point , it may be cleared further by considering in particular instances , how the wicked haue matched , yea exceeded the godly in these things . For wiues and children ; did not Ham equalize Iapheth and Schem ? Gen. 10.6.21 . was Ishmael behinde Isaak ? Gen. 25.12.16 and had not Esau wife and children as well as Iacob ? In riches ; did not Diues exceed Lazarus ? But to hasten the further execution and clearing of this poynt , by reason , I will adde these further proofes , for the vndeniable conuincing of this truth , Iob. 21. ver. 7. where Iob shewing this very thing , speaketh thus : Wherefore doe the wicked liue and waxe olde , and growe in wealth ? their seed is stablished in their sight with them , and their generation before their eyes , their houses are peaceable without feare , and the rod of God is not vpon them : their Bullocke gendreth and faileth not : their Cow calueth and casteth not her Calfe : they send forth their Children like Sheep , and their Sonnes dance , they take the Tabret and Harpe and reioyce in the sound of the Organs ; they spend their dayes in wealth , and suddenly they goe downe to the graue . And who be these ? euen such as say to God Depart from vs for we desire not the knowledge of thy waies . Who is the Almighty that wee should feare him , and what profitt should we haue if wee should pray vnto him ? as plainely 〈◊〉 Iob , doth the Psalmist in Psa: 73. see the 3. ver. to the 13. and in Ierem 12.1 . and 2. giuing euidence to this doctrine . Least this should seeme strange to any , that these matters should goe thus with the wicked , it will not be amisse to consider some reasons why so that should bee ; And surely the Reas. 1 Lord suffereth things thus to be , and the wicked thus to fare , because he will be mercifull vnto all , and let the raine fall aswell vpon the vniust as the iust . Secondly , because he will leaue the wicked Reas. 2 without excuse , giuing him what his heart desireth , and more then their heart can wish as the Prophet saith , for what doth he wish , but wife , children , riches , and cunning in the thinges which he dealeth with beyond others ? and hauing these , refusing the feare of the Almightie , what can he say for him selfe ; but plainely accuse himselfe as a worthlesse creature ? Thirdly , they haue more time and meanes then Gods children to compasse these things , and to excell the godly therein , for first they spend much time in plodding , carping and caring , & striuing to be excellent and great in these outward matters , which the Children of God spend in speaking better things . Secondly they haue larger consciences , they feare not an oath nor false dealing ; so they haue it , they be not troubled with the manner and meanes how they come to it . It needeth not then any whitt seeme strange to any , that the wicked should herein excell the godly ; which being true , Vse 1 it learneth vs these things . First , to take heede of falling into the common errors of the world , who iudge men happie or miserable , as they want or abound in these things . Alas , oft times the fayrer the out-side the fowler the in , and most commonly the more outward riches the lesse grace ; Let vs then take heede least by measuring with an earthen rule , and weighing with a corrupt ballance , wee condemne the generation of the iust , and commend whome God condemneth , Vse . 2 so shall we iudge as God iudgeth . Secondly , this learneth vs not to be proude of these earthly things , if we haue them , for what haue wee if wee haue wiues , children , goods , and profitable trades , but what a damned and repobate catife may haue and hath ? And why should wee be proude of that which cannot , nay doth not one iott make vs lesse or more acceptable with God ? for nothing auaileth in Christ but a new creature : vaine men then they be , and voyd of spirituall vnderstanding , that blesse themselues in these things which a man may haue , and from them goe to hell . Did not Diues goe from his riches thither ? Haman from his wife and friends ? Iudas from his learning and skill in preaching ? It is the best then to esteeme these things dunge , and if wee will thinke any thing the better of our selues , for any thing , let it be for this , that wee are found of & in Christ Iesus . Thirdly , this should learne vs , not to striue Vse 3 to much to get them or retaine them , nor to be discontented if we want them , as the manner of some is : alas what folly is it in men to carpe and break their sleepe night & day for these things , in which a fiend of hell may equalize them ? and yet such fooles are there that labour more for these , then euerlasting riches ; as though earth were heauen and heauen earth . Oh that such would know that they may haue these things and yet goe to hell notwithstanding ! it would make them sure to laboure for better things and to make their election sure . Fourthly and lastly , it should Vse 4 make vs to seeke first the Kingdome of God and the righteousnes thereof , yea all the sauing graces of the spirit which the wicked cannot attaine vnto . Wee desire naturally to excell others , to haue better fare , finer cheare , costlier apparrell , and fayrer houses then others : in these wee cannot be so exquisite , but the wicked , yea Lamech , and Diues a firebrand in hell may match vs . In spirtuall things , onely in Christ Iesus we may leaue them behinde vs , and excell them : let vs therefore with Dauid , continually and vnfainedly pray that he would incline our hearts to wisdome & not to couetousnes : & that though riches encrease , wee doe not set out hearts vppon them . Thus much for the first poynt of doctrine drawne from the generall consideration of this wicked man , and his father Lamech so outwardly graced and dignified .

Let vs descend to a second , out of the wordes , namely , from the description of him from his mother , who is named by her name , as also set forth by the fruite of her wombe , which is a speciall outward blessing & end of marriage . Now in that it is said And Zillah also ( that is she whome he tooke to his other wife , & so fell vnto Bigamy , and did procreate and bring forth children as well as the former , which was his lawfull wife , for it was Gods institution that euery man should haue his wife to auoyd fornication : we learne , The Doct. 2 prosperous outward successe of externall things , is no good argument to proue the lawfulnes of them , Zillah with whome it is vnlawfull for him to marry ( Addah his former wife yet liuing ) nay with whome hee so liuing committeth adultry , hath children aswell as Addah , and in that respect it seemeth as good and as lawfull as his marriage with Addah : but to reason from the successe : Of these things concludeth not according to the truth . Abraham his going into Hagar his Maide , his wife , her giuing of Hagar to him to wife , nor his obeying of his wife therein , were warranted by the conception and procreation of Ishmael . And soe might I say of Reoboam taking eighteene wiues and threescore Concubines ; this was not warrantable , because he had 28. sonnes and 60. daughters 2. Chro. 11.21 . Reas. The reason is at hand , not onely because these successes doe consist partly of naturall causes , but also God doth let these haue successe sometime for the shaming of those that committ this sinne , whereas otherwayes happily it would not come to light ; Which being so , it plainely appeareth , that the successe of these things argueth not the lawfulnes of them . From which we may learne : First , Vse . 1 how false the ground of men , ( common in the world , whereby they measure their iudgement ) is , viz. yee see God blesse it , and therefore it is good . Alas poore foole , doest thou measure Gods blessings by the outward successe ? nothing lesse should you conclude ; and yet this is the rule of the world , as in case of marriage , partyes marrying not in the Lord and without parents consents , yea contrarie thereto , If they liue peaceably ( as there is a peace amongst the deuills ) and haue children & prosper in this world together , presently say the men of the world , was it not pitty but that they should haue beene nought together ? do not you see how God blesseth them with children , a peaceable life , & worldly goods ? alas , so he doth most wicked and wretched catifes , as Haman and his wise : but let such know they haue committed a fearfull sinne , and their marriage was displeasing vnto God , not withstanding the outward successe thereto . And thus to conclude from the outward successe of things doth keepe many in impenitencie , as those that thus vnlawfully marrie , and such as increase themselues , and waxe rich by sinfull courses , by fraude , lying , couzening , false weights ; by riding , buying and selling vpon the Saboth : God prosper vs ( say many ) in outward riches , goe , my cause is lawfull . Alas poore man , thy proofe will not hold out , when it commeth to be tryed by fire and the ballance of sanctuary , which is the reuealed truth of God : in the meane while , know there is bitternes in the end , and in fine , it will hurt like a serpent and bite Vse . 2 like a Cockatrice . Secondly , let this learne vs to looke the manner of our causes , and our lawfull proceedings in them ; so may wee looke for Gods blessing vpon them , whether in marriage or any other course whatsoeuer : otherwaies wee may haue the outward blessing and an inward cursse : yea , for want of repentance for vndertaking Vse . 3 of the course vnlawfully , goe to hell . Thirdly , let vs take heede of following a multitude to doe euill in this case : this is the worlds motiue , to vnder take such and such things , because they see others wax great vpon the earth by them : let the courses be neuer so vnlawfull , if we follow them wee shall be ouertaken with the deceitfulnes of sinne , and like the poore fish , for greedines of the baite , catch the hooke and all . I know it is a fearfull and dangerous temptation , to see the prosperity of any course . But let vs labour more to be strong in the might of the Lord against that , alwayes keeping our selues in , with that sayof our Sauiour . What will it gaine a man to winne the whole world , and to loose his owne soule ? truly so doe all such that be carried away with lyes , deceiptfulnes of sinne , they play ( as wee say in the prouerbe ) wilie beguilie , they deceiue themselues most of all , as Esops dogge did , who ( as the fable reporteth ) for the greedines of more , snacht at the shaddow of that peece of meate he had in his mouth , & so for a shaddow lost the substance . So much for this second point . Wee will proceed to the next , gathered out of the description of him by his mother : whence wee obserue for our third Doct. 3 point , that it is a common and vsuall course with the holy Ghost , to obserue children , and to discribe them by their mother , a speciall course I say of the holy Ghost , to set downe the mother of the childe , whether the children be wicked or godly . 1 Reg. 15.2 . Abitam , who walked in all the sins of his Father , and whose heart was not perfect with the Lord as Dauids was , Set out by his mother whose name was Maaccah the daughter of Abishalom . Aza likewise who did that which was right in the sight of the Lord as did Dauid his father , is set out to vs by his mother . Ibidem . v. 10.11.12 . His mothers name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom . Iehoash set out by his mother whose name was Zibiah of Beersheba . 2 Regu . 12. 1. Amaziah likewise , Who did vprightly in the sight of the Lord 2. Chron 25.1 . his mothers name was Iehoaddan of Ierusalem . Iotham in like manner 2 Chron , 27.1 . Hezekiah also set out by his mother . 3. Chron 29.1 . his mothers name was Abiiah the daughter of Zechariah .

For that wee see hereby how frequent a thing it is for the holy Ghost to obserue the mother . And the reason of it is , Reas. for the most part the children imitate them much : Vt canibus catuli similes sic matribus Haedi ; like mother like children ; which being thus , it should learn vs these lessons . First , Vse . 1 it should teach the mothers to take a speciall notice of themselues ( seeing God doth ) that they keepe themselues chaste , and carry themselues vnreproouable vnto amongst their children : yea this appertayneth to mothers in a speciall manner , because their children sucke of them ( if able to giue suck ) except more vnnaturall then bruit beasts vnto their young , they be often with them , playing and waking when husband is not : they be with them most at the first when they are fittest to haue grace wrought in them , therefore they should carefully obserue themselues , that they so carrie themselues that no euill example , much lesse euill instructions may be giuen .

Oh let it be thy care , especially who art a mother , to haue a special eie to thy selfe how thou walkest , talkest , workest , apparrelest thy selfe before thy children , speake thou & teach them to speake the language of Canaan , and with thy naturall milke they suck from thy breasts , labour to speake vnto them the heauenly milke of the word ; be thou apparrelled so frugally & christianly that they may obserue thee & follow thee therein . Remember , example preuaileth more then doctrine ; & as the Apostle saith in another case , giue no offence to the Iew or gentile , soe say I to all mothers in this case , obserue your selues in your whole carriage amongst your children , that none may obserue ought but what is good , & to edification amongst you . Remember the Lord obserueth you : he had need to look to his cariage & behauiour when the Lord so eyeth & obserueth . Secondly , this teacheth men vnmarried to be carefull in choosing of Vse . 2 their wiues with whome they match , and to obserue them wel before they make that match with them : quod semel statuend . diu deliberand . Consider their equality for religion , condicion , disposition euery way , if thou respect thy selfe & thy posterity , which thou mayst looke and pray for , vpon the vsing of that ordinance : Whosoeuer would haue good children , let him looke that he take a good wife , that may promise him much comfort that way . The beginning of comfort in children is to beginne thy family with a gracious wife , as Isaach did , of whome it is said : she comforted him after his mothers death . In nature this is a right course , he that will haue good fruite , must store this ground with good plants : a man cannot looke for apples where he planteth a Crabtree stock : no more can a man looke for good children where he marrieth a wicked wife . I knowe God may for the husbands sake sanctifie the children , ( he being gracious ) but it is not vsuall , for oftentimes God punisheth the rash and vnwarrantable matches of many of his owne children , with monstrous children ; Of such matches came Gyants and monstrous persons in former times : of the like , came monster , yea , sonnes and daughters of Anak : If not in quantitie , yet in quality and condition in our daies , as daily experience telleth vs : yea , often times such matches are rewarded with children , mishapen in bodies and Vse . 3 soules . Thirdly , this should learne husbands to obserue their wiues , & not to endure prophane , vnchast , immodest behauiour in them : as immodest behauiour in word , in lookes , in apparrell , neither nicenes in meate , drinke , or the like , least their children learne thereby , and their examples doe more hurt then thy instructions can doe them good : for often times it falleth out , that an euill example doth more hurt in one day , then godly exhortations can doe good in a whole weeke . Let husbands then looke to their wiues , dwelling with them , as men of knowledge , giuing honour to them as to the weaker vessels , approuing and commending them in what is good ; disproouing and disliking what is euill : and by al good meanes labouring the redresse thereof , that it bee not at the length too truly said , like mother , like daughter , which meeteth with the remissiuenes & folly of many husbands : who for feare of displeasing their wiues , fearing them more then God , yea making their wiues Idoles ; whereas husbands should please their wiues in that which is good and to edification , let euill humors so dwell in the head that the whole body at the length is tainted therewith . And so much shall suffice to haue spoken of this point .

Wee will now come to the next discription of him , & that is from his calling : wherin we obserue these foure things . First , that he was not idle but had a calling ; which offereth this poynt of doctrine vnto vs , ( considering him as a meere naturall man ) without conscience of God . It is against Doct. 4 the light of nature that any man should liue idlely & vnlawfully , and without a perticuler calling : The scripture euery where vrgeth thus , that euery man should haue a personall calling 1. Cor. 7.20 . giueth witnes thereto , commanding euery man to abide in his calling wherein he is called , whether bond or free , as the verses after declare : It is a statute law of God irreuokable , Gen. 3.19 . that euery man should in the sweate of his face ( that is in some calling wherein he may labour ) eat bread till he returne to the earth . Yea God would haue Adam not to be idle , nor alwayes to be praying and praising God , therefore he put him in the Garden to dresse it . 2. Thessa . 3.12 . Paul there ( reprouing such , that vnder a shew of being Christians , and amongst them , did neglect to labour , but liued vpon other mens labour and at other mens trenchers , ioyning himselfe in commission with the rest of the Apostles , and the rest with him ) confirmeth this saying , wee commaund and exhort by our Lord Iesus Christ , that they worke with quietnes and eate their owne bread . God making of the world in sixe dayes , was to teach vs this , and our Sauiour Christ his working of the Carpenters trade , vntill the time of his publique office in the Church . Which being so , it first teacheth parents not onely that they be carefull to bring vp their children in instruction and information of the Lord , but also that they trayne them vp in a perticuler and personall calling ; The holy men of antient times , ( both concerning their sonnes and daughters ) haue done so , yea , though great and worthy , without question able to haue kept them though they had done nothing . Adam brought vp his sonnes in callings , so did Iacob his , and Laban too .

Let parents then looke to this , and that not onely Patres Corporis , but also Patres Patriae : if the former faile , let not the second , to see men brought vp and trayned vp in perticuler callings : which if it were carefully obserued , there would be a healing of many euills in the whole land , and in perticuler in this Cittie . Thirdly , for what is the cause of so much idlenes , beggery , cunny catching and shifting , yea and whoring in this Cittie ▪ but this , that men do ? not of conscience set themselues to labour in perticuler callings , and the Maiestrates do not see the good lawes to this end made ; executed .

If they wil not of conscience fall to this course , let them bee constrained be lawe : the Maiestrate should not beare the sword for naught , or be like a player vpon the Stage , to play his part & away : ex malis moribus bon inascunter leges , yea , let me somwhat alter that , and say also malis pro moribus boni leges . Secondly , this should teach children willingly to submit themselues to be trained vnto , Vse . 2 and cheerefully with all good conscience to goe on in performance of their perticuler callings : and not onely children , but also all such as haue liued idly without a calling a long while , let them fall to this , knowing they haue sinned against the light of nature : yea , Tubalkain of Cains broode , and Lamechs sonne , shall rise vp in iudgement against them , except they fall to some personall calling .

Oh let such fall now to a calling ! it is no shame to beginne to doe well , but it is a shame to liue out of a calling : And that I may perswade them to it , and others who stand in any calling , cherefully to go on in it ; I will lay downe some motiues to perswade euery man to a personal calling . Motiues to perticuler callings . First Idlenes is the mother of all euill , and an occasion for the deuill to drawe men to euill by , yea , what occasion of sinne doth not the deuill take to drawe men to , that be without imployment ; Let the Sodomites iudge : Did not he drawe them as he doth many with vs from idlenes to fulnes of bread , and belly cheare , to make their belly their God ? and from that to pride , and from all , to be voyde of compassion to the poore ? Nay , let the deare seruants of God , when they haue but for a while ( without warrant , and more then needed ) ceased their businesses ? witnesse this , did not the deuill tempt Dauid and drawe him to adultery , & from thence to murder ? & when ? when hee was idle , sleeping vpon his bedd : when hee was needlesly walking , ( when hee should haue beene otherwayes imployed ) vpon the Roofe of his house : and doth hee not drawe most in our daies to the like ? yea , to fearfuller sinnes , being idle ; for as one saith , if thou haue nothing to doe , the deuill will arrest thee for his seruice . Oh how should the consideration of this moue euery man to betake himselfe to a perticular calling , it being such an excellent meanes to keepe a man from sinne , and from aduantaging of the deuill ! Secondly , consider that thou liuing and not labouring in a perticuler calling according to thy place , thou neither eatest thy owne bread , drinkest thy owne drinke , nor wearest thy owne apparrell : for so the Apostle insinuateth , when hee saith Wee commaund that they labour and eat their owne bread : 2. Coll 3.12 oh consider what a base thing it is to haue no clothes , no maintenance of a mans owne ! so base is euery one that is able , and will not walke in a perticuler walking , but giueth himselfe to idlenes , sporting , eating and drinking , and liue as though there were no pleasure after this life , for such in truth there is none : sinne lyeth at the doore for such , and will flye in their faces , nay gnawe their consciences one day in that place where shall bee weeping and gnashing of teeth for euermore . Thirdly , thou must come to iudgement one day , when thou must giue accompt of thy steward-shippe how thou hast spent thy time , and what thou hast profited thy selfe . thine , thy church & common wealth by it ; oh , it will be a fearfull case at that day with thee , if thy conscience shall witnes against thee , and say : thou didst neither profit one nor other , but hast liued like a Catter-piller here , liuing vpon other mens labour ; eating , drinking , and wearing that which was not prouided for thee , nor thou neuer labourest for ? let all Stage-players , Vsurers , voluptuous persons , epicures , that say , ede , bibe , lude , post mortem nulla voluptas . Yea all such that spend their time in eating , drinking and rising vp to play , making their bellyes and their sports their Gods : consider this ; their accounts will be fearfull and greater then they are able to endure one day . And to these let me add all vnprofitable callings , for which the common wealth is worse , not better , ( being as the wennes or warts vpon the body ) such are Dice-makers , Card-makers , Ale-house-keepers , and the like : neuer did , nor shall , good come by them , to the common wealth . Let such knowe , they haue not beene imployed in a perticuler calling , appointed and allowed of God ; these considerations propounded to perswade euery man to a perticuler Vse . 3 calling . Wee will come to the last vse of this poynt , which is to meete with the error of some , yea , their greiuous sinne , that will either cast off or wholye growe negligent in their personall calling wherein the Lord hath set them , by pretence of their generall calling : but such must know that God hath so ioyned these together , that no man may put them a sunder : he is a monster which thus doth , and maketh the mother ( which is his generall calling ) to eat vp the daughter ( which is his perticuler calling . ) Also this meeteth with such that will bring vp their children , very religiously , and instruct , and informe them in the waies of the Lord , conscerning their dutie to God , but neglect to educate them in a speciall calling , whereby they may be made fit for the good of the common wealth hereafter .

Oh it is a happy thing to see a woman to bee a Mary and Martha together : to play Mary in her due place , and Martha in hers : It is a pleasant thing to see both these , as Mother and Daughter in euery man and woman . Thus much of this poynt : Wee will come to the second thing in this calling obserued by vs ; Namely , that as he had a calling , so he wrought in it ; where obserue we this poynt of doctrine , Doct. That euery man and woman must worke in that calling and trade , the Lord hath called them vnto : the former places proue this . Habel wrought in his calling ; and this is much commended vnto vs , in the description of the good wife . Shee lyeth not on the one side , but she seeketh Wooll and Flax , and she laboureth chearefully with her hands , shee girdeth her loynes with strength & strengthneth her armes , she putteth her hands to the wheele , & her hands handle the spindle &c. Pro. 31.13.17.18 ver. &c. Shee is not like the Idle huswifes of our time , who hauing busines to doe in the house , will lye on the one side and thinke what they may eat , drinke , and weare ; or whither they may goe to spend the time : or if they doe any thing , it is but to sit vpon a stoole and a cushion , finding faults but mending none ; Such a wife doth her husband little good I thinke , I am sure much hurt . That which is here spoken of a woman , the weaker ( and teacheth that sexe what to doe , is not to be idle but to worke in calling & place the Lord hath allotted them vnto ) is spoken much more to commend & teach men to do it , being the stronger . The reason of this poynt is cleare , because God hath ordained callings , Reas. to keepe men from idlenes , not to draw them to it or to continue them in it . But before I come to shewe what vses this doctrine learneth vs , let me free it from exception . I know callings be of diuers sorts , some mechanicall , some liberall . Also I knowe that in a calling there may be diuers labours ; as in a Shippe , some to climbe the ropes , others to guide the Sterne &c. And to perticularise according to the present occasion in this trade of Black-Smiths : some labours be heauier , some lighter , some hotter , some more temperate : as some must blowe the fire , some must attend the heate , and take it whilst it is hotte : some file , some ouersee and set out the worke . Now I doe not say that euery man must worke in euery of these , But in this Trade ( he being able ) he must worke if not in the stronger and heauier worke , then in the lighter ; but in labouring , to be freed from the heauier , take heed of too much ease , least so at length thou grow weary of all , and will doe nothing , neither heauier nor lighter , all is too heauie for thee . This being promised by way of anticipation , the doctrine Vse 1 affoordeth vs these vses . First , to conclude vsury to be no calling of God , and consequently they that liue therin , to be out of any lawfull calling , & soe out of Gods blessing and protection ; for God will giue his Angels charge ouer vs , to keepe vs in all our wayes , Reasons why Vsury no calling of God . and not else ; Now this is no way nor calling of God , because a man may liue therein without any worke of his : he may lye on the one side as a swine in a Stye , or doe nothing but eate , drinke and rise vp to play , and yet his Trade neuer a whit hindred , his Trade goeth on ; oh riches of iniquity , that be so gotten without thy labour , that eatest what thou diddest not labour for ! surely without repentance , thy money must perish with thee , thou art neuer able to iustifie thy calling to be of God . Secondly , it is the meanes of idlenes , not a meanes to keepe men from idlenes . Thou wilt say thou dost take paines : what I pray thee , except it be to goe or ride at the day to receiue thy money or to renew thy bonds ? And fewe do so , for it is most commonly brought in , or else better it were ; for you haue a bond with two hookes to hooke them to you , if they come not , and that with vengeance ; but to thy selfe : Is this thy labour ? This thou maist doe and spend thy greatest time in idlenes ; and this thy labour is but in the seruice of the deuill , and coueting in euill , couetousnes to thy selfe . In the second vse 2 place it meeteth with such , that ( hauing lawfull callings wherein they haue liued , and may liue profitably to the Church , ( and common wealth ) and comfortably to their owne soules , yet ( that they may liue at ease ) cast off their calling , & betake themselues to liue gentle man like : beast-like doe most of them liue , spending their time in hawking and hunting abroade , in chambring , wantonnes , carding , dicing , and excesse of eating and drinking at home : these , what will they say at that generall accompt and audite , when God shall aske them how they haue laboured in that calling which God assigned them to ? surely they will be as that man which was at the feast without a wedding garment : which ( being asked by our Sauiour , how he came in thither not hauing on a wedding garment ? ) was speechlesse : so will it be with these men that haue left their callings to follow an idle life , they will not be able to say any thing for themselues , their deluded consciences that now speake for them , will then speake against them , and be more then a thousand witnesses for their condemnation : what will Christ say and doe to them , which he findeth without a calling ? as he said and did to the man aforesaide without a wedding garment : he will giue them to the deuills and bidd him binde them in chaines , and cast them into vtter darknes , where is weeping and gnashing of teeth foreuermore . This shall be the doome of all idlenes & vsuryes at that day that so liue , & so dye . Thirdly , Vse 3 this encourageth all that haue callings , to worke therein , and to liue profitably to Church and common wealth , notwithstanding all the imputations of carele●se , worldly & conscienceles men to the contrary , who will be and are ready to say of a dilligent man in his calling ( because he will not runne with them to all excesse of ryot ) that hee is a myser , and earth-worme , and meere worldling . Let not these make thee negligent or to offend by carelesnes : But because I knowe a man may offend this way , viz. by too much following his perticuler calling , I will for direction , that we may follow the same without offence , and neither incline to the right hand nor to the left ; that is neither too much worldlynes , nor carelesnes , laye downe diuers rules to be obserued of vs in our working in our perticuler callings . Rules to be obserued in working in particuler callings . First wee must looke that the daughter doe not eate vp the mother : that is , that our perticuler calling doe not eate vp our generall , which is the faulte of many , not onely of worldlings who altogether deuoure their generall calling by applying themselues without reason , and ceasing to their perticuler , ( except it be when they are constrained to come to publique exercises of religion ) but also of many christians , who too much taste of the oulde man herein , that when they should be in prayer with their families euening & morning , they bee eyther sleeping in their beds , or plodding about the affaires of this present life , so that they sildome find times to apeare before God ; if once a day , they thinke that a great matter : nay I would that were not often omitted too for any matter of proffite comming in : is not this to make the daughter to eate vp the mother ? If not altogether , yet that it is in a greater part , it is more then maniefest : let vs then euer holde this fast , that as the mother is not to eate vp the daughter , so the daughter is not to eate vp the mother . Secondly , that wee sanctifie our calling vnto vs , by the word and prayer . 2. Timoth. 4.5 . Is this the course we must take in our callings ? alas how fewe be there that so doe , who begin and end their workes with the word and prayer ? not one of twenty ▪ well let vs , knowing that it is our dutie , beginne and end our calling thus ; it is a fearfull and irreligious course to set vpon our workes without prayer , wee cannot goe on in them with any assurance of Gods blessing and good speede therein , for aske and yee shall haue : what a fearfull course is it then that most doe followe ? they goe to and from their workes , as the dogge to and from his kennell . And as in euery company this is much neglected , so not the least amongst your company of Black-Smiths , though amongst you , God be blessed , he hath his number , and of them this practised , as I knowe vpon my owne experience , whose diligence let it prouoke the rest .