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

He that is a faithful and wise Steward, will give every one their portion, their meat in due season; as he will give his body and his family their portion every day, so he will give his God and his soul their portion every day; surely he is not faithful who attendeth the lackey all day, and neglecteth his Lord; much worse is he who feedeth his flesh and starveth his spirit. Reader take notice that there is a time for all things; as there are ploughing times, so there are praying times every day; as there is daily time for thy shop, so also for thy Closet. When the Jewish daily sacrifice was intermitted as in the days of Antiochus, it was the abomination of desolation

He that is a faithful and wise Steward, will give every one their portion, their meat in due season; as he will give his body and his family their portion every day, so he will give his God and his soul their portion every day; surely he is not faithful who atteneth the lacquey all day, and neglecteth his Lord; much worse is he who feedeth his flesh and starveth his spirit. Reader take notice that there is a time for all things; as there are plowing times, so there are praying times every day; as there is daily time for thy shop, so also for thy Closet. When the Jewish daily sacrifice was intermitted as in the days of Antiochus, it was the abomination of desolation

I am the larger in this particular, as observing that professors are exceeding faulty in suffering the Canker of their particular callings to devour and eat up the gold and silver of their general callings. Sometimes they will wholly omit family duties, because the world will not permit them to be at leisure, but too too often when they perform them, they turn them off with a short cut, in a huddling manner, (as a Physician his poor patients, though their business with him concern their lives, when rich men stand without, expecting to be called in) because the World stayeth at their doors to ⟨p. 483⟩speak with them. Friend, as a special help against this soul-hindrance, let me persuade thee to be early in the morning at thy Religious duties. Some men must be spoke to betimes in the morning, or not at all; their public affairs take up the whole day, and would if it were twice as long. The Devil hath a thousand devices to make him an Atheist all day, who neglecteth morning duties. Be not so hasty about thy calling in the morning, as to forget to take God along with thee. Remember this one note, If the World gets the start of Religion in the morning, religion seldom overtaketh it all day. Something warm in the morning, before men go to work is very wholesome. A warm prayer, warm communion, with the blessed God, in meditating or reading, will help thee to work with more comfort and courage, and may prevent infections from ill fumes and vapours in the day time. Job had a large family, much Cattle; he had besides his domestical, much civil business, for he was a Magistrate;