A62040:596
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.
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.
Luther relates a story of two Cardinals riding to the Council at Constance, 1how by the way they heard a shepherd weeping and crying out sadly, upon which they turned aside to know what was the matter, and found the shepherd looking upon an ugly Toad: They asked him the ground of his lamentation; He answered, I cannot but weep to consider the goodness of God, that he did not make me such a loathsome creature, and my own unthankfulness, that I should be no more sensible of it. At which one of the Cardinals was so affected, that he fell from his horse in a swoon, and coming again afterwards to himself, told his Brother; Well said St. Austin, Indocti rapiunt coelum, &c. The unlearned take heaven by violence, whilst we with all our parts and learning wallow in the mire of the earth and flesh.
Luther relates a story of two Cardinals riding to the Council at Constance, 1how by the way they heard a shepherd weeping and crying out sadly, upon which they turned aside to know what was the matter, and found the shepherd looking upon an ugly Toad: They asked him the ground of his lamentation; He answered, I cannot but weep to consider the goodness of God, that he did not make me such a loathsom creature, and my own unthankefulness, that I should be no more sensible of it. At which one of the Cardinals was so affected, that he fell from his horse in a swoon, and coming again afterwards to himself, told his Brother; Well said St. Austin, Indocti rapiunt coelum, &c. The unlearned take heaven by violence, whilst we with all our parts and learning wallow in the mire of the earth and flesh.
- 1Luth. Declam. Popular de Terti. Precept. Tom. 1.
Natural beings are as spades, wherewith we may open the mines, and dig out spiritual riches. He that hath a gracious fancy, may like the Bee suck honey from every flower in the garden of the creation, and climb up by the stairs of the meanest creature to the Supreme and Infinite Creator. All objects to a wise Christian may be wings to mount him up to heaven. As the old Romans when they saw the blew stones thought of Olympus, so the holy person by every work is elevated to admire some excellency in the workman.