A62047:215
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.
Chapter 7: What is requisite to preparation for Death. A change of state, and a change of nature,…
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.
By nature thou art under the Covenant of works, and so bound to earn happiness by thy fingers ends, if ever thou wilt have it; in which failing (for no mere man ever sailed to bliss in that bottom) thou art liable to the curse of the Law, a bondslave to thy Jailer Satan, and an heir of Hell. If ever therefore thou wouldst arrive at Heavens blessed port, there is a necessity of embarking in another Vessel, and that is the Covenant of Grace, by which thou mayst be freed from all the former crosses and curses, and filled with all the special comforts, and rich cordials of the Gospel. Now it is faith in Christ by which thou comest to be shipped in this Covenant, and surely it concerns thee then to get this grace. Many, nay Millions, are drowned and cast away, sailing through the boisterous billows of death, in the broken bottom of the first Covenant, when others in the second, ride in Triumph with top and top gallant to their desired Haven.
By nature thou art under the Covenant of works, and so bound to earn happiness by thy fingers ends, if ever thou wilt have it; in which failing (for no meer man ever saild to bliss in that bottom) thou art liable to the curse of the Law, a bondslave to thy Jaylor Satan, and an heir of Hell. If ever therefore thou wouldst arrive at Heavens blessed port, there is a necessity of imbarquing in another Vessel, and that is the Covenant of Grace, by which thou mayst be freed from all the former crosses and curses, and filled with all the special comforts, and rich cordials of the Gospel. Now it is faith in Christ by which thou comest to be shipt in this Covenant, and surely it concerns thee then to get this grace. Many, nay Millions, are drowned and cast away, sayling through the boysterous billows of death, in the broken bottom of the first Covenant, when others in the second, ride in Triumph with top and top gallant to their desired Haven.
Reader, If thou art out of this Covenant, thou art like a man in the midst of the Sea, without any Boat or bottom, though some in Vessels at the ⟨p. 64⟩same time are safe, yet he is sure to sink. It is related of one, that being at the point of Drowning in a River and looking up, and seeing a Rainbow in the Sky (the sign of Gods Covenant, that he would never more drown the World) he made this conclusion; What if God save the whole World from a deluge of Waters, and suffer me to perish in this River, what good will that Covenant do me? So say I to thee, though thousands escape a deluge of wrath through Gods promise to Christ, and in Christ to his purified ones, what good will it do thee if thou perishest?