A62047:36
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.
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.
Honoured and Beloved,
IT is a general observation, that all creatures have propensity and inclination towards those places where they receive their births and beings. Vegetatives which stand in the lowest rank of life, thrive best (because they delight most) in those grounds whence they first grow. Sensitives as they have an higher being, so a ⟨image 8⟩stronger inclination to those parts where they are born.
The Prince of Philosophers telleth us that Fish usually stay with pleasure in those Waters in which they are bread,1 and Beasts in those Woods in which they are brought forth, and that neither of them will remove without force and violence; Nature hath planted in them both this principle of affecting their native places. Hence it comes to pass that even these creatures, have manifested their thank-fullness after their manner. Trees acknowledge that sap which they borrow from the earth in which they stand, in the tribute of leaves which they pay back to the same in Autumn. The Storks are said to leave one of their young in that part of the Earth where they are hatched.2 Men as they have a Nobler life, so a greater love to their Native Country. Heathen themselves have been famous for this.
The Prince of Philosophers telleth us that Fish usually stay with pleasure in those Waters in which they are bread,1 and Beasts in those Woods in which they are brought forth, and that neither of them will remove without force and violence; Nature hath planted in them both this principle of affecting their native places. Hence it comes to pass that even these creatures, have manifested their thank-fulness after their manner. Trees acknowledge that sap which they borrow from the earth in which they stand, in the tribute of leaves which they pay back to the same in Autumn. The Storks are said to leave one of their young in that part of the Earth where they are hatched.