A94156:180
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
Treatise › Chapter 5: Religion is the great end of mans Creation.
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.
The Lord made all things for himself, Prov. 16.4. ⟨p. 42⟩God made things without life and reason, 1to serve him passively and subjectively by administering occasion to man, to admire and adore his Maker; but man was made to worship him actively and affectionately, as sensible of, and affected with that Divine wisdom, power, and goodness which appear in them. As all things are of him, as the efficient cause; so all things must necessarily be for him, as the final cause. But man in an especial manner is predestinated and created for this purpose, Isa. 43.1, and 7. Thou art mine; I have created him for my glory; I have formed him, yea I have made him. There is both the author and the end of our creation; the author, I have created him; the end, for my glory. As man is the most exact piece on which he bestowed most pains, 2so from him he cannot but expect most praise. Lactantius accounteth religion the most proper and essential difference between men and beasts. The praises which Beasts give God are dumb, their sacrifices are dead; but the sacrifices of Men are living, and their praises lively.
The Lord made all things for himself, Prov. 16.4. ⟨p. 42⟩God made things without life and reason, 1to serve him passively and subjectively by administring occasion to man, to admire and adore his Maker; but man was made to worship him actively and affectionately, as sensible of, and affected with that Divine wisdom, power, and goodness which appear in them. As all things are of him, as the efficient cause; so all things must necessarily be for him, as the final cause. But man in an especial manner is predestinated and created for this purpose,