A94156:282
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.
It is a more worthy thing to abound in work, 1then to abound in wealth. Melanchthon spake nobly Let others take Riches, give me Labour. They who have been busy about much meaner studies, have yet pursued them with incredible pleasure, and extraordinary pains. 2Endymion spent whole nights on Rocks and Mountains, in contemplating the ⟨p. 101⟩motions of the Stars. It is said of Crisippus, That he was so intent on his Book that he had starved his Body, had not his maid put meat into his mouth. 3Cicero profest, He would part with all he was worth that he might but live and dye among his Books; did they reckon Humane Knowledge, that curious piece of vanity at so high a rate that they would trample on their possessions, take any pains to procure it, to promote it? What a price shouldst thou set upon Godliness, upon Divine Knowledge, which is the very seed of eternal life? Joh. 17.3. shouldst not thou undervalue thy estate and strength for it? shouldst not thou spend all thy time, employ all thy talents, and improve all thy opportunities for the furthering of it? O that holy Paul might be thy pattern: Herein I exercise my self, to keep a conscience void of offence towards God and Men, Act. 24.16. Here is Pauls precious cabinet, and his care to preserve it; 4his Cabinet was his conscience void of offence, a treasure of inestimable value; in this Cabinet were all the jewels of Divine Graces. His Faith and Love, his Hope and Humility, his Patience and Heavenly mindedness were glistering in it gloriously, like so many costly and sparkling Diamonds; but observe Pauls care of this Cabinet, I exercise my self to keep a conscience void of offence; Paul knew many subtle thieves were abroad, and therefore he must make it his business to keep his pearls, or otherwise they would be stolen from him. He knew if he were robbed he were ruined; nay if but a flaw were made in the jewel of his conscience, it would be of exceeding ill consequence to him,