A Christian Directory, Part 1: Christian Ethics

by Richard Baxter

DIRECTIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BODY.

PART I.

Directions about our Labour and Callings.

Tit. I. Directions for the Right Choice of our Calling and ordinary Labour.

I have already spoken of christian works, and the duty of our callings, chap. iii. grand direct. x; and am now only to subjoin these few directions, for the right choosing of your callings: for of the using of them I must speak more anon.

Direct. I. Understand how necessary a life of labour is, and the reasons of the necessity.

Is labour necessary to all?

Quest. I. Is labour necessary to all? or to whom, if not to all? Answ. It is necessary (as a duty) to all that are able to perform it: but to the unable it is not necessary; as to infants, and sick persons, or distracted persons, that cannot do it, or to prisoners, or any that are restrained or hindered unavoidably by others, or to people that are disabled by age, or by any thing that maketh it naturally impossible.

What labour is necessary?

Quest. II. What labour is it that is necessary? Answ. Some labour that shall employ the faculties of the soul and body, and be profitable, as far as may be, to others and ourselves. But the same kind of labour is not necessary for all.