A94156:349
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.
David longed (as a Woman with Child, so the word signifieth) to see the beauty of the Lord, and receive of his bounty in the Sanctuary, Psa. 84.2. and 63.1, 2. and 27. Thou goest to the Market to supply thy bodily necessities, and art ashamed to come home empty? Dost thou not come to the Ordinances of God for the relief of thy soul indigencies, and art thou not grieved to come away poor and beggarly? Merchants take in some goods from one part, some from another part, and at last come home richly laden; do thou get some true riches at prayer, some from the word, and then how comfortably mayst thou conclude thy duties.
David longed (as a Woman with Child, so the word signifieth) to see the beauty of the Lord, and receive of his bounty in the Sanctuary, Psa. 84.2. and 63.1, 2. and 27. Thou goest to the Market to supply thy bodily necessities, and art ashamed to come home empty? Dost thou not come to the Ordinances of God for the releif of thy soul indigencies, and art thou not greived to come away poor and beggarly? Merchants take in some goods from one part, some from another part, and at last come home richly laden; do thou get some true riches at prayer, some from the word, and then how comfortably mayst thou conclude thy duties.
Do not rest in the formal performance of duties, as the Harlot that cried out, 1I have had my peace-offering to day, and therefore all must be well; but as the people when Moses went to speak to God for them, 2they all looked after him to see what speed, what success. After thine attendance on Ordinances, long and look for the fruit of them; If a man present a Petition to a King, he gives attendance to see whether it will be granted or no. It is a contempt both of Gods Majesty and Mercy, for thee to throw down thy prayers before him, and then to run away not caring what becomes of it. When thou hast been speaking to God hearken what God will speak to thee, for he speaketh peace to his people, and to his Saints, that they return no more to folly. Let down thy Net into the Waters, and expect to catch somewhat which may feed thy soul; if thou fish all night and (as the Disciples) catch nothing, look for the coming of