A62047:308
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 14: The Difference betwixt the Portions of Gracious and Graceless persons in this World.
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; Their Portion is poor; 1It consisteth in toys and trifles, like the estate of mean women in the City, who make a great noise in crying their ware, which is only a few points or pins, or matches. But the portion of a Saint lieth (though he do not proclaim it about the streets) as the rich Merchants, in staple commodities and jewels. The worldlings portion at best is but a little airy honour, or empty pleasure, or beggarly treasure. But the Christians is the beautiful Image of God, the incomparable Covenant of Grace, the exceeding rich and precious promises of the Gospel, the inestimable Saviour, and the infinitely blessed God. The sinners portion is nothing; ye have rejoiced in a thing of nought. Amos 6.13. a fashion, a fancy. 1 Cor. ⟨p. 128⟩7.29. Acts 25.23. but the Saints portion is all things; All things are yours, and ye are Christs, and Christ is Gods, 1 Cor. 3.22, 23. As Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his Concubines, and sent them away, but he gave all he had to Isaac: so God giveth common gifts of riches, or friends, or credit to wicked men (which is all they crave) and sendeth them away (and they are well contented) but he gives grace, glory, his Spirit, his Son, himself, all he hath to his Isaacs, to the children of the promise, Gen. 25.5, 6. He giveth earth into the hands of the wicked, Job 9.24. All their portion lieth in dust, rubbish and lumber; all they are worth is a few ears of corn, which they glean here and there in the field of this world; but he giveth heaven into the hearts of the godly; their portion consisteth in gold, and silver, and diamonds, the peculiar treasure of Kings, in the love of God, the blood of Christ, and the pleasures at his right hand for evermore. Others, like servants, have a little meat, and drink, and wages; but Saints, like sons, they (are a congregation of the first-born, and) have the inheritance. O the vast difference betwixt the portion of the prodigal and the pious! the former hath something given him by God (as Peninnah had by Elkanah) though at last it will appear to be little better then nothing, when he gives the latter (as Elkanah did Hannah) a goodly, a worthy portion because he loves them,