A62047:46
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.
Men indeed are generally unwilling to hear of Death, and the Minister who would urge them to it, is as unwelcome as foul weather, which usually comes before its sent for; whatsoever hath a tendency to Death is killing; the telling them of it sounds as mournfully in their ears as the tolling of a passing Bell; and the making their Wills as frightful to them, as the making their Graves. Hence, when they are riding post in the broad way of sin and the World, and conscience would check and rein them in with the curbs of Death and Judgement, they presently snap them in pieces, and stifle its convictions; They dare not look into the book of Conscience, to see how accounts stand between God and themselves, but like Hawks are ever Hooded within doors,1 blind at Home, and never use their eyes but Abroad, to the hurt and censuring of others.
Men indeed are generally unwilling to hear of Death, and the Minister who would urge them to it, is as unwelcome as foul weather, which usually comes before its sent for; whatsoever hath a tendency to Death is killing; the telling them of it sounds as mournfully in their ears as the tolling of a passing Bell; and the making their Wills as frightful to them, as the making their Graves. Hence, when they are riding post in the broad way of sin and the World, and conscience would check and rein them in with the curbs of Death and Judgement, they presently snap them in peices, and stifle its convictions; They dare not look into the book of Conscience, to see how accounts stand between God and themselves, but like Hauks are ever Hooded within doors,1 blind at Home, and never use their eyes but Abroad, to the hurt and censuring of others.
- 1Mori timeat qui ad secundam mortem de hac morte transibit. Cypr. de mortal.
The Egyptian slaves drank Wine freely, and wrapped their heads in Veils, that they might dye without sight or sorrow. I know many drown the thoughts of their future mourning in carnal pleasure and present mirth, but such mirth, like Nabals, will last no longer, then while they are drunk with ignorance and senselessness; for they no sooner come to themselves, to understand the state they are in, but their hearts dye within them. Besides, hereby they put themselves upon a necessity of perishing;