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

Alas, alas, how few Gentiles spend half that time in devotion at their Tables, which the pious among the Jews did! Many go from their food as the Cow from her fodder, taking no notice of the Author of it, and like the Idolatrous Israelites, they sit down to eat and drink, and rise up to play, Exod. 32.6. They sit down to Eat and Drink, and rise up to play the Beast, to play the Atheist.

Alas, alass, how few Gentiles spend half that time in devotion at their Tables, which the pious among the Jews did! Many go from their food as the Cow from her fodder, taking no notice of the Author of it, and like the Idolatrous Israelites, they sit down to eat and drink, and rise up to play, Exod. 32.6. They sit down to Eat and Drink, and rise up to play the Beast, to play the Atheist.

Remember every creature of God is good, if it be received with thanksgiving, 1 Tim. 4.4. but this thanksgiving must not be only in thy words, but also in thy works; thy unblameable conversation, and thy charitable contribution, must speak thy thankfulness. When the Master hath fed the Servant, he expects that he should go about his business, and do the work appointed him. That strength which thou receivest from God, must be improved for God; Its good to bless God with thy lips, but best of all to bless him with thy hands and in thy life; God will judge of thy thankfulness by thy conversation. Think thus with thy self, This is the God that feedeth me, that satisfieth me with good things; how sweet, how comfortable are his mercies! What sweet refreshment have I had ⟨p. 412⟩from the creatures, when some better then my self want food, Others have it, but their lives abhor bread, and their souls dainty meat. ¹