A62047:223
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.
1Secondly, There must of necessity, be a change of thy nature by Repentance, or Death can never be thy passage into the undefiled inheritance. The new man is the only Citizen of the new Jerusalem. Tis bad venturing a voyage to the Happy Islands in an old leaking bottom. In the Art of navigation; ⟨p. 69⟩it was a Law, and formerly seriously observed, that none should be a Master or Masters Mate, that had not been first a Sculler, and Rowed with Oars, and from thence be promoted to the Stern. None are fit to Reign with God, who have not wrought for God; Others are more unfit for it then a Carter for a Princes Court. Men must be bound Apprentices on earth, to that high and holy Trade of worshipping and glorifying the blessed God, and know the Art and Mystery of it (which the purblind eyes of nature cannot discern) before they can set up for themselves, and enrich themselves by it in Heaven. Men that are wholly strangers to a Country, and no whit acquainted with the Language, and Carriage of the natives, would find (if in it) but a solitary place. He whose eyes are so bad that he cannot see God with the help of the spectacles of Ordinances, will be much more unable to see him face to face. Alas what would an earthly man do in Heaven.
1Secondly, There must of necessity, be a change of thy nature by Repentance, or Death can never be thy passage into the undefiled inheritance. The new man is the onely Citizen of the new Jerusalem. Tis bad venturing a voyage to the Happy Islands in an old leaking bottom. In the Art of navigation; ⟨p. 69⟩it was a Law, and formerly seriously observed, that none should be a Master or Masters Mate, that had not been first a Sculler, and Rowed with Owers, and from thence be promoted to the Stern. None are fit to Raign with God, who have not wrought for God; Others are more unfit for it then a Carter for a Princes Court. Men must be bound Apprentices on earth, to that high and holy Trade of worshipping and glorifying the blessed God, and know the Art and Mystery of it (which the purblind eyes of nature cannot discern) before they can set up for themselves, and inrich themselves by it in Heaven. Men that are wholly strangers to a Country, and no whit acquainted with the Language, and Carriage of the natives, would find (if in it) but a solitary place. He whose eyes are so bad that he cannot see God with the help of the spectacles of Ordinances, will be much more unable to see him face to face. Alas what would an earthly man do in Heaven.