A94156:1030
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.
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!