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

The blind Heathen were choice and devout in the service of dumb Idols; they served them in ⟨p. 111⟩white, an emblem of purity. They thought nothing too good for those false Gods, for whom the worst was not bad enough. Solon, the Athenian Law-giver, enacted, that none should serve the Gods, Obiter, or by the by; that their sacrifices should be all select and chosen, and that the Sacrificers should purify themselves some days before hand. Lycurgus had made a law that no man should be at any great charge in a sacrifice, least he should grow weary of Divine service, yet when Phidias the famous carver advised the Athenian, to make the statute of Minerva of marble rather then Ivory 1. Because it was more durable, this reason was approved. 2. Because less chargeable; at the mention hereof, with much rage and wrath, they commanded him silence. They had an higher respect for those lies and falsehoods, then many have for the true God. ¹When they were going to offer sacrifice, their Priest cried [Greek or Hebrew] who is here. Those present answered [Greek or Hebrew] many and good. Were they so choice and chary in the service of their dunghill deities; and wilt not thou friend be circumspect and conscientious in the service of the living God? did they think nothing costly enough for inanimate creatures, and wilt thou offer to the Lord thy God, that which cost thee nothing? Can thy box of precious ointment, though it be worth never so much, be bestowed better then on thy dearest Saviour, and can thy care and caution, thy love and labour be employed better then in his service? Or dost thou think that the false Gods were more affected with their dishonour, ⟨p. 112⟩or more to be feared in their displeasure, then the living true God. Dost thou not know that he will be sanctified in them that draw nigh to him, Lev. 10.3. great persons are impatient of contempts and affronts, especially when they are offered to them in their own houses: God will sooner overlook thy forgetfulness of him in thy trade or travails, then in his Tabernacle. When thou drawest nigh to him, there he will be sanctified, either in thee or upon thee. If thou refuse to give him glory in his service, believe it, he will get himself glory by thy suffering; His Worship is his face, and look for his fury, if thou darest him to his face.