The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

But possibly you may say, that there are many that make Religion their business, only they are so near me that (according to the rule of Optics which requires a due distance between the faculty and the object) I cannot behold them; they abound in every Country, Parish, Family, All are Christians and make the Worship of God their main work.

But possibly you may say, that there are many that make Religion their business, onely they are so near me that (according to the rule of Opticks which requires a due distance between the faculty and the object) I cannot behold them; they abound in every Country, Parish, Family, All are Christians and make the Worship of God their main work.

I must answer as he did when he saw the vast Army of Antiochus, There are many men, but few Soldiers; many mouths but few hands; there are many nominal but few real Christians; many that flourish like fencers, beating only the air, but few that fight in earnest the good fight of faith. Godliness hath many complemental servants that will give her the cap and the knee, a few good words and outward ceremonies, but Godliness hath few faithful friends that make her the Mistress of their affections, that give her the command of their hearts, and that wait upon her, and walk with her all the day long. Pretenders to her service are indeed like the sand of the sea numerous but practitioners or faithful servants are like the pearl of the sea rare and precious; many court her, but few marry her; for indeed men generally deal with Godliness as the Germans with the Italians, or the Dutch ⟨p. 74⟩with the Spaniards, hold a fair out ward correspondency, enough to serve for mutual trade and traffic, but enter not into a near familiarity; they have no great intimacy with Godliness; its rather a stranger to them, whom now and then they bestow a visit on for fashion sake, then an indweller or constant inhabitant.

I must answer as he did when he saw the vast Army of Antiochus, There are many men, but few Souldiers; many mouths but few hands; there are many nominal but few real Christians; many that flourish like fencers, beating onely the air, but few that fight in earnest the good fight of faith. Godliness hath many complemental servants that will give her the cap and the knee, a few good words and outward ceremonies, but Godliness hath few faithful friends that make her the Mistris of their affections, that give her the command of their hearts, and that wait upon her, and walk with her all the day long. Pretenders to her service are indeed like the sand of the sea numerous but practitioners or faithful servants are like the pearl of the sea rare and precious; many court her, but few marry her; for indeed men generally deal with Godliness as the Germans with the Italians, or the Dutch