A62047:226
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.
When sin hath its deaths-wound before, it will expire at death; for though sin brought death into the body, death will cast sin out of the body; When grace is before budded and blossomed, at death it will ripen into glory. Holiness is the Raiment of Needle-work, in which thou art to be brought to thy Lord and Husband, Psa. 45.14. but its necessary, that like Abraham's Ram thou be perplexed in these Briars, before by death thou art offered up as a peace-offering to God. They are foolish who Dream of being carried to Heaven in a Feather-bed. None but such as are weary of the work (as a sick man of his bed) and heavy laden with the weight of sin (as a Porter can be of his burden) shall enter into the everlasting rest.
When sin hath its deaths-wound before, it will expire at death; for though sin brought death into the body, death will cast sin out of the body; When grace is before budded and blossomed, at death it will ripen into glory. Holiness is the Raiment of Needle-work, in which thou art to be brought to thy Lord and Husband, Psa. 45.14. but its necessary, that like Abrahams Ram thou be perplexed in these Briars, before by death thou art offered up as a peace-offering to God. They are foolish who Dream of being carried to Heaven in a Feather-bed. None but such as are weary of the work (as a sick man of his bed) and heavy laden with the weight of sin (as a Porter can be of his burden) shall enter into the everlasting rest.
Naturalists observe that the Egyptian Fig-Tree being put into the Water,1 presently sinketh to the bottom, but being well soaked, contrary to the nature of other Trees, it boys it self up to the top: Till thy mind is enlightened, to see sins deformity; thy will renewed, to refuse it as thy only enemy; and thy affections purified, to grieve for it, and loath it, as it is contrary to the blessed God and thy own felicity; till thy soul is soaked in these bitter waters, never expect to be lifted up to the Rivers of pleasures at Gods right hand. This howling Wilderness is the only way to Canaan: The path to Zion lieth by Sinai, God poureth the Oil of gladness into the broken Vessel. Some