A94156:362
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.
Prayer is an humble lifting up the heart, or pouring out the soul to God in the name of Christ: It is a crying Abba Father. As Scripture is Gods Letter wherein he openeth his mind to man, so Prayer is mans Letter wherein he openeth his mind to God. It is fitly resembled to Jacobs Ladder, the bottom of which was on earth, but the top reached to Heaven: A thought can fly speedily to the uttermost parts of the earth, so can prayer in a moment to the highest heavens. One of the Fathers compareth it to a chain, one end of which is tied to mans tongue, the other end to Gods ear. Another, Ascensus mentis ad Deum, A lifting up the mind to God. Paul calls it a making known our requests to God, Phil. 4. Jamblicus a profane writer calleth prayer, Rerum divinarum ducem & lucem & copulam qua homines cum Deo conjunguntur; The guide and light of Divine truths, the band whereby God and man are joined together; Clavis instarqua Dei penetralia aperiuntur, Like a key that openeth Gods secrets. Austin calls it, Dei sacrificium, ⟨p. 141⟩diaboli flagellum. & Christiani subsidium; A sweet savour to God, a terror to the Devil, and a shelter to a Christian. Bernard calls it, Vinculum invincibilis, •he Conqueror of him who is invincible. Luther saith, It is omnipotent. Archimedes made such an engine that saith he, Could I but find where to fasten it, I would not doubt but to remove the whole earth with it. Such an engine is Prayer. By prayer fire hath been quenched, waters divided, the mouths of Lions stopped, iron gates opened, the bottles of heaven opened and stopped, the course of nature overturned, diseases removed, health restored, sin subdued, grace bestowed, Kingdoms supported, Church enemies scattered, the blind restored, the dead enlivened, devils dispossessed, and the blessed God himself conquered. The Jews have a proverb, Sine stationibus non staret mundus, alluding to their standing posture in prayer; the World would not stand without prayer.
Prayer is an humble lifting up the heart, or pouring out the soul to God in the name of Christ: It is a crying Abba Father. As Scripture is Gods Letter wherein he openeth his mind to man, so Prayer is mans Letter wherein he openeth his mind to God. It is fitly resembled to Jacobs Ladder, the bottom of which was on earth, but the top reached to Heaven: A thought can fly speedily to the uttermost parts of the earth, so can prayer in a moment to the highest heavens. One of the Fathers compareth it to a chain, one end of which is tied to mans tongue, the other end to Gods ear. Another, Ascensus mentis ad Deum, A lifting up the mind to God. Paul calls it a making known our requests to God,