A94156:623
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.
Sacrament-days are sealing days; God doth then seal his love and stamp his Image more fairly on the soul; now if thy heart be melted into godly sorrow, and made thereby like soft wax, thou wilt be fit for this seal and stamp. The Hart in grassing kills and eats a Serpent which so inflames her, that she can have no rest till she drink of the water brooks. Repentance will make thee feel the scorching nature ⟨p. 279⟩of that Serpent, sin, and thereby long for and relish the water of life.
Sacrament-days are sealing days; God doth then seal his love and stamp his Image more fairly on the soul; now if thy heart be melted into godly sorrow, and made thereby like soft wax, thou wilt be fit for this seal and stamp. The Hart in grasing kills and eates a Serpent whith so inflames her, that she can have no rest till she drink of the water brooks. Repentance will make thee feel the scorching nature ⟨p. 279⟩of that Serpent, sin, and thereby long for and relish the water of life.
2. There must be a turning from sin. Thou canst never communicate with true comfort, if thou dost not communicate with a clear conscience. 1The Mahometans before they enter into their Temples, wash their feet, and when they are entering in put off their Shoos. As thy duty is to wash thy soul in godly sorrow, so also to put off thy sinful affections, before thou enterest into Gods house to partake of this Ordinance. If God takes it ill when men take his Name into their mouths, who hate to be reformed, how ill will he take it, if such take the body and blood of his Son into their mouths! Christs body was not to see corruption, neither will it mingle with corruption. He lay in a new womb, in a new tomb, and he will lye in a new heart. When sin is cast out, then Jesus Christ will enter into thy soul. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. But mark how they must prepare themselves, who would approach the Lord, Cleanse your hearts ye sinners, and purify your hands ye double minded. Ja. 4.8, 9.