A62047:347
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 17: An Exhortation to Men, to choose God for their portion.
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.
The Turtle, saith the Philosopher, brings forth her young blind. The most quick-sighted Christian brings forth blind children; now they not being able to see afar off into the other world, prefer these poor things, which they may have in present possession, before these unsearchable riches which are offered them in reversion. Hence it is also, that the Devil (as the Raven when he seizeth the carcass) as soon as he layeth hold on any person,1 the first thing he doth is to peck out his eyes, knowing, that as soon as they come to see the blessed God, and the happiness which is to be enjoyed in him, they will quickly turn their backs on these shadows, and face about towards this eternal substance. O how dull would the worlds common glass be in his eye, who had once beheld the true Crystal! The lodestone of earth will not draw mans affections whilst this Diamond of heaven is in presence. When Moses had once seen him that was invisible, how low did the price of the honours, and ⟨p. 151⟩treasures, and pleasures of Egypt fall in his judgement! Knowledge is by one well expressed to be Appetites taster; for as he that hath eaten sweet-meats cannot relish the strongest beer; so he that hath fed on the heavenly banquet, cannot savour any thing else.
The Turtle, saith the Philosopher, brings forth her young blind. The most quick-sighted Christian brings forth blind children; now they not being able to see afar off into the other world, prefer these poor things, which they may have in present possession, before these unsearchable riches which are offered them in reversion. Hence it is also, that the Devil (as the Raven when he seizeth the carcass) as soon as he layeth hold on any person,1 the first thing he doth is to peck out his eyes, knowing, that as soon as they come to see the blessed God, and the happiness which is to be enjoyed in him, they will quickly turn their backs on these shadows, and face about towards this eternal substance. O how dull would the worlds common glasse be in his eye, who had once beheld the true Christal! The loadstone of earth will not draw mans affections whilst this Diamond of heaven is in presence. When Moses had once seen him that was invisible, how low did the price of the honours, and ⟨p. 151⟩