A62047:274
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 10: God must needs be Mans happiness, because he is an Alsufficient Good.
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.
First because of his perfection and all-sufficiency. That which makes man happy,1 must have no want, no weakness in it. It must be able both to secure him against all evil, and to furnish him with all good. The injuries of nature must be resisted, and the indigencies of nature must be supplied. Now this Sun ⟨p. 109⟩of righteousness (as the great Luminary of the world when it mounteth above the Horizon) doth both clear the air of mists and fogs, and cheer the inhabitants with his light and heat. And according to the degree of our enjoyment of him, such is the degree of our happiness or freedom from evil and fruition of good. Those that enjoy God perfectly in heaven, know no evil; they are above all storms and tempests, and enjoy all good; In his presence is fullness of joy, Psal 16. ult. They have a perpetual spring, a constant summer, never understanding what an autumn or winter meaneth; The Christian who enjoyeth God but imperfectly, (as all Saints on earth) doth but in part enjoy these privileges. His life is a Vicissitude of day and night, of light and darkness, of good and evil. Evil cannot hurt him, but it may fright him. He may taste of the chiefest good, but his full meal is reserved till he comes to his Fathers house.
First because of his perfection and alsufficiency. That which makes man happy,1 must have no want, no weakness in it. It must be able both to secure him against all evil, and to furnish him with all good. The injuries of nature must be resisted, and the indigencies of nature must be supplyed. Now this Sun ⟨p. 109⟩of righteousness (as the great Luminary of the world when it mounteth above the Horizon) doth both cleer the air of mists and foggs, and chear the inhabitants with his light and heat. And according to the degree of our enjoyment of him, such is the degree of our happiness or freedome from evil and fruition of good. Those that enjoy God perfectly in heaven, know no evil; they are above all storms and tempests, and enjoy all good; In his presence is fullness of joy, Psal 16. ult. They have a perpetual spring, a constant summer, never understanding what an antumn or winter meaneth; The Christian who enjoyeth God but imperfectly, (as all Saints on earth) doth but in part enjoy these priviledges. His life is a Vicissitude of day and night, of light and darkness, of good and evil. Evil cannot hurt him, but it may fright him. He may taste of the cheifest good, but his full meal is reserved till he comes to his Fathers house.