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

The curse of God will be a moth in thy Wardrobe, murrain among thy cattle, mildew in the field, the plague to thy body, wrath to thy soul, will indeed make thy house a very hell upon earth. The highest Family in the World without godliness, though never so rich and ruffling, is but like Golgatha, a place full of frightful skulls; and like a Church-yard, full of carcasses, gilded, rotten, and golden Damnation.

The curse of God will be a moth in thy Wardrobe, murrain among thy cattel, mildew in the field, the plague to thy body, wrath to thy soul, will indeed make thy house a very hell upon earth. The highest Family in the World without godliness, though never so rich and ruffling, is but like Golgatha, a place full of frightful skulls; and like a Church-yard, full of carkasses, gilded, rotten, and golden Damnation.

I shall now lay down some Directions how thou may exercise thy self to godliness, as the Governor of a Family.

First, Be careful whom thou admittest into thy Family: Art thou unmarried, and to choose an Husband or Wife? Do thy occasions call for a man-servant, or a maid-servant? Be careful where thou fixest; for believe it, not only thy grace will appear in a good choice, but also godliness will be much hindered or furthered by thy choice: One sinner destroyeth much good, Eccles. 9.18. One ⟨p. 524⟩man may pull down that house, which many with much care, cost and pains did set up. We read, that wicked men have been the better, for taking godly men into their families, as Laban and Potiphar; but we never read that godly men were ever the better for having wicked persons into their families; nay, how much have they been the worse, and by such been brought to great wickedness! As black corn, they smut and sully the good corn; as rusty armour, they injure that which is bright, by being near it. The Lacedaemonians were so sensible of this, that they would not suffer a stranger to abide among them above three days, lest by his evil example, he should corrupt others. And wilt thou, Friend, take them into thy house to dwell with thee, that will bring the plague along with them, and thereby probably destroy the bodies and souls of others? Canst thou think it safe, for a little Worldly advantage, to be nigh them who are under Gods fury, and next door to eternal fire? Shall thy House be as Noah's Ark, abounding in Creatures clean and unclean, when God commandeth thee to worship him uprightly, with thy whole family? I hope, Christian, better things of thee. It was written over Plato's door, [Greek or Hebrew], There is no man may come hither, who is not a Geometer. Let it be written over thy door, None may expect to dwell here, who will not make Religion his business.