A94156:320
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.
How canst thou expect that God should heed thy prayers, when thou dost not heed them thy self; Wouldst thou give Alms to a Beggar that by his carriage and language should slight both thee and thy bounty? If a condemned malefactor were suing to a Prince for his life, and in the midst of his entreaties should see a Moth or a Fly, and leave his suit and follow after that; would this wretch deserve a pardon. And is it not as unreasonable that God should grant thy requests, if thou wilfully follow those foolish objects which thy heart or the Devil offer to thee in the midst of thy prayers; monstrous compositions, wherein is the face and voice of a man, the heart and feet of a beast, must needs be odious to God; O bind thine heart to its good behaviour, when thou goest into Gods House. Men put Locks and Fetters on Wild Horses, whom no enclosure can keep in. This watching the heart in duties, will fasten and tie it, as with cords to the Altar.
How canst thou expect that God should heed thy prayers, when thou dost not heed them thy self; Wouldst thou give Almes to a Beggar that by his carriage and language should slight both thee and thy bounty? If a condemned malefactor were suing to a Prince for his life, and in the midst of his intreaties should see a Moth or a Fly, and leave his suit and follow after that; would this wretch deserve a pardon. And is it not as unreasonable that God should grant thy requests, if thou wilfully follow those foolish objects which thy heart or the Devil offer to thee in the midst of thy prayers; monstrous compositions, wherein is the face and voice of a man, the heart and feet of a beast, must needs be odious to God; O bind thine heart to its good behaviour, when thou goest into Gods House. Men put Locks and Fetters on Wild Horses, whom no inclosure can keep in. This watching the heart in duties, will fasten and tye it, as with cords to the Altar.
Secondly, Act grace in duties, the acting of grace in a duty, is the grace of a duty. The Christian must attend on the means of grace, ⟨p. 118⟩in a gracious manner; the manner of performing duties,