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

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,