A62050:157
Ouranos kai tartaros= heaven and hell epitomized. The true Christian characterized. As also an…
Ouranos kai tartaros= heaven and hell epitomized. The true Christian characterized. As also an exhortation with motives, means and directions to be speedy and serious about the work of conversion. By George Swinnocke M.A. sometime fellow of Balliol College in Oxford, and now preacher of the Gospel at Rickmersworth in Hertfordshire.Ouranos kai tartaros= heaven and hell epitomized. The true Christian characterized. As also an exhortation with motives, means and directions to be speedy and serious about the work of conversion. By George Swinnocke M.A. sometime fellow of Baliol Colledge in Oxford, and now preacher of the Gospel at Rickmersworth in Hertfordshire.
London: printed by E.M. for Tho. Parkhurst, 1659
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, a believer by death shall gain the company of perfect Christians: Death will exempt him from all commerce with sinners, and teach him fully the meaning of that article, The communion of Saints: In the field of this world the tares and the wheat grow together; but in that heavenly Garner they are parted asunder. There is no treacherous Judas among the Apostles, no covetous Demas among the Disciples, no Amorites to be pricks in the eyes, and thorns in the sides of the Israelite, no bestial Sodomite to vex righteous Lot with their unclean conversation, no flattering Doeg sets his foot in that heavenly Sanctuary. David doth not there complain, Woe is me that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar, My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace, Psal. 120.4, 5. nor Isaiah, that he dwelleth among a people of unclean lips, Isa. 6.5. nor Elijah, that he is left alone. Hell holdeth none but sinners, & heaven hath only Saints; He that dieth in the Lord, goeth to the congregation of the first-born, to the spirits of just men made perfect, Heb. 12.23. And questionless the sweet company will be part of our felicity. If Plotinus the Philosopher could say, Let ⟨p. 37⟩us make haste to our Country, there are our parents, there are all our friends; and if Cicero the Orator could say,1 O what a brave day will that be, when I shall go to the counsel and company of happy souls, to my Cato, and other Roman Worthies! How much better will it be with the Christian! when he wall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of heaven, when he shall leave the rout and rabble of wicked ones, and be admitted into the society of all that died in the faith, and be joyfully welcomed by the melodious quire of Angels, and be heartily embraced by the Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, yea all the Saints! Surely if ever that Proverb were true, it is here, The more the merrier: The fair streams there will never be drawn dry, though it be divided into many channels: the music there is not the less harmonious, because many hear it; nor the light of the Sun of righteousness the less pleasant, because many see it; and O what a gain will this be, to enjoy the company of them that are holy? If Aaron when he met Moses on earth was glad at his heart, certainly there was greater joy at their meeting in heaven.