A94156:505
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.
Consider the efficacy of it: The revealed Word is like the essential Word; for the fall, as well as for the rise of many in Israel. As there is nothing so evil, but a serious holy person may get good out of it, like some Creatures we read of, he may digest and fetch nourishment out of Serpents; so there is nothing so good, but a careless, graceless heart may pervert to his hurt; like the Spider, he may suck poison out of the sweetest Rose. The Word will work one way or other; if it work not for thy salvation, it will work for thy damnation; if it be not a savour of life to life, it will be a savour of death to death: As the rain cometh down and watereth the earth, and returneth not thither again; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth, it shall not return unto me void, Isa. 55.10, 11. The Word is compared to fire: Fire doth either purify the metal, or consume it; ⟨p. 216⟩the Word will either convert thee, or confound thee. The Sea sinks some Vessels, and lands others safely; the Scripture will either further thee towards Heaven, or towards Hell: The ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein, Hosea 14. ult.
Consider the efficacy of it: The revealed Word is like the essential Word; for the fall, as well as for the rise of many in Israel. As there is nothing so evil, but a serious holy person may get good out of it, like some Creatures we read of, he may digest and fetch nourishment out of Serpents; so there is nothing so good, but a careless, graceless heart may pervert to his hurt; like the Spider, he may suck poyson out of the sweetest Rose. The Word will work one way or other; if it work not for thy salvation, it will work for thy damnation; if it be not a savour of life to life, it will be a savour of death to death: As the rain cometh down and watereth the earth, and returneth not thither again; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth, it shall not return unto me void, Isa. 55.10, 11. The Word is compared to fire: Fire doth either purifie the mettal, or consume it; ⟨p. 216⟩