A94156:302
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.
CHAP. XI. How a Christian may make Religion his business in spiritual Performances and religious Actions.
First, Make Godliness thy business in religious Duties. I shall put that first in order which is first in nature and excellency; and truly Friend, thy special care must be here; thy greatest diligence will be little enough when thou comest solemnly into Gods presence. Cleanly men, wash their hands and brush their clothes every day, but when they are to dine with a King, they will wash and scour their hands, they will brush their clothes over and over again, that their hands may be if possible clean from the least dirt, and their garments from the least dust: The true Christian is in all company and in the whole course of his life, every day careful to keep his soul clean, and his conscience clear, nay to increase his Godliness, but when he draweth nigh to God, and he hath more special care and extraordinary caution; though Tradesmen are all ⟨p. 107⟩the year long doing somewhat at their callings, either casting up their accounts, or gathering in their debts, or amending something in their commodities which are amiss; and therefore have no time for idleness, yet at some times of the year they are full of trading, their shops are crowded with customers, they are all the week either sending out or taking in wares; now this time calls for their greatest diligence and watchfulness.
FIrst, Make Godliness thy business in religious Duties. I shall put that first in order which is first in nature and excellency; and truly Friend, thy special care must be here; thy greatest diligence will be little enough when thou comest solemnly into Gods presence. Cleanly men, wash their hands and brush their cloaths every day, but when they are to dine with a King, they will wash and scour their hands, they will brush their cloaths over and over again, that their hands may be if possible clean from the least dirt, and their garments from the least dust: The true Christian is in all company and in the whole course of his life, every day careful to keep his soul clean, and his conscience clear, nay to encrease his Godliness, but when he draweth nigh to God, and he hath more special care and extraordinary caution; though Tradesmen are all