A94156:1020
The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature and necessity of it is discovered. : As also the Christian directed how he may perform it in [brace] religious duties, natural actions, his particular vocation, his family directions, and his own recreations. / By George Swinnock ...
London: printed for T.P., 1662
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Ministry of the Word being a Calling above all others of greatest weight, 1as set up by the ever blessed God, for the payment of himself the deserved praise of his Curious, Eternal, and Infinitely wise purpose; and for the payment of the Lord Jesus Christ, the precious fruits of his bloody Passion; by the turning of sinners from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God: In which he is pleased to commit to men (duly qualified, and rightly called) the Word of Reconciliation, and commandeth them in his name, as his Ambassadors, to offer terms of peace, and to persuade and beseech rebellious sinners, with all earnestness and faithfulness (as they would not have the blood of their peoples souls required at their hands) to accept of, and submit to those Articles of Grace and Pardon. I wish in general, That since my God hath counted me faithful, put me into the Ministry, and entrusted me with that which so nearly relateth to his own glory, and which so highly concerneth the Eternal felicity of precious souls, 2That I may take heed to my self, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost-hath made me Overseer, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. In particular I wish, That I may know experimentally, what Regeneration meaneth, before I travel with others ⟨p. 499⟩till Christ be formed in them; that I may dissuade from compliance with sin, and persuade to an hearty acceptance of the Saviour, not by hearsay, or at second hand, but upon my own knowledge of the bitterness of the former, and the goodness and sweetness of the latter. Let me not like some Cooks, dress that meat for others, which I eat not of my self: Let not my Sermons be (as Minerva) the children of my brain, but the travel of my soul, that I may serve my God with my spirit in the Gospel of his Son; and as a true Vessel of the Sanctuary, have within me a savour of that water of life, which I pour out to others. It is doleful to fall into Hell, from under the Pulpit: But ah how dreadful is it to drop thither out of it! Doth not my heart tremble to think, that it is possible for me, like the unbelieving Spies, to coast the Heavenly Canaan, to commend it to others, and yet never to possess it my self! that whilst I preach to others, I my self may be a Cast-away! Lord, let me so exalt thee in my heart, as my chiefest good; in my life, as mine utmost end;
THe Ministery of the Word being a Calling above all others of greatest weight, 1as set up by the ever blessed God, for the payment of himself the deserved praise of his Curious, Eternal, and Infinitely wise purpose; and for the payment of the Lord Jesus Christ, the precious fruits of his bloody Passion; by the turning of sinners from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God: In which he is pleased to commit to men (duly qualified, and rightly called) the Word of Reconciliation, and commandeth them in his name, as his Ambassadors, to offer terms of peace, and to perswade and beseech rebellious sinners, with all earnestness and faithfulness (as they would not have the blood of their peoples souls required at their hands) to accept of, and submit to those Articles of Grace and Pardon. I wish in general, That since my God hath counted me faithful, put me into the Ministery, and entrusted me with that which so nearly relateth to his own glory, and which so highly concerneth the Eternal felicity of precious souls, 2That I may take heed to my self, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost-hath made me Overseer, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. In particular I wish, That I may know experimentally, what Regeneration meaneth, before I travel with others ⟨p. 499⟩till Christ be formed in them; that I may disswade from compliance with sin, and perswade to an hearty acceptance of the Saviour, not by hearsay, or at second hand, but upon my own knowledge of the bitterness of the former, and the goodness and sweetness of the latter. Let me not like some Cooks, dress that meat for others, which I eat not of my self: Let not my Sermons be (as Minerva) the children of my brain, but the travel of my soul, that I may serve my God with my spirit in the Gospel of his Son; and as a true Vessel of the Sanctuary, have within me a savour of that water of life, which I pour out to others. It is doleful to fall into Hell, from under the Pulpit: But ah how dreadful is it to drop thither out of it! Doth not my heart tremble to think, that it is possible for me, like the unbelieving Spies, to coast the Heavenly Canaan, to commend it to others, and yet never to possess it my self! that whilest I preach to others, I my self may be a Cast-away! Lord, let me so exalt thee in my heart, as my chiefest good; in my life, as mine utmost end;
and preach so effectually to my own soul, and to others, That I may both save my self, and them that hear me.
I wish that the Spring of my motions and principle of all my work, may be love to my Master, 1and not expectation of any Temporal reward: That I may never be so sordidly sinful, as to sell the incomparable Saviour for a little corruptible silver; to turn my Fathers house, into an house of merchandise; and to cry up my God, as the Ephesians ⟨p. 500⟩their Goddess, because by that Craft they had their wealth; but that unfeigned affection to the bleeding head, and tender compassion to his blessed members, may be all the oil to feed that lamp wherewith I enlighten others in the way to life. O that that pathetical, affectionate expression of my dearest Redeemer, might sound often in mine ears, and pierce my very soul, If thou lovest me, feed my Lambs: If thou lovest me feed my Sheep!
I wish that the Spring of my motions and principle of all my work, may be love to my Master, 1and not expectation of any Temporal reward: That I may never be so sordidly sinful, as to sell the incomparable Saviour for a little corruptible silver; to turn my Fathers house, into an house of merchandize; and to cry up my God, as the Ephesians ⟨p. 500⟩their Goddess, because by that Craft they had their wealth; but that unfeigned affection to the bleeding head, and tender compassion to his blessed members, may be all the oyl to feed that lamp wherewith I enlighten others in the way to life. O that that pathetical, affectionate expression of my dearest Redeemer, might sound often in mine ears, and pierce my very soul, If thou lovest me, feed my Lambs: If thou lovest me feed my Sheep!
I desire that my ends in the Ministry, may be purely to exalt the glorious name of my God, 1in the conversion and edification of his precious and chosen ones. That I may not use preaching, as a Thief a Picklock, to open mens Coffers; but as a Key to open their Hearts, that the truth of God, and the God of truth may enter in. Why should I profane so pious an Ordinance, by so poisonous an end; and serve my self, like the Eagle, by having my eye to the prey, whilst I soar aloft, and pretend to the World that I serve my Saviour! Let me not like Balaam, Divine for money, nor through covetousness, with feigned words, make merchandise of inestimable souls, which Christ thought worth his precious blood. O that I might seek, not my peoples goods, but good; not my own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved. Lord, let this design lie at the bottom of my heart, in every act of my Office; that I may, as Abraham's Steward, provide a Wife for my Masters Son; and enable me through thine help, so to set forth the beauty of his Person, the excellency ⟨p. 501⟩of all his Precepts, and the vastness of his Portion: that I may woo to purpose, and prevail to present my People, as a Chaste Virgin, unto Christ.
I desire that my ends in the Ministery, may be purely to exalt the glorious name of my God, 1in the conversion and edification of his precious and chosen ones. That I may not use preaching, as a Theif a Picklock, to open mens Coffers; but as a Key to open their Hearts, that the truth of God, and the God of truth may enter in. Why should I prophane so pious an Ordinance, by so poysonous an end; and serve my self, like the Eagle, by having my eye to the prey, whilest I soar aloft, and pretend to the World that I serve my Saviour! Let me not like Balaam, Divine for money, nor through covetousness, with feigned words, make merchandize of inestimable souls, which Christ thought worth his precious blood. O that I might seek, not my peoples goods, but good; not my own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved. Lord, let this design lie at the bottom of my heart, in every act of my Office; that I may, as Abrahams Steward, provide a Wife for my Masters Son; and enable me through thine help, so to set forth the beauty of his Person, the excellency
I wish, 2That because the work I am occupied about is great, in regard it is not for man, but for the Lord, that I may (as Bezaleel and Aholiah for the Service of the Sanctuary) be singularly gifted and endowed by my God, for the building of his Spiritual Temple; that as a wise Builder, I may lay the foundation of Sound Doctrine, raise it upon strong Pillars of convincing Reasons, and cover it with useful and powerful Application. I would not like some young Shopkeepers, for want of stock, set out Pictures of Wares instead of Parcels; but be so throughly furnished unto every good work, that I may upon all occasions bring out of my Treasury, things both new and old. Lord, let a double portion of thy Spirit be poured on me, and let thy Blessing so prosper my Studies, that I may be an able Minister of the New Testament, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit; a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth, 2 Cor. 3.6.
I wish that since I am a steward of the mysteries of Christ, and that it is required of a Steward, 3that he be found faithful, that I may upon no pretence be false to the souls of my people, that I may not daub with untempered mortar, or sow pillows under mens elbows for any gain or advantage, but may be a Barnabas, a son of consolation to the Penitent, a Boanerges, a ⟨p. 502⟩son of thunder to the Presumptuous, that knowing the terror of the Lord I may persuade men, and give to every one their particular and proper portion, in due season. O let me not be curious to provide meat toothsome for polluted palates, to the feeding of their distempers (like Ahab's 400. Trencher-Chaplains, who sold their Lords life, at the Cheap rate of a lye) but as Micaiah be careful to distribute food that is wholesome and suitable to their several spiritual constitutions. Though my patients may be angry at present, when I search their festered wounds to the bottom, and thereby put them to pain, yet when upon my faithful dealing they recover, they will give me hearty thanks. It was the saying of Mauritius the Emperor when he heard that Phocas was a Coward, If he be a Coward, he is a Murderer; if I be fearful to tell men of their sins, I murder their souls. Lord, when I am visiting my Parishioners in private, or preaching to them in public, cause me to hear thy voice behind me; When I say unto the wicked, 2that he shall surely dye, and thou givest him no warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, that he may live, the same wicked man shall dye in his iniquities, but his blood will I require at thine hand.
I wish that since I am a steward of the mysteries of Christ, and that it is required of a Steward, 3that he be found faithful, that I may upon no pretence be false to the souls of my people, that I may not daub with untempered morter, or sow pillows under mens elbows for any gain or advantage, but may be a Barnabas, a son of consolation to the Penitent, a Boanerges, a ⟨p. 502⟩son of thunder to the Presuptuous, that knowing the terrour of the Lord I may perswade men, and give to every one their particular and proper portion, in due season. O let me not be curious to provide meat toothsom for polluted pallats, to the feeding of their distempers (like Ahabs 400. Trencher-Chaplains, who sold their Lords life, at the Cheap rate of a lye) but as Micaiah be careful to distribute food that is wholesome and sutable to their several spiritual constitutions. Though my patients may be angry at present, when I search their festered wounds to the bottom, and thereby put them to pain, yet when upon my faithful dealing they recover, they will give me hearty thanks. It was the saying of Mauritius the Emperor when he heard that Phocas was a Coward, If he be a Coward, he is a Murderer; if I be fearful to tell men of their sins, I murder their souls. Lord, when I am visiting my Parishioners in private, or preaching to them in publike, cause me to hear thy voyce behind me; When I say unto the wicked,
I desire that I may not be obnoxious to the censure of a wicked and slothful Servant; 4not of wicked, by hiding my sins in the cloak of excuses; nor of slothful by hiding my Talent in the Napkin of idleness: but may mind the work of the Ministry, and make it appear that both in my preparation for, and execution of my office, I labour in ⟨p. 503⟩the Word and Doctrine. My time, and parts are not mine own, but (under God) my peoples, and to be improved for their profit. If men dye for robbing single persons, what shall befall me, should I be such a thief, as to rob the poor, the rich and indeed the whole parishes stock! My prayer is, 2that I may not offer to the Lord my God, that which cost me nothing, that my meat which I set before the family committed to my charge, may not be (like Ephraim half-baked) raw or rude, and so unmeet for their stomachs to concoct, because of my negligence in preparing it; 3that I may give attendance to reading, meditate on those things; give my self wholly to them, that my profiting may appear to all men. They that spend upon the main stock where it is but small, will quickly prove bankrupts. My layings out are considerable; my comings in, had need to be answerable. Surely if any in the World should feed high, should study, read, and pray hard, those should do it who carry so many in their wombs, or give so many suck. I wish that I may be industrious as well in rearing the Temple, 4as in providing materials; that I may cheerfully spend, and be spent in the service of Christ. My Saviour was taken to be fifty, when he was little above thirty; by reason of his excessive industry, his very countenance was aged. O my soul follow thou this blessed pattern, do not play, but work the work of him that sent thee in the Lord; Improve all opportunities to the utmost, be instant in season and out of season, serve thy God with all thy strength; Like fuel consume thy self in ⟨p. 504⟩burning to warm the spirit of the Saint, and to thaw the frozen heart of the sinner. Thy work is of infinite consequence; Thy time is exceeding short, thy reward is glorious and eternal, up and be doing; and like the silk-worm wear out thine own bowels to hide others nakedness, waste thy self to prevent thine own and others endless woe.
Be thou a fruitful mother to conceive and bring forth new creatures, though thou conceivest with sorrow, and bringest forth with much pain, and thy labours at last should cost thee thy life.
I desire that I may be tenderly affected to all the souls in my charge, 5as knowing their worth, and believing of what concernment their unchangeable estates are in the other world; Lord what melting bowels should I have towards them, when I consider that every one of them must dye within a few days, and either live in Heaven, or fry in Hell to all eternity! My Saviour was a faithful and merciful High Priest; he had compassion on the multitude, when they had nothing to eat, and would not send them away empty, least they should faint in the wilderness. O that I had but that pity for the souls, which he had to the bodies of men! Nature will help me to pity a body without a soul; why should not grace teach me to pity a soul without a God? Lord when I behold wounded, bleeding, dying souls, let mine eyes affect my heart with sorrow, that both mine eyes and heart may be up to thee, with the greatest importunity for a blessing upon my most diligent endeavours for their recovery. Make me so tender and affectionate a ⟨p. 505⟩mother, that I may patiently bear with the frowardness, and willingly go through with the burden of instructing my children. Though others nurse children for the love of wages, let me nurse mine for the wages of love. Let all my actions towards them flow from sincere affection to them, and not only my counsel and comforts, but even my rod of reproof, like Jonathans, be dipped in this honey. When I am rebuking them cuttingly, and frighting them from sin with the fear of the unquenchable fire, let all my bitter pills be given in this sweet syrup of love, that they may know and acknowledge my greatest anger against their sins to proceed from a tender respect and love to their immortal souls.
I desire that I may be tenderly affected to all the souls in my charge, 5as knowing their worth, and beleiving of what concernment their unchangeable estates are in the other world; Lord what melting bowels should I have towards them, when I consider that every one of them must dye within a few days, and either live in Heaven, or fry in Hell to all eternity! My Saviour was a faithful and merciful High Priest; he had compassion on the multitude, when they had nothing to eat, and would not send them away empty, least they should faint in the wilderness. O that I had but that pity for the souls, which he had to the bodies of men! Nature will help me to pity a body without a soul; why should not grace teach me to pity a soul without a God? Lord when I behold wounded, bleeding, dying souls, let mine eyes affect my heart with sorrow, that both mine eyes and heart may be up to thee, with the greatest importunity for a blessing upon my most diligent endeavours for their recovery. Make me so tender and affectionate a
I wish that being a sworn Soldier of the Lord of Hosts, 1whatsoever trials and tribulations I meet with in my holy warfare, whatsoever dangers and death shall look me in the face, I may never fly from my colours or forsake my Captain, but endure hardship as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ. When I first listed my self in his Muster-Roll, I understood the grievous hardships, and various hazards, which all his Army, but especially his Officers must encounter with, that to Preach the Gospel is as Luther saith, to draw the hatred of the whole World upon a man; yea that Earth and Hell would both conspire and plant their strongest batteries against the Bulwarks of the Church (under God) the Ministers of the word, notwithstanding all which, I entered my name as a Volunteer, and promised to live and dye in his quarrel, and shall I now because ⟨p. 506⟩the enemies appear numerous, and the Bullets fly thick, like Peter, deny my righteous cause, and disown my glorious Captain. Lord let me dye with thee rather then deny thee; Enable me through thy strength to be ready not only to be bound, but to dye for the name of the Lord Jesus. My only safety consisteth in keeping close to my Saviour. Should I through cowardliness run away, I must expect Marshal law; If any man draw back, thy soul will have no pleasure in him. If I, like Jonah, should run from thy presence as unwilling to deliver an unwelcome message, I must expect a storm to follow after me, and either the waves to swallow me up, or the Whale to swallow me down; I should but go out of thy blessing into the warm Sun: If the service of my God be not in all respects the best, why did I choose and like it? If it be, why should I refuse and leave it? My cause is good, I fight against sin and Satan, the desperate and bloody enemies of my soul; My Crown is better; after a a temporal conflict, followeth an eternal Crown of glory. (O my soul be thou faithful unto death, and thou shalt have a Crown of life) but my Captain is best of all, he looketh upon me, goeth before me, fighteth for me, and as he leadeth me on to this trial, so he will not, like the Devil and the World, who leave their servants and Lovers in the lurch, but bring me off with triumph, either safe on earth, or safe to heaven: Lord, whatsoever dirt of calumny, shall be thrown in my face;
I wish that being a sworn Souldier of the Lord of Hosts, 1
whatsoever dart of cruelty, shall be stuck in my body, 1for keeping the word of thy patience in an ⟨p. 507⟩hour of temptation, yet let none of these things move me, neither let me count my life dear unto me, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the Ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the grace of God.
whatsoever dart of cruelty, shall be stuck in my body, 1for keeping the word of thy patience in an ⟨p. 507⟩hour of temptation, yet let none of these things move me, neither let me count my life dear unto me, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the Ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testifie the grace of God.
As to the preaching of the Gospel, 1which is the principal work of the Minister, as being the main Engine in the hand of God, wherewith he undermineth and overturneth the strong-holds of sin, and the Kingdom of darkness; I wish that I may prepare for this work diligently, ever handle this weapon warily, deliver the message of my God soberly (as may be most for his glory, and my peoples good) not with the enticing words of mans wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit, and of power. To this end I desire, 2that all my Sermons may be like Monica's son, children of many prayers and tears, and thereby the more unlikely to perish. Luther saith, He that prayeth hard, studieth hard. Lord, let all my Sermons as dew, be Heaven-born, that they may drop down upon my people, like rain upon the mown grass. Let prayer be the key to open the mysteries of Christ to me; and let prayer be the turning of the key, to lock them up safe within me. Let prayer open and shut all my Books, form and write, begin and conclude every Sermon. Ah, how should he pray both for his preaching, and before he preacheth, who by every Sermon, preacheth his beloved Neighbours into Eternal burnings, or Eternal pleasures!
I wish also, for the furtherance of the former ⟨p. 508⟩ends, 1That I may preach over every Sermon to my own heart, before I preach them to my hearers: That I preaching feelingly, may preach the more effectually; and the milk of the Word coming warm out of the Mothers breasts, may be as more natural, so more pleasing and nourishing to the children. Why should I, like a Lawyer, plead the cause of my God (for my fees) and […] have my own person concerned in it! O let […] rather, as a Physician, drink of those potions my self, which I prescribe and administer to my Patients.
I wish also, for the furtherance of the former ⟨p. 508⟩ends, 1That I may preach over every Sermon to my own heart, before I preach them to my hearers: That I preaching feelingly, may preach the more effectually; and the milk of the Word coming warm out of the Mothers breasts, may be as more natural, so more pleasing and nourishing to the children. Why should I, like a Lawyer, plead the cause of my God (for my fees) and 〈…〉 have my own person concerned in it! O let 〈…〉 rather, as a Physician, drink of those potions my self, which I prescribe and administer to my Patients.
I desire, 1That I may never dare to play the Huckster with the Word of God, to sophisticate or adulterate it by my additions to it; but that I may receive from the Lord, what I deliver to men; and feed all my charge with the sincere milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby. If it be Treason to counterfeit the Kings Coin, what High Treason is it for me to imprint the King of Kings stamp on my brass Money? O that as I am an Ambassador, I might keep close to my Instructions; and as a Builder, may lay every stone in his Temple by the line and rule of his Word; and as a Physician, may never try experiments upon the souls of my people; but hold fast to the form of wholesome words, and ever prescribe those tried and approved receipts, which the Great Physician hath left me under his own hand. Because my work is to touch and pierce my hearers hearts, 2and not to tickle and please their ears, I wish, That I may preach a crucified Saviour, in a crucified stile: ⟨p. 509⟩That I may not blow up my Sermons (as Butchers some joints of meat, to make them show fairer) with a windy pomp of words; but by using all plainness, and stooping to the lowest capacity, may become all things to all men, that I may save some. I am a Barbarian to my people, whilst I preach to them in an unknown language: I starve their souls, whilst I give them such meat as they can never digest. Let me not read Authors, as the Butter-fly goeth to flowers, only to gild her wings; but as the Bee, to gather honey, and bring it home to the hive for the supply of her young. Lord, let me never be guilty by painting the windows, of hindering the light of thy glorious Gospel from shining powerfully into the hearts of men and women.
I desire, 1That I may never dare to play the Huckster with the Word of God, to sophisticate or adulterate it by my additions to it; but that I may receive from the Lord, what I deliver to men; and feed all my charge with the sincere milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby. If it be Treason to counterfeit the Kings Coyn, what High Treason is it for me to imprint the King of Kings stamp on my brass Money? O that as I am an Ambassador, I might keep close to my Instructions; and as a Builder, may lay every stone in his Temple by the line and rule of his Word; and as a Physician, may never try experiments upon the souls of my people; but hold fast to the form of wholesome words, and ever prescribe those tryed and approved receits, which the Great Physician hath left me under his own hand. Because my work is to touch and pierce my hearers hearts,
My prayer is, 3That I may not strengthen the hands of sinners, nor sadden the hearts of the godly; but be able to distinguish between the vile and the precious, and accordingly give them their several portions: That I may give milk to babes, and strong meat to stronger men; order my prescriptions suitable to their particular constitutions; use the needle of the Law, to make way for the thread of the Gospel; and lead my sheep, as Jacob drove his flock, as they were able to bear it; and as Christ taught his, as they were best able to hear him. 4O that I might not only preach prudently, but also powerfully: That my Sermons may be delivered, not as Prologues to a Play, as matter of sport or pastime; but as the Message of an Herald, with all imaginable seriousness and ⟨p. 510⟩fervency, as containing Conditions of Life and Death. The Word is an hammer, but it will never break the stony heart, if lightly laid on: What is preached coldly, is heard carelessly. Lord, let me not, like the Moon, give some light without any heat; but cause me to lift up my voice like a Trumpet; to give (as fire) heat as well as light; to be eaten up with the zeal of thine House; to beseech poor souls to be happy, with as much fervency, as if I were begging for my life; and to preach so successfully, that I may raise up much spiritual seed to my Elder Brother.
My prayer is, 3That I may not strengthen the hands of sinners, nor sadden the hearts of the godly; but be able to distinguish between the vile and the precious, and accordingly give them their several portions: That I may give milk to babes, and strong meat to stronger men; order my prescriptions suitable to their particular constitutions; use the needle of the Law, to make way for the thread of the Gospel; and lead my sheep, as Jacob drove his flock, as they were able to bear it; and as Christ taught his, as they were best able to hear him. 4O that I might not onely preach prudently, but also powerfully: That my Sermons may be delivered, not as Prologues to a Play, as matter of sport or pastime; but as the Message of an Herauld, with all imaginable seriousness and
I wish, 2That all my Parishioners, without exception, may have so deep a share in my affection, upon a Religious account, that without ceasing, I may make mention of them always in my prayers: That my hearts desire and prayer to God, both in secret, private and public, for poor and rich, may be, that they may be saved. O let me daily offer Sacrifice for them, confess their iniquities, bewail their misery, and cry mightily to God for mercy. Lord, let me prevail with thy Majesty, to speak to their hearts, and I shall prevail with them to hearken to thee, yea, I shall stand before thee at the last day with courage, and say, Behold, here am I, and the children which thou hast given me.
I wish, 2That all my Parishoners, without exception, may have so deep a share in my affection, upon a Religious account, that without ceasing, I may make mention of them always in my prayers: That my hearts desire and prayer to God, both in secret, private and publique, for poor and rich, may be, that they may be saved. O let me daily offer Sacrifice for them, confess their iniquities, bewail their misery, and cry mightily to God for mercy. Lord, let me prevail with thy Majestie, to speak to their hearts, and I shall prevail with them to hearken to thee, yea, I shall stand before thee at the last day with courage, and say, Behold, here am I, and the children which thou hast given me.
I desire that I may not be obnoxious to the censure of a wicked and slothful Servant; 4not of wicked, by hiding my sins in the cloak of excuses; nor of slothful by hiding my Talent in the Napkin of idleness: but may mind the work of the Ministery, and make it appear that both in my preparation for, and execution of my office, I labour in ⟨p. 503⟩the Word and Doctrine. My time, and parts are not mine own, but (under God) my peoples, and to be improved for their profit. If men dye for robbing single persons, what shall befal me, should I be such a thief, as to rob the poor, the rich and indeed the whole parishes stock! My prayer is, 2that I may not offer to the Lord my God, that which cost me nothing, that my meat which I set before the family committed to my charge, may not be (like Ephraim half-baked) raw or rude, and so unmeet for their stomachs to concoct, because of my negligence in preparing it; 3that I may give attendance to reading, meditate on those things; give my self wholly to them, that my profitting may appear to all men. They that spend upon the main stock where it is but small, will quickly prove bankrupts. My layings out are considerable; my comings in, had need to be answerable. Surely if any in the World should feed high, should study, read, and pray hard, those should do it who carry so many in their wombs, or give so many suck. I wish that I may be industrious as well in rearing the Temple, 4as in providing materials; that I may chearfully spend, and be spent in the service of Christ. My Saviour was taken to be fifty, when he was little above thirty; by reason of his excessive industry, his very countenance was aged. O my soul follow thou this blessed pattern, do not play, but work the work of him that sent thee in the Lord; Improve all opportunities to the utmost, be instant in season and out of season, serve thy God with all thy strength; Like fuel consume thy self in ⟨p. 504⟩burning to warm the spirit of the Saint, and to thaw the frozen heart of the sinner. Thy work is of infinite consequence; Thy time is exceeding short, thy reward is glorious and eternal, up and be doing; and like the silk-worm wear out thine own bowels to hide others nakedness, waste thy self to prevent thine own and others endless wo.
