A94156:1082
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.
Abraham had letters testimonial from Heaven of his sincerity, and the favour to be trusted with Arcana imperii, Gods secrets, because of his faithfulness in this particular. And the Lord said shall I hide from Abraham the things which I do? For I know him that he will command his Children and his House hold after him, and they shall keep the Way of the Lord, Gen. 18.17, 19. O how few Abrahams are there in England? Many teach their Families the works of the Devil, but few teach them the way of the Lord; many lop their trees, prune their plants, break their horses, train their hawks, yea teach their dogs, yet never instruct their children.
Abraham had letters testimonial from Heaven of his sincerity, and the favour to be trusted with Arcana imperii, Gods secrets, because of his faithfulness in this particular. And the Lord said shall I hide from Abraham the things which I do? For I know him that he will command his Children and his House hold after him, and they shall keep the Way of the Lord, Gen. 18.17, 19. O how few Abrahams are there in England? Many teach their Families the works of the Devil, but few teach them the way of the Lord; many lop their trees, prune their plants, break their horses, train their hauks, yea teach their dogs, yet never instruct their children.
Friend, consider the worth of thy children and servants souls, and the weight of their everlasting estates, and how in the dark of ignorance they must unavoidably stumble into Hell; and for the Lords sake be persuaded to instruct them in the knowledge of the true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, John 17.3. Naturalists tell us that bees carry small gravel in their feet to poise their bodies as they fly through stormy Winds. If thou wouldst not have thy little ones blown away with the Winds of temptations, do thou labour to poise them with the principles of the Oracles of God, Ah what pity is it that men, like silly Doves, without hearts, should sit in their Dove-coats, see their Nests destroyed, and their young ones killed before their eyes, but the old Manslayer the Devil,