A94156:200
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.
When we deal with our equals, with them that stand upon the same level with us, we may deal as ⟨p. 55⟩men, our affections may be like Scales that are evenly poised, in regard of indifferency, but when we have to do with a God (so great, that in comparison of him, the vast Ocean, the broad Earth, and the highest Heavens are all less then nothing, and so glorious that the great lights of the World, though every Star were a Sun, yet in respect of him are perfect darkness) we must be like Angels, our affections should be all in a flame in regard of fervency and activity. The very Turks though they build their own houses low and homely, 1yet they take much pains about their Mosques, their Temples, they build them high and stately. David considered about a Temple for God. The work is great for the palace is not for man, but for the Lord God. Now (saith he) I have prepared with all my might for the House of my God. Upon this foundation that it was God-work, David raiseth this building to make it his business, to prepare for it with all his might, as if he had said. Had it been for man, the work had been mean, it had wanted exceedingly of that weight which now it hath; but the work is great for the palace is not for man, but for God; and because it is a work of such infinite weight, therefore I have prepared for it with all my might. I can think no pains great enough for so great a Prince.
When we deal with our equals, with them that stand upon the same level with us, we may deal as ⟨p. 55⟩men, our affections may be like Scales that are evenly poized, in regard of indifferency, but when we have to do with a God (so great, that in comparison of him, the vast Ocean, the broad Earth, and the highest Heavens are all less then nothing, and so glorious that the great lights of the World, though every Star were a Sun, yet in respect of him are perfect darkness) we must be like Angels, our affections should be all in a flame in regard of fervency and activity. The very Turks though they build their own houses low and homely, 1yet they take much pains about their Moschees, their Temples, they build them high and stately. David considered about a Temple for God. The work is great for the palace is not for man, but for the Lord God. Now (saith he) I have prepared with all my might for the House of my God. Upon this foundation that it was God-work, David raiseth this building to make it his business, to prepare for it with all his might, as if he had said. Had it been for man, the work had been mean, it had wanted exceedingly of that weight which now it hath; but the work is great for the palace is not for man, but for God; and because it is a work of such infinite weight, therefore I have prepared for it with all my might. I can think no pains great enough for so great a Prince.