A94156:369
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.
O what a privilege dost thou enjoy Reader, in having freedom of access to the Throne of Grace. The Persian Kings took state upon them, and enacted that none should come uncalled upon pain of death: But the gates of Heaven, as the Aediles at Rome are always open: Thou hast liberty night and day of presenting thy petitions in the name of Christ to the King of the whole earth, and needst not fear (so thy prayers be according to Scripture ⟨p. 144⟩directions) so much as a chiding for thy presumption: The poets say that Litae, Prayers, are Jupiters Daughters, and always about the Throne. If it be esteemed such a favour to have an earthly Princes ear, what a favour art thou invested with, that hast the ear of the blessed and only Potentate? Elisha offered his courteous Host a great kindness, when he asked her, wilt thou be spoken for to the King? 2 Kings 4.13. Some purchase that liberty, as the chief Captain his Roman freedom, with a great sum, but thou mayst speak to the King of Kings thy self, and be welcome, and needst not be at the charge of having either Saints or Angels thy mediators, or any of those Heavenly Courtiers, to bring thee into the Kings presence. The Son of God himself will do it for thee gratis. In him we have boldness, Ephes. 3.12. [Greek or Hebrew] liberty of speech, freedom to speak all thy mind, to lay open thy very inwards to God. If thou art in doubts about thy spiritual estate, and about thy title to the inheritance of the Saints in light, thou mayst by prayer go to him who is marvellous in counsel, and have his advice for nothing. If any disease appear in thy soul, which (thou fearest) may endanger its life, at least hinder its peace and health, thou mayst by prayer knock up the true Physician at mid-night, and prevail with him to hasten to thy help and cure. If thou art surrounded with many and bloody Enemies, that thou knowest not what to do, nor where to go, thou mayst by prayer send post to Heaven, and thou needst not fear but Christ will meet the Messenger half was, and come ⟨p. 145⟩in timely to thy rescue.
O what a priviledge dost thou enjoy Reader, in having freedom of access to the Throne of Grace. The Persian Kings took state upon them, and enacted that none should come uncalled upon pain of death: But the gates of Heaven, as the Aediles at Rome are always open: Thou hast liberty night and day of presenting thy petitions in the name of hrist to the King of the whole earth, and needst not fear (so thy prayers be according to Scripture