A94156:225
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.
The flesh is like Birdlime, which when the spirit would at any time mount up to Heaven with the wings of Faith and Meditation, hampers and hinders it; it is the holy souls prison, wherein it is fettered and fastened that it cannot as it would walk at liberty, and seek Gods precepts. The Devil, both a Serpent for craft, and a Lion for cruelty, doth out of his hatred to God make it his constant business by his power and policy to hinder Godliness. As the Panther, because he cannot come at the person, he tears the picture wherever he finds it; We wrestle not with flesh and blood but with Principalities and Powers, Ephes. 6.12. While Satan reigneth in a creature all may be quiet and calm, but if he be once cast out he will rage and roar to purpose. While Israel serveth the Egyptians, carrying their crosses, bearing their burdens, doing their drudgery all is well; but when once they shake off Pharaohs yoke, turn their backs upon Egypt, and set out for Canaan, with what force and fury are they pursued to be brought back to their former bondage? Christ was no sooner baptized then buffeted; he went as it were out of the water of baptism into the fire of temptation: and if the Prince were all his time persecuted, his Subjects must not expect to be wholly privileged. The cross is tied as a tag to the profession of Christianity, Matth. 10.30. One Article ⟨p. 67⟩in the Indenture which all Apprentices must seal to, that will call Christ Master, is to bear the cross daily, Matth. 16. The Saints are as vessels floating on the waters of Meribah, where (Omne quod flat Aquilo est, as Tertullian saith of Pontus) no wind blows but what is sharp and keen. The Hebrews were no sooner enlightened to their conversion, but they endured a sharp fight of affliction; their lightning was accompanied with a grievous storm, Heb. 10.32. Holiness is usually followed with much hatred and hardship. The enemies of mans salvation are impudent and unceasing, ever raging never resting. 1What the Carthaginian Commander said of Marcellus, may be truly spoken by us in regard of them;