Thirdly, What is the calling which thou followest, with greatest eagerness and earnestness? Men run and ride and toil and moil all day, they rise early and go to bed late, and take any pains for that ⟨p. 144⟩which they count their happiness and portion. The Worldling whose Element is Earth, whose Portion consisteth like the Pedlars pack, in a few pins, or needles, or pewter-spoons, or brass-bodkins, how will he fare mean, lodge hard, sleep little, crowd into a corner; hazard his health, and life and soul too, for that which he counteth his Portion! like a brutish spaniel he will follow his Master the world some hundred of miles, puffing and blowing, breaking through hedges, and scratching himself with thorns and briers, running through ponds of water, and puddles of dirt; and all for a few bones or scraps, which is all his hope and happiness. The Christian who hath the blessed God for his portion, strives, and labours, and watcheth, and prayeth, and weepeth, and thinks no time too much, no pains too great, no cost enough for the enjoyment of his God. As the wise Merchant he would part with All he hath, all his strength and health, all his relations and possessions, for his noble Portion. Reader, how is it with thee, thou travellest too and fro, thou weariest thy self, and wantest thy rest, thy head is full of cares, and thy heart of fears, and thy hands are always active; but whether doth all this tend? what is the market to which thou art walking thus fast? Is it gold that thou pursuest so hot? The people labour in the fire; and weary themselves for very vanity. 2. Habak. 13. Or is it God that thou pressest after (as the Hound the Hare, so the word signifieth. Phil. 3.12. [Greek or Hebrew]) with so much diligence and violence. My soul followeth hard after thee. Ps. 63.6. Thus have I laid down the characters briefly of such as have God for their Portion. Thy business is to be faithful in the trial of thine estate.
Thirdly, What is the calling which thou followest, with greatest eagerness and earnestness? Men run and ride and toyl and moyl all day, they rise early and go to bed late, and take any pains for that ⟨p. 144⟩which they count their happiness and portion. The Worldling whose Element is Earth, whose Portion consisteth like the Pedlars pack, in a few pins, or needles, or peuter-spoons, or brass-bodkins, how will he fare mean, lodg hard, sleep little, crowd into a corner; hazard his health, and life and soul too, for that which he counteth his Portion! like a brutish spaniel he will follow his Master the world some hundred of miles, puffing and blowing, breaking through hedges, and scratching himself with thorns and briers, running through ponds of water, and puddles of dirt; and all for a few bones or scraps, which is all his hope and happiness. The Christian who hath the blessed God for his portion, strives, and labours, and watcheth, and prayeth, and weepeth, and thinks no time too much, no pains too great, no cost enough for the enjoyment of his God. As the wise Merchant he would part with All he hath, all his strength and health, all his relations and possessions, for his noble Portion. Reader, how is it with thee, thou travellest too and fro, thou weariest thy self, and wantest thy rest, thy head is full of cares, and thy heart of feares, and thy hands are alwaies active; but whether doth all this tend? what is the market to which thou art walking thus fast? Is it gold that thou pursuest so hot? The people labour in the fire; and weary themselves for very vanity. 2. Habbak. 13. Or is it God that thou pressest after (as the Hound the Hare, so the word signifieth. Phil. 3.12. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉) with so much deligence and violence. My soul followeth hard after thee. Ps. 63.6. Thus have I laid down the characters briefly of such as have God for their Portion. Thy business is to be faithful in the tryal of thine estate.
