A94156:214
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 did we ever find Nature so prodigal of her gifts, as to bestow skill and excellency in any art or science, without industry and diligence. Doth she not force her students to beat their brains, to wast their bodies, to break their sleep, to burn up their strength, before she will permit them to pry into her secrets, to pick the lock of her curious Cabinet, and gain any considerable knowledge of her Wealth and richness. And can we think the God of Nature will give men to know him, as they are known of him, will bestow on them the unspeakable gift, the pearl of price, the holy of holies, such things as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither mans heart conceive, while they lie lazing on the bed of Idleness.
Heaven is not unfitly compared to an Hill; among Heathen to Olympus, among Christians to Mount-Zion. They that will climb up to it, must pant, and blow, and sweat for it. Elijahs Translation to the place of bliss, was much more speedy and facile ⟨p. 62⟩then ordinary. We see no p•nting heart, no trembling hands, no quivering lips, no ghastly looks to be the forerunners of his passage into Eternal life. Where the union is near and natural, there the separation is hard and painful, but behold here the Marriage knot betwixt body and soul is not untied. Those loving Relations like Husband and Wife, ride triumphantly together in a stately Chariot to the Heavenly Court; yet even in this rapture, God would teach us that the Virgin inheritance must be ravished: There appeared a Chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and Elijah went up by a Whirl-wind into Heaven, 2 Kings 2.11. Why a Chariot of fire but to note that Heaven must be stormed and taken by force. Fire is the most active inanimate Creature; hereby is figured that laborious action is the way to the beatifical vision. The Chariot is made of fire, the Wheels upon which it runs are a whirlwind. Activeness and violence are the only way to the blessed inheritance. Who ever entered into Heaven with ease? They that will be knighted must kneel for it; they that will wear the Crown must win it. A man is not crowned except he strive lawfully, that is strenuously, 1 Tim 2.25. He that will be saved, must work out his salvation, and that with fear and trembling,