The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

God hath given thee a rule, as for his table, when thou art eating of that body which is meat indeed, and drinking of that blood which is drink indeed, so for thy table when thou art feeding on ordinary creatures. He sends in thy provision, and he gives thee direction according to which, and no other, thou mayst use it. A tenant who holds lands of his Lord, may not use them, otherwise then according to the conditions on which his Lord let them ⟨p. 403⟩to him, If he do, the premises are forfeited. Now the great God, who is Lord of the whole earth, giveth his creatures to thee conditionally that thou make use of them according to his will revealed in his word; if thou usest them otherwise thou makest a forfeiture, and mayest expect every moment that he should take possession.

For thy direction, I shall here set down the conditions upon which God giveth thee thy food. That thou use it sacredly, soberly, and seasonably.

First, Thy duty is to eat and drink sacredly. Piety must be mingled with all thy provision, or else twill be poison. Grace must spice every cup, and be sauce to every dish, or nothing will relish well: Water taken from the fountain quickly corrupts, and becomes unsavoury, but in the fountain its sweet indeed. Godliness will cause thee to enjoy the creatures in God, the fountain of them, and thereby they will be pleasant to thee.

First, Thy duty is to eat and drink sacredly. Piety must be mingled with all thy provision, or else twill be poison. Grace must spice every cup, and be sauce to every dish, or nothing will rellish well: Water taken from the fountain quickly corrupts, and becomes unsavoury, but in the fountain its sweet indeed. Godliness will cause thee to enjoy the creatures in God, the fountain of them, and thereby they will be pleasant to thee.