A94156:418
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.
The special end of prayer, is to exalt God, and debase man; he therefore that is proud in that performance, doth wholly thwart Gods end in its institution, and may be confident that God will thwart him in his petitions. When we go to God in this duty for grace and mercy, we do not go to him as those that go to market to buy or relieve; but as those that go to a rich mans door to beg an alms: And surely of all persons beggars, who live wholly upon another's charity, have least reason to be proud. The proud beggar never got any thing at Gods door.
The special end of prayer, is to exalt God, and debase man; he therefore that is proud in that performance, doth wholly thwart Gods end in its institution, and may be confident that God will thwart him in his petitions. When we go to God in this duty for grace and mercy, we do not go to him as those that go to market to buy or relieve; but as those that go to a rich mans door to beg an alms: And surely of all persons beggars, who live wholly upon anothers charity, have least reason to be proud. The proud beggar never got any thing at Gods door.
It is observable, how the children of God though they were never so rich in grace, were poor in spirit, and humble in language and carriage, when they approached the Lord of glory: Every one of •hem, notwithstanding the greatness of their spiritual ⟨p. 169⟩stock, sued in forma-pauperis: Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto thee Lord, who am but dust and ashes, saith Abraham, Gen. 18.27. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, which thou hast showed to thy servant, saith Jacob, Gen. 32.10. I am a worm, and no man, saith David. So foolish was I, and ignorant, even as a beast before thee, saith Asaph. I am more brutish then any man, I have not the understanding of a man, saith Agur. O my God, I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face to thee, for our iniquities are increased over our heads, and our trespasses is grown up unto the Heavens, saith Ezra. I am a man of unclean lips, saith Isaiah. They all have learned the same Lesson, as Scholars in the same form; they all speak the same Language, as children of the same Father.