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FIfthly, the next means, which God in his Word hath appointed to this end, is labour and industry in some lawful calling: for it is the beating of the brain, or the sweating of the brow, not the bare talk of the lips, or desire of the heart, that makes rich, according to the common Proverb, Wishers and woulders are seldom or never good housholders. The idle person, sayes Solomon, shall be clothed with rag••: and the sluggards poverty com∣eth
upon him, as an armed man; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich, Prov. 10.4. & 12, 27. The Greeks have a saying. That plentifulness follows painfulness, and that all things are made servants to care, and industry. Caius Furius, by his painful dexterity, and unwearied labour, got more means out of one small field, then his neigbours out of many great ones: whereupon he was accused to the Magistrate, as if by witchcraft, he had conveyed the corn of other mens ground, into his own; but he came with all his goodly rustical instruments, with his strong and lusty daughter, and his well fed Oxen, and spake thus to the Iudges: See, my Lords, these be my witchcrafts and sorceries; but I cannot shew you my watchings and sweat∣ings; which being done and spoken, he was presently absolved by the sen∣tence of all. Whence the Apostle exhorts the Ephesians, to labour in their several callings, if they would have sufficient for themselves, and wherewith to help others. And this makes Solomon, in praising the ver∣tuous woman for her bounty, note that she works willingly with her hands, and that her candle was not put out by night, Prov. 31.10, to 31. And Saint Luke the like of Dorcas, her pains and industry in making coats and gar∣ments, Acts 9.36, 39.
And what but Idleness makes so many beggers, and base persons? It is the most corrupting Fly, that can blow in any humane minde: We learn to do ill, by doing what is next it, nothing. Whence it is that vice so fructifies, in our Gentry and Servingmen: who have nothing to employ them∣selves in, for they only sit to eat and drink, lie down to sleep, and rise up to play; this is all their business, and this brings thousands of them to beggery or worse.
Be therefore painful, and industrious in thy calling: and God will un∣doubtedly prosper and replenish thee, with the good things of this life. This is another step.