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

Men that work for a dead horse, as we say, when their business is done, look no further, because they had their pay before-hand; but those whose reward is behind, labour in expectation of it, and after they have wrought, look for it: An unbelievers hopes are in this present world, and therefore if he procure but some earthly profit, it is no wonder if he look no more after his prayers, he had his pay before hand: But a believer whose reward (not of debt but of grace) is ever behind and to come, while he is upon earth, when he hath prayed in obedience to Gods precept, cannot but expect the performance of Gods promise.

Men that work for a dead horse, as we say, when their business is done, look no further, because they had their pay before-hand; but those whose reward is behind, labour in expectation of it, and after they have wrought, look for it: An unbeleivers hopes are in this present world, and therefore if he procure but some earthly profit, it is no wonder if he look no more after his prayers, he had his pay before hand: But a beleiver whose reward (not of debt but of grace) is ever behind and to come, while he is upon earth, when he hath prayed in obedience to Gods precept, cannot but expect the performance of Gods promise.

He that ventureth nothing in a ship, save a small parcel of pins, or a few quire of paper, or something which is little better then nothing, takes little thought what becomes of the vessel, if it sink or swim, its all one to him, he loseth not a moments ⟨p. 188⟩sleep for it. But the Merchant who ventureth all he is worth in a Vessel, and sendeth it out very richly laden, though it be a long journey, yet he is impatient to hear of it: many an anxious thought hath he about it, many a time he putteth the supposition to himself, What if this Ship should miscarry? What will become of me, my Wife and Children? He can hardly eat or drink with comfort, or sleep with quietness, till he hears it is safe. A wicked man that is worth nothing, ventureth nothing in his prayers, and therefore whether they miscarry or no, it matters not much with him: when he prayed for pardon and grace, he counted them little worth, he prized his stock and his riches at a far higher rate, and so must needs be very indifferent whether the Vessel wherein things of such small worth (in his esteem) were hazarded, come home safe or no. But a godly man hazardeth all he is worth, for this, and the other world, in his prayers: he knoweth that all his happiness is involved in the pardon of his sins, in the righteousness of his Saviour, in the love of his God, and the renovation of his nature, all which he beggeth with strong cries and groans. He esteemeth these things as the very life of his life, and the very soul of his soul, and O (thinks he) how richly laden, is this Vessel which I have sent forth! My precious soul, my dearest Jesus, my interest in the covenant of grace, my eternal fruition of the ever blessed God, are all aboard her. If she should miscarry (good Lord) what would become