A94156:171
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 Religion by the by, is like Nebuchadnezzars Image, he hath an head of gold but feet of clay. His beginning may be like Nero's first five years, full of hope and encouragement, but afterwards as a carcass he is more filthy and unsavoury every day then other. His insincerity causeth his inconstancy. Trees unsound at the root, will quickly cease their putting forth of fruit. Such men if godliness enjoy a summer of prosperity may like a Serpent creep on the ground and stretch themselves at length, to receive the warmth of the Sun, but if Winter come he will creep into some Ditch or Dunghill, least he should take cold.
A man that minds Religion by the by, is like Nebuchadnezzars Image, he hath an head of gold but feet of clay. His beginning may be like Nero's first five years, full of hope and encouragement, but afterwards as a carcass he is more filthy and unsavory every day then other. His insincerity causeth his inconstancy. Trees unsound at the root, will quickly cease their putting forth of fruit. Such men if godliness enjoy a summer of prosperity may like a Serpent creep on the ground and stretch themselves at length, to receive the warmth of the Sun, but if Winter come he will creep into some Ditch or Dunghil, least he should take cold.
Travellers that go to Sea, merely to be Sea-sick, or in sport, if there arise a black cloud or storm, their voyage is at an end, they hasten to the harbour; they came not to be Weather beaten, or to hazard themselves amongst the boisterous Billows, but only for pleasure: But the Merchant that is bound for a voyage, whose calling and business it is, is not daun•ed at every Wave and Wind, but drives through all with resolution. He that only pretends towards Religion, if a storm meet him in the way to Heaven, he leaves it and takes shelter in the earth; as a Snail, he puts out his head to see what Weather is abroad (what countenance Religion •ath at Court, whether great men do smile or frown upon the Ways of God) and if the Heavens be louring he shrinks ⟨p. 38⟩