A94156:526
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.
It is reported of Henry the third, King of France, that in a solemn Procession at Paris, he could not be without his Jester; who walking between the King and the Cardinal, made mirth to them both; in the mean time there was brave devotion. Alas, they that hear in jest, will find Hell to be hot in earnest: Were not men Indians and Infidels in English habits; did they but believe the invaluable worth of their souls, the consequence and weight of their unchangeable estates; what a searching, trying time the hour of death will be; and what dreadful, terrible things will be seen at the day of Judgement; Good Lord, how would they hear! The Minister need not call to them to attend to the Word of God, they would of themselves give it their ears, and minds, and hearts, and think all too little for it.
It is reported of Henry the third, King of France, that in a solemn Procession at Paris, hecould not be without his Jester; who walking between the King and the Cardinal, made mirth to them both; in the mean time there was brave devotion. Alas, they that hear in jest, will finde Hell to be hot in earnest: Were not men Indians and Infidels in English habits; did they but believe the invaluable worth of their souls, the consequence and weight of their unchangeable estates; what a searching, trying time the hour of death will be; and what dreadful, terrible things will be seen at the day of Judgement; Good Lord, how would they hear! The Minister need not call to them to attend to the Word of God, they would of themselves give it their ears, and mindes, and hearts, and think all too little for it.
2. Apply the Word to thine own soul: The Word is a salve of sovereign virtue. Some talk of the Weapon-salve, that it heals at a distance; but the Word will not; it must be applied to the sore, or it will never cure. The Word is seed, preaching is the sowing of this seed; application of it to thy heart, is the harrowing of this seed into the earth: If the seed be thrown on the ground, and not harrowed in, we can expect no harvest.
2. Apply the Word to thine own soul: The Word is a salve of soveraign vertue. Some talk of the Weapon-salve, that it heals at a distance; but the Word will not; it must be applied to the sore, or it will never cure. The Word is seed, preaching is the sowing of this soed; application of it to thy heart, is the harrowing of this seed into the earth: If the seed be thrown on the ground, and not harrowed in, we can expect no harvest.