A94156:545
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
Treatise › Chapter 17: Of the Christians duty after Hearing.
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.
CHAP. XVII. Of the Christians duty after Hearing.
Thirdly, I proceed now to the third thing, which is, Thy behaviour after Hearing or Reading; and I must tell thee, that it concerneth thee now to be very watchful; for many Birds wait to peck up the corn, as soon as the Husbandman hath sowed it. Our Saviour telleth us, He that received seed among thorns, is he that heareth the word, and the care of this World, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and he becometh unfruitful, Mat. 13.32. As High-way men watch the honest Countryman, as he cometh from the Fair, where he hath sold his Cattle, and filled his purse, and then set upon him, and rob him: So do the cares of the world dog the honest Christian, as he cometh from the Word, where he got some Spiritual treasure, and then fall upon him to plunder him.
THirdly, I proceed now to the third thing, which is, Thy behaviour after Hearing or Reading; and I must tell thee, that it concerneth thee now to be very watchful; for many Birds wait to peck up the corn, as soon as the Husbandman hath sowed it. Our Saviour telleth us, He that received seed among thorns, is he that heareth the word, and the care of this World, and the deceitfulness of riches choak the Word, and he becometh unfruitful, Mat. 13.32. As High-way men watch the honest Countreyman, as he cometh from the Fair, where he hath sold his Cattel, and filled his purse, and then set upon him, and rob him: So do the cares of the world dog the honest Christian, as he cometh from the Word, where he got some Spiritual treasure, and then fall upon him to plunder him.
Besides, Satan is so subtle, that he will be sure to haunt the soul after reading or Hearing the Word: When any one heareth the Word, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart,