A94156:166
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.
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.
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 onely 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 splendor 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.
- 1Purch. Pilgr. Vol. 1. p. 416.
Thirdly, To exercise our selves to godliness, implieth to persevere in it with constancy to our dissolution. Men follow their Trades, and open their Shops till death shut their eyes, and gives them a writ of ease; men pursue their earthly works, till death sound a retreat, and command their appearance in the other World. Many a one hath breathed out his last in the midst of his labour: His life and his labour have ended together. Let every man abide in the calling whereto he is called saith the Apostle.