A94156:363
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.
When a great fire in Constantinople had fastened on a great part of the City, took hold of the Church, flamed in at several of the windows, the Bishop ran into the Church, fell down on his knees, and would not rise from prayer till the fire was vanquished. And as prayer hath hindered fire, so it hath brought down water: The Legions of Christians under Aurelius in a time of drought entreated rain of God and prevailed, for which they were called The lightening Legion.
When a great fire in Constantinople had fastned on a great part of the City, took hold of the Church, flamed in at several of the windows, the Bishop ran into the Church, fell down on his knees, and would not rise from prayer till the fire was vanquished. And as prayer hath hindred fire, so it hath brought down water: The Legions of Christians under Aurelius in a time of drought intreated rain of God and prevailed, for which they were called The lightening Legion.
Prayer is the Midwife to bring all those mercies into the world to the Believer, which are conceived in the womb of the Promises. It is the Christians ⟨p. 142⟩messenger which he sends to Heaven for the supply of his necessities, and like Jonathans bow it never returneth empty. Oftentimes as the Echo doubleth the voice, so doth the answer the prayer; when the soul, like Gehezi asketh but one talent, God, like Naaman, forceth two upon it. The Lord is rich unto all that call upon him, Rom. 10.12. Prayer is the Thames in which all sorts of commodities are brought up for the relief of the Citizens of Zion. Some say of Cornucopia that it hath all things necessary for food in it. Prayer hath in it all things pertaining to this life and a better.
Prayer is the Midwife to bring all those mercies into the world to the Beleever, which are conceived in the womb of the Promises. It is the Christians ⟨p. 142⟩