A94156:465
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.
Prayer is one of my nearest and solemnest approaches to the most high God, 1and one of my choicest privileges on this side the place of praise: wherein I may go to my God at all times and acquaint him what I ail, where it is well, where it is ill with my poor soul: I wish in general that I may never suffer this key (to Gods own treasury) to rust for want of use, nor to be ineffectual to the opening of the Divine bounty by my unskilfulness ⟨p. 193⟩in turning it, that neither by my unfitness for the duty, miscarriage at the duty, nor misbehaviour after the duty, I may demean my self unworthy of so great a favour, so high an honour, and so good a Master. In particular, I wish that I may (at least morning and evening) before I enter upon this ordinance, 2whether in my closet or family, make a privy search for those Barabasses which have moved sedition in my soul, and murdered my dearest Saviour, and that I may have such a sight of them all, in their horrid nature, and bloody colour, that I may arraign them at the Tribunal of God with confusion of face, and contrition of heart, and may with all possible ardency plead for their execution. 3I wish that my necessities may ever be in my memory, that as the sick child, I may point readily to the place of my pain, when ever I go to make my moan to my heavenly Father, and that affected with the weight and importance of them, I praying feelingly, may pray the more fervently.
PRayer is one of my nearest and solemnest approaches to the most high God, 1and one of my choicest priviledges on this side the place of praise: wherein I may go to my God at all times and acquaint him what I ail, where it is well, where it is ill with my poor soul: I wish in general that I may never suffer this key (to Gods own treasury) to rust for want of use, nor to be ineffectual to the opening of the Divine bounty by my unskilfulness ⟨p. 193⟩in turning it, that neither by my unfitness for the duty, miscarriage at the duty, nor misbehaviour after the duty, I may demean my self unworthy of so great a favour, so high an honor, and so good a Master. In particular, I wish that I may (at least morning and evening) before I enter upon this ordinance, 2whether in my closet or family, make a privy search for those Barabasses which have moved sedition in my soul, and murthered my dearest Saviour, and that I may have such a sight of them all, in their horrid nature, and bloody colour, that I may arraign them at the Tribunal of God with confusion of face, and contrition of heart, and may with all possible ardency plead for their execution. 3I wish that my necessities may ever be in my memory, that as the sick childe, I may point readily to the place of my pain, when ever I go to make my moan to my heavenly Father, and that affected with the weight and importance of them, I praying feelingly, may pray the more fervently.
I wish that the many and weighty mercies which I unworthy Wretch enjoy, 1may be written so firmly in my mind, and presented to me before prayer, in the various and lively colours of their freeness, fullness and seasonableness, that I may never steal the custom of thanks from my God (which is all he desires) for those rich and full vessels which he sendeth me in every day: but may pay him this impost of Praise and Glory, with all uprightness and alacrity.
I wish that the many and weighty mercies which I unworthy Wretch enjoy, 1may be written so firmly in my minde, and presented to me before prayer, in the various and lively colours of their freeness, fulness and seasonableness, that I may never steal the custom of thanks from my God (which is all he desires) for those rich and full vessels which he sendeth me in every day: but may pay him this impost of Praise and Glory, with all uprightness and alacrity.
I wish that my Graces may never be, like Jonah, 1asleep, when I am to call upon my God, but as the ⟨p. 194⟩Heavenly Host they may be moving in their several places, and fighting in their courses against my spiritual Enemies; O that like holy Bradford I might never leave confession, without sorrow for sin, petition, without some sense of the worth of mercies, nor thanksgiving, 2without some solace and joy in God, the Author and Fountain of all my happiness. I wish that I may draw nigh to God with a pure conscience, and before I go to desire the lovely portion of his friends, 3give a bill of divorce to all my lusts and (at least) banish from the bed of my heart those enemies of his which would not have him to reign over me. I wish that I may never desire mercy at his hands with the least degree of malice in my heart, 4but may love (as Saints, because they are Christs seed, so) sinners, and them that hate me, for Christs sake: and as a special medicine against that poison, whatsoever friend I should forget in my prayers, I wish I may resolve before hand to remember in particular my Enemies, to beg of God that he would pardon, sanctify, and save them. I wish that my affections may not as Sauls person, 5be hid among the stuff of Worldly affairs, when I should be busy about the concernment of an eternal crown; but that I may leave those servants always at the door behind, while I go in to speak to the King of Nations, 6and may all the time of the duty serve and seek the Lord my God without distraction. I wish that I may be specially careful to look up to the Master of requests, 7the Lord Jesus Christ: First, for the justification of my person, and then for the acceptation of my prayer, and that I may be so enabled with the hand of faith, to put
I wish that my prayers may be ever presented upon the bended knees of my soul, 1and also in regard of my body in the lowest and most submissive posture; Ah how humble should dust and ashes be, when he takes upon him to speak to the most High God. 2I wish above all that I may never mock the most jealous God in this duty, by speaking Parrot like, what I neither mind nor mean, but whatsoever dish be wanting on the Table, to which I invite my God, my heart which I know he loveth above all, may be there, and that my prayer may be the travail of my soul, and not the labour of my lips. I wish that I may so feel my spiritual wants, that my bowels may so pinch me, that as the hungry and almost starved beggar, I may cry aloud for the bread of life, yet not so much, 3in regard of the extension of my voice, as the intension of my spirit. When I am petitioning for pardon and grace, I wish I might beg as earnestly and beseech God as importunately as if it were in the power of my prayer, to change his mind, and procure the blessing, but when I am asking ⟨p. 196⟩temporals; 4I would not as the dry earth, cry, and cleave, and gape, for corn and wine and oil, but willingly be at my fathers allowance, and desire no more then what his infinite wisdom seeth needful to hear my charges, till I come to my blessed and everlasting home. 5I wish that I might observe that standing law: according to which Heavens bounty is dispensed: In all things to make my requests known to God, and never expect, though the mercies of God be never so ripe, that any of them should fall down upon me in mercy, unless I shake the tree by prayer. I wish that every mercy may come flying to me upon the Wings of prayer, and may fly back to God upon the Wings of praise; that prayer may be the Mother to breed and bring forth all my blessings, that not one child of them but may be named Samuel asked of God, that when I first open my eyes in the morning, I may then in some ejaculatory prayer, open my heart to my God, that at night prayer may make my bed soft, and lay my pillow easy, that in the day time prayer may perfume my clothes, sweeten my food, oil the wheels of my particular vocation, keep me company upon all occasions, and guild over all my natural, civil and Religious actions.
I wish that after I have poured out my prayer in the Name of Christ, 1according to the Will of God, having sowed my seed, 2I may expect a crop, looking earnestly for the springing of it up, and believing assuredly that I shall reap in time, if I faint not; yea, that though the promise may stick long in the birth, yet it will at last ⟨p. 197⟩bring forth, when God will give me large interest for my forbearance. Finally I wish that (though before sorrowful) having opened my mind to God about any suffering, my countenance like Hannahs, may be no more sad; that I may never busy my self about Gods work, the success and event of things, nor like an idle lazy beggar, 3be careless about my own work, but may in my place and to my power be industrious in the use of all those lawful means which his providence affords me, for the enjoyment of my desires, that as I did lift up my heart in praying, so I may lift up my hands in working, to God, who dwelleth in the Heavens.
I wish that after I have poured out my prayer in the Name of Christ, 1according to the Will of God, having sowed my seed, 2I may expect a crop, looking earnestly for the springing of it up, and beleiving assuredly that I shall reap in time, if I faint not; yea, that though the promise may stick long in the birth, yet it will at last ⟨p. 197⟩bring forth, when God will give me large interest for my forbearance. Finally I wish that (though before sorrowful) having opened my mind to God about any suffering, my countenance like Hannahs, may be no more sad; that I may never busie my self about Gods work, the success and event of things, nor like an idle lazy begger, 3be careless about my own work, but may in my place and to my power be industrious in the use of all those lawful means which his providence affords me, for the enjoyment of my desires, that as I did lift up my heart in praying, so I may lift up my hands in working, to God, who dwelleth in the Heavens.
The blessed God as he appointeth the Children of men their ends, namely to serve him here, and to enjoy him hereafter, so he doth also afford them directions about the way, how they may attain and accomplish those ends. He is our Master, and cutteth out that work for us, which he expecteth we should make up. He bestoweth on all the starlight of nature, which though it be but small and dull by reason ⟨p. 198⟩of our first fall, yet it ruleth and commandeth the night of the Pagan World, and is sufficient to leave them inexcusable, for not working and walking by it. When Heathen shall be thrown into the Goal of Hell, and bound with chains of everlasting darkness, their own consciences will hinder them from the least thought of commencing a suite against God for false imprisonment, because they are judged not by the Law Moral, written in Tables of stone, but by the Law Natural, written in the Tables of their hearts.
THe blessed God as he appointeth the Children of men their ends, namely to serve him here, and to injoy him hereafter, so he doth also afford them directions about the way, how they may attain and accomplish those ends. He is our Master, and cutteth out that work for us, which he expecteth we should make up. He bestoweth on all the starlight of nature, which though it be but small and dull by reason ⟨p. 198⟩of our first fall, yet it ruleth and commandeth the night of the Pagan World, and is sufficient to leave them inexcusable, for not working and walking by it. When Heathen shall be thrown into the Goal of Hell, and bound with chains of everlasting darkness, their own consciences will hinder them from the least thought of commencing a suite against God for false imprisonment, because they are judged not by the Law Moral, written in Tables of stone, but by the Law Natural, written in the Tables of their hearts.
But out of his infinite favour, he is pleased to give some (in those places where he intendeth to gather a people to himself, for his eternal praise) beside the twinkling Star-light of nature, the clear and perfect Sun-light of Scripture, to guide their feet in the ways of peace; Which word is one of the most signal mercies, that ever he bestowed upon the Sons of men, the whole World without it, being but a barren and rude Wilderness.
The Word of God, is a Spring of living water, a deep Mine of costly treasure, a table furnished with all sorts of food, a Garden wherein is variety of pleasant fruits, the Churches Charter, containing all her privileges, and her deeds, many infesting her Title to the purchased possession. It hath pious precepts for the Christians reformation; and precious promises for his consolation. If the Saint be afflicted, it can hold his head above water, and keep him from sinking, when the billows go over his soul, there are Cordials in it rich enough to revive the most fainting spirit. If the Saint be ⟨p. 199⟩assaulted, the word is armour of proof, whereby he may defend himself manfully, and wound his fo•s mortally. If the soul be unholy, this word can sanctify it, ye are clean through the word which I have spoken to you, Joh. 15.3. this water can wash out all the spots and stains: if the soul be an heir of Hell, this word can save it; From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to salvation, 2 Tim. 3.15. Other writings may make a man wise to admiration, but this only, can make him wise to Salvation.
The Word of God, is a Spring of living water, a deep Mine of costly treasure, a table furnished with all sorts of food, a Garden wherein is variety of pleasant fruits, the Churches Charter, containing all her priviledges, and her deeds, many infesting her Title to the purchased possession. It hath pious precepts for the Christians reformation; and precious promises for his consolation. If the Saint be afflicted, it can hold his head above water, and keep him from sinking, when the billows go over his soul, there are Cordials in it rich enough to revive the most fainting spirit. If the Saint be ⟨p. 199⟩assaulted, the word is armour of proof, whereby he may defend himself manfully, and wound his fo•s mortally. If the soul be unholy, this word can sanctifie it, ye are clean through the word which I have spoken to you, Joh. 15.3. this water can wash out all the spots and stains: if the soul be an heir of Hell, this word can save it; From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to salvation,
This word which is of such unspeakable worth, God hath deposited as a special treasure, into the hands of the Children of men, that they might obey his will, and know the just one. And Reader, it is thy duty to search and study this book. When Kings send out their Proclamations, either concerning acts of grace, or some Law which their Subjects ought to obey, they expect that all should take notice of them, and give them the reading and hearing. What an affront dost thou offer to the King of the whole World, if thou turnest thy back upon his word? I must tell thee, it is no less then crimen loesae Majestatis. He that heareth you, heareth me, and he that despiseth you, despiseth me, and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me, Luke 10.16. Thou mayst think (possibly) that by neglecting to hear, thou dost only contemn the Preacher, but believe me, it is a contempt of thy Maker, Ministers are Gods Ambassadors; Now to deny an Ambassador audience, is one of the greatest disrespects which can possibly be offered him, nay ⟨p. 200⟩it is an affront to his Prince on whose errand he cometh, and whose person he representeth, and what is the conclusion usually of such bad premises but a bloody War? Consider what thou dost, when thou refusest him that speakest from heaven; for if thou shuttest the windows of thine eyes from reading, and the door of thine ears from hearing, God may clap such a padlock of a judiciary curse upon them both, that thou shalt never open thine eyes nor ears, till thou comest, as the rich Glutton, to see Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom, and to hear and bear thy part in those dreadful screechings and howlings which are in Hell.
This word which is of such unspeakable worth, God hath deposited as a special treasure, into the hands of the Children of men, that they might obey his will, and know the just one. And Reader, it is thy duty to search and study this book. When Kings send out their Proclamations, either concerning acts of grace, or some Law which their Subjects ought to obey, they expect that all should take notice of them, and give them the reading and hearing. What an affront dost thou offer to the King of the whole World, if thou turnest thy back upon his word? I must tell thee, it is no less then crimen loesae Majestatis. He that heareth you, heareth me, and he that despiseth you, despiseth me, and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me,
It is a mercy that the Tree of Knowledge, the Word of God, is not forbidden, but commanded fruit; nay, that it groweth in the very path to the Tree of life: O why shouldst thou then like the Pharisees, reject the counsel of God against thy own soul? If thou art a child of Adam, I am sure thou hast thy deaths wound; now by neglecting the Word, thou like a frantic Patient, throwest away that plaster which only can cure thee.
It is a mercy that the Tree of Knowledge, the Word of God, is not forbidden, but commanded fruit; nay, that it groweth in the very path to the Tree of life: O why shouldst thou then like the Pharisees, reject the counsel of God against thy own soul? If thou art a childe of Adam, I am sure thou hast thy deaths wound; now by neglecting the Word, thou like a frantick Patient, throwest away that plaister which onely can cure thee.
Do not say thou wast not warned of thy danger and duty: I do here show thee the hand and seal of the King of kings to that Warrant to which I require thy obedience. The Scripture is the Word of Christ, and God commandeth thee upon thine allegiance to hear him, Colos. 3.16. Matth. 3.17. The Word is the Cabinet in which thy Saviour, that Pearl of infinite price, is laid up; and therefore thou art commanded to look into it for this Jewell, Search the Scriptures, for they are they which ⟨p. 201⟩testify of me, John 5.39, The Word is [Greek or Hebrew], and speaketh such a diligent search as covetous men make for silver; they spare for no labour, that they may attain their Deified Treasure: What shouldst not thou do for durable Riches and Righteousness?
Do not say thou wast not warned of thy danger and duty: I do here shew thee the hand and seal of the King of kings to that Warrant to which I require thy obedience. The Scripture is the Word of Christ, and God commandeth thee upon thine allegiance to hear him, Colos. 3.16. Matth. 3.17. The Word is the Cabinet in which thy Saviour, that Pearl of infinite price, is laid up; and therefore thou art commanded to look into it for this Jewell, Search the Scriptures, for they are they which ⟨p. 201⟩testifie of me, John 5.39, The Word is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, and speaketh such a diligent search as covetous men make for silver; they spare for no labour, that they may attain their Deified Treasure: What shouldst not thou do for durables Riches and Righteousness?
But Reader, if thou art a child of God, I doubt not but thou delightest to look into thy Fathers will, and weightest every Word in it, as knowing, that in his Testament there is a great charge committed, and a great legacy bequeathed to thee. It is thy daily Companion and Counsellor; thou darest not go without thy cordial, being liable every day to faint; nor without thy weapons, being called every hour to fight. The Scriptures are the light by which thou walkest, and the tools with which thou workest. Let me persuade thee to persevere in this gracious practice: Take the counsel of the Author of it, who is fittest to give Laws for thy carriage towards it: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, Colos. 3.16. The Word is [Greek or Hebrew], and signifieth to keep house with you: Do not leave thy Bible, as some do, at Church, and hear nothing of it all the week long; but bring it home to thy house, let it dwell with thee: Let not the Word be as a way-faring man, to tarry with thee but for a night, and so be gone; but let it be an inhabitant, one that accompanieth thee to bed and board, and with whom thou conversest continually as thy familiar and intimate friend: Make thine heart (as Jerome saith of Nepotian's, by his assiduous reading and hearing the Scriptures) ⟨p. 202⟩Bibliothecam Christi, The Library of Jesus Christ. I cannot but think that thou hast found the Bible so bountiful a Guest, to pay thee so liberally for its board, that thou hast bid it heartily welcome, and wouldst not part with it for the whole world. Agesilaws is commended, saith Xenophon, because he never went to bed, nor rose up, before he had looked into Homer, whom he called his Sweet-heart: Advise thou with a Divine, at least, as often as he did with a profane Author. Kings have their Counsellors, and great men their Remembrancers: Let Gods testimonies be the men of thy council, Psa. 119.24.
But Reader, if thou art a childe of God, I doubt not but thou delightest to look into thy Fathers will, and weightest every Word in it, as knowing, that in his Testament there is a great charge committed, and a great legacy bequeathed to thee. It is thy daily Companion and Counsellour; thou darest not go without thy cordial, being liable every day to faint; nor without thy weapons, being called every hour to fight. The Scriptures are the light by which thou walkest, and the tools with which thou workest. Let me perswade thee to persevere in this gracious practice: Take the counsel of the Author of it, who is fittest to give Laws for thy carriage towards it: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly,
I wish that my Graces may never be, like Jonah, 1asleep, when I am to call upon my God, but as the ⟨p. 194⟩Heavenly Host they may be moving in their several places, and fighting in their courses against my spiritual Enemies; O that like holy Bradford I might never leave confession, without sorrow for sin, petition, without some sense of the worth of mercies, nor thanksgiving, 2without some solace and joy in God, the Author and Fountain of all my happiness. I wish that I may draw nigh to God with a pure conscience, and before I go to desire the lovely portion of his friends, 3give a bill of divorce to all my lusts and (at least) banish from the bed of my heart those enemies of his which would not have him to reign over me. I wish that I may never desire mercy at his hands with the least degree of malice in my heart, 4but may love (as Saints, because they are Christs seed, so) sinners, and them that hate me, for Christs sake: and as a special medicine against that poison, whatsoever friend I should forget in my prayers, I wish I may resolve before hand to remember in particular my Enemies, to beg of God that he would pardon, sanctifie, and save them. I wish that my affections may not as Sauls person, 5be hid among the stuff of Worldly affairs, when I should be busie about the concernment of an eternal crown; but that I may leave those servants always at the door behind, while I go in to speak to the King of Nations, 6and may all the time of the duty serve and seek the Lord my God without distraction. I wish that I may be specially careful to look up to the Master of requests, 7the Lord Jesus Christ: First, for the justification of my person, and then for the acceptation of my prayer, and that I may be so enabled with the hand of faith, to put ⟨p. 195⟩on the glorious robes of his perfect righteousness, that neither the nakedness of my person nor performance, may appear to my shame. 8I wish that all the flowers which I present to my God, in the posie of prayer, may be gathered out of his own garden, the Scriptures; I mean, that I may never exceed those bounds which he hath set me, for the matter of my prayer; but may use much caution that all those spices which I make my incense of, may be of his own prescription: and O that to this end, his holy spirit who knoweth his mind fully, 9might draw up all my petitions for me.
I wish that my prayers may be ever presented upon the bended knees of my soul, 1and also in regard of my body in the lowest and most submissive posture; Ah how humble should dust and ashes be, when he takes upon him to speak to the most High God. 2I wish above all that I may never mock the most jealous God in this duty, by speaking Parrot like, what I neither mind nor mean, but whatsoever dish be wanting on the Table, to which I invite my God, my heart which I know he loveth above all, may be there, and that my prayer may be the travail of my soul, and not the labour of my lips. I wish that I may so feel my spiritual wants, that my bowels may so pinch me, that as the hungry and almost starved begger, I may cry aloud for the bread of life, yet not so much, 3in regard of the extension of my voice, as the intension of my spirit. When I am petitioning for pardon and grace, I wish I might beg as earnestly and beseech God as importunately as if it were in the power of my prayer, to change his mind, and procure the blessing, but when I am asking ⟨p. 196⟩temporals; 4I would not as the dry earth, cry, and cleave, and gape, for corn and wine and oyl, but willingly be at my fathers allowance, and desire no more then what his infinite wisdom seeth needful to hear my charges, till I come to my blessed and everlasting home. 5I wish that I might observe that standing law: according to which Heavens bounty is dispensed: In all things to make my requests known to God, and never expect, though the mercies of God be never so ripe, that any of them should fall down upon me in mercy, unless I shake the tree by prayer. I wish that every mercy may come flying to me upon the Wings of prayer, and may fly back to God upon the Wings of praise; that prayer may be the Mother to breed and bring forth all my blessings, that not one child of them but may be named Samuel asked of God, that when I first open my eyes in the morning, I may then in some ejaculatory prayer, open my heart to my God, that at night prayer may make my bed soft, and lay my pillow easie, that in the day time prayer may perfume my cloaths, sweeten my food, oyl the wheels of my particular vocation, keep me company upon all occasions, and guild over all my natural, civil and Religious actions.
