A94156:665
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 19: How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness at the Table.
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.
Ponder the heat of his love; possibly the greatness of that fire may warm thy heart, and thou mayest reflect some heat back again; for indeed, love is a Diamond, which must be written upon ⟨p. 313⟩with its own dust. He loveth thee as a servant, surely this is a favour; for he hath thousands of glorious Angels, who count it their honour and happiness to serve him: To be made one of his hired servants, was the great privilege desired by the Prodigal; Ye call me Lord and Master, and ye say well, for so I am, John 13.13. but though this may be somewhat, it is not enough for him. He loveth thee as a friend: Ye are my friends, John 15.15. I have not called you servants, but friends. Friends love entirely, witness Jonathan and David: Jonathan loved David as his own soul. Friendship is one soul in two bodies, saith the Philosopher: This is much; but his love to thee is more then so; he loveth thee as his Brother: He is not ashamed to call them brethren: I will declare thy name unto my brethren, Heb. 2.11. Some Brethren are knit very close in the bond of love. 1In Queen Elizabeths Reign, in a fight between the Earl of Kildare, and Earl of Ter Owen, two of the Earl of Kildare's Brethren were slain, which he took so heavily, that he dyed shortly. Some write, that there is no such love in the World, as between Foster-Brethren in Ireland: This love is great, but his love is greater. He loveth thee as his child; the stream of love descendeth most swiftly from Parents to their children: He shall see his Seed, Isa. 53.10. How tender is the Mother of her child: Can the Mother forget her child that sucketh her breast? The Mothers bowels will yearn towards her child; the Mothers breasts will (put her to pain, if not drawn, and thereby) mind her of her child: But though ⟨p. 314⟩the Mother may prove a Monster, and like the Ostrich, leave her young to be destroyed; yet will I not forget thee, saith the Lord: Thou art engraven upon the palms of my hands, thy walls are ever before me,