A94156:730
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 21: How to exercise our selves to godliness on a Lords Day.
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.
As sin must be cast out, so grace must be called up; Grace is like fire apt to be deadish and dull, thy duty is before-hand, therefore to blow it up; Most people upon a Sabbath adorn their bodies, with their best clothes; but, Alas, who almost attireth his soul as he ought on this day, when he is going to meet the blessed Redeemer!
As sin must be cast out, so grace must be called up; Grace is like fire apt to be deadish and dull, thy duty is before-hand, therefore to blow it up; Most people upon a Sabbath adorn their bodies, with their best cloaths; but, Alass, who almost attireth his soul as he ought on this day, when he is going to meet the blessed Redeemer!
Reader, Suppose thou wert a person of great quality and estate, and the King should send thee word, that he would dine with thee to morrow, what preparation wouldst thou make for his entertainment? would not thy first work be to cleanse thy house, by causing the dust to be swept out, the flores to be washed, nay rubbed, every thing to be neat and cleanly? Wouldst thou not put up thy choicest Hangings, lay on thy richest Carpets, ⟨p. 346⟩bring out thy best plate, adorn thy room with thy costliest furniture, endeavour that all things should be in print, somewhat suitable to the dignity of so great a Prince. I tell thee, that the great King of all the World, doth give thee notice in his Word, that on such a day, being the Sabbath, he intends to sup with thee: Now friend, what preparation wilt thou make, to testify thy respect to this blessed and only Potentate? Canst thou beforehand do less then sweep out the dust of sin, and wash the room of thine heart clean, adorn it with the best furniture, the Graces, the embroidery of the Holy Ghost. Truly unless this be done, Christ will not think himself welcome, nay all thy pretended entertainment of him, will be not only infinitely unworthy of, but also provoking to so jealous and glorious a Prince.
Reader, Suppose thou wert a person of great quality and estate, and the King should send thee word, that he would dine with thee to morrow, what preparation wouldst thou make for his entertainment? would not thy first work be to cleanse thy house, by causing the dust to be swept out, the flores to be washt, nay rubd, every thing to be neat and cleanly? Wouldst thou not put up thy choicest Hangings, lay on thy richest Carpets,