A62050:160
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.
Secondly, A Christian shall gain by death the nearest communion with the Lord Jesus Christ; and O what happiness is included in this Head! The presence of Christ on earth can make a mean cottage a most delightful court; to the three children it turned the fiery furnace into a delectable palace; what will it do then in Heaven. Bernard saith, he had rather be ⟨p. 39⟩in his chimney-corner with Christ,1 than in heaven without Christ. Luther saith, he had rather be in hell with Christ, than in heaven without Christ; communion with Christ can sweeten the bitterest condition. Christ alone is the salt which seasons all the Saints comforts, without which nothing is savoury to the spiritual taste. A duty without Christ, is like a body without a soul, which hath neither loveliness nor life in it. Communion with Christ is one great motive which inciteth the Saint to, and encourageth him in the Ordinances of God: He attendeth on Scriptures because they are they that testify of Christ; the pearl of price is hid in that field:2 In them the lips of Christ, like lilies, drop sweet-smelling myrrh; and O how his heart burneth within him, with love to Christ, whilst Christ is opening to him the Scriptures! He frequenteth prayer, because therein Christ and his soul converse together; in that Ordinance he enjoyeth much of Ch ists quickening presence; he speaketh to Christ by holy supplications, and Christ to him by heavenly consolations: He mindeth fasting, because therein his soul may with Jesus Christ have a spiritual feast; or the ⟨p. 40⟩greatest cause of his weeping is with Mary, They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him: The means of grace are therefore so desirable and delightful, because rhey are the Galleries wherein he walketh, talketh, feedeth, and feasteth with the Lord of glory.
Secondly, A Christian shall gain by death the neerest communion with the Lord Jesus Christ; and O what happiness• is included in this Head! The presence of Christ on earth can make a mean cottage a most delightful court; to the three children it turned the fiery furnace into a delectable palace; what will it do then in Heaven. Bernard saith, he had rather be