A94156:752
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.
Do but consider Davids tears and grief for want of, and his fervent prayers for the fruition of public Ordinances, even then when he had opportunities for private performances; and surely thou wilt esteem the Ministry of the Word no mean mercy: See his sorrow when he was driven from Gods Sanctuary; When I remember these things, my soul is poured out: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the House of God, Psal. 42.3, 4. My soul is poured out; that is, I am overwhelmed with grief, and even ready to dye, when I compare my present condition with my former happiness, in the fruition of Religious Assemblies. There is an Elegance in the phrase Poured out; the word is applied to water, or any liquid thing, and in Scripture signifieth abundance, Joel 2.28. My life is ready to be poured out as water upon the ground, which cannot be gathered up again, when I remember my former mercies, and consider my present misery. How bitterly and passionately doth he plead with Saul? If the Lord hath stirred thee up against me, let him accept an Offering; but if they be the children ⟨p. 361⟩of men, cursed be they before the Lord; for they have driven me out this day from the Inheritance of the Lord, 1 Sam. 26. & 19. How pathetically doth he bemoan it to his own soul? Woe is me, for I dwell in Meshech, and my habitations are in the Tents of Kedar: The loss of his Father, Mother, Wives, Children, Lands, Liberty, nay of his very Life, would not have gone so near his heart, as the loss of public Ordinances: As his sorrow was great for the want, so was his suit most earnest for the enjoyment of them; How many a prayer doth he put up for the liberty of the Tabernacle? Psal. 43.3, 4. & 27.4. It is the one thing, the principal special request which he begs of God: One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; and verse 8. how hard doth he pray for this privilege: Thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face Lord will I seek: To seek the face of God in a general sense, is taken for the substance of Religion, or to seek God,