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 ...

A good Wish about Recreations.

REcreation being the intermission of my labour, * 1.1 and spending of some time in delightful exercise, for the refreshing of my body and mind, which (by working much) are apt to tire and grow weary, I wish in general that I may never abuse this favour which my Master affordeth me (as some drunken ser∣vants) to make me unfit for his work, but may be so consciencious in observing those cautions about it, which his law prescribeth, that my vigour and strength being thereby repaired, I may after it, follow his business with the more alacrity and ability. In par∣ticular,

I wish that my teeth may never water after forbidden fruit, * 1.2 that I may not be so prodigal as to lay my precious inestimable soul at stake by any sinful plea∣sure. My God hath told me how I may be merry and not have the Devil for my Play-fellow. O let me never defile my Spirit, whilst I am delighting the flesh, but let my sport for the kind of it, be like Cesars wife, without the least suspicion of fault. I desire that my carriage at it may be wholly free from passion and covetousness; and to this end, that I may never venture what I esteem at any value; my mind hereby would be dist urbed, not refreshed, and so the end of recreation altogether frustrated. * 1.3 I wish that such delights may be used as my medicine, onely now and then when nature requireth them, not as my meat constantly every day; let my God of all consola∣tion lye (as a Wife) in the bed of my heart, in my bosom, be the delight of my eyes, whom I would by no means have out of my sight; but let these low plea∣sures as my servants, always remain in an outward room, and go or come as occasion shall require, and Religion direct. I wish that I may never mind re∣creations for those foolish sinful ends, * 1.4 of passing away the time, or pleasing the flesh; but as Elijah called for a Minstrel, that his mind being thereby calmed and cheared, he might be the more fitted to prophesie: so I may refresh my body for this very end, that it may be the more serviceable to my soul, and both of them thereby to my dearest Saviour. I wish that my earthly delights may not be unsavoury, * 1.5 because (as fish at some times of the year) they are unseasonable; that when my general or particular occupatition,

require my presence, * 1.6 I may not be absent at recreati∣ons. Why should I like the rich fool be talking of taking my bodily ease, when my soul is in danger of endless pain, or like prophane Esau, be following my carnal pleasures, to the loss of my spiritual privi∣ledge! Finally, I desire that I may not (as Nero when Rome was o•• fire) be singing, when the people of God are sighing, but moderate or deny my mirth, * 1.7 when the members of Christ are mourning; O let me prefer Jerusalem before my chief joy. In a word, I wish that I may not disparage my God, by med∣ling with drossie comforts, when he calleth me to golden Cordials; that I may not disobey his law, by minding my pleasure on his holy day, but may delight my self, * 1.8 on that day of the Lord, in the Lord of that day; O let me gather 1. from recreations, with the Holy Father; If ordinary glass be at such a price, how precious is a true Diamond! If the Worlds trash drain such joy, what joy will flow from the true trea∣sure!

Lord let my cheifest and constant recreations be to walk with my beloved in the Garden of thy word, to refresh my spiritual sente and sight with the fair and fragrant flowers of thy promises and precepts, to do the work which thou hast given me to do, and to en∣joy fellowship with thy self in Ordinances, till I come to that place, where bodies are above such dreggie de∣lights, and souls above all mediate communion, and thou thy self art all in all, Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Intro∣duction.
• * 1.2

  For the kind it, must be lawful.
• * 1.3

  Moderation about them.
• * 1.4

  The end to be good.
• * 1.5

  Seasonable
• * 1.6

  In general they are un∣seasonable when parti∣cular or ge∣neral cal∣lings are neglected for them.
• * 1.7

  In special. In a time of the Churches troubles.
• * 1.8

  On a Lords day.