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

He that runneth into enormities (as a Drunkard, or Swearer, or Adulterer, &c.) he stabbeth his soul; he that omiteth daily duties, he starveth his soul. Now what great difference is there between the death of the soul by stabbing and by starving. If thy soul dye eternally it will be little comfort to thee to plead that thou didst not drink or swear as others. O Friend, let no day pass without secret duties; if thou risest in the morning and followest thy calling all day, and liest down at night, and never desirest Gods company or askest his blessing, I would know wherein thou dost God more service then the Ox or Ass; For shame Friend, do not thus play the beast any longer.

I have in this Treatise endeavoured to assist thee by discovering the Nature and Necessity of making Religion thy business. I cannot but think that the Reasons which I have laid down for this duty will move any man, who is not resolved to make himself eternally miserable. It is no mean mercy that thou mayst adopt all thy natural and civil actions into the family of Religion; that though like cyphers they signify nothing of themselves, yet having the figure of Godliness put before them, they may signify much and stand for thousands. I shall Reader only acquaint thee with some particulars which I treat of in the book, and then leave thee and it to the blessing of God. I am very large in directing thee about the immediate Worship of the Lord, as knowing that is of greatest weight and worth. No preparation can be too great for, No devotion can be too gracious in Religious Actions. Amongst many other Rites and Ceremonies of the Jews, ¹it is related that before the doors of their Synagogues, they have an iron plate, against which they wipe and make clean their shoes before they enter, and that being entered they fit solemnly for a season, not once opening their mouths, but considering with whom they have to do. Truly Friend, it concerneth thee to be full of reverence when thou appearest solemnly in Gods presence. ⟨image 19⟩Think of it, He is a jealous God, and will not be mocked; they that dally with him, undo themselves. Serious piety will abundantly profit thee; but careless service will highly provoke God. Spiders cobwebs may better be suffered in a Cottage the in a Kings Palace.