A94156:165
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.
It was the practice of our Saviour (who left us a blessed pattern therein) to be always furthering godliness; when bread was mentioned to him, upon it, he dissuaded his Disciples from the leaven of the Pharisees, Mat. 16.5.6. When water was denied him by the Samaritan woman, he forgets his thirst and seeks to draw her to the Well-spring of happiness, John 4.10. When people came to him for bodily cures, how constantly doth he mind the safety of their souls; Thou art made whole, go sin no more, or thy sins are forgiven thee. He went about doing good, in the day time working Miracles and Preaching, in the night time he often gave himself to meditation and prayer.
It was the practice of our Saviour (who left us a blessed pattern therein) to be always furthering godliness; when bread was mentioned to him, upon it, he diswaded his Disciples from the leaven of the Pharisees, Mat. 16.5.6. When water was denyed him by the Samaritan woman, he forgets his thirst and seeks to draw her to the Well-spring of happiness, John 4.10. When people came to him for bodily cures, how constantly doth he mind the safety of their souls; Thou art made whole, go sin no more, or thy sins are forgiven thee. He went about doing good, in the day time working Miracles and Preaching, in the night time he often gave himself to meditation and prayer.
He that minds Religion by the by doth otherwise, he can (Proteus like) turn himself into any shape which is in fashion. 1As the Carbuncle, a Beast amongst the Blackamores, which is seen only by ⟨p. 35⟩night, having a stone in his Fore-head, which shineth incredibly and giveth him light whereby to feed, but when he heareth the least noise, he presently lets fall over it a skin, which he hath as a natural covering, least its splendour should betray him; So the half Christian shines with the light of holiness by fits and starts, every fright makes him hold in and hide it. The mark of Antichrist was in his followers hands, which they can cover or discover at their pleasure, but the mark of Christs Disciples was in in their Foreheads, visible at all times.