A94156:157
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.
A man that minds godliness only by the by, looks sometimes to the matter, seldom to the manner of his performances. Opus operatum the work done is a full discharge for him, how slightly or slovenly soever it be done. If he stumble sometimes upon a good work, yet it is not his walk, and when he is in that way he cares not how many steps he treads awry. It may be said of him as of Jehu, He takes no heed to walk in the way of the Lord God of Israel, with his heart, 2 King. 10.31. He makes an Idol of the blessed God, (he prays to him, and hears from him, as if he had eyes and saw not, as if he had ears and heard not, as if he had hands and wrought not) and any thing will serve an Idol. How aptly and justly may God say to him after his duties, as Cesar to the Citizen after Dinner (who having invited the Emperor to his Table, made but slight preparation and slender provision for him) I had thought that you and I had not been so familiar.
A man that minds godliness onely by the by, looks sometimes to the matter, seldom to the manner of his performances. Opus operatum the work done is a full discharge for him, how slightly or slovenly soever it be done. If he stumble sometimes upon a good work, yet it is not his walk, and when he is in that way he cares not how many steps he treads awry. It may be said of him as of Jehu, He takes no heed to walk in the way of the Lord God of Israel, with his heart, 2 King. 10.31. He makes an Idol of the blessed God, (he prays to him, and hears from him, as if he had eys and saw not, as if he had ears and heard not, as if he had hands and wrought not) and any thing will serve an Idol. How aptly and justly may God say to him after his duties, as Cesar to the Citizen after Dinner (who having invited the Emperour to his Table, made but slight preparation and slender provision for him) I had thought that you and I had not been so familiar.
But he that exerciseth himself to godliness hath a more awful and serious carriage towards God. 1