A94156:388
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.
This consideration of thy wants, with the weight of them, will make thee more urgent and instant with God for supply; they that feel hunger how hard will they beg for bread? poor prisoners that are ready to famish for want of food, how earnest are they for relief? Bread, bread for the Lords sake; Remember the poor prisoners for the Lords sake. Consideration of thy soul-necessities, and of what infinite concernment the relief of them is to thee, will make thee feel thy wants, and then thou wilt be importunate with God for mercy. A man that considereth not his indigencies, is like a full stomach that loathes the honey comb.
This consideration of thy wants, with the weight of them, will make thee more urgent and instant with God for supply; they that feel hunger how hard will they beg for bread? poor prisoners that are ready to famish for want of food, how earnest are they for relief? Bread, bread for the Lords sake; Remember the poor prisoners for the Lords sake. Confideration of thy soul-necessities, and of what infinite concernment the releif of them is to thee, will make thee feel thy wants, and then thou wilt be importunate with God for mercy. A man that considereth not his indigencies, is like a full stomack that loaths the honey comb.
Consider thy Mercies, meditate on the several particular passages of Gods providence towards thee from thy birth to this moment; how many devils thou hast been delivered from, how many journeys thou hast been preserved in that seasonable succour God hath sometimes sent thee in dangers, ⟨p. 153⟩what suitable support he hath afforded thee in distress, what counsel he hath given thee in doubts, what comforts he hath vouchsafed thee in sorrows and darkness. Make past mercies, by meditation present with thee. How many years hast thou lived, and every moment of thy life hast breathed in mercy? Do not forget former favours bestowed on thee or thine. The Civet box when the Civet is gone still retains it scent; the vessel when the liquor is gone hath still a savour of it: So when thy mercies are past and spent, thou shouldest still have the scent and savour of them in thy spirit.