The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

J••chim, the Father of the Virgin Mary, used to say, that prayer was his meat and drink.

There is no duty enjoined a Christian for his constant trade, so much as prayer; Pray always, pray continually, pray without ceasing, pray with perseverance, pray evermore. But why is all this? would God have his people do nothing else but pray? must they cast by their callings, cast off all care of their children, and shut themselves up into some Cell or Cloister, and there be always upon their knees at prayer, as the Euchites fancied. No, I shall therefore give a brief description of this praying without ceasing.

There is no duty injoyned a Christian for his constant trade, so much as prayer; Pray always, pray continually, pray without ceasing, pray with perseverance, pray evermore. But why is all this? would God have his people do nothing else but pray? must they cast by their callings, cast off all care of their children, and shut themselves up into some Cell or Cloyster, and there be always upon their knees at prayer, as the Euchites fancied. No, I shall therefore give a brief description of this praying without ceasing.

1. Thy soul must be ever in a praying frame. The Soldier hath his Weapons ready, though not always in fight with his enemy. Thy heart must be ever in Tune, and ready upon the least touch to make heavenly Music. The Churches lips are compared to an honey-comb, Cant. 4.11. The honey comb doth not always drop, but it is always ready to drop. The believers spirit is like fire upon the Hearth, though it do not blaze, yet its ready ⟨p. 180⟩