A94156:1024
The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…
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.
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.
- 2Able.
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,