A94156:411
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.
And as some err in the matter of their petitions, so others in the matter of their thanksgiving. We read of them, that when like Thieves they had robbed others, looked up to Heaven and blessed God for a good booty, that they had prospered in their calling: Thus saith the Lord God, feed the flock of the slaughter, whose possessors slay thee, and they that sell them say, Blessed be the Lord I am rich Zach. 11.5, 6. That spurious Brat the Devil begot upon their cursed hearts, they lay at Gods door, as if he were its Father.
And as some erre in the matter of their petitions, so others in the matter of their tha•ksgiving. We read of them, that when like Thieves they had robbed others, looked up to Heaven and blessed God for a good booty, that they had prospered in their calling: Thus saith the Lord God, feed the flock of the slaughter, whose possessors slay thee, and they that sell them say, Blessed be the Lord I am rich Zach. 11.5, 6. That spurious Brat the Devil begot upon their cursed hearts, they lay at Gods door, as if he were its Father.
Take heed Reader, of exceeding the limits of prayer: those Beasts which will not be kept within ⟨p. 165⟩their bounds, are soonest caught, and killed. Israel had their wish to their woeful cost, when they cried out, Would God we had dyed in the Wilderness, Numb. 14.27.28, 29. Be not unwise, but understanding what the Will of the Lord is, Ephes. 5.17. Indeed the Christian may have any thing of God, if he do but in his prayer secure Gods honour; but he that exalteth his own will (not minding Gods) like a proud beggar, will be a chooser, and therefore he shall be sent away either without an Alms, or else with the Serpents which he desired, instead of the fish which he denied. The Christians Charter is wide enough, he hath no cause to desire its enlargement: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us,