A94156:839
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
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.
Even Heathen Princes begun their solemn Feasts with Sacrifices. The Israelites would not eat before Samuel came, because he used to bless the Sacrifice, 1 Sam. 9.13. Our blessed Saviour though he were Lord of all, yet would not feed before he had looked up to Heaven and blessed the fish, ⟨p. 405⟩Mark 6.41. Paul though amongst many Infidels, yet before meat, would desire a blessing in presence of them all, Acts 27.35. He is worse then an Ox or Ass, who will not acknowledge his owner, Isa. 1.5.
Reader, God can give thee sour sauce to thy sweet meat, if thou dost banish him thy Table; he can make thy meat lye so hard and heavy at thy stomach, either by sickness, Job 33.20. or sorrow, Psa. 107.17. that thou shalt never digest it whilst thou livest. When thou art at thy merriest meeting, he can send such a mournful terrible message (as to Belshazzar carousing in his cups) that shall make thine ears to tingle, and every joint thou hast to tremble. He can make thy feast to end either as Adonijahs in a fright, or as Absaloms sheep-shearing, in a funeral. When thine heart is merry with Wine, he can summon thee as Ammon into the other World; Thy wisest way therefore is to beseech his company, whomsoever thou wantest.
Reader, God can give thee soure sauce to thy sweet meat, if thou dost banish him thy Table; he can make thy meat lye so hard and heavy at thy stomach, either by sickness, Job 33.20. or sorrow,