A94156:425
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 the heart is Rector chori, chief leader of the Quire, then the voice is pleasant indeed in Gods ear. The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth, Psa. 145.18. When the Wife giveth the Husband her heart, and defileth not the Marriage bed, he will (if wise) bear with many infirmities in her. When the heart in prayer is devoted to God, he is pleased out of his grace and goodness, to pardon and pass by many imperfections in the duty; but if that bed be prostituted to any other, he gives a divorce to the Sacrifice, and putteth it away, for he is a jealous God. Jacobs small present could not but be acceptable to Joseph, because it was the best of the Land. The heart of man is but little, yet it is the best of man, and therefore taken kindly by God. The main enquiry at prayer is concerning the heart; As Jonadab was asked by Jehu, so is the Christian by God, Is thy heart right as mine is? Then come up into my Chariot; then come to the Throne of grace and welcome.
When the heart is Rector chori, cheif leader of the Quire, then the voice is pleasant indeed in Gods ear. The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth, Psa. 145.18. When the Wife giveth the Husband her heart, and defileth not the Marriage bed, he will (if wise) bear with many infirmities in her. When the heart in prayer is devoted to God, he is pleased out of his grace and goodness, to pardon and pass by many imperfections in the duty; but if that bed be prostituted to any other, he gives a divorce to the Sacrifice, and putteth it away, for he is a jealous God. Jacobs small present could not but be acceptable to Joseph, because it was the best of the Land. The heart of man is but little, yet it is the best of man, and therefore taken kindly by God. The main enquiry at prayer is concerning the heart; As Jonadab was asked by Jehu, so is the Christian by God, Is thy heart right as mine is? Then come up into my Chariot; then come to the Throne of grace and welcome.
Thirdly, thy prayers must be fervent: Prayer is a duty which consisteth not in words or expressions, but in the working of the affection; therefore it is called a crying to God, Out of the depth I have cried to thee,