A62047:276
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.
That which is the happiness of man, must be able by its power to secure him against all perils; but creatures cannot afford this help; therefore cannot be our happiness. He that trusteth to second causes, is like him that being on the top of a tree, setteth his feet on rotten bough's, which will certainly break under him; or like the passenger who in windy stormy weather, runs to some tottering out-house, which falls upon him. But God is the almighty guard.
That which is the happiness of man, must be able by its power to secure him against all perills; but creatures cannot afford this help; therefore cannot be our happiness. He that trusteth to second causes, is like him that being on the top of a tree, setteth his feet on rotten bough's, which will certainly break under him; or like the passenger who in windy stormy weather, runs to some tottering out-house, which falls upon him. But God is the almighty guard.
The Schoolmen tell us the reason why Adam in his estate of innocency felt no cold, though he ⟨p. 110⟩were naked, was because of his Communion with God. God is the Saints shield to protect their bodies from all blows, Gen. 15.1. He is therefore compared in Scripture to such things and persons as shelter men in storms, defend them in dangers. Sometimes he is called a wall of fire, because Travellers in a Wilderness by this means are secured from wild beasts. 2 Zach. 5. those creatures fly from fire: Sometimes to a River of broad waters, because a City well moated and surrounded with waters, is thereby defended against enemies Isa. 33.21.