A94156:306
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 time of sacred duty is a Christians market day, wherein he is much employed, and therefore it calls for his greatest diligence. He that leaves his Shop, or loiters in it at such a time, must expect that his Shop will quickly leave him. The Husbandman hath his seasons to Plough and Sow in, which if he be heedless and careless about, that either his seed be smutty, or his servant slothful, he can look for but a mean and poor harvest. The hours of praying, and reading, and hearing, are the Saints opportunities and seasons of grace; if he be not then careful and conscientious to Plough up the fallow ground of his heart, and to sow to the Spirit; his return will be very inconsiderable, he will Reap but a thin crop. But truly friend if thou hast no respect to thy souls good, God hath to his own glory, and though he stoop to thee, in giving thee leave to seek his face, and hear his voice, yet he will not be slighted by thee. He is a glorious and jealous Majesty, and esteemeth it a disparagement to him, for any to wait upon him without their best attire; Though Uzzah be dead, yet he speaketh to thee to take heed how thou touchest the Ark.
The time of sacred duty is a Christians market day, wherein he is much imployd, and therefore it calls for his greatest diligence. He that leaves his Shop, or loyters in it at such a time, must expect that his Shop will quickly leave him. The Husbandman hath his seasons to Plow and Sow in, which if he be heedless and careless about, that either his seed be smutty, or his servant slothful, he can look for but a mean and poor harvest. The hours of praying, and reading, and hearing, are the Saints opportunities and seasons of grace; if he be not then careful and consciencious to Plow up the fallow ground of his heart, and to sow to the Spirit; his return will be very inconsiderable, he will Reap but a thin crop. But truely friend if thou hast no respect to thy souls good, God hath to his own glory, and though he stoop to thee, ingiving thee leave to seek his face, and hear his voice, yet he will not be slighted by thee. He is a glorious and jealous Majesty, and esteemeth it a disparagement to him, for any to wait upon him without their best attire; Though Ʋzzah be dead, yet he speaketh to thee to take heed how thou touchest the Ark.