A94156:852
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.
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. 1Why should I not love fear, and trust, and serve this God! I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. O be ashamed to live at Gods cost, and to do Satan's work; Be not like the young Mullets, which when they have sucked their fill, turn up their heels and kick at their Dam. Further, thy duty is to manifest thy thank fullness by supplying the wants of the needy. Job would not eat his morsels alone, but the Fatherless had a share with him, Job 31.16, 17. The forementioned Author observes, that the Heathen were not forgetful (when they were feeding) of their absent friends. Gods hand is open to thee; why should thy heart and hands be shut against the hungry bellies and naked backs? Thy goods extend not to Gods Person, therefore they must to Gods poor, Psa. 16.2. Have a Monitor within thee, to call upon thee when at meals, Remember the poor, Remember the poor; Remember poor Christ, and hungry Christ, and naked Christ; by this test he will try thee for thine eternal estate, and upon the neglect of this, he will sentence thee to the eternal fire, Mat. 25.41.