A94156:321
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.
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, 1is the most spiritual part of them, and therefore must most of all be minded. God made a breach on them who sought him, not after the due order, 1 Cron. 15.13. If the matter of thy performance be according to the word, and thou wilfully fail in the manner, thou wilt instead of a blessing, meet with a blow. God had Sacrifices from the Jews of his own appointment for the matter, and yet they were unsavoury to him, Isa. 1.13, 14, 15. It is the manner which makes or mars every action, that is the form which specificates all our devotion; grace is Gods own Image, abundantly amiable in his eye, and that must be Stamped on all our Coin of duties, or they will never be currant with Heaven. Kings suffer no Coin to go in their Dominions, but what hath their own stamp. Tamerlane would not own a pot of gold which his Soldier found and brought him, because it wanted his Fathers impression. Christ will own no performances unless they have his Fathers Picture, somewhat of his Image on them.
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, 1is the most spiritual part of them, and therefore must most of all be minded. God made a breach on them who sought him, not after the due order, 1 Cron. 15.13. If the matter of thy performance be according to the word, and thou wilfully fail in the manner, thou wilt instead of a blessing, meet with a blow. God had Sacrifices from the Jews of his own appointment for the matter, and yet they were unsavoury to him, Isa. 1.13, 14, 15. It is the manner which makes or mars every action, that is the form which specificates all our devotion; grace is Gods own Image, abundantly amiable in his eye, and that must be Stampt on all our Coyn of duties, or they will never be currant with Heaven. Kings suffer no Coyn to go in their Dominions, but what hath their own stamp. Tamberlane would not own a pot of gold which his Souldier found and brought him, because it wanted his Fathers impression. Christ will own no performances unless they have his Fathers Picture, somwhat of his Image on them.