A94156:903
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 24: How a Christian may exercise himself to Godliness in his Apparel and Sleep.
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.
A wise man that dwelleth in an hired house, having no certain time of abode in it, will so far take care of it, that it may be a shelter to him against the weather, and possibly that it be neat and handsome; but he will not be at the cost of curious ornaments or rich pictures, because he knoweth not how soon he may have warning to be gone. Our bodies are the houses of clay in which our souls dwell; we know not how soon death may seal a lease of ejectment and turn our souls out of doors; it is prudence to fence our bodies so well with garments, that they may be defended against the cold, yea to be clothed somewhat suitable to our conditions; but it is extreme folly to be prodigal in garnishing our earthly tabernacles, when (it may be) this night our souls shall be required of us. Confident I am that Tailors long bills, and their poor neighbours short coats ⟨p. 434⟩(who have scarce enough to cover their nakedness) will be little for many rich mens credit at the day of Christ. Reader, if thou art a wealthy man, remember this note whilst thou livest, That one plain coat bestowed on the back of the poor, will become thee better at this day, and yield thee more comfort at the last day, then twenty silver laced ones, on thy own back.
A wise man that dwelleth in an hired house, having no certain time of abode in it, will so far take care of it, that it may be a shelter to him against the weather, and possibly that it be neat and handsom; but he will not be at the cost of curious ornaments or rich pictures, because he knoweth not how soon he may have warning to be gone. Our bodies are the houses of clay in which our souls dwell; we know not how soon death may seal a lease of ejectment and turn our souls out of doors; it is prudence to fence our bodies so well with garments, that they may be defended against the cold, yea to be cloathed somewhat sutable to our conditions; but it is extream folly to be prodigal in garnishing our earthly tabernacles, when (it may be) this night our souls shall be required of us. Confident I am that Taylors long bills, and their poor neighbours short coats ⟨p. 434⟩(who have scarce enough to cover their nakedness) will be little for many rich mens credit at the day of Christ. Reader, if thou art a wealthy man, remember this note whilst thou livest, That one plain coat bestowed on the back of the poor, will become thee better at this day, and yeild thee more comfort at the last day, then twenty silver laced ones, on thy own back.