A94156:398
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 Jacobs sons went down to Egypt to fetch corn, they carried some along with them to support them by the way; when the Christian goeth to Christ by prayer for more spiritual food, he must carry some along with him to strengthen him in the duty: A little water poured into the pomp, will fetch up much: a little grace acted in a duty, may help thee to much more. As the ship is sometimes wind-bound, that it cannot move towards its haven; so without the exercise of grace, the soul is wind-bound, there is no stirring towards Heaven. A graceless man in prayer (as was said of Alcibiades) may talk much, but speaketh little.
2. Some things which will hinder the duty must be refused.
All sin in general, sin regarded in the soul, makes prayers disregarded of God, If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear my prayer, Psa. 66.18: He that expecteth pardon, must throw down his Weapons of Rebellion. The Child that asketh forgiveness of his Oaths, must not desire it of his Father with Curses in his mouth? When dust clogs the Wheel of the Watch or Clock, they cannot strike true; when sin hampereth and clogs the Wheels of the affections, the mouth will never speak true or right in its Petitions. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be an abomination, Pro. 28.9. It is high impudency, for him that will not hear God, to look that God should hear him.