A62047:237
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.
Secondly, Wilt thou presently give a bill of Divorce to all other lovers, and keep the bed of thy heart wholly for him? Shall the evil of sin never more have a good look from thee, but (as Ammon served Tamar) shall the hatred wherewith thou hatest those filthy strumpets (with whom thou hast had cursed dalliances, and committed spiritual fornication) be greater then the love wherewith thou hast loved them? Canst thou pack away the bond-woman, and her son, and these things not at all be grievous in thy sight, that thy whole joy and delight may be in, and all that thou art worth preserved for the true Isaac? Shall this Sun reign alone in the Heavens of thy heart without any Competitor? As when a Dictator was created at Rome, there was a supersedeas to all other authority; so if Christ be exalted in thy soul, there must be a cessation of all other rule and power. Christ will not be a King merely in derision as the Jews made him; nor as the stump of Wood was to the Frogs in the Fable, whom every lust may securely dance about and provoke.
Secondly, Wilt thou presently give a bill of Divorce to all other lovers, and keep the bed of thy heart wholly for him? Shall the evil of sin never more have a good look from thee, but (as Ammon served Tamar) shall the hatred wherewith thou hatest those filthy strumpets (with whom thou hast had cursed dalliances, and committed spiritual fornication) be greater then the love wherewith thou hast loved them? Canst thou pack away the bond-woman, and her son, and these things not at all be greivous in thy sight, that thy whole joy and delight may be in, and all that thou art worth preserved for the true Isaac? Shall this Sun reign alone in the Heavens of thy heart without any Competitour? As when a Dictatour was created at Rome, there was a supersedeas to all other authority; so if Christ be exalted in thy soul, there must be a cessation of all other rule and power. Christ will not be a King meerly in dirision as the Jews made him; nor as the stump of Wood was to the Frogs in the Fable, whom every lust may securely dance about and provoke.
These are the terms upon which this match (so honourable and profitable) is offered to thee, give up an hearty Yea to these two equitable Articles, ⟨p. 80⟩