by George Swinnock
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
The Christian Man’s Calling by George Swinnock is a deeply pastoral and searching manual on how every Christian—regardless of age, station, or circumstance—is to make godliness the primary business of life. Written with earnest affection and theological richness, this work addresses the believer not merely as a churchgoer, but as one whose entire being—affections, thoughts, words, and deeds—ought to be oriented toward the glory of God.
Swinnock begins by reminding us that religion is not a weekend occupation or the preserve of the clergy, but the great end of man’s creation. He exposes the tragedy that many live as if their “main business” were their trade, family, or comfort, rather than communion with God. Through a tapestry of rich biblical exposition, theological reflection, and vivid imagery, he sets before the reader the immense dignity and duty of making godliness the great pursuit of life.
What makes this book especially compelling is its breadth. Swinnock does not limit the exercise of godliness to the closet or the church, but calls Christians to walk with God in every sphere: in public worship and secret prayer, at the table and at the market, in prosperity and in adversity, in the family and in solitude, in youth and in old age. No part of life is left untouched. He exhorts fathers, mothers, children, employers, employees, the sick, the dying—and even those engaged in recreation—to walk worthily of the gospel.
Readers will be drawn in by Swinnock’s warmth and wisdom. He is a shepherd who knows how to search the heart without crushing it. With plainness, but never harshness, he shows us what it means to “exercise ourselves unto godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7), and gently urges us to redeem our time by living each moment for eternity.
This book is a perfect guide for those who desire practical holiness grounded in sound doctrine. Swinnock’s aim is not merely to inform, but to transform. The Christian Man’s Calling is a book to be read slowly, prayerfully, and repeatedly—an exhortation to make religion our joy, our labor, and our crown.
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Table of Contents
THE CHRISTIAN MAN'S CALLING—PT I
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY
TO THE READER, especially to the Parish of Great-Kimbal in the County of Bucks
I. The preface and coherence of the text
II. The opening of the text and the doctrine
III. What godliness is
IV. What it is for a man to make religion his business, or to exercise himself to godliness
V. Religion is the great end of man's creation
VI. Religion is a work of the greatest weight. It is soul-work, it is God-work, it is eternity-work
VII. The necessity of making religion our business, both in regard of the opposition a Christian meets with, and the multiplicity of business which lieth upon him
VIII. A complaint that this trade is so dead, and the world's trade so quick
IX. The complaint continued, that this calling is so much neglected, when superstition and sin are embraced and diligently followed
X. An exhortation to make God our business in the whole course of our lives
XI. How a Christian may make religion his business in spiritual performances and religious actions
XII. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness in prayer. And first, of prayer in general, and of the antecedents to it
XIII. Of the concomitants of prayer
XIV. The subsequent duties after prayer
XV. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness in hearing and reading the word, and of preparation for hearing
XVI. Of the Christian's duty in hearing
XVII. Of the Christian's duty after hearing
XVIII. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness in receiving the Lord's supper; and 1. Of the nature of that ordinance, and preparation for it
XIX. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness at the table
XX. What a Christian ought to do after a sacrament
XXI. How to exercise ourselves to godliness on a Lord's-day
XXII. Brief directions for the sanctification of the Lord's-day from morning to night
XXIII. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness in natural actions. And first, in eating and drinking
XXIV. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness in his apparel and sleep
XXV. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness, in his recreations and pleasures
XXVI. How to exercise ourselves to godliness in our particular callings
XXVII. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness in his family as the governor thereof
THE CHRISTIAN MAN'S CALLING—PT II
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY
THE PREFACE AND EPISTLE TO THE READER, wherein the right Christian is characterised, out of the general heads in the three parts of the Christian man's calling
I. How Christians may exercise themselves to godliness in the relations of parents
II. How Christians may make religion their business, and exercise themselves to godliness in the relation of children
III. How Christians may exercise themselves to godliness in the relation of husbands and wives; and, first, Of the duties which concern them both in common. And a good wish from a pious pair
IV. How Christians may exercise themselves to godliness in the relation of husbands, with a good wish about the husband's duty
V. How a Christian may exercise herself to godliness in the relation of a wife, with a good wish about the duty of a wife
VI. How Christians may exercise themselves to godliness, in the relation of masters, with a good wish about the duty of a master
VII. How Christians may exercise themselves to godliness in the relation of servants
VIII. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness in prosperity
IX. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness in adversity. Containing motives to it, and the nature of it
X. The means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to godliness in adversity. As also a good wish about that condition
THE CHRISTIAN MAN'S CALLING — PT III
THE EPISTLE TO THE READER PREFACE
I. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness in his dealings with all men. As also a good wish about that particular
II. How Christians may exercise themselves to godliness in the choice of their companions
III. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness in evil company
IV. How Christians may exercise themselves to godliness in good company, with a good wish about that particular
V. How a Christian should exercise himself to godliness in solitariness. As also a good wish about that particular
VI. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness on a week-day from morning to night
VII. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness in visiting the sick
VIII. How a Christian may exercise himself to godliness on a dying bed
IX. Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to godliness: A good foundation; living by faith; setting God always before our eyes
X. Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to godliness: A constant watchfulness; frequent meditation of death; daily performance of sacred duties
XI. Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to godliness: Frequent meditation of the day of judgment; a daily examination of our hearts; avoiding the occasions and suppressing the beginnings of sin
XII. Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to godliness: A humble frame; suppressing sin in its first rise; the knowledge of God
XIII. Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to godliness: A contented spirit; avoiding those things that hinder godliness
XIV. Motives inciting Christians to exercise themselves to godliness: The vanity of other exercises; the brevity of man's life; the patterns of others
XV. The excellency of this calling, and the conclusion of the treatise