The Christian Mans Calling, To the reader
TO THE READER, ESPECIALLY Of the Pariſh of Great-Kimbel in the County of Bucks.
HE who doth but exerciſe his reaſon in conſidering the infinite coſt which the glorious God hath beſtowed in erecting the ſtately fabrick of Heaven and Earth, and the curious Workmanſhip which he hath diſcovered in the ſeveral creatures which are the Inhabitants of the higher and lower Houſe (cauſing his Almighty Power, embroidered VViſdom, and unſearchable Goodneſs to gliſter and ſparkle far more gloriouſly in them, then the ſtars in the cleareſt night, or the Sun in his noonday brightneſs) will eaſily grant me this Aſſertion, That this great Landlord of the world muſt needs deſerve and expect a conſiderable rent of Honour and ſervice ſomewhat ſuitable to the vaſte charge he hath been at. Who can be ſo bruitiſh as to conceive, that the OnelyOnly wiſe God ſhould take ſo much pains, as with infinite counſel to contrive the goodly frame and comely ſtructure of this viſible Creation from all Eternity, and by his Omnipotent arm to give it a being, and not intend that his boundleſs excellencies and vaſt perfections, written in ſuch a fair print and large characters ſhould be admired and adored. That man is the perſon deſigned to give him his due and deſerved praiſe, is the next unqueſtionable conceſſion, no other of Gods viſible works being capable of his worſhip. Indeed mans ſight is ſo bad that he can ſee little of that beauty which appeareth in the glaſs of the world; but beaſts are ſtark blind they can ſee nothing at all.
Why ſhould God create man with a rational, ſpiritual ſoul, and thereby capacitate him for ſo noble a ſervice as the pleaſing and praiſing himſelf, if he had not intended him for this purpoſe Bruitiſh Principles would have been ſufficient to have fitted him for brutiſh practiſes: If God had made him to eat and drink and ſleep, and wallow in the mire of carnal contentments, the ſoul of a beaſt might have ſerved his turn. It is impoſſible that ſuch an intelligent workman ſhould infuſe into our fleſh Angelical ſpirits in vain, and not appoint us to ſome honorable work anſwerable to the excellency of our Natures and beings. Some of the wiſer Heathen have gathered from the tendency of mans countenance towards heaven, that he is more noble, and born to higher things, then like a moving carkaſs to be buried alive in the earth. Thoſe who to help the weak eyes of Nature, have the ſpectacles of Scripture, cannot but ſee more into Mans excellency and his Makers end. It is written in ſuch broad letters in the Word, That God formed man for this purpoſe, namely, to ſhew forth his praiſe, that he who runs may read it. But alas, alas, what is become of man? well may God call to him, Adam where art thou? Man where art thou? he who ere while, like a ſtar, keeping a loft in the firmament of Heaven did glitter and ſhine moſt brightly, to the amazement of all his beholders, now declining from that pitch, and falling to the earth, as a commet doth vaniſh and diſappear. He who was the worlds Lord, is now its ſlave and Vaſſal; He who was the Maſter of Wiſdom, is now ſent to ſchool to the very beaſts, to learn of them underſtanding; He who was unſpeakably bleſſed in his love to, delight in, and communion with the fountain of his being, is now miſerably curſed in his contrariety to, and deviation from the Ocean of his happineſs. Ah this image of Heaven is become the vizard of Hell! though this princely Creature was made to be company for his Maker, to ſtand as an Angel always in his preſence, and attend his noble pleaſure; yet look how like a pitiful Laquey he runs ſneaking after the droſſie world and dreggie fleſh, as his Lords. Though Religion were firſt in Gods intention, yet its laſt in mans execution. Things without reaſon honor God in their ſtations, They obey his will. Creatures without ſenſe do him ſervice; they keep within the bounds which he hath ſet them, and fulfil thoſe ends for which he made them; Mine hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath ſpand the heavens; when I call to them they ſtand up together, Iſa. 48.13. Nay, theſe inanimate creatures are ſo compliant with his pleaſure that they will thwart their own nature to ſerve his honour. Fire will deſcend (as on Sodom:) and water, though a fluid body, ſtand up like a ſolid wall (as in the red Sea) if he do but ſpeak the word. But man, who is moſt indebted to his Creator, degenerateth moſt of all; when his inferiors, Beaſts, and his ſuperiors, Angels, are loyal ſervants, he proves a rebellions ſubject.
They whoever had any real ſence of the worth of immortal ſouls, and any ſerious conſideration of the weight of their unchangeable eſtates in the other world, cannot but be affected with the madneſs of multitudes who turn their backs upon the bleſſed God, their greateſt and onelyonly Friend, as if he were their greateſt and onelyonly Foe. They who have taſted God to be gracious, and know what fellowſhip with Jeſus Chriſt meaneth, who have rejoyced in their preſent gracious priviledges and hope of their future glorious poſſeſſion, cannot but wonder and pity at that folly which many are guilty of, in diſeſteeming the noble concernments of their precious ſouls, and diſtaſting that honourable preferment and comfortable imployment of wal…ing with the bleſſed God. How greedily do men graſp the ſmoak of earthly vanities, which will wring tears from their eyes, and then vaniſh into nothing!
Who can ſufficiently bemoan it, that man who is capable of, and created for ſo high an honor, and ſo heavenly an exerciſe, as to ſerve his Ma…er here, and to enjoy him hereafter, ſhould all his time, like an hog, be digging and rooting in the earth, and not once look up to heaven in earneſt, till the knife is put to his throat, that he cometh to die, and enter into the other world!
What a deal of pains doth the Spider take in weaving her web to catch flies! She runneth much and often up and down, hither and thither; ſhe ſpendeth her ſelf, wearing out and waſting her own bowels to make a curious cabinet, which when ſhe hath finiſhed and hung aloft, in the twinkling of an eye with the ſweep of a beſom its thrown to the ground, and her ſelf deſtroyed in it. Thus ſilly are many men; How do they cark and care, toil and moil for this world which they muſt leave for ever; they waſte their time and ſtrength to increaſe their heaps, when on a ſudden all periſheth, and themſelves often with it.
Reader, If thou art one of theſe Moles who live in the earth, as their element, carking and caring chiefly how to exalt ſelf and pleaſe the fleſh; Anſwer God theſe four Queſtions which from him I ſhall propound to thee. I ſhall allow thee to be thy own Judge; only I requeſt thee for the ſake of thy precious ſoul to ponder them with all ſeriouſneſs; poſſibly through the bleſſing of God they may make thee wiſe to ſalvation.
Art thou not convinced that the true and living God made thee a rational creature, and hath ſerved thee in all thy days with innumerable mercies, upon a nobler deſign, Queſt. 1 and for an higher end then the gratifying thy fleſh and ſenſitive appetite, and following thy particular calling, and minding ſublunary vanities? Friend, what ſayſt thou? do not muzle the mouth of conſcience, but give it leave to ſpeak its mind freely; art not thou ſatisfied fully in this weighty truth, That the mighty Poſſeſſor of Heaven and Earth created thee and preſerveth thee to worſhip, honour and enjoy himſelf? If thou art convinced, as its impoſſible but thou ſhouldſt, unleſs thou art a beaſt in the ſhape of a man: Why then doth thy life every day give thy conſcience the lye? Doſt thou not live without God? Is not Religion thy burden and bondage? Hath not the World the top and cream of thy heart, and time, and ſtrength? How often doſt thou put God off with the Worlds ſcraps and leavings? How little is God in all thy thoughts? Is he not forbidden thy heart? nay, Doſt thou not daily proclaim open war againſt him by thy Prophaneſs and Atheiſm, as if he had not the leaſt right to thee, nor thou the leaſt dependance on him; and all this againſt the convictions of thine own Conſcience? Friend, Doſt thou know what thou doſt? Why thou putteſt thy finger into the very eye of Nature? The eye of the body is a tender part; but how tender is the eye of the ſoul? yet thou art all this while endeavouring to put out the eye of thy very ſoul. Believe it, ſins againſt nature are of a crimſon colour: for thy converſation to contradict continually thy very Conſcience, will bring upon thee dreadful vengeance.
Anſwer me again, Queſt. 2 Is not the bleſſed God worthy of all thy ſervice and honor? Doth he not deſerve all thy love, and fear, and truſt, all thy time and ſtrength, and wealth, and infinitely more? From whom came they, but from him? and to whom ſhould they be given, but to him? Art thou not bound to him by millions of engagements? Art thou not the work of his hands? Doſt thou not lie at his mercy every moment? Canſt thou live, or move, or breathe without him? Can he not as eaſily ſink thee with fury, as ſupport thee with mercy; turn thee into hell, as warn thee of hell? O think of that place, The God in whoſe hand is thy breath, thou haſt not glorifi…d, Dan. 5.23. Alas, alas man, though thou makeſt no reckoning of pleaſing the bleſſed God, but baniſheſt him thy heart & houſe, as if his company were a burthen, yet know, that thy breath is in his hands continually; if he do but ſhut his hand, thine eyes will be no longer open, but thy mouth quickly ſtopt with earth. Ah, how ſoon can he take away that airy difference between ſleep and death! He can wink thee into the other world, and look thee into the unquenchable Lake; By the breath of God they periſh, and by the breath of his noſtrils they are conſumed, Job 4.8. If thou dependeſt altogether upon another man for thy livelihood, thou wouldſt think he deſerved thy ſervice, and that it concerned thee to pleaſe him: O how highly doth it concern thee to worſhip and honor the Almighty God, in whoſe hand is thy livelihood, life, and everlaſting weal or wo! Ah, didſt thou but know what perfections are in him, and how indiſpenſable thy dependance is every minute upon him, thou wouldſt wonder at thy folly and madneſs in ſlighting him, and make it thy principal buſineſs to glorifie and enjoy him.
In the next place tell me, Queſt. 3 Is not thy Conſcience convinced, That God is in all reſpects the beſt Maſter, his worſhip the beſt work, and his pay the beſt reward? Haſt thou not knocked many time at the Creatures door, entred in, ſat down, and fed on ſuch fare as it had to ſet before thee, and after all, gone away as empty and unſatisfied as thou cameſt? Haſt thou not found by experience, that the Creature keepeth a poor, pitiful houſe; that they who run to it with heads full of hopes, return back with hearts full of heavineſs? And ſhall no learning teach thee! Man, man, where is thy reaſon! Haſt thou no eyes to behold the rottenneſs of the Worlds ware, becauſe its glazed over with gaudy Dyings? Shall the ſweet breath of this alluring Panther ſtill bewitch thee, notwithſtanding all his deformity and uglineſs, vanity and emptineſs, ſo as to get thee within his power, and deſtroy thee? Doſt thou not ſee hundreds before thine eyes of the Worlds chief favourites, whom ſhe dandled on her knees, and was very fond of, hurried in haſte into the other World, leaving all her gifts behinde them, and not a button the better for all her fondneſs and fooleries? Didſt thou never obſerve, how ſhe leaveth her Lovers in the lurch, and like a falſe, deceitful friend, forſakes them wholly in the time of their greateſt extremity? Man walketh in a vain ſhew, he diſquieteth himſelf in vain; He returneth to his earth, and in that day his thoughts periſh, Pſal. 39.8. and 146. As he that goeth to a Fair with a purſe full of money, is deviſing and debating with himſelf how to lay it out (poſſibly thinking, that ſuch and ſuch commodities will be moſt profitable, and bring him in the greateſt gain) when on a ſudden a cut-purſe comes and eaſeth him both of his money and cares how to diſpoſe of it. Surely thou mighteſt have taken notice how ſome of thy Neigbours or Countreymen, when they have been buſie in their contrivances, and big with many plots and projects how to raiſe their eſtates, and names, and families, were arreſted by death in a moment, returned to their earth, and in that day all their gay, their great thoughts periſhed, and came to nothing. The Heathen Hiſtorian could not but obſerve, how Alexander the Great, when he had to carry on his great deſigns, ſummoned a Parliament before him of the whole World, he was himſelf ſummoned by death to appear in the other World; The Dutch therefore very wittily to expreſs the Worlds vanity, picture at Amſterdam a man with a full blown bladder on his ſhoulders, and another ſtanding by pricking the bladder with a pin, with this Motto, Quam Subito, How ſoon is all blown down!
Reader, it is impoſſible, if thou uſeſt thy rational faculty, but thou ſhouldſt be convinced of the truth of theſe things: Why then doſt thou ſpend thy ſtrength for that which is not bread, and thy labour for that which will not ſatisfie? O that I could invite and perſwade thee to the moſt gainful trade: Hearken unto me, and eat that which is good, and let thy ſoul delight it ſelf in fatneſs. If Religion were thy buſineſs, God would not ſerve thee as the World doth its ſervants: God is ſuch a Maſter, that ten thouſand Worlds to him are as nothing, yea leſs then nothing and vanity: He is a Maſter without exceptions, becauſe he is an ocean of all (and nothing but) infinite perfections. His Worſhip muſt needs be the beſt work, becauſe it is it ſelf a reward. Thou canſt not deny but the work of Saints and Angels in Heaven, is the beſt work by a thouſand degrees that Creatures are capable of, or can poſſibly be exerciſed in; Truly their work and reward is the ſame, to worſhip and enjoy the bleſſed God. They who make Religion their buſineſs, have a taſte beforehand of their future bleſſedneſs. Religion alſo bringeth in the greateſt profit. The World payeth her ſervants in Cyphers and Counters, aery honors, a brutiſh pleaſure, and fading riches, which are worth nothing; but Religion here in Figures and Pearls, which are worth thouſands, the precious blood of Chriſt, the ineſtimable Covenant of Grace, and Eternal immediate communion with the Infinite God. Reader, if profit be the bait at which thou wilt bite, I will tell thee in a few words, how much Religion will he worth to thee: Truly two Worlds, not a farthing leſs. Exerciſe thy ſelf unto Godlineſs: Godlineſs hath the promiſe of this life, and that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.7, 8. Ah, who would not work for thee, O King of Nations, when in doing of thy commands, there is ſuch great reward! Friend, who would not caſt his net into the waters of the Sanctuary, when he may be confident of ſuch an excellent draught?
Once more, If none of theſe things move thee, Queſt. 4 I ſhall ask thee one queſtion more, and then leave thee to thy choice, What wilt thou do in a dying hour? I ſay again, Reader, if Religion be not thy buſineſs now, What wilt thou do when thou comeſt to dye? Now poſſibly thou beareſt thy ſelf up with the ſtreams of carnal comforts; but what will become of thee, when all theſe waters ſhall be dryed up, and nothing of them ſeen but the mud of thoſe ſins which thou haſt been guilty of, in the uſe, or rather abuſe of them? Now thou canſt do well enough (thou thinkeſt) without God and his Worſhip; but ah, what wilt thou do when thou comeſt to look into the other World! Alas, then thy brighteſt Sun of bodily delights will be clouded, thy freſheſt flowers will be withered, and thy greateſt candles extinguiſhed, and leave onelyonly a ſtink behinde them: Believe it, death will ſearch thee to the quick, and try to purpoſe what mettal thou art made of. When thou comeſt to lie upon thy ſick bed, and thy wealth, and honors, & relations, and fleſh, and heart, ſhall fail thee; what will become of thee, if God be not the ſtrength of thy heart, and thy portion for ever? What will he do to look death in the face, upon whom the jealous God ſhall frown? We read in Epiphanius of a Bird called Charadius, that being brought into the room where one lieth ſick, if he look on the ſick perſon with a fixed eye, he recovereth; but if he turn away his eyes from him, he dyeth. Friend, what a miſerable condition will thy poor ſoul be in, when all thy friends and riches ſhall leave thee, and the bleſſed God himſelf ſhall not vouchſafe thee a good look, but turn away his face from thee? Surely thy diſeaſe will be unto death eternal. Thy friends may carry thy body to its grave for a time, but frightful Devils will carry thy ſoul to hell, to remain there for ever and ever: Religion indeed is like the ſtone Chryſolampis, which will ſhine brighteſt in the dark of death. The truly Religious may launch into the Ocean of Eternity, and ſail to their everlaſting harbor, as the Alexandrian ſhip came into the Roman haven with top and top gallant, with true comfort, and undaunted courage: Let death come when it will, he can bid it welcome. Death is never ſudden to a Saint; no gueſt comes unawares to him who keepeth a conſtant table: But as when the day dawns to us in Europe, the ſhadows of the evening are ſtretched on Aſia; ſo the day of their Redemption will be a long night of deſtruction to thee: That Jaylor who knocketh off their fetters, and ſetteth them at perfect liberty, will binde thee in chains of darkneſs, and hale thee to that dungeon of horror, whence thou ſhalt never come forth.
O Reader, theſe are no jeſting matters: I am confident as lightly now as thou thinkeſt of a Religious man, as if he were onelyonly ſome ſingular and affected perſon (it may be thou canſt hardly look on him but with a ſquint eye, or ſpeak of him, but with a jeer) yet when thou comeſt to dye, thou wouldſt give a thouſand Worlds (if thou hadſt them to give) for the leaſt drop of his holineſs, or the leaſt crum of his happineſs. Ponder theſe four forementioned particulars, and thou canſt not but think them weighty Queſtions: Do not, O do not dally or jeſt with them; for be confident, thou wilt finde them one day to be edged tools.
Poſſibly Reader, thou art one of them that haſt heard theſe Sermons preached, and belongeſt to that Pariſh where Providence hath caſt me: And then as I have a ſpecial relation to thee, I muſt beg of thee, as upon my bended knees, for the Lords ſake, and as thou wouldſt not have them brought in againſt thee at the dreadful day of judgement, that thou put the will of the Lord diſcovered therein, immediately into practice: My hearts deſire and prayer to God for thee is, that thou mighteſt be ſaved. O that I knew what to do for thee, which might be effectual for that end! If thou wilt believe the bleſſed God, the way to the happineſs in Heaven, is to exerciſe thy ſelf to godlineſs on Earth there is no going into life, but through the ſtrait gate. The Devil putteth old mens ſpectacles on young and old mens eyes, which cauſe them to think, that the way to Heaven is broad and large; when God himſelf hath told us, that it is narrow, and few go in it. I have acquainted thee in this Treatiſe, what is the price (not natural, but pactional) of Salvation; there muſt be ſtriving, labouring, fighting, uſing violence, a working it out with fear and trembling, and God is reſolved he will not abate the leaſt mite. O that I could therefore prevail with thee, to ſet upon it in good earneſt. I do not plead with thee for my ſelf, but for thy own profit, that thou mayeſt be happy for ever; and ſhall I loſe my labour? Neighbour, ſurely thou believeſt that theſe things are not toys and trifles, but matters of infinite concernment; and wilt thou ſlight them? Alas, to be frying in Hell, or living in Heaven for ever, are of greater conſequence then thy underſtanding can poſſibly conceive. The weight of theſe things hath ſo overburthened ſeveral perſons mindes, that it hath made them diſtracted and mad; and canſt thou trample them as dirt under thy feet, without any regard at all!
Becauſe I would willingly be both faithful and helpful to thee, I ſhall earneſtly in the name of the bleſſed God be…eech thee, as thou wouldſt leave theſe dying comforts, with a lively courage, to minde and practice theſe two particulars, without which thou canſt never make Religion thy buſineſs.
Make ſure that thy heart be throughly changed: That building which reacheth up to Heaven, muſt have a ſtrong and ſure foundation: If the Watch be not of the right make, it will never go true. He muſt live in the Spirit, who would walk in the Spirit. Natural bodies follow the tendency of that body which is predominant in them. Stones move downward, Fire upward, each would be at its Center; th…t which ſtoppeth either, offereth violence to it. So it will be with thee; thy life will be according to the tendency of thy heart; if that be carnal, and the fleſh predominant, ſuch will thy life be; if that be changed, and the Spirit be predominant in it, thy life will be ſpiritual alſo; if the Law of God be written in thy affections then, and not till then, it will be legible in thy converſation. O do not reſt in Civility, Morality, Performances, Priviledges, or any thing ſhort of renewing-grace. It is the heart by generation cheifly polluted, and it is the heart by Regeneration which muſt be purified, or thou periſheſt eternally. When an error is in the foundation of an houſe, it will not be mended by daubing or roughcaſt, but muſt be pull…d down, and built up anew: If any man be in Chriſt Jeſus, he is a new Creature: Old things are paſt away, and all things are become new, 2 Cor. 5.17.
O Friend, conſider, that by the irrevocable decree and ſentence of the living God, None ſhall he ſaved but thoſe that are converted and renewed; And for the ſake of thy precious ſoul, give thy ſelf no reſt, till this change be wrought. I aſſure thee, it concerneth thee; for thine everlaſting life or death dependeth upon it, 3 John ver. 3. Mat. 18.3. Heh. 12.14.
Be much with God in Religious duties. Secret praying, reading and meditating, are great helps to piety. The bottom of a Chriſtians building is underground, and out of the Worlds ſight: The greateſt part of that trade which a Saint drives with God, is unſeen, and his returns are unknown to the world. Chriſt giveth his ſweeteſt kiſſes and deareſt embraces to his Spouſe, when ſhe is alone. Jacob met with the bleſſing when he had parted with his company, and wraſtled ſingly with the Angel of the Covenant: Bread eaten in ſecret, how ſweet is it! When God meeteth thy ſoul in a morning, or evening prayer, communion with his Majeſtie will be ſweet to thee indeed.
Take heed of omiſſion of duties in the Cloſet. The Amalekite had not eaten in three days who was nigh death. It is obſerved that the places under the Line, are not ſo hot, as ſome places at a further diſtance, becauſe, though they have the beams of the ſun falling perpendicularly to cauſe a more intenſe heat, yet the nights there being longer then in ſome other parts, the days are not ſo hot. When the nights are long, the days are very cold; when there are long omiſſions of duties, godlineſs will cool. Ah, didſt thou but know what many a Saint hath gained by that hidden calling, I am confident thou wouldſt mind it, what ever thou didſt omit. Remember how often and earneſtly I have urged thee to this duty. It is thy priviledge that though thou canſt not every day have the ſhowres of publick Ordinances, yet mayſt thou have the watering-pots of ſecret duties to make thy ſoul fruitful. Let no day paſs without thy morning and evening Sacrifices. Faſting is bad for ſome bodies, I am ſure to faſt from ſpiritual food is exceeding injurious to thy ſoul.
He that runneth into enormities (as a Drunkard, or Swearer, or Adulterer, &c.) he ſtabbeth his ſoul; he that omiteth daily duties, he ſtarveth his ſoul. Now what great difference is there between the death of the ſoul by ſtabbing and by ſtarving. If thy ſoul dye eternally it will be little comfort to thee to plead that thou didſt not drink or ſwear as others. O Friend, let no day paſs without ſecret duties; if thou riſeſt in the morning and followeſt thy calling all day, and lieſt down at night, and never deſireſt Gods company or askeſt his bleſſing, I would know wherein thou doſt God more ſervice then the Ox or Aſs; For ſhame Friend, do not thus play the beaſt any longer.
I have in this Treatiſe endeavoured to aſſiſt thee by diſcovering the Nature and Neceſſity of making Religion thy buſineſs. I cannot but think that the Reaſons which I have laid down for this duty will move any man, who is not reſolved to make himſelf eternally miſerable. It is no mean mercy that thou mayſt adopt all thy natural and civil actions into the family of Religion; that though like cyphers they ſignifie nothing of themſelves, yet having the figure of Godlineſs put before them, they may ſignifie much and ſtand for thouſands. I ſhall Reader onelyonly acquaint thee with ſome particulars which I treat of in the book, and then leave thee and it to the bleſſing of God. I am very large in directing thee about the immediate Worſhip of the Lord, as knowing that is of greateſt weight and worth. No preparation can be too great for, No devotion can be too gracious in Religious Actions. Amongſt many other Rites and Ceremonies of the Jews, …nt. Margarit le R tibus lulaeo…um.it is related that before the doors of their Synagogues, they have an iron plate, againſt which they wipe and make clean their ſhoes before they enter, and that being entred they fit ſolemnly for a ſeaſon, not once opening their mouths, but conſidering with whom they have to do. Truly Friend, it concerneth thee to be full of reverence when thou appeareſt ſolemnly in Gods preſence. Think of it, He is a jealous God, and will not be mocked; they that dally with him, undo themſelves. Serious piety will abundantly profit thee; but careleſs ſervice will highly provoke God. Spiders cobwebs may better be ſuffered in a Cottage the… in a Kings Palace.
In the next place I proceed to Natural Actions, and then to Recreations; about both which thy care muſt be that they exceed not their bounds, and that they taſte and ſavour of Religion. Mandrakes if duly taken, is good phyſick; but if immoderately, it caſts into a dead ſleep and congeales the ſpirits. It requireth much piety and prudence not to abuſe thoſe things whilſt thou art uſing them; Satan catcheth many a ſoul with theſe baits, and then throweth them into the fire. But if Religion be thy buſineſs, that which is poiſon to others, will be nouriſhing food to thee.
After theſe I ſpeak to Particular Callings, that they might be managed ſo, as not to be hurtful but helpful to our General Callings. I conclude the Book with Government of Families, wherein thou mayſt learn that thy houſe muſt be dedicated to God. Religion in thy houſe muſt of neceſſity be minded, or the whole Family is curſed. The Naturaliſts obſerve of the Eagle, that building her neſt on high ſhe is much maligned by a venemous Serpent called Parias, which becauſe it cannot reach to the neſt, maketh to the windward and breathes out its poiſon, that ſo the air being infected, the Eagles young may be deſtroyed; but by way of prevention, the Eagle by a natural inſtinct keepeth a kind of Agath-ſtone in her neſt, Plin. Hiſt. lib. 3. cap. 10.which being placed againſt the wind, preſerveth her young. Satan the crooked Serpent is ever buſie to poiſon the Air in thine houſe, and thereby to deſtroy thy ſelf, ſervants and whole houſhold; the only ſtone for prevention is to ſet up Religion. Neighbor, I have many a time preſſed this duty upon thee, and I do again in the name of the bleſſed God charge thee, as thou wilt anſwer it at the Bar of Chriſt, that thou immediately ſet up the worſhip of God in thy Family. Thou knoweſt how many Sermons I preached from Joſh. 24.15. on this ſubject, all which ere long thou ſhalt give an account of; how inexcuſable wilt thou be if after all thoſe warnings thy Family be found in the number of them that call not on God! Good Lord, how dreadful will it be for thee to ſink into hell with thy whole houſe on thy back!
And now Reader, whoever thou art, out of affection to thy precious ſoul and eternal ſalvation, let me prevail with thee not to uſe Religion as men do perfumes, refreſh themſelves with them whilſt they have them, but they can well enough be without them, but to make it thy chief, and main and principal buſineſs. What ſhall I ſay to thee? Aſſure thy ſelf, Religion will be thy beſt friend at laſt. O if thou hadſt but the ſame apprehenſions of it now which thou wilt have on a dying bed, and day of Judgement, thou wouldſt make it thine only buſineſs; them Religion will be Religion indeed, & of infinitely more worth to thee then millions of worlds; All other things will then, like leaves in Autumn, fall from thee; but though all thy moſt loving friends will part with thee, Religion will walk with thee in the valley of the ſhadow of death; it will direct and refreſh thee in the pleaſant waters of life, and it will protect and comfort thee in thoſe ſalt waters of ſickneſs, and when thou paſſeſt the Mare mortuum, the Sea of death. When the world, in thy extremity will ſerve thee as the herd do a Deer that is ſhot, puſh thee out of their company. When thy wife and children will, like Orpah to Naomi, kiſs thee, and take their leave of thee, Religion will, like Ruth, ſtick cloſs to thee, where thou goeſt it will go; where thou lodgeſt it will lodge; death it ſelf ſhall not part thee and it.
As the noble Grecian anſwered Philip when he asked him Whether he was not afraid to die? No, ſaith he, for the Athenians will give me a life that is immortal. Thou ſhouldſt not need to fear death; for Religion will give thee a life that is immortal. As the old grave Counſellors told Rehoboham, Be thou a ſervant to this people this day, and they will be thy ſervants for ever. So ſay I to thee, Be thou but a faithful ſervant to Religion in this ſhort day of thy life, and Religion will be thy ſervant to all eternity.
If thou art reſolved to give thy ſelf up to the ſervice of this noble Miſtris, poſſibly this Treatiſe may do thee ſome little ſervice, by acquainting thee with her will, and directing thee in her work.
If in the peruſal of it thou receive any profit, let God alone have the praiſe, and remember him in thy prayers, who is
Thine in the Lord, George Swinnock.