A94156:431
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 lack of this fervency, is the loss of many prayers. The lazy petition tires, before it comes half way to Heaven: indeed it is eaten up (as the cold honey of Wasps and Flies) of wandering thoughts; when fervent prayers, like honey boiling over the fire, is free from such ill guests. An idle prayer, like a lazy beggar, wandereth and gaddeth up and down, and as a rolling stone, gathereth no moss. The working of the affections in ⟨p. 176⟩prayer, like Davids harp, allayeth those Devils which would disturb the Christian in this duty. When a man is intent upon the God to whom he prayeth, and eager after the mercies for which he prayeth, though the World whisper him in the ear, he cannot hear; though Satan jog him by the elbow, he will not heed him.
The lack of this fervency, is the loss of many prayers. The lazy petition tires, before it comes half way to Heaven: indeed it is eaten up (as the cold honey of Wasps and Flies) of wandring thoughts; when fervent prayers, like honey boiling over the fire, is free from such ill guests. An idle prayer, like a lazy beggar, wandreth and gaddeth up and down, and as a rowling stone, gathereth no moss. The working of the affections in ⟨p. 176⟩prayer, like Davids harp, allayeth those Devils which would disturb the Christian in this duty. When a man is intent upon the God to whom he prayeth, and eager after the mercies for which he prayeth, though the World whisper him in the ear, he cannot hear; though Satan jog him by the elbow, he will not heed him.
But here a caution will be seasonable: The fire of thy fervency must be from Heaven; not such strange fire as Nadab and Abihu. offered to the Lord: I mean, it must not be the voice of nature, an earnest cry for the enjoyment of creatures; but the voice of the Spirit, an importunate desire for conformity to, and communion with the Lord Jesus Christ. We read of those that howled upon their beds for corn, and wine, and oil, Hosea 7.17. Many, like children, roar, are much out of quiet, disturb others with the noise they make, but it is for clouts for a Baby: Who will show us any good? The voice of a Saint must be, as of a wise son at full age, for the inheritance; Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me.