A62047:279
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.
Travellers tell us that they who are at the top of the Alps, can see great showers of rain fall under them, but not one drop of it falls on them, They who have God for their portion are in an high Tower. and thereby safe from all troubles and showers; a drift-rain of evil will beat in at the creatures windows, be they never so well pointed; All the garments this world can make up, cannot keep them that travel in such weather from being wet to the skin: No creature is able to bear the weight of its fellow-creature, but as reeds break under and as thorns run into the sides that lean on them. The bow drawn beyond its compass breaks in sunder, and the string wound above its strength snaps in pieces; such are outward helps to all that trust to them in hardships.
Travellers tell us that they who are at the top of the Alps, can see great showres of rain fall under them, but not one drop of it falls on them, They who have God for their portion are in an high Tower. and thereby safe from all troubles and showres; a drift-rain of evil will beat in at the creatures windows, be they never so well pointed; All the garments this world can make up, cannot keep them that travell in such weather from being wet to the skin: No creature is able to bear the weight of its fellow-creature, but as reeds break under and as thorns run into the sides that lean on them. The bow drawn beyond its compass breaks insunder, and the string wound above its strength snaps in pieces; such are outward helps to all that trust to them in hardships.
But Christians being anchored on this rock of ages, are secure in the greatest storm. They are like Zion which cannot be moved. The Church, according to the Motto of Venice, Immota manet. In time of trouble he hides them in his pavilion, and in the secret of his tabernacle he sets them upon a rock, Psal. 27.5. Gods Sanctuary is his hidden place, Ezek. 7.22. and his Saints are his hidden ones, Psal. 83.4. and there he hides them from whatsoever may hurt them: therefore he calls his children, when it rains abroad and is stormy, to come within doors out of the wet; Come my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors upon thee, and hide thy self, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation be over past,