A94156:474
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 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.