A62047:20
The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity…
The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity with the only way to throw it well : as also the gracious persons incomparable portion / by George Swinnock ...The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity with the only way to throw it vvell : as also the gracious persons incomparable portion / by George Swinnock ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Dedication: To the Courteous Ms. Jane Swinnock, WIDOW OF Mr. Caleb Swinnock, LATE OF Maidstone Dece…
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.
It was some comfort to me to observe your Christian carriage under so great a cross. The hour of affliction is an hour of temptation. Satan loves to fish when the Waters are troubled; He would bring us to hard thoughts of God, by the hard things we suffer from God; Touch him, and he will curse thee to thy face. In such stormy weather some Vessels are cast away. A corrupt heart in adversity (like Water boiling over the Fire) then most of all discovereth its froth and filth, Isa. 8.21. But though frosty seasons are hurtful to Weeds, yet they are helpful to good Corn. A sanctified person, like a silver bell, the harder he is smitten, the better he soundeth. Faith is a special Antidote against the poison of the Wicked one. It can read Love in the blackest Characters of Divine dispensation; as by a Rain-bow we see the beautiful image of the Suns light, in the midst of a dark and waterish Cloud. Gods Rod, like Jonathans is dipped in Honey. Our daily bread, and our sharpest rod grow upon the same root. Every believer may say in affliction, as Mauritius, when his Wife and Children were slain before his eyes, Righteous art thou O Lord, and in very faithfulness hast afflicted me.
It was some comfort to me to observe your Christian carriage under so great a cross. The hour of affliction is an hour of temptation. Satan loves to fish when the Waters are troubled; He would bring us to hard thoughts of God, by the hard things we suffer from God; Touch him, and he will curse thee to thy face. In such stormy weather some Vessels are cast away. A corrupt heart in adversity (like Water boyling over the Fire) then most of all discovereth its froth and filth, Isa. 8.21. But though frosty seasons are hurtful to Weeds, yet they are helpful to good Corn. A sanctified person, like a silver bell, the harder he is smitten, the better he soundeth. Faith is a special Antidote against the poison of the Wicked one. It can read Love in the blackest Characters of Divine dispensation; as by a Rain-bow we see the beautiful image of the Suns light, in the midst of a dark and waterish Cloud. Gods Rod, like Jonathans is dipt in Hony. Our daily bread, and our sharpest rod grow upon the same root. Every beleiver may say in affliction, as Mauritius, when his Wife and Children were slain before his eyes, Righteous art thou O Lord, and in very faithfulness hast afflicted me.