A62040:1047
The works of George Swinnock, M.A
The works of George Swinnock, M.A. containing these several treatises ...
London: printed by J.B. for Tho. Parkhurst, 1665
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Chapter 9: Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness; A good Foundation: L•vin…
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.
Faith makes things future, present; it looketh into•Heaven and saith as David, before he had conquered those places, Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Heaven is mine, Eternal Life is mine, fullness of joy is mine, that Kingdom in comparison of which this whole world is a dunghill is mine, because God hath sworn by his holiness, that he will not lye unto his David, and whilst the soul by faith seeth and is assured of these felicities for their sake, it can trample under foot the worlds largest offers.
Faith makes things future, present; it looketh into•Heaven and saith as David, before he had conquered those places, Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Heaven is mine, Eternal Life is mine, fulness of joy is mine, that Kingdom in comparison of which this whole world is a dunghil is mine, because God hath sworn by his holiness, that he will not lye unto his David, and whilst the soul by faith seeth and is assured of these felicities for their sake, it can trample under foot the worlds largest offers.
2. Faith enableth the Christian to conquer Satan; Though the wicked one be full of power and policy, yet Faith makes him flee like a Coward. Its said of the Crocodile, that he flieth if resisted, but followeth those that fear and flee from him; Truly so doth Satan, Jam. 4. 8. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. But how must he be resisted? the Apostle Peter answers that question, whom resist steadfastly in the Faith, 1 Pet. 5. 9. The Crocodile cannot endure the sight or smell of saffron, therefore in Egypt they sow saffron to keep him away. Faith is this saffron, Cant. 4. 14. which drives away the Devil. Faith like little David, wounds the great Goliath of Hell. They overcame him (meaning the Devil) by the blood of the Lamb. The Wild Bull, say Naturalists, cannot endure a red colour, therefore the Hunter putteth on red garments, and standeth before a Tree, which the Bull runneth against with all his might, and the Hunter stepping aside, his horns stick fast in the tree, whereby he is taken. The Christian by Faith in the blood of Christ, overcometh those infernal spirits who thought to overcome him.