A94156:678
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 20: What a Christian ought to do after a Sacrament.
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.
Remember the poor on that day; Gods bounty to thee in spirituals, may well provoke thy mercy to others in carnals. The Jews at their Passover released a Prisoner in remembrance of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Surely at the Lords Supper, when thy heart is warmed with Gods compassion to thee, thy hand should be enlarged in contribution to the poor, in remembrance of thy redemption out of slavery to sin and Satan. The Primitive Christians had their collections for the poor, and the Lords Supper, both on a day, On the first day of the week: Because the Saints like the wall being then heated by the Sun, should reflect that heat on the passengers, on others, Acts 20.7. 2 Cor. 16.1. Thy cup runneth over, O let others drink with thee; Thy Charity may make thy Coffer lighter, but it will make thy crown heavier. It was a notable expression of one, who having given much away, was like to want, and asked, what she would do? I repent not of my charity, for what I have lost in one World, I have gained in another.
2. Faithfulness. The Sacrament is a strong engagement to sanctity; Sacramentum est juramentum. At the Lords Supper thou takest a new Oath of Allegiance to the King of Saints, whereby every wilful iniquity after it becomes perjury. 1The Greek word for an Oath, cometh from a word ⟨p. 323⟩signifieth an Hedge, to show that an Oath should keep men in, and prevent their wandering out of the field of Gods word. It is the character of an Harlot, She forgetteth the Covenant of her God. Prov. 2.17. I know that the Devil will come to sit with thee after Supper. Flies love to settle on the sweetest perfumes. When Israel had drunk of the Rock which followed them (which Rock was Christ) then Amalek fought them. When Jesus Christ had received the Sacrament of Baptism, then the Devil pursued him with his fierce assaults. When thou hast been at the Table, expect the Tempter. That subtle thief will hear of the new treasure of grace which is brought into thy house, thy heart, and will use all his policy and power to rob thee of it; thy care must be by stronger Bolts and Locks then ordinary, by greater diligence and watchfulness then before, to secure it.