A94156:278
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 Corn runs out into straw and chaff, those that feed on it, may well be thin and lean, but when it runs into ear and kernel, thou mayst expect such as eat of it to be fat and well favoured; when Religion runs into Formalities and Ceremonies, her followers can never be thriving spiritually, they may starve for all the gaudy flowers wherewith the several dishes on her table are decked and set forth; it is the power of godliness alone, which like wholesome and substantial food, will distribute nourishment and strength to the inner man; I expect nourishment from bread, not from straw or stones, because God hath annexed his blessing to the former, not to the latter. I look for spiritual strength from divine institutions, not from humane ⟨p. 99⟩inventions, because Gods promise is made to word-worship, not to will-worship; one would think the sparks of that fire wherewith Aaron's Sons were consumed, should fly in the faces of men, and make them afraid to offer up to the Lord what he commanded them not, Lev. 10.1, 2.
When Corn runs out into straw and chaff, those that feed on it, may well be thin and lean, but when it runs into ear and kernel, thou mayst expect such as eat of it to be fat and well favourd; when Religion runs into Formalities and Ceremonies, her followers can never be thriving spiritually, they may starve for all the gaudy flowers wherewith the several dishes on her table are decked and set forth; it is the power of godliness alone, which like wholsom and substantial food, will distribute nourishment and strength to the inner man; I expect nourishment from bread, not from straw or stones, because God hath annext his blessing to the former, not to the latter. I look for spiritual strength from divine institutions, not from humane ⟨p. 99⟩inventions, because Gods promise is made to wordworship, not to will-worship; one would think the sparks of that fire wherewith Aarons Sons were consumed, should fly in the faces of men, and make them affraid to offer up to the Lord what he commanded them not, Lev. 10.1, 2.